80
inducing the Chinese authorities to make even the smallest effort to wind up affairs. The proverbial reputation for honest dealing borne by the Chinese trader would seem to be wanting to the Cantonese in these parts; in every case of bankruptcy brought to my notice the principals have absconded after surreptitiously realizing their assets.
Their
No reliable information is to be obtained regarding the movements of the Imperial troops. They apparently continue to operate, in a desultory fashion, one body in the Chingyuan district, the other in the country south of Nanning. It is reported that large numbers of the troops drawn from the northern provinces are falling sick, being unused to the climate and the rigours of mountain warfare. If they have outlived their usefulness, the Kwangsi authorities would be well advised to send them away before they become a burden on the people, or, as in the case of Marshal Su's followers, themselves turn brigand.
The late Governor of Kwangsi, Wang Chih-ch'un, was dismissed and degraded because that "in the conduct of military operations he betrayed the trust that had been placed in him."
If the state of affairs I have sketched above is not exaggerated, his successor, the Viceroy Ts'en, would appear to be in danger of arraignment on a similar charge.
I have, &c.
(Signed) HARRY H. FOX.
W. China
Confidential
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State,
and is directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
to transmit, to be laid before the Secretary of State for
the Colonies
J
, further sections of confidential
correspondence, as marked in the margin.
Nov. 29. (1.)1903
Dec. 3.
(i) 1903
9 (1) 1903
(i) 1903
Jan. 31 (1).1904
Foreign Office,
February 27, 1904.
80
inducing the Chinese authorities to make even the smallest effort to wind up affairs. The proverbial reputation for honest dealing borne by the Chinese trader would seem to be wanting to the Cantonese in these parts; in every case of bankruptcy brought to my notice the principals have absconded after surreptitiously realizing their assets.
their
No reliable information is to be obtained regarding the movements of the Imperial troops. They apparently continue to operate, in a desultory fashion, one body in the Chingyuan district, the other in the country south of Nanning. It is reported that large numbers of the troops drawn from the northern provinces are falling sick, being unused to the climate and the rigours of mountain warfare. If they have outlived their usefulness, the Kwangsi authorities would be well advised to send them away before they become a burden on the people, or, as in the case of Marshal Su's followers, themselves turn brigand.
The late Governor of Kwangsi, Wang Chih-ch'un, was dismissed and degraded because that "in the conduct of military operations he betrayed the trust that had been placed in him."
If the state of affairs I have sketched above is not exaggerated, his successor, the Viceroy Ts'en, would appear to be in danger of arraignment on a similar charge.
I have, &c.
(Signed) HARRY H. FOX.
W. China
nfidential
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State,
and is directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
to transmit, to be laid before the Secretary of State for
the Colonies
J
, further sections of confidential
correspondence, as marked in the margin.
Mov. 29. (1.)1903
ec. 3.
(i) 1903
9 (1) 1903
(i) 1903
Jan. 31 (1).1904
Foreign Office,
February 27, 1904.
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