§ 1 and 2. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what progress has been made during the last two months for securng the inhabitants and traders of the Putumayo district of the Amazon against the cruelties disclosed by Sir B. Casement's report; and (2) whether he has any information from the British Consul at Iquitos about the present state of the natives in the rubber district of the Upper Amazon?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)His Majesty's Consul at Iquitos has been sent to the Putumayo district, which he is now visiting in company with his American colleague. No further action can usefully be taken until I have received and carefully considered the report which he will address to me. The answer to the second question is that I shall have no information until I receive the report of His Majesty's Consul at Iquitos.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILIs there any ground for hoping that any of those who have been guilty of the atrocities in Putumayo have been executed or punished in any way?
§ Sir E. GREYI would ask the Noble Lord to give me notice of that question.
§ Mr. MALCOLMCan the right hon. Gentleman set up the Select Committee referred to in the last part of the Session before he receives the report of the Consul?
§ Sir E. GREYThese two things are not connected so far as I am aware. I am not aware of any reason why the Select Committee should depend upon our receiving the report of the Consul, because it relates to events prior to those to which the Consul's report relates. I would ask the hon. Member to address a question to the Prime Minister on Wednesday.