[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[29214]
No. 1.
741 [August 27.]
SECTION 5.CO
38281
RECE
Ref 17 00 06
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 27.)
Sir,
Hong Kong, July 28, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt, on the 21st instant, of your telegraphic despatch in reply to the message sent by me on the 17th instant, and beg to convey the thanks of this Chamber for the information contained in it regarding the measures taken by His Majesty's Government to impress upon the Government of the Emperor of China the gravity of the situation created by the "Sainam" piracy.
I am also to express the sincere thanks of this Chamber for what has been done, and respectfully to state that the liveliest satisfaction has been felt that the promptness and vigour of the protests made in Peking and at Canton should have already resulted in causing the Viceroy of the Two Kwangs and his subordinate officers to take energetic action in the matter of securing the culprits. Confidence is felt that, under the pressure thus brought to bear, satisfaction will be obtained in the present instance. Uneasiness, however, exists regarding the future, as, unless a proper system of policing the waterways of the delta and the lower reaches of the river be instituted, trade will still suffer greatly from insecurity. How to provide such a system is the problem. This question, as His Majesty's Government is aware, has often been asked before, but has hitherto only been answered by resorting to vague generalities partaking of the nature of theoretical proposals, which are so easy to suggest and so difficult to put into practice.
I trust it will not be taken amiss if I venture now to make a suggestion of a practical nature. On mature consideration, it appears to the Committee of this Chamber that the most simple remedy for the evils complained of will be found in placing the duty of policing these waterways under the control of European--preferably British or American--officers.
This suggestion has the merit of in no way raising the difficult question of interference with the sovereign rights of China. Already armed launches under the control of the Customs Commissioner at Canton and in charge of Europeans are used to keep down smuggling. It would only be necessary to increase their number, enlarge the sphere of operations, and give them carte blanche to carry into execution the orders of the Chinese Government for the summary suppression and punishment of all acts of piracy. The practical utility of the system would, of course, depend on the moral value of having a European in charge. If this is not considered feasible or desirable, I would then venture to suggest that the work be undertaken by the British navy at China's expense. In conjunction with these efforts on the river it would be necessary for the Viceroy to co-operate on the land by destroying the pirates' headquarters. The villages where the pirates live are all perfectly well known to the local officials, who, as at present situated, do not dare to interfere with them.
Another point suggests itself. In the past it appears to have been no one's duty to see to the carrying out of the promises, repeatedly made by the Chinese authorities, to protect the riverine trade. In future it would be well if this duty were imposed upon the Consul-General and the Commanders of His Majesty's gun-boats which are stationed in the West River. My Committee consider the latter should receive instructions to report periodically upon the state of security of traffic on these waterways, and to suggest from time to time improvements which may appear to them to be necessary in the plans devised for keeping piracy in check. If this is done I venture to think that after no long time the state of matters will improve, but, in any case, the experiment is, in the opinion of this Chamber, well worth trying, and I am asked to recommend it for the consideration of His Majesty's Government.
The fact has strongly impressed itself on the Committee of this Chamber that the exceedingly lax administration of Viceroy Shum of Canton is entirely to blame for the present great disturbed state of the Provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi. It is nearly ten years since the West River was opened to foreign trade, and at no time in
[2102 dd--5]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[29214]
No. 1.
741 [August 27.]
SECTION 5.CO
38281
RECE
Ref 17 00 06
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 27.)
Sir,
Hong Kong, July 28, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt, on the 21st instant, of your telegraphic despatch in reply to the message sent by me on the 17th instant, and beg to convey the thauks of this Chamber for the information contained in it regarding the measures taken by His Majesty's Government to impress upon the Government of the Emperor of China the gravity of the situation created by the "Sainam" piracy.
I am also to express the sincere thanks of this Chamber for what has been done, and respectfully to state that the liveliest satisfaction has been felt that the promptness and vigour of the protests made in Peking and at Canton should have already resulted in causing the Viceroy of the Two Kwangs and his subordinate officers to take energetic action in the matter of securing the culprits. Confidence is felt that, under the pressure thus brought to bear, satisfaction will be obtained in the present instance. Uneasiness, however, exists regarding the future, as, unless a proper system of policing the waterways of the delta and the lower reaches of the river be instituted, trade will still suffer greatly from insecurity. How to provide such a system is the problem. This question, as His Majesty's Government is aware, has often been asked before, but has hitherto only been answered by resorting to vague generalities partaking of the nature of theoretical proposals, which are so easy to suggest and so difficult to put into practice.
I trust it will not be taken amiss if I venture now to make a suggestion of a practical nature. On mature consideration, it appears to the Committee of this Chamber that the most simple remedy for the evils complained of will be found in placing the duty of policing these waterways under the control of European--preferably British or American--officers.
This suggestion has the merit of in no way raising the difficult question of interference with the sovereign rights of China. Already armed launches under the control of the Customs Commissioner at Canton and in charge of Europeans are used to keep down smuggling. It would only be necessary to increase their number, enlarge the sphere of operations, and give them carte blanche to carry into execution. the orders of the Chinese Government for the summary suppression and punishment of all acts of piracy. The practical utility of the system would, of course, depend on the moral value of having a European in charge. If this is not considered feasible or desirable, I would then venture to suggest that the work be undertaken by the British navy at China's expense. In conjunction with these efforts on the river it would be necessary for the Viceroy to co-operate on the land by destroying the pirates' head- quarters. The villages where the pirates live are all perfectly well known to the local officials, who, as at present situated, do not dare to interfere with them.
Another point suggests itself. In the past it appears to have been no one's duty to see to the carrying out of the promises, repeatedly made by the Chinese authorities, to protect the riverine trade. In future it would be well if this duty were imposed upon the Consul-General and the Commanders of His Majesty's gun-boats which are stationed in the West River. My Committee consider the latter should receive instruc- tions to report periodically upon the state of security of traffic on these waterways, and to suggest from time to time improvements which may appear to them to be necessary in the plans devised for keeping piracy in check. If this is done I venture to think that after no long time the state of matters will improve, but, in any case, the experiment is, in the opinion of this Chamber, well worth trying, and I am asked to recommend it for the consideration of His Majesty's Government.
The fact has strongly impressed itself on the Committee of this Chamber that the exceedingly lax administration of Viceroy Shum of Canton is entirely to blame for the present great disturbed state of the Provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi. It is nearly ten years since the West River was opened to foreign trade, and at no time in
[2102 dd--5]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.