§ MR. J. G. HUBBARDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government are aware that, as reported in The Times of 27th October—
The blockade of the west coast of the Island of Formosa began on the 23rd inst. and that no vessels are allowed to embark or disembark at the Island, which is completely isolated;whether this blockade by France of ports belonging to a Power with which she is not at open war is consistent with International Law; whether France has, under the circumstances, any right to prevent English vessels from entering the ports of the Island; and, what measures the Government propose in order to obtain for English commerce the compensation due for damages accruing from the interruption to which it is subjected?
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTalso asked, Whether British merchant ships have been stopped and overhauled by French men-of-war off the Chinese coast; whether the French have declared a blockade of Formosa; and, whether the French Republic has declared war upon China; and, if not, whether Her Majesty's 347 Ministers will direct the British Admiral in command of the China Station to take steps to stop these piratical proceedings?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEHer Majesty's Government, on the 23rd instant, received from the French Government a formal notice of blockade of the ports of Formosa, and the notice was inserted in The Gazette of the 24th instant. France has undoubtedly the right to blockade those ports, and the notification of blockade might be taken by neutral Powers as a notification of a state of war. France has, in the circumstances, all the rights of war, including the right to prevent access to the blockaded ports, incident to a belligerent blockade if she desired to exercise them; but in the absence of a formal declaration of war, either by France or China, Her Majesty's Government have thought it necessary to communicate with the French Government on the subject, in order to remove all doubt as to the position of neutrals' shipping, and I am unable to make any further statement pending the result of that communication. Before the notification of blockade throe British vessels were boarded off Tamsui; and upon representations being made to the French Government on the subject, it was admitted that the proceeding was irregular, by reason of a regular blockade not having been established. Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to make any claim for damages which can properly be supported by International Law; but up to the present time no such claim has been preferred. In regard to the last paragraph of the Question of the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett), I can only express my regret that he should have used expressions in this House offensive to a friendly nation.
§ In reply to a further Question by Mr. J. G. HUBBARD,
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, that he could not undertake, without permission from the Secretary of State, to lay any Papers on the Table. He might mention, however, that certain Papers relating to recents events in China were about to be laid; but he could not give any particulars with regard to them.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTgave Notice that he would ask the noble Lord 348 on Thursday whether the examination of neutral merchant ships without a declaration of war did not constitute an act of piracy?
§ MR. WARTONasked whether the Government had taken any pains to find out the actual number of French ships, with the view of ascertaining whether the blockade was an effective one, or merely a paper one?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI do not know, Sir.