CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 438

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As the matter of the frontier has remained unsettled for so long and might easily give rise to difficulties, if His Majesty's Government really wish to come to a decision first on the question of the basis to be adopted for the frontier before appointing officers for a joint delimitation there can be no objection to this course.

The Chinese Government are deputing the Chinese Minister to England, his Excellency Liu, to approach His Majesty's Government at an early opportunity and assist in the negotiations, which it is much to be hoped will result in an equitable settlement.

I accordingly request your Excellency to communicate with His Majesty's Government and favour me with an early reply.

I avail, &c.

CH'ING.

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

2133 436

AFFAIRS OF CHINA,

CONFIDENTIAL.

[February 6,

SECTION 3.

14 MAR 11

[4271)

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 6.)

(No. 21.) Sir,

Peking, January 14, 1911. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 371 of the 28th October, in which you authorise me to enter into negotiations with the Russian Minister for the conclusion of an agreement which will provide for the payment of municipal taxes by British subjects in the Russian railway settlements in Manchuria, subject to proper guarantees.

I have suggested to the Russian Minister, who has concurred in the proposal, that the negotiations might be entrusted in the first instance to the British and Russian consuls at Harbin. I have the honour to enclose copies of the letters which have been exchanged between us. M. Korostovetz informs me that the Russian consul- general has already received the necessary instructions. I have therefore addressed a despatch, of which I also enclose copy, to Mr. Sly, indicating in general terms the nature of the guarantees which might be demanded and the lines on which I should be prepared, with your approval, to conclude an agreement with my Russian colleague.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN,

Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to M. Korostuvelz.

Sir and dear Colleague,

Peking, January 5, 1911. I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that I have received a despatch from Sir Edward Grey, stating that His Majesty's Government favour the conclusion of a reasonable understanding with the Russian Government which the growing commercial interests of Great Britain at Harbin and elsewhere in the railway zone appear to render desirable. I am accordingly authorised to enter into negotiations with you for the conclusion of an agreement which will provide for the payment of municipal taxes by the subjects of His Majesty, provided that such payment is accompanied by reasonable guarantees which it is hoped the Imperial authorities will not object to giving.

I do not propose at this stage to enter into a detailed discussion of the matter. I would suggest that it might be treated in the first instance between the Russian consul-general at Harbin and His Majesty's consul, whose nearer acquaintance with the local conditions should enable them to reach an understanding satisfactory to both parties.

If your Excellency agrees that this will be the best course, I trust that you will recommend its adoption to the authorities at St. Petersburgh. I can assure you that it is my earnest desire and will be my constant endeavour to do all that lies in my power to assist in bringing the negotiations to a speedy and successful conclusion. I shall lose no time in issuing the necessary instructions to His Majesty's consul at Harbin so soon as you place me in a position to do so.

I avail, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

M. Korostovetz to Sir J. Jordan.

Sir and dear Colleague,

Peking, January 6, 1911.

I BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter, dated the 5th instant, concerning the conclusion of an agreement for the payment by British subjects of municipal taxes at Harbin.

[1909 ƒ-3]