§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate, in its report upon the proposed annexation of Hawaii, alleges that, if Great Britain is not industriously and openly engaged in fomenting this concerted movement for the destruction of the Republic and the restoration of the monarchy on its ruins, her agents and the Princess, her protégée, are kept conveniently near at hand to fasten her power upon the islands when a pretext arises for protecting the lives and property of British subjects in Hawaii; and whether there is any truth in these allegations against Her Majesty's Government?
MR. CURZONI have seen a statement in the Press to the effect that the Report of the Foreign Relations Committee of the American Senate does contain the allegations mentioned in the Question of my right hon. Friend. I do not know whether this Report is authentic, but if it be so, I have to say that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegation.
§ MR. M. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that strong opposition was voiced in this House last Session by an hon. Member opposite to the annexation of this island by the United States?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon Member must give notice of that Question.