CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 720

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

[B]

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[43330]

No. 1.

REC

715

Rent 29 DEC 08

[December 12.]

SECTION 1.

(No. 488.) Sir,

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 12.)

Peking, October 27, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch No. 221 of the 20th May last, I have the honour to report that Mr. Ijuin, the recently appointed Japanese Minister, assumed charge of the Japanese Legation here on the 16th instant.

Since the accession to office of the Katsura Cabinet at Tokio there has been a noticeable détente in the strained relations between Japan and China, which has resulted in the settlement of a number of outstanding questions, and the new Minister, who is well and favourably known to the leading Chinese officials, enters upon his duties in exceptionally favourable circumstances. Although public opinion in China responds much more slowly to a change of this kind than it does in countries where political education is more advanced, there are already indications that the soreness which has lately marred the relations between the neighbouring Empires is passing away. An instance of the better feeling now prevailing may be found in the treatment of the recent Chientao incident, which attracted far less attention than it would have done had it occurred a few months ago.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

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