CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 553

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govern

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

1;

CONFIDENTIAL.

549

127

RECD [December 5. JAN 08

SECTION 1.

[40019]

No. 1.

Sir,

Foreign Office to Admiralty.

Foreign Office, December 5, 1907. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to state, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Chinese Minister called at this Office yesterday and earnestly begged that no further action should be taken in the matter of the "Sainam "claim and the suppression of piracy on the Canton River until he had had time to telegraph to the Viceroy of Canton in regard to the settlement of these matters. His Excellency laid special stress on the difficult position in which the Viceroy would be placed if action were persisted in, and made a strong appeal on his behalf.

Sir E. Grey is anxious, in view of the recent arrival of Lord Li in this country, to comply, as far as is compatible with public interests, with his Excellency's wishes, and is has therefore sent the telegram to His Majesty's Minister at Peking of which a copy inclosed.

I am to request that, if the Lords Commissioners see no objection, instructions may be telegraphed to the Commander-in-chief on the China Station to await further instructions before taking any active measures. At the same time, if any vessels have already been sent into the West River or Canton waters, as would appear to be the case from a Reuter telegram of the 4th December published in this morning's papers, it would not, in Sir E. Grey's opinion, be advisable to withdraw them.

Sir E. Grey would further suggest that Sir A. Moore should be invited to furnish his opinion on the measures now being taken or contemplated by the Viceroy for the protection of foreign shipping as soon as he is in a position to judge of their probable effect.

I

am, &c.

(Signed)

F. A. CAMPBELL.

[2769 e-1]

* To Sir J. Jordan, No. 131 (Telegraphic). December 5, 1907.