§ 58. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding negotiations between the Governments of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and Manchukuo regarding the sale of Russia's interest in the Chinese Eastern 1274 Railway; and whether, seeing that such sale would constitute an infringement of the sovereignty of China, he will take steps to secure the recognition of this sovereignty which is guaranteed under the Nine-Power Treaty of Washington?
§ Mr. BALDWINI understand that the Soviet Government have offered to sell their rights in the Chinese Eastern Railway to the Manchukuo Government, but it is not apparent to me that this involves any obligation on the part of the signatories of the Nine-Power Treaty.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that the Manchukuo Government have claimed that part of the railway which origiNaily belonged, and presently does belong, to China; and will the right hon. Gentleman not take into consideration the fact that this Government has no power to contract with the Soviet Republic of Russia to sell a railway in which it has no right?
§ Mr. BALDWINI should be very sorry to assume that the Soviet Government will do anything to infringe the sovereignty of another country.
§ Mr. MACLEANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will answer my question, which was, not whether the Soviet Republic have any rights to sell, but whether the Manchukuo Government have any rights to buy?
§ Mr. BALDWINThat is an extremely difficult legal question, on which I am not prepared to pronounce an opinion.
§ Mr. LANSBURYHas the right hon. Gentleman received from His Majesty's Minister to the Chinese Republic any dispatch dealing with this subject, and, if so, can it be laid on the Table of the House, or will he state the Source of the information that he has just conveyed to the House?
§ Mr. BALDWINPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put a question down. I have answered the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI will raise it in the discussion to-morrow.