February 3, 1908.)
know by this time that they have nothing to fear from the imployment of British capital in an undertaking of the kind,
to Yuan Shi kai.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
rative instincts and some sentiment toward our established institutions I have witnessed with regret more than one departure from the tradi- tions of sober criticism and ma nerly con troversy which formerly characterised that paper. The worst instance occurred yesterday in describing the Committee of the Shanghai Branch as a "monkey clique." The reproof that you administered was clearly called for. I conclude as I began by congratulating the Committee on the work of the year, as epitomis. ed in the brief report, and second the motion with much pleasure
The report was unanimously adopt d.
C
Mr. FORBES moved the re-election of the re. tiring e mmittee, Mr. A. G. Wood, (Chairman). Hon. Mr. Henry Keswick, Hon. Mr. E. Osborne, M sr. P. R. Law. Q. H. Madl·nest, H E. Tomkins, and A. 8. D. Cons'and (Hon. Secretray).
Mr. MACKAY seconded, and the motion was carried unnimously.
The CHAIRMAN-That concludes the busi. ness of the meeting, gentlemen. Thank you for your attendance.
Following is the annual report:
SAINAM PIRACY.
83
INSPECTOR GENERAL HIP OF CUSTOMS. In view of the reported retirement of Sir Robert Hart and the appointment of his successor, this committe joined with the Shanghai branch in representing their views to the London Committee.
TIENTSIN POST OFFICE.
On the threatened closure of this office by the Hongkong Government a communication was received from the Tientsin branch of the China Association, asking this committee to petition agaiust such closing, er at any rate to sak for an extension of time until the outward mails bad arrived which were posted at the rate applying to the British Empire dependencies. The Committee were informed by the Government that the reason of the closure was a fiuancis! one, as the estimated loss would be about 87,000 a year, and it was felt by this Committee that it would be unfair to the Hoog. kong taxpayers to ask them to pay this lors, the more so as the Hongkong post office would probably loss $100,000 by the recent decision of the Postal Congress to raise the weight to be carried for Id. to 1 oz., etc. It is satisfactory to note that the Tientsin Municipal Council has guaranteed the deficiengoy for a year, and that the office is to be kept open for that period. In the meantime the Tientsin branch is bringing the matter before the Imperia. Government with a view to the latter making good way deficit and in this they have been
sur d of the support of this lanch.
B
CHAIRMANSHIP.
On the departure of Mr. Murray Stewart for home in April, Mr. A. G. Wood was elec ́ed in bis place.
COMMITTEE.
There have been several changes in the Com. mittee. Mr. W. A. Cruickshank left for home, and Hon. Mr. Henry Keswick has taken his place. The Committes now consists of Mr. A. G. Wood, (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Henry Keswick, Hon. Mr. E. Osborne, Messrs. D. Ř. Law, G. H. Madhurst, H. E. Tomkins, and A.
D. Cousland (Hon. Secretary).
It is satisfactory to know that the hope expressed in the report, in connection with the 'Sainam" piracy, has already been fulfilled, that the claim supported by the British Govern ment has at last been paid; and that the pa. trol has been withdrawn. The thanks of the community are due to the officers for having dealt too fully with a delicate situation and, over and above them, to Admiral Moore, whose co-operation enabled diplomacy to fer. minate ■ dispu'e which for long had seemed interminable The firmness eventually shewn by the Imperial Chinese Government in the affair, when their arangement with the British Minis'er was opp sed by kcal auti foreign agitators, merits favourable comment. It adds one more to many significant it dications of the struggle going on between Peking and the provinces. Events in Chekiang supply. another. That the Central Government should thus prove its desire to keep faith with the western powers, and in tha strength of that desire should incur the not inconsiderable risks attendant upon strained The last report was issued in December, 1906, relations with the Provincial Authorities and the present is intended to cover the period & striking circumstance when we recall from then until 31st December, 1907. The the contrast offered by the reverse position in questions which have occupied the attention of 1900-the Central Government running amok the Committee h ve not been of so momentonsa in a ti-freign frenzy and the Provincially raetoris those dealt with last year, and to a authorities saving the xi nation by refusing great rent the work has consisted in giving obedience to Imperial Edicts. Another g'riking our support and influence to representations circumstance is that the man who is now trying made by other branches. The London Com- to govern effectively from Peking was then a mittee bave net followed up their plan of last Provincial Official and the one who, probably, year of issuing an interim raport: there is, did more than any other to restrain the therefore attached to this report co: ies of such fary of the court and the fanaticism of the correspondence exchanged during the year as people. I refer of course
may be of interest to our members. The follow- The opinion was widely held at the time that if ing are the principal subjects which have come head led his fine troops to join in the attack before the Committe:- on Tientsin the foreign community there and the Legations at Peking, would have been wiped out. In that event it might never have been known that a famon sketch of Dr. Morrison being boiled in cil was not made by an eyewitness and the Daily Express * correspondent might now be occupying the position of a highly reep oted and accurate bistorian, in place of the author of "Icd screet Letters." By sitting resolutely on the fence in Shangtung, Yuan earned the good opinion of all foreigners and it is almost entirely due to bis influence that it can at all truthfully be said that China baa sincerely tried to expia e ber great international offence. Gratitude suggests that foreign opinion should be very ready to assent to any reasonable action calculated to "save bis face"
and increase his influence and this makes it difficult to criticise adversely Dr. Morrison's suggestion that the time has come when our troops might safely be withdrawn from the North. This is primarily, but by no means exclusively, a matter for the Tientsin Branch to pronounce upon. It would be interest- ing to learn their views. But anyone is free to hold the rpinion that the great rge of the Empress Dowager and the uncertainty of what is going to happen next make the popsal premature. This was yet another print in Dr. Morrison's speech which might have been fittingly dealt with from the Chair. But, after all, the fact that bis manifesto was delivered as a quest of the association makes official criticism a little awkward and possibly sccounts for the distance of your allusion to it Even rs a private member I have found it a most distasteful task, for I still think of Dr. Morrison in the terms in which be was desori'ed, amid applause, at a previous A letter was received from the firms intarest- dinner of the Association." The sturdyed in the Opium business calling attention to champion of British rights." I have the fact that monopolies were being established tried to say thus publicly only what I said to at Nauking and other places o contravention of him personally a few days ago. I sincerely clauses V and X of the Treaty of Nanking of regret that he is not near at hand to reply. I
1842. The Shangbai branch bad already des. am able to state authoritatively that the correct
patched the following telegram to london on version of his speech is that which appeared in July 11th :-" Are informed Viceroy of Nan- the "London and China Express." A reporter's king arranging Opium Monopoly account in the much-debated passs ge Chinese Government. bias Association "China for the Chinese" led to the bitterest Shanghai without expressing opinion opium criticisms which have been levelled at him. question desire, strong protast Foreign Office These bave often been unjust. I hope mine against me nopoly. Apply David Sasson & Co, are not. One m re point. I am glad that you fu'l particulars.' The committes resolved to saw fit to allude to the impropriety of certain wire London supporting the Shanghai tele utterances which have disfigured the editorial
gram and also to support the local (hamber of column of the "Daily Press." In company Commerce in the notion they were taking on the with many other old residents having conser same lines.
Early in the year a communication was re- ceived that the British Government had, after consideration, declined to support the owners of the "Sainam" for consequential damages arising. out of the Chinese piracy of their vessel on the 13th July, 1916. This decision was received with much regret by the Committee, as it was felt that only by enforcing an indemnity com pensation could the Provincial Authorities be induced to take serious measures to suppress the piracies.
error
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On
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In consideration of the fact that the British Foreign Office took, a lenient view of the Chinese Government's responsibility in the maffer, it is not surprising to find that the small claim put forward for actual damage done, aud compensation for death and injuries, is still outstanding. The circumstance lears out all previous experience of Chinese official tactics and justifies the arguments employed by us in representing the case to the Loudon Branch.
Now it only remains to hope that the exp dient of placing a patr ›l of British gunboats and destroyers upon the Delta, nutil satisfaction for the outrage has been given, wil induce the Chinese authorities to take up a less obstinate atti ude towards this particular claim and to provide against any recurre ce of the troubles which led to it.
COMPANIES (TREATY PORTS REGIST: KS) ORDINANCE, 1907.
At the suggestion of the S'anghai branch representations were made to the local Govern ment for several alterations in the proposed Ordinance, which have been practically adopted in the Ordinance as passed.
OPIUM MONOPOLY.
ACCOUNTS.
These show a er dit balance of $368.42.
A. G. WOOD,
hairman. Following are extracts from the correspond- ence af panded:
U. B. M. Consulate-General,
Canton, 6th Novembər, 1906. Sir, I am in receipt of a despatch from 1. M Minister to the effect that he is iostrnoted by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that your Company's claim for $150.001, the estimated consequential loss owing to the piracy of the s.s. "Saiuam," cannot be sup. ported. A claim for your direct losses and for those of passengers would however in bis view be reasonable.
I am instructed to ask that as far as practic- able vunchers or a rifled copies of vouobers should support each item, and would therefore ask you to supply these together with duplicate copies of your elim on the lines laid down by Sir Edward Grey. The Chinese passengers' claims shoo'd be carefully investigated as you do btless know from practical experience that in such mitters it is customary for natives to claim much more than they expect to receive. --- I am, &o.,
R. W. MANSFIELD,
Consul General. W. E. CLARKE, Esq, Secretary, Hougkong Canton & Macao Steamboat Co., Hongkon
H. B, M. Consulate-General,
Canton, 6th February, 1907. SIR, Referring to your letter of November 15th last, I beg to inform you that I am in receipt of a telegram from H. M. Minister at Peking to the effect the H. M. Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, after ousideration of the representations made by the Chios Association and the Hongkong unable to a'low the Chamber of Commerce, claim for consequential damages.
I am instructed therefore to proceed with the presentation of the claim on the lines communiosted to you in my letter of Novem- ber 6th last.—I am, &o.
R W. MANSFIELTM, Consul General. W. E. CLARKE, Erq, Boaretary),
Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co,