[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[August 15.]
SECTION 1.
:
:
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received August 15.)
(No. 229.)
Peking, June 27, 1904.
My Lord,
WITH reference to my despatch No. 219 of the 16th instant, transmitting translation of a note from the Chinese Government in which they make new proposals for the Hwangpoo River Conservancy, I have the honour to report that after consultation with my German and United States' colleagues as to the answer which it was advisable to return, I addressed the inclosed reply to Prince Ching on the 22nd instant.
It may perhaps seem that I have in some measure anticipated the instructions of His Majesty's Government in this note, but I venture to point out that a mere acknowledgment of receipt, coupled with an undertaking to transmit the Chinese proposals to His Majesty's Government, would probably be interpreted as a virtual acceptance, and it was necessary, therefore, to frame my answer in such a way as to reserve full liberty for any future decision.
I beg also to inclose copy of the reply returned by my United States' colleague to the Chinese note. My German colleague, to whom I communicated a copy of my note before it was sent in, informed me that he would write to Prince Ch'ing in the same sense.
The Japanese Minister has also informed me that he agrees with the views expressed in my note, and that he will return a similar reply to the Chinese proposals.
I have, &c. (Signed) ERNEST SATOW.
P.S.-Since writing the above I have been informed by the United States' Minister that his Government are willing to accept the Chinese proposal, provided that guarantees for the immediate commencement and satisfactory completion of the works are given. (See my telegram No. 144 of the 30th June.) This was communicated to the Chinese Government on the 27th June.
E. S.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Prince Ch'ing,
Peking, June 22, 1904.
Your Highness,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Highness' note of the 9th June, containing a scheme for the improvement of the Huangpu River which the Chinese Government desire to substitute for the arrangement contained in Annex 17 of the Peace Protocol of 1901.
During the past three years the Chinese Government have been repeatedly urged by the Diplomatic Body and by various foreign Representatives to appoint a Chinese member of the Conservancy Board under Article IV (h) of Annex 17, and on the 23rd March, 1903, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires again addressed your Highness on the subject. But his note has remained unanswered. Your Highness will also remember that at our interview of the 3rd February last, I again pressed this question on your notice, but without effect.
It must be obvious to your Highness that the acceptance of any new scheme by the Powers must be unanimous. In their present form it appears to me unlikely that the proposals of the Chinese Government will meet with approval. In the first place, the Chinese Government ask His Majesty's Government to consent to the appropriation of a portion of the Customs revenue for this purpose. Now these funds are already pledged for the payment of the foreign loans and for the indemnity due to the Powers, so that there is nothing over.
[2103 p]
467
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.j
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[August 15.]
SECTION 1.
:
:
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received August 15.)
(No. 229.)
Peking, June 27, 1904. My Lord,
WITH reference to my despatch No. 219 of the 16th instant, transmitting transla tion of a note from the Chinese Government in which they make new proposals for the Hwangpoo River Conservancy, I have the honour to report that after consultation with my German and United States' colleagues as to the answer which it was advisable to return, I addressed the inclosed reply to Prince Ching on the 22nd instant.
It may perhaps seem that I have in some measure anticipated the instructions of His Majesty's Government in this note, but I venture to point out that a mere acknow- ledgment of receipt, coupled with an undertaking to transmit the Chinese proposals to His Majesty's Government, would probably be interpreted as a virtual acceptance, and it was necessary, therefore, to frame my answer in such a way as to reserve full liberty for any future decision.
I beg also to inclose copy of the reply returned by my United States' colleague to the Chinese note. My German colleague, to whom I communicated a copy of my note before it was sent in, informed me that he would write to Prince Ch'ing in the same
sense.
The Japanese Minister has also informed me that he agrees with the views a similar reply to the Chinese expressed in my note, and that he will return proposals.
I have, &c. (Signed) ERNEST SATOW.
P.S.-Since writing the above I have been informed by the United States' Minister that his Government are willing to accept the Chinese proposal, provided that guarantees for the immediate commencement and satisfactory completion of the works are given. (See my This was communicated to the Chinese Government on the 27th June. telegram No. 144 of the 30th June.)
E. S.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Prince Ch'ing,
Peking, June 22, 1904. Your Highness,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Highness' note of the 9th June, containing a scheme for the improvement of the Huangpu River which the Chinese Government desire to substitute for the arrangement contained in Annex 17 of the Peace Protocol of 1901.
During the past three years the Chinese Government have been repeatedly urged by the Diplomatic Body and by various foreign Representatives to appoint a Chinese member of the Conservancy Board under Article IV (h) of Annex 17, and on the 23rd March, 1903, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires again addressed your Highness on the subject. But his note has remained unanswered. Your Highness will also remember that at our interview of the 3rd February last, I again pressed this question on your notice, but without effect.
It must be obvious to your Highness that the acceptance of any new scheme by the Powers must be unanimous. In their present form it appears to me unlikely that the proposals of the Chinese Government will meet with approval. In the first place, the Chinese Government ask His Majesty's Government to consent to the appropriation of a portion of the Customs revenue for this purpose. Now these funds are already pledged for the payment of the foreign loans and for the indemnity due to the Powers, so that there is nothing over.
[2103 p-)
467
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