HC Deb 08 July 1920 vol 131 cc1635-6
26. Mr. BOTTOMLEY

asked the Prime Minister whether Holland is a member of the League of Nations; and if so, whether the Government will approach the League with a view to its bringing pressure to bear upon that country to withdraw, in the interests of international justice and future peace, its veto against the surrender of the ex-Kaiser for trial?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Is it not a fact that the primary purpose of the League of Nations is to preserve the peace of the world, and if so will the Government make a representation to the effect that public confidence in the League will be seriously damaged by retaining as one of its members a small country which shields itself behind a purely technical objection and refuses to surrender the arch-criminal of the War?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think that any representation of the League of Nations would have more effect than the representations which have already been made by the Allies.

Colonel CLAUDE LOWTHER

Has the ex-Kaiser actually refused to appear on trial? Has he been invited by the Allies?

Mr. BONAR LAW

If we contemplated dealing with that matter it would not be by way of sending invitations.

Colonel LOWTHER

Has he been ordered to appear?

Forward to