35. Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Prime Minister what effect the delay in the ratification of the Treaty of Paris by the United States Senate has had on the Plebiscite and Missions under Clauses of the Treaty; whether the guarantees to Belgium will be carried into effect by His Majesty's Government should the United States fail to ratify the Treaty; whether the British and French Governments have already conferred on this possible eventuality; and whether he is in a position to indicate what effect, if any, a decision by the United States not to ratify the Treaty of Paris will have on the Tripartite Treaty defending France in case of wanton attack?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs regards the first part of the question, the Supreme Council have decided that the German Delegation should be informed that all Commissions to be constituted by the Allied and Associated Powers should be duly composed and should function regularly with the representatives designated by the Powers ratifying the Treaty, or who, without having ratified, have agreed to designate representatives. The only effect which the delay in ratification by the U.S.A. has had on these Commissions has been an indirect one due to the necessity, thereby falling on the other Powers, of finding a larger quota of representatives. As regards the second part of the question, I do not know what the hon. Member has in mind. As far as His Majesty's Government is concerned, the Treaty of 1839 remains in force until it is abrogated, and the British and French Governments are at present considering the position of Belgium should that contingency arise. As regards the last part of the question, the ratification by the British Government of the Tripartite Treaty is contingent on the ratification by 1879 the U.S.A., but the refusal of that Government to ratify the Treaty of Peace will not necessarily affect the Treaty of Peace provided that they ratify the tripartite part separately.