§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the attempts of the Chinese Government to repress smuggling in North China are being defeated by the transport of goods in armed lorries which the Chinese customs authorities at Tientsin are unable to seize without provoking international complications; and whether he has drawn the attention of the Japanese Government to this state of affairs?
§ Viscount CranborneThe attention of the Japanese Government has repeatedly been drawn by His Majesty's Ambassador 1867W in Tokyo to the general question of smuggling, of which the fact mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend is a component part. I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend will agree that the details of a remedy to the situation can best be dealt with by the various authorities concerned. The essential point is that the Chinese preventive services should be allowed freedom to operate effectively. This point has been constantly emphasised by His Majesty's Ambassador.