MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have observed the statement made by Count von Bülow in the German Reichstag, on 19th January, to the effect that Her Majesty's Government had issued instructions to British cruisers not to stop or search for contraband of war any vessels either at Aden or at any point equally or further distant from the seat of war; that Her Majesty's Government had further issued instructions that German mail steamers are not to be stopped and searched on mere suspicion; 431 and that Her Majesty's Government had declared its assent to the institution of a court of arbitration for dealing with claims for compensation arising out of the exercise of the right of visit and search; whether this statement accurately represents the engagements taken by Her Majesty's Government; and if so, whether he can state the considerations which have induced Her Majesty's Government to waive in these respects the exercise of the maritime rights of this country; whether he can state on what ground it is intended to withdraw from the prize courts, and to submit to arbitration the assessment of costs and damages to be paid by captains in respect of capture without adequate cause; and whether he will lay any Papers with reference to this matter upon the Table of the House.
§ * MR. BRODRICKHer Majesty's Government have undertaken not to search vessels for contraband of war at the distance named in the question, because there is nothing to prevent contraband being shipped at intervening ports after such search, and the cargo destined for intervening ports interferes with effective search. Mail steamers having important public interests to serve will not be arrested unless there are grounds beyond mere suspicion for believing there is contraband on board. The assessment of compensation in connection with the seizure of vessels cannot be withdrawn from the prize court except on application by the parties and consent of the court. Her Majesty's Government have not surrendered any right, but in view of the representations of the German Government and the assurances given by the Mail Steamer Company that they had given strict orders that contraband should not be carried, Her Majesty's Government have undertaken, pending further arrangement, not to arrest such vessels except on the gravest suspicion. I propose to lay Papers on the subject shortly.