HC Deb 09 March 1885 vol 295 c449
MR. GORST

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the documents alleged to record the assurances of the German Government to respect the independence of Samoa and Tonga consist of statements by Lord Granville that Count Minister said the German Government were willing to enter into negotiation on the subject; whether Lord Granville's statements would be held by the German Government to be binding upon them; and, whether there is any document binding on the German Government in which an undertaking is given on their part to respect the independence of Samoa and Tonga?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The documents referred to do not consist solely of the statements made by Count Minster. I beg again to refer the hon. and learned Member to No. 177 in the recent Colonial Blue Book, c. 4,273, where it is stated that Prince Bismarck had assured Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin that he had no intention of sanctioning the annexation of Samoa or the establishment of a German Protectorate there, and that the German Government would adhere strictly to the terms of the agreement with Her Majesty's Government. They hold this promise to be amply sufficient.

MR. GORST

Will the noble Lord say by whom the statement was made?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

It is in the despatches of Sir Edward Malet.

MR. GORST

Am I right in understanding that there is no document in the possession of Her Majesty's Government which is signed by any German officer?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

There is no Treaty or Convention.