This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government:] 074
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[41496]
No. 1.
[November 28.]
SECTION 2.
C. O
47047
RECT REG: 23 DEC 08
(No. 452.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received November 28.)
Peking, October 14, 1908. WITH reference to the fourth paragraph of my despatch No. 317 of the 14th July last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Acting British Consul-General at Mukden, inclosing copy of a Report by Mr. Hughes, M.I.C.E., upon a site for a new ice-free port for Manchuria.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Willis to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 68. Confidential.) Sir,
Mukden, October 8, 1908. I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a Report by Mr. Willoughby R. Hughes, M.I.C.E., who was recently instructed by the Manchurian Government to survey the coast-line between Tien Chiao Chang and Shan Hai Kwan, with the view of finding a port, ice-free if possible, suitable both in summer and winter for the commerce of Manchuria.
In Hu La Tao, Mr. Hughes seems to have found a harbour more satisfactory than was generally expected. The only question seems to be as to whether the trade of the country warrants a large expenditure on a port between Newchwang and Ching-wang-tao, the latter of which is open throughout the winter.
My own impression is that in this direction the improvement of the Liao River should be the first object of the Manchurian Government, and that the construction of a new commercial harbour might well wait until this has been accomplished, and, further, until the question of the extension of the Chinese Northern Railway has been definitely settled.
Mr. Hughes informed me that he was about to undertake a preliminary survey of the Liao almost immediately, and he was also under instructions to make periodical visits to Hu Lu Tao during the coming winter.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
R. WILLIS.
(Confidential) Sir,
Mr. W. Hughes to Wong Kai-wen,
Bulutao, September 21, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to report on the examination of the coast between Tien Chiao Chang and Shan Hai Kuan, which I have just completed.
According to the instructions I received from his Excellency the Honourable Tang Shao-yi and yourself, I was to endeavour to find a port, ice-free if possible, which would be suitable for the accommodation of steam-ships throughout the year, so as to provide as far as possible a winter and summer port for Manchurian trade.
After an inspection of the chart of the coast, my attention was first directed to Hulutao, where sufficient depth of water was shown to exist, and the description of the place, as published in the Sailing Directions for the coast of Liaochung, showed it to be apparently suitable in other respects.
On further inquiry, I was informed that the Coast Inspector of the Imperial Maritime Customs had sent a cruiser there some years ago to make a similar inspection with the same object.
[2029 ee-2]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government:] 074
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[41496]
No. 1.
[November 28.]
SECTION 2.
C. O
47047
RECT REG: 23 DEC 08
(No. 452.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received November 28.)
Peking, October 14, 1908. WITH reference to the fourth paragraph of my despatch No. 317 of the 14th July last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Acting British Consul-General at Mukden, inclosing copy of a Report by Mr. Hughes, M.I.C.E., upon a site for a new ice free port for Manchuria.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Willis to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 68. Confidential.) Sir,
Mukden, October 8, 1908. I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a Report by Mr. Willoughby R. Hughes, M.I.C.E., who was recently instructed by the Manchurian Government to survey the coast-line between Tien Chiao Chang and Shan Hai Kwan, with the view of finding a port, ice free if possible, suitable both in summer and winter for the commerce of Manchuria.
In Hu La Tao, Mr. Hughes seems to have found a harbour more satisfactory than was generally expected. The only question seems to be as to whether the trade of the country warrants a large expenditure on a port between Newchwang and Ching-wang-tao, the latter of which is open throughout the winter.
My own impression is that in this direction the improvement of the Liao River should be the first object of the Manchurian Government, and that the construction of a new commercial harbour might well wait until this has been accomplished, and, further, until the question of the extension of the Chinese Northern Railway has been definitely settled.
Mr. Hughes informed me that he was about to undertake a preliminary survey of the Liao almost immediately, and he was also under instructions to make periodical visits to Hu Lu Tao during the coming winter.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
R. WILLIS.
(Confidential) Sir,
Mr. W. Hughes to Wong Kai-wen,
Bulutao, September 21, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to report on the examination of the coast between Tien Chiao Chang and Shan Hai Kuan, which I have just completed.
According to the instructions I received from his Excellency the Honourable Tang Shao-yi and yourself, I was to endeavour to find a port, ice free if possible, which would be suitable for the accommodation of steam-ships throughout the year, so as to provide as far as possible a winter and summer port for Manchurian trade.
After an inspection of the chart of the coast, my attention was first directed to Hulutao, where sufficient depth of water was shown to exist, and the description of the place, as published in the Sailing Directions for the coast of Liaochung, showed it to be apparently suitable in other respects.
On further inquiry, I was informed that the Coast Inspector of the Imperial Maritime Customs had sent a cruiser there some years ago to make a similar inspection with the same object.
[2029 ee-2]
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