Questions on American Correspondence.

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Document ID 9802515
Date 05-07-1916
Document Type Hansard
Archive Queen's University, Belfast
Citation Questions on American Correspondence.;Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, 1916, Vol. LXXXIII, Series 5, Cols. 1510, 1511.; CMSIED 9802515
21890
            AMERICA (Correspondence).
      85. Mr. GINNELL asked the Postmaster-General if
he will state what the arrangement is, if any, between
this Government and that of the United States with
reference to interference with innocuous correspondence
to and from America, respectively; whether it is known
to the America Government that letters of poor people
in Ireland to friends in America, seeking financial
help in consequence of the death of their relatives in
Dublin in the recent rising, and letters from such
friends in America conveying help, are alike stopped
and confiscated in this country; and whether, instead
of stopping the outward letter and leaving  their
senders in ignorance, the postage having been paid,
the senders will be given an option of signing an
official form of expression conveying the substance of
the request, which will then be duly forwarded?

      Mr. TENNANT: When once it has been established
that correspondence between this country and America
is innocuous, it is subjected to no interference
whatever by the censorship authorities in this
country. This rule is of general and universal
application. No expection is, of course, made in the
case of the letters of poor people in Ireland who
require financial assistance. No arrangement has been
made in the case of the letters of poor people in
Ireland who require or receive financial assistance.
No arrangement has been made with the Government of
the United States in regard to the censorship of this
correspondence, the exercise of which is one of the
universally recognised rights of sovereignity.

      Mr. LYNCH: In view of the necessity of
preserving not only the good will, but the confidence
of United States, will the right hon. Gentleman
consider the effect of the numerous misunderstandings
indicated in the question?

      Mr. TENNANT: I quite realise that it is
desirable to use precaution and tact in the matter.
These most necessary obligations are not being lost
sight of.