§ 13. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the outrage perpetrated by armed Chinese soldiers on. members of the crew of the ss. "Tuck WO," owned by the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, at Kiangyin, on the Yangtse River; whether the members of the crew were British subjects; and whether he has received any further particulars and proposes to take any steps for the protection of British shipping in Chinese waters?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Captain Eden)My Noble Friend has received a report from His Majesty's Minister in China saying that a number of civilians and armed soldiers boarded the ss. "Tuck WO" to search for opium. While on board they tied up and beat five Chinese members of the crew. No British, subjects were assaulted. Sir Miles Lampson is awaiting further details and a report from His Majesty's Consul-General at Nanking, in whose district the outrage occurred, on the action taken locally, before lodging a protest with the Nanking Government.
§ Sir B. PETODoes the Foreign Office now propose to take any steps to afford protection to passengers and crews of vessels flying the British flag in Chinese waters?
§ Captain EDENNo British subjects were concerned with this incident, although it was a British ship. We are making inquiries as to the exact circumstances, and the incident must certainly not be regarded as closed.