Oral Answers to Questions — Germany (Rearmament).

– in the House of Commons at on 25 March 1935.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Gordon Hall Caine Mr Gordon Hall Caine , Dorset Eastern

7.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the action of the German Government in denouncing the Versailles Treaty affects, or is intended to affect, any provisions other than those relating to fighting forces; and, if so, whether he can state what these aspects are?

Photo of Mr Ramsay Macdonald Mr Ramsay Macdonald , Seaham

The Treaty of Versailles does not provide for denunciation by the signatories thereof, and my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that any action taken unilaterally by the German Government or by any other Government can have the effect of- denouncing the Treaty in the usually accepted sense of the term. The German decision of the 16th March relative to the introduction of conscription and to the constitution of the German army, which I presume my hon. Friend has in mind, indicates, no doubt, an intention on the part of the German Government not to observe certain of the military clauses of the Treaty and the views of His Majesty's Government on this subject have already been made clear. No other clauses of the Treaty of Versailles are, so far as I am aware, affected by this German action.