§ MR. LEWISI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the respective strength of the British and German fleets now stationed at Manila; whether the volume of British trade in the Philippines is six times as great as that of German trade; and whether the Government are advised that in the present critical condition of affairs in the Far East the British naval force at Manila is adequate for the protection of British interests?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. N. CURZON,) Lancashire, S.W., SouthportAccording to the latest information there are four British and five German vessels 801 at Manila. I do not know the exact proportions of British and German trade, but I answered a Question on this subject yesterday. The Commander-in-Chief at Hong-kong is satisfied that the British force is sufficient for the protection of British interests. If it were not, it would be in his power to augment it.