(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
# CHINA TRADE.
## CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
No. 1.
Foreign Office to China Association.
242 [April 22.]
CSROTION
10320
23 MW 041 Foreign Office, April 22, 1904.
I AM directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant.
In reply, I am to say that the suggestions of the Association with regard to the Mining Regulations drafted by Mr. Cockburn, together with other correspondence on the subject, were forwarded to Peking.
In August last, the Treaty of the 5th September, 1902, having been ratified, His Majesty's Minister called the attention of the Chinese Government to the provisions of Article IX, and stated that he would be glad to learn that the revision of the Mining Regulations was approaching completion. He also pointed out that by Article II China was bound to take the necessary steps for the provision of a uniform national coinage, and stated that, though no term was specified within which this was to be done, he had no doubt that the subject was engaging the attention of the Chinese Government.
Sir E. Satow was informed, in reply, that these and other points as to which he had made representations, were all the subject of stipulations in the Commercial Treaty, and that instructions had been given to all the authorities concerned, including the Board for drawing up financial schemes, to act accordingly. In speaking of the Board, the Chinese Government were understood to mean the Commission charged with the consideration of currency reform.
Lord Lansdowne has not since heard from Sir E. Satow that the Mining Regulations have been issued, or that any progress has been made with the question of the coinage, but a copy of your letter under reply will be sent to Sir Ernest, and he will be requested to report on the position of both questions.
With regard to the Whangpoo Conservancy Board, I am to state, for the confidential information of the Association, that His Majesty's Government have made a proposal to the Powers concerned, that the Board should be constituted without a Chinese Representative, unless the latter be appointed without delay, but that the French Government have not yet sent a reply to the communication.
His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris will be requested to call the attention of M. Declassé again to the question.
I am, &c.
(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.
[1932 Y-1]