§ SIR JOHN BAKER (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government axe taking into consideration the case of the families of British officers slain by the French at Waima, on British territory, in December, 1893; and, having regard to the period of time that has elapsed since the occurrence of the incident in question, whether a reasonable advance on the amount of the compensation recoverable from the French might be made in such cases as may be in urgent need?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The case is under consideration, but there are also other British claims and some counter-claims which have been put forward by the French Government. Her Majesty's Government hope that all these claims may ultimately be made the subject of friendly settlement or reference, but as this will necessarily take time I am inquiring into the circumstances of the families of the deceased officers with a view of seeing whether such temporary arrangement as is suggested in the Question may not be made.