§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)As a matter of urgency, I beg leave to ask the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs the following question, of which I have given him private notice:—Whether his attention has been called to the numerous statements which have appeared in the Press concerning the excited state of public opinion in Portugal, and the hostility displayed towards British subjects resident there; whether he can state that the excitement arises from a belief on the part of the Portuguese that this country has acted towards them with precipitancy and severity; what is the nature of the relations at present existing between this country and Portugal; whether Her Majesty's Government have received any request from the Government of Portugal that the questions in dispute shall be referred to the mediation of a friendly Power or submitted to arbitration; and whether Her Majesty's Government are willing, or have considered the advisability of submitting the differences between this country and our ancient ally to such a friendly and peaceful settlement?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON, Manchester, N.E.)I do not think there are sufficient grounds for not following the usual practice and giving notice of this question. I may, however, mention now that papers in relation to affairs in East Africa will be presented immediately, and when he has these the hon. Member can form his own judgment.
§ MR. CREMERI beg to give notice that I shall repeat my question to-morrow.