CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906 — Page 326

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

C 0.

[B]

44802

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

KECE

Reel 5 DFC00:

CONFIDENTIAL.

[November 21.]

SECTION 3.

[39380]

No. 1.

(No. 201.) Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. H. Lowther.

Foreign Office, November 21, 1906.

THE Japanese Ambassador told me to-day that he had been instructed by telegraph to inquire whether we had yet come to any decision with regard to Wei-hai Wei.

I told him of the reply I intended to give to the Chinese Minister, and I said that we had been greatly influenced in our decision by the knowledge that the Japanese Government attached so much importance to the question. Opinion here was not very strong as to the strategic advantage of Wei-hai Wei, and owing to the peculiar conditions of our tenure we should not consider our continued occupation as being of vital importance. But we did not wish to take any step which would have even the appearance of impairing our power to fulfil our obligations under the Japanese Alliance. And, in view of the fact that our military and naval authorities still had to discuss matters and possible plans of co-operation in case of need arising out of the Alliance, we felt that we could not withdraw from Wei-hai Wei at present.

The Japanese Ambassador expressed great satisfaction at this decision, and said his Government had felt considerable anxiety about the matter.

[2226-3]

I am, &c.

(Signed)

EDWARD GREY.

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] C 0. [B] 44802 AFFAIRS OF CHINA. KECE Reel 5 DFC00: CONFIDENTIAL. [November 21.] SECTION 3. [39380] No. 1. (No. 201.) Sir, Sir Edward Grey to Mr. H. Lowther. Foreign Office, November 21, 1906. THE Japanese Ambassador told me to-day that he had been instructed by telegraph to inquire whether we had yet come to any decision with regard to Wei-hai Wei. I told him of the reply I intended to give to the Chinese Minister, and I said that we had been greatly influenced in our decision by the knowledge that the Japanese Government attached so much importance to the question. Opinion here was not very strong as to the strategic advantage of Wei-hai Wei, and owing to the peculiar conditions of our tenure we should not consider our continued occupation as being of vital importance. But we did not wish to take any step which would have even the appearance of impairing our power to fulfil our obligations under the Japanese Alliance. And, in view of the fact that our military and naval authorities still had to discuss matters and possible plans of co-operation in case of need arising out of the Alliance, we felt that we could not withdraw from Wei-hai Wei at present. The Japanese Ambassador expressed great satisfaction at this decision, and said his Government had felt considerable anxiety about the matter. [2226-3] I am, &c. (Signed) EDWARD GREY.
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321 [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] C 0. [B] 44802 AFFAIRS OF CHINA. KECE Reel 5 DFC 00: CONFIDENTIAL. [November 21.] SECTION 3. [39380] No. 1. (No. 201.) Sir, Sir Edward Grey to Mr. H. Lowther. Foreign Office, November 21, 1906. THE Japanese Ambassador told me to-day that he had been instructed by telegraph to inquire whether we had yet come to any decision with regard to Wei-hai Wei. I told him of the reply I intended to give to the Chinese Minister, and I said that we had been greatly influenced in our decision by the knowledge that the Japanese Government attached so much importance to the question. Opinion hore was not very strong as to the strategic advantage of Wei-hai Wei, and owing to the peculiar conditions of our tenure we should not consider our continned occupation as being of vital importance. But we did not wish to take any stop which would have even the appearance of impairing our power to fulfil our obligations under the Japanese Alliance. And, in view of the fact that our military and naval authorities still had to discuss matters and possible plans of co-operation in case of need arising out of the Alliance, we felt that we could not withdraw from Wei-hai Wei at present. The Japanese Ambassador expressed great satisfaction at this decision, and said his Government had felt considerable anxiety about the matter. [2226 -3] I am, &c. (Signed) EDWARD GREY.
2026-06-03 10:22:17 · Baseline
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321

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

C 0.

[B]

44802

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

KECE

Reel 5 DFC 00:

CONFIDENTIAL.

[November 21.]

SECTION 3.

[39380]

No. 1.

(No. 201.) Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. H. Lowther.

Foreign Office, November 21, 1906. THE Japanese Ambassador told me to-day that he had been instructed by telegraph to inquire whether we had yet come to any decision with regard to Wei-hai Wei.

I told him of the reply I intended to give to the Chinese Minister, and I said that we had been greatly influenced in our decision by the knowledge that the Japanese Government attached so much importance to the question. Opinion hore was not very strong as to the strategic advantage of Wei-hai Wei, and owing to the peculiar conditions of our tenure we should not consider our continned occupation as being of vital importance. But we did not wish to take any stop which would have even the appearance of impairing our power to fulfil our obligations under the Japanese Alliance. And, in view of the fact that our military and naval authorities still had to discuss matters and possible plans of co-operation in case of need arising out of the Alliance, we felt that we could not withdraw from Wei-hai Wei at present.

The Japanese Ambassador expressed great satisfaction at this decision, and said his Government had felt considerable anxiety about the matter.

[2226 -3]

I am, &c.

(Signed)

EDWARD GREY.

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