HC Deb 09 December 1936 vol 318 c1970
6. Mr. THORNE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information in connection with the Treaty of Rapallo which was made between Germany and Russia and which was subsequently ratified in 1933; whether he is aware that the articles in the text of the Treaty state that the Treaty is for five years; and whether Germany repudiated this agreement in consequence of the recent agreement between Japan and Germany and Italy and Germany?

Mr. EDEN

The Treaty of Rapallo, a treaty of friendship between Germany and the Soviet Union, signed in 1922, was superseded by the German-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, signed at Berlin in April, 1926, which was valid for five years from the date of its ratification in June of the same year. In May, 1931, the Berlin Treaty was extended by the signature of a special protocol providing that each of the contracting parties could denounce it on giving a year's notice, but not before June, 1933. As far as I am aware, neither of the contracting parties has so far denounced this Treaty.

Mr. THORNE

Has not the right hon. Gentleman observed the financial relations that have been existing between Germany and Russia, and is he not aware that on 29th June, 1936, the Germans lent 300 million marks to Russia?

Duchess of ATHOLL

Is it not the case that the German Government ratified this Treaty of 1926 in 1933, and that therefore it is technically still in existence?

Mr. EDEN

I said that so far as I am aware neither of the parties has denounced it.

Miss RATHBONE

Is it not the ordinary custom of the German Government to violate treaty obligations without notice?

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