[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
28491.
(July 15.1
REED
SBOTIC EG1.10 AUG 07
[23392]
No. 1.
576
{
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 15.)
(No. 260. Confidential.) Sir,
Peking, May 30, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Chengtu regarding French activity in Western China. Notwithstanding their experience in Corea and other parts of the East, the French still persist in endeavouring to strengthen and extend their influence by finding situations for their countrymen in places where their services are very unwillingly accepted. It is questionable whether this policy does not do more harm than good, for agents who are foisted upon a Government seldom attain the confidence or respect of their employers, and, whatever may be the reasons, French proceedings in Western China are viewed with considerable distrust by the Chinese.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 25. Confidential.)
Sir,
Chengtu, April 24, 1907. IN my Intelligence Report for March quarter, p. 7, I referred to the unexpected arrival of M. Huet, a French naval officer, seconded by his Government for service in the Army Medical School at Chengtu. M. Huet has now been engaged as lecturer on mathematics and chemistry, and, the circumstances of his engagement being somewhat unusual, I deem it advisable to bring them to your notice.
As explained in the Report above mentioned, the Chinese authorities had recently made it quite clear to the French Consul that they did not wish to engage more French doctors or professors for their schools. M. Huet's arrival therefore placed the Consul in an embarrassing position, and he finally decided that he would not court a rebuff by officially presenting M. Huet to the authorities, but would leave Dr. Legendre, the senior professor, to make the best arrangements he could for his colleague. This was done in the following manner :---
Dr. Legendre informed the Directors of the Army School that the students would derive more benefit from his instruction had they some knowledge of mathematics and chemistry. His suggestion was adopted, and a Chinese professor appointed. The doctor had little difficulty in showing the Directors that this person was quite unfit for the post, and on their saying that they could not afford to engage a foreign professor, he informed them that, by a fortunate coincidence, a French chemist now in China on a journey of scientific research had lately arrived in Chengtu, and would, he was sure, be pleased to place his services at the school's disposal; the question of salary need not stand in the way, as this gentleman was sufficiently provided with funds, and as regards quarters, there was, at any rate for the present, room for him in the French Consulate. The matter has thus been settled presumably to the satisfaction of both parties, and the French Government have now four officers on the active list of the army and navy in the employ of the Chinese Government in Chengtu. M. Huet, whose rank is "Pharmacien de Première Classe," draws a salary of 12,000 fr. (4501.) per annum, the three army doctors' salaries ranging from 12,000 fr. to 16,000 fr. per annum.
The Acting Viceroy yesterday received a telegram from the Governor of Kueichou stating that M. Bons d'Anty and party had left Kuciyang on the 22nd instant for Luchou via Pichieh Hsien. The latter town, situated on the official main road from
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