November 17, 1906.]
BRITISH INTERESTS AT NEWCHWANG.
The following appeared in the China Times,
Newchwang, Manchuria,
October 20th, 19 6.
H. . FOLFORD, Feq., C.M.G.,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
series of National, Concessions permitting of discrimination within their respective limits and so controlling access to the means of transporting goods to the interior.
H.B.M. Consul, Newebwang. Sir. In reply to your letter of the 29th ultimo, addressed to the British mercantile community of this port, and sent in accordance with instructions received from H.B.M. Minister enquiring as to the wishes of the British mercantile community in regard to the desirability of au early acqusition of the new Corcession on the north bauk of the river Liaorontes, already find near the Chinese Railway Station negotiated for in the years 1898-1900:*
We leg to inform you that the question bas received the fullest consideration of the British mercantile community at two largely-attended meetings, and the following resolutions were unanimously agreed upon.
(1) That in view of the fact that the site ou the north bank of the river Liao, negotiated for in the years 1898.1900, is, at present, of little" commercial value (the centre of trade being ou the south bank of the iter), and the peculiar political situation which obtained at that time having passed away, and also taking into cop- sideration the possibility that the acquisition of. this or any other site on the north, bank of the river. might prejudice te chances of securing more valuable trading facilities on the south bank of the river, the meeting is of opinion that there is no urgent necessity to press for an early acquisition of the site referred to.
(2) That Great Britain's lien on the site should not be relinquished except in exchange for a sa'isfactory quid pro qu inasmuch as the extension of the Imperial Chines Railway System would convert the neighbourhood of the Railway terminns into an important eum- mercial centre.
(3) That the British Mercantile Community seeks for no prefer utial position of trading facilities vis-a-vis other nationalti-g, but does most carnestly desire equal rights, position and opportunity, with all other nationalities at Newchang, to and from which port a large proportion of the trade has always been carried in British bottoms and where British em.
panies and individuals possess extensive rested interests, the value of British land and house property alone being estimated at well over Tls, 3,01 0,000-
(4) That strenuous efforts should be made in concert with the other Powers interested toward reserving the best site upon the south bank of the river Liao for av International ettle ent, to be controlled by Lational, not individual, representation.
(5) That it is most necessary the closest watch be kept at the present time upon the policy of other Powers with regard to any one, or more, of them, seeking to acquire a Concession upon the south bank of the river, the acquisition of which would undoubtedly place the nationals of such Power or Powers, in a considerably preferential position, and that all possible steps be taken to prevent the acquirement of &Dy such national Concession or Concessions.
There can be no doubt that the present is a most critical period for British cmmerce in Manchuria. British subjects, who, relying upon the terms of the Treaties made between Great Britain and China, have invested their capital and made their homes in this Treaty Purt, in the belief that they would be able to trade on terms of equality with traders of other nationalities at this port, and on conditions at least not inferior to those within reach <f the commercial communities of other ports, from which the Manchurian markets are supplied by other
under serious disadvantages,
themselves labouring such as the
Government on geeds passing through the erading of duties collectable by the Chinese
leased territory of Liaotung. and northern boundaries of Manchuria, and by preferential ailway rates.
across the
In consequence of this they pay that most nrg-nt steps be taken to restore the equalities. implied in the Treaties referred to, and which Fad suffered no interference prior to the year 100; also that the greatest vigilance be et- ercised to guard against the acquirement of any new preferential conditions by any
other Power or Pow-rs.
349
could counteract the evil influence of the opposing Grand Councillors, although His
xcellency's presence is urgently needed in Tientsin to attend to matters affecting his Viceroyalty of Chihli. When therefore the Royal Commission had completed its chief labours in regard to the peform of the Official system in Peking and had presented its report to the Throne asking for approval and anthorization to put the reforms the Imperial suggested into immediate effect, the Grand Coun. cillors Yang Ching and Tieh Liang (Manchus) Lu Chuan-lin and Hsu Shih-chang (Chinese) tried to oppe tooth and nail the Empress Dowager's intention to issue special decrees on the subject sanctioning the reforms as suggested by the Royal Commission. Unscous- tomed to be so stubbornly opposed, the Em. press asked who of the Grand Councillors favoured the reforms suggested. Only Prince
chi, two out of six Grand Councillors, gave Ching (President of Council) and Chi Hung. ont in favour of them. It is stated in a private telegram received yesterday from Peking, that H. Hsu Shih-ch'ang, who is also Â. protégé of Vice roy
Yaan Sbih-kai, wished to join Prince Ching's side, but
lin, who were kneeling on either side of him was prevented by Yung Ching and Ln Chuan-
before the Throne. It is also stated that the Empress Dowager eyes shone ominously on the recalcitrant Councillors when she gave them to understand that she and His Majesty were strongly in roar of executing the reforms and would therefore brook In reply the obstructionists declared that they no opposition, would rather loss their places in the Council than allow themselves to be put down in futura histories аз bad Councillors to Majesties, When her Majesty
The development of the trade of Manchuria during the last twelve years, in spite of the fact that the country has had to bear the burden of three wars during that period, has been truly phenomenal, and it is generally recognized that this development is only in its iufaucy Mau. churia offers an exceptionally promising field for British commercial enterprise, and British subjects resident in this port, and already their engaged in the trade, feel confiden' that, granted | heard the declaration she replied "Be equal opportunity and trailing facilities, Gratit 80; you mentioning the four already Britain can ecunt upon taking a leading part iu į named abotel APA excused from farther the aver-increasing trade of thisgr at and fertile atten lance in the Grand Council, and we would of France and Germany combined. country, the area of which approximates to that also impress up you the inadvisability of making any more obstructions against reform, Iu conclusion, British residents in this port for we are determined to make it a suocess for pray H.B.M. Minister to see ire for them that our own and the inpire's sake." The Council quality of opportunity and privilege in was then dismissed and the following day, the Manchuria, as compared with the trad rs of all d'h instant saw the promulgation of the Imperial other rationalities, to which they are entitled by ed cts which We translated in our issue of Treaty, but which appear to them to b seriously.sterday morning, dismissing Yung Ching, threatened at the present time. Further they Tiel Liang, Lu Chuan-lin and Hsu Shih-chang respectfully submit that the present is the from the Grand Council, and sanctioning the most opportune moment for effecting a definite reforms saggested by the Royal Commission. settlement of the general status of the port and province--We are, etc..
(Thirty-three signatures.)
REMODELLING OF THE GRAND
COUNCIL.
The N-C. Daily News of Nov. 1 th says:— As will perhaps be recalled by our readers the tabours of the Royal Commission on Reforms in Peking were considerably
and seriously obstructed by a number of Manchus in high positions who stood in fear of having their arbitrary privileges, which were obtained by conquest, either abolished or greatly curtailed, and by certain well-known reactionaries and cous rvatives of Chinese descent. Those on the side of reform amongst the Manchus ure It appears to the British mercantile com- Prince Ching, Prince Tsai hen, his son, Prince munity that British commercial interests; Su and Duke Isai-tseb, Prince Chuo, in the port of Newchwang, and also throughout brother of the Emperor, also favours drastic the whole of Manchuris io common with those of other European and American nationalities, are very seriously threatened by the political changes which hare occurred as a result of the late war. The opening of railways in Manchuria is already rapidly changing the old accustomed course of trade and trade routes. The control of these railway sor some of them, by a Foreign Power, is alone enough to secure for the nations is of such Power a commercial advantage over others. This connot be avoided. Should, however, the terminus of tho South Manchurian Railway, at this port, be placed in the heart of a concession acquired by the same Power, it is strongly felt that all ther nationalities will find them
i
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reforms, but is said to be of too timid a disposition to stand boldly forward for his convictions. The most dange ous amongst the obstructionista were certain members of the Grau d'ouncil, who by reason of their position are considered the advisers of the Throne which is nominally bound to listen to the advice given by them. In the circumstances, although President of the Grand Council, Prince Ching felt himself too weak alone to oppose successfully the opponents of reform in that lody owing to the latter forming the great majority of the Council, the only other Graud Couucillor who weakly favoured reform being Chu Hung-chi, a Hunanese, L'nke Tsai Tschi and Prince Tsai Chen are young to possess much influence and successfully to selves at a great disadvantage, commercially, oppose the machinations of the obstructionists, in acquiring a legitimate share in the
and this led H. E Viceroy Ya-n Shih-k'ai, as our vast trade of Manchuria. This is one readers probably are aware, to return to Peking of the chief reasons, we would urge, after the army manoeuvres so that by his per- in favour of an International, rather than a sonal influence with the Empress Dowager he'
4
In accordance with the Imperial decree of the 6th instant appointing only one President to eich Board, instead of two (one Manchu and one Chinese) as hitherto has been the case, a Peking dispatch gives the following as the Presidents of the newly organised Ministries or Boards --Hu Hung-chi (Waiwupu), La Chuan- lin (Board of Civil Appointments), Hsu Shih-chang (Home Department), Pa Tiog (Mini try of Finance, or Paymaster General's Department) Yung Ching (Ministry of Educa tion Tien Liang (Ministry of War) Tai Hang- tza (Ministry of Justice) Prince Tsai Che (Ministry of Agriculture, Works and Com. merce) Chug Pei-hsi (Ministry of Posts and Communications) and Prince Su (Ministry of Outer Dependencies). The former Presidents who are now out of office are -Kuei-Chun, Ting Jui, Lu Hai-huan, Pa Hsing, Keb Pao-hua, Sung Shou, Lu Jun-hsiang, and Teh Tu-sheng. They retire on full pay and with full honours, in accordance with the Imperial decree of the 6th instant, and are to swait some other appointment.
The Shangrai Mercury of November 9th Bays: --- We are pleased to see that the Opium Hulks, which have been an eye-sore to residents for so many years, are at last being shifted. Both foreigners and natives were very much surprised to see the Yuen-fah, owned by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., leaving her moorings off the Bund about 9 a.m. to day in tow of two tugs, and even the Customs' clook, which has overlooked the bulks for so many years, was so much taken aback that it stopped dead for about twenty minutes, but was soon set right again after the Yuen-fah had taken up a position at her new berth off the Chinese Band. The other three hulks, the Ariel, Wallington, and Cores are also to be shifted, and will keep the Yuent fah company off the City Bund in the near future.