HC Deb 20 May 1884 vol 288 cc848-50
MR. STOREY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury. Whether he is aware that about twenty hard-working British subjects have been in captivity within the territory of a friendly Power for six months; that, from climatic considerations and for other reasons, they are in daily jeopardy of their lives; that recently they had been in absolute destitution from want of provisions; that the families of some of them were compelled to ask for public charity; and, whether, in view of the ineffectual steps taken by the Foreign Office, and of the refusal of the Government to relieve the necessities of the women and children, he will be prepared, other means having failed, to detach a portion of Her Majesty's Naval Force in order to secure the release of these British subjects?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have supplied myself with all the best information at my command; but since I came into the House I have learnt from my noble Friend that he has a telegram which has recently arrived, and which brings down the matter to a later point than the information I have. I think it would be better and more satisfactory to my hon. Friend that he should hear the telegram read by my noble Friend.

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

said, the following telegram was received at the Admiralty to-day, and sent to him just before he came to the House, from Commander Bickford, of H. M. S. Pegasus, dated Penang, May 20— Provisions supplied to the crew of the Nisero. Receipts from Rajah. All well. Rajah will not allow letters to pass from the crew to the shore. The telegram so far was satisfactory.

MR. STOREY

pointed out that on a former occasion the noble Lord had taken care to insist that the crew themselves had sent a letter as to their condition. He should like to know if the present report came from the Rajah?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

said, he had given the exact words. It was a matter of opinion; but he did not take these words to mean that the report depended on the statement of the Rajah, because the provisions were sent up in charge of the crew of the Pegasus, and he imagined that the report would depend on them.

MR. STOREY

said, he must really apologize to the House; but he felt bound to press his Question. He, therefore, must ask the Prime Minister, whether he was aware that these men had been in captivity for a period of six or seven months in a territory under the control of a friendly Government, and that at the present time they were in jeopardy of their lives, and that while they were there their wives and families were suffering here and dependent upon public charity; and whether he did not think it was a ease for strenuous efforts to be made?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he would not now discuss the position of the Dutch Government, because he was not fully aware of what they had to say. What he understood to be the case was, that certain persons not under the control of the Dutch Government had, unfortunately, got these unhappy persons into their hands, and that a Dutch military expedition was sent out in January, 1884; that the Rajah who possessed himself of these persons decamped into the interior with his captives, and that there was very great apprehension, he was given to understand, prevailing that any measures taken in a summary manner for the liberation of those people might result in their being put to death. It became a very nice question, indeed; but he assured the hon. Gentleman that the Government recognized their obligation to give the matter their best consideration, and to take every step they could to effect the release of these men.

SIR JOHN HAY

asked if any ransom had been offered?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

said, the demands of the Rajah were far beyond a mere ransom. He had undertaken to lay Papers on the Table showing what had been done, and they would be in the hands of hon. Members on Saturday.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

inquired whether any provision would be made for the wives and children of these men?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

replied that no funds were at the disposal of the Foreign Office which would enable it to make any allowance to the relatives of these men in England; but he had been in communication with several Members of that House upon the subject of the condition of these unfortunate persons, for whom the deepest sympathy had been expressed; and he believed that some steps were being taken, or were likely to be taken, which would tend to the immediate relief of the families.

MR. STOREY

gave Notice that on going into Committee of Supply he would take the opportunity of drawing attention to this matter.