CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 448

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

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other than those of the transport required for ordinary administrative operations during the open season. The threat of a British boycott appears to have been staved off for the present, but it is evident that under existing conditions the Chinese hold a strong position in regard to the supply of mules for purposes of transport, adminis trative or military, in the districts of Upper Burmah.

Conclusion.

The events of the past year, and more especially of the last two months, have been of the greatest interest in affording some clue to the probable attitude of the Chinese in the future towards this frontier of Yunnan. They have raised this new army, which is full of enthusiasm and self-confidence, and it seems to have given them an exaggerated view of their own powers and possibilities. The fact that they have managed to press their way through the Thibetan border States and on to Lhassa inspired for a moment a belief in their invincible power, and has doubtless had much to do with the strong and unfriendly attitude which was so constantly manifested towards British interests during the past year. Even after the advance of the column from Myitkyina they appear to have had no doubts as to their eventual success in forcing the hand of Barmab, and with the aid of a British boycott of compelling us to accept their terms, an attitude of mind which was well illustrated by the taotai at Namkbam. I believe that the Lweje manoeuvres were the real turning point; they were astounded and really alarmed at the reports of big guns, cavalry, and a force which would have overwhelmed even that new modern garrison, and so their opposition collapsed at once. I have no definite information in regard to the position around Hpimaw beyond the telegram from Mr. Hertz reporting the rumour of an occupation by 300 Chinese. Both the taotai and the frontir deputy, however, have frequently assured me that there are no Chinese troops to the west of the watershed, or indeed north of Yungchang, and their statements appear to be confirmed by the rumours of passing travellers. The frontier deputy tells me that he will leave for Hpimaw early in April to try and negotiate with Mr. Hertz, if he is still there, or presumably to try and improve the situation if the district is no longer occupied by British troops. My information throughout the season and my own strong conviction has been to the effect that the Chinese will not risk hostilities with us, and circumstances appear to indicate that, in the words of the Abbé Hue, they will continue to be "Strong to the weak and weak to the strong." It is for this reason that a speedy settlement appears desirable, whilst a local settlement would probably bring these Chinese frontier officials to a reasonable mind. They are full of courage and ideas when they can sit in their yamêns and telegraph plausible suggestions to their superiors, but I anticipate a more healthy and sounder frame of mind when they are tliemselves face to face with the hard geological realities of the actual frontier, with a little physical hardship and direct personal relations.

As long as they are convinced that His Majesty's Government is in earnest in forbidding Chinese interference beyond the watershed, and that the Government of Burmah is ready to enforce this decision by a display of arms if necessary,

I feel confident that the Chinese will be ready to negotiate with us on reasonable terms, and to settle once for all the long-standing question of this frontier line.

I fear that this report has reached an undue length, but the conditions of this isolated post lie so far apart from those of a consul's customary line of activity, that I have been tempted to record the results of my experience before leaving the frontier, whilst submitting my views on those points where local conditions may possibly throw some light on the solution of the great question of India's Chinese neighbour, and, in submitting this report, I trust that the unusual nature of my task may win for me forgiveness if an excess of zeal has sometimes led me beyond the borders of my legitimate and recognised sphere.

Tangyueh, February 25, 1911.

ARCHIBALD ROSE.

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

18097

[April 11.]

CONFIDENTIAL.

REC2

&

SECTION 2.

RESP 16 JUN 11

No. 1.

[13436]

India Office to Foreign Office.—(Received April 11.)

THE Under-Secretary of State for India presents his compliments to the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, by direction of Viscount Morley, forwards herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State, copy of enclosures in a letter from the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, dated the 23rd March, 1911, relative to the Pien-ma expedition.

India Office, April 10, 1911.

(Confidential.)

Sir,

Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Government of Burmah to Government of India.

Rangoon, March 13, 1911. WITH reference to the correspondence ending with your telegram dated the 2nd March, 1911, regarding the delimitation of the northern section of the Burmalı-- China boundary beyond Manangpum, I am directed to submit, for the information of the Government of India, a note on the undelimited portion of the frontier dated the 24th February, 1911, by Mr. W. A. Hertz, deputy commissioner, written by him at Bamyaw, near Htawgaw.

2. The note gives a clear account of the extent to which Chinese claims to terri- tory west of the main watershed have been found to be well-established, and Mr. Hertz makes detailed suggestions as to the terms on which negotiations with China for the determination of the frontier line may suitably be based.

The examination made by Mr. Hertz of the territory in question has shown that, as was stated by Mr. Litton in 1905, there is no foundation in fact for the territorial claims made by the Tientan headman to the Chipwi valley, by the Tatang fuyi to the Gawyawm and Chikgaw villages in the middle Ngawchang valley, and by the Mingkwang fuyi to Ipare and other villages in the Hkansheng valley, In a few cases presents of small value have been exchanged periodically, but the villages concerned deny that they have paid tribute or are in any way subject to the Chinese chiefs, and there is no evidence that any attempt has been made by the Chinese to administer these tracts. The lieutenant-governor considers that in the negotiations with China the alleged claims to these villages by the Chinese Government or by the local chiefs should be definitely and finally repudiated.

3. There remain the claims of the Tengkeng fuyi to the Hpimaw group of villages, to Gawlam and to other villages on the upper waters of the Ngawchang River. According to Mr. Hertz these villages were at one time under the Lung- pang chief.

In consequence of a quarrel with this chief they called upon the Tengkeng fuyi for assistance, and have since for many years paid tribute to the Tengkong fuyi, There would seem to have been no active or continued adminis- tration of the villages by the fuyi, but they have to some extent adopted Chinese habits and customs, and the lieutenant-governor is disposed to accept Mr. Hertz's view that in so far as these villages are concerned the Chinese claim should be acknowledged.

4. Mr. Hertz suggests three alternative courses for dealing with the tract. They are-

(1.) That we should compensate the fuyi for the loss of the tract by a lump sum payment of money;

(2.) That we should lease the tract either from the Chinese Government or from the fuyi himself; or

(3.) That the boundary line should be modified and should include in Chinese territory the tract to the west of the watershed in which these villages are situated.

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