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the Salween valley immediately to the east are still admittedly unadministered, it appears improbable that the Chinese can substantiate any claim to this country.
5. North of the Black Marus lies the Shan country of Khamti Long, which has This been visited during the past open season by a small column under Barnard, country has always been subject to Burmah, and no Chinese claims can be admitted; this year's expedition has strengthened our position and given definite form to our claims of suzerainty. It has also added information which appears of value. Barnard obtained news of a well-defined mountain range which divides the Khamti valleys from the Kiu valley, and he is inclined to think that the Chinese have some sort of position among the Kiu tribesmen. A party of eighty Chinese soldiers were touring last winter among the Chenungs, who are apparently distinct from the Kunnongs and occupy country to the east of them, and both Prince Henry of Orleans and Litton heard of Chinese tribute collection to the west of the Salween, though there is at present no reliable information as to how far west they have penetrated. The officer in charge of these eighty men was one San-tze-chiang, the same man whose visit to Khamti I reported to you last year. I gathered when in Tengyueh that San- ize-chiang alleged that he had collected tribute in Khamti, but the evidence does not support this contention. Barnard heard from the Khamtis that they themselves habitually collect tribute in the Kiu valley, and Chinese claims could hardly be admitted in this tract without further investigation.
6. It seems unlikely that the Kiu country has any economic value, and if the existence of a mountain range which would prove a satisfactory and defensible frontier could once be definitely established, it might be satisfactory to leave the Chinese to their own devices there, and to advance no claims to the Kiu valley. It appears to me important, however, that we should have reliable information as to the extent of Chinese penetration beyond the watershed in this area before making any proposals or statements to the Chinese Government, and to this Sir Harvey agrees. He sees, however, the difficulty of obtaining any such particulars, and it remains to be decided whether the geographical limits of the valley, the existence and trend of this suggested boundary range, and the status of the people could best be established (1) by a joint survey party of British and Chinese working from Khamti; (2) by a small British survey expedition; or (3) by the private enterprise of officers.
7. After the recent murder of Noel Williamson by the Abors, it seems question- able whether His Majesty's Government would sanction any work by a small party which might come into conflict with such of the Kachin tribes in the neighbourhood as have hitherto maintained an entire independence. They are generally inclined to be friendly, however, and supplies are plentiful in Khamti, so that a solution of the difficulty is not impossible. Sir Harvey seems disinclined to admit any Chinese claims bere until further information has been obtained and until we are in a position to define the frontier to which we lay claim.
8. If, after the collection of such information as would enable us to define an exact and satisfactory boundary line, we should eventually agree to admit Chinese claims to the Kiu valley and the Pienma tract, it would still be necessary to decide on the most effective way of dealing with the intermediate Black Maru tract. Young described it as a fertile country with fairly good communications and not especially difficult of access. Li San Pao also told me, when at Pienma, that his trading operations extended for eighteen marches into this country, and he actually had his home there. This appears to indicate that the Chinese have penetrated into the country, and that they will probably continue to do so by the road through Pienma and Kangfang unless we block their passage. It is important to do so, as it would be dangerous to allow them into the easy country running down the Malikha valley to Myitkyina. That they are ready to make such an advance is proved by the recent telegram from the new post at Lau-Khaung to the effect that eighty Chinese soldiers and a body of Lisus have actually entered the country and attempted to distributo presents to the headmen.
9. If we cannot obtain a lease of the Pienma tract, therefore it appears essential that we should take some action which would guard the country north Kang-fang from tribal inroads, and there appear only two alternatives: (1) to establish a post next year at the confluence of the Ngawchang Kha and 'Nmaikha, and to push through a belt of administration due east as far as the watershed; or (2) to obtain an admission from China that, in consideration of our withdrawal from Pienma, they will agree to the watershed frontier as far north as latitude 27°. There seems little hope, however, that they would agree to the latter proposal.
10. In regard to the Black Maru tract, as to the Kiu valley, there appears a very
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pressing need for further information which would enable us to take a definite stand. It is important too that the information should be obtained, and effective steps taken, before the Chinese have advanced any further, for it would create a very awkward situation if they were once in possession. I understand that a road is being run out from Sadiya in Assam eastwards to Sati, a point on the Lohit-Brahmaputra only 25 miles south of Rima so that, in case of an eventual decision that the Kiu valley belongs to China, our position as far as Sati would be assured and might help in defining the boundary line.
11. I think that this summarises the position on the northern section of the Burmah-China frontier, as far as our information carries us now, and after considera- tion of the facts which have been established by the recent Pionma and Khamti columns.
Undelimited Frontier to East of Wa Country.
12. There now remains the question of the undelimited section to the east of the Wa country. It seems to me that this is on a different basis from the northern tract, for Scott's line was blocked in by latitudes and longitudes defined in the Burmalı-China convention, and our claims are, therefore, of a substantial nature. I gather that the Chinese have disregarded the limits of Scott's line and have pushed their posts well to the west of it; and also that the Government of Burmah is not greatly interested in the country, and might be willing to affect a compromise here if it would be useful in assisting the settlement of the northern line. At the same time they do not appear at all desirous of making any concessions at the present juncture in view of the persistently obstructive attitude of the Chinese.
13. The position of this section of the frontier is very confusing and difficult to understand, and the information available with regard to it is necessarily of a very vague character. It appears uncertain how far the Chinese have advanced, and it may be necessary to reconsider the advisability of withdrawing to the line suggested by Shih Taotai which was formerly considered satisfactory. Sir Harvey is asking for the views of Thornton and Stirling, the superintendents of the northern and southern Shan States, and I have suggested that the whole question should be reviewed again for your information when the issues are elear.
14. In dealing with these undelimited sections of the frontier the difficulties have always been accentuated by lack of information, and I think that it might prejudice our position if we put forward claims which were found on inspection to be lacking in substance. I feel very strongly therefore that we should make every possible use of the fuller information gathered by the recent expeditions, and that we should collect and focus the issues locally before you are asked to present them to the (Chinese Government. Recent events appear to have reversed positions slightly vis-à-vis the Chinese. We are now in a position to say that we are by no means anxious to discuss the frontier until we have further information, and that if in the meanwhile the Chinese trespass into country over which we have asserted our claims, we cannot be responsible for the consequences. The lieutenant-governor and Thompson are
going up to Myitkyina shortly, and after discussing the question with Hertz, his honour will probably decide what measures will best serve our purpose in working towards a fixed and definite line along the whole stretch of the China frontier, for there is a very general desire to settle the question as soon as we are in a position to know what is really needed.
Mule Transport.
You
15. Whilst considering the question of the frontier there is a kindred subject which is full of difficulties-the supply of mule transport for Upper Burmah. will remember that our officers are dependent on Chinese mules for all ordinary administrative purposes, and that in the event of any unusual frontier work, such as the making of roads and the strengthening of our position in the newly administered tract next year, we must look to Yünnan for our transport supplies. This year the Tengyuch firm of Chun Yen-chi supplied 2,000 mules to Hertz by open tender, aud I have had the greatest difficulty in protecting them from serious trouble. A telegram from the taotai to the Viceroy, of which I have left a copy with Smith, and which may prove useful later, suggests that the head of the firm be seriously embarrassed as soon as the British negotiations are at an end." It is difficult to foresee the results which may follow the official agitation against the contractors and mule owners, but I fear that they may hesitate to supply us next year. I was able to effect the rescue of the first muleteer who was imprisoned, and Smith may be able to keep up
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