§ MR. JOSEPH WALTON () Yorkshire, W. R., BarnsleyI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government have received formal written assurances from England, France, Russia, Germany, Japan, and Italy that the United States treaty rights with China shall remain secure in Chinese territory acquired or to be acquired by foreign nations; and, if so, whether the terms of these assurances are reciprocal, and whether they secure these rights equally for British trade: and whether and when a copy of the assurances thus exchanged will be laid upon the Table.
§ *MR. BRODRICKIn September last Her Majesty's Government were officially
*See page 1,093 of this volume.1432 informed by the American Ambassador of the desire of the United States Government to obtain from Powers interested in China a declaration as to their intentions in regard to the treatment of foreign trade and interests therein, with a view to securing equality of treatment for all commerce irrespective of nationality. The proposal was accepted by Her Majesty's Government subject to similar assent being given by the other powers concerned. The replies received by the United States from other Powers have not yet been communicated to Her Majesty's Government. Papers will be laid when the matter is concluded.