HC Deb 25 February 1897 vol 46 cc1124-5
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken in fulfilment of their obligation under the Treaty of Washington of May 1871, relative to the Alabama claims, to bring to the knowledge of other Maritime Powers, and to invite those Powers to accede to, the three Rules of the Treaty which provide that a neutral Government is bound to use due diligence to prevent the fitting out within its jurisdiction of any vessel which it has reasonable ground to believe is intended to cruise against a Power with which it is at peace, and also to prevent the departure from its jurisdiction of any vessel intended to cruise, such vessel having been specially adapted in whole or in part within such jurisdiction to warlike use; secondly, not to permit or suffer either belligerent to make use of its ports or waters as the base of naval operations against the other, or for the purpose of the renewal or augmentation of military supplies or men; and, thirdly, to exercise due diligence in its own ports and waters to prevent any violation of the foregoing obligations and duties; whether, during the 25 years that have elapsed since the signature of the Treaty, any Maritime Power has acceded to these Rules; whether they are now binding on any countries except Great Britain and the United States, and as between those two countries only; and whether he will lay upon the Table any correspondence that may have passed between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of the other Maritime Powers with reference to this matter?

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

In June 1871, Her Majesty's Government submitted to the Government of the United States a draft Note in which it was proposed to invite the Maritime Powers to accede to these rules. correspondence took place which was laid before Parliament in 1874, showing the divergence between the views entertained by the two Governments as to the terms of reference to the two Powers and as to the precise meaning of the rules. The correspondence was renewed in 1876, but led to no result, and no invitation has therefore been issued to the Maritime Powers to accede to the rules in question. The 1876 correspondence was published in the United States, and I can show the bon. Member a copy if he desires to see it.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Does the 1876 correspondence embrace any with any other Maritime Power besides the United States?

MR. CURZON

NO, Sir, this correspondence was between ourselves and the United States Government.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Is it the fact that these rules are not binding on any other country except Great Britain and the United States, and as between those two countries only?

MR. CURZON

Yes, Sir, that is so.