HC Deb 10 June 1901 vol 94 cc1463-4
MR. HERBERT ROBERTS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement with reference to the collision which took place at Tientsin on the 2nd instant between British troops and those of the French and German contingents stationed there.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)

General Gaselee reported to me on the 8th instant, that the only information available, pending the receipt of proceedings of the Court of Inquiry then sitting, was as follows— Riot originated with French soldiers who resented the closing of a disorderly house by our military police. Casualties: British soldiers, five wounded; French, three killed and four wounded; Germans, three wounded; Japanese, two wounded. The day following General Gaselee telegraphed that the Court of Inquiry proved that the police acted with commendable forbearance, and only fired on mob when compelled to do so in self-defence; that large numbers of soldiers joined the French, but that the German police behaved well, assisting our police by endeavouring to get their own men to disperse. Valuable support was also given by the Japanese guard. General Gaselee also states that all is now quiet.

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)

May I ask for an answer to a question of which I have given private notice?

LORD G. HAMILTON

I think the hon. Member's question refers to a re- ported disturbance which is said to have taken place subsequently. General Gaselee's second telegram was sent two days after that date, and no mention is made of it. Therefore I telegraphed to General Gaselee to ask if the report was true, and if it were true to send me particulars.