CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 261

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

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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

REC2 REG 8 FEB 18

[October 11.]

CONFIDENTIAL.

SECTION 1.

[195865]

No. 1.

(No. 254.) Sir,

Mr. Alston to Mr. Balfour.-(Received October 11.)

IN continuation of my despatch No. 244 of the 6th instant with reference to

Peking, August 14, 1917. political affairs in China, and referring to my telegram No. 363 of to-day's date, I have the honour to report that the events of the past few months culminated this morning in the simultaneous declaration of war by Ching on Germany and Austria-Hungary. On this subject I shall have the honour to report in a separate despatch.

The attitude of the South appears to be still undecided. As regards Yunnan, I am informed by His Majesty's consul-general at the provincial capital that that province broke off relations with Peking on the 11th instant, but will accept the state of war against Germany and Austria.

I am without definite information as to the attitude of Canton in this matter, but from information received I am led to hope that the military and financial weakness of the South may yet cause its more sober leaders to endeavour to effect a compromise with the Peking Government and refuse to be led by the party of hot-heads consisting of Sun Yat Sen, T'ang Shao Yi, and others. His Majesty's consul-general at Canton reports, on the strength of information received from what he considers a perfectly reliable source, that the latter are being financed by Germans in Shanghai.

Northern Kiangsu and the adjacent province of Anhui continue to be harassed by bands of Chang Hsun's soldiers, who have refused to surrender. Reports state that many towns have been looted by these men, and that large amounts have been paid at other places as blackmail. I am now informed of a proposal to convert Chang Haun'a men (of whom in Kiangsu alone there are stated to be 15,000) into a gendarmerie "for the protection of the population."

Events in Szechuan remain chaotic.

[2737 -1]

I have, &c.

B. ALSTON.

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