[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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Manchuria; (2) to their sudden and entire reversal of policy regarding the Russian railway settlement at Harbin, which reversal was adopted without in any way consulting the British Legation at Peking, with whom they had been previously co-operating; (3) to their action in the matter of the Hupuang loan negotiations; and (4) to their inconsiderate determination without consultation with His Majesty's Government to convene an opium conference at The Hague.
In my fifteen years' experience of the Far East I have found the Americans quite ready to change their policy if it suited them without in any way considering others. They are also past masters in the policy of extracting the chestnuts, or attempting to do so, by means of others. Cases of this kind occurred when I was in charge of the legation at Peking, and since I have been in Tokyo I can recall to mind three notable instances of this, and of change of policy to suit their own purposes quite regardless of those with whom they had been working :-
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1. In 1901, at the time of the struggle with the Japanese over the perpetual lease question, it will be remembered that the Japanese Foreign Office declined to submit the matter to arbitration. In this they were strongly supported by the American Legation, who stated that the house tax was a reasonable one and a proper tax. Had it not been for the support received from the French and German Legations, and the fact that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was on the tapis, the Japanese Government, owing to strong American support, would have maintained their contention and the case would probably never have gone to arbitration. As soon as the Japanese consented to arbitration the American Legation put in a statement to the effect that though they did not approve of the arbitration in principle, yet their subjects would, of course, benefit by any advantage which it might bring. This they have done in full measure, for American perpetual leaseholders are only second to us in number.
2. At the time of the negotiations for the regulation of emigration into Canada the American Embassy tried to obtain our support so as to acquire any advantages which we might get from the Japanese by virture of our somewhat special position as allies. This, however, did not succeed.
3. In the matter of the trade-marks convention, we were working on parallel lines when the American Government, without in any way consulting or informing us, suddenly gave up to the Japanese jurisdiction in the matter of trade-mark cases in Corea, thereby letting go, to suit their own ends elsewhere, one of the sheet-anchors of the "Trade-marks" ship, which, to continue the metaphor, has not yet, so far as we are concerned, been brought into port.
Other instances could be produced in my own experience, both here and in China, of this selfish policy on the part of the United States Government, but sufficient instances have, I think, been named to amply bear out your contention that America shows a "disregard of us which cannot be ignored when we find ourselves accused of similar offences."
I have, &c.
CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.
со
[B]
1169
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
ESS REGE 13 JAN II
[December 29.]
SECTION 1.
[46931]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received December 29.) (No. 446.) Sir,
Peking, December 13, 1910. WITH reference to Mr. Max Müller's despatch No. 97 of the 7th April last, I have the honour to transmit herewith translations of two Imperial decrees issued on the 4th instant, embodying the results of the labours of the Constitutional Govern- ment Committee in co-operation with Prince Tsai Hsün's commission for the reform of the navy, and with the general staff and the Army Board for the reform of that department.
The chief point of interest attaching to these decrees is that it is the first time responsible Ministers have been appointed in such a marked way, and the step perhaps foreshadows a change which is likely to come in the form of the constitution of a responsible Cabinet composed of the Ministers of the various departments of State.
With regard to naval administration, the decree approves the recommendations of Prince Tsai Hsün and Admiral Sa Chen-ping, based on their estimate of China's naval requirements and on the investigations made into the naval strength of foreign Powers. The Admiralty Council is accordingly converted into the Board of Admiralty, or Navy Board, and the appointment of a Minister and Vice-Minister is announced.
The proposals of the Constitutional Government Committee and the Army Board for the establishment of a graduated scheme fixing temporarily the spheres of the officials of the Army Board are adopted. The various posts of president, vice. presidents, and secretaries are abolished, and in their places the offices of Minister and Vice-Minister of War created.
Separate Imperial edicts of the same date command Prince Tsai Hsin to fill the post of Minister and Tan Hsuch-beng that of Vice-Minister of Marine, Yin Chang that of Minister, and Shou Hsün that of Vice-Minister of War, and Admiral of the Fleet Sa Chen-ping is appointed Commander-in-chief of Naval Forces on the High Seas and the River Yang-tsze.
In addition to the two cruiser training-ships ordered from England (see Mr. Max Muller's despatches Nos. 97 and 271 of the 7th April and 8th August), I may mention that Admiral Sa, who leaves Peking in a fortnight to resume command of the Chinese navy, and scarcely concealed his chagrin at the transfer, gave me the following confidential information regarding the ships ordered by China from foreign countries :---
Germany-One torpedo-boat and two light-draught vessels, of about 800 tons, for service on the Tung Ting Lake.
Italy. One torpedo-boat.
Austria.-One torpedo-boat.
Japan. Two gun-boats.
I understand that orders are likely to be placed in America for one or more vessels.
The above orders are in the nature of "complimentary" orders to the various Powers visited by the Naval Commissioners, and have been given at the urgent solicitation of those Powers, and it would seem that France showed no special desire to obtain orders.
In connection with naval reorganisation, I may mention that a project is said to be under consideration, which would appear to be the outcome of Prince Tsai Hsun's mission to the United States, for obtaining a loan of 25,000,000 dollars (gold) for the development of China's naval resources.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
[1810 -1]
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