Telegram from Lord George Curzon to Lord Arthur James Balfour, 10 July 1919. Catalogue ref: FO 608/210/3
As reported…Minister for Foreign Affairs officially informed myself and my colleagues that Chinese delegates had been instructed to sign, and on receiving news their refusal to sign, he tendered his resignation and has not since attended office.
Development of strikes and boycott during June produced a change in situation and led to great diversity of opinion as regards signature…but announcement that signature had been withheld came as a surprise.
Military party headed by Tuan Chi Jui still appears to be in favour of signature, but public opinion overwhelmingly approves action of delegates and would, so far as can be foreseen make itself very unpleasantly felt in the event of signature.
Strikes are (?over) for the present, but Japanese boycott still continues and temper of country is not reassuring.
- How long after the first breakout of the May Fourth movement was this source written?
- What happened to the protest movement in June?
- What form is the protest movement taking according to this source?
- The Chinese delegates did not sign the Versailles Peace Treaty. Can you explain why? What could have been the consequences if they had signed the Treaty?