§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the numbers of Chinese foremen and workmen in Shanghai who have been killed by extremists; and whether he is taking any steps to protect the lives of these workmen?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMy latest information from Shanghai is to the effect that assassinations of loyal foremen and workmen by agitators, in preparation for a renewal of the strike, are increasing. The protection of these men is primarily the responsibility of the municipal authorities through the machinery normally under their control.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is not a Russian form of peaceful picketing?
Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALLHave these incidents taken place in the international settlement or in the native settlement?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am dealing with the international settlement, and not with what happens in the Chinese city It is the duty of the municipal authority primarily to deal with these matters, and I think it is very undesirable that British troops who happen to be there for another object should be used for that purpose.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLis it not a fact that the Chinese people, about 800,000 of them, prefer to live in the international settlement in Shanghai, instead of in the Chinese portion?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. There is a very large Chinese population in this and other international or national settlements.