§ Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has asked the Governments of China and Japan for any explanations or assurances with regard to the fighting between Japanese and Chinese troops within the borders of China at the beginning of the year; whether he will communicate to the House any memorandum received from the Chinese Government upon this subject; and whether he will make a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. Explanations have however been received from both. Governments in regard to the events at Shanhaikwan, particulars of which I have given to-day in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington West (Mr. Donner). On 11th January the Chinese Government communicated to the Powers signatories of the Boxer Protocol of 1901 a memorandum contending that in occupying Shanhaikwan by force the Japanese troops had take unlawful advantage of a special privilege under the Protocol and stating that in these circumstances the Chinese Government could not assume responsibility for any situation resulting from the exercise by the Chinese forces of the legitimate right of self-defence. The policy of His Majesty's Government apart from the maintenance of peace generally aims at the maintenance of the Boxer Protocol.