§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a telegraphic despatch from the Government of China has been 1452 communicated within the last few days by the Chinese Ambassador to Her Majesty's Government; whether in that despatch the Chinese Government disowns all responsibility for the proceedings of the Boxers, and attributes a large share of the disasters which have occurred to the attack by the allied Admirals on. the Ta-ku forts; and whether this despatch will be laid immediately upon the Table of the House.
§ *MR. BRODRICKA despatch purporting to proceed from the Emperor of China was received yesterday. I am not at present able to say whether it will be possible to include it in the Papers to be presented to Parliament.
§ MR. DILLONDoes the right hon. Gentleman refuse to inform the House of Commons whether a despatch from the Chinese Government has been received by Her Majesty's Government?
§ [No answer was given.]
§ MR. DILLONI shall repeat the question on Monday.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Can the right. hon. Gentleman say whether the despatch has come through the usual official channels?
§ [No answer was given.]