371.
Mr. Consul-General Fraser is of opinion that the Viceroy's interference with the original scheme, as being subversive of China's rights and too favourable to foreigners, has encouraged the opposition to the opening of Changte, where native customs and li-kin interests are strong. The difficulties in the way of steam navigation are so great for most of the year that the Viceroy's reported rejection of a provision suggested by Han Taotai in regard to chartered junks will in any case vastly impair the value of the trading mart.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[38613]
No. 1.
[November 17.]
SECTION
45640
f 1 OFC OG
(No. 388.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 17.)
Peking, September 24, 1906. WITH reference to Mr. Carnegie's despatch No. 353 of the 22nd August, in which a copy of Mr. Mansfield's despatch No. 38 of the 1st August was inclosed, I have the honour to forward herewith for your information copy of a further despatch from him on the subject of the organization of an efficient police force for the suppression of piracy in Canton waters.
In consequence of the change of Viceroys reported in my telegram No. 168 of the 11th September, I have asked Mr. Mansfield to take an early opportunity after the arrival of his Excellency Chou Fu in Canton to discuss the scheme which he suggested to his Excellency Ts'en Chin-hsüan on the 24th July. It would not, I think, serve any purpose if I were to approach the Wai-wu Pu on this matter before Mr. Mansfield has pressed his views on the new Viceroy.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
(No. 44.) Sir,
Consul-General Mansfield to Mr. Carnegie.
Canton, September 10, 1906. IN my despatch No. 38 of the 1st August I had the honour to inclose a Memorandum of an interview with Viceroy Ts'en in which I suggested that he should engage a certain number of British officers to organize for him an efficient police force to put down piracy. About a fortnight ago I discussed the question with the Governor of Hong Kong and the Chairman of the Hong Kong branch of the China Association, and it was agreed that I should again approach the Viceroy on the subject of my former suggestion, adding that the Governor of Hong Kong would, if desired, use his influence to obtain a loan for the special purpose. The Chief Manager of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank had already agreed that under certain conditions of security the money could be provided.
I sent for the Viceroy's secretaries and discussed the matter at length with them, requesting them to lay my arguments before the Viceroy and inform him that I would visit him and talk over the matter. His answer, conveyed to me by one of the secretaries, was that he did not consider the proposal practicable owing to the ignorance of the people, who would not submit to foreign discipline. He feared that it might result in grave complications.
Although there is no doubt a strong feeling among the natives of this province that the foreigner should be dispensed with altogether, in my opinion the alleged fears of the Viceroy are groundless. It seems more than probable that the law-abiding population, which has suffered so much at the hands of robbers and pirates during past years, would welcome the relief given by an efficient police force, even if organized by foreigners. With the present Viceroy, however, it seems clear that nothing short of the strongest pressure will induce him to employ any foreigners whose service he can, or thinks he can, dispense with.
I have just received information that a telegram was received yesterday by the Provincial Treasurer (who is nominally acting as Viceroy during the two months' sick leave of Ts'en) that his Excellency Chou Fu has been appointed Viceroy of the Two Kwang, and that his Excellency Ts'en Chin-hsüan is appointed to the Minche Viceroyalty.
I have, &c. (Signed) R. W. MANSFIELD,
[2226 r-8]