§ 31. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister what is the date of the expiration of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance; is it intended to renew it; and will the terms of the new alliance be registered with the secretariat of the League of Nations before ratification by His Majesty's Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the first part of the question, I have to refer the hon. and gallant Member to Article VI. of the Agreement of 13th July, 1911, between the United Kingdom and Japan. With regard to the second part of the question, I must refer to the reply given on the 3rd instant to the hon. Member for Lincoln. In answer to the third part of the question, I have to repeat the assurance given on the 10th 2366 instant to the hon. and gallant Member for East Leyton—namely, that His Majesty's Government have every intention of adhering strictly to Article XVIII. of the Covenant of the League of Nations.
§ 61. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the feeling that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance should not be renewed for a term of years before the British Government has been able to have the full advantage of understanding the views and desires of the new Government which will come into power in the United States next March?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question of the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which by Article VI. of the Treaty cannot expire till 13th July, 1921, is under consideration. His Majesty's Government are not unaware of the feeling to which the hon. and gallant Member draws attention, but they are not in a position at the present moment to make any public statement on the subject.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELHave the Government decided to give notice in July next, or to allow it to go on for another year?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat has not been decided.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINCannot the views of China be taken into consideration?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe shall take all relevant considerations into account.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the Treaty be put before the House, as was done in the case of the Anglo-American Convention?
§ 92. Mr. REMERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Government to renew the Anglo-Japanese Treaty; if so, will he take steps to see that the Clauses in that Treaty dealing with the free importation of manufactured silk goods are more equitable to the manufacturers of this country; and will he give an undertaking that free importation of any goods will only be promised in exchange for free importation of British manufactures into Japan?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe question of the renewal of the Treaty of Commerce 2367 and Navigation of 3rd April, 1911, between Great Britain and Japan has not yet come up for consideration. As the hon. Member will see by reference to Article XXVJI of the Treaty in question, the earliest date at which it can expire is 16th July, 1923.