§ MR. NORMAN (Wolverhampton, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any official reports showing that the German Government is endeavouring to secure exclusive administrative and commercial privileges in the Chinese province of Shantung; and whether any communications upon this subject have passed between the British and German Governments.
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACH (for Lord. CRANBORNE)We have heard that the-German Government are negotiating for certain mining concessions in Shantung, but we have heard nothing of attempts to secure exclusive administrative privileges. All concessions must to a certain extent be exclusive, and whether they assume the character of being contrary to the Treaty rights of this country and other Powers in China depends upon various considerations, and notably the area over which any exclusive rights are claimed or granted in such concessions. His Majesty's Government are not at present informed as to the extent of these concessions. No communication has passed between the two Governments on the subject.