§ 58. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the spread of banditry in China, he will suggest to the League of Nations that they should propose to China to undertake the policing of China with small police forces recruited from the various members of the League, operating each in a prescribed area?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)There are obviously great difficulties in any such scheme, and, in a matter so deeply affecting the internal affairs of China, the initiative of the Chinese Government would be indispensable. My right hon. Friend is not, therefore, prepared to put this proposal forward on his own initiative as my hon. and learned Friend suggests.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill not the Government associate themselves with some of the other nations to whose interest it 309 is that peace and order should reign in China; and is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there are plenty of men in this country who would gladly undertake this duty without pay, as was done by the Cape Police—a magnificent body of men, who provided their own horses?
§ Mr. EDENThat may be so, but, in a matter which affects the sovereignty of a nation, the initiative must come from the Government of the nation concerned—in this instance, China.