HC Deb 30 July 1900 vol 87 c17
*SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the Russians have assumed the sole control of the railway line from Ta-ku to Tientsin, and beyond to Peking, as the line is restored, and also of the telegraph and telephone.

MR. BRODRICK

At a council of the Admirals, hold on July 16th, it was decided that the railway between Ta-ku and Tientsin should be guarded and managed by the Russian forces. We have informed the Russian Government that as this arrangement may be the most convenient in the circumstances we do not wish to raise objection, but that it must be clearly understood that the line will revert to its former management on the termination of the present hostilities.

*SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that sailors are still in charge of the land forces in China?

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

was understood to ask whether anything had definitely been laid down as to the reversion of the railway.

[No answer was given.]