HC Deb 05 June 1896 vol 41 cc504-5
SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States assent to the view that the bare conversion of the French Protectorate of Madagascar into a French Colony puts an end to the commercial and other engagements of Madagascar?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

So far as this country is concerned the matter is receiving the attentive consideration of Her Majesty's Government, but I am not as yet able to make any statement of their views. We have received no information as to the views entertained by the American Government since the announcement of the French annexation of Madagascar.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Will the Government communicate with the American Government on the subject?

MR. CURZON

I think it is not unlikely that we may be put in possession of the views of the American Government on the subject.