CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 38

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[December 24.]

SECTION 1.

[44935]

(No. 543.) Sir,

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 24.)

Peking, December 4, 1908.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you,herewith copies of three Reports, one by the Military Attaché and two by His Majesty's Consul at Wuhu, on the recent mutiny of some Chinese troops at An-ching, the capital of the Province of Anhui,

The movement, which was confined to about 1,000 men, was only of importance as showing that a considerable amount of disaffection still exists in this province, the former Governor of which was, it will be remembered, assassinated by a band of revolutionaries in July 1907.

The revolt was quickly suppressed, thanks to the energy of the Governor, a protégé of Yuan Shib-k'ai, who burried back from the manœuvres just in time to prevent the city from falling into the hands of the insurgents. This is the solitary instance of any disturbance so far reported in connection with the change of reign, and the promptness with which it has beeu met is likely to have a wholesome effect in restraining the forces of disorder generally.

I have, &c.

(Signed) J. N. JORDAN,

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Sir,

Lieutenant-Colonel Pereira to Sir J. Jordan.

Peking, December 2, 1908. I HAVE the honour to inclose a Report on the recent mutiny at An-ching-fu, the capital of Anhui. Very little is known about the doings of the Secret Societies of China, but, as far as can be gathered, there appears to be little or no proper organization to work up a general outbreak, and up to the present each outburst has been merely local, without any competent leaders or any sane plan of action. In the present case the sympathies of the inhabitants of An-ch'ing were on the side of the Government. Captain Hsiung, who is reported to be the leader of the mutineers, and for whom a reward of 2,000 taels has been offered for his head, belongs to the Secret Societies; but the men In were probably more actuated by a chance of plunder than by any other reason. Central China at the present time the Secret Societies appear to be most active in the cities of An-ch'ing-fu and Nanking and in the Province of Hunan.

Viceroy Tuan-fang, of Nanking, appears to have lost his nerve, and to be in great terror of being assassinated.

I have, &c.

(Signed) GEORGE PEREIRA, Lieutenant-Colonel,

Grenadier Guards, Military Attaché.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Report of a Mutiny at An-ch'ing-fu (Capital of Anhui Province). AN-CHING, a city of probably 150,000 or 160,000 inhabitants, has for some time been a centre of anti-dynastic Secret Societies, such as the "Kê-ming Tang." In July 1907 the Manchu Governor, En-ming, was assassinated, but an abortive attempt at rebellion was crushed. Governor Feng, who succeeded, was very weak, and afraid to act vigorously against the malcontents. The leader of the recent mutiny, Hsiung-nai-tzu, a Captain in the artillery, got into trouble with the police and was arrested, but the Governor released him without punishment. Fortunately a month ago he was succeeded

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