HC Deb 14 July 1910 vol 19 cc588-9
Mr. GIBSON BOWLES

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received information respecting the acts contrary to the law of nations committed by the Russian naval forces during the war with Japan in 1904–5, in sinking the "Knight Commander" and the "Hip-sang," and in burning the "Oldhamia," and thus destroying the most material evidence for the Prize Court; whether His Majesty's Government still propose to submit to these acts without insisting upon due reparation; what steps have been taken to procure such reparation; what steps are His Majesty's Government now taking; and when does he propose to lay upon the Table of this House the correspondence relating to these cases?

Sir E. GREY

I am waiting to receive the full text of the judgment on the last of these cases still outstanding. I expect to receive this soon, and shall then consider what further communication should be made to the Russian Government respecting them. I must, however, point out that as long as the difference of opinion, which was disclosed at the Hague Conference of 1907, exists amongst nations as to what is the law of nations respecting the sinking of neutral prizes by belligerents, and as long as the final decision in such cases rests with the Prize Courts of the belligerent Power, there will be constant risk of such cases recurring with repetition of the same difficulty in settling them.

Mr. GIBSON BOWLES

Will His Majesty's Government consider the propriety of inviting the Russian Government to submit these cases, and those of a similar kind to arbitration?

Sir E. GREY

I think the "Oldhamia" is the last, but in any case as soon as that is received the question of a request that they should be submitted to arbitration will arise.

Lord BALCARRES

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are still outstanding claims for compensation in respect of British ships of four, five, or six years ago?

Sir E. GREY

In some cases of claim compensation has been awarded, and some cases have been settled. In all cases the decision is now given by the Russian Prize Courts, and I have not yet received the full text of the decisions. These are the cases which are referred with regard to which they are not satisfied, and I shall have to consider what further communication we shall make.

Mr. GIBSON BOWLES

Are there any other cases of this kind than the three I have taken of actual sinking?

Sir E. GREY

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that Question.