CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 169

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

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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16783]

No. 1.

RECO

RFG 18 JUN 10

[May 12.]

SECTION 1.

Sir,

India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received May 12.)

India Office, May 11, 1910. WITH reference to correspondence ending with your letter dated the 27th April, 1910, as to Chinese aggression at Pien-ma on the N'Maikha section of the Burmah-Chiua frontier, I am directed to invite attention to the Viceroy's telegrams of the 29th April and the 2nd May, 1910, recommending that representations should at once be made at Peking on the subject.

The general political situation in regard to this section of the frontier, which was summarised in Sir A. Godley's letter dated the 1st February, 1908, is familiar to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

It seems clear, from the telegraphic reports received from Mr. Consul Rose, that there has been a violation of the frontier notified to the Wai-wu Pu in Sir E. Satow's note of the 1st May, 1900, and that the local Chinese authorities claim to exercise jurisdiction over villages lying on the British side of the border.

On a full consideration of the case, Viscount Morley feels that the time has come when the settlement of the frontier question on the lines of Sir E. Satow's note should no longer be delayed.

As regards the measures necessary to give effect to the policy approved by His. Majesty's Government in 1906, it will be seen from the Viceroy's telegram of the 2nd May, 1910, that a tour from the Burmah side, such as the local government -

In these circumstances, recommend, will not be practicable until November next.

Lord Morley is disposed to agree with the Government of India that it will be best, in the first instance, to proceed by diplomatic action at Peking, and he would suggest for Sir E. Grey's consideration that Mr. Max Müller might be consulted as to the advisability, on the facts as now reported, of making immediate representations to the Chinese Government, urging the withdrawal of all Chinese officials and troops to the east side of the watershed. It seems unnecessary to press for the punishment of the raiders.

Should representations to the Chinese Government prove ineffectual, Lord Morley will then have to consider further the question of authorising an expedition to the frontier in November next on the lines recommended by the Government of Burmah. Meanwhile, he thinks there might be some advantage if Mr. Max Müller were authorised to intimate the possibility of such an expedition, if he regards such an intimation as likely to be effectual.

I am, &c.

R. RITCHIE.

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