§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the dismissal of the English principal of the Tong-shan Engineering College without previous reference to the engineer-in-chief of the Northern Railways; and whether, seeing that the college is maintained from the earnings of a railway mortgaged to British bondholders, he will make inquiry as to the circumstances.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe facts of the case are as follows:—The principal of the college was engaged in 1905. By the terms of his engagement, three months' notice was to be given by either side to terminate it. About a month ago the principal received notice under this clause. His Majesty's Minister at Peking has been asked to intervene on the principal's behalf on the ground that six months' notice is usual, and Sir John Jordan has appealed to the Director-General of Railways in regard to the case. The matter is still under consideration.