§ 4. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action it is proposed to take in consequence of the passing by the Assembly of the League of Nations on 6th October of the resolution dealing with the conflict between China and Japan, stating that members of the League should consider how far they can individually extend aid to China; and what countries have assisted or are proposing to assist China by the sending of arms?
§ Mr. EdenI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the question asked by the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 22nd November last. As regards the last part of the question, no detailed information has been made public.
§ Mr. ManderAm I to understand that it will be quite proper for any State member of the League to supply arms to China, in accordance with the resolution of the League?
§ 7. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to any decisions arrived at by the Brussels Conference on the conflict in the Far East?
§ Mr. EdenA draft report on the work of the Conference, together with the draft of a declaration drawn up by the United States, French and United Kingdom delegations, are to be considered by the Conference this afternoon. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.
§ Mr. RileyCan the right hon. Gentleman say what this conference is intended to do with regard to China and the population of China?
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennIs the right hon. Gentleman going to tell us after this failure is complete what the next step is to be?
§ 10. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether customs collections in North China are still held by the Japanese authorities; and to what extent they are making remittances against loan obligations?
§ Mr. EdenMy information is that the Customs revenues collected at Tientsin and Chinwangtao are being banked in the name of the Inspector-General of Customs in the Yokohama Specie Bank. I understand that remittances are being made, though not regularly nor of adequate amount.
§ Mr. HendersonCan the right hon. Gentleman say why this course has been adopted?
§ 11. Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of all demands made by the Japanese authorities to the authorities of the International Settlement in Shanghai, and the extent to which such demands have been met?
§ 12. Mr. Moreingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has of the Japanese intentions at Shanghai; and whether he will remind the Japanese Government of its repeated undertakings that Japan will scrupulously respect all foreign rights in China and that the local Japanese commanders in Shanghai will be instructed accordingly?
§ Mr. EdenI understand that the Japanese authorities are discussing with the municipal authorities various matters which come under the head of suppression of anti-Japanese activities and Chinese Government organisations in the Settlement. It is too soon to state the results of the discussions which are still going on. His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo and the British authorities in Shanghai have repeatedly reminded the Japanese Government of their promises to respect foreign rights in China, and will continue to do so when the occasion requires such action.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not monstrous and outrageous on the part of the Japanese Government to make any such demands on those who control the Settlement on territory belonging to the Chinese Government?
§ Mr. MoreingWill the Foreign Secretary see that His Majesty's Government give every support to the Shanghai Municipal Council in any resistance they may make to these Japanese demands?
§ Mr. SilvermanCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any hope of the Japanese authorities respecting Chinese rights as well as foreign rights in China?
§ Mr. GallacherThe right hon. Gentleman in his answer says they have continued to draw Japanese attention to the promises made. Does this mean that Japan is continually breaking promises made? What does the Foreign Secretary mean by his answer?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I ask whether the Settlement has ever been leased or ceded by the Chinese Government to the Governments concerned, or is the international control only a de facto control?
§ Mr. BennAs this matter is rather urgent, and as British subjects are being forcibly restrained by the Japanese from entering their own property in Shanghai and the neighbourhood, will the right hon. Gentleman answer a question on Friday giving full information as to what is really happening in Shanghai?
§ Mr. EdenI shall be glad to give the House all the information in my possession at every stage, and I will answer a question to-morrow if the right hon. Gentleman likes to put a Private Notice question.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the status of the International Settlement?
§ 13. Mr. Moreingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British merchants in Shanghai now have free access to their warehouses and other property in the Japanese occupied portions of the international settlement, namely, Hong Kew and Yangtze Pool and, if not, whether he will make strong representations to the Japanese Government on the continued damage to British interests due to the refusal of the Japanese military at Shanghai to allow British merchants to exercise their rights?
§ Mr. EdenOn 1st November the British, United States, French and German Consuls-General in Shanghai, in response to their joint representations on this subject, were told that all restrictions would be withdrawn as soon as possible. My latest information shows, however, that British merchants in Shanghai have not yet obtained free access to their warehouses and other property in the districts mentioned. The Japanese military authorities state that the districts in question are not yet safe. In the circumstances representations have been made to the Japanese Government on the subject and will be renewed. This matter is also being constantly pressed on the local Japanese authorities in Shanghai.
§ 16. Mr. McEnteeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Imperial Maritime Customs' launches in China are being seized by the Japanese for military purposes; and whether, in view of the fact that the international loans in which Great Britain is interested are guaranteed on the Chinese Customs, he will represent to the Japanese Government that they should return the vessels to those who own them?
§ Mr. EdenI am fully conscious of the matter referred to by the hon. Member, and instructions have already been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo in regard to it.
§ Mr. McEnteeCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether they have been returned or whether any demand is being made for their return?
Mr. J. J. DavidsonCan we have an assurance that if they are not returned the right hon. Gentleman will at least 1198 make a protest to the Japanese authorities?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAre we to understand that in face of the virtual military occupation of Shanghai by Japan we have made no protest whatever?
§ 17. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the demand made on behalf of the Japanese Government to the authorities in the International Settlement and the French Concession at Shanghai for certain anti-Chinese actions; and why permission has been granted for Japanese troops to march through the Settlement?
§ Mr. EdenAs regards the first part of this question I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I have just given to other questions on the same subject. As regards the second part, permission was neither sought nor granted. Japanese troops were already in the Settlement on the same basis as troops of other nationalities at the outset of hostilities. So far as I am aware, Japanese troops have not marched through the part of the Settlement to the South of the Soochow Creek.
§ Mr. ManderIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement in the latter part of the question was broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation?
§ Mr. BennDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember the answer he gave me two days ago, that no alteration in the administration would be consented to without the consent of the Chinese Government? How, therefore, can he permit such things to occur as the deportation of Mr. Soong under Japanese orders?
§ Mr. EdenI recollect my answer, and it does not bear the interpretation which the right hon. Gentleman has put upon it.
§ Mr. ManderAre we in the humiliating position that we have to do exactly what the Japanese Government tell us?
§ Mr. EdenIn the International Settlement British interests are very Large, but 1199 they are not the only interests. The situation there is most difficult to-day. That is certainly unhappily true.
§ Mr. GallacherDoes not this difficult situation arise out of the character of the Government?