C. O.
1.4955
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(9689)
No. 1.
20 APR 08 359
[March 21.]
SECTION 6.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 21.)
(No. 57.) Sir,
Peking, February 5, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch No. 7 of the 6th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a summary of events which have occurred in China since that date, and which were not of sufficient importance to necessitate separate despatches, together with the more interesting native press comments on current topics.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Monthly Summary of Events in China.
Chinkiang.
HIS Majesty's Consul reports, under date the 7th January: "Only a small ripple of the wave of semi-political agitation over the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway has as yet reached the port. On the 21st December, the Committee of the Chekiang Guild held a meeting in their Guild house. Over thirty people assembled, among whom was said to be the Prefect of the city. Some one made a speech explaining the situation, and the result of the meeting was that 3,500 shares were underwritten at 5 dollars each payable in five years. It is said that, after consulting the Taotai, they are to hold another meeting, to which all, irrespective of province, will be invited."
Nanking native newspapers advocate the organization of trained bands in Chekiang to put down the rioters in order to protect railway rights. An important paper states-- The trouble in Chekiang is an ordinary anti-taxation disturbance, which might have been quelled locally by good administration. All this unnecessary display of overwhelming military force has a reason behind it which deserves attention. The Central Government have been jealously looking for an opportunity of scoring a success in the dispute between them and the people over the anti-loan movement, and being baffled by the righteousness of the people's cause and by the orderly methods of the agitation, they have tried their best to incite the people to violent action so as to justify themselves. Hence the present rioting by desperadoes gives them just the opportunity they wanted.
The districts to be traversed by the troops will be devastated, plundered, and destroyed; but this is a secondary consideration compared to the danger that the leaders of the anti-loan movement may be purposely confused with rebels, as they were some time ago by the Magistrate of Haining Chou, in which case there would be no redress, and not only would loyal citizens be irretrievably ruined, but the cause so desperately defended all these months would be utterly lost.
Before General Chiang's forces arrive, trained bands should be organized to put down the marauders, and thus clear the people of all possible suspicion of sympathizing with them. It is true that these rioters have been driven to their evil courses by bad government, and it is an odious task to kill one's fellow countrymen; but the least of the two evils must be chosen, and prevention is better than cure. The expense of the proceeding would be inconsiderable, for old-fashioned Chinese muskets would suffice. The authorities are not likely to object to succour in such an hour of danger, and the pretext of protecting the railway can be used in order to carry out our real designs, thus giving the authorities no occasion to make difficulties. Even supposing that all turns out well, that the troops come and restore order quietly, and the local officials act with justice, and do not try to humour the powers that be, these trained bands will be useful after the disturbance is quelled in protecting our own homesteads both from within and without.
[2895 - -67