CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 388

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

386

C. O.

5944

[January 7.] - REC SECTION REGL 18 FEE 09

[765]

No. 1.

(No. 566.) Sir,

Sir J. Jordun to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 7, 1909.)

Peking, December 18, 1908.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul at Wuhu, containing the translation of an article from the "Shen Pao," the leading vernacular journal at Shanghae, commenting on the recent Agree- ment between Japan and America.

The writer considers that the language which the two Powers employ in speaking of China is that of grown-up people to a child, and draws the moral that China must put forth all her energy and make herself strong if she hopes to aspire to equality with other Powers. When that is accomplished the present Agreement will be replaced by an Agreement between China and Japan on the one hand, and China and America on the other.

If there is any truth in strange reports which reach me confidentially, and to which I have referred in my telegram No. 203 of to-day, the last part of the writer's prediction may be fulfilled sooner than he anticipated, and the Special Envoy's Mission to Washington in connection with the return of the Boxer indemnity may prove more fruitful than he expected.

I have, &c. (Signed)

J. N. JORDAN.

Inclosure in No. 1.

Sir,

Consul Goffe to Sir J. Jordan.

Wuhu, December 9, 1908.

I HAVE the honour to bring to your notice a leading article which appeared in the "Shen Pao" of the 6th instant, commenting on the recect Agreement between Japan and America from the point of view of the Chinese people. The article is somewhat lengthy, but in view of its exceptional interest I have translated it practically in its entirety:-

"The raison d'etre of this Agreement dates back to the year 1895 when Germany occupied Kiaochou; Russia, Port Arthur and Talienwan; Great Britain, Wei-hai Wei; France, Kuang Chon Wan, and the partition of China seemed on the verge of being accomplished. America alone was opposed to such partition, and restrained the Powers by her peaceful action. Then it was that she advocated the policy of the open door in China, which met with the immediate approval of all the Powers, even Russia, strong position as she held, not daring to stand aloof. The policy of the Powers towards China gradually became more moderate, and this was the result of America's first intervention in the affairs of the Far East.

"At the time of the Boxer rising Russia occupied Manchuria, and, after peace was concluded, declined to withdraw her troops. America disapproved of this, and Japan became so exasperated that she finally declared war on Russia, asserting at the time that she would not annex any of China's territory. Her object was to conciliate America, and in return for this assurance America supported her. Victorious Japan found it difficult to restrain herself from grasping the prize already within her reach, and was sorely tempted to follow in Russia's footsteps. America, seeing Japan's sudden change of policy, drew away from her and inclined towards China; and Japan, fearing not only the loss of American support, but also that America would assist China to put obstacles in her way, reverted to her old policy of keeping on good terms with America. The result is the present Agreement between the two Powers, and this is the fruit of America's intervention in the affairs of the Far East.

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