§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make with regard to the situation in China?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)According to my information, fighting, accompanied by artillery fire and aerial bombing of varying intensity, continued all day yesterday round Peking, mainly to the south and west. Japanese aeroplanes were active outside the city. One machine flew several times over the city distributing propaganda leaflets but dropping no bombs.
The withdrawal of foreign nationals into the Legation quarter started early in the morning and proceeded satisfactorily all day, although the greater part of the city was barricaded and circulation became increasingly difficult as the day went on. The majority of British subjects elected to avail themselves of the opportunity to shelter in the Legation quarter, and most of them are now billeted in the British Embassy quarters. So far as I know, the only casualty up to the present among non-Chinese troops in Peking has been an American marine, who was wounded by some Chinese soldiers who fired at a party of marines on duty collecting their nationals. General Sung Che-yuan has been asked to issue strict orders to Chinese military and police to ensure the safety of the persons and property of foreign nationals inside the city. According to Press messages, the city has now been evacuated by the 37th Division, but I have no confirmation of this.
As I have previously informed the House, on my instructions His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Tokyo has made representations to the Japanese Government regarding the safety of British subjects in Peking, and, as a result, I understand that the Japanese Government and the local Japanese military authorities have given certain assurances in this 3315 respect. His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has also emphasised to the Japanese Government the serious nature of the situation and the grave dangers inherent in it. I would add that His Majesty's Government are continuing to maintain close touch at every stage with the United States Government and the other Governments concerned.
§ Mr. AttleeIn view of the ominous parallel with what occurred in Manchuria, and the fact that these events seem to be taking much the same course, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is proposed to take any steps with regard to the League of Nations, and whether any appeal has been made by the Chinese Government to the League?
§ Mr. EdenI agree with the right hon. Gentleman as to the seriousness of the situation. As far as I am aware, no Government has asked for this matter to be referred to the League and, as I explained to the House yesterday, in view of the special circumstances and the fact that neither Japan nor the United States are members of the League, we are not prepared ourselves to take at present any initiative in the matter.
§ Mr. AttleeDoes this mean that the League is powerless to act if any League Member suffers aggression from a Power outside the League, and is equally powerless to act if the aggression comes from a Power which is within the League?
§ Mr. EdenI do not think that a fair deduction to make from my statement, but I think the House and the right hon. Gentleman also will appreciate that in this Far Eastern situation there are exceptional circumstances. Indeed, a representative of the party opposite the other day emphasised the need for close touch with the United States Government which is not a member of the League.
§ Mr. ManderIs the right hon. Gentleman bearing in mind the fact that under Article 17 there is mandatory provision for bringing non-members into a dispute of this kind?
§ Mr. ManderThen why not do so?
§ Sir John Wardlaw-MilneMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the absence from his reply of any reference to Tientsin means that there is no truth in the report, now current, of the shelling of that city?
§ Mr. EdenI have been trying to get confirmation before I came to the House, but I have been unable to do so. I am afraid it does not follow from that, however, that it has not occurred.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennHas the right hon. Gentleman made it clear to the Japanese Government that His Majesty's Government would not approve of a further attempt to detach provinces from the Nanking sovereignty.
§ Mr. EdenI think the right hon. Gentleman will see from my answers during the last few days and the various declarations we have made that we very much regret the situation, the more so because we hoped for an improvement in Far Eastern relations generally, which cannot take place while the present conditions persist.
§ Mr. RileyHave His Majesty's Government consulted with the French Government in connection with a possible reference to the League?
§ Mr. EdenI have been in constant touch with the French Government, but they have never suggested to me, nor I to them, that the moment is ripe for such action.
§ Captain Peter MacdonaldSurely it is the duty of the Chinese Government who are members of the League to make an appeal to the League, if any appeal is to be made at all?
Mr. Vyvyan AdamsIs there any reason to suppose that the United States would object to such a reference to the League?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherAre any arrangements in hand for the evacuation of British nationals from Peking, in case that step becomes advisable at very short notice?
§ Mr. EdenThere are a number of local schemes, but I am afraid I do not carry 3317 the details in my head. The last information which I had just as I came into the House, was that the local situation in Peking itself was better.
§ Mr. ManderHas any consideration been given to the alternative of calling a meeting of the signatories to the Paris Pact or the Nine-Power Treaty?
§ Mr. AttleeI wish to give notice to the right hon. Gentleman that, in addition to asking certain questions with regard to Spain, I shall also ask questions with regard to China on the Motion for the Adjournment to-morrow.