Desmont is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
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 In support of this view, I may mention that the French Consul hitherto stationed at Lungchow has been withdrawn, and I learn from the gentleman himself that no one is likely to be appointed in his place for the present.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 Lungchow 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.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[June 6.]
276
SECTION 1.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.—(Received June 6.)
(No. 131.) My Lord,
Peking, April 11, 1904.
WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch No. 30 of the 6th February, and especially to the second inclosure therein, which seems to express the views entertained by the leading British subjects in Hong Kong, I have the honour to report that I received to-day a call from Mr. Gershom Stewart, an acting unofficial member of the Legislative Council of that Colony, who had been requested by the Committee of the Hong Kong branch of the China Association to take an opportunity of explaining to me the views of the Committee with reference to the opening of Nanning and Waichow, the construction of railways from Hong Kong to Canton and Waichow, and the action of the Russians in Newchwang.
With respect to the last subject, I said that His Majesty's Government were fully informed as to the political side of the question, and it was unnecessary for us to discuss it. He said it was understood that the Russian authorities had placed difficulties in the way of the export of beancake, and that British shipping interests were involved.
I replied that Russia, being in military occupation of the port, was entitled to take measures to prevent trade between Newchwang and the ports of her enemy.
It was reported, however, that the strict rule at first laid down with regard to the deposit of caution-money in respect of export cargoes of beans and beancake had subsequently been relaxed.
On the subject of Nanning, I told him that I had been engaged in correspondence with the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce. In the opinion of Mr. Fox, His Majesty's Consul at Wuchow, who had exceptional knowledge of the subject, the opening of Nanning as a port would not confer any important benefit on trade, as the only goods that would thereby be freed from li-kin or transit dues would be those consumed in the town itself, which is a small place, and all goods passing thence into the interior of Kwangsi would have to be accompanied by transit passes. The transit pass system was working well on the West River, and goods from Canton protected by it were subjected to no delays or inconvenience. Mr. Fox also reported that the French were showing no activity in railway construction between Lungchow and Nanning, and it seemed that their energies were at present absorbed by the Laokai-Yunnan Railway. It was my intention, however, to send a Consular officer to reside at Nanning for a few months as soon as one could conveniently be spared.
This subject was reported on in my despatch No. 115 of the 4th April. Mr. Stewart informed me that last year he made a journey up the West River, accompanied by Mr. C. Clementi, of the Hong Kong Colonial Service, but did not succeed in reaching Nanning. The Magistrate at the highest point visited had spoken with alarm of French activity, which he considered could be combated only by the appointment of a British Consular officer to reside at Nanning. It seems to me probable that to the suggestion of this Chinese official are due the representations on this subject which have reached His Majesty's Government from various quarters.
With respect to the opening of Waichow, I explained to Mr. Stewart that His Majesty's Government would not be in a position to claim it until Article VIII of the Treaty of Shanghai came into effect, and of that I saw little prospect. In consequence of a communication on the subject of Waichow, which I had received from the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, I had asked them for further information as to the capabilities of the place as a port, and when I received that I should be in a better position to judge whether it would be desirable to ask the Chinese Government to open it at once.
But the same remark applied as in the case of Nanning, namely, that the port being opened would protect imports from li-kin or transit dues only to the extent of the local consumption.
I have, &c. (Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
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