§ LORD AVEBURYMy Lords, I rise to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the case that the Russian Government has declared cotton to be contraband of war; whether His Majesty's Government recognise their 12 right to do so; and whether any, and, if so, what steps have been taken in the matter. This declaration is a new departure. It may be that it only applies to a certain description of cotton which, is used for explosives, but, however that may be, the interests concerned are very important, and they are anxious for information.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, we received a few days ago from our representative in St. Petersburg a telegram announcing that the Russian Government had given notice that cotton was to be added to the list of article declared to be contraband of war. We were not given any particulars with, regard to the categories of cotton covered by this notification, and we have, therefore, thought it desirable to make is quiries on this subject. Of course there would be all the difference in the world if the notice applied only to cotton in a form in which it might be converted easily into combustibles, and not to cotton generally. We have not yet received any answer to our inquiry, and I should prefer, for the present at any-rate, to avoid expressing any opinion with regard to the question of right. If I receive any information, I shall be glad to communicate with the noble Lord.