§ MR. ERNEST BECKETT (York, N.R., Whitby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Queen Liliukalani was deposed from the throne of the Sandwich Islands by a small body of Americans, who without right or title assumed the sovereignty of Hawaii, and who now, to save themselves from the resentment of the people, have requested the American Government to annex the islands to the United States; and whether the British Government propose to allow this most important coaling station, on the direct route between Vancouver and Sydney, to pass into the hands of the United States without protest or remonstrance?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportHer Majesty's Government do not feel called upon to express an opinion as to the circumstances out of which the present situation in Hawaii has arisen. They are aware that a proposal for the annexation of Hawaii to the United States has been submitted by the President of the United States for the consideration of the Senate; but no decision has yet been arrived at on this Question. It will be the object of Her Majesty's Government to see that whatever rights according to international law belong to Great Britain or British subjects in Hawaii arc fully maintained.