22. Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the agents for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company at Punta Arenas, in the Straits of Magellan, South America, are a German firm, Stubenrauch and Company; whether Stubenrauch is also the German Consul; whether, in his capacity as agent to the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, he has access to information as to the movement of ships which it may be desirable should not be communicated to the enemy; and whether at other ports in South America the agents of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company are also Germans?
§ Captain PRETYMANI am informed by the company in question that their agent at Punta Arenas is an Englishman, Mr. Ernest Hobbs by name. Mr. Hobbs, the 1012 company state, was formerly a partner of Messrs. Stubenrauch and Company but, since the War, has severed all connection with that firm. The company further state that they have no agents of German nationality at any port on the West Coast of South America at present served by their steamers.