"المجلد II. مذكرات بخصوص شؤون خارجية أخرى. ١٩٠٥." [ظ‎‎٨‎٧] (٢٢٨/١٧٩)

2
dispense with their adhesion to the Lhasa
Convention.
It was added that, unless some such
steps were taken, it was tolerably certain that
negotiations would he spun out for another
six months, as it was known that Tang’s suc
cessor had renewed the lease of the house at
Calcutta for this period.
Beplying on the 17th October, His
Majesty’s Government said that Sir E. Satow
would be instructed to inform the Chinese
Government, with reference to the represent
ations reported in his telegram of the 29th
September that, unless Chang had instructions
to meet the views of His Majestv’s Govern
ment as to the agreement, without delay, it
would be useless to continue the negotiations.
In the meantime, Chang having recived full
powers, it was advisable that the negotiations
should be resumed at Calcutta, and the report
of the Government of India as to their progress
would be awaited. They also stated that, though
the change might cause delay, there would be
no objection to Sir Louis Dane being appointed
Commissioner vice Mr. Eraser, if there was any
prospect of a settlement. But if, after resump
tion of negotiations, the Government of India
reported that there was no such prospect. His
Majesty’s Government would decide whether
the British Commissioner at Calcutta should
close the discussion at once, Sir E. Satow
informing the Chinese Government, at the
same time, that His Majesty’s Government
saw no advantage in continuing the negotia
tions and preferred to dispense with the adhe
sion of the Chinese Government.
It only remained to ascertain whether
there was any prospect of an early settlement
of the negotiations, and His Excellency accord
ingly addressed Sir E. Satow on the subject on
the 19th October.
Sir E. Satow replied on the 20th
that he had informed the Chinese Government
in accordance with the instructions of His
Majesty’s Government, and added:—No
instructions have been sent to Chang to accept
or refuse the draft proposed to his predecessor.
I am also informed that in any case none will
be sent to him until the Chinese Government
has had an opportunity of consulting Tang,
who is expected to reach Peking in a few
days. The Chinese Government have been
given clearly to understand that the probable
effect of their not giving Chang the desired
instructions will be that His Majestv’s
Government will close the discussion instead
of resuming the negotiations. I think it
likely that, until the new Viceroy takes
charge, the Chinese Government will refrain
from sending any directions to their negotiator
as they stand to lose nothing by delay, in their
opinion”.