§ 4. Sir CHARLES HOBHOUSEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Japanese syndicate have obtained possession or control of an important iron-mining concession in the Yangtse River area; whether this area is one more particularly reserved for British enterprises; and, if so, whether the British Ambassador or Foreign Office were consulted before the concession was asked for or granted?
§ Lord R. CECILHis Majesty's Government are aware that negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition by a Japanese syndicate of the Feng Huang Shan Iron Mines near Nanking, but they have no official information that the negotiations have been concluded. The mines are situated in the Yangtse River area, which His Majesty's Government have always regarded as their special sphere of interest in China, in the sense that British subjects possess a prior claim to the favounrable consideration by the Chinese authorities of applications which they may make for industrial concessions in that region; but they are of opinion that neither British nor any other foreign claims to spheres of interest in China should be pressed so far as to be inconsistent with the principle of the "open door." The anwer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Sir C. HOBHOUSEAs no prior favourable consideration has been given to British interests, will my Noble Friend make such representations to the Chinese Government as will ensure delay in the final grant of this concession until full consideration of British interests has been assured?
§ Lord R. CECILI will certainly consider that. Of course, British interests do not vitally affect this arrangement.