§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what are the numbers of the British, American, and Japanese fleets in the north of the Gulf of Pechili or thereabouts at the present time; and whether, seeing that the Russians have fifty-seven vessels at Port Arthur, can he state what is the object of this gathering of fleets.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The number of British ships at present in the neighbourhood of the Gulf of Pechili is twelve. The Admiralty is unaware that any special gathering of ships has taken place, or that any special object is aimed at by the Governments responsible for the movement of vessels in Chinese waters.