CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 509

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for putting matters on a proper footing. In reply to a request for instructions, Sir John Jordan informed Mr. Major that he considered it most undesirable to move in the matter if it could be avoided. This brief digression is necessary in order to explain that, should the Chinese authorities succeed in making good their objections to foreigners residing in Mokaushan, Dr. Main's case may be seriously prejudiced.

Nothing more was heard of either question until last July, when I received a telegram from Mr. Savage, His Majesty's consul at Hangehow, stating that the governor was pressing for a settlement. I authorised Mr. Savage to repeat that the question of Dr. Main's house could not be discussed until his return, and as regards Mokanshan I replied that the matter concerned other nationalities besides British, and that, if it were raised, it would probably have to be dealt with by the consular body at Shanghai in consultation with representatives of the Mokanshan residents.

At the beginning of this month His Majesty's consul received a verbal message, which was subsequently confirmed by a despatch, from the commissioner of foreign affairs, stating that unless he was prepared to discuss Dr. Main's land case within a fortnight the local authorities could not guarantee protection in case of a popular outbreak nor prohibit the destruction of Dr. Main's boundary wall and the erection of boundaries by the Chien Chang clan. Mr. Savage's despatch No. 14 of the 7th October, of which the copy is enclosed,* will show that, in his opinion, the danger of trouble is remote, provided the local authorities do their duty. Under my instructions His Majesty's consul has informed the governor that he and the foreign affairs commis- sioner will be held personally responsible in ease of damage to Dr. Main's property. I have the honour to transmit herewith the copy of his despatch enclosing the copy of his letter to the governor. I regarded the threatening tone used by the local authorities to His Majesty's consul as highly improper, and I have protested strongly against it. I have informed the Wai-wn Pu that not only the provincial authorities, but the Chinese Government will be held responsible if any harm is done to British subjects or their property. If any strong anti-foreign feeling exists in this case, which I much doubt, it is due to the connivance, if not the encouragement, of the local officials, and the plea that they are unable to cope with the situation cannot be tolerated. At the same time I consider that Dr. Main should be made aware of the state of affairs, and I have requested Mr. Savage to communicate with him and ascertain when he may be expected to return to China.

*

I enclose the copies of correspondence which has recently passed between His Majesty's Legation and the Wai-wu Pu on the subject.*

As I have before said, I am not inclined to attach much importance to the threats of the possible employment of violence in the present case, but Hangchow, and indeed the whole province of Chekiang, have always been a centre of anti-foreign agitation, and that outbreaks and disturbances involving danger to foreign lives and property are at any time, and on any pretext possible in Hangchow, was made clear by the events that occurred there in spring and early summer. I still hold that there, as in other parts of China, a really determined attitude on the part of the authorities is sufficient to hold any possible disturbances in cheek, but in Chekiang neither the governor nor the other high provincial officials inspire me with any confidence, and that is the reason why I have on every occasion thought it necessary to draw the attention of the central Government to the slightest threatening of any disturbance in Hangchow which might involve British interests.

As far as my reports from other parts of China go the spirit of violent unrest, whether revolutionary or anti-foreign, which was noticeable in the other part of the year, and which, as may have been seen from my despatches, caused me at the time no small amount of anxiety, appears for the time being at all events to have been lulled to The opposition to the system and methods of the Chinese Government no doubt continues to grow in force and intensity, but appears to have been diverted into more reasonable and constitutional channels, though it is obviously an element with which the central Government have to reckon in their every act.

rest.

Two factors appear to me principally responsible for the betterment in the state of affairs from that which marked the beginning of this year in many provinces in the Empire; one is the plenteous harvest which is reported from nearly all districts; with the exception of the northern portion of Kiangsi and Anhui, where great want exists owing to floods, and the other is the improved tone of the native press.

• Not printed.

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regard to the latter point I would say that though, as far as I can judge from the extracts furnished to me, there is no diminution in the denunciation of existing abuses or the urgent demands for reform, the general tone is less revolutionary and anti-dynastic, and though the privileges and supposed encroachments of foreigners are universally attacked, the incitements to anti-foreign outrages are certainly fewer.

I enclose a translation of an article from a Peking native paper* which forms a noticeable exception to the above statement and to which I drew the attention of the Wai-wu Pu as soon as it was brought to my notice.

A telegram from New York recently published in the papers here reported that the State Department at Washington had received telegraphic information from the American Minister here to the effect that disturbances similar to the Boxer troubles might be expected at any moment in various parts of the Empire, and that the United States Far Eastern squadron have received orders to be in readiness to protect American interests, bore on its face evidence of exaggeration if not invention, and Mr. Calhoun immediately published an official denial of its accuracy.

I have, &c.

* Not priset.

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W. G. MAX MÜLLER.

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