§ LORD WARKWORTH (Kensington, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the pressure that is exercised upon the Chinese Government by the 692 representatives of foreign Powers at Pekin in favour of concessions demanded or procured by their own nationals, and against concessions demanded or procured by the nationals of other countries, Her Majesty's Government will take such steps as may enable the Chinese Government to resist their pressure, and as will secure identity of treatment for British subjects and British undertakings in the Chinese Empire?
MR. CURZONHer Majesty's Minister at Pekin was instructed some time ago to press for the insertion in every concession granted by the Chinese Government of proper provisions for equal treatment of all nationals in trade. On July 22nd he was further instructed by telegraph to inform the Yamen that Her Majesty's Government would support the Chinese Government against any Power which committed an act of aggression upon China, because China had granted to a British subject permission to make or support any railway or similar public work.