§ 46. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the letter recently addressed by General 1975 Eisenhower to President Roosevelt to the effect that it is probable that there will never be a clean cut military surrender of the German forces on the Western front and that V-day will come about only by proclamation rather than by any definite and decisive collapse or surrender of German resistance; and has he any statement to make on this new situation.
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir," and to the second part, "No, Sir."
§ Mr. DaviesDoes not the Prime Minister agree that General Eisenhower made it clear in his letter that the policy of unconditional surrender is found to be completely unworkable? May I ask further that if the Allies are considering issuing a Proclamation to end the war in Europe, the right hon. Gentleman will bear in mind that during the Boer War a Proclamation to end that war was made, and then the war actually began in earnest and lasted for nearly two years afterwards?
§ The Prime MinisterThe policy of unconditional surrender does not exclude unconditional surrender piecemeal. It does not necessarily apply wholesale. As to the references to the South African War, I think that my hon. Friend is not very accurate in his history, but I have forgotten the point on which he diverged.
§ Mr. DaviesDid not the right hon. Gentleman himself play a somewhat gallant and noble part in the South African War?
§ The Prime MinisterI have never heard it put that way before.