[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C.0.
1798
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36767]
No. 1.
November 6.] TRECE
PSECTION JAN 08
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 6.) (No. 188.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Peking, November 6, 1907. WITH reference to your telegram No. 112 of the 30th ultimo on the subject of piracy in Canton waters, I have the honour to inform you that I have received, in reply to my various communications, a note, dated yesterday, from the Wai-wu Pu stating that telegraphic instructions have been sent to the Viceroy to co-operate with the Commissioner of Customs in the adoption of measures for the repression of piracy, and that a sum of 200,000 taels is being appropriated for the purchase of revenue cruisers. Pending the acquisition of these, the Viceroy is directed to have such vessels as he may be able to charter converted into cruisers, and provided with suitable officers and crews.
Acceptance of the Customs' scheme by the Viceroy is not necessarily implied in the wording of the note, and I have instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton to warn his Excellency that if there is further delay in carrying out the orders of the Wai-wu Pu a serious responsibility will be incurred by him, and to continue to press vigorously for the enforcement of the scheme.
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