§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider suggesting to all the Powers concerned the abrogation of Article 9 of the protocol of September, 1901 under which certain Foreign Powers are entitled to station troops at certain points in North China to keep open communications between Peking and the sea, especially in view of the fact that Peking is no longer the capital of China, and the Foreign Powers, other than Japan, have little or no trade with the ex-capital?
§ Viscount CranborneThe object of Article 9 was to ensure the safety of the Legations and Embassies, some of which are still situated in Peking. Trade considerations do not enter into the matter.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communications from the Chinese Government on the subject of the fighting in North China; and, if so, whether he can state their nature?
§ Viscount CranborneDuring the past few days I have been in constant touch with the Chinese Ambassador in London who has been good enough to communicate to me a number of reports on the situation as seen by his Government, but I do not think they add anything very material to what has already been published. I have made it plain to His Excellency that His Majesty's Government would lose no opportunity of making any contribution in their power towards a peaceful solution.