The inclosed letter from the Acting British Consul-General at Canton may be of interest as showing the actual state of things at Macao at the present time.
Altesse,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Senhor Brederode to Wai-wu Pu.
Pékin, le 3 Octobre, 1908. AYANT transmis au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté la note que votre Altesse m'a adressé le 31 Juillet dernier, j'ai reçu des instructions pour communiquer à votre Altesse que le Gouvernement Portugais, bien qu'il ne concorde pas avec la doctrine exposée dans la note susdite, ne veut pas, en ce moment, continuer la discussion à propos des dépendances de Macao et des territoires en litige, vu que les deux Gouvernements se sont mis d'accord pour confier la résolution de ces questions à une Commission Mixte. A cause de ce même motif, il a décidé de ne pas insister quant à présent, pour que la Chine retire ses troupes des points indiqués dans ma note du 17 Juillet.
Dans ce procédé amical du Gouvernement Portugais, votre Altesse voudra voir notre intention de maintenir les bonnes relations entre le Portugal et la Chine, comme du reste nous l'avons déjà manifesté en ne répondant pas, comme nous aurions pu l'avoir fait, par l'établissement de postes militaires Portugais dans les mêmes territoires, aux occupations y récemment effectuées par le Gouvernement Impérial.
Néanmoins le Gouvernement Portugais déclare d'ores et déjà qu'il ne admettra jamais qu'aucune occupation postérieure au Traité de 1887 puisse jamais être considérée par la Commission ni invoquée en quelque occasion que ce soit comme établissant des droits à aucun territoire, ce qui du reste est conforme à nos antérieures déclarations de vouloir fidèlement observer le Traité et conforme également aux déclarations dans le même sens du Gouvernement Impérial, notamment dans la note précitée de votre Altesse du 31 Juillet.
Suivant la teneur de ces mêmes instructions, j'ai l'honneur de communiquer à votre Altesse Impériale que les Délégués Portugais pour la délimitation de Macao et de ses dépendances sont: Francisco Diogo de Sá, Capitaine du Port de Macao; Miranda Guedes, Directeur des Travaux Publics; et Carlos d'Assumpção, Chef du Bureau des Interprètes Sinologues.
Le Portugal et la Chine ayant un égal intérêt dans le rapide règlement de cette affaire, je prie votre Altesse Impériale de vouloir bien me faire savoir dans un bref délai quels fonctionnaires le Gouvernement Impérial a l'intention de nommer à l'effet de former, conjointement avec ceux désignés par le Gouvernement Portugais, la Commission Mixte, dont les pouvoirs devront être: étudier la question et négocier, ad referendum de nos deux Gouvernements, le projet de délimitation de Macao et de ses dépendances.
Je profite, &c.
3
711
He tells me that bona fide trade is almost non-existent in the Colony. The best class of Chinese merchants, despairing of a revival of trade and disgusted at the ever-increasing taxation, are gradually leaving the place and settling in Hong Kong or Canton. One of the few remaining silk filatures, established over twenty years, was forced to close its doors in May last as the result of the imposition of a new and burdensome tax.
The principal lottery of Macao, which in Chinese hands has for some years past yielded its promoters a fair profit and the Government a steady revenue, is also closed. The Government, alleging that the "farmer" was making an undue profit, demanded an increased share of the winnings. The "farmer" refused, whereupon the Government took over the lottery themselves. For two months they ran it at a loss, then in consequence of a dispute over the payment of the first prize, the Chinese boycotted the lottery and it naturally ceased to exist. For the same reason—increased demands for money on the part of the Government—several of the largest "fantan" shops have quite recently been closed. The Colony's principal sources of revenue are: (1) the opium farm; (2) gambling dens; (3) brothels. No restrictions have been placed on opium-smoking, and it is hoped that the closing of the divans in Hong Kong will give an impetus to the business in Macao.
While the all-important work of deepening the harbour is entirely neglected, large sums of money are being spent on unremunerative public works, such as sea walls, roads, and gardens. It is an open secret that the poorly paid officials in the various Government departments rely on these works, or rather the contracts in connection with them, to supplement their salaries.
The harbour, as you know, has been gradually silting up for many years owing to the deposits of mud brought down by the West River. There is now a depth of only 8 feet at high water on the bar at the entrance to the inner harbour, which falls to 4 feet at low water. The only hope of preserving the harbour lies in the construction of a gigantic breakwater and the employment for a year or two of a powerful dredger, an undertaking which, in the present state of the Colony's funds, would appear to be quite out of the question.
Opinions differ as to the effect the proposed railway from Canton will have on the fortunes of Macao. Some seem to think that a railway will be the saving of the Colony; others hold that while it will certainly develop the trade of the Canton delta, the railway will hardly benefit Macao at all. I am inclined to take the latter view, because it seems to me that Macao, which practically produces nothing, manufactures nothing, and is debarred by its harbour from being a port of foreign entry and a distributing centre, is quite unfitted to serve as a railway terminus. If the Concession for a railway to Macao has been surrendered by Portugal I cannot help thinking that the Chinese will do their best to avoid running the line there at all, taking it instead to Kongmoon and Sanui. Permission to construct such a line has, as you know, been applied for by the Yuch Hau Railway Company.
As far as one can foresee, Macao's only hope of prosperity lies in a transfer to China; otherwise it will continue to be, as it is at present, a poorly patronized health resort and a feeble imitation of Monte Carlo.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) HARRY H. FOX.
Dear Sir John,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan,
Canton, September 11, 1908. THE following notes on affairs at Macao, too fragmentary to embody in an official despatch, may be of interest to you. I derive my information from Mr. William Farmer, proprietor of the Macao Hotel, one of the few remaining British subjects resident in the Colony. A man who has had a chequered career as actor, soldier, policeman, merchant, &c., he has now settled down with a wife and family to end his days in Macao, where he appears to be on the best of terms with the authorities, both ecclesiastical, civil, and military. He is indeed regarded by them as an unofficial British Consular representative, and his good offices are always invoked when Hong Kong trippers, as frequently happens, come into conflict with the police.
His ambition is to be one day appointed our Consular Agent in Macao, and should the necessity for such an appointment ever arise, I should be disposed to recommend him for the post.
2
The inclosed letter from the Acting British Consul-General at Canton may be of interest as showing the actual state of things at Macao at the present time.
Altesse,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN,
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Senhor Brederode to Wai-wu Pu.
Pékin, le 3 Octobre, 1908. AYANT transmis au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté la note que votre Altesse m'a adressé le 31 Juillet dernier, j'ai reçu des instructions pour communiquer à votre Altesse que le Gouvernement Portugais, bien qu'il ne concorde pas avec la doctrine exposée dans la note susdite, ne veut pas, en ce moment, continuer la discussion à propos des dépendances de Macao et des territoires en litigo, vu que les deux Gouverne. ments se sont mis d'accord pour confier la résolution de ces questions à une Commission Mixte. A cause de ce même motif, il a décidé de ne pas insister quant à présent, pour que la Chine retire ses troupes des points indiqués dans ma note du 17 Juillet.
Dans ce procédé amical du Gouvernement Portugais, votre Altesse voudra voir notre intention de maintenir les bonnes relations entre le Portugal et la Chine, comme du reste nous l'avons déjà manifesté en ne répondant pas, comme nous aurions pu l'avoir fait, par l'établissement de postes militaires Portugais dans les mêmes territoires, aux occupations y récemment effectuées par le Gouvernement Impérial.
Néanmoins le Gouvernement Portugais déclare d'ores et déjà qu'il ne admettra jamais qu'aucune occupation postérieure au Traité de 1887 puisse jamais être considérée par la Commission ni invoquée en quelque occasion que ce soit comme établissant des droits à aucun territoire, ce qui du reste est conforme à nos antérieures déclarations de vouloir fidèlement observer le Traité et conforme également aux déclarations dans le même sens du Gouvernement Impérial, notamment dans la note précitée de votre Altesse du 31 Juillet.
Suivant la teneur de ces mêmes instructions, j'ai l'honneur de communiquer à votre Altesse Impériale que les Délégués Portugais pour la délimitation de Macao et de ses dépendances sont: Francisco Diogo de Sá, Capitaine du Port de Macao; Miranda Guedes, Directeur des Travaux Publics; et Carlos d'Assumpção, Chef du Bureau des Interprètes Sinologues.
Le Portugal et la Chine ayant un égal intérêt dans le rapide règlement de cette affaire, je prie votre Altesse Impériale de vouloir bien me faire savoir dans un bref délai quels fonctionnaires le Gouvernement Impérial a l'intention de nommer à l'effet de former, conjointement avec ceux désignés par le Gouvernement Portugais, la Commission Mixte, dont les pouvoirs devront être: étudier la question et négocier, ad referendum de nos deux Gouvernements, le projet de délimitation de Macao et de ses dépendances.
Je profite, &c.
3
711
He tells me that bond fide trade is almost non-existent in the Colony. The best class of Chinese merchants, despairing of a revival of trade and disgusted at the ever- increasing taxation, are gradually leaving the place and settling in Hong Kong or Canton. One of the few remaining silk filatures, established over twenty years, was forced to close its doors in May last as the result of the imposition of a new and burdensome tax.
The principal lottery of Macao, which in Chinese hands has for some years past yielded its promoters a fair profit and the Government a steady revenue, is also closed. The Government, alleging that the "farmer" was making an undue profit, demanded an increased share of the winnings. The "farmer" refused, whereupon the Govern- ment took over the lottery themselves. For two months they ran it at a loss, then în consequence of a dispute over the payment of the first prize, the Chinese boycotted the lottery and it naturally ceased to exist. For the same reason-increased demands for money on the part of the Government-several of the largest "fantan" shops have quite recently been closed. The Colouy's principal sources of revenue are: (1) the opium farm; (2) gambling dens; (3) brothels. No restrictions have been placed on opium-smoking, and it is hoped that the closing of the divans in Hong Kong will give an impetus to the business in Macao.
While the all-important work of deepening the harbour is entirely neglected, large sums of money are being spent on unremunerative public works, such as sea walls, roads, and gardens. It is an open secret that the poorly paid officials in the various Government departments rely on these works, or rather the contracts in connection with them, to supplement their salaries.
The harbour, as you know, has been gradually silting up for many years owing to the deposits of mud brought down by the West River. There is now a depth of only 8 feet at high water on the bar at the entrance to the inner harbour, which falls to 4 feet at low water. The only hope of preserving the harbour lies in the construction of a gigantic breakwater and the employment for a year or two of a powerful dredger, an undertaking which, in the present state of the Colony's funds, would appear to be quite out of the question.
Opinions differ as to the effect the proposed railway from Canton will have on the fortunes of Macao. Some seem to think that a railway will be the saving of the Colony; others hold that while it will certainly develop the trade of the Canton delta, the railway will hardly benefit Macao at all. I am inclined to take the latter view, because it seems to me that Macao, which practically produces nothing, manufactures nothing, and is debarred by its harbour from being a port of foreign entry and a distributing centre, is quite unfitted to serve as a railway terminus. "If the Concession for a railway to Macao has been surrendered by Portugal I cannot help thinking that the Chinese will do their best to avoid running the line there at all, taking it instead to Kongmoon and Sanui. Permission to construct such a line has, as you know, been applied for by the Yuch Hau Railway Company.
As far as one can foresee, Macao's only hope of prosperity lies in a transfer to China; otherwise it will continue to be, as it is at present, a poorly patronized health resort and a feeble imitation of Monte Carlo.
Yours sincerely, (Signed) HARRY H. FOX.
Dear Sir John,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan,
Canton, September 11, 1908. THE following notes on affairs at Macao, too fragmentary to embody in an official despatch, may be of interest to you. I derive my information from Mr. William Farmer, proprietor of the Macao Hotel, one of the few remaining British subjects resident in the Colony. A man who has had a chequered career as actor, soldier, policeman, merchant, &c., he has now settled down with a wife and family to end his days in Macao, where he appears to be on the best of terms with the authorities, both ecclesiastical, civil, and military. He is indeed regarded by them as an unofficial British Consular representative, and his good offices are always invoked when Hong Kong trippers, as frequently happens, come into conflict with the police.
His ambition is to be one day appointed our Consular Agent in Macao, and should the necessity for such an appointment ever arise, I should be disposed to recommend him for the post.
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