In the reply in which he wound up the debate
the Prime Minister made a statement in regard to the transmission of
cotton from the United States to Europe for destinations in many cases hostile to ourselves:—
" I can assure the House," he declared, "that the matter is one at this moment which we are most carefully considering. I am not myself satisfied with the existing state of affairs. I believe that a great deal of this material, which is a necessary ingredient in the manufacture of some kinds of ammunition, reaches the enemy which ought not to reach the enemy. On the other hand, we must be very careful in the exercise of our belligerent rights not unduly to infringe the trade interests and the legitimate sus- ceptibilities of neutral Powers, with whom we are on terms of perfect amity, and do not desire to provoke anything in the nature of unnecessary or gratuitous quarrels."
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