MR. J. WALTON (York, W.R, Barnsley)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have sought and obtained from the Yamen an assurance in writing, similar to that given to France, as to the non-alienation, ceding, or leasing by the Chinese Government of any territory in the province of Kwang-si to another Power?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo such demand has been made upon the Chinese Government. The province of Kwang-si does not affect British interests in the same way as the provinces of Yun-nan and Kwang-tun, in regard to which assurances as to non-alienation were asked for and given.
MR. J. WALTONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have received from the Yamen the assurance in writing, demanded on the 25th of April 1898, that the Chinese Government have not yielded to France any exclusive privileges with respect to railways or mining in the two provinces of Kwang-tung and Yun-nan, and that no territory in the said provinces shall be alienated to any Foreign Power; and, if so, will be communicate the same to the House?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe honourable Member will see from the Blue Book China, No. 1, 1899, page 71, that on 3rd May 1898 Her Majesty's Minister reported that the Yamen undertook to grant the demands referred to, and these assurances are held to be binding on the Chinese Government.
MR. J. WALTONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the railway survey officers in Southern China report that they have discovered a good railway route for the extension of the Burma Railway from Kunlon Ferry to Chung-King on the Upper Yang-tsze; and whether the right, admitted by the Chinese Government, to extend the Burma Railway system into China as far as the Yang-tsze has been embodied in a duly ratified agreement authorising the construction of this railway on equally favourable terms 1115 and conditions to those granted to France in Southern China?
§ MR. BRODRICKAS I informed the House on April 24, it is understood that what is considered a practicable route into Yun-nan has been found, which may perhaps be extended to the Upper Yang-tsze, but we have no particulars at present. The Answer to the second Question is in the negative. Assurances were given to Her Majesty's Minister by the Yamen with regard to the extension of the Burma Railway as soon as it reaches the frontier, and no written agreement on the subject was considered necessary.