HC Deb 05 June 1919 vol 116 cc2202-3
57. Mr. LYLE

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at different stages of the War statements of Germany's peace terms when she expected to win were put forward on her behalf by authoritative personages, such as Count Bernst off and Herr Erzberger; and whether he will publish these in precise form?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I have seen in the Press statements of German peace terms alleged to have been put forward by German authoritative and other personages during the War at times when many Germans still expected that Germany would win. It might be difficult at present to affix responsibility beyond dispute to particular personages for these utterances. The answer to the second part of the question is therefore, in the meantime, in the negative.

Mr. LYLE

In view of the fact that there are a small, but a noisy, number of people in this country who consider that our terms are too severe, would it not be in the best interests of everyone that we should try to find out what Germany would have done to us, and publish it, and would it not be a sufficient answer?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I think it would be so, if you could fix definite or authentic authority for this pronouncement.

Brigadier-General CROFT

Would the hon. Gentleman include in any such announcement the statement of Count von Roden in the Reichstag, when he stated that England and America would have to bear the whole cost of the War?