CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 395

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

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35951

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

[October 31.]

CONFIDENTIAL

Rece Roof 24 NOV 10

SECTION 1.

[39540]

No. 1.

(No. 861.) Sir,

Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received October 31.)

Peking, October 13, 1910. IN my despatch No. 212 of the 28th June I had the honour to enclose a copy of the note addressed by the Austrian Minister, in his capacity of doyen, to the Wai-wa Pu, with a view to ascertaining the intentions of the Chinese Government in regard to the completion and maintenance of the Whangpoo Conservancy Works.

The reply of the Wai-wu Pu, dated the 15th July, was circulated at a time when many of the heads of missions, including M. de Kuczynski, were absent from Peking, and it did not thereforo come up for discussion by the diplomatic body till the 1st instant. The note expresses the satisfaction of the Chinese authorities with the excellent results obtained from the works already executed, and states that the taotai and the Customs commissioner have been instructed to see to the rapid completion of the work still remaining to be done, estimated at one-tenth or one-fifth of the whole, and terminates with the assurance that the Chinese Government will not fail to take the measures necessary for the maintenance of the works.

Meanwhile the report of Sir John Wolfe Barry, Sir William Matthews, and Mr. Lyster "on the works in progress for the improvement of the deep-water approach to Shanghai, and also upon the plan prepared by M. de Rijke for the complete scheme of such improvement" reached the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce in the first half of September, but was unfortunately not forwarded to me by His Majesty's consul-general till after the meeting of the diplomatic body on the 1st instant, at which it was referred to as proving that many of the works provided for in I must confess that a M. de Rijke's scheme were superfluous and unnecessary.

careful study of this important document inclines me to share this view.

The report, of which I enclose a copy, is divided under the following heads :-

L.--General Description of the Whangpoo.

II. Constitution of the Whangpoo Conservancy.

III. The trade of Shanghai.

IV.-Topography of the River with former Obstructions to Navigation. V.-Previous Reports on the Improvement of the Whangpoo River. VI.-Final Scheme of Improvements.

VII-Description of Works already mentioned.

VIII.-Description of Works proposed but not yet executed.

IX.

-Effects produced by the Works already executed.

X-Cost of the Undertaking.

XI.-Criticisms of the Works which have been carried out.

XII.-M. de Rijke's Views generally on the foregoing Criticisms.

XIII-Our opinion with regard to Works executed by M. de Rijke.

XIV.-The Necessity for careful Maintenance of the New Works.

XV. Opinion with respect to the further Works Proposed but not yet com-

menced.

XVI-Conservancy's Financial Position.

XVII.-Permanent Conservancy Board.

I would more especially call your attention to the following chapters and separate sections :--

Chapter I, sections 20 and 21.

Chapter IV, section 44.

Chapter VI, section 54.

Chapter VIII, sections 75-84.

Chapter IX, sections 85-99.

Chapter XI, sections 107-117. [2958 kh-1]

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