历
C.
This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.
Rece
8668
CHINA TRADE,
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
(July 24 MAR, 00
176
SECTION 2.
Mr. Bax-Ironside to the Marquess of Salisbury.--(Received July 24.)
(No. 156.) My Lord,
Peking, June 10, 1899. I HAVE the honour to forward copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Consul. General at Shanghae, inclosing copy of a scheme proposed by the Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce for the formation of a Conservancy Board for the water approaches to Shanghae.
This scheme having been approved by the Consular body at Shanghae, and sub- mitted to the Diplomatic Body here, was discussed at a meeting of the Representatives held yesterday, and it was unanimously decided that we should refer the matter to our respective Governments for their consideration.
Several of the Representatives, while recognizing the benefits which would accrue under this scheme to the commerce of Shanghae, could not refrain from pointing out that it seemed to take a good deal of power out of the hands of the local authorities; and I personally expressed the view that the Chinese Government were not likely, without considerable pressure, to agree to the contribution of the 120,000 taels con- templated in paragraph 5 of the proposed sources of revenue.
In spite, however, of these difficulties in the way of the realization of the scheme, as it is proposed by the Chamber of Commerce in which British interests are paramount, and as it is approved by Her Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, I venture to submit it for your Lordship's favourable consideration.
I have, &c. (Signed)
H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.
(No. 49.) Sir,
Inclosure 1. in No. 1.
Consul General Brenan to Mr. Bax-Ironside.
Shunghae, May 23, 1899. I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a scheme which has been proposed by the Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce for the formation of a Conservancy Board for the water approaches to Shanghae.
The scheme has been discussed and approved by the Consular Body here, and at the last meeting of that body it was resolved to submit it to the Diplomatic Body in Peking for their consideration.
I have, &c. (Signed)
BYRON BRENAN.
:
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
SHANGHAE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THE following is the letter that was addressed to the Senior Consul on the subject of a Conservancy Board, as noted in the Minutes of Committee meeting held on the 4th April, 1899:---
Sir,
Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce, Shanghae, April 19, 1899.
In reply to your letter of the 22nd February, I have the honour to inform you that the Committee have since had under consideration the scheme for the constitution of a Conservancy Board embodying certain revisions as suggested by you, and I now submit same to you in its entirety as recommended by the Committee at their recent meeting.
[2095 -2]
f