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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[39841)
No. 1:
REGO I NOV 09
[October 30.]
61
SECTION 3.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received October 30.)
(No. 314.) Sir,
Peking, September 6, 1909. IN continuation of his report on the policy pursued by the new Viceroy in Manchuria, which I forwarded to you in my despatch No. 258 of the 20th July last, the acting consul-general at Mukden has addressed to me a further despatch on the subject, of which I have the honour to enclose a copy herewith.
His Excellency Hsi Liang cannot be said to have made a success of his first three months' term of office. His alienation of his subordinates' sympathy, which he has brought about by means of his policy of retrenchment and official reform, and also the blame which attaches to him, however unjustly, for the blow suffered by Chinese prestige in regard to the Antung-Mukden Railway affair, have combined to render his position so insecure that his resignation is generally regarded as far from improbable.
In connection with Mr. Willis' remarks as to the anti-foreign sentiments attributed to the Viceroy by popular opinion in Manchuria, it will be remembered that the French ascribed to his Excellency a great share of responsibility for the troubles on the frontier which took place during his administration in Yünnan. To whatever degree the Viceroy may be considered accountable for the unfriendly attitude the people would appear to be adopting towards foreigners, it is certain that a general restlessness and tendency to disorder is a feature of the present situation in Manchuria, and Mr. Willis's statements are fully confirmed by reports which have reached me from other sources.
I have, &c.
Inclosure in No. 1.
J. N. JORDAN.
!
(No. 33.) Sir,
Acting Consul-General Willis to Sir J. Jordan.
Mukden, August 18, 1909. IN continuation of my despatch of the 29th June last (No. 23), with reference to the policy pursued in Manchuria by the recently appointed Viceroy, his Excellency Hsi Liang, I have the honour to report as follows :-
His Excellency's tour of inspection of the Kirin and Heilungchiang provinces was chiefly marked by the same wholesale dismissal of officials and curtailment of emolu- ments as had already been carried out in the Fengtien province, and there can be no doubt but that the Viceroy's action has been keenly resented by the official classes. His Excellency returned to Mukden towards the end of July to find that the Antung- Mukden Railway negotiations were at a deadlock. Even then his Excellency does not seem to have realised the seriousness of the situation, for the ultimate decision of the Japanese Government to commence the work of re-construction, irrespective of China's opposition, came upon him as a bolt from the blue. The loss of personal prestige caused thereby seems to have temporarily paralysed his Excellency's energies. He gives out that he is indisposed, refuses to see anyone but his personal staff, and it is currently reported that he is anxious to be relieved from his post.
Negotiations, the Commissioner of the Foreign Office gave me to understand, have been reopened locally with Mr. Koike, the Japanese consul-general, but these are being conducted by the Commissioner of the Foreign Office. The Chinese Government have given way on the question of broadening the gauge, but the line of route is still undetermined, and meantime Mr. Koike has refused to agree to a temporary cessation of the work.
Local official feeling keenly resents what is described as Japan's high-handed action, yet at the same time the Viceroy is held largely responsible for the failure of the negotiations.
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