4
Kiangsu, with a view to the suppression of piracy. Four shallow-draught gun-boats, eight Chinese gun-boats, and ninety small patrol-boats ('red boats') are to be purchased.
"Railway for Ili.—The Military Governor has reported in favour of constructing three lines: one from Ti-hua Fu to Ili, one from Ti-hua Fu to Urga, and the third from Ti-hua Fu to Lanchou. He proposes that the gold mines in Ili should be developed with a view to raising capital for the construction of these railways, and that a loan should be made by the Board of Revenue."
'Railways in Manchuria.—The Tsi-tsi-har—Hei-lung-chiang Railway is to be commenced next spring, and the Chinese Eastern Railway branch line from Tsi-tsi-har to Old Tsi-tsi-har this summer.
"Kirin-Ch'ang Ch'un Railway. The survey of this line has been completed, and the estimated cost of construction is 5,500,000 to 5,600,000 dollars. Work will be commenced on the conclusion of the Loan Agreement with Japan."
Proposed Admiral for Hupei.—The Grand Council contemplate the appointment of an officer as Admiral of Hupei, to be stationed at Hankow and co-operate with the Admiral of the Yang-tsze.
**
Proposed new Naval Harbour.—The Viceroy of Canton has forwarded to the Army Board a Report on the harbour of Hsia Yung in Kwangtung, with regard to its suitability as a naval harbour. The question is to be referred to Admiral Sa.
Yang Shih Ch'i's Mission.—In a Memorial to the Throne Yang Shih Ch'i gives brief account of his mission to inquire into the condition of Chinese settlers in the Philippines, Siam, Singapore, Java, Annam, and other countries. He describes the climate and productions of the various places visited, and states the number of Chinese settlers in each. He praises the Administration of Singapore and Penang, where the Chinese have attained much wealth and influence, but states that in Java the Chinese, especially those employed in the mines, are badly treated. Everywhere he went he was well received, and found that the Chinese settlers still retained a strong feeling of affection for their native country. He addressed meetings of Chinese merchants in various places, and visited schools and other institutions, to some of which he gave scrolls presented by the Empress Dowager.
"Steam Navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze." (See Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 157, of the 1st April) In a Memorial the Acting Viceroy of Szechuan reports that he proposes to establish a Company with a capital of 200,000 taels, to run steam-ships on the Upper Yang-tsze between Ichang and Chungking, and later to Suifu and Kiating, one-third of the capital to be subscribed by the Government and two-thirds by the public. An officer sent to investigate the matter has reported that by blowing up some of the obstructions in the river and using windlasses at some of the more dangerous rapids, navigation by steam vessels would be quite feasible. Three small steamers are to be purchased abroad, and the service will afterwards be extended.
46
Fires in Peking.—It is reported that Na Tung has given special orders to the police with reference to the fires which have been very numerous recently. He states that, although the frequency of these fires is chiefly to be attributed to the exceptional dryness of the atmosphere, there is reason to suspect that some have been the work of incendiaries who wished to take advantage of the fires to commit thefts. He directs the police to exert themselves to bring all such criminals to justice.
"The Ching Hua Shih Pao reports that there was a fire at the Wai-wu Pu on the 4th, but that it was promptly extinguished."
The Ching Hua Shih Pao also reports that there are at present a large number of revolutionaries in Peking who have come here from Japan. The Board of the Interior are reported to have given orders for the arrest of fifty-five of these persons.
"Naval Harbour in Hainan.—The Viceroy at Canton has reported in favour of making a naval harbour at Yu Lin, in Hainan, and states that the water supply and climate are good. He recommends the construction of a railway for the purpose of transporting troops and supplies there when necessary.
Chengting-Te Chou Railway.—The Government have decided to proceed with the construction of this railway at once. Engineers have been sent by the Peking-Hankow Railway Company to survey the line, and work will be commenced next month. The construction will be under the direction of the French.
"Tsitsihar-Angangchi Railway.—A Chinese Company with a capital of 320,000 taels has been formed for the construction of this short line (a distance of 50 li). The contract for building the line has been given to a German firm, Messrs. Telge and Schroeter. Work will be commenced in June.
**
5
'Proposed Appointment of Judicial Officials.—The provincial authorities of Kwangtung, Yunnan, and Kweichow proposed some time ago that judicial officers (Pu Huo Ts'ai P'an) should be appointed in the interior with a view to preparing for the withdrawal of the right of exterritoriality at present enjoyed by foreigners. The Government, with the assistance of Wai-wu Pu and Hsien Cheng Kuan, are engaged in drawing up Regulations for the purpose.
"Proposed Railways in the North-west.—The Shen-Kan Viceroy has recommended the construction of two lines, one from Kalgan to Urga, a distance of 2,450 li, the other from Sui-yuan along the north bank of the Yellow River to Ning-hsia; thence to Liang-Chou, Hami, Ti-hua, and Ili, a distance of 8,000 li. These railways could not be constructed as a commercial enterprise, but would be of great importance for military purposes.
Mining in Shansi.—Since buying out the Peking Syndicate, the Taiyuan Fu Mining Company have obtained permission to raise capital to the amount of 5,000,000 taels to develop the mines, and the capital has already been over-subscribed, only Chinese being permitted to purchase shares. A Chinese mining engineer has been engaged at a salary of 600 taels a-month, machinery has been ordered from Europe, and 1,000,000 taels of the capital is to be devoted to the establishment of an iron foundry.
The "Universal Gazette," in an article on the danger of ignorance of the limits of foreign relations, proceeds to argue that, while the limitation of India's export of opium is a diplomatic question, China's monopoly of sale of the prepared drug is an internal Government step with which England has no concern, since the nature of the drug has been altered, and so the Treaty with England does not apply. At present the shops charge at will, irrespective of the duty and li-kin, and England has nothing to say. Similarly, Chinese prohibition of rice export does not affect cakes and biscuits made of it. Moreover, a rise in price is not a customs duty; the aliens might as well claim to interfere with the proposed stamp duties, which will be charged on native and foreign goods alike.
The distinction between diplomatic and non-diplomatic matters is quite easy. Another instance, the Soo-Hang-Ning Railway. The Tsung-li Yamên's agreement with the British Envoy might be brought within the scope of diplomacy, but, as regards construction, the publication of the Railway Regulations took that out of the Wai-wu Pu's sphere, and the Wai-wu Pu should have told Sir J. Jordan to bid his nationals petition the Board of Communications direct, and have declined to interfere, quoting as precedents the American exclusion, which its State Department insisted pertained solely to the Labour Department; the Manchurian troops question, which Russia said pertained to her War Office; the Touquin Consuls, which the French Foreign Office put on its Colonial Department, and all the other precedents of recent years. Unfortunately, the Board waited till it got a bad name by resisting popular opinion before it got the Board of Communications to make the loan,
Then trade-marks: all China promised was rules like other Powers, yet foreigners are allowed to interfere with their tenor. And the Mining Rules, which were drafted with the aid of foreign advisers, were still less open to foreign revision.
If attention is paid to their protests on more and more questions, China's independence will be lost through Chinese heedlessness.
The trouble has come from the fact that the Wai-wu Pu is not bound, like other posts, to report to the Throne and quote precedents. It has assumed unlimited powers, and, with a Prince and Grand Councillors at its head, ignores all control, and, without knowing it, is a danger to the State. Could folly go further?
To recover from the consequences will take many years' struggles and constant supervision, which latter is beyond the Throne, the Council and the Ministers, and to be found only in an elected Parliament. This is the only means to safety.
The "Eastern Times" of the 25th March professes to give the gist of a secret report by the Chinese Delegates to The Hague Conference on the European position. He describes the Peace Conference as a covert struggle for each Power's private objects. England dislikes Germany, which, since its victory over France, has increased in military pride above not only England, but the whole world, and is now developing a navy. So Russia fell in with England's request, in order, it is said, to safeguard her Asiatic possessions after Japan's victory over Russia. So Russia and Japan nearly came to rupture over the naval question, who five years ago started the limitation of armaments proposal, now refused to sign such an Agreement. The Conference reminds him of Sung's abortive assembly of the States (in B.C. 545), when the Ch'u men wore armour under their clothes.
797
4
Kiangsu, with a view to the suppression of piracy. Four shallow-draught gun-boats, eight Chinese gun-boats, and ninety small patrol-boats ('red boats') are to be purchased."
"Railway for Ili.-The Military Governor has reported in favour of constructing three lines: one from Ti-hun Fu to Ili, one from Ti-hoa Fa to Urga, and the third from Ti-hua Fu to Lanchou. He proposes that the gold mines in Ili should be developed with a view to raising capital for the construction of these railways, and that a loan should be made by the Board of Revenue."
'Railways in Manchuria.--The Tsi-tsi-har--Hei-lung-chiang Railway is to be com- menced next spring, and the Chinese Eastern Railway branch line from Tsi-tsi-har to Old Tsi-tsi-bar this summer."
"Kirin-Ch'ang Ch'un Railway. The survey of this line has been completed, and the estimated cost of construction is 5,500,000 to 5,600,000 dollars. Work will be commenced on the conclusion of the Loan Agreement with Japan."
Proposed Admiral for Hupei.--The Grand Council contemplate the appointment of an officer as Admiral of Hupei, to be stationed at Hankow and co-operate with the Admiral of the Yang-tsze."
**
Proposed new Naval Harbour.--The Viceroy of Canton has forwarded to the Army Board a Report on the harbour of Hsia Yung in Kwangtung, with regard to its suitability as a naval harbour. The question is to be referred to Admiral Sa."
સ
Yang Shih Ch'i's Mission.In a Memorial to the Throne Yang Shih Ch'i gives brief account of his mission to inquire into the condition of Chinese settlers in the Philippines, Siam, Singapore, Java, Annam, and other countries. He describes the climate and productions of the various places visited, and states the number of Chinese settlers in each. He praises the Administration of Singapore and Penang, where the Chinese have attained much wealth and influence, but states that in Java the Chinese, especially those employed in the mines, are badly treated. Everywhere he went he was well received, and found that the Chinese settlers still retained a strong feeling of affection for their native country. He addressed meetings of Chinese merchants in various places, and visited schools and other institutions, to some of which he gave scrolls presented by the Empress Dowager.”
"Steam Navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze." (See Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 157, of the 1st April)In a Memorial the Acting Viceroy of Szechuan reports that he proposes to establish a Company with a capital of 200,000 taels, to run steam-ships on the Upper Yang-tsze between Ichang and Chungking, and later to Suifu and Kiating, one-third of the capital to be subscribed by the Government and two-thirds by the public. An officer sent to investigate the matter has reported that by blowing up some of the obstructions in the river and using windlasses at some of the more dangerous rapids, navigation by steam vessels would be quite feasible. Three small steamers are to be purchased abroad, and the service will afterwards be extended."
46
Fires in Peking.-It is reported that Na Tung has given special orders to the police with reference to the fires which have been very numerous recently. He states that, although the frequency of these fires is chiefly to be attributed to the exceptional dryness of the atmosphere, there is reason to suspect that some have been the work of incendiaries who wished to take advantage of the fires to commit thefts. He directs the police to exert themselves to bring all such criminals to justice.
"The Ching Hua Shih Pao reports that there was a fire at the Wai-wu Pu on the 4th, but that it was promptly extinguished."
The Ching Hua Shih Pao also reports that there are at present a large number of revolutionaries in Peking who have come here from Japan. The Board of the Interior are reported to have given orders for the arrest of fifty-five of these persous.
"Naval Harbour in Hainan.-The Viceroy at Canton has reported in favour of making a naval harbour at Yu Lin, in Hainan, and states that the water supply and climate are good. He recommends the construction of a railway for the purpose of transporting troops and supplies there when necessary.”
Chengting-Te Chou Railway,-The Government have decided to proceed with the construction of this railway at once. Engineers have been sent by the Peking-Hankow Railway Company to survey the line, and work will be commenced next month. The construction will be under the direction of the French."
"Tsitsihar-Angangchi Railway.—A Chinese Company with a capital of 320,000 taels has been formed for the construction of this short line (a distance of 50 ). The contract for building the line has been given to a German firm, Messrs. Telge and Schroeter. Work will be commenced in June."
**
5
'Proposed Appointment of Judicial Officials.-The provincial authorities of Kwangtung, Yunnan, and Kweichow proposed some time ago that judicial officers (Pu Huo Ts'ai P'an) should be appointed in the interior with a view to preparing for the withdrawal of the right of exterritoriality at present enjoyed by foreigners. The Government, with the assistance of Wai-wu Pu and Hsien Cheng Kuan, are engaged in drawing up Regulations for the purpose."
"Proposed Railways in the North-west.-The Shen-Kan Viceroy has recommended the construction of two lines, one from Kalgan to Urga, a distance of 2,450 li, the other from Sui-yuan along the north bank of the Yellow River to Ning-hsia; thence to Liang-Chou, Hami, Tihua, and fli, a distance of 8,000 h. These railways could not be constructed as a commercial enterprise, but would be of great importance for military purposes."
Mining in Shansi-Since buying out the Peking Syndicate, the Taiyuan Fu Mining Company have obtained permission to raise capital to the amount of 5,000,000 taels to develop the mines, and the capital has already been over-subscribed, only Chinese being permitted to purchase shares. A Chinese mining engineer has been engaged at a salary of 600 taels a-month, machinery has been ordered from Europe, and 1,000,000 taels of the capital is to be devoted to the establishment of an iron foundry."
The "Universal Gazette," in an article on the danger of ignorance of the limits of foreign relations, proceeds to argue that, while the limitation of India's export of opium is a diplomatic question, China's monopoly of sale of the prepared drug is an internal Government step with which England has no concern, since the nature of the drug has been altered, and so the Treaty with England does not apply. At present the shops charge at will, irrespective of the duty and li-kin, and England has nothing to say. Similarly, Chinese prohibition of rice export does not affect cakes and biscuits made of it. Moreover, a rise in price is not a customs duty; the aliens might as well claim to interfere with the proposed stamp duties, which will be charged on native and foreign goods alike.
The distinction between diplomatic and non-diplomatic matters is quite easy. Another instance, the Soo-Hang-Ning Railway. The Tsung-li Yamên's agreement with the British Envoy might be brought within the scope of diplomacy, but, as regards construction, the publication of the Railway Regulations took that out of the Wai-wn Pu's sphere, and the Wai-wu Pu should have told Sir J. Jordan to bid his nationals petition the Board of Communications direct, and have declined to interfere, quoting as precedents the American exclusion, which its State Department insisted pertained solely to the Labour Department; the Manchurian troops question, which Russia said pertained to her War Office; the Touquin Consuls, which the French Foreign Office put on its Colonial Department, and all the other precedents of recent years. Unfortunately, the Board waited till it got a bad name by resisting popular opinion before it got the Board of Communications to make the loan,
Then trade-marks: all China promised was rules like other Powers, yet foreigners are allowed to interfere with their tenor. And the Mining Rules, which were drafted with the aid of foreign advisers, were still less open to foreign revision.
If attention is paid to their protests on more and more questions, China's independence will be lost through Chinese heedlessness.
The trouble has come from the fact that the Wai-wu Pu is not bound, like other posis, to report to the Throne and quote precedents. It has assumed unlimited powers, and, with a Prince and Grand Councillors at its head, ignores all control, and, without knowing it, is a danger to the State. Could folly farther go?
To recover from the consequences will take many years' struggles and constant supervision, which latter is beyond the Throne, the Council and the Ministers, and to be found only in an elected Parliament. This is the only means to safety.
The Eastern Times" of the 25th March professes to give the gist of a secret report by the Chinese Delegates to The Hague Conference on the European position. He describes the Peace Conference as a covert struggle for each Power's private objects. England dislikes Germany, which, since its victory over France, has increased in military pride above not only England, but the whole world, and is now developing a navy. So Russia fell in with England used Russia to reopen the Conference to limit armaments. England's request, in order, it is said, to safeguard her Asiatic possessions after Japan's Russia, victory. So Russia and Japan nearly came to rupture over the naval question. who five years ago started the limitation of armaments proposal, now refused to sign such an Agreement. The Conference reminds him of Sung's abortive assembly of the States (in B.C. 545), when the Ch'u men wore armour under their clothes. The
797
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