§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to the article in The National with regard to the recent Treaty of Tien-Tsin, in which it is stated that the French
Do not plume themselves on an exaggerated Liberalism in tariff matters; and, though, they will not shut out Foreign trade from their new markets, yet they will make it pay its share of the expenses of the conquest and occupation;whether the freedom of commerce in the provinces of Southern China will, in future, be hampered by prohibitive duties, and henceforth dependent on the goodwill of France; whether China has infringed the letter of her engagements with other Powers by her concession of exclusive rights to France; and, whether he will take any steps, and, if so, what, to prevent the destruction of British interests?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have nothing to add to the answer which I returned to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend a few days ago—namely, that the Commercial Treaty between France and China has not yet been negotiated, and that meanwhile the subjects adverted to by my hon. Friend are receiving the careful attention of Her Majesty's Government.
§ In reply to a further Question,
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, that, as he had already informed the House, the Commercial Treaty would not be signed until three months after the signature of the Political Treaty.