74. Lieut.-Colonel LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister what precautions the Supreme Council are taking to prevent Germany raising an army numerically greater than that allowed by the Peace terms: whether he can state the present strength of the Landwehr and any other bodies under arms in Germany; and whether the Supreme Council is satisfied that the number of field guns and war planes (if any) countenanced by the Peace Treaty has not been exceeded?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. On the ratification of the Peace Treaty with Germany, the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control entered on its functions in Germany, and is entrusted with the task of supervising the constitution of the German Army in accordance with the Treaty. 1045 This Commission will have every opportunity of ascertaining that Germany is not raising an army larger than that allowed by the Peace Treaty. As regards the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, the Landwehr were completely demobilised in Germany in the early part of last year. The present strength of the Regular Army (Reichswehr), including demobilisation staffs of the War-time Army and troops evacuated from the Baltic States, is about 300,000 to 350,000. This force is in course of reduction to 200,000, which must be accomplished by the 10th April next. There is an armed Constabulary (Sicherheitspolizei) in process of formation under the Minister of the Interior, which is to have an establishment of about 70,000. The land forces of the Regular Navy (Reichsmarine) number 12,000. In addition there are reserve formations, controlled by the Minister of the Interior, amounting to between 450,000 and 600,000. These are not in uniform nor armed. The question of the disbandment of these subsidiary forces has been taken up by the Supreme Council with the German Government. The disarmament of Germany in accordance with the Treaty is being supervised by the Commission mentioned, who are responsible for ascertaining that the amount of field artillery remaining with the German Army is as allowed by the Treaty of Peace. Under Article 198, Germany is not allowed to retain any war planes.
Lieut.-Colonel LOWTHERShall we be given an opportunity of discussing this very important question at an early date?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know to which question my hon. Friend refers. As far as the business of the House is concerned, that is a matter for the Prime Minister.
§ Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman define what is a war aeroplane?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is a complete definition, but of course an army aeroplane would be capable of being converted.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes.
Sir F. HALLDoes or does not the German Army at present exceed 200,000 as laid down in the Peace Treaty?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe information in possession of the War Office leads us to the conclusion that the military forces which Germany is maintaining are primarily designed and organised from the point of view of maintaining internal order.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman recommend the Government to reduce the armed forces to 200,000 in this country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe armed forces in this country will in the course of the coming financial year conform to those limits.