§ 7. Mr. Ritsonasked the Prime Minister whether any reply has been received from the Japanese consular authorities regarding the protest made by His Majesty's Consul-General on the circumstances arising out of the death of Dr. Lillie?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has only just received the report of the inquest proceedings, and, pending full consideration, I am unable to say what action may be appropriate. In the meantime His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai has addressed a Note to his Japanese colleague reserving all rights regarding the events which led up to the tragedy.
§ Mr. BellengerHave we any money rights in this matter? Might it not be possible to make some claim for damages on behalf of the wife of Dr. Lillie?
§ Mr. ButlerThat important aspect of the question will certainly be borne in mind.
§ 11. Mr. Priceasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Japanese military authorities in China have established a new currency known as Hua-Hsing, which is linked to the Chinese dollar; that the intention in thereby indirectly to link the Chinese dollar to the yen and give Japan an economic hold over China, and eliminate foreign commerce; and whether the Government are considering steps to meet this danger?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend is aware of the establishment of a new currency known as Hua-Hsing, which is said to 894 be convertible into Chinese dollars. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the situation is being closely watched by the Departments concerned.
§ Mr. PriceHave the Government any actual ideas of how they can deal with this danger? Can the Under-Secretary give some indication of what they are contemplating doing to meet it?
§ Mr. ButlerOne cannot always indicate one's intentions, but the hon. Member may be satisfied that the matter is fully under consideration.
17. Mr. V. Adamsasked the Prime Minister whether the insults sustained by our nationals in Tientsin at the hands of the Japanese have now ceased; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerUntil this morning there had been for some days no reports of British subjects being subjected to indignities. My Noble Friend has not yet received official confirmation of the incident reported to-day in the Press involving a young British subject. His Majesty's Ambassador has been instructed to inform the Japanese Government that any deliberate extension of such treatment to British subjects must imperil the success of the impending negotiations at Tokyo.
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHave the Government received any confirmation of reports that the blockade of Tientsin is being intensified?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have no official confirmation at all.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherWhen negotiations were opened with the Japanese Government about Tientsin were any conditions laid down as to the blockade or the cessation of insults?
§ Mr. ButlerThe whole position in regard to the negotiations was stated by the Prime Minister, and I have nothing to add to that statement.
Mr. V. AdamsIs it not open to us to take certain retaliatory measures with regard to Japanese; nationals in our territories?
§ 22. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether the Japanese Government have yet submitted any evidence to His Majesty's Government showing the guilt of the four Chinese accused of murdering a Chinese employed by a Japanese at Tientsin?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not prepared to add anything to what has already been said on this point, in view of the fact that conversations in Toyko are about to start.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMay we take it for granted that the Government will not hand over the four Chinese until proof has been shown that they were guilty of this murder?
§ Mr. ButlerThat is a matter to be discussed during the negotiations.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennDoes this mean that the Government have gone back on their statement that they would not hand over these men unless there were some evidence that they were guilty?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir, it does not mean that the Government have gone back on their statement; but, in view of the negotiations, I do not propose to make a statement now.
§ Mr. Arthur GreenwoodCould we not have some definite assurance that they will not be handed back pending the negotiations?
§ Mr. ButlerThere is no question of handing over these men pending the negotiations.
§ 23. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the situation at Kulangsu?
§ Mr. ButlerFurther proposals for a settlement have recently been made to the Kulangsu Municipal Council by the Japanese Consul-General. These are at present under consideration.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCould the right hon. Gentleman tell us the latest information about the Japanese blockade of Kulangsu and whether the food situation is still as acute as it was last week?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that the latest information is that quantities of firewood and beans have been recently landed by a British ship at Kulangsu, and that food supplies continue to arrive.
§ 24. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the situation at Foochow and Wenchow?
§ Mr. ButlerArrangements are being made for the evacuation of those British subjects who wish to leave Foochow. Although there are no British ships at present in the harbour, the Japanese naval authorities have undertaken to leave a safe passage until 6th July for a ship to convey those wishing to leave. As regards the situation at Wenchow, my Noble Friend understands that the foreign community propose to remain. There are at present 11 British subjects there.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it the case that booms have been laid, and that these Treaty ports are, in fact, blockaded?
§ Mr. ButlerWhat amounts to a blockade is, in fact, taking place at these ports.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairHave His Majesty's Government protested against this?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government have made their position quite clear.
§ Mr. ThorneDo the Government think there is any possibility of getting back to the same position as in 1929?