HC Deb 24 October 1884 vol 293 cc149-50
MR. ONSLOW

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he would state what is the object of the Conference to be held in Berlin on the state of affairs on the Congo; and, whether the English Government are entering the Conference under any conditions; and, if so, if he would state what these conditions are?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

, in reply, said, that he stated yesterday that Her Majesty's Government were entering the Conference without prejudice to the rights acquired under recent Treaties negotiated by Mr. Consul Hewett.

MR. ONSLOW

Am I to understand that there are to be no conditions at all for entering the Conference?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Her Majesty's Ambassador will natu- rally receive instructions in regard to the various questions. The Government have given their general acceptance to the Conference; but they have considered it necessary to make specific reservations in regard to the position of this country on the Niger.