50
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government}
C 0.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
32445
[August 26.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
REED
Best 10 SEP 07
SECTION 1.
[28446]
No. 1.
(No. 380.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 26.)
Peking, July 10, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 284 of the 12th June, regarding the claims arising from the piracy of the steam-ship "Sainam," I have the honour to report that the Viceroy Chou Fu, just before vacating office at Canton, telegraphed to the Wai-wu Pu definitely declining to entertain any claim for compensation.
A copy of this telegram was handed to me by the Wai-wu Pu on the 25th June, and I now have the honour to inclose a translation.
I also have the honour to inclose copies of a note addressed to Prince Ching on the 3rd July, in which I refused to accept a repudiation by China of her responsibilities for such an occurrence, and requested that the Viceroy Tsen might be instructed by telegraph to bring the case to an early settlement.
At that date it was anticipated that the Viceroy would reach his post on or about the 4th July, but he still remains in Shanghae on sick leave, which has been twice extended.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
(Translation.) (Telegraphic.)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Viceroy of Canton to Wai-wu Pu.
Canton, June 22, 1907. SAINÁM" piracy. According to Treaty, local authorities are only bound to effect the capture of criminals and the recovery of stolen property, and there is absolutely no obligation to pay compensation. Early last year the principal criminal, Liang A-chiu, who robbed and murdered the foreigner, and the pirate Liang A-niu and about ten others were tried and executed. Out of the stolen property two rifles were recovered and handed to His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General for transmission. Supplementary orders were issued for additional vessels to be provided and for guards to accompany launches and afford protection so as to avoid evil results of laxity in the future." I replied in this This case may sense to His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General last February. therefore be considered as closed, and the question of compensation cannot be again raised. Please inform His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking that the case should
be closed on these lines.
Your Highness,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.
Peking, July 3, 1907. I HAVE read the telegram from the Viceroy at Canton to your Highness' Board, in which his Excellency denies that there is any obligation on the part of the provincial Government to pay compensation to the sufferers by the "Sainam "piracy.
I would remind your Highness that the "Sainam" piracy was only one of a series of similar outrages which took place in the Canton waters during the years 1904-1906, and which were directly due to the laxity of administration which prevailed at that time. The gravity of the situation was repeatedly brought to the notice of the local authorities, but the state of matters gradually grew worse, until it culminated in the "Sainam" case in July 1906.
To prove this statement it is only necessary to mention that, within a period of less than a year, namely, from October 1905 to August 1906, there were, exclusive of the
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