§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the United States Government have officially announced the departure of the war ship Dolphin, and three other armed vessels, to the Behring Sea, with instructions to seize British or other vessels engaged in seal fishing in those waters; if Her Majesty's Government have sent a war ship to warn masters of British sealing vessels of the consequences of infringing the Alaskan Laws; and, if any of the vessels seized for alleged illegal fishing in 1886 and 1887 have been, as promised, released?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)In so far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, no such announcement has been made by the United States Government, nor has any British ship of war been ordered to Behring Sea. Orders have been given by the United States Government that the three British vessels seized in 1886, with their tackle, apparel, and furniture, should be restored to their owners. The 422 vessels in question were the Onward, Caroline, and Thornton. As regards the seizures in 1887, we have not heard that any of them have been released; but proceedings in connection with all the seizures are before the American Law Courts.