§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in defiance of an existing treaty, the United States were now maintaining warships on the Great Lakes in a position from which they might sever the internal communications of Canada and isolate the Prairie Provinces; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)The whole question is one in which His Majesty's Government act in the closest touch with the Canadian Government, who are intimately concerned in the question, and I am not prepared to make any further statement about it.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it true that the United States are maintaining warships there against treaty rights; and, if so, is the Government unwilling or unable to maintain the just rights of the British Empire?
§ Sir E. GREYWe are in the closest touch with the Canadian Government, who are the Government most intimately concerned, and I am not prepared to add to my answer.
§ Mr. HUNTWhat is the meaning of being in touch with the Canadian Government? Are these just rights or not?
§ Sir E. GREYBeing in touch with the Canadian Government means co-operating with them to do what they think is best in their interests.
§ Mr. ALLEN BAKERIs it not the fact that the agreement in 1817 was not a treaty at all, but simply an agreement terminable on six months' notice on either side, and that that agreement has been kept for nearly a century without gunboats on the lakes?
§ Sir E. GREYI am not prepared to add to the answer I have already given.