§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that an American ship of the "Dreadnought" class has lately been visiting ports in South America; whether he is aware that Germany has also sent a ship of the "Dreadnought" cruiser class of the most modern design to South American ports; whether 429W any representations have been made by British merchants in South America calling attention to the absence of British men-of-war of modern design showing the British flag in those ports; and whether he is aware that the British merchants consider this fact as detrimental to British trade?
§ Sir E. GREYAs regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the Noble and gallant Admiral to the answer given by the First Lord of the Admiralty to the hon. Member for Wednesbury on the 5th instant. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, His Majesty's Government have given due consideration to the desire expressed from time to time by British mercantile firms in South America for the proper display of the British flag. They were precluded owing to the national mourning from being represented at the Centenary celebrations which took place last year, but they have subsequently sent the Fourth Cruiser Squadron to visit the Argentine, Uruguay, and Brazil. The "Kent" and "Challenger" are at present visiting Chile, and will subsequently visit Peru and Mexico.