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The American Liner "St Louis"

Volume 34: debated on Thursday 20 June 1895

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I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the terms of a resolution, purporting to have been signed by the British Ambassador to the United States, which asserts that the American steamship St. Louis had demonstrated the inauguration, under American auspices, of a new era in the history of ocean traffic; whether he is aware that extracts from this resolution, together with the statement that it bears his signature, have been published in the London newspapers; and whether, in view of the fact that such action on the part of a Minister may be utilised to advertise a foreign company at the expense of British liners, which have invariably proved their superiority both on the outward and homeward passages between this country and New York, he will request Sir Julian Pauncefote either to substantiate the assertions contained in this document or to withdraw his name from it?

The resolution referred to by the hon. Member was only the usual expression of thanks to the captain at the close of a successful voyage, which Sir Julian Pauncefote was invited to sign in his private capacity in common with the other passengers. The statement in the resolution of thanks that the St. Louis has inaugurated, under American auspices, a new era in the history of ocean traffic is substantially correct, and is under stood to mean no more than that the St. Louis is the first American-built liner designed to take part in the passenger traffic between Great Britain and the United States, under the auspices of an American Company. There is nothing in that statement reflecting upon any British shipping interest.

asked who paid the expenses of the passage of Her Majesty's Representatives when they travelled in vessels other than British vessels, and whether Her Majesty's Government provided that the British ships conveying our Ambassadors were equal in character to the St. Louis?

replied that the expenses of the passage of Her Majesty's Representatives were paid by the British taxpayer.

Am I to understand that the statement of the hon. Member is merely intended to convey in diplomatic language that the Ambassador had a pleasant voyage?

The words of the Resolution in question were not drawn up by the Ambassador himself.