MR. HERBERT ROBERTS; (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Consul at Nankin has telegraphed to the Consul General in Shanghai that considerable anxiety is felt as to the progress of the secret societies movement in the Yang-tsze region; and whether the British Government have issued instructions as to the movement of troops necessary for dealing with a possible outbreak in the districts referred to.
§ * VISCOUNT CRANBORNEOur Consuls have reported that vague rumours are current as to possible disturbances, but nothing definite is mentioned. The Officer Commanding the British troops in China is kept fully informed on the subject.