MR. P. FERENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, owing to the Uruguay Revolution, a large number of British subjects, amongst whom there are many Irishmen, have suffered immense losses, that their sheep, cattle, and horses 1214 (thoroughbred English as well as native) were seized by the Government forces engaged in suppressing the revolt; that much valuable property in the shape of steel wire fences, with costly posts and stretchers, has been destroyed; and that British subjects have been treated in the same manner by the rebel forces; and, whether he will order an inquiry into the matter, and instruct the British Consul to claim compensation for losses sustained by British subjects, all of whom have to pay heavy taxes to the Uruguay Government?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportWe have not yet heard of any claims having been put forward by British subjects in Uruguay, although Her Majesty's Minister at Montevideo reported to us in March last that he hail brought to the notice of the Minister for Foreign Affairs complaints that officers requisitioning horses, cattle, etc., for the Government troops, had refused to give receipts for them, and that he had received an assurance in reply that such conduct was contrary to orders and would at once be inquired into. Should any claims on the part of British subjects he received, the question of their presentation to the Uruguayan Government will be duly considered.