[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govern
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
2765
RECR J28 JAN 10
SECTION 1.
[47319]
No. 1.
Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Marquis de Soveral
Foreign Office, January 3, 1910. WITH reference to my note of the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you. that a telegram has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking stating that he has now received a reply from the Chinese Government, dated the 30th ultimo, which, after recapitulating the reasons given in the Chinese note to the Portuguese chargé d'affaires for refusing arbitration by The Hague Tribunal, goes on to say that although there is a temporary suspension of negotiations the main object of both China The Chinese and Portugal is still to arrange the matter by amicable discussion. Government deprecate the reference which Sir J. Jordan made to the possibility of aggressive action as being in no way consonant with the facts, and they are of opinion that the treaty of 1661 has no relation whatever with the question. They conclude by requesting Sir John to bring the above to my knowledge, so that careful investigation may be made and misunderstanding avoided.
Sir J. Jordan adds that General Machado, who is at Peking, will call at the Chinese Foreign Office.
I have, &c.
[2005 c-1]
E. GREY.
77