TRANSIT PASS TRADE IN KWANG-TUNG AND KWANGSI AND THE OPENING OF THE WEST RIVER,
BY THE PIONEER TRADER.
As some misunderstanding seems to exist in the minds of the public in regard to the circumstances of the transit pass system in the two Kuang and the consequent opening to trade of the West River, I think it right, in justice to myself, to place on record the actual facts of my experience in connection with the matter and the discourtesy extended to me by the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce over it, and while I have great hesitation in blowing my own trumpet, I feel that the time has arrived for something to be done and the truth to be published to the world.
It is as far back as 1892 that I, among others, experienced losses over goods seized while under transit pass at Wuchow. In that year, I called on the Prefect there, and along most friendly lines, he explained that he was under the immediate orders of the Viceroy of the two Kwang and any complaint had to be presented to him. I returned to Canton and placed my case before Mr. Watters, then Acting Consul-General, and after endless interviews and correspondence, I got no redress. I then addressed the Chamber of Commerce and acquainted them with all details of the case, but got no acknowledgment until after three months, and then it merely said "will look into the matter." I have heard nothing since. I also wrote H.M.'s Minister, Sir N. O'Connor, but although he acknowledged receipt of my letter, that was the last I heard of it, so had to pocket my loss and look pleasant, but with the firm determination of biding my time.
In the autumn of 1895, the present Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Chamberlain, asked for an enquiry to be made into the falling off of British trade in the East, and appointed Mr. Byron Brenan, H.M.'s Consul in Canton, as special Commissioner to visit the different ports of China and Japan and report. I felt that my time for redress against the officials had arrived if H.M.'s Government gave me an opportunity of pressing the transit pass trade. For this purpose, I interviewed Mr. Brenan in Canton and explained my desire to take cargo under transit pass to Wuchow, and if, in the event of any interference with the sale or obstruction in any way, I should have his support. He frankly pointed out the probability of obstruction on the way, but promised that in the end the cargo would go to a good market. He also assured me that in the event of my being successful in establishing the transit pass trade, everyone would have the same privilege, and I should have no advantage over others in the future. Of this, I was naturally aware, but I had worked out in my mind that if I escaped loss, which I could ill afford, I was willing to bear the risk of being blamed for my pains on my return if I was unsuccessful, or earning the thanks of the interested community if I achieved my object.
I explained all this to Mr. Brenan, and as he was leaving for the north on his new appointment, the matter was left in the care of Mr. E. Jamison, who took over charge of the consulate, and needless to say, could not have been given into better hands. I returned to Hong-Kong and purchased what cargo my limited means would allow.
I sailed again with about $500 worth of British piece goods and cotton yarn on the 26th December, 1895, and arrived in Wuchow on 1st January, 1896, my cargo boat having been towed up the river by a steam launch. Before leaving, I was quite aware that the Chamber of Commerce had a guarantee fund for the purpose of making a test case over the transit pass question, and my reason for not applying for their support at the time may be understood when I considered myself, and do so still, the best man that would be chosen for the work. I know all the ins and outs of the Treaty in regard to transit passes, as well as being at home in every detail of the Foreign Custom-house business.
After giving my views to the Committee, I should have had to accept their terms of remuneration or, after getting the information, they might have appointed someone else and thus destroyed my object. Again, I did not wish to be under the direction of men, and subject to their control, who were all more or less ignorant of the matter, which I had to carefully and delicately handle. I felt that my hands could not be tied under the circumstances, and that I must sink or swim at my own risk and expense.
It may, however, be stated that this guarantee fund of the Chamber existed since 1894, and although about two years had elapsed, either through apathy or indifference to the important question which the members entrusted to the care of the Committee, nothing had been done or attempted, and I believe I maintain that had it not been for my own exertion to uphold treaty rights, the matter would have been at the moment in statu quo.
From the last published report of the Committee, the guarantee fund has been or is being collected. The contrast is apparent. For shame, it is said that the work has been done by an individual who has scarcely been recognised in the commercial world, and so far as I know, declined to put payment aside for his services or the risk he was sustained in the interests of the commercial world of Hongkong.
The obstruction to the sale of my cargo by the chief officials at Wuchow, acting under instructions of the Viceroy of Canton, is well known, and I need not enter into detail here. Sufficient it is to say that numerous letters and telegrams passed between H.M.'s Acting Consul in Canton and myself on the subject, and by him to H.M.'s Chargé d'Affaires (Mr. Beauclerk) in Peking, who in turn referred it to the Foreign Office in London, and negotiations were steadily going on towards a settlement of the question when, about the middle of February, I received a letter from Mr. Fraser informing me that the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce had been interesting themselves on my behalf and making enquiries as to the value and subject of my case.
I took the first opportunity of writing to the Secretary and thanking the Committee for their kind enquiries, and at the same time placing my position before them. As negotiations proceeded, a serious hitch took place, when I again addressed the Chamber and sent them a copy of a proclamation which had been issued by the Wuchow Prefect against the principles of the transit pass trade provided for in the Treaty of Tientsin.
I had, however, forwarded this proclamation in the meantime to Mr. Fraser, as was my duty, and by the time the copy had reached Hong-Kong, the contents had been received at the Foreign Office in London through Peking, and instructions were received for my case to be settled and the treaty upheld without further delay.
Later, at a meeting of the Chamber, it was decided to despatch a telegram to H.M.'s Minister for Foreign Affairs about my case, and a prompt answer was received that instructions had been sent to Peking. The good intention of the Chamber was clearly money wasted, but under the circumstances, it was their duty to take advantage of the opportunity afforded to push a case which I, with the great help of H.M.'s Acting Consul, had proved to be a clear and distinct breach of treaty stipulations.
Towards the end of March, I was allowed to sell my cargo, and the transit pass system in Kwangtung and Kwangsi, which had always been opposed by the officials, was admitted and practically settled. I returned to Canton and was asked by Mr. Brenan to send in my claim for detention and expenses without delay.
The day after I returned to Hong Kong, Sir Claude MacDonald, H.M.'s Minister to China, passed through on his way to take up his appointment at Peking, and it was during his stay here, and on all subsequent references to my case by the Chamber of Commerce, that the colourable justification of the Committee is apparent, and the subject of this letter, the unheard of injustice to myself.
There were meetings, dinners, speeches galore to welcome the new Minister by the China Association and the Chamber, and the principal topic on each occasion was the test transit pass case and the opening of the West River, but not one plate of soup or one word of thanks was offered to the man who had spent three months up-country in bad weather, and encountering hardships which few can understand, to secure, and did secure, what the Chamber of Commerce, although backed up by money and guarantee, had failed to do.
In a word, the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce took the credit to themselves for what had been done, and I firmly believe that Sir Claude MacDonald to this day believes that the so-called test case was conceived and carried out under the auspices, direction, control, and expense of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. I hope and trust that this statement of the truth will come before him.
I was fully expecting to be asked to meet His Excellency in Hong Kong, but it would appear that my name in some way or other had been damped over by the long-winded speeches and self-praise which were indulged in about the good work the Associations had achieved during the visit.
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