MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, have His Majesty's Government now ascertained, and can he state, the facts connected with the sinking of the British merchant ship "Knight Commander" on the high seas by Russian cruisers; and does he propose, before the House is adjourned for the recess, to make any general statement or to lay upon the Table any correspondence dealing with the seizure or sinking of British merchant vessels by Russian men-of-war, and alleged men-of-war, on the high seas.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURWe really have no further information upon this subject than that I have already given to the House. There can be no doubt that 1374 the ship was sunk, that she was sunk by the Russian officers on the ground that it was extremely difficult to bring her into port, and on the further ground that she was undoubtedly carrying, in their opinion, contraband of war. We adhere to our opinion that these circumstances, whether true or not, afford no adequate justification for sinking a neutral ship.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESMay I understand from the tight hon. Gentleman that His Majesty's Government have by no means abandoned their position, but intend to adhere to it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROh. no, Sir; we have not abandoned our position in the smallest degree.