HC Deb 27 April 1915 vol 71 cc598-9W
Sir WILLIAM BULL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that representations from British firms in China have been received in Lancashire reporting prejudice to trade owing to the local uncertainty caused by the Japanese demands; and whether he will, in the interests of all, suggest both to China and Japan the need for expediting the conclusion of their negotiations?

Sir E. GREY

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the hon. Member will realise that His Majesty's Government cannot interfere in the negotiations between two other Powers in the manner suggested in the second part of the question, though we hope the negotiations will come to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible.

Sir W. BULL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give, approximately, the numbers of troops of the Great Powers now on Chinese soil; and whether, in the interests of general tranquillity, he can suggest to China their all-round limitation to a minimum common to all?

Sir E. GREY

The principal foreign contingents in China, according to the latest available return, were at the following approximate strengths:—

  • British, under 500 of all ranks.
  • American under 1,117 of all ranks.
  • French under 430 of all ranks.
  • Italian under 215 of all ranks.
  • Japanese under 1,484 of all ranks.
  • Russian under 50 of all ranks.
The numbers of the Austrian and German contingents are not available. In addi- tion to these troops there are also the forces maintained by Russia and Japan for the protection of the railways in Manchuria under their respective treaties with China, and, owing to the recent hostilities, a Japanese force in Shantung. The number of foreign troops to be maintained in China was fixed by agreement among the Powers and, in view of the wide variations in the importance of the interests and in the numbers of the nationals of different Powers in China, it would be impossible to arrange that the contingents maintained for their protection by the different Governments should be of the same strength. These figures, except as regards British troops, are obtained from a return dated November.