CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 254

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

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BECR tree 7 MAY DS

[April 17.]

SECTION 3.

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[14371]

(No. 99.) Sir,

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 17.)

Peking, March 3, 1909. WITH reference to my telegram No. 45 of the 19th ultimo, I have the honour to inclose translation of the Imperial Decree appointing Prince Su and others to initiate the formation of a Chinese navy.

The Memorial of Prince Su upon this subject, which evoked the present Decree, has not yet been published; and it is therefore still impossible to say how far it is intended to proceed with naval reorganization.

In reply to inquiries made yesterday at the Wai-wu Pu, I was informed by the Grand Secretary, Na T'ung, that Admiral Sa would arrive in Peking shortly, and I derived the impression that nothing would be decided on until he came.

The Grand Secretary added that any progress with a scheme of naval reconstruction must be gradual and dependent upon the supply of the necessary funds.

(Translation.)

Inclosure in No. 1.

I have, &c.

(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

Imperial Decree of February 19, 1909.

THE Memorial of Prince Su Shan Ch'i with reference to the preparatory measures to be instituted as a foundation for the navy is well considered, and at the present time the reorganization of the navy is undoubtedly a measure of the utmost importance. Let Prince Su, Duke Tsai-tse, Tieh Liang, and Admiral Sa Cheng-ping carefully consider what steps should be taken, on the lines set forth in the Memorial, to lay the foundations of a navy; and in order to mark the importance of the matter let Prince Ch'ing exercise a general supervision over the project. As soon as the general outlines of the scheme have been defined let our further instructions he awaited. In view of the many heavy responsibilities which devolves upon Tieh Liang we direct that he shall vacate his post as Inspector-General of the Imperial Bodyguard, in order to devote himself specially to this work, which aims at the strengthening of the nation.

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