§ MR. GOURLEYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has seen a cable message transmitted from New York, by Reuter, to the Globe newspaper, and dated 16th July, stating that President Harrison, in reply to a Despatch from Lord Salisbury relative to the Behring Sea Seal Fishery negotiations, had stated that he thought it the duty of the United States, under the Act of Congress, to go on dealing summarily with British sealers; if so, will he state whether the message is correct, and the reply of Lord Salisbury; and whether the two Governments have yet arranged a close time for the capture of seals, and when Despatches down to date will be in the hands of Members?
SIR J. GORSTI have been requested by my right hon. Friend to answer the question. Her Majesty's Government have received no Report of such a statement having been been made by President Harrison. The negotiations have not yet been brought to a close. Papers are being prepared as rapidly as possible.