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Shanghai Commission of Inquiry.

Oral Answers to Questions — China. – in the House of Commons am ar 8 Gorffennaf 1925.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

9.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the diplomatic body which appointed a commission to examine the Shanghai situation was called in the usual manner by the doyen of the diplomatic body at Pekin or whether the commission was appointed by representatives of a portion of the Powers concerned and the senior representative not consulted; and will the Reports of the commission be presented to the whole diplomatic body, including the representative of Russia?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

The commission to examine the Shanghai situation was appointed by the representatives of the treaty Powers under the chairmanship of the senior representative (the Italian Minister), and the commission has reported to the body which appointed it.

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Is there any Russian representative on this body?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

No. Russia is not one of the Treaty Powers.

Photo of Mr Charles Trevelyan Mr Charles Trevelyan , Newcastle upon Tyne Central

Was the Russian representative not present because he did not want to be present?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

He was not present because Russia is not one of the Treaty Powers.

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Is not Russia represented at Pekin by an Ambassador, and has not she diplomatic relationships with China, and therefore should be represented on a Commission of this kind?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative and to the last in the negative.

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Why should the Russian representative be excluded, seeing that he is an accredited representative accepted by the Chinese Government?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

For the reason I have already twice given, that Russia is not one of the Treaty Powers.

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Why, in a matter of international concern, should the one great Power that has done justice to the Chinese people be excluded?

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

Sir William Lane Mitchell.

Photo of Mr Neil Maclean Mr Neil Maclean , Glasgow Govan

rose

—

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

This is not a time for speeches.

Photo of Mr Neil Maclean Mr Neil Maclean , Glasgow Govan

I do not wish to make a speech, but to ask a question. Why was this Commission limited to the Treaty Powers?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

Because it concerned the Treaty Powers.

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