153
2
Settlement is larger than is ever likely to be required, and if a portion could be returned to the Chinese on terms, they would probably consent to the conversion of the remainder into an international Settlement if they were given to understand that this solution would be acceptable to Russia and the other Treaty Powers.
What I have written is largely based upon the views of the British and American Consuls-General, both of whom are convinced, from personal acquaintance with the place and knowledge of all the circumstances, that an international Settlement would be an important factor in the development not only of Harbin but of all Northern Manchuria.
Dear Sir John,
Believe me, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
M. Korostovetz to Sir J. Jordun.
J. N. JORDAN.
[Undated.]
I BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your note dated the 2nd November, concerning the question of the Russian Settlements on the territory of the Chinese Eastern Railway, where you gave your personal opinion on a possible arrangement of existing difficulties. I greatly appreciate the suggestions you have made, and that will be very useful for my personal guidance.
Sir,
Thanking you very much for your kind attention, I remain, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Mr. Fisher to Mr. Rockhill.
J. KOROSTOVETZ.
American Consulate, Harbin, China, October 12, 1908.
WITH reference to my despatches No. 61 and 62, dated the 31st August and 3rd September last respectively, regarding the changes in the Russian policy here, and the appointment of General Horvat as Consul-General, I have the honour to inclose herewith carbon copy of my despatch No. 51, dated the 10th instant, to the Department of State, on the same subject.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed)
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
FRED. D. FISHER,
American Consul,
Mr. Fisher to Assistant-Secretary of State, Washington.
American Consulate, Harbin, October 10, 1908. WITH reference to my despatches Nos. 47 and 48, dated the 29th August and 2nd September last respectively, regarding the probable changes that the Russian Government contemplated in its policy here, and the appointment of General Horvat, the Superintendent of the Eastern Chinese Railway Company, as Acting Consul- General, I have the honour to report that the Taotai of Harbin has informed me that the Chinese Government has raised a protest against General Horvat's appointment as Consul-General hore while he holds the office of Superintendent of the Railway Company, and is asking that M. Luba, the Permanent Consul-General, return to his post at the end of his leave.
In this protest it is sincerely hoped, for the interests of the other nationalities, that the Chinese Government will maintain its position. In taking charge of the Consulate-General, General Horvat has practically submerged that office in the administration of the Railway Company. He has no hour for receiving at the Con- sulate-General, and in any matter in the nature of a Consular function in which an interview with General Horvat is required he must be sought at his office of Superin- tendent of the Railway Company, and at such an hour as will be subservient to the
3
administration of that Company. As the duties of Superintendent of the Company are necessarily large, the treatment of any matter with him as a Consular officer is (found very unsatisfactory; the tendency appears to be to compel the treatment of all such matters with him as Superintendent of the Railway Company and not as Consul- General, which, owing to the status of the Company, appears entirely impracticable. Had the Russian Government not established a Consulate-General here in the first instance, the claim that the Railway Company was a political body and competent to perform the functions of such an office would at least have more plausible grounds, but the fact that as soon as China opened Harbin to international trade and residence a Consulate-General was established seems an ample admission that the Railway was lacking competence at that time to assume such a rôle, and it ought to preclude such a pretence now.
As indicated on p. 4 of my despatch No. 47 of the 29th August last, General Chichagoff, the commander of the railway guard in Mancharia, has left for St. Peters- burgh, it having been announced that he has been granted a leave. The command of the railway guard has not yet been taken over by General Horvat, and it is probable that the matter is being held in abeyance on account of representations from the Chinese Government. About a month ago the report was current here that prepara- tions were being made for the Russian Department of Finance to take over the management of all the branches of the Russo-Chinese Bank in North Manchuria, but recent announcements in the local Russian newspapers state that, owing to representa- tions made by the Foreign Office at St. Petersburgh, the currying out of this scheme has been postponed. As the Russo Chinese Bank practically controls all bank transactions abroad, and has secured control of nearly all the flouring mills, breweries, and other industrial undertakings, through advancement of funds at various times, the Under the direct importance of the consummation of this plan can readily be seen. management of the Department of Finance the bank would no doubt assume a political status similar to that of the Railway Company, and become an active agent in the policy of exclusion and control that the Russian Government is trying to carry out in North Manchuria, I believe both of these matters have been timely reported in full to the Chinese Goverument by the Taotai here.
not
of
From the information that has reached me here, it appears to be the purpose the Russian Government to secure from China the grant of the Harbin Railway Settlement as a Government Concession, with jurisdiction over all residents here; if such cannot be obtained, then the Concession without jurisdiction. As regards matters of jurisdiction, so far as they concern the other Treaty Powers, it does appear that China is in the position to treat with Russia, inasmuch as Harbin has been declared open, and the Treaty rights of other nations also apply here, and cannot be surrendered without their consent. On the other haud, in my opinion, the granting of the Railway Settlement in Harbin as a Russian Government Concession would be seriously detrimental to the interests of all the Powers who stand for the Whatever terins are 'open door" in Manchuria, as well as to China herself, conceded for Harbin would also have to be conceded for the other sixty or seventy Railway Settlements along the line of the railway, ranging in size from 4 to 30 square miles. This would establish a series of Russian Government Concessions across the whole breadth of Manchuria, linked together by a Government railway having its connections at both Russian borders, with a feeder running 150 miles southward from Harbin. In such a position, having control of the practical means of transportation, Russia would have practically nothing more to accomplish to make her "influence in the north complete. From past experience, no great stretch of imagination is required to see what Russia's action would be in such a position.
Should China concede Harbin as a Russian Government Concession, she would then lose the strength of the argument that the Railway Company has only a private status.
So far as I am able to learn, no Agreement has been made between the Chinese Government, or local authorities, and the Railway Company as to the delimitation of Harbin, although an Agreement exists for the other Railway Settle- ments along the line. During the Boxer troubles in 1900, the Railway Company took possession of a large area here, most of which was vacant or Government land. Later, the local Chinese official secured the release of some of the land so occupied, without, however, concluding an Agreement of any kind. Within the area held by the Railway Company were a number of tracts owned by private Chinese subjects, the title-deeds to which the Company secured.
The aim of the Chinese Government appears to be to take over the administration of the whole of Harbin, and prevent the establishment of any Settlement that would be
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.