§ 6. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what provisions are being made for the safety of British subjects in the military operations now taking place near Peking; whether any advice has been given to these persons as to their movements; and whether, in case of the destruction of their property, any record is being kept 201 for the purposes of the later presentation of a demand for compensation to the military leaders concerned?
§ 7. Mr. LOOKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps have been taken to ensure the protection of the British community at Chefoo if fighting takes place in the neighbourhood?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINIn view of the military operations taking place in Shantung British subjects at Tsinanfu were warned, on or before 20th April, to remove to places of safety. Tsingtao and Chefoo, being on the coast and accessible to His Majesty's ships, are in less dangerous positions, but warships are being sent to both these ports as a safeguard. I am glad to say that the reports so far received do not indicate that there has been any destruction of British property during the present disturbances.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOr lives?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMy information up to date is that no British lives have been lost.
§ Mr. LOOKERCan the right hon. Gentleman state when the warships are expected to arrive at Chefoo?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I could not.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that the British nationals at Tsinanfu were not even molested, and does not that show that it is far better when a civil war is in progress not to send troops?
§ Sir W. de FRECECan the right hon. Gentleman say how many British nationals are in the area where these operations are taking place?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot. There should be no British nationals in Tsinanfu except officials or those who, in spite of warning, have decided to remain. There may be two or three missionaries who, in spite of warnings, have decided to remain.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. and gallant Gentleman's question seems to me to be more suited to Debate than to this particular stage of our proceedings.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWere our nationals in Tsinanfu molested in any way?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo; as far as my information goes at present, they were not.
Commander WILLIAMSDoes not the present position show that the policy of the Government has been extremely successful from the beginning?