CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 705

C. O.

34966

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

TRECE

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL

[4705]

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

(No. 34. Confidential.) Sir,

(REGS 25 OCT 09

758

[February 4.]

SECTION 2.

Foreign Office, February 4, 1909. SIR J. McLEAVY BROWN, of the Chinese legation, called at this office to-day and mentioned confidentially that the Chinese Minister had been informed by Sir R. Hart a few days ago that he was willing to proceed to China for a year or so if by so doing he could "save the situation." His leave expired on the 22nd April, when he was ready to return, though he would prefer to obtain a six months' extension of leave. The Chinese Minister suggested that you should propose to the Wai-wu Pu that they should sound Sir R. Hart and at the same time say that His Majesty's Government would approve of his return if he could be induced to do so.

Sir J. McLeavy Brown was informed in reply that, in the view of His Majesty's Government, the official initiative in such a step should come from the Chinese Government, but that if they were approached in the matter through the proper channel they would have no objection to offer to the return of Sir R. Hart..

I am, &c.

[2155 d-2]

E. GREY.