§ 5. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the public support for this country's declaration of war on Germany was secured on behalf of the Belgian people, he can state whether the Belgian Government has been associated with the territorial aims of the Allies as set out in what are known as the secret treaties?
Mr. BALFOURI see no connection between the two clauses of the hon. Member's question. The Belgian Government are not parties to the treaties to which he refers.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs it not a fact that the territorial aims of the secret treaties are opposed to the interests of Belgium, as making for the prolongation of the War, and are not the interests of Belgium being disregarded?
Mr. BALFOURI dissent from the view of the hon. Gentleman; but we cannot discuss it by question and answer.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWhy is the Belgian Government not consulted in these matters, as we went to war on behalf of Belgium?
§ 6. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that this country declared war on Germany on behalf of the Belgian people, he will invite the Belgian Government to express its opinion as to whether the interests of Belgium can be best served by a policy of negotiation for peace, or by one that seeks to secure redress by the prolongation of the War until a victorious military decision has been achieved by the Allies?
Mr. BALFOUROur Belgian Allies are always at liberty to express their opinion on matters of common interest.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHave the views of the Belgian Government been sought in this matter of the question of entering into negotiations or the prolongation of the War for military victory?
Mr. BALFOURWe are in constant communication with the Belgian Government. Whether we begin a conversation with them or they begin a conversation with us is quite immaterial. They are perfectly at liberty to discuss any question of common interest with us. Perhaps that will satisfy even the hon. Gentleman.