CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 740

as a protest against your decision, Mr. Max Müller instructed you by telegram to furnish a report as to the actual position of the case.

From the communication which I have received from the Wai-wu Pu, it is clear that the gravamen of the whole matter, both in the eyes of the Chinese Government and in the eyes of Chinese public opinion, is the fact that you should, after having previously so clearly expressed your opinion on the rights of the case, have subse- quently presided as judge at the trial, and I cannot help feeling that a little careful thought, or in case of doubt, an appeal to the advice either of this legation or the Supreme Court, would have saved you from taking a step which was certainly open to criticism, and which has had such serious results.

In consequence of suggestions received from two different sources, I telegraphed to you on the 8th instant that it was advisable for you to return to Kiukiang from Kuling pending the termination of the boycott.

I am, &c.

J. N. JORDAN,

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[37089]

No. 1.

738

34965

RECE

REG: 25 OCT 09 [October 6.]

SECTION 1.

Sir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received October 6.)

St. Petersburgh, October 6, 1909.

(No. 452.) (Telegraphic.) P.

YOUR telegram No. 1314. Situation at Harbin. The French Minister has given me to understand that some time ago he spoke academically to the Russian Government on the subject of the status of Russia ai Harbin, and quite recently he had made representations on behalf of some Greek merchants under French protection who had complained of confiscation of goods and other vexatious treatment at the hands of Russian railway officials. The French Minister told me that, as far as formal steps as to article 17 were concerned, he had as yet received no instructions. I have not as yet had an interview with the Austrian representative.

M. Sazonow informed me to-day that a memorandum is being prepared on the situation at Harbin, and that he would let me have this in a day or two. When His Majesty's Government received the document there would be a good opportunity for them to make any representations or observations which they might think desirable.

Till the memorandum has reached you and you are in a position to reply to the views put forward therein, I would suggest that I should take no further steps.

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