HC Deb 01 July 1884 vol 289 cc1789-90
MR. BORLASE

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, having regard to the commer- 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 FITZMAURICE

The 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-BARTLETT

asked 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 FITZMAURICE

said, he did not think it would be at present desirable to enter into that matter. The Notice of the Question strictly referred to mediation.