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person of the foreign-educated student, is much in evidence, and anti-foreign feeling and resentment of foreign interference is rampant. Coercive measures on our part might result in serious anti-foreign riots and the boycott of English trade, to say nothing of the fact that the Canton and West Rivers are very strongly fortified, and, although unlikely, retaliation for any act of war might be effected by the forts opening fire on our vessels,
13. It is therefore a matter for serious consideration whether the political advantages to be gained from the British flag predominating in these waters outweighs the risks which I have pointed out, and whether or not the present state of the Registration Regulations should be allowed to continue. In respect to this matter it should be mentioned that, as a result of an inquiry held at the British Consulate-General, Canton, on the 27th November, 1906, into the circumstances attending the piracy of the launch "Feinam," owned by Mr. Fisher, the Court found that the vessel had been let on the "net charter" to Lin Kwang Lo, who also acted as captain; further, that—
"The 'net charters' are of several months' duration, and that to every intent and purpose all interest in the vessel and her crew passed from the registered owner to the charterer, whose charter-party is a Chinese document, drawn up in this case between him and the Chu An firm acting as Chinese agents for Mr. Fisher, whose name is not mentioned; so that all semblance of British interests in the craft is carefully eliminated."
The unanimous opinion of the Court was that the charter system was contrary to the intentions of their British nationality, and the "Feinam" was struck off the register.
The Court further recommended that the registration system should be amended, and as a result His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General submitted "Proposed new Local Regulations (Canton) for dealing with British Launches," in a letter which he addressed to the British Minister, Peking, dated the 5th February, 1907. I understand that these new Regulations were not approved by the Foreign Office, and were consequently not put into force; but, on his own initiative, His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General appointed a Surveyor, and made it a condition for registration that vessels should have been surveyed and passed by him.
14. I am myself convinced that we shall have constant abuses of our flag unless the Regulations are revised. The sooner this is done the better, and I submit that the following qualifications, in addition to those already existing, should be insisted upon—
(a.) Registration should be limited to—
Launches towing passenger junks;
Launches carrying passengers on approved routes;
Launches towing properly registered lighters and junks.
(b.) Registration shall not be granted to launches engaged on irregular work, i.e., plying for hire (not necessarily towing) or using unauthorized routes.
(c.) No charter of a British-owned and registered launch shall be granted by the owner to any other than a British subject.
(d.) The captain of every launch, when absent from the port of registration, shall be held responsible that all rules and regulations are complied with, and for the proper running of his launch.
(e.) In order that the approximate whereabouts of every launch shall be known, each launch shall run on a known route, and shall not transfer to another route without the Consul-General being notified.
(f) The captain and engineer to be registered at the Consulate, and to be respectable, capable, and qualified men, and, when feasible, British subjects. Any change in either captain or engineer to be notified to the Consul-General, Canton.
Before registering a captain and engineer, the man's village and family should be ascertained if possible.
Note.—Certificates of captain and engineer should be taken with them in their launch. The form of certificate should include a photograph, and such details as to personal description and appearance, as height, &c., as will enable the Commanding Officers of our gun-boats to identify them when inspecting the launch. The Hong Kong police are all registered on this system.
It has been objected that, by making our registration laws more exacting, we shall drive launches to use the flags of other Powers. This is not unlikely to happen at first, but I think the final result will probably be that the best launches will come under the British flag, and that we shall have got rid of the riff-raff.
If, for political reasons, the objection is considered an important one, the possibility of inducing the principal European Powers to take concerted action in amending the Registration Regulations is suggested for consideration.
A. W. MOORE, Admiral.
Sir.
66
'King Alfred,” at Hong Kong, November 28, 1907.
(Signed)
Inclosure 8 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Admiral Sir A. Moore.
Canton, November 28, 1907, I HAVE the honour to inclose translation of a despatch received last night from Viceroy Chang, which is a reply to your official of the 23rd instant.
It appears thoroughly unsatisfactory in every way, merely repeating the arguments advanced by him and his predecessors over and over again. I may mention that when I first claimed compensation on account of the "Sainam's" piracy, Viceroy Ts'en's Secretary in conversation stated that they were willing to direct the Benevolent Societies to provide a few thousand dollars as a compassionate allowance to Mrs. MacDonald, but when I informed him that the Secretary of State had estimated her indemnity at 6,000l., and that other claims had to be met, he declined to discuss the matter further.
I have telegraphed the gist of the Viceroy's despatch to Sir John Jordan, and have the honour to inclose copy of the telegram. This deals in part with the question of the Wai-wu Pu's reference to two vessels under Customs control which form the subject of your telegram just received. The only previous mention of these two vessels is contained in a telegram dated the 12th instant from Sir John Jordan, copy of which I inclose, and which was submitted to you when in Canton. You will note that this telegram infers that the two vessels spoken of are to be employed in the prevention of piracy, whereas in the Wai-wu Pu's Memorandum of the 11th instant, on which the telegram is based, such employment is not clearly stated. You will find some reference to an additional two cruisers in reserve in Mr. King's Memorandum on the Viceroy's proposed Regulations.
(Translation.) Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Inclosure 9 in No. 1.
Viceroy of Canton to Consul-General Mansfield.
Canton, November 27, 1907. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt on the 23rd instant of the reply of bis Excellency the British Admiral with reference to the suppression of piracy on the West River and the piracy of the steam-ship "Sainam,"
The suppression of piracy is a matter of China's internal administration, and comes within the sphere of my duties as Viceroy. The addition of steam and sailing gun-boats and the adoption of a general scheme by land and water will, of course, have to be actually carried into effect, and any points which appear unsatisfactory may be altered afterwards. It is hoped that things will be thoroughly put in order so that piracy may be suppressed,
I have from time to time heard of the practice of Chinese steam-launches wrongfully flying foreign flags, I was therefore compelled to ask that measures should be taken to prevent it. I am thoroughly pleased that the British Admiral has now consented to devise new Registration Regulations, so as to put an end to corrupt practices now existing. The British flag has hitherto been treated by China as deserving of the
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21
15
14
person of the foreign-educated student, is much in evidence, and anti-foreign feeling and resentment of foreign interference is rampant. Coercive measures on our part might result in serious anti-foreign riots and the boycott of English trade, to say nothing of the fact that the Canton and West Rivers are very strongly fortified, and, although unlikely, retaliation for any act of war might be effected by the forts opening fire on .our vessels,
13. It is therefore a matter for serious consideration whether the political advantages to be gained from the British flag predominating in these waters outweighs the risks which I have pointed out, and whether or not the present state of the Registration Regulations should be allowed to continue. In respect to this matter it should be mentioned that, as a result of an inquiry held at the British Consulate- General, Canton, on the 27th November, 1906, into the circumstances attending the piracy of the launch "Feinam," owned by Mr. Fisher, the Court found that the vessel had been let on the "net charter" to Lin Kwang Lo, who also acted as captain; further, that--
"The 'net charters' are of several months' duration, and that to every intent and purpose
all interest in the vessel and her crew passed from the registered owner to the charterer, whose charter-party is a Chinese document, drawn up in this case between him and the Chu An firm acting as Chinese agents for Mr. Fisher, whose name is not mentioned; so that all semblance of British interests in the craft is carefully eliminated."
The unanimous opinion of the Court was that the charter system was contrary to the intentions of their British nationality, and the Feinam" was struck off the register.
The Court further recommended that the registration system should be amended, and as
a result His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General submitted " Proposed new Local Regulations (Canton) for dealing with British Launches," in a letter which he addressed to the British Minister, Peking, dated the 5th February, 1907. I understand that these new Regulations were not approved by the Foreign Office, and were conse- quently not put into force; but, on his own initiative, His Britannic Majesty's Consul- General appointed a Surveyor, and made it a condition for registration that vessels should have been surveyed and passed by him.
14. I am myself convinced that we shall have constant abuses of our flag unless the Regulations are revised. The sooner this is done the better, and I submit that the following qualifications, in addition to those already existing, should be insisted upon -
(a.) Registration should be limited to-
Launches towing passenger junks;
Launches carrying passengers on approved routes;
Launches towing properly registered lighters and junks.
(b.) Registration shall not be granted to launches engaged on irregular work, i.e., plying for hire (not necessarily towing) or using unauthorized routes.
(c.) No charter of a British-owned and registered launch shall be granted by the owner to any other than a British subject.
(d.) The captain of every launch, when absent from the port of registration, shall be held responsible that all rules and regulations are complied with, and for the proper running of his launch.
(e.) In order that the approximate whereabouts of every launch shall be known, each launch shall run on a known route, and shall not transfer to another route without the Consul-General being notified.
(f) The captain and engineer to be registered at the Consulate, and to be respectable, capable, and qualified men, and, when feasible, British subjects. Any change in either captain or engineer to be notified to the Consul-General, Canton.
Before registering a captain and engineer, the man's village and family should be ascertained if possible.
Note.-Certificates of captain and engineer should be taken with them in their launch. The form of certificate should include a photograph, and such details as to personal description and appearance, as height, &c., as will enable the Commanding Officers of our gun-boats to identify them when inspecting the launch. The Hong Kong police are all registered on this system.
It has been objected that, by making our registration laws more exacting, we shall drive launches to use the flags of other Powers. This is not unlikely to happen at first, but I think the final result will probably be that the best launches will come under the British flag, and that we shall have got rid of the riff-raff.
If, for political reasons, the objection is considered an important one, the possibility of inducing the principal European Powers to take concerted action in amending the Registration Regulations is suggested for consideration.
A. W. MOORE, Admiral.
Sir.
66
'King Alfred,” at Hong Kong, November 28, 1907.
(Signed)
Inclosure 8 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Admiral Sir A. Moore.
Canton, November 28, 1907, I HAVE the honour to inclose translation of a despatch received last night from Viceroy Chang, which is a reply to your official of the 23rd instant.
It appears thoroughly unsatisfactory in every way, merely repeating the arguments advanced by him and his predecessors over and over again. I may mention that when I first claimed compensation on account of the "Sainam's" piracy, Viceroy Ts'en's Secretary in conversation stated that they were willing to direct the Benevolent Societies to provide a few thousand dollars as a compassionate allowance to Mrs. MacDonald, but when I informed him that the Secretary of State had estimated her indemnity at 6,0007., and that other claims had to be wet, he declined to discuss the matter further.
I have telegraphed the gist of the Viceroy's despatch to Sir John Jordan, and have the honour to inclose copy of the telegram. This deals in part with the question of the Wai-wu Pu's reference to two vessels under Customs control which form the subject of your telegram just received. The only previous mention of these two vessels is contained in a telegram dated the 12th instant from Sir John Jordan, copy of which I inclose, and which was submitted to you when in Canton. You will note that this telegram infers that the two vessels spoken of are to be employed in the prevention of piracy, whereas in the Wai-wu Pu's Memorandum of the 11th instant, on which the telegram is based, such employment is not clearly stated. You will find some reference to an additional two cruisers in reserve in Mr. King's Memorandum on the Viceroy's proposed Regulations.
(Translation.) Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Inclosure 9 in No. 1.
Viceroy of Canton to Consul-General Mansfield.
Canton, November 27, 1907. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt on the 23rd instant of the reply of bis Excellency the British Admiral with reference to the suppression of piracy on the West River and the piracy of the steam-ship "Sainam,"
The suppression of piracy is a matter of China's internal administration, and comes within the sphere of my duties as Viceroy. The addition of steam and sailing gun- boats and the adoption of a general scheme by land and water will, of course, have to be actually carried into effect, and any points which appear unsatisfactory may be altered afterwards. It is hoped that things will be thoroughly put in order so that piracy may be suppressed,
I bave from time to time hear 1 of the practice of Chinese steam-launches wrongfully flying foreign flags, I was therefore compelled to ask that measures should be take to prevent it. I am thoroughly pleased that the British Admiral has now consented to devise new Registration Regulations, so as to put an end to corrupt practices now existing. The British flag has hitherto been treated by China as deserving of the
[2818 u-2]
F
21
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