Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[1049]
No. 1.
[January 11]
SECTION 3.
(No. 557.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 11, 1908.)
Sir,
Peking, November 27, 1907.
THE telegrams to which reference is made in the margin* have furnished so full an account of what has passed on the subject of piracy at Canton during the past fortnight that there is little to add on my part except to offer an explanation of one or two points which the condensed language of the telegrams may not have made altogether plain,
In his telegram of the 21st November the Admiral states that the Viceroy quoted 'the adverse opinion of Mr. King, the Commissioner of Customs, as a reason for his declining to place the launches he is procuring under Customs control, and the attitude of the Commissioner only reflects the views of the Inspector-General of Customs.
I furnished Sir Robert Hart privately with copies of the correspondence between the Wai-wu Pu and myself which was forwarded to you in my despatch No. 527, and from his reply, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, you will see that he is still averse from taking any active part in the work of piracy repression.
Another point which requires a word of explanation is the Viceroy's statement, as reported by the Admiral, that many of the British vessels which were pillaged were practically owned by Chinese. During the long discussion, extending over a year, with the Wai-wu Pu, this point has never been raised, and I am not aware that previous reference has been made to it by the Viceroy at Canton, but it has long been suspected that owners of this class of vessels have allowed themselves considerable latitude in making the declarations which are required by the Consuls in connection with the issue of the certificates of ownership.
I have the honour to inclose copies of a correspondence which passed between the Wai-wu Pu and the foreign Representatives on this subject some two years ago, from which it will be seen that the latter undertook to instruct their Consuls to inquire, on production of proper evidence, into any case where there was a doubt as to the good faith of any transfer or declaration of ownership. Unfortunately this correspondence does not seem to have been sent to Canton, and in now supplying Mr. Mansfield with copies of it, I am instructing him, should the Viceroy revert to the subject, to invite his Excellency's co-operation in removing any abuses of the kind. I doubt if I have powers to do more than this pending the consideration of the Regulations which have formed the subject of my despatch No. 552, but I am equally anxious with yourself, Sir, to see effective steps taken to prevent the British flag being abused under cover of a defective system of registration which has prevailed too long,
I take this opportunity of inclosing copy of the last despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton on the subject.
I am sending copies of this despatch to his Excellency the Naval Commander-in-chief and His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Your Excellency,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Wai-wu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
Peking, May 15, 1905.
WE have received the following communication from the Superintendent of Southern Trade :
"The following arrangements are now proposed with regard to small steam-boats plying on inland waters.
To Foreign Office, No. 198, Telegraphic, November 14; ditto, No. 202, Telegraphic, November 22; Foreign Office, No. 128, Telegraphic, November 23, 1907.
[2818 -3]
51
Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[1049]
No. 1.
[January 11]
SECTION 3.
(No. 557.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 11, 1908.)
Sir,
Peking, November 27, 1907. THE telegrams to which reference is made in the margin* have furnished so full an account of what has passed on the subject of piracy at Canton during the past fortnight that there is little to add on my part except to offer an explanation of one or two points which the condensed language of the telegrams may not have made altogether plain,
In his telegram of the 21st November the Admiral states that the Viceroy quoted 'the adverse opinion of Mr. King, the Commissioner of Customs, as a reason for his declining to place the launches he is procuring under Customs control, and the attitude of the Commissioner only reflects the views of the Inspector-General of Customs.
I furnished Sir Robert Hart privately with copies of the correspondence between the Wai-wu Pu and myself which was forwarded to you in my despatch No. 527, and from his reply, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, you will see that he is still averse from taking any active part in the work of piracy repression.
Another point which requires a word of explanation is the Viceroy's statement, as reported by the Admiral, that many of the British vessels which were pillaged were practically owned by Chinese. During the long discussion, extending over a year, with the Wai-wu Pu, this point has never been raised, and I am not aware that previous reference has been made to it by the Viceroy at Canton, but it has long been suspected that owners of this class of vessels have allowed themselves considerable latitude in making the declarations which are required by the Consuls in connection with the issue of the certificates of ownership.
I have the honour to inclose copies of a correspondence which passed between the Wai-wu Pu and the foreign Representatives on this subject some two years ago, from which it will be seen that the latter undertook to instruct their Consuls to inquire, on production of proper evidence, into any case where there was a doubt as to the good faith of any transfer or declaration of ownership. Unfortunately this correspondence does not seem to have been sent to Canton, and in now supplying Mr. Mansfield with copies of it, I am instructing him, should the Viceroy revert to the subject, to invite bis Excellency's co-operation in removing any abuses of the kind. I doubt if I have powers to do more than this pending the consideration of the Regulations which have formed the subject of my despatch No. 552, but I am equally anxious with yourself, Sir, to see effective steps taken to prevent the British flag being abused under cover of a defective system of registration which has prevailed too long,
I take this opportunity of inclosing copy of the last despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton on the subject.
I am sending copies of this despatch to his Excellency the Naval Commander-in- chief and His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Your Excellency,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Wai-wu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
Peking, May 15, 1905. WE have received the following communication from the Superintendent of Southern Trade :---
"The following arrangements are now proposed with regard to small steam-boats plying on inland waters.
To Foreign Office, No. 198, Telegraphic, November 14; ditto, No. 202, Telegraphic, November 22; Foreign Office, No. 128, Telegraphic, November 23, 1907.
[2818 -3]
51
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