§ 46. General CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement of the German Treasury Minister, Count von Roedern, of last week, to the effect that he opposed Income Tax as it existed in England on the ground that the war indemnity which Germany will demand from England and America will cover the deficit; and whether, having regard to this statement, he will make it clear that the British Empire under these circumstances re serves its right to exact any indemnities from the German Empire which it may think proper when victory has been secured?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy attention has been called to Count von Roedern's speech in the Reichstag on 23rd April last, but upon the general question I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 29th April last.
§ General CROFTHas not Germany definitely shown us what her stakes are, and is it not highly desirable that somebody representing His Majesty's Government should at an early date state that we do not agree to the principle that heads the Germans win and tails the Allies lose?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is another form of putting the same question.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI quite agree with that form of putting the question, but we have never accepted, and never would accept, such a definition of our aims.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it on account of this statement of the German Minister that the Minister of Blockade has advised the public to beware of a German peace offensive?