[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[11446]
No. 1.
[April 21.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 22.) Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Villiers.
Foreign Office, April 21, 1908.
I transmit to you herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking on the subject of the insecurity of the waterways in the Canton delta and on the West River.*
His Majesty's Government, as you are doubtless aware, have been obliged recently to take measures to induce the local Chinese authorities to make effective provision for the security of shipping in those waters, and it is only after long and difficult negotiations that a satisfactory arrangement has been arrived at. The frequency of piratical attacks on vessels flying the British flag on the Canton and West Rivers has long been a cause of complaint against the local Chinese Administration, and His Majesty's Government cannot therefore be insensible to the Viceroy of Canton's apprehension that the difficulties attending the extradition of criminals from Macao may prove a stumbling-block to the effective working of the scheme for the suppression of piracy which has now at length been inaugurated.
You will observe that Sir J. Jordan considers that the Chinese authorities have grounds for their complaints against the Portuguese authorities at Macao in this respect, and I shall be glad if you will take an opportunity to approach the Portuguese Government informally with a view to inducing them to instruct the authorities of Macao to co-operate in a more cordial spirit with the Canton Government in the matter of extradition and in the suppression of smuggling.
I am, &c. (Signed) E. GREY.
* Sir J. Jordan, No. 81, February 17, 1908 (with inclosures).
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