Evadated
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
6160
497
Rec [Janua2820 FEB 08
SECTION 2.
[3440]
(No. 52.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, January 28, 1908. IN the course of conversation with the Chinese Minister to-day about Sir R. Hart's successor, I pointed out how fairly we had met the Chinese in the matter of the Canton piracy, and expressed my satisfaction that this question was settled.
The Chinese Minister said he had telegraphed to the Viceroy several times about it, urging him to effect the settlement we desired.
I said I hoped the Viceroy now realized that, as we had agreed to withdraw our patrols, everything the Chinese Minister had told the Viceroy about us was true, and we had kept faith.
The Chinese Minister said the Viceroy had at first not been inclined to believe him, but had eventually been convinced.
I said that if the Chinese would but deal frankly with us in this way we should get on very well,
The Chinese Minister pointed out that since he had been here besides the Canton piracy the affairs of the Peking Syndicate and of the Tien-tsin-Yangtsze Railway had also been settled, and of the Shanghae riots claim.
I admitted that progress had been made, and said I hoped the Chinese Govern ment would take care that the Suchow-Ningpo Railway would also be settled soon.
[2818 ee-
-2]
I am, &c. (Signed) E. GREY.