ATTITUDE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 144, 22 June 1903, Page 2

ATTITUDE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

Press Association* Electric Telegraph,

Copyright. Received June 21, 4.55 p.m. London, June 20.

Replying to Lord Newton, the Marquis of Lansdowne (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), explained the Government's abhorrence of the Belgrade outrages. No proposal had been made to Britain to take concerted action to secure punitive measures, nor could we usefully convey such a proposal to the other Powers. Bat regarding diplomatic relations, nothing was further from our thoughts than to maintain ordinary relations with fehe persons concerned in those events. Sir George Bonham, the British Representative at Belgrade, was instructed by telegram on the loth to limit intercourse with the authorities to what was necessary to enable him to report on events, and do nothing suggesting official recognition of the provisional Government, whose freedom from complicity was not yet established, or recognition of any authority set op in succession to tho dynasty. France, Germany and Italy were maintaining an attitude similar to ours. Austria and Russia were prepared to recognise the new regime. Russia made it clear that it expects proper punishment to be inflicted. Oar conclusion is th*t it was not desirable that Sir George Bonham should be at Belgrade for the inauguration of the new reign. He had been instructed to leave for the time.

The Earl of Spencer and the Dnkeof Rutland expressed satisfaction at the Minister's statement.