DOMESTIC.
564
(No. 4. Ciraqlar.) Sir,
12
Inclosure in No. 6.
Mr. Bax-Ironside to Her Majesty's Consuls in China.
Peking, July 19, 1899.
An erroneous impression seems to be prevalent among British subjects in China that the old restrictions on foreigners owning or working mines in China are now removed, and that they are free to purchase and work any such mines wherever situated, near the ports or in the far interior, offered to them by Chinese proprietors or licensees.
I feel it expedient, therefore, to remind Her Majesty's Consuls that no alteration has been made in respect to Treaty provisions on this subject. Foreigners have still no Treaty right to buy land, other than for missionary purposes, or to work mines in the interior of China.
It is true that some foreigners have received special permission to work Chinese mines in conjunction with Chinese directors.
A Mining Board has lately been organized by the Central Government, and the Regulations issued by them, and approved by the Throne, lay down rules to be observed by Chinese wishing to borrow foreign money, or to work in co-operation with foreigners in opening up any mine in China.
Her Majesty's Minister protested against these Regulations on the ground that some of their provisions were too onerous, and that foreign capital could not be obtained on such terms, and that they were in some respects contrary to Treaty; but they serve to show the conditions under which the Chinese Government is willing to allow foreign skill and capital to be employed in Chinese mining operations.
I inclose a copy of the Regulations in the original Chinese.
I am, &c.
(Signed) H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.
Page 399
HONG KONG
No. 25535
(Subject.)
Jumatic b. Biltney
20000
REG 23 SEP 19
Paper. Matter has been referred to the Chief Justice at Shanghai.
Sir W. Hamilton
In an
(Minutes.)
"At this rate the ... will probably serve the full two years before the question of remitting any part of the sentence is decided.
5.
1. Put (keeping papers together).
27/9
AF
Lend the Governor copy of the correspondence C.P.L 28 at once.
-15000-12-48
ant Paper