[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C 0
AFFAIRS OF CHIÑA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
3447
[January 2.]
SECTION 3.
[80]
of 3 FEB 1! No. 1.
(No. 451.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 2, 1911.)
Peking, December 14, 1910. WITH reference to my telegram No. 198 of the 11th instant, I bave the honour to transmit herewith the translation of the note from the Wai-wu Pu, renewing their request for the joint delimitation of the unadministered portion of the Burmah- Yunnan frontier. Although no direct reference is made to the British expedition which recently started for the district of Pien-ma, it is evident from the terms of the note that the news of its departure has reached the Chinese Government. Pending the receipt of instructions which I ventured to ask for in my telegram No. 198, have made no intimation to them in regard to the expedition.
I have, &c.
Enclosure in No. 1.
J. N. JORDAN.
Sir,
Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.
December 10, 1910.
ON the 10th June, 1910, I had the honour to address to Mr. Max Müller, His Majesty's chargé d'affaires, a note on the subject of the boundary of the Tengyuch northern section, suggesting the appointment of officers to hold a joint delimitation, and stating that if, owing to the Government of Burmah's troops crossing the frontier, an unexpected collision took place, the Yunnan provincial authorities would not accept any responsibility in the matter.
I have now received the following telegram from the Yunnan Viceroy -- "Since this frontier must again be delimited, please arrange with the British Minister at Peking to secure an early withdrawal of the troops, and ask him to telegraph promptly to the Government of Burmah to continue for the time being to observe the boundary of existing control, and not to permit the dispatch of troops on armed expeditions across the river, lest the people on the frontier be alarmed.”
This question of the frontier has been for a long time without clear definition; the immediate dispatch of officials to conduct a joint delimitation and fix the trace of the frontier is a matter of urgent necessity. But, prior to the fixing of the frontier, each party must, of course, observe the boundary of existing control and not permit the dispatch of troops across the frontier to the disturbance of the public peace.
I have the honour to request you to telegraph the above to the consul, and instruct him to act in conformity therewith.
I have also the honour to request the favour of a reply without delay, and avail, &c.
[1850 b-3]
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