3
588
2
account of the Kowloon Extension incidents is so great that no satisfactory treatment of international affairs can be expected from him.
I am addressing the Tsung-li Yamên on the subject of this claim for losses incurred by the steam-ship "Wo-on." I am of opinion that such a demand will do much to impress upon the Provincial Government the necessity of taking effective measures for dealing with piracy and robbery. Should no good result follow, I submit that we should adopt the policy of self-protection, advocated in Sir Claude MacDonald's despatch No. 54 of the 18th February, 1899.
On the 22nd instant I received a telegram from Her Majesty's Consul at Canton to the effect that piracy was still unabated. A Portuguese steam-launch had been looted and the Portuguese captain had been shot.
Her Majesty's Consul asked to be allowed to direct British launch-owners to carry an armed guard, the cost of which would be charged to the Chinese Government. He added that the situation was very serious both on land and sea, and that trade had greatly diminished. As an instance, he stated that the silk dealers threaten to stop buying on account of the robbery and blackmail to which they are subjected.
I have replied to Mr. Mansfield that the question of self-protective measures has been submitted to your Lordship.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. O. BAX-IRONSIDE
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Memorandum by Consul Mansfield of Interview with Viceroy Tan.
I INTRODUCED the subject of the "Wo-on" piracy by pointing out that a great number of persons had been concerned in it, and that they had landed their booty near Chiang Mên, and that many weeks had passed and that nothing had been done, and it could, therefore, only be concluded that the local authorities had failed in their duty, and should be made to pay compensation. General Huang, who was present, said that five of the pirates had been captured. I asked if the loot had been recovered, and was told "No." I then said that I had received instructions from my Minister which I was bound to obey, and these were to urge that compensation should be paid by the local authorities for their neglect of duty.
It is a well-known fact that robbers in large numbers were located in the Chiang Mên district.
The Viceroy replied: "Your Minister can give you any orders he likes. It is his concern, not mine. It is my business to give orders to the officials in my jurisdiction to catch and punish the pirates."
His tone was so discourteous that I saw that it was impossible to continue the discussion, and merely asked for a categorical answer as to whether or no his Excellency was willing to consider the question of compensation. He replied that he was not, and signified, by taking up his tea-cup, that the interview was at an end.
Inclosure 1 in No. 2.
Consul Mansfield to Mr. Baz-Ironside,
(No. 33.) Sir,
Canton, July 13, 1899.
ON the 8th instant I had the honour to send you in cypher a telegram to the effect that the Viceroy had absolutely declined to admit the liability of the Chinese authorities for the losses of the "Wo-on" by piracy, and that I therefore asked you to insist on the principle.
To this I had on the 10th instant the honour to receive your reply in cypher to the effect that I was to press the claim for the steamer's losses in accordance with the instructions contained in your telegram of the 12th June last.
I called on the Viceroy yesterday, and inclose a Memorandum of what occurred at the interview. His Excellency is in a state of extreme irritation over the occurrences in the new Kowloon territory, and his refusal to discuss the question of compensation for the "Wo-on" piracy was complete. His own subordinates openly acknowledge that they can get him to do nothing, and hardly dare to speak to him. In all matters of business he replies to the Consuls that he has given instructions. If these instructions are given, they are systematically disregarded by the officials to whom they are addressed, who are perfectly aware of his anti-foreign proclivities, and know that the instructions are not meant to be obeyed. Piracy is going on unchecked, and within the last few days I have had two cases of threatening letters calling for blackmail, and two cases where native produce and one case where foreign goods are being held to ransom. These point to the conclusion that the local authorities have not at their command an armed force adequate to cope with the pirates and robbers, who are now estimated at several thousand, and prey on commerce and property. I have been trying to induce the Viceroy to employ, for the suppression of piracy, an armed force, with a British subject, Mr. Waters, now a Drill Instructor at the Whampoa Naval School, associated with it; but in the Viceroy's present state of mind I have little hope of this course being taken.
The situation is a very difficult one.
We are at a complete deadlock, and nothing but the removal of the Viceroy Tan is likely to effect any change.
I have, &c.
(Signed) R. W. MANSFIELD.
3
588
2
account of the Kowloon Extension incidents is so great that no satisfactory treatment of international affairs can be expected from him.
I am addressing the Tsung-li Yamên on the subject of this claim for losses incurred by the steam-ship "Wo-on." I am of opinion that such a demand will de much to impress upon the Provincial Government the necessity of taking effective measures for dealing with piracy and robbery. Should no good result follow, I submit that we should adopt the policy of self protection, advocated in Sir Claude MacDonald's despatch No. 54 of the 18th February, 1899.
On the 22nd instant I received a telegram from Her Majesty's Consul at Canton to the effect that piracy was still unabated. A Portuguese steam-launch had been looted and the Portuguese captain had been shot.
Her Majesty's Consul asked to be allowed to direct British launch-owners to carry an armed guard, the cost of which would be charged to the Chinese Government. He added that the situation was very serious both on land and sea, and that trade had greatly diminished. As an instance, he stated that the silk dealers threaten to stop buying on account of the robbery and blackmail to which they are subjected.
I have replied to Mr. Mansfield that the question of self-protective measures has been submitted to your Lordship.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. O. BAX-JRONSIDE
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Memorandum by Consul Mansfield of Interview with Viceroy Tan.
́1 INTRODUCED the subject of the Wo-on" piracy by pointing out that a ge number of persons had been concerned in it, and that they had landed their oty near Chiang Mên, and that many weeks had passed and that nothing had been me, and it could, therefore, only be concluded that the local authorities had failed their duty, and should be made to pay compensation. General Huang, who was esent, said that five of the pirates had been captured. I asked if the loot had I then said that I had received instructions an recovered, and was told "No." on my Minister which I was bound to obey, and these were to urge that compen- im should be paid by the local authorities for their neglect of duty. well-known fact that robbers in large numbers were located in the Chiang Mên Strict
That it was
The Viceroy replied: "Your Minister can give you any orders he likes. It is concern of mine. It is my business to give orders to the officials in my jurisdic- on to catch and punish the pirates."
His tone was so discourteous that I saw that it was impossible to continue the ussion, and merely asked for a categorical answer as to whether or no his Excel- ney was willing to consider the question of compensation. He replied that he was et, and signified, by taking up his tea-cup, that the interview was at an end.
Inclosure 1 in No. 2.
Consul Mansfield to Mr. Baz-Ironside,
(No. 33.) Sir,
Canton, July 13, 1899. ON the 8th instant I had the honour to send you in cypher a telegram to the effect that the Viceroy had absolutely declined to admit the liability of the Chinese authorities for the losses of the "Wo-on" by piracy, and that I therefore asked you to insist on the principle.
To this I had on the 10th instant the honour to receive your reply in cypher to the effect that I was to press the claim for the steamer's losses in accordance with the instructions contained in your telegram of the 12th June last.
I called on the Viceroy yesterday, and inclose a Memorandum of what occurred at the interview. His Excellency is in a state of extreme irritation over the occur rences in the new Kowloon territory, and his refusal to discuss the question of com- pensation for the "Wo-on" piracy was complete. His own subordinates openly acknowledge that they can get him to do nothing, and hardly dare to speak to him. In all matters of business he replies to the Consuls that he has given instructions. If these instructions are given, they are systematically disregarded by the officials to whom they are addressed, who are perfectly aware of his anti-foreign proclivities, and know that the instructions are not meant to be obeyed. Piracy is going on unchecked, and within the last few days I have had two cases of threatening letters calling for blackmail, and two cases where native produce and one case where foreign goods are being held to ransom. These point to the conclusion that the local authorities have not at their command an armed force adequate to cope with the pirates and robbers, who are now estimated at several thousand, and prey on commerce and property. I have been trying to induce the Viceroy to employ, for the suppression of piracy, an armed force, with a British subject, Mr. Waters, now a Drill Instructor at the Whampoa Naval School, associated with it; but in the Viceroy's present state of mind I have little hope of this course being taken.
The situation is a very difficult one.
We are at a complete deadlock, and nothing but the removal of the Viceroy Tan is likely to effect any change.
I have, &c.
(Signed) R. W. MANSFIELD.
Meri Pa
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.