THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of LAKSDOWNE)My Lords, I was questioned 310 the night before last by my noble friend; Lord Avebury in regard to a recently issued proclamation by the Russian Government under which cotton was declared to be contraband of war. I told; my noble friend that I would make inquiries in regard to the actual terms of the proclamation, and I am now able to say that we have heard from our representative at St. Petersburg that the notification only applies to raw cotton suitable for the manufacture of explosives, and not to piece-goods. I make this statement at the suggestion of Lord Avebury, who is not able to be in the House this afternoon.