§ MR. HOGANI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has been brought to his knowledge that considerable damage was done to Roman Catholic mission stations in Samoa when the British war vessels recently shelled villages supposed to be occupied by adherents of Mataafa; and whether any compensation will be awarded for the loss and injury thus inflicted.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (for Mr. BRODRICK)One case of slight damage has 579 been incidentally brought to the knowledge of Her Majesty's Government. Any claim for compensation on account of such damage will, of course, receive due consideration if presented. But according to the general principles of international law there is no liability to make compensation for losses caused by the necessary operations of war.