39. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement by President Coolidge that the United States are willing to negotiate a treaty abrogating extraterritorial rights in China whenever China is prepared to protect United States property and citizens; and if he will state whether the Government contemplate taking steps to promote joint action by Great Britain and the United States on these lines?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the statement by Mr. Kellogg on 26th January last, in the course of which he said:
The United States is prepared to put into force the recommendations of the Extra-territoriality Commission, which can be put into force without a treaty at once, and to negotiate the release of extra-territorial rights as soon as China is prepared to provide protection by law and through her Courts to American citizens, their rights and property.A similar policy was declared by His Majesty's Government as far back as last December in the memorandum published at that date and further developed in the memorandum of January. His Majesty's Government would gladly co-operate with the United States and other Governments in the prosecution of this policy.
Sir F. HALLIs my hon. Friend aware that since the statement made by Mr. Kellogg the President of the United States has made a similar statement, on 26th April, and that was the basis of the question I put down, in order to see what was the position of the British Government?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONWe looked into the matter very carefully, and the only statement which appeared to deal with the point was a statement made by 203 Mr. Kellogg. I do not think I have seen the other statement to which the hon. and gallant Member referred.