2
The villages of Pienma are at some distance from the Pa La Ta mountain, and are quite close to the Kao Li Kung mountain. There is plenty of evidence to show For instance, that this territory is governed by the native Chief of Tengkeng. Sir Ernest Satow, in his note of the 1st May, 1906, made an offer on behalf of the Indian Government with regard to the customary presents and dues which the native chiefs of Tengkeng and other places had been in the habit of receiving from certain villages. It is thus evident that the villages in question are under Chinese jurisdic- tion, nor can there be any doubt on this point. Since the present case has arisen the duty of the local officials to settle it, and the consul must not interfere merely on the evidence of a charge fabricated by unprincipled people.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
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I have the honour to request that you will instruct the consul not to interfere in this case, and I also invite your attention to a former note* from the Board suggesting that both sides should appoint officers to make a joint delimitation of the boundary lines. Awaiting the favour of a reply, I avail, &c.
Your Highness,
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Mr. Maz Müller to Wai-wu Pu.
Peking, June 3, 1910.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Highness's note of the 10th May, enclosing the text of a telegram from the Viceroy of Yunnan with reference to Pienma and the undelimited portion of the Burmah-Yunnan frontier north of latitude 25° 35′ north.
In February last, information reached the Government of Burmah that the Chief of Tengkeng had burnt Pienma and threatened Langpung and other villages, and His Majesty's consul at Tengyueh was instructed to make representations to the Toatai on the subject. Later, in April, under orders from His Majesty's Government, Mr. Consul Rose proceeded to the places mentioned to ascertain the facts, and I am now instructed to state that His Majesty's Government must await the full report of that officer before replying to your Highness's noto under acknowledgment.
In the meantime, am to invite the attention of the Chinese Government to Sir E. Satow's note of the 30th January, 1904, in which reference was made to a conflict which arose early in 1900 between British and Chinese troops in the neighbourhood in question. In that note it is explicitly stated that His Majesty's Government, for reasons given, intended thenceforth to regard the watershed of all streams that drain into the N'Maikha from the east as the actual boundary between China and Burmah unless and until a settlement of the question was reached; and the Chinese Government were informed that, if this frontier were not respected and armed forces were sent across it from the Yunnan side, there would be risk of their coming into collision with British troops.
I am also to point out that in the note of the 1st May, 1906, from Sir E. Satow, which is mentioned in your Highness's note under acknowledgment, the Chinese Government were also informed that it was the intention of His Majesty's Govern- ment to regard as the frontier the watershed between the Irrawaddy and Shueli Rivers until the head-waters of the Shueli are passed, and from thence to the confines of Thibet, the watershed between the Irrawaddy and Shueli basins, and that failing the acceptance of this frontier on the terms offered, the Government of Burmah would be instructed to occupy and administer the country without further negotiations.
I avail, &c.
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
1
(No. 91.)
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller.
SECTION 1.
(Telegraphic.) R.
Foreign Office, June 21, 1910. MY telegram No. 81 of 31st May: Burmah-Yünnan frontier. Despatch No. 7, Confidential, from His Majesty's consul, Tongyueh, appears to remove all doubt as to the reality of the raid by the Chief of Tengkeng.
I should now be glad of your views as to the advisability on the facts as now reported of making immediate representations to the Chinese Government, as suggested in India Office letter of 11th May, urging withdrawal of all Chinese officials and troops to east side of watershed.
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* Wai-wu Pu to Mr. Carnegie, August 30, 1906.