§ 50. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese on strike arrested by His Majesty's forces, or by the police, in the international settlement at Shanghai have been, or will be, handed over to the Government or armed forces of Marshal Sun Chuan-fang; and whether officials, police, or soldiers of Marshal Sun Chuan-fang have entered the settlements for the purpose of arresting strikers or taking other disciplinary measures?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have no information on this subject beyond what 24 has been reported in the Press. From these reports I gather that some strike pickets have been arrested within the international settlement by the Shanghai municipal police and that a number of those arrested have been sent for trial to the Provisional Court (i.e., the Chinese Court which has taker, the place of the Mixed Court) and that they have been remanded. As regards the second part of the question, the Shanghai Municipal Council consistently refuse to allow any external authorities to effect arrests or exercise other functions within the international settlement, hut it is reported that kidnapping incidents have recently occurred.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman, if he has not done so already, send an instruction immediately to the General Officer 'Commanding and to the Senior Naval Officer, that in the event of any Chinese being arrested in our concession they are not to be handed over for summary execution?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThis is an international concession, and the hon. and gallant Member and his party have consistently protested against the presence of British troops in the concession.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to answer my question? Has he instructed the General in Command, on whom I never made an attack, to carry out the traditions of British arms?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. I have not instructed, nor do I think it necessary to instruct, a British officer to carry out British traditions.
§ 58. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information to give the House as to the position at Shanghai; and can he say whether he is satisfied that sufficient measures have been taken for the safety of British nationals in the settlement?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMy latest information from Shanghai is to the effect that the general strike has collapsed and that the situation is quiet. As regards the second part of this question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on the 21st February.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYSince that reply of 21st February, is it not a fact that British troops have advanced outside the concession and occupied positions in the Chinese city?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThey have advanced beyond the limit of the concession, but they have not occupied a position, I understand, in the Chinese city.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not Chinese territory?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Chinese territory.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhy is that?