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present French Concession and the requirements of French shipping in respect to wharf accommodation. He stated in answer to the Viceroy that, in applying for an additional Concession for his nationals, he was not acting under direct orders from Paris, but was carrying out the known views and wishes of his Minister in Peking.
To both the United States' Consul and the French Consul, the Viceroy declared that, in the absence of any formal communication, he was unable to take any steps in the matter. The question, his Excellency added, was an important one; and taken by him in favour of one nationality would be met by demands for similar concessions from other Treaty Powers. He further stated that he could only act upon definite instructions from the Central Government-not upon his own initiative.
In respect to the application by the United States' Consul, I would point out that there are no American merchants resident in Canton, nor any American shipping frequenting the port. It is true that there are a few American missionaries in the city and district; but I am satisfied that, from the nature of their work, they have no desire to be confined to any special Settlement.
As regards the application of the French Consul, the present French Concession on Shamien still contains a number of lots of land unoccupied. The French mercantile community is limited to three or four firms forming a community-including French Consular officials, &c.-of some sixteen persons in all. There are two small steamers under subsidy from the French Government-one plying between Hong Kong and Canton, and the other running occasionally to Kuang-chou Wan and the Leichou Peninsula. In addition, there are some junks and steam launches trading under Inland Navigation Rules: but it is notorious that these junks and launches are really Chinese owned, and only placed under French colours for the benefit of French Consular protection.
In connection with these demands for Settlement Concessions, I beg to report that the Provincial authorities have recently sanctioned the reclaiming of a large area of foreshore, a little to the west of the British Concession on Shamien. The site now being reclaimed is an admirable one-convenient for business and especially for working steamers. I learn that the Viceroy, having in view the increasing demand for wharf accommodation, is desirous of arranging on this site a Settlement area on the lines of the Hangchow and Soochow Settlements--open to the nationals of all Treaty Powers. The Viceroy, I am informed, would be only too glad to receive orders from his Government to deal with the reclaimed area in some such manner, so as to avoid demands for favourable treatment by any one Treaty Power such as are now being made on him.
I beg to add that British shipping firms in Canton-Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and the Hong Kong-Canton and Macao Steam-ship Company-are in urgent need of wharf accommodation, and that part of the foreshore now being reclaimed at Huang-sha would prove a suitable location for their requirements. It is, at any rate in my opinion, of the highest importance that no concession of this foreshore should be granted exclusively to any one Treaty Power.
I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
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present French Concession and the requirements of French shipping in respect to wharf accommodation. He stated in answer to the Viceroy that, in applying for an additional Concession for his nationals, he was not acting under direct orders from Paris, but was carrying out the known views and wishes of his Minister in Peking.
To both the United States' Consul and the French Consul, the Viceroy declared that, in the absence of any formal communication, he was unable to take any steps in the matter. The question, his Excellency added, was an important one; and taken by him in favour of one nationality would be met by demands for similar conces-
any
action sions from other Treaty Powers. He further stated that he could only act upon definite instructions from the Central Government-not upon his own initiative.
In respect to the application by the United States' Consul, I would point out that there are no American merchants resident in Canton, nor any American shipping frequenting the port. It is true that there are a few American missionaries in the city and district; but I am satisfied that, from the nature of their work, they have no desire to be confined to any special Settlement.
As regards the application of the French Consul, the present French Concession on Shamien still contains a number of lots of land unoccupied. The French mercantile community is limited to three or four firms forming a community-including French Consular officials, &c.-of some sixteen persons in all. there are two small steamers under subsidy from the French Government-one plying As regards French shipping, between Hong Kong and Canton, and the other running occasionally to Kuang-chou Wan and the Leichou Peninsula. In addition, there are some junks and steam launches trading under Inland Navigation Rules: but it is notorious that these junks and launches are really Chinese owned, and only placed under French colours for the benefit of French Consular protection.
In connection with these demands for Settlement Concessions, I beg to report that the Provincial authorities have recently sanctioned the reclaiming of a large area of foreshore, a little to the west of the British Concession on Shamien. The site now being reclaimed is an admirable one-convenient for business and especially for working steamers. I learn that the Viceroy, having in view the increasing demand for wharf accommodation, is desirous of arranging on this site a Settlement area on the lines of the Hangchow and Soochow Settlements--open to the nationals of all Treaty Powers. The Viceroy, I am informed, would be only too glad to receive orders from his Govern. ment to deal with the reclaimed area in some such manner, so as to avoid demands for favourable treatment by any one Treaty Power such as are now being made on him.
I beg to add that British shipping firms in Canton-Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and the Hong Kong-Canton and Macao Steam- ship Company-are in urgent need of wharf accommodation, and that part of the fore- shore now being reclaimed at Huang-sha would prove a suitable location for their requirements. It is, at any rate in my opinion, of the highest importance that no concession of this foreshore should be granted exclusively to any one Treaty Power.
I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
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