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with a view to safeguarding any British ' interests with which they may appear to conflict, but I am unable at present to make any statement on the subject.
Mr. Gordon Harvey asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the importance to the cotton trade of Lancashire of open markets in China, and that there is uneasiness about demands alleged to be made by the Government of Japan on the Government of China for certain exclusive privileges and the acquisition and leasing of territory; and whether he can assure the House that the Treaty signed in 1905 between the Governments of Great Britain and Japan for the preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by ensuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire, and the principle of equal opportunities for commerce and indus- be try of all cations in China, will strictly observed ?
Sic E. Grey: I am aware of the import- ance of the matter referred to, and I gather that a certain amount of uneasiness exists in regard to the demands; but His Majesty's Government do not doubt but that the Treaty in question will be observed.
Mr. Outhwaite: Can the right hon. gentleman tell us the reason why these demands are being imposed on the Chinese Government?
Sir. E. Grey: All I can say is that the demands are under discussion, and it is not unreasonable, when considerable demands are
made by one Government upon another, that there should be discussion. I do not suppose all the demands are being opposed.
Mr. Outhwaite: Does the right hon. gentleman believe that those demands are an infringement of the integrity of China?
Sir E. Grey: I must refer my hon. friend to the previous answers which I gave.
Thursday, 11th March, 1915.
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Sir W. Bull asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can inform the House of the exact position of the Chino- Japanese negotiations regarding the demands put forward to the Peking authorities by the Tokyo Government; whether any progress has been made, and, if so, what; and whether China has defined her position generally in respect to the various requests?
Sir E. Grey: I can only refer the hon Member to the reply given to previous questions on this subject, that H. M.'s Government are not in a position at present to make a statement in regard to these negotiations which are taking place between two other Powers.
Monday, 15th March, 1915.
Mr. Molteno: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether the report is correct that a large military force sailed on Friday from Japan for China, escorted by a squadron of warships; whether he can state with what objects this force is being sent, and whether its despatch is in connection with the demands made upon China by Japan?
Sir E. Grey: My hon. friend's question has not reached me. I was at a Cabinet Meeting the whole of the morning. It may possibly have gone to the Foreign Office, but it has not reached me and I cannot give an answer without notice.
Mr. Molteno: It was delivered at the Foreign Office this morning.
Sir E. Grey: I could not be there; I was busy.
Mr. Lynch asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the demands put forward by Japan to China come within the category of matters reserved for settlement at the close of the war in accordance with the joint understanding of the Allies; and whether, in that case, he will use his good offices with the Japanese Government to in- duce it not to proceed further with its separate negotiations with China at present?
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Primrose): One or two of the demands might possibly be considered to come within the category referred to in the question, and in their connection the point raised by the hon. member may commend itself to the parties to the negotiations.
Mr. Lynch: May I ask whether an agreement exists
this already between country and Japan?
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aware, the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
Mr. Lynch asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese railways, for which concessions are asked by Japan, are to be national railways, that is, owned and managed by China, though built with foreign money, or whether they are to be completely foreign in all respects of con- struction, maintenance, supervision and control?
Mr. Primrose: I am unable to forecast what may be the outcome of the negotiations between the two countries on this point.
Mr. Lynch: Will the hon. member keep in mind the enormous importance of these matters to British interests in China?
Mr. Primrose : I think the Foreign Office is keeping them in mind.
Sir W. Boll asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the adverse opinion of British commercial men and firms in China to the commercial and industrial aspects of the demands put forward
Mr. Primrose: I must have notice of by Japan to China; and, if not, whether he that question.
Mr. Lynch asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Yangtsze agreement is still in force; and, if so, whether its provisions are in any degree in conflict with the claims put forward by Japan for railway construction both in the valley of the river and in the districts of its tributaries.
Mr. Primrose: I assume that the hon. member refers in the first part of the question to the assurances received by Great Britain in 1898 in regard to the non-alienation of the Yangtsze Valley. In that case, so far as I am
will obtain it through the Consular officers for consideration before deciding on the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to proposals which, in the opinion of many, would be most prejudical to our commercial and industrial interests in the Far East?
Mr. Primross: I am aware of the un- easiness among
the British commercial community generally in regard to these aspects of the demands, and His Majesty's Government will give due consideration to any representations which may be made to them.
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