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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
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administered solely by foreigners. This, I believe, the local Chinese authorities realize would meet with opposition that could not be removed. A solution of the problem in which the interests of the Russians and the Chinese, as well as those of the other nations, could be adequately protected and respected appears to lie about equally between the two positions-in other words, the recognition of Harbin as an international Settlement, the municipal administration of which would be confined to the actual requirements of public peace and good order, and controlled by a Council elected by the residents irrespective of nationality, and in which the Chinese might participate. In my opinion this would be entirely fair to Russian subjects and their interests. They are in the vast majority, and consequently would control the administration, and at the same time the Treaty rights of the other nations would be respected, to which Russia could have no rightful cause for opposition.
Recently there appear to be indications that Mr. Kawakami, the Japanese Consul- General here, is endeavouring to draw away from the cordial understanding that has existed between himself and the authorities of the Railway Company. In speaking of the situation here some days ago he made the remark that "of course the sovereignty of China must be respected." He was called to Tôkiô last week for consultation with the Foreign Office, and it is rumoured here that he will be appointed Consul-General at Mukden.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
FRED. D. FISHER,
American Consul.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[45133]
No. 1.
[December 28.]
SECTION 5.
28 4.09
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 28.)
(No. 508.) Sir,
Peking, November 11, 1908. WITH reference to my despatch No. 466 of the 21st ultimo, I have the honour to inelose copy of a further despatch received from His Majesty's Con-ul at Chinan-fu on the subject of the anti-German agitation in Shantung,
The leaflet forwarded by Mr. Giles is written in the vulgar language, so as to appeal directly to the uneducated classes, and closely resembles anti-foreign posters which have been published elsewhere in China at the instigation of students in or from Japan. Mr. Giles very properly judged that the circulation of such an inflammatory document might provoke injury to British as well as to German interests, and be pointed out to the Governor of Shantung the danger of allowing the publication unchecked.
The boycott raised in pursuance of the arrangement mentioned in my despatch No. 466 was subsequently renewed by the Chinese merchants, who alleged that the Hamburg-Amerika Company were not carrying out an undertaking to assist in combating the Government taxes, and, according to Mr. Giles' latest information, the boycott is still in force against the Company. The taxation at Tsingtau no doubt tends to inflame the deep-seated objections of the Chinese against German doings in Shantung, and I hardly think that the position is so promising as, judging from Colonel Trench's conversation of the 11th August with His Majesty at Cronberg, the German Emperor considers it to be.
Whether the anti-German agitation becomes serious or not depends on the attitude of the higher provincial authorities, and, so far as I can see, the present Governor is following the prudent example of Yuan Shih-k'ai, who set his face against all political or commercial hostility.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
0
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Acting Consul Giles to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 18.) Sir,
Chinan, October 29, 1908. I HAVE the honour to forward herewith copy and translation of an anonymous leaflet which was recently circulated in Chinan, and was distributed, among other places, in all the schools. This leaflet, which came into my hands on the 22nd October, calls upon the people of Shantung to rise up and recover the Mining Concessions which have been granted to the Germans, holding out the further hope of subsequently recovering Tsingtau from them. Although the matter was not one that directly concerned British subjects, the language in which the leaflet was couched was so inflammatory that I deemed it advisable to forward a copy to the Governor, suggesting that if such appeals were allowed to circulate uuchecked the consequences might possibly be serious, and involve British as well as German subjects. I inclose copy and translation of my despatch.
The Governor was absent at the time on a visit to Tsingtau and Wei-hai Wei, accompanied by a number of oficials, among whom was the head of the Foreign Bureau-a fact which those concerned in the circulation of the leaflet had doubtless taken into account. However, on the 25th October one of the Governor's Secretaries called on me and explained that, in the absence of the Governor, all possible measures had been taken to suppress this and similar documents, and that precautions had been adopted against any possible disturbance; and two days later I received a formal reply couched in similar terms, copy and translation of which I inclose herewith.
The original leaflet I handed to the German Consul at his request, he being anxious to forward it to Tsingtau in order to ascertain whether it had been printed there.
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