§ MR. PROVANDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the British Government spontaneously intimated to the German Government that it had no intention of calling in question the German rights or interests in the Province of Shantung; and that, in particular, it had no intention of laying down railway communication with the interior from Wei-hai-Wei. or from the territory which appertains to that port?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe declaration referred to was suggested by me to prevent misconception. It states the exact truth—that the occupation of Wei-hai-Wei. though it is in Shantung peninsula, was not directed against German rights in that province. As the House knows, the reasons for the occupation were strategical and political, and not commercial. They had nothing to do with Germany or Germans interests, and it seemed right to say so. The declaration neither recognises rights which do not exist, nor adds anything to those which do.
§ MR. E. J. C. MORTON (Devonport)The right honourable Gentleman omitted all reference to the last part of the Question, as to whether the British Government spontaneously intimated to the Gorman Government that it had no intention of laying down railway communication with the interior from Wei-hai-Wei.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYYes, Sir. I stated that the communication was what is called spontaneous—that is, that it was initiated by Her Majesty's Government. With regard to railway communication, I believe it to be impracticable, and that was staled in the course of the communication to the German Government.
§ MR. PROVANDAre we to understand that British subjects are not to have the same rights to carry on commercial business at Wei-hai-Wei that the Russians have intimated they will have at Talienwan?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYAny British subject who is foolish enough to go to Wei-hai-Wei for commercial purposes will have every facility.