Question of Raising Problem of German Jewry Before League Discussed in House of Commons

There exist no articles in the Covenant of the League of Nations under which the British government could bring the question of Jewish persecution in Germany to the attention of the League, declared Sir John Simon, the British Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the House of Commons today.

Sir John Simon’s answer was in reply to a question by Commander Locker-Lampson, who had asked whether action could not be taken under the League of Nations Covenant Obviously dissatisfied with Sir John Simon’s reply, Commander Locker-Lamp son again rose and pressed whether a way could not be found to express Britain’s strong disapproval of the German bullying of a helpless minority.

Mr. Barnett Janner, Member of Parliament for White-chapel then asked the Foreign Secretary whether Article XI of the League’s Covenant would not enable the British Government to raise the question of the Jews in Germany. He pointed out that Article XI empowered any member of the League to raise matters that threatened to disturb international relations. He urged that the feeling engendered by the action of the present German Government could be reasonably construed as a matter of that kind.

In reply, Sir John Simon reiterated that all the articles of the Covenant had already been carefully considered, but emphasized that his answer was not to be taken as referring to matters outside the Covenant, and in regard to which representations might conceivably be made.

Mr. John Lansbury, Minister of Public Works in the last Labor administration suggested that the British Ambassador in Berlin be requested to submit a report together with his views on the position of the Jews in Germany. In reply, Sir John assured the House that the need for authentic views and reports had not been overlooked, and that the British Government was in communication with its Ambassador in Berlin regarding the matter.