§ COLONBL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign 789 Affairs if, having regard to the development of British commercial interests in Central and South America likely to ensue from water communication being established through the Isthmus of Panama, Her Majesty's Government would be disposed to favourably entertain an invitation from the French Republic to the Great Maritime Powers to join with her in determining, by means of an International Technical Commission, the possibility of continuing the canal works through the opposing Cordillera, and thus completing the half abandoned by the original Panama Canal Company?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOE FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickHer Majesty's Government have received no communication from the French Government on this subject; it would therefore be premature to express an opinion on the matter.