This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL,
No. 1.
[January 5.]
138
SECTION 1.
(No. 5.) Sir,
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Monson.
Foreign Office, January 5, 1904. YOUR Excellency is aware that by Article 11 (6) of the Final Protocol, signed at Peking on the 7th September, 1901, between the foreign Powers and China, a Conservancy Board, charged with the management and control of the works for the improvement of the Wangpoo, was created.
Annex No. 17 of the Protocol, a copy of which is inclosed,* lays down rules for the constitution of such a Board on which there will, in addition to the foreign Representatives, be three members representing Chinese interests, viz.:--
1. The Taotui.
2. The Commissioner of Customs.
3. A Chinese Delegate to be appointed in virtue of § 4 (h) of Annex No. 17 to the Protocol.
Ever since the signature of the Final Protocol, however, the nomination of this latter official has been delayed by the Viceroy on various pretexts.
So long ago as the 9th January last the Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce pointed out to the Senior Minister at Peking that foreign shipping was seriously affected owing to the difficulties and delays in discharging cargo outside Woosung due to the state of the outer bar, while the additional expense thereby entailed to ship-owners was a great burden.
The Diplomatic Body thereupon addressed a note to Prince Ching bringing this representation to his notice, and requesting that the Nanking Viceroy might be instructed to appoint the official to represent China on the Board without delay.
On the 20th March, 1903, a telegram was received from His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, in which he reported that some time before a promise had been given to the United States' Minister at that capital by the Chinese Government that the Chinese Delegate would be appointed immediately upon the arrival of the new Viceroy at Nanking.
Mr. Townley stated that as the latter should have reached his post by then, the United States' Minister was addressing a note to the Board of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Townley was authorized to take similar action.
As, however, no progress was made in the matter, His Majesty's Minister was, on the 1st ultimo, instructed to make renewed representations to the Chinese Government, and it was suggested to him that they might be informed that, unless their Delegate were nominated without delay, the Board would be constituted and enter upon its duties without their participation.
A telegram has now been received from Sir E. Satow, of which I inclose a copy for your Excellency's information, stating that, in conjunction with the German and United States' Ministers, he has addressed a Circular to the Diplomatic Body proposing that course.
The Italian and Netherlands Ministers have concurred, while no opinion has been expressed by the Spanish, Belgian, or Russian Representatives.
Sir Ernest reports that the French Minister has requested instructions, and he has since telegraphed that, as these instructions have only been asked for by post, much time must elapse before they can be received.
I request your Excellency to inform the French Minister for Foreign Affairs that His Majesty's Government are of opinion that the Chinese Government should
* Final Protocol (Treaty Series No. 17, 1902).
↑ Sir E. Satow, No. 272, Telegraphic, December 20, 1903.
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