§ 9. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has received any complaint or other communication from the Chinese Government relating to the bombardment of the city of Wanhsien in September last, a bombardment which resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of much property, including damage to the Roman Catholic cathedral; if any Report has been received from the British officers who ordered and carried out this bombardment or from the admiral in command in Chinese waters; and will he lay upon the Table of the House copies of any correspondence which has passed between the F reign Office and the Chinese Government in connection with this incident and any Reports that have been received from the officers in charge of the ship or ships which carried out the bombardment?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the replies given to the hon. Members 1734 for Motherwell (Mr. Barr) for Attercliffe (Mr. C. Wilson) and for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen) on the 1st December last. The third part of his question is covered by the reply given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle Central (Mr. Trevelyan) on the 21st instant.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he considers it conducive to friendly feelings towards British people that the House of Commons should not have any particulars of these incidents after six months?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, I think the course I have ventured to advise the House to take is more conducive to friendly relations with the Chinese people than that which is being taken by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks the bombardment of a city of a friendly Power is conducive to friendly relations with the Government that allows such a thing to be done, without giving its Parliament any information?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Gentleman's description of the event bears no relation to the facts of the case.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThen may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give the House and the country the true particulars from the officers on the spot?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have already said I do not think it serves the interests of peace or good relations between ourselves and the Chinese people to stir this matter up.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his refusal to publish these papers is giving rise to the impression that this country has a great deal to hide in this matter?
Sir A. CHAMBERLAIINThat would not be the case if it were not for the kind of questions put in this House.