[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
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Yung-t'ou."
A little-known fruit called the "yang t'ou" grows wild in the mountains, the size of a small apple, has a rough brown skin, and a peculiar flavour resembling both the strawberry and gooseberry. It is palatable and very refreshing. I am informed it was introduced into England a few years ago as an ornamental tree, and is doing well.
Opium.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[6480]
Small quantities of opium are produced in some places. We saw the Anti-Opium Regulations posted in one village, but no measures seem to have been taken to enforce them. Some peasants said they were replacing opium with wheat and millet, while others were preparing ground for next year's crop. A few cases of opium-smoking came under my notice in different localities.
Inhabitants, Inns, &c.
The people everywhere were very friendly and did not show that troublesome curiosity which is so trying to the patience of most travellers in this country, although for several days we were altogether off the beaten track and foreigners had not been seen more than once or twice before. The standard of living seemed up to the general level in country districts, and whilst there were few signs of wealth, there were also few or none of destitution. The houses were built of mud, and but few stone buildings were seen outside the bigger valleys. In the more elevated parts, Indian corn is the principal food. The peasants for the most part own the land they till, and hired labourers are not numerous. The wages of the latter are about 2s. a month with food and lodging.
As everywhere in China, the inns are very poor, resembling a fuel-house or coal-shed rather than a dwelling-place. Many of them have no "kang" (raised floor for lying on), so that a camp-bed must be carried, as well as all provisions, &c., practically nothing that foreigners require being procurable en route.
An itinerary is attached.
December 16, 1907.
(Signed)
H. A. LITTLE.
Remarks.
Itinerary.
Distance.
Li.
Shili-tou Ya
60
Main road to Shib-nan Fu. Good.
Kun-tzu Ling
60
31
Ho-chia Fing
35
Good; then broken, long, steep slope.
Kuan Pao
50
40
Lan Ping.
40
Long slope; fairly good. Precipitous.
Pa Tzu
ilo-chia Ping
25
(And thence as above.)
Pa-ko Mino
Side road. Very steep.
Main road. Good at first, then very steep.
Fairly good.
No. 1.
TREE
SECTION
10573
[Library 24.]
MAR 08
Admiralty to Foreign Office. (Received February 24.)
Admiralty, February 22, 1908.
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a letter, dated the 26th December, which has been received through the Commander-in-Chief, China, from the Commanding Officer, His Majesty's ship "Widgeon," respecting Chinese proposals for building shallow-draught craft for use on the Upper Yang-tsze.
I am, &c.
C. I. THOMAS.
Sir,
Inclosure in No. 1.
(Signed)
Lieutenant Commander Knox to Admiral Sir A. Moore.
"Widgeon," at Ichang, December 26, 1907.
I have the honour to report that Mr. H. H. Bristow, late His Britannic Majesty's Consul at Chung King, who passed through this port on the 24th December on his way to Shanghae and England, gave me the following information concerning the building, &c., of steam-craft for the Chinese for service on the Upper Yang-tsze:--
The Provincial authorities at Cheng-tu have decided to place on the river two small shallow-draught steamers for the purpose of carrying cargo, &c. One of the craft is, I believe, to be a tug.
Mr. S. C. Plant, pilot to the French, has been asked by the Chinese authorities to supervise the running of and to conduct the management of these steamers. Mr. Plant, whose engagement with the French does not expire for another two years, has not yet accepted the proposal of the Chinese. As soon as the agreement is arrived at with Mr. Plant, the Chinese state they will immediately place the order for these vessels with Messrs. Yarrow and Co., and will utilize them on the river and lakes below Ichang until Mr. Plant's agreement with the French expires.
Mr. Bristow also informed me that he had heard on reliable authority that Messrs. Yarrow and Co. had refused an order from the French Government to construct a shallow-draught gun-boat after the type of His Majesty's ship "Widgeon," though he was unable to state for what reason this vessel was intended for service on the Upper Yang-tsze.
I have, &c.
(Signed) JOHN F. KNOX.
[2846 aa-
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Time occupied on journey nearly fourteen days. Weather fine and warm, but cold at night for first ten days; then heavy fall of rain and showery weather.
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