Skip to main content

Anglo-Russian Treaty

Volume 175: debated on Wednesday 5 June 1907

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are negotiating a treaty or other form of understanding with the Russian Government; whether he is in a position to make any statement on the subject to the House; and whether, before committing the country to such an agreement, he will consider the feelings of organised labour and those holding Liberal opinions regarding the relations of the Russian Government to its subjects.

My right hon. friend is unable to make any statement on this subject at present. But he cannot admit that internal affairs in Russia are relevant to any discussion of matters affecting the respective frontiers of the two countries with the object of preventing difficulties which might other-wise arise between them.

Am I to understand that the Governments are only negotiating on frontier questions and not on general questions?

Would not a good understanding with Russia be of advantage to all parties?