-288
2
received by Liang Tun-yen. After a short wait we were summoned by the Prince, who gave me a most courteous and kindly reception, referring to the fact that he had known me ever since he had been connected with the old Tsung-li Yamên. After the usual complimentary remarks, he went on to say that I had been asked by the Chinese Government to enter their service as an earnest of their sincere desire to get into close relations with Great Britain, upon whose friendship and support they set the highest value. He referred to the alliance between England and Japan, and suggested in a vague and cautious way that China wanted the friendship of England just as much as Japan did. He made no reference to the special nature of the duties which I should be called upon to perform, beyond saying that it would be a satisfaction to himself and his colleagues to feel that I was on the spot and ready to lend a hand.
From the Prince's house I went on to see Yuan Kung-pao. Here we had to wait a little while, as Yuan was engaged at a meeting of the members of the Wai-wu Pu hard by, but he telephoned to say that he would come as soon as he could, and hoped I would not mind waiting. I employed the interval in talking to Liang on various subjects, but I could get no information out of him as to the special nature of the work I was expected to do, beyond an intimation that I should not be required to attend at the Wai-wu Pu, and that my relations would be almost entirely with the Prince, Yuan Kung-pao, Tang Shao-yi, and himself. After about half-an-hour's wait, Yuan came in and greeted me in his old bluff and breezy way, telling me how glad he was to see me, and apologizing for the delay in greeting me, which was due to a row he had been having with his colleagues at the Board meeting—a row in which, judging from his cheerful appearance, he must have come out top. He also alluded, in similar terms, to those employed by the Prince to the value which China placed upon the close friendship of England, and was good enough to say that they had asked me to accept service with them because they knew I was a friend of China and was trusted by my own people as well as by themselves. All this, of course, is the usual sort of talk, but there was no special necessity to tell it to me if it was not more than mere politeness. But I am sure that it was not merely politeness. It was meant, and seriously meant. Yuan did not refer to Japan, but what has struck me much during the few days I have been here is how greatly Japan is getting on Chinese nerves.
Several people are looking out for a house for me, and I hope before very long that a suitable place will be found. It is to be a Chinese house, I am glad to say, as I infinitely prefer a good Chinese house to a gimcrack foreign one, which is all I could expect to get.
I forgot to mention that I have been given the names of various high officials upon whom I am asked to call.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed)
WALTER C. HILLIER.
P.S.—I have written you this formal letter in case you want to write anything to the Foreign Office about myself and my work. As I told you the other day, I will keep you informed of anything I can legitimately tell you; but I think, perhaps, it will be better for me not to write. I will be round to see you as soon as I can get this round of Chinese visits worked off.
W. C. H.
C n. This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[25990]
No. 1.
[THIS 243 AUG 08
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 27.)
(No. 255.) Sir,
Peking, June 5, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch No. 204 of the 11th ultimo, respecting the navigation of the Poyang Lake by His Majesty's ships of war, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang, reporting upon the circumstances attending the visit of His Majesty's ship "Nightingale" to those waters.
It will be seen that Mr. Werner sent a verbal notice of the visit to the Kiukiang Taotai in accordance with my instructions.
The Germans and the Japanese, both of whom had refrained from entering the lake in deference to the protests of the Chinese, will doubtless now take advantage of our action to enforce their right of entry.
I have, &c.
(No. 10. Confidential.)
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Consul Werner to Sir J. Jordan.
Sir,
Kiukiang, May 22, 1908. WITH reference to your despatch of the 8th instant, on the subject of the navigation of the Poyang Lake by His Majesty's ships of war, I have the honour to report that on its receipt I read the despatch and its inclosures to the Commander of His Majesty's ship "Nightingale," the gun-boat which was about to cruise in the Poyang Lake with the object of visiting various places on its shores and calling upon the Governor at Nan Ch'ang.
Lieutenant-Commander Roy had communicated to me his intention of visiting the lake, and it was because the matter had been referred to your decision when His Majesty's ship "Teal" had attempted to enter the lake on the 14th April last that I deemed it advisable to inform you by telegraph of the proposed visit.
Acting on the precedents of the last five years I have, when the Commanders of His Majesty's ships of war have consulted me on the matter, stated that, as far as this Consulate was concerned, the protest always made by the Commander of the Hu K'ou forts should be disregarded, since the right to navigate the lake had the support both of precedent and Treaty, and had been consistently acted upon by His Majesty's Government ever since the question was first raised in 1903.
Lieutenant-Commander Roy, on learning the contents of your despatch, informed me that he would leave on the morning of the 21st May. I accordingly sent verbal notice to this effect to the Kiukiang Taotai. He replied requesting that the gun-boat should not enter the lake, as the natives would be frightened.
The "Nightingale" left Kiukiang at 6:30 A.M. on the 21st May. About noon I received from Lieutenant-Commander Roy the following telegram:
"Hu Kou, 21st May, Official refused permission proceed lake, waiting orders Taotai. Inform Taotai. "Remain here await reply. NIGHTINGALE.'
On receipt of this telegram I sent a message to the Taotai requesting him to telegraph instructions to the official to permit the gun-boat to enter the lake. He, however, declined to do so. I ascertained privately that no resistance was to be made if the vessel entered the lake, and telegraphed to the Commander as follows:-
Kiukiang, 21st May. Your telegram of to-day. Taotai declines to issue instructions.
I learn privately that though official sanction is withheld, no resistance
Please telegraph from next station.—CONSUL.”
will be made.
[1865 dd-2]
Γ
-288
2
received by Liang Tun-yen. After a short wait we were summoned by the Prince, who gave me a most courteous and kindly reception, referring to the fact that he had known me ever since he had been connected with the old Tsung-li Yamên. After the usual complimentary remarks, he went on to say that I had been asked by the Chinese Government to enter their service as an earnest of their sincere desire to get into close relations with Great Britain, upon whose friendship and support they set the highest value. He referred to the alliance between England and Japan, and suggested in a vague and cautious way that China wanted the friendship of England just as much as Japan did. He made no reference to the special nature of the duties which I should be called upon to perform, beyond saying that it would be a satisfaction to himself and his colleagues to feel that I was on the spot and ready to lend a hand.
From the Prince's house I went on to see Yuan Kung-pao. Here we bad to wait a little while, as Yuan was engaged at a meeting of the members of the Wai-wu Pu hard by, but he telephoned to say that he would come as soon as he could, and hoped I would not mind waiting. I employed the interval in talking to Liang on various subjects, but I could get no information out of him as to the special nature of the work I was expected to do, beyond an intimation that I should not be required to attend at the Wai-wu Pu, and that my relations would be almost entirely with the Prince, Yuan Kung-pao, Tang Shao-yi, and himself. After about half-an-hour's wait, Yuan came in and greeted me in his old bluff and breezy way, telling me how glad he was to see me, and apologizing for the delay in greeting me, which was due to a row he had been having with his colleagues at the Board meeting-a row in which, judging from his cheerful appearance, he must have come out top. He also alluded, in similar terms, to those employed by the Prince to the value which China placed upon the close friendship of England, and was good enough to say that they had asked me to accept service with them because they knew I was a friend of China and was trusted by my own people as well as by themselves. All this, of course, is the usual sort of talk, but there was Do special necessity to tell it to me if it was not more than mere politeness. But I am sure that it was not merely politeness. It was meant, and seriously meant. Yuan did not refer to Japan, but what has struck me much during the few days I have been here is how greatly Japan is getting on Chinese nerves.
Several people are looking out for a house for me, and I hope before very long that a suitable place will be found. It is to be a Chinese house, I am glad to say, as I infinitely prefer a good Chinese house to a gimerack foreign one, which is all I could expect to get.
I forgot to mention that I have been given the names of various high officials upon whom I am asked to call.
Yours sincerely, (Signed)
WALTER C. HILLIER.
P.S.-I have written you this formal letter in case you want to write anything to the Foreign Office about myself and my work. As I told you the other day, I will keep you informed of anything I can legitimately tell you; but I think, perhaps, it will be better for me not to write. I will be round to see you as soon as I can get this round of Chinese visits worked off.
W. C. H.
C n. This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.i
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[25990]
No. 1.
[THIS 243 AUG 08
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received July 27.)
(No. 255.) Sir,
Peking, June 5, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch No. 204 of the 11th ultimo, respecting the navigation of the Poyang Lake by His Majesty's ships of war, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang, reporting upon the circumstances attending the visit of His Majesty's ship "Nightingale" to those waters.
It will be seen that Mr. Werner sent a verbal notice of the visit to the Kiukiang Taotai in accordance with my instructions.
The Germans and the Japanese, both of whom had refrained from entering the lake in deference to the protests of the Chinese, will doubtless now take advantage of our action to enforce their right of entry.
I have, &e.
(No. 10. Confidential.)
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 1.
Consul Werner to Sir J. Jordan.
J. N. JORDAN.
Sir,
Kivkiang, May 22, 1908. WITH reference to your despatch of the 8th instaut, on the subject of the navigation of the Poyang Lake by His Majesty's ships of war, I have the honour to report that on its receipt I read the despatch and its inclosures to the Commander of His Majesty's ship "Nightingale," the gun-boat which was about to cruise in the Poyang Lake with the object of visiting various places on its shores and calling upon the Governor at Nan Ch'ang.
Lieutenant-Commander Roy had communicated to me his intention of visiting the lake, and it was because the matter had been referred to your decision when His Majesty's ship "Teal" had attempted to enter the lake on the 14th April last that I deemed it advisable to inform you by telegraph of the proposed visit.
Acting on the precedents of the last five years I have, when the Commanders of His Majesty's ships of war have consulted me on the matter, stated that, as far as this Consulate was concerned, the protest always made by the Commander of the Hu K'ou forts should be disregarded, since the right to navigate the lake had the support both of precedent and Treaty, and had been consistently acted upon by His Majesty's Government ever since the question was first raised in 1903.
Lieutenant-Commander Roy, on learning the contents of your despatch, informed me that he would leave on the morning of the 21st May, I accordingly sent verbal notice to this effect to the Kinkiang Taotai. He replied requesting that the gun-boat should not enter the lake, as the natives would be frightened.
The "Nightingale " left Kiukiang at 6:30 A.M. on the 21st May. About noon I received from Lieutenant-Commander Roy the following telegram:
"Hu Kou, 21st May, Official refused permission proceed lake, waiting orders Taotai. Inform Taotai. "Remain here await reply. NIGHTINGALE.'
On receipt of this telegram I sent a message to the Taotai requesting him to telegraph instructions to the official to permit the gun-boat to enter the lake. He, however, declined to do so. I ascertained privately that no resistance was to be made if the vessel entered the lake, and telegraphed to the Commander as follows:-
Kiukiang, 21st May. Your telegram of to-day. Taotai declines to issue instructions.
I learn privately that though official sanction is withheld, no resistance
Please telegraph from next station.---CONSUL.”
will be made.
[1865 dd-2]
Γ
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