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province of Chekiang of exorbitant taxes United States mer- upon British and chandise; and, if so, what was the nature of such inerchandise?
Sir E. Grey: His Majesty's Minister and the United States Minister at Peking recently protested against illegal taxation in the Province of Cheliang. I am not aware of the nature of the merchandise which was subject to this taxation.
Mr. T. C. Taylor: Will the right hon. gentleman kindly make enquiries ?
Sir E. Grey: I do not think it necessary to make any enquiry into that particular detail of merchandise. Perhaps it would satisfy my hon. friend if I told him I have ascertained that there is no question of these goods having anything to do with opiuin, and this particular province is closed to opium.
Mr. T. C. Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether the British Minister in Peking re- cently threatened to send a British war vessel up the Yangtze River, and, if so, for what reason?
Sir E Grey: The answer to this question, so far as I am aware, is in the negative.
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Mr. T. C. Taylor asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether a British Consul has had occasion recently to pay a visit of remonstrance to the Governor of the province. of Anhui, in China; and, if so, why?
Sir E. Grey His Majesty's Consul at Wubu was recently sent to Anking to re- monstrate with the Governor on the subject of illegal taxation in Anhui similar to that which had been imposed in Cheklang.
Tuesday, 28th July, 1914- WIRELESS TELEGRAPH SCHEME,
Mr. Walter Guinness asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to an announce- ment from Shanghai that a complete chain of Telefunken wireless stations is in process of completion in China; whether he is aware that the Chinese Government had intended to authorise Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company to issue £2,000,000 Chinese Bonds in payment of Marconi Wireless stations in China on the basis of a formal contracl; whether he can state which of these two
companies is to receive the wireless privileges in China; and what steps he can take to protect the interests of Marconi's Wireless the with which Telegraph Company, Government is in contractual relationship?
Sir E. Grey I have seen the announce- ment referred to by the hon. member, and am aware that a preliminary understanding of the nature
described was entered into between the Marconi Company and the Chinese Minister of Finance. The Company have been informed that His Majesty's Government are prepared to afford them such support as they properly can, and the Company will no doubt apply for support whenever they consider it necessary. have, however, no information as to which of the two companies is to receive the wireless privileges of China.
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Mr. W. Gainners: Will the two contracts compete in any way?
8 r E. Grey: I cannot say.
Mr. King: Is full value in the stations which are being erected being given for this loan of £2,000,000.
Bir E. Grey: That is a matter if I understand my hon, friend's question rightly
-between the Chinese Government and the people with whom they are making the con- tract. I understand the particular question to be whether, if there is competition between a British company and a foreign company, the British company will receive diplomatic support such as is usually given, and that question I have answered.
Thursday, 18th February, 1915.
FAR EASTERN WAR CLAIMS.
Sir William Bull asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there was any understanding between the four great Allied Powers regarding the time at which and the method in which all the Far-Eastern claims arising out of the war were to be put forward for international settlement; and, if so, could he indicate its nature.
Bir Edward Grey: An agreement was signed in London on Sept. 5th, 1914, between the British, French, and Russian Govern- ments, and was published in the Press at the time, to the effect that the three Powers mutually engaged not to conclude peace separately during the present war. They also agreed that when terms of peace come to be discussed no one of the Allies will demand terms of peace without the previous agree- ment of each of the other Allies. Article 2 of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has the same effect, and therefore unites all four Powers for the purpose named in the question.
Monday, 22nd February, 1915.
FOODSTUFFS AS ABSOLUTE CONTRABAND.
Lord C. Beresford asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government would immediately place all food and raw material used to foster German industries on the list of absolute contraband of war; and whether he would consider the possibility, in
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order to make this declaration more powerful, of sending a joint Note from the Allies, France, Russia, Japan, and Great Britain, all equally concerned in ending the war, stating their determination to enforce these stringent measures with a view of hastening the end of the war.
Mr. Asquith The Allied Governments are considering what action it would be proper for them to take by way of reprisals against the German policy of attacking and destroying British, Allied, and neutral mer- chant vessels without warning, and without any attempt to save the lives of the civilian and innocent crews. Pending such decision, which I hope will very soon be announced, I can make no statement as to the nature and scope of the measures to be taken, or the form in which they may be made public.
Lord C. Beresford: Will it be a joint Note, or a Note specially from Great Britain ?
Mr. Asquith I cannot yet say that. There will certainly be a Note from Great Britain, and I hope there will be a joint Note,
Thursday, 18th February, 1915,
JAPANESE DEMANDS ON CHINA.
Mr. Gerahom Stewart asked whether the British Government had received the text of the demands put forward by the Japanese Government to China.
Bir E. Gray: I am not at present in a position to communicate to the House the information on the subject which has been given to me confidentially by the Japanese Government.
Mr. Lynch asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had been informed that, in view of the commercial advances of Japan and the claims put forward by that Power in China, apprehension
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