In view of the surprise expressed in Peking regarding Mr. Locker-Lampson's statement in the House of Commons on December 8 relating to the security of British lorns to China, the following text ix given Jof the question and answer on the proceeded by Chinese transports and an Italian vessel.
'A message from Nanking states.
that Marshal Sun from Tientsin—Reuter. troops. There is intermittent shooting everywhere and the expected to become two or three days.
Hankow to Tehang have been sus-ended temporarily.
Later despatches from Tehang, ted December 15, ax regards the ration of the American—gunboat Eleano, "into that the troops left the three American steamers and that!
ation was somewhat ea:
Yang Sen has left for up Shasi- is practically normal well the towns occupied by the szechuanese who have subject:
Ar, Foot Mitchell (Conserval asked the "total amount of Br capital loaned to China and secured en Chinese revenues administered by the Maritime Customs, whether there is " safeguard for payment in most eases other than the Maritime Customs and whether in view of the proposed attempt to expel foreigners the Foreign Seeretary can make any statement of British policy on this issue."
Mr, Locker-Lampson said that the outstanding amount of that portion fof the three Chinese Government Toans, secured on the revenues of the Maritime. Customs, which were floated in London approximates £14,500,000. The total British hol ings of all such loans of whata ise are impossible to determine but can be estimated at £20,000,000. Under present conditions there is other source from which payment could be made except the (Customs revenues, His Majesty's Government hav ry desire to see the maine renan me Cus toms administ continues atid that the Southerners lent services to. the fre cantioning with their campaign riy a whole, they. believe, of propagands, Further small val by Chin to add to that impression abroad was most unfortunate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.