CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 680

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[May 23.]

SECTION 1.

Y

[17589]

(No. 91.)

(Telegraphic.) P.

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

Foreign Office, May 23, 1908.

PORTUGAL and China. With reference to your telegram No. 99 of the 13th instant: Portugal and China.

Portuguese Government state that there has been no cessation in the landing of Chinese soldiers; they affirm that the Portuguese authorities are rigorously checking the traffic in arms, and deny that the prevention of the smuggling of arms is the object of the Chinese proceedings. Portuguese, on the advice of the new Portuguese Minister at Peking and of new Governor at Macao, contemplate landing of Portuguese soldiers, and a cruiser is now in waiting at Singapore for orders.

A telegram from the Wai-wu Pu has been unofficially communicated to me by the Chinese Minister, to the effect that Chinese action has been limited to the reoccupation by Chinese troops of a camp which was in the occupation of the Chinese at the time of the signature of the 1887 Treaty (providing, until delimitation, for the continuance of the status quo as regards the boundary).

The terms of the three Chinese demands are given, but translation seems unreliable,

and either party at Peking could furnish you with more authentic version.

The issue of further licences at Macao has been stopped, according to the Chinese Minister at Lisbon. Taken with reported entire stoppage of arms traffic and change of Governors at Macao, this seems to indicate real desire to meet China on the part of Portugal, and possibility of a settlement being arranged.

With regard to the Chinese Minister's personal suggestion that both parties would certainly accept your mediation, I should be glad to have your views.

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