HC Deb 10 November 1919 vol 121 c84W
Mr. LUNN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the exact position of China under the Peace Treaty; whether China, which is named in the Covenant as an original member of the League, will take its place at the first meeting of the League; and, if not, what are the reasons for China's withdrawal?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

China having refused to sign the Treaty of Peace, with Germany cannot take any benefit or incur any obligations under it, but if the Chinese Government ratify in due course the Treaty of Peace with Austria which was signed by her delegates on 10th September, 1919, and in which the Covenant of the League of Nations figures in the same terms as in the German Treaty, the Chinese representatives will be entitled to take part in the first meeting of the Assembly of the League. China is not represented on the Council of the League.