CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 406

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Company recognizes that it is a port opened by ourselves. This is in coincidence with what was reported by the Taotai of Customs, and it shows something at least that is obtained in the right direction.

I, accordingly, shall command the Taotai of Customs to proceed in steps which we deem suitable and thus hope to secure something from a total wreck.

In a word that--whether you have done what you were ordered by the Imperial Edict to do or not, can only be judged by that-whether the Kaiping mines have been completely restored to the original owners or not. The term allowed to you for effecting this has now been already overpassed, and it would not become us to delay any longer. I must report to the Throne with the whole situation and see how it may please their Majesties. Interim, I beg to convey to your Excellency as the above.

0

(Seal.)

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[41337]

No. 1.

404

C.C.

3394

[December 17.1

RESP

SECTION 1. PEG 29 JAN 08

The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company to Foreign Office.-- (Received December 17.)

(Confidential.)

Electra House, Finsbury Pavement, London, Dear Sir Francis,

December 16, 1907. INCLOSED I send you a copy of a telegram we have to-day received from our Manager in China with regard to the difficulties between China and Japan in coming to an arrangement as to the Manchurian telegraphs.

Yours faithfully, (Signed)

Inclosure in No. 1.

F. E. HESSE.

Mr. Bullard to the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company,

(Confidential.) (Telegraphic.)

Shanghae, December 14, 1907. DRESING wires, unless British pressure brought to bear on Japan, hopeless arrive at any arrangement, as Japan refusing to acknowledge Manchuria as independent Chinese territory. Russia now offended, informed Wai-wu Pu that if Japan not immediately placed on same footing South Manchuria as Russia North China has again Manchuria, Russia obliged cancel Convention just concluded. officially, through Wai-wu Pu here, and Minister, Tokio, protested against Japan having ten public telegraph stations in Manchuria outside railway territory, but protest ignored by Japan. British Minister says can do nothing, as only instructed interfere if your interests in through traffic involved; but beg to point out that the above-mentioned ten Japanese stations are inflicting less joint interests, and if not closed, Russian Convention will be cancelled and a Russo-Japanese-Manchurian Telegraph Convention eventually made, whereby joint interests seriously involved. Dresing asks, if possible, Company induce British Government protest against Japan having public telegraph stations outside railway.

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