HC Deb 18 July 1898 vol 62 cc92-3
MR. H. ROBERTS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any further information as to the rebellion in China, and as to the recent severe defeat sustained by the Imperial troops; whether he has an official corroboration of the report that 1,000 troops, of the Imperial army were slain on that occasion; and what steps the British Government are taking to safeguard their interests in the regions affected by the rebellion?

MR. CUBZON

According to a telegram just received from Her Majesty's Consul at Canton, the rebels, who are said to be badly armed, and to number about, 6,000, encountered the Imperial troops on July 4th, and retreated westward with loss. The rebellion is not yet put down, but Her Majesty's Consul reports that it is difficult to obtain reliable information.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Can the right honourable Gentleman say where this defeat of the rebels is alleged to have taken place?

MR. CUEZON

I do not know.