§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether foreigners in China have any right of residence for purposes of trade except at the Treaty Ports; if not, whether, in view of the promised throwing open of inland waterways in China to foreign vessels, and of the necessity for up-country stations and depots being established for the storage and delivery of goods, if this concession is to be of any real value, the Government will secure for our merchants and their agents the right of establishing and residing at such stattions and depots?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. ST. JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThere is no express Treaty provision enabling foreigners, other than missionaries, to acquire and hold property beyond the Treaty Ports of China. The object which the honourable Member desires to obtain will not be lost sight of by Her Majesty's Government.