STATEMENT IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 5

STATEMENT IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT

THE BALKAN SITUATION ALLIES' RELATIONS WITH GREECE & RUMANIA By Telegraph—Press A ssoc.tation—Copyright London, October 14. Mr. Asquith declined to allow tho House of Commons to discuss the situation in the Balkans. Sir Edward Grey, who was received with cheers, said that ho did not propose to deal with militarv problems but would confino himself to the objects of the present diplomacy policy in tho Near Bast. He was aware that many criticisms had been made recently, but he did not desire to reply to them—not because there was no answer, but because tho situation was most delicate. Tho Allies at the beginning of the war were desirous that tho war should not extend to tho Near East. Turkey was assured that if she remained neutral tho Entente would see that she did not suffer any loss of territory. When Turkey entered tho war tho efforts of tho Allies were concontratcd upon securing agreement in tho Balkans. They sought to obtain concessions for Bulgaria if she took tho sido of the Allies. Tho Allies' relations with Rumania were friendly. _ She was favourable to a policy promoting agreement in the Balkans. A policy encouraging divisions and embittering tho existing antipathies was infinitely easier than a policy of reconciliation. The Allies throughout the war had given Serbia all possiblo help, freely and unconditionally. . When the Allies wero unable, to send troops last winter, Serbia drove out her enemies after fights which wore, among tho most remarkable incidents of the war. Serbia was now meeting tho new crisis with the samo splendid courage, but tho entry of Bulgaria made a great difference. It was obvious that the interests of Grecce and Serbia wero ono; in the long run, they stood and fell together. Only through Greek territory could assistance ho given to Serbia. Desiring to give Serbia all the help possible, Franco and Britain had sent all tho troops immediately available to Salonika. We wero acting in close co-operation with tho French, and' tho assistance of Russian troops was promised as soon as it can bo made available. It was impossible to disclose tho plans, but the military authorities of the Allies wero constantly consulting as to the best methods to meet tho situation.

Ho believed these methods were .based 011 principles of sound strategy. Serbia was fighting an intense and acute struggle for her national existence, but all of us were fighting the same issue. Everywhere it was a' fight for the right to livo away from the shadow of Prussian militarism, which did not observe the ordinary rales of humanity in war, and offered tho menace of oppression in peace. (Loud cheers.) THE COLOURLESS STATEMENT RECEIVED WITH SILENCE. ' London, October 14. The House of Commons. was crowded in anticipation of an epoch-making pronouncement. Tho assemblage listened to Sir Edward Grey's colourless statement in silence, only broken by loud cheers when he paid a tribute to tho Serbians' courage and the menace of Prussian militarism. ' Lord Crewe made a similar statement to that of Sir Edward Grey in the House of Lords, and deprecated debate. Nevertheless, Lord Morley expressed the opinion that in view of the campaigns in France and at the Dardanelles we were dispersing our forces too much by embarking upon a new campaign. Lord Milner said that the information contained in Sir Edward Grey's and Lord Crewe's speeches was less tlian any intelligent student of foreign affairs could give. He suggested the withdrawal of the troops from Gallipoli. Lord Lansdowne, in reply, refused to make a statement on tho Dardanelles. Ho said it would bo unpatriotic to force the Government to a fuller disclosure. He added thai) the attitude of Greece was still not fully defined. Lord Ribblesdale said that now that tho situation had arisen in the Balkans, the Government with dignity might get out of the unfortunate adventure of tho Dardanelles. After Lord Crewe had again deprecated discussion, the debate closed.