§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to progress of the civil war in Brazil, and especially as to the reported surrender of Admiral da Gama?
§ * SIR E. GREYThe Senior Naval Officer at Rio, telegraphing on the 14th instant, states that the Portuguese commanding naval officer has received Admiral Saldhana da Gama and many of his officers and men on board his vessel. Her Majesty's Government have not yet received any further details relating to the surrender of the insurgent forces in Rio Bay.
§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Her Majesty's Minister at Rio de Janeiro has confirmed the report of the cessation of the civil war in Brazil, and in such case if Her Majesty's Government will render all assistance possible to British traders to recoup the disastrous losses of the past six months of siege, and use its influence with the Brazilian Government to devote itself to the development of the riches of the country and the opening up of fresh channels for International trade?
§ * SIR E. GREYThe question of how to deal with claims of British subjects for losses arising out of the recent disturbances in Brazil is now being considered in consultation with the Law Officers of the Crown. The Government of Brazil cannot be asked to take advice from outside as to the development of their own country, but Her Majesty's Government are anxious to use every 332 means in their power to promote trade with Brazil as soon as the political state of the country admits of it.
§ SIR A. ROLLIT (Islington, S.)May I ask whether the Government have received any complaints from British residents as to the neglect of their interests; and, if so, is there any foundation for those complaints?
§ MR. HANBURYIs it true that Admiral da Gama has taken refuge on one of Her Majesty's ships?
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTWill the Government use its influence to obtain clement treatment for the officers and men of the Brazilian Navy who have surrendered?
§ * SIR E. GREYI can only say, in answer to the last question, that Her Majesty's Government has been most careful to abstain from any interference whatever in what was a purely internal matter, and I cannot promise that they will interfere in the final settlement of the dispute. It is true that in disturbances of this kind persons not directly concerned must suffer. British trade is considerable, and it has suffered, and that has naturally given rise to many complaints which we have received; but I am sure that Her Majesty's Minister and the naval officers, who had a most difficult task to perform, have discharged their duties well, and done the utmost possible under the circumstances. With regard to Admiral da Gama, our latest information is that he is on board a Portuguese vessel, not a British ship.