HC Deb 29 April 1869 vol 195 cc1855-6
MR. DILKE

said, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a Telegram, dated Shanghae, March 31st, and published in the London newspapers of yesterday, in which it is stated that, in a Despatch from Sir Rutherford Alcock to the British Consul at Shanghai, the former says that— The Government at Pekin shows no desire for progress, according to Western ideas and desires; but, on the contrary, will not yield to the introduction of any such projects, except under pressure and coercion; And, whether such a Despatch from Her Majesty's Minister in China to a Consul has been published by the authority of the Foreign Office?

MR. OTWAY

said, in reply, that the Government had only seen the statement in the papers, and had not authorized its publication. From another portion of the telegram, to which his hon. Friend had not referred, he thought it very likely that no such Despatch had been sent. The China Papers would soon be on the table, and from the first Despatch his hon. Friend would see how clearly Lord Clarendon laid down the policy of this country towards China.