HC Deb 28 July 1919 vol 118 cc1799-800
28. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the evacuation of Sleswig by Ger man troops and officials as far as the Eider and the Schlei is not provided for in the Treaty of Peace with Germany, although this boundary was expressly mentioned in Section (xii) of the Allied reply to the German observations on the conditions of Peace (Cmd. 258)?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

The evacuation as far as the Eider-Schlei line could not be demanded since Article 109 of the Treaty does not provide for it, the extent of the plebiscite zone having been modified at the last moment in accordance with the wishes of the Danish Government. The reply to the German observations had been drafted before this decision had been taken.

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

Did the Danish Government wish to waive the original condition not only with regard to a plebiscite but also with regard to evacuation? Is it not the case that there is a strong feeling that evacuation ought to lake place to a point further south than the plebiscite in order to prevent un due German influence in those areas?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The hon. Gentle man will see that the alteration has taken place entirely in accordance with the wishes of the Danish Government.

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