§ 38. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister whether he authorised the publication, on Friday last, of a memorandum circulated by him to the Peace Conference on 25th March, 1919, as a Command Paper, No. 1614; what is the purpose of publishing this confidential document now, seeing that so many of its proposals were superseded by the Treaty of Versailles; and whether he now proposes to revert to the policy outlined in the memorandum?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Repeated requests for presentation of the document to Parliament were made in this House in consequence of its publication abroad in a book written by an Italian statesman.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAre we to understand that the publication had no connection with the Genoa Conference?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo connection whatever. After the publication of Signor Nitti's book, I was asked if I 931 would lay Papers in this House. My first answer, I think, was that the Government, in view of the publication of various papers in various countries abroad, were considering the publication of documents on the subject. Then the hon. Gentleman opposite pressed me for the publication of this particular document, and I accordingly laid the Paper giving this document.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe spirit which informs the document which has been laid is the spirit which animated His Majesty's Government throughout the whole of the negotiations.
Mr. FOOTCan the right hon. Gentleman also have published the reply to that Memorandum by the Prime Minister of France at the time?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is not customary to publish international documents of this kind without previous consultation with the other Powers concerned, and I believe that it was understood at the time of the Peace Conference that all these matters should be treated as confidential. Certain publications having taken place abroad, including the publication of the Memorandum of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, we thought that it was proper that this should be published.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not want to be involved in a rather invidious controversy. Partial publication has taken place in various other countries of documents laid before the Conference.