CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 271

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receipt before deciding on their eventual course of action. Meantime sixty marines had been landed to protect the consulate, which he hoped would be sufficient, but more could he landed if necessary. Mr. Matsui added that he understood that the houses of other foreigners had been pillaged besides those of the Japanese. Altogether he appeared to take the affair calmly, and repeated more than once emphatically that the newspaper excitement was exaggerated.

I have, &c.

CONYNGHAM GREENE.

267

No. 137 A.

Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Alston.

Foreign Office, September 24, 1913.

I HAVE to inform you that I have received a letter from the Army Council enquiring whether any reduction may be effected in the present strength (two British and ove Indian infantry battalions) of the North China garrison, and whether the normal garrison there (one British and one Indian infantry battalions) is likely to be maintained for a further period of two years at least from the 31st May, 1914.

Before replying to the Council's letter, I should be glad to receive your observations on these points.

As the Council desire to receive an early reply to their letter, I request that you will inform me of your views by telegram.

[44120]

No. 139.

I

am, &c.

E. GREY.

Bir C. Greene to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 27.) (No. 244.) Sir,

Chuzenji, September 10, 1913. THE Nacking incident, to which I had the honour to call your attention in my despatch No. 242 of the 6th instant, has suddenly assumed a somewhat serious aspect owing to the assassination on Friday night of Mr. Abe, Director of the Political Division of the Foreign Office. It seems that Mr. Abe, who is a highly respected official, and who served at one time as secretary at the Japanese Embassy in London, was set upon by two young ruffians, who were dressed as students, as he was entering his own gate on his return home at 7 o'clock. One of these scoundrels seized Mr. Abe and held him, while the other stabbed him twice in the groin, after which they both took to their heels. Mr. Abe endeavoured to pursue them, but had to give up the chase and stagger home, where he died the following morning from his wounds. The reason which is generally assigned for the murder is an interview which had been given by Mr. Abe to the " Tokyo Nichi-Nichi," and which had appeared in the morning papers, with regard to the Nanking incident. In this interview Mr. Abe is reported to have deprecated the despatch of a special military commissioner to China, or the occupation of any place in that country, on account of the incident. It is assumed that his moderation must have offended some hothead who resented the official attitude, and would have preferred to see the murders of Japanese and the insult to the Japanese flag at Nanking dealt with in a more summary manner.