10th Article, Opening of Kivers and
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instance Sze-chuen, the largest as well as the richest Province of China; in size it surpasses many a European State; its population is rich and numerous; its soil of exuberant fertility; and its natural productions most various and valuable; why should we not be permitted to carry on unrestrictedly trading operations there? From the valuable and interesting Report recently published by the Delegates of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce on the trade of the Upper Yangtsze, it is clear that the people themselves are most anxious to trade with us; and that if no opposition was shewn by the Mandarins, not the least difficulty would occur in commencing operations.
13. By article 10th, the Yangtsze river was opened to British merchant ships as far as Hankow. We strongly urge upon your Lordship the expediency of opening still more of that magnificent river, as also the other navigable ones, with the great Poyang and Toong-Ting lakes. Were that done, we should rapidly acquire an enormous trade with the rich Provinces bordering on those waters, which are now virtually closed to foreign merchants; and the most brilliant results might fairly be anticipated.
Inland Steam Navigation Necessary.
Railways and Telegraphs ought to be introduced.
14. We should, however, premise that inland navigation will be nugatory unless permission be conceded to use steam vessels. Sir RUTHERFORD ALCOCK in a letter dated the 23rd of March, 1869, to Consul MEDHURST says "that no efforts "hitherto made by me or by my colleagues in Peking, and they have been both "earnest and continuous, have prevailed with the Chinese Government, or succeeded "in removing their objections to initiatory steps in the direction of Railways, Inland "Steam Navigation, &c." We give the British Minister full credit for having done all in his power to induce the Chinese Government to accede to the views so universally entertained by the foreign residents in China upon the vital importance of employing steam vessels for inland navigation; and we can well believe that all such efforts will be resisted by the Authorities at Peking with their usual obstructiveness; but at the same time we feel convinced that by the legitimate use of the influence which Great Britain ought to possess in this Empire, the opposition could easily and quickly be overcome. If the Chinese Government object, as stated by Sir RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, to take "initiatory steps" in that direction, let permission be obtained for us to do so, and we venture to predict that in a very short time, steamers will ply on all the navigable Chinese inland waters.
15. The subject of steamers leads us naturally to Rail-Roads and Telegraphs; and we fully endorse the opinion which has been so constantly reiterated by all who know anything of the country, that nothing will benefit it more, or tend more to develop the boundless resources of the vast Chinese Empire than Railways; and we do not believe that any insuperable difficulties would be met with in establishing them. The Chinese are undoubtedly a self-sufficient and prejudiced race, so fully impressed with the conviction of their own superiority as to be inclined to consider any improvement in their antiquated institutions as impossible; but on the other hand, they are eminently shrewd and practical, and easily adapt themselves to altered circumstances. Where in a position to do so, they have most readily availed themselves of the facilities afforded by the Coast and River Steamers, for travelling from Port to Port; and we do not entertain a doubt that they will just as eagerly make use of Railways and Telegraphs when introduced. The fact that permission has been conceded by the Mikado of Japan for the formation of a Railway in the neighbourhood of Yeddo, is an additional reason for urging on the Chinese Government the importance of granting a similar privilege.
World easily be
16. It is possible that there may at first be some local opposition, and the superstitious dread of irritating the Fung-Shuey may give rise to partial disturbances; but we feel assured that by judicious management all such would soon be allayed; and we should see the natives of China crowd the Trains as numerously as do the inhabitants of India, who are to the full as superstitious, and who have moreover their caste distinctions to overcome. It is in no mere selfish spirit that we so strongly advocate the introduction of Steamers and Railways; we should undoubtedly derive great advantages from the increased Trade which
Impossible now
for any country
to remain isolated.
Obligations of Great Britain
as regards
China.
11th Article, Importance of Kiungehow as a Port.
28th Article, Transit Dues.
Illegal charges levied by the Chinese Mandarins.
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would inevitably ensue; but the benefits to China would be infinitely greater. The vast resources of the country would rapidly be developed; its Coal and other mineral treasures would be brought to light; and its artificial productions improved and multiplied.
17. We do not wish to enter here upon a discussion as to the abstract right, that one country has, to close her Ports to other Nations, and rigorously to exclude from her territory all Foreigners, whatever may be their motives in visiting her; because it is manifest that such isolation is virtually impossible in this age. Besides our intercourse with China is far too extensive, and too long established for her Rulers now to strive successfully to curtail or restrict it.
18. We have high duties cast upon us by the position that Great Britain occupies in the East; and when we behold a vast country overflowing with natural wealth, teeming with an industrious and intelligent population, and yet sunk in political and social degradation; suffering from constant and extensive outbreaks, and with perpetually recurring famines devastating its largest Provinces; we must ask ourselves, can nothing be done to change its state, and improve the condition of its inhabitants? We ought to take the lead here; it is for us gradually to introduce the various mechanical appliances which have made England what she is, and so, by developing the resources of China, increasing her material wealth, and introducing our civilization, raise her in the scale of nations, and elevate the political, social and moral condition of her people.
19. The 11th Article of the Treaty provides for the opening of several additional Ports, one of which however-Kiungchow in Hainan,--still remains closed. We see no reason why the Chinese Government should have been permitted, for over eleven years, the Treaty having been signed at Tientsin in June, 1858,-to leave this Clause partly unfulfilled. We believe that Kiungchow would be of great advantage as a Port, especially to Hongkong, as it would be the means of opening to foreign trade, the large and fertile Island of Hainan, and the adjoining Provinces from which extensive and valuable imports would certainly be derived. The position moreover of Hainan, and its vicinity to Tonquin and Annam render of the first importance, the retention of the only Treaty Port which exists on the Western Coast of China.
20. The most important however of the Articles, and the one, from the glaring and systematic violation of which we have most suffered, is the 28th; by which it was provided that British Imports, which had paid the Tariff Duty, should be conveyed into the interior free of all further charges except a Transit Duty which was not to exceed two and a half per cent on the Tariff value. The Merchants of every Port in China, have loudly and constantly complained of the manner in which, in the teeth of this Clause, heavy Duties have regularly been imposed upon foreign Imports on their way to the interior from the place where landed. In some Ports,-Amoy and Foochow for instance--they have become so excessive as virtually to put a stop to the importation of British goods at either of those places.
21. In all the Ports the charges levied under various names, have been largely in excess of the Duty imposed by the Treaty; and the natural result has been that our Trade with China has never attained the dimensions which the makers of the Treaty anticipated, and which would have ensued, if the Transit Duty had not been so arbitrarily and improperly increased. This grievance is the greater because of the difficulty of devising any plan by which the local Mandarins can be prevented from extorting these illegal charges. It is therefore an additional reason for again impressing upon your Lordship the importance of insisting on the strict observance by the Chinese Government of the 9th and 10th Clauses before referred to; with liberty of residence in the interior, under proper restrictions; and with the more rapid means of locomotion that steamers and railways would supply, foreign Merchants would not be so completely at the mercy of corrupt Chinese officials as they unfortunately are at present.
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