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convey the impression that I am in any way opposed to the idea. If it were found difficult to obtain one similar to that at Kulangsu, which seems to be under effective foreign control and would therefore be preferable, an arrangement to adopt the Chefoo scheme might be possible and prove successful, as it wounds Chinese susceptibilities less. At Chefoo, as I understand the scheme, there is no settlement in the strict sense of the word, but in a certain defined area, where foreigners reside, an international committee, composed of an equal number of Chinese and foreigners, controls and directs all matters connected with lighting, roads and sanitation, but nothing else, such as policing, &c.
The question of sanitation is a very serious one at Ichang and will become more so as the port grows, the present Ichang Development Bureau («Shang Pu Chn ") paying but little attention to it.
There is a strong feeling amongst foreigners that advantage should be taken of the opportunity which now presents itself of either obtaining a settlement under effective foreign control or, if that be impossible, of making some arrangement on the lines of the Chefoo scheme. As stated above, however, a settlement, whatever the nature of its control, would not afford any additional protection so long as native soldiers are stationed in the neighbourhood of Ichang.
i have, &c.
Enclosure 7 in No. 1.
J. L. SMITH,
Petition 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 cisited by Disaster to Taoyin.
(Translation.)
WHILST the ravages caused by the great looting of Ichang last year were still everywhere apparent, yet suddenly, on the 4th June. the place was again visited with
a like disaster.
Losses of property and casualties to life are enormous. No words can describe the depredations, the eye is hurt by the ruins. The poorer classes are almost starving. Travellers from afar dare not come here owing to the news of the outbreak. Victims here are fleeing away, alarms are constant every night, the sight of a soldier's uniform makes men tremble with fear, thousands take refuge in mission premises or on foreign steamers, and a few have even gone so far as to directly address the consuls with a view to obtaining a settlement from the Government. Foreigners have become involved in losses owing to the two lootings, and are already demanding compensation from the Government. The financial resources of the Government are straitened, and in the future it will be impossible to avoid having a settlement. If foreigners force us into giving one it will injure China's prestige, and it would be far better for us to make the proposal ourselves. A meeting was held on the 13th June of all classes to discuss the matter. Several tens of thousands attended, and references were made to the mutiny, which deeply moved everyone. In view of the many dangers to which we will be exposed (from the sokliers) in days to come, it was unanimously agreed that a trade mart jointly run by Chinese and foreigners on the lines of that at Chefoo should be established so that China's prestige should be preserved and the lives of the public saved. Ichang was opened as a treaty port under article 1 ()al the Chefoo Convention of 1877, and by clause 2 of the same article it was provided that a special area for the residence of foreigners should be set apart at all treaty ports by the Chinese authorities in collabora- tion with the consuls.
It is on record that in 1914 the Wai-chino Pu approved the setting apart of a special area for the residence of foreigners at Ichang.
It is now proposed that the area in which foreign type roads have been constructed outside the south gate should be set apart for the residence of Chinese and foreigners, and that they (e., Chinese and foreigners) should establish volunteers for their own protection, and that the police force should be increased.
The responsibility for keeping order would be shared by Chinese and foreigners so that that of the Chinese Government would be less, and there would be no necessity for the stationing of troops here.
Further, the trade mart opened at Wuhu has already become an international settlement. As Ichang is also a treaty port, approval of our proposal should be given on that precedent.
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The desire to follow the Chiefoo precedent is based on the fact that control would remain with China, but foreigners would benefit by its advantages. The Chefoo precedent is therefore better than the Wuhu one.
When approval has been received the precedents can be considered, and regulations be discussed and drawn up.
We would request you, the Taoyin, to represent the matter to the military and civil governors in order that they may report thereon to the Board concerned. We would also ask you to notify the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Hankow so that he may obtain the approval of the Wai-chino Pu thereto.
Ichang, June 19, 1921.
Enclosure 8 in No. 1.
Taoyin of Ichang to Military and Civil Governors.
Eight Proposals from Taoyin to Tuchan, and Civil Governor at Hankow, with reference to Measures for Restoration of Ichang after the Looting. (Translation,}
1. Request for grant of funds to remedy distress caused (not translated). 2. Reduction of troops.
Although Ichang is a treaty port, it is a very small place and only possesses some 12,000 households.
When the Upper River Expeditionary Force was stationed here the men were quartered in private houses which occasioned the greatest inconvenience to the public and made the control of the soldiers a difficult matter. During the several years they were here all discipline amongst them vanished. In addition these soldiers protected opium merchants and organised an opium transportation corps. Officers and men necessarily derived profit from the trade.
Whilst the above remarks apply to Wu Kuang-hsin's troops, these pernicious ways continued; it was difficult to eradicate them, and in spite of the gradual disbandment of the force, the mutiny and looting of last November could not be averted.
When Sun Ch'uan fang came to garrison Ichang, he did much to restore the reputation of the army; the public became more reassured and merchants gradually began to resume business, but wandering soldiers availed themselves of the opportunity to establish themselves here. Though General Sun knew of this at an early date and conducted strict searches for them, arresting in a few days upwards of a hundred, many made good their escape to other places.
Commendable as were his efforts in taking precautionary measures, yet his troops suddenly mutinied when they were about to leave Ichang.
Since the 4th June there have been alarms on many nights and the whole town is discouraged. It is not strange that the people are terror-struck at the mere sight of a man in soldier's uniform.
I would ask that in commiseration of the two great disasters which have befallen Ichang, and in view of the opportunity afforded by the peaceful state of Hofeng and Shihnan and the absence of trouble on the borders, only a small number of troops should be stationed here for the present to reassure the public.
3. Construction of separate barracks.
As the habits of former troops at Ichang have been bad it will be impossible to prevent a continuance of these in the future unless other steps are taken. General Sun frequently stated when here that he contemplated the construction of separate barracks for the troops.
This proposal forms the basis of any scheme of reform. I would therefore ask you, after having decided on the number of troops to be kept at Ichaug, to despatch a representative to choose a vacant space for the purpose of building barracks, where the men could specially pass their time in drilling. This would make the troops into a strong force which in peace would protect the public and in war be the support of the
nation.
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