[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[11695)
No. 1.
561
[April 5.3
.0.
SECTION 1
12550
RECO [REG! 28 PK 10
(No. 56.)
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller.
(Telegraphic.) R.
Foreign Office, April 5, 1910. CHINESE Government have sent reply through Chinese Minister that it is mis- understanding to suppose that Sir R. Bredon has been given any administrative post or appointed to control Customs administration. They say he is only attached to Board of Revenue to give advice if required.
I propose to reply that I heard some time ago that he was endeavouring to be appointed to this board, obviously in order to defeat the condition that he was not to be made inspector-general. I must therefore continue to regard this as evasion on part of Chinese Government of their undertaking, and Chinese Prince cannot be received here till we are assured that this appointment will not be confirmed.
As regards Chinese Mining and Engineering Company, Minister informs me privately that Viceroy of Chihli is sending two foreigners who know the case to lay it before the Foreign Office. I propose to reply that we shall receive them on under- standing that if no sottlement is reached arbitration will be agreed to.
As regards Macao, Chinese Government urge that as negotiations have not yet been broken off, time has not yet come to invoke our treaty, I propose to reply that to avoid casus foederis arising Chinese must resort to arbitration before resorting to aggressive action.
I should thus waive condition of immediate in favour of conditional arbitration on these two points, and make reception of Chinese Prince dependent upon clear satis- faction in case of Bredon.
Let me have your views as soon as possible, as I wish to reply on Thursday.
[2729 e-2]