CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906 — Page 705

Page 696

Inclosure in No. 1.

Précis of Correspondence during 1905 and 1906 respecting Inland Navigation in the "Province of Kuangsi.

(1.)

Consul, Wuchow, to Viceroy of Canton, April 24, 1905.

ARGUES the unreasonableness of the Viceroy's refusal to permit the issue of the necessary papers to the Po On Steam Launch Company (a Hong Kong registered Company) to allow their launches to ply, "as soon as the state of the river permits," to Pose, Lungchow, and Liuchow; and requests his Excellency to reconsider this refusal.

(6.)

Consul-General, Canton, to Sir E. Satow, May 25, 1905.

Incloses correspondence (Nos. 1 to 5 of this précis).

Has "reason to believe that the true cause of the Viceroy's refusal is not the disturbed condition of Kuangsi, but the Viceroy's desire to limit foreign intercourse in those parts of Kuangsi adjoining Tongking, and thus lessen the risk of complications with the French authorities.

"Although the Po On Company state that their intention is to ply between Wuchow and Pose, yet the difficulties of navigation in the upper reaches of the West River would compel the launches to make Nanning their headquarters, for it is well known that, with the exception of a few weeks in the summer, regular navigation between Wuchow and Nanning is an impossibility.

"I consider that the advantages to British interests to be derived from navigation in those parts would be infinitesimal.

Under the circumstances I have refrained from urging the matter on the Viceroy's notice."

(2.)

Viceroy of Canton to Consul, Wuchow, May 9, 1905.

Holds that Kuangsi is not sufficiently tranquillized, and that it is impossible for him to consent to the Po On Company's application until order is completely restored.

(7.)

Sir E. Satow to Consul-General, Canton (Telegraphic), June 9, 1905.

Viceroy's reason for refusing permission is not a good one. Press for early grant of permission for launch navigation.

(3.)

Consul, Wuchow, to Consul-General, Canton, May 12, 1905.

Transmits copy and translation of Viceroy's letter of the 9th May, and requests the Consul-General's assistance. According to his information, order is restored in Kuangsi.

(4.)

Consul-General, Canton, to Consul, Wuchow, May 18, 1905.

Considers that the terms of the Viceroy's refusal are so definite that nothing could be gained by writing to his Excellency further on the subject. Copies of the correspondence are being forwarded to His Majesty's Minister.

Points out that, "while the launches would be nominally operating from Wuchow, it is well known that, after passing the rapids and arriving at Nanning, the latter place would become their headquarters, for the simple reason that regular navigation between Wuchow and Nanning is impossible. The launches would thus be plying between two inland places, and the Viceroy is within his rights under the Mackay Treaty in withholding permission for them to do so."

(5.)

Consul, Wuchow, to Consul-General, Canton, May 22, 1905.

Mentions that the Po On Company have no intention to run launches "otherwise than direct from Wuchow to Pose, Lungchow, and Liuchow. It was proved last year that launches could run regularly between this port and Nanning from the beginning of May to the beginning of December."

(8.)

Consul, Wuchow, to Sir E. Satow, June 10, 1905.

Incloses copy and translation of a special permit issued with the sanction of the Viceroy to a Chinese Company authorizing it to inaugurate a service of steam launches between Chiang-kou on the West River, Hsun-choufu, and Liuchoufu.

"The two launches referred to in the permit have commenced running. They are chartered from the Po On Company, and both fly the British flag. I am informed that launches are plying, too, under the same conditions between Nanning and Pose, and Nanning and Lungchow."

(9.)

Consul-General, Canton, to Sir E. Satow (Telegraphic), June 20, 1905.

Viceroy asserts that Kuangsi is still unsettled, but in deference to Sir E. Satow's representations he is prepared to sanction steam launch navigation on the upper reaches of the West River on two conditions:-

(1.) Launches to cease running if piracies or other disturbances recur; and (2.) Chinese Government not to be held responsible in the event of a piracy being committed.

(10.)

Sir E. Satow to Consul-General, Canton (Telegraphic), June 22, 1905.

"First Condition. In case of recurrence of general disorder involving military operations I shall be prepared to consider temporary stoppage of British launches until order is restored.