HC Deb 03 July 1933 vol 280 cc4-5
9. Mr. MOREING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that under the Protocol of 1901 (Boxer Indemnity) the signatory Powers have the right to occupy the railway between Pekin, Tientsin and Shanhaikuan, and having regard to the forcible interruption of traffic owing to the occupation of the Lutai-Tongshan section by irregular forces under General Li Chichun, His Majesty's Government will confer with the other signatory Powers with a view to occupying the railway and safeguarding communications?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that steps are being taken to regularise the position arising out of the presence of General Li Chichun's forces, and I do not think the suggestion contained in the question would assist towards such a, solution.

10. Mr. NUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the interruption of railway traffic between Tientsin and Shanhaikuan, owing to the activities of irregular forces under the control of an independent general, threatens a coal shortage in the international settlement of Shanghai; and what steps are His Majesty's Government taking in the matter?

Mr. EDEN

I have no information as to any threatened coal Shortage at Shanghai. In view of the inconvenience and harm to British interests which has been caused by interference with the railway traffic, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Tokyo, has received instructions to represent informally to the Japanese Government the importance of the resumption of the traffic in question. I am informed that a certain number of trains are now running daily from the mines to Chingwangtao.

11. Mr. NUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Minister at Peking as to the activities of General Li Chichun in the neutralised area covered by the recent armistice between China and Japan; and whether, seeing that the general and his forces are disowned by both China and Japan, what steps are being taken for the protection of foreigners in the area, particularly the Kailan mining administration and the people in the summer resorts of Peitaiho, Chinwangtao, and Shanhaikuan?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that general Li Chi-chun occupies a short stretch of the railway between Tangshan and Lutai with about 6,000 Manchurian irregular troops, but that hopes are entertained that the position will be cleared up before long. So far as I am aware, foreigners in this area, and also at Peitaiho, Chinwangtao and Shanhaikuan, are in no danger, and no special measures of protection have therefore been considered necessary.