§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the United States Government is making a naval station on Lake Michigan at the cost of about £7,000,000, whether this is a breach of the Rush-Bagot Treaty; and whether he has had any communication from the new Canadian Government as to the fact that the United States is still continuing to break in a three-fold way the Rush-Bagot Treaty with this country, as to the number, size, and armament of their warships now stationed on the Great Lakes?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to all three questions is in the negative.
§ Mr. HUNTWould the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether there is any 1456 truth in the statement that a naval station is to be established there, or whether it is a joke, like Mr. Clarke's annexation of Canada?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot make any promise about this matter. I have actually been in communication with the Canadian Government, who are the persons most intimately concerned and whose interests are mainly affected by any questions connected with the Rush-Bagot Treaty, and I would deprecate the giving of answers which would have to be given without consultation with the Canadian Government, who are most directly interested in the matter and with whom we keep in closest touch.
§ Sir E. GREYThe Canadian Government keep us fully informed of their wishes with regard to what they wish us to do.
§ Mr. HUNTWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Will he, or will he not, call the attention of the Canadian Government to this matter and to ask them whether they are willing that the treaty should be broken?
§ Sir E. GREYNo. I propose to leave to the Canadian Government matters which concern directly their own interest, and to show our desire to act in sympathy and co-operation with them by not making statements about what they may or may not wish.