§ MR. LAMBERTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Japanese Treaty was communicated for approval to the British Colonies before being signed; and if so, did any of the Colonies express any opinion upon it.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACH (for Lord CRANBORNE)The answer to the first paragraph of the Question is in the negative. But since the announcement of the treaty his Majesty's Government have had reason to believe that it has been received with great satisfaction in the Australasian colonies. An official message of congratulation has come from New Zealand; and Mr. Barton, the Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth, has expressed his high appreciation of the treaty.