2
great improvement. Unluckily, honesty, promptness, and science are alike unknown to the ordinary official of Yunnan,
From a series of inquiries which I have made, it would appear that, on an average, 15 to 20 per cent, of the pack animals in a caravan of reasonably sound mules starting from Teng Yueh in the summer, with ordinary loads and making ordinary stages, would be lame or otherwise broken-down before they get to Hsia Kuan (Ta Li). Further, nearly the same proportion of muleteers would be prostrate with fever or rheumatismo; and the damage to goods, though not so great, is very considerable.
I have addressed a communication to the Taotai at Teng Yueh, who, for an official of his class, is unusually energetic, pointing out the particular places on the road which A copy of my note most urgently require repairs, and suggesting that measures should at least be taken to make the road fairly passable without positive danger to man and beast.
has gone to His Majesty's Consul-General at Yünnan-fu, and representations in the same sense have been made by him to the Provincial Government. But the provision, even of a small fund, is a matter of great difficulty, and I hope, rather than expect, that a permanent improvement of the communications between Teng Yueh and Ta Li may result.
I have, &c. (Signed)
G. LITTON.
6.P.
285
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
No. 1.
[January 12.]
SECTION 1.
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received January 12.)
India Office, January 11, 1905. WITH reference to Mr. Campbell's letter of the 23rd November, 1904, relative to the delimitation of the Burmah-Yünnan frontier north of latitude 25° 25', I am directed by Mr. Secretary Brodrick to transmit, for Lord Lansdowne's information, copies of telegrams which have passed between this Office and the Government of India regarding Sir E. Satow's telegram No. 249 of the 19th November, 1904.
It will be seen that the Government of India welcome the acceptance by the Chinese Government of their proposal for an informal examination of the region in question by Chinese officers assisted by British officers. They suggest that Mr. Litton, accompanied by one junior officer, should be selected for this purpose, on account of his unique knowledge of the country in dispute.
Mr. Brodrick presumes that the "Acting Tactai of Tengyueh," referred to in Sir E. Satow's telegram, is probably the "present Taotai" referred to by the Govern- ment of India, but I am to request you to draw Lord Lansdowne's attention to this point.
Subject to a satisfactory solution of this doubt, Mr. Brodrick agrees with His Majesty's Minister in thinking that the arrangement proposed by the Chinese Govern- ment may be accepted.
I am, &c. (Signed) A. GODLEY,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Mr. Brodrick to Government of India.
PLEASE refer to the telegram No. 249 of the 19th instant from His Majesty's
India Office, November 26, 1904. Minister at Peking, regarding the Burmah-China frontier. I should be glad to have a statement of your views by telegraph,
(Telegraphic.) P.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Government of India to Mr. Brodrick.
December 9, 1904.
BURMAH-CHINA frontier
With reference to the telegram of the 19th ultimo from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, please forward copy of the despatch No. 200 from Foreign Office, to which Sir E. Satow refers. No copy has been received here.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Mr. Brodrick to Government of India.
India Office, December 12, 1904.
(Telegraphic.) P.
BURMAH-CHINA frontier: Your telegram of the 9th instant.
Copy of Lord Lansdowne's despatch for which you ask has only now been communicated to this Office, and will be sent to you by next mail. No opinion was
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