§ 45. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state whether it is the intention of the Government to renew the Anglo-Japanese treaty; whether the terms of the treaty will be submitted to the House for ratification; whether the Government will insist upon Japan recognising her obligations under the present treaty to maintain the independence and territorial integrity of Korea and China; and whether the restoration to Korea of her governmental, educational, and other institutions now dominated by Japan will be made one of the conditions of the treaty, together with the cancellation of the treaty between China and Japan which was signed as a result of Japan's ultimatum to China on 7th May, 1915?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)I have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. Member on 11th May and 31st May last, except to correct 1681 a misapprehension into which I think he has fallen. Korea was annexed to Japan by treaty between Korea and Japan signed on 22nd August, 1910. The independence and territorial integrity of Korea are not mentioned in the present Anglo-Japanese Agreement.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the new treaty will be in spirit and in letter consistent with the covenants of the League of Nations?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; undoubtedly they will be consistent with our obligations to the League of Nations.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information when this will be debated in the House?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have already stated, in answer to the hon. Gentleman, that the Government will come to no decision until they have had an opportunity of consulting the Dominions Premiers. The Dominions take great interest in the matter, and we are anxious to have the advantage of their advice before we ourselves come to any conclusion.
§ Mr. MACLEANSeeing that the Government intend to take the advice of the Dominions Premiers, would it not be just as well if they also took the advice of this House on a matter of such importance to the public of this country? Would it not be as well to get the advice of this House by submitting to it the terms for discussion?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI really despair of any advantage resulting from my answering the questions of the hon. Gentleman; he appears to forget them as soon as they are given. I stated previously that as soon as the Government were in a position to do so they would make their announcement to the House, and no doubt, if the House wished to discuss it, they would be able to do so.