This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
R 13 AUG 08
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[18233]
(No. 113.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
CHINA-JAPAN telegraphs.
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received May 27.)
Please see my telegram No. 111 of yesterday's date.
[May 27.]
SECTION 1.
Peking, May 27, 1908.
An official from the Wai-wu Pu called here to-day, and informed me of the Chinese Government's decision not to agree to the continuance of the seven telegraph stations adjacent to the railway, as proposed by Japan. The Wai-wu Pu have instructed their Delegate at the Lisbon Conference to propose, as an alternative solution of the difficulty, that the Chinese Government would arrange, on taking over the stations, for the transmission of messages in "Kana," employing for this purpose specially trained operators, Chinese or Japanese, as might be thought more practical.
The Wai-wu Pu are anxious that His Majesty's Government should support them in endeavouring to obtain the assent of the Japanese Government to this counter-proposal.
[18234]
No. 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received May 27.) (No. 114.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Peking, May 27, 1908.
In reply to a question which the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu asked me yesterday, I said that I had no information as to the truth of a rumour that Prince Ito is coming to Peking shortly.
They thought that the report was unfounded, for, as far as they could see, there was nothing at present to bring the Prince to Peking.
[2960 dd—1]