487
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]).
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[December
SECTION
6160
R 20 FEB 08
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 9.)
[40244]
(No. 212.) (Telegraphic.) P.
CANTON piracy.
Peking, December 8, 1907.
I repeated your telegram No. 131 of the 5th instant to His Majesty's Consul- General at Canton, and am now in receipt of his reply, dated the 7th December, No. 64, telegraphic, which is as follows:---
"I have the honour to report establishment of additional patrol of waterways. This consists of two sloops, four destroyers, three torpedo-boats, and two picket boats. All are connected with Canton and Hongkong by wireless telegraphy,
"I was approached two days ago by Viceroy's Secretaries on the subject of the 'Sainam' claims. They hinted vaguely that his Excellency was prepared to consider payment of compensation to injured persons. I told Secretaries that claims had been approved at 85,000 dollars, and showed them schedule. They stated that they would inform the Viceroy; so far, however, no further developments have occurred.
Our action, and agitation of native press, have evidently greatly perturbed Viceroy, who shows more conciliatory attitude towards business generally. Admiral Li has returned to Canton, and land and water operations against pirates have been placed in his sole charge. He is a fairly energetic officer. Primary importance should be attached to the measures to be taken on land where the pirates have their homes. Patrol is evidently arousing the authorities to a sense of their responsibility, and I would strongly deprecate any relaxation until settlement of 'Sainam' claims is effected, and until it can be said that definite scheme for the suppression of piracy is well under weigh."
1 agree with the opinion expressed by His Majesty's Consul-General that we should not relax patrol until we have effected settlement of "Sainam" case. No allusion to patrol question has been made by Chinese Government here, and I think that the Chinese Minister must have been acting only in the interests of the provincial Government of Canton.
[40244]
No. 2.
(No. 214.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received December 9.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
CANTON piracy.
Please see my telegram No. 212 of the 8th instant.
Peking, December 9, 1907.
Wai-wu Pu have addressed semi-official communication to me on the subject of the dispatch of gunboats to Canton waters. They request me to telegraph to the Commander-in-chief to prevent gunboats being sent. The Board state that the provincial authorities are engaged in enforcing new regulations for the repression of piracy, and that not only will the sovereign rights of China be injured by the proposed step, but that acts of violence may result therefrom.
I propose to reply to the Wai-wu Pu that the duty of undertaking the protection of British shipping in Canton waters has been reluctantly taken over by us, and that so soon as a settlement of the "Sainam" case is arrived at and effective measures instituted for the suppression of piracy, the patrol will cease.
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