5. Sir MARK SYKESasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in view of Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention for the pacific settlement of international disputes, whereby on 18th October, 1907, both the United States and Mexico pledged themselves, in case of a serious disagreement or dispute, before an appeal to arms to have recourse, as far as circumstances allow, to the good offices or mediation of one or more friendly Powers, and in view of the stipulation that, independently of this recourse, one or more Powers, strangers to the dispute, should, on their own initiative and as far as circumstances may allow, offer their good offices and mediation to the States at variance, can he say whether either the Government of the United States or that of Mexico has disclosed any intention of acting in accordance with these Articles; if not, whether His Majesty's Government, on whose behalf the Convention was also signed, propose to offer their good offices and mediation, and, if they do not so propose, what purpose the Convention serves; and whether he intends to proceed with the Bill presented to this House for changes in the law to enable His Majesty's Government to ratify that Convention?
§ 8 and 9. Mr. DAVID MASONasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (1) whether His Majesty's Government has any statement to make with regard to the war which has broken out between the United States of America and Mexico; and whether he will consider the possibility of this country, in the interests of humanity and having regard to the large interests which Great Britain has in Mexico, offering its good offices, in accordance with the Hague Tribunal, to bring about an early termination of hostilities; and (2) whether His Majesty's Government is keeping in view the fact that, according to Article 3 of the Convention, other Powers may of their own initiative offer their good offices after hostilities have commenced; and that such action would not be considered as an unfriendly act?
§ Sir E. GREYAs the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the Governments of Argentina, Brazil and Chile have already offered their mediation, and it has been 1502 accepted by the United States. I have not yet heard definitely what attitude has been adopted by Mexico towards this offer, but under the circumstances it seems unnecessary to answer the hon. Member's question, and that of the hon. Member for Coventry in detail. The important facts with regard to the trouble in Mexico are already well known through the Press, and I will confine the statement for which the hon. Member for Coventry asks to our own action. Six British ships of war are now in Mexican waters. They are stationed as follows: On the Atlantic Coast of Mexico there are at the present moment the "Lancaster," "Berwick," "Essex," and "Hermione," of the Fourth Cruiser Squadron. The "Hermione" is at Tampico, the "Berwick" and "Lancaster" are at Puerto Mexico, at the north end of the Tehuantepec Railway, and the "Essex" at Vera Cruz. On the Pacific Coast the "Shearwater" is at Salina Cruz, the southern terminus of the Tehuantepec Railway, and the "Algerine" is at Ensenada, the northernmost port of Lower California. Mr. Hohler, the Secretary of His Majesty's Legation at Mexico, escorted 200 United States citizens, twenty British subjects, thirty Germans, and other foreigners by train to Vera Cruz, arriving there on 24th April. By an arrangement obtained by Sir L. Carden between General Huerta and the United States Admiral at Vera Cruz, Mr. Hohler brought 250 Mexican refugees back from Vera Cruz with him, and Sir L. Carden reported on the 25th that he was arranging for Americans who wished to leave Mexico City to do so. Admiral Cradock reported also that 100 British refugees were due at Vera Curz on the 25th. All these arrangements seem to have been assisted with great tact by the various British officials concerned in them, and to have been of real service to British and other foreign subjects, and also to Mexicans. From Tampico, which is reported to be quiet and in good order, the "Hermione" reported that the removal of Americans would be completed by the 26th. Refugees were being withdrawn from Panuco, near Tampico, on the 25th, and a British vessel has gone to Galveston from Tampico with refugees. A further steamer has been chartered and ordered to Tampico, and others will be chartered if necessary. Thirty-three British refugees from Tuxpan have embarked on a United States warship. The British cruiser offered help, which, however, was not necessary.
1503 At Puerto, Mexico, the "Berwick" is dealing with all refugees except United States citizens, who are now on board a United States steamer. A ship has been chartered at that port by refugees. At Salina Cruz, where the situation was yesterday reported to be normal, there is a United States ship as well as the "Shearwater." Admiral Cradock is endeavouring to send a party unarmed, with dispatches, to Mexico City, with the full cognisance of the United States Admiral and the sanction of the Mexican general near Vera Cruz. The dispatches, which are for the British, French, German, and Spanish Ministers, are addressed to the President, with a request for his sanction for their delivery. Admiral Cradock hopes for a safe conduct for the party. The trouble in Mexico is of great concern to us on account of the British commercial interests involved, and we are, of course, ready to encourage, or further in any way that we can, any proposals of mediation that are likely to bring the trouble to an end.