318
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
5.0
13251
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[March 21.
SECTION 2.
14 400 08
[9692]
(No. 62.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received March 21.)
Peking, February 3, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a despatch from the Acting British Vice-Consul at Antung, which gives an interesting account of the protracted negotiations which have been carried on between the Japanese Legation here and the Chinese Government respecting the formation of a Joint Stock Company for the exploitation of the forests on the right bank of the Yalu, as provided by Article 10 of the Agreement of the 22nd December, 1905.
Pending the conclusion of an arrangement, the Japanese Timber Bureau established on the river bank above Antung select one log of wood out of every four descending the river and appropriate it, at prices fixed by themselves, and apparently much under the real value. At least, this is the statement made by Sir A. Hosie in his recent Report on Manchuria, and it is confirmed from other sources.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Acting Vice-Consul Russell to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 2.) Sir,
Antung, January 24, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a Report upon the course of the negotiations now proceeding between the Chinese and Japanese Governments regarding the organization of a Company for the exploitation of the Yalu River timber forests, in accordance with Article 10 of the Additional Agreement between Japan and China of 1905.
In accordance with the instructions contained in your despatch No. 5 of 1907, I have forwarded a copy of this Report to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio.
I have, &c. (Signed)
W. P. M. RUSSELL.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Report upon the course of the Negotiations now proceeding between the Chinese and Japanese Governments regarding the organization of a Company for the exploitation of the Yalu Timber Forests, in accordance with Article 10 of the Additional Agreement between Japan and China of 1905.
AS it is now over two years since the signing of the above Agreement and the conditions of Article 10 still await fulfilment, the reasons which have caused this protracted delay and the main features of the negotiations are here set forth, as gathered from local information, both from Chinese and Japanese sources.
The terms of Article 10 in the official English translation prepared by the Japanese Government read as follows:-
"The Imperial Chinese Government agree that a Joint Stock Company of forestry, composed of Japanese and Chinese capitalists, shall be organized for the exploitation of the forests in the regions on the right bank of the Yalu River, and that a detailed Agreement shall be concluded in which the area and term of the Concession, as well as the organization of the Company and all regulations concerning the joint work of exploitation, shall be provided for. The Japanese and Chinese shareholders shall share equally in the profits of the undertaking."
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