§ Mr. MAXTON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is able to state whether British troops have been in action in Shanghai or its vicinity; whether any casualties have been suffered, and what branch of the Service has been involved?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I regret to state, however, that two British naval ratings, who were part of a guard on duty at Hongkew Wharf at Shanghai, were wounded by shell fire early yesterday 1831 morning and subsequently died of their wounds. From the direction of the shells it seems almost certain that they were fired from Chinese guns. His Majesty's Minister has accordingly addressed a note to the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs calling his attention to these facts, and requesting that strict instructions be issued to the Chinese military authorities concerned with a view to preventing any possible recurrence of such incidents, and reminding His Excellency that His Majesty's Government must, in this unfortunate conflict between China and Japan, bold each side responsible for any loss to British life and property that may be caused by their respective armed forces.
§ Mr. MAXTONIf casualties like those can occur among the Forces, is the Secretary of State satisfied that all proper steps have been taken to safeguard the civilian population?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am sure that that was one of the first concerns of the most competent and trustworthy British authorities on the spot.
§ Mr. THORNEAre representations being made to the Chinese Government for compensation in the case of the loss of these two lives?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy answer is all that I can state. Of course, one has to see what the answer of the Chinese Government may be.
§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had any further statement to make on the situation in Shanghai?
§ Sir J. SIMONThere is some further information on various points which I am able to give to the House to-day. We have information from Shanghai that a meeting was to take place this morning between representatives of the Chinese and Japanese military authorities with a view to trying to arrange for a cessation of hostilities. The meeting was largely brought about by the efforts of our Minister, Sir Miles Lampson, and was, I understand, fixed for nine o'clock this morning, Shanghai time. I have not yet received any official information as to what, if any, was the result of this meet- 1832 ing. But the House will have regretted to observe that the latest Press messages indicate that it has not secured agreement.
I have already stated, in answer to the question addressed to me by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton) what is known of the serious incident at the Hongkew wharf.
On a point which was raised in the House yesterday, I am glad to state that His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai reports that Mr. H. G. Parkes, who is not a schoolmaster, but the proprietor of a small business, was interfered with, but was not assaulted by Japanese civilians. He was subsequently assisted by a Japanese naval officer to whom he applied for help.
Then, the most recent news from Geneva connected with the Sino-Japanese dispute is as follows:
Japan has raised certain legal points in connection with the Chinese request for a reference of the dispute from the Council to the Assembly. These points have been referred by the Council to a committee of jurists, who are meeting in Geneva this morning, and are expected to report to-day. As soon as this committee has reported it is anticipated that the Chinese application will be dealt with by the Council without delay.
§ Mr. LANSBURYHas the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the truth or otherwise of the report in the Press about a very heavy explosion in the centre of the International Settlement?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have noticed a reference to it in the Press, but I have no information about the matter myself.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I also ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any steps can be taken to evacuate our nationals from the Settlement if the negotiations have broken down? Is it not obvious that if hostilities continue, neither side, with the best will in the world, can prevent non-combatants coming within the range of fire, seeing that the operations are taking place from the International Settlement?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think that the right hon. Gentleman gives a very proper description of the risks that are involved 1833 and the matter which he has mentioned is naturally one of those which is being very carefully considered. I do not think I can give any further answer other than that. Of course, the practical difficulties of the matter have to be examined on the spot.
§ Mr. MANDERIs not the best thing to do to stop the war?