§ Mr. LEACHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the 517W 1922 treaty, guaranteeing the independence and integrity of China and signed by Britain, Japan, United States of America, and six other Powers, is regarded, as still operative and binding?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEYes, Sir, in so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned.
§ Major PROCTERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the importance of the issue to British trade, and especially to the export of textiles, he can state the present position of the negotiations between China and Japan arising out of the recent demands put forward on China by the Tokyo Government?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement on the Far Eastern situation made by my right hon. Friend in the course of last Thursday's Debate, to which I am unable to add.
§ Mr. MORGANasked the Secretary of state for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent demands by Japan on China, any representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to the Japanese Government for the safeguarding of British rights and interests and for the maintenance of Chinese sovereignty?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEHis Majesty's Government have expressed to both the Japanese and the Chinese Government the hope that a settlement may be reached between them on a friendly basis. This naturally implies that Chinese rovereignty would be preserved unimpaired. His Majesty's Government have also expressed their expectation that British interests will not be adversely offected by any settlement that may be reached. The Japanese Government have recently given the assurance that they have no desire to harm those interests in any way.