§ MR. WEGUELINsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received Despatches relative to the seizure of the Chincha Islands, belonging to Peru, by a Spanish naval squadron; whether it is the opinion of Her Majesty's Government that the occupation in time of peace of the territory of a friendly nation, without cause or declaration of war, and the forcible detention of individuals of that nation to serve as hostages, are proceedings consistent with the usages of civilized nations, or the dicta of International Law; whether Her Majesty's Government are prepared to admit the claim put forth by the Spanish Admiral and the Spanish Commissary, of the right on the part of the Spanish Crown to "re-vindicate" the property of said islands — a right, they assert, similar to that which Great Britain sanctioned when she restored the Islands of Fernando Po, Azmolon, and Coserco, after a formal and uninterrupted possession during a considerable number of years; and whether Her Majesty's Government will interpose their good offices to bring about a settlement of the trifling matter of dispute which has led to these high-handed proceedings on the part of the Spanish officials?
§ MR. LAYARDSir, in reply to my hon. Friend, I have to state that I am afraid I cannot give him any satisfactory information on the subject of his Questions. I am unable, without being better acquainted with the exact circumstances of the case, to say whether or not the proceedings of the Spanish Government have been consistent with the usages of civilized nations and the dicta of International Law. All I can state is, that on Saturday last Her Majesty's Government received despatches from the British Minister in Peru giving an account of what had taken place in these Islands. It appears that the Spanish Minister made a demand with which the Peruvian Government did not comply, and in consequence the Spanish Minister, in conjunction with the Spanish Admiral, without further notice, took possession of the Chincha Islands, which are very valuable, as they yield large quantities of guano. At the same time, it was stated that no contracts would be interfered with so far as concerned British 912 subjects. As the Government have not yet received from the Spanish Government any information as to their reasons for this occupation, I cannot, until further information be received, inform my hon. Friend what course Her Majesty's Government may pursue.