16
greatest honour, but if Chinese steam-launches are permitted, by plotting with [British subjects] to fly it wrongfully, not only is a breach of China's laws committed, but the dignity of the British flag is also affected. I must therefore request that the practice be entirely done away with, so as to stop abuses.
"Sainam" piracy case.
I have now examined in detail the records of last year's piracy. Over ten of the pirates concerned have been arrested, and also Liang A-chiu, the murderer of Dr. MacDonald, and all have been executed. Two of the rifles lost by the steamer have also been recovered and returned. Thus pirates guilty of robbery have been punished, and those who injured human beings have paid the penalty with their lives, while, of the booty lost, rifles have been recovered. According to the Treaty, if the local officials do all in their power to arrest the offenders and recover the booty, there is no ground for giving compensation. In view, however, of the Admiral's statement that Dr. MacDonald, after spending over twenty years in China doing good, had been suddenly murdered, leaving behind a wife and children without means, I have been moved to compassion, and, having in view the friendliness of China and Great Britain, specially consent to pay a compassionate allowance for the death of Dr. MacDonald as evidence of commiseration.
I think the above course of action will convince you and his Excellency the Admiral of my exceptional friendliness.
Compliments.
17
I understand that his Excellency, although agreeing to pay a compassionate allowance to the dependent relatives of the late Dr. MacDonald, who was murdered on the occasion of the piracy of the "Sainam," refuses to recognize the obligation to grant compensation for the outrage, and as his Excellency has previously declined to carry out the undertaking of the Chinese Government to place four fast patrol-launches under Customs control, I have no other course but to carry out the instructions of my Government in regard to protecting British interests.
I shall therefore dispatch additional vessels next week for the patrol of the Canton Delta and West River, and to afford protection to British traders in these waters, until such time as the measures taken by the Viceroy for the suppression of piracy prove effective.
I request you will inform his Excellency accordingly.
I have, &c. (Signed) A. W. MOORE.
(No. 62.) (Telegraphic.)
Inclosure 10 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
YOUR telegram No. 60.
Canton, November 28, 1907.
On the 23rd November the Admiral conveyed by despatch direct to Viceroy information as approved in your telegram, and demanded a reply before the end of November. Viceroy's reply received yesterday was entirely unsatisfactory. He reiterates his non-responsibility for compensation under Treaty, but offers an indefinite compassionate allowance to Mrs. MacDonald.
Viceroy's proposed Regulations, with Memorandum thereon by Commissioner, were brought to me by Secretary, but the text as given in the inclosure in your despatch No. 47 is very incomplete. It does not embody Commissioner's suggestions and only provides patrol of 150 miles out of some 600 miles of waterways, not including Kuangsi.
No mention has been made here of the allocation of money for the purchase and upkeep of two Customs cruisers. Despatch follows.
Inclosure 11 in No. 1.
(No. 58.) (Telegraphic.)
Sir J. Jordan to Consul-General Mansfield.
Peking, November 12, 1907. PIRACY. Wai-wu Pu have communicated to me a résumé of a scheme drawn up by Viceroy in concert with Commissioner of Customs in nine Articles, providing for a preventive service under provincial control, with a subsidiary service of two vessels under Customs.
I have replied that I cannot express any opinion till Admiral and yourself have been consulted, and have asked that Viceroy be instructed in this sense. Pray inform me whether you have been approached.
Sir,
Inclosure 12 in No. 1.
Admiral Sir A. Moore to Consul-General Mansfield.
"King Alfred," at Hong Kong, November 29, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th November, 1907, inclosing translation of a despatch from Viceroy Chang replying to my letter to him dated the 23rd instant.
16
greatest honour, but if Chinese steam-lauches are permitted, by plotting with [British subjects] to fly it wrongfully, not only is a breach of China's laws committed, but the dignity of the British flag is also affected. I must therefore request that the practice be entirely done away with, so as to stop abuses.
"Sainam" piracy case.
I have now examined in detail the records of last year's Over ten of the pirates concerned have been arrested, and also Liang A-chiu, the murderer of Dr. MacDonald, and all have been executed. Two of the rifles lost by the steamer have also been recovered and returned. Thus pirates guilty of robbery have been punished, and those who injured human beings have paid the penalty with their lives, while, of the booty lost, rifles have been recovered. According to Treaty, if the local officials do all in their power to arrest the offenders and recover the booty, there is no ground for giving compensation. In view, however, of the Admiral's statement that Dr. MacDonald, after spending over twenty years in China doing good, had been suddenly murdered, leaving behind a wife and children without means, I have been moved to compassion, and, having in view the friendliness of China and Great Britain, specially consent to pay a compassionate allowance for the death of Dr. MacDonald as -evidence of commiseration.
I think the above course of action will convince you and his Excellency the Admiral of my exceptional friendliness.
Compliments.
17
I understand that his Excellency, although agreeing to pay a compassionate allowance to the dependent relatives of the late Dr. MacDonald, who was murdered on the occasion of the piracy of the "Sainam," refuses to recognize the obligation to grant compensation for the outrage, and as his Excellency has previously declined to carry out the undertaking of the Chinese Government to place four fast patrol- launches under Customs control, I have no other course but to carry out the instructions of my Government in regard to protecting British interests,
I shall therefore dispatch additional vessels next week for the patrol of the Canton Delta and West River, and to afford protection to British traders in these waters, until such time as the measures taken by the Viceroy for the suppression of piracy prove effective.
I request you will inform his Excellency accordingly.
I have, &c. (Signed)
A. W. MOORE.
(No. 62.) (Telegraphic.)
Inclosure 10 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
YOUR telegram No. 60.
Canton, November 28, 1907.
On the 23rd November the Admiral conveyed by despatch direct to Viceroy information as approved in your telegram, and demanded reply before the end of November. Viceroy's reply received yesterday entirely unsatisfactory. He reiterates bis non-responsibility for compensation under Treaty, but offers indefinite compassionate allowance to Mrs. MacDonald.
Viceroy's proposed Regulations, with Memorandum thereon by Commissioner, were brought to me by Secretary, but text as given in inclosure in your despatch No. 47 is very incomplete. It does not embody Commissioner's suggestions, and only provides patrol of 150 miles out or some 600 miles of waterways, not including Kuangsi.
No mention has been made here of allocation of money for purchase and upkeep of two Customs cruisers. Despatch follows.
Inclosure 11 in No. 1.
(No. 58.) (Telegraphic.)
Sir J. Jordan to Consul-General Mansfield.
Peking, November 12, 1907. PIRACY. Wai-wu Pu have communicated to me résumé of scheme drawn up by Viceroy in concert with Commissioner of Customs in nine Articles, providing for a preventive service under provincial control, with a subsidiary service of two vessels under Customs.
I have replied that I cannot express any opinion till Admiral and yourself have been consulted, and have asked Viceroy be instructed in this sense. Pray inform me whether you have been approached.
Sir,
Inclosure 12 in No. 1.
Admiral Sir A. Moore to Consul-General Mansfield.
*6
King Alfred," at Hong Kong, November 29, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th November, 1907, inclosing translation of a despatch from Viceroy Chang replying to my letter to him dated the 23rd instant.
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