This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
16523
[April 20.) re
SECTION 2.-
RE 9 MAY 0
[12744]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received April 20.)
(No. 113.) Sir,
Peking, March 4, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 416 of the 15th October, 1906, I have the honour to inclose, for your information, copies of further correspondence relating to the Chinese "reserved area at Chapei.*
As you will observe, the Taotai last year refused to issue title-deeds to three British owners on the ground that their land was in this area, but by dint of steady pressure locally he abandoned this attitude, and finally sent the deeds, duly stamped, to His Majesty's Consul-General on the 23rd January.
I have instructed Sir Pelham Warren to keep me informed of any attempt on the part of the Chinese authorities to levy rates on British subjects for municipal purposes in the Chapei district.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
(No. 7.) Sir,
66
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.
Shanghae, January 14, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 5 of the 11th instant and to previous correspondence on the subject of British Consular lots in the Chapei "municipality" or reserved area," I have now the honour to inclose herewith copy and translation of a letter from the Taotai, in which, under instructions from the Viceroy, he agrees, on certain conditions, to issue the deeds. I send also copy and translation of my reply.
With reference to the condition laid down, of compliance with the regulations of the reserved area," I may point out that, in May last, on first bearing of the scheme, I wrote to the Taotai for full particulars of any regulations, &c., proposed in connection therewith. He has never furnished une with such particulars.
I have, &c. (Signed) PELHAM WARREN.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Tuotai Jui Cheng to Consul-General Sir P. Warren,
(Translation.) Sir,
Shanghae, January 4, 1907. WITH reference to the leasing of land by foreigners on the Chapel Chinese Settlement, on receipt of your note on the subject I applied for instructions (to the Viceroy), and sent you a despatch in reply. I have now received from his Excellency Viceroy Tuan the indorsement, to the effect that, as Shanghae is a great international centre, it is not, of course, on a par with the other Treaty ports. If foreign merchants are prepared to abide by the regulations governing this Chinese "reserved area," and live there quietly pursuing their occupation, special consideration may be allowed them. In future, foreign merchants in the area may receive Taotai's title-deeds for land rented by them. This arrangement is with a view to the preservation of friendly relations, and other places must not take this as a precedent. They will not, however, be allowed to lease land remote from the international Settlement, and where no Taotai's deeds have yet been granted to foreigners--a necessary restriction.
[2450 -2]
* Two Inclosures only printed.
46
.: