Enemy Mission Policy and Article 438 of the Treaty of Versailles: British Policy towards German Missions in the First World War

Abstract Drawing on government and mission records, this article discusses the complex development of the British Empire’s enemy-mission policy during and after the First World War. It explains why Britain—the generous supporter of the global evangelical movement—considered German missions and their workers considerable threats to its national security that must be removed from its territories. The enemy-mission policy was not the brainchild of a single government department, task force or committee. Rather, it was the combined product of multiple parties, including the armed forces, colonial administration, diplomats, merchants and Christian leaders. Protestant mission leader J. H. Oldham was the most influential party during the whole policy-development process.