CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 55

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

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C. O.

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16175]

No. 1.

16 JUL 08

[May 11.]

SECTION 4.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 11.)

(No. 96.) (Telegraphic.) P.

CHINA-JAPAN telegraphs.

Peking, May 11, 1908.

I have discussed the question with his Excellency Tong Shao-yi on the basis of your telegrams Nos. 77 and 78 of the 8th instant. He is firmly opposed to the acceptance of the terms offered by the Japanese, and, in view of the fact that the ultimate decision practically rests with him, I would be glad if Mr. Dresing could furnish me with fresh arguments which might induce Tong-ta-jên to alter his attitude.

Following is the substance of his objections:

The Japanese telegraph stations were, he says, established in time of war for military purposes, and to press for their continuance now that peace has been restored is unreasonable. Until the places in question have been furnished by the Chinese Government with the requisite telegraphic facilities, the Japanese stations might well be allowed to remain. China is not, however, prepared to sanction their existence, once such facilities had been provided.

Tong lays stress upon the point that were the Chinese Government to agree to the terms offered by Japan, they might expect similar claims to be pressed upon them by other nations--by France on the Tonquin frontier, by Germany at Tsingtau, and by Russia at Harbin and other places.

The principle at issue is, he says, vital to China from the point of view of her rights of sovereignty, and is in no way affected by the mere number of the Japanese telegraph stations.

[2960-4]

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C. O. [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. AFFAIRS OF CHINA. CONFIDENTIAL. [16175] No. 1. 16 JUL 08 [May 11.] SECTION 4. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 11.) (No. 96.) (Telegraphic.) P. CHINA-JAPAN telegraphs. Peking, May 11, 1908. I have discussed the question with his Excellency Tong Shao-yi on the basis of your telegrams Nos. 77 and 78 of the 8th instant. He is firmly opposed to the acceptance of the terms offered by the Japanese, and, in view of the fact that the ultimate decision practically rests with him, I would be glad if Mr. Dresing could furnish me with fresh arguments which might induce Tong-ta-jên to alter his attitude. Following is the substance of his objections: The Japanese telegraph stations were, he says, established in time of war for military purposes, and to press for their continuance now that peace has been restored is unreasonable. Until the places in question have been furnished by the Chinese Government with the requisite telegraphic facilities, the Japanese stations might well be allowed to remain. China is not, however, prepared to sanction their existence, once such facilities had been provided. Tong lays stress upon the point that were the Chinese Government to agree to the terms offered by Japan, they might expect similar claims to be pressed upon them by other nations--by France on the Tonquin frontier, by Germany at Tsingtau, and by Russia at Harbin and other places. The principle at issue is, he says, vital to China from the point of view of her rights of sovereignty, and is in no way affected by the mere number of the Japanese telegraph stations. [2960-4]

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02 Sa 53 C. O. [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. AFFAIRS OF CHINA. CONFIDENTIAL. [16175] No. 1. 16 JUL 08 [May 11.] SECTION 4. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 11.) (No. 96.) (Telegraphic.) P. CHINA-JAPAN telegraphs. Peking, May 11, 1908. I have discussed the question with his Excellency Tong Shao-yi on the basis of your telegrams Nos. 77 and 78 of the 8th instant. He is firmly opposed to the acceptance of the terms offered by the Japanese, and, in view of the fact that the ultimate decision practically rests with him, I would be glad if Mr. Dresing could furnish me with fresh arguments which might induce Tong-ta-jên to alter his attitude. Following is the substance of his objections: The Japanese telegraph stations were, he says, established in time of war for military purposes, and to press for their continuance now that peace has been restored is unreasonable. Until the places in question have been furnished by the Chinese Government with the requisite telegraphic facilities, the Japanese stations might well be allowed to remain. China is not, however, prepared to sanction their existence, once such facilities had been provided. Tong lays stress upon the point that were the Chinese Government to agree to the terms offered by Japan, they might expect similar claims to be pressed upon them by other nations--by France on the Tonquin frontier, by Germany at Tsingtau, and by Russia at Harbin and other places. The principle at issue is, he says, vital to China from the point of view of her rights of sovereignty, and is in no way affected by the mere number of the Japanese telegraph stations. [2960 -4]

2026-06-06 14:49:52 · Baseline

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