CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 239

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

[B]

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

C O

19141

Beck [June 9 JUN 10

SECTION 1.

237

[19448]

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.

(No. 180.) Sir,

Foreign Office, June 9, 1910. I HAVE received your Excellency's despatch No. 124 of the 21st ultimo, reporting a conversation which you had that day with the Secretary of State, respecting the situation in China, more especially in regard to the request of the Chinese Government for raising the duties at the ports in return for the abolition of li-kin.

I observe with some surprise that Mr. Knox should entertain the opinion that His Majesty's Government do not appear to share the views of the United States Government as to the necessity for strengthening the control of the central Government in China. They are, on the contrary, firmly convinced of the imperative necessity of rendering the control exercised from Peking over the provinces more effective, and they are prepared to consider in a most sympathetic manner any scheme for promoting this end.

The proposal to abolish li-kin in return for an increase of the import tariff did not, however, appear to His Majesty's Government to be specially calculated to contribute to the aim in view, but they expressed themselves ready to join in any discussion which might facilitate an agreement about the increase of customs dues with satisfactory guarantees.

The objections entertained by His Majesty's Government to this particular suggestion are enumerated at some length in my note to the United States chargé d'affaires of the 14th January last, copy of which is enclosed for convenience of reference, and I should be glad if your Excellency would, when a suitable opportunity occurs, bring the considerations therein stated verbally to the notice of Mr. Knox, should you think advisable, and at the same time point out to him that His Majesty's Government are in entire accordance with the United States Government in regard to the general policy of strengthening the central Government.

[2788 i-1]

* To United States chargé d'affaires, January 14, 1910.

I am, &c.

E. GREY.