6
accompanied me to Hpimaw, and has a rough idea of the country and the sketch of the map, which he made when he came back, gave a good general idea of the ground, and seems based on fact. It rather looks as if the taotai intends to continue his work of administration, already commenced by the establishment of schools, unless we manage to forestall him. I shall be glad of a wire as soon as you get any news, as I The taotai's am auxions to arrange about frontier meetings if we are to have any. attitude is very obstructive, and I am not very hopeful of results unless they realise that we are tired of their present attitude, and mean to carry on the lines already laid down regardless of their obstruction. The taotai will not even consider the ordinary
33 "nonsense over any case sent to him.
I frontier cases now, and practically writes have therefore not thought it wise to go into the question of trans-frontier cultivation until a more favourable moment. I am trying to induce the Viceroy to bring a little pressure to bear, but if the present impasse continues, and unless there is some chance of action from Myitkyina, it will, I think, be wise for me to leave Tengyueh and spend a few weeks in Burmah.
Enclosure 5 in No. 1.
Acting Consul Rose to Government of Burmah.
Tengyuch, September 18, 1910. FOR the last few days one of my "information gentlemen" has insisted that you are sending an expedition up into the unadministered territory from Myitkyina. He is so definite about details and dates-start about the 17th November-that I am wondering if there is any truth in the rumour. The taotai probably has the same news, as they tell me he is hurrying forward plans for a long journey. I am able to maintain a very frank expression, but the gentleman who brought the news also volunteers the information that the Chinese do not propose to offer active resistance about Pienma,
Enclosure 6 in No. 1.
Acting Consul Rose to Government of Burmah.
Tengyuch, September 29, 1910.
YOUR wire of the 28th September regarding the unadministered territory. It is rather difficult for the moment to send you anything very satisfactory in the way of news, The taotai has managed to keep his affairs unusually quiet lately by the simple expedient of imprisoning his staff; none of them are allowed outside the gates of the yamên, and consequently there is not quite as much leakage as usual, though oddments of news escape even now. They tell me that the taotai is certainly preparing for a journey; also that there will be an official tour into the neighbourhood of the undelimited frontier in the autumn, but whether the taotai goes at the head of the latter I cannot learn. It seems likely, as he has been responsible for the map of which I spoke some time ago; copies should be ready in a week or ten days, and I hope to get one for you.
There seems little doubt now that the Chinese have a shrewd idea of the Myitkyina plans-they had it apparently some ten days before my news came. The mules for the expedition must eventually come from Tengyueh, and they have probably been putting two and two together on the strength of telegrams from Burmah mule contractors, which have been flying about very freely. I think I told you that, on my arrival here in February 1909 (when I was entirely ignorant of the proposed expedition of December 1908), I heard that we had made arrangements to occupy the unadministered territory, that an expedition had actually started, and had been sent back because the Wai-wn Pu had threatened us with war unless we desisted. I believe the yarn was repeated until the officials really persuaded themselves that there must be something in it, and their recent bold face has partially resulted from their beliefs. The whole question of that country and of the frontier is so well known and there are so many idle busybodies about that there will certainly be a great crop of rumours now that the mule contracts are published, and 1 think it will be safer to assume that the Chinese have a very shrewd idea of the direction in which our activity teuds. I shall be interested to see if the officials approach
me on the subject. If they do I shall, of course, inform them that I have no news for them.
I think there is no doubt that the taotai had planned an administrative expedition for the autumn, and was probably taking it up himself; whether his plans will be altered by the current rumours I cannot yet say, but, should I get any news of his movements, I will keep you informed. If he goes up, it is very unlikely that he will take many men-not more, indeed, than a personal escort; they recognise, I think, that there are not enough troops here to make a safe stand on the frontier to the north without leaving Tengyueh entirely undefended-and they dare not do that now, for the Shans are in a restless mood, and the people in the city are very panicky; numbers leave for Burmah every day to escape extortion, and there is a general feeling of insecurity.
It
As I told you in my last frontier report, it was anticipated that we should have some of the "new model " army in Tengyueh during the year; the province, however, has been pressed for funds and they have been unable to provide accommodation, so I think it is unlikely that they will arrive this year. If the Talifu troops (1,500 men) should be moved towards the frontier, I think we may assume that it will be as a defensive rather than as an offensive measure.
It pays the territorial and provincial authorities to keep up the farce that we are trying to take Western Yünnan-the idea is one of their most handsome annual assets. is unlikely, too, that they will risk the safety of their new army and all that is meant by its prestige at a moment when internal affairs are certainly critical. There is no anti-foreign feeling here amongst the people, but they are being upset by the headstrong policy of our young taotai; he sends troops all over the country on the least pretext; he imprisons all the more wealthy and respectable merchants and takes forced contributions from them; and he lets the ting squeeze beyond the recognised limits. The most abusive placards about the taotai and ting are freely posted on the gates and walls of the city. In these circumstances, they would welcome a crisis on the frontier and would be glad to divert attention to ⚫ foreign aggression" in order to distract the attention of the people from their own short- comings.
*
For the moment I do not quite know what to do about frontier meetings; it is unlikely, certain I think, that the taotai or any of the responsible officials will be willing or free to go to Namkham when they know for certain that we have taken a definite step in the direction of the northern frontier. I have already raised the point and will make no suggestions till I have your views. There is nothing very urgent to be done, but, on the other hand, cases accumulate and it is a pity to let the excellent precedent of the meetings pass.
I hope that we shall be able to make the most of the strong position which will be gained by the expedition. It will be the best opportunity we have ever had on this frontier, and, if negotiations can be arranged at the critical and psychological moments, we should be sure at last of a definite frontier line. I would strongly urge that all our outstanding questions be dealt with whilst the troops are actually in the neighbourhood of the frontier. We have after all a heary moral claim against Teng Keng for his action in burning our village, and that should be a very good argument in bringing the Chinese to reason.
Do you
wish me to take any steps to get regular information from Talifu? I am sorry to say that the English missionary there is ill and just about to leave; he has always been very good in helping me with news. It is rumoured that his successor will be an American. If so, we can scarcely ask him to risk the odium and danger of sending intelligence telegrams-for such things are very carefully watched and the news of the telegraph office is the news of the yamêns. It might be possible to send up a Chinese from here. I have a good man who might be willing to take the job; he would want about 250 rupees per month, as the risks to him would be heavy. Men are losing their heads nowadays for the least suspicion of helping foreigners; let me know your views about this sort of thing. I shall be very glad to help quietly and privately in any way that I am able, but, if I should be here at the time of the expedition, I shall have to walk very delicately; my position would be a very ticklish one, and the Foreign Office would certainly drop on me if I got into trouble whilst enjoying the hospitality of China."
I am afraid they are going to dispose of those poor fellows who were responsible for the petition to Myitkyina. The taotai says, "Sha, Sha," which being interpreted is, "Off with their heads." Our old friend Peng has stepped in and pleaded strongly
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