§ Mr. ALDEN (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister if he can state whether the German Government has kept the promises recently made in reply to President Wilson's Note with regard to breaches of International Law, both on land and sea, and if he can obtain reports from the British Army Headquarters in France which will prove or disprove the statements made in the Press with regard to the destruction of towns and villages contrary to international law; and, further, whether the losses of merchant vessels since that date throw any light on this subject in view of the German promise to change the whole submarine campaign policy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is, of course, no time to obtain information in reply to this question, but I believe it is the fact that there has been a change recently in. German methods of evacuation, and there 1294 is apparently for the time being a cessation of submarine attacks on passenger steamers.
§ Colonel C. LOWTHERCan the right hon. Gentleman say if there have been any attacks by submarines last week?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes.
§ Mr. R. MCNEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the facts, to which he has just referred indicate that the previous outrages were not merely indiscipline on the part of the rank and file of the German Army, but were done by command?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI gave my answer in such a way as to allow everyone to draw his own inferences. The inference of my hon. Friend seems to be very reasonable.