§ MR. JOSEPH WALTON (York, W.R.,) BarnsleyI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the assistance of Her Majesty's Government has been sought to enable Chang Chih-tung, the Wuchang Viceroy, to obtain a loan of 500,000 taels required for the military and other expenses of the Vice-royalty; and, if so, whether, in view of the protection afforded to British subjects by the troops of Chang Chih-tung, Her Majesty's Government will give the guarantee asked for.
§ MR. BRODRICKWe are not in possession of facts as to the purpose for which this loan is required and to which it may be applied, but we are making further inquiry. I am not in a position to make any statement.