§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been given to the proposed loan of £6,000,000 sterling to the Chinese Government which is to be advanced by the Bethlehem Steel Trust of the United States, on the conditions that only one-third of the loan is to be paid in cash and two-thirds are to be exclusively devoted to the construction of naval docks; whether correspondence on this proposal has passed between the United States Government and the Foreign Office; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in this connection?
§ Sir E. GREYI have seen the reports in the Press; I have no information to the effect that the present Chinese Government intend to act as stated in the question. No correspondence or communica- 2108 tion on the subject has passed between the United States Government and His Majesty's Government, and we are taking no action.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman make certain inquiries in view of the very serious crippling of the power of China to perform her obligations, which this loan, if carried through, would imply?
§ Sir E. GREYThat seems to me a matter for the United States Government and the Chinese Government.