15. Captain STANLEY WILSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the War Office was informed during last October that Lieutenant Baron 1901 von Ow-Wachendorf, then residing in London, was an officer in the German Army and had served his military training in German South West Africa the previous year and that he ought to be interned; in view of this information, will he say why this officer was not interned; and why the War Office have allowed him to be exchanged and to return to Germany?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo information relating to the Baron's previous military career or training reached the War Office. The answer to the second part of the question has been given in reply to a question put to the Foreign Office to-day by the hon. and gallant Member for the Maidstone Division. He was repatriated under the agreement for the mutual exchange of Consular officers.
Captain WILSONWould the right hon. Gentleman accept my statement contained in the question as correct, if I privately supply to him the name of a well-known general officer who gave this information to the Intelligence Department of the War Office on 15th or 16th October?
§ Mr. TENNANTOf course, I will accept any statement which the hon. Gentleman assures me is within his knowledge. I shall be glad to receive the information, and, if necessary, make inquiries.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAs there are no fewer than three military men in the German Consular service belonging to Cape Town alone, will the War Office address a remonstrance to the Foreign Office with regard to the number of foreign military men employed by Germany as Consular officers?
§ Mr. TENNANTI think that is a question which ought to be addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.