§ 4. Mr. MOREINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received reports from His Majesty's Ambassadors in Nanking and Tokyo on the exact relations between the Chinese and Japanese Governments?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have received certain reports, but I am not yet fully acquainted with the true facts.
§ 5. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the recent developments in China are producing a serious repercussion on world peace and security, he will consider what steps can be taken, in conjunction with other Powers, to minimise the constant infraction of treaties which is now taking place in the Far East?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am making inquiry as to the facts. Until they are definitely established I am not in a position to consider anything further.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESAre the British Government in close touch with the American Government in this matter?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, Sir, certainly.
§ 9. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Great Britain is pledged by treaty to preserve the integrity of China as a nation; if so, what other nations are signatories to such a treaty; and whether any conference of those nations has been called to influence Japan in recognising the terms of the treaty?
§ Sir S. HOAREHis Majesty's Government are under no obligation in the matter except as regards anything which might result from the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Nine-Power Treaty.
§ Mr. MACLEANAs the Government are under contract by the Nine-Power Treaty, should there not be consultation with the other nations who subscribed to the Treaty in regard to action being taken?
§ Sir S. HOAREI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Monday, when I dealt with the point. I can assure him that all relevant points are being taken into consideration.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIf the signatory nations have no obligation, in association with all the other signatories, to intervene in this dispute, and if we have no obligation, what is the value of our signature to the Pact?
§ Sir S. HOAREI dealt fully with the position on Monday. I told the House then, and I tell it again to-day, that it is necessary that all the facts be established before I deal with a general question of that kind.
§ 10. Mr. BANFIELDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Japan has made any proposal to abrogate the Nine-Power Treaty of 1922 in view of its recent infractions?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have no knowledge of any such proposal.
§ 2. Mr. GARDNERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Great Britain was one of the signatories of the Nine Power Treaty of 1922, in which all pledge themselves 338 to respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China, he can state what is the effect of the recent Japanese action in Hopei on this Treaty, and whether His Majesty's Government have made any representations to the Japanese Government in relation to their recent encroachment upon China?
§ Mr. BLINDELL (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. As stated in the answer given on 17th June to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) reports as to the recent events in North China are to some extent conflicting. My right hon. Friend is awaiting further reports and he cannot at present say whether the recent Japanese action can be said to have involved the Japanese Government in a breach of the Nine Power Treaty. Certain inquiries are, however, being made of the Japanese Government.
§ 8. Major PROCTERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of trade in Northern China to Lancashire, he will take such steps as may be in his power to ensure that the forward policy of Japan in this district is not allowed to be prejudicial to cotton and other commercial interests?
§ Mr. BLINDELLYes, Sir.