§ Lord BALCARRES (for Sir William Bull)asked the Secretary (of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government's policy in the Far East will be modified in such a manner as to not run counter to British and American commercial interests?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)The questions of the hon. Member are based upon misapprehension. In the matter of the Chinchow - Aigun Railway, in which His Majesty's Government have been pressed to take an 1038 active part, they are unable to do so as they are bound to pay some regard to the provisions of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1899, which has never formally been abrogated. To interpret this attitude on their part as running counter to British or American interests is an entire misapprehension.
§ Lord BALCARRES (for Sir W. Bull)asked whether the American Government has requested the support of His Majesty's Government for the Chinchow - Aigun scheme; and, if so, what reply has been given to the American Government?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the railway scheme has already been defined in my previous, answer. The United States Government have been kept fully informed of their views and of the view of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1899 upon which they are based.