§ Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the consent of any Powers besides Great Britain is required to the recognition of the Belgian 1187W sovereignty of the Congo; whether, if so, those other Powers are willing to give their consent; and whether any correspondence has passed with other Powers on this subject.
§ Sir EDWARD GREYThe answer to the first Question is in the negative. I believe that all Powers except Great Britain and the United States have in one way or another recognised the Belgian sovereignty of the Congo long ago, and I understand that the United States Government do not consider official recognition necessary.