Mr. WEST RUSSELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any further representations from associations representing officers of the mercantile marine with regard to the substitution of police for military guards in merchant ships operating in Chinese waters as from July; what is the estimated cost of the new arrangement; and how will this be borne?
§ Mr. AMMONI have been asked to reply. No further representations have been seen from associations representing officers of the mercantile marine with regard to the substitution of police for military guards in merchant ships operating in Chinese waters. The cost of the new arrangement is not yet definitely known, but it is understood that it may be about 80,000 dollars per annum. The charges will be borne by the shipping companies employing the guards.