2
5. As regards the possibility of applying pressure by moving ships up to Canton, I would point out that nothing on this station larger than the " Alacrity" and the sloops can get to Canton. The only other vessels which could be employed for this purpose, therefore, in addition to those already mentioned, would be the destroyers and the "Thistle " class gun-boats. I am of the opinion that such a demonstration would be futile, and that moreover it is undesirable that so many vessels should be withdrawn from the Yang-tsze as this course of action would entail.
6. I shall pass through Peking towards the end of next month in accordance with my programme, and will discuss the whole question with His Britannic Majesty's Minister. Should he think such a course desirable, I propose to obtain an interview with the Wai-wa Pu. Later I shall be visiting Canton to make the acquaintance of the Viceroy and shall be afforded an opportunity of giving him my views on the subject, and of personally ascertaining what steps he is taking.
Sir,
I have, &c.
I
(Signed)
A. W. MOORE.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Sly to Vice-Admiral Sir A. Moore,
Canton, May 15, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a copy of a despatch and its inclosure addressed by His Majesty's Consul-General to His Majesty's Minister on the 23rd April last on the subject of the prevention of piracy on launches plying on the inland waters.
H. SLY.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan, dated April 23, 1907.
[Already printed.]
Inclosure 4 in No. 1,
Kuantung Province.
Regulations for the prevention of piracy on single passenger launches and passenger tous engaged in inland navigation.
[Already printed.]
This Document is the Property of His Britanijonty's Barne
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33108]
No. 1.
357
Oct447
SECTION 9.
Per 29 001 07,
Sir J. Jordun to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received October 5.)
(No. 400. Confidential.) Sir,
I HAVE the honour to report that, under instructions from their respective
Peking, August 21, 1907. Governments, the Russian Minister and the Japanese Chargé d'Affaires communicated on the 13th instant to the Wai-wu Pu the text of the Russo-Japanese Convention of the 30th ultimo.
M. Pokotiloff informs me that the communication was received with comparative indifference by the Wai-wu Pu, who only made some casual inquiries as to the purport of the Agreement and remarked that they would study its contents. They telegraphed, however, to the Chinese Minister in St. Petersburgh, from whom they appear to have received a reassuring message that it related chiefly to industrial and commercial undertakings.
The reception of the recent Franco-Japanese Agreement seems to have caused more serious misgivings, and formal notes of protest have within the last day or two been addressed to the French and Japanese Chargés d'Affaires. The Chinese Govern- ment take special exception to the provision by which the two contracting Powers undertake to give each other support in assuring the peace and good order of the regions of China which adjoin the territories in which they themselves exercise the rights of sovereignty, protection, or occupation. The Wai-wu Pu point out, I under- stand, that this is a duty which devolves upon China herself and does not concern foreign Powers.
The Chinese view all these Agreements in very much the same light as the Coreans regarded the various Russo-Japanese compacts of some ten years ago. They know very well that the conclusion of such arrangements implies a disbelief in their ability to look after themselves, and, as one of the native papers, commenting on the Franco-Japanese Agreement, recently put it, they "resent as meaningless this eternal reiteration on the part of certain Powers of their intention to respect the independence and integrity of China."
The only practical result they see in the Agreements is the confirmation and possible extension of the rights which foreign Powers have acquired over leased territory in China.
The isolation of Germany, whatever other consequences it may have, is not likely to be a disadvantage to that Power in her relations with China. By holding aloof from entanglements with the Japanese, who are still very unpopular in China, Germany retains in Chinese eyes a position of independence which may give her opportunities of turning to account the firmly rooted belief that there is less danger in dealing with one Power than with a combination of Powers.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
[2692 e-9]
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