§ Mr. BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Shanghai Taotai, under pressure from the Japanese Government, has issued a proclamation threatening the ringleaders of the anti-Japanese boycott with punishment; and, if so, whether he will state what steps he has taken to bring-to an end the anti-British boycott on the Yangtse which was initiated by the Kiukiang native chamber of commerce and other chambers issuing warnings against the use of British steamers?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no information in regard to the first part of the question. In regard to the second part, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for North Westmeath, no information has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and a report will be called for in due course. There is no foundation, however, for an assumption that British trade in such enrcumstances suffers more than Japanese owing to want of support; it has suffered less from boycott in recent years than either American or Japanese trade.