§ MR. J. F. OSWALD (Oldham)On behalf of the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. H. D. GREENE), I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now lay upon the Table of the House the documents and information and correspondence in their possession with reference to the execution of Mr. Stokes and the confiscation of his property and the proceedings in Boma and Brussels; whether Her Majesty's Government will insist upon the restitution of Mr. Stokes's property; and whether the Congo Government have properly complied with the requirements of Her Majesty's Government in respect to the trial of Major Lothaire?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOE FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportThe second trial of Major Lothaire is only just completed, and it is a little difficult for me to answer the Questions of the hon. and learned Member before Her Majesty's Government have even received a report of the entire proceedings, or been made fully acquainted with what took place. When this knowledge is in their possession there will be no objection to laying papers, though their voluminous character and the exigencies of translation may occasion some delay. As regards Mr. Stokes's property, the report of Vice Consul Arthur on the 387 subject from Boma has not yet been received.
§ MR. OSWALDMay I ask whether there is any objection to sending to the hon. Gentleman who put the Question down the papers when they arrive?
§ MR. CURZONAs I have just said, the papers will be published as soon as we get them into form, and the hon. Member will see them when published.
§ *SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)May I ask whether the two Courts which heard the case were not Courts of competent jurisdiction, and, if so, whether their decisions are not, by the comity of nations, bound to be respected?
§ MR. CURZONYes, Sir; I believe they were both Courts of competent jurisdiction under the law of the Congo State.