HC Deb 11 April 1927 vol 205 cc10-2
68. Mr. MAXTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai and the General Officer commanding British troops were consulted before the Russian Consulate at Shanghai was surrounded by volunteers and police and all persons entering and leaving subjected to search; and, if they agreed to this action, what were the reasons for this violation of diplomatic immunity?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

His Majesty's Consul-General and the General Officer commanding British troops at Shanghai were not consulted with regard to the action described. I am informed that the Soviet Consul-General has been informed by the Senior Consul that responsibility for maintenance of law and order rests not with the Consular body but with the municipal council. The latter body has issued the following account of the police measures taken at the Soviet Consulate: On the evening of Wednesday, 6th April, the Commissioner of Police, hearing of the raid by Chang Tso-lin's troops on the Soviet Embassy, Peking, and being in possession of considerable information as to the intensity of hostile feeling against the Soviet Consulate and its activities in Shanghai, immediately took steps to plate these premises under surveillance. To this end he detailed police guards about the building, which were continuously on duty during that night and the forenoon of the following day. Shortly after noon on Thursday, 7th April, the Chairman of the Council received a communication from the Senior Consul, who had recently been visited by the Soviet Consul in Shanghai. From what the Soviet Consul had said to the Senior Consul it was evident that the former was extremely apprehensive of a raid being made on his Consulate. The Chairman of the Council accordingly instructed the Commissioner of Police to increase the guards round the Consulate, and to search all persons entering and leaving for weapons.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Why was it necessary to put White Russian refugees as police around this Consulate?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I am not aware that White Russian refugees were put around it.

Mr. GARDNER

Has any protest been lodged by His Majesty's Government against this violation?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Against what violation?

Mr. GARDNER

Of this Soviet Embassy?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

The soviet Embassy has not been violated.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does that imply that the troops around this Consulate at Shanghai have been put there to prevent a raid similar to the raid that took place at Peking?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not desire to imply anything, but merely to give the House the information I have as to the statement made to the Municipal Council by the police.

Mr. WALLHEAD

Is it true that troops of the type around t he Consulate now in Shanghai were executed by a Chinese general of the North?