HC Deb 24 July 1929 vol 230 cc1271-2
8. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since both Russia and China were signatories to the Kellogg Pact, which outlaws war, he will take steps, in consultation with other signatories to the Pact, to enforce the penalties provided against the country which commits the first act of war after relations have been broken off?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the Kellogg Pact contains no provisions for enforcing penalties against a country violating its terms, but merely states in the Preamble that any signatory Power which shall hereafter seek to promote its national interests by resort to war should be denied the benefits furnished by this Treaty. While, therefore, no action in the sense suggested arises under the provisions of the Pact, I have reason to hope that the danger of war will be averted, having received through the Chinese Charge d'Affaires here an assurance from the Chinese Government that they are most anxious for a pacific solution of their dispute with the Soviet Government. They state that they will themselves take no aggressive action, and are ready for a, round-table conference with representatives of the Soviet Government, and that if the latter should resort to forcible measures—a contingency of which they have as yet no evidence—the Chinese Government will appeal to the League of Nations under the terms of Article 17 of the Covenant.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it not the case that the Chinese did exactly what we did in the case of Arcos in 1927?

Mr. SMITHERS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while these negotiations are going on, the Soviet Government are issuing official slogans, "Down with the Kellogg Pact"?

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Labour party still maintains—[Interruption.]