"PONDTAIL LODGE, "FLEET, NORTH HANTS, "_April 23, 1911_.
"_To the Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office, Downing Street, London, W._
"SIR,--I should esteem it a great courtesy if you would let me know whether any Consular Report has been published by the Foreign Office in connection with the Republic of Salvador; what was the date of such report; and whether any other report of a later period is likely to be published--and if so, when? I have been making diligent inquiries with regard to this matter, but can obtain absolutely no information, a fact which seems more remarkable in view of the trade relations which prevail, and have for so many years prevailed, between Great Britain and the Republic of Salvador.
"My interest in the matter must plead my excuses for troubling you, and awaiting your courteous reply,
"I remain, sir, "Yours obediently, "PERCY F. MARTIN."
"The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to Mr. P. F. Martin, and, by direction of the Secretary of State, acknowledges the receipt of his letter of the 23rd inst., which is receiving attention."
"SIR,--With reference to your letter of the 23rd ultimo, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you herewith, a copy of the Consular Trade Report for Salvador for the year 1892, which is the last received.
"I am, sir, "Your most obedient humble servant, "(Signed) W. LANGLEY."
"PONDTAIL LODGE, "FLEET, NORTH HANTS, "_May 9, 1911_.
"_To the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office, London, W._
"Mr. Percy F. Martin presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of the Consular Report concerning trade in Salvador for the year 1892, which he notes is the last which has been issued."
It may be asked why the Foreign Office grants an office allowance of £200 to the Consul at San Salvador if the services of that gentleman do not include the supply of at least an occasional report upon the trade conditions of that important country? In view of the fact that the share of the Republic's trade with Great Britain is still of some moment, even if it has shrunk considerably in magnitude from what it formerly was, it seems astonishing that not a word concerning the conditions prevailing, nor of the opportunities which exist for promoting trade in that country, should have emanated from a Department of State which presumably exists to protect the interests of the nation's trade and commerce abroad.