[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.,
CONFIDENTIAL,
[37949]
No. 1.
43299
476
RECE
ovember 18.
SHOTION 2.
(No. 454.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 18.)
Peking, September 25, 1907. AS suggested in the concluding paragraph of your telegram No. 97 of the 16th ultimo, I arranged that Vice-Admiral Moore should accompany me to the Wai-wu Pa for the purpose of making a representation on the question of piracy in Canton waters. The interview took place yesterday afternoon, and I have the honour to inclose a report of the proceedings, which has been prepared by Mr. Mayers, the Acting Chinese Secretary.
We were received by their Excellencies Yuan Shih-kai and Liang Tun-yen, both new Ministers, and neither of whom had any special knowledge of the matter. This arrangement, which was doubtless designed to obviate inconvenient insistence upon past engagements, had at least one advantage. It gave Admiral Moore an opportunity of impressing upon the Minister who is in the best position to initiate effective action that the Central Government were confronted with the alternative of either making the Canton authorities take proper measures for the policing of their waterways or of secing them policed by us. His Excellency Yuan Shih-kai was careful not to commit himself to the Customs scheme, but gave a definite assurance that effective steps would be taken without delay to deal with the question. As I have frequently, however, had occasion to point out, the difficulty lies in getting the provincial authorities at Canton to carry out the orders of the Central Government. The presence of Yuan Shih-kai in Peking, and the appointment of a new Viceroy at Canton, are two important factors which, perhaps, justify the hope that a change of policy may now be expected.
The Inspector-General of Customs is still somewhat reluctant to embark upon the Customs scheme until he is assured that provision will be made for the maintenance of the four cruisers for the purchase of which he is expected to provide.
After visiting the Upper Yang-tsze, Admiral Moore will proceed to Canton early in November, and will then ascertain, at a personal interview with the new Viceroy, what action is being taken to give effect to the assurances of the Government here. Repre- sentations coming from the Admiral, whose whole squadron will be within easy distance, and who has so recently conferred with the Peking Government, can scarcely fail to make an impression upon the provincial authorities, although as long as the Provincial Treasurer, who was until recently Acting Viceroy, remains at Canton we must, I fear, expect determined opposition to this and all other reasonable demands. For years past he has exercised an evil influence upon successive Viceroys, and has earned the reputation of being one of the most anti-foreign officials in the country.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Minutes of Interview at the Wai-wu Pu respecting Piracy in Canton Waters, September 24, 1907.
Sir J. Jordan.
Vice-Admiral Sir A. Moore.
Mr. Rowe.
Mr. Mayers.
Present:
Yuan Shih-kai. Liang Tun-yen. En Hou.
AFTER some preliminary conversation regarding the Admiral's recent cruise, Sir J. Jordan said that, as the Admiral was passing through Peking on his way south by the railway, the opportunity was taken to pay this call at the Wai-wu Pu, and at the same time to discuss with the Board a question which had been constantly brought
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