(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(19884]
No. 1.
301
[June 17.]
SECTION 1.
C. O
23671
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 17.)
RECE Pro 4 JUL 07
(No. 200.) Sir,
Peking, April 29, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No 46 of the 23rd January last respecting the emigration of Chinese coolies to foreign countries, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from Mr. Playfair, His Majesty's Consul at Foochow, relative to an abortive attempt made by a French emigration agent, M. Vetch, to dispatch a steamer with contract coolies to Brazil at the end of March.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(No. 7.) Sir,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Consul Playfair to Sir J. Jordan.
J. N. JORDAN.
Foochow, April 3, 1907. REFERRING to your despatch No. 3 of the 15th January and to my telegram No. 3 of the 28th March, I have the honour to report for your information the circumstances connected with an attempt made by a French emigration agent, M. Vetch, to dispatch a steamer with contract coolies to Brazil at the end of March.
M. Vetch had by his emissaries collected coolies to the number of about 1,800, and had brought them to Foochow for shipment. He had chartered for their accommodation the steam-ship" Cameta," a vessel specially fitted up for the convey- ance of emigrants that has for some time been engaged in the work of transporting labour to South Africa, and had made several successful voyages. Originally the British steam-ship "Cranley," belonging to the Century Shipping Company of London, she was lately transferred to the Belgian flag at Shanghao and renamed the "Cameta." This change of nationality was necessary for the purpose M. Vetch had in view, as the conveyance of contract labour is not permitted under the British flag. She was chartered for a large sum by the "Service de l'émigration Chinoise," a Syndicate of which M. Vetch is the representative in Foochow. He had recruited the coolies entirely on his own authority, without the approval and against the advice of the French Consul, who three weeks ago warned the Chinese authorities of what was being done, and counselled them not to allow the coolies to be brought to Foochow. The provincial authorities, however, took no action of any sort till four or five days ago. Then the Acting Viceroy stringently prohibited contract emigration, and called upon the Commissioner of Customs to prevent the departure of the "Cameta" with such coolies on board. At the same time drastic steps to enforce the prohibition were taken. These included the stationing a cruiser near the steamer to supply force if required, a threat to confiscate the "Cameta" and to arrest M. Vetch and hand him over to his Consul in case of recalcitrancy.
Although the Acting Viceroy's veto and the preparations of the authorities to make it effective were known to M. Vetch, he appears to have been sanguine up to the last of his ability to carry his point by dint of persuasion. On the 31st March, the date fixed for the embarkation and departure, M. Vetch invited the community in general to visit the vessel and to be entertained at lunch. Not more than half-a- dozen Foochow residents betook themselves to Pagoda anchorage in response to the invitation, and these were, no doubt, actuated by curiosity as to what would be the upshot. This was singularly tame. The visitors admired the equipment of the emigration steamer and ate au excellent midday meal, but no emigrants were conveyed on board, the persuasive powers of M. Vetch not having proved equal to softening the heart of the Acting Viceroy.
At one time it seemed to me possible that the intended emigrants, being thwarted
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