§ MR. MARKS (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state if the British sphere of influence in the Yang-tsze region has yet been defined; and, if so, what are the geographical limits agreed upon, and whether they have been notified to the Russian and French Governments; and if the British sphere of interest in the 418 Yang-tsze region has not been defined, whether he can state what steps are in contemplation to define, establish, and maintain it?
MR. CURZONIf the honourable Member will refer to what I said in a Debate in this House on April 5th, or to No. 85, on page 39, of the China Papers, he will see that the assurance of the Chinese Government with regard to the Yang-tsze valley related specifically to the territory of the provinces adjoining the Yang-tsze river, the limits of which are well-known. It was not necessary to communicate to foreign Governments an assurance given by the Chinese Government as to its intention not to alienate its own territory.