MR. KENNARDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been directed to the following passage in the "New York Times," on the subject of the undistributed balance of moneys under the Geneva Award:—
The Award was made to the States, the money to be divided at its own discretion, guided by no standard except such as our Government should adopt for itself. But good faith and honour have been defiantly ignored by our Government in its action, which has struck a blow at arbitration, as the means of settling international disputes, from which it will not soon recover;and, whether Her Majesty's Government will afford the House an early opportunity of discussing the Motion of which I have given notice?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, it is contrary to usage, and would be inconsistent with the dignity of the House, to found a discussion on a passage in a foreign newspaper, which has no official character, and represents only the opinion of the writer. The question of the Alabama arbitration has now only a historical importance; and Her Majesty's Government has no interest in the manner in which the United States Government may deal with the money which it has received in respect of these claims.