§ MR. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Stevenson Road is itself the boundary between the English and German territories; whether the boundary is drawn with regard to the strategical requirements of any future railway or other means of communication connecting the Lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa; and whether there is already existing free transit for English goods across Damaraland; and, if not, whether, in view of the German extension permitted to the Zambesi, this matter will receive the attention of Her Majesty's Government?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe Stevenson Road itself is not to be the boundary. The boundary is certainly intended to be drawn so as to facilitate communication by railway or otherwise between the two Lakes. Transit across Damaraland is subject to local imposts and conditions, as in other territories where no special agreement to the contrary exists; but negotiations are still proceeding with reference to that quarter, and the matter will be borne in mind.
§ MR. O'KELLY (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the principle laid down in the Agreement with Germany in reference to East Africa, "that the Hinterland belongs of right to the Power holding the Coast Line," will be applied to the Portuguese possessions in Africa in cases of dispute between Great Britain and Portugal?
§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)May I ask whether the same principle is to be admitted by Germany as applicable to the territory running east- 1481 wards from Walfish Bay to the corner of Bechuanaland?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONIt is evident that the principle cannot be of universal application. Each case must be considered on its own merits.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYAre the Government prepared to recommend the cession of some of the Channel Islands to Prance in return for concessions in respect of the Newfoundland Fisheries?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. BUCHANANI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Heads of Agreement published in the Berlin Official Gazette, and reprinted in the Times of June 18th, represent the terms of Agreement with Germany so far as yet concluded: whether this Paper will be laid upon the Table of the House; and when other Papers relating to the negotiations with Germany as regards Africa, and as regards the proposed cession of Heligoland, will be circulated?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONEither in translation or transcription the text of the publication in question does not appear to be quite accurate. Lord Salisbury's Despatch, which has been laid on the Table, represents the outline of the proposed Agreement as in the hands of Her Majesty's Government. That outline is in course of development, but the details are subject to modification. It is, therefore, inexpedient to present anything further until the Convention has been completed.
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Government to present to Parliament Papers relating to the Agreement with Germany for the settlement of African questions before the Bill for the surrender of Heligoland is introduced; and, if so, when these Papers will be presented?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONPapers relating to the Agreement will be presented to Parliament. I understand that it is intended to introduce the Bill for the cession of Heligoland in the House of Lords. The hon. Member's word surrender is inappropriate. The Papers cannot be completed until the negotiations are finished, but they will be presented as soon as possible.
§ MR. BRYCECan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea when the negotiations are likely to reach a point that will enable a Bill to be introduced?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI cannot say whether it will be possible to introduce a Bill before the Convention is signed.
§ SIR T. ESMONDEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if the Government will take steps to ascertain whether the people of Heligoland are satisfied to become Germanised?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterWe have ground for believing that the arrangements made will have removed the chief objections to the transfer; but we could hardly expect or wish that we or the Heligolanders should part without mutual regret.
§ SIR T. ESMONDEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if the Government will take steps to ascertain whether the people of Heligoland are satisfied to become Germanised?
§ MR. W. H SMITHWe have ground for believing that the arrangements made will have removed the chief objections to the transfer; but we could hardly expect or wish that we or the Heligolanders should part without mutual regret.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury whether be seriously intends to desert the loyal minority in Heligoland?
MR. OKELLY (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, before agreeing to the cession of Heligoland, Her Majesty's Government consulted the Naval Authorities on the actual or possible strategic value of the Island of Heligoland; and, if not, whether Her Majesty's Government will do so before further proceeding with the proposed cession?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHYes, Sir.
§ MR. O'KELLYI am sorry I did not catch the drift of the answer. Will the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury not give a more intelligible answer to my question as to whether the Naval Authorities have been consulted, or whether they will be consulted in the future?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am sorry that the answer I gave was not intelligible to the hon. Member, It was a distinct affirmative to the question put—that the Government had consulted the Authorities before they came to a decision on this question.
§ MR. O'KELLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that General Sir Andrew Clarke has publicly denounced the cession of Heligoland?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHVery likely, Sir; he has denounced a great many things.