2
that the prayers of Ministers and people presented through the medium of the Senate now formed fully adequate grounds for a further appeal to the Throne for the opening of the Parliament without delay. Full advantage was also taken of the references in the decree to the increasingly critical conditions of the times, while one more moderate member, who quoted the precedents afforded by Japan, was shouted down by indignant voices from all parts of the House. It was only after some difficulty that the president, Prince P'u-Lun, was able to restore order and suggest an carly reference of the burning question to the Government Council, a proposal which was greeted with rounds of applause.
According to varying accounts in the native press the decree has been enthusiastically welcomed in all parts of the Empire, though some of the provinces at any rate have already telegraphed fresh urgent representations for an earlier date.
Amongst the numerous counter-signatures appended to the decree
appears that of Prince Tsai Isün, who at the time of the issue of the decree had not yet reached Peking on his return from his naval mission to foreign countries. He has since been received in audience by his brother, the Prince Regent, and it is stated in the native press, though on what authority I do not know, that the counsels of the latter in regard to this question may be modified by the strong views of Prince Tsai Hsün, that the sovereign remedy for the difficulties which awakening China has to face at the present time lies in the opening of her National Parliament at the earliest possible date.
I have, &c.
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
512
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Covernment:]
38371
[November45 DEC 10
SECTION 1.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[43633]
(No. 154.)
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
""
Foreign Office, November 30, 1910. (Telegraphic.) R.
A LETTER appeared in the "Times" of 29th November from the President of the Chinese Board of Posts and Communications in reply to that from "Ex-Consul of 22nd October, stating that the 450,000l. bonds of Imperial Chinese Government 7 per cent. Peking-Hankow Railway redemption loan, recently purchased by Dunn, Fischer, and Co., are the direct obligation of the Imperial Chinese Government, and further that the said Government have undertaken to pay principal and interest in sterling,
Please report---
1. Whether the loan is, as stated, a direct obligation of Chinese Government to the foreign bondholders ;
2. Whether the payment of principal and interest is guaranteed in sterling by Chinese Government; and
3. Whether the edict has been communicated to His Majesty's Legation.
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