HC Deb 12 June 1912 vol 39 cc849-50
30. Sir GILBERT PARKER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a Report from the British Minister in Peking upon the action of the Chinese Military Governor at Shanghai in violating the laws of the Settlement; and will he state the facts?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)

Sir J. Jordan reports that on 25th March he received a telegram from His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai stating that the manager of the Ta-ching native bank had been seized outside the limits of the International Settlement, by order of the Military Governor, and taken to the Chinese city. The charge against him was a vague one of falsifying accounts. The bank's premises being situated within the Settlement, the seizure of the manager without previous consultation with the Consular body was a violation of the principles on which the government of the Settlement is administered, and Sir J. Jordan accordingly made representations to the Provisional President, Yuan Shih Kai, who telegraphed orders for an inquiry to be instituted. On 3rd April another Chinese resident of the International Settlement was seized, on this occasion within the limits of the Settlement itself, and the Diplomatic body at Peking, having met to consider the situation, telegraphed authority to the Consular body at Shanghai to take all necessary measures for the protection of the rights and privileges of the Settlement. On 11th April Mr. Consul-General Fraser reported the release of the man seized on 3rd April, and on 17th April the senior Consul reported that the manager of the Ta-ching bank had also been set at liberty. Sir J. Jordan does not indicate in his despatch that he apprehends a repetition of these incidents, nor would it appear that the Diplomatic body at Peking consider it necessary to take any further action in the matter.

Sir G. PARKER

Can the hon. Member say whether any apology has been made to the Chinese Governor of Shanghai?

Mr. ACLAND

I will look into the matter again, because I am not quite certain on the point.