§ ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the report in the Standard of 18th April, stated 1596 to have been telegraphed from Ottawa, as under:—
The sealing schooner Maud, just arrived in British Columbia, reports having called at Good Success Bay, near Cape Horn, on voyage from Halifax, and there discovered a number of shipwrecked British sailors, who had been impressed by the Government of the Argentine Republic into service at a life-saving station; they had tried to escape, but were closely watched and were subjected to cruel treatment; they wanted their case reported at Home.And whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the truth of said report; and, if confirmed, will application be made to the Admiralty for a ship of war to be sent from the South American Station to ascertain the facts and rescue the men?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONNo further information has been received; but the Governor General of Canada, who has been communicated with by telegraph, is endeavouring to obtain particulars. Her Majesty's Minister at Buenos Ayres has been instructed by telegraph to mention the report to the Argentine Government, and request them to make immediate inquiry, and should the report prove true to liberate the men. Arrangements are also being made for one of Her Majesty's vessels to visit the spot at an early date.