[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] -
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C.O.
[February 16.]
8782
SECTION 1.
RECR
REGE 12 MAR 09
No.
[5605]
Memorandum communicated to Count Benckendorff, February 16, 1909.
ON the 1st July, 1908, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs had the honour to inform the Russian Ambassador that the United States' Government had drawn the attention of His Majesty's Government to the claim put forward by the Russian Government that her railway rights in Manchuria, which extended over certain lands near the railway, not only entitled her to use those lands for railway purposes, but also gave her practically rights of territorial sovereignty over them.
Sir Edward Grey then stated to Count Benckendorff that the United States' Government had been informed that, while His Majesty's Government could not take a very active part in the matter till British interests were directly concerned, it was thought advisable to place his Excellency in possession of their views on the principle involved, which were in accord with those of the United States.
Information has now reached His Majesty's Government to the effect that the Russian authorities at Harbin are taking steps to instal the Eastern Chinese Railway Company as an official Russian agency, and that they are endeavouring to collect taxes from all nationalities.
Since July of last year a British firm has set up business at Harbin, and an appeal has been received from that firm by His Majesty's Minister at Peking for assistance. In these circumstances His Majesty's Government can no longer delay in drawing the attention of the Russian Government to the state of affairs reported to be imminent, if not already existing, at Harbin.
His Majesty's Government trust, however, that the report may not prove to be entirely correct, as they would be unable to admit the right of any foreign Government to establish an Administration, such as is now reported to be in course of installation. It would not, as Sir E. Grey has already had the honour to observe to Count Bencken- dorff, be, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, consistent with the policy of the integrity of China and of the " open door" in that Empire, to which the Imperial Russian Government, equally with other Powers, have agreed.
His Majesty's Government have learnt that the United States' Government have suggested, as a possible solution of the question, the creation of a municipality regularized under the Treaties. The United States' Government point out that such an Administration would at the present time differ but little in practical effect, in view of the great preponderance of Russian residents at Harbin, from an Administration exercising authority through the Railway Concession.
At the same time, an institution of such a nature, assuring as it would to other nationalities the equal opportunities to trade which they have the right to expect, would enable His Majesty's Government to regard a solution of the question on these lines as satisfactory in principle, and they earnestly hope that the proposal of the United States' Government may receive favourable consideration.
Foreign Office, February 16, 1909.
[2155 q-1]
571
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