[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[43328]
No. 1.
16 0.
1188 [December 12.1
SECTION 3. JAN 09
(No. 484.) .Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 12.)
Peking, October 27, 1908. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Acting British Consul-General at Mukden respecting the improvements which are being carried out in that city, and the opposition which was aroused to a scheme for the levy of a house tax for municipal purposes.
The chief interest of this despatch lies in the illustration it affords of the success which attends popular resistance to unpopular measures in China. That a Government, in theory autocratic, should be so often compelled to bow to the dictates of public opinion may seem strange to those unacquainted with the mechanism of Chinese polity, but it is nevertheless true that the authorities hardly ever succeed in imposing their will in questions which have aroused any great measure of discontent, and the remarkable power of organization of the Chinese people, as shown in the recent "boycotts," the readiness with which they assume the rôle of passive resisters, allows them to convert latent hostility at a moment's notice into open opposition, while the equally Chinese characteristic of taking the line of least resistance induces the authorities not to insist upon their measure, but to endeavour to attain the same end by other means.
The Chinese, like all Asiatic peoples, have always been particularly sensitive in the matter of taxation, and no measure is so calculated to stir them to action as the imposition of addition financial burdens. So far the cost of the improvements which have been carried out in Peking, Mukden, and other large cities has been met by contributions from public funds, without the inhabitants being called upon to pay for the benefits conferred upon them.
The house tax, which forms the subject of Mr. Willis' despatch, constitutes one of the first attempts to place the cost of municipal conveniences upon the shoulders of the inhabitants of the municipality. In the present instance, the opposition aroused may in part find its explanation in the fact that the amount of the tax was excessive and that the administration of Manchuria, under the present Viceroy and Tong Shoa-yi, has undoubtedly been extravagant, but the fact remains that school taxes, assessinents on land for railway purposes, and indeed all forms of additional taxation seem to be. everywhere equally unpopular, and have in oue or two instances been the cause of disturbances.
Another point worthy of note in Mr. Willis' despatch is the action of Chao Erh-hsun in handing over to his successor a sum of 7,000,000 taels, which he had saved during his administration. This energetic official is now, as you are aware, Viceroy of Szechuan, whither he has been transferred, it is believed, in order to assist the reform schemes of his brother in Thibet, and he is reported to be collecting funds to finance Chao Erh-feng's measures in that dependency.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
......
(No. 70.) Sir,
Acting Consul-General Willis to Sir J. Jordan.
Mukden, October 14, 1908. THERE has of late been considerable agitation in Mukden against a proposal of the Manchurian Government to levy a house tax for municipal purposes.
Houses were to be divided into three classes, and a tax of 7 per cent., payable monthly, on the estimated rental was to be levied on houses of the first class, per cent, on those of the second, and 3 per cent. on those of the third. As far as I am able to learn, no preliminary attempt at a general assessment of values was carried out.
A deputation of the merchants and gentry proceeded to Peking to protest formally against the scheme, but apparently were treated with scant courtesy.
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