CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 352

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also for alterations in places of the position of the line, the Chinese Government has no desire to persist in opposing their wishes in the matter, stipulating only that the gauge adopted must be the same as the gauge of the railway between Peking and Moukden, and that no arbitrary and unnecessary alteration in the position of the line shall be made.

As regards the important question of railway guards it is pointed out that the permission previously granted to station guards along a line of railway had reference only to the railway between Ch'angchun and Port Arthur, and that what was done in that case cannot be quoted as a precedent for the railway line now under discussion. It will be for the Chinese Government themselves to police the line between Antung and Moukden. Finally the Chinese Government repudiates emphatically all responsibility for the delay that has taken place in the settlement of this question.

The facts of the case are that though Japan allowed the limited time agreed upon to lapse before coming to discuss the question, China has not declined to go into it; and though in the opinion of the Chinese Government the broadening of the gauge is not an absolute necessity, they have constrained themselves to fall in with the Japanese wishes, in order that the question may be settled with amicable feelings on both sides.

Having regard to their own safety the Chinese Government could not avoid raising the question of railway guards and police for settlement as a preliminary step. The railway, though it may become a useful commercial line, is no less capable than it was of serving military purposes; troops might be moved by it to dominate the whole of Southern Manchuria. In giving her consent therefore to altering the gauge and otherwise improving the line, China must not be considered to have sanctioned the stationing of foreign railway guards along the line or to have divested herself of the right and duty of guarding the railway by her own police force to the extent that may be necessary.

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA,

CONFIDENTIAL.

(29873)

Sir,

350

0.0 9354

[August 16.]

SECTION 1.

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

(No. 241.)

Foreign Office, August 16, 1909. I HAVE received your despatch No. 219 of the 22nd June last, reporting on the state of affairs at Newchwang, and the desire of the British community at that port to form an international settlement.

I approve your having authorised His Majesty's consul at Newchwang to enter into negotiations with the local authorities for the purpose.

His Majesty's Government attach great importance to the improvement of the navigation of the Liao River, and I request you to lose no opportunity of urging this question upon the Chinese Government.

I am, &c.

[2391 q---1]

E. GREY.