2
I would beg to point out that the object of the prohibition is to prevent the rebels in Kuang-hsi from smuggling in munitions of war in exchange for cattle. Moreover, up to now, cattle have been used in Kuang-hsi for the cultivation of the fields. Owing to the famine the people have had to sell their cattle in order to procure food, with the result that the cattle are dying out in Kuang-hsi. A pawn office was therefore established where cattle are to be kept for their owners, who at the ploughing season may redeem them.
The export of cattle affects both the military operations and the famine in Kuang-hsi. However, as you say in your letter that without it Hong Kong cannot obtain supplies, and in view of the friendly relations between our respective countries, I cannot do otherwise than try to make some modification of the arrangement to meet your wishes, and therefore have withdrawn the prohibition from the four districts of Wuchou, Hsünchou, Ping-lo and Yü-lin. In all the other places, where military operations are being conducted, the export of cattle may be resumed after six months. Moreover, the passes granted to dealers purchasing cattle must clearly specify the place where the cattle are to be obtained, and their number, and in order to see that they do not smuggle in munitions of war, a Weiyuan will be sent to watch them, and if they have dealings with the rebels, detain them to be dealt with accordingly, admitting no excuse. This is a special measure which I have devised in order to settle matters satisfactorily, and I telegraphed to the Wuchou Customs to draw up the necessary Regulations for carrying it out. I have ordered Kao Weiyuan to inform you of it.
Sir,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
(Card of the Viceroy inclosed.)
Consul-General Scott to Viceroy of Canton.
Canton, August 15, 1903.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of yesterday's date with respect to the question of the prohibition of the export of cattle from the Province of Kuang-hsi, in which your Excellency states that the prohibition will be withdrawn at once as regards export from Wuchow, Hsün, Chou, Ping Lo, and Yü Lin, but that with respect to the districts where operations against the rebels are being conducted, the prohibition will have to remain in force for a period of six months.
The contents of your Excellency's note under acknowledgment had already been communicated to me by telegram by your Deputy, Mr. Kao Erh-ch'ien. I immediately replied to Mr. Kao, informing him that as your Excellency's scheme was entirely at variance with the former decision of the Wai-wu Pu, I could not see my way to agree to it, and I requested him to convey my views to your Excellency accordingly.
I have now the honour to confirm the opinions expressed in my note to Mr. Kao, and to inform your Excellency that I am still unable to assent to the terms proposed.
With respect to the proposition that the prohibition shall at first be withdrawn as regards Wuchow, Hsün, Chou, P'ing Lo, and Yu Lin only, I would point out that your Excellency has no authority whatever to this effect from the Wai-wu Pu; and further, that there is nothing in the Treaties which can be construed as limiting the area in which foreign merchants may conduct the cattle trade. I submit, therefore, that your Excellency has no right to thus arbitrarily alter existing Regulations.
Your Excellency further states that foreign merchants engaged in the export of cattle will, in future, when applying for a pass, be required to report the name of that district which they are about to visit, together with the number of cattle to be purchased, and that these particulars must be duly entered in the pass; and further, that an officer will be deputed to accompany such merchants to the place of sale and watch proceedings. Such Regulations are, I submit, highly vexatious and obstructive, and are in direct conflict with Treaty stipulations; further, such Rules have never been in force in the past, and I cannot, under any circumstances, assent to their being put into operation now.
The situation in Kuang-hsi is far less serious than during the administration of the ex-Governor Wang-Chih-ch'un; and your Excellency is therefore debarred, under the circumstances, from claiming any justification of your action.
After careful consideration of the whole facts of the case, I can only come to the conclusion that your Excellency is determined to disregard both the decision of the Wai-wu Pu and the stipulations of Treaty, and have accordingly no alternative but to report full particulars to His Majesty's Minister in Peking with a view to diplomatic action calling for explanations from your Government.
I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Consul-General Scott to Mr. Townley.
(No. 28.) Sir,
Canton, August 12, 1903. WITH reference to my telegram of the 29th July, regarding the prohibition by the Viceroy of export of cattle from Kuang-hsi, I have the honour to report that on the 1st August the Viceroy's Secretary called upon me and stated that he came by order of the Viceroy to discuss the question in answer to my protest to him of the 30th July. The interview lasted nearly an hour, but reduced to its essence the argument advanced by the Viceroy through his Secretary was that he was acting entirely within his legal rights, but that, as a concession, he was prepared to withdraw the prohibition after the lapse of six months. Needless to say, I declined to discuss the proposal, and, continuing, I desired the Secretary to remind the Viceroy that the British Government had always been actuated by a friendly feeling towards China, but that the present high-handed action of the Viceroy, in withdrawing, without a word of warning, the Arrangement made between the British Minister in Peking and the Chinese Government allowing the export of cattle from Kuang-hsi, was both discourteous and unfriendly. Added to this I complained of the Viceroy's action in respect to the new opium tax. It had been declared contrary to Treaty by the Wai-wu Pu, yet the Viceroy had no hesitation in again forcing it on the importers.
Further, on the 7th August, the Viceroy sent his Secretary to request me to agree to allow cattle to be purchased in four districts only, and left me an aide-mémoire in writing to that effect. On the 9th the Secretary again called requesting my answer. I had already sent in a corresponding aide-mémoire in which I recapitulated the circumstances of the prohibition and its withdrawal by the former Governor of the province. I reminded the Secretary that the Viceroy had renewed the prohibition without the courtesy of any previous notice or consultation. I added that I was unable to agree to the Viceroy's proposal to allow the cattle trade to be carried on in four districts only. There was nothing in the situation in Kuang-hsi to warrant such a measure. Certainly, the situation at present was far less serious than during the time of Governor Wang, who, in accordance with instructions from the Chinese Government withdrew the prohibition fully and entirely. Here the Viceroy's Secretary turned to me, and in a confidential whisper imparted to me the explanation that the Viceroy's unwillingness to withdraw the prohibition unreservedly arose from the certainty of having to "lose face" before Chinese officials and people. In conclusion, I pressed for an unrestricted withdrawal of the prohibition, in terms similar to those used by General Wang.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Consul-General Scott to Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong,
Canton, August 12, 1903. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith for the information of his Excellency the Governor, copy of my despatch No. 28, of this date, to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, Peking, regarding the prohibition by the Viceroy of the export of cattle from Kuang-hsi, and recording my interview with the Viceroy's Secretary on the subject.
By telegram this day received from Mr. Fox, the British Consul at Wuchow, I learn that the Customs authorities have issued a notification to the effect that the Central Government support the Viceroy in restricting the export of cattle to the four districts, viz., Wuchow, Hsunchow, Ping-lo, and Yu-lin. Mr. Fox adds that, in his opinion, the supplies for the Colony of Hong Kong could be furnished by those four districts on the understanding that cattle, which come principally from the provinces of Yunnan and
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