HC Deb 22 July 1929 vol 230 cc895-7
28. Captain EDEN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the present state of diplomatic relations between the Soviet Government of Russia and the Chinese Government?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I am informed that the State Council at Nanking decided on the 20th instant to break off all relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to withdraw all Chinese diplomatic officers from Russia, to request all Soviet diplomatic officers to leave China and to place all Chinese nationals in Russia under the care of the German Ambassador at Moscow. I understand that the Soviet Government had previously informed the Chinese Minister at Moscow (on the 17th instant) that they are breaking off all diplomatic relations with China.

Captain EDEN

Have the Government made any representations either separately or in conjunction with other Powers to either of the two parties concerned?

Mr. HENDERSON

Yes. As a result of a communication which we received from the United States Government on Saturday, we sent an intimation both to the United States Government and the French Government, and we associate ourselves with them in all the efforts they are making to secure a pacific settlement.

Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will give an undertaking that there will be no closer diplomatic relations with either of these Powers until he is certain that the Kellogg Pact has not been violated?

Mr. HENDERSON

For me to give an undertaking like that, in view of the fact that it has not been decided which of the two countries is at fault, would not be acting in the interests of peace.

Commander LOCKER - LAMPSON

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will do everything in his power to prevent the use of gas by the Soviet Government?

29. Major WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the rupture of diplomatic relations between Russia and China constitutes such an emergency as is contemplated by Article 11 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, His Majesty's Government will, under that Article, request the Secretary-General of the League to summon a meeting of the Council in order to take such action as may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard the peace of nations?

Mr. HENDERSON

His Majesty's Government have informed the United States and French Governments that they entirely associate themselves with the effort which those Governments are making by friendly advice to both sides to bring about a relaxation of the tension that has arisen between the Governments of China and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics. The hon. Member may rest assured that His Majesty's Government are prepared to exhaust every means to secure a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

Major WOOD

Seeing that this machinery has been set up for this special purpose, would it not be better to make use of it?

Mr. HENDERSON

The hon. and gallant Member must be aware that when one of the nations is a member of the League and the other is not it is not an easy matter to put the machinery into operation.

Major WOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is definitely stated that this machinery is to be used even if the countries concerned are not members of the League?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am well aware of that fact, but I repeat that it is not easy to put that part of the machinery into operation.