§ 6. Colonel YATEasked whether all Germans have now been cleared out of the- British Concession at Shameen, in China; and whether their buildings have been taken over and their leases terminated?
Mr. BALFOURWhen China declared war upon Germany His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton informed all the Germans in the British Concession on the Island of Shameen that they could only remain there if they closed their businesses and reported to him at the British Consulate-General every fortnight. As a. result seven enemy subjects left the Concession, and the twelve who remained, all males, have observed. the conditions imposed by the Consul-General. I am informed that, pending a decision in regard to the legal questions involved, no buildings belonging to Germans have been taken over, nor have their leases been terminated, but further inquiries will be made as to this point
§ Colonel YATEWhat legal decision. does my right hon. Friend refer to? Are we at war with Germany or are we at law with Germany?
Mr. BALFOURUndoubtedly at war with Germany, so that I do not see the relevance of that observation.