This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C.O.
No. 1.
0.
38638
[October to 4 NOV 01
SECTION 353
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received October 14.)
(No. 307.) My Lord,
Peking, August 21, 1901. I HAVE the honour to transmit therewith copy of a despatch from Mr. J. W. Jamieson, Commercial Attaché to this Legation, inclosing a Memorandum upon the West River Navigation.
The suggestion that Kongmoon should be made a Treaty port at which imports from abroad, that is, from Hong Kong, should be subjected to Customs examination, is not a novel one, and appears to be generally favoured, though I have not yet had an opportunity of discussing the question at length with Sir Robert Hart.
With regard to the second proposal made by Mr. Jamieson, providing for Customs examination and payment of duty at Hong Kong, I have invited Sir Henry Blake to furnish me with an expression of his opinion as to the feasibility of the scheme, before any recommendation or indorsement of Mr. Jamieson's ideas emanates from this Legation.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
(No. 15.) Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Mr. Jamieson to Sir E. Satow.
August 8, 1901. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a Memorandum on the subject of the navigation of the West River, wherein I endeavour to suggest a means of doing away with the many anomalies which at present hamper British trade on that waterway. This Memorandum has been shown to two gentlemen, in the service of the Indo-China and China Navigation Companies, who possess a special knowledge of the subject gained on the spot, and who have furnished me with valuable data.
Without your sanction, however, I would not feel at liberty to proceed to Hong Kong and discuss with the Colonial Government the introduction of so radical a measure as the setting apart of a section of the harbour for Chinese revenue purposes.
At the same time I feel convinced that some step of this kind must be taken if ever trade in that part of China is to be carried on satisfactorily.
There is, it is true, a certain apathy with regard to the West River displayed by those concerned, as the results, as far as trade goes, have been disappointing, and there is small hope of expansion.
Still, it would be matter of regret were we to cease to take an interest therein, as, in that event, one would be abandoning the only effective lever whereby one could hope in any way to check the spread of French influence in Southern China. I have therefore the honour to request an expression of your opinion with regard to this matter, and I would be glad to learn to what extent you indorse my proposition.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. W. JAMIESON.
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