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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Gover CenO
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Willis to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 67. Confidential.) Sir,
Mukden, October 8, 1908. HIS Excellency M. T. Liang, the Senior Secretary to the Manchurian Govern- ment, called on me yesterday, and in the course of conversation mentioned the following incident, which seems to me worth reporting as illustrative of the policy of the Chinese Eastern Railway, and of the criticism I advanced on their methods in my despatch No. 63, Confidential, of the 1st instant.
It appears that the Chinese Government send a considerable quantity of salt, mainly produced in the neighbourhood of Newchwang, but partly imported from Shanghae, into the Hei Lung Chiang Province. The salt has hitherto been conveyed to its destination by cart in the winter season, but Mr. Liang informed me that the Chinese Eastern Railway had offered the Manchurian Government very favourable terms if they would ship the salt to Vladivostock and forward it thence by train to its destination. The natural railway route for salt from Yingkou to Tsitsilar would be viâ Ta Shih Chiao or Mukden and Kuancliengtzu, but the Chinese Eastern Railway declined absolutely to come to any reasonable arrangement for the transport over their lines if the salt were first handled by the South Manchurian Railway.
Mr. Liang expressed himself as sceptical of the reported success of Baron Goto's recent mission to St. Petersburgh, and gave it as his opinion that both the South Manchurian and Chinese Eastern Companies would continue as far as possible to use their lines as instruments for the advancement of the political aims of their respective Governments and to the consequent detriment of the "development of the resources of the country and general commercial opportunity.
In support of Mr. Liang's contention I would state that the linking up of the two systems at Changchun seems postponed, at any rate until next spring, and the journey from Kuanehengtzu to Harbin, a distance of 140 miles, still takes about eleven hours, four of which at least are consumed in waiting at unimportant wayside stations. The interchange of goods between the two systems is at present insignificant.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. WILLIS.
P.S.-In connection with this despatch I would mention that the "Peking and Tien-tsin Times" of the 6th instant states that it is reported that the journey between Shanghae and Moscow via Vladivostock can now be made in fourteen days.
R. W.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
1189
[December 10.
SECTION 1.
[43110]
No. 1.
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received December 10.)
Sir,
Downing Street, December 9, 1908. I AM directed by the Earl of Crewe to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant respecting the boycott of Japanese goods at Hong Kong.
A copy of your letter and its inclosure will be forwarded to the Government, and in the meantime Lord Crewe has addressed to Sir F. Lugard the telegram of which a copy is inclosed.
The accompanying copies of telegraphic correspondence will show that the Governor has recently taken strong action in the matter, which has led to a represen- tation being made to a Member of Parliament who has asked a question upon it in the House of Commons.
(Telegraphic.)
I am, &c.
(Signed) FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD.
Inclosure I in No. 1.
Earl of Crewe to Governor Sir F. Lugard.
Downing Street, December 8, 1908. JAPANESE Government have asked that Governor of Hong Kong will institute more rigid control of boycott, to prevent this being effected by means of intimidation organized by societies. I gather from your telegram of the 27th November that you are taking active steps in this direction, but shall be glad if you will do all that you properly can to meet wishes of Japanese Government. You will, of course, inform me beforehand if you consider any exceptional measures necessary. Report fully by despatch. Despatch follows by mail.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Earl of Crewe to the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Telegraphic.)
Downing Street, November 25, 1908. TELEGRAM from Chesney Duncan to Member of Parliament has been received respecting banishment of Chanlochun, Chinshinpok, Punlansz. What are the facts ?
o]
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Governor of Hong Kong to the Earl of Crewe.
(Telegraphic.)
[Received November 27, 1908.] WITH reference to your telegram of the 25th November, in consequence of riots broken out the 2nd November, proclaimed (?) section 6, Ordinance No. 10, 1886. Chanlochun, Chinshinpok, not being British subjects, banished under section 13; Punlansz, not being British subject, banished under Ordinance No. 1, 1882, after careful inquiry, in accordance with advice of Executive Council.
(Confidential.)
They are leaders of movement, Japanese boycott, culminating in local disturbances and other outrages.
[2050 k-1]
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