[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[45451]
No. 1.
REC
C.O. 8783
[December 29.]
(REGO 12 MAR 3 SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.- (Received December 29.)
(No. 207.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Peking, December 29, 1908. THE foreign Representatives here have been informed, in a note of yesterday's date, that the reorganization of the Imperial finances which the Chinese Government are proposing to undertake, entails the abolition of li-kin and an increase in the Tariff. Such a step, the Wai-wu Pu point out, would only be in accordance with the Commercial Treaties in force with Great Britain, Japan, and the United States, the stipulations of which on that subject have not been carried out, solely because the remaining foreign Powers have not concluded Treaties of a like nature. The Chinese Government would therefore be glad if the foreign Governments would all consent to a conference between Representatives appointed by themselves and the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu, with the object of arranging for the carrying out of the proposed measures on the basis of the stipulations laid down in the above-mentioned Treaties. Finally, in the note addressed to me, the Wai-wu Pu state that they will be grateful for the views of His Majesty's Government, whose consent and assistance would be appreciated.
I am inclined to think that Tong Shao-yi's visit to Washington is not unconnected with the issue at the present moment of this appeal, which would appear to have for its object the securing of assistance from the Governments of Great Britain, Japan, and the United States in obtaining from the other foreign Powers the enforcement of stipulations in the Commercial Treaties as to li-kin and Tariff revision.
Should His Majesty's Government decide on supporting the Chinese Government in this matter, I would suggest that this should be made contingent on the effective enforcement by China of the terms and spirit of the Treaty of 1902, in such matters, for instance, as the issue of Mining Regulations and currency reform. The condition of the currency in particular, as explained in my despatch No. 558 of the 11th instant, is such as to render the advice of foreign experts absolutely necessary, and the need for reform in that direction calls for immediate action.
With your sanction I propose to express myself somewhat in the above sense to Yuan Shih-kai, whom I expect to see before the end of the week.
[2050 ƒ-1]
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