Mr. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the creation of a Colonial Board in Japan to superintend affairs in Korea, Formosa, and the Japanese part of Saghalien; whether His Majesty's Government infers from this, or has reason to believe from other information, that the formal annexation of Korea by Japan is contemplated; and whether, in such event, His Majesty's Government will take steps to safeguard the commercial rights of British merchants in Korea secured by existing treaties between Great Britain and that country?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first question is in the affirmative. In the event of the annexation of Korea by Japan being decided upon His Majesty's Government would carefully consider the best means of safeguarding their commercial interests in the country.