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to any limitations of such operations-the demand for the inclusion of the northern suburb in the settlement. Any other solution cannot fail to leave abundant opportunities for friction, and I venture to hope that, in view of the American Government's recent declaration of policy on the point, the combined efforts of the two Governments may now, as in 1899, prove successful.
I have, &c.
PELHAM L. WARREN.
Enclosure 4 in No. 1.
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Taotai Yuan.
Sir,
September 19, 1904. THE Shanghae Waterworks Company have written to inform me that they have been desired by the residents in the North Hunan Road beyond the boundary of the international settlement as far as the rifle range, to lay a main for the purpose of supplying that locality with water for extinguishing fires and for domestic uses; and they request me to apply for official authority for them to commence work.
In view of the public benefit attending the supply of water where the operations of the company already extend, I have the honour to request that you will authorise them to undertake the work without waiting for the extension of the settlement, as was done in the case of the Bubbling Well and Sicawei Roads, so that the residents of the locality in question may enjoy the advantage of a pure and wholesome water supply.
Enclosure 5 in No. 1.
Taotai Yuan to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.
November 7, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st October, again requesting sanction for the extension of the waterworks company's mains in the Honan Road as far as the rifle range.
My former refusal to sauction this extension was due to the fact that it did not appear to me to be within the treaty port. But as you have repeatedly pointed out its usefulness to the locality for extinguishing fires and for human consumption, I do not think it desirable to be too strict, and will concede the sanction required. But this permission is given on the clear understanding that the company concerns itself with nothing but the supply of water.
Sir,
Enclosure 6 in No. 1.
Consul-General Sir P. Wurren to Taotai Yuan,
March 13, 1905.
THE gas company have written to inform me that they have been requested by the residents in the North Honan Road in the Chinese territory beyond the railway line, to extend their gas supply to that locality, and they propose pending further consideration to lay a 6-inch pipe, and request me to obtain your assent as in the case of the waterworks company.
As gas and water supply are alike beneficial to the public and unobjectionable, and the extension of the water company's pipes has been sanctioned, a similar extension of the gas supply might also be allowed; and I am sure that you will favourably regard so useful an undertaking.
I trust, therefore, that you will accede to their request as in the case of the waterworks company.
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Enclosure 7 in No. 1.
Taotai Yuan to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.
May 19, 1905. ON receipt of your letter respecting the application of the gas company to extend their pipes to the North Honan Road beyond the railway line, I called for reports from the Shanghae and Paoshan magistrates, meanwhile acknowledging your letter.
I am now in receipt of a report from the Paoshan magistrate, who states that he communicated with the gentry, and ascertained from them that public opinion was in favour of the scheme and that there was no opposition to it.
As that locality is in the Paoshan district, not the treaty port, it would in strictness be difficult to sanction the scheine. But as public opinion is in favour of it
and no opposition is offered, and there is also the precedent of the waterworks company, there is no harm in making this further concession, but once more on the distinct understanding that the business is strictly limited to the supply of gas.
Enclosure 8 in No. 1
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Tsai Ta-jén.
Shanghae, March 24, 1910.
I HAVE received a complaint from the Shanghae Gas Company, an English company, to the effect that recently their workmen have been continually interfered with, and in some cases arrested, by the Chapei police whilst engaged in making gas installations in houses in the Chapei and Paoshan districts outside settlement limits.
On enquiring from the police authorities the company were informed that if they would send in formal applications for permits these would be granted, and there would be no more interference.
The company accordingly applied for a permit to lay a service in Kaifeng Road, but on the 5th March they received a written reply that owing to the place being outside settlement limits no permit could be granted.
Now, it is on record that on the 19th May, 1905, the promoted Taotai Yüan wrote me a letter granting permission for the gas company's pipes to be extended beyond settlement limits in the Paoshan district, in the same manner as permission had already been granted to the English waterworks company to extend their pipes.
The action of the Chapei police therefore in interfering with the gas company's workmen and refusing permits is quite unreasonable, and is an unjustifiable interference with British trade.
Some months ago, when the Chapei police interfered with the waterworks company's employés, you agreed with Mr. Vice-Consul Barton that no new regulations regarding permits, &c., which might affect the existing rights of British merchants ought to be introduced without previous consultation between your office and mine. In spite of this the Chapei police extend their unreasonable action to another British company, so I must conclude that in this instance, as so often before, the police are acting without your knowledge in order to create trouble with foreigners.
The police have now gone so far as to interfere with the work being carried out by the gas company in a Chinese house on the North Szechuan Road, which is a municipal thoroughfare. In order not to provoke trouble I have instructed the gas company to postpone work on these premises during to-day and to-morrow while I address this letter to you.
The work will be resumed the day after to-morrow, and, if necessary, I shall be prepared to obtain police protection for the company's employés in order to prevent interference by the Chapei police.
I have, &c.
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