MR. J. WALTON (Yorks., W.R., Barnsley)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government is aware that the Russian representative, M. Pavloff, acting under orders from St. Petersburg, has delivered a written protest to the Tsung-li-Yamen with a view of preventing the ratification of the proposed loan from the Hong-kong and Shanghai Bank for the extension of the railway from Shan-hai-Kwan to Niu-Chwang, in respect of which a preliminary contract has been signed; and whether Her Majesty's Government will take whatever steps may be necessary to counteract this action on the part of the Russian Government?
MR. CURZONThe answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second, may I say that the conduct of negotiations in which any element of international competition enters becomes exceedingly difficult if I am called upon daily, in response to Questions from honourable Members, to state the exact stages of the proceedings taken by Her Majesty's Government?