HC Deb 15 July 1920 vol 131 cc2589-91
51. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will lay the correspondence with the Australian Government in connection with the Anglo-Japanese Treaty?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)

I have been asked to reply to the question of the hon. and gallant Member. The answer is in the negative.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Why do they decline to lay this correspondence?

Lieut.-Colonel AMERY

For reasons which are sufficiently obvious.

52. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Anglo-Japanese Treaty is being continued automatically without any further action on the part of the Government; whether it is proposed to continue it without modifications; and whether he will give an opportunity for the matter to be discussed before the automatic renewal of the Treaty comes into Force?

61. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether according to Article VI. of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 1911, unless either party gives notice before 13th July, 1920, of its intention to terminate the Treaty, the Treaty will automatically be renewed; whether the Government have come to any decision to give or to refrain from giving such notice; and, if so, will he state the nature of the decision?

83. Mr. CLOUGH

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the outcome of the interchange of views between Great Britain and Japan on the subject of the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

A joint communication with regard to the Anglo-Japanese Agreement of 1911 has been made by the Governments of Japan and Great Britain to the League of Nations. This communication, which is dated 8th July. is as follows: The Governments of Great Britain and Japan have come to the conclusion that the Anglo-Japanese Agreement of 13th July, 1911, now existing between the two countries, though in harmony with the spirit of the Covenant of the League of Nations, is not entirely consistent with the letter of that Covenant, which both Governments earnestly desire to respect. They accordingly have the honour jointly to inform the League that they recognise the principle that, if the said Agreement be continued after July, 1921, it must be in a form which is not inconsistent with that Covenant. I am unable to make any further statement on this subject at present.

Mr. MACLEAN

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in submitting this matter to the League of Nations, attention has been drawn to the manner in which the terms of the Treaty have already been broken by Japan in her aggressive action in regard to territory in China; and whether the League of Nations has been communicated with in regard to handing that land back?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I think in a matter of such supreme importance my hon. Friend should give me notice.

Mr. MACLEAN

Has the Government got the full details of the aggressions of Japan which took place after the formation of the demands made upon China?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I think I should be given full and due notice of any further questions.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Why has the statement which has just been read out been published in the Press this morning before we have had it in this House?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The League of Nations is not a body amenable to the jurisdiction of this House, and it makes public statements on its own authority.