§ Mr. BROMFIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the crews of the French steamers "Crimée" and "Jérusalem" have refused to allow these ships to be loaded with munitions for Asia Minor; whether they state that their action is due to a decision of the Seamen's International to refuse to handle munitions; whether similar incidents have occurred in any other countries; and whether any British crews have refused to handle munitions for Mesopotamia or elsewhere?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI understand that the crews of the two vessels went on strike, using as a pretext a desire to prevent the despatch of munitions to Syria, and that their action was taken on the initiative of the Seamen's International. The crew of the "Crimée" subsequently changed their attitude, and sailed with the ship for Beyrout on the 20th of November. The crew of the "Jérusalem" which consists of Russians, Chinese, Roumanians and Turks, is expected to follow the example of their French comrades of the "Crimée." I have no information with regard to the last part of the question.