This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
4679
IRECP [January 8.] [Rec 9 FEB 06.
SECTION 2.
127
[947]
No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received January 8, 1906.)
Peking, November 8, 1905.
(No. 376.) My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul at Chefoo on the subject of the prohibition of the import of 10-cash pieces from other provinces, together with copy of a note which I have addressed to the Wai-wu Pu protesting against this prohibition.
(No. 36.) Sir,
I have, &c. (Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul O'Brien-Butler to Sir E. Satow,
Chefoo, October 25, 1905.
I HAVE the honour to inclose the translation of a letter which has been addressed to me by the Superintendent of Customs at this port, relating to the import of 10-cash copper pieces coined in other provinces.
On the 25th August the Superintendent wrote to me, stating that the Governor had given instructions that the import of 10-cash pieces from other provinces should at once be prohibited, and requesting that I would give notice of the fact to the British merchants of this port.
I replied that I did not see my way to issue this notice, as I knew of no law or Treaty Regulation which empowered me to place such a restriction on the firms under my jurisdiction.
The Provincial Government has recently purchased a large supply of copper for the purpose of minting 10-cash pieces, which will be circulated throughout the province, and under these circumstances it is not difficult to understand, and indeed to sympathize with, their position. At the same time the prohibition would appear to be directly in opposition to Article II of the Commercial Treaty of September 1902, and, in view of this fact, I have not felt justified in taking any steps to influence the action of the British merchants at Chefoo.
Thirty-five cases of coins belonging to Messrs. Cornabe, Eckford, and Co. have now arrived in Chefoo, and the Customs authorities refuse to release them. All attempts to obtain them through the local officials have failed, and I have the honour, therefore, to refer the matter to you and to request your instructions.
I have, &c.
(Signed) P. E. O'BRIEN-BUTLER.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
(Translation.)
Superintendent of Customs, Chefoo, to Consul O'Brien-Butler.
Greetings to Mr. O'Brien-Butler from the Taotai:
Chefoo, October 22, 1905.
I HAVE just received your note on the subject of importation of copper 10-cash pieces by Messrs. Cornabe, Eckford, and Co. You say that the Commissioner of Customs has refused to release thirty-five cases of copper money, which have been consigned to that firm by merchants in Shanghae, and that you are referring the matter to me at his request; that you know of no Treaty Regulation by which British merchants are forbidden to import these coins; and that you desire me to obtain the release of the goods from the Imperial Maritime Customs authorities.
Now, these 10-cash pieces have only been introduced into the currency of China during the last year, and it has therefore been impossible to make any special
[1830 h-2]