This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
235
2
with the Chinese Govornment. On my saying that after all the above report was not so very far wrong, Herr von Schoen replied that it was wrong in so far that it was not the case that the Imperial Government had refused to allow the
group to withdraw from its engagement. What the Government had really said was that the Government could not take the responsibility of advising them to do so.
I then called his Excellency's attention to the fact that at a meeting held at Berlin between representatives of the three groups the German representative had given those of Great Britain and France to understand that they were in agreement with the principle that no proposal should be made which did not secure foreign control over the expenditure of money and the construction of the line, and I asked his Excellency whether he did not think it rather strange that, after agreeing with that principle, the German group had made, or gone on with, a proposal which was entirely contrary to it. He replied that he had never heard of a meeting at Berlin, but that it did not make any difference, as the standpoint of the Imperial Government remained the same, namely, that they could not possibly exercise any pressure in the direction of causing the German group to break their engagement with the Chinese Government. Speaking, however, confidentially, he gave me to understand that the Imperial Government would not take it in the least amiss if any pressure which His Majesty's Government might see fit to exercise at Peking resulted in the Chinese Government breaking off negotiations with the German group and withdrawing from the Agreement.
The Chinese Government could do this perfectly well, but it would be fatal for Germany's good name in China for the German group to break its engagements, and the Imperial Government could certainly not recommend any such proceeding.
I have, &c. (Signed) W. E, GOSCHEN,
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
()
CONFIDENTIAL.
[13974]
Sir,
15433
PECO Wire 7 MAY OP
[April 19.]
SECTION 4.
No. 1.
Foreign Office to War Office,
Foreign Office, April 19, 1909. I HAVE laid before the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs your letter of the 13th instant, inquiring whether this Department is in possession of any further information relative to the question of the withdrawal of British troops from Northern China.
As the Army Council are aware, it was proposed to discuss this question with Tong Shao Yi, the Chinese Special Envoy, on his arrival in this country. Owing, however, to events which occurred early this year in China, Tong's visit lost its importance, and the question of the withdrawal of troops was not even touched upon by him.
I am therefore to inform you that, in the circumstances, Sir E. Grey will again consult His Majesty's Minister at Peking before expressing any final opinion on the subject.
[2243 (-4]
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.