§ MR. MAGNIACasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have received any information from Mr. Wade in regard to an announcement said to have been made by the Chinese Government, which would appear to be in contravention of their treaty obligations with Foreign Countries? He likewise wished to know, whether the report was correct that a Minister had been appointed to China?
§ MR. MACFIEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he has any information (or will communicate to this House when he shall have it) as to the matters reported in a Telegraphic Despatch from Shanghai, dated the 12th April, relating to the treatment of Missionaries?
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELD, in reply, said, a telegram was received some time since from Mr. Wade, at Pekin, to the effect that he had sent a Circular on the missionary question which had been addressed unofficially by the Chinese Government to Foreign Legations. Up to the present time, however, the despatch containing the circular in question had not been received at the Foreign Office. He could not positively undertake to produce a document which he had not yet seen; but whenever it came to hand, he would at once communicate with his hon. Friends on the subject. As to the second Question put by his hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives, he had no information to give on that point.
§ MR. MAGNIACsaid, he thought that as Mr. Wade not unfrequently sent a telegram when nothing had occurred, he might possibly have sent one when something had occurred.
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDsaid, a telegram had been received from Mr. Wade stating that the Circular had been received by him, and that he would forward it by mail.