CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 21

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Two courses of action remain-either inform Viceroy that as his patrol service is not effective, ours will be increased, and that inquiry will be held into registration of British vessels; or to inform Viceroy that if the "Sainam" compensation claim is settled, we will defer taking active measures to protect our flag until the result of his efforts are seen, also that we will take steps to prevent irregular use of our flag. Please telegraph your views.

Admiralty approve action which was proposed in my letter of the 29th September.

(3.)

Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.

Canton, November 21, 1907. Viceroy has handed me following extract from a telegram from the Wai-wu Pu, dated the 5th July, 1907

"Patrol of West River. The British Envoy asks for an additional four small steamers under the control of the Customs. Our Board have on several occasions discussed the question with him. In further discussion he requested us to notify the Shui Wa Ch'u to advance a sum of 200,000 taels for the steamers, and stated clearly that foreign officers would not be required, but that it would be for China to dispute officers to take charge (of the steamers)."

I have no information from you to this effect. At interview yesterday it appeared that question of foreign officers and Commissioner's opposition to scheme were chief stumbling blocks. The first seems in present state of popular feeling insuperable, and active hostile action might have far-reaching and disastrous effect. Admiral has shown me his telegram to you giving proposed action, which he has discussed with me. 1 suggest that the "Sainam" claim should be fixed at 85,000 dollars. This is the reduced amount, which I consider strictly reasonable.

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(4.)

Sir J. Jordan to Consul-General Mansfield.

Peking, November 22, 1907. In reply to your telegram, Wai-wu Pu's telegram quite misrepresents my language.

Sainam" claim being fixed at 85,000 dollars.

approve

(5)

Sir J. Jordan to Admiral Sir A. Moore.

(Through Consul-General, Canton.)

Following for Admiral. Your telegram of yesterday:

Peking, November 22, 1907.

In view of the opposition of Customs, which emanates from Inspector-General (Sir Robert Hart) and British Consul-General's opinion that the employment of foreigners is impracticable, and that active hostile action' (which expression I presume he does not intend to include your proposed patrol of waterways) might have far-reaching and disastrous effect,' I consider Viceroy should be informed that if 'Sainam' claim is settled you will defer taking action for patrol of waterways until his scheme has been given a trial.

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Question of irregular use of the flag never been brought forward by the Wai-wu Pu, nor, so far as I know, previously by the Viceroy. Should the latter ask it, I think it will be sufficient to say that new Regulations are already under consideration."

Sir,

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Inclosure 6 in No. 1.

Admiral Sir A. Moore to Viceroy of Canton.

Alacrity," at Canton, November 23, 1907. HIS Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton has transmitted for my information a copy of your Excellency's despatch of the 21st instant, in which you confirm the offer made at our recent conference to provide four additional fast launches for the patrol service, in connection with the suppression of piracy, but state that you are unable to carry out the undertaking made by your predecessor and the Peking Government to place the launches under Customs control.

2. In addition to the provision of these fast launches, I have noted that your Excellency agreed also during our conversation

(a.) To provide for a more systematic patrol of the river.

(b.) To provide for the co-operation of soldiers on shore with the patrol launches, to enable the robbers to be followed up, should they escape.

(c.) To replace the guard-boats recently withdrawn.

Further, that in regard to the "Sainam" compensation claim, you stated that you were not fully acquainted with the case, but would study the papers on the subject, and give your decision in one week.

3. As regards your observation, made at the conference, that the British launches were in many cases really owned and run by Chinese subjects, I beg to inform your Excellency that new Registration Regulations are now under consideration with a view to stopping any existing abuses.

4. With respect to the four fast launches being controlled by the Imperial Marítime Customs, and commanded by officers belonging to that Service, I would observe that the proposal was originally made in consequence of the Chinese gun-boats being powerless to prevent, and making but little effort to check, the repeated acts of piracy which, as your Excellency has admitted, have been going on for years. It was recognized that the duty of safeguarding those trading in the Canton Delta and the adjacent rivers was that of the Chinese themselves, and to supplement the patrolling flotilla by a few fast launches under Customs control appeared to be the only alternative to the Powers interested taking more active measures themselves. There may be difficulties attending such assistance by the Customs, but they can be surmounted,

In this connection I would remind your Excellency that a very effective service of armed cruising launches for the prevention of smuggling (and capture of pirates if necessary, as happened in 1903) is carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner of Customs at Kowloon and Macao, each vessel carrying two European officers, and if such duties can be carried out effectively by the Customs, surely that of assisting in the prevention of piracy could also be. As, however, your Excellency has declined to carry out this proposal, I have nothing more to add; and with a view to carrying out my Government's instructions to afford protection to British trade, I am returning to Hong Kong on Monday morning, the 25th instant, to arrange for a considerable increase in our own patrolling service.

5. In regard to the Sainam" compensation claim, I wish to take this occasion to emphasize again the serious nature of that piracy, and the undoubted fact that the moral and international obligation to grant compensation for an outrage the result of the remissness of those responsible for the security of trade in the river would be recognized and met by every civilized Power. I would draw your attention to the facts that Dr. MacDonald, a man who for over twenty years had devoted himself to the good of China, was brutally murdered, and that he leaves a widow and two children without means; the captain of the "Sainam" was shot through the chest and left for dead; the engineer was badly burned by a stink-pot; two Indian watchmen were shot through the jaw, one of them being permanently injured, and the ship was completely looted.

The settlement of this just and undeniable claim would go a long way towards a friendly understanding and co-operation in regard to the patrolling service, and should your Excellency decide, as I trust you will, to satisfy the claim, I am prepared on my part to recommend to my Government that the dispatch of additional patrolling-vessels shall be deferred until the effects of your Excellency's proposed measures are seen. Failing this settlement, I shall lose no time in carrying out the instructions received from my Government.

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