(16.)
Consul-General, Canton, to Sir E. Satow (Telegraphic), July 19, 1905.
States that Viceroy has agreed to launches running anywhere within Kuangsi from Wuchow strictly in accordance with Treaty. On the Consul-General pointing out that rapids might prevent launches returning to Wuchow, and urging that they should be allowed to ply from Nanning as well, the Viceroy replied that he was awaiting instructions from the Wai-wu Pu on the subject.
(17.)
Consul-General, Canton, to Sir E. Satow, July 28, 1905.
Reference to Sir E. Satow's telegram of the 7th July, 1905. Summarizes further negotiations with Viceroy.
Copy of this despatch was sent to the Foreign Office direct.
(18.)
Consul, Wuchow, to Consul-General, Canton, August 3, 1905.
Instead of consenting to allow launches to run from Wuchow to any place in Kuangsi in strict accordance with Treaty, the Viceroy has issued orders to cancel the special certificates under which launches are now plying between Chiangkou, Kueihsien, and Nanning. Comments strongly on the injustice done to launch Companies.
(19.)
Consul, Wuchow, to Sir E. Satow, August 4, 1905.
Incloses copy of his despatch of the 3rd August to Consul-General at Canton. If Viceroy's order is carried into effect a serious blow will be dealt at the launch trade on the West River, "though the effect will be considerably minimized if Nanning is declared to be an open port."
(20.)
Consul-General, Canton, to Mr. Wen, Viceroy's Secretary, August 9, 1905.
Complains that Viceroy has not acted up to his promise to permit launch navigation in Kuangsi according to Treaty, but has ordered the withdrawal of certain existing facilities. Urges that Viceroy should reconsider the matter, and restore the privilege of plying between Tunghsien, Kueihsien, and Chiangkou.
(21.)
Consul, Wuchow, to Consul-General, Canton, August 10, 1905.
Situation unchanged. A fresh application, made on the 9th August by the Po On Company to run launches to Pose and Lungehow, has been refused on the usual ground that no instruction had been received from the Viceroy permitting the extension of inland steam navigation beyond its present limits.
By Consul's instructions Po On Company have refused to surrender certificates under which their launches are plying between Chiangkou and Kueihsien or Nanning.
Page 7
(28.)
Viceroy to Consul-General, Canton, October 24, 1905.
On launches carrying West River papers issued by the Canton Customs bad inland beyond Wuchow without obtaining inland navigation certificates. The Commissioner of Customs was therefore instructed to order those launches to confine their movements to the West River ports.
(29.)
Viceroy to Consul-General, Canton, October 27, 1905.
Commissioner of Customs at Wuchow has been instructed to permit the British "Shun Fa" to proceed inland from Wuchow.
(30.)
Consul-General, Canton, to Sir E. Satow (Telegraphic), October 30, 1905.
Reference to Sir E. Satow's telegram of the 11th October,
His Majesty's Consul at Wuchow reports that inland navigation has been resumed from that port.
Page 3
(31.)
Sir E. Satow to Consul-General, Canton (Telegraphic), January 30, 1906.
Refers to Wuchow Intelligence Report for December quarter, in which it is stated "no vessel flying a foreign flag may apply to Liuchow," and that "permission to navigate from here to Pose is still withheld from British launches"; and asks for explanation in view of telegram of the 30th October, 1905.
(32.)
Consul-General, Canton, to Sir E. Satow, February 21, 1906.
The inland navigation referred to in Canton telegram of the 30th October as having been resumed is that which has been in operation for years past from—
Wuchow to Hsunchow, and thence along the West River to Chiankou, at its junction with the Liu River;
Wuchow to Hsunchow, and thence down the Nanning or Yu River to Kueihsien and thence to Nanning city.
10 years ago application was made by British steam-launches to run to Lunchow, as also to Liuchow, but permission has always been refused by the Chinese, who alleges the necessity of Nanning being first effectively opened as a Treaty port. Chinese launches, however, ply to those places according to the state of the water and the requirements at the different seasons of the year.
(33.)
Sir E. Satow to Consul-General, Canton (Telegraphic), March 8, 1906.
Reference to Canton despatch of the 21st February.
British launches are entitled to ply from any Treaty port in the Canton delta to any place in the rivers above Wuchow, whether Liuchow or Pose or Lungchow,
Page [2146]