من
414
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.C. O.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[43787]
No. 1.
9150
RECE
[December 31.]
REGB12 MAR 07.
SECTION 1.
(No. 253.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 31.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
BURMAH-YUNNAN Railway.
Peking, December 31, 1906.
Please refer to my telegrams Nos. 224 and 250 of the 20th ultimo and the 26th instant respectively.
The Yunnan Viceroy has telegraphed to the Foreign Board, urging them to refuse to permit the reconnaissance on the ground of the establishment of a Chinese Railway Company for the construction of the line from Tengyuch. This telegram has been communicated to me officially by the Wai-wu Pu, who support the Viceroy, and state that an Imperial Decree sanctioned the establishment of the Chinese Company.
For the protection of our claims under the engagement of March 1902, and also to prevent other railway interests being prejudiced, immediate representations to the Chinese Government are rendered imperative by the aspect which the question has now assumed.
Please repeat the above to the Government of India.
[43806]
(No. 254)
No. 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received December 31.)
(Telegraphio.) P.
BURMAH-YUNNAN Railway.
My immediately preceding telegram of to-day.
Peking, December 31, 1906.
His Majesty's Consul-General at Yunnan-fu telegraphs as follows, under the date of the 28th instant :--
"I have sent the following telegram to the Acting British Consul at Tengyueh :- "A. copy of the telegraphic instructions issued to the Tengyueh Taotai to-day has been sent to me by the Local Bureau of Foreign Affairs; they are to the following effect:-
"Lilley, with a small following, will arrive shortly as a traveller; arrangements for his protection are to be made with the Consul and with Ting. Lilley should make no parade of his instruments; it is, however, understood that a reconnaissance will be made. If possible, no natives of India should be included in his party; any number of Europeans may, however, be included, and natives of Burmah up to ten in number.
56
(Repeat to Burmah.)
The question of the reconnaissance is thus apparently settled. I consider, however, that the terms of the note from the Chinese Government render it imperative that I should be enabled as soon as possible to deal with the whole question of railways in Yunnan.
[2263 hh-1]
Page 420Page 421