§ MR. LAWSON WALTON (Leeds, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether any representations have been made to the Russian Government in reference to their proclamation declaratory of contraband of war, particularly in regard to food and cotton, to the use of neutral ports for the coaling of warships for belligerent operations or as a naval base, or to the alleged setting of explosive mines outside territorial waters, or in reference to any of the above subjects; and, if so, will he direct that copies of these communications be furnished to Members of this House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe present war certainly has raised questions of novelty, and think some difficulty in connection with international law. The whole subject is being most anxiously reviewed by His Majesty's Government, but do not think that at this moment any public object would be gained by the publication of any communications we have made or indeed by any premature statement on the subject.