This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[18151]
No. 1.
[May 26.]
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 26.)
(No. 111.) (Telegraphic.) P.
CHINA-JAPAN telegraphs.
Peking, May 26, 1908.
I had an interview to-day with the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu, and repeated the advice I had given them at my previous visits (see my telegram No. 109 of the 23rd instant), endeavouring to impress upon them the fact that the terms proposed by the Japanese were the best that could be secured, and that the rejection of these proposals would entail serious risk.
They still, however, seem to cling to the hope that Japan might be induced to give up the stations in the neighbourhood of the railway line by a promise on the part of the Chinese Government to provide facilities for the transmission of telegraphic messages in the "Kana" script.
They will telegraph their final decision direct to their Delegate at the Conference, at the same time communicating it to me. This they hope to be able to do to-morrow.
[18157]
No. 2.
Peking, May 26, 1908.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 26.) (No. 112.) (Telegraphic.) P.
BRITISH shipbuilding firms and orders for Chinese war-vessels. Please see your telegrams Nos. 88 and 89 of the 20th and 22nd instant respectively, which dealt with the above subject.
During my visit to the Wai-wu Pu to-day, I alluded to the numerous British firms who are endeavouring through their representatives here to obtain orders for ships. After touching on the influences which, it is stated, are being brought to bear in this connection, I said that we were entitled to special consideration, not only because of our position as the first among the Naval Powers, but also in view of the associations between us and the Chinese navy which have existed in the past, and have continued up to the present. We had therefore the right to expect that, in an open competition with other Europeans, perfectly fair treatment should be accorded to British firms.
The Minister who received me agreed that our claim was justified, adding that before a decision was finally arrived at, the Chinese Government would, so he thought, consult the Legation as to the standing of the rival British Companies.
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