2
goes—and besides inspecting for myself I have consulted the Commander of His Majesty's ship "Moorhen" incline to the West River site, because it not only furnishes good berths for steamers, but also sufficient room for a foreign Settlement.
If Kongmoon had no prospects and were always to remain what it is now, it might be worth while to secure any limited anchorage in the creek of the town itself.
But in that case, it would scarcely be worth while to raise the place to the status of a Treaty port. Since it has been decided to raise it to that status, provision should be made for more than the specially built steamers referred to by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, and also for the possible wants of a resident foreign community, and this provision does not appear to me to be practicable in the Kongmoon creek.
My opinion then is in favour of the Customs site for the foreign Settlement, but I see no reason at present why British ships, which may be capable of navigating the narrow creek, should not be allowed to go to some point in the town if the interests of British shipping firms require the concession. And in any case, the "port area" should include the whole of the town of Kongmoon to prevent li-kin difficulties in the future.
As regards the steps which should be taken by ourselves, I cannot at present recommend anything definite beyond the purchase or lease of a piece of ground. Mr. Cowan has already indicated his preference, and I am approaching the owners through Chinese middlemen. The question of the appointment of a Consular officer can very well be left until we have some experience of the demands of the port when opened. In the meantime, I can only recommend that some provision—say £500—should be made for the possible expenses of the port of Kongmoon during the financial year 1904-1905.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
C. W. CAMPBELL.
This Document is the Bag?
of Britannic Majesty's Gar
0.
14714
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[March 17.
No. 1.
Section 1 20 421 04:
193
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 87.)
Foreign Office, March 17, 1904. Sir,
WITH reference to your telegram No. 27 of the 29th January, I transmit, for your information, copies of the correspondence which has passed with the India Office,* relative to the attempts made by the local authorities in China to impose additional taxation on opium.
The letter from the India Office of the 20th January incloses a copy of a telegram from the Viceroy, stating the conditions on which the Government of India would be prepared to agree to the threat being used to abrogate the additional Article of the Chefoo Convention, should the Chinese authorities persist in their attempts to subject foreign opium to additional taxation.
In view of the considerations set forth in your telegram No. 27 of the 29th January, the Indian Government have now agreed to the threat being used, and you are authorized, should you at any time consider such a step advisable, in a case of emergency, to warn the Chinese Government that the additional Article of the Chefoo Convention will be abrogated should the authorities persist in contravening that Article.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE,
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Messrs. Butterfield and Swire to Acting Consul-General Campbell.
Hong Kong, January 9, 1904. WE have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch of the 31st December, 1903.
In reply, we beg to inform you that the Company's new steamer for Kongmoon will be ready in about two months. Should, however, that port be opened sooner, we can detail one of our other steamers to serve the berth temporarily. We do not desire the opening of the port further delayed on our account.
There is one point to which we desire to call your particular attention, viz., the report that the Customs do not intend to declare Kongmoon itself the Customs port, but a point on the West River where the creek to Kongmoon branches off. Their station would, presumably, be established there, and vessels be compelled to enter, discharge, load and clear, not in Kongmoon, but at a point miles away. This, in our opinion, would be very unsatisfactory. Our wish is to have the actual town of Kongmoon opened. It is there that the business is done, and it is within the town itself that we wish the li-kin free area declared. Having built a special steamer, with the object of entering Kongmoon, we wish her to actually go there, and not to a point 4 or 5 miles away, with all the attendant inconveniences, expense, and risks.
Trusting you may be able to render us your valued assistance in this matter, we have, &c.
(Signed)
BUTTERFIELD AND SWIRE, Agents,
China Navigation Company (Limited).
* India Office, January 20; to India Office, February 2; India Office, March 9, 1904.
[1878 r-1]
2
goes-and besides inspecting for myself I have consulted the Commander of His Majesty's ship "Moorhen" incline to the West River site, because it not only furnishes good berths for steamers, but also sufficient room for a foreign Settlement.
If Kongmoon had no prospects and were always to remain what it is now, it might be worth while to secure any limited anchorage in the creek of the town itself.
But in that case, it would scarcely be worth while to raise the place to the stains of a Treaty port, Since it has been decided to raise it to that status, provision should be made for more than the specially built steamers referred to by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, and also or the possible wants of a resident foreign community, and this provision does not appear to me to be practicable in the Kongmoon creek.
My opinion then is in favour of the Customs site for the foreign Settlement, but I see no
reason at present why British ships, which may be capable of navigating the narrow creek, should not be allowed to go to some point in the town if the interests of British shipping firms require the concession. And in any case, the "port area should include the whole of the town of Kongmoon to prevent l-kin difficulties in the future.
As regards the steps which should be tiken by ourselves, I cannot at present recommend anything definite beyond the purchase or lease of a piece of ground. Mr. Cowan has already indicated his preference, and I am approaching the owners through Chinese middlemen. The question of the appointment of a Consular officer can very well be left until we have some experience of the demands of the port when opened. In the meantime, I can only recommend that some provision-say 5007.—should be made for the possible expenses of the port of Kongmoon during the financial year 1904-1905. -
I have, &c.
(Signed)
C. W. CAMPBELL.
This Document is the Bag?
of Britannic Majesty's Gar
0.
14714
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[March 17.
No. 1.
Section 1 20 421 04:
193
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 87.)
Foreign Office, March 17, 1904. Sir,
WITH reference to your telegram No. 27 of the 29th January, I transmit, for your information, copies of the correspondence which has passed with the India Office,* relative to the attempts made by the local authorities in China to impose additional taxation on opium.
The letter from the India Office of the 20th January incloses a copy of a telegram from the Viceroy, stating the conditions on which the Government of India would be prepared to agree to the threat being used to abrogate the additional Article of the Chefoo Convention, should the Chinese authorities persist in their attempts to subject foreign opium to additional taxation.
a
In view of the considerations set forth in your telegram No. 27 of the 29th January, the Indian Government have now agreed to the threat being used, and you are authorized, should you at any time consider such a step advisable, in a case of emergency, to warn the Chinese Government that the additional Article of the Chefoo Convention will be abrogated should the authorities persist in contravening that Article.
I
am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE,
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Messrs. Butterfield and Swire to Acting Consul-General Campbell.
Hong Kong, January 9, 1904. WE have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch of the 31st Decem- ber, 1909.
In reply, we beg to inform you that the Company's new steamer for Kongmoon will be ready in about two mouths. Should, however, that port be opened sooner, we can detail one of our other steamers to serve the berth temporarily. We do not desire the opening of the port further delayed on our account.
There is one point to which we desire to call your particular attention, viz., the report that the Customs do not intend to declare Kongmoon itself the Customs port, but a point on the West River where the creek to Kongmoon branches off. Their station would, presumably, be established there, and vessels be compelled to enter, discharge, load and clear, not in Kongmoon, but at a point miles away. This, in our opinion, would be very unsatisfactory. Our wish is to have the actual town of Kongmoon opened, It is there that the business is done, and it is within the town itself that we wish the li-kin free area declared. Having built a special steamer, with the object of entering Kongmoon, we wish her to actually go there, and not to a point 4 or 5 miles away, with all the attendant inconveniences, expense, and risks.
Trusting you may be able to render us your valued assistance in this matter, we
have, &c.
(Signed)
BUTTERFIELD AND SWIRE, Agents,
China Navigation Company (Limited).
* India Office, January 20; to India Office, February 2; India Office, March 9, 1904.
[1878 r-1]
{
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