§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Home Secretary when the German delegates at the Hague first raised the question of the Germans in China; whether Lord Newton and General Belfield expressed any opinion upon the demand; and why they assented to the addition of the German reservation to the treaty?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe question of the Germans in China was first raised by the German delegates at the Hague on the 24th June, when they were informed that this matter was outside the scope of the Conference and would not be discussed. The question was again raised by the Germans on several later occasions, but in each case the same reply was given. Ultimately the German delegates refused to sign the Agreement, unless they were allowed to add after their signatures an expression of their personal opinion that the ratification of the Agreement should depend upon the settlement of this matter; and Lord Newton and General Belfield felt that it would not be justifiable by refusing this request to endanger the signature of an Agreement which, if carried out, would be of advantage to the British prisoners of war.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Home Secretary how many Germans there are in China; and what is involved in the German claim regarding them?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe number of civilian enemy subjects in China is about 3,290, of whom 1,724 are women and children. The German claim is to make ratification798W of the agreement of exchange dependent on the undertaking of the Chinese Government not to intern or deport these persons. For reasons which have been given His Majesty's Government are unable to assent to this condition, though they are willing that the aliens in question should be repatriated.