6
telegram of to-day's date which has been received from the Commander-in-chief, China, respecting the withdrawal of troops from Canton and a part of the patrol on the West River.
The commander-in-chief has been informed that his proposals are approved.
W. GRAHAM GREENE.
T am, &c.
Enclosure in No. 25.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Commander-in-chief, China, to Admiralty.
February 14, 1913.
TROOPS no longer required Canton, in opinion of consul-general." I agree, as does Sir J. Jordan, and troops are being withdrawn.
Request Admiralty approval also to pay off "Handy" and "Janus." Keeping torpedo-boats temporarily, and discontinuing half West River patrol.
[5466]
(No. 50.) Sir,
No. 26.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, February 15, 1913.
I HAVE received your despatch No. 27 of the 20th ultimo, reporting the decision arrived at by the Diplomatic Body with regard to the disposal of the surplus customs revenues for 1912.
I approve your action in the matter.
I am, &c.
E. GREY.
[8532]
(No. 63.) Sir,
No. 27.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 22.)
Peking, February 7, 1913.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a summary by Sir Somerville Head, of the general state of affairs in the provinces during the last quarter of 1912, which has been prepared from the reports of His Majesty's consular officers.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN,
Enclosure in No. 27.
Summary by Sir S. Head of General State of Affairs in the Provinces of China for last quarter of 1912.
THE following account of the condition of affairs in the provinces has been compiled almost entirely from the Intelligence reports of His Majesty's consular officers for the last quarter of 1912. As will be seen, there is no connected story to tell. Each province has been more or less left to work out its own salvation, and reaping the aftermath of the revolutionary movement, redeemed only by the great recuperative powers of the country and the natural industry of its inhabitants. Minor mutinies and robberies by disbanded troops, and farcical elections for the National Assembly, form the chief items of the reports, while disorganisation and corruption in Government circles still prevail in most districts. In short, it would appear that, by the close of 1912, Young China has so far only succeeded in replacing a régime of benevolent despotism by one of benevolent anarchy.
Shantung.
Apart from the brigandage in the south and west, and one or two mutinies of merely local importance, Shantung has remained fairly quiet for the past few months. Hwang Hsien, which had been previously looted by the Imperialist soldiers, was again
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