HC Deb 04 July 1890 vol 346 cc797-9
MR. ERNEST BECKETT (York, N.R., Whitby)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the declaration made by Lord Salisbury on the 22nd May, that— It was very undesirable to come to any agreement which we had not ascertained was acceptable to those whose interests were principally concerned, the trading companies, the missions, and others who have done such great work in this matter, the Government have taken any steps to ascertain the feeling of those "whose interests are principally concerned" as to the proposed agreement with Germany; whether remonstrances have been received from companies who have made treaties and acquired rights, with the object of effectively opening out and occupying territories now proposed to be surrendered to Germany; whether one of these companies has represented that the cession of territory to Germany north of Ngamiland would deal a serious blow to the interests of British trade in that part of Africa; and whether the Government are prepared to stand by Lord Salisbury's declaration, and so to modify the details of the Anglo-German Agreement as to make it "acceptable to those whoso interests are principally concerned," provided that the persons referred to make it clear that it is not acceptable to them in its present shape?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

Her Majesty's Government have consulted the principal companies and missions who have done a great work in this matter, and believe them to approve generally of the Angle-German Agreement. It is impossible for Her Majesty's Government to support pretensions which are inordinate and incompatible with the fair claims of other nations, but they are not aware that any such pretensions have been advanced by the companies or missions I have already described.

SIR JOHN SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have received any communication from the Government or Representatives of the Gape Colony to the effect that they object to that part of the proposed Anglo-German Agreement which relates to the delimitation of the German sphere of influence in Damaraland and Makolo loland, on the ground that it will, if adopted, seriously interfere with British trade to the interior?

*THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

The Cape Government have made no representation to Her Majesty's Government of the kind referred to.

MR. SUMMERS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in taking over Damaraland, Germany promised to respect all rights or concessions obtained before the declaration of the German Protectorate; and whether, in accordance with this promise, the concession of mineral rights made by Kamaherero to Mr. Robert Lewis has been and will be respected?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

The German Government are prepared to recognise legally acquired concessions in Damaraland; but in the case of Mr. Lewis the validity of his principal concession is disputed by them, and the matter is still under consideration.

MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the Agreement signed at Berlin without waiting for other Papers?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

I think I may undertake to say that the Agreement will be laid on the Table at once.