C.O.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govern 90175
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[11445]
No. 1.
Rece REGP & JUN 09 [March 25.]
SECTION 1.
451
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 25.) (No. 16.)
Tokió, March 25, 1909. (Telegraphic.) P.
ISLAND of Pratas. I have received a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong, informing me that a statement by the Japanese Government to the effect that they recognise the sovereign rights of China over the island would allay the bad feeling that is being created, and tend to check the possible recurrence of the boycott.
I have replied as follows:-
"The Japanese Government are quite willing to recognise the sovereign rights of China over Pratas Island the moment she is in a position to prove that she has any. Japan while laying no claim to the island is however prepared to uphold her subjects' lawful interests should any party who are unable to prove a valid title to the island attempt to interfere with Japanese undertakings there.
Furthermore, they will expect that whoever proves such title shall protect the interests of Japanese subjects engaged in lawful pursuits."
I beg to refer you to a letter from the Colonial Office to the Foreign Office of the 28th May, 1908, as the above is practically the line taken by His Majesty's Government last year.
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