§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)I besire to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that two of the South American Governments having by treaty agreed to settle by arbitration all disputes that may arise between them have, since the conclusion of such treaty, sold several of their war ships; will he state the number of ships that have beep so disposed of, and say if he has any information concerning the reported desire of the two Governments to sell the remainder of their ships of war; if he has no information upon the subject will he instruct the representatives of the British Government in those countries to obtain a copy of the arbitration treaty agreed to by the South American Governments, and also to ascertain what are the facts in regard to the disposal of their vessels of war; and will he lay such information upon the Table of the House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe treaties to which the hon. Gentleman refers provided for a settlement of all controversies that do not affect the Constitution of their countries, and, if no other settlement is possible, by direct negotiation. The number of Chilian ships sold in this country was two, and of Argentine ships sold to Japan, two. His Majesty's Government are not aware of any intention to sell any others. I do not think that there is any objection to laying the terms of the treaty of arbitration on the Table of the House if the hon. Gentleman desires it.