HC Deb 25 June 1900 vol 84 cc904-5
*SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)

Have the Government any recent information as to China?

*MR. BRODRICK

No definite information has, I regret to say, reached us since Friday last from Tientsin, and we are still without any news from Admiral Seymour's force and the Peking Legations. The Admiralty have received a telegram from Rear-Admiral Bruce at Ta-ku, through Chefoo, June 24th— The total force which left Tientsin with the Commander-in-Chief for Peking about 2,000, composed of detachments of the allied ships. No action could possibly be taken to relieve the Commander-in-Chief, because it "was only known he was cut off by Tientsin being invested Tientsin has been fighting for its life ever since. It was on receipt of information that Chinese army had ordered trains for attacking Tientsin, ravaging Tongku, and were reinforcing Ta-ku as well as mining the mouth of the Peiho, that it was promptly determined to seize Ta-ku just in time, since when every effort has been made to relieve Tientsin. Have commandeered small coasting steamer for taking troops, sick and wounded across the bar to Wei-hai-wei, where I intend making temporary base hospital and asylum for refuge. We learn that an attempt which was made on Thursday to open communications between Ta-ku and Tientsin by a body of Americans and Russians was frustrated by the opposition of a large body of Chinese. Since then the Hong Kong troops have arrived, and it is believed about 3,000 Japanese, 1,000 Germans, and some 2,000 French troops have either arrived or are about to arrive, but we have no information as to any operations which may have been undertaken.

*SIR J. COLOMB

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether, in consequence of Admiral Seymour having been sent in command of the international forces on land, the Russian Admiral becomes the senior officer of the international forces on the water; and whether this situation arises out of express directions from the Foreign Office or by the orders of the Admiralty?

*MR. BRODRICK

The hon. Gentleman had better address the question to the First Lord of the Admiralty.

SIR E. ASHMEAD - BARTLETT

Have the Government come to any decision as to the sending of a general officer to command the British troops in China?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I think that notice of questions on this subject should be handed in.