CO537-(33-34) — Page 801

5. There is

every probability.

2353

any

formally appealed to the European howers to intervene between Japan. & herself, and to assist in the

and

3.

restoration of peace.

In a private letter which I

wrote to Your Lordship

on

the 11

I stated that the success of the " Japanese has been so

starthing

" and the opposition of the Chinese

"Ro

" so futile that it seems possible

if

not probable that the Japanese

"""may capture Peking?"

4.

This forecast has been fairly

accurate, and there would seem

to be nothing except the approach of winter to prevent the Japanese Forces from taking Peking within

the next three months.

5. There

case that Port Arthur and Wei-

- hai - Wei will fall into their hands at no distant date. If China

is about to appeal, or has appealed, to the European powers, it is because her rulers.

art

aware of these facts, and because being without discip- -lined soldiers & educated Officers

they

are quite unable to check the Victorious advance of the Japanese troops. Such an advance

if maintained would doubtless put an end to the present dynasty, and would result

in

a

C

wide-spread and disastrous Revolution fatal to the Empire. and most prejudicial to European interests.

6. The utter, and from dome pomita of view, deplorable collapse of

-China notwithstanding her enormous population, her credit, and her inexhaustible of

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Auftrenca an

TTIC.O.537

ALLY WITHOUT PERMAISE. BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

2.1. JC

34 PUBLIC RECORD I WE, CONOUN