CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 549

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL,

[6881]

(No. 36.)

[February 28.]

SECTION 2.

CO

No. 1.

10672

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

Race

Foreign Office, February 28,

1911.

(Telegraphic.) R.

BURMAH-YÜNNAN frontier. Your telegram No. 53 of 18th February and the Viceroy's telegrams of the 19th and 22nd respectively.

While not opposed to all idea of territorial adjustment, we think that, in view of the advantages of the watershed as a natural frontier, every effort should be made to effect the actual settlement with China by the lease to His Majesty's Government of any villages to the west of that line in which it may be necessary to recognise Chinese rights, or by the extinction of all Chinese rights therein by the payment of pecuniary or other compensation, so as to avoid actual occupation or administration by the Chinese of the villages in question.

As regards the question of territorial compensation north of Pienma district, we should, ou broad grounds of policy, and having regard to our ignorance of the geography of the country beyond the section of the frontier now in dispute, strongly deprecate any action which might have the effect of facilitating a forward movement of the Chinese upon a part of the north-east frontier of India, where, in the opinion of the Indian military authorities, our strategical position leaves much to be desired.

But there is no objection to offering compromise in respect of Namting-Nalawt section if this will facilitate negotiations.

(Repeated to India.)

[7121]

(No. 42.)

(Telegraphic.) R,

CHINA loan.

No. 2.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie.*

Foreign Office, February 28, 1911.

The United States chargé d'affaires to-day enquired whether I would support the demand for an American adviser, and was informed that, though I was most anxious to do anything possible to advance American co-operation in China, this particular proposal did not appear practicable, in view of the known opposition of other Powers and the promise made to the Chinese Senate.

In reply to an enquiry as to whether His Majesty's Government would support the idea of an adviser from one of the non-interested Powers, I am informing the American Embassy that we will do so, provided that no objection is made by the other par- ticipating Powers.

(To Paris only: Please inform French Government.)

[7121]

No. 3.

(No. 57.)

(Telegraphic.) R.

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.

Foreign Office, February 28, 1911. YOUR telegram No. 34 of the 26th instant: China loan. Mr. Phillips called here to-day and read to Sir F. Campbell a despatch from the United States Government identical in terms with that given in your telegram, and enquired whether I could support the demand for an American adviser. Sir F. Campbell, after alluding to the action taken by His Majesty's Government as reported

e-2]

[1909 ee-

* Also to Sir J. Jordan (No. 39).

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