[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
[B]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[34376]
No. 1.
[October 11.]
SECTION 275
40452
Admiralty to Foreign Office.--(Received October 11.) (Confidential.)
NOV 06 Sir,
Admiralty, October 11, 1906. WITH reference to your letter of the Sth instant, forwarding a copy of a despatch which has been addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, recording a conversation with the Chinese Minister on the subject of Wei-hai Wei, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for Sir E. Grey's information, a paraphrase of a telegram to the Commander-in-chief on the China Station on the subject, together with a paraphrase of his reply, and to state that their Lordships fully concur in the views of the Commander-in-chief on this matter.
I am, &c. (Signed) EVAN MACGREGOR.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Admiralty to Vice-Admiral Sir A. Moore.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Admiralty, October 9, 1906. CHINESE Minister called at Foreign Office to urge that Wei-hai Wei may be restored to the Chinese Government, who consider that port most suitable for the development of their navy, which they have in view.
As Port Arthur is still leased to a foreign Power, and the Chinese had not yet resumed possession of it, the Secretary of State replied that it had not been anticipated by him that the question of its occupation by Great Britain being relinquished would be raised at present. You are to report by telegraph your opinion on this subject.
Secretary of State has informed His Majesty's Minister at Peking.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Vice-Admiral Sir A. Moore to Admiralty.
October 10, 1906. (Telegraphic.) P.
and WEI-HAI WEI would be useful as a flying base in certain circumstances; for the well-being of the personnel and efficiency of the squadron it is essential to have a good place for healthy recreation and practice on the northern part of this station.
Kiao-chan is also suitable for the requirements of the Chinese, and it would be undesirable in the present state of affairs that our prestige should suffer by leaving Wei-hai Wai so long as the Germans remain at Kiao-chan. Marquis Ito alluded in the course of conversation recently to the importance of England retaining Wei-hai Wei. I consider retention of the greatest importance.
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