§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true, as stated by "La France" and other French papers, that Her Majesty's Government have asked the Government of the French Republic for explanations as to a speech made in the Senate on the 2nd by M. Challemal Lacour, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in which he said:— "We know that there are attempts to 225 excite China against us, and we also know from what Power they proceed?"
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir; Her Majesty's Government have not asked for explanations, as they do not believe that the statement in question could possibly be intended to affect them in any way.