The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who is barely
recovered from influenza, was present to make a state-
ment about Shanghai, on the lines of the story..that we have told above. Mr. Lansbury demanded a, debate in exactly the wrong kind of language- to use in the circumstances. Sir John Simon also made a statement on the futility of Russia's creditors hoping to have their debts paid. Successive British Governments had quite consistently treated with the Soviet Government ; none had succeeded in getting any terms or promises worth having, and it was of no use to go on. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated frankly—and we are glad: that he did so—that the Government would like to see Repara- tions and War Debts cancelled. He admitted that the desire he had for a Conference as soon as possible after receiving the Report of the Basle Committee had been frustrated by the impossibility of agreeing with France
upon a policy. He held out hopes of a Conference in May or June. The First Lord of the Admiralty told the sad story of the ' M 2,' for which there was little hope •
when we wrote of her last week. Her position was.dis- covered on Wednesday night. The House on Wednesday passed a motion approving the. Customs Order made by the Board of Trade before Christmas under the .Abnormal" Importations Act.
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