6
65
Chenton," "Tienpo," and others--- Jui-Lin, his gun-boats-the "Suitsing," " Anlan," were all commanded by foreign officers, and they completely put down the pirates who were rampant on the sea-coast of Kwangtung. The foreign officers employed were It cannot, nominated to his Excellency for appointment by the then British Consul. therefore, be said that there is no precedent for my present proposal.
I avail, &c.
(
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL,
[14465]
No. 1.
150
C.O. 18314
[May Red
SECTION 3.
24 MAY 07
Your Excellency,
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Viceroy Chou Fu.
January 21, 1907. AT an interview on the 27th December I had the honour to discuss with you measures for the prevention of piracy on the inland waters. I urged that to secure an efficient patrol of the waterways a European officer chosen by the Inspector-General of Your the Imperial Maritime Customs should be placed in charge of each launch. Excellency stated that it was the province of Admiral Li to take effective steps in the direction required. I then asked if, supposing Admiral Li were willing to employ Europeans for the purpose above named, you would give your consent, and you answered that you would do so. I have just received a despatch from Admiral Li, in which he states that he has never heard of any Regulations under which the Imperial or Provincial Governments have employed foreign officers in the capacity of a patrol Now, during the guard, and that therefore he is unable to promise what I asked. Vice-Royalties of their Excellencies Jui-Lin and Chang Shao-tung, for many years foreign officers were employed on board their gun-boats "Chento," "Suitsing,' "Anlan," "Tienpo" and others, which were used for the suppression of piracy then rampant on the sea-board of Kwangtung, and these gun-boats succeeded in completely suppressing it. For some years past there have been a certain number of launches and guard-boats for the patrol of the inland waterways, but these have proved themselves perfectly useless, and no impression whatever has been made on the constant succession of piracies.
**
I would again strongly urge on your Excellency to follow the precedent given by their Excellencies Jui-Lin and Chang, and give the scheme I proposed a trial.
The crimes of robbery and smuggling are very near akin, and there could be no loss of dignity in employing servants of the Chinese Throne who have had experience in the suppression of one of such crimes in the suppression of the other. I take it that, as these robbers are practically all shore-dwellers, the most important duty will lie on the local officials-namely, that of rooting out the strongholds of the robbers ashore.
I avail, &c.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
PLEASE refer to my telegram No. 11.
Canton, February 18, 1907.
The following despatch has been received by me from the Viceroy :-
"I have been informed by telegram from the Wai-wu Pu that Sir John Jordan has asked that the Imperial Maritime Customs may be given authority to supply the required funds for the acquisition of more launches to stamp out smuggling and to search passing travellers.
"This is quite feasible, but it should be clearly laid down what the functions and duty of the Customs authorities are in this matter.
"I will make it my business to devise a good scheme which I will lay before the Wai-wu Pu, requesting them to submit it to Sir Robert Hart, who will, after due consideration, direct the Canton Commissioner of Customs to communicate with you.”
0
(No. 12.) Sir,
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 4.)
Shanghae, March 25, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 10, of the 18th instant, on the subject of the murder by Chinese criminals of Police-constable Morrow, I have the honour to inclose herewith copy of a further despatch, No. 40, of this date, which I have addressed to His Majesty's Minister on the same subject, and copies of the inclosures therein.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(No. 40.) Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
PELHAM WARREN.
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.
Shanghae, March 25, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 29 of the 13th instant, I have the honour to inclose copies and translations of correspondence between the Taotai and myself, with reference to the murder of Police-constable Morrow and the neglect of the Shanghae District Magistrate to deal effectively with the criminals sent to him by the Mixed Court for trial.
As instructed by you in your telegram No. 22 of the 23rd instant I am sending English versions of this correspondence, and translation of the Taotai's orders to the Shanghae District Magistrate, as published in the native press (from which the précis in the "North China Daily News" of the 15th instant was taken), direct to the Foreign Office, together with a copy of this present despatch and its other inclosure.
I have now the honour to report that the criminal Hu Erh-lin, who in January last shot a municipal detective (Chinese) was executed here on the 21st instant by order of the Viceroy at Nanking, and that there seems to be a fair prospect that the other rowdies and armed robbers who have for some months been awaiting trial in the city will be summarily dealt with. If this is done, there is good reason to hope that a salutary check will be given to the lawless bands which at present infest the outskirts of the foreign Settlements.
None of the murderers of Police-constable Morrow have yet been arrested.
I propose to reply to the Taotai's last despatch giving him particulars of a Resolution dealing with the sale of fire-arms, which was passed at the ratepayers' meeting on the 20th instant. I inclose copy for your information.
I have, &c.
(Signed) PELHAM WARREN.
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Taotai at Shanghae.
Shanghae, March 11, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inform you that at 2 o'clock this morning ten or more armed robbers attacked a shop in Elgin Road, within the Settlement, and shot at Police-constable (72) Morrow, à British subject, who went to effect their arrest. They
[2494 d-3]
B
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.