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Inclosure 7 in No. 1.
Wang, Magistrate of Pingtingchou, to Mr. J. E. Stewart.
(Translation.) Dear Sir,
Pingtingchou, January 22, 1907. I AM in receipt of a telegram from his Excellency the Governor transmitting a telegram from the Wai-wu Pu, informing him that they had heard that Mr. Reid, of the Syndicate, was about to visit Pingtingehou to search for samples of mineral products, and that the Wai-wu Pu had replied requesting that he be not allowed to proceed. The Governor's idea is that you be requested to oppose Mr. Reid's rashly coming to Pingtingohou.
The whole idea of the Governor's telegram is to preserve the existing friendly relations and to guard against the possibilities attending a misunderstanding upon the part of the people. Can you or not, out of regard for the Wai-wu Pu and his Excellency the Governor, manage to prevent Mr. Reid from coming? It would be a convenience to all concerned. I inclose the telegram, which, after perusal, kindly return. Kindly let me have a reply so that I can report to the Governor. In view of the frequent mistakes in telegrams, will you please let me know whether or not the Mr. Li Te is Mr. Reid ?
With compliments, &c.
(Translation.) (Telegraphic.)
Inclosure 8 in No. 1.
(Card inclosed.)
Governor of Shansi to Wang, Magistrate of Pingtingchou.
Governor's Yamén, Taiyuan-fu, January 22, 1907. A TELEGRAM just to hand from the Wai-wu Pu states that a letter had been received from the British Minister stating as follows:-
"I am in receipt of a letter from the Agent-General of the Peking Syndicate (Limited), informing me that Mr. Reid, the engineer-in-chief, is shortly going to Pingtingchou for the purpose of searching for samples of coal, iron, lime, and other minerals, for sending to England to be analyzed. Mr. Reid has applied for a passport. He will be at Pingtingehou only some ten days. I am requested to move the Wai-wu Pu to instruct the officials of the province to avoid the possibilities which might arise from a misunderstanding."
To this the Wai-wu Pu replied that the Peking Syndicate proposed to open mines in that district, but that the Governor had not been able to issue a permit, the reasons for which had been communicated in their despatch dated the 10th January, 1907. Should the Peking Syndicate send Mr. Reid, the engineer-in-chief, to search for samples of coal, iron, and other mineral products, the people of that district will be sure to misunderstand and make difficulties which will be hard to straighten out. It is hoped that this will be noted and the said engineer-in-chief be instructed not to proceed.
Now in addition to forwarding copies of the correspondence, which it is hoped will be noted, the Magistrate concerned should at once communicate the contents of this telegram to Mr. Stewart, the Peking Syndicate's foreign representative at Ping- tingchou, requesting him to by all means stop Mr. Reid from rashly coming to Pingtingehou, lest the people of the region through misunderstanding should create difficulties which it will be hard to straighten out. The local officials cannot take upon themselves the responsibility for protecting, &c. (seeing there is no), without a passport from the Wai-wn Pu As soon as possible manage to communicate with the Syndicate concerned. Your reply is awaited.
(Seal of the Governor.)
Inclosure 9 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.
Your Highness,
February 1, 1907. I INFORMED Mr. Brown, Agent-General of the Peking Syndicate, of the objection expressed in the Board's letter of the 21st January against the contem- plated visit of Mr. Reid to Pingtingchow for the purpose of collecting specimens of ore for analysis in London.
In his reply, which I have just received, Mr. Brown points out that this visit of Mr. Reid for the purpose of collecting specimens of ore is not connected with the question of the Syndicate's application for a permit to open mines. The Syndicate has an Agreement with the Chinese Government for establishing smelting works in Shansi, and is prepared to carry out this Agreement at once. But it is necessary as a preliminary to have specimens of the coal, iron ore, and limestone analyzed, and to investigate the most suitable site for establishing the smelting works. These works are to be undertaken in partnership with the Chinese Government, so it is to the interest of both parties that the Syndicate's engineer-in-chief should have an oppor- tunity of collecting the specimens which are required.
It appears to me that your Highness' Board must have misunderstood the nature of the request embodied in my letter of the 14th January. Mr. Reid's visit has nothing to do with the application made by the Syndicate for a mining permit, but is merely, as stated, for the purpose of collecting specimens. Unless the local authorities deliberately give a false colour to the object of his visit, it is not to be anticipated that the country people will misconstrue his intentions. I accordingly have replied to Mr. Brown that there is nothing to prevent Mr. Reid from proceeding, and trust that your Highness' Board will telegraph to the local authorities to give him such protection and facilities as he may require.
I avail, &c. (Signed)
Sir,
Inclosure 10 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Mr. G. Brown.
J. N. JORDAN.
February 4, 1907. WITH reference to your letter of the 29th January, I beg to inform you that I have again written to inform the Wai-wu Pu more precisely of the object of Mr. Reid's proposed visit to Pingtingchow. I have stated that I see nothing to prevent Mr. Reid proceeding under his passport, and I have requested the Wai-wu Pu to instruct the local authorities by telegraph to give him such protection and facilities as he may require.
In view of the agitation in Shansi touching the Syndicate's affairs, I think Mr. Reid should exercise care and prudence in carrying out the purpose of his journey.
I am, &c.
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(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
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