This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
0.
25342 378
(July 4. SECTION 18 JUL 04)
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received July 4.)
Peking, May 12, 1904.
(No. 168.) My Lord,
IN continuation of my telegram No. 99 of the 21st April, I have the honour to despatch herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from the British Acting Consul-General at Canton, reporting that definite orders have now been given for the removal of the barriers on the Canton River.
I have approved the communication which Mr. Campbell proposes to make to the Viceroy, that if the river obstructions are not removed by the date stipulated for in the Commercial Treaty, the Canton Government will probably be held responsible for accidents which may take place owing to their continued presence.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ERNEST SATOW,
Inclosure in No. 1.
(No. 31.) Sir,
Acting Consul-General Campbell to Sir E. Satow,
Canton, April 29, 1904.
REFERRING to my despatch No. 25 of the 11th April, I have the honour to state that Mr. de Luca, the Commissioner of Customs, has been definitely instructed to carry out the scheme for the removal of the barriers in the Canton River which was drawn up some time ago by Mr. Morse, in consultation with the Coast Inspector of the Imperial Maritime Customs.
I understand that under this scheme the materials of the barriers are to be sold in situ, the purchasers being bound to remove them within a specified date. Mr. de Luca informs me that advertisements calling for tenders will appear shortly in the foreign press of South China and Manila.
Providing that the contractors are reliable and bound under sufficient penalties, the scheme seems to me to be the best possible, but as it will take probably three months to obtain tenders, I am not sanguine that the work will be completed within the limit of time fixed by the Treaty.
Serious damage was done to the British steamer "Honam" lately by a collision with the iron barrier in a fog, and as other accidents to British steamers entailing expense are not rare, I propose to inform the Viceroy that, if the river obstructions are not removed by the stipulated date, it is probable that such accidents will give rise to claims for compensation against the Canton Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) C. W. CAMPBELL.
[2056 d-2]