15
Referring to the third paragraph of your letter of the 16th ultimo, and to the position of the Russian Government as therein stated, my committee would respectfully observe that by asserting a right of participation in the Hankow-Canton and Szechuan Railway loans, the Russian Government in effect proclaimed and admitted that the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1899 had ceased to be effective. That claim, together with the declaration of the Portsmouth Treaty, which states "that Russia has not in Manchuria any territorial advantages, or preferential or exclusive concessions, in impairment of Chinese sovereignty, or inconsistent with the principle of equal opportunity," would appear to justify reconsideration of the situation created by that convention, seeing that it is put forward as conflicting with the commercial development of the country.
My committee recognise the complex nature of the whole situation, but they believe that by firmly upholding the principle of equal opportunity at this juncture
I have, &c. greater complications in the future may be avoided.
F. ANDERSON, Chairmun.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[29460]
No. 1.
со
21913
[August 14.]
"İRECE SECTION 28 SEP 10,
Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 15.)
(No. 245.) Sir,
WITH reference to my despatch No. 181 of the 2nd June, I have the honour to
Peking, July 27, 1910. report that a decree of yesterday's date announced that Liang Tun-yen, on the expiration of his two months' leave, had been allowed to vacate his office as President of the Wai-wu Pu in order to recuperate his health, but that on his restoration to health he is again to be employed.
Tsou Chia-lai, Hu Wei-te, and Tsao Ju-lin are respectively gazetted to the substantive posts of president, senior vice-president, and junior vice-president, in which capacities they were previously acting.
Liang Tuu-yen's departure is a distinct loss to the Wai-wu Pu, and still more to the diplomatists who have to visit the Wai-wu Pu, Whatever his shortcomings may have been, judged from a European standpoint, he was far the easiest member of the Board for us to transact business with. He spoke English perfectly, was thoroughly acquainted with the current business of his office, and was able to seize the point of an argument without having it repeated ten times. He has of course been for a long time anxious to escape from the drudgery of his office and from the ambiguous position he occupied, bearing the brunt of the foreign diplomatists' displeasure, and at the same time having no great influence on the actions or discussions which called forth that displeasure. Still his departure, whatever the cause, loss of "face,” sickness, the opium habit, or merely a desire to be out of office, is a real loss.
The Foreign Board consists of five members. Prince Ch'ing is seventy-five years old, and practically never comes to the Wai-wu Pu, though he is still the principal factor in the conduct of foreign affairs. Natung is a grand councillor, and therefore has many other duties to attend to. It is not always easy to see him, but he is quick to follow an argument, and, owing to his position on the Grand Council, can give an authoritative answer. Tsou Chia-lai is the terror of the foreign diplomatist, and personally I would sooner leave the Wai-wu Pu and return another day than attempt to discuss anything but the simplest questions with him. He looks at you with an expressionless eye, while the other is fixed on some object the other side of the room, and nothing appears to penetrate his skull, but whether his stupidity is real or assumed I cannot say; anyhow, the effect is equally irritating at a long interview.
Mr. Hu Wei-te, the new senior vice-president, was educated in Shanghai and America, has been twice at the legation in London, and many years Minister, first in St. Petersburgh and then in Tokyo. He talks French and English, aud is very European in his habits and manner of living. It is difficult, however, to transact business with him, as he is still unacquainted with the various questions which we are constantly treating with the Wai-wu Pu, and is unwilling to take upon himself the slightest responsibility. With Tsao Ju-lin I am not acquainted as yet, either officially or socially.
I have, &c.
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
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