Continuing, Sir Austen Chamberlain said Britain had taken the lead {n efforts to negotiate and in a doclaration of the most liberal policy ever proposed towards China.
Britain had shown that in spite of provocation mostly sought questions is a recognized everything in' Chinese national assnd had attempted to lay the broad foundations of future Peaceful relations with the Chinese. But how could an agreement be made with people who were unable execute its terms? and how could he negotiate with the Cantonese Government in face of the outrages at} Nanking, the failure to give protection at Hankow and other places todo anything to stop anti-foreign Propaganda?
"We must have knowledge that there exists in China an authority /which not only undertakes to protect foreign life and property but position to do so and to exercise its power before we can run any further risks to the lives and interests of our own people." continued [Sir Austen. "Our policy remains the me. I recognize that the old treaties are out of date. We must move forward to a new system but [the Chinese must move too and concurrently. But before we can carry this policy further we must. know! what will be the attitude of Tesponsible Chinese authority with regard to the outrages at Nanking."
Nationalists' Lootings Sir Austen reinforced his case by citing reports of looting in places which have come under the control of the Nationalists, notably Chin-Kiang and Kiukiang, and offences against foreigners at Ichang where such conduct was previously un-_ Known, He Replying to a question Sir Austen said the Government had no inform-of-events at Peking.
Continuing, the Foreign Secretary commented or the fact that the Opposition had not put a resolution, Whereas on the occasion of the last debate on China they called for the immediate recall of the forces en route to China, He asked whether Mr. MacDonald would renew that demand to-day. He said it was only if the Cantonese recognized the ordinary obligations of Government that they could expect Britain to pursue the policy indicated December last and in the February memoranda.
The position was very aiffieuit owing to the absence of a united Chinese government, Every conversation with one authority caused suspicion fand jealousy with the other and any concession made to one was di tasteful to the other. who preferred that the concession be not made rather than it be made to their op-they ponents.
Hustling out of China Sir Austen Chamberlain concluded] by saying that the Government would pursue when possible their policy of conciliation and adjustment of the old position to the new aspirations and conditions but Britain was not prepared to be hustled out of China nor to withdraw her nationals from Shanghai as well as from up-country places. Britain was not prepared to be treated as though she had no right to that which was her treaty right and as though the lives of British subjects were of no account to the British Government. (Loud Ministerial cheers).
Mr. Lloyd George sai the task' which Sir Austen Chamberlain had undertaken was one of the most dificult that had ever fallen on the shoulders of any Foreign Secretary. He was confident that Sir Austen meant what he said when he said he would og the pets. bpd would utter a single word to embar-
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