§ 45. Mr. JOHNasked the Prime Minister whether the terms of peace formulated at Stockholm by the German Majority Socialists include, in addition to the restoration of Belgium and the invaded Balkan States, a stipulation that the coming international settlement shall be based upon the abolition of protective duties; and whether the Allies are prepared to accept now, as the fundamental basis of settlement, the adoption by belligerent Powers and neutrals alike of the three principles of unrestricted commercial intercourse, implying the abolition of all duties, bounties, and exclusive commercial privileges; the full recognition of the rights of nationalities in all matters of 1955 political and territorial organisation; and general disarmament, concurrent and eventually complete, with the agreed submission of all future differences to the arbitrament of an international tribunal?
Mr. BALFOURI have no information as regards the terms of peace formulated at Stockholm by the German Majority Socialists beyond what has appeared in the Press. I do not think anything would be gained by an attempt to supplement through answers across the floor of the House what has already been said by the Allied Governments with regard to terms of peace.
§ Mr. JOHNMay I ask whether the desire to put an end to Prussian militarism by the German people would not be facilitated by the repudiation by the Allies of the policy of a commercial boycott supposed to be embodied in the Paris, Conference?
Mr. BALFOURI think that that supplementary question has already been dealt with by the broad statement I made a moment ago that nothing is to be gained by discussing terms of peace by way of question and answer across the floor of the House