The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-19
BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE DENIES
TALE OF HUGE GERMAN EX-
PEDITION IN CHINA
WHOLE SUBJECT IS DISCUSSED
LORD CRANBORNE GIVES THE RUS
SLAMS A BETTER NAME THAN
THEY HAVE HAD
BRITISH INTEREST IN CHINA,
Her Only Object, Says the Under
Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
Is to Conserve Her Vast
Commercial Interests.

LONDON, Feb. 1S.-The under secretary
of state for foreign affairs, replying to
a question in the house of commons to-
day, said that so far as the government
was aware no power was contemplating
an expedition into the interior of China.
If so, the British command would re-
quire fresh Instructions.
The refusal of Lord Cranborne, the un-
der secretary of state for foreign affairs,
to answer questions concerning which
notice had not previously given, gave
Mr.. John Dillon, Irish Nationalist, the
chance to move an adjournment of the
house in order to debate the subject.
Mr.. Dillon declared that the under sec
retary for the foreign Office had been
muzzled and that his refusal was q
breach of privilege.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Liberal;
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman, the
Liberal leader, and John Redmond and
others supported Mr. Dillon.
Mr.. Balfour, in defending the course of
Lord Cranborne said it had been initial
ed by the government after careful con-
sderation.
The practice of cross-examining the
under foreign secretary was dangerous
and would preclude the carrying on Of
delicate negotiations and might endanger
the interests of nations, and possibly,
the peace of Europe. No other nat on
would have allowed the latitude in for
eign affairs permitted in this country. A
foreign ambassador had congratulated
the late under secretary, Mr.. Broderick,
on his refusal to reply to questions not
placed upon paper.
The house then divided as follows:
For adjournment, 2O4; against, 249.
BRITAIN IN CHINA.
Lord Cranborne, when the debate on
in 1-aJN1ry 70 hn u nal1
from the throne, at the opening of par
lament was resumed, said commercial
interest was Great Britains principal in
terest in China. There had been delay in
the settlement of affairs in China, but
such delay must be expected in dealing
with the Chinese AS to the question Of
indemnity, Lord Cranborne said the Brit
ish minister at Pel1in, Sir Ernest Satow,
had been instructed to gather together
the claims that were to be made
Referring to the railroad dispute, Lord
Cranborne said Russia had assured the
government that the occupation of the
Pekin-Shan Hal Kuan railroad was only
temporary and that the railroad and ma
terials would be restored at the end of
occupation.
Russia's assurance respecting the rail-
roads were most categorical. The occu-
patton was purely temporary Lord
Cranborne added: "I am bound to say
that in all our dealings with the Rus
sian government in this matter we have
been received in the most friendly way.
We have no complaint whatever to
make against the government of the
czar. One cannot help wishing that the
undoubtedly benevolent intentions of the
Russian government are not carried out
more rapidly by their officers in distant
provinces. I do not doubt their inten-
tions in this matter towards this coun-
try
DEALINGS WITH RUSSIA.
Continuing, Lord Cranborne said Rus
sia had assured the government that any
agreement between Russia and China
respecting the occupation of Manchuria
was III the nature of modus vivendi to
prevent disturbances along the frontiers
and railroads. 1t was purely temporary,
and although a guarantee was expected