This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[9694]
(No. 64.) Sir,
No. 1.
[March 21.]
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received March 21.)
Peking, February 5, 1908,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith in translation an extract from a recent issue of the "Shih Pao" ("Eastern Times") on the subject of the relations between Great Britain and China.
During the last few months the vernacular press has been full of articles of this kind directed against Great Britain's policy in the Far East and the timidity of the Wai-wu Pu in yielding to British dictation. Fortunately most of the questions which have given rise to these expressions of opinion have now been settled, and it is to be hoped that the popular agitation will gradually subside.
Inclosure in No. 1.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,
Extract from the "Shih Pao" ("Eastern Times") of January 23, 1908, on the recent Attitude of the British towards China,
(Précis Translation.)
SMALL beginnings produce far-reaching effects, and a selfish or reckless failure to deal with events at their first stages inevitably entails in the long run general disaster.
The present relations between England and China cannot be contemplated without misgiving. The two nations have been on friendly terms since their intercourse began, and although the English have taken more of China's good things than other nations have, yet for that very reason, in order to preserve their advantages, their attitude has been based on a policy of peace, and they have not done violence to our national feelings. This is due, not to any love of us, but to the principle that "when you throw at the rat you must be careful not to break the vase"; they have had to consider consequences to themselves.
Since the question of the railway loan arose, the people of Kiangsu and Chekiang in opposing it have not come into conflict with the foreigner, but have found arrayed against them the very body on whom they relied for assistance, namely, the Wai-wu Pu, who were at first careless about the matter, but afterwards stuck to their prejudices through sheer perversity, and are precipitating a complete rupture. The foreigners simply stand aside and wait for matters to be settled between our rulers and our people, their policy being thus greatly facilitated.
Hence the embarrassment now entailed on us by the questions of the Tung-kuan Shan mine and the withdrawal of the troops from Tibet.
In the case of the Tung-kuan Shan mine, the limit of time was exceeded, and it was absolutely clear that the Agreement was void. The British Minister, having no case, simply referred the matter to the Manager of the concern, Lister Kaye. If the Wai-wu Pu had stood firm there would have been no difficulty in finishing the thing off. But the railway affair served as an encouragement to the other side, and the result is that the British Foreign Office refuse a compromise, and Kaye declines to see the Chinese Minister. Thus the rights which were lost and might have been recovered are on the verge of being lost again, and a bitter anti-foreign feeling has been created in Anhui. This has not been deliberately incurred by the foreigners; the gentlemen at the head of affairs in China are also to blame for keeping the sore festering.
Again, in the case of Tibet, the Treaty with India expressly declared that the troops would be withdrawn as soon as the indemnity was settled. But although the £400,000 has been paid in full, the British forces are still in the Chumbi Valley, being kept there on various pretexts. This deliberate breach of Treaty is entirely the result of the timidity displayed by the Wai-wu Pu over the loan question. The British, having got an inch, take an ell; they will not listen to our remonstrances and openly deride our helplessness,
Page 244
མཱ 3 1jiu'5
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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
}
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[9694]
(No. 64.) Sir,
No. 1.
[March 21.]
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received March 21.)
Peking, February 5, 1908,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith in translation an extract from a ("Eastern Times") on the subject of the relations recent issue of the "Shih Pao" between Great Britain and China.
During the last few months the vernacular press has been full of articles of this kind directed against Great Britain's policy in the Far East and the timidity of the Wai-wu Pu in yielding to British dictation. Fortunately most of the questions which have given rise to these expressions of opinion have now been settled, and it is to be hoped that the popular agitation will gradually subside.
Inclosure in No. 1.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,
Extract from the "Shik Pao" ("Eastern Times") of January 23, 1908, on the recent Attitude of the British towards China,
(Précis Translation.)
SMALL beginnings produce far-reaching effects, and a selfish or reckless failure to deal with events at their first stages inevitably entails in the long run general disaster.
The present relations between England and China cannot be contemplated without misgiving. The two nations have been on friendly terms since their intercourse began, and although the English have taken more of China's good things than other nations have, yet for that very reason, in order to preserve their advantages, their attitude has been based on a policy of peace, and they have not done violence to our national feelings. This is due, not to any love of us, but to the principle that "when you throw at the rat you must be careful not to break the vase"; they have had to consider con- sequences to themselves. Since the question of the railway loan arose, the people of Kiangsa and Chekiang in opposing it have not come into conflict with the foreigner, but have found arrayed against them the very body on whom they relied for assistance, namely, the Wai-wu Pu, who were at first careless about the matter, but afterwards stuck to their prejudices through sheer perversity, and are precipitating a complete rupture. The foreigners simply stand aside and wait for matters to be settled between our rulers Hence the embarrassment and our people, their policy being thus greatly facilitated.
now entailed on us by the questions of the Tung-kuan Shan mine and the withdrawal of the troops from Thibet.
In the case of the Tung-kuan Shan mine, the limit of time was exceeded, and it was absolutely clear that the Agreement was void. The British Minister, having no case, simply referred the matter to the Manager of the concern, Lister Kaye. If the Wai-wu Pu had stood firm there would have been no difliculty in finishing the thing off. But the railway affair served as an encouragement to the other side, and the result is that the British Foreign Office refuse a compromise, and Kaye declines to see the Chinese Minister. Thus the rights which were lost and might have been recovered are on the verge of being lost again, and a bitter anti-foreign feeling has been created in Anhui. This has not been deliberately incurred by the foreigners; the gentlemen at the head of affairs in China are also to blame for keeping the sore festering.
Again, in the case of Thibet, the Treaty with India expressly declared that the troops would be withdrawn as soon as the indemnity was settled. But although the 400,0007, has been paid in full, the British forces are still in the Chumbi Valley, being kept there on various pretexts. This deliberate breach of Treaty is entirely the result of the timidity displayed by the Wai-wu Pu over the loan question. The British, having got an inch, take au ell; they will not listen to our remonstrances and openly deride our helplessness,
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