CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 443

2

Toutefois, considérant que les droits perçus à l'entrée des murs de la ville ont pu être, en effet, tolérés, pour diverses raisons, depuis un certain temps, les représentants des Puissances ne se refuseraient pas à envisager la possibilité d'admettre sur ce point un arrangement avec le Gouvernement Impérial.

Cet arrangement serait établi sur les bases suivantes :--

1. La perception d'une taxe d'octroi sur les marchandises de provenance étrangère serait strictement limitée à la ville de Pékin, c'est-à-dire à l'étendue habitée entourée par les murailles.

2. La taxe ne devrait pas dépasser le taux actuel de 3 pour cent ad valorem et devrait être calculée sur l'évaluation faite par les agents des Douanes maritimes, telle qu'elle serait portée sur les passes de transit et suivant le cours du Haïkouan tael. Le calcul serait établi de telle façon que la taxe ne puisse jamais dépasser les trois cinquièmes des droits d'entrée actuellement payées par les marchandises étrangères aux Douanes maritimes. La perception de la taxe ne pourrait avoir lieu qu'aux portes même de la ville.

3. La taxe ne serait applicable qu'aux seuls commerçants.

4. Les agents de l'Administration de l'Octroi devraient tenir pour exactes les déclarations portées sur les passes de transit. Leur rôle se bornerait à vérifier si les colis présentés sont bien ceux indiqués sur la passe de transit; ils devraient s'abstenir de toute perquisition intérieure.

5. La concession ainsi faite par les Puissances ne pourrait en aucun cas être invoquée par le Gouvernement Impérial pour prétendre établir des taxes d'octroi ou autres quelconques aux marchandises étrangères sur aucun point de l'Empire.

En priant votre Altesse Impériale de me faire venir bientôt la réponse du Gouvernement Impérial, je saisis, &c.

KUCZYNSKI.

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

AFFAIRS OF CHINA..

(

CONFIDENTIAL.

[5383]

No. 1.

441

8193

[February 13.] [

SECTION 3.

14 MAR T

India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received February 13.)

THE Under-Secretary of State for India presents his compliments to the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, by direction of the Earl of Crewe, forwards herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State, copy of a telegram from Viceroy dated the 11th February, relative to Hpimaw.

India Office, February 13, 1911.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Government of India to the Earl of Crewe.

February 11, 1911.

(Telegraphic.) P.

BURMAH Government telegraph as follows:—— "Heliographic message from Hertz sent about the Sth instant from Hpare states that Hpimaw is reported to have been occupied by 300 Chinese troops. Although it is a matter of conjecture, it is rendered probable by latest information about Chinese troops, as given in my telegram dated the sth instant, that the 500 modern troops who were diverted at Yungchang have reached Hpimaw, and possibly that there may also be at that place the second 500 troops who were stated to have left Tali on the 1st instant for Tengyueh. Telegraphic instructions have been sent to Hertz by Burmah Government to return to Itawgaw and wait until half battalion 89th Punjabis arrive there. Latter should reach Htawgaw in about four days; they are now advancing from Nangu. On arrival at Htawgaw of half battalion there will be about 400 Native infantry, with two Maxims, as well as 450 military police, at Hertz's disposal. Pending further orders Hertz will halt at Htawgaw, and in the meantime will get all the information he can about position at Hpimaw. The question for consideration is whether, if commanding officer thinks it practicable on information available, combined column should return to Hpimaw and expel Chinese, if necessary by force. Regular troops will be employed on both sides, so that the situation is serious. As stated in your telegram dated the 2nd instant, Sir J. Jordan has informed Chinese Government that we are administering the Hpimaw tract. View of Lieutenant-Governor is that, if it is considered practicable by commanding officer, column should return to Hpimaw and expel Chinese, if necessary by force. Orders to advance to Nangu have been given to a double company of the half battalion at Myitkyina."

We have replied to Burmah Government's telegram as follows:-----

"Hertz should be instructed to remain until further orders at Htawgaw. Until instructions are received from Government of India no advance to Hpimaw is to be made."

It appears undesirable that a conflict with the Chinese should be provoked except with an overwhelming force by which issue would be placed beyond a doubt. No such force is available, and some doubt as to how many troops there are at Hpimaw appears to exist.

In these circumstances I think that Hertz should now remain on

the defensive. It appears to have been a wise precaution to move a double company from Myitkyina to Nangu.

(Repeated to His Majesty's Minister, Peking.)

[1909 -3

-3]