This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[11448]
No. 1.
528
Rec
18 MAY 08
[April 4.]
SECTION 3.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received April 4.)
(No. 83.) Sir,
Peking, February 18, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to forward to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Mukden, reporting receipt of a note from the Director of the Mukden Foreign Office, informing him that customs establishments were opened at Manchurie and Pogranichnia on the 2nd instant.
The delay in the effective opening of these establishments, the official opening of which was notified to me by the Wai-wu Pu on the 10th July, as I had the honour to report in my telegram No. 137 of the 11th July and my despatch No. 337 of the same date, was due, as I subsequently reported in my telegram No. 162 of the 22nd August, to a serious difference of opinion between the Wai-wu Pu and the Russian Minister as to the interpretation of the notes exchanged embodying the arrangement concluded between the Russian and Chinese Governments for the opening of customs-houses on the Russo-Manchurian frontier. The misunderstanding which thus arose was not removed until late in the year, as I had the honour to report in my telegram No. 178 and despatch No. 484 of the 14th October.
M. Pokotilow considers that the Chinese Government are entirely responsible for the delay that has occurred, and thinks that they have only themselves to blame if they are confronted, as seems not improbable, with a Japanese demand for the refund of the duties which have been collected since the 1st July last by the Chinese custom-house at Dalny.
J. N. JORDAN.
I have, &c. (Signed)
* Not printed.
[2918 d-3]