CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 354

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.1352

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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[2389]

No. 1.

[January 21.]

SECTION 1,

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,--(Received January 21, 1911.)

Peking, November 29, 1910.

(No. 434.) Sir,

I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith the copy of an interesting despatch from the acting British consul at Harbin on the political developments which are likely to result in Northern Manchuria from the Russo-Japanese agreement, the annexation of Corea, and the military measures now being taken by Russia to strengthen her position in Vladivostock and other outposts of her Empire in the Far East.

The impression to be gained from Mr. Sly's analysis of the local conditions is that China has more to fear from Japan than from Russia in Manchuria, but that both Powers may be driven by circumstances to take such measures as will secure for their subjects and interests the protection which China herself is unwilling or unable to afford.

I have, &c.

Enclosure in No. 1.

J. N. JORDAN.

Acting Consul Sly to Mr. Maz Müller.

(No. 41. Confidential.) Sir,

Harbin, November 17, 1910. IN concluding my confidential despatch No. 30 of the 24th September on the subject of the revision of the Russo-Chinese treaty of 1881, I stated that I intended to endeavour to obtain further information regarding some of the Russian military move- ments to which reference was therein made. With this object, I communicated with His Majesty's vice-consul at Vladivostock, and the substance of Mr. Hodgson's reply is as follows: His opinion of the situation generally is that Russia is not contemplating an immediate forward policy in that region; but that, from fear of Japanese encroach- ments, the Russian authorities, who are convinced that Japan wants Vladivostock, are determined to consolidate their position. To this end great efforts are being made: the whole system of fortifications is being extended and strengthened, and the number of troops is being continually increased. Very large sums of money are being expended on the erection of new barracks, officers' quarters, and godowns, and for these purposes 300,000,000 bricks are required. The garrison of Vladivostock, which a year ago unmhered about 80,000, is now, according to all accounts, to be strengthened 50 per cent., and it is certain that some increase has already taken place. At Nikolsk there are about 36,000 men, including four infantry regiments, field artillery, ballooning and wireless corps, and sappers and miners. Razdolny, situated on the Ussuri railway, 44 miles frora Vladivostock, has a dragoon regiment, and there are 500 Baikal Cossacks at Grodekova, also on the Ussuri railway, 60 miles west of Nikolsk. At Harbarovsk there are about 40,000 men,

From other sources, I learn that the railway guard at Manchuria station has recently been strengthened by the addition of a battalion of the 16th regiment of Siberian riflemen and a squadron of Argun Cossacks, and that two additional squadrons of these Cossacks are to be moved to Manchuria early next year. The total strength of the Chinese Eastern Railway brigade is 18,000, and there is a pioneer corps of 4,000 men, comprising engine-drivers, pointsmen, mechanics, artificers, &c. The garrison of Harbin consists of a regiment of infantry and cavalry, numbering respectively 3,000 and 900 men and two batteries of artillery.

I propose now to offer some general remarks upon the local political situation in so far as I am able to gauge it. The fear mentioned by His Majesty's vice-consul at Vladivostock which the Russians entertain of Japanese designs on that stronghold

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