§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH, in rising to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he would endeavour to arrange that pending the negotiations with Germany on the subject of Angra Pequena no national flag should be hoisted or other act of sovereignty exercised or possession be taken by either Power in the bay aforesaid, or in the adjacent territory? said, he was the more strongly urged to put this Question because within the last few days a German newspaper had used very strong language on the subject, which showed what a hold the matter had taken on the public mind of Germany. He should be glad to know whether it was true, as stated in the newspapers to-day, that possession had been formally taken by the German Government, and that protection had been promised while the negotiations were pending to all German commercial residents? It did appear to him extraordinary that while negotiations were pending a document of be authoritative a nature as that bearing the signature of Prince Bismarck should have been issued.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI fear I cannot give any explanation of what appears in the newspapers; but from the official accounts that we have received there is no reason to think that any national flag is going to be hoisted on the spot. Negotiations are still going on, and 1450 any delay that has arisen has been on our side, because my noble Friend the Colonial Secretary was in communication on the subject with the Cape Government when that Government was changed, in consequence of which change of Government I am afraid their reply cannot be received for another 10 days. It is not necessary, I think, that I should take any other steps until that communication has been received.