[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[43528]
No. 1.
141
3844
[December 29.]
SECTIONRICE 30 JAN 07
(No. 474.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 29.)
Peking, November 14, 1906. AT an interview at the Wai-wn Pu on the 2nd instant, I took occasion to ascertain from the Grand Secretary Na Tung the state of the negotiations respecting the establishment of custom-houses at Dalny and on the Manchurian frontier. His Excellency said the question was practically settled. Japan had agreed to the establishment of a custom-house at Dalny which would be under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs, and Russia had similarly agreed to the establishment of two stations at Manchuria and Pogranichnaya. Japan wished these arrangements to be simultaneous. A Taotai from Kirin named Sung was engaged at the moment in arranging the details with a Russian Commissioner.
The Japanese Minister, in reply to a question which I put to him yesterday, informed me that Japan was waiting the conclusion of the Russian negotiations before fixing a date for the establishment of a custom-house at Dalny.
I pointed out to Mr. Hayashi the injury which the present state of affairs was inflicting upon the mercantile community of Newchwang, who were also handicapped by preferential railway rates in favour of Dalny.
Mr. Hayashi admitted the injustice of the case, and said that the Japanese community at Newchwang likewise complained of the disadvantage under which the port was placed as compared with Dalny.
He attributed the delay to the slow methods of the Chinese, who were apparently
not anxious to basten the conclusion of an arrangement with Russia.
As to the railway rates, his own view was that Newchwang, whose export trade was largely in the hands of the Japanese, should receive quite as favourable treatment as Dalny, where the facilities for shipping and storing cargo were much less. The conflict between the military and civil administrations was probably responsible for whatever inequality now prevailed.
Later in the day I saw the Grand Secretary Na Tung, and urged that either Newchwang should be declared a free port or that the present state of things should be brought to an end without delay. His Excellency assured me that the negotiations with Russia were making satisfactory progress, and that he expected a favourable solution at no distant date. He felt sure that before the opening of navigation next spring the disabilities under which Newchwang now laboured would be removed.
I am sending copies of this despatch to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Tôkiô and His Majesty's Consul-General at Mukden.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
[2263 ƒ-9]
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