§ MR. DODDSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the Government are aware that the Congo traders of all Nationalities are opposed to the protection of the Lower Congo by the so-called International Association; if the Government are aware that this Association is believed, on trustworthy evidence, to be either a trading concern or interested in trading projects; and, if, therefore, the Government will use their influence at the Berlin Conference to protect the traders by the establishment of an International European protectorate over the territories of the Lower Congo?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe status and proceedings of the International African Association do not come within the scope of the Conference. I have already explained what the objects of the Conference are, and the Papers which I have laid to-day will explain this more fully.