§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have any confirmation of the news brought by the mail steamer Senegal, which arrived in the Mersey on the 28th April—namely, that the proposal to hand territory on the Congo over to the Portuguese was becoming known among the Natives; that at Kinsembo and Ambrizette the feeling was very strong, and would probably result in forcible opposition to any attempt to carry the Treaty into force; and that at other parts of the coast, where the Natives are of a quieter spirit, they stated their intention to leave their homes, rather than submit to Portuguese rule; and, whether the Government have any information on the subject of M. de Brazza's proceedings on the Congo?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEHer Majesty's Government have received no information on either of the points referred to in the Question.
§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELLHave Her Majesty's Government ever taken any steps to obtain such information?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir; there is no call for inquiry on the part of the Government. No doubt, the information that has arrived will reach the Foreign Office; and as regards M. de Brazza, there is no ground for making special inquiry.