CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 437

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA,

CONFIDENTIAL.

[11305]

No. 1.

[March 28.]

SECTION 4.

432

Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 28.)

(No. 13. Confidential.) (Telegraphic.) P.

RUSSIA and China,

Tokyo, March 28, 1911.

Please refer to my telegram No. 11 of the 24th instant in regard to Russian ultimatum.

In the course of conversation yesterday evening, I was informed by Count Komura that absolutely reliable information had reached the Japanese Government that China was most anxious to concede all the demands put forward by Russia. The source of this information was, doubtless, Natung, whom his Excellency specially mentioned.

Count Komura added that, while the Japanese Governinent hoped that an amicable settlement of the dispute would thus ensue, it would not surprise him if forcible measures were taken by Russia, no matter what the reply of China to Russia's ultimatum might be, as there was on the part of the Russian Government, or of a certain section of it, a marked disposition to pick a quarrel with China. Such measures, if taken, would probably take the form of an invasion of the north-western territories of China or a reoccupation of part of them. Neither Thibet nor Manchuria would, his Excellency remarked, be thereby affected.

[1918 ee-4]