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Throughout my experience of China I have never known a high official to be criticised so severely and openly by his immediate subordinates, the persistent complaint from every department being that his Excellency appears quite incapable of giving a firm decision on any point that is put before him.
I hear both from Chinese and missionary sources that there is a deal of restlessness in the interior, more especially in the Kirin province, where the "hun hu tzu" is again proving troublesome. The missionaries remark a change in the hitherto friendly attitude of their Chinese neighbours, and Mr. Bowra, the commissioner of customs, has told me that recently he has been treated with incivility in the streets of Mukden both by the soldiery and the civil population.
His Excellency Hsi Liang is popularly credited with anti-foreign proclivities, and the attitude of the people generally reflects what is considered to be the view of the high local officials.
No particular case has as yet been brought to my notice of sufficient importance to warrant my approaching the Provincial Government, but I intend to take the first opportunity that offers of warning the Viceroy personally of the serious consequences that would undoubtedly follow any recrudescence of an anti-foreign spirit in the three eastern provinces.
I have, &c.
ROBERT WILLIS.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[39843]
No. 1.
REG? 11 NOV 09
[October 30.]
62
SECTION 4.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 30.)
(No. 321. Confidential.) Sir,
Peking, September 8, 1909. AS you are aware, France has an understanding, dated the 9th April, 1898, with the Chinese Government to the effect that when China organises a definite postal service and places a high functionary at its bead she will ask for the assistance of foreign officers, and will be prepared to take account of the recommendations of the French Government in respect to the selection of the staff.
There have been indications during the past few years that France intended to take advantage of this undertaking to insist upon the severance of the postal service from the Imperial maritime customs administration as soon as a suitable opportunity presented itself, and it was generally felt that the change would be pressed when the question of the succession to the post of inspector-general of customs came to be seriously considered.
I am glad to be able to report on the authority of the French chargé d'affaires that these apprehensions need no longer be entertained. M. Boissonnas informs me that, profiting by their experience gained in the case of the Peking-Ilankow Railway, which has greatly degenerated since it fell into Chinese hands, the French Government now recognise that the efficiency of the postal service is dependent upon its continued connection with the customs, and merely wish that the postal commissioner, M. Piry, should have the right of communicating direct with the Chinese authorities in all matters pertaining to his department.
M. Boissonnas states that Sir Robert Bredon, who is said to be on bad terms with M. Piry, invariably sends a German commissioner, Dr. Hemeling, to the board of communications to deal with postal questions, and that they are in consequence grossly mismanaged. The attitude of the French towards the postal service now seems to be a very reasonable one, and it is a relief to know that this large and rapidly growing organisation is likely to be maintained in its present state of efficiency.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
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