MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he will state whether, in consequence of representations from the American Minister at Pekin, the United States Government have decided to send a war ship from Manilla to the nearest port in China, and whether representations have also been addressed to the British Minister at Pekin, pointing out that rebellion and anarchy are apprehended in China in consequence of the attitude of the Dowager Empress to the further extension of the policy of the "open door"; and whether the Government have taken the necessary steps to protect British interests in China, in view of such an outbreak taking place.
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe answer to the first question is in the negative. Her Majesty's Government have taken and will continue to take all necessary steps, to protect British interests in China.