§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has observed a Reuter telegram, dated 16th August, in which it is stated that the day being the anniversary of the battle of Mars la Tour, in which battle the 1st Dragoon Regiment of the Prussian Guards distinguished themselves by a brilliant charge, the officers of this regiment gave a sumptuous breakfast, at which the staff of the British Embassy were present and took a prominent part in the toasts that were proposed; and whether, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government declined to be represented at the opening of the French Exhibition this year, on the ground that the Exhibition was designed to celebrate the Centenary of the opening of the French States General in 1789, and that a difference of opinion might exist amongst Frenchmen as to the advantages secured to their country by the said States General, he will give directions that henceforward the staff of the British Embassy at Berlin be prohibited from attending festivals given by Prussian regiments to celebrate the anniversaries of German victories over France?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONI have observed a report that Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires and the Military Attaché were present at a dinner given by the officers of the regiment of Prussian Dragoon Guards which has lately been distinguished by the name of the Queen. Their presence was a natural and grace- 1658 ful act, and the fact that the occasion was the annual celebration of the gallant part taken by the regiment at the battle of Mars la Tour gives it no political significance. The heroic conduct of the regiment on that occasion was a feat of arms of which all Germans are proud and which all nations may admire, irrespective of the history and results of the war during which it took place. The presence of the British officers does not appear to call for any special directions.