§ 1. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the policy of the Government 1586 intended to be effected by the Order in Council of the 11th March, 1915, was to abrogate the Declaration of Paris, 1856, the Declaration of London of 1908, the fourteen Conventions determined upon at the Second Peace Conference, held at The Hague in 1907, and all juridical niceties relative to contraband and the right of capture at sea; and whether any and, if so, which of the above Conventions are now in force and are being adhered to by the Government?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)The Order in Council of 11th March does not affect the validity or operation of any of the Conventions or instruments referred to.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDAre we to understand that the Government is not using all the resources in its power to end this War?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILI hope no such understanding will prevail anywhere. On the contrary, the Government will use all their resources, whatever they may be, whether under the Order in Council or under the law apart from the Order in Council.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill not the Government consider that a clean slate should exist on this all important subject?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILI am not quite sure that I understand what my hon. Friend means by "a clean slate."
§ Sir J. D. REESAre any of these obligations still existing in face of the present crisis?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILI should not like to say that the obligations we are under towards neutrals are not existing.