3
446
2
The Ministers said they had instructed Sir Robert Hart to send the Commissioner of Customs to consult with the Viceroy at Canton about the Customs stations.
Inquiries would also be made about the report that orders were given to fire on British ships. Their Excellencies hoped that I would also make inquiries on my side.
I remarked that the Ministers still failed to grasp the situation. In spite of repeated warnings, grave attacks had been made on British authority, and Her Majesty's Government were very angry in consequence.
Hsü Ta-jên, one of the leading Ministers, heatedly refused to accept my summing up. Where and when were the attacks made? I retorted that I had already given them details at my previous interviews: that Her Majesty's Government were not in the habit of making unfounded statements, neither did they make the declaration which I had had the honour of communicating to the Tsung-li Yamên, without thorough previous consideration.
The same Minister protested that the Canton Viceroy could not have committed any act of hostility.
A long discussion followed, in which the Ministers protested that they had all along done whatever they had been asked to do. The old excuses were repeated, and telegrams from the Viceroy of Canton were produced and read to the effect that the persons responsible for the resistance of which Her Majesty's Government complained were not soldiers, and that everything had been done to preserve the peace.
I stated that I was in no way desirous of adding to the difficulties of the situation, but that Her Majesty's Government would instruct me to make demands in reparation for the injuries inflicted. Had the Ministers any suggestions to make?
Their Excellencies thereupon again asserted that Chinese Government soldiers had not been concerned, that the disturbances had been caused by private individuals and local mobs.
I reminded them that the local officials were responsible for the maintenance of order and the prevention of attacks on British authorities.
The Tsung-li Yamên then protested against the local officials being held responsible.
As the Ministers had no suggestion whatever to make as to reparation, and could only return over the same field of argument, I felt myself reluctantly compelled to turn to other questions. I concluded by informing them that I would not fail to make your Lordship acquainted with their views and the light in which their Excellencies regarded the matter. Throughout the discussion the Tsung-li Yamên showed signs of indignation and anger.
I informed your Lordship of the result of this interview on the 30th ultimo by telegraph.
On the 1st instant I received a communication from the Tsung-li Yamên, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, containing a defence of the policy adopted by the Chinese authorities and stating the case from the point of view of the Chinese Government.
This document contains nothing to throw any new light on previous occurrences and statements.
On the same day your Lordship telegraphed me, in reply to my telegram dispatched on the 30th ultimo giving an account of my interview, to the effect that unless the Chinese Government give proper consideration to our representations, Her Majesty's Government must conclude that they are ignorant of, and have no control over, the proceedings of the Viceroy of Canton and the local authorities, and that matters at issue with regard to the Hong Kong Extension Convention would have to be dealt with locally without reference to the Government of Peking.
Your Lordship instructed me to make a communication to this effect to the Chinese Government.
Copy of my note to the Tsung-li Yamên, dated the 1st instant, is herewith inclosed, together with copy of a despatch received by me from Mr. Mansfield, Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Canton.
This letter contains an account of an interview between the Consular authorities and the Viceroy, which took place on the 16th ultimo. Your Lordship will note that Mr. Pitzipios, who acted in place of Mr. Mansfield (absent at Hong Kong), characterizes the Viceroy's whole tone as obstinate, discourteous, and generally unsatisfactory. His Excellency offered no satisfactory explanation of the fact, which was brought to his notice, that the British officer commanding 100 men of the Hong Kong Regiment, who was sent to Tai-po-hu on the 16th ultimo to prepare for hoisting the British flag, found 1,000 Chinese troops with a battery of field artillery, who opened fire.
The Viceroy's sole remark on this important fact being brought to his notice was a denial that the aggressors were regular forces.
On the 4th instant, Sir Henry Blake telegraphed me that he had received a complaint from the villagers of Shunwan, in the new territory, that thirteen runners had come with summonses to appear before the Sanon Magistrate and had demanded fifty dollars as fees. His Excellency protested against the invasion of British territory and requested me to have the Sanon Magistrate warned that such outrages would in future involve the arrest and detention of the messengers.
On the 7th a further telegram arrived from the Hong Kong Governor stating that he had information of preconcerted plans for invasion into the leased territory by large numbers of rowdies from the turbulent districts beyond the northern boundary.
I was requested to have pressure brought on the Viceroy to make him use all possible efforts to prevent such an invasion, as otherwise necessary measures of self-defence would be adopted and the Hong Kong Government would be obliged to take steps which might lead to further complications.
I asked for another interview with the Tsung-li Yamên on these fresh facts being brought to my knowledge, and I telegraphed to your Lordship the information I had received from Hong Kong and ventured to propose that the policy of arranging matters locally, as far as possible, which your Lordship had previously suggested, be adopted.
On the 8th instant I again saw the Ministers and remarked that I had received no reply to the important note which I had sent to them on the 1st instant.
Their Excellencies then went into a long explanation of the action they had taken. They had immediately informed the Canton Viceroy of the substance of all my communications, and had instructed him to discuss matters in a friendly manner with the Governor of Hong Kong. The Chinese Minister had also been directed to see your Lordship personally and explain the situation.
They pointed out that the Kowloon extension had originally been granted out of friendly regard to Great Britain, that the disturbances which had occurred were quite unforeseen and unpremeditated, and that the Chinese authorities had never done anything intended to create them. No reply had been sent to me, because the Tsung-li Yamên had nothing to add to what they had stated in my previous interview and had written on the 1st instant.
If an answer was wanted they could only repeat what Lo Fêng Luh had been instructed to tell your Lordship in London, and they were awaiting the result of his communication.
I said that the accounts from Kowloon continued to be grave, and I mentioned the further information which had been conveyed to me by Sir Henry Blake. If an attack were made on the leased territory from outside, the Chinese authorities would be held responsible and the consequences to China would be serious.
Their Excellencies replied that my remarks would be brought to the notice of the Viceroy of Canton at once, but they thought it would save trouble and make things easier if the Governor of Hong Kong could deal directly with the Viceroy in all such matters.
I pointed out that the Governor of Hong Kong had tried to do so, but that the Viceroy had behaved discourteously and would scarcely listen to him. I enlarged on the want of politeness on the part of the Viceroy and gave instances, adding that the general attitude and discourtesy of his Excellency were largely responsible for the displeasure of Her Majesty's Government and for the demands which were about to be made.
The Ministers hoped Her Majesty's Government were not going to view what had occurred in that light and repeated their previous excuses.
I explained that I was unable to see how the Chinese Government could relieve themselves of responsibility. The train-bands which made the attacks wore uniforms and carried flags, and it was incomprehensible that this could be done without the knowledge of the local Chinese authorities. The Viceroy made no serious attempts to carry out the Yamên's instructions.
Their Excellencies protested that the Viceroy could not willingly have permitted the occurrences complained of, and eventually they took refuge in the fact that he was a very old man and nearly blind.
I had the honour to telegraph the substance of this interview to your Lordship on the 9th instant, and the same day Sir Henry Blake acquainted me with the fact that the Commandant of Kowloon had informed him on the 4th instant that he had still 200 native soldiers in the city and 180 in Tungchung, which is in the Island of Lantao, forming part of the additional territory.
[2011-4]
. . .
3
446
2
The Ministers said they had instructed Sir Robert Hart to send the Commissioner of Customs to consult with the Viceroy at Canton about the Customs stations.
Inquiries would also be made about the report that orders were given to fire on British ships. Their Excellencies hoped that I would also make inquiries on my side.
I remarked that the Ministers still failed to grasp the situation. In spite of repeated warnings, grave attacks had been made on British authority, and Her Majesty's Government were very angry in consequence.
up.
Hsü Ta-jên, one of the leading Ministers, heatedly refused to accept my summing Where and when were the attacks made? I retorted that I had already given them details at my previous interviews: that Her Majesty's Government were not in the habit of making unfounded statements, neither did they make the declaration which I had had the honour of communicating to the Tsung-li Yamên, without thorough previous consideration.
The same Minister protested that the Canton Viceroy could not have committed any act of hostility.
A long disenssion followed, in which the Ministers protested that they had all along done whatever they had been asked to do. The old excuses were repeated, and telegrams from the Viceroy of Canton were produced and read to the effect that the persons responsible for the resistance of which Her Majesty's Government complained were not soldiers, and that everything had been done to preserve the peace.
I stated that I was in no way desirous of adding to the difficulties of the situation, but that Her Majesty's Government would instruct me to make demands in reparation for the injuries inflicted. Had the Ministers any suggestions to make ?
Their Excellencies thereupon again asserted that Chinese Government soldiers had not been concerned, that the disturbances had been caused by private individuals and local mobs.
I reminded them that the local officials were responsible for the maintenance of order and the prevention of attacks on British authorities.
The Tsung-li Yamên then protested against the local officials being held responsible.
As the Ministers had no suggestion whatever to make as to reparation, and could only return over the same field of argument, I felt myself reluctantly compelled to turn to other questions. I concluded by informing them that I would not fail to make your Lordship acquainted with their views and the light in which their Excellencies regarded the matter. Throughout the discussion the Tsung-li Yamên showed signs of indignation and anger.
I informed your Lordship of the result of this interview on the 30th ultimo by telegraph.
of
On the 1st instant I received a communication from the Tsung-li Yamên, copy which I have the honour to inclose, containing a defence of the policy adopted by the Chinese authorities and stating the case from the point of view of the Chinese Govern- ment.
This document contains nothing to throw any new light on previous occurrences and statements.
On the same day your Lordship telegraphed me, in reply to my telegram dispatched on the 30th ultimo giving an account of my interview, to the effect that unless the Chinese Government give proper consideration to our representations, Her Majesty's Government must conclude that they are ignorant of, and have no control over, the proceedings of the Viceroy of Canton and the local authorities, and that matters at issue with regard to the Hong Kong Extension Convention would have to be dealt with locally without reference to the Government of Peking.
Your Lordship instructed me to make a communication to this effect to the Chinese Government.
Copy of my note to the Tsung-li Yamên, dated the 1st instant, is herewith inclosed, together with copy of a despatch received by me from Mr. Mansfield, Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Canton.
This letter contains an account of an interview between the Consular authorities and the Viceroy, which took place on the 16th ultimo, Your Lordship will note that Mr. Pitzipios, who acted in place of Mr. Mansfield (absent at Hong Kong), characterizes the Viceroy's whole tone as obstinate, discourteous, and generally unsatisfactory. His Excellency offered no satisfactory explanation of the fact, which was brought to his notice, that the British officer commanding 100 men of the Hong Kong Regiment, who was sent to Tai-po-hu on the 16th ultimo to prepare for hoisting the British flag, found 1,000 Chinese troops with a battery of field artillery, who opened fire.
The Viceroy's sole remark on this important fact being brought to his notice was a denial that the aggressors were regular forces.
On the 4th instant, Sir Henry Blake telegraphed me that he had received a com- plaint from the villagers of Shunwan, in the new territory, that thirteen runners had come with summonses to appear before the Sanon Magistrate and had demanded fifty dollars as fees. His Excellency protested against the invasion of British territory and requested me to have the Sanon Magistrate warned that such outrages would in future involve the the arrest and detention of the messengers.
On the 7th a further telegram arrived from the Hong Kong Governor stating that he had information of preconcerted plans for invasion into the leased territory by large numbers of rowdies from the turbulent districts beyond the northern boundary.
I was requested to have pressure brought on the Viceroy to make him use all possible efforts to prevent such an invasion, as otherwise necessary measures of self- defence would be adopted and the Hong Kong Government would be obliged to take steps which might lead to further complications.
I asked for another interview with the Tsung-li Yamên on these fresh facts being brought to my knowledge, and I telegraphed to your Lordship the information I had received from Hong Kong and ventured to propose that the policy of arranging matters. locally, as far as possible, which your Lordship had previously suggested, be adopted.
On the 8th instant I again saw the Ministers and remarked that I had received no reply to the important note which I had sent to them on the 1st instant.
Their Excellencies then went into a long explanation of the action they had taken. They had immediately informed the Canton Viceroy of the substance of all my communications, and had instructed him to discuss matters in a friendly manner with the Governor of Hong Kong. The Chinese Minister had also been directed to see your Lordship personally and explain the situation.
They pointed out that the Kowloon extension had originally been granted out of friendly regard to Great Britain, that the disturbances which had occurred were quite unforeseen and unpremeditated, and that the Chinese authorities had never done anything intended to create them. No reply had been sent to me, because the Tsung-li Yamên had nothing to add to what they had stated in my previous interview and had
written on the 1st instant.
If an answer was wanted they could only repeat what Lob Fêng Luh had been instructed to tell your Lordship in London, and they were awaiting the result of his communication.
I said that the accounts from Kowloon continued to be grave, and I mentioned the further information which had been conveyed to me by Sir Henry Blake. If an attack were made on the leased territory from outside, the Chinese authorities would be held responsible and the consequences to China would be serious.
Their Excellencies replied that my remarks would be brought to the notice of the Viceroy of Canton at once, but they thought it would save trouble and make things easier if the Governor of Hong Kong could deal directly with the Viceroy in all such
matters,
I pointed out that the Governor of Hong Kong had tried to do so, but that the Viceroy had behaved discourteously and would scarcely listen to him. 1 enlarged on the want of politeness on the part of the Viceroy and gave instances, adding that the general attitude and discourtesy of his Excellency were largely responsible for the displeasure of Her Majesty's Government and for the demands which were about to
be made.
The Ministers hoped Her Majesty's Government were not going to view what had occurred in that light and repeated their previous excuses.
I explained that I was unable to see how the Chinese Government could relieve themselves of responsibility. The train-bands which made the attacks wore uniforms and carried flags, and it was incomprehensible that this could be done without the knowledge of the local Chinese authorities. The Viceroy made no serious attempts to carry out the Yamên's instructions.
Their Excellencies protested that the Viceroy could not willingly have permitted the occurrences complained of, and eventually they took refuge in the fact that he was a very old man and nearly blind.
I had the honour to telegraph the substance of this interview to your Lordship on the 9th instant, and the same day Sir Henry Blake acquainted me with the fact that the Commandant of Kowloon had informed him on the 4th instant that he had still 200 native soldiers in the city and 180 in Tungchung, which is in the Island of Lantao, forming part of the additional territory.
[2011-4]
ད་ཤ་ཅ
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.