CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 598

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

[B]

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

594

27093

RECO

[Augustish SEP 10)

SECTION 2.

[28161]

(No. 291.) Sir,

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller.

Foreign Office, August 18, 1910. WITH reference to Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 158 of the 15th April, 1909, I transmit to you herewith a copy of a memorandum which has been communicated to me by the Russian Ambassador in regard to the circular sent by the Chinese Govern- ment on the 5th April, 1909, to the representatives of the Powers at Peking,* informing them that henceforth China would assume responsibility for the protection of and jurisdiction over the subjects of non-treaty Powers residing or travelling in China who would be regarded as on the same footing as Chinese subjects. Count Benckendorff enquires whether His Majesty's Government would be prepared to join in collective action at Peking with a view to the maintenance of the existing practice in this

matter.

I annex a copy of the reply which has been returned to his Excellency,† under- taking that if any of the representatives of the Powers at Peking were to bring the matter forward you would join in discussing the question with them.

You should therefore act in accordance with the undertaking given by me to- Count Benckendorff, should occasion arise.

[2862 $2

-2]

* Memorandum from Count Benckendorff, August 2, 1910.

↑ To Count Benckendorff, Angust 18, 1910.

I am, &c.

E. GREY.