CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 281

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

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279

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL,

[40471]

No. 1.

[November 18]

REGE 4 FEE 09

SECTION I

i

Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received November 19.)

(No. 81. Confidential.) (Telegraphic.) P.

Tokió, November 19, 1908, DEATH of the Emperor of China and of the Empress Dowager.

I am informed by Count Konura that the Japanese Minister in Peking is sending him hourly reports. At present the situation is quiet, a rapprochement having been arrived at between Tieh Liang, Minister for War, and Yuan Shi Kai, who have agreed for the national benefit to sink their differences, and this-the latest development-is considered by the Japanese Government, who are most anxious to maintain the status quo, an excellent augury for the future.

The Japanese Government will, Count Komura informed me, act in concert with the Powers, more especially with Great Britain," in the event of any outbreak unhappily occurring.

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