§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations are in progress, or any understanding arrived at between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States in reference to the future of the Philippine Islands; whether there is any ground for the apprehension that Germany is seeking the acquisition of the island of Luzon, the most, valuable and strategically important of the group; whether he is aware that the possibility of Germany acquiring a further foothold in proximity to their shores is viewed with considerable anxiety in the Australian Colonies; and whether Her Majesty's Government will carefully watch the development of the situation in the Philippines with a view to preventing any portion of a group situated on the great commercial highway between Australia and the Far East from falling into hostile hands?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. N. CURZON,) Lancs, SouthportNo negotiations are in progress with regard to the Philippine Islands, and no information has reached us to support the idea that Germany has made or is making any attempts to acqure the island of Luzon. The Government are aware that the future of the Philippines is a subject of anxiety to the Australian Colonies, and it will, of course, continue to receive their close attention.