[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.].
15537
[B]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[12173]
(No. 80.) Sir,
No. 1.
RECR
18!
RES 2 MAY 07
[April T2.]
SECTION 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. H. Lowther.
Foreign Office, April 12, 1907. THE Japanese Ambassador reminded me to-day that the Japanese Government had presented to the Russian Government a counter-draft to their proposals about the status quo in the Far East, the main point of which was that a clause was added
open door" there. maintaining the integrity of China and the "
The Russian Government were willing to accept this. But they had proposed an additional clause, by which Japan was asked to recognize the preponderance of Russian interests in Mongolia, and to abstain from asking for any Railway or Mining
Concessions there
The Ambassador said his Government were now considering this new clause. He did not know what their reply would be, but his own personal opinion was that the open door" there. clause could hardly be consistent with the integrity of China and the
I said we had had no such proposal mentioned to us by Russia. A formula of an entirely general character was being considered by Russia, by which diplomatic influence at Peking would be used against any disturbance of the Russo-Chinese frontier. But the proposal of which he had now told me had never been suggested between us and Russia.
Of course, our negotiations with Russia about Persia were being conducted on the principle that we should mutually abstain from securing Railway and Telegraph Concessions, one of us in the north of Persia, and the other in the neighbourhood of the Indian frontier. But we explicitly recognized the independence and integrity of Persia, Persia would retain her full sovereignty, and remain as free as she was now to grant what Concessions she pleased. Russia and we should merely undertake engagements to each other not to ask for Concessions in certain parts.
The Japanese Ambassador remarked that this naturally differed from the Russian proposal about Mongolia, because it was reciprocal, whereas Japan would get nothing in return for a recognition of Russian interests in Mongolia.
He asked me how our negotiations were progressing, and I told him that Russia had been considering our proposals about Afghanistan, and we expected to have a reply soon. If that matter could be settled between us, I thought we could reach an agreement. We had no desire to disturb the status quo in Afghanistan, but the preponderance of our interests there must be recognized.
I am, &c. (Signed) E. GREY.
[2450 M -1]