amento
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
[October 5.1
REED
39126
336
SECTION FF 6 NOV 07,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33094]
(No. 386.) Sir.
call
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received October 5.)
Peking, August 16, 1907.
AT a meeting of the Diplomatic Body held on the 9th May last, it was decided to upon the Consular Body at Shanghae to furnish certain information on the working of the Huangpu Conservancy Convention of the 27th September, 1905, and Mr. Rockhill, the United States' Minister, subsequently formulated a number of points, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, on which it was desired to have the views of the Consuls.
A collective reply has not yet been received from the Consular Body, but the German and Dutch Consuls-General have each written statements on the subject (copies inclosed), which raise some interesting points in connection with the working and interpretation of the Convention of 1905.
The Memorandum of the Dutch Consul-General is of especial value, as it may be presumed to be based upon information derived from his countryman, M. de Rijke, the Engineer-in-charge of the undertaking.
The accompanying report from the Shanghae Taot'ai and the Commissioner of Customs deals with conservancy matters for the quarter ended the 30th June last. From this it appears that for the three years ending on that date the Taotfai had received a sum of 1,380,000 Haikwan taels, of which 255,257 Haikwan taels had been expended, leaving a balance in hand, exclusive of interest, of 1,124,743 Haikwan taels.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Mr. Rockhill to Doyen of Diplomatic Body.
My dear Colleague,
Peking, May 24, 1907. AT the meeting of the Diplomatic Body, held on the 9th instant, it was agreed that the Consular Body of Shanghae would be requested to supply: us with certain information concerning the working of the new Agreement for the Huangpu Conservancy, signed in Peking, the 27th september, 1905.
The questions which it appeared to me desirable that we should be informed upon, and which I think we are entitled to inquire into under the provisions of the Agreement, are the following :-
1. Have the works been carried out with diligence, care, and economy?
2. Are the measures which the Chinese Government has adopted for financing the
enterprise such that all its requirements are and will be satisfactorily insured?
3. In view of the possible reduction of the opium revenues, has any information been given by the Chinese authorities concerning an additional guarantee for annual payments for the works?
4. Have the monthly instalments been regularly paid to the Shanghae Taot'ai and
the Commissioner of Customs, and since what date?
5. Where are the funds deposited, and how and by whom are they drawn?
6. What interest is allowed on monthly balances of these funds, and to what
purpose is such interest applied ?
7. By whom are the annual accounts of the Board audited ?
I have no doubt our colleagues may have other pertinent questions to submit to the Consular Body, and I would be greatly obliged if you would request from them expressions of their opinions.
[2692 e-3]
I am, (Signed)
&c.
W. W. ROCKHILL.
B