§ 15. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina, in North America, have defaulted in the payment of their State debts; and if any representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to the Government of the United States at Washington with a view to obtaining repayment of these State debts, which were contracted for industrial purposes and a large part of which was lent by British citizens?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the answer to the second part is in the negative.
§ Colonel GRETTONAm I to understand that the Government do not see their way to do anything to recover these debts?
Viscountess ASTORNow that the States have gone for Prohibition is it not very likely they will have more money to pay their debts with?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI hope my Noble Friend will apply her persuasive arguments to the Legislatures and Governments of these States. It is a fact, in answer to my hon. and gallant Friend, that I see no prospect of making representations with any chance of success. The Government of the United States have no control over these States. United States citizens are as much interested as our own, and if they fail to secure redress I am afraid no representations would be of avail.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these debts were incurred in an effort to make war upon the United States?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANAre the Government considering the withdrawal of the British Ambassador from a country which has defaulted?
§ Mr. MACLEANAre these places not in the United States?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps the hon. Member will give a little study to the constitution of the United States.