2
21st instant. Apparently only Chinese traders are intended to be included in the scope of the notification.
Mr. Fisher has reported to his Government that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce have decided to refuse to pay the taxes unless so instructed by the Tuotai.
Mr. Sze has recently visited Mukden, but I was unable to arrange an interview with him. He wrote me a private note, however, in which he stated that he considered the position at Harbin critical, but that the Chinese Government had no intention of giving way.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Notice.
(Translation from the Russian text.)
R. WILLIS.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Chinese population residing within the railway territory that business establishments, the owners of which will not pay before the 8th (21st) February, 1909, the assessments for the improvements of the villages, according to the tax list which has been issued by the Manager of the railway, will be closed by measures of the police.
On or before the above-mentioned date, the owners of all trade establishments are obliged to renew, through the agents of the Land Department, the Notes of Promise and the Trade Certificates.
The money may be paid directly to the management of the railway or to the agents of the Land Department which are along the line.
To the population is given the right after the assessments will be paid to present complaints of all errors and misunderstandings that might arise, to the Manager of the railway.
(No. 9. Confidential.) Sir,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Willis to Sir J. Jordan.
Mukden, February 24, 1909. IN continuation of my despatch No. 8 of the 20th instant, I have the honour to report that the Chinese Eastern Railway authorities have apparently decided not to enforce for the present at Harbin the conditions of their notification of the 13th instant.
I learn, however, that in the other railway Settlements, of which there are between sixty and seventy, the authorities are pressing for the payment of the now taxes from Chinese, and that in several instances establishments have been closed by the railway police.
In the course of a conversation yesterday with the Viceroy, his Excellency stated that whilst the Chinese Government had all along contended that they possessed sole rights of administration in the railway zones, he thought that they would now be willing to accept a compromise at Harbin under which the Railway Company retained all property bona fide required for railway purposes, but that the territory should be administered by a municipality organized on international lines. His Excellency said that at any rate he personally would regard such a solution as satisfactory.
I have, &c.
notice in Russian and Chinese, that was posted through the town on the 13th instant, in which storekeepers within the railway territory are notified that in cases where the taxes that have been assessed by the Manager of the Eastern Chinese Railway Company are not paid before the 8th (21st) February, 1909, the stores will be closed by the authority of the police, and that all owners of trade establishments must before that date renew their pledges of subordination to the Railway Company's administration and business licenses.
I am informed that none of the Chinese merchants belonging to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce have paid the taxes, and that it is their intention to hold out so long as they do not receive instructions from the Taotai of Harbin to pay. So far as I am able to learn, only one foreigner, other than Russian subjects, has paid any portion of the required taxes, although there are probably more. The exception that has come to my notice is a German subject, who has paid 1,000 roubles towards the levy against his brewery, and he has now declined to make further payment. I am privately informed that the German merchants here have received instructions from their Consul at Mukden not to pay any taxes without his permission.
A few days ago a Russian proprietor of one of the beer breweries in Harbin reported the theft of some tobacco from his quarters. A Corean subject gave information to the Russian police that a German subject by the name of Pitt bad committed the theft, and that the stolen goods were in his rooms; forthwith a Russian officer and two soldier police proceeded to Pitt's room, turned things upside down without finding the tobacco, and wrote a Protocol in the rooms, which they compelled Pitt to sign. I am informed that this matter has been reported to the German Consul at Mukden.
About a week previous to this affair a Russian soldier police called at the residence and office of a Mr. Romero, Spanish subject, who has recently opened a law office here, and requested him to turn over his passport in order that the Russian police station might inspect and register it. Mr. Romero dismissed the policeman with the statement that the passport would not be shown. Shortly afterwards a police agent (officer) walked into his office, with cap, sword, spurs, &c., and in an arrogant manner demanded Mr. Romero's passport, as the policeman had done. Mr. Romero told him to first step back into the hall and take off his cap, which he did. Mr. Romero then told him plainly that his passport would not be given up, and that if police attempted to break into his house or office without a warrant from his Consul, he would shoot them. The officer sat down to make a Protocol for Mr. Romero to sign, but at an urgent request from Mr. Romero he left without doing so. This matter was reported at once by Mr. Romero to the Russian Consulate-General, and he was assured by Prince Mechershy, the Vice-Consul in practical charge, that the police officer had made a very had mistake, and that it would not occur again.
Recently Mr. I. F. Valesco was appointed Spanish Consul here, and on the 30th January last opened his office.
I am confidentially informed that the Russian Minister at Peking recently sent a note to the Spanish Minister in which he requested that the latter address an official communication to General Horvat, the manager of the Railway Company here, regarding Mr. Valesco's appointment. The Spanish Minister did not answer the note, but called and informed the Russian Minister that it would be impossible for him to comply with his request. The Russian Ministor immediately explained that his note was hurriedly written, and should have requested that he (the Russian Minister) be notified of the appointment. This the Spanish Minister also found excuses for not doing.
I have, &c. (Signed)
FRED. D. FISHER.
(Signed)
R. WILLIS.
Sir,
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Mr. Fisher to Mr. Rockhill.
American Consulate, Harbin, February 16, 1909. WITH reference to my despatches dated the 30th January and the 3rd February, I have the honour to inclose herewith a copy, with translation, of a
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Notice.
(Translation of the Russian Text.)
NOTICE is hereby given to the Chinese population residing within the railway territory, that business establishments, the owners of which will not pay before the Sth (21st) of February, 1909, the assessments for the improvements of the villages,
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