CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 647

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For some time past there had been much local dissatisfaction with the methods employed in the collection of the native customs revenue, and about the 21st August there appeared in the local Chinese newspaper an announcement that a trade strike would begin on the 30th August. Ilis Majesty's Consul, Mr. Mansfield, who has been thirty-five years in China, knew by experience that a disturbance was to be apprehended, and accordingly on the 25th August he requested the British naval authorities to send a ship to Amoy. This ship arrived on the 28th August. At 10 A.M. on the 30th August a large mob assembled on the Bund and commenced an attack upon the custom-house, which is in the British Concession. They wrecked some outbuildings, broke up the customs gigs and were ascending the stairs to the offices of the Commissioner of Customs, when the Commissioner ordered bis European staff to fire on the rioters. The result of this was the death of five persons and the wounding of four others. Immediately after this incident His Majesty's Consul requested the Captain of His Majesty's ship to land a party in the British Concession, and this party cleared the concession of rioters satisfactorily and without bloodshed. The Taotai and the Ti-t'ai were present with some thirty Chinese soldiers, who proved utterly useless. When the General attempted to harangue the mob he was hit by a stone in the face and retired into the Custom-house, where both he and the Taotai were at the time the ring began. Mr. Mansfield had no doubt that, but for the arrival of the landing party on the British Concession, much damage would have been done and several foreigners would have lost their lives.

Under the circumstances stated above, I confess to a feeling of surprise that your Highness, instead of objecting to the steps taken by His Majesty's Consul and the British naval authorities, has not offered the thanks of the Chinese Government for the prompt and effective assistance rendered in the cause of peace and order, Your Highness seems to forget that riots in foreign concessions resulting in the destruction of life and property have not been rare; that the men from Ilis Majesty's ship were landed at Amoy in the British Concession for the protection of British life and property; and that this is the sort of precaution which the unfortunate impotence of the local Chinese authorities has rendered necessary at several Treaty ports in the past.

I have now the honour to inform your Highness that I entirely approve the action of His Majesty's Consul and of the British naval authorities in this case, and to declare that under similar circumstances at any Treaty port, it will be the duty of the British Consul and the British naval authorities to land similar parties for the protection of British lives and property.

(Signed)

I avail, &c.

ERNEST SATOW.

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