2
Regarding the statement made by the British Government, that the Teng-Keng chief had raided a village west of the watershed, the reference must be to the difficulty which arose in the 9th moon of the year before last, when the natives of the said village combined and offered forcible resistance to the chief in question when he went to collect the taxes leviable in the Pien Ma villages. We have had copies made and sent to you of all the papers relating to this matter, and request you to discuss it also with the British Government.
484
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[February 18.]
SECTION 1.
No. 1.
Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 18.)
(6088]
(No. 44.) (Telegraphic.) P.
RUSSIA and China,
My telegram No. 41 of the 17th February.
St. Petersburgh, February 18, 1911.
I am told by M. Sazonow that, according to reports received from the Russian Minister at Peking, a considerable impression has been made on the Chinese Government by the Russian note.
It is evident that M. Sazonow hopes that he will not be compelled to resort to military measures, but, at the same time, I understand that if the Chinese do not give satisfaction within three weeks, Russian troops will cross the frontier.
[1909 -2]