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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
tor such purposes, lia:therstore daxires timt no such sules should be affacund, apart from any conna:lora...oNG arising out of the Artes Traffic Convention,
A copy of air J. Jordan's despatch ko. 174 of way 9th enclosing copy of the note frơi dư Diplomatic nepraumbatives in pokin to Government is harèsith attached,
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Your 100% 0oedient,
aumole Jervat,
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[100255]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.~(Received July 9.)
July 9.]
SECTION 1.
571
(No. 194.) My Lord,
Peking, May 8, 1919. WITH reference to my telegram No. 265 of the 5th May, I have the honour to forward a copy of the note which, as dean of the Diplomatic Body, I that day addressed to the Wai-chiao Pu notifying the Chinese Government of the decision of the various Governments effectively to restrain their subjects and citizens from exporting to or importing into China arms and ammunition of war and materials destined exclusively for their manufacture, until the establishment of a Government whose authority is recognised throughout the whole country.
The representatives of the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Italy are in full accord with the above policy, but still await the instructions of their Governments before formally adhering.
I am taking immediate steps to enforce this prohibition upon British subjects in China by means of an Urgent King's Regulation," the text of which I shall have the honour to forward later for approval.
It is most satisfactory that this matter should thus have been disposed of with such unanimity, and I would call your special attention to the fact that the prohibition applies to all leased territories as well as to all other parts of China.
Copies of this despatch have been forwarded to the Governments of India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, His Majesty's commissioner at Wei-hai Wei, and to His Majesty's Chargés d'Affaires at Tokyo and Bangkok; and the necessary instructions to His Majesty's consulates will be issued as soon as the King's Regulation has been prepared.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN,
2012
Enclosure in No. 1.
Dean to Wai-chiao Pu.
ETOJ
Sir,
May 5, 1919. THE Diplomatic Body, in considering the present state of disunion between North and South in China, have been impressed by the fact that the continued possibility of importing military arms and ammunition into the country from abroad could not but exercise a disturbing influence, and as the friendly Powers here represented are firmly determined to discountenance any condition or action which might favour the raversion to hostilities, I am desired by my colleagues to make the following communication to the Chinese Government :—
The Governments of Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Russia, Brazil, France, and Japan have agreed effectively to restrain their subjects and citizens from exporting to or importing into China arms and munitions of war and material lestined exclusively for their manufacture until the establishment of a Government whose authority is recognised throughout the whole country, and also to prohibit during the above period the delivery of arms and munitions for which contracts have already been made but not executed.
The representatives of the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Italy are also in full accord with the above policy, but await the instructions of their respective Governments before announcing the adhesion of the latter.
The foreign representatives desire to express the earnest hope that the Chinese Government, in keeping with this policy, will, on their part, agree to suspend the issue of permits to import military arms, ammunition, and munitions of war, and will direct the Customs that the introduction of such articles is absolutely prohibited.
I avail, &c.
J. N. JORDAN,
[182 i-1]