§ 29. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that British residents in Harbin have been obliged to organise their own defence corps against local bandits in view of the lack of protection afforded by the Chinese police; and what results, if any, have come from the representations made to the Japanese Government by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe report that the British residents of Harbin has been obliged to organise their own defence corps appears to be incorrect, though I understand that armed guards are being employed in some instances. My latest information is that, following upon the representations referred to in the second part of the question, a number of measures have been taken to remedy the 26 situation, including the strengthening of the police, two hundred of whom are detailed for protection of life and property in the foreign residential and business quarters. I am informed that British subjects have not been molested during the past three months.