HC Deb 14 March 1907 vol 171 cc227-8
MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is in accordance with International law and International etiquette for the admiral of a foreign ship to land an armed force in a British Colony without the permission of the Governor of that colony.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The Answer is in the negative. And I may add that in the incident to which the right hon. Gentleman has previously referred no such right was ever claimed.

MR. JESSE COLLINGS

asked whether the right, or supposed right, was not exercised.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I said the right was not claimed, and you cannot say that a right that has not been claimed has been exercised. What I am convinced of is this, that there was naturally in the presence of such a catastrophe a certain amount of misunderstanding. The action of the American admiral was inspired by a single-minded motive of humanity and a desire to relieve suffering, and any other construction placed upon his action was both unworthy and untrue.

MR. JESSE COLLINGS

May I ask whether the fact remains that, in opposi- tion to the Governor of a British Colony, these armed forces were landed, and that there was no disorder that would, warrant any such action?

SIR EDWARD GREY

No, Sir. According to my information, the Question of the right hon. Gentleman conveys a statement of facts which is not borne out by the true accounts of the occurrence.