2
Concession on terms exactly similar to those of the Canton-Hankow Syndicate; and that railway questions were under the control of Sheng-kung Pao, through whom negotiations could alone be possible. As regards the tramway scheme for Hainan, M. Beau said that Chinese capitalists were largely interested; and when urged to grant the Concession on their account, the Governor suggested that the chief capitalists, being Chinese subjects, should apply to their own authorities,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
JAMES SCOTT.
3
They declare that there is no combined movement or organized rebellion-only bands of marauding soldiers. The Viceroy, however, is making an earnest effort to suppress the disturbances, and for this purpose has dispatched some 2,000 trained troops from Canton to Kwangsi via Pakhoi and Nanning.
In accordance with your instructious of the 22nd instant, I have duly reported to His Majesty's Secretary of State, to whom I am now forwarding a copy of this despatch.
I have, &c. (Signed)
JAMES SCOTT.
No. 2.
Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansãowne.—(Received April 28.)
(No. 27.) My Lord,
my
Canton, March 27, 1902. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, for your Lordship's information, copy of despatch No. 27, with inclosures, to His Majesty's Minister in Peking reporting on the disturbances in the Province of Kwangsi.
(No. 27.) Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
JAMES SCOTT.
Inclosure in No. 2.
Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow.
Canton, March 25, 1902. WITH reference to the disturbances in Kwangsi, I beg to report that the French Consul informs me that about a month ago two French officials were attacked while travelling in the interior near the Tonquin frontier; one was killed on the spot and the other succumbed to his wounds soon afterwards.
1 beg to inclose two extracts from the local press quoting Imperial Edicts having reference to this affair, from the latter of which it will be seen that the provincial authorities claim to be exempt from all responsibility in respect to this attack, which they declare to have been committed by brigands in Tonquin territory.
M. Hardouin, the French Consul, further informs me that for some time past his authorities in Tonquin had been apprehensive regarding the situation on their frontier. They had learned that the Chinese Government meditated the removal of Marshal Sou from supreme command in Kwangsi; and urgent representations had been made by the French Legation in Peking against such a step as fraught with danger to peace on the borders. These representations, M. Hardouin states, were at the time met with a rebuff, to which the French Minister made answer holding the Chinese Government responsible for any troubles that might arise and their consequences.
Since the outbreak of the present disturbances, and at last in deference to the French demands, Marshal Sou has been ordered to return to his post in Kwangsi. He reached Nanning on the 12th instant.
According to the French Consul, the present disturbances are due, not to any mis- conduct by Marshal Sou such as the Chinese allege, but solely to the refusal of his successor to continue the services and pay of many troops hitherto employed. Men were disbanded, and, left without money or other resources, they took to plunder, and have over- run Kwangsi Province to the west of Nanning.
I beg to inclose newspaper extract giving further particulars concerning these disturbances which have come under the cognizance of an Americau missionary in Nanning. As regards the French priests in that city, they have declined to leave; and the French Consul has furnished them with rifles and ammunition for their protection. Nauning is not considered in danger; and according to information received by me from His Majesty's Consul at Wuchow, dated the 21st instant, the transit trade along the West River and to Nanning continues as usual and without interruption. At Wuchow and neighbourhood everything remains quiet.
Apart from possible complications with the French authorities in Tonquin, and especially in connection with the deaths of these two officials, the Provincial Government 'does not consider the rising to be serious.
11484
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Newspaper Extract.
THE following Imperial Edict was issued on the 12th instant, with reference to the murder of a French officer by Chinese on the Tonquin frontier, reported by us a few days ago :--
"Decree expressing regret and indignation at the receipt of Memorial from Ting Chên-to, Governor of Kwangsi, reporting the murder by disbanded soldiery of a foreign official on the borders of the district of Luugchou, who was at the time leaving a cotton- weaving mill and crossing the river, bound for a place called Yüehch'ih. Governor is commanded to find out who were the guilty civil and military officers who The said failed to protect the foreigner, as they are to be cashiered and dismissed the service at once. Marshal Sou is to proceeding to Kwangsi from Kwangtung immediately to take command of the forces operating against the rebels; at the same time Viceroy Tao Mu, of the Two Kwang; Governor Ting Chên-to, of Kwangsi, and Marshal Sou are specially commanded to use every effort in properly protecting all foreigners, missionaries, and mission property within their several jurisdictions, and that if any more murders of foreigners or destruction of foreign property take place, the said high officials are to be held responsible. The rebellion in question must also be forthwith suppressed by vigorous
ineasures."
No. 3.
Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received April 23.) (No. 28. Confidential.) My Lord,
Canton, March 27, 1902. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of my despatch to His Majesty's Minister in Peking, No. 28, with inclosures, relative to French railway claims in the two Kuang Provinces.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
JAMES SCOTT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 3.
Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 28. Confidential.)
Canton, March 25, 1902. WITH further reference to French railway claims in Kuang-tung and Kwangsi, and to my despatches No. 9 of the 4th February and No. 19 of the 4th March, I have now the honour to inclose précis translation of a communication, copy of which has reached me indirectly, from the Viceroy to the French Consul.
From this despatch it will be seen that the French Consul has been requested by the Viceroy to instruct the Franco-Belgian Syndicate to enter into negotiations with his Excellency Shêng for the Concession which they wish to obtain (indeed, they consider it has already been granted to them) for a railway from Samshni to Wuchow, on the same conditions as those sauctioned for the Yueh-han (Canton-Hankow) and Lu-han Railways.
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