Mr. Acland: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the effect of the withdrawal of the American Group from the six-power consortium was that the American share of the loan was divided up amongst the remaining five Powers, whose position remained otherwise unchanged.
Wednesday, 22nd April, 1914.
NORTH CHINA. (REDUCTION OF BRITISH GARRISON.)
Colonel Yate asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that there is a widespread belief among the British residents in North China that a reduction of the British garrison is contemplated in the near future; that, in view of the very unsettled state of the country, the British residents consider such a reduction as fraught with possibilities of danger to the interests and trade of this country; if he will say whether any reduction of the garrison is contemplated; and, if so, to what extent; and what is the reason for it?
50
Mr. Tennant: It is not considered that the conditions warrant the retention of the whole All relevant of the present garrison. considerations will be taken into account before any final orders for the withdrawal of the troops are given.
Colonel Yate: Is it intended to reduce the European or the Indian?
Kr. Tennant: I think only the Indian.
PIRACY IN CHINESE WATERS. LOOTING OF CHILDAR," BTC.
Mr. Stewart asked whether the British mails, while being carried by the Norwegian
steamer "Childar," were looted when that steamer was recently pirated in South China; has any satisfaction been obtained from the Chinese Government whose subjects effected the piracy; and whether, in view of the unsettled condition of the West River and the Canton delta, the Admiralty can see their way to expedite as far as possible the construction of the two river gunboats fore- shadowed in the Naval Estimates of 1911-12, 1912-13, and 1913-14, but not so far proceeded with ?
Mr. Churchill: I am informed that nothing is known at the Admiralty or the Foreign Office of the pirating of the "Childar" beyond what has appeared in the Press. Asre- gards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North Birmingham on the first of this month.
Mr. Stewart: Is the right hon. gentle- man aware that last year a French steamer was pirated on the West River and another steamer was also pirated?
Mr. Charchill: The two river gun-boats to which the second part of the question refers were not for the West River at all. but for the Yangtsze.
Mr. Stewart asked whether any com. pensation has been claimed from the Chinese Government for property lost by British Shui-on," officers on board the steamers " pirated in 1911; on the "Tai-on," pirated in 1913 in South China; and whether any compensation has been claimed for the dependents of the chief officer of the "Shui-on," who lost his life, and whose mother is in poor circumstances?
וי
Mr.
'Shui-on,"
of the Acland:
case In the His Majesty's Government
claimed the following sums from the Chinese Government:-
$299.77 for the damage to the vessel. £1,000 for injury to the health of the master, Captain Johnson.
$166 for the funeral expenses of the chief officer, Mr. Nicholson.
No claim was made on behalf of Mr. Nicholson's relatives, as the repre- sentatives of his family stated that no one had been directly dependent on him, and that he had not been in the habit of remitting any portion of his earnings to his relatives. No other claims were put forward by the officers of the "Shui-on." In the case of the steamship Tai-on," the pirates bad embarked as ordinary passengers in British territory, and the circumstances dis- closed no ground upon which any claim against the Chinese Government could be founded.
Mr. Stewart: If these Chinese pirates get it into their beads that British officers may be shot and mails looted with impunity will it advantage us much in that part of the world?
Mr. Acland: I hope that they will not get it into their heads.
Thursday, 30th April, 1914.
STEAMSHIP TAI-ON
(REPORTED PIRACY),
Mr. Stewart asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can supply any details as to the reported piracy and destination of the Steamer "Tai-on"; did any British subjects lose their lives owing to the piracy; if so, how many; and was the
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cargo either in whole or in part British- owned or of British manufactured goods?
Bir E. Grey: I have at present no information beyond what has appeared in the
papers.
Mr. Stanier Is the right hon. gentle. man making inquiries?
Sir E. Grey Cases of piracy are, unfortunately, very frequent in these waters. I expect to receive fuller information in due course, either from Hongkong, through the Colonial Office, OT from
Sir J. N. Jordan at Peking.
Monday, 4th May, 1914.
Mr. Fell asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the absence of river gunboats in Chinese waters was the indirect cause of the recent destruction near Macao of the British steamer "Tai-on" by pirates; and if this arose owing to the failure of the Admiralty to build the new gunboats which were voted by Parliament for the purpose of patrolling the Chinese rivers?
Mr. Churchill: In the absence of particulars of this incident, speculation is useless. The British patrol of the Canton Delta is believed to be sufficient for its
purpose.
Mr. Fell May I ask if the neglect to build these two river gunboats, voted by the House, must not have had some effect on the piracy in these rivers ?
Mr. Churchill: Without much fuller knowledge, I think that no one can say whether the hon. gentlemen's statement is true or pot.
Mr. Lee May gentleman whether
ask the right hon. be is aware that
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