CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 652

[This Document is the Froperty of His Britannic Majesty's Government.}

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[June 6.]

SECTION 2, C. 0.

€49

[18532]

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 6.)

29968

REC. \FEC 21 AUG 07/

(No. 98.) (Telegraphic.) P.

Peking, June 6, 1907. WITH reference to your telegram of yesterday's date, agree with the Hong Kong Government in the view they take of the probable results of Ts'en's reappoint- ment, but I think that a protest, unless backed by a threat of force, would have little chance of success, and I therefore consider it inadvisable. Abortive interference would only antagonize him, and, moreover, as his health is bad, it is just possible that he

may not go to Canton.

[18546]

No. 2.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 6.)

(No. 99.) (Telegraphic.) P.

Peking, June 6, 1907. THE Consular Body at Shanghae have received a report from the Assessors of the Mixed Court to the effect that, since the powers of that Court were curtailed in April 1906 by the abolition of the bamboo and the limitation of imprisonment to five years, crimes of violence in the Settlement have increased to an alarming extent. This increase is ascribed by the Assessors and Chinese Magistrates to the above- mentioned curtailment.

In the provinces the Imporial Edict which abolished the use of the cangue and the bamboo has been almost universally disregarded.

The Consular Body accordingly represented to the Viceroy at Nanking that the introduction of stronger measures and punishments might prove the remedy for this increase of crime, and the Viceroy has replied that he has instructed the Taotai to consult with the Consular Body regarding possible changes in the mode of punish- ment, but that the five years' limit cannot be altered.

I think that, as indicated in your telegram No. 37 of the 6th April, any reform of punishments should be of general application, and that the Shanghae Settlement should be on the same footing in this respect as other parts of the country. As, however, the question is likely to come before the Diplomatic Body, I should be grateful if you would favour me with instructions in the matter.

[2524 f2]