CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 352

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[22952]

No. 1.

349

[June 27] 21654

SECTION 2

R 15 J10])

(No. 185.) Sir,

Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 27.)

Peking, June 6, 1910. I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith a second memorandum by Mr. Campbell, Chinese secretary to His Majesty's legation, summarising the additional information which he has derived from various sources, principally the reports of His Majesty's consular officers, in regard to the composition, system, and proceedings of certain of the provincial assemblies. This instructive and interesting account should be read as a continuation of Mr. Campbell's first memorandum on the same subject which was forwarded by Sir John Jordan in his despatch No. 474 of the 20th December, 1909, and for the reasons then stated by Sir John, I would ask to be supplied with printed copies for distribution among His Majesty's consulates.

I have, &c.

W. G. MAX MÜLLER.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Further Memorandum by Mr. Campbell on the Provincial Assemblies of 1909.

IN the early part of 1910 general reports from the governors of some provinces on the results accomplished were printed in the Official Gazette," and it looked as if a complete series of these documents would be published for general information. But so far only those of provinces have been made public in this way, and it seems certain that we cannot look to Chinese official records for anything like a complete survey of the 1909 assemblies. The further information which has come to hand, chiefly from His Majesty's consuls, since the memorandum of the 20th December, 1909, was written, is summarised below.

SHENSI

On questions affecting foreigners the assembly is said to display a distinctly hostile spirit. Thus at the last sitting a resolution advocating a boycott of Japanese goods was passed, and a circular to this effect sent round Si-ngan city. A good deal was also said about the intention of foreign Powers to partition China, and a printed leaflet was widely distributed. Communications on international questions such as Japan and the Manchurian railways were sent to other provincial assemblies with the object of concerting representations to the Central Government. Local government in districts and departments does not appear to have advanced beyond preparatory

measures.

KANSU.

The press is almost silent on the proceedings of the Lanchou assembly. The Gazette," opening address of the Viceroy, which was published in the provincial invited attention to the-

1. Prohibition of opium and the substitution of cattle-breeding and stock- raising;

2. The extension of the railway from Kalgan vià Kuei-hua-ch'èng and Ning-hsia to Lan-chou;

3. The cultivation of cotton;

4. Local woollen manufactures; and

5. The promotion of industries generally.

There is no information of the composition of the assembly beyond that only

those who have taken a literary degree may vote for candidates. The public are said to be "absolutely indifferent."

[2788 dd-2]

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