CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 425

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

420

[October 13.]

SECTION 1.

(No. 236.) My Lord,

No. 1.

Sir E. Satou to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received October 13.)

Peking, August 25, 1902, WITH reference to the inquiry contained in your Lordship's telegram No. 176 of the 15th July and to my replies Nos. 214 of the 21st July and 218 of the 22nd July, I have the honour to transmit herewith an extract from the Military Intelligenc Diary for the week ending the 6th instant on the subject of the employment of natives of India by the Russian authorities in Manchuria.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

ERNEST SATOW.

Inclosure in No. 1.

Extract from Military Intelligence Diary.

WITH reference to the remarks on page 10 of the Military Intelligence Diary ending the 3rd May, 1902, the following additional information has been obtained :-

There are some twenty-five to thirty Indians, the majority Sikhs, and a few old soldiers of the Indian army, employed as watchmen in Manchuria. So far as can be ascertained at present all these, with the exception of two at Niu-chuang and two at the Yey-tai coal mines north-east of Liao-yang, are at Port Arthur, Dalny, and along the milway between Niu-chuang and Port Arthur,

They come chiefly direct from Shanghae, though a few have come via Chi-fi They are generally provided with a certificate of identification, issued from H Britannic Majesty's Consulate-General at Shanghae.

They receive a wage of from 30 to 45 dollars, and clothing in addition. Some a watchmen in private firms, others are employed by the Russian Railway Administrati

They are preferred to Russian soldiers, who, it is stated, are not so wakeful, less courageous, and of doubtful integrity.

There are quite a number of Indians in the Far East seeking employment. Quite recently the Russian authorities deported some four or five from the neighbour hood of Harbin to Niu-chuang, and His Majesty's Consul at that port is often appeal to by some itinerant Indian for assistance in obtaining employment.

Some of the Indians have a fair knowledge of English and Chinese, while it i stated that one man at Port Arthur is acquainted with Russian, English, and Chinese besides various Indian dialects.

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Qy. August 16,

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