HC Deb 24 June 1898 vol 60 c34
SIR C. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Siamese Government lately expelled Mr. Lillie, a British subject, by permission of Her Majesty's Government; whether there was a violation of domicile in this case by the Siamese police; in what form protection was withdrawn from Mr. Lillie; and what was Mr. Lillie's offence?

MR. CURZON

Mr. Lillie was expelled from Siam on the 19th March last, wit' the entire concurrence and approval of Her Majesty's Government. Protection was withdrawn from Mr. Lillie by the refusal of Her Majesty's Minister to protect him, and the arrest having been effected with the concurrence of the British representative no question of a violation of domicile arises in the case. The reason for which Her Majesty's Government declined to interfere on Mr. Lillie's behalf was his publication in a paper called the "Siam Free Press," of which he was the proprietor and editor, of a series of seditious and disgraceful attacks upon the King and Government of Siam.

MR. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)

I would ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he would be willing to lay upon the Table of the House copies of these articles for which Mr. Lillie has been expelled?

MR. CURZON

No, Sir; I think that would be entirely contrary to practice.

MR. VESEY KNOX

Would the right honourable Gentleman be willing to specify in any way the particular articles which constituted Mr. Lillie's offence?

MR. CURZON

No, Sir; I decline to be involved in any pledge to give even a specification.