HC Deb 02 August 1894 vol 27 cc1573-4
SIR E. ASHMEAD - BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether war has been declared between China and Japan; and whether he can give the House any information as to the military and naval operations that have taken place?

The following question also appeared on the Paper on the same subject:—

MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether several Japanese men-of-war attacked and sunk the merchant vessel Kow Chung; whether the Kow Chung is a British vessel, and flies the British flag; if this occurred prior to a declaration of war between China and Japan; and, if these facts are correct, what steps the Government propose to take for this outrage on the British flag, and to obtain adequate compensation for the families of the Englishmen who perished by this unusual incident in naval warfare?

SIR E. GREY

Perhaps I may be allowed to reply to both of these questions. War has been declared, but we have received no information as to any military or naval operations except the encounter in which the Kow Chung was sunk. The Kow Chung is a British vessel belonging to the Indo - China Steam Navigation Company chartered to the Chinese for the conveyance of troops. The hon. Member has, no doubt, observed that the accounts of what has taken place are most conflicting, and till the facts are placed beyond dispute I cannot make a statement as to compensation. The Japanese Government have, however, informed us spontaneously that they are ready to make full reparation if it is found that their officers were in the wrong.

Subsequently,

MR. WEBSTER

said, he could not see how this question was connected with that of the hon. Member for Ecclesall. It was not on all-fours. He had put a definite question as to whether compensation was to be given.

SIR E. GREY

I have already said everything that it is possible to say in answer to the question of the hon. Member for Sheffield, and I do not think it necessary to read it out again. I will, however, show to it the hon. Gentleman if he wishes to see it.