(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
# SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
## CONFIDENTIAL
(24680)
0
30959-
[July 20.]
## SECTION 1.
594
RECD 22 AUG 06
### No. 1.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office. (Received July 20.)
WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 3rd June, 1905, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Morley to inclose, to be laid before the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a Secret letter from the Government of India as to the provisional Burmah-China boundary between the Namting River and Nalawt.
It will be seen that, in spite of the intimation to Prince Ch'ing in Sir E. Satow's note of the 7th May, 1905, that His Majesty's Government would "continue to regard the line laid down by Sir G. Scott as the provisional boundary which Chinese officials and troops cannot be allowed to transgress," the Chinese posts are still maintained in territory on the Burmese side of the frontier.
The Burmah Government, who have been consulted by the Government of India on the question of ousting the Chinese and establishing British posts along the border, have arrived at the conclusion that forcible occupation of the country adjacent to the provisional boundary would involve expenses and difficulties out of proportion to any advantages to be derived from an active assertion of British rights. They recommend, therefore, that effective occupation should be deferred till it becomes either necessary or desirable to undertake the administration of the country up to the provisional boundary.
The Government of India are unwilling to accept this view. They recommend that the Chinese Government should be again addressed on the subject, and afforded an opportunity of withdrawing their posts as an alternative to eviction, and that, if the request be not complied with, a flying column should be dispatched to drive back the Chinese posts, re-establish an effective claim to the territory in question, and vindicate our authority on the frontier.
In making this recommendation, the Government of India recognize that there may be objections on grounds of general policy to the course proposed; and they suggest, as an alternative, that an arrangement might be negotiated with China whereby, in return for a surrender on our part of the territory in question, China would agree to a settlement advantageous to us of the question of the undemarcated frontier north of latitude 25° 35' N. and possibly also of questions as to customs duties and Trade Regulations in connection with the Thibetan Adhesion Agreement.
Mr. Morley is in favour of a solution of the question on the lines of the alternative proposal of the Government of India, if it can be obtained, though he would have no objection to excluding questions of Thibetan trade from the scope of any negotiations that may be opened. He would, therefore, submit, for Sir E. Grey's consideration, that the Chinese Government might be sounded on the subject at a favourable opportunity. Before, however, this can be done, it will be necessary to know the extent of territory which, in the opinion of the Government of India, may advantageously be offered to China, and the draft of a telegram is inclosed which Mr. Morley, subject to Sir E. Grey's concurrence, proposes to address to the Government of India making the necessary inquiry.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
A. GODLEY.
### Inclosure in No. 1.
Draft Telegram from Mr. Morley to the Government of India. YOUR Secret letter of the 14th June, 1906: Burmah-China boundary.
(Secret.)
His Majesty's Government, especially in view of the conclusions of the Burmah Government, are in favour of your alternative proposal to approach China with a proposal for settlement of the question by concession on our part of territory adjoining Scott's line in return for acceptance by China of a boundary advantageous to us to the north of latitude 25° 35' N.
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Page 596
his Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL
(24680]
0
30959-
[July 20.]
SECTION 1.
594
RECH
Res 22 AUG 06
No. 1.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office. (Received July 20.)
WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 3rd Jnue, 1905,. I am directed
India Office, July 18, 1906, by Mr. Secretary Morley to inclose, to be laid before the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a Secret letter from the Government of India as to the provisional Burmah-China boundary between the Namting River and Nalawt.
It will be seen that, in spite of the intimation to Prince Ch'ing in Sir E. Satow's note of the 7th May, 1905, that His Majesty's Government would "continue to regard the line laid down by Sir G. Scott as the provisional boundary which Chinese officials and troops cannot be allowed to transgress," the Chinese posts are still maintained in territory on the Burmese side of the frontier.
The Burmah Government, who have been consulted by the Government of India on the question of ousting the Chinese and establishing British posts along the border, have arrived at the conclusion that forcible occupation of the country adjacent to the provisional boundary would involve expenses and difficulties out of proportion to any advantages to be derived from an active assertion of British rights. They recommend therefore, that effective occupation should be deferred till it becomes either necessary or desirable to undertake the administration of the country up to the provisional boundary.
The Government of India are unwilling to accept this view. They recommend that the Chinese Government should be again addressed on the subject, and afforded an opportunity of withdrawing their posts as an alternative to eviction, and that, if the request be not complied with, a flying column should be dispatched to drive back the Chinese posts, re-establish an effective claim to the territory in question, and vindicate our authority on the frontier.
In making this recommendation, the Government of India recognize that there may be objections on grounds of general policy to the course proposed; and they suggest, as an alternative, that an arrangement might be negotiated with China whereby, in return for a surrender on our part of the territory in question, China would agree to a settlement advantageous to us of the question of the undemarcated frontier north of latitude 25' 35' N. and possibly also of questions as to customs duties and Trade Regula- tions in connection with the Thibotan Adhesion Agreement.
Mr. Morley is in favour of a solution of the question on the lines of the alternative proposal of the Government of India, if it can be obtained, though he would have no objection to excluding questions of Thibetan trade from the scope of any negotiations that may be opened. He would, therefore, submit, for Sir E. Grey's consideration, that the Chinese Government might be sounded on the subject at a favourable opportunity. Before, however, this can be done, it will be necessary to know the extent of territory which, in the opinion of the Government of India, may advantageously be offered to China, and the draft of a telegram is inclosed which Mr. Morley, subject to Sir E. Grey's concurrence, proposes to address to the Government of India making the necessary inquiry.
I
am, &c.
(Signed)
A. GODLEY.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Draft Telegram from Mr. Morley to the Government of India. YOUR Secret letter of the 14th June, 1906: Burmah-China boundary.
(Secret.)
His Majesty's Government, especially in view of the conclusions of the Burmal Government,
are in favour of your alternative proposal to approach China with proposal for settlement of question by concession on our part of territory adjoining Scott's line in return for acceptance by China of boundary advantageous to us to north of
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