§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a telegram from Mr. H. M. Stanley, dated Zanzibar, 24th February, published in The Times of Friday, in which it is alleged that Portugal has seized upon a portion of the Zanzibar Coast, which a Commission had recently adjudicated to Seyyid Bargash in return for the surrender of important rights in the interior to England and Germany; that a steamer belonging to the Sultan had been seized and converted into a Portuguese transport; and that the Bombay Mail, carried by the Sultan's steamer Malacca, was detained, the Captain fearing capture by a Portuguese cruiser; and whether he can give the House any information on the matter; whether it is true, as stated, that Portuguese subjects at Zanzibar have been taken under the protection of Germany; and, whether any steps have been taken for the protection of British subjects and interests?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)It is true that the Portuguese Government have seized upon a portion of the African Coast held since 1854 by the Sultans of Muscat and Zanzibar. It is not quite correct to say that a Commission had recently adjudicated that territory to His Highness. A Commission consisting of Representatives of England, France, and Germany, found that the territory in question was 716 held by the Sultan and reported accordingly; but this declaration was not in return for the surrender of rights in the interior. A steamer belonging to the Sultan has been seized by them and converted into a Portuguese transport. The Portuguese Government have sent orders to their naval commander not to interfere with any Zanzibar vessels except those carrying arms or munitions to Tungi. It is, therefore, understood that the mail steamer will not be interfered with. It is true that Portuguese subjects at Zanzibar have been taken under the protection of Germany. British subjects and interests are protected by Her Majesty's Consul, and by Her Majesty's ships on the Station, but trade is inevitably impeded by the state of affairs. Her Majesty's Government, in conjunction with that of Germany, are taking steps at Lisbon and Zanzibar which they hope will lead to an amicable solution of the difficulty.