15. Sir JOHN WARD LAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Legation at Peking on present conditions in North China, particularly in the neutral zone South of the Great Wall and in the province of Charhar; and whether he is able to state by whom the passes in the Great-Wall are now held?
§ Sir J. SIMONAccording to reports received from His Majesty's Legation, the situation in North China and Charhar Province has during the last few months remained generally peaceful. The neutral zone was disturbed at the end of December by the incursion of a small number of rebellious Chinese troops. The revolt, however, never assumed serious proportions and by early in January conditions were once more normal, being governed by the conditions of the armistice of the 31st May last. So far as I am aware, the passes in the Great Wall still remain in Japanese occupation.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEIs the statement correct that there has been a more or less mutually satisfactory arrangement come to between the Chinese and Japanese Governments?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think that that must be so, because my information is that the situation is not changed, and that the conditions of the armistice of 31st May last are being observed.