350
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not go further than latitude 26° 30′, and if any reference had been inserted it would probably have provoked an immediate observation from the side of the Chinese negotiators that under the circumstances it would be impossible for them to agree to the watershed boundary beyond that point up to the confines of Thibet. In the Chinese text, however, the lacuna is not so apparent.
I added that, if they would consider my draft and the proposal in regard to indemnification of the native Chiefs, of whom the principal person entitled is the Fayi of Teng-keng, I should be happy to have another interview with their Excellencies whenever it suited their convenience.
Ch' Chung Tang gave me a Memorandum proposing a boundary which, as far as I can gather (some of the places mentioned in it do not appear in the jointly authenticated map), approximates to the red line on the map attached as Inclosure 1 to Mr. Litton's Report, which was inclosed in Lord Lansdowne's despatch No. 219 of the 30th September, 1905. After the interview, he sent me another Memorandum containing remarks on Mr. Litton's statements and geographical observations, some of which are absurd. For instance, he asserts that the Salween flows into the Irrawaddy, and generally appears to have no conception of a water-parting or river basin in a wide sense. I shall, of course, reply to these Memoranda in due course, but I think it is scarcely necessary to trouble you with their contents.
I add copy of a telegram of the 9th December from Mr. Litton to Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, giving further information as to the country further north than latitude 26° 30'. From this it appears likely that the Salween-Irrawaddy watershed continues up to a point estimated at latitude 28° 30', where it becomes merged in a snow range lying east and west. In the Lieutenant-Governor's letter of the 19th June, 1905, to the Government of India, a statement is made that the China Inland Mission's Map shows a wedge of Thibetan territory stretching between Burmah and Yunnan down to below latitude 27°. I can hardly suppose that the map in question, which is simply a reproduction of that of Dr. Bretschneider with a changed orthography, can be regarded as an authority with regard to the geography of a region that has never been explored. However that may be, the difficulty is avoided in the draft by omitting all reference to latitude, and speaking of "the confines of Thibet" as the ultimate limit of the boundary.
I observe that in paragraph 3 of Mr. Brodrick's letter to the Foreign Office of the 20th September, 1905, it is stated that the Government of Burmah do not desire, should difficulties be raised by China, to press for the watershed boundary beyond latitude 26° 30'. It is, in all probability, unlikely that the Chinese Government will make any difficulties about the boundary beyond that point if they accept the proposals of His Majesty's Government up to it, which to their mind will have the appearance of depriving them of jurisdiction over a considerable tract of territory to which they have hitherto laid claim. Should, however, the objection be made which the Government of Burmah appear to anticipate, I venture to think it would be better for His Majesty's Representative at Peking to say that he must refer the point to His Majesty's Government, as to my mind it is not desirable to leave anything open for a renewal of the boundary discussion later on when the administrative authority of the Burmah Government shall have reached latitude 26° 30′ on their side of the watershed, but to give the notice foreshadowed in the latter part of paragraph 4 of the same letter. As the point can be referred by telegram no great delay will be involved, and it seems to me desirable to leave nothing open for future dispute, if that can be avoided.
I am communicating copies of this despatch to the Governments of India and Burmah.
Your Highness,
I have, &c. (Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Prince Ch'ing.
Peking, January 20, 1906. ON the 30th January, 1904, I had the honour to address your Highness a note on the subject of the portion of the frontier lying to the north of latitude 25° 35' north, which by Article IV of the Burmah Convention of 1894 was reserved for a future understanding, when the features and conditions of the country were more accurately known. In this note I summarized previous correspondence, and mentioned certain
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occurrences to illustrate the danger of collision where there is no frontier recognized by both sides, which danger the British Government, animated by friendly feelings towards China, were desirous to avoid. I also stated that the region in question having been more carefully examined since 1900 than was previously possible, it was found that northward, from latitude 25° 35′ north, the watershed of all streams draining into the N Maikha from the east was the most satisfactory and easily recognizable natural boundary; and that I was instructed to inform the Chinese Government that His Majesty's Government intended henceforth to regard this as the actual boundary between China and Burmah, unless and until a settlement was reached, and that if this frontier was not respected by China, and armed forces were sent across it from the Yunnan side, there would be a risk of collision with British troops.
In a reply dated the 10th March, 1904, your Highness stated that it was necessary to ascertain accurately the features of the country east and west of the watershed, and whether the latter coincided with the original boundary of Chinese territory; and you pointed out that it would be in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Convention if both Powers sent officers to make a joint delimitation,
On the 27th October, 1905, I answered your Highness to the effect that a delimitation was impossible unless there was a preliminary agreement as to the general line which the boundary was to follow, but that in order to secure a friendly settlement of the question His Majesty's Government were willing to send officers who would accompany Representatives of the Chinese Government to point out the true position of affairs; and on the 16th November your Highness informed me that it was proposed to appoint the Acting Tuotai of Tengyueh, Shih Nung-shao, to make a survey in co-operation with the officers appointed by the British Government, In my reply of the 24th January, 1905, I notified the appointment of Mr. Litton, His Majesty's Consul at Tengyueh, to co-operate with Taotai Shih; and in a letter of the 30th January, 1905, I made it clear that these two officers were not to delimit the frontier, but were to furnish Reports for the information of their respective Governments. Your Highness informed me on the 3rd March, 1905, that instructions in this sense had been sent to the Viceroy of Yunnan.
In March 1905 Consul Litton and Taotai Shih proceeded together to the frontier, and made an inspection of a portion of it to the north of latitude 25° 35′ north, during the months of March, April, and May. Afterwards Mr. Litton submitted a detailed Report, which has been considered by His Majesty's Government, and I am informed that the Report of Taotai Shih has also been communicated to the Chinese Government by the Viceroy of Yünnan.
I have the honour, accordingly, to request that the Wai-wu Pu will appoint a day for a meeting, in order to arrive at an amicable settlement of this matter.
I avail, &c. (Signed)
(Translation.)
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Prince Ching to Sir E. Satow,
ERNEST SATOW,
Peking, February 1, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's note respecting the Burmah frontier north of latitude 25° 35' north.
[Note of the 20th January quoted at length.]
The Board had already addressed a despatch to the Governor-General of the Yun-Kuei Provinces calling upon him to investigate this question carefully, and we have just received a telegram from his Excellency stating that Mr. Consul Litton was dead, and requesting us to ask your Excellency to send another officer to Yunnan to go into the question and deal with it.
The Governor-General having thus asked that another officer may be sent to Yunnan to deal with the question, it becomes my duty to request your Excellency to communicate in this sense with His Majesty's Government, that another officer may be appointed to deal with the question.