CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 275

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(No. 204.)

(Telegraphic.)

No. 145A.

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Alston.

YOU should act as proposed in your telegram of to-day, and also convey to the

Foreign Office, October 4, 1913. President a congratulatory message on behalf of His Majesty's Government

No. 145B.

Mr. Alston to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 6.)

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a Presidential Order providing

Feking, September 19, 1913. for the punishment of the persons responsible for the killing of Japanese subjects at Nanking.

:

Sir,

— -|- -4- ILE

I have, &c.

B. ALSTON.

271

Enclosure in No. 145B.

Extract from the "Gazette" of September 12, 1913.

PRESIDENTIAL ORDER.

THE Wai-chiao Pu has presented a report which states that on the 1st September, after the assault and recapture of Nanking by the Government forces and while the Government and rebel troops were in a state of confusion, it happened that there were three Japanese subjects who had the misfortune to be killed, and that, moreover. looting of Japanese shops occurred.

The sole object of employing military force on this occasion has been to stamp out evil-doers, and to tranquillise the well-disposed, and by safeguarding the peace of Eastern Asia to protect the trade of China and foreign nations. Repeated instructions have been issued to the officers responsible to exercise the utmost strictness in restraining their men from alarming the country folk. Yet foreign merchants who arc in a strange land have been plundered, and those who are our guests have been killed. This is, indeed, execrable conduct, and very greatly to be deplored.

Chang Hsun, Tutu of Kiangsu, is hereby commanded to seek out with all speed those persons who are guilty of slaying and looting, and to punish them with the utmost severity provided by martial law. The responsible officers who failed to control their men strictly must one and all be discovered and severally punished.

With respect to all Japanese merchants who were killed or plundered, Li Sheng-to is hereby commanded to investigate the circumstances of the damage inflicted, and to make good all losses in full, He shall, moreover, express commiseration as is fitting.

The relations between China and Japan have long been most cordial, but they have been more than ever intimate since the establishment of the Republic. All civil aud military officials in the provinces are hereby commanded to foster this principle of sympathy, and to pay the utmost respect to all international obligations. From such a course not the slightest divergence can be permitted which could cause such another regrettable accident as this to occur. By this means will China's extreme desire to deal straightforwardly with a neighbouring nation be manifested.

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