20
[This Document is the Property of His Britannis Majesty's Government.] C. O.
12195
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[1138]
No. 1.
RECR
[January
SECTION 2.
APR OC
Sir J. Jordun to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received January 9.)
(No. 17.) (Telegraphic.) P.
DISMISSAL of Yuan Shih-kai.
Peking, January 9, 1909.
I have received your telegram No. 4 of the 4th instant, authorizing me to join my foreign colleagues in collective representations to the Chinese Government, but I regret to report that we have not boen able to agree on concerted action, in view of the absence of unanimity, as to what form the representation should take or the manner in which it should be presented.
From the very beginning we have been faced by the marked indifference of the Japanese Minister, who, besides expressing himself as opposed to Yuan Shih-kai's name being even mentioned in the notes to the Wai-wu Pu, declares his conviction that the action of the foreign Ministers would be construed certainly as an interference in domestic politics, but might even be regarded in the light of a threat.
Of the other foreign Ministers, the French and Russian have received no instructions from their respective Governments.
The Chinese Government may very possibly have a satisfactory explanation of their action. This is generally admitted, but even native public opinion demands that this explanation should be published. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, and more particularly in view of the fact that our attitude has become known here, the American Minister and myself are still of opinion that representations should be made to the Chinese Government. We have therefore agreed to suggest to our respective Governments that we should be authorized to make separate representations to the Wai-wu Pu founded on the draft formula which I communicated to you in my telegram No. 5 of the 3rd instant.
[2116 i-2]