§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to the alleged riots in the Yangtze Valley; and whether, in view of our predominant interest in that region, the Government are prepared to assist the Chinese authorities in maintaining order?
MR. CURZONHer Majesty's Minister at Pekin has reported a riot at Shashih, in which the Customs House, the Japanese Consulate, and Messrs. Jardine and Matheson's house were burnt. There has also been a riot at Sungpu, and the Swedish Mission there driven out, but no lives were lost. Telegraphing on May 16th, Sir Claude Macdonald stated that all Europeans from both places had arrived safely at Hankow. Her Majesty's ship Esk has been sent to Shashih and Her Majesty's ship Phœnix to Hankow. Japanese men of war have also been sent.