}
4
Considering these circumstances, the Siao-chiang ought to be taken as the boundary for all to be of accord. Consul Litton, however, stood out for Ta-ya-k'ou as the boundary, declaring that the stockades beyond Ta-ya-k'ou were not subject to the administration of the "Fu-yi," and could not be regarded as territory within the (Chinese) jurisdiction. The Acting Taotai, seeing that the certificates of succession are still in evidence, demurred to this; but as Consul Litton was unwilling to go and hold a joint investigation, the Acting Taotai himself sent officers to ascertain the facts.
One after the other they had now returned to Tengyuch, and a general map had been compiled, which had been compared, for the names of hills, streams, and localities, with the draft map sent in by Consul Litton. Consul Litton had, moreover, written officially to say that the procedure hitherto had been for both parties to affix their seals to a frontier map.
The present joint mission of inquiry had no power to demarcate, and although both parties affixed their seals, such proceeding would be merely proof of the genuineness of the map, and could not be taken as evidence of delimitation. note to the above effect having been made on the map, seals were mutually affixed.
A
In this section of the frontier Consul Litton desired the boundary to run from the great snow range of Kao-li-kung down along the watershed across Ta-ya-k'ou, insisting that the water-parting would make Ta-ya-k'ou the boundary. The Acting Taotai, on the ground of the jurisdiction of the sawhwa, insisted that the Siao-chiang was the boundary. They argued and discussed, until Consul Litton wrote saying that he had received a note from the Burmah Government expressing a wish to deal with the matter amicably. They were willing to follow the precedent of the Meng-mao Triangle and for all villages beyond (ie., west of) Ta-ya-k'ou to pay a yearly sum of 1,000 rupees or 1,500 rupees for a lease in perpetuity. Such would be a tacit admission of Chinese Sovereignty; and although the present mission was one of inquiry only and not of delimitation, still, as a formal communication had been made, it was impossible not to traverse it clause by clause, so as to eritate assumptions. The Taotai accordingly submitted copies of the survey chart of the northern section of the Burman-Yunnan frontier, together with those of the correspondence with Consul Litton, to be considered and forwarded by the Governor-General.
*
The Governor-General would observe that as regards the question of the northern section of the Tengyueh frontier, the British officials have, ever since British troops crossed the frontier and caused disturbance, frequently expressed a desire to consider Ta-ya-k'ou as the boundary. Acting Tantai Shih has now ascertained that it is the domain of Chinese sawbwa, and that there exist certificates of succession as proof. Consul Litton still stands firm in his desire, at the same time talking of a perpetual lease. But before discussing a lease the boundary-line must first be clearly traced, and then negotiations can commence. Moreover, the officers deputed by the two countries on the present Mission had no authority to demarcate. Delimitation, therefore, and discussion of a lease must both await the result of the deliberations of the Bourd with the British Minister.
The original map sent in, together with copies of the official correspondence and of the Chieftains' certificates of succession, are submitted to the Board with the present communication, and it is earnestly requested that due consideration may be given to them.
A necessary communication and Report.
Inclosures: one map, in original, with joint seals; two dossiers (copies). Addressed to the Wai-wu Pu, Kuang hsü, 31st year, 5th moon, 29th day (1st July,
1905).
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.j
SOUTH-WEST CHINA..
Sir,
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[September 2.]
SECTION 1.
India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received September 2.)
India Office, September 1, 1905. I AM directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 21st July, transmitting, for the information of the Secretary of State for India, a copy of a despatch from. His Majesty's Consul at Teng Yuch regarding the survey for a light railway from Bhamo to Teng Yueh.
In reply, I am to inform you that Mr. Brodrick agrees with the view taken by the Marquess of Lansdowne, that it is desirable that Mr. Litton's Report on the survey, and the views of the Government of India, should be awaited before any action is taken in negotiating with the Chinese Government for the necessary concession to construct the railway in Chinese territory.
[2167 - -1]
I am, &c.
(Signed)
HORACE WALPOLE,
0
* The Ipard incident.
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