HC Deb 14 May 1934 vol 289 cc1436-8
16. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Minister in China as to the increase in the strength of the United States forces stationed at Shanghai for the protection of the international settlement; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the intention of the United States Government in that respect?

Sir J. SIMON

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is No, Sir. With regard to the second part, I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by causing such inquiries to be made.

Sir A. KNOX

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Japanese and French forces already exceed the British, and that if the Americans add to their force we shall be relegated to the fourth place?. Is that compatible with our predominant interest in Shanghai?

Sir J. SIMON

I think the hon. and gallant Member's question raises a rather different point. I understood the question to be whether I would address inquiries to the United States Government as to the reason for any changes.

Sir A. KNOX

If the United States Government increase their force, will it not relegate us to the position of fourth Power?

Sir J. SIMON

That depends upon how many men we have there now.

55. Mr. MOREING

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any information from the naval attaché at Peking as to the intention of the United States Government with regard to an increase in their protective forces at Shanghai?

The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Captain Euan Wallace)

The Admiralty have received no information to this effect.

Mr. MOREING

Will my hon. and gallant Friend consider asking for a report upon this matter from the naval attaché at Peking, as it is a matter of comment and conversation in Shanghai that largely increased United States forces are being sent there and we should know the reason?

Captain WALLACE

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend.

64. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has received any report from the military attaché at Peking on the fact that the United States Government are sending a brigadier-general to Shanghai to command the United States forces stationed there; and what is the rank of the British officer in command of the British forces in Shanghai?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)

With regard to the first part of the question, no such report has been received. With regard to the second part, the officer commanding the British military forces in Shanghai is a brigadier.

65. Mr. MOREING

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the composition of the international forces stationed at Shanghai for the protection of the international settlement, and the strength of each national contingent?

Mr. COOPER

On 1st May the composition and strength of the international forces stationed at Shanghai for the protection of the international settlement were :

British Regular Army, 1,071; American, 1,805; Japanese, 1,779.

In addition there were 1,578 French troops for the protection of the French Concession.

Mr. MOREING

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that we should hold only fourth place in relation to the number of troops at Shanghai in view of the fact that our interests in Shanghai and in China generally are far greater than those of any other country?