§ 51. Mr. DONNERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the recent fighting at Shanhaikwan and the situation as it is at present?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs the result of a clash between Chinese and Japanese troops at Shanhaikwan on the 1st January, the city was occupied by Japanese troops on the following day, the Chinese troops retreating in the direction of Chinwangtao. On the 10th January, Japanese troops occupied Chiumenko, a village on the Great Wall some seven miles north of Shanhaikwan. Since that date there has apparently been no alteration in the relative position of the Chinese and Japanese troops although the former are said to be strengthening their defences in the neighbourhood of the Peking-Mukden railway. The situation at present is reported to be calm and it is understood that part of the Japanese troops have been withdrawn.
§ 55. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can inform the House over what parts of China the Chinese Government exercises effective control; and whether the Chinese Government takes adequate measures to guarantee the safety of life and property within such areas?
§ Sir J. SIMONTo give an accurate answer to my hon. Friend's question presents some difficulty, but generally speaking it may be said that the Central Government exercises more direct, and 620 consequently more effective control over the provinces nearer to the capital than over the more distant provinces. All the provinces except the Manchurian provinces, however, acknowledge the authority of the Central Government, though a separate South-West Political Council exists at Canton. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that apart from those regions of China, such as the borders of Kiangsi, Fukien, and Northern Szechuan, which are held by the Communist organisations, the authorities concerned are doing their best to preserve law and order, and incidentally to protect British, lives and property.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIncidentally, I suppose that British lives and property run considerable risks in those areas?
§ Earl WINTERTONAre we to understand from the last part of the answer that in the Communist areas referred to the Central Government exercise little or no control of any sort?
§ Sir J. SIMONI believe it is certainly the case that they exercise less than elsewhere.
§ Earl WINTERTONCould the right hon. Gentleman state what is the area of those provinces? Is it not a very considerable part of the whole area of China?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, I should not like to state that, but, after all, I feel that if my Noble Friend will consult the atlas in the Library, he will find what he wants to know.