§ 50. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether he can make any further statement as regards the position in and about Shanghai; and is he satisfied that the lives and property of British nationals are sufficiently protected in any circumstances that may arise?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first" part of my hon. Friend's ques- 1377 tion, the latest reports show that Marshal Sun's troops are evacuating Hangchow, but there is up to the present no confirmation of the report that the Nationalist forces have occupied that city. It is believed that Marshal Sun intends to occupy a new defensive position based at Kashing, about 55 miles from Shanghai. In Shanghai a general strike involving the Post Office, essential services and all cotton mills, began on the 19th February. The movement is reported to be spreading, but up to the present there has been little disorder. As regards the second part of the question, on the assumption that the phrase "any circumstances that may arise" means circumstances which are considered to be within the bounds Of possibility, the answer is in the affrmative.