§ 2. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the Socialists Herren Schneller and Toller are in prison in Bavaria; and whether, in view of the recent action of Sir George Clerk in Budapest in successfully demanding the release of Socialists imprisoned there, any action is contemplated in these analogous cases?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)My information about Schneller is that as Commissary of Finance in the Bavarian Soviet Government he attempted to confiscate the deposits in the banks and plate and other valuables lying there. From Press reports it appears that he is in prison in consequence. My information about Toller is that after the Armistice he started a revolutionary students' club at Heidelberg. During the Spartacist Revolution of last April he became head of the 210 Council of Workmen and Soldiers at Munich, and ultimately chief of the socalled Red Guard. For this he was sentenced to several years' detention in a fortress. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWere not similar charges made against the Socialists imprisoned at Buda-Pesth; and if we can try officers in Buda-Pesth, why cannot we try these men, in view of the fact that we are considerably controlling German politics at the present time?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHWell, Sir, I have no information in regard to the first part of the supplementary question. In regard to the second, I do not think it is incumbent on the part of His Majesty's Government to take the action suggested.