HC Deb 17 February 1914 vol 58 cc789-90W
Mr. PONSONBY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the American editor of a newspaper called "Azatamart," published in Constantinople, has been tried by court-martial and sentenced to four months' imprisonment and to a fine of £80 (Turkish) for having printed translations of articles published in this country on the conditions prevailing in the Armenian provinces; whether he is aware that the original articles were written by an English clergyman who recently made a tour of the country and whose knowledge was gained on the spot; and whether His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople has been instructed to take any action in the matter?

Sir E. GREY

I have received unofficial information of the nature stated in the first two sentences. The authorship of the articles has no bearing on the matter, Which concerns the application to Turkish subjects of Turkish laws, and I cannot, therefore, instruct His Majesty's Ambassador to take any official action. I am assuming that the word "American" in the second line of the question is a misprint for "Armenian."