CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 342

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commercial methods, and thereby place them in a more favourable position vis à vis the subjects of other Powers.

I have reason to believe that the American Consul is averse to any additional Concession heing granted to the French, who, on the other band, will probably resist to the utmost of their power any acceptance of a general foreign Settlement in place of an additional Concession granted solely to themselves.

I cannot, however, too strongly urge the necessity of preventing the grant of individual Concessions, and advise the expediency of avoiding this contingency by obtaining from the Chinese Government a general foreign Settlement for the equal enjoyment of the subjects of all the foreign Powers.

Your Excellencies,

I have, &c.

or Individual.

(Signed)

JAMES SCOTT.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Viceroy of the Liang Kuang to the Wai Wu Pu.

ON the 17th instant I received a despatch from the French Consul in Canton as follows:-

"With reference to the request for an additional French Concession in the Island of Honam, your Excellency some time ago requested the French Minister to allow this matter to remain in abeyance. I received yesterday a despatch from my Minister stating that he had been instructed by his Government to secure the satisfactory arrangement of this question. At my interview with the Governor I discussed this matter with him, and requested that it might be thoroughly gone into and satisfactorily arranged. The site that I applied for is on the Island of Honam opposite the present French Concession on Shameen, as is shown in the inclosed map. I am of opinion that, in arranging this question, all property situated on the new Concession must become French, but this must be equitably and fairly done; and, of course, the price of the land must be fixed in advance according to the amount to be paid per ching. As to buildings, your Excellency and myself will depute experienced officers to arrive at a just estimate of the value thereof and compensate the various owners accordingly.

"I have the honour to request that your Excellency will hasten to take steps for the survey and arrangement of this Concession, so as to enable me to submit the question to my Minister for his approval."

It was proposed by the American and French Consuls in Canton to ask for Con- cessions in the Island of Honam, and the French Consul now states that his Government has sent instructions that this matter must be speedily and satisfactorily arranged. The question can, therefore, be no longer delayed. I have very carefully considered this matter, and am of opinion that the most satisfactory solution of the question is to grant an International Settlement, but the ideas of the various Powers are divergent, making it extremely difficult to arrive at such an arrangement. As regards ground suitable for a Settlement in Canton, there is only the area along the river bank of Honam and Fati; but this is limited, and the only thing to do is to apportion it among those nations represented by Consuls in Canton. There will thus be no preference, and dispute

will be avoided.

I have the honour to request your Excellencies to give this matter your consideration, and should you be in favour of my plan of settlement, to communicate it to the foreign Representatives in Peking and discuss it with them. As to the price to be paid for land and buildings, and the putting of my plan into operation, I shall await your Excellencies' reply, when I will consult with the foreign Consuls, and endeavour to arrive at some satisfactory arrangement, which I will submit to you for your Excellencies' approval.

I have, &c.

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revious Paper.

2403.

Noo. 24742

(Subject.)

24740

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REG2 20 JUN 12

Cantion Intelligence Report

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