HC Deb 25 June 1903 vol 124 c554
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any knowledge of an agreement come to between Russia and China in reference to Manchuria and Niuch wang; and if he is in a position to state what the terms of the agreement are.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) Rochester

As far as His Majesty's Government are aware, no agreement has yet been come to between Russia and China with reference to Manchuria or Niuchwang; but some days ago His Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires at Peking was informed by the Chinese Government that an arrangement was being negotiated which would preserve Manchuria for China without loss of sovereign rights. He was also given assurances as to the Treaty rights of other Powers being respected.