§ 17. Mr. Flemingasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a British ship, laden with cotton yarn, has been refused an unloading permit by the Japanese officials at Tsingtao; and whether any approach thereon has been 1583 made to the responsible Japanese authority?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has not received a report on this particular case. Further representations on the general question of discrimination against British interests in North China ports were, however, made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo to the Japanese Government on 1st December.
§ Mr. FlemingIs not this action symtomatic of Japanese scheming to do away with the Lancashire cotton trade?
§ 20. Mr. Chorltonasked the Prime Minister what action is proposed to set at rest the widespread fears of the British community in Shanghai that the Japanese Government is deliberately planning to close the open door to trade in China; and what communications he has had with the Japanese Government on the subject?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government have made it clear to the Japanese Government that their attitude is governed by the Washington Treaties and by other international agreements to which they are parties, and that they cannot recognise any alteration of the position as defined in those treaties which has been brought about by unilateral action.
§ 21. Mr. Chorltonasked the Prime Minister what has been the result of the further representations to the Japanese authorities in Tientsin regarding delays to and mutilations of British cables received?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has not received any reports of interference with British commercial cables at Tientsin, but, if my hon. Friend can supply particulars of any specific cases in which delay or mutilation has occurred, I will be glad to consider them.
Mr. DavidsonWill the hon. Gentleman be very careful that his hon. Friends do not lead him into a war?
Mr. AlexanderIs it not true to say that the Government's representations to Japan on any of these questions are without any avail at all?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir; I could not accept that at all. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that on several occasions I have given him information to the effect that the results had been satisfactory.
§ Mr. J. MorganIs any action contemplated with regard to the shipping combine which is now announced for the Yangtse River?