§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that the action of the British Consul-General at Shanghai, in giving notice to all traders of British nationality that they must not provide either of the belligerents in the Chinese Empire with supplies of any kind, while it is left open to traders of other nationalities to sell goods to such belligerents without any interference on the part of the representatives of their respective Governments has resulted in diverting trade into other than British 1883 channels; and whether, under these circumstances, the notice can be withdrawn or, alternatively, uniform action be secured in this matter on the part of the Governments of all foreign nations whose subjects carry on trade at Shanghai?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHAs far as my information goes, the action of His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai was confined to calling the attention of British subjects to the Order in Council of 1904, by which British subjects are forbidden to assist in any way in the carrying on of war, insurrection, or rebellion against the Government of China. But I will request His Majesty's Minister in China to report on the subject.