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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

TLC.O. 882

6 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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There is, perhaps, no place in China occupied by foreigners where labour is so cheap.

Wei-hai-wei is now a fairly regular port of call for many China coasting steamers sailing northwards from Shanghai during the summer months, and there is a small steamer subsidised by Government to run all the year carrying mails and passengers between Chefoo and Wei-hai-wei.

This enables the public to reach Wei-hai-wei by water via Shanghai and Chefoo at any time of the year.

Wer-hai-wei is now the northern naval base of His Majesty's China squadron, and the Admiralty propose to build a Naval Hospital on the island. The harbour is well lighted by two lighthouses at the eastern and western entrance.

On the mainland are the barracks and quarters of the 1st Chinese Regiment. The climate of Wei-hai-wei is exceptionally good, and the winter, though cold, i-dry and bracing. The maximum temperature is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, and the minimum about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The place is windy at times. There is an excellent beach for sea bathing on the island and mainland. The summer heat is not great, and the rainfall is very small, averaging about 20 inches per annum. A- the Settlement is healthier than the other Treaty Ports in China there is every prospect of Wei-hai-wei becoming a very popular health resort in future. Apart from its almost perfect climate, its freedom from malaria, and the absence of all epidemics amongst the Chinese, the Settlement itself offers effectual security to foreign residents with freedom to travel about at pleasure in the leased area without fear of being molested by the Chinese, or being subjected to any of the usual unpleasantnesses and inconveniences foreigners have to put up with in China inland.

A European school has already been established at Wei-hai-wei, and a land and building society, formed in Shanghai, has already erected several commodious European bungalows and a large hotel on the mainland.

Both on the mainland and on the island good roads have been made round the const by the local government for the convenience of foreigners and there are recrea- tion and parade grounds upkept by the Admiralty and War Office in both places.

The boundary between the Chinese and British territory has now been com- pletely demarcated by the Boundary Commissioners and boundary stones erected along the ten mile belt line. Rules and regulations for the management of Anglo- Chinese frontier affairs and for International extradition have also been satisfactorily settled by the British and Chinese Governments.

The native city of Wei-hai-wei (which lies on the mainland opposite the island of Lin Kung) is a walled town of about 2,000 inhabitants. By the provisions of the Wei-hai-wei Convention of 1898 this town still remains under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Authorities. The town is a poor one, and the greater portion of the enclosed area is not built on, but cultivated for vegetables. The market or fair held in the town three times a month is the largest in the Settlement. A Chinese Sub-District puty Magistrate and a Military Sergeant reside in the town of Wei-hai-wei. These * officers are subordinates of the Prefect of Teng Chou Fu.

The Settlement of Wei-hai-wei is declared a free port.. No customs dutics of any kind are collected. By agreement the Chinese Government is permitted to make use ot the bay of Wei-hai-wei for its fleet, so far as is compatible with British interests.

Wei-hai-wei was originally strongly fortified by the Chinese. Twelve large forts in all were planned and erected for the Chinese Government by Mr. Von Hanneken. Eight of these forts and all the guns were completely destroyed in the China-Japan war of 1895.

It is not the present intention of His Majesty's Government to refortify the station. bu to retain it as a fiving naval base, and as a depôt, drill ground and sanatorinm for the China squadron in North China.

All official communications with the Provisional Government of Shantung are conducted by the Commissioner direct. without reference to the Consular Authorities of the Foreign Office in China. The revenue derived from the leased territory on the mainland is collected from the following sources:—

(1) Land tax; (2) junk registrations and wharfage dues, wine and opium monopo- lies; and (3) fines of Court and other miscellaneous sources.

In 1900 the total revenue collected amounted to $4,077, out of which the land tax accounted for $1,824.

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The Civil Administration of Wei-hai-wei was first undertaken by the Senior Naval Officer on the station, in 1898. In 1899 it was transferred to a Military and Civil Commissioner, appointed by the War Office. The Colonial Office assumed admin- istration on the 1st January, 1901.

Civil Establishment.

Commissioner, J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G. Assistant Commissioner, G. T. Hare (acting).

Clerk and Interpreter, II. J. Dupree.

Superintendent of Works, Major R. P. Lec (acting).

Colonial Surgeon, Major W. II. Starr (acting).

Financial Assistant, Mr. R. Walter.

Below is given the text of the Wei-hai-wei Convention, made between Great Britain and China on the 1st day of July, 1898.

"In order to provide Great Britain with a suitable naval harbour in North China, and for the better protection of British commerce in the neighbouring seas, the Govern- ment of His Majesty the Emperor of China agrees to lease to the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Wei-hai-wei, in the Province of Shantung, and the adjacent waters, for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia.

The territory leased shall comprise the island of Liu Kung and all the islands in the bay of Wei-hai-wei, and a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coast line of the bay of Wei-hai-wei. Within the above-mentioned territory Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction. Great Britain shall have, in addition, the right. to erect fortifications, station troops, or take any other measures necessary for defen sive purposes at any points on or near the coast of the region east of the meridian 121.40 degrees east of Greenwich, and to acquire on equitable compensation within that territory such sites as may be necessary for water supply, communications and hospitals. Within that zone Chinese administration shall not be interfered with, but no troops other than Chinese or British shall be allowed therein.

It is also agreed that within the walled city of Wei-hai-wei Chinese officials shall continue to exercise jurisdiction, except so far as may be inconsistent with naval and military requirements for the defence of the territory leased.

It is further agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise,

shall retain the right to use the waters herein leased to Great Britain.

It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the territory herein specified, and that if land is required for fortifica- tions, public offices, or any official or public purpose, it shall be bought at a fair price.

This Convention shall come into force on signature.

It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications

shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present agreement.

Done at Peking quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese), the

1st day of July, in the year of our Lord 1898, being the 13th day of the 5th moon of the 24th year of Kuang Hsu."

(L.S.) CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.

(L.S.) (Seal of the Chinese Plenipotentiary.)