This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
C. O.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[31028]
No. 1.
[September 3, 1908]
SECTION 19
(No. 327.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 7.)
Peking, July 20, 1908.
IN continuation of my despatch No. 280 of the 23rd ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Commander-in-chief, China station, reporting upon the circumstances attending the recent visit of His Majesty's ships "Kinsha" and "Snipe" to the Poyang Lake.
From the inclosed note from the Wai-wu Pu,* in reply to my note of the 22nd June, copy of which was inclosed in my despatch No. 280 above mentioned, you will observe that the Chinese Government adhere to their view that these visits are contrary to Treaty stipulations, but state that they are willing to agree to them whenever there shall be serious reason for the presence of His Majesty's ships in the lake.
I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served for the present by continuing this fruitless discussion with the Chinese Government, and I have accordingly so informed Admiral Lambton in a despatch, copy of which is also inclosed.*
As regards an exchange of visits with the Governor, there seems to me to have been a tendency to press this point further than was altogether reasonable. I have therefore expressed the view that, while the Commanding Officers of His Majesty's ships should, of course, be introduced to the Governor when His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang makes a visit of ceremony or business to his Excellency, they should not, for the present at all events, insist upon being received on ordinary occasions.
I intend to take an opportunity of endeavouring to persuade the Wai-wu Pu that such visits should, in the interests of friendly relations, be encouraged, but in their present attitude towards the question they may not be inclined to accept this view.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Sir,
Vice-Admiral Sir H. Lambton to Sir J. Jordan.
Wei-hai Wei, July 8, 1908.
IN continuation of my letter of the 30th June, I have the honour to forward herewith copies of reports from the Commanding Officers of His Majesty's ships "Kinsha" and "Snipe," with reference to the refusal of the Governor of Kiangsi to receive those officers officially.
The statement of the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's ship "Snipe," that my orders are that nothing was to stop the gun-boats from entering the Poyang Lake, is not quite correct, as will be seen from the inclosed copy of my Memorandum of the 29th May, 1908.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. LAMBTON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Memorandum communicated by Vice-Admiral Sir H. Lambton to the Senior Naval Officer, Shanghae.
WITH reference to a letter from the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's ship "Teal," dated the 14th April, 1908, reporting that the ship had been stopped by the Chinese military authorities at Hukau when entering the Poyang Lake, I am informed by his Excellency the British Minister at Peking that His Majesty's ships have an undoubted right to navigate the waters of the lake, and the movements of the
*Not received. Amended Section will be printed on its receipt.
Page 590
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