This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[16363]
No. 1.
649
20024
[May
#6 JUN OR
SECTION 1.
(No. 222.) Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan,
Foreign Office, May 11, 1908.
I TOLD the Chinese Minister on the 8th instant that the Portuguese Government had appealed to us to support them against what they consider the violation of their territory at Macao by Chinese troops. I had reminded the Portuguese Minister that the frontier had never been delimited. He had admitted this, but had said that what had taken place was a disturbance of the status quo.
I then reminded the Chinese Minister that there was a Treaty, made a long time ago between Portugal and us, under which we agreed to protect the Portuguese colonial possessions. This Treaty was still in force, and that no doubt was the reason why the Portuguese had asked for our support.
I told the Chinese Minister that I had at once said to the Portuguese that I believed the contraband traffic in arms at Macao to be the cause of the whole difficulty with China, and that if the Portuguese could satisfy China that this traffic would be stopped, they would have no more trouble about Macao.
I asked the Chinese Minister whether my belief was correct, and he confirmed it. I then explained to him that I realized the importance of the matter to China. We had but lately made very strong representations to the Chinese, asking them to put down piracy on the West River; and it would be perfectly reasonable for the Chinese to say to us now that they could not control the piracy unless they had means of controlling the contraband traffic in arms. I understood from Sir J. Jordan that this traffic was very serious.
We wished to bring about a settlement of this difficulty between China and Portugal, but I thought it would be only fair that we should use our influence with the Portuguese to secure from them such conditions as would assure the Chinese Government against the contraband traffic in arms at Macao. The Portuguese Minister had already told me that his Government would be prepared to put a stop to all commerce in arms at once, and not to allow it to be resumed till an arrangement had been made about it with China.
I should be glad if the Chinese Minister would communicate with his Government, and let me know what conditions would satisfy them that contraband traffic really would be stopped.
The Chinese Minister promised to do this, and emphasised very strongly the Chinese view of the case, much as I had stated it already.
I told him I was sure what I had said must have convinced him that, though I was anxious that the Portuguese should not be disturbed in their possession, I fully appreciated what was due to China in the matter.
I am, &c.
(Signed) E. GREY.
[2960 7-1]