{This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[34666]
No. 1.
402
[October 21.]
SECTION 3.
(No. 419.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 21.)
Peking, September 3, 1907. WITH reference to your despatch No. 272 of the 9th July respecting the Peking Syndicate's Smelting Agreement, I have the honour to report that, after consultation with Mr. Brown, Agent-General of the Syndicate, it has appeared to me inadvisable at the present juncture to take up this matter as a separate question with the Chinese Government.
By the present arrangements the Provincial Judge of Shansi, Ting Ta-jên, is to hold a meeting shortly with Mr. Brown with a view to arriving at a settlement of the difficulties which have prevented the issue of the Syndicate's mining permit.
I am endeavouring to arrange that this meeting should take place in Peking, and I understand from Mr. Brown that he is now in a better position to meet the wishes of the Chinese who have been his opponents in this matter. It is reasonable to suppose that, if the principal difficulty is removed, the adjustment of other outstanding questions, of which the Smelting Agreement is one, will follow with greater ease.
I have, therefore, deferred for the time being, with Mr. Brown's concurrence, from taking action as indicated in your despatch.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
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