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On the afternoon of the 29th ultimo the Viceroy refused me an interview on the plea of ill-health, and at the same time I received a confidential note from Mr. T. Y. Key, the Sub-Director of the Foreign Office, informing me that the true reason of this refusal was that his Excellency had sent in his resignation. His Excellency, I have since heard, had refused all visitors for some days.
I telegraphed this information to you immediately, and on the 31st I sent a further telegram, in which I stated that the general impression here was that his Excellency's action was connected with the removal of Yuan Shih-k'ai, and that his resignation would sooner or later be followed by the dismissal of the leading members of the Administration.
Yesterday I again saw Mr. M. T. Liang, who informed me that the Viceroy had received a very complimentary Edict from Peking, and had been told that it was quite out of the question that his services could be dispensed with. Mr. Liang, though not committing himself definitely, gave me the impression that his Excellency was unlikely to continue in office. The attacks made upon him by the Censorate had, Mr. Liang said, annoyed his Excellency considerably, and, in the absence of strong backing in Peking, he seems to fear that he will be exposed to a constant repetition of similar persecution.
The opinion of Yuan Shih-k'ai's protégés here, men such as Mr. Liang, Mr. Chou, the Newchiwang Taotai, and Mr. Key, though they express themselves very cautiously, seems to be that his Excellency's downfall is largely due to Japanese intrigue, and As that Hsu Shih-chang and Tang Shao-yi are to be got rid of for the same reason. to how far this is true I am of course unable to form an opinion, but there can be no doubt but that the policy of the present Manchurian Government has been marked by a determined opposition to Japan. To quote a favourite expression of his Excellency Tang: "Japan may do wrong in Manchuria, but she shall never do it with our consent."
gather that Yuan was the principal supporter of such views in the Grand Council.
I am unable to learn locally exactly what charges are formulated against the Viceroy, but I presume that a great deal is made of his extravagance in financial
matters.
There can be no doubt but that their Excellencies Hsu and Tang put a great stress on the provincial finances by their expenditure during the first few months of their tenure of office.
The Viceroy's new yamên, generally described as Government House, is a pretentious building. On the ground floor more than 100 clerks work daily in the central hall, there are excellent reception rooms, and a banqueting hall which will seat from 300 to 400 guests, whilst the Viceroy's private residence occupies the whole of the first floor. The building, which was designed by Mr. Tong Shao-yi personally, has been furnished in European style, the total cost of building and furniture being upwards of 250,000 taels.
There has further been a large amount of unproductive capital expenditure on schools, hospitals, and prisons, whilst no results can be expected for some years from the newly established Agricultural and Forestry Departments.
An attempt has also been made to deal with the proverbial dishonesty of the Chinese official by placing him on a fixed salary, and then requiring him to produce correct accounts. The cmoluments and allowances have been calculated on what seems to me a very liberal scale, and Mr. Liang assures me that the scheme is already producing the desired effect.
In consequence of these schemes the expenditure has exceeded the revenue, which at present amounts to 6,000,000 taels approximately, during the past year, but Mr. Liang is confident that in normal years the revenue is sufficient for the present needs of the province.
The Vicoroy is a man of considerable personal dignity and charm of manner. He has by this time a sound knowledge of the Manchurian situation, a correct appreciation of the needs of the country, broad views, and tact in dealing with the difficult diplomatic questions that beset him. He is readily accessible to the foreign Representatives and to any foreign visitor of distinction, and is beloved and trusted by his subordinates, whilst his reputation for personal integrity is untarnished.
The Government has undoubtedly been weakened by the absence of his Excellency Tang Shao-yì, who supplied the initiative and energy in which the Viceroy is to some extent lacking.
They worked to all appearance in complete harmony-in fact, they shared the.
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same public office, and together formed a combination that I think it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for China at the present moment to replace satisfactorily.
One can only
It is too early as yet to judge of their various reform schemes. say that they were working along progressive lines, and they both understood the necessity of not rushing matters; under a change of Administration it is to be feared that the germs of reform initiated by them will be allowed to perish, My American colleague tells me that he has already noticed a marked lack of interest in the agricultural enterprises since Yuan's dismissal.
I hope later to write a detailed report on their reforms. Meantime, as a pendant to this despatch, the following list of the enterprises undertaken by the Government during the past fifteen months may be of interest :-
1. The building of Government House, which has incidentally led to an improved method of official intercourse which now takes place under civilized conditions.
The foreign Consular Representatives are also on friendly social terms with the leading members of the Administration.
2. The establishment of primary schools throughout Fengtien Province and secondary schools at the more important centres.
At Mukden a law sebool has been established under Japanese professors, who lecture on Chinese law, constitutional law, and international law. The intention is to use the graduates of this college in the provincial magistracies, and also to employ them
as lecturers with the view of interesting the people in public questions.
3. A civil hospital has been built and placed under the charge of a German doctor.
The Government have also subscribed liberally to Dr. Christie's hospital (Scotch Presbyterian), and have promised him an annual grant of 4,000 dollars to assist him in establishing a medical school.
4. Two agricultural experts have been engaged from the United States, and land has been given them for starting experimental farms at Harbin, Mukden, and Antung.
5. Mr. von Platen, the German expert on forestry, has informed me that he has more than 2,000,000 saplings (acacia) in his experimental nursery at Mukden.
6. New Courts have been built and new judicial Regulations issued.
7. Two new prisons on modern lines have been erected in Mukden, and prisoners are forced to industrial employment.
8. A civil engineer (Mr. Hughes) has been engaged as adviser, and under his direction surveys have been made, firstly, with the view of opening a new ice-free port, and, secondly, for the conservancy of the Liao River. These are the Viceroy's favourite projects.
9. The Viceroy has repeatedly expressed his desire to introduce permanent colonists from Chihli and Shantung into Northern Manchuria, but I fear that owing to lack of funds no move has as yet been made in this direction.
10. The principal streets in Mukden have been metalled, there has been some attempt at drainage and lighting, and a tolerably efficient police force has been
enrolled.
11. The Province of Fengtien has been cleared of bandits, though the "Hun Hu-tzus" still range freely over the two northern provinces.
I have, &c. (Signed)
R. WILLIS.
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