[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
511
[September 12.]
SECTION 6.
Sir E. Satom to the Marquess of Lansdowne. (Received September 12.)
(No. 258.)
Peking, July 20, 1904.
My Lord,
YOUR Lordship forwarded to me, in your despatch No. 68 of the 1st March, a list of mining Concessions in China and Cores, published by the "Moniteur Officiel du Commerce," and communicated to the Foreign Office by His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris.
As I possessed no information about certain of the Concessions mentioned in this list, I addressed an inquiry to His Majesty's Consular Officers in the districts where such Concessions are situated, and requested them to furnish me with reports.
The following are the Concessions about which I desired to be informed:--
1. The Nanking coal mines, in the Province of Kiangsu, a Concession to work which was said to have been acquired by the "Société Franco-Belge d'Entreprises Industrielles en Chine."
2. The coal mines of Ainantse, near Tschiou. Concession acquired by the same Company.
3. Metal mines (gold, silver, copper, and iron) in the Tien-shan and Maikong districts, in the Province of Szechuen. Concession in the hands of the "Société Française des Mines de Szechuen."
4. The Concession of the "Société d'Etude du Fokien," in Fukien Province.
5. All the Concessions noted in Manchuria.
With regard to (1) the Nanking coal mines, His Majesty's Consul at Nanking informs me that, in spite of careful inquiry, he has not been able to find any trace of a Concession having been granted to the Franco-Belgian Company.
The only coal workings in the neighbourhood are some shallow shafts at Lungtan, some 15 miles on the road between Nanking and Chinkiang. These were started some eight years ago by the local authorities at a cost of over 100,000 taels, but were abandoned after a little while as unremunerative. Some natives last winter reopened the mines, but were soon stopped by the authorities, who bought out their appliances and recouped them for their outlay.
Latterly the same group of Chinese induced a British subject to act as figurehead for them, but the authorities re-entered into possession, and are now working the seams themselves.
Mr. Sundius is led to believe that the authorities intend to claim any coal that may be discovered in the range as Government property, and that they do not intend granting concessions to any one to work it.
2. With regard to the Concession which is alleged to have been secured by the same Company in Hupeh, the Acting Consul-General at Hankow reports that, in spite of extensive inquiries, he has been unable to glean any information. No representative of the Company has ever visited Hankow.
3. The Concession of the "Société Française des Mines de Szechuen" to work metals in the districts of Tien-shan and Maikong is stated, by His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, to be one working for the "five metals" in the department and independent sub-prefecture of Tien-chuan-chou and Mou-hung-ting. These districts are situated respectively in the north-west and north of the prefecture of Ya-chou-fu. The Concession expired in January 1903, and has been renewed from time to time, but neither prospecting nor work has as yet been undertaken.
With regard to Nos. 4 and 5, the Concessions in the Province of Fukien and in Manchuria, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copies of the replies to my inquiries which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls at Foochow and Newchwang respectively. In these despatches all that is known of the Concessions is entered into in full detail.
I may here mention that the coal mines at Dalai Nor, a short distance to the south of the Manchurian Railway, are believed to be connected with the main-line by a railway. It is possible that the existence of such a branch line may have given rise...
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