§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONES (Durham, N.W.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, prior to entering on the joint blockade of the Zanzibar Coast, Her Majesty's Government obtained any assurances from the German Government that no attempt would be made by that Government to interfere with the Sovereign rights of the Sultan of Zanzibar over 98 the territories conceded to the German East African Company, or other of the dominions of the Sultanate; and, if not, whether, in the interests of British commerce or otherwise, they intend to seek such assurances?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)On the 20th of December, 1885, Germany signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the Sultan. In 1886 she formally adhered to the Declaration of March, 1862, with regard to the recognition of the independence of Zanzibar. Her Majesty's Government would not have been justified in making any representation implying a doubt of the good faith of Germany in making these solemn engagements.