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on which occasion he was made a Commander of St. Michael and St. George, prior to his receiving the Grand Cross. Chang Yin Huan fell into disfavour during the so-called coup d'Etat in 1898, and his life was saved by the personal exertions of myself and Marquis Ito, who happened to be visiting Peking at the time. He was, however, banished to Kashgaria. It was at this time that Sir Chentung behaved with great courage, standing by his chief at the imminent risk of his own life. The anti-foreign party, headed by Prince Tuan, never lost sight of Ching Yin Huan, and when they got their chance, during the siege of the Legations, procured an order for his immediate execution.
I venture to think that Sir Chentung's views, more especially as to what would happen if the Dowager Empress were to die, are worthy of consideration. It should, however, be remembered that he is, and always has been, an enemy of Yung Lu.
Sir Henry Blake closes his observations by giving it as his opinion that the Chinese Government will, in the matter of concessions, follow the line of least resistance, and yield to the strongest demands, unless they feel that, in refusing unreasonable proposals, they will have the support of a strong and friendly nation. 'It is not impossible,' says Sir Henry, 'that Japan may adopt the rôle of that closest friend, an attitude that might secure for her important returns in the future.'
I am quite in accord, judging from my experience of close on five years in Peking, in thinking that the Chinese Government will follow the line of least resistance, and yield to the strongest demands, but I am convinced, from what I have seen of the Japanese, that they are fully alive to the inadvisability of helping a Government which is entirely incapable of helping itself. Marquis Ito, in the course of a conversation with me last autumn, said that he considered the Chinese Government 'absolutely hopeless.' This was a judgment formed as a result of his visit to China in 1898, to which I have alluded above, but the performances of the Chinese Government since that date would not, I venture to think, inspire any sane person or Government to enter into the rôle of its 'closest friend.'
I have, &c.
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1903
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(Subject.)
AD Plot to seize Canton
13 MAR 03
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Will await observations on
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