§ S. Sir WILLIAM LANE MITCHELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Powers interested are acting in concert for the protection of the foreign settlement in Hankow?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThere is no international foreign settlement at Hankow. Great Britain, France and Japan have separate Concessions there. All these Powers have naval forces at present in the port, whose first duty it, is to protect their respective nationals, and who will doubtless, as on former occasions, act in concert where their joint interests are concerned.
§ 11. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the gravity of the situation at Hankow, he can assure the House that there are sufficient ships in readiness to take on board the British residents in the Concession in 1167 the event of the necessity arising; and if not, will he see that further naval assistance is sent without delay?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThere is note as far as I know, the least reason for supposing that the shipping facilities at Hankow would not be adequate to evacuate all British residents, if that became necessary.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman sure that there are sufficient forces at Hankow to protect British residents and Concessions?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThat does not arise out of the question on the Paper. It is raised in another question which I am going to answer.
§ 21. Mr. LOOKERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if any steps are being taken to increase our naval forces at Hankow to ensure adequate protection for British subjects owing to the present condition of affairs at that port?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)I would ask the hon. Member to wait for the statement which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is making, I understand, at the end of questions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs my right hon. Friend not aware that telegrams have been received in London in the last few days stating that the Naval forces at Hankow are not sufficient Has he taken any steps to make them sufficient?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAll the information that reaches me through the ordinary official reports and the reports in the newspapers are receiving our most careful attention.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALD(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the House any further statement with regard to the situation at Hankow
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe situation at Hankow remains generally as described in my reply to the right hon. Gentleman on 29th November. A demonstration took place there on that day. Naval parties were landed in the British Concession with satisfactory moral effect. The processions were turned away from 1168 the Concession and there were no incidents. The latest reports are to the effect that the general strike at Hankow is fixed for 4th December. Arrangements have been made to keep a sloop at Hankow for the winter, and some additional force has been made available for landing if required. The river gunboats of the "insect" class will he moved on the river to and from Hankow as required throughout the winter. The United States naval authorities have sent two destroyers to Hankow for the winter they have also a yacht and a minesweeper there. The Japanese have three gunboats, and the French a mine-sweeper and a despatch vessel.
Me, CAMPBELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Government can assure the House that adequate steps are being taken to secure the lives and interests of British subjects?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government will take all the steps which they think are required, and which they can employ to protect t British lives, but they are most 10th to intervene in the domestic affairs of China apart from the necessity of fulfilling their prime duty of defending the rights of British subjects.
§ Mr. THURTLEWill the Government also assure the House that the lives of British sailors and soldiers will not be sacrificed unnecessarily".