DISCUSSION IN COMMONS

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 6

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS

FOREIGN SECRETARY ANSWERS QUESTIONS

THE CANTONESE GUARANTEE,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

LONDON, March 28. (Received March 29, at 9.26 a.m.)

In the House of Commons Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying to Commander Kenworthy, said that the assessable value of the land in the International Settlement at Shanghai was £42,195,562.

Replying to Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke, Sir Austen Chamberlain made a lengthy statement on events in Nanking. He described how the ConsulGeneral, with the Consular party and the marines, boarded the Emerald after suffering intolerable indignities. The total British casualties, so far as ho was aware (although he was uncertain whether the information was complete), were Dr Smyth and one sailor killed and two wounded. A British Consular official saw Mr Chen on March 25 and 26, and lodged the strongest protest against the unprecedented outrages by the Nationalist army.

* Sir Kinloch-Cookc: “If it had not been for the shells from warships, would not every person taking refuge on the hill have been murdered?” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “ There is not the least doubt that the timely communication with the warships and their immediate response alone saved the lives of the Britishers and Americans."

Mr H. W. Looker; “Is Chiang Kaishek’s guarantee for protection of the British one on which we can safely rely? ” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “In the anarchical condition prevailing in China it is at present impossible to say that we can rely with safety on these guarantees. We must closely watch events, and judge by performances, not professions.”

Commander Kenworthy; “Is it proposed to evacuate the remainder of the Britishers from the Yangtse Valley? ”

Sir Austen Chamberlain; “It is a matter that is under consideration, but it is not desirable that we should issue instructions which should be decided upon by those nearer the spot.”

Sir Kinloch-Cooke: “ What stens do you propose to protect lives and property? ” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “ I think they are sufficiently well known, and, despite much criticism, they are now generally approved.”

This declaration was received with cheers.