CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 523

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Now that you instruct me that the Indian Government will take measures to prevent Chinese officials and soldiers from transgressing Scott's line the matter assumes a new complexion, and I shall not in any case communicate information as to our posts to his Excellency until I can learn what steps the Government of India contemplate in regard to the Chinese detachments actually on the Burmah side of the line, and can receive instructions from you as to warning the Yunnan Government.

I am accordingly telegraphing to you referring to the facts of Chinese occupation, reported in my No. 28, and requesting directions. It would, I submit, be better to await the results of Shih Taotai's inquiry, and thus ascertain the exact extent of the Chinese clairos, before taking active measures to dislodge the Chinese troops. In view of the statement in the Brigadier of Pu-erl's report, that the garrisons in question date from before the Wa foray of last winter (in other words, that they have been there, unchallenged, for at least a year), notice will, I presume, he in any case given to the Chinese Government.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

W. H. WILKINSON.

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