[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CO
44802
[B]
RECEIVED
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
Red 5 OFC OF
CONFIDENTIAL.
[November 21.]
SECTION 2.
[39381]
No. 1.
(No. 411.)
Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, November 21, 1906.
Sir,
THE Chinese Minister came to see me to-day, and I reminded him that some time ago he had spoken to me on the subject of Wei-hai Wei.
He had represented to me that Wei-hai Wei was leased to us at the time when Port Arthur was leased to Russia. That since then Port Arthur had been transferred to Japan, who was our friend. That the occupation of Port Arthur by Japan was, therefore, no menace to us. That China was very anxious to develop a navy of her own, and would be very glad, for this reason, if we would withdraw from Wei-hai Wei in order that she might resume possession of it and utilize it in developing her fleet.
I was now in a position to say that we had considered the subject.
It was quite true that Japan was our friend, and that the occupation of Port Arthur by her was no menace to us. But since we had acquired the lease of Wei-hai Wei we had made an alliance with Japan which entailed certain obligations. Those obligations were in no way to the prejudice of China. In fact, they were a protection to her, in so far as they guaranteed her against being disturbed by other Powers. It might be convenient for us to make use of Wei-hai Wei in order to do our part in fulfilling our obligations to Japan. We had always regarded it as natural that Wei-hai Wei should be restored to China, were a normal condition of affairs to be established in the Far East. But, at present, China was not in occupation of Port Arthur; Germany was at Kiao Chau; war between Japan and Russia had ended only about a year ago; and even the evacuation of Manchuria was not complete.
In these circumstances it would be exceedingly inconvenient for us to withdraw from Wei-hai Wei just now.
The Minister had made the communication to me, and I wished my reply to be equally friendly.
We should not, during our occupation of Wei-hai Wei, enter upon any permanent works which would be a source of embarrassment to the Chinese when they re-entered possession later on.
Wei-hai Wei in time of peace. In other words, though we must for the present retain the power of making use of Wei-hai Wei ourselves in case of need, we should occupy it in such a manner as would not exclude the Chinese navy from using it as a harbour, and would enable the Chinese to utilize it for the purpose of training their fleet and developing its efficiency. With this object in view, it might even be an advantage if the Chinese ships should come to Wei-hai Wei while British war-vessels were present. Further, if China desired to develop the surrounding part of her territory, we should be glad to facilitate her making a railway to Wei-hai Wei, not by a cession to any other Power, but entirely under her own control.
The Chinese Minister promised to acquaint his Government with these views, and ascertain their opinion.
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
EDWARD GREY.
[2226 x-2]
320
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CO
44802
[B]
RECE
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
Red 5 OFC OF
CONFIDENTIAL.
[November 21.]
SECTION 2.
[39381]
No. 1.
(No. 411.)
Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
THE Chinese Minister came to see me to-day, and I reminded him that some time
Foreign Office, November 21, 1906. ago he had spoken to me on the subject of Wei-bai Wei.
He had represented to me that Wei-hai Wei was leased to us at the time when Port Arthur was leased to Russia. That since then Port Arthur had been transferred to Japan, who was our friend. That the occupation of Port Arthur by Japan was, herefore, no menace to us. That China was very anxious to develop a navy of her wn, and would be very glad, for this reason, if we would withdraw from. Wei-hai Wei
n order that she might resume possession of it and utilize it in developing her fleet.
I was now in a position to say that we had considered the subject.
It was quite true that Japan was our friend, and that the occupation of Port Arthur by her was no menace to us. But since we had acquired the lease of
Wei-hai Wei we had made an alliance with Japau which entailed certain obligations. Those obligations were in no way to the prejudice of China. In fact, they were a rotection to her, in so far as they guaranteed her against being disturbed by other owers. It might be convenient for us to make use of Wei-hai Wei in order to do our art in fulfilling our obligations to Japan. We had always regarded it as natural that Fei-hai Wei should be restored to China, were a normal condition of affairs to be established in the Far East. But, at present, China was not in occupation of Port thur; Germany was at Kiao Chau; war between Japan and Russia had ended ly about a year ago; and even the evacuation of Manchuria was not complete.
In these circumstances it would be exceedingly inconvenient for us to withdraw tom Wei-hai Wei just now. anister had made the communication to me, and I wished my reply to be equally But I recognized the friendly tone in which the Chinese Jendly.
We should not, during our occupation of Wei-hai Wei, enter upon any permanent urks which would be a source of embarrassment to the Chinese when they re-entered
possession later on. ei-hai Wei in time of peace. In other words, though we must for the present retain the And we should always be glad to see the Chinese ships at wer of making use of Wei-hai Wei ourselves in case of need, we should occupy it in ch a manner as would not exclude the Chinese navy from using it as a harbour, and ald enable the Chinese to utilize it for the purpose of training their fleet and eloping its efficiency. With this object in view, it might even be an advantage the Chinese ships should come to Wei-hai Wei while British war-vessels were Bent. Further, if China desired to develop the surrounding part of her territory, should be glad to facilitate her making a railway to Wei-hai Wei, not by a cession to any other Power, but entirely under her own control. The Chinese Minister promised to acquaint his Government with these views, and scertain their opinion.
I am,
&c.
(Sigued)
EDWARD GREY.
[2226 x-2]
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