§ 63. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the letter sent by the Senior Minister at Peking, in agreement with the Protocol Powers, stating that a fair trial before the competent judicial authority would be expected for the persons arrested during the police raid on the Russian Legation, he is satisfied that the 21 Chinese, including one woman, Who have already been executed by strangulation, did receive a fair trial; and whether he has received any assurances as to the trial of the 30 other Chinese arrested at the same time and still in prison?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINIn reply to the letter sent by the Senior Minister, the Metropolitan Police Bureau sent the following reply:
At the present moment this Bureau is occupied with the examination of evidence and carrying out an investigation in order to prepare for a fair trial in accordance with the law, and we have the honour to inform Your Excellency that our aim regarding this case is the same as the hope expressed by the Foreign Ministers.This assurance covers all persons arrested in consequence of the raid. I have received no official report on the course of the trial.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the statement of the Peking correspondent of the "Times" that these men received a secret trial and were not allowed to defend themselves at all, and is he satisfied with the situation that has arisen under which these 21 men have been slowly strangled?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have read that report in the "Times," but I have no information. If it is true—it does not seem to me to be credible at first sight—it is perhaps a reason for proceeding slowly in all questions concerning ex-territoriality in China.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman content to let the matter rest there, in view of the fact that, unless he had given his promise, these men would not now be dead? He must have some responsibility.
§ Sir A CHAMBERLAINNo, I think my responsibility is sufficiently engaged in endeavouring to secure protection for the British. I should be grateful if I might have the same assistance from the party opposite when endeavouring to secure the lives of the British.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThe right hon. Gentleman cannot make any complaint against me in regard to the latter part of his reply. With regard to the first part, is it not a fact that a letter was sent saying the police exceeded their commission in the raid, and demanding a fair trial? Is he content to see the flouting of the Protocol Powers in this case? Does he not see that lie has a responsibility for this?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINWhat the hon. and gallant Gentleman calls the flouting of the Protocol Powers occurs in a good many cases, and it is not always easy to see exactly how to deal with it. This is not one of the cases in which our responsibility is most directly concerned or our interests most affected.