§ *SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the French Consul at Chungking, under the guise of a demand for compensation for losses arising from missionary troubles, is officially pressing for exclusive mining rights in certain districts of Szechuen province on both sides of the Yangtze river; and, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take any action in the matter?
§ *MR. BRODRICKRecent reports received from our Consul at Chungking allude to endeavours on the part of a French firm to secure a kerosine concession, but make no mention of any application for mining rights. It would not be open to the French to obtain exclusive rights. The Anglo-French Declaration of 1898 provides that any advantages conceded to either Great Britain or France in Yunnan and Szechuen shall, as far as rests with them, be extended and rendered common to both Powers. Her Majesty's Consul at Chungking will be asked to report on the question.