CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 303

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[40062]

No. 1.

020

[December

SECTION 1.

9 JAN 08

(No. 499.) Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

Foreign Office, December 4, 1907, THE Chinese Minister told me he had had a telegram from the Viceroy of Canton, to the effect that he had had a satisfactory interview with Admiral Moore, as regards satisfaction for the "Sainam" case of piracy, and was arranging for armed launches to patrol the river. He was informed, however, that the Admiralty had instructed Admiral Moore to take steps to patrol the river with British gunboats. This would give rise to great ill-feeling at Canton, and possibly to disturbances or a boycott.

The Chinese Minister hoped we would arrange that no such steps should be taken by the Admiral.

I told him that my information was to the effect that the Admiral's interview with the Viceroy had been unsatisfactory.

"

Before the Sainam was pirated, we had warned the Chinese authorities of the danger, and of the fact that steps were needed to guard against piracy. No steps had been taken. And when, after these warnings, a flagrant case such as that of the "Sainam" occurred, in which the captain, an Englishman, was wounded and had to be invalided home, and a missionary doctor, also an Englishman, was killed, we were bound to claim compensation.

In fact, only two alternatives were open to us if the Chinese would not take effective steps to prevent piracy; one was to patrol the river with our own gunboats for the protection of British launches, and the other was to warn British subjects that it was not safe to engage in trade on the river, an announcement which would not only be injurious to traders, but also discreditable to the reputation of the Chinese Government.

The Chinese Minister asked me what were the points to be settled; and I told him we wanted an assurance of satisfaction about the "Sainam" claim, and that the Admiral should be satisfied that the Chinese authorities would take effective measures to put down piracy.

The Minister promised to telegraph in this sense, and urged that time should be given, and active steps on our part suspended meanwhile.

I said that we should very much prefer that the piracy should be dealt with by the Chinese authorities, in the interest of good relations between us. I could not say what action the Admiral might already have taken, but I would telegraph to see whether more time could not be given, in view of the statement of the Chinese Minister.

I am, kc. (Signed) E. GREY.

[2769 d-1]