[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.}
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letter, the total would be nineteen, or a discrepancy of one only as against the figures quoted from the "Peiyang Kuanpao." It is rumoured that other new minting establishments are projected in various places, but authentic information is not allowed to transpire, in the interests of those concerned, until the contracts for the supply of the machinery, &c., are completed.
The estimate of production by the Statistical Secretary of the Imperial Maritime Customs was for the year 1904, whereas the Chamber's estimate was the possible result in, say, 1906, when all the machines, old and new, may be expected to be in full working order.
It is very difficult to get authentic information as to the possible or projected production; this, however, the Chinese Central Government should be in a position to supply.
The Chamber regret that they are unable to give an opinion as to how many cash pieces should be required for the Empire of China, but the Central Government, from their long experience, should be able to form an accurate estimate on this point, and should regulate the provincial issue of coins accordingly, in the same way as these matters are carried out in Western countries.
Regarding the varying intrinsic values of the coins turned out by the different Provincial Governments, it may be stated that such deviations are said to amount to 5'10 per cent. on coins wholly manufactured in China, and fully as much on unstamped copper discs imported from various countries and stamped in China.
I note that the question as to whether the Representatives of Powers who have not Treaties containing a clause similar to Article II of the British Commercial Treaty of 1902 can appeal to the British, American, and Japanese is one for them to decide.
The belief of this Chamber that the Chinese Provincial Governments imagine, as pointed out in his Excellency's Memorandum, that they have a perennial source of income from the profit of the mints after defraying the initial substantial cost of the mints, and their probable inability to grasp the dangers of depreciation owing to over- issue, was the reason of the Chamber addressing the Ministers on the subject. The Chamber, realizing the immense danger to foreign trade if the currency is not regulated, venture to commend the question generally to the earnest attention of the Ministers, and especially to the Representatives of the great trading nations.
I have, &c.
M. le Consul-Général,
(Signed) WILLIAM D. LITTLE, Chairman.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Doyen of Consular Body to Senior Consul.
Pékin, le 28 Septembre, 1905. PAR votre lettre du 23 Août vous m'avez envoyé une lettre du Président de la "Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce" du 21 Août, concernant la frappe démesurée de la monnaie de cuivre.
Je n'ai pas manqué de soumettre cette lettre de Mr. Little à mes honorables collègues, mais par suite d'objections de part et d'autre une démarche collective ou identique du Corps Diplomatique dans le sens désiré par la Chambre de Commerce s'est trouvée étre impossible.
Par contre, plusieurs des Ministres ont jugé bon de faire des représentations en leur propre nom au Gouvernement Chinois, qui a mis la question à l'étude. La Commission des Finances et le Ministère des Finances ont ensuite présenté le rapport ci-joint en traduction Française,* qui vient d'être sanctionné par le Trône.
(Signé)
A. M.
E. S.
G. D.
* For English translation, sec Inclosure 1 in Sir E. Satow's No. 307, of September 17, 1905.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
C. O.
191
[December 2.
SECTION
2 JAN 06 639
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne. (Received December 2.)
(No. 339.) My Lord,
Peking, October 16, 1905. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copies of a correspondence with the Wai-wu Pu, referring to the landing of a party from His Majesty's ship "Iphigenia" in the British Concession at Amoy during a riot on the 30th August last.
In their letter of the 11th October the Wai-wu Pu drew attention to this landing of sailors in no very courteous terms, and requested me to forbid any repetition of the proceeding at any place in China without the permission of the Chinese Government. I replied on the 13th October stating the facts, which amply justified the action of His Majesty's Consul and the Captain of the " "Iphigenia," pointing out that instead of the objectiou lodged by the Wai-wa Pu our authorities deserved the thanks of the Chinese Government for averting a disaster, and declaring that under similar circumstances at any Treaty port similar action will be taken by British Consuls and British naval authorities for the duc protection of British life and property.
Your Excellency,
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Prince Ching to Sir E. Salow.
ERNEST SATOW.
Peking, October 11, 1905. ON the 30th August last a strike took place at Amoy, in consequence of which some damage was done to the Customs-house. While the local civil and military officials lost no time in proceeding to the Customs-house to restore order, a British man-of-war, lying at anchor at Amoy, suddenly landed sixty men and sent them to the Customs (also). The Tartar General at Foochow telegraphed this news to this Board at the time. The whole question has now been settled by Delegates of the Tartar General, and the normal conditions of peace and order have been restored. But the action of landing men from the British man-of-war gave rise to great disquietude and surprise in the minds of the people. Fortunately, by the energetic efforts of the Chinese authorities order was restored and the people admonished, so no disturbance broke out; but I must request your Excellency to communicate with all officers commanding British men-of-war to the effect that in future they should on no account fake it upon themselves to land men at any place without the express consent of China, lest out of some misconception a troublesome situation should
ensue,
Your Highness,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Prince Ch'ing.
Peking, October 13, 1905. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Highness' letter of the 11th October in regard to the recent riot at Amoy, in which it is stated that the landing of a party of sixty men from one of His Majesty's ships of war created a general feeling of alarm, and I am requested to warn the British naval authorities that they must not in future presume to land men under any circum- stances at any place without the express permission of the Chinese Government.
According to reports received from His Majesty's Consul at Amoy the facts are as follows:--
[2296 b-4]
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