This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
300
920
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[October 28.]
SECTION 2
9 JAN 08
[35713]
No. 1.
HAM INN
18
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received October 28.)
(No. 182.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Peking, October 28, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have to-day received the following telegram from His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton :-
"With reference to my telegram No. 54, I have to report the piracy near Maning on the 26th instant of the British launch Ying Fat, belonging to the Po Ou Company, which was towing two silk boats.
"In a despatch of that date the Viceroy denies any responsibility under inter- national law for the Sainam' and 'Kaicheong' cases, and refuses to discuss the claims for compensation, the demand for which cannot, he states, be entertained, Three cases of piracy have occurred recently, and I would submit that the Provincial Government would be convinced of our earnestness in insisting on effective means of suppression if the Admiral could make some move towards increasing the patrol of river and delta."
On the 24th September the Admiral and I had an interview at the Wai-wu Pu with Yuan Shih-k'ai, and I saw his Excellency and Prince Ch'ing on the same subject again on the 19th instant, on both of which occasions I received assurances that effective action would be taken. The Admiral will doubtless report on the situation after visiting the Viceroy at Canton, where he is due to arrive next month.
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