MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the telegrams in the daily Press, dated from Calcutta and Rangoon on the 13th April, stating that the British posts in the Kachin country on the Upper Irrawaddy have been attacked and a detachment of 50 British troops surrounded by irregular Chinese forces from 300 to 500 strong, similar to the Black Flags encountered by the French in Tonkin, and that further forces of these irregulars are being aroused for further attacks; whether Her Majesty's Government have any reason to believe that military operations in the Kachin country will give rise to further Chinese irruptions of the nature indicated; whether Her Majesty's Government have taken any steps to come to an understanding with the Chinese Government with reference to the Kachin country; and whether there is any probability of such an understanding being arrived at?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickHer Majesty's Government have received information confirming the news of fresh troubles in the Kachin country, but the reports in the Press appear to be exaggerated. A telegram of the 13th inst. stated that the attack on the N'Krang post on the 10th inst. had been repulsed without loss. In consequence of the report that a body of armed Chinese 300 strong had appeared in the neighbourhood of Sima a military column was despatched from Bhamo on the 13th inst. Her Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that the armed Chinese are similar to the Black Flags, or in any way connected with the Chinese Government, nor that such military operations, if any, as may be required to secure order in those districts will give rise to further irruptions. Negotiations are in progress with the Chinese Government regarding the Kachin country, and 553 Her Majesty's Government hope that in due course an understanding will be arrived at.