§ *SIR CHARLES DILKEI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the German Government claim the monopoly of railway construction in the valley of the Yellow River on account of its being within the Hinterland of the Province of Shantung; if so, whether His Majesty's Government recognise such right.
§ LORD CRANBORNEThe position of the British and German Syndicates interested in the development of the valley of the Yellow River and its communications towards the south is described in the Parliamentary Paper, China, No. 1, 1899, p. 214. I have 795 nothing to add in explanation of the attitude of the German Government and of His Majesty's Government to what is contained in these Papers.
§ LORD CRANBORNEIf my hon. friend will read the Paper he will see.