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approach Bishop Favier in Peking, and explain the situation, with a view to some quiet influence being brought to bear upon Bishop Mérel, so as to cause him and the clergy under him to moderate in some degree their methods.
Mr. Kung then spoke of French shipping, and the complications arising from the French flag being granted to native junk owners; and furnished me with the details of an occurrence which took place a short time ago.
It appears that the most notorious pirate and robber of the Shun Tê district is one, Kno San Ts'ai, who has, among his other achievements, organised a regular system of blackmail. This man owns a number of junks, which he sometimes employs for piratical purposes, and at others for carrying arms and ammunition about the country for the use of his numerous confederates. With a view to protecting his nefarious trade be has succeeded, through the agency of a French subject named Rosselet, in obtaining permission from the French Consul to place his vessels under French colours. The Viceroy called the French Consul's attention to the circumstances of the case, but without securing any redress. The French Consul insisted on his right to grant the use of the French flag. The Authorities having obtained news of the whereabouts of one of these junks, sent a force in pursuit, which succeeded in finding her. They found her flying the French flag; and so great is the dread of compli- cations with the French, that the junk was allowed to proceed on her way unsearched. Kuo San Ts'ai subsequently paid a visit to the French Consul on Shameen, conducted On leaving the Con- thither by special arrangements with French native converts. cession, he was arrested outside by soldiers of the Shameen Guard who recognized him. They were about to carry him off to the Magistrate's prison when the French Consul, who had received news of the arrest, sent for Captain Yang of the Guard, a well-known Roman Catholic convert, and so over-awed that officer, that the prisoner was released. The Viceroy was most indignant at these proceedings, but felt himself unable to take any effective action.
I have considered it my duty to furnish you with particulars of this interview, because I feel sure that the Viceroy thinks himself to have genuine cause of complaint against the French Authorities and missionaries; and that his Excellency is becoming daily more exasperated by their action. Mr. Kung informs me that the same feeling is shared by many of the subordinate officials and people of Canton.
I am satisfied, from information which I have obtained from various sources, that the authority of the Provincial Government is being seriously undermined by the action of the French Authorities and the Roman Clergy, who, in all matters, civil and otherwise, intervene between the Chinese officials and the native converts.
The situation is grave; and the Prefect hints that the patience and resources of the Viceroy and his officials will sooner or later become exhausted, ending in inter- national complications and a local rising against French aggression.
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(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
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1902
8 Sep.
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