§ Mr. HAZLETONasked what reply has been received to the protest addressed to the Chinese Government against the acceptance of the German loan for the building of the Canton-Hankow Railway?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. T. McKinnon Wood)An answer was received from the Chinese Government on 14th April, generally defending their action, but the contention of His Majesty's Government that the conclusion of a loan upon terms which contained no guarantee as to the proper expenditure of the funds is a breach of the spirit of the 1905 agreement was not touched upon. This has been pointed out to the Chinese Government.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWhat was the nature of the defence of the Chinese Government?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI think I have answered that question.