This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
668
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[39293]
No. 1.
47047
November 11 DEC 08
SECTION 2.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received November 11.)
India Office, November 10, 1908. WITH reference to your letter dated the 10th ultimo, inclosing copy of a note from the Chinese Minister as to the appointment of a Chinese Consul at Rangoon, I am directed by Viscount Morley to forward, to be laid before Secretary Sir E. Grey, copy of telegraphic correspondence with the Government of India on the subject.
Lord Morley concurs in the views expressed by the Government of India, and would suggest that, when His Majesty's exequatur is issued to the Consul, it should be explained that it is granted on the condition that he will exercise his Consular functions solely at Rangoon without making official visits to Mandalay or other places in Burmah.
I am, &c.
A. GODLEY.
(Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Viscount Morley to Government of India.
India Office, October 16, 1908. (Telegraphic.) P.
INTIMATION has been received from the Chinese Government that they propose to approve a Consul at Rangoon at once, who will have charge of interests of all subjects of China residing in Burmah. I shall be glad to receive any observations you may have to offer.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Government of India to Viscount Morley.
October 29, 1908.
YOUR telegram dated the 16th instant. Following telegram, dated the 24th instant, received from Government of Burmah, who have been consulted as to the appointment of a Chinese Consul at Rangoon :--
"Chinese Government's proposal to appoint Consul at Rangoon cannot, in But his Honour takes Lieutenant-Governor's opinion, properly be objected to. exception, for the reasons which my telegram of the 19th May explained, to the addition that the interests of all Chinese subjects in Burmah should be placed under his charge. The position he should occupy and the duties he should perform should be those which a Consul usually has assigned to him, and no opening for exercising political influence should be allowed him. It is, further, the Lieutenant-Governor's hope that it may be clearly explained to the Chinese Government, for the reasons given in my above-mentioned telegram, that the Consul should not be allowed to pay official visits to Mandalay or elsewhere in Burmah, but should remain at Rangoon (please see despatch from Mr. Ottewill, of which my letter of the 21st May last forwarded a copy.)"
The reference in Mr. Ottewill's despatch is to the posting at Tengyuch of an anti-foreign placard, and to the appearance in Yunnan newspapers published at Tôkiô of articles in which the establishment of a Trade Association at Rangoon is advocated for the purpose of conferring independence from British control upon the Chinese in Burmah, and of imposing Chinese rule upon that country. Chinese proposal, which is in accordance with Mr. Brodrick's despatch of the 1st September, 1905, seems to us unobjectionable, but we consider it desirable that the reservation should be made that the Consul should not be allowed to pay official visits to Mandalay or elsewhere in Burmah, but should exercise his Consular functions solely at Rangoon,
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