§ MR. GOURLEYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether about 70 men have deserted from H.M.S. Blake, and other vessels forming the British Squadron attending the International Naval Review at New York; if so, have the Admiralty received any official information as to the cause of the desertion; if not, is it the intention of the First Lord to institute an inquiry; and whether any Consular Convention exists, applicable to seamen of the two Navies, between this country and the States, or whether similar regulations exists between the two countries with regard to desertions, as in the days of slavery?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONNo official Report has been received relative to alleged desertions from H.M.S. Blake and other vessels of the British Squadron. The Treaty between Great Britain and the United States of 3rd June, 1892, respecting desertions from the Mercantile Marine does not include the surrender of 902 deserters from ships of war. No other arrangement bearing upon the subject exists between the two countries.