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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
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35776
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
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No. 1.
Rre & OCT 07
[September 23.]
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 23.)
(No. 371. Confidential.) Sir,
Peking, August 1, 1907. AFTER discussing with me the question of the Soochow-Ningpo Railway of the 27th July, as reported in my despatch No. 370, Mr. Wang Tahsieh, who was calling on me for the first time since his return from London, expressed some views on the political situation which substantiate the rumours of the Empress-Dowager's decline in vitality and loss of interest in the details of public affairs.
According to Mr. Wang, who spoke, of course, in confidence, the impotence of the Wai-wu Pu and the independent attitude of the provinces are due to the vacillation of the Throne. For some time past, he said, there has been no directing hand, no one to decide upon questions. Whoever addressed Her Majesty, either by Memorial or at Court, in sufficiently strong terms to excite her fears was listened to for the time being; but there was no continuity, and the prospect for the future was a gloomy one.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
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