the Chief, Li Erh, and eight minor leaders and ten repeating rifles were captured. prisoners stated, on examination, that the rifles had been bought in Pakhoi.
s acquired, the few French merchants at Canton would be totally unable to make use it for legitimate trade purposes. Further, most of the native owners would be illing to sell their valuable land and other property at officially estimated values, and Yesterday a launch passed through with ammunition and 400 rifles of various kattempt to enforce sale and evict such owners would arouse a storm of opposition and for Nanning, and some time previously a steam gun-boat towed up two junkloads, ald lead to serious disturbances. ammunition and 600 Mausers.
It may be the intention of the French authorities, if the proposed Concession is
I may mention here that the "braves" on disbandment are said to have taken sted, only to effect the purchase of these lands and properties piecemeal. Even this then only as much ammunition as each man could conveniently carry.
No. 2.
I have, &c. (Signed) H. A.
ld cause serious discontent, as the native officials would certainly expect to make some profits for themselves by arranging for such euforced sales, as shown by past LITTLEerience in such cases. And, in any case, it is well to remember the request made by French Minister to the Governor at the interview above referred to, namely, that this might be reserved to meet the future requirements of French subjects, and not ded in any international settlement or granted to any other Power. Presumably, a, the pressing requirements of British and other merchants who may desire to obtain tions of this territory from willing vendors at fair prices are to remain unfulfilled in pared to buy at some future date.
Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne.—(Received May 26.) of the remote possibility of some French firm or the French Government being
(No. 38. Confidential.) My Lord,
Whatever may be the desire of the French Government, whether it be to purchase Canton, April 21, 1902 Concession wholesale or in small sections with reservation of the remainder, the I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of my despatch No. 35, Confidential sent application is so opposed to the Viceroy's views, as far as I am acquainted with the 19th instant, to His Majesty's Minister in Peking, from which it will be seen, that it is practically certain to meet with a refusal or with a reference to the Central the French authorities continue to press the Viceroy for the grant of an extra Concess vernment equivalent to such refusal. The French Consul will probably be informed his nationals are at liberty to purchase land within the port area upon the same terms foreigners of all other nationalities.
in Honam.
I am satisfied from my knowledge of the Viceroy's views on this subject that facilities will be accorded to the French in obtaining any such extra Concession as now desire.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure in No. 2.
Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 35. Confidential.) Sir,
t
The chief danger in all these questions is that some day, with a weak Viceroy in ce at Canton, the French authorities will seize the opportunity, when settling some of missionary claims now continually arising in the province, to demand the grant of the JAMES SCOTT bent site as satisfaction. I am brought to this view all the more readily by a statement fidentially conveyed to me by the United States' Consul, who assures me that the ach Consul has informed him that the decision of his Government was to exact, in re, not money, but land, in settlement of any future claims for compensation.
Canton, April 19, 1902 I HAVE the honour to refer to my previous despatches No. 1 and 24, Confident on the subject of applications by the French and United States' Consuls for spe Concessions for their nationals on Honam Island.
In the latter of my despatches above referred to I had the honour to report i visit of the French Minister to his Excellency, Governor Tê Shou, and the discus which then took place respecting these proposed Concessions.
As to the question of a need for extension of the French Concession, 1 would only Bark that there are still portions unoccupied on their present site, affording ample room all purposes of legitimate French trade. At the same time, it is open to French chants to buy land by private negotiation with the native owners at all places withio port area, as is now being done by British subjects and others,
I have, &e. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
No. 3.
Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received May 26.)
Canton, April 22, 1902.
The French Consul has now (the 17th April) addressed a communication to t Viceroy stating that the French Minister has been authorized by his Government 39.) conclude negotiations for the grant of the new French Concession on Honam as speed Lord, as possible. M. Hardouin refers to a former conversation with the Governor upenHAVE the honour to forward herewith copy of a despatch No. 4 of the 16th instant, matter, and points out that the locality now desired as a Concession is the same asessed by His Majesty's Consul at Kiungchow to His Majesty's Minister in Peking on previously applied for. I have the honour to inclose copy of a tracing which I have be subject of French railway and electric lighting claims in the Island of Hainan. able to obtain of the plan enclosed with the French Consul's despatch to the Vice and a separate plan of the portion of Honam concerned and of its surroundings for t better identification of the locality.
The French Consul further informs the Viceroy that he is prepared now to negot this matter, and that, while his Government require this land for the use of F subjects, they are anxious to act equitably in the matter. They are willing to
pay price for the land and to compensate the owners of houses, &c., at rates to be settled the joint estimate of persons acquainted with such matters and selected for the purpose the French Consul and the Viceroy.
M. Hardouin concludes with a request that the Viceroy will proceed without dc have the land surveyed as a preliminary to final arrangements.
4.)
Inclosure in No. 3.
I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
Consul Werner to Sir E. Satow.
WITH reference to previous despatches on the subject of French action in Hainan, I
Kiungchov, April 16, 1902. The land in question is nearly all built upon, and is occupied partly by premises Totai by the French Vice-Consul requesting that permission be granted to French the honour to report that representations have been made within the last few days to residences the property of the Imperial Maritime Customis and houses of rich merds! and partly by large wharves and godowns. Portions of the land alone, when transfers to lay a railway from Hoihow to Kiungchowa distance of about 34 miles--and
tablish electric plants in both these places. often fetch more than 2,000 taels per mow, and it would cost a very large sum to buy even the land alone en bloc at anything like a fair market price. Even if such area
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