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were valueless in face of the recurring outrages at Canton, The Ministers expressed their deep regret, but protested vehemently that they were doing their utmost, and mentioned that they had that very day received a long telegram from the Viceroy which indicated au intention to accept their advice regarding the enforce- ment of the Customs scheme. A long conversation followed, in which I commented strongly on the action of the late Acting Viceroy, and concluded by warning them that as the Admiral was now on his way to Canton the whole question would probably soon pass out of my hands.
(Confidential.)
The despatch which I have the honour to inclose from His Majesty's Consul- General at Canton reproduces a number of telegrams which have passed between the Wai-wu Pu and the Viceroy on the subject and furnishes a very interesting insight into the working of the Central Government in its relation with the provincial authorities. In spite of the presence of his Excellency Yuan Shih-k'ai, the one really strong statesman in the country, the Government here still hesitates to give orders to recalci- trant Viceroys, and nothing but persistent efforts and extreme pressure will induce it to do more than act as a more or less impartial and colourless intermediary between the foreign Representatives and the provincial Viceroy or Governor. The Soochow-Ningpo Railway Edict, the issue of which is reported in another despatch, is a solitary instance of more active intervention.
In private conversation, Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu have themselves complained to me of the paralysis which has come over the Central Government in recent years, and have freely attributed it to the notorious weakness of Prince Ch'ing, supported by the Empress Dowager.
After my interview this afternoon one of the Ministers, while accompanying me to my chair, told me frankly that the Wai-wu Pu had found it impossible to impose its will on the Canton Government, and said he hoped that their hands would be strengthened by the representations which I had just made.
(No. 51.) Šir,
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
Canton, October 14, 1907. I HAVE the honour to forward copy and translation of an extract from the "Shih-min Hsiu-pao" of the 9th instant, which is interesting as showing the attitude of the Wai-wu Pu and the new Viceroy, Chang, towards the scheme for securing the co-operation of the Imperial Maritime Customs in suppressing piracy.
Whether you consider it possible to overcome the determined opposition of the Chinese authorities to the scheme I do not know, but there can be no question but that the insistence with which it has been pressed on them has had an excellent effect in stimulating them to increased effort in suppressing piracy on the waterways,
Cases of armed robbery ashore, often on a very large scale, are, however, common, pointing to the conclusion that the greater energy now displayed by the authorities on the waterways has to a great extent merely induced the evildoers to turn their attention to another field of operations. Their victims ashore being Chinese, these cases have not drawn so much attention from the foreign press, but the native papers are full of them, and I submit that no real reform can be arrived at until adequate measures are taken to root out the evil on shore. Once convinced that the authorities are strong enough to protect them retaliation by the robbers, the law-abiding population would willingly co-operate in the task.
I have, &c. (Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
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Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Extract from the " Shih-min Hsin-pao" of October 9, 1907.
Viceroy Chang and the Scheme for Additional Cruisers on the West River,
firmly maintains his own Rights.
(Translation.)
The Viceroy
AS a result of the frequent piracies of British launches on the West River the local authorities have been accused of incompetency, and a request has been advanced that the Commissioner of Customs have four extra launches placed at his disposal, and shall, in addition to his ordinary duties, employ these vessels in the suppression of piracy. The late Viceroy Chou telegraphed to the Wai-wa Po, strongly opposing this proposal, as has been already reported in these columns. Some time after the Wai-wu Pu telegraphed to say that the British Minister had approached the Revenue Council and asked them to provide the sum of 200,000 taels to be devoted to the purchase of four additional cruisers to be captained by Chinese officers, but to be under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs. In reply to this telegram, the late Acting Viceroy Hu telegraphed asking that the additional vessels to be provided wight be placed under the Admiral's orders and commanded by the latter's officers. The Viceroy has now received a telegram from the Wai-wu Pu that it is the intention of the Board to keep the suppression of piracy quite distinct and in the hands of the local authorities, while the vessels may be used by the Customs in the prevention of smuggling. Viceroy Chang considers this proposal quite impracticable and an infraction of his own rights, and has telegraphed again to the Board strongly urging that the vessels be placed at the disposal of the Admiral to use as he thinks best to suppress piracy with a view to avoiding the hostile criticisms that are made. The telegraphic correspondence which has passed on the subject between the Wai-wu Pu and the Viceroy is given below,
Wai-wu Pu to Viceroy, September 24, 1907.
Additional fast cruisers on the West River. The British Minister insists on their being under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs, but we have refused this several times. The British Admiral also says that the patrol launches in the Canton Province are useless. You should therefore lose no time in remedying the matter, if you desire to avoid him interfering. We have consulted the Revenue Council, and they are prepared to find the initial 200,000 taels required for the scheme.
You may therefore at once proceed with the building of the new boats and get them working in carnest, so as to avoid hostile criticisms being made. At the same time, the limits of authority of the Customs and the local authorities must be kept clearly distinct, and it is the intention of the Board to leave the suppression of piracy entirely in the bands of the local officials, while the prevention of smuggling remains in the hands of the Customs. We trust that you will be able to arrange some satisfactory modus operandi with the Commissioner and will evolve a scheme for the maintenance of the vessels and have them working at an early date. The British Admiral goes to Canton next month. If he brings up this subject you might take the opportunity to discuss with him the horse-power, speed, and size of the new vessels, so as to secure his friendly co-operation, and telegraph again.
Wai-wu Pu to Viceroy, September 24, 1907.
The British Minister has called in company with the Admiral. He says that the frequent piracies of British launches on the West River is detrimental both to trade and China's good name. He referred to the case of piracy which occurred two months ago, and said it was extremely grave. He added that the Chinese patrol vessels were worn out and quite ineffective. When pirates were seen they did not capture them, and as a result piratical gungs were growing bolder every day. He concluded by remarking that it was his duty to protect the trade of his nationals, and that unless China herself took speedy measures to remedy the evil he would have to see what action he could take himself. The prevalence of piracy in the Canton Province is extreme and of long standing. Cases of robbery on the West River are of constant occurrence, and the
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