Asteroid, "S Appengine a
8
would have a representative of the Viceroy on board, and the officer in command, although foreign, would be a servant of the Chinese Government. He had all along been convinced that the provision of these launches under Customs control would have good results, and he appealed to the Viceroy to carry out the obligations which had been entered into. The Viceroy said that he could not see how four launches patrolling about 1,000 miles of waterway could do much good. He further remarked that in regard to the vessels pirated it was known that many of them, although British registered, were really owned and run by Chinese subjects.
The Admiral admitted that he would like to see more launches provided, he had asked for four as a minimum. He regretted to say that the principal reason for requiring them was to insure that the other patrol boats in the river did their duty.
It was well known that the latter did not do so, and instances had occurred, particularly in the case of the "Ki Cheong," where piracies had taken place within hail of a guard boat, which had offered no assistance. As for the misuse of British registration, he had already instituted inquiries into the matter, and the Viceroy might rest assured that that would be rectified. The Admiral went on to call the Viceroy's attention to the fact that the claim for compensation in the case of the "'Sainam,' although outstanding a year, had never been settled. This latter piracy was an outrageous affair, in addition to wounding several persons on board, the pirates had killed Dr. MacDonald, a British subject, who had devoted his life and his fortune to the good of China, affording medical assistance to all who required it. It was unthinkable that China should refuse compensation to his dependents; it was the custom of all nations to grant redress in such cases. He further pointed out that the many benefits that China received from Great Britain--to specify a few, there was the Arms Ordinance, under which Hong Kong prohibited the export of arms to China, and the refusal of that Colony to afford an asylum to revolutionaries; and for the last two years twelve Chinese midshipmen had been under training in the English China squadron, six had just been sent to Greenwich College, and eight more were just about to be embarked in the squadron. Surely the Viceroy would recognise our good-will towards China, and reciprocate our concessions by complying with the request we were making to insure the protection of British interests.
If the Viceroy would agree to the Customs control of the launches and settle the "Sainam" claim, then he, the Admiral, would be prepared to discuss the Viceroy's scheme in detail and give every assistance in carrying it out.
The Viceroy, in reply, said that he recognized and appreciated the benefits received from, and the friendly attitude of, the British towards China. In regard to the "Sainam" claim, the piracy of that vessel had occurred before he took office, and he was not fully acquainted with the details, He would, however, look the matter up, and give his decision in a week.
The Admiral asked for a definite answer in regard to the launches. He said that he did not in the least desire to interfere in the policing of the waterways, as that was undoubtedly a matter for the Chinese themselves; at the same time he pointed out that if China could not do it satisfactorily, consequences might follow which would be perhaps more objectionable to them than compliance with his present request, and he made a final appeal to them to carry out their undertaking,
The Viceroy reiterated that he had been advised by the Peking Government that the stipulation in regard to placing foreigners in charge of the launches had been withdrawn, he said that the policing of the waters was a matter which rested entirely with him. He would consult the Commissioner of Customs as to the employment of the launches, but that, for the reasons he had already given, he regretted he could not see his way clear to allowing the launches to be under Customs control, or under the command of foreign officers.
This concluded the interview, which lasted upwards of two hours, and the Viceroy took his leave.
9
should be handed over to the control of the Commissioner of Customs, that one foreign officer should be in charge of each vessel, that the engagement of the crew and the executive control of the vessels should both be the duties of the Commissioners, and that I, as Viceroy, should merely depute a Chinese official to each vessel as my representative. I at once replied that piracy was of long standing in the Canton Province, and that I had, in consequence, after my arrival here, proposed the addition of four fast cruisers to conduct an effective patrol. The length of the waterways of the West, East, and North Rivers is, altogether, over 2,000 li (660 miles), so that the mere addition of four cruisers would be very far from proving effective, the whole state of affairs must be taken into consideration, and active measures taken by land and water, in order to bring peace to the locality.
The new Regulations for the suppression of piracy, recently sent to you by the Foreign Bureau for your examination, represent measures to be actually taken; should they in any way prove ineffectual, alterations can be made from time to time.
The suppression of piracy comes within the sphere of my duties, and there can be no possible reason for neglecting anything which would tend to this end. Future discussions of methods to be adopted can be in consultation with the Commissioner of Customs, and I should have pleasure in selecting for adoption any proposals sent in by the Commissioner, if to the point and feasible, thereby obtaining the advantage of "two hands being better than one." Although the Commissioner is an official in the employ of China, he has only the duty of arresting smugglers, and has not the power of arresting pirates; employment of men and executive government is in the control of the Viceroy, and it would be inconvenient to allow the Commissioner to take control.
As regards the appointing of a foreign officer in charge of each cruiser, the obstacles in the way of this are numerous. The question need not come under consideration, in view of the fact that it is on record that His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking has stated to the Foreign Board that foreign officers need not be employed, and that China can appoint officers in charge.
The addition of four fast cruisers for the arrest of pirates was a proposal already in view in this province. The four cruisers which the Admiral requests me to purchase I now agree to purchase as speedily as possible.
Compliments.
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Telegrams which have passed between Canton and Peking.
(1)
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
Canton, November 20, 1907. AT an interview with Viceroy to-day he agreed to Admiral's demand for the provision of four fast cruisers, but refused to allow Customs control or foreign officers on board.
In the "Sainam" piracy case he professed ignorance of details, and said he would reply in a week's time. Admiral is telegraphing to Admiralty for instructions as to whether he should carry out his proposal to detail all available small vessels to assist in patrolling waterways and searching British launches for pirates and arms.
(2)
(Translation.) Sir,
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Viceroy of Canton to Consul-General Mansfield.
Canton, November 21, 1907. REFERRING to my interview of this date with yourself and his Excellency the Admiral, at which the additional purchase of cruisers for policing the waterways was referred to, the Admiral's opinion was that four fast cruisers obtained by this province-
Admiral Sir A. Moore to Sir J. Jordan.
Canton, November 21, 1907. Viceroy of Canton will provide four fast launches, arrange for military co-operation, and will consult the Commissioner of Customs, Canton, but he declines to place launches under Customs control or foreign officers, quoting adverse opinion of Canton Commissioner (of Customs).
Viceroy stated that many of the British launches pillaged were practically owned by Chinese subjects. Investigation of registration question confirms latter assertion. "Sainam" only bona fide British trader pirated.
[2818 u--2]
D
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(