§ 45. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he accepts the Continental interpretation of Article 16 of the Covenant, namely, that no nation party to the Covenant can remain neutral in a dispute between any two other European countries concerning any infraction of any of the Peace Treaties; and is he aware of the implications involved in forcing such an interpretation of Article 16 upon Germany at the present time as committing His Majesty's Government to a similar interpretation?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe view of His Majesty's Government on Article 16 was stated in the letter signed by the representatives of Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Czechoslovakia and Poland and handed to the representative of Germany in London on the 1st December last. It was founded upon the terms of the Article and the resolutions of the Assembly of the League, and is declaratory and not legislative. I am not aware that any different view is held on the Continent or elsewhere.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDo I gather from the right hon. Gentleman's reply, that the view of His Majesty's Government as to Article 16 is identical with the view held by Dr. Benesh?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAs Dr. Benesh signed the letter to which I referred, which has been published in the White Paper laid before Parliament, I presume I may take it that his view is as expressed in that letter, and so is the view of His Majesty's Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut is it the right hon. Gentleman's view that' the letter published in the White Paper is identical with the views of Dr. Benesh as expressed in the Memorandum sent to the German Government as a protest against their action in forming a Treaty with Russia which would involve neutrality in certain circumstances?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware that the Czechoslovakian Government sent any Memorandum.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODA minute?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINOr minute.