HC Deb 25 July 1904 vol 138 c1045
MR. O'DOWD

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an organised effort is being made by British subjects in South Africa and elsewhere to bring Belgian rule in the Congo into disrepute by the circulation of stories as to alleged atrocities and acts of maladministration; if so, whether such interference on the part of His Majesty's subjects in the affairs of a friendly State has the sanction of the Government; and, if not, what steps it is proposed to take to discourage such action in future.

EARL PERCY

His Majesty's Government have no information on the subject beyond what has appeared in the public Press. His Majesty's Government do not consider that they are called upon to interfere with the expression of personal opinions by British subjects.