§ MR. BORLASEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, having regard to the commer- 1790 cial interests of England in China, and to the fact that hostilities have been renewed between French and Chinese troops, Her Majesty's Government will use their best endeavours, as an intermediary between the two Powers, to bring about an understanding, and thereby to prevent bloodshed, and the international complications which may follow, should it be in contemplation (as reported in The Observer of Sunday last) to subject a Chinese Port to bombardment in retaliation for the attack on the French convoy at Langson?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe French and Chinese Governments are aware that our good offices would always be at their service; but to offer mediation, unless at a time when Her Majesty's Government had some reason to suppose that it would be acceptable to both Governments, would do harm, and not good.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked whether the noble Lord could give the House any information as to what had recently taken place in Tonquin between France and China?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, he did not think it would be at present desirable to enter into that matter. The Notice of the Question strictly referred to mediation.