Wednesday, 8th April, 1914.
BRITISH INTERESTS IN
YANGTSZE VALLEY.
Sir J. D Rees asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a con trolling interest in the China Merchants' has been Steam Navigation Company acquired for mortgage by the Japanese LO the Government, though, according charter of this company, no foreigner can hold shares; and, if so, in view of this fact and seeing that the control has been acquired by Japan in the case also of the Hanyehping Corporation, whether His Majesty's Govern- ment proposed to take any action to protect special British interests in the Yangtze Valley by assisting the Chinese Government with a loan for the purpose of purchasing those undertakings, or in any other manner?
The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Acland): The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, so far as I am aware. His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the necessity of safeguarding British interests in the Yangtsze Valley, but there could be no question of His Majesty's Government fur- nishing a loan for the purpose mentioned by the Hon. Member.
Sir J. D. Rees: May I ask what steps the Government is taking to preserve British interests in the Yangtsze Valley, and what other measures can be taken, except by assisting with a loan?
Mr. Acland: I would have to give a carefully considered long statement if I were to say what steps His Majesty's Government are taking, and perhaps the hon. gentlemen would communicate with me privately.
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Tuesday, 21st April, 1914.
Sir J. D. Rees asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to safeguard British interests in the valley of the Yangtsze where, in view of the financial activity of other Powers, no other than financial action can be effectual in this behalf?
The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Acland): As I informed the hon. member on the 8th instant, His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the necessity of safeguarding British interests in the Yangtze Valley. They are taking all possible steps to that end, but if the Hon. Member
Majesty's suggests that His Government should themselves advance money for this object, such action is not contemplated, especially as there are British firms which are ready to take up projects which are properly secured and offer a fair profit.
Sir J. D Rees: May I ask whether British firms are not now prejudiced by the fact that other Governments are assisting their nationals, and what steps the Govern- ment can take other than financial?
Mr. Acland: We do not propose to finance doubtful propositions in the Yangtsze Valley or anywhere else; and, if a concession is not worth taking up on its own merits, it is not worth our financing it when other people are not doing so.
Tuesday, 21st April, 1914.
OIL CONCESSIONS TO STANDARD
OIL COMPANY.
Mr. T. M. Henly asked the Secretary of Affairs whether the State for Foreign Chinese Government has granted
con-
cessions for oil to the Standard Oil Company, and if so, what is their nature and extent; do they affect the province of Szechuan; whether His Majesty's Government will impress upon the Chinese Government that Article g of the 19oz Mackay Treaty should be carried into practicable and workable effect at once; whether, recently, agree- ments giving concessions to Belgian, French, Japanese, Americas, and Russian Syndicates have been entered into or granted for working oil, iron, and coal fields in China; whether concessions of a similar nature have been granted to other nationalities; whether the British Minister completed on
the
24th February important conversations with the Chinese Government to the effect that China re-affirms the predominance of England in the Yangtsze Valley; and, if so, will His Majesty's Government give it support and assistance for the working of the mines and industries covered by the charter granted as to the province of Szechuan, the most important province in the Yangtze Valley, in preference to securing compensation from the Chinese Government in respect of the attempted cancellation of that Charter ?
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Acland): According to the information of His Majesty's Government the answer to the first question is in the affirmative, the concession embracing the province of Shensi and the districts of Chienchang in Chibli. So far 15 His Majesty's Government are aware, the con cession does not affect the province of Szechuan. With regard to the third question, His Majesty's Legation during the last eleven years have taken every opportunity, and will continue to do so, of impressing upon the Chinese authorities the necessity, in the interests of China herself, of develop.
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ing the mineral resources of the country in accordance with the provisions of the Mackay Treaty. With regard to the fourth and fifth questions, His Majesty's Govern- ment have no knowledge of concessions having been granted except to the Standard Oil Company as already mentioned. With regard to the sixth part of the question, His Majesty's Government, having had under their consideration the question of railway and industrial development in the Yangtsze Valley, and the claims to which our predominant commercial and economic interests in that region entitle us, a com. munication to this effect has been made to the Chinese Government. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government are awaiting a communication from the Chinese Government as to whether they will make a fresh offer of compensation for the cancellation of the Szechuan con. cession. If an arrangement can be made with the Chinese Government for a modifica tion of the original contract or its exchange for another contract His Majesty's Govern- ment would see no objection to such an arrangement being made instead of the claim of compensation being pressed,
Bir J. D. Rees asked whether the agreement between the Standard Oil Com- pany and the Chinese Republic includes the right to construct pipe lines and Railways, and a guarantee that the Republic shall acquire and make over to the Company all ands needed for the development of its operations, and shall exclude other foreigners for a year from oil concessions in China; and whether His Majesty's Government is taking any steps to benefit British trade and British subjects in the opportunity afforded by the retirement of the United States from the loan consortium ?
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