§ Colonel CLAUDE LOWTHER (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether there is any foundation for the statement that Germany has an army of over 500,000 men under arms; and, if so, whether this is not a flagrant infringement of the Treaty of Versailles?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe number is, I believe, exaggerated. This is, of course, one of the questions which is always being kept in view by the Supreme Council, in order that the terms of the Treaty after ratification may be carried out.
§ Colonel LOWTHERAre the Allied Governments satisfied that the German Army has been disbanded, and that only a glorified police force has been substituted in its stead, as was agreed by the Treaty?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think my hon. Friend has misunderstood the Treaty. The limitation of the numbers was only to take effect biter ratification, but clearly it is the supreme duty of the Allied Council to make sure that we are running the risk of not being able to enforce it, and the strength of the German force is one of those things entrusted to Marshal Foch which we may be sure is not being lost sight of.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre not some of these men being kept under arms in order to assist us in repressing the Bolsheviks in Russia?