2
His Excellency Hsi Liang's position, however, at the capital is so strong that he can afford to go his own way.
In Fengtien Province alone more than 400 officials have been dismissed within the last six weeks, and the salaries and allowances of the remainder, especially the) higher grades, have been considerably reduced, at an estimated saving to the Treasury of 100,000 taels monthly.
The office of Governor of Fengtien, which has been in abeyance since the departure of his Excellency Tong Shao-yi, has been revived, but the two posts of Senior Secretary to the provincial Government, one of which was held by his Excellency M. T. Liang, have been abolished. The provincial police have been placed under the direction of the Commissioner of the Interior (Min Cheng Ssu), and the Viceroy has thus been able to dispense with two officials of the rank of taotai, one of whom formerly had control of the provincial police, whilst the other commanded the Mukden force.
Wholesale dismissals of secretaries and clerks have taken place in every depart ment. In the Board of Finance, for example, no less than thirteen "wei-yuans " and fifty-five clerks were got rid of. Roughly speaking, the secretarial and clerical staff has been reduced by about 40 per cent. throughout the administration.
I have little doubt personally that it was quite possible to make these changes without any appreciable loss of efficiency, but there seems in many cases to have been but little discretion used in carrying out his Excellency's general instructions for retrenchment. In the Agricultural Department, for example, my American colleague informs me, Mr. Parker, the agricultural expert, complains bitterly that capable employés have been dismissed and worthless creatures retained.
It is too soon as yet to judge of his Excellency's attitude in foreign affairs, and it is very difficult to obtain any information. The strictest secrecy is preserved in the Viceroy's own department, and rumour has it that his private secretaries do not dare to leave his yamên.
Negotiations with Japan concerning the details of the Kirin-Changchun Railway Loan and the reconstruction of the Antung line are nominally proceeding, but, as far as I can gather, very little progress is being made.
I have, &c.
ROBERT WILLIS.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[29899]
(No. 262.) Sir,
No. 1.
C.O 9354 August 9.3
SECTION 2.
2 SEP OC
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received August 9.)
Peking, July 21, 1909. WITH reference to my despatch No. 214 of the 15th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the acting consul-general at Canton, reporting the appointment of a joint Sino-Japanese commission to proceed to the Pratas Islands and investigate the claims for compensation.
This despatch confirms the information contained in Mr. Rumbold's despatch No. 180 of the 28th ultimo to you.
I have, &c.
(No. 72.) Sir,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.
J. N. JORDAN.
Canton, June 30, 1909. WITH reference to my despatch No. 56 of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to report that Tastai Wei Han, a director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Segawa, Japanese consul at Canton, have been appointed by their respective Governments commissioners to proceed to the Pratas Islands and investigate on the spot the Japanese and Chinese claims for compensation in connection with the recent occupation of the islands by a Japanese syndicate.
The Chinese commissioner, who will probably be accompanied by Admiral Li and a large staff of officers, will proceed to the Pratas in the cruiser "Haichew." Mr. Segawa has asked for a Japanese man-of-war to be placed at his disposal.
The commission expect to leave here on or about the 10th July, 1909.
I bave, &c.
HARRY H. FOX.
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