§ MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the terms of the reply by the Commander-in-Chief on the China Station sent by that officer to the Admiralty telegram of 21st January, 1898; and whether any, and, if so, what instructions were sent by the Admiralty to the Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, on or subsequently to the 12th January, 1898, with reference either to the Iphigenia, or to others of Her Majesty's ships as regards their presence at or near to Port Arthur; if so, whether he can give the text and date of those instructions?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYI think the general rule of not making public instructions given by the Admiralty to officers abroad should be in this case adhered to; but my honourable Friend may take it for granted that the telegram of the 27th, published in the Blue Book, is accurate. I think that anything further upon this subject should be reserved for to-night's Debate.