§ 1. Sir F. WISE (for Sir JOHN POWER)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement as to the condition of affairs in China?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAs regards the political and military situation, I have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Members for Central Southwark (Colonel Day) and Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kefnworthy) on the 13th instant. The naval authorities and His Majesty's Minister have agreed that British residents, including the small proportion of women who are likely to do so during the summer months, may now be permitted to return to Hankow, provided they reside in the settlement, and to Wuhu and Kiukiang, where residence will be restricted to the immediate vicinity of the river front. The Commander-in-Chief reports that on a recent journey to Hankow and back he saw the following merchant ships trading:
| American | … | … | … | 3 |
| Japanese | … | … | … | 8 |
| French | … | … | … | 2 |
| German | … | … | … | 2 |
| Norwegian | … | … | … | 1 |
| British | … | … | … | 27 |
§ Colonel DAYHas the hon. Gentleman seen a report published by the Japanese military experts which gives figures greatly in excess of those which he gave here on Monday last?