SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL&c) (Kirkcaldy,I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is true, as reported to have been stated by the French Minister, that the French Government suggested the reference of the matters in dispute in Newfoundland to arbitration, but that the British Government declined that suggestion; and whether the Government have reason to hope for an immediate settlement by negotiation of all these disputes with the assent of the Newfoundland authorities; or, if not, whether, looking to the danger of local collisions, Her Majesty's Government will, if possible, refer the disputes to the arbitration of qualified juridical persons?
* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FEBQUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.The answer to the first question is, no, and I do not find it so reported. In answer to the second, yes, at Least an early settlement.