Peking, 9th February, 1898.
4.M. nes Misisraes,—Your Highness and your Excellencies have more than once intimated to me that the Chinese Government were aware of the great importance that has always been. attached -by-Great Britain to their retention in Chinese possession of the Yangtze region, now entirely hers, as provid. ing security for the free course and development of trade.
"China " has not been mentioned, only "Chie Strictly speaking, this la not grammar. nese ion" and the Chinese Government," neither of which are of the feminine gender. "Hers" can only refer, according to the ordinary rules of grammar to Great Britain.
However, I suppose we must not be pedantic, but must leave Sir C. MadDonald and the Yamen to use bad grammar if they prefer.
shall be glad to be in a position to communicate to her Majesty's Government a definite assurance that China will never alienate any territory in the provinces adjoin ing the Yangtze to any other Power, whether under lease, mortgage, or any other designation. Such'an assurance is in full harmony with the observations made to me by your Highness and your Excellencies.
Tavail, &e.,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.