HC Deb 13 May 1898 vol 57 cc1217-8
MR. R. ASCROFT (Oldham)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information that the Russian consul at Tien-tsin has given notice that British subjects will not be allowed to land at Port Arthur or Talienwan unless their passports have been visé by the Russian consul; whether such restriction is in accordance with the assurances recently given by the representative of the Russian Government; and whether he will inquire into same with a view to British subjects being protected?

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

At the same time I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Russian authorities have issued orders that no foreigners, that is non-Russians, will be allowed to land at Port Arthur or Talienwan without passports viséd by the Russian Consul at Tientsin; and whether such a regulation is an infringement of the Treaty of Tien-tsin as regards the Treaty ports?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. N. CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

Her Majesty's Government have not received any confirmation of the statement referred to, but have telegraphed to Pekin to inquire. Until the facts are known it would be premature to express any opinion as to the character of the alleged proceeding. Article IX. of the Treaty of Tien-tsin contains the provisions as regards passports.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

If the information turns out to be accurate will the British Government acquiesce in passports having thus to be viséd?

MR. CURZON

I never answer hypothetical questions.

MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he will telegraph to St. Petersburg whence the order comes?

MR. CURZON

No, Sir; I think we had better obtain accurate information from Pekin before we telegraph to St. Petersburg.

MR. HEDDERWICK (Wick Burghs)

May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government regard the provisions of the Treaty of Tien-tsin as still in force?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Question.

MR. HEDDERWICK

I submit, Sir, that it arises out of the Question of the honourable Member for Sheffield.

MR. SPEAKER

The Question of the honourable Member for Sheffield is whether a particular act is an infringement of the provisions of the Treaty of Tien-tsin. The honourable Member's Question is a general one.