This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
2
"Sainam" affair, no fewer than eight cases of piracy of British-owned launches in the vicinity of Wuchow alone.
It is a notorious fact, which has not been disputed by the responsible Ministers of the Central Government, that the so-called guard-boats on the river lay inactive for days, with their crews gambling or smoking opium, while piracy went on unchecked in their immediate neighbourhood.
It is impossible, therefore, to admit that China's obligation ends with the recovery of the stolen property, as represented by two rifles and the execution of a few criminals, any more than it has done in the numerous other cases in which foreigners have lost their lives in this country, and in which China has atoned for the failure of her officials to afford adequate protection by paying suitable compensation.
The policing of its waters is an elementary duty which every State owes to the subjects of other Powers frequenting its territory in the pursuit of their lawful vocations, and that its fulfilment in the present case calls for no unusual exertion is proved by the statement of a Minister of your Highness' Board who, speaking with a knowledge of the locality, expressed the opinion that if the local authorities did their duty piracy at Canton could be stamped out in a month.
The case has been carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, under whose directions a claim for adequate compensation to the sufferers has been presented to the Viceroy at Canton, and I have therefore the honour to request your Highness to issue telegraphic instructions to his Excellency for an early settlement.
I avail, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN,
C.O.
[B]
32445
51
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
REC
[August 26.]
of 10 SEP 07
CONFIDENTIAL.
SECTION 2.
[28452]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 26.)
(No. 336.) Sir,
Peking, July 11, 1907. AFTER a lapse of some months without further mention in official circles in Peking of the projected constitutional reforms, the "Gazette" of the 7th July published an Imperial Edict, translation of which I have the honour to inclose, ordering certain changes in the provincial administration of Manchuria, Chihli and Kiangsu, and their gradual adoption in the other provinces within the maximum period of fifteen years.
These changes, already partially adopted in Manchuria, consist in the substitution of Provincial Commissioners of Justice in place of the high officials hitherto known by the title of Provincial Judges, and the formation of certain new Courts of Justice.
The effect of these alterations is not obvious, but they appear to tend towards a separation of the administrative and judicial sides of Government service, both of which have hitherto been combined in the duties of District Magistrates.
The Edict also abolishes all territorial Intendants of Circuit (Taotais) who have not concomitant military functions, and creates in their place Intendants of Police and of Public Industry.
This change does not affect the Customs Taotais in the Treaty ports, who are either specially appointed as Intendants of Customs or hold concurrently a military command. The expression-in the Edict-of a hope that these changes will be acceptable to public opinion, seems to indicate that the Court is only prepared to proceed with reforms in the most tentative manner; while an Edict of the 8th July, of which a translation in abstract is also inclosed, calls for expression of public opinion as to what steps should next be taken, in spite of the fact that an Imperial Commission has been formulating recommendations for the past year.
(Translation.)
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 1 ín No. 1.
Imperial Edict, dated July 7, 1907.
J. N. JORDAN.
WE are informed by Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager, with reference to the former Edict commanding a Committee of Princes and Ministers to deliberate on the reform of the official organization of the provinces and to memorialize the Throne on arriving at a satisfactory conclusion, that Prince Ching and others have now submitted a Memorial proposing the substitution in each province of a Commissioner of Justice for the Judicial Commissioner, the addition of Police Taotais and Industrial Taotais, the abolition of the classes of Taotai known as "Fen Shou" and "Fen Hsün," retaining the military Taotais when thought necessary, the creation of Judicial Courts, and alterations in the subordinate ranks of officials.
These proposals should be put into effect in due order. It is commanded that they be tried provisionally in the Manchurian provinces, and, if the situation in those provinces differs from that in others, the Viceroy and Governors are at liberty to consult together regarding modifications of the proposals, and to memorialize the Throne asking for instructions. Apart from these, the provinces of Chihli and Kiangsu, which are more advanced, should also choose places to make preliminary experiments, to be gradually extended when it is clear that they are successful. As for the other provinces, the Viceroys and Governors are to consider the situation in their provinces, But and the most suitable times and places, and to ask for instruction how to act. within fifteen years the present proposals are to be universally adopted.
As regards detailed regulations defining powers, &c., which require to be considered by the Boards and Yamêns, the latter are respectively commended to propose a
[2621 cc-2]