3
280
2
objection to such high-handed proceedings, apparently considering, and perhaps rightly, that he has no power to render such protest effective.
Early in June last the Customs preventive officials effected the arrest near Macao of a launch which was landing opium on the coast. On examination it was found that, besides the five chests already placed in small landing boats, there were on board 17 other chests. On being challenged by the Customs cruiser she hoisted the French flag, and it was found afterwards that she possessed two sets of papers, one set having been issued in Kuang-chou Wan, and the other to her Chinese owners in Hong Kong. The steamer and her cargo having been arrested, arrangements were made for a joint investigation, as the launch claimed protection from the French Consul at Canton. This claim was admitted by the French Consul, and a joint investigation was held by the Hoppo's Deputy, with the Commissioner of Customs as his adviser, and M. Hardouin, the French Consul. The Court failed to come to any decision as to the question of nationality raised by the Chinese authorities, and the case has now, on that point only, been referred to the superior authorities at Peking,
to afford free attendance and medicines to natives and others.
That his work with others" is not severe, may be gathered from the fact that the number of foreign residents of all nationalities is put at sixty. In Mengtse a doctor is attached to the French Consulate. In Lungchow, which was opened at the same time as Mengtse to Franco-Annamese trade by the Franco-Chinese Treaty of the 26th June, 1887, a medical officer belongs to the staff of the French Consul, who has also the services of a "chancelier," an interpreter, and a writer.
Pakhoi, together with Tung-hing (or Tung-hsing), where a subordinate officer resides, is the post of M. Liébert (now attached to the French Legation at Peking). The present French Consular Representative is M. Flayelle, who was formerly in Canton. A French medical officer is attached to the post. At Mengtse there is an Acting French Consul, and at Ssumao a Vice-Consul, each of whom has a medical officer. M. François has recently returned to Yünnan-fu, where his former experiences were not encouraging.
I paid a visit to Haiphong (in Tongking), the trade between which and Hong Kong is now almost exclusively in French hands, thanks to the protection system which has all but ousted the British flag from those waters. Except for a palatial hotel, cafés, public squares with band-stands and broad boulevards, there is little in the general appearance of Haiphong to foreshadow a brilliant future for trade or commerce.
At Canton M. Hardouin, formerly in Siam and a protégé of M. Doumer, is French Consul. Since his arrival he has exhibited considerable energy, not to say arbitrary and high-handed conduct, in his dealings with the Viceroy of the two Kwang Provinces. Demands for heavy compensation to French converts have been put forward in summary fashion, and the present Viceroy is said to have yielded in every case. M. Hardouin has a large and pretentious house on Shameen, the European concession of Canton. Four French gun-boats are at present between Canton and the West River, viz., the "Vigilant," "Argus," "Avalanche," and "Styx," the two former of which have recently been built expressly for navigation on the West River by Messrs. Thornycroft. They are of the "Woodcock" and "Woodlark" class, which we have on the Yang-tsze. The "Argus" is now preparing to start for Nanning-fu, and much interest is evinced in the forthcoming race between that vessel and His Majesty's ship "Sandpiper," to be the first to reach the hitherto inaccessible city, of which we have as yet little definite information. I am told that the French Bishop has recently established himself there. Mr. B. Twyman, Vice-Consul at Canton, is to accompany the "Sandpiper" as soon as the water has sufficiently risen to enable her to ascend the river beyond Wuchow,
Till now, the waters round the Anglo-French concession of Shameen have been controlled by the Chinese, and no exclusive buoys have been allowed to be placed in the river. The French have recently refused to allow the Imperial Maritime Customs on board, even for purposes of berthing their vessels, and have further declared their intention of placing their own buoys in the vicinity of the French Consulate. If persisted in, this new departure will have far-reaching results.
A large French Yamên has recently been erected in the Chinese "old" city, in which free education in French is offered to the natives. A medical officer is also attached to the Consulate. A French (mission) Cathedral, Roman Catholic, in the Chinese city, is a most conspicuous land-mark from every side of Canton.
23
new
It is currently reported that both the French and the Germans are casting longing eyes on Honam Island, opposite to Shameen, with a view to obtaining separate concessions, and some colour is lent to the story by the fact that several buildings have lately been erected by the Germans on that side.
My discursive observations on French activity in South China ought to be followed by one word about our attitude with reference to it. Our Consuls at Pakhoi and Kiungchow have little or no Consular work, and their only raison d'être would appear to be to act as watch dogs on the French in their districts. Little effort has been made, as far as I know, in the past by our Consular officers at those ports to travel into the interior and to gain the only information which might conceivably be of use to His Majesty's Government.
Unless they are given facilities for journeys into the interior, where they can establish personal relations with the Chinese provincial authorities, whom they now never see, as well as for the purpose of realizing the extent of French propaganda, I cannot well understand the use of retaining a Consul at either place, in spite of the attractions of the excellent houses provided by the Office of Works.
[2147 -4]
B 2
<
3
280
2
objection to such high-handed proceedings, apparently considering, and perhaps rightly, that he has no power to render such protest effective.
Early in June last the Customs preventive officials effected the arrest near Macao of a launch which was landing opium on the coast. On examination it was found that, besides the five chests already placed in small landing boats, there were on board 17 other chests. On being challenged by the Customs cruiser she hoisted the French flag, and it was found afterwards that she possessed two sets of papers, one set having been issued in Kuang-chou Wan, and the other to her Chinese owners in Hong Kong. The steamer and her cargo having been arrested, arrangements were made for a joint investigation, as the launch claimed protection from the French Consul at Canton, in This claim was consideration of her French papers issued in Kuang-chou Wan. admitted by the French Consul, and a joint investigation was held by the Hoppo's Deputy, with the Commissioner of Customs as his adviser, and M. Hardouin, the French Consul. The Court failed to come to any decision as to the question of nationality raised by the Chinese authorities, and the case has now, on that point only, been referred to the superior authorities at Peking,
to afford free attendance and medicines to natives and others.
**
That his work with
others" is not severe, may be gathered from the fact that the number of foreign residents of all nationalities is put at sixty. In Mengtse a doctor is attached to the French Consulate. In Lungchow, which was opened at the same time as Mengtse to Franco-Annamese trade by the Franco-Chinese Treaty of the 26th June, 1887, a medical officer belongs to the staff of the French Consul, who has also the services of a "chancelier," an interpreter, and a writer.
Pakhoi, together with Tung-hing (or Tung-hsing), where a subordinate officer resides, is the post of M. Liébert (now attached to the French Legation at Peking). The present French Consular Representative is M. Flayelle, who was formerly in Canton. A French medical officer is attached to the post. At Mengtse there is an Acting French Consul, and at Ssumao a Vice-Consul, each of whom has a medical officer. M. François has recently returned to Yünnan-fu, where his former experiences were not encouraging.
I paid a visit to Haiphong (in Tongking), the trade between which and Hong Kong is now almost exclusively in French hands, thanks to the protection system which has all but ousted the British flag from those waters. Except for a palatial hotel, cafés, public with band-stands and broad boulevards, there is little in the general appearance of Haiphong to foreshadow a brilliant future for trade or commerce.
squares,
At Canton M. Hardouin, formerly in Siam and a protégé of M. Doumer, is French Consul. Since his arrival he has exhibited considerable energy, not to say arbitrary and high-handed conduct, in his dealings with the Viceroy of the two Kwang Provinces. Demands for heavy compensation to French converts have been put forward in summary M. Hardouin bas fashion, and the present Viceroy is said to have yielded in every case. a large and pretentious house on Shameen, the European concession of Canton. Four Vigilant," French gun-boats are at present between Canton and the West River, viz., the " "Argus," "Avalanche," and "Styx," the two former of which have recently been built expressly for navigation on the West River by Messrs. Thornycroft. They are of the "Woodcock" and "Woodlark" class, which we have on the Yang-tsze. The "Argus" is now preparing to start for Nanning-fu, and much interest is evinced in the forthcoming race between that vessel and His Majesty's ship "Sandpiper," to be the first to reach the hitherto inaccessible city, of which we have as yet little definite information. I am told that the French Bishop has recently established himself there. Mr. B. Twyman, Vice- Consul at Canton, is to accompany the "Sandpiper" as soon as the water has sufficiently risen to enable her to ascend the river beyond Wuchow,
Till now, the waters round the Anglo-French concession of Shameen have been controlled by the Chinese, and no exclusive buoys have been allowed to be placed in the river. The French have recently refused to allow the Imperial Maritime Customs on board, even for purposes of berthing their vessels, and have further declared their intention of placing their own buoys in the vicinity of the French Consulate. If persisted in, this new departure will have far-reaching results.
A large French Yamên has recently been erected in the Chinese "old" city, in which free education in French is offered to the natives. A medical officer is also attached to the Consulate. A French (mission) Cathedral, Roman Catholic, in the Chinese “ city, is a most conspicuous land-mark from every side of Canton.
23
new
It is currently reported that both the French and the Germans are casting longing eyes on Honam Island, opposite to Shameen, with a view to obtaining separate concessions, and some colour is lent to the story by the fact that several buildings have lately been erected by the Germans on that side.
My discursive observations on French activity in South China ought to be followed by one word about our attitude with reference to it. Our Consuls at Pakhoi and Kiungchow have little or no Consular work, and their only raison d'être would appear to be to act as watch dogs on the French in their districts. Little effort has been made, as far as I know, in the past by our Consular officers at those ports to travel into the interior and to gain the only information which might conceivably be of use to His Majesty's Government.
Unless they are given facilities for journeys into the interior, where they can establish personal relations with the Chinese provincial authorities, whom they now never see, as well as for the purpose of realizing the extent of French propaganda, I cannot well understand the use of retaining a Consul at either place, in spite of the attractions of the excellent houses provided by the Office of Works.
[2147 -4]
B 2
א.
a
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