§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that General Gaselee, the Commander of the British forces in China, has given permission to the troops under his command to loot houses in Peking; whether this permission was given with the sanction of the Government; and what, if any, explanation is to be given for this action of a British commander.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONGeneral Gaselee stopped all looting by the troops under his command, though he authorised parties to bring in unclaimed property from the derelict houses in the district assigned to the British forces, which property was subsequently sold by public auction for the benefit of all. His action was, in my judgment, proper and judicious.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONI have answered that. I have said it was all unclaimed property.
MR. BRYN ROBERTSThat is not an answer to my question. Was any attempt made before the sale to find out 597 the owners of the derelict houses and property?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONIt was not until the owners had left that the property was collected.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWhat dividend was declared by this joint-stock company of robbers?
§ MR. FLAVINIs it not the case that the owners of the property had already been massacred by our troops?