HC Deb 08 July 1909 vol 7 cc1400-1
Mr. BEAUCHAMP

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether now that the Russian Supreme Court had given its decision that the cotton which formed part of the cargo of the ss. "St. Kilda," when she was sunk by the Russian cruiser "Dneiper," on 23rd May, 1905, was absolutely contraband of war, a contention which His Majesty's Government had previously refused to recognise, he would make representations to the Russian Government with a view to compensation being obtained for the owners of the cotton; and, in the event of failure, would he propose that the case should be referred to the Hague Tribunal?

Sir E. GREY

The Russian Government have already declined, in all shipping cases arising out of the war, to reconsider or to refer to arbitration a matter which had been decided by the Supreme Court at St. Petersburg, and in these circumstances no useful purpose would be served by pressing any individual case.

Mr. BEAUCHAMP

May I ask whether Count Lamsdorff himself, in September, 1904, pointed out that in cases where the decision of the Court of Appeal might prove unsatisfactory to a foreign Government, there was always recourse to arbitration possible?

Sir E. GREY

I was not aware of that statement, but I do not question its accuracy. But I must point out that in all cases arising out of a war there is great difficulty in referring them to arbitration, as we ourselves have found in connection with the South African war.

Lord BALCARRES

Has the Foreign Office abandoned its claims for compensation in this and other outstanding cases?

Sir E. GREY

In some cases the decision has been favourable. In cases where it has not been favourable, the Russian Government have said that they cannot refer the cases to arbitration. We have had a number of cases arising out of the South African war where we have had to deliver precisely similar replies to other Powers. The situation, therefore, is one of considerable difficulty.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is it not the case that all the German claims have been fully paid more than two years ago?

Sir E. GREY

That is not the case.