This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 479
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[August 29.]
SECTION 2.
No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne, Received August 29.)
(No. 243.)
Peking, July 7, 1904.
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that in reply to inquiries which I caused to be made at the Wai-wu Pu as to the date fixed for the opening of the port of Chang Sha, I have received a note stating that in accordance with the terms of the Treaty with Japan that port was to be opened within six months of the ratification on the 1st instant. The Wai-wu Pu were ignorant of the terms of the Treaty, and that the opening had taken place had expressed complete ignorance on the subject last month when I first inquired, and their note in reply is dated the 5th instant. His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Hankow asked and obtained permission from me to send a member of his staff on board His Majesty's ship "Teal" to Chang Sha to act as interpreter on the occasion of the opening. Whether that vessel arrived there in time or not Mr. Playfair has not as yet reported; he was notified of the date by the local authorities last month, and telegraphed to me for confirmation.
I should have wished to send a Consular Officer temporarily to Chang Sha, at once, in order to ascertain whether the amount of trade at that port warrants the appointment of a permanent Consul there, but this will have to be done later on, as no one is at present available.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
* See my despatch No. 211 of the 14th ultimo,
[2103 ƒ-2]