§ 1. Captain FULLERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is now the position in the Burma-Yunnan border dispute with China?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)The question of setting up a Sino-British frontier commission under a neutral chairman to investigate the problem and submit recommendations is at present under discussion with the Chinese Government.
§ Captain FULLERIs it not a fact that the boundary commission has been appointed, but there has been delay in the appointment of the chairman? Since this is under the League of Nations, could not something be done to hasten this appointment in view of the approaching monsoon?
§ Sir J. SIMONI was not aware of those features, but I will inquire. As regards the last observation, I think it is the case that in any event one would have to wait until late in the year.
§ 2. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the projected loan to China; and whether it is intended that the machinery of the consortium shall be used for this purpose?
§ Sir J. SIMONTentative proposals were put forward in December for a loan, but they did not appear to His 1916 Majesty's Government, after a careful examination, to provide a satisfactory remedy for the situation. His Majesty's Government are watching the financial situation in China closely and they attach great importance to co-operation between the Powers primarily concerned, including, of course, China, and they are in touch with those Powers. No project for a loan to China is, however, at present before His Majesty's Government, and the last part of the question therefore does not arise.
§ 4. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Japanese terms to China in the present negotiations involve the appointment of 1,400 Japanese warrant officers to train the Chinese army, the engagement of Japanese nominees by the Chinese National Economic Council in the place of the present Western advisers supplied by the League of Nations and various states, the funding of all or part of the unrecognised Japanese loans to China, including in particular the Nishihara loans, and in return a Japanese loan to China; whether any proposals are under consideration for a League of Nations or other loan to assist China in her present difficulties; and what steps in general the Government are taking to deal with the situation?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have no information to support the suggestions contained in the first part of the question. So far as I am aware, the question of a loan to China is not under consideration by the League or by any Power. The present financial and economic situation of China is, however, receiving the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government who are in touch with the Chinese and other interested Governments.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the right hon. Gentleman able to say anything about recent conversations with the American Government on the subject of a possible loan?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe American Government is one of the Governments to which I referred when I said we were in touch with other Governments, including the Chinese.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman guarantee to touch the Chinese Government a little lighter than we have touched Germany in the last few days?