364
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 44174
2 DCC 08;
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[38937]
No. 1.
[November 9.]
SECTION 5.
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey-(Received November 9.)
(No. 266.) Sir,
Tokió, October 4, 1908.
HIS Majesty's Vice-Consul at Dairen reports that his Excellency Hsu Sei Chen, Viceroy of Manchuria, arrived on an official visit to Dairen on the 12th ultimo, accompanied by a suite of twenty persons. It is understood that the Viceroy came in the first place to return the visits paid to Mukden last year by Viscount Oshima, Governor of the leased territory, and at the same time to discuss any questions still outstanding between the two Administrations, more especially in connection with railway matters and the question of bandits in the neutral zone.
The visit seems to have passed off with the utmost cordiality on both sides, and a most laudatory article, translation of which by Mr. Gordon I have the honour to inclose,* appeared in the local Japanese paper eulogizing the virtues of the distinguished visitor. Speeches redolent of mutual admiration were exchanged between the Viceroy, Viscount Oshima, and Mr. Nakamura, Vice-President of the South Manchurian Railway.
Mr. Gordon, in estimating the cost of the reception at not less than £10,000—a large sum for a poor territory under the present conditions of trade—adds that the Japanese authorities regard the present Viceroy very favourably, and are evidently eager to ingratiate themselves with his Excellency. The South Manchurian Railway Company more especially have everything to gain by keeping on the best of terms with the Chinese officials, and they would seem to have omitted nothing to make the visit of Hsu Sei Chen as imposing as possible.
A reference to my despatch No. 258 of the 4th instant will show that the misgivings entertained in the inclosed article as to the enforcement of Regulations for the custom-houses on the Mukden frontier are without foundation.
It is most noteworthy how within the last six weeks, since the assumption by Count Komura of the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, a marked improvement has taken place in the relations between China and Japan. His Excellency seems to have lost no time in deciding that the weakest point in Japan's foreign policy lay in the number of unsettled questions still at issue between the two Governments.
The Yalu timber question has at last been satisfactorily settled. The Chinese Delegates are on the point of signing an Agreement on the vexed subject of telegraph stations in Manchuria, while the Japanese Government have suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn their opposition to a veto being imposed on the importation of morphia. It must be remembered that Count Komura has an intimate knowledge of the Chinese Government from long official intercourse both in Peking and Tokio. Tong Shao-yi arrives next week on his way to America, and discussions between these two statesmen, who are old acquaintances, should be instrumental in further clearing the way for a better understanding between the two countries.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.
* Not printed.
[2029 i-5]
364
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Gove 44174
2 DCC 08;
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[38937]
No. 1.
[November 9.]
SECTION 5.
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey-(Received November 9.)
(No. 266.) Sir,
Tokió, October 4, 1908. HIS Majesty's Vice-Consul at Dairen reports that his Excellency Hsu Sei Chen, Viceroy of Manchuria, arrived on an official visit to Dairen on the 12th ultimo, accom- panied by a suite of twenty persons. It is understood that the Viceroy came in the first place to return the visits paid to Mukden last year by Viscount Oshima, Governor of the leased territory, and at the same time to discuss any questions still outstanding between the two Administrations, more especially in connection with railway matters and the question of bandits in the neutral zone.
The visit seems to have passed off with the utmost cordiality on both sides, and a most laudatory article, translation of which by Mr. Gordon I have the honour to inclose,* appeared in the local Japanese paper eulogizing the virtues of the distinguished visitor. Speeches redolent of mutual admiration were exchanged between the Viceroy, Viscount Oshima, and Mr. Nakamura, Vice-President of the South Manchurian Railway.
Mr. Gordon, in estimating the cost of the reception at not less than 10,0002.—a large sum for a poor territory under the present conditions of trade-adds that the Japanese authorities regard the present Viceroy very favourably, and are evidently eager to ingratiate themselves with his Excellency. The South Manchurian Railway Company more especially have everything to gain by keeping on the best of terms with the Chinese officials, and they would seem to have omitted nothing to make the visit of Hsu Sei Chen as imposing as possible.
A reference to my despatch No. 258 of the 4th instant will show that the misgivings entertained in the inclosed article as to the enforcement of Regulations for the custom- houses on the Mukden frontier are without foundation.
It is most noteworthy how within the last six weeks, since the assumption by Count Komura of the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, a marked improvement has taken place in the relations between China and Japan. His Excellency seems to have lost no time in deciding that the weakest point in Japan's foreign policy lay in the number of unsettled questions still at issue between the two Governments.
The Yalu timber question has at last been satisfactorily settled. The Chinese Delegates are on the point of signing an Agreement on the vexed subject of telegraph stations in Manchuria, while the Japanese Government have suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn their opposition to a veto being imposed on the importation of morphia. It must be remembered that Count Komura has an intimate knowledge of the Chinese Government from long official intercourse both in Peking and Tokio. Tong Shao-yi arrives next week on his way to America, and discussions between these two statesmen, who are old acquaintances, should be instrumental in further clearing the way for a better understanding between the two countries.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.
* Not printed.
[2029 i-5]
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