that the population living in the neighbourhood of Shanghae consumes principally rice, and that the relatively small quantity of wheat which the mill is capable of grinding, viz., 180,000 piculs, is very small compared with the very large quantities of grains produced in the neighbourhood of Shanghae, also that within one month, viz., in July 1899, 234,000 piculs of wheat has been shipped to Chinese ports, a quantity which is much larger than the mill can grind in a whole year.
However much I appreciate your care for the maintenance of a sufficient supply of food for the masses, I think it is going too far to stop for all times the export of an article which, even in times of famine, is not consumed, just because there is a possibility of scarcity of food supplies at some time to come.
If you are adverse to acceding to an unlimited export permission of the mill's products, there should be nothing in the way of granting a conditional permit for a limited quantity up to 180,000 piculs, a permit which may be revoked if thought necessary.
The Chinese authorities would have complete control to stop the export immediately, whenever a real scarcity of food supply should happen.
I therefore leave it to your discretion to grant the permit as a trial, subject to withdrawal and, I have, &c.
(Signed)
KETTELER.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Mr. Townley,
(No. 235. Confidential.)
[August 11.]
SECTION 1.
Foreign Office, August 11, 1903.
I HAVE received your despatch No. 230, Confidential, of the 18th June last, enclosing a copy of a note from Prince Ching, in which His Highness replies to your complaints respecting the administration of the Native Customs of Canton, and states there is no need to alter the present arrangements.
I request that you will inform Prince Ching that His Majesty's Government are unable to accept the explanations given in his Highness' note to you, as a justification for neglecting to carry the stipulations of the Protocol into effect, and that we must continue to demand the transfer of the stations at Fatshan and Chêntsun to Imperial Maritime Customs.
I am, &c.
[2091 --1]
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
Inclosure 5 in No. 3.
The Tsung-li Yamên to Baron von Ketteler.
September 4, 1899.
THE first half of the letter is merely a repetition of the letter under reply, and then it goes on to say:—
In reply to the foregoing I have the honour to remark that the export abroad of rice or grain is prohibited by the Commercial Treaties.
As regards the remarks of the firm in question referring to the situation of the grain trade in Shanghae, we must state in reply that the quantity of grain produced is mostly scarcely sufficient, and that even in years of plenty the price of grain is not cheapened to any extent. That the population round Shanghae consumes comparatively little wheat, is based upon the fact that not much is being produced. As soon as an export abroad should take place the price of wheat would advance immediately, and the food supplies for the masses would be curtailed. We are, therefore, sorry to say that we are not in a position to grant the proposed trial permission for a limited quantity, as this is contrary to the Treaty Regulations.
Requesting you to inform the firm in question of our decision.
(Signatures of Ministers of Tsung-li Yamên.)
Inclosure 6 in No. 3.
Mr. Townley to Consul-General Scott.
Peking, July 1, 1903.
IN reply to your despatch No. 16 of the 15th ultimo, upon the subject of the Viceroy of Nanking's refusal to grant permits for the export of flour ground by the China Flour Mills Company of Shanghae, I have to request you to furnish me with further particulars as to the grounds on which the Viceroy bases his refusal to grant such permits.
I am not at present in possession of any information which causes me to agree with you that the Viceroy is within his rights in refusing to allow the export of flour to foreign countries. As I read Article 2 of the Rules of Trade annexed to the Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858, flour may be exported to foreign countries, and in this I am supported by the Inspector-General of Customs.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
WALTER TOWNLEY.
6
that the population living in the neighbourhood of Shanghae consumes principally rice, and that the relative small quantity of wheat which the mill is capable to grind, viz., 180,000 piculs, is very small compared with the very large quantities of grains produced in the neighbourhood of Shanghae, also that within one month, viz., in July 1899, 234,000 piculs of wheat has been-shipped to Chinese ports, a quantity which is much larger than the mill can grind in a whole year.
However much I appreciate your care for the maintenance of a sufficient supply of food for the masses, I think it is going too far to stop for all times the export of an article which, even in times of famine, is not consumed, just because there is a possibility of scarcity of food supplies at some time to come.
If you are adverse to accede to an unlimited export permission of the mill's products, there should be nothing in the way of granting a conditional permit for a limited quantity up to 180,000 piculs, a permit which may be revoked if thought
necessary.
The Chinese authorities would have complete control to stop the export immediately, whenever a real scarcity of food supply should happen.
I therefore leave it to your discretion to grant the permit as a trial, subject to withdrawal and, I have, &c.
(Signed)
KETTELER.
NA TRADE.
FIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Mr. Townley,
235. Confidential.)
[August 11.]
SECTION 1.
305
Foreign Office, August 11, 1903.
I HAVE received your despatch No. 230, Confidential, of the 18th June last, osing a copy of a note from Prince Ching, in which His highness replies to your plaints respecting the administration of the Native Customs of Canton, and states
there is no need to alter the present arrangements.
I request that you will inform Prince Ching that His Majesty's Government are ble to accept the explanations given in his Highness' note to you, as a justifi- en for neglecting to carry the stipulations of the Protocol into effect, and that must continue to demand the transfer of the stations at Fatshan and Chêntsun to Imperial Maratime Customs.
I am, &c.
[2091 --1]
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
Inclosure 5 in No. 3.
The Tsung-li Yamén to Baron von Ketteler.
September 4, 1899.
THE first half of the letter is merely a repetition of the letter under reply, and then it goes on to say :---
In reply to the foregoing I have the honour to remark that the export abroad of rice or grain is prohibited by the Commercial Treaties.
As regards the remarks of the firm in question referring to the situation of the grain trade in Shanghae, we must state in reply that the quantity of grain produced is mostly scarcely sufficient, and that even in years of plenty the price of grain is not cheapened to any extent. That the population round Shanghae consumes com- paratively little wheat, is based upon the fact that not much is being produced. As soon as an export abroad should take place the price of wheat would advance immediately, and the food supplies for the masses would be curtailed. We are, there- fore, sorry to say that we are not in a position to grant the proposed trial permission for a limited quantity, as this is contrary to the Treaty Regulations.
Requesting you to inform the firm in question of our decision.
(Signatures of Ministers of Tsung-li Yamên.)
Inclosure 6 in No. 3.
Sir,
Mr. Townley to Consul-General Scott.
Peking, July 1, 1903.
IN reply to your despatch No. 16 of the 15th ultimo, upon the subject of the Viceroy of Nanking's refusal to grant permits for the export of flour ground by the China Flour Mills Company of Shanghae, I have to request you to furnish me with further particulars as to the grounds on which the Viceroy bases his refusal to grant such permits.
I am not at present in possession of any information which causes me to agree with you that the Viceroy is within his rights in refusing to allow the export of flour to countries. As I read Article 2 of the Rules of Trade annexed to the Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858, flour may be exported to foreign countries, and in this I am supported by the Inspector-General of Customs.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
WALTER TOWNLEY.
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