This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[14886]
No. 1.
со
86
15898
RECO Rece27 MAY 10 [April 30.]
SECTION 2.
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received April 30.)
THE Under-Secretary of State for India presents his compliments to the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, by direction of Viscount Morley forwards herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State, copy of a telegram from the Viceroy dated the 29th April respecting the Chinese raid on Pienma.
India Office, April 30, 1910.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Government of India to Viscount Morley.
(Telegraphic.) P.
RAID on Pienma. See your telegram dated the 29th ultimo. We have
April 29, 1910. received the following telegrams dated respectively the 22nd and 23rd April, 1910, from Government of Burmah :—
(1.)
"Mr. Rose telegraphed as follows 21st instant :---
"I have repeated following to Peking. Chinese authorities have blocked all sources of information. I have left in China my escort and heavy baggage and advanced to Pienma. I found twenty Chinese soldiers in occupation of the village; on my entry they retreated. Natives and neighbouring chiefs gave me friendly reception. Facts of raid as reported in my despatch dated the 24th February are supported by their evidence. 2,500 rupees is, I estimate, about the amount of the total losses. I shall proceed as soon as possible via Tengkeng to Tengyuch, but a month's storms have closed passes. Sent by courier on the 16th April.'
"Opinion of Lieutenant-Governor that raid is preliminary to movement by Chinese, which it is necessary to check without delay, is confirmed by the fact that Rose found sources of information blocked by Chinese authorities and Pienma village occupied by the Chinese soldiers. Government of India may, it is hoped, see their way to place this view before His Majesty's Government in strong terms."
"Mr. Rose telegraphs as follows:-
(2.)
"Following has been repeated to Peking, On arriving at Tengkeng on the 19th April I found Pao-shan, magistrate, prepared, under orders received fifteen days ago, to enter into Pienma with a large escort. There is considerable excitement among tribesmen, and peaceful settlement of the question would, in my opinion, be rendered increasingly difficult if Chinese party were to advance at the present juncture. His Majesty's consul-general at Yunnan-fu is being requested by me to use his influence with Viceroy to prevent any one from crossing. Pending instruc- tions the magistrate has promised that departure will be delayed. Sent by messenger from Tengkeng 19th April, 1910.'
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Opinion that Chinese are preparing to occupy our territory is confirmed by this, and need of decisive action is emphasised."
We consider it necessary, in view of occupation of Pienma by Chinese, and of the serious situation disclosed by Rose, that a strong protest should be made at Poking at once, and that punishment of raiders and withdrawal of Chinese officials and troops to east of frontier claimed by us should be demanded.
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