§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will take into consideration the desirability of bringing under the notice of the International Congress, now assembled at the Hague, the distressed condition of the Armenians, with a view to concerted European action for their protection.
§ *MR. BRODRICKHer Majesty's Government can take no action in the sense desired, as according to the terms of the invitation to the Conference such subjects are excluded from discussion.
CRIMPING IN THE UNITED STATES. COLONEL DENNY (Kilmarnock Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the system of blackmail at present levied by the boarding masters and crimps at San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, by which blood-money, amounting to £20 per head, is charged for the shipment of British seamen who have previously been induced to desert; whether he is aware that Consul J. Laid-law, of Portland, Oregon, has stated in a despatch, dated 29th June, 1898, that a comprehensive Consular Convention should be concluded with the United States, giving the same exclusive jurisdiction as is now enjoyed by French and German Consuls, and should include powers to call upon the local authorities for the necessary assistance; whether Her Majesty's Government will endeavour to arrange such a Convention with the United States Government for the better protection of British shipmasters and seamen, and to abolish the system under which blood-money can be levied; whether he will inform the House of the exact terms of the Convention between the United States and France which the Consul's letter refers to; and whether Her Majesty's Government are prepared to take such steps as may be required to protect shipmasters and seamen in this matter.
§ *MR. BRODRICKAttention has been called to the system which at present prevails in some ports of the United States with regard to the engagement of 895 seamen. Reports on the subject, including that from Consul Laidlaw, to which reference is made, have been laid before Parliament. The Consular Convention between the United States and France will be found at p. 718 of vol. 55 of British and Foreign State Papers. Her Majesty's Government have under consideration what steps can be taken for the better protection of British shipmasters and seamen.