§ SIR MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbright)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if anything satisfactory has resulted from the negotiations between Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin and the Chinese Government for the loss of valuable British lives in the "Kowshing" during the China-Japanese war; if these proceedings are still proceeding; and if he will inform the House the reason for this prolonged delay in settling the compensation?
§ MR. BRODRICKThis question is still under discussion with the Chinese Government, who, in their last communication, stated that, after full and careful consideration, they were unable to see how they could fairly be called upon to pay compensation in the circumstances. The Chinese Minister was informed, in reply, on the 21st November, that it was impossible for Her Majesty's Government to abandon the 1456 claim which they had advanced on behalf of the owners of the "Kowshinsr," but that they were willing to renew the offer they had already made, that the question should be referred to arbitration. Sufficient time has hardly elapsed to allow of the receipt of a reply by mail from the Chinese Government to this communication.