§ MR. JOSEPH WALTON (Yorkshire, W.R., Barnsley)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps have been taken to assist the escape of foreigners who have fled from the interior to places on the rivers or sea coast of China.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordAll foreigners have been brought from Wenchow to Shanghai, and a vessel has been hired to bring away refugees from Chung King if necessary. At other Yang-tsze ports there are gunboats, and there are also men-of-war at Woosung held in readiness to proceed to any port where they may be required. Consul-General Warren was empowered on 12th July to take any steps in concert with the senior naval officer which may be considered necessary for bringing away refugees.