CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 681

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I desire to add that the Memorandum to the Wai-wu Pa was prepared, in consultation with me, by Mr. Campbell, the Chinese Secretary of the Legation, who has mastered all the details of this complicated case and given me invaluable assistance in dealing with it.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

C.O.

104876

RECR

Rece 26 MAR OC

>

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA,

CONFIDENTIAL.

[7739]

No. 1.

[February 26.]

SECTION 2.

Memorandum communicated by Mr. Whitelaw Reid, February 26, 1909.

THE American Government is most pleased at this time to receive the definite assurance of the concurrence of Great Britain in their views regarding the situation at Harbin, and gratified to learn that Sir Edward Grey has informed the Russian Ambassador that the reported action of the Chinese Eastern Railway at Harbin is not consistent with the integrity of China and the open door, and also that His Majesty's Government have stated that the installation of municipal administration regularized can be regarded as a solution of the present difficulty.

Mr. Reid is instructed to further advise Sir Edward Grey that the Secretary of State is informed by the American Minister at Peking that the present moment seeins opportune for advancing the settlement of the Harbin question, as General Horvat, the President of the Chinese Railway, is expected at Peking within a fortnight to discuss matters with the Russian Minister at that capital and with the other foreign Representatives interested.

The Secretary of State, having informed the American Minister at Peking of the views of Great Britain, has instructed Mr. Rockhill as follows: "It would seem desirable if, by taking similar though independent action with your interested colleagues, you could intimate to the Chinese Government that the proposal on its part to install international municipal administration at Harbin would receive the hearty approval of the American Government,'

American Embassy, London, February 26, 1909.

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