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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government Į
internal resources, for the perfection of communications between Europe and Asia and for the development of the commerce and industry of foreign countries in Manchuria. These rights and interests were long ago recognised by foreign nations on practically identical lines with German interests in Shantung province. While maintaining our acquired rights, we have acknowledged that the door must be open to foreign nations in South Manchuria as being Chinese territory, and instead of obstructing we have assisted them in obtaining equality of opportunity for their commerce and industry. We only regret that even to-day ill-informed supposition of other intentions on our part has not quite died out. If, however, any should regard the present Four-Power loan as a measure redressing any past disregard on Japan's part of the open door or equal opportunity policy, they would be greatly mistaken. Anyone calmly considering the facts must admit that our strict observance of that policy would not have been affected a jot by the non-existence of this loan any more than by the non-realisation of the railway neutralisation scheme or the non-construction of the Chinchow-Aigun Railway.
While it is to be hoped that foreigners are under no misapprehension on this score, it goes without saying that the slightest infringement or invasion of our already acquired rights and interests in South Manchuria remains as inadmissible in the future as in the past. The correctness of our view is shown by the fact that the original American open-door proposal of 1899 was prefaced by an assurance that the vested interests of the Powers stood unaffected. As our rights and interests in South Manchuria can thus without incompatibility coexist with that principle, China and all foreign nations must also remember that in South Manchurian commerce and industry there is a line not to be overstepped, and must endeavour to avoid under- takings such as would in any way compromise our acquired rights. That is to say, it will be their duty before beginning operations to examine whether the enterprises to be initiated under the present loan, whether worked by Chinese singly or jointly by If, as a Chinese and foreigners, do in point of fact prejudice Japan's interests or not. consequence of failure to observe this obligation, they encounter natural obstacles, and undertakings once started are unavoidably brought to a standstill, they must be prepared to understand that the responsibility will rest with those operating such undertakings. International relations are extremely complicated. Principles apparently fair and unexceptionable may in practice work to a contrary result. The principle of the open door and equal opportunity may, it is to be apprehended, under certain circumstances wantonly obstruct Japanese and other enterprises in South Manchuria and involve closure of the door and inequality of opportunity. We hope, therefore, that all nations alike will take this consideration carefully to heart. The subject of our foregoing remarks has not originated to-day, but the failure of our Government to take proper measures during the progress of the loan negotiations has had the effect of forcing us, much to our regret, to a special announcement of our views regarding our rights and interests in South Manchuria.
CHINA RAILWAYS,
[February 20.]
6.0
CONFIDENTIAL.
SECTION 1.
10007
No. 1. REC
REG 16 JUN,
[6180]
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey (Received February 20.)
(No. 54.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Peking, February 20, 1911. IN the event of Burmah-Yünnan frontier negotiations being opened in Peking, should I mention the Bhamo-Tengyuch Railway if a suitable opportunity presents itself, and say that His Majesty's Government desire to see the project realised at an early date ?
[1913 u-1]