§ MR. W. HOLMSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to an article in the "Panama Star Herald" of 24th May, giving the leading points 1354 of a Protocol signed by the representatives of Colombia and the United States, viz:—
1. That ships of war and military convoys of the United States may in peace or war pass through the Interoceanic Canal without payment of tolls:2. In case the neutrality of the Canal is threatened, the United States are authorized to take military occupation of the Isthmus:3. The ships of war of all other nations are not to pass through the Canal in time of peace without permission:4. Colombia undertakes to enter into no negotiations concerning the Canal, or to alter the rules and regulations governing it, without previous accord with the United States;if he is aware whether this statement is correct; and, if so, whether such an agreement between Colombia and the United States is not a breach on the part of Colombia of the Treaty made in 1866 between that Country and Great Britain?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe contents of the extract from The Panama Star and Herald have been reported to the Foreign Office. The Protocol in question, however, has been rejected by the Colombian Senate.