[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[31850]
No. 1.
267
0.
[September 11]
SECTION 1.
42997
24 NOV 08
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 11.)
(No. 149.) (Telegraphic.) P.
WITHDRAWAL of troops.
Peking, September 11, 1908.
In reply to your telegram No. 114 of the 8th instant on this subject, I venture to think that it would be advisable to delay taking any definite decision until the arrival of his Excellency Tong Shao-yi in England in April. He leaves in a few days on a tour to Japan, America, and Europe, with the object, I am told, of inducing the Powers to withdraw their forces from North China. Rather than appear to be guided in the matter by Germany and Japan, I think it would be preferable to grant the concession direct to the Chinese through Tong. In any case, it would be impossible to move the troops during the winter months.
You will see from Sir Claude MacDonald's despatch No. 280 of the 22nd December, 1907, that less than a year ago the Japanese Government still viewed the state of affairs here with grave concern, and this, I think, justifies us in giving the question the most careful consideration before coming to any decision on the subject of withdrawal. Although it is true that attacks on missionaries and other foreigners have been of rare occurrence during the last few years, and that Yuan's presence in Peking has to some extent strengthened the hands of the Central Government, still the provinces have of late been anything but free from political agitation, and in view of the advanced age of the Empress-Dowager and the persistent ill-health of the Emperor, one should not lose sight of the possibility of trouble arising over the question of an heir to the throne.
[1933 1-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.j
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[31850]
No. 1.
267
0.
[September 111
SECTION 1.
42997
24 NOV 08
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 11.)
(No. 149.) (Telegraphic.) P.
WITHDRAWAL of troops.
Peking, September 11, 1908.
In reply to your telegram No. 114 of the 8th instant on this subject, I venture to think that would be advisable to delay taking any definite decision until the arrival of his Excellency Tong Shao-yi in England in April. He leaves in a few days on a tour to Japan, America, and Europe, with the object, I am told, of inducing the Powers to withdraw their forces from North China. Rather than appear to be guided in the matter by Germany and Japan, I think it would be preferable to grant the concession direct to the Chinese through Toog. In any case it would be impossible to move the troops during the winter months.
You will see from Sir Claude MacDonald's despatch No. 280 of the 22nd December, 1907, that less than a year ago the Japanese Government still viewed the state of affairs here with grave concern, and this, I think, justifies us in giving the question the most careful consideration before coming to any decision on the subject of withdrawal. Although it is true that attacks on missionaries and other foreigners have been of rare occurrence during the last few years, and that Yuan's presence in Peking has to some extent strengthened the hands of the Central Government, still the provinces have of late been anything but free from political agitation, and in view of the advanced age of the Empress-Dowager and the persistent ill-health of the Emperor, one should not lose sight of the possibility of trouble arising over the question of an heir to the throne.
[1933 1-1]
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