§ 48. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has taken into consideration recent efforts towards constitutional government in China, its culture, and vast potentialities; whether he is aware that the census brings the population up to 447,000,000; whether, in pursuance of our historic mission of encouragement to China, the Government will now raise the status of our diplomatic representative to that of ambassador, as has been done in the case of Brazil with a population of 31,000,000; and whether any negotiations will be opened with the five other Powers who have post offices in China for the withdrawal of these post offices in recognition of China as a great Power?
Mr. HARMSWORTHHis Majesty's Government naturally consider all facts of importance relating to China. There are various estimates of the population, which is believed to exceed 300,000,000. It is not proposed to raise the status of His Majesty's representative in existing conditions in China. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIn regard to the inferior status of the diplomatic repre- 888 sentatives from and to China, is the hon. Member aware that the British Minister as well as the Allied Ministers gave a pledge at Pekin in August, 1917—I quote it verbatim—that the Powers would do all that rests with them to insure that China shall enjoy in her international relations the position and the regard due to a great country," and is not the hon. Gentleman's answer a violation of that pledge?