[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
**CONFIDENTIAL**.
No. 1.
594
[October 10.]
SECTION 2
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne-(Received October 10.)
(No. 298.)
Peking, August 17, 1904.
My Lord,
WITH reference to my despatch No. 202 of the 2nd June, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copies of two despatches which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu relating to French activity in the Province of Szechuan.
Information as to the journeys of Vicomte Foy and of Messrs. W. Meischke Smith and Lanet will be found in Mr. Hosie's despatch No. 12 of the 4th May, of which I had the honour to transmit a copy in my despatch above referred to.
I have, &c. (Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
(No. 22.)
Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.
Chengtu, July 8, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to report that M. Bons d'Anty informed me yesterday that he had received a telegram from his colleague at Yunnan-fu to the effect that Vicomte Foy's caravan had been robbed by "pirates" near Yüeh-hsi Ting, in the Chien-ch'ang Valley, and himself stripped of his clothing, that in this condition the Vicomte had made his way to Lu-ku, a place on the road between Yüeh-hsi Ting and Ning-yuan-fu,* where there is a French Mission station, and had thence travelled to Yunnan-fu.
In my despatch No. 12 of the 4th May, I reported that M. Foy left Chengtu on the 3rd May by river for Hsüchou-fu, whence he personally informed me he intended to travel to Yunnan-fu; but my French colleague now states he altered his plans on arrival at Chia-ting, proceeding west to Ta-chien-lu and down the Chien-ch'ang Valley to Yunnan.
I have reported from time to time the disturbed condition of the Lolo country, and M. Bous d'Anty attributes M. Foy's mishap to insufficient local protection. He also speaks of a claim for 5,000 taels compensation.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
ALEX. HOSIE.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
(No. 24.)
Sir.
Consul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.
Chengtu, July 23, 1904.
IN my despatch No. 22 of the 8th instant, I had the honour to report that Vicomte Foy had been robbed near Yüeh-hsi Ting, in the Chien-ch'ang Valley, and had proceeded to Yunnan-fu. I now learn that M. François, French Consul-General at Yunnan-fu, who recently obtained furlough, has just made a journey up the Chien-ch'ang Valley to Ya-chou-fu, whence he travelled to Chia-ting-fu and down the Min River, and the Yang-tze to Chungking. There can be no doubt that the Chien-ch'ang Valley is attracting the attention of the French, and it would appear as if they were beginning to look upon it as an alternative to the difficult railway route from Yunnan-fu into Szechuan, with its terminus at Sui-fu.
* 28° north latitude, 103° east longitude.
† About 150 miles due west of Chungking.
‡ To the westward of and mid-way between Chengtu and Chia-ting.
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