§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is correct that a Treaty of Peace has been arranged between France and China, and that one of the stipulations is the maintenance of the declaration making rice (food) contraband of war; and, whether Her Majesty's Government contemplate promoting an International Conference for the purpose of defining "Contraband of War," and an extension of the policy laid down in the Treaty of Paris (1856), and as then advocated by the Government of the United States?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEHer Majesty's Government have not been officially informed that such a Treaty has been concluded; but they have reason to believe that the state- 1301 ments which have appeared to that effect are correct. But they have no information as to any such stipulation as that referred to by the hon. Member. I am not aware that there is any intention of promoting a conference for the purpose indicated by the hon. Member.
§ MR. GOURLEYasked the noble Lord whether it was not a fact that it had been stated in the French journals that a Treaty had been concluded which recognized rice as contraband of war?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI saw what purported to be an account of such a Treaty, and there was a statement in regard to rice; but, as I have said, we have no official information on that subject at all.