2
capture, and detectives are looking for them, so with the clues obtained from the prisoners it is probable most of them will eventually be brought to justice.
I have sent a copy of the above Memorandum to his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Memorandum of Interview between Consul-General Mansfield and Viceroy Ts'en at Whampoa, on July 24, 1906.
I OPENED the conversation by saying that the piratical attack on the "Sainam," the murder of Dr. Macdonald, and the attempted murder of the other British subjects on board, had aroused a universal storm of indignation among the British and other nationalities in China; that the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and the China Association had held meetings and sent long telegrams home; that these bodies possessed considerable influence; and that unless means were devised to put an end to the state of lawless brigandage in the province under his jurisdiction and the waterways rendered safe for trade, I thought it possible foreign countries interested in the trade would eventually find themselves obliged to intervene.
His Excellency replied that on my telegraphing to him news of the piracy of the "Sainam," he had not lost a moment in dispatching Admiral Li and other officials with a large force of soldiers. That they had arrested twenty pirates, three of whom had confessed to being implicated in the "Sainam" affair.
I said I was quite ready to concede that he had so far acted very energetically, but that the present case was only one out of a long series of piratical attacks on vessels, and that it is urgently necessary some drastic measures should be taken, not only to punish the guilty in the "Sainam" case, but to effectually put down piracy and robbery in his jurisdiction.
His Excellency replied that since assuming the Viceroyalty he had decapitated over 15,000 robbers, and had executed fifty only two days before; that the number he mentioned did not include many who had been shot or otherwise destroyed; and that he had been honestly doing his best to restore order in the provinces. If I had any suggestions to make he would be delighted to give them his best consideration.
I took the opportunity to hand him a Memorandum I had prepared with the following proposals:---
1. That each District Magistrate should be furnished with an adequate force of soldiers to enforce his orders, and when this is done be should be held responsible for all crimes committed within his district.
2. That to enable swift retribution to follow crime it is necessary to improve the means of telegraphic communication between the river and the district cities or the soldiers' camps; and that all offices should remain open night and day, instead of only for an hour or so in the middle of the day as is the present practice at most branch offices.
3. The substitution of a proper service of well-armed launches for the present old-fashioned guard-boats, which have proved utterly useless, and a mere waste of money. These should patrol the river in sections.
4. That a proper police force should be organized which would eventually take the place of the soldiers.
on,
His Excellency read over the Memorandum, and said that he had already determined and to some extent carried out, these suggestions, with the exception of that relating to the telegraphs, which were not under his control. He had sent strong reinforcements of troops to Kongmoon and Wuchow, and from the former place had encouraging reports. (I may here state that Mr. Maze, lately Acting Commissioner of Customs at Kongmoon, confirms this.) That, in spite of the "Sainam” piracy, he maintained that during the past two years crime had been considerably reduced. He had recognized the uselessness of the guard-boats, and was increasing the number of launches. Further, that he had contemplated the organization of a proper police force.
3
such being more or less of an innovation here--I thought it would be a great advantage, and would, moreover, go further than anything in proving to the world at large his anxiety to grapple with the present problem, if he were to take on a certain number of experienced foreigners to organize his police. I suggested that possibly my Government might consent to second a few officers from Burmah.
His Excellency denied that he was averse to employing foreigners, but said they were so expensive. Could I tell him what pay they would require. Funds were very low, and he was at his wits end for revenue. (During the whole interview he was harping on this string.)
I said of course I could give him no idea of the cost, but I did not think it would be very great. He asked me to inquire, but I did not gather from his manner that the request was seriously made. Finally he promised to write to me detailing the steps he had hitherto taken generally for the suppression of piracy, and the further efforts he proposed to make for the future.
A long discussion followed about precautions against robbers getting on board in the guise of passengers. His Excellency was urgent that a guard of Chinese soldiers should be placed on board foreign-owned steamers and launches, the owners paying their wages of 6 dollars per man. He said that this was being done in the case of native-owned launches, with the result that they are rarely pirated. The method employed, he said, was that the launch without passengers on board towed a passenger boat. I pointed out that this method obviously could not be applied to river boats like the "Sainam," and that the general feeling was that soldiers could not be trusted to examine passengers and their luggage for arms, and that, in fact, the travelling public would consider their presence on board as a worse evil than the chance of a piratical attack. I suggested the search of passengers and their baggage for arms could be made at the open ports of Canton, Samshui, and Wuchow by the Imperial Maritime Customs, and that at the regular landing stages a small party of soldiers under the supervision of a trustworthy Wei Yuan should visit the passengers and their baggage before they entered the boats to embark, no boat being allowed to take passengers but such as had a special permit. His Excellency thought this practicable in the case of the regular steamers running from here to Wuchow, but it could not affect launches running under Inland Water Navigation Rules, as they could take up passengers anywhere. I agreed to inquire further on this point.
After further conversation, in which I used all my endeavours to impress on his Excellency the fact that the time has arrived when it is absolutely imperative that a great effort should be made to stamp out piracy in the two Kuang, I took my leave.
(Signed) R. W. MANSFIELD,
His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Mr. Carnegie to Prince Ch'ing.
Your Highness,
Peking, August 18, 1906. HIS Majesty's Consul-General at Canton has informed me by telegraph that on the 10th August a British launch was attacked by pirates at a point some 50 miles above Wuchow, five of her Chinese guard being wounded and one drowned.
On the 15th August another British launch, when only 17 miles from the provincial capital, was similarly attacked by pirates, who shot the master of the launch, a Chinese, and so seriously wounded the engineer that he has since died.
It must be clear to your Highness that reports of such occurrences following so closely on the "Sainam" piracy, show only too plainly that this question of lawlessness in the West River and Canton delta can no longer be neglected by the Chinese Government. It is a constant menace to the trade both of foreigners and Chinese in the two Kuang Provinces, besides being the cause of great injury to the Colony of Hong Kong. His Majesty's Government are therefore deeply concerned in the complete and speedy suppression of this long-standing evil, and I trust that I soon learn from your Highness' Board that effective measures are to be taken for its prevention. I also have the honour to request that the Viceroy may be called upon to report on these last two piratical attacks, and to secure the arrest and punishment of the guilty parties without delay,
I avail, &c.
(Signed)
LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE,
20
2
capture, and detectives are looking for them, so with the clues obtained from the prisoners it is probable most of them will eventually be brought to justice.
I have sent a copy of the above Memorandum to his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Memorandum of Interview between Consul-General Mansfield and Viceroy Ts'en at Whampoa, on July 24, 1906.
I OPENED the conversation by saying that the piratical attack on the "Sainam," the murder of Dr. Macdonald, and the attempted murder of the other British subjects on board, had aroused a universal storm of indignation among the British and other nationalities in China; that the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and the China Association had held meetings and sent long telegrams home; that these bodies possessed considerable influence; and that unless means were devised to put an end to the state of lawless brigandage in the province under his jurisdiction and the waterways rendered safe for trade, I thought it possible foreign countries interested in the trade would eventually find themselves obliged to intervene.
His Excellency replied that on my telegraphing to him news of the piracy of the "Sainam," he had not lost a moment in dispatching Admiral Ld and other officials with a large force of soldiers. That they had arrested twenty pirates, three of whom had confessed to being implicated in the " Sainam" affair.
I said I was quite ready to concede that he had so far acted very energetically, but that the present case was only one out of a long series of piratical attacks on vessels, and that it is urgently necessary some drastic measures should be taken, not only to punish the guilty in the "Sainam " case, but to effectually put down piracy and robbery in his jurisdiction.
His Excellency replied that since assuming the Viceroyalty he had decapitated over 15,000 robbers, and had executed fifty only two days before; that the number he mentioned did not include many who had been shot or otherwise destroyed; and that he had been honestly doing his best to restore order in the provinces. If I had any suggestions to make he would be delighted to give them his best consideration.
I took the opportunity to hand him a Memorandum I had prepared with the following proposals:---
1. That each District Magistrate should be furnished with an adequate force of soldiers to enforce his orders, and when this is done be should be held responsible for all crimes committed within his district.
2. That to enable swift retribution to follow crime it is necessary to improve the means of telegraphic communication between the river and the district cities or the soldiers' camps; and that all offices should remain open night and day, instead of only for an hour or so in the middle of the day as is the present practice at most branch offices.
3. The substitution of a proper service of well-armed launches for the present old-fashioned guard-boats, which have proved utterly useless, and a mere waste of money. These should patrol the river in sections.
4. That a proper police force should be organized which would eventually take the place of the soldiers.
on,
His Excellency read over the Memorandum, and said that he had already determined and to some extent carried out, these suggestions, with the exception of that relating to the telegraphs, which were not under his control. He had sent strong. reinforcements of troops to Kongmoon and Wuchow, and from the former place had encouraging reports. (I may here state that Mr. Maze, lately Acting Commissioner of Customs at Kongmoon, confirms this.) That, in spite of the "Sainam” piracy, he maintained that during the past two years crime had been considerably reduced. He had recognized the uselessness of the guard-boats, and was increasing the number of launches. Further, that he had contemplated the organization of a proper police force.
I told him that practically the same conditions as existed here had formerly existed in Burmah, but that my Government had succeeded with an efficient police force in putting an end to dacoity, I said I was aware his Excellency was averse to the employ- ment of foreigners, but that if he were really in earnest in wishing to organize police--
3
such being more or less of an innovation here--I thought it would be a great advantage, and would, moreover, go further than anything in proving to the world at large his anxiety to grapple with the present problem, if he were to take on a certain number of experienced foreigners to organize his police. I suggested that possibly my Government might consent to second a few officers from Burmalı.
His Excellency denied that he was averse to employing foreigners, but said they were so expensive. Could I tell him what pay they would require. Funds were very low, and he was at his wits end for revenue. (During the whole interview he was harping on this string.)
I said of course I could give him no idea of the cost, but I did not think it would be very great. He asked me to inquire, but I did not gather from his manner that the request was seriously made. Finally he promised to write to me detailing the steps he had hitherto taken generally for the suppression of piracy, and the further efforts he proposed to make for the future.
A long discussion followed about precautions against robbers getting on board in the guise of passengers. His Excellency was urgent that a guard of Chinese soldiers should be placed on board foreign-owned steamers and launches, the owners paying their wages of 6 dollars per man. He said that this was being done in the case of native-owned launches, with the result that they are rarely pirated. The method employed, he said, was that the launch without passengers on board towed a passenger boat. I pointed out that this method obviously could not be applied to river boats like the "Sainam," and that the general feeling was that soldiers could not be trusted to examine passengers and their luggage for arms, and that, in fact, the travelling public would consider their presence on board as a worse evil than the chance of a piratical attack. I suggested the search of passengers and their baggage for arms could be made at the open ports of Canton, Samshui, and Wuchow by the Imperial Maritime Customs, and that at the regular landing stages a small purty of soldiers under the supervision of a trustworthy Wei Yuan should visit the passengers and their baggage before they entered the boats to embark, no boat being allowed to take passengers but such as bad a special permit. His Excellency thought this practicable in the case of the regular steamers running from here to Wuchow, but it could not affect launches running under Inland Water Navigation Rules, as they could take up passengers anywhere. I agreed to inquire further on this point.
After further conversation, in which I used all my endeavours to impress on his Excellency the fact that the time has arrived when it is absolutely imperative that a great effort should be made to stamp out piracy in the two Kuang, I took my leave.
(Signed) R. W. MANSFIELD,
His Britannic Majesty's Consul-Generul.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Mr. Carnegie to Prince Ch'ing.
Your Highness,
Peking, August 18, 1906. HIS Majesty's Consul-General at Canton bus informed me by telegraph that on the 10th August a British launch was attacked by pirates at a point some 50 miles above Wuchow, five of her Chinese guard being wounded and one drowned.
On the 15th August another British launch, when only 17 miles from the provincial capital, was similarly attacked by pirates, who shot the master of the launch, a Chinese, and so seriously wounded the engineer that he has since died.
It must be clear to your Highness that reports of such occurrences following so closely on the Sainam" piracy, show only too plainly that this question of lawlessness in the West River and Canton delta can no longer be neglected by the Chinese Government. It is a constant menace to the trade both of foreigners and Chinese in the two Kuang Provinces, besides being the cause of great injury to the Colony of Hong Kong. His Majesty's Government are therefore deeply concerned in the complete and speedy suppression of this long-standing evil, and I trust that I soon learn from your Highness' Board that effective measures are to be taken for its prevention. I also have the honour to request that the Viceroy may be called upon to report on these last two piratical attacks, and to secure the arrest and punishment of the guilty parties without delay,
I avail, &c.
(Signed)
may
LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE,
20
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