§ 25. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether all the black troops have been withdrawn from the newly occupied areas of Germany; and, if not, how many are remaining, and where?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)I must point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that answers to questions such as these cannot be given by a Member of His Majesty's Government. The publication of information of this character is entirely a matter for the French Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it impossible for this Government to indicate to the French Government that we do not consider Senegalese proper troops to garrison German towns?
§ 48. Captain R. TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether, to avoid misconceptions and erroneous inferences, he can see his way to publishing the Notes exchanged with France on the occasion of the recent operations on the right bank of the Rhine?
51. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if the occupation by Prussian troops of the Ruhr district in contravention of the terms of the Peace Treaty was supported by President Wilson in Notes to Great Britain and France, while at the same time he opposed any measures being taken by France to safeguard her position; and, if so, will he state whether, as America has refused to become a party to the Peace Treaty, it is competent for President Wilson to intervene in matters with which he is not in practical touch?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)For the reasons stated on Monday, I hope that my hon. Friends will not press for an answer to questions on this subject.
§ Captain TERRELLHave the British Government yet consulted the French Government as to the advisability of publishing these Notes?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere have been discussions between the Governments. They have not been published in France, and I do not think that it is desirable to publish them here.
§ Viscount CURZONWas not a statement made yesterday in France on this very point?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo. I have read as carefully as I could the reports that have 1661 been received of the statement of the French Prime Minister, and there was no reference to this in it.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, and I hope that they always will be as they have been.
Sir F. HALLWould my right hon. Friend object to my putting down the question in a week or fortnight?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have looked into the question carefully, and I do not think that it is one that I should feel justified at any time in answering.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not a fact that an agreement already exists between the British and the French Governments?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI shave already answered on this matter. I have taken the view that the place where a discussion ought to take place on this matter is at San Remo between the representatives of the two Governments. I am perfectly convinced that the discussion on this question had better be conducted at such a conference than in public.