§ Sir FREDERICK CAWLEY (Lancashire, Prestwich)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the complaints made by the British mercantile community of Newchwang as to the injury done to British trade by the evading by the Japanese of duties collectable by the Chinese Government on goods passed through the leased territory of Liaotung and across the northern boundaries of Manchuria, and by preferential railway rates; if he proposes to take any steps in regard thereto; and whether he is in a position to give any information as to when Newchwang will be evactuated by the Japanese.
§ Sir EDWARD GREYHis Majesty's Government understand that the establishment of a Customs station at Dalny depends upon the simultaneous establishment of a Customs station for goods entering Manchuria from the north, as to which negotiations are at present proceeding between the Russian and Chinese Governments. His Majesty's
†See (4) Debates, clxv., 100–101.1706 Government have no reason to believe, from inquiries they have made, that Japanese goods receive preferential railway rates on the Chinese Eastern Railway, as compared with other goods carried on the railway, but if they are furnished with any evidence to that effect further investigation will be made. The Japanese Consul at Newchwang notified his colleagues on the 5th instant that the military administration at that port would be withdrawn on the 6th.