(This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.)
674
2
There are at present gun-boats enough in the delta and West River; but they are poorly armed, the crews are underpaid, and the officers are selected with no regard to their fitness for the work in hand. Except at times like the present, when matters reach a crisis, these gun-boats either remain in port, or convey officials and convoy cargo boats, from one point to another. The organized system of "squeezes" or tolls on native craft which now obtains all over the delta, has given rise to a sister system of charges for convoy and protection by native guard-boats, and even gun-boats.
It should also be noted that the military force at the disposal of the District Magistrates in these disturbed districts is entirely inadequate.
The Samshui Magistrate with only fifty ill-armed and undisciplined soldiers at his command can hardly be expected to follow up and capture the numerous and well-armed bands who, from time to time, descend on the surrounding villages, even within the limits of the Treaty port; as was the case in the recent armed robbery at Kong-ken.
I venture to think, under the circumstances, that it is a pity that Her Majesty's ship "Snipe," originally intended for the West River, should have been ordered to the Yang-tsze instead. The presence of the "Sandpiper" on these waters has had apparently a most reassuring effect at the places she has visited, but it is obviously impossible for her to do more than patrol the vast network of waters in the delta at long and uncertain intervals. At least two more vessels of her class are needed to afford any real assistance to the Chinese authorities in patrolling the West River.
I inclose a sketch map of a portion of the delta showing the scene of the recent operations.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Rough Plan of Pearl River Delta.
H. H. FOX.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
32755
RECO(July 1)
25 NOV 39
SECTION 1.
Mr. Bax-Ironside to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received July 10)
(No. 138.) My Lord,
Peking, May 25, 1899.
I HAVE the honour to forward to your Lordship herewith copies of correspondence which has passed between this Legation, certain British shipping firms in Hong Kong, Her Majesty's Consul at Canton, and the Inspector-General of Chinese Maritime Customs with reference to the working of the Regulations and Rules for inland steam navigation on the West River of Canton.
The principal complaint of the shipping firms is that interport trading-steamers are not allowed to be registered for the inland trade.
The Inspector-General of Customs contends that this provision is necessary in order to protect and keep separate the Imperial Maritime and the provincial inland revenues.
I am of opinion that sufficient time has not elapsed to afford a true test of the working of the Regulations. The task of initiating the new system, infringing as it does upon large provincial revenue interests, is necessarily one of some difficulty. At the same time, there is a natural desire upon the part of merchants to interpret the Regulations in a much wider sense than was originally intended.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.
Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., and others, to Sir C. MacDonald.
Hong Kong, March 28, 1899.
WE have the honour to inclose copies of certain correspondence relating to the opening of the inland waters of China to steam navigation, from which it will be seen that, in addition to an evasive policy with regard to the publication of the Rules to be in force at the various li-kin barriers promised in clause 8 of the Supplementary Rules, the Chinese Government seek to impose such restrictions on the opening of these waters as will render the whole Concession valueless.
Before any advantage can be taken of the opening of these waters by foreign steamers we are of the unanimous opinion that---
1. The prompt publication of the Rules and Regulations promised in Rule 7 of the Inland Regulations and clause of the Supplementary Rules, and also the appointment of the Provincial Officer referred to in clause 9 of the latter.
2. The rescinding of the Inspector-General's decision that inter-Treaty port steamers shall not also be registered for inland navigation.
3. The strict enforcement of clause 5 of the Supplementary Rules must be insisted on.
As explanatory of this letter, we attach a Memorandum dealing fully with the subject.
We have, &c.
(Signed)
JARDINE, MATHESON, AND CO., General Managers, Indo-China Steam Navigation Company (Limited).
BUTTERFIELD AND SWIRE, Agents, China Navigation Company (Limited).
THO, ARNOLD, Secretary, Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steam-boat Company (Limited).
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