§ 31.. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Prime Minister what has become of the 27 German U-boat commanders whose names were published by the Admiralty in September, 1918, as prisoners of war, and many of whom stood accused of grave violations of the rules of warfare; whether the six other commanders then stated to be interned in neutral countries are still so interned; and when, and in what manner, it is proposed to bring these war criminals to justice?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs regards the first part of the question, only one of the German U-boat commanders stands accused of grave violation of the rules of warfare, and he is still in detention in this country. The remainder have been released. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, the trials will take place before the German Court at Leipzig. The date has not yet been fixed.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYAs regards the one who is still in custody here, are we to send him over to Germany for trial?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe are detaining him until we are satisfied that he will be tried.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWhy not try him here?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWhat is the use of asking that question? It has been arranged that the trial shall take place at Leipzig.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYBut surely that applies only to those who were offenders, and are at present in Germany?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWOh, no! It was definitely arranged by the Allies, and they agreed the first trials should take place at Leipzig. If they were not satisfactory, we reserved the right to try them here.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhy not try sending this man back, and see if it is satisfactory?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt will mean a sentence if the man deserves it.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe shall be the judges of whether or not the trial is being carried out in a way that is satisfactory.
Colonel C. LOWTHERWill the ex-Kaiser be tried at Leipzig; also the higher grade and lower grade criminals?
§ 45. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether the Allies and His Majesty's Government intend to press the German Government at the forthcoming Conference at Spa to proceed with the trial of those Germans who are mentioned in the black list forthwith?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is the intention of His Majesty's Government to have this question discussed at Spa.
62. Colonel LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister whether the immunity promised to the ex-Kaiser in the event of war with Holland will equally protect the lesser criminals who have perpetrated acts of barbarism against humanity, and who are still awaiting trial in different centres of enemy countries.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is no connection between the question of the ex-Emperor, for whose custody the Netherlands Government have accepted responsibility, and that of the punishment of other persons accused of acts contrary to the laws of war. On that subject I have nothing to add to previous statements which I have made.
Colonel LOWTHERIn the event of any of these lesser criminals seeking sanctuary in Holland, and the Dutch Government refusing to repatriate them, what is to take place?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is an academic question. It is a thing unlikely to arise. The cases are not analagous, anyhow.
§ Mr. HOWARD GRITTENHow long is the ex-Kaiser to remain in Holland—indefinitely?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat depends on the Dutch Government, and possibly on the length of the life of the Kaiser.