58. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the support given in a section of the British Press to the Notes submitted by Count Brockdorff-Rantzau in opposition to the Allied Peace 1202 terms; and if to assist the public in appreciating the value and origin of the present pacifist campaign in this country, by which it is sought to enable the German people to escape the consequences of their crimes, he will state what is known of the past record of this German envoy and the extent to which he has been associated throughout the War period with the governing party in Germany who were responsible for the starting of the War and the atrocities with which it has been waged by the Central Powers and their allies?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I am informed that Count Brockdorff-Rantzau entered the German diplomatic service in 1894, having previously been a Prussian Guards officer.
Sir F. HALLIs not Count Brockdorff-Rantzau what one. might term a member of the old régime and is the Government satisfied that if the German Government signs the Peace terms it will be prepared to see them carried out?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWUndoubtedly he is a member of the old regime, but I do not think we ever thought of dictating as to who were to be the delegates of the existing German Government.
Sir F. HALLDid not the British Government state originally, quite rightly, that they were not prepared to enter into arrangements with the old régime until they had sufficient guarantees that they knew that any undertakings they entered into would be carried out?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman that what the Government did was rightly done, but surely it does not follow that there is no room for repentance in the case of the Germans.
§ Mr. DEVLINHas the German Government raised any objection to meeting members of the old régime in the British Government?