§ 17. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will take the initiative in proposing immediately to the other Treaty Powers that a conference of all Powers concerned, including China, should be organised forthwith, such conference to discuss the question of extraterritoriality and the revision of the treaties by which the concessions and foreign settlements were obtained?
§ 24. Mr. AMMONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government is prepared to intimate to the Chinese Government that they are willing to meet in conference at an early date for the purpose of discussing questions of extra-territoriality, concessions, and other special privileges held in China by Britain and British nationals?
§ 14. Mr. B. SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will forthwith call a conference of the Treaty Powers with a view to the liquidation of the present differences with the Chinese people on the basis of a revision of the treaties in so far as territorial concessions and extraterritorial privileges are concerned in a spirit of equality and reciprocity?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government are consulting with the other Governments concerned, with whom they intend to act in close collaboration, as to the reply to be returned to the request which the Chinese Government have made that the matters mentioned in the question should be considered. In the meantime, I can make no statement on the subject beyond saying that any discussion of these large issues is impossible until the Chinese Government have taken steps to put an end to the present anti-foreign agitations and have shown their ability to enforce law and order and respect for the treaty rights of the Powers.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIf it is true, as the right hon. Gentleman said in Debate, that there is no real Government with any real power to do these things in China, how could he expect them to be done?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not know really what the hon. Gentleman intends to suggest by that question. It is not my desire to interfere in Chinese domestic concerns. But for the purpose of negotiation it is necessary that the Chinese themselves should constitute some Government that can protect foreigners, keep law and order, and deal with negotiations.
§ Major CRAWFURDWhen the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to give accurate information, may I ask whether he proposes to publish or circulate any statement in regard to the disturbances which have taken place recently?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think the House will desire from time to time to be given any information that can be given upon the situation, but I really cannot speak about any particular publication in circumstances which are still hypothetical.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONSeeing it is the desire of the right hon. Gentleman that there should be a stable central Government in China with which he can deal, will he say what steps his Government are prepared to take to enforce the decision taken at the Washington Conference that China should be allowed to raise her revenue to 5 per cent. on the Customs as against the 2½ per cent. previously enjoyed?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs soon as this anti-foreign agitation ceases and as soon as foreign property and the life of nationals are safe, I hope that the Conference contemplated by Washington will take place. It cannot, however, take place in circumstances in which it might be exposed to anti-foreign demonstrations and conditions under which the life and property of the nationals of the Powers concerned are in danger.
§ 21. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the situation in China, he will submit the question of extra-territorial agreements in that country to the League of Nations under Article 19 of the Covenant?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question of extra-territoriality was carefully investigated by the principal Powers concerned at the Washington Conference in 1922. It was agreed (China concurring) to appoint an international commission to inquire into the position and assist the Chinese Government to effect such reforms as would justify the relinquishment of extraterritorial rights. The meeting of this Commission has been thrice postponed, on the first occasion at the request of the Chinese Government, on the two latter occasions at the instance of the Powers on account of the Civil War and the chaotic conditions in China. But His Majesty's Government believe that this method of procedure, inasmuch as it has already been accepted by the Powers and by China, is a more suitable way of dealing with the question than by a reference to the League of Nations.