50. Sir F. HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the New York Customs Authorities have seized 600 Thomson machine guns which the Irish Republican faction were about to ship to Ireland; whether he has any information indicating that this large number of guns was manufactured by the American firms concerned in ignorance of their intended destination and the purpose for which they were to be used; whether previous to this incident the Government has reason to suppose that other consignments of munitions have been shipped from America for use by the Sinn Feiners in Ireland; and whether a protest has been made to the American Government against the manufacture and supply of arms to the Irish rebels?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)Some 500 machine guns, with a number of rifles and a quantity of ammunition, were seized by the New York Customs Authorities on 15th June. There is every reason to believe that the articles seized were intended to be sent to Ireland, but, as the whole matter is now under investigation by the United States judicial authorities, a statement on the subject would be premature.
Sir F. HALLWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question? Has any protest been made to the American Government?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHNo occasion for protest has arisen.
Sir F. HALLDoes my hon. Friend say it is the ordinary custom that should obtain between two friendly nations that one is to be allowed without protest to send arms into the other?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHMy hon. and gallant Friend is entirely mistaken. No such action has been taken by the American Government.
Mr. J. JONESCan the hon. Gentleman say the number of German guns that were sent to Ulster in 1914, and was any protest made then?