§ MR. STOREYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can explain how it is that no certain news of the crew of the Nisero was received between the 26th of April and the 27th of June, a period of two months; the news received in each of these instances being, moreover, nearly a mouth old; whether he will state in detail what means have been taken during the past two months, and are now being taken, to keep up communication with the crew; what are the actual steps which have been taken by the British Government during the past two months to secure the release of the captives, and what steps are now being taken; what steps have been taken by the Dutch Government since their expedition in January, and what steps are now being taken by it; and, whether a claim will be made against the Dutch Government on behalf of the impoverished families of the dead and living members of the crew; and, if so, why the British Government does not now make a contribution to these poor people at the time when they absolutely need it?
§ MR. BROGDENasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the demands of the Rajah of Tenom relating to the crew of the Nisero consists in part of matters of an International character which Her Majesty's Government could not entertain; whether, having regard to the active interchange of views now proceeding between Her Majesty's Government and the Netherlands Government, and the decisions to be taken thereon, Her Majesty's Government have obtained a distinct assurance that the Netherlands Government is already prepared to act at once and decisively; and, whether, if necessary, such action will be supported by Her Majesty's Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEAt page 8 of the Parliamentary Paper, 1874 Netherlands, No. 2, of 1884, the hon. Member will find a telegram from Commander Bickford, of the Pegasus, dated May 20, which seems to have escaped his attention. It states that communications had been opened with the crew in the middle of May. The Report of Commander Bickford on the whole subject, including his attempts to secure the release of the captives and the unsuccessful transmission of provisions to them, for three months, has been received and will be laid on the Table. It also contains an account of the action of the Dutch authorities. At page 79 the hon. Member will find an account of the general arrangements made by Mr. Maxwell at the close of his mission in March for keeping up communications with the crew. The Pegasus left for Tenom on May 1, and returned on May 20 after the communications above referred to. She again left for Tenom on June 26 with the same object. In regard to the present position of this question, as it is the subject of urgent and almost daily communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Netherlands Minister, it is not in my power to reply at present to the hon. Member, while, at the same time, I hope he will believe that I fully understand his anxiety for early information. The Rajah of Tonom has been informed that he will be held responsible for the lives of the crew. In regard to the fifth portion of the hon. Member's Question, the hon. Member can, I hardly think, expect Her Majesty's Government to give a reply to the first part of it during the discussions which are being carried on between the two Governments, while, in regard to the concluding portion of it, I think the hon. Member has forgotten the reply I gave to his Colleague on Friday last, and which his hon. Colleague has already acted on.
§ MR. BOURKEasked whether the Rajah of Tenom had been told that he would be held responsible to the Dutch Government or to the English Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe instructions were sent to the Governor of the Straits Settlements, and the communnications were from Her Majesty's Government.
§ MR. STOREYASKED whether it might be hoped that the Dutch and English Governments would come to a conclusion on this matter about the same time as 1875 they received news of the death of the whole of these men?
§ [No reply.]
§ MR. BROGDENsaid, that the noble Lord had not answered the first part of his Question.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThere is no doubt that questions of a serious international character are involved in the Correspondence which is now going on.