CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 473

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

C

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

24833

CONFIDENTIAL.

[May 3.]

SECTION 3.

REC?

REG 12 AUG 10

[15267]

No. 1.

Sir,

China Association to Foreign Office.-(Received May 3.)

159, Cannon Street, London, May 2, 1910, THE association recently received the following telegram from its Shanghai branch:---

"Rumoured Aglen refuses to act if Sir Robert Bredon appointed Shui-wu-chu; cannot obtain confirmation; urge Foreign Office support Aglen; press total withdrawal Sir Robert Bredon."

The announcement of Sir Robert Bredon's retirement from the Shui-wu-chu, published in the "Times" of the 20th ultimo, apparently simplifies the situation so far as Mr. Aglen's appointment as inspector-general of Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs is concerned, but it does not dispose of the difficulty created by the institution of the Shui-wu-chu, the continued existence of which is a menace to the authority and control rightly vesting in the inspector-general, and a source of uneasiness both to foreign merchants and the employees of the service itself. The association addressed His Majesty's Government fully on this subject on the 27th September, 1907, and desires now to reaffirm in the strongest possible manner the opinions then expressed.

It is perhaps too much to hope that the Chinese Government will consent to rescind the edict of the 9th May, 1906, but as that edict is clearly at variance with the obligations entered into by China in 1896 and 1898, my committee earnestly desire respectfully to represent to the Secretary of State the urgent necessity for obtaining from the Chinese Government definite assurances that the appointment of Mr. Aglen as inspector-general shall carry with it the full control over the personnel and internal finances of the service formerly exercised by Sir Robert Hart.

I have, &c.

F. ANDERSON, Chairman.

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