[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
# SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
## CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[December 11.]
## SECTION 1.
86
(No. 377.) Sir,
**The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.**
Foreign Office, December 11, 1903.
AS you are aware from previous correspondence on the subject, a section of the Burmah-Yunnan frontier, approximately 200 miles in length, lying between the Nam Ting River and Nalawt, on the Nam Hka River, remained to be demarcated on the withdrawal of the British Commissioners in 1900, owing to their inability to come to an agreement with the Chinese Commissioners on that point. Mr. Scott, acting independently, traced a line as nearly as possible in accordance with the Agreement of 1897, sketched it on a map and explained it by a written description. The Chinese Commissioners were furnished with copies of both the map and the description, but refused to accept the line indicated. The Government of India, in their letter of the 2nd August of that year, said that they were at that time only able, in view of the state of affairs in China, to reserve their recommendations as to the further measures which should be adopted with regard to the final determination of the frontier.
A letter has now been received from His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, forwarding a copy of a despatch from the Government of India, dated the 22nd October last, and concurring in the recommendation therein expressed that you should be instructed to address the Chinese Government in the sense suggested by you in the course of your discussions with the Lieutenant-Governor of Burmah, during your recent visit to Rangoon. I understand that a copy of the above despatch has been sent to you direct from India.
I have accordingly to request that you will invite the Chinese Government to finally accept the line laid down by Mr. (now Sir G.) Scott as the boundary between China and British Burmah in the region referred to.
In the event of their refusal, you should inform them that His Majesty's Government, nevertheless, continue to regard that line as the provisional boundary, pending a final settlement, intimating to them plainly that "Chinese officials and troops cannot be allowed to transgress it." You should at the same time warn them that, as they refused the proposal to accept the line drawn by Mr. Scott in accordance with the Agreement of 1897, His Majesty's Government would not consider themselves bound by it if a formal demarcation was subsequently agreed upon, but would reserve their right to contend for any modification of the line which further inquiry on the spot might show to be desirable.
I enclose six copies of the map attached to the Burmah Convention of 1894, in accordance with the request contained in your telegram No. 263 of the 5th instant.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
[2246-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government?
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[December 11.]
SECTION 1.
86
(No. 377.) Sir,
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
Foreign Office, December 11, 1903. AS you are aware from previous correspondence on the subject, a section of the Burmah-Yunnan frontier, approximately 200 miles in length, lying between the Nam Ting River and Nalawt, on the Nam Hka River, remained to be demarcated on the withdrawal of the British Commissioners in 1900, owing to their inability to come Before withdrawing, to an agreement with the Chinese Commissioners on that point. Mr. Scott, acting independently, traced a line as nearly as possible in accordance with the Agreement of 1897, sketched it on a map and explained it by a written description. The Chinese Commissioners were furnished with copies of both the map and the description, but refused to accept the line indicated. The Government of India, in their letter of the 2nd August of that year, said that they were at that time only able, in view of the state of affairs in China, to reserve their recommendations as to the further measures which should be adopted with regard to the final determination of the frontier.
A letter has now been received from His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, forwarding a copy of a despatch from the Government of India, dated the 22nd October last, and concurring in the recommendation therein expressed that you should be instructed to address the Chinese Government in the sense suggested by you in the course of your discussions with the Lieutenant-Governor of Burmah, during your recent visit to Rangoon. I understand that a copy of the above despatch has been sent to you direct from India.
I have accordingly to request that you will invite the Chinese Government to finally accept the line laid down by Mr. (now Sir G.) Scott as the boundary between China and British Burmah in the region referred to.
In the event of their refusal, you should inform them that His Majesty's Government, nevertheless, continue to regard that line as the provisional boundary, pending a final settlement, intimating to them plainly that "Chinese officials and troops cannot be allowed to transgress it. You should at the same time warn them that, as they refused the proposal to accept the line drawn by Mr. Scott in accordance with the Agreement of 1897, His Majesty's Government would not consider them- selves bound by it if a formal demarcation was subsequently agreed upon, but would reserve their right to contend for any modification of the line which further inquiry on the spot might show to be desirable.
I iuclose six copies of the map attached to the Burmalı Convention of 1894, in accordance with the request contained in your telegram No. 263 of the 5th instant.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
[2246 -1]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.