CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 523

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

520

44/07 [November 18.

Spcm 44EC 07

[37963]

(No. 469.) Sir,

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received November 18.)

Peking, October 1, 1907.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a monthly summary, compiled by Mr. Garnett, of events in China which have not been reported in separate despatches.

I have, &c. (Signed)

J. N. JORDAN.

Inclosure in No. 1.

Monthly Summary of Events in China.

Chengtu.

THE Acting British Consul-General reported on the 22nd July that he arranged an interview between Mr. Polhill, of the China Inland Mission, and the Acting Viceroy, before the former left for Tachienlu on the 17th July. The Acting Viceroy received Mr. Polhill in a very friendly manner, and said he had no objection at all to his opening mission stations at Litang and Batang, but be advised him for the present to confine his work to the main roads and not to penetrate into the interior.

A member of the China Inland Mission at Tachienlu writes as follows under date Sth July:-

"There is a good deal of talk here just now about the Roman Catholics who are buying up a number of houses in the city. They have recently bought a row of ten houses, practically a whole street, and are now trying to get hold of five or six inns at the back of this street. The inn people don't want to sell, but they are afraid the Roman Catholics will bring foreign, i.e., French, pressure to bear by referring the case to Chengtu.

"The Envoy from Nepaul, with about forty men, is here on his way to Poking. He speaks English very well, and is a very pleasant gentleman.

"Ya Tai, the late Chinese Amban, is now in Litang on his way to Chengtu. He is travelling quite unofficially, being in disgrace.*

"A Chinese surveyor, who has been eight years in Japan, is now in this district making maps for the Viceroy."

With reference to the inns mentioned in this missionary's letter, they are large Thibetan inus managed by Headmen of the Min Cheng Sau, or native King, for the convenience of Thibetan traders and others. They make no charge for board or lodging, but are allowed a percentage on all trade transactions taking place in their inns. Their title to the property is hereditary; they cannot sell, but are allowed to let on annual leases. If the family owning an inn dies out it reverts to the King, who then bestows it on some other family. There are forty-eight of these inns in Tachienlu.

There is a good deal of friction just now between the Chinese authorities at Tachienlu and the native King, owing to the former's attempts to restrict his powers and prerogatives. It is just possible that the Roman Catholic Mission, in endeavouring to obtain possession of these Ko-chuangs, is acting with the knowledge and consent of the Chinese officials, who may seize the opportunity to deal a blow at the native King's influence by abolishing the inn system,

Foochow.

Arsenal at Pagoda Anchorage.-The contracts with the French officers in charge of the arsenal will expire this month, and it is not the intention of the authorities to renew * This is contradicted in another despatch.

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