§ 8. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British senior naval officer at Wuchow closed the port of Wuchow to Chinese shipping for 10 hours on 24th June last; whether this step was taken after consultation with His Majesty's Government; whether a demand for an apology and for compensation has been received; and what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe facts are these: After the murder of Mr. Philips, a British subject, three of His Majesty's ships were proceeding, at the request of His Majesty's acting Consul-General, to the neighbourhood, to investigate the circumstances of the crime. The Canton Government had ordered local authorities to afford them all facilities.
At Wuchow, however, an anti-foreign organisation, which the local authorities appear at first to have been unwilling or unable to control, caused obstruction by preventing the engagement of pilots. After several days' fruitless negotiation, the senior naval officer was obliged to resort to other measures, and took steps to close the port. It proved unnecessary, however, to stop any shipping as the pilots were furnished, and the ships proceeded.
With regard to the last two parts of the question, His Majesty's Government still await detailed information, but in view of the instructions issued by the Canton Government that facilities should be provided, they are inclined to consider that the responsibility for the incident lies with the local Chinese authorities.
§ Mr. TREVELYANIs there a precedent for naval officers using their discretion in relation to foreign Powers in this way without reference to the Government at home?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThere is plenty of precedent for the use of their discretion by naval officers. Happily for the British Empire and the peace of the world, they have shown themselves very capable of using their discretion.