BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9107, 5 June 1908, Page 5

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

THE SINKING OF THE KNIGHT

COMMANDER

Received June 4, 9.15 a.m. LONDON, June 3

! In the House of Commons, the I Secretary of State for Foreign ! Affairs, Sir Edward Grey, informed jMr Hart-Davies (Liberal) that ' Russia had declined arbitration in ! connection with the case of the ' steamer Knight Commander. ; Sir Edward adced that he was con- | sidering what steps he would take. j The steamer Knight Commander I was sunk by Russian cruiser* in j July, 1904, during the progress of the Russo-Japanese War. The Prize Court declared her to be a lawful prize, and no compensation was granted. KING EDWARD'S PROPOSED VISIT. DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. A QUESTION RECEIVED WITH PROTESTS. SPEAKER REBUKES A MEMBER. Received June 4, 9.55 p.m. LONDON, June 4. In the House of Commons Mr J. A. Pease, Liberal M.P. for the'Saff-ron-Walden Division of Essex, and Junior Lord of the Treasury, informed Mr Will Thome,. Labour M.P. for West Ham South, regarding the Labourite memorial to Sir Edward Grey, suggesting the abandonment of King Edward's visit to Russia, that Sir E. G r ey was unable to advise King Edward to sbandon the visit. Mr Thorne asked: "Does that mean that the Government acquiesces in the brutal murders and outrages that have occurred in Russia?" The question was received with protests, amidst which the Speaker rebuked Mr Thorne. Later Mr Keir Hardie complained of the clerks at the table refusing to accept the question. He enumerated the execution of political prisoners in Russia, and suggested tnat Britain should threaten to withdraw her Ambassador if Russia presisted in the present internal policy. The Speaker ruled that the first part of the question, instead of asking for, conveyed information, and, secondly, it was no part of the British Go/ernment's business to manage the internal affairs of a friendly State. Mr Hardie considered that the ruling of the Speaker was a curtailment of the rights of the House. The Speaker denied this, and repeated his second point.