CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 430

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

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19697

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

[February 16.]

RECR

&

CONFIDENTIAL.

REG? 16 JUN 11

SECTION 2.

[5688]

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 16.)

(No. 45.) (Telegraphic.) P.

PIENMA.

Peking, February 16, 1911.

With reference to your telegram No. 26 of the 14th instant, Pieuma appears to have been evacuated by the Chinese. If so, our hands would be immensely strengthened for negotiation of a final settlement of frontier question by the reoccupation of Pienma by Hertz. At any rate, until Chinese agree to negotiate I think he should remain in the immediate neighbourhood. They have already expressed their willingness to negotiate a basis for the frontier prior to delimitation (see my telegram No. 11 of the 15th January). If they can be persuaded to come to a reasonable understanding on this point, there would, I think, then be no objection to withdrawing our troops.

(5750)

No. 2.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 16.) (No. 46.) (Telegraphic.) P.

PIENMA.

Peking, February 16, 1911.

With reference to my telegram No. 45 of to-day's date, all the information that I have gathered from fairly reliable sources indicates that the Chinese Government trust to reach a settlement of the frontier question by diplomatic negotiation, and that they do not seriously propose to run the risk of a collision with us on the frontier.

[1909 q-2]

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