§ 13 Mr. MOREINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, on his recent visit to Tokyo, took advantage of the opportunity to discuss with the Japanese Government their political and military intentions in North China;
(2) whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross has reported on his recent visit to Tokyo and to what effect; and, in particular, whether he has made any suggestions for the cessation of smuggling into North China by Japanese and Korean subjects;
(3) whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, on the occasion of his recent visit to Tokyo, had the advantage of a discussion with the Japanese military authorities as well as with the Foreign Office; and, if so, whether he drew attention to the serious effect of Japanese restrictions in North China upon the activities of Chinese customs officials in their efforts to suppress smuggling?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEReports have been received of the interviews which Sir Frederick Leith-Ross during his visit had with leading personalities in the Japanese Government and Army. Sir Frederick Leith-Ross was, I understand, accorded a very friendly reception and was able frankly to discuss various problems of the moment, including the smuggling in Northern China, and 9 Japanese policy in that region. In the course of these discussions Sir Frederick Leith-Ross urged that effective power to exercise their functions should be restored to the Customs authorities in Northern China.