§ MR. R. A. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the harbour of Kin-chau, on the Gulf of Liaotung, is included in the territory on the Liaotung peninsula leased to Russia; (2) whether the agreement which embodies the terms of the lease of Port 1396 Arthur and Talienwan to Russia states that the southern portion of Talienwan is to be an exclusive naval base not open to foreign ships of commerce; and (3) whether fortifications at Talienwan have been already begun?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe answer to the first Question is, I believe, in the affirmative we have not yet received the terms of the agreement referred to in the second Question, and, therefore, have no precise or authentic information as to its details Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin has reported to us having heard that a portion of Talienwan Bay is to be fortified, but we have no knowledge of any fortifications having been yet commenced.