§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (York)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the protest presented on 24th July by the British Minister at Pekin to the Tsung-li-Yamen, in which it was stated that England would not tolerate any interference of another Power with the British loan contract entered into freely by the Chinese Government, especially referred to the demand made by Russia at Pekin, on 11th June, 1898, and 19th July, 1898, that the portion of the line to be built should not be mortgaged to the British bondholders, and that no foreign control should be permitted even in case of default, both of which points were included in the preliminary contract between the Chinese Government and a British corporation on 7th June, 1898; and, whether the Foreign Office subsequently insisted on the British corporation withdrawing from the agreement the clauses objected to by Russia, despite the British Minister's statement that England would tolerate no interference in the matter.
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe negotiations concerning the Northern Railways loans are detailed at length in the Blue-book, and must be considered in connection with the negotiations for a general settlement proceeding at the time. The British corporation was consulted, and agreed to the arrangements made upon which their capital was successfully raised.