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4. Protection of foreign merchants.
Ichang is a treaty port, opened under an Anglo-Chinese treaty. Since 1883 foreigners have frequently discussed the laying out of a settlement, but the matter has never been decided.
In 1915 when the Ichang Development Bureau (“Shang Pu Chu") was established the British consul enunciated the limits of the treaty port and I, being then the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, referred the matter to the Wai-chiao Pu, which replied as follows:-
"Ichang was opened as a treaty port pursuant to the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1877 in the same way as Wuhu and other places. Article 6 of the Wuhu Settlement Regulations of 1903 provides that in the Settlement foreign merchants may rent and build houses, these transactions being under the joint control of the local authorities and Commissioner of Customs. These Wuhu regulations may be considered the best of any made in connection with the opening of treaty ports under any treaty.
&K
Now that Ichang is proposing to establish a trade mart area (Shang Pu'), satisfactory regulations should be drawn up for the policing thereof. You should consult with the British consul and settle these. You should also obtain a copy of the Wuhu regulations and deal with the matter after deliberation.
The British consul's contention that he does not recognise the treaty port as being limited to the trade mart area is one which is not confined to Iohang alone. All the Ministers take up the same attitude in connection with the settlements at other places on the ground that no limits are defined in the phrase treaty port' used in the treaties. The view of the Wai-chiao Pu is that the original intention when the treaties were made was to restrict the treaty port' to the limits of the settlements.
The interpretation placed by all the Ministers, in their demands, on the phrase treaty port is that the latter is not restricted to any definite boundaries.
This the Wai-chino Pu refuses to recognise, and the question has never been settled.
"For the present you may suggest to the British consul that there is no
to discuss the boundaries of the treaty port.'
necessu should consider the matter with reference to the precedent of other
ports. Arrange first for the drawing up of regulations for Chinese and foreigners to abide by, and thus avoid the difficulties of a discussion.
"I trust you will be guided by this despatch, and that you will report to and consult with the Civil Governor on the subject."
I carefully considered the matter on receipt of your instructions, as the object of the Military and Civil Governors in establishing the Development Bureau and building roads was to preserve (Chinese) rights and privileges.
In view of the British consul's contention regarding the limits of the treaty port, I requested the Wai-chino Pu to postpone defining the boundaries of a settlement, and on the 26th April, 1915, received a despatch from the Board instructing me, as regards my proposals, to wait until the trade mart had been developed (lit., enlarged) in accordance with the plan, and then to consult and arrange with the British consul for the adoption of regulations on the lines of those at Wuhu. The Board stated that this course could be followed and the proposals I had made be carried out, reports being duly sent to the Civil Governor.
The above shows that the Government has equally considered both the maintenance of treaty obligations and the preservation of our nationals, rights and privileges.
At the present time the roads have now been gradually built, and foreign merchants are increasing daily.
The two outbreaks in Ichang which have involved foreign interests affett our national prestige. It will be difficult, therefore, to avoid laying out a settlement in the future. It would be better for us to take the initiative in making the proposal for one ourselves than to wait for foreigners to extort it from us; then when the question of making regulations arises, we could consider the adoption of the Wuhu regulations, or of the joint Cheefoo policing scheme. This would give us a basis for argument.
I would request the Military and Civil Governors to report in the above sense to the Board for approval, so that the necessary instructions may be sent to me.
By duly carrying out the regulations in the future the peace of the place could, I think, be maintained.
5. Improvements in the Search for and Seizure of Opium.
Ichang was formerly a centre of the opinn trade. In 1914 and 1915 the trade had been put down, but owing to (its revival) in consequence of the troubles in Yunnan aud Szechuan, secret transport an disposal of the drug was, of necessity, carried on through here.
The more strictly the prohibition was carried out the greater the malpractices became. Owing to the great profits to be made, unscrupulous merchants bribe soldiers and con pire with freigners in the matter, so that for the past few years (the civil officials) have not dared to interfere. When by chance an arrest is made, the case is a very awkward one to deal with.
It is the storage in it of opium, instructions to burn which had not been received at the time, that has led to the looting of the magistrate's yamên on two occasions.
I would request the Military and Civil Governors to give instructions so that additional reforms may be made or that reputable members of the gentry be appointed to assist (the officials) so as to prevent defination of the latter.
I would further propose that hereafter all seizures of opium should be publicly weighed, sealed up and deposited immediately for temporary storage with the Commissiouer of Customs. This should then be forwarded to the provincial capital with a request that the Military and Civil Governors will take charge of and deal with it.
The staff of our offices will then incor no suspicion: persons who have been finel will be unable to nurse grievances against and slander thein, and rumour-mongers will be unable to get them implicated.
6. Increase of Police Eunds.
Suggests use of opium fines for purpose (not translate:1).
7. Wandering Soldiers.
The smuggling of opium in Ichang has caused wandering soldiers and troops These men are disbanded in the past to secretly return to Ichang in great numbers
the go-betweens who inflame the minds of the soldiers. Unless they are driven out of the place it will be detrimental to both the army and the people.
I would request the Military and Civil Governors to instruct their subordinates to take severe measures to punish them. For my part I shall instruct, the police and the magistrate to investigate the number of people in the place so as to preserve the peace.
8. Suggestion that Frinds should be allocated to restore Trade.
(Not translated.)
Ichang [undated]. (Sent towards end of June 1921.)
Enclosure in No. 1.
From Representatives of the Society for the Consideration of Measures for the Preservation of Order on behalf of the Public of Ichang, which has been visited by Disaster, to Taoyin.
(Translation.)
Petition for Transmission to Tuchun that for the present Soldiers be not stationed at lehang, in order to save the Publie from niter Ruin.
ICHANG has been looted by mutinous soldiers twice within six months. Every house is empty, and, even though there may be no trouble, the people are as frightened as hares and the Government has become the laughing-stock of foreigners.
Unless a means is found for remedying matters in the days to come, it will be impossible to preserve the peace here.
The present reduced number of troops here with the constabulary and police would seem to be a sufficient force to prevent any calamity occurring.
Before incidents arising out of the mutiny at Ichang were settled, trouble broke If the troops out at Wuchang, so that the state of the finances can be readily realised. cannot be paid monthly, can they b: relied on to refrain from some outbreak or another? One cannot say with certainty.
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