2
distributing port for Kuangsi and the West. The case of exports is much the same: the native products of Western Kuangsi now come down to Wuchow in native boats, under transit pass, and are there transhipped for Hong Kong and Canton. The trade grows steadily, and as long as the Chinese authorities place no obstacle in the way of free circulation of produce, I consider that British interests are well safeguarded under the present system. Therefore, from a commercial point of view, I do not think that the opening of Nanning would place British trade on a better footing than it is at present, nor could a Consular Officer, were he to be stationed there, render any material assistance to British merchants.
The reports concerning French activity in Kuangsi are so conflicting that I can do no more than offer a personal opinion on the subject. I consider that the results achieved by the so-called forward policy of the French Colonial Government in Kuangsi have been much exaggerated; actual French interests in the province and on the West River are quite inconsiderable. The only steamer flying the French flag trading to Wuchow is Chinese owned; there are two launches plying above Wuchow on similar conditions. There are no French business houses or agencies west of Canton, nor is there any direct trade of any consequence between Tonquin and Kuangsi. In support of this view, I may mention that the French Consul hitherto stationed at Lungehow has been withdrawn, and I learn from the gentleman himself that no one is likely to be appointed in his place for the present. The somewhat vague French claims to exclusive mining rights in the province have not yet been reduced to any definite demands for concessions; the railway from Haiphong still stops short at the Kuangsi border—work on the extension to Lungehow has been suspended for some time—and the much-discussed Pakhoi-Nanning line exists so far only on paper. There are a score or so of French missionaries, headed by a Bishop, stationed at Nanning, Kueilin, and other towns; but their influence is, I believe, purely local, and they are, owing to their often injudicious interference on behalf of their converts, not generally popular.
Should French interest in this province ever crystallize into any definite form of political activity, such as the construction of railways and the opening of mines, I think our Consular officers stationed at Wuchow and Pakhoi could not fail to receive timely notice of such steps. I do not believe that an officer stationed in Nanning itself would serve any useful political purpose. But I venture to suggest that the Consul at Wuchow might with advantage pay a visit to Nanning this summer and learn by personal observation the exact state of affairs.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HARRY H. FOX.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
TINATRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
254
[May 30.]
SECTION 1.
Acting Consul Litton to the Marquess of Lansdowne.—(Received May 30.) No. 5.)
Teng Yueh, April 25, 1904.
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to submit duplicate of a despatch addressed to His Majesty's Minister, giving some further information on the subject of the operation of the transit pass system in the Province of Yunnan.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. LITTON.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Acting Consul Litton to Sir E. Satow.
Teng Yueh, April 24, 1904.
REFERRING to your despatch No. 1 of the 10th March, transmitting copy of a despatch No. 11 of the 15th January from the Marquess of Lansdowne, and copy of a letter from the China Association to the Foreign Office, dated the 18th December, 1903, both on the subject of the levy of li-kin on yarn, &c., in Yunnan, I have the honour to report that Mr. Townley's proposal that transit passes should be taken out for every small quantity of goods was, at the suggestion of the first European Commissioner of Customs at Teng Yueh, adopted by merchants on the opening of the custom-house in 1902. Over 80 per cent. of our foreign imports go up-country under pass, and the average value covered by a pass is only some 55 taels (£7. 10s.).
The right to sell certificated goods at places en route to but short of destination was, I believe, secured by a precedent laid down by the Tsung-li Yamên at the instance of Baron Heyking, then German Minister, in 1896. The case in question occurred in Ssuchuan, but the precedent was ignored by the officials in Yunnan, until the opening of the Teng Fuch custom-house, when the right was specifically set forth in the provisional regulations subsequently approved by you. This right is of great value in Yünnan, and is extensively exercised by Teng Yueh traders.
A "lead" of yarn is a mule load, and is about 200 lbs. The li-kin used to be 250 taels a-load irrespective of precise weight.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. LITTON.
[1989 gg-1]