§ MR. D. BRYNMOR JONES (Swansea District)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he can state on what terms the terms in which the Government of the French Republic expressed regret in regard to the Waima incident of January, 1894, and when the apology or expression of regret was made; and (2) whether he will, if consistent with the public interest, state what progress the negotiations for the payment of compensation in respect of the British officers and men killed at Waima have made?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. N. CURZON,) Lancashire, S.W., SouthportI have never stated that the French Government offered an apology in regard to the incident at Waima. What I did state was that they had expressed their feelings of regret. The terms in which they did so were that the Government of the Republic had from the start no less than the British Government deplored the lamentable consequences of the encounter. The date of this communication was 17th May, 1894. In reply to the second inquiry, I have already stated in the House that the question has been included in general negotiations which have not been completed.