§ 2. Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received the text of the Japanese demands from both China and Japan; what is their number; and whether the text of the two documents are in agreement?
§ Sir E. GREYI have only received the text from the Japanese Government, and there is no reason for supposing that it is not in agreement with the one which they have handed to the Chinese Government. The demands are classified under five groups.
§ 3. Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from any Foreign Governments any representations or communications on the subject of the Japanese demands to China; and whether the British Government on its part has made any communications on the subject to any foreign Powers?
§ Sir E. GREYNo representations have been received, but informal communications have been made by one or two Powers. As, however, the information in my possession is confidential, His Majesty's Government have made no formal communication on the subject to any foreign Government.
§ 4. Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ascertain the opinion of the commercial and industrial classes of the community before taking any action in respect to the Japanese demands to China?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government are always glad to receive such opinions, and one or two have already been received from those who have special knowledge of the commercial questions involved.
§ 5. Sir WILLIAM BULLasked whether the demands of Japan for industrial privileges in the Yangtse Valley will in any way prejudice either existing British interests or the potentialities of British trade development?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government are considering the effect of the demands with a view to safeguarding any British interests with which they may appear to conflict, but I am unable at present to make any statement on the subject.
6. Mr. GORDON HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the importance to the cotton trade of Lancashire of open markets in China, and that there is uneasiness about demands alleged to be made by the Government of Japan on the Government of China for certain exclusive privileges and the acquisition and leasing of territory; and whether he can assure the House that the Treaty signed in 1905 between the Governments of Great Britain and Japan for the preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by ensuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire, and the principle of equal opportunities for commerce and industry of all nations in China, will be strictly observed?
§ Sir E. GREYI am aware of the importance of the matter referred to, and I gather that a certain amount of uneasiness exists in regard to the demands; but His Majesty's Government do not doubt but that the Treaty in question will be observed.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITECan the right hon. Gentleman tell us the reason why these demands are being imposed by the Chinese Government?
§ Sir E. GREYAll I can say is that the demands are under discussion, and it is not unreasonable, when considerable demands are made by one Government upon another, that there should be discussion. I do not suppose all the demands are being opposed.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEDoes the right hon. Gentleman believe that those demands are an infringement of the integrity of China?
§ Sir E. GREYI must refer my nun. Friend to the previous answers which I gave.