MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have received any further information of the progress of the proceedings relative to the payment of compensation by the Russian Government for the unlawful seizure by Russian cruisers of British sealing vessels in the Behring Sea in July 1892; whether he can state any approximate period within which this matter may be expected to be brought to a conclusion and the compensation paid; and whether Her Majesty's Government will use their influence to expedite its settlement?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportThe claims referred to have been forwarded to St. Petersburg, and some of them are now under discussion with the Russian Government. Her Majesty's Government will endeavour to expedite a settlement; but it is not possible at present to say how soon that object may be attained.