HC Deb 19 July 1912 vol 41 cc655-9
1. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information that the perpetrators of out-rages in the Putumayo district of the Amazon have been punished?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)

I have no information beyond that published in the recent Blue Book.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May I ask whether the Foreign Secretary has yet had any assistance or co-operation from the United States Government in this matter?

Mr. ACLAND

I do not think we have yet heard anything from the United States Government. Of course, one of the objects of publishing the Blue Book was that it might influence public opinion in the United States, and no doubt it will produce its natural effect.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

Is it not a, fact that the agreements signed by these labourers are, on paper, almost identical with the agreements signed by Indian indentured labourers—

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of this question.

2. Mr. KING

asked whether a Roman Catholic mission to Peru will receive help, advice, and encouragement from the Foreign Office and His Majesty's representatives abroad, but not a Protestant mission to Peru; and, if so, whether there is any precedent for the Foreign Office favouring one religious Christian denomination above another?

Mr. ACLAND

The Foreign Office is not directly concerned with the despatch of religious missions to the Putumayo, though, I would, of course, give such assistance as might be possible or advisable. The Peruvian Constitution does not permit the public exercise of any save the Roman Catholic religion. Missions of other denominations would not, as I am informed, be accorded the necessary facilities by the Peruvian authorities.

Mr. KING

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Peruvian authorities have lately given a site for a Protestant religious body?

Mr. ACLAND

May I ask whether that was in or near Putumayo?

Mr. KING

On a point of Order. Is it the usual practice for a Minister to put questions?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is an inconvenient plan for Ministers to put questions. The hon. Member must give notice of his question.

Mr. KING

Perhaps the Minister will put his question on the Paper?

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May I ask if it much matters whether these natives are made Catholic or Protestant so long as they are saved from these brutes?

Mr. ACLAND

I think, in determining to support a mission, it is rather important to select that mission which will have the best chance of getting something done, and the question which particular religion will be represented by the mission ought to be subordinated to that. It is a fact that it is likely that the Catholic mission would have a far better chance of getting something done than any other mission that can be sent.

Mr. ALDEN

Has the hon. Member any idea what view the United States Government take of this matter?

Mr. ACLAND

I have not.

Mr. KING

Is the hon. Member aware that one of the gentlemen promoting the Catholic Mission publicly expressed his complete satisfaction with the action of King Leopold in the Congo?

Mr. SPEAKER

That has nothing to do with the question.

9. Mr. KING

asked whether there are churches of the Church of England in Peru at Callao, Lima, and Cuzco; that missionaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society come and go freely in Peru, selling and distributing Protestant versions of the Bible, and that other Protestant mission agencies at work in Peru are recognised and protected by the Government; and how it is that His Majesty's representative in Peru has stated that only a Catholic mission in Peru would be permitted to proceed to the Putumayo or would have any chance of success?

Mr. ACLAND

I have no official information with regard to the first two questions. As regards the third part of the question, the words used by His Majesty's representative were to the effect that any application for facilities for a Protestant mission to the Putumayo would probably meet with an answer similar to that received in 1907 when a project was entertained by the Baptist Missionary Society of sending a mission to the Peruvian Amazon. On this occasion the Peruvian Government, when the matter was brought to their notice, expressed their inability to accede to the desire of the society as being in opposition to the terms of the Peruvian constitution which forbids the public exercise of any religion save the Roman Catholic.

Mr. KING

Is the hon. Gentleman aware there is a great probability of the Peruvian constitution being entirely altered within a very few months?

6. Mr. NOEL BUXTON

asked whether steps are being taken for the prevention of further atrocities on the rubber estates of the Putumayo River?

10. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any reason to believe that the Peruvian Government are making any serious efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of the atrocities on the Putumayo; and, if not, whether he will concert with the Government of the United States measures to compel the Peruvian Government to do so?

Mr. ACLAND

I have nothing further to add at present to the information published in the recent Blue Book and to the answers returned to questions already asked in this House on the subject.

Mr. REDDY

Arising out of that answer, may I ask what steps the Government intend to take, if any, against the directors of that horrible company?

Mr. ACLAND

The company is in liquidation.

Sir F. BANBURY

May I ask whether the directors are not equally liable for action which they took when the company was not in liquidation, even though the company may afterwards have gone into liquidation?

Mr. ACLAND

I hope that is so. We shall be delighted to find that any of these persons are amenable to English law.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

Will the hon. Gentleman publish the names of the directors of this company?

Mr. ACLAND

My right hon. Friend will consider that.

Sir F. BANBURY

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will take steps to bring these people to justice, or, at any rate, have the matter investigated so the country may know to what extent these directors were or were not responsible?

Mr. ACLAND

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

Will the hon. Gentleman take into serious consideration the recommendation of the United States that they would seriously consider whether Peru is a suitable State to have control over a district like this, and whether they ought to be forcibly dispossessed of it?

Mr. ACLAND

I think questions concerning international relations of that kind ought to be put on the Paper.

Lord R. CECIL

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he will assure the House the Government will consider what steps, however vigorous, can be taken to ensure putting a stop to these outrageous and abominable cruelties?

Mr. ACLAND

That is referred to in one of my answers, in which it was stated His Majesty's Government would do everything they possibly could to help in any action the United States might take. It is clear the United States has a better opportunity for getting things done than any other Government interested.

Colonel YATE

Is there any foundation for the statement that the perpetrators of these outrages were Englishmen?

Mr. ACLAND

No, Sir, none; but a private notice question is going to be asked on that matter.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

Hon. Members had better put down any further questions. We have already had eight.

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