THE ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS OF PEKING. [To ME EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR."] Sia,—Having met recently two Englishmen—Britons, if you prefer it—who., if any, are qualified to speak on Chinese affairs, I asked them what the Chinese Government was doing about the astronomical instruments which the Germans took away from Peking in 1900, and which were, and seemingly still are, to be seen at Potsdam. Both told me that, as far as they could judge, the Chinese authorities regarded this as a matter of minor importance, and were concentrating their attention on questions connected with the Peace Treaty, which they regarded as of vital interest. As far as I am aware, prominence was given to this subject by a discussion which took place at the Central Asian Society's room. in December. A lecture on se
China 't led up to it. My friend, Colonel B. St. 0. Pemberton (late R.E.), who had seen the instruments both at Peking and Potsdam, started it. General Sir Edmund Barrow, who had been present at the Conference at Peking in 1900, when the repre- sentatives of Great Britain and the United States told their French and German colleagues that they would have no hand In taking Chinese relics, was in the chair at that discussion. Eschewing further detail, communication on the subject undoubtedly passed between Whitehall and Peking. In March, 1919, the German wireless Press informed the civilized world that the instruments were about to be returned to China. The instruments are, I believe; unique, and I have seen them described as Mongolian, of the fourteenth century, and of price- less value.
Early in the current year General Desmond O'Callaghan again opened up this subject, and in reply to hint Mr. Eugene Ch'en pointed out that a clans* of the Peace Treaty directed Berlin to return these instruments within a specified date. That specified date is still somewhat distant, but it is perfectly evident that, however intent Chinese statesmen may be on matters of "vital interest," this little bagatelle of the astro- nomical instruments need not be overlooked. Mr. Eugene Ch'en made some allusion to the fact that China had not signed the Peace Treaty, but none the less claimed that the clause dealing with the instruments was valid. On such points of diplomatic practice I have no opinion. I merely concur with my friends of the Central Asian Society in feeling that the instruments ought to be returned. When I was in Peking in March, 1898, I photographed them, and reproductions of those photographs appear in the Journal of the Central Asian Society Hon. Sec. Central Asian Society. Shropshire Club, Shrewsbury.
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