CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 8

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 5

C.O.

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16219]

No. 1.

[May 31828

Secties 6.

SEP 07

(No. 170.) Sir,

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.(Received May 18.)

WITH reference to Sir Arthur Nicolson's despatch to you No. 19 of the

Peking, April 4, 1907. 6th January, I have the honour to state that there have been frequent indications in the Chinese press during the past years that changes in the administration of Mongolia have been at least mooted. The inclosed extract from the "Nan Fang Pao" of the 16th March is a more than usually detailed specimen of the suggestions published.

The Prince Su mentioned is a prominent member of the Court, and known to hold strong and patriotic views in favour of radical reform. In April 1906 he was sent on a special tour of inspection among the principalities of Inner Mongolia, which lies east and west of the Hingan Mountains. His Report was not published, but I have gathered generally from conversations with his Highness, and from other sources, that his mission was hortatory, and designed to put the Mongol Princes on their guard against outside encroachments. I have exchanged calls lately with an Inner Mongol Prince visiting Peking, who told me that no changes had taken place, or were likely to take place, in the internal government of the principalities, though efforts were being made to introduce a more modern system of education. At this Prince's seat, for instance, a school for boys had been established with a Japanese instructor, who taught languages and elementary science, and also a girls' school, which is altogether a novelty.

While Prince Su was touring in Inner Mongolia, the Duke P'u, referred to in Sir Ernest Satow's telegram No. 90 of the 3rd May, 1906, visited some of the Princes of Outer Mongolia with a similar object. His Report also remains unpublished.

There is no doubt that the occurrences of the past ten years in Manchuria have made the Chinese Government anxious to forestall similar measures from other quarters, but until the promised reforms of the Central Government and Provincial Administration have assumed material shape it seems improbable that any changes of real importance can be established in Mongolia.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

Inclosure in No. 1.

Extract from the "Nan Fang Pao" of March 16, 1907.

THE PROPOSED DIVISION OF MONGOLIA.

WE mentioned in our telegraphic news a short time ago that it is the intention of the Government to divide Inner and Outer Mongolia into four provinces, with a Governor over each after the style of the regular provinces in China. We now learn that a Secretary of the Ministry of Colonies has memorialized the President to the following effect:~

"As Mongolia touches Russian territory, the defence of its frontier is more important than that of Manchuria, and a change in the present system should at once be inaugurated so as to put a check on foreign encroachments.

"It is suggested that Mongolia be divided into four provinces, with a Viceroy over two provinces, and a Governor, Provincial Treasurer, Judge, and Educational Commissioner over each province. The provinces should be as follows: The Tsetsen Khanate of the Outer Mongols to be one province under the title of East Mongolia the Tushet'u and the Sainníon to be combined into one province under the name of

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