[ { "id": 216701, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "page_number": 185, "title": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "content_text": "\nI would. &lough reconemend that and heriti be given, the island th \n\nto be retained, for the creation \n\ntion of a \n\ntwell \n\n- Couston led lamparan Kanach, at the Punt to this \n\nIn the west coliche is open to the harbour \n\n& hond below it, if this is not Howe, it would, Scarusive \n\nhigh te advisable to affort. The Sonison the means \n\nof ben Barkh a thin fren. The word of Janne be the beginning \n\nfrom and of October. \n\n7. \n\nJam most reluctant to propose any unavoid, -able outlar, but a glama at this qua técéd \n\n- vathies in the Delachment 10 4 Regiment the chingth \n\nof which at commencement of the frined \n\nall tanks, will shew the \n\nausther season when the \n\nI found. \n\ntva \n\n# of \n\nof Weeting the \n\nRadd that \n\nalmost \n\n1. alevet all the survivent aveable debilitated. \n\ntrust in a \n\nstate which will probably really tabulitated. \n\nlints to sweat. \n\nheig \n\nsuvalisded; if not at sure, much sooner than would have freon \n\nbably been \n\nهن تیم \n\nAccessary. \n\nOl must all be to them with accent \n\nThe 10th Royst \n\nFestiva \n\neffretion. Regement \n\nand the contrimanre of its health in the present citur \n\nteen is on all. \n\nAl grounds an important objist. \n\nThave Ge \n\nIt it is. \n\n[ Signed / St. Cong!, Sivit Ceneral. \n\nCommanding Exptedly Lunch There. \n\nfor \n\nI bey to add that most of the materials, \n\nEs for the propound Racsart at Rutangere, may be founst on \n\nیلی شرجی \n\nbb \n\ni \n\nthe spot by pulling down a portion of the houses, \n\nHot Cumps and the confety \n\naw several), \n\nand the empty houses, of which \n\nJane Copy) \n\nat Colonel. \n\nBy Adjutant General E. F", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 359978, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-271 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [1-4]", "page_number": 174, "title": "CO129-271 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [1-4]", "content_text": "## Enclosure 2.\n\nCOPY\n\nREC'd 5049\n\nREGE 6 MAR 96\n\nCentral Police Station.\n\n27th January, 1896.\n\n173\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to report that in June 1894 Mr. May, Captain Supt. of Police, asked me to report upon a telegram which he received through the Colonial Secretary here from the Premier of Melbourne (`C.S.O.1506/1894`) stating that a Chinaman or a Chinese firm in this Colony named \"Quong Ah Mouy\" had shipped a large quantity of counterfeit shillings per S.S. \"Chingtu\" which sailed from here on the 16th May and arrived at Melbourne on the 11th June, 1894, and that the counterfeit shillings discovered in Melbourne were alleged to have been minted in Hong Kong. From enquiries I instituted, I find there is no such firm as \"Quong Ah Mouy\" existing in Hong Kong; the nearest approach to the name of a firm was \"Kwan Wo Lung\", 100, Wing Lok Street. This firm shipped 1013 packages of general merchandise by the S.S. \"Chingtu\" on that particular voyage, but the firm being a respectable and old established one, there was no suspicion attached.\n\nIn my report I also mentioned that, as far as I knew, there was no illicit mint of any kind existing in this Colony, but I said that counterfeit coins of all kinds were...\n\nThe Hon. W. C. H. Hastings, R.N., \nActing Captain Supt. of Police.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-271 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 365291, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897", "page_number": 138, "title": "CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897", "content_text": "COPY.\n\nTownsville. 17th December 1896.\n\nMessrs. McIlwraith, McBain & Co. Ltd.,\n\n3 & 4 Lime Street Square.\n\nDear Sirs,\n\nUnder separate cover we are forwarding you the whole of the correspondence in reference to a Package containing 33 Sovereigns brought down from Geraldton in June 1894 with the following instructions from Mr. Nolan, the Agent of the A.U.S.N. Coy.\n\n*Enclosed find S.R. for 1 Parcel containing 33 Sovereigns \"for shipment to Why Shing, Merchant, Hong Kong\" to be insured and A/C of freight and your charges to be forwarded to me.\"\n\nMr. Nolan was acting as Forwarding Agent for a Chinaman named See Poy, who was sending the Gold home to Why Shing. The \"Chingtu\" was the first vessel to sail for Hong Kong, and we decided to send forward by her, but on presenting the Bill of Lading to the Agents, Messrs. Aplin Brown & Co., they asked £1:1:- freight which we considered excessive and declined to pay as the E. & A. Co.'s charge was only 10/6. Our Shipping Clerk, wishing to forward the parcel as cheaply as possible, gave instructions to forward by registered Parcel Post and the Sovereigns went forward by the \"Chingtu\" sailing about 26th June 1894.\n\nWe heard no more of the money until 11th February 1895, when See Poy wrote us to say Why Shing had not received the parcel. We then communicated with the Postal Authorities in Brisbane explaining the matter fully and asking them to write to Hong Kong; which they did several times without any reply, but at last received a letter dated 28th December 1895 from the\n\n...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-280 - Public Offices & Others - 1897.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 368760, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "page_number": 581, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "# 1 of C 37\n\n## South Yunnan route. Nanning to Kueiyang-Fu.\n\nThe journey from Nanning to Kueiyang-Fu follows the West River and involves transit passes. The duration by boat is 36 days.\n\nThere is no place worth naming in the 220 miles between Nanning and Pose, and the population is sparse towards the borders of Yunnan and Kueichou. Pose is an important entrepôt for trade with Yunnan, the agents being almost invariably Cantonese. It is situated on the Yuchiang at the apex of its two branches, one of which runs north through Kwangsi and the other west into Yunnan. At Pose, on the Yunnan border, the navigation for large boats stops, and goods for Yunnan are forwarded in small boats to Poknay (3 days up and 15 days down stream).\n\nPose is in a narrow damp valley, encased by high hills, and is reputed to be very unhealthy. Poknay (or Pongai) is a busy village, the meeting place of the boat and caravan traffic on this route, and the likin station for goods crossing the Yunnan and Kwangsi boundary. Goods entering Yunnan here pay a tapiao likin (taels 3. 9. 0 per 100 catties), rendering them free from all further likin in Yunnan. Opium is the staple export through Pose from Yunnan and south-west Kueichou, other exports being drugs, musk, and tea.\n\nThe usual, and by far the most important, route to Yunnan-Fu from Pose is through Kwangnan-Fu (18 to 25 days), but there are several other routes used by coolies to evade duties (e.g., viá Tunghai to Tali in 38 days). Kwangnan Fu (4,810 feet), situated in a partially cultivated plain, has a few Cantonese houses engaged in the foreign goods trade, but the local consumption is small. Between Pose and Kwangnan the whole population is Shan.\n\nThe direct route from Pose to Yunnan-Fu runs (21 days) viâ Lopingcheo, and is little used except for the export of opium. Mr. Bourne was prevented from going by this route last year owing to brigandage. It seems to be agreed that a railway from Pose to Yunnan-Fu would be easy, but east Yunnan, which it would traverse, appears to be unfertile and ill-populated.\n\nReference should be made to the route from Pose to Yuanchiang viâ Kaihua, one of the main trade routes of Yunnan, though long and tedious (52 days). The country is difficult, unhealthy in parts, and exposed to brigandage. The route passes at first through poor villages and thinly peopled tracts until near Kaihua, where there is more prosperity, the valley being closely cultivated and studded with villages. (Mapai, three days S.S.W. of Kaihua is said to be an important mart between Tonkin and Yunnan.) Bands of armed traders come from Hongkong through Pakhoi by this route, bringing foreign goods and taking back opium.\n\nNanning to Kueiyang-Fu-Pakhoi supplies foreign goods to a number of towns on this route, though the towns nearer Kueiyang draw part of their supplies from Hankow via the Yuan River. It is stated that a railway could be made without great difficulty, as there is but little change of level until the ascent of the Kueichou plateau. A pass of 4,250 feet is the only serious ascent. There are said to be some fine plains on this route not half cultivated. Towards Kueiyang-Fu opium is the main crop.\n\n## Developments on the West River\n\nThe year 1897 saw the beginning of great developments on the West River. For forty years likin had been levied contrary to treaty, to the great detriment of trade. In January 1897 the Governors of Kwangsi and Kwangtung issued proclamations enjoining strict observance of the regulations for transit passes within their provinces. They declared that, in the case of foreign produce conveyed under transit pass to any place in the interior, there should be no attempt, overt or covert, to make up the likins to which it would otherwise have been liable en route, and that, when foreign goods shall have separated from the pass, the charges thereon shall in no case differ from those levied on goods that have satisfied the ordinary likin in transit.\n\nThe inland 23 per cent. duty is affirmed to be a commutation of the likin leviable in transit. But it appears that the authorities take the transit pass to apply only so long as goods are in foreign hands. When they are transferred to a native a terminal likin is levied in addition. There is thus always a danger of foreign goods being further taxed in the way of lo-ti-shui or destination dues, and fu-shui or prefectural dues, after the transit pass certificate is given up, which means a heavier price for Treaty Ports, up-country consumers to pay.\n\nBy the opening of Wuchow and Samshui (with Kongkun) as Treaty Ports, and of four intermediate calling stations, trade with Kwangsi and the neighbouring provinces, hitherto little accessible to foreign goods, will be developed. Native boats ply regularly from Wuchow to Pose, and the demand of Yunnan for foreign goods should increase considerably.\n\nThe Lyons Mission were not favourably impressed with the prospect of opening up the trade of south-west China by the West River. But taking the rates so far charged on the French line to Lungchow, together with subsidiary charges, the Wuchow route should be much cheaper, and numerous staples, such as opium, aniseed, hides, and leather will probably pass down the river from Pose and Nanning.\n\nBut these two ports should also be opened to trade together with Hsünchow. The complete opening of the West River would be of the greatest value to British trade by giving freer intercourse with the interior, where there are bad roads and no railways. If there were direct traffic to Nanning by steamer for goods under transit passes, goods would not go all round from Hongkong to Yunnan viâ Pakhoi or Tonkin. Mr. Bourne thinks that, with a strict enforcement of transit passes, British goods from Burma and the West River would pass along the ancient channels of trade in Yunnan, and leave but a small area to be supplied by Tonkin.\n\n## 574 YANGTZE ROUTES\n\nAuthorities are unanimous that the Yangtze is, and will always remain, the most important commercial artery of China. It has 2,000 miles of navigable waterway, or 3,000 miles including its tributaries. In its upper reaches and by means of its affluents, it taps Ssuchuan, one of the richest and most populous provinces in the Empire, and also Yunnan and Kueichou.\n\nThe trade of Ssuchuan with the provinces north, south, and west of it must follow for the most part difficult and dangerous mountain paths, so that by the Yangtze alone can its resources be developed. The Yangtze is formed by the junction of the Minkiang and the Chin-sha-kiang, or River of Golden Sand (which flows from Tibet past Batang in the direction of Tali-Fu and then bends N.E. to Ssuchuan).\n\nThe Yangtze was opened to English commerce in 1890 by a supplementary article of the Convention of Chifu, according to which, \"English and other merchandise may freely circulate as far as Chungking after paying entry dues at Shanghai.\" The terminus of navigation is Pingshan, about 25 days up from Chungking.\n\n## Ssuchuan\n\nWestern Ssuchuan consists of mountainous territory with a few patches of plain, little cultivation, and a small population. Eastern Ssuchuan (the Ssuchuan known to commerce) is a comparatively low-lying region surrounded by lofty mountains. The population is large and in parts hopelessly congested. What the total population of the province may be is extremely uncertain, but Consul Litton and M. Brenier, whose estimates are the most recent, place it at about 40 to 45 millions.\n\nThe trading and farming classes are well-to-do, and the people generally are keen and enterprising. But there is much poverty, and the idlers and malcontents occasionally revolt. The number of parasitic officials is extraordinary.\n\nAs to the resources of Ssuchuan, Consul Spence says: \"Ssuchuan is in the variety of its productions, its numerous industries, and the well-being and prosperity of its people, without an equal in the provinces of China.\" Richthofen said: \"There are few regions in China that, if equal areas are compared, can rival the plain of Chengtu-Fu [2,500 square miles] as regards wealth and prosperity, density of population, and productive power, fertility of climate, and perfection of natural irrigation.\"\n\nAccording to Consul Litton's recent report on north Ssuchuan the plain of Chengtu contains 15 distinct cities besides the capital. Chengtu-Fu itself, with a population of over 500,000, is the meeting place of routes from the northern and eastern provinces, from Yunnan and Tibet. It has great commercial houses and numerous important credit houses having correspondents in the provincial and port towns.\n\nIn the plain are numerous villages, and flourishing marts occur at intervals of four or five miles along the many roads that intersect the plain. Among them are Chiang-Kou and Chao-Chia Tu, which are among the chief commercial centres of Ssuchuan. Travelling merchants bring to the markets many foreign goods, such as cotton yarn, long cloth, and woollens.\n\nThe plain, admirably irrigated, is cut up into an extraordinary number of small farms, producing rice, opium, and wheat.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 368761, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "page_number": 582, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "## Chungking and the Yangtze trade\n\n38\n\nSsuchuan produces silk, tobacco, tea, sugar, maize, oil seeds, millet, paper fibres, hemp, indigo, various medicines, ramie, white wax, &c. An increased area is being devoted in Ssuchuan to opium cultivation, which is more lucrative than that of rice and pulse, which it is displacing. But Ssuchuan opium is inferior to the produce of Yunnan. The poppy fields of Ssuchuan, Yunnan, and Kueichou together are said to be ample enough to meet the requirements of nearly the whole of China. Opium is retailed all over Ssuchuan at 140-200 cash (about 6d. or 7d.) per ounce. In Lower Burma, the retail price of opium is about 13 rupees per tola, or nearly 60d. per ounce.\n\nThe commerce of the province is capable of very great development. The trade in silk, the culture and weaving of which are encouraged, might especially be increased. Ssuchuan is almost cottonless, and as the people wear cotton cloths all the year round, there is a great demand for cotton piece goods, and still more for Indian cotton yarn, which they weave into cloth, some of the manufactures being sent to Yunnan and Kueichou. At present, there is stated to be great ignorance of foreign goods, and only the difficulty of getting them, it is said, prevents a largely increased consumption. Good stout sheetings, cotton scarves and tape, red blankets, quinine, soap, and candles would be favourable articles of import in exchange for silk (the only important article so far sent to Europe), opium, wax, drugs, salt, tobacco, and musk.\n\nThe opening of Chengtu to foreign trade would have important results, while a steamer service to Sui-Fu would do much to develop trade. There are ample supplies of coal for steamers near the Yangtze. The mineral wealth of Ssuchuan is thought to be enormous, coal, iron, lead, salt, copper, &c. Salt is one of the chief products of the province, the output of the Tzulinching wells being valued at £2,500,000 annually. But European methods must be applied for the effectual development of mining in Ssuchuan.\n\nChungking (with a population of 300,000) is the commercial key of Western China, the sole wholesale market for foreign goods in Ssuchuan. It has been described as a \"perpetual Nishni Novgorod.\" It is remarkable for the volume of its trade, and the number and wealth of its merchants. Chungking is reached from the sea by the Yangtze, steamers bringing goods 1,000 miles up the river to Ichang, whence junks (estimated to number 7,000 annually) ascend over a part of the river that is troubled with rapids to Chungking (400 miles from Ichang). The journey down stream from Chungking to Shanghai occupies from 12 to 14 days, the up-journey about two months.\n\nSince Chungking was opened as a Treaty Port in 1891, endeavours have been made to establish steam communication with Shanghai, but not until the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan (1895) was this privilege conceded, and not until last May did a steamer (that of Mr. A. J. Little) reach the city. Chungking is not only the distributing centre for foreign goods but also an emporium for inter-provincial trade. It is connected with every important town in Ssuchuan by such busy waterways as the Tokiang, Minkiang, and Sulinho.\n\nHitherto, commerce from the sea-board has been impeded by the necessity of transhipping goods into junks at Ichang, and the time, labour, and risk attending this operation have curtailed the traffic. Freight to Chungking has cost 10s. per ton and 1s per ton per mile beyond, so that foreign goods have been heavily handicapped, especially as customs and transit dues have had to be paid in addition. If commerce is already considerable at Chungking—and according to the Customs Report, the exports in 1897 were over £1,000,000 and the imports £3,250,000—safer, speedier, and cheaper communications with the coast must largely increase the demand for foreign goods in Ssuchuan and also stimulate exports.\n\nAt present, the import of foreign manufactures is small considering the population. Mr. Bourne considers that skilled control of the navigation is necessary for permanent steam communications. Other important trading towns in Ssuchuan are Chiating, with 150,000 people, a very active agricultural and commercial city, the centre of the silk and white wax industries and of a large salt and timber trade; Hochow, with great traffic in silk, cotton, &c.; Wan Hsien, which is said to have doubled its trade and population in the last 20 years; Fuchow, Fengtu Hsien, &c. Steamer service would probably be practicable up to Sui-Fu, and thence up the Min River to Chiating.\n\nSui-Fu, situated at the junction of the Min and Chin-sha Rivers, is 17 to 30 days up from Chungking. It is the mart of Central Ssuchuan, and is in the midst of a district producing coals, salt, &c. Its dense population of 180,000 are engaged in different branches of silk culture. The shops offer a great variety of European goods, cottons, cutlery, toys, &c., in a word (says a member of the Lyons Mission), every bad bauble that Leipzig or Nuremberg can export. It enjoys a large and profitable transit trade, being the entrepôt for products between Ssuchuan, north Yunnan, and Thibet.\n\n39\n\n## Routes from the Yangtze to Yunnan-Fu\n\nThere are five routes from the Yangtze to Yunnan-Fu.\n\n### (a) Hankow to Yunnan-Fu\n\nThis is the chief official route. It goes by Hankow to the Tung-ting Lake and up the Yuankiang to Chenyuan-Fu, just within the borders of Kueichou. Here, after 40 days' journey, the boat navigation ends. Then the route lies overland through a mountainous region to Kueiyang-Fu (reached in 8 days), and traverses the rest of Kueichou through more fertile country. Yunnan-Fu is reached in 18 days from Kueiyang. Thus the total journey is 66 days. This route, known as the Mandarins' route, is but little used for commerce, as the likin duties payable on entering Hunan, Kueichou, and Yunnan, combined with freight charges, render produce too costly for sale in Yunnan. But goods (e.g., opium) required for Hunan and Kwangsi come from Yunnan by this route, while cotton goods from Hankow for Kueiyang-Fu traverse it. Better conditions in respect of transport and taxation would increase the trade in foreign goods. At present, these charges involve an addition of 20 per cent. ad valorem to the cost of cotton yarn and shirtings.\n\n### (b) Chungking to Yunnan-Fu via Kueiyang-Fu\n\nThe first town of note on this route is Chichiang Hsien, an important trade depot for north-west Ssuchuan-Kueichou, especially for salt. It is in water communication with Chungking, but navigation ceases at Chichiang. Kanshui, near the Kueichou border, is in a well-cultivated district producing coal, iron, and copper, and is famed for the manufacture of iron pans. Towards Kueichou appears a sea of bare rocky mountains. The precipitous banks of the Sungkan River must be crossed and also a pass 3,000 feet high before Tungtzubsien is reached. Passing coal mines and poppy fields, the traveller comes to Tsuni, a prosperous place with manufactures of very hard and strong silk cloth. There is much poppy cultivation before reaching the capital, Kueiyang (15 days from Chungking). Kueiyang-Fu is a large city with an active commercial population.\n\nThe road from Kueiyang-Fu to Yunnan-Fu traverses the valley of Langtai Ting, prosperous and full of houses, and famous for superior opium. The country continues difficult, and carts are not seen till the frontier of Yunnan is crossed. Ping-i-hsien (in Yunnan) lies in a large well-watered plain and has abundance of coal, which is found all the way from Kueiyang-Fu to Yunnan-Fu. Chan-i-chou is in a vast plain well cultivated with rice, and famous as the breeding ground of Yunnan ponies. Thence the route is by Yanglin to the capital.\n\n(An alternative route is from Hokiang on the Yangtze to Kueiyang-Fu. It proceeds up the Chishin-ho to Jeahuai-ting, a town with important salt traffic. There are several large and busy towns along this route, such as Tushan, trade being mainly in salt and opium. Anshun, a prosperous place S. of Kueiyang, reached by fairly good roads, is the second city in Kueichou, and has a brisk trade in local products, especially cotton cloths and whitewax insects, and in foreign goods.)\n\n### (c) Chungking via Luchow to Yunnan-Fu\n\nFrom Luchow, a town with a great business in transhipment of salt and extensive opium cultivation, the route proceeds to Nachi (nine days) and thence by boat up the Yungning River to Yungning Fu (four days), whence it goes overland through a part of Kueichou, and reaches Yunnan-Fu (21 days). This route is shorter than the Sui-Fu route (d). Moreover, the country is easier and the path better. But almost all the trade goes by Sui-Fu, because the Yungning route crosses a corner of Kueichou, which involves an additional likin, while on the Sui-Fu route Yunnan and Ssuchuan are conterminous. Goods from Chungking through Kueichou are said to pay three likins and twelve prefectural taxes before reaching Tali, while by the Sui-Fu route they pay only two likins and seven prefectural taxes. Yungning-hsien, being on the frontier of Ssuchuan...\n\n564 \n575", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 368762, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "page_number": 583, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "## (d.) Sui-Fu (Hsüchou-Fu) to Yunnan-Fu\n\nThis is the main trade route between the Yangtze and Yunnan (25 to 26 stages). General Mesny speaks of the route as the most important and least costly of trade routes from central China to Yunnan. Mr. Bourne calls it the only great commercial route between north Yunnan on the one hand and Ssuchuan and the Eastern Provinces on the other, and states that it has a large transit trade. From Sui-Fu the route goes to An pien-chang and ascends the Keng River, which contains many rapids and rocks, and the navigation of which ends at Hengchiang. Goods come up the river by boat and are then carried by coolies to Laowatan (77 miles in four days through a difficult mountain district by a bad road), at about 5d. to 6d. per ton per mile. In Ssuchuan a large part of the transport is always done by coolies, who can live very cheaply. Laowatan, 137 miles from Sui-Fu, is the great likin station on this route, the chief import through it into Yunnan being native cotton cloth, with some foreign cottons, tobacco, salt, and drugs, while the chief export is opium, with tin, lead, copper, tea, and drugs. Likin is rigidly enforced, and the officials are especially extortionate and unreasonable with small traders. At Laowatan the goods brought by coolies are re-packed and sent on by mules and ponies. There is an ascent of 2,500 feet in nine miles to Li-shan-ting, and a descent of 2,000 feet to Tou-sha-kuan in the next nine miles. Here begins a district of great poverty, with scanty vegetation and few houses. Beyond Takuan-ting the path ascends 2,800 feet in 45 miles. The country traversed is poor and difficult, the houses miserable and ruined. According to Soltau the ranges between the Takuan valley and Chaotung are extremely difficult, with dangerous precipices and deep ravines. Near Chaotung (6,580 feet) carts are found. The town lies midway between the two chief sources of cotton supply, Hankow and Burma, so cotton is dear and the people ill-clad. Chaotung has 40,000 people, but it is not noted for any special product. It depends on agriculture and through traffic. The foreign goods are few, and are sold by itinerant vendors. Its plain produces opium and large quantities of indigo. Chaotung serves as a distributing centre for goods (especially medicines) from the Yangtze to north-west Ssuchuan via Huilichou and even up to Tali, and east through Weining. Beyond Chaotung the country is a dry, bare, almost rainless plateau with no rivers. The descent to the Nuilan valley is by a road indescribably bad and steep through a wretched district. Except the small town of Chiang-ti there is hardly a house for 46 miles. The winds are specially injurious in this region. The rebellion has left deep and frequent traces in ruined villages and uncultivated valleys. Tungchuan-Fu (7,150 feet), five stages from Chaotung, has long been famous as a mining centre, and in the district there are said to be still rich mineral deposits of iron, coal, lead, zinc, and copper, though only copper is worked. Its population is small, poor, and hard worked. There is little demand for foreign goods, though a few come from the West River, the Red River, and the Yangtze. (A route runs through very mountainous country from Tungchuan to Tali via Huilichou. This route crosses the Chinshakiang at two stages from Tungchuan). From Tungchuan to Yunnan-Fu there are seven stages. Mr. Bourne says that in one day he travelled 25 miles without passing a single village, and that during 20 days he traversed a miserable country of alternating bare and wind-swept downs and precipitous cañons. At three points the path ascends to 7,830, 8,426, and 9,993 feet. Transport animals frequently die of the hardships they experience on this route. The Lyons Mission spoke of wandering through a wilderness of mountains and rough valleys. The roads often run along the mountain sides, and are strewn with boulders.\n\n## Page 41\n\nFrom Laowatan to Kungshan (305 miles) the country is at present of no possible value for commerce, according to Mr. Bourne. The people are very poor, and, if clad, clad in Shashi cloth. After Kungshan the country improves, and fertile plains are traversed to Yangkai, beyond which poppy fills the whole cultivated area. A vast plain stretches from Yangkai to the prosperous market town of Yanglin, said to be one of the richest in Yunnan, and containing numerous villages with an active population and a great number of cattle.\n\nIn spite of the many obstacles to traffic, this is the principal trade route from the Yangtze valley to Yunnan-Fu, though a member of the Lyons Mission states that since the opening of the Kueichou and Tonkin route, the present route is little frequented, being used only by few and small caravans with tobacco and indigo from Ssuchuan, medicines for Ssuchuan, and cotton for Huilichou. But no confirmation of this statement can be found. In any case, a route along which the main path is too narrow for bulky goods and is generally broken and uncared for, a route which traverses sterile, thinly peopled, and even in parts uninhabitable tracks, crosses high ridges and deep ravines, and goes along the beds of streams, hardly offers much scope for an extensive trade in foreign goods. Trade is further hampered by taxation, amounting to 12 per cent. on the Shanghai value of cotton goods.\n\nKreitner proposed a railway from Yunnan-Fu via Hsuntien, Tungchuan, and Chaotung to Sui-Fu. But M. Brenier, Secretary General of the Lyons mission, says that a railway is held by experts to be impossible on account of the nature of the country and of the forests. He says that it is impossible from a practical standpoint, for it would cost enormous sums which the present and prospective traffic would not repay. It would, moreover, cost more for freight by such a line from Tonkin than the existing freight by the Yangtze route. The commercial members of the Blackburn Mission thought that the rates charged on a line through a country presenting such great engineering difficulties would be as high as the present charges for pack animals. Although a railway might be possible from Yunnan-Fu as far as Kungchai, the tremendous ascents and descents for the rest of the way would be insuperable barriers. Similarly a project for a railway from Yunnan-Fu via Tungchuan up to the bend of the Chinshakiang to the S. of Huilichou is impracticable, for any line must cross the watershed between the West River and the Yangtze basins, while even if the river were reached by railway it would, owing to innumerable rapids, be found unnavigable, except for small boats, down to Pingshan.\n\n## (e.) Chungking viâ Chengtu-Fu to Tali-Fu\n\nThe route to Chengtu-Fu proceeds overland or by boat. The overland road passes the important towns of Jungchang-Hsien and Lungchang (centre of the grass cloth trade), and the salt wells of Tzulinching. A busy and populous district with many large villages lies between Yuting-pu and Tzu-chou, noted for salt, sugar, and grass cloth, and Chien-Chou, famous for opium. Beyond Chengtu-Fu the first town to be noted is Yachou, in the midst of a great tea-growing district. Consul Litton speaks highly of the strategic importance of Yachou, the possession of which would give an enemy from the West a clear run down the valley of the Ya River to Chiating, which is in the Min Valley, and in the heart of Ssuchuan. Yachou is a place of importance as the starting point of commerce to Tibet, in tea and cotton, which are exchanged for musk, wool, furs, gold, goat-skins, medicines, &c. At Yachou is prepared all the brick tea sent to Tibet. The tea trade with Tibet, valued at a million taels, goes by pack coolies along a difficult route with huge forests and mountains (one pass of 13,000 feet, and two of over 9,000 feet) to Tatsien-lu (Tachien-lu), a town of great commercial and strategical importance on the Tibetan frontier, a journey of 15 days. (There is another route which Mr. Litton considers is easier and more direct, only one obstacle, the Ma Ngai Pass of 9,700 feet, having to be surmounted. It is coming into favour with the tea carriers.) Drugs are produced and coal and iron are worked at Yachou. Over a high pass, and also within the tea region, is Jungching-Hsien, where coal and iron are mined and agricultural implements, &c. manufactured.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 368764, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "page_number": 585, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "## Trade prospects. \n\n## Railways. \n\n44 \n\nfrom Lower Burma or from India proper. Commodities cannot bear the greatly enhanced prices which such long transport entails. That the roads may be improved by engineering skill and by proper attention to repair is probable, but there is no prospect that the authorities will provide the means. Nor is there any likelihood that they will lighten the burden of taxation, which so greatly impedes exchanges, except under pressure from without. Traders complain that Burma-China trade is severely handicapped by the failure to enforce transit passes on the Bhamo-Tali-Fu route. Considering the great impetus given to the trade via Mengtsz by the enforcement of such passes, it has been suggested that the British Government should take speedy action in this matter. Trade, even under present conditions, could be greatly facilitated by the opening of more Treaty Ports. Tali-Fu in west Yunnan, Hsünchow, Nanning, and Pose on the upper West River, Chiating, Chengtu-Fu, Luchow, Yachou, and Sui-Fu in Ssuchuan, are peculiarly suitable. It is also worth considering whether the Chinese could not be constrained to withdraw their prohibition against the import of salt. According to Mr. Holt Hallett, Russia is not prohibited from sending salt into China, and England may fairly demand the most favoured nation treatment.\n\nWith regard to the future, it must be remembered that Yunnan has no valuable exportable product except opium, and although the vegetable, animal, and mineral products are varied, there is no evidence that they are sufficiently plentiful to form the foundation of a greatly extended trade. The restricted area available for cultivation, the scanty supply of labour, and the almost complete absence of capital preclude any large production of commodities. The people's mode of life is primitive and their wants are few, so that their demand for foreign goods is not great. Prince Henry of Orleans has admitted that the province is not very rich, and M. Rocher has cast doubt on the question whether foreigners can profitably exploit the mines. Recent commercial missions were strongly impressed with the poverty of the people and the wild character of a large part of the province, and Mr. Bourne thought that the recovery of Yunnan from the effects of the rebellion had been slow beyond belief. Whatever the causes of this lack of progress—and they are doubtless many—it is clear that with such a low degree of economic development, there is no sufficient prospect of trade to justify a heavy outlay on railways.\n\nRailways to certain points within Yunnan do not appear to be impracticable, and they may possibly repay the cost of their construction. Those projected from Kunlon to Shunning (or Tali) and from Laokai to Yunnan-Fu can probably be constructed, and possibly also lines from Bhamo to Momien, from Mandalay to Kenghung, and from Pose to Yunnan-Fu. But railways across Yunnan appear to be quite out of the question from a commercial and financial point of view, for they could only be built at a very high cost, which neither the British nor the French Government could be expected to guarantee. No available route has yet been discovered for a Burma-Yangtze railway. According to Mr. Little, the distance from Chungking to Tali-Fu is 47 stages of 70 each. As to the character of the country to be traversed, authorities all concur. Mr. Bourne, in his earlier report, spoke of this railway scheme as quixotic. Davenport said there was no level road along the main route from the Yangtze to Momien, while Mr. Lenz, an American cyclist, stated that in going from the Yangtze to the Burmese frontier he crossed 44 ranges of mountains in 1,724 miles. According to M. Rocher, the configuration of the country and the expense of construction (which the Chinese Government would not incur) forbid railways; and, moreover, the earnings would not correspond with the enormous outlay on the gigantic works which would be involved, not to mention the inevitable difficulties with the authorities in the districts to be traversed. M. Chailley Bert also agrees that the realisation of the various railway schemes is not within measurable distance. Mr. Hosie, who has traversed all the chief routes connecting Yunnan-Fu with Ssuchuan, has spoken of the absurdity of the attempts to tap Ssuchuan through Yunnan, which is hemmed in west and south by range after range of formidable mountain barriers.\n\nIf the main object of a Burma-Yangtze line be political, viz., to prevent the French from driving in a wedge between Burma and the Upper Yangtze, it is worth while to recall M. Brenier's declaration that the projected French line from Tonkin to Yunnan-Fu will not be the work of a day, and that a line north of Yunnan-Fu to the Yangtze is practically impossible. M. Leroy-Beaulieu says that even if the Red River were, what it is alleged to be, a \"splendid navigable waterway\" instead of having only half a metre of water in parts for the greater portion of the year, the French would still have to construct difficult and costly railways in order to tap the whole of the Yunnan trade. The extension of these lines to the Yangtze for the diversion of the trade of Ssuchuan to Tonkin, he regards as a purely visionary idea owing to the mountain barriers to be traversed. By the time France has carried a railway to Laokai, it may be hoped that the Mandalay-Kunlon line will be completed, and when France begins an extension to Yunnan-Fu, England will probably be ready to proceed to Shunning or Tali-Fu. Travellers, as already remarked, agree that the country between the Salween and the Yangtze is unsuitable for ordinary railway construction, though they differ as to the population, the nature and quality of exportable produce, and trade possibilities. A railway could never carry goods from Rangoon at rates that would enable them to compete with the sea and river-borne goods that reach Hankow by steamer, and then go to Chungking by junk. Bombay yarn and Indian opium, the chief exports to China, would still go by sea. But a line that would not pay commercially might be justified by strategical reasons, and if England intends to make an effective occupation of the Yangtze basin, a railway from Tali to Chungking is almost indispensable. It will, however, subserve Imperial rather than purely Indian objects, and its cost should not, therefore, fall upon Indian revenues. A British line from Nanning to Pose and Yunnan-Fu would be useful for supporting British interests in Yunnan, but from the West River, the most effective line would perhaps be one from Kowloon through Kwangtung and Hunan, to connect with a line running from some point on the lower Yangtze to Chungking or Chengtu.\n\n## 45 \n\nH. J. TOZER.\n\nIndia Office, October 1898.\n\n## NOTE on the Chinshakiang, or Upper Yangtzekiang.\n\nThe Chinshakiang (River of Golden Sand) is one of the two great streams—the other being the Min—that unite to form the Yangtzekiang at Sui-Fu. As Western China is opened up, the valley of this river must become a subject of great importance. The China Association has recently advocated \"the survey of a railway between Burma and the highest point of navigation on this river.\"\n\nThis point is usually stated to be Pingshan, about 50 miles above Sui-Fu (see pages 38-9), and the boatmen of Captain Blakiston in 1861 refused to ascend above this town, beyond which only small boats penetrate owing to the rapids. As it is, the boats have to be carried round some of the more dangerous rapids. Mr. Hosie, in travelling by boat from Manissu to Pingshan (50 miles), encountered twenty rapids. The fact that practically no boats ply on the Chinsha above Manissu is strong evidence that the river is unnavigable, for the Chinese utilise water carriage whenever possible.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391139, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "page_number": 100, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "SOUTH-WEST CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 9.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n96\n\nMr. Townley to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received May 9.)\n\n(No. 115.) My Lord,\n\nPeking, March 24, 1903.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copy of an interesting Report upon the affairs of the Province of Szechuan, furnished to me by His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu.\n\nIt is unnecessary for me to dwell upon the incidents reported by Mr. Hosie, until we come to the penultimate paragraph dealing with mining Agreements secured by the Yang-tsze Valley Syndicate, about which your Lordship may like to have some information.\n\nThe negotiations which have resulted in the signature of the two Agreements referred to by Mr. Hosie have been going on for a very considerable time, and are connected with events which occurred before the troubles of 1900. Before his departure from Peking on leave of absence, Sir E. Satow instructed Mr. Wilton, then Acting Consul at Chungking, to proceed to the provincial capital and render Mr. Little, the local agent of the Syndicate, such assistance as he properly could in furtherance of his efforts to secure the settlement of the questions at issue between the Syndicate and the local authorities. These were two in number, namely, (1) a final settlement of the conditions under which a Petroleum Concession, previously granted to the Syndicate, should be carried out, and (2) the execution of an Agreement made in the early part of 1900 between the agents of the Syndicate and the local authorities for the working of a mine known as the Maha Gold Mine, or the grant of a satisfactory equivalent. The provincial authorities have consistently repudiated this Agreement on the ground that the Chinese official who signed it had no authority to do so.\n\nMr. Wilton remained at Chengtu for two months, patiently and diligently supporting the British interests concerned. I at the same time made frequent representations to the Foreign Board here, and urged them to instruct the Viceroy to settle the long-pending question in an equitable manner. I am not aware as yet of the full contents of the Agreements, but I do not think that any objection can be made to their prompt ratification here, since I was frequently assured, in answer to my representations, that the Viceroy had a free hand, and had been instructed by the Board to make such an arrangement as he might consider advisable. The signature of the Agreements finally took place within a few days of my informing the Wai-wu Pu that if a satisfactory arrangement was not come to at once, I should have to demand that the negotiations be transferred to Peking. To this communication the Board replied that the local authorities were better able to conclude the arrangement. It will, therefore, be difficult for them to hesitate to ratify the Agreements.\n\nUpon the receipt of copies of the Agreements, I shall have the honour to furnish your Lordship with some account of the course of the negotiations, but meanwhile, I have much pleasure in expressing my entire concurrence with Mr. Hosie's opinion that their satisfactory issue was largely due to Mr. Wilton's perseverance and ability.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nWALTER TOWNLEY.\n\n(No. 2.) Sir,\n\nConsul-General Hosie to Mr. Townley.\n\nChengtu, February 21, 1903.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report on the present position of affairs in the Province of Szechuan.\n\nThe Boxer troubles of last year were brought to a speedy end by the arrival and energy of the present Acting Viceroy. The Boxer element was, however, inconsiderable; but, such as it was, it drew to itself many of the evil-disposed characters who exist in many provinces of China, and whose sole object is to plunder during disorder. Blackmail was levied by these bands, but the demands were so often repeated that the\n\n(1992 7-1)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391140, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "page_number": 101, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "97\n\n2\n\n\"Tu'an-lien,\" or local volunteers, rose against them, and, in one particular case, surrounded a band which took refuge in a \"chai-tzu\"—one of the walled refuges so common on the hilltops in Western China. Troops then appeared upon the scene, and, although the volunteers were anxious to attack and exterminate the band, the military officials counselled delay, with the result that next morning the troops, to the consternation of the volunteers, occupied the refuge—the band, through the connivance of the military officials, having escaped overnight. The volunteers were naturally very much incensed, and the result was that two of the military officers concerned were brought here and publicly executed, by command of the Viceroy. The theory of Boxer invulnerability was also rudely shaken by the death of one of the leaders, who was shot by the volunteers.\n\nAt an interview which I had with the Viceroy on the 7th instant, his Excellency assured me that there was no longer any disorder in the province, and that he had taken measures to prevent a recrudescence of the trouble. He had divided up each place into wards of ten families, with a superintending Headman, who is held responsible for the good behaviour of the other nine houses; and that it was his intention to remove all ineffective officials and replace them by men of energy and ability. He said that one of the great sources of disorder was the constant changing of officials, who, owing to their short tenure of office, were necessarily ignorant of what was taking place within their jurisdictions; and that it was his intention, as long as he remained in Szechuan, to keep his subordinates at their posts until they failed in their duty. His Excellency impressed me as being a man who is anxious to do his best for his province, and frankly told me that he is liked by the people but hated by the officials. He made the same remark in the presence of fifteen officials when I dined with him on the 14th instant.\n\nDuring the interview, I took the opportunity of referring to the statements in the foreign press regarding impending trouble in Kansu and Shensi, but his Excellency ridiculed the idea, saying that they were idle rumours, that he knew Tung Fu-hsiang well, and that he had no fear of any trouble in that quarter. He seemed sincere, and advised me, when I heard any rumours of the sort, to come to him, and he would soon tell me whether they were true or false.\n\nIt may be an exaggeration to say that his Excellency is hated by all his subordinates, but he has undoubtedly very bitter foes in the French, who find in him a man whom they are unable to coerce. I understand that the French Mission have lodged a demand for an indemnity of 2,200,000 taels, of which 2,000,000 taels are for the destruction of Mission property and 200,000 taels are for the lives of 2,000 converts alleged to have been massacred last year. The French Bishop demands payment by the Viceroy, whereas the latter insists that it is a matter for the local authorities to investigate and settle. The French, as I understand the situation, declare that no investigation is necessary, as they have already done so themselves. This is a striking contrast to the American claim of 6,525 taels, which was promptly paid locally.\n\nWith part of the proceeds of their last indemnity of 3,000,000 taels, the French missionaries are building hospitals at their chief centres in Szechuan, and the French Colonial Office is supplying these hospitals with military doctors. French Sisters (five for each hospital) are to act as nurses. A French school for imparting Western learning to Chinese was opened at Chungking on the 13th instant. Some have already arrived.\n\nWhen at Hsü-chou Fu, on my way up from Chungking, I made inquiries as to the alleged wholesale buying of land by the French missionaries at that place. It was stated some time ago in the press that this land which they had acquired was intended for the terminus of a railway from Yunnan into Szechuan; but the whole purchase amounts to only five plots of land (the most valuable costing merely 500 taels), situated at long intervals, for a distance of 22 li, to the west of the Nan-kuang River—a southern tributary of the Yang-tsze. The south bank of the Yang-tsze opposite Hsü-chou Fu (or \"Sui Fu,\" as it is called locally) is the only available land suitable for building purposes in the neighbourhood of the city, and the plots were bought in anticipation of Hsu-chou Fu being made an open port by the Commercial Treaty of last year, and as a purely commercial speculation.\n\nFour officers belonging to the French gun-boat \"Olry,\" now at Chungking, are at present engaged on a survey of the Yang-tsze from Ichang to Hsü-chou Fu. They commenced at Wan Hsien towards the end of December, and two are working down and two up-river.\n\nThe Japanese are exceedingly active in Western China, and even in Thibet. Chungking, Hat-chou Fu, and Chengtu.\n\nLast year, a Mr. N. Narita succeeded in reaching Lhassa from the Indian side. He went disguised as a Chinese merchant and had only one Chinese companion. His presence was known to the Chinese Imperial Resident, or Amban, who, I am informed, received the traveller as a guest and was good enough to show him all over the city during his twenty days' stay in the capital. He was so unfortunate as to lose his camera, but was able to make drawings of all he required. He returned by way of India, and is now in Japan planning a second journey into Thibet.\n\nCaptain Idogawa, a Japanese Military Intelligence Officer, resident at Chungking, started with three other Japanese on the 2nd instant, with the intention of making a journey through Yunnan to Bhamo. He travels up the Yang-tsze and proposes to do the land part of the journey on foot, passing south through northern Yünnan to Yunnan Fu, and thence west by way of Tali Fu. He will return by a different route through Yunnan, and cross Kueichou on his way back to Chungking.\n\nThe Chinese Military Academy here, which is capable of accommodating 200 students, is completed, and Captain Matsura and two Japanese instructors are ready to commence work. The register is now open in the Academy for the enrolment of students for examination, and the 28th February has been fixed as the date of opening. The Viceroy will himself examine the candidates, and the qualifications called for are respectability, a fair education, a robust constitution, and suitable age. It is distinctly laid down that no opium smoker need present himself.\n\nMr. Tokimaru, the Japanese Consul at Chungking, recently paid a visit of about a month's duration to Chengtu, leaving in the last days of January. The main object of his visit was to try and induce the Viceroy to place the Arsenal here under Japanese management; but his Excellency refused, stating that, although he would have no objection to a Japanese foreman at a wage of about 100 dollars to 120 dollars a-month, the management must remain in Chinese hands.\n\nA German Commercial Mission, although it repudiates that title, is at present here. It is composed of Dr. Betz, Acting German Consul at Ichang, who is also Acting Consul at Chungking; Dr. Delius, German Commercial Attaché, attached to the Shanghae Consulate; and Mr. Landgrav of the firm of Messrs. Carlowitz and Co. These gentlemen, with a train of seventy bearers and porters, and several Chinese assistants, left Ichang in the beginning of December last, and, travelling by the south bank of the Yang-tsze, arrived at Chungking on the last day of the year. They remained a week in Chungking, and left on the 7th January for Chengtu, travelling by way of Ho Chou and the prefectural cities of Shun-ching, Pao-ning, and Tung-ch'uan. They reached the provincial capital on the 30th ultimo, and are leaving for Kuan Hsien and Ya-chou Fu in a couple of days. From Ya-chou, they will descend the Ya and Tung Rivers and return to Ichang by the Min River and the Yang-tsze. They are making a careful study of the commerce and commercial conditions and possibilities of the country through which they pass, and are specially interested in the pushing of German aniline dyes, notably indigo, and in investigating the subject of Chinese medicines. They were present, like myself, at the dinner given by the Viceroy on the 14th instant, the only foreign guest being Dr. Legendre, who is attached to the French Mission Hospital. Dr. Betz has hinted to me that Germany will, in all probability, send a gun-boat to the Upper Yang-tsze during the present year.\n\nIt is reported here that things are not going smoothly with the Chinese in Thibet. There is said to be trouble on the frontier in the neighbourhood of Batang and Litang, and that the Chinese Assistant Resident is returning to China on account of the treatment he has been receiving at the hands of the Thibetans.\n\nAt the same time, missionaries report that, of late, there has been a tendency, hitherto unknown, on the part of Thibetans to become better acquainted with foreigners and their ways, and they hint that Russian intrigue may account for it; but, as yet, I have been unable to discover whether the rumoured Treaty with Russia in regard to Thibet has any foundation in fact.\n\nUp to January of the present year, the French had three mining Concessions in Szechuan:—\n\n1. For coal and iron in the districts and department of Kuan Hsien, Wei-yüan Hsien, Chien-wei Hsien, Chi-chiang Hsien, Pa Hsien, and Ho Chou.\n\n2. For the five metals in the department and independent sub-Prefecture of Tien-ch'üan Chou and Mou-kung Ting.\n\n3. The exclusive right to prospect for petroleum in the districts of Wan Hsien and Pa Hsien, or any other two districts throughout the whole of the Province of Szechuan, exclusive of Fu-shun Hsien, in which the great brine and petroleum wells of the province are situated.\n\n3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395028, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 365, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nSOUTH-WEST CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n362\n\n[May 9.]\n\nSECTION 3.CO.\n\n25341\n\n(No. 90.) My Lord,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith to your Lordship a copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu reporting on recent events in Szechuan and Thibet.\n\nSir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received May 9. REC TREG 18 JUL 04 Peking, March 13, 1904.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nERNEST SATOW.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.\n\n(No. 4.) Sir,\n\nChengtu, February 12, 1904,\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that two of the three French Mining Concessions which expired for the third time in November last have been renewed for a further period of six months, and have, so I am informed, been transferred to a French Company, the original concessionnaire, M. Duclos, having left Szechuan for good. The third Concession granted to M. de Marteau for working petroleum in the districts of Wan Hsien and Pa Hsien expires during the present month, and M. Bons d'Anty is now said to be awaiting here the arrival of two French mining engineers reported to be on their way out to commence operations under this Concession.\n\nThe Viceroy has declined to entertain the French Consul's application for a Franco-Chinese Mining Concession in the Kuei-chou Prefecture in the east of the province. It appears that during last summer two licentiates of the Fêng-chieh district, in which the city of Kuei-chou lies, in conjunction with an expectant Szechuan Magistrate, signed at Peking in the French Legation a Contract with M. de Marteau for carrying on mining operations at a place called Ta-shan-an, in the Yün-yang district of the Prefecture. M. Bons d'Anty has been urging the Viceroy to legalize this Contract, but the latter declines on the ground that it is not in accordance with the Szechuan Mining Regulations, and has referred the French Consul to the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nM. Berthelot, the French Secretary of Embassy charged with a mission to the Far East, arrived here by water on the 12th ultimo. He is still in Chengtu, and proposes to make an excursion to the borders of the Lolo country with M. Bons d'Anty immediately after the Chinese New Year.\n\nDr. Legendre, of the French colonial service, who arrived here in 1902, and is attached to the Roman Catholic Mission, has recently been appointed to attend to the Chinese troops encamped in the eastern part of the city, and it is reported that he intends to inaugurate a medical school. His salary is fixed at 1,200 taels a-year, and 2,000 taels per annum for the purchase of foreign medicines.\n\nThere is at present trouble with the Lolos in the country bordering on the Chien-ch'ang Valley in the west of the province. It is the custom to bestow annually on the Lolo Chiefs presents of tea and salt. This duty falls to the Prefect of Ning-yüan, who on this occasion is said to have withheld the gifts for the purpose of being able to report trouble to the Viceroy and to show his ability in pacifying it. Matters, however, got beyond his control, and troops dispatched to end the trouble suffered a serious reverse - four out of 400 are said to have escaped with their lives. The Prefect has been dismissed, and troops are being moved to quell the disturbance. This is the true reason for the Prefect's dismissal; but quite a different reason is given me by the Viceroy.\n\nI had occasion some months ago to complain of Indian goods under transit pass from Teng-yüeh being taxed at Ning-yüan Fu. The facts supplied to me by Mr. Litton were exceedingly meagre. I knew not the destination of the goods nor the amounts levied, but I thought it advisable to lodge a general complaint, which might serve as a warning that transit pass goods from India are not to be interfered with in this province. After considerable delay, the new Prefect of Ning-yüan Fu reported to the Viceroy that his\n\n[1980 --3]\n\nPage 363\n\n[May 9.]\n\nSECTION 3.CO.\n\n25341", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395029, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 366, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "Page 363\n\n2\n\npredecessor had tampered with transit pass goods, and the Viceroy has given me this as the reason for the latter's dismissal.\n\nIn this connection, I may mention that the Taotai at Chungking has been transferred by telegraph to the Intendancy of Chien-chang, owing, according to Mr. Sly, to a deficit in the li-kin collection; but the Viceroy informs me that the transfer is due to the importance of the new post and to the Taotai's knowledge of military matters.\n\nI had two other complaints from Mr. Litton. He had been informed by Chinese merchants in Yünnan Fu that the export of Indian rupees had been prohibited at Ta-chien-lu, and that they were unable to take away the price of Indian goods carried by them from Tông-yüch. I laid the matter before the Viceroy, and the prohibition was withdrawn so far as the Yunnan merchants were concerned; but the sub-Prefect of Ta-chien-lu complained of the interference with trade caused by the large export of rupees received through Thibet, and I imagine that owing to the low cash value (480) at Ta-chien-lu a lucrative business other than in Indian goods was being done with Yunnan.\n\nMr. Litton also stated that he had heard in a general way that transit passes for Burmese cottons for Chengtu were not being respected here. I brought the matter to the notice of the Viceroy, and informed him that, on receipt of details, I should again address him on the subject. His Excellency promised to make inquiries, and I have heard privately that the officer in charge of the li-kin station at the east gate was fined ten times (570 taels) the amount of an illegal levy and dismissed.\n\nBurmese goods appear to reach Chengtu by way of Yunnan Fu, Tung-ch'uan Fu, and Chao-tung Fu, and on arrival at Hsu-chou Fu (Sui Fu), they are carried to the provincial capital by water.\n\nAnother complaint brought to my notice was the very heavy taxation of Szechuan yellow silk intended for Burma, and the Viceroy has informed me that he has directed the revision and posting of a new Tariff.\n\nAt an interview which I had with the head of the li-kin office here yesterday, I asked him for a copy of the Tariff. He stated that when he took over charge of the li-kin a few months ago he found that each office had simply a manuscript copy of the Tariff, and that the amounts levied differed at each place. He has ordered a new Tariff to be printed for distribution among merchants, and has promised to furnish me with a copy.\n\nWhen his Excellency Ts'ên Ch'un-hsüan was Acting Viceroy he reported to the throne that the net annual amount of li-kin collected throughout the whole province was 400,000 taels.\n\nThe carriage of parcels through the Chinese post office established here has grown enormously, and as the li-kin office at the east gate of the city has been complaining of a serious deficiency in its collection, which it attributes to the parcels post, instructions have been given that li-kin or transit dues shall be levied on the contents of all parcels liable to taxation.\n\nThere is very little reliable news from Thibet. The authorities here profess to know nothing; but I gather from conversation with them that the new Amban has been considerably delayed by want of adequate transport.\n\nOn the 21st ultimo I received a telegram from a British missionary at Ta-chien-lu to the effect that fighting had commenced between the Thibetans and English; but, if this is true, the information must have reached you before it was received at Ta-chien-lu.\n\nThe three German officers referred to in my despatch No. 20 of the 30th November, finding on arrival at Batang on the 5th January that the road to the Brahmaputra was impracticable, proceeded southwards to Yünnan, and Mr. Nichols, the American, whose aim is to reach Lhassa, has also had to go south to A-tun-tzŭ.\n\nI am informed that the Russian, referred to in my despatch No. 19 of the 28th November as being resident in a lamasery at Ta-chien-lu, is a \"Mongol Lama\"—probably a Buriat—who has been there some years. The address of the letter sent to the Russian Consul was in Russian and Chinese.\n\nHis Majesty's Vice-Consul at Chungking has, he informs me, forwarded to you copies of his despatches addressed to me on the 22nd and 29th ultimo; but I may state that the Japanese mining engineer referred to therein is a Mr. Yamada, a professor of geology, who has been travelling in Szechuan for at least a year, and is now on his way back to Japan. He has no connection with the provincial Government, and, so far as I am aware, he is not the representative of any Japanese Company.\n\nSince his arrival here the Viceroy has expressed great dissatisfaction with the work carried on at the Arsenal, and on the 31st January the Director, with three minor officials and twenty young men selected from the Arsenal employés, left Chengtu for the United States.\n\n3\n\nThe Director is to visit the St. Louis Exposition, and thereafter place the young men as apprentices in various workshops, where they will remain for three years before returning to Szechuan. They are each allowed 1,200 taels for travelling expenses, and 500 taels a-year while in America.\n\nNew machinery is to be purchased for the Arsenal, and the Director and officials accompanying him will, after inspecting and pricing the required plant in the United States, proceed to England for the same purpose.\n\nOne of the officials proceeding with the Director, and recently appointed to the Arsenal by the Viceroy, was educated in America, has travelled extensively in England, and speaks English fluently. He expressed to me his preference for English machinery, but added that the price would probably decide whether it would be of American or English manufacture.\n\nNo steps have yet been taken by the Viceroy to raise capital for the construction of the proposed Chinese railway from Chengtu to Hankow.\n\nAn official \"Gazette\" office has been established here with Government funds. The \"Gazette,\" which will run from thirty-five to forty pages, and contain, in addition to official matters, such as Memorials and Imperial Decrees, information on trade, &c., as well as current news, will be published every ten days. As there will be no issue between the 11th of the twelfth, and the 20th of the first Chinese months, the annual number of \"Gazettes\" will be thirty-two, at the price of 4 dollars.\n\nA font of foreign-cast metal type has been purchased for 2,000 taels.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) ALEX. HOSIE.\n\nPage 363", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395030, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 367, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n364\n\nSOUTH-WEST CHINA,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nNo. L.\n\n[July 19.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received July 19.)\n\n(No. 202.) My Lord,\n\nPeking, June 2, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, reporting on affairs in Szechuan and Thibet.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nERNEST SATOW.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.\n\n(No. 12.) Sir,\n\nChengtu, May 4, 1904.\n\nIN my despatch No. 10 of the 9th ultimo I stated that the Chengtu-Hankow Railway scheme had not advanced beyond the establishment of a Railway Department with a decorative signboard. I am well acquainted with one of the members of the Railway Committee, and as I frequently meet him I never fail to ask him as to the progress of the scheme. His answer invariably is that, although a member of the Committee, he is never consulted, and that the matter is left entirely in the hands of the Judicial Commissioner, who is supposed to be drawing up regulations or a prospectus for raising share capital.\n\nIn the course of a conversation which I had with the Viceroy lately, I took the opportunity of referring to the trade of the province, to the heavy prices of all foreign goods here, and to the benefits which his proposed railway, by reducing the cost of freight, would confer on the consumers; but, while freely admitting the difficulties under which foreign import trade at present labours, he became silent as soon as reference was made to the matter of the railway. Other officials speak of the hopelessness of China constructing the line unaided, and merchants do not hesitate to hint that the Viceroy's proposal is simply intended to block foreign railway enterprise. Against this, however, has to be put the selection and dispatch, within the last few days, of fourteen young men to Belgium, to be trained in railway and mining matters at provincial expense. I am inclined to think, however, that this has been done to enable the Viceroy to report that steps are being taken in furtherance of his scheme, should inconvenient questions be addressed to the Central Government. As over 90 per cent. in value of foreign imports into Szechuan by way of the Yang-tsze are of British and Indian origin, improved means of transport is of special interest to us, and I would venture to suggest that inquiry should be made at Peking as to the progress of the Viceroy's scheme. The latter is, in my opinion, far beyond the capability of the provincial authorities, and the great preponderance of our foreign goods trade would seem to justify us in asking that it should either be carried out without delay, or set aside for something more feasible. If allowed to rest where it is, it will drag on for years, and even then the result will be nil.\n\nM. le Vicomte Foy, accompanied by a M. Baillu, who has been travelling in the East as a correspondent of “Le Matin,” and now accompanies the former to write an account of his travels, arrived here on the 24th ultimo from Canton, whence he journeyed up the West River to Wuchow, and, passing through Kuei-lin, the capital of Kwangsi, and the Province of Kueichow, struck the Yang-tsze at Chungking. From the latter place they came overland to Chengtu. They had previously travelled overland—by rail where available—from Peking to Hankow, and from Hankow to Canton.\n\nM. Foy informed me that his father is largely interested in the Peking-Hankow line, and that he made this overland journey to be able to report on the progress of the work.\n\nHe stated that, although defeated at the last general election in France, he hoped to be elected Deputy two years hence, and that he was now preparing...\n\n[2062 -1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395031, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 368, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "himself for his political career by visiting the places in which France is specially interested in the East.\n\nFrom Chengtu, which they left yesterday, the travellers go south to Hsü-chou Fu (Sui Fu), and then proceed overland to Yunnan Fu.\n\nThis part of their journey, M. Foy said, would be of great interest to him, as he had no doubt that France would sooner or later wish to extend her railway from Yunnan Fu to the Yang-tsze.\n\nHaving made this journey myself, I mentioned that the task, owing to the mountainous nature of the country, would be no easy one; but he replied that it would not be more difficult than carrying our railway from Burmah up the Chien-ch'ang Valley to Chengtu.\n\nFrom Yunnan Fu he will go south to Tonquin, descend the Mekong, visit Bangkok and Rangoon, where he will take rail to Myitkina, cross over into India, and proceed homewards through Afghanistan to the Caspian,\n\nM. and Mme. Berthelot, who, as stated in previous correspondence, arrived in Chengtu on the 12th January, left for Peking on the 26th ultimo. As they travel overland by way of Hsi-an, K'ai-feng, and Chi-nai to Kiao-chau, they do not expect to reach the capital within four months.\n\nTwo of the three experts sent out to inspect the districts covered by the French Concessions in Szechuan lately arrived here. One is an Englishman named W. Meischke Smith, and the other a Belgian called Lanet. The latter is an oil expert who has been engaged at Baku. They are at present collecting information as to the most likely places where oil is to be found and propose to make a tour of inspection through the province.\n\nI am informed that an expectant Taotai, named Lin, who speaks French, and is a member of the Foreign and Mining Boards, has been appointed Chinese Director under the Concessions at a salary of 500 taels a month. He will reside at Chungking,\n\nLamas who have recently arrived here from Lhassa confirm the report of the arrest of the four Kalön, one of whom—Hsia Cha—referred to in previous correspondence, has had eighty charges laid against him. The Dalai Lama is said to have discovered letters proving that Hsia Cha has been in secret correspondence with a foreign Government, from which he has been receiving bribes.\n\nIt is rumoured in Ta-chien-lu that Russia has offered to station troops in Thibet provided she is allowed to make a good road into the country.\n\nM. Bons d'Anty, who has ceased to remind me of his temporary residence here, informs me that the French gun-boat \"Olry,\" sent to Shanghai for repairs at the end of last year, will return to Chungking.\n\nPage 363\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nPage 365\n\nSOUTH-WEST CHINA,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 14.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nActing Consul Litton to the Marquess of Lansdowne.—(Received May 14.)\n\nTeng Yueh, April 18, 1904.\n\n(No. 4. Confidential.) My Lord,\n\nI HAVE the honour to submit a Report on a journey performed last month in the northern part of this Sub-prefecture. A sketch map is attached, but it does not profess to do more than give a general idea of the country traversed.\n\nMy objects in making this journey were:—\n\n1. To get some further knowledge of the valleys and country to the north of this city. I came to the conclusion that the population and resources of those regions are very considerable, and justify proposals for developing communications with Burmah.\n\n2. To explore the water-divide between the N'maikha on the one hand and the Salwen and Shweli Rivers on the other. I find that this divide would make a convenient frontier.\n\nIt would assign all the Chinese villages to China and all the Kachins to Burmah. There are no villages for 5-6 miles on either side of the divide.\n\n3. To collect information as to the alleged claims of the Chinese to certain tracts in the N'maikha Basin. I find that these claims are rather more extensive than was at first supposed, but that they are very flimsy, and, with possibly one exception, not based on any administrative control or acts. They are claims, moreover, not of the Chinese Government, but of the families of certain Chinese Chiefs.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nG. LITTON.\n\nReport on a Journey in the North of the Teng Yueh Sub-prefecture, with special reference to the undelimited Burmah-China Frontier.\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nI. Description of Journey and Country.\n\nTHE stone-paved high road, which leads out of the north gate of Teng Yueh city up the valley passes through populous country, and is usually busy with traffic from the villages of the plain and of the Upper Shweli Valley. At 64 miles we ascend to the gloomy little valley of Hai Kou, surrounded by limestone peaks covered with pines, and watered by a small lake or tarn, whence the Teng Yueh tributary of the Taiping River takes its source. An easy ascent to a col 6,500 feet leads into the basin of the Shweli, or Lung Chiang. The traveller descends a picturesque gorge between forest-clad hills inhabited by barking deer and pheasants to the Hsiang Yang Chiao, where there is a suspension bridge over the west or Ming Kwang branch of the Shweli, a little to the north of its junction with the east or Ta Tang branch. Close by is the busy little market of Chu Chih.\n\nThe river here emerges from a gorge, and is 30 to 40 yards wide, much broken by rapids, and with some deep pools, which afford good mahseer fishing. As I had already visited the fertile and populous valley of Kai Tou, through which the Ta Tang River flows, and which is situated along the west flank of the great Salwen divide, I turned north from the bridge into the mountains on the left bank of the Ming Kwang branch, and soon reached a country of upland downs (at an average elevation of 7,000 feet), which is characteristic of the northern part of Teng Yueh Sub-prefecture. Grassy slopes, diversified with clumps of pine trees or patches of heavy forest, afford abundant pasture for considerable flocks of sheep and herds of ponies and cattle. I was astonished to find such a large head of animals throughout the country, and the numbers would no doubt be largely increased if there was good ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395033, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 370, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "4\n\nmountainous country. In easy country Lisaw transport is far inferior to mules. If the Lisaw smokes opium at all, he generally smokes it badly. He will sleep out anywhere, and will snore all night with nothing but a piece of goat skin between himself and deep snow, at a height of 9,000 feet.\n\nI had no sort of trouble with any of the Lisaw with whom I had to deal, and I should say that they are easier to get on with than Kachins.\n\nThe Lisaws are scattered and disunited, and are not I think capable of serious resistance to any one. The Lisaw \"rebellion\" which occurred two years ago in this part of the country was purposely much exaggerated by the Chinese mandarins in search of buttons and promotions.\n\nOn the 7th March, we marched east from Lan Ma, following up the stream and over a wild mountain range by a pass known as Kan Tsai Ling (8,700 feet). From one point in the ascent there is a fine view of the Kan Liang Pass and of the range which forms the British frontier. We then passed back into the Shweli Basin and descended through forest, with the monastery of Ying Feng Ssu, a well-known place of local pilgrimage, perched on a conspicuous wooded spur 3,000 feet above us on our right; descending further we struck the valley of Tien Tang, or the west branch of the Shweli River, near the small market of La Hsing. Like all the upper waters of the Shweli, the river is 30-40 yards broad, very clear and cold, and nearly everywhere fordable in dry weather, and only 1-3 feet deep, flowing swiftly over a bottom of slippery stones. The valley of the Tien Tang is about 14 miles broad, and is well peopled and cultivated.\n\nFollowing up this valley we passed into the territory of the Tien Tang Headman Tsai, about 14 miles before reaching Ying Pan Market, which consists of forty wattle bamboo huts. The Headman's house is near this, and he came out to see me.\n\nHe represents the eighth generation of Chiefs of Tien Tang, his ancestors, who were of Chinese origin, having established themselves at Tien Tang in the reign of Hung Wu of the Ming dynasty. Like all other Chinese Chiefs in this country, his ancestor was a military adventurer. The little territory of Tien Tang is divided into six \"pai's,\" or parishes, each containing four or five hamlets of five to twenty families. There are not more than 300 families in the whole of Tsai's jurisdiction. Tsai himself is a dirty, opium-smoking Chinese, of about 45 years of age, in no way to be distinguished from the ordinary villager. I gave him some whisky, which he appreciated, and he then supplied me with a number of details concerning the country round about. Finally, after having commissioned his nephew, a squat youth in straw sandals, to look after me, the Lord of the Valley shambled back to his opium couch with a bottle of his new Scotch acquaintance under his arm.\n\nWe continued up the valley by a good road, and camped at the hamlet (ten families) of Ta Ping Ti, on a terrace 300 feet above the Tien Tang stream. This is near the north end of the valley, and there is a good view of the hills forming the crest of the N'maikha watershed.\n\nThe next day, passing the village of Ma Li Pa (thirty families), 14 miles from and 250 feet below Ta Ping Ti, we ascended an upland valley in a northerly direction. On both sides of Ma Li Pa the tops of the hills were covered with snow. The track which we followed was good, even for mules, right up to the crest of the water-divide at the pass of Pan Wa, 8 miles from Ta Ping Ti. After Ma Li Pa we only passed one village about 6 miles from the pass, but there were extensive patches of cultivation, and the valley, until close to its head, was open, and covered with bracken and pine trees. This road is often followed by Lisaws and petty Chinese traders. The first village on the N'maikha side is said to be Chang Yin Kot, which is about as far from the Pan Wa divide as Pan Wa is from Ta Ping Ti; 7 miles farther on is Lu Pi. Both these are Lisaw villages.\n\nFrom Pan Wa Pass there is a view of the head of the valley of the Chipway tributary of the N'maikha, and of a range of snow-clad peaks known as the Chung Shan, which must be at least 12,000 feet, jutting out from the water-parting towards the N'maikha. The most conspicuous peak bears due north from the Pan Wa Pass, which on the Tien Tang or Chinese side is overshadowed by a high peak of about 10,000 feet, which hangs over Ma Li Pa. The Chipway is known to the Chinese as the Chih Fei River. The N'maikha seems to be generally unknown to them under that name, and they refer to it as the Ta or Chin Chiang (\"great or gold river\"). The Lisaws from the head-waters of the Chipway are said not to number more than 100 families. They come to Tien Tang to get supplies, as one would expect, seeing that the Pan Wa Pass is easy travelling in comparison with the Kachin country below them. Mules can get as far as Lu Pi by this route, but not beyond, into the Kachin country near the N'maikha, without previous road repairs. Walking could, it is said, get from Tien Tang to the banks of the N'maikha in four days, but few or none of the Tien Tang people seem ever to have been so far. Parties of Kachins, however, come to Ying Pan market two or three times a year to purchase iron, which is mined in small quantities in the valley near the Ta Ping Ti.\n\n5\n\nThe Tien Tang branch of the Shweli has three head-streams:\n\n1. The stream which comes from the Pan Wa Pass.\n\n2. The Mo Shih Ho, a brook a little to the west which springs from the same mountain from which flows the chief sources of the Chipway River.\n\n3. The main source flows from the hills north of Ta Ping Ti, at a point on the watershed just opposite the Chung Shan, and, passing the hamlet of Hei Tzu Wan, joins 1 and 2 at Ma Li Pa. There is said to be a difficult track, impassable for mules, over the watershed at the back of the Hei Tzu Wan to the Chung Shan.\n\nOn the 10th March we climbed up the steep hills east of Ta Ping Ti, through patches of cultivation, to 8,800 feet in 2-1/2 hours' march, and so descended by a broad, cultivated, lateral valley, with several villages, into the Ming Kwang Plain. Heavy rain caused us at 12:30 to take refuge in a temple at Shang Ho Si, the last village before debouching on the plain. This pass is easily practicable for laden mules. The next day we crossed the Ming Kwang branch of the Shweli, and ascended the Ming Kwang Plain for 6 miles, passing the dirty little market of Ying Pan Kai, to Tu Chai (\"main village\"), the residence of the Tso family. The plain is from 1 to 2 miles broad; the river was 45 yards wide where we forded, and 1 to 3 feet deep. It is fordable nearly everywhere in the Ming Kwang Plain. Along its banks, as along the banks of the Tien Tang stream, there is abundance of good camping ground, grass, fuel, and water, and of such ordinary supplies as rice, maize, fowls, ducks, mutton, cattle, in sufficient quantities for a small party.\n\nThe Ming Kwang Valley is now divided between two \"fu yi,\" or hereditary Chiefs. Lower Ming Kwang is the patrimony of the Yang family, who have their headquarters at I Ya Tang, a village on the opposite side of the valley to Shang Ho Si, and about 1 mile below it. Their portion of the valley is divided into three \"fan,\" or parishes—upper, middle, and lower—and consists of about seventy hamlets, with 6,000-7,000 inhabitants. There is much padi and other cultivation and a considerable head of cattle in the valley. Many of the people are engaged in the cutting and transport of wood from the surrounding hills to Teng Yueh. The ancestor of the Yangs is said to have been a military official who came from Teng Yueh in the Ming dynasty. The Yangs have now little more than an empty title, and the people of this part of the valley pay the ordinary land tax to the Teng Yueh Sub-Prefect.\n\nThe Upper Ming Kwang Valley belongs to the Tso family, but they have only about fifteen villages, with a population of 300 odd families. The present \"fu yi,\" or Chief, is a youth of 18, and is the son of Tso Erh Kuan (Tso the Second), who was killed at Hpare in Mr. Hertz's affair, in February 1899. The affairs of the family are now managed by the brother of the late (uncle of the present) head of the family. I was well received, and lodged in the Tso clan ancestral temple, where the various members of the family came to visit me. Their temple is at the back of their yamên, which is a filthy and rambling structure resembling a succession of pigsties; the village, of some seventy families, consists of hovels made of bamboo wattle, but there seems to be abundance of cultivation and supplies. It is, however, clear that the political and economical affairs of the family are in a very decadent condition. The \"regent\" is a man of some intelligence but of little energy, except in pulling at his opium-pipe; and I doubt if Burma will ever have any further trouble from the military aspirations of the Tso clan.\n\nMost of the Tso clan's peasantry are \"nu shou,\" or crossbowmen, who do not pay ordinary land tax. It would appear that they were originally a sort of limitrophe colonist, whose lands and status were recognized by the Chinese Government on condition that they defended the frontier. The Tso family is a branch of the Teng clan, originally seated near Chengtu, in Ssuchuan, but which early moved to Tsao Chiang, in the Mekong Valley, and in the Yun Lung Sub-prefecture of Yunnan. The name was then changed to Tso. At the end of the Ming dynasty Tso Wan Hsiang came from Tsao Chiang, and carved out as his patrimony the upper Ming Kwang Valley, from which he expelled Lisaws and others. It is also to be noted that there are vague traditions of Burmese (not Shans) having formerly inhabited parts of this country. Tso Wan Hsiang gained the honorary and hereditary title of \"Suan Fu Su,\" generally conferred only on Chiefs of the first class, and his descendants bear the title to this day. The present youth is twelfth in descent from the Wan Hsiang.\n\nPage 367", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395134, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 471, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government)\n\n468\n\nCHINA TRADE,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL\n\n[August 15.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nIt is unlikely, in my opinion, that His Majesty's Government will assent to a portion of the Customs revenue being diverted to any other purpose than those stipulated in Article 6 of the Protocol. Moreover, the present proposals of the Chinese Government do not, in my view, offer the same guarantees for the proper execution of the necessary works as those which the Chinese Government accepted in 1901.\n\nUnder these circumstances, while transmitting to my Government a copy of your Highness' note under reply, I am unable to recommend to them the adoption of the proposals which it contains.\n\nI avail, &c. (Signed) E. SATOW.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne,—(Received August 15.)\n\n(No. 222.)\n\nPeking, June 19, 1904.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith a copy of an Intelligence Report for the period from the 1st January to the 24th May, which I have received from the British Acting Consul at Chungking,\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) ERNEST SATOW.\n\nYour Imperial Highness,\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Conger to Prince Ching,\n\nPeking, June 21, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Imperial Highness' note of the 9th instant, inclosing a proposition for the Conservancy of the Whangpu River which the Chinese Government desires to substitute for the arrangement agreed to by China and the Powers in the Final Protocol of September 1901, and contained in Annex 17 thereto.\n\nFor three years the Chinese Government has been repeatedly urged by the Representatives of the Signatory Powers to appoint the Chinese member which it has the privilege of appointing under Article 4 (h) of Annex 17, in order that the work arranged for by the Protocol might be begun, and several times I have been personally assured by your Highness and other members of the Wai Wu Pu that the said appointment would be speedily made,\n\nOf course, your Imperial Highness is well aware that a change in the Protocol or the adoption of any new plan must be unanimously accepted by all the Signatory Powers. In their present form I fear the proposals of the Chinese Government will not meet with unanimous approval, and the presentation of them must necessarily cause great delay. The Chinese Government can hardly expect that the Powers will consent to the appropriation for this purpose of any portion of the Customs revenue, which is already wholly pledged to the payment of foreign loans and indemnities, or agree to its diversion to any other purpose than that stipulated in Article 6 of the Protocol.\n\nBesides, the proposals now made, in my judgment, do not offer the same guarantees for the faithful execution of the necessary works as those which were agreed to by China and the Powers in 1901.\n\nPropositions similar to these were some time since made to me verbally by one of the Ministers of your Board, and I replied that until the Chinese Government evidenced its intention to carry out the provisions of Article 4 (h) of Annex 17, by appointing its member of the Conservancy Board, I could not entertain any proposition whatever for a change in the plan already agreed upon.\n\nBut, since the proposals have come to me in a formal manner, I will, as your Imperial Highness requests, transmit them at once to my Government. Under present circumstances, however, I am unable to recommend their adoption.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nExtract from Chungking Intelligence Report, January 1 to date.\n\nLi-kin.\n\nTHE Viceroy, through his henchman, the Chief of the Head Li-kin Office at Chengtu, Liu Tsung Tai, has during the last two or three months made it perfectly clear that he is determined to obtain every quota of li-kin available; nor are the sums collected to find their way in such large proportions as formerly into the pockets of the subordinate officials collecting them. Almost the first official to suffer locally was his Excellency the Taotai, who was charged with want of energy in prosecuting the li-kin collection, and was eventually transferred temporarily to the Chufan Nan circuit. (See \"Official Changes.”) Subsequently, the four officials in charge of the export li-kin (Hsin Li-chin) offices situated-- (1) in the city; (2) at Hsiang K'uo Ssu, on the Little River; (3) at Tang Chia T'o, 30 li below Chungking; and (4) at Hui Lung Ssu, the same distance above--were, one and all, discharged and replaced by officers specially sent from Chengtu, the Taotai here having expressed himself unable to find on the spot men of sufficient ability to satisfy the Viceroy's requirements.\n\nTwo Proclamations bearing on this subject have appeared: the first, which was posted on the 28th March, had for its object the diversion of the export duty on opium emanating from Fuchou from the hands of the foreign Customs at Chungking into those of the li-kin authorities. Fuchou is the mart for the drug produced in the rich districts of Liangshan and Fengtu, and is distant on the up-river trip from seven to ten days from Chungking. It has in the past been the practice of the li-kin officials to issue to purchasers of opium in the interior, who had duly notified their intention to bring the commodity to Chungking for export through the Imperial Maritime Customs, passes exempting them from any payment to the li-kin offices other than the provincial li-kin of 5.28 taels. The Proclamation in question, while expressing surprise that merchants, unless moved by some desire to evade li-kin, should subject the drug to the long up-river journey from Fuchou to Chungking, to there ship it through the foreign Customs, took especial care to lay stress on the fact that, in future, the passes hitherto issued by the li-kin officials would cease. Further, that the buyer in the interior, unless furnished with a transit pass (\"Tzu K'ou Ping Chu\") granted by the Imperial Maritime Customs, would be compelled to pay his export duty and li-kin to the li-kin authorities, i.e.—\"robbing Peter\" the Imperial Government, \"to pay Paul\"--the provincial. The scheme, too, if carried into effect, would, apart from its adverse influence on the revenue of the foreign Customs, have been a bitter blow to the principal shipping firms engaged in the carrying trade by chartered junk, namely, Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company. The last would have suffered most, and lost little time in petitioning the Commissioner of Customs to exert himself to assist them. At the same time Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.'s agent appealed to me to see to it that no privilege should be given to the China Merchants which did not also apply to them--a somewhat unnecessary request. The Commissioner represented the matter.\n\nPage 2103\n\n \n[2103 p-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395135, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 472, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "2\n\nmatter to the Taotai, pointing out among other things: (1) that a transit pass for opium was a non-existent document; and (2) that, whereas the total dues now charged on opium shipped through the foreign Customs were 5.28 taels li-kin, 20 taels export or departure duty at Chungking and 52 taels arrival duty at Ichang, these would under the new arrangement, whereby the Szechuan departure duty became payable to the li-kin authorities, be augmented by the payment of an arrival duty of 20 taels to the Imperial Maritime Customs at Ichang on shipment of the drug on board steamer at that port. In other words, the total duty charged would be 97.28 taels in lieu of 77.28 taels. He also endeavoured to make it clear that the dues on the drug not destined for places beyond Shanghae had all along fallen to the share of the li-kin authorities, and that, seeing that Szechuan had now as competitors in the opium production of the Empire the Provinces of Shantung, Honan, Anhui, Kiangsu, Kwangsi, Yunnan, and Kweichow, the policy of increasing the dues on the opium shipped through the Imperial Maritime Customs to Shanghae, the south and the coast ports, was a suicidal one, involving an increase in price to the consumer of the Szechuan article and a consequent fall in the demand.\n\nIn the end, the Proclamation was withdrawn and a return made to the practice hitherto in force. I may here mention that, were Wan Hsien an open port, it would be the natural outlet for the opium produced in the Liangshan and Fengtu districts, which would thus be spared the up-river trip to Chungking to permit of shipment through the foreign Customs.\n\nOn the 16th ultimo a further Proclamation was posted notifying the inauguration of an export li-kin on goods leaving Chungking by the three main land routes.\n\nThese are:-\n\n1. Through the Chao Tien gate, and thence across the Little River to Chiang-pei from which, following along the course of this waterway, it runs viâ Hochou and Suining to Chengtu.\n\n2. Through the Nan Chi and Tung Yuan gates viâ Fu Ton Kuan to Yung Chutan, Pi Shan Hsien, Chiang Chin, Ta Tsu, Jung Chang, Lang Chang, &c., and Chengtu.\n\n3. Through the Taiping and Ch'u Ch'i gates to Hai T'an Ch'i across the Yang-tsze, thence to the Kweichow Province.\n\nThe rapacity displayed by Chao Chian, the deputy in charge of this collection, did not stop short of the smallest article passing through the gates mentioned to the places indicated. His p'iao were for as infinitesimal a sum as 1 cash, and not even a box of matches, pair of shoes, hat, piece of ribbon, &c., purchased by peasants and coolies were exempt. In the prosecution of his scheme he detained, as a li-kin payment on a consignment of bristles purchased by the Chungking Trading Company and passing through the Taiping gate, a case and basket of these goods which were about to cross the river to the godowns of the Company on the opposite side. Mr. Nicholson, the local representative of the firm at once requested me to obtain their release, which was duly effected. Mr. Chao's life was a short one: the populace was becoming so enraged at his impositions that the sacking of his Yamen was determined upon. On hearing of this, the Tantai sent a hasty wire to the Viceroy; the Commandant of the local militia had his men under orders to appear on the scene at the first sign of disturbance and to attempt, by exhortation-not by use of arms-to prevent the people achieving their purpose; while the deputy in charge of the Lao li-kin (import), whose office is situated in the same street as that of his confrère, lost no time in putting up a Proclamation to the following effect: \"It is not me: these are not my ways. It is the man next door: vent your wrath upon him.\" The Viceroy saved the situation by telegraphing the dismissal of Chao and placing the Chungking Prefect temporarily in charge.\n\nIt will be seen from the above how determined is the effort being made to stimulate the li-kin collection, the work, as I have already stated, of the Chief of the Head Li-kin Office at Chengtu. On the 25th March last, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. reported that a consignment of their goods, properly furnished with transit passes for Chengtu, had there been detained for li-kin and requested me to obtain their release. Having satisfied myself that the case was a bona fide one, I communicated by telegraph with His Majesty's Consul-General, who at once effected the required release.\n\n(Signed)\n\nH. E. SLY,\n\nBritish Acting Consul.\n\nChungking, May 24, 1904.\n\n(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)\n\n469\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\n[August 20.]\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nActing Consul Sly to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received August 20.)\n\n(No. 8. Confidential.) (Extract.)\n\nChungking, June 30, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of a Report on the trade of Thibet with the Province of Szechuan, through Kuan Hsien, Mao Chow, and Sungp'an, written by the Commissioner of Customs at this port, and which that gentleman has kindly allowed me to transmit for your Lordship's confidential information. Mr. W. C. H. Watson has been stationed for three years in Chungking, and is well acquainted with the commercial conditions of the province.\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nReport on the Trade of Thibet.\n\nKuan Hsien.-The trade of Kuan Hsien is of considerable importance, as may be seen from the figures given in the table. Situated as the town is on the border-line dividing Chinese Szechuan proper from that portion of the province inhabited by the Mantzu tribes, the chief business of the place consists of dealings in wool, soda, indigo, and of the medicines of the Chinese pharmacopoeia for which these districts are noted. It is also the centre of many coal mines, the produce of which is in demand on account of the excellence of the output. Medicines are brought in by merchants who periodically visit the tribesmen for purposes of trade and with whom dealings are conducted by a system of exchange and barter. A Chinese merchant will come into Kuan Hsien with the stock he has thus procured, proceed to one of the many inns, and inform the inn-keeper of what he has for sale. The inn-keepers act as a sort of brokers; they have the daily price of staples posted up in their establishments, and introduce customers. Customers thus introduced, mostly agents for Chengtu firms, buy on credit of one or two months, as the case may be, and the innkeeper is responsible to the seller for the payment of goods when due. For his services he charges a fixed rate of 3 per cent. on all transactions taking place at his inn. Ready money dealings are rare and do not appear to be appreciated.\n\nESTIMATED Annual Quantities of Goods passing inwards through Kuan Hsien.\n\n \n Description\n Classifier of Quantity\n Quantity\n Value\n \n \n Medicines\n Value\n \n Taels. 180,000\n \n \n Young deer horns\n Catties\n 1,500\n 30,000\n \n \n Old deer horns\n Piculs\n 1,500\n 6,000\n \n \n Musk\n Taels\n 16,000\n 216,000\n \n \n Wool\n Piculs\n 5,000\n 55,000\n \n \n Indigo\n Value\n \n 160,000\n \n \n Soda\n \n \n 150,000\n \n \n Timber\n \n \n 60,000\n \n \n Total\n \n \n 847,000\n \n\n[2108 u-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395136, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 473, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "2\n\nLIST and Price of Kuan Hsien Medicines.\n\n3\n\nknow.\" In fact, this was the reason given me for the practice by one of the merchants themselves.\n\nThe following table will show my estimate of the trade of Sungp'an ------\n\n \n Pei-mu\n Rhubarb\n Chung tao\n Huang-chi\n Chiang-bo\n Chuang-hsiung\n 'T'sc-hsieh\n Kan-sung\n Value per catty.\n Taels.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1.80\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.08\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4.50\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.09\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.07\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.08\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.06\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.07\n \n\nMao Chow. Mao Chow as a trading centre ranks in importance much below either Kuan Hsien or Sungp'an, though, for its size and position, it is a distinctly busy place; it is of note, too, in view of the saltpetre produced there, the leaching of which is under Chengtu Government control. A kind of pipeclay is manufactured at Mao Chow and sold in sticks; it is employed, I was told, for whitening the felt soles of Chinese boots.\n\nA table showing the estimated value of the annual produce of the town is given below.\n\n \n Description.\n Classifier of Quantity.\n Quantity.\n Value.\n Taels.\n \n \n Skins-\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sheep\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Goat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cow and yak\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Furs, sundry\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Medicines-\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kan-sung..\n \n \n 8,000\n \n \n \n Rhubarb\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Pei-mu\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tang-kuei.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sundry\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Musk\n L'ang\n 1,000\n 12,000\n \n \n \n Deer horns-\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Young\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Old\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Live stock-\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sheep\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Gonts\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Yaks\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Wool, sheep..\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tobacco\n Piculs\n 500\n 4,000\n \n \n \n Pepper (Zanthoxylum bunyei)\n \n 130\n 2,000\n \n \n \n Saltpetre..\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Goat skins\n Pieces\n 10,000\n 18,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9,000\n \n \n \n Total\n \n \n 45,000\n \n \n \n Imports into China.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tea, 20,000 bales at 120 catties..\n \n \n \n 27\n \n \n Silk and woollen goods\n \n \n 30,000\n \n \n \n Cotton goods\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Iron ware and salt\n \n \n 66\n \n \n \n Sundries, clothing, provisions, wines, needlos, &c.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Total\n \n \n \n 150,000\n \n \n Exports into Thibet,\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 20,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4,500\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6,500\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 60,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 15,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2,000\n \n \n \n Value in taels,\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 36,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 33,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 20,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 89,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 150,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 512,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 160,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 75,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 20,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 18,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 801,000\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 470\n \n \n\nSunyp'an. The total annual value of the trade passing through Sungpan is, as far as I can gather, under 1,000,000 taels. The place itself is a depot from which to draw goods for dispatch into Thibet, and a centre for the collection of the different commodities from that country received in exchange. The chief portion of the business is in the hands of the Ch'a Hao or Government tea monopolists, and the rest may be said to be divided up amongst the number of petty traders who visit Sungpan during the different trade seasons. As regards the different imports from Thibet, the seasons are fixed as follows: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd moons for medicines, 4th, 5th, and 6th moons for skins, 7th, 8th, and 9th moons for deer horns and musk-nothing apparently being brought in during the remaining three months of the year. The business between the Chinese and the tribesmen is entirely one of barter, the latter coming in to exchange their goods for others with the small shopkeepers, and these, in their turn, sell what they have been able to secure to traders who have journeyed up from Chengtu for business. It is the four Ch'a Hao and a few local skin and wool merchants who are able to afford to send agents into the interior for the purpose of trade, and, as a rule, they forward the results, with a view to better profits, to their branch establishments at Chengtu and elsewhere, thus avoiding the employment of a middleman. There are, however, also a certain number of smaller Chinese merchants who, knowing the Hsifan dialects, travel inland on their own account and bring in goods for sale. These find accommodation at the different inns, where they either store their merchandise or send it to shops for disposal. In either case a recognized fee (called \"Hang Yung\"), averaging about 3 per cent., is charged for such storage, this fee being payable on sale or removal. A most important matter for one to thoroughly understand is the different weight in catties of the picul (I-pai-chin). In Sungp'an rhubarb has 140 catties, pei-mu, kan-sung, and old deer horns have 120 catties, while other medicines have generally 110 catties to the picul. At Kuan Hsien and Mao Chow this difference varies to a greater or lesser degree, and, as far as I could see, the principle obtains for the purpose of imposing on those not “in the know”.\n\nSkins. As will be seen, the trade in sheep-skins passing through Sungp'an is of considerable value, and the skins are almost all sent to Chengtu. The quality, however, is inferior to those procured in Mongolia and Manchuria. They are annually brought down from the Amidon or grass country, the grazing ground of large flocks of sheep. At Sungp'an the skins are packed for transport in bundles of 110, each bundle (\"k'un \") containing a more or less proportionate quantity of superior and inferior-dressed skins. The sheep are fine, large animals, long fleeced when full grown. A few of the skins are prepared at Sungp'an, but not so satisfactorily as at Chengtu, whence the better class sheep-skin garments are brought back for sale. The chief supply of goat-skins comes from the Tiechi and Mao Chow districts. Other furs obtained at Sungp'an are not considered sufficiently good or plentiful for the supply to get further than the confines of the Szechuan Province, and consist of the skins of the following animals, mostly of the fox tribe :-\n\nHu-li, or common yellow fox\n\nMa-sha, a yellowish grey thick fur\n\nMa lo-tzu, a tortoise-shell fur\n\nHung-chun, a brown black-spotted fur\n\nTu-erh-shih, a browny grey fur\n\nShe-li, a light-weighing thick valuable fur of an animal of the linx tribe\n\nLang, or wolf\n\n \n Value in taels.\n 1.60 each.\n \n \n \n 0.45\n \n \n \n 0.35\n \n \n \n \"\n \n \n \n 1.60\n \n \n \n 39\n \n \n \n 1.50\n \n \n \n 25\n \n \n \n 5.50 12\n \n \n \n 1.75\n \n \n \n \"\n \n\nWith the exception of the wolf-skins, which are generally sold whole, all the above skins are cut and divided by the furriers for making up into the various fur garments so dear to the heart of the Chinaman; such finished garments have their special value if prepared with either the fur of the back, chest, or legs of the animal. The mode of securing these different wild animals is by shooting or trapping.\n\nMedicines. The different variety of medicines brought to Sungp'an is well known, and held in great esteem by the Chinese all over the Empire. Those of the vegetable kind grow wild, and are gathered by the tribesmen and Chinese from hill and dale in the surrounding country. Musk is a secretion in the naval of the “Ch'ang-tzu,\" or musk deer, that are found in herds everywhere along the eastern border of Thibet and\n\n[2103 u-1]\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395137, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 474, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "471\n\n4\n\non the shores of the Koko-nor. The Chinese complain of the difficulty of obtaining the musk in its pure state owing to adulteration by the tribesmen, whom they report as being most expert in injecting blood into the \"pod\" containing the secretion directly after the animal is killed. It is, however, an open question whether the Celestials are not themselves the worst offenders in this respect; anyway, musk when it reaches Shanghae is said to contain 20 per cent. and over of foreign matter. Lu-jung, or deer horns in velvet, is a much prized medicine among the Chinese; but the quality of horn obtainable at Sungp'an is reported as inferior to that coming from Tachienlu and Kuan Hsien.\n\nC\n\nLive Stock. The tribesmen around Sungp'an go in extensively for raising sheep, oxen, and horses, the grassy slopes of the hills, in addition to the moorlands of the Amdon, providing most excellent grazing ground for their flocks and herds. The figure for beasts given in the table is the number sent down annually to supply the markets of North-Western Szechuan, including those of the Chengtu Plain. A fine, full-grown sheep can be bought at Sungp'an for 1.30 taels, the smaller ones for 9 mace. Goats are a little more expensive, the price ranging from 1.20 taels to 2 taels a-head. Besides those exported, some 7,000 sheep annually are slaughtered at Sungp'an. Oxen and yaks fetch from 5 to 7 taels each.\n\nWool—Large quantities of this staple must be used by the tribesmen for the manufacture of the serge cloth (called by the Chinese \"Pu-lu\"), which is worn by all, not excluding the Llamas and women. Of the amount of the wool sent south but a minute proportion is used by the Chinese; it is only in fact within late years, since the foreign demand became known, that there was any trade to speak of at Sung'an in this article; and the wool purchases now made are mostly on account of foreign firms. Owing to this new demand, the local price of wool has increased to more than double its former figure, i.e., from 5 taels ten years ago to 10 to 11 taels, the present price per picul. The wool sent down is said to contain quite 25 per cent. of dirt, and, it might naturally be asked, considering the cost for transport and li-kin before it reaches Chungking, why means have not been devised to have it properly cleaned at Sungp'an. I purposely brought this point before the leading merchants, and they informed me that the matter had been well considered; and, although the place offered facilities for the establishment of cleansing houses, the water of the river was too cold to work with locally. If this to them-insuperable difficulty could be got over they would be able to pack the wool well and cheaply ready for direct shipment abroad. The present practice is simply to separate, as it arrives from inland, the better and cleaner quality wool from the rest before making it up into rough unprotected bundles for conveyance south by coolie or mule.\n\nTea—This is by far the most important on the list of articles brought up from the south for sale to the tribesmen, it being in fact to them an absolute necessity. The stuff, however, is hard to recognize as the staple from which is brewed \"the cup that cheers.\" The contents of the bundles I saw opened resembled more than anything else a packed collection of dried twigs, while the infusion obtained from them is as unlike one's idea of tea as it is possible to conceive. These things, anyway, are a matter of taste, and the cheapness of the twigs is a consideration. The better quality tea comes from the Kuan Hsien district, and is invariably packed in large square matted parcels (\"pao\") containing 120 catties. Each of these \"pao\" is valued at 8.00 taels, but the purchasing price at Kuan Hsien (untaxed) is 1.10 taels. The supply coming from the Shih Tsuen districts is packed in smaller parcels holding 66 catties, valued in Sungp'an at 2.50 taels each. The trade is a monopoly in the hands of the five Ch'a Hao, or tea hongs, which also control the chief business of Sungpan besides. The names of the four chief hongs are Feng Sheng Ho, I Ho Ch'uan, Pen Li Sheng, and Ting Li Yuan. Branches of these establishments are maintained in the commercial centres of Chengtu, Kuan Hsien, Mien Chow, and Shih Tsuen, and other places. The head offices are managed, with one exception, by Mahommedans, who are looked up to by all with the greatest respect. The control of the tea traffic supplying Thibet is vested in the Yen Ch'a Tao at Chengtu, and all packages are supposed to have a label bearing the characters \"Yin Ch'a\" stamped with his seal. The number of these \"Yin p'iao\" issued annually does not exceed 30,000, and the tax for each \"p'iao\" is 1.20 taels to cover one package, two small \"pao\" being reckoned as one. I heard, however, that by a mutual concession the Ch'a Hao have agreed to take up and pay for 28,000 \"p'iao\" annually if they be supplied with 30,000, and further, so long as the monopolists do not overdo it, a matter of 5,000 packages more can be conveyed up without any impost whatever. Thus the burden of taxation is considerably lessened for the tea hongs, while the Government derives a certain revenue from this source of 33,600 taels a year, and is spared the trouble and expense of the upkeep of an efficient controlling staff. On account of the difficulty of being always able to obtain a sufficient means of transport and stoppage of traffic, which not infrequently happens through a spell of rain making certain sections of the road impassable, the tea hongs have established depôts at Mao Chow and Ping-ting-kuan, where tea is stored to meet any unforeseen demand. From Sungpan the tea is conveyed inland on the backs of yaks under the charge of a Chinese employé of the Ch'a Hao, or of a trusted Hsifan agent. Caravans are regulated so as to proceed in fairly strong numbers. The men accompanying them being well armed, they are thus enabled, if necessary, to keep off roving bands of robbers, who are said to be ready to pounce on and pillage any party they think they can overcome. These caravans return laden with the different merchandise for which they have exchanged their previous cargo, and the profits made on transactions seem to be sufficient to compensate for the length of time, sometimes nine months, capital has to remain idle. The Manager of the principal Ch'a Hao told me that his firm had always as much as 60,000 taels up-country in merchandise. The hongs do not, as previously stated, confine themselves to business in tea alone, but dispatch by caravan any other goods from which they think profit can be made.\n\n5\n\nTransport. To and from Sungp'an the carriage of merchandise is done by coolie and mule over an extremely difficult road, which, however, could be greatly improved if a little money were expended on its repair. When a landslip or fallen boulders make places quite impassable, an effort is made to patch up the damage, the expense being defrayed by subscription collected from the village inns whose business is in danger of suffering from the loss of passing traffic. The workmen also levy a toll of a few cash from passers-by during their work, which, when finished, is anything but really satisfactory. The Sungp'an merchants complain bitterly of the state of affairs existing, and several of them begged me to represent the matter to the Viceroy in the hope that something might be done to lessen this drawback to trade. The cost of transport from Kuan Hsien to Sungpan by coolie is 3,200 cash per man, while for a mule it runs up to 5 taels. The former will carry, as a rule, 120 catties and take thirteen days over the journey, the latter bear burdens of 240 catties and are a little quicker. Mule transport, however, is not always procurable, and the head muleteers, who are not at all to be depended upon to carry out their contracts, frequently drop goods en route to enable them to take up a better chance offering, and then come back to continue with those they have for the time being left lying. So bad has this custom become, that merchandise will sometimes take as long as six months to reach its destination. The difficulty in securing transport is the reason why there is always a large stock of wool stored at Sungp'an, for it is the class of cargo the least liable to damage by being kept, and other merchandise has therefore the preference of carriage. Whether it would pay the larger firms to run their own mule caravans and thus be independent of the gang of muleteers is a moot question, I think, although the merchants themselves emphatically assured me that it would not, and that they consider it the better plan to lessen the evil existing by the establishment of depôts en route. The yaks, however, employed exclusively for the inland transport belong to firms engaged in the up-country business, and the drivers are always Hsifans. It may be here mentioned that carrying coolies on the road are invariably Chinese, the tribesmen never being seen with loads on their backs.\n\nLi-kin.—Before concluding, I will add a few words on the subject of li-kin. The total sum reported to the Throne last year as collected for the province under the head of Pai-Ho li-kin was 500,000 taels, while the cost of its collection ran up to 10,000 taels. Salt li-kin was reported at 2,000,000 taels, and that for opium, 900,000 taels. It was only in the year 1894, at the instigation of the then Viceroy, Lu Chuan-lin, that Barriers were erected at the two rope bridges, but were instantly demolished by the people, who refused compliance with the new levy. No drastic steps were then taken to enforce obedience, but, at the present moment, Weiyuan are deputed to collect li-kin at both these places, and they do so now without any opposition. This additional impost has, however, diverted a lot of the trade from Sungp'an, which now branches off at Mao Chow for Chung-pa and Mienchu-hsien. I was unable to get a tariff of this li-kin, which appears to be collected without method or rule, and merchants complain of great extortion as they speak of the time when the barrier outside of the north gate of Mao Chow was the only li-kin station between Sungpan and Chengtu. This Mao Chow barrier levies a Sanfei, i.e., three expenditure li-kin (expenses for Crown litigation, travelling expenses for officials on duty, wages of \"chai-jen,\" &c.) on all goods from Mao Chow, and also...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395177, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 514, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n511\n\n[September 12.]\n\nSECTION 6.\n\nSir E. Satom to the Marquess of Lansdowne. (Received September 12.)\n\n(No. 258.)\n\nPeking, July 20, 1904.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nYOUR Lordship forwarded to me, in your despatch No. 68 of the 1st March, a list of mining Concessions in China and Cores, published by the \"Moniteur Officiel du Commerce,\" and communicated to the Foreign Office by His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris.\n\nAs I possessed no information about certain of the Concessions mentioned in this list, I addressed an inquiry to His Majesty's Consular Officers in the districts where such Concessions are situated, and requested them to furnish me with reports.\n\nThe following are the Concessions about which I desired to be informed:--\n\n1. The Nanking coal mines, in the Province of Kiangsu, a Concession to work which was said to have been acquired by the \"Société Franco-Belge d'Entreprises Industrielles en Chine.\"\n\n2. The coal mines of Ainantse, near Tschiou. Concession acquired by the same Company.\n\n3. Metal mines (gold, silver, copper, and iron) in the Tien-shan and Maikong districts, in the Province of Szechuen. Concession in the hands of the \"Société Française des Mines de Szechuen.\"\n\n4. The Concession of the \"Société d'Etude du Fokien,\" in Fukien Province.\n\n5. All the Concessions noted in Manchuria.\n\nWith regard to (1) the Nanking coal mines, His Majesty's Consul at Nanking informs me that, in spite of careful inquiry, he has not been able to find any trace of a Concession having been granted to the Franco-Belgian Company.\n\nThe only coal workings in the neighbourhood are some shallow shafts at Lungtan, some 15 miles on the road between Nanking and Chinkiang. These were started some eight years ago by the local authorities at a cost of over 100,000 taels, but were abandoned after a little while as unremunerative. Some natives last winter reopened the mines, but were soon stopped by the authorities, who bought out their appliances and recouped them for their outlay.\n\nLatterly the same group of Chinese induced a British subject to act as figurehead for them, but the authorities re-entered into possession, and are now working the seams themselves.\n\nMr. Sundius is led to believe that the authorities intend to claim any coal that may be discovered in the range as Government property, and that they do not intend granting concessions to any one to work it.\n\n2. With regard to the Concession which is alleged to have been secured by the same Company in Hupeh, the Acting Consul-General at Hankow reports that, in spite of extensive inquiries, he has been unable to glean any information. No representative of the Company has ever visited Hankow.\n\n3. The Concession of the \"Société Française des Mines de Szechuen\" to work metals in the districts of Tien-shan and Maikong is stated, by His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, to be one working for the \"five metals\" in the department and independent sub-prefecture of Tien-chuan-chou and Mou-hung-ting. These districts are situated respectively in the north-west and north of the prefecture of Ya-chou-fu. The Concession expired in January 1903, and has been renewed from time to time, but neither prospecting nor work has as yet been undertaken.\n\nWith regard to Nos. 4 and 5, the Concessions in the Province of Fukien and in Manchuria, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copies of the replies to my inquiries which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls at Foochow and Newchwang respectively. In these despatches all that is known of the Concessions is entered into in full detail.\n\nI may here mention that the coal mines at Dalai Nor, a short distance to the south of the Manchurian Railway, are believed to be connected with the main-line by a railway. It is possible that the existence of such a branch line may have given rise...\n\n[2156 m-6]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395260, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 597, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nSOUTH-WEST CHINA.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n594\n\n[October 10.]\n\nSECTION 2\n\nSir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne-(Received October 10.)\n\n(No. 298.)\n\nPeking, August 17, 1904.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 202 of the 2nd June, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copies of two despatches which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu relating to French activity in the Province of Szechuan.\n\nInformation as to the journeys of Vicomte Foy and of Messrs. W. Meischke Smith and Lanet will be found in Mr. Hosie's despatch No. 12 of the 4th May, of which I had the honour to transmit a copy in my despatch above referred to.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nERNEST SATOW.\n\n(No. 22.)\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.\n\nChengtu, July 8, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that M. Bons d'Anty informed me yesterday that he had received a telegram from his colleague at Yunnan-fu to the effect that Vicomte Foy's caravan had been robbed by \"pirates\" near Yüeh-hsi Ting, in the Chien-ch'ang Valley, and himself stripped of his clothing, that in this condition the Vicomte had made his way to Lu-ku, a place on the road between Yüeh-hsi Ting and Ning-yuan-fu,* where there is a French Mission station, and had thence travelled to Yunnan-fu.\n\nIn my despatch No. 12 of the 4th May, I reported that M. Foy left Chengtu on the 3rd May by river for Hsüchou-fu, whence he personally informed me he intended to travel to Yunnan-fu; but my French colleague now states he altered his plans on arrival at Chia-ting, proceeding west to Ta-chien-lu and down the Chien-ch'ang Valley to Yunnan.\n\nI have reported from time to time the disturbed condition of the Lolo country, and M. Bous d'Anty attributes M. Foy's mishap to insufficient local protection. He also speaks of a claim for 5,000 taels compensation.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nALEX. HOSIE.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 24.)\n\nSir.\n\nConsul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.\n\nChengtu, July 23, 1904.\n\nIN my despatch No. 22 of the 8th instant, I had the honour to report that Vicomte Foy had been robbed near Yüeh-hsi Ting, in the Chien-ch'ang Valley, and had proceeded to Yunnan-fu. I now learn that M. François, French Consul-General at Yunnan-fu, who recently obtained furlough, has just made a journey up the Chien-ch'ang Valley to Ya-chou-fu, whence he travelled to Chia-ting-fu and down the Min River, and the Yang-tze to Chungking. There can be no doubt that the Chien-ch'ang Valley is attracting the attention of the French, and it would appear as if they were beginning to look upon it as an alternative to the difficult railway route from Yunnan-fu into Szechuan, with its terminus at Sui-fu.\n\n* 28° north latitude, 103° east longitude.\n\n† About 150 miles due west of Chungking.\n\n‡ To the westward of and mid-way between Chengtu and Chia-ting.\n\n[2216 -2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395261, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "page_number": 598, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "DOMESTIC.\n\n2\n\nMr. W. Meischke Smith and M. Lanet, referred to in previous despatches as having gone to the principal brine wells in search of petroleum on behalf of M. de Marteau and others associated with him (Société Française des Mines du Setchuan), are not returning to Chengtu. They are proceeding to Chungking, where M. Bons d'Anty, who is about to pay a visit to his post, hopes to meet them before their return to Europe.\n\nDr. Legendre left this on one year's furlough on the 4th instant. Pending the arrival of another medical officer from Tonquin, he will be relieved by Dr. Erdinger, who, attached in a similar capacity at Chungking, is now returning from home leave.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) ALEX. HOSTE.\n\nPage 28\n\n24 Oct 1904\n\nKowloon Canton Railway\n\n(Subject.)\n\nCO 595/20\n\nIP # 28 UCT 04\n\nDispored of ★L (58)—1183—10000-11-3 913-00-0;\n\nletter from Davis Dayfies who is anxious to obtain concession for construction of equipment of proposed railway to inform him that there is no reason to suppose that British Chinese early broken do not intend to proceed with undertaking at an early date.\n\n(Minutes.)\n\n\"letter from Sir C. Smitte see attached point, I am not prepared to say, at present, in their correspondence with the Corporation, and I would like to keep him informed.\n\nThe chief argument in favour of the Corporation has always been that they are the only people who are willing to undertake the thing.\n\nI submit\n\n27/10\n\n9.9.0\n\nDr\n\n377571\n\n70\n\n \nCO595/20", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 396913, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12]", "page_number": 207, "title": "CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12]", "content_text": "Hau now livre.\n\n204\n\n3). I approve of your sending tuin the telegram proposed in your fourth paragraph; You should hint to him that unless the Canton Viceroy abandons his opposition to the construction of the Canton Kowloon railway up to our frontier by the British and Chinese Corporation and to the joint working agreement for the British sections, there is in my opinion considerable risk of not getting the money.\n\nThe main inducement is Hong Kong to provide the funds is the prospect of the construction of the Canton Kowloon line being assured.\n\n4). My French colleague has evidently been telling the Viceroy that we have agreed with the French government to finance and construct the section from Chengtu to Chungking, you will have seen Reuters' telegrams about the proposed agreement with France but I have to believe that the statement made is at least premature.\n\n## Governor Hong Kong to H.M. Secretary of State for the Colonies\n### Pekeng Desp. 2 per. (No 9) Reed 3.16) 23:8; 08\n\nYour telegram of August 27 Consulati Grasral telegraphed to me August 21 as follows:\n\n\"Your telegram of 14th. During an interview today the Viceroy owned to the telegram, declines to Reconsider and carry out the agreement of the 7th June 1899.\n\nHe argues that the agreement was never officially accepted by his predecessors;", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397943, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 433, "title": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## SOUTH-WEST CHINA\n### CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1 \n426 \n[March 11]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\n### Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--Received March 11.\n\n**(No. 33. Confidential.)** \nMy Lord, \nPeking, January 23, 1905,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, on the subject of the state of the country and people between Ta-chien-lu and the Thibetan frontier.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nERNEST SATOW.\n\n### (No. 31. Confidential.)\n\nSir,\n\n**(Signed)**\n\n#### Inclosure in No. 1.\n#### Consul-General Hosie to Sir E. Satow.\n\nChengtu, December 21, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that during my recent journey to the Thibetan frontier, I became cognizant of several things which appear to me deserving of notice in a separate despatch.\n\nThe most important of these, and one which is particularly obnoxious to the Thibetan inhabitants of Ssuchuan, is the system of Ula or corvée transport which prevails to the west and north of Ta-chien-lu. Along and within a certain distance of the high-roads all Thibetan families are compelled, on the requisition of the Chinese authorities presented through their chief, to supply, in turn, official and other travellers with transport animals, either without any payment whatever or for very inadequate remuneration. It is true that the obligation relieves them from payment of rent, and that the feeding of the animals en route costs nothing, but the owners or others deputed by them to accompany the caravans as drivers are withdrawn, it may be for many days, from their homes and their work, whether pastoral or agricultural. The Imperial and Assistant Imperial Residents for Thibet, for example, pay nothing for transport, contenting themselves with presenting gratuities, which by the time they reach the hands of the drivers are ludicrously inadequate, and lamas are entitled to transport at merely nominal rates, altogether insufficient to meet the expenses of the owners. The result is that the Thibetan inhabitants on and in the neighbourhood of the high-roads are deserting their homes; ruined houses are everywhere common, and land is going out of cultivation.\n\nThe Ming Chêng Ssă or native Chief of Chala, with whom I exchanged friendly visits at Ta-chien-lu, complained to me bitterly of the treatment which he and his people received at the hands of the Chinese authorities. He told me that he is frequently called upon to order his people to provide larger numbers of animals than they can possibly supply; that on such occasions they have to hire from others, with the result that they are always on the verge of poverty; and that he has annually to distribute relief among the more necessitous. I may mention that the Chief of Chala, in spite of valuable presents which I saw made to him by the French Bishop for Thibet, whose head-quarters are at Ta-chien-lu, is on exceedingly friendly terms with British missionaries, with some of whom he has actually sworn brotherhood, explaining that he, like themselves, is a foreigner in China. He has great influence with the Chiefs of Litang and Batang, and was on by no means friendly terms with the ex-Dalai Lama of Thibet, who had even threatened to attack him.\n\nThe power of the lamaseries is far too great. This was especially evident in the State of Litang, where the lamas practically dictate their terms to the Chinese authorities. Some years ago two members of the China Inland Mission travelled as far west as Litang, and on arrival they were told by the lamas that their stay must not exceed two days. They had to go. At the present day the French Catholic...\n\n10\n\n(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)\n\nFurther south beyond the range of Consular tours, there are no doubt many more similar independent hill tracts.\n\nAfter over three years' experience, I can assert that while international relations have improved, i.e., while Chinese Kachins have been largely restrained from committing offences against our subjects, the internal condition of the Tengyueh frontier districts has deteriorated rather than improved. The Chinese Kachins have been and are increasing both in numbers and disorderliness. The Shans in the plains at least of Meng Wan and Meng Mao are, on the contrary, decreasing; part of the main Shan Valley of Meng Wan has recently fallen into the hands of the Kachins, who have turned out the Shan cultivators.\n\nThe Yunnan Government seems to be getting feebler and feebler, and what little the Chinese have done on the frontier has not been done proprio motu, but under strong and constant Consular pressure. Not the least attempt has been made to grasp the problem of Kachin administration, nor do the officials appear even to understand my representation that it is a shameful thing that hundreds of square miles of China should be wholly independent of the Chinese Government. \"What can you expect? They are only wild men;\" is the stereotyped reply of the Mandarins. Now, if this is the state of affairs in districts easy of access to Tengyueh and traversed by several frequented trade routes, what in the future is likely to be the condition of those remote districts on the banks of the Irrawaddy (N'Maikha branch) if the shadowy claims of China to any part of them are admitted? I would wish to draw the special attention of His Majesty's Government to the extreme unwisdom of admitting Chinese claims to any territory on our borders, which is inhabited by wild tribes, as proved by our actual experience on the Bhamo frontier.\n\nI doubt, however, if it would be wise to press the Chinese Government to undertake operations to subdue their nominal Kachin subjects. I gather that British officers estimate that a force of 400-500 Ghurkas and a battery of mountain guns would be required. It is out of the question for the West Yunnan officials to put in the field a force anything like equivalent to that. The force would have to be supplied by special arrangements from Yünnan-fu, and the Yünnan-fu Government would oppose a stubborn resistance to anything of the kind. Yet it would be inadvisable for us to make a demand if we were not prepared to insist upon compliance.\n\nIf a Chinese force did get under weigh, it would be in the last degree badly organised and inefficient. The work of subjugating the Kachins would therefore take a long time, during which the whole of the frontier might be in a disturbed condition, which would be contrary to the political and commercial interests of Burmah. During the course of such operations, too, a number of undesirable Kachins might take refuge over the border in British territory, and cause trouble to our officers.\n\nLast, I think it is evident that the Chinese Government is sinking more and more into its dotage. Eventually and gradually, these frontier districts must in the course of nature fall under British control. This process will be made easier if the Chinese are not encouraged to attempt to subdue the Kachins and establish military posts in these hills.\n\nFor these reasons, I am of opinion that so long as we continue to obtain such satisfaction as we have received during the past two seasons, it would be prudent to leave matters as they are, while fully recognising that the present state of things is not wholly satisfactory. I am addressing the Taotai, pointing out in general terms that in no case has punishment been administered in a frontier case to the offenders, and that large tracts continue to be merely nominally part of the Chinese Empire; but I refrain from suggesting any remedy.\n\n#### Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n#### Rough Sketch of Bhamo-Yunnan Frontier.\n\n[Not printed.]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403130, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 39, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA TRADE\n\n21343\nREC[June 5.] (Rea 21 JUN 05\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n#### No. 1.\n\n**Sir E. Satou to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received June 5.)**\n\nPeking, April 13, 1905.\n\n(No. 123.) My Lord,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, forwarding copy of a despatch addressed by him to His Majesty's Consul at Chungking on the subject of an agency in Chengtu of the British firm, Mackenzie and Co.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \nERNEST SATOW.\n\n##### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Acting Consul-General Campbell to Sir E. Satow.**\n\n(No. 6.) Sir,\n\nChengtu, March 8, 1905. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, a copy of a despatch (with inclosure) which I addressed to-day to His Majesty's Consul at Chungking on the subject of an agency in Chengtu of the British firm, Mackenzie and Co.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \nC. W. CAMPBELL.\n\n##### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Acting Consul-General Campbell to Acting Consul Russell.**\n\nChengtu, March 8, 1905. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, a copy of a letter which the Viceroy has sent to me on the subject of the establishment of foreign places of business in Chengtu.\n\nAdvertisements which I have seen in the \"Official Gazette,\" and posted at the city gates and elsewhere, state that Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Co.'s goods are sold at the \"Lung-mao yang hang,\" at an address outside the east gate of Chengtu. The Chinese in charge of this establishment tells me that he is an employé of Mr. Feather-stonhaugh, of Chungking, who represents the British firm of Mackenzie and Co. It appears that the Hua-yang Magistrate, acting under instructions from the Chengtu Bureau of Foreign Affairs, sent runners to order him to take down the posters which I have mentioned, and to refrain from advertising in the \"Official Gazette.\"\n\nI drew the attention of the Viceroy's Secretary, Taotai Ts'ai, who is also Director of the Foreign Bureau, to this matter, and he admitted at once that the Hua-yang Magistrate had acted under a misapprehension of the Bureau's instructions. The only objection to the posters and advertisements was to the statement they contained that Messrs. Mackenzie and Co. had an establishment outside the east gate. Mackenzie and Co. had a perfect right, under Treaty, to employ Chinese at Chengtu, or elsewhere in the interior, as agents for the sale of their goods, but the local notices issued by such persons should disclose their status as agents.\n\nThis appears to me to be reasonable, and I have asked Messrs. Mackenzie and Co.'s agent to insert the characters \"tai li\" (\"agent for\") before \"Lung-mao yang hang\" in his local advertisements and posters. Mr. Ts'ai promised to see that the Hua-yang Magistrate was informed of his error, and that the legitimate business of Mackenzie and Co.'s agency was in no way interfered with.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) C. W. CAMPBELL.\n\n[2039 e-] \n38", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403131, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 40, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## INA TRADE\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n39\n\n[June 9]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n**(Translation.) Sir,**\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1. Viceroy of Chengtu to Acting Consul-General Campbell.\n\nKuang Hsü, 31st year, 1st month, 26th day (March 1, 1905).\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that I am in receipt of the following report from the Bureau of Foreign Affairs:-\n\n\"It is provided by Treaty that foreign merchants shall not open business establishments or warehouses in the interior, and as Chengtu is not an open port it accordingly comes within the scope of this rule. Last year two shops for the sale of foreign goods were opened in Chengtu - one in the name of the French merchant, Coffiney, one in that of the British merchant, Holland. As it was ascertained that both shops were opened by Chinese for the sale of goods belonging to foreign merchants, the owners were ordered, after an understanding was come to with the British Consul-General and the French Consul, to alter their sign-boards.\n\n\"It now appears that the British firm, Brunner, Mond, and Co., and the American firm, Jih Hsin, have opened shops inside and outside the city, and the Magistrates of the Chengtu and Hua-yang districts have been instructed to investigate and take action. However, in view of the number of years that have elapsed since the Regulations for foreign commerce above referred to were made, no foreign merchant can possibly be ignorant of their provisions; and as we fear that the personation of foreign firms by Chinese merchants may be detrimental to trade we feel it our duty to call attention to Treaty stipulations on the point, so that a proper discrimination may be shown. We would therefore suggest that the foreign Consuls in Chengtu be asked to direct the merchants of their respective nations in Chungking to follow Treaty provisions in future, in order to avoid the danger of Chinese merchants fraudulently assuming their names. Should, however, Chinese merchants repeat their former practices, it will then be easy for the local officials to deal with them as provided by Treaty.\"\n\nAs the request of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs contains nothing incompatible with Treaty stipulations, I have addressed the French and German Consuls on the matter, and have now the honour to request you to be so good as to issue instructions in the above sense.\n\n(Card attached.)\n\n## No. 1\n\nBoard of Trade to Foreign Office.~(Received June 9.)\n\nBoard of Trade, June 8, 1905.\n\nI AM directed by the Board of Trade to refer to your letter of the 12th ultimo, submitting a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, forwarding a copy of the proposals drawn up by the Deutsche Vereinigung of Shanghae for the amendment of the Provisional Regulations for the registration of trade-marks in China, and, in reply to your inquiry as regards the proposal therein contained for the amendment of Article 26, I am to point out for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that the proposal in question appears to have been framed before the receipt by Sir E. Satow of the draft amendments proposed by this Board, as the preliminary Memorandum to the amendments in which it is included is dated February 1905. In these circumstances, the Board of Trade think it would be desirable to ascertain, if possible, whether, since the receipt of the Board's proposals, any - and, if so, what - modifications have been made in the present and other proposals, of which a copy has been furnished to this Department.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) T. W. P. BLOMEFIELD.\n\n[2039 --11]\n\n17633 \nZ.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403555, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 464, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "# 457 \n## 2\n\nIn Kiangsu, Hsüchon is a centre of the trade for the province. It was estimated that 2,500 piculs (3,000 cwt) of Hsüchon opium were consumed at Nanking in 1903, and it is widely used throughout the province.\n\nKuangsi produces ma-shih-t'u, ma-k'uai-t'u, and k'uai-tzu-t'u, but the quantity does not seem to be large.\n\nChekiang produces great quantities throughout the province. Tai-chou, Hsiang-shan, and Yi Yao are the centres of the industry, the estimated production for the year 1900 being 15,000 piculs (18,000 cwt.). The crop is said to be deteriorating owing to neglect of fertilization. Some, however, is exported, the quantity estimated as having gone to Foochow by various routes in 1902 being 1,000 piculs (1,200 cwt.).\n\nIn Fukien the cultivation of the poppy has increased enormously of late years. In 1900 it was predicted that in the near future the province would be independent of any other supply.\n\nThe Chinese estimates of the production in the neighbourhood of Amoy alone were, in 1902, 4,770 piculs (5,724 cwt.), and, in 1903, 9,178 piculs (11,003 cwt.).\n\nManchuria has lately appeared as a producer of opium, and possibly will eventually become the main source from which Chinese markets on the coast will be supplied. After the local demand had been satisfied 865 piculs (1,035 cwt.) reported to the native Customs at Newchwang for export in 1902, and 2,015 piculs (2,418 cwt.) in 1903.\n\nAlthough I have indicated various places at which opium is produced in China, it is evident that the amounts produced are small, and a cursory study of the trade reports shows that the main source of supply of Chinese opium is the three provinces of Szechuan, Yünnan, and Kweichou.\n\nIt is notoriously impossible to obtain any statistics as to the quantities produced of any commodity in China.\n\nMr. Hosie, on p. 28 of his Report on the Province of Szechuan, estimates the quantity of opium consumed yearly in that province at the enormous amount of 127,750 piculs (153,300 cwt.). His estimate of the total quantity produced in the province being more than double that of Indian opium introduced into China hardly seems correct, as the total net import of all foreign opium has only varied between 48,994 piculs and 59,161 piculs during the ten years ending 1904.\n\nAn authority on the subject (Mr. Spence, I believe) in 1881 estimated that 177,000 piculs were produced yearly in Szechuan, 35,000 in Yunnan, and 10,000 in Kweichou.\n\nIn his Report for the year 1909 the Commissioner of Customs at Chungking estimated the production in Szechuan at 250,000 piculs.\n\nIn the absence of any definite information, estimates of the quantities produced are only interesting for the sake of comparing them with the estimates given for other places, and show the great preponderance of the Szechuan and Yunnan article.\n\nAlthough the regulations deal with opium from the three Provinces of Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kweichou, of the amount which passes through Ichang from one-third to one quarter is from Yunnan and the rest from Szechuan.\n\nOpium poppy cultivation appears to be almost universal in all districts in Szechuan, except in the Chengtu plain.\n\nThe opium which passes through Ichang comes largely from Fuchou and Hsuchou. The latter kind is said to have almost entirely supplied the Kiangnan market in 1901.\n\nIn the Customs Trade Reports for 1899 and 1900, in which years the crops seem to have been good, the following places in various parts of the province (see sketch map,* `Inclosure 2`) are mentioned as having stocks of opium on hand:—\n| Place |\n| --- |\n| Fuchou |\n| Chien Chou |\n| Yung Ch'uan |\n| Nei Chiang |\n| Sui-ting |\n| Chunghing |\n\nPrior to 1890 the quantity exported from Szechuan was comparatively small, and does not seem to have attracted much attention from the authorities.\n\n*Not printed.\n\nThe great boom in its use came about 1894. The following Table shows the estimated quantity brought down by river, and the proportion which passed through the li-kin office as opposed to the Maritime Customs:\n| Year | River borne (Piculs) | Passed through Li-kin Office (Piculs) | River borne (Cwt.) | Passed through Li-kin Office (Cwt.) | Percentage |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1891 | 12,600 | ... | 15,120 | ... | ... |\n| 1893 | 17,099 | ... | 20,519 | ... | 30 |\n| 1896 | 17,259 | 10,383 | 20,710 | 12,460 | 60 |\n| 1897 | 22,627 | 12,000 | 27,152 | 14,400 | 53 |\n| 1898 | 20,089 | 12,250 | 24,110 | 14,700 | 61 |\n| 1899 | 31,361 | 16,300 | 37,638 | 19,560 | 52 |\n\nThe figures for the five years 1900 to 1904 are as follows:\n| Year | River borne (Piculs) | Maritime Customs (Piculs) | Li-kin Office (Piculs) | Total River borne (Cwt.) | Maritime Customs (Cwt.) | Li-kin Office (Cwt.) |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1900 | 25,443 | 12,717 | 13,726 | 31,731 | 15,260 | 16,471 |\n| 1901 | 30,585 | 15,877 | 14,708 | 36,702 | 19,052 | 17,650 |\n| 1902 | 22,098 | 6,722 | 15,878 | 26,517 | 8,066 | 18,451 |\n| 1903 | 24,888 | 5,794 | 19,094 | 29,865 | 6,953 | 22,912 |\n| 1904 | 36,856 | 11,278 | 25,578 | 44,228 | 13,533 | 30,095 |\n\nThe amount of the drug consumed in Ichang is so inconsiderable a fraction that for practical purposes it may be assumed that the above figures represent the amount which passed through by the Yang-tsze route to the down river markets.\n\nThe opium which is passed through the native li-kin office is carried in native boats to the various river ports in the Two Hu, Kiangsi, and Anhui Provinces. The principal distributing centre is Kiukiang, but opium sent by other routes probably also reaches it.\n\nThe estimated quantity of Szechuan opium (in which term the Yunnan product is presumably included) imported there under native li-kin rules was, in 1901, 10,000 to 12,000 piculs (12,000 to 14,400 cwt.); in 1902, 18,000 piculs (21,600 cwt.); and, in 1903, 15,000 piculs (18,000 cwt.). In the last year it was noted that only about 2,000 piculs (2,400 cwt.) were consumed locally.\n\nThe opium which is passed through the Maritime Customs at Ichang is almost entirely sent by steamer to Shanghae, which is a distributing centre for Kiangsu, and some is again re-exported to Fukien and Kuangtung.\n\n## Other Routes\n\nOther routes by which Szechuan opium is distributed are:— For Hupei, Yeh San Kuan-Itu.\n\nFor Hunan, (1) the route through the Shihnan Prefecture controlled by the Lai Feng Office; and (2) that from Fuchou (Szechuan) to Kung Tan and the Yuan River to Chang Tê.\n\nThis route was once the main line of traffic to Hankow, but was ruined by the opening of Ichang, the ascendency of Shashih as a trading centre, the improvements in the Shihnan road made by the opium guilds, and friction with the aborigines (vide Rosthorn).\n\nA route which possibly carries opium to the north-east is by the Chia-ling and Chu Rivers to Sui-ting, and thence to Hsing-an Fu on the Han River in Hupei.\n\nKan-chou Fu (latitude 26°, longitude 115°) in Southern Kiangsi, is a great distributing centre of Szechuan opium.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407300, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "page_number": 596, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "2\n\nthe proposed erection of hauling appliances as prejudicing their Treaty right to undertake such works themselves. I learn on good authority that the Japanese are actually working on a scheme of steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze on similar lines to the one now under consideration by the French,\n\nMr. Meischke-Smith's system is briefly as follows:—\n\nPowerful light draft tugs, steaming 14 knots, will tow steel barges of about 150 tons capacity, or native junks, between Ichang and Chungking. At each rapid the tug-boat and her lighter will be taken in tow by a rapid-boat of the Lombard-Gérin type as used on the River Rhône. One of these boats, named \"toueurs,\" will be stationed at all the principal rapids. Their method of traction is similar to that of the spider, and consists in warping themselves up the rapid by means of a cable attached to a point at the head of the rapid, and letting themselves down by unwinding the cable. Going up vessels are towed astern; going down they are lashed alongside. The tow ropes, being attached to the bow of the \"toucur,\" give her liberty to steer, and thus enable her to keep in mid-stream and avoid the dangers attending a tow line worked from the bank. It is hoped that this system will not necessitate the erection of any hauling appliances on shore, and consequently interfere as little as possible with the junk traffic.\n\nThe French naval authorities have placed Captain Plant, their Upper Yang-tsze pilot, at the disposal of the Company. Captain Plant, who has for the past five years successfully navigated the rapids on trading-steamer, gun-boat, and junk, and who is therefore well qualified to judge of the possibilities of steam navigation on these waters, has, in a written Report, expressed his opinion that the proposed system is quite feasible. He will probably proceed to Europe as soon as he has taken the French gun-boat \"Olry,\" now in port, up to Chungking for the purpose of studying the Lombard-Gérin \"touage du Rhône,\" which has now been for over ten years in successful operation on that river. On his return he will be placed in charge of the Company's steamers. These vessels will fly the French flag, but Mr. Smith informs me that at least 75 per cent of the Company's personnel, captains, agents, &c., will be British. The \"toueurs\" will be built in France, the steam-tugs and barges in England and Shanghae. It is estimated that when the system is in proper working order a steamer and one or two tows will make the journey from Ichang to Chungking in ten days, travelling down in five days, say, twelve round trips per annum, as compared with the two round trips made at present by the ordinary cargo junk.\n\nThe scheme, if it proves a success, will mean a complete revolution in the Upper Yang-tsze trade. To the objection—which will probably be urged by the Chinese authorities that artificial haulage over the rapids will throw some thousands of trackers out of employment, the Company reply that, speaking generally, increased facilities for trade will provide increased employment for the population of the Upper Yang-tsze, and that, in particular, the development of the coal-mining industry in Szechuan, at present paralyzed by inadequate means of transport, will provide more than sufficient work for the unskilled labour of the province.\n\nThe towing system, if extended to the Middle Yang-tsze, as is in contemplation, will undoubtedly prove a serious competitor to the British and other Steam-ship Companies at present engaged in the trade. But, quite apart from the fact that the energies of the new Company, even should the sanguine projects of its agent be realized, will be fully occupied for some time to come in developing their business on the Upper River, I do not think that the British shipping Companies are likely to suffer any loss. In increased cargo they should find compensation for reduced rates of freight, and there seems no reason why the British and French shipping interests on the Upper Yang-tsze should not successfully combine against their powerful rivals the Japanese. The Asiatic Petroleum Company, in which British capital is largely interested, have very strong reasons for wishing the scheme well and according it their financial support, as I understand they are doing. Since their unsuccessful attempt a few years ago to compete with the Standard Oil Company in Szechuan, American oil has enjoyed an undisturbed monopoly in that important market. With steam towage in working order, the former Company will be able to send up their oil in bulk, pack it in new tins and cases at Chungking, and probably drive the American product out of the market. I understand that arrangements are now being made to send up regular shipments by junk in order to make the brand known.\n\nMr. Smith is now on his way to Canton, whence he will proceed up the West River to inspect the Company's oil tank installations at Samshui and Wuchow. If the Regulations to be issued by the Imperial Maritime Customs for the new service prove to be satisfactory, he will notify the Chinese Government, through the French\n\n3\n\nMinister, of the Syndicate's intentions, and then, if all goes well, he hopes to have the first steamer running on the river before the summer of next year.\n\nI am forwarding this despatch under flying seal to His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow, and am sending a copy to His Majesty's Consuls at Chungking and Chengtu.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) HARRY H. FOX.\n\nThe real obstacle to steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze has been the impossibility of insuring paying cargoes. Piece-goods and yarn are too bulky to bear high freight, and the Szechuan dealers have not cared about their being quickly forwarded. From the west opium and silk, musk, and other valuables come down very speedily in small parcels by \"wupan,\" a system that distributes the risk of loss. Other difficulties have been the questions of coal and repairs en route. The present scheme does not seem sure to get over the above objections.\n\nOn the Ichang run towing would, I presume, have been tried had it been likely to prove advantageous, and there is no reason why the French Company should monopolize it now or should refuse to take any cargo but that brought up in French bottoms on either section of the river.\n\nE. H. FRASER.\n\nHankow, April 12, 1906\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nConsul Fox to Mr. Carnegie.\n\n(No. 11.) Sir,\n\nIchang, May 18, 1906. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of Sir Ernest Satow's despatch No. 3 of the 23rd ultimo on the subject of steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze. I should have replied before this, but have been waiting to see the newly appointed Ichang Taotai, Sun Ting-lin, formerly Opium Taotai at this port, and learn from him the exact state of affairs with regard to the proposed upkeep of tracking paths and erection of hauling appliances at the rapids. Sun Taotai, who took over charge at Kingchow on the 26th ultimo, was expected to visit Ichang on or about the 1st May. He has, however, been obliged to proceed to Wuchang on business connected with the proposed transfer of the opium li-kin collectorate from Ichang to Chungking, and has not yet returned to his post.\n\nMy authorities for the statement that the Japanese Government had objected to the erection of hauling appliances on the rapids by the Chinese authorities were the Commissioner of Customs here and the Deputy Chang Te-ping. According to information confidentially obtained by Mr. Wolf, and subsequently corroborated by the Deputy, the proposed levy of junk fees for the above purpose had been referred by the Japanese Consul at Shasi to his Legation, and by them to the Foreign Office in Tokio. The latter had refused their consent to the scheme, and, although the ground of their objection had not transpired, it seemed more than likely that the Japanese Government did not wish to commit themselves to a proposal which might interfere with Japanese enterprise in the same direction. My statement that the Japanese were actually working on some scheme of the kind was made on the authority of the Commissioner of Customs, who based his opinion on the fact that a party of Japanese engineers had recently been making surveys of the rapids between Ichang and Wanhsien.\n\nAs far as I can learn no progress at all has been made with the Chinese scheme for providing aids to navigation on the upper river. The Road Improvement Office has not yet been opened, and no attempt has so far been made to levy junk fees. The Viceroy, as you will gather from a despatch, copy and translation of which I have the honour to inclose, is opposed to the collection of these fees being placed in the hands of the Maritime Customs on the ground that, being of the nature of voluntary contributions for a charitable purpose, they should not be looked upon as duties. The distinction would appear to be, in the present case, a purely nominal one, and I trust I shall be correctly interpreting the instructions conveyed in Sir Ernest Satow's despatch No. 2 of the 20th December last if I inform the Taotai\n\nPage 587", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410747, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12]", "page_number": 371, "title": "CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12]", "content_text": "# Page 366\n\nallowing the \"squeeze\" of the seaman by the comprador. I enclose a sheet of \"Melbourne Age\" in case you have not seen it.\n\nFaithfully yours,\n(Signed) John H. Pugh.\n\nCaptain Green, Varine Superintendent of E. A. Company, Sydney, N.S.W., and the Captains of the China Navigation Company's boats \"Tai Yuen\", \"Changsha\", \"Chingtu\" must know of the system. I can hardly conceive that they, or any captains, will confirm my statement, unless they are caught in an unofficial colloquial way. They want their business made smooth, naturally, and are all good men or would hardly be in the positions they occupy.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410777, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12]", "page_number": 401, "title": "CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12]", "content_text": "## \n\nI do not like it. \n\nShth is included. \n\nSkip it at the cost of Hongkong. \n\nIt will be \n\nAfter all \n\ntoo \n\ndeep \n\nquite so \n\n... \n\nto Hong Kong. \n\n841 \n614 \n\nThen we have \nto pay out \n\nI am not sure \n\nThe phasing \n\n... \n\n7 m \n\n... \n\n... \n\nAY'S \n\nAny further communication should be addressed to ~ \n**THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, (MARINE DEPARTMENT)**. And the following letter and number should be quoted: \n`M...` \n24512 \n**Telegraphic Address, BOARD TRADE, MARINE, LONDON.** \n39069 \n**RECE MARINE DEPARTMENT,** \n396 \n7, WHITEHALL GARDENS, \nLONDON, S.W. \n4th November 1907. \n\nSir, \n\nI am directed by the Board of Trade to state, for the information of the Earl of Elgin, that they have received, through the Foreign Office, a barometer for Captain James Marrach, Master, and a binocular glass for Mr Stewart Keightley, Third Officer, late of the S.S. \"Shantung\", of London, which have been awarded to them by the French Government in recognition of their services to the crew of the French S.S. \"Tamise\" in the vicinity of Cape Varela on the 10th September 1904. \n\nThe Board are informed that it is not known when Messrs Marrach and Keightley will return to the United Kingdom, that in June last they were in the service of the China Navigation Company Limited, the former as Master of the S.S. \"Chihli\" and the latter as Third Officer of the S.S. \"Chingtu\", and that their address is care of Messrs Butterfield and Swire, Hong Kong. \n\nThe awards in question are transmitted herewith, and I am to request that you will be so good as to move his Lordship to cause them to be forwarded through the usual channel for presentation, and to give instructions that receipts may be obtained and sent to this Department in due course. \n\nI \nThe Under Secretary of State, \nColonial Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411075, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 252, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### [3105]\n#### No 1.\n##### 249\n###### [January 28.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n### 5519\n\n**RECH** Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 28, 1907.) **REG 13 FEB 07, (No. 519.)**\n\nPeking, December 11, 1906.\n\nWITH reference to your telegram No. 185 of the 1st November, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from Mr. Goffe, Acting British Consul-General at Chengtu, from which it appears that the Viceroy's idea of raising a foreign loan to make up the deficit in railway finances has now been abandoned.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Goffe to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n**(No. 72 a. Confidential.)**\n\nChengtu, November 16, 1906.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 69 A of the 15th ultimo, I have the honour to report that the idea of raising a foreign loan appears to have been abandoned for the present, owing to the majority of the gentry being opposed to such a step. This entirely accords with the Viceroy's personal wishes, and he is reported to have given some sort of undertaking that the deficit in the railway funds shall be made up within three years.\n\nIt is more than a coincidence that, since the gentry have begun to put pressure on the Viceroy, the head priest of Chao Chueh Ssu, a temple situated about 12 li outside the north gate, and said to be the largest in Szechuan, has been arraigned on a charge of having secretly married and brought up a family. According to the \"Official Gazette,\" six-tenths of the temple property have been confiscated to the Government, and, as the land belonging to the temple amounts to some 7,000 mou, with over 100,000 taels' worth of timber, the Viceroy is considered to have netted at least 200,000 taels, which will doubtless go to replenish the empty coffers of the Railway Company. The people do not seem to have objected in any way to this spoliation of the Church, and flocked to see the priest cangued in full pontifical robes outside the central police station. It is not improbable that, after this first success, pretexts will soon be found to confiscate the lands of other temples.\n\nA few days ago Mr. Davey showed me privately a letter which he had received from Mr. E. S. Little, Messrs. Brunner, Mond, and Co.'s agent in Shanghae, requesting him to try and negotiate a loan for the purpose of constructing the Szechuan-Hankow Railway. Mr. Little in his letter stated that, during a recent visit to Peking, he had discussed this matter with Tang Shao-yi, who had referred him to the provincial authorities and gentry. He was, he said, in touch with a group of financiers who were prepared to advance the money on the following terms--issue at 90, 5 per cent. interest, to be secured on salt or some other revenue, and an Imperial Decree to be issued authorizing the loan.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **HERBERT GOFFE**\n\n[2326 ee-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411800, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 300, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## HINA RAILWAYS\n### CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 177.)\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 3.)**\n\nPeking, April 15, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu regarding the maladministration connected with the affairs of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway.\n\nThe reports which reach me from all parts of the country show clearly that the Chinese, while fully determined to resist the construction of railways under foreign auspices, are not likely, by themselves, to attain much success in enterprises requiring united effort and honesty of administration for some years to come.\n\nThe Kalgan Railway, the only one which is progressing, under native management, owes much of its success in construction to foreign expert advice, and has had the advantage of being financed by the surplus funds of the Northern Railway. But whenever attempts are being made to construct and finance railways by purely native methods there is always the same story of misappropriation of funds and ineffectual remonstrances from disappointed shareholders. It may be hoped that an experience of abortive efforts of this kind will, in time, convince the people and the Government of the wisdom of having recourse to foreign financial and expert assistance, but it must be confessed that there is still little indication of any change in public opinion.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nChengtu, March 15, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose précis translation of a pamphlet recently issued for private circulation by a number of Szechuanese students in Japan, criticizing the present official administration of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway, and suggesting various reforms. Of these the principal is the total elimination of official control; but the authors, whose language throughout the pamphlet is unusually moderate and reasonable, make no attempt to solve the all-important problem as to how the reconstructed Company, with a present nominal capital of only 5,000,000 taels, is, without financial or expert outside assistance, to accomplish the construction of a great railway, the cost of which is estimated at 50,000,000 taels.\n\nWith the pamphlet was issued a placard couched in somewhat violent language, which, apostrophizing the officials as wolves and tigers, charged them with embezzling the railway funds, and called on the people of Szechuan to take the control of the railway into their own hands. The pamphlet was, I believe, privately circulated among the students of the Imperial College, but the placard was apparently seized by the authorities, as it has not been seen in the city.\n\nMr. Hu Chun, whose return from abroad I reported in my despatch No. 9 of the 7th February, informed me, in the course of a recent interview, that the Railway Administration had no intention of contracting a foreign loan, that they had ample funds in hand to commence the construction of the line, but that this could not be done until the return of the Engineer-in-Chief, Hu Tung Chiao. This gentleman, who has been engaged for the last two months in making a final survey of the line, reached Kuei Fu on the 6th instant, and is not expected here until the end of July.\n\nIn the meantime, I learn on good authority, that Shen Taotai has resigned his directorship of the railway, and that the entire control of the administration is now in ...\n\nPage 300\nPage 301", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411801, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 301, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n## Précis of a Pamphlet issued for private circulation by the Han-lin Yu Ch'ung-hsi and forty-two Szechuanese Students in Japan, criticizing the General Administration of the Chuan-Han Railway\n\nThe authors, after explaining the important role that railways play in the commercial development of a country, quote the Regulations issued by the Board of Commerce for the formation and management of Companies, and proceed to point out that the Chuan-Han Railway Company contravenes these Regulations in two particulars:\n\n1. Because, if it is an official and commercial Company, the capital should be subscribed in equal shares, i.e., 25,000,000 taels each; but as a matter of fact the capital has been, with the exception of a sum of 250,000 taels paid in by the Provincial Treasury, entirely raised by private shares, rent shares, and donations. The Company therefore obviously comes under the heading of \"Commercial Companies,\" and as such should be controlled by the people of Szechuan, and not by the officials.\n2. Because the Company has never obtained the necessary sanction of the Board of Commerce as prescribed by the Regulations. There is reason to believe that the Viceroy intended the gentry and merchants to obtain this sanction themselves, showing clearly that he regarded the railway as a commercial undertaking.\n\nThe authors then enumerate the four principal reasons why, in their opinion, the Railway Company has so far been a failure:\n\n1. The unwillingness of the people to subscribe, caused by their distrust of the officials. They quote the case of the Hupeh cotton mills, which were a failure under official control, but which paid handsomely as soon as they were taken over by the merchants.\n2. The diversion of the Company's capital to other purposes, such as the management of the Thibetan expedition and the Chung-king mint. It is admitted that this charge cannot be proved, as no one has had access to the Railway Administration's accounts, but the authors ask \"If a portion of the railway funds were not used for these undertakings, where did the money come from?\"\n3. The deplorable institution of rent taxes. The authors recognize that the system of rent taxes cannot be abolished owing to insufficiency of voluntary subscriptions, but they point out that the present arrangement, whereby the small proprietors whose income does not exceed 10 piculs per annum pay at the same rate as their richer neighbours, is both unfair and inexpedient, the amounts received from the poor proprietors being insignificant, and the tax rendering the railway unpopular.\n4. The co-operation of officials and gentry in the administration has not been successful, as the latter, who should, properly speaking, safeguard the people's interests, allow themselves to be \"run\" by the officials, and responsibility is shifted from one to the other as they find it convenient.\n\nMatters have now, says the authors, reached a deadlock. The Company which exists in name but not in fact; no one knows who are its responsible Directors, and instead of the people controlling it as they should do, it controls them. One might as well ask a cripple to perform acrobatic feats as to ask such a concern to construct a railway!\n\nHowever, the authors admit that criticism is not all that is required, and so they proceed to indicate a remedy. This is nothing short of a complete reconstruction of the Company on the following lines:\n\nTo begin with, the Company requires a new set of Regulations defining exactly its objects, the selection of its Directors, and the powers conferred upon them. These Regulations should be submitted to a general meeting of shareholders for approval. It is suggested that the following recommendations should be included in the new Regulations:\n\n| Recommendation | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | That the Company be a commercial Company, of which the shareholders shall have entire control. |\n| (b) | That the amount of share capital be fixed and the liability of shareholders limited. |\n| (c) | That all financial transactions of the Company be made in dollars. |\n| (d) | That the face value of shares be changed from 30 taels to 100 dollars. It is pointed out that 50 taels is too much for the bulk of the population to pay; on the other hand, any considerable reduction in cost might result in the Company finding itself at the mercy of an ignorant majority of shareholders. It is proposed that the example of the Chekiang Railway Company be followed. |\n| (e) | That the Directors and employés of the Company be forbidden to engage in outside business, and that if an official is appointed a Director by the shareholders, he shall, as in Japan, resign any other offices he may hold. |\n| (f) | That the capital of the Company be not diverted for any other purpose. |\n| (g) | That the present method of collecting rent taxes be discontinued, and a progressive tax on the incomes of the big landholders substituted. The total capital to be raised by rent shares shall be definitively fixed, that the average amount to be collected each year shall be calculated on the collection of the last two years, and that the tax, which will be progressive, shall not be levied on incomes under 50 piculs per annum. |\n\nThe authors conclude by recommending their pamphlet to the careful consideration of all patriots, and exhorting their readers to act now before it is too late.\n\n(Signed) **HARRY H. FOX** \nChengtu, March 12, 1907.\n\n**Note.-** The French Consul was shown the original pamphlet, but did not make a copy of the Chinese text. The above précis is taken from a French translation of the document.-H. H. Fox.\n\nPage 300 \n2 \nthe hands of Mr. Hu Chun. The elimination of official control urged in the pamphlet above referred to would therefore appear to be, at any rate nominally, an accomplished fact.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \n**HARRY H. FOX**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411941, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 441, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[19896]\n\n**(No. 212.) Sir,**\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[June 17.]\n\nSECTION 25168\n\nREGE 16 JUL 07,\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 17.)**\n\nPeking, May 2, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 156 of the 1st ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum which has been drawn up for me from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls since that date on the progress of the measures which are being taken in the provinces for the enforcement of the Imperial Regulations against the use of opium.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Memorandum respecting the Enforcement of Opium Regulations in the Provinces of China.**\n\n### Amoy\n\nA missionary writes to His Majesty's Consul from a city 50 miles to the north of Amoy that the land under poppy cultivation in that region is very small and that the area is decreasing, which is probably due to the present attitude of the Government. He adds that when an attempt was made in that region some eight years ago to extend the area of cultivation, there happened to be an enlightened Mandarin there, and he announced that he would seize anyone who attempted to plant the drug. The missionary continues that all classes of society smoke the drug and that a vast number use morphia. About one in three of the male population uses the drug. There are much fewer women victims. The city and neighbourhood are famous for adultery and brothels, and it is largely in connection with these that the women take the drug. The numbers have greatly increased in the past few years, partly owing to the facilities for obtaining the drug and partly owing to the pernicious habit that has grown up of offering the pipe in good houses to visitors. Also, many have been told that it relieves stomachache and cough, and, getting it so easily, take it and wake up to find themselves in the grip of the drug.\n\nThe missionary ends by saying that the Imperial Proclamation has been posted up in that city and also a Proclamation of the Viceroy of Fokhein, pointing out these items and dealing with the hurtfulness of the drug and medicines for its cure. The officials support this attitude, and the Chief Magistrate sent his nephew recently to the Mission hospital for cure. An increasing number are coming in to the hospital to break off the habit. The people of the neighbourhood are said to be certainly not opposed as a body to this new movement.\n\n### Canton\n\nA number of measures intended to restrict the cultivation of the poppy and consumption of opium have been promulgated. A Black List is to be drawn up containing the names of licensed smokers, and persons unprovided with a licence will not be permitted to purchase opium. One case was reported by the papers, in which the Viceroy ordered the execution of a non-commissioned officer and several men guilty of assembling to smoke opium.\n\n### Chungking\n\nThe Acting British Consul reported on the 2nd April that Mr. Alexander, of the Anti-Opium League, on his return from Chengtu, addressed a large meeting of Chinese in Chungking on the 25th March. Before Mr. Alexander spoke, a Chinese read out... \n\n[2542 r-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412062, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 562, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE.\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n27519 \n[15.] \nREG 2, AUG 07 SECTION 1. \n-560 \n[23391]\n\n**(No. 259.) Sir,**\n\n### No. 1. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 15.)\n\nPeking, May 30, 1907.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 212 of the 2nd instant, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum which has been drawn up for me from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls since that date on the progress of the measures which are being taken in the provinces for the enforcement of the Imperial Regulations against the use of opium.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n### Memorandum respecting the Enforcement of the Opium Regulations in the Provinces of China.\n\n#### Amoy\n\nTHE local importers of Indian opium are complaining of the proposal to double the tax on foreign opium. They argue that, although the tax on the native drug has been doubled, the sole result is that more and more is smuggled. This evasion of the customs dues is practically impossible so far as foreign opium is concerned, and consequently Indian opium is being ousted by native opium, although the latter appears in but moderate quantities in the official returns. A general impression prevails that while the more important officials certainly seem to be abandoning the consumption of opium, the petty officials still continue as before, possibly exchanging opium for the cheaper drug, morphia.\n\nThe area under poppy cultivation in the Amoy district does not yet show any signs of decrease, actual or impending, though official statistics may show the contrary by classifying under rice or wheat land which is really devoted to the poppy.\n\nA missionary reports from Chinchew that the number of poppy fields in his district is enormous. Giving some particulars as to the individuals who smoke opium, he says that the men far preponderate over women. As to the classes into which the Chinese divide society—gentry, farmers, mechanics, and merchants—the first and last class seem to be more addicted to it than the farmers and mechanics. In some it seems a lack of anything to do to occupy the time, in others plenty of means, in a third class undue fatigue and exertion is the reason for beginning the habit. In a good many the habit is begun to cure some real or imaginary trouble. The number of opium smokers seems to be decreasing, and the present agitation is doubtless having some effect. No local rules or regulations have been issued in Chinchew. Several of the prominent literati have given up the habit, and a large ancestral hall has been opened for its cure. Some literary men come to the missionaries for cure because they propose going to Peking for examination, and hear that the rules in the north are very strict, and no opium smoker will be allowed to enter.\n\nThe attitude of the people generally toward such measures as are proposed to be taken is one of scepticism as to their being actually carried out.\n\n#### Chengtu\n\nThe anti-opium Proclamations have been widely posted, and in some of the larger towns orders have been given for the closing of opium shops and divans within the six months' limit; otherwise the movement appears to have made but little headway. The", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412063, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 563, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# 561 \n\n## 2\n\n**Viceroy's Proclamation**, referred to in my last Report, ordering all opium-smoking officials to register themselves on the \"black list\" remains a \"dead letter.\" The provincial Director of Education, a notorious opium smoker, still holds office, and not one official has voluntarily resigned or been deprived of his post on account of his addiction to opium.\n\nIn Chengtu the Commissioner of Police has been appointed a Director of the Head Office for the suppression of opium smoking, and this energetic and enlightened official recently informed His Majesty's Consul-General in conversation that, if given a free hand, he undertook to completely stamp out opium smoking in Chengtu and the neighbourhood within five years. Unfortunately the Acting Viceroy, with whom he is on bad terms, has removed him from his sphere of usefulness in the police and appointed him to the comparatively unimportant post of Director of the Commercial Bureau, and it is unlikely that his successor will carry on his crusade against illicit opium dens and vendors of spurious opium remedies. In a recent Proclamation, issued by the Chengtu Prefect and Magistrate, notice was given that all opium shops, divans, &c., must take out licences at the newly-established opium hongs. As this Proclamation made no mention of the fact that all opium shops and divans are under orders to close at the end of the 6th moon, it was generally supposed that this was the first indication given by the authorities that they did not intend to carry out the former Viceroy's instructions on this subject. In reply to a query put to the Acting Viceroy on this point, his Excellency stated that the Proclamation in question was issued in terms of the Board of Revenue's Regulations for the taxation of native opium, and that it did not affect in any way the later Regulation regarding the closing of opium shops and divans. There exists, however, a strong feeling among the Chinese that the Government will not when the time arrives proceed to extremes against the dealers in opium, partly out of consideration for vested interests, principally because of the serious loss of revenue the closing of the opium shops will entail.\n\nSome of the older Protestant missionaries resident in Chengtu report that there is undoubtedly a strong movement, especially noticeable among the middle or shop-keeping class, to rid themselves of the opium habit, but they do not think the desired reform can be accomplished by Proclamation and prohibition on the part of the provincial authorities unless these are actively supported by the whole body of local officials and gentry throughout the province, and the latter have so far, with one or two exceptions, done little or nothing to help on the movement. The doctor in charge of the Canadian Hospital at Chengtu reports that he has noticed a marked increase in the number of persons desirous of breaking off the habit.\n\n## Chinan\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reported on the 2nd May that not very much seemed to be doing towards the suppression of opium cultivation and smoking; the opium shops are alleged to have received notice to close at the end of six months, but are doing business everywhere much as usual. The Department Magistrate at Kiaochau is said to have opened an institute in that town on the 14th March for the treatment of opium cases. In the south-west of the Province of Shantung it is reported that, in consequence chiefly of enhanced taxation, only about one-third of the previous amount of land is being cultivated with opium this year. There is a head opium depôt in the district city, with branches in about six market villages. There are twenty or thirty opium shops in the district city, and an average of three or four in each village.\n\n## Hankow\n\nA native newspaper announced on the 28th April that the Viceroy had lately received another despatch from the Home Office at Peking in the following sense :- \n\n\"The enforcement of the prohibition of opium smoking is a matter of imperative necessity. In the provincial capitals respectable gentry should be chosen and appointed to establish there centres of the anti-opium Societies, while in prefectures, departments, and magistracies, branches of the Society should be set up. Local officials are to have no connection with the Society, except that they must be responsible for its protection. Cultivation of the poppy is not one of those offences that can be carried on secretly within closed doors; it is done in the open fields. Investigation, therefore, is not difficult, and we cannot understand why it has not been made before now, and district a report forwarded to us. We must ask you to issue strict injunctions to every ... to report to you immediately, in order that you may be enabled to reply to this Department and to assist in its investigation of the question.\"\n\nAnother native paper, dated the 26th April, says :- \n\n\"A despatch from the Viceroy, conveying instructions to the Treasurer and Judge on the subject of opium smoking, has just come to our notice. His Excellency says that minor officials in occupation of their posts who have the opium habit must be relieved of their duties by their superiors, who will send deputies to take over charge. To officials of fifty years of age and upwards a time limit of six months will be given, within which they must break off the habit. An officer will then be sent to examine whether they have really conquered the vice, and if he finds they have, they will be allowed to return to their posts; but if any evasion or deception is detected, they will all be cashiered.\"\n\n## Kashgar\n\nMr. Macartney reports that the Imperial Edict and Regulations for the abolition of the use of opium have so far remained a dead letter in Kashgaria.\n\n## Kiukiang\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports on the 8th May that no decisive steps have been taken in the province to carry the Regulations into effect. In Kiukiang itself and the surrounding districts none of the opium shops or dens have been closed, and in all probability no diminution has taken place in the number of smokers. The officials themselves, with few exceptions, are addicted to the use of the drug in greater or less degree, and do not seem disposed to take any steps to stop the habit in themselves or others. The new Governor is an opium smoker. The area of land devoted to poppy cultivation has also not decreased, but poppy cultivation is not in any case to be reckoned as of any account in the province, the opium consumed being brought from Yünnan, Szechuan, Kuangtung, and India. The only sign that any steps had been taken by the Central Government to suppress the general use of opium was a placard in verse enjoining the giving up of the habit and exhorting non-smokers to persuade others to desist from the evil practice. The argument contained in it was to the effect that weakness resulting from use of the drug caused smokers to be easily deceived by others, and that those who did not persuade others to desist were not good patriots. The placard, however, was not a local production, and was probably sent from Chili or Shantung by an anti-opium Society. It remained on the walls in several streets for some weeks, but has now entirely disappeared. The attitude of the officials and people generally toward the Regulations seems to be sympathetic, but they regard their complete carrying out as an impossible task.\n\n## Nanking\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports that no practical effects of the recent anti-opium legislation are as yet apparent so far as the general public is concerned, but amongst the military and student classes effective measures for the suppression of opium smoking are said to be already in force. Rigorous investigations, too, have been set on foot, with a view to suppressing the vice amongst the official classes, and a number of expectant officials in Nanking, selected from the different provinces of the Empire, have been charged with the duty of reporting on the habits of their respective provincial colleagues. The civil officials, however, will probably be found more difficult to deal with than the soldiers and students. In the \"Official Gazette\" of the 2nd April the text was published of instructions issued by the Viceroy to the provincial Treasurer and others on this subject. The document is undated, but probably belongs to the beginning of the Chinese year (mid-February). These instructions deal in general terms with the importance of carrying out the legislative measures already announced, in spite of the difficulties of the task. Three months is laid down as the limit within which all offices, civil and military, and all educational establishments are ...\n\nPage 3 \n\n[2564 p-1] \nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412078, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 578, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n28491.\n\n(July 15.)\n\nRECD\nSBOTIC EG1.10 AUG 07\n[23392]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n576\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 15.)\n\n**(No. 260. Confidential.)**\nSir,\n\nPeking, May 30, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Chengtu regarding French activity in Western China. Notwithstanding their experience in Corea and other parts of the East, the French still persist in endeavouring to strengthen and extend their influence by finding situations for their countrymen in places where their services are very unwillingly accepted. It is questionable whether this policy does not do more harm than good, for agents who are foisted upon a Government seldom attain the confidence or respect of their employers, and, whatever may be the reasons, French proceedings in Western China are viewed with considerable distrust by the Chinese.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed)\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n**(No. 25. Confidential.)**\nSir,\n\nChengtu, April 24, 1907.\n\nIN my Intelligence Report for March quarter, p. 7, I referred to the unexpected arrival of M. Huet, a French naval officer, seconded by his Government for service in the Army Medical School at Chengtu. M. Huet has now been engaged as lecturer on mathematics and chemistry, and, the circumstances of his engagement being somewhat unusual, I deem it advisable to bring them to your notice.\n\nAs explained in the Report above mentioned, the Chinese authorities had recently made it quite clear to the French Consul that they did not wish to engage more French doctors or professors for their schools. M. Huet's arrival therefore placed the Consul in an embarrassing position, and he finally decided that he would not court a rebuff by officially presenting M. Huet to the authorities, but would leave Dr. Legendre, the senior professor, to make the best arrangements he could for his colleague. This was done in the following manner: Dr. Legendre informed the Directors of the Army School that the students would derive more benefit from his instruction had they some knowledge of mathematics and chemistry. His suggestion was adopted, and a Chinese professor appointed. The doctor had little difficulty in showing the Directors that this person was quite unfit for the post, and on their saying that they could not afford to engage a foreign professor, he informed them that, by a fortunate coincidence, a French chemist now in China on a journey of scientific research had lately arrived in Chengtu, and would, he was sure, be pleased to place his services at the school's disposal; the question of salary need not stand in the way, as this gentleman was sufficiently provided with funds, and as regards quarters, there was, at any rate for the present, room for him in the French Consulate. The matter has thus been settled presumably to the satisfaction of both parties, and the French Government have now four officers on the active list of the army and navy in the employ of the Chinese Government in Chengtu. M. Huet, whose rank is \"Pharmacien de Première Classe,\" draws a salary of 12,000 fr. (£450) per annum, the three army doctors' salaries ranging from 12,000 fr. to 16,000 fr. per annum.\n\nThe Acting Viceroy yesterday received a telegram from the Governor of Kueichou stating that M. Bons d'Anty and party had left Kueiyang on the 22nd instant for Luchou via Pichieh Hsien. The latter town, situated on the official main road from...\n\nPage 2570-1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412079, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 579, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n**(No. 256.)**\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, May 29, 1907.\n\nSINCE writing my despatch No. 208 of the 1st May, on the subject of the measures to be taken by the Chinese Government for the suppression of piracy in Canton waters, I have continued to keep the attention of the Wai-wu Pu steadily directed to this question.\n\nOn the 14th May I informed the Grand Secretaries Na Tung and Ch'u Hung Chi, in the course of an interview, that I had recently spoken to Sir Robert Hart on the subject, and was surprised to learn from him that he still had no instructions whatever from the Revenue Council (Shui-wu Ch'u) respecting the four revenue cruisers which I had been assured were to be purchased and placed under his control.\n\nThe Grand Secretaries blamed the Revenue Council for the delay, and promised to press that Department to issue its instructions to the Inspector-General of Customs.\n\nWhen I next saw his Excellency Na Tung on the 21st May I told him that I had seen Tong Ta-jên's successor in the Revenue Council, Mr. Liang Tun Yen (the Minister designate to America), a few days previously, and that Mr. Liang had professed total ignorance of the proposal for placing the cruisers under the control of the Customs.\n\nThe Grand Secretary deplored the existence of the Revenue Council, and argued for his own part that he had not unnaturally supposed that Tong Ta-jên would have explained to Mr. Liang how matters stood. He could only suppose that the crisis in his career through which Tong Ta-jên had recently passed had unnerved him, and caused him to forget his responsibilities in this question.\n\nIn a further conversation on 28th May his Excellency criticized rather severely the part which Tong Ta-jên had played. As a member of the Wai-wu Pu and of the Revenue Council, his colleagues in the former Department had presumed that he would answer for the adhesion of his coadjutor in the Shui-wu Ch'u, T'ieh Liang, to any arrangements which had been determined upon by the Wai-wu Pu. It appeared, however, that T'ieh Liang had been opposed throughout to any preventive scheme entailing customs control, and that Tong Ta-jên had not disclosed this to the Wai-wu Pu. The Revenue Council had the money in readiness, but were awaiting a reply from the Viceroy at Canton, to whom it had been suggested that, as he was to furnish an officer for each vessel, he might prefer to finance the whole scheme. If he declined to do so, the funds held by the Revenue Council would be utilized.\n\nI expressed my strong disappointment that a measure which I had understood to be determined upon by the Chinese Government was being subjected to such delay, and impressed upon his Excellency that I had reported to His Majesty's Government the arrangement which he had described to me on the 30th April, from which the Chinese Government could not recede.\n\nHis Excellency, while fully admitting the accuracy of the assurances I had attributed to him, was only able to ask me to await the Viceroy's answer respecting the funds, which would be communicated to me as soon as it arrived.\n\nThe situation is now further complicated by the removal of the Viceroy Chou Fu and the reappointment of Ts'en to Canton. Until the disorganization produced by this change has subsided there is little prospect of succeeding in giving effect to the scheme, but I shall not fail to urge strongly on the Wai-wu Pu the necessity of carrying out the arrangements as described in my previous despatch.\n\nI am sending copies of this despatch confidentially to the Governor of Hong Kong, Admiral Moore, and His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**(Signed) J. N. JORDAN**\n\n[2570 p-2]\n\n## \n\n**No. 1.**\n\n577\n\n28491\n\n[Jul RES \n\nTRES 10 AUG 07 SECTION 2]\n\n## \n\n2\n\nChengtu to Yunnan-fu, recently travelled by the late Viceroy Hsi Liang, is on the route of the proposed Yünnan-Szechuan Railway (see March quarter's Intelligence Report, p. 21). It is supposed that, owing to the lateness of the season, M. Bons d'Anty has been obliged to curtail his tour, and is now on his way to Chengtu via the railway route. His movements are evidently being closely watched by the Chinese authorities, his reputation as an active and not over-scrupulous pioneer of French influence in Western China investing his proceedings with an importance which, if his past activities be measured by present results, would seem to be somewhat exaggerated.\n\nI learn that his present journey is under the auspices of a French geographical and political Society named \"L'Asie Française,\" who have voted a sum of 7,000 fr. (`2807`) towards the expenses of the expedition.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**(Signed) HARRY H. FOX**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[23388]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412089, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 589, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nC. 537\n\nJuly 15, 1907\n\nSECTIORE & REEF 10 AUG 07\n\n[23377]\n\n## No. 1.\n\n(No. 245.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 15.)\n\nPeking, May 27, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, forwarding a set of Regulations which have been drawn up with the view of intrusting the construction of the Hankow-Szechuan line to a commercial Company under the supervision of the provincial Government.\n\nThe attempts which are being made to construct railways south and west of Hankow with native capital have, so far, proved miserable failures, but still public opinion refuses to be convinced of the necessity of having recourse to foreign assistance. Some of the responsible officials, however, who have themselves indulged in these experiments, are beginning to realize that railway construction in China cannot, under present circumstances, make any progress without foreign capital. The new President of the Board of Communications, Ts'ôn, told me to-day that he has urged this point of view upon the Empress Dowager, but he does not anticipate that it will be accepted at present either by the Court or the provincial authorities. What, he said, was wanted was a fair arrangement on both sides. The only Agreement that answered this purpose was that of the Northern Railway line. The Shanghae-Nanking contract was an iniquitous instrument, and the Canton-Kowloon one, although more reasonable, was unsatisfactory in some respects.\n\nIt is unfortunate that the Shanghae-Nanking line should attract so much adverse criticism. Rightly or wrongly, the Chinese are convinced that the construction was on far too expensive a scale, and that it must be many years before they can see any return on their outlay. They say quite plainly that they do not want \"first-class\" lines of railways, but railways which will afford a prospect of earning a dividend within a reasonable time, and they point to the success of the Peking-Hankow line as a case in point.\n\nThe Peking Syndicate's short line is, however, regarded as far the worst venture in railway construction to which China stands committed, and, were it not for the great success of the Northern Railway, the British record in railway construction would scarcely command their confidence.\n\nHowever erroneous these views may be, it seems to me important that they should not be left entirely out of account if we are to obtain our share of future railway construction in China.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n## (No. 27.) Sir,\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, May 1, 1907.\n\nMR. HOSIE, in his despatch No. 21 of the 4th July, 1901, transmitted a set of draft Regulations issued by the General Railway Bureau of Szechuan, in which the Provincial Government indicated in general terms the measures it proposed to take for the construction of the Szechuan portion of the Chuan-Han Railway. Mr. Campbell, in his despatch No. 3 of the 13th February, 1905, forwarded a set of supplementary Regulations setting out the various ways in which the necessary funds were to be raised. These Regulations Mr. Campbell described as complicated, offering opportunities for abuses of the usual type, and not of a nature to induce the people of Szechuan to invest voluntarily in the enterprise.\n\nAs you are aware, this prognostication has been amply verified; the affairs of the railway have not prospered under official management. After three years of strenuous effort... \n\n[2571 p-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412090, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 590, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "538 \n\n2 \n\nEfforts to collect funds have yielded limited results, with the Administration showing a balance in hand of some 5,000,000 taels, and it is doubtful whether more than 3,000,000 taels are presently available for the construction of the line. As no balance-sheet has been issued since January 13th last, the public remains uninformed about the exact state of the railway's finances. Moreover, the Administration's stringent and indiscriminate imposition of the rent tax has rendered the railway extremely unpopular among the agricultural population of the province. Realizing that matters cannot continue as they are if the railway is to become a reality, and possibly unwilling to retain responsibility for this great undertaking, the Provincial Government has been negotiating with gentry and merchant representatives for a reconstruction of the Railway Administration. One of the last official acts of Viceroy Hsi Liang was to approve and submit to Peking a scheme placing the railway's construction in the hands of a commercial Company, effectively eliminating official control. I have the honour to forward a copy and translation of the new Regulations, which have not been issued to the public pending Imperial sanction.\n\nThese Regulations, for which Mr. Hu Chun, the official representative of the Szechuan gentry, is said to be chiefly responsible, virtually place the control of the Company's finances and works in the hands of a Board of Directors elected by shareholders. The Government retains the right to appoint the important posts of President and Vice-President, and the Viceroy of Szechuan has general supervisory rights over the Company's affairs. Mr. Hu Chun is understood to be the first President.\n\nThe rate of interest on 50-tael shares is raised from 4 to 6 percent per annum, and part shares costing 5 taels each are to be issued for the convenience of small subscribers. The new Regulations state that the rent tax will cease once 20,000,000 taels have been subscribed (Clause 10). The royalty payable to the Government has been reduced from 30 to 5 percent, bonuses to employees raised from 5 to 15 percent, and the proportion to be divided among shareholders increased from 60 to 70 percent of the net profits.\n\nClause 47 provides for a Chinese engineer-in-chief, likely Mr. Hu Tung Chiao, currently engaged in a detailed survey of the line. It is difficult to believe that Mr. Hu Chun, having seen major trunk lines in the United States and Canada, would seriously consider entrusting the enterprise's management to someone with only eight years of subordinate experience on American railroads. One hopes the Directors will recognize the need for properly qualified European engineers when construction begins. I have impressed this point on Mr. Hu Chun and the Viceroy.\n\nClause 51 states that tenders will be invited for the supply of materials, piecework, and labour. I assume foreign firms will be allowed to compete for the supply of materials. Mr. W. J. Davey has been in communication with the Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade on this subject and has offered to act as an agent for British manufacturers of railway material. Upon inquiry, I replied that I did not consider Mr. Davey suitable for the purpose. However, at the Principal's suggestion, I provided Mr. Davey with a list of British firms dealing in locomotives, rails, and rolling stock, suggesting he contact them. I also informed the Principal that I would bring illustrated catalogues and price-lists to the Chinese authorities' notice if firms sent them to me.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) H. H. FOX.\n\n3 \n\nNote. The Hanyang Works will likely have preference in the supply of materials for the line, as it is understood to have a promise to supply rails, &c., for all lines in China where it can meet demands.\n\nE. H. FRASER.\n\nHankow, May 24, 1907.\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Supplementary Regulations of the Szechuan Province Ch'uan-Han Railway Commercial Company (Limited)**\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## ARTICLE 1.--General Rules\n\n### Clause 1 \nThe Viceroy of Szechuan has memorialized the Throne, requesting Imperial sanction for the formation of a Company in accordance with the Commercial Code provisions. The Company will be registered at the Board of Commerce as the \"Szechuan Province Chuan-Han Railway Commercial Company (Limited)\" and will have an official seal issued by the Board. Matters of grave importance affecting the Company's interests will be submitted to the Viceroy for settlement.\n\n### Clause 2 \nThe Company's railway system will include lines from Chengtu to Chungking and from Chengtu to Ichang in Hupei via Wanhsien. Imperial sanction has been given for an arrangement whereby the section above Ichang in Hupei will be constructed by Szechuan. Construction will commence once these sections have been surveyed. The whole system is divided into three sections.\n\n### Clause 3 \nThe Company intends to build the railway with Chinese capital, subscribed in whole or part shares by Chinese only. The Board of Commerce has been requested to notify the Board of Foreign Affairs that no shares may be taken up by foreigners.\n\n### Clause 4 \nThe Company estimates the required capital at over 50,000,000 taels. They propose to raise 15,000,000 taels initially as working capital; the balance will be raised as required after detailed surveys estimate the total cost.\n\n### Clause 5 \nThe Company's head office will be in Szechuan's capital; sub-offices will be opened at Ichang, Peking, Shanghae, Hankow, and various Szechuan towns for share sales. Offices will be opened along the construction lines as required.\n\n### Clause 6 \nRailway banks will be established in principal trading marts to serve as centres for share transactions and interest payment guarantees, pending approval by the general meeting of shareholders.\n\n## ARTICLE 2.--Shares\n\n### Clause 7 \nThe Company's capital will be raised through ordinary shares and rent tax shares. The Company will manage ordinary share subscriptions, while rent tax share collection will be arranged by local officials in consultation with the Company's Directors, as per the special Rent Share Regulations. All rent tax sums will be handed to the head office.\n\n### Clause 8 \nA whole share costs 50 taels; a part share costs 5 taels.\n\n### Clause 9 \nAs the rent tax income depends on the amount of produce taxed, it is impossible to predetermine the amount. When sums paid on account of rent tax amount to 50 taels, the subscriber will receive a whole ordinary share; for 5 taels, a part share.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412134, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 634, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 631 \n## 710 \n\nཔ 1 \n\n11. wed no moderal to qUENA \nf to \n* SUTI \no (\"ques\" \n4 \n(Isneith \n30 ( \n90 and end \n\n*** be \n\nunder the Imperial British Companies Acts 1862 to 1900 \non the 7th January 1904. AND WHEREAS the said Company \nwas formed by two of the parties forming the British \nGroup for the purpose of acquiring and dealing with \nconcessions and other rights in connection with railways \nin China and elsewhere, and for other purposes mentioned \nin the Memorandum of Association of the Company. AND \nWHEREAS there have been issued to the British Group \n50,000 shares of £1 each, on which the sum of 8s. per \nshare has been called and paid up. \n\nAND WHEREAS the Company is at present entitled to the \nbenefit of two agreements, short particulars whereof are \nset forth in the schedule hereto, and which refer to \nRailways proposed to be constructed from Pookoo to \nTientsin and from Pookoo to Sinyang respectively. AND \nWHEREAS the Company has been for some time past negotiating \nto obtain a concession and other rights in connection \nwith a Railway from the Hankow-Sinyang District to \nChengtu in the province of Szechuan, and the French \nGroup have been for some time past negotiating to obtain \na concession and other rights in connection with a Railway...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412135, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 635, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# \n\n1 A \n\n632 \n\nPOST V \n\ne) or no \n\nQuit de pw. \n\nROW \n\n**quorn \n\nfa unntaZforno \n\nend ever queer roness end \n\nsolaenomen in minddo në grit \n\nconnection with a Railway from the Hankow-Sinyang District to Chengtu and they have thereby come into competition with each other. AND WHEREAS for the purpose of putting an end to such competition the Company and the French Group have agreed to associate themselves together in the manner and on the terms hereinafter appearing. AND WHEREAS it is an essential term of the agreement that the British Group and the French Group shall, so far as regards matters within the scope of the Company's objects, do all in their power to oppose and defeat all competition with the Company. NOW THESE PRESENTS WITNESS that it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:\n\n1. The capital of the Company shall be forthwith increased by the creation of 1,000 Deferred Shares of £1 each, which shall be entitled to receive between them one-half of the surplus profits of each year (which the Directors may determine to divide) after there shall have been paid by way of dividend or bonus to the holders of the shares other than the Deferred Shares a sum equal to the nominal amount of such shares.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412141, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 641, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## C. A \n\n**Article:** \n\n- thereto and the Company shall thereupon repay to the French Group such a sum as in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company shall represent the amount of the expenses incurred by the French Group therein and properly attributable thereto.\n\n8. The engineers and other European employés engaged upon the said railway from Pookee to Chengtu and of each railway that may be formed or controlled by the Company (other than the said railway from Pookoo to Tientsin) shall, so far as possible, be in equal proportions of British and French nationalities, and all orders for materials, rolling stock, and plant, and all contracts for construction of the said railways (other than as aforesaid) shall be divided in equal proportions between British and French manufacturers and contractors.\n\n9. It shall also be an essential term of the contract that no change shall be made in the character or political status of the Company or of any railways formed or controlled by the Company. All concessions and", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412469, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 229, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Chengtu\n\nHis Majesty's Acting Consul-General, reporting early in June on the attitude of the Provincial Government towards the eradication of the opium habit, states that the first points over which the Government is likely to come into collision with the people are the collection of the new opium tax and the closing of the opium dens. As regards the first, the struggle has begun, as it has been reported from Kai-hsien that the mob had raided and destroyed the recently-established opium hongs in that city, while from various small towns in the Chengtu Plain news comes of riots directed against these unpopular establishments. The poppy has been harvested in most places, and the new season's opium is now being placed on the market. There are rumours that the authorities, in face of the growing opposition to the new tax, are endeavouring to obtain the permission of the Central Government to revert to the old system. These rumours were confirmed in conversation between the Taotai of Chunking and the Acting British Consul at that port. On the other hand, a Proclamation by the Provincial Director of opium taxation, which must have been issued shortly before or even after the conversation above referred to, reiterates the Government's intention to proceed with the new tax of 115 taels per picul on all opium, whether for export or local consumption, and warns the people of the consequences their refusal to pay the tax will entail. A reversion to the old rate will have the effect of cheapening the drug for local consumers, and it is difficult to see how the Chinese Government can sanction such a retrograde step.\n\nAs regards the second point, a Proclamation was issued by the Viceroy on the 31st May indicating that the opium divans would be closed on the 9th August, and that the preparation and sale of opium would be a Government monopoly. In Chengtu, with the assistance of an efficient police, it is possible they may succeed, though not without some resistance being offered; but in the provinces, more particularly in the opium producing centres east and south of Chunking, the issue seems very doubtful, and will depend entirely on the power of the local officials to enforce their orders.\n\nThe Acting Viceroy subsequently informed His Majesty's Consul-General that, realizing what a serious, possibly fatal, matter the closing of all opium divans and shops on the 9th August would be for the poorer classes of opium smokers, he had ordered arrangements to be made for the opening of official opium shops where prepared opium and opium requisites would be sold in small quantities to all registered smokers. His Excellency said that the people objected to this method of suppressing the use of opium because it deprived the poor of their pipe by making the price prohibitive, and made opium smoking a luxury of the rich.\n\n## Reports from missionaries in the Province of Szechuan are as follows:\n\n| Location | Report |\n|---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| Pao Ning-fu | New Proclamation ordering opium divans to be closed on the 9th August. Opium smokers to be registered. The people are reported to be callous. |\n| Mien Chu Hsien | Opium dens are ordered to be closed by the 9th August (end of 6th moon), no tax to be collected on opium dens after 3rd moon. A Proclamation exhorting people to abandon opium cultivation was issued by the Magistrate last autumn. Only about 1 per cent. of ground is under cultivation this spring. People are sympathetic, and some \"mildly enthusiastic.\" |\n| Nan Pu-Hsien | Proclamation posted containing usual orders re closing of opium divans. No official steps taken to reduce area under cultivation, but many farmers have voluntarily destroyed crops, fearing reduced demand this year. Marked increase in number of persons applying for opium remedies at Mission dispensary. |\n| Yung Hsien | Proclamation against poppy growing issued by Magistrate last year. Great reduction of area under cultivation noticeable this year. Officials sympathetic, and people enthusiastic. |\n| Hsin Tien Tzu | Proclamation posted, but no definite measures taken to restrict sale of opium. Not an opium growing district. |\n| Kuan Hsien | Imperial (anti-opium) Decree posted in January 1907. Register of smokers and non-smokers opened in Magistrate's yamên, the former given a limit in which to abandon habit on pain of dismissal. Attitude of officials and gentry favourable; small area under cultivation; opium dens to be closed at end of 6th moon (9th August). |\n| Tan Lan Hsien | Opium divans closed by Magistrate's orders (25th May, 1907). |\n\n## Chungking\n\nMissionary reports received from the Consular district are not encouraging. A general review of them gives the impression that the local officials are waiting for more precise and detailed instructions as to the methods by which they are to carry out the Edict, being themselves unwilling to take the responsibility for a course of action calculated to rouse violent popular opposition. One measure alone will in all probability be enforced, i.e., the closing of all opium dens in the 6th moon, but disturbances are almost certain to arise when the frequenters of opium dens are thrown upon their own resources. In the meantime the officials are for the most part content to fill in the time trifling with more or less innocuous anti-opium medicines.\n\nAt Suifu and Chiangan, there has been little done except in the medicine line. At Suifu an attempt has been made to register smokers, and at Chiangan there is talk of opening official depôts for the sale of opium.\n\n## Kueichou Province\n\nThe same conditions prevail here as in Szechuan.\n\n## Hankow\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General, in summarizing further reports received from missionaries stationed in Honan, Hupei, Hunan, Kansu, and Shensi, states that \"the reports from Honan (three in number) state that Proclamations were issued and dates given for closing the dens, but that no official action has since been taken. The Governor is reported to have broken off the habit, but otherwise absolute indifference seems to mark the attitude of officials and gentry alike. The ground in the vicinity of the provincial capital is too poor to produce poppy, and although no new ground has been planted with poppy in the other districts under consideration, the general impression seems to be that the failure to plant is dictated by a feeling of uncertainty, owing to the undecisive nature of the official warning, rather than by any desire to obey the Edict. In Ching Tze Kuan, however, two-thirds of the old poppy ground was planted with wheat this year.\n\nThe replies to queries 4, 5, and 6 (respecting restrictions on smokers, closing of opium dens or shops, inspection of opium dens) are uniformly negative, while answers to query 7 (respecting use of medicines to cure habit) furnish no more satisfactory statement than that a few poor have been relieved by the aid of the missions. The replies on which this despatch is based, with very few exceptions, offer little variety—\"none,\" \"nothing,\" \"nothing at all,\" and \"indifference\" appearing most frequently although in some cases it is apparent, in spite of all the optimistic writer is endeavouring to persuade himself, that something \"may\" be done in the future.\n\n### Hupei (two Reports)\n\nProclamations issued only in Hu-cheng hsien, where one inspection was held, an official register of the opium dens (forty-nine in all) made, and a limit of six months given for closing. Mr. Sibley adds that the Ku-ch'eng Magistrate pulled up all his own crop, but minimizes the apparent virtue of this action by stating that he did so guided by a hope that money might be made out of supporting the prohibition. Beyond this action of the Magistrate nothing has been done, although it is said that the gentry have tried to break off the habit.\n\nIn Ku-ch'eng the poppy is not sufficiently cultivated for any observations under query 3, and it is stated that in Chun-chou and Yun-yang 70 to 80 per cent. of the land is under poppy, and that there is an increase in ground planted. An emphatic negative or absolute silence marks all the answers to the next three queries, i.e., respecting restrictions on smokers, closing of and inspecting of shops or dens. Regarding the use of medicines to cure the habit, the only cure offered in the majority of cases is a pill containing either morphia or opium; but Mr. Sibley states that merchants and missionaries are selling a medicine put up at Shanghae, and adds that thousands will use the Indian anti-opium medicines if it proves a success.\n\n### Hunan\n\nYuan-chou Fu and Chih-chiang hsien. It appears from this report that the steps taken in these districts have been more genuine than those taken elsewhere. On the 23rd May the Governor issued a Proclamation referring to the \"Ten Articles,\" and detailing measures to be taken by the officials, touching also in a general way on the closing of dens, &c. December is fixed as the date for closing, and the sale is to be restricted if possible to one licensed shop; moreover, refuges are to be opened in which assistance can be got by those wishing to get cured.\n\nPage 286", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412560, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 320, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 317\n\n2\n\nA separate notice will be issued, and a date fixed for inquiries regarding the number of opium smokers, in order that permits may be granted to them. As some time is required before this scheme can be carried out and such inquiries completed, opium smokers should not buy prepared opium except from the agencies of this Bureau where officially prepared opium would be sold. Smokers are not allowed to boil opium themselves, as it is against this prohibition. The use of opium cinders as a mixture for boiling opium is also prohibited; such cinders should in all cases be sold to the officials. The officers in charge of agencies of this Bureau are directed to purchase all such opium cinders, which should be handed over to this Bureau, when officially prepared opium is distributed to them in the proportion of 3 oz. of cinders to 10 oz. of officially prepared opium. Such cinders will be examined and paid for according to quality. Opium smokers desirous of selling cinders to this Bureau may do so at any time, and they will receive payment at once without any detention or trouble. This is done in order to encourage people to sell cinders to the Bureau willingly, and to put an end to private boiling of opium.\n\nIt is hoped that all merchants in charge of agencies for the sale of officially prepared opium and opium smokers should obey this notice implicitly and fully.\n\n## CHINA TRADE.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n`[33102]`\n\n[October 5.]\n\n### SECTION 3.\n\n#### No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received October 5.)\n\n**(No. 394.)** Sir,\n\nPeking, August 19, 1907. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Cheungtu, inclosing translation of a Proclamation, issued on the 4th July by the Head Li-kin Office at Chengtu, announcing the abolition in Szechuan of the consolidated tax of 115 Kuping taels per picul on native opium, the closing of the opium collectorates within the province, and the substitution of a tax of 27-28 taels per picul, with an additional levy of 5'28 taels for railway purposes, on all native opium, whether purchased for local consumption or for export from the province.\n\nThe consolidated tax of 115 Kuping taels per picul was instituted in Szechuan in July 1906, but the provincial authorities found themselves unable strictly to enforce the collection, and at Chungking, whence there is a considerable export, the traffic in opium received a check, for, although exporters from the port were in a position to pay the consolidated tax, growers could not so readily find the money, and, although the official specially delegated to control the opium collection at Chungking arrived there on the 21st August, opium reported at the Imperial Maritime Customs for shipment down the Yang-tsze continued, until the end of 1906, to pay the duty of 20 Haikuan taels per picul on export, and the consolidated tax of 115 Kuping taels was levied on arrival at Ichang.\n\nThese taxation difficulties led to representations being made by the Acting Viceroy to the Board of Revenue, and to the sanction by the latter of the reduced taxation laid down in the Proclamation. The effect of the change is that all opium grown in Szechuan, whether consumed in or exported from the province, is now liable within the province to a tax of only 27-28 Kuping taels, and a levy of 5-28 Szechuan taels per picul for railway purposes. The great bulk of the opium grown in Szechuan is consumed in the province, and by the new arrangement it is liable to payment of less than 30 per cent. of the consolidated tax of 115 Kuping taels, and, as the provincial authorities have been unable to enforce the latter in all districts, it may be doubted whether their efforts will be more successful in the case of the reduced taxation.\n\n**(No. 36.)** Sir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, July 8, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inclose copy and translation of a Proclamation, issued by the Head Li-kin Office at Chengtu on the 4th July, announcing that the levy of the \"t'ung chuan\" of 115 taels per picul on native opium in this province is to be discontinued, and that hereafter all opium, whether for local consumption or for export, will be taxed at a uniform rate of 27-28 taels per picul, with an addition tax of 5-28 taels for railway purposes.\n\nMr. Bristow, in his despatch `No. 31` of the 22nd June, reported that the customs export duty on native opium had been fixed at 20 taels, dating from the 10th June, and he added that the condition of affairs was again that reported in his despatch `No. 22` of the 23rd August, 1906, namely, a customs duty of 20 taels, a li-kin of 5-28 taels, and a railway tax of 5-28 taels.\n\nAs the terms of the Proclamation above referred to appeared to be at variance with this statement, I asked the Acting Viceroy on the 6th instant to inform me exactly what dues native opium exported from Chungking would pay under the new Tariff, and his Excellency replied that opium for export would pay 20 taels customs duty, 7-28 taels li-kin, and 5-28 taels railway tax.\n\n`[2677 e-8]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412561, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 321, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## #6\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government:\n\n2\n\nThis, I take it, means that on every picul of opium exported through the Maritime Customs at Chungking, that Department will be allowed 20 taels of the 27:28 taels already collected by the Li-kin Administration.\n\nSzechuan therefore withdraws from the native opium \"Zollverein\" inaugurated in July last, and by so doing relieves opium consumed within the province of the burden of the \"tung chuan,\" while increasing the taxes on opium destined for consumption in other provinces. I presume the Hupei authorities will continue to levy the full \"t'ung chuan\" of 115 taels at Ichang.\n\nI am forwarding this despatch under flying seal to His Majesty's Consuls at Chungking and Ichang.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed)\n**HARRY H. FOX.**\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Proclamation re Duty on Opium issued by the Li-kin Head Office at Chengtu, July 4, 1907.**\n\n(Translation.)\n\nTHE Office is in receipt of a telegram from the Board of Revenue ordering the cessation of the general opium tax (\"tung shui\") and the closing of the opium collectorates. The Province of Szechuan is further permitted to revert to the former scale of taxation.\n\nThis reduction of taxation is the result of energetic telegraphic representations made to the Board of Revenue by his Excellency Chap, the Acting Viceroy, in pursuance of his anxious desire for the amelioration of the difficult position in which the opium merchants at present find themselves.\n\nHis Excellency has transmitted the Board's instructions to this Office for communication to the opium sub-offices. In addition to forwarding these Notifications, it is our duty to publish the following Proclamation for the information of all opium merchants :--\n\nHereafter, all opium, whether purchased for local consumption or for export, will pay one tax of 27-28 taels per picul, payment to be made in the new tael as prescribed by the Board of Revenue. The railway tax of 5-29 taels will still continue to be paid in Szechuanese taels. Opium reported to the Chungking Customs for export will be required to pay a sum of 7:25 Board of Revenue taels to make good the deficiency (on the customs duty). No further payment will be required, and merchants are authorized to charge before this Court any clerk or police officer who may attempt to levy illicit charges or otherwise subject them to inconvenience, when the offender will be severely punished. The public are, however, warned that any false accusation will render them liable to a similar punishment.\n\nThe common sense of the opium merchants will, the Office feels assured, convince them that they should be grateful for the present reduction of taxation. They ought, therefore, to pay the tax freely and refrain from any attempt to evade payment, which will certainly entangle them in the meshes of the law. Strict obedience is therefore enjoined on one and all.\n\nChengtu, July 8, 1907.\n\n## **CHINA TRADE.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n`[26896]`\n\n**(No. 164.)**\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir C. MacDonald.**\n\n[August 19.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\nForeign Office, August 19, 1907.\n\nI TRANSMIT to your Excellency herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, reporting that the Spanish and German Governments have consented to the prohibition of the importation of morphia into China.\n\nThe consent of the Japanese Government appears now alone to be wanting before the prohibition can be enforced.\n\nI should be glad if your Excellency would ascertain whether their consent is likely soon to be forthcoming.\n\nI am, &c.\n(Signed)\n**E. GREY.**§\n\nSir J. Jordan, No. 306, June 26, 1907.\n`[2623 t-2]`\n\n318", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412592, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 352, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nO 38147 [March 23.]\n\n### SECTION CRIS 29 OCT 07, [9439]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 23.)**\n\n(No. 74.) Sir,\n\nPeking, February 6, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward to you herewith a summary of events which have occurred in China since the date of my despatch No. 507 of last year, and concerning which no separate despatches have been furnished.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n**Monthly Summary of Events in China**\n\n#### Chiengtu\n\nHankow-Szechuan Railway. The accounts for the period the 18th September to the 17th October balance at K'u P'ing 1,706,081 t. 3 m. 6 c., the most important item on the receipts side being 80,000 taels, shares subscribed at Chungking, and on the expenditure side, 80,000 taels advance to the Iohang sub-office to meet expenditure attendant on commencement of work. The balance carried forward is 1,620,993 t. 14 m. The accounts for the following month, the 18th October to the 15th November, balance at 1,677,442 t. 1 m. 1 c. The balance carried forward is 1,606,352 t. 7 m. 1 c.\n\nUnrest in Szechuan. - Anti-foreign and anti-dynastic placards were posted in December in the country districts of the province, but the Viceroy seems to have taken precautions for the prevention of trouble. As far as His Majesty's Acting Consul-General can ascertain, there are no signs of a general anti-foreign movement. The authorities seem to be carefully watching the situation, and Mr. Goffe thinks there is no ground for alarm as to the safety of foreigners.\n\nAbout the middle of October Mr. Goffe was informed that there were Boxers in one district, and that troops had been sent from Chungking to suppress them. On inquiry it appeared to have been a false alarm, and that there had merely been some local disturbances in connection with the collection of the house and wine taxes. Foreigners in the province are too apt to ascribe any local disturbance to Boxers, a belief in which they are encouraged by the officials, who find this a convenient method of concealing the open hostility of the people to the present heavy taxation.\n\nDispatch of Students to Paris. - The Bureau of Foreign Affairs have dispatched four students from the French school to Paris with the object of studying the manufacture of silk, natural science, mining, and law. The students are to remain in France for four years, and will each be allowed a sum of 400 taels (571.) annually. They left Chiengtu towards the end of October, and are expected to reach Paris before 1907.\n\n#### Foochow\n\nFoochow and its neighbourhood remained quiet during the quarter ended the 31st December, chiefly thanks to the successful crops.\n\nPage 349\nprevented this disturbance from assuming serious proportions. The strike of the Ching Te Chen potters developed with a series of clan fights, resulting in serious loss of life. Three-fifths of the workers are said to have been concerned. The potters have now returned to work.\n\n#### Ningpo\n\nOn the 12th November His Majesty's Consul reported that fighting had occurred at Hou Hai Men, between Catholic and Protestant converts, which resulted in several casualties. No foreigners were injured. The trouble arose concerning the right to collect water chestnuts grown in a public pond, and seems to have been finally settled by the officials prohibiting the cultivation of chestnuts, and handing over the pond to the care of the gentry. The action of the officials throughout appears to have been satisfactory.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government] \nPage 2 is not present, however, the text \"This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\" is at the bottom of the first page.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412623, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 383, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Kiungchow\n\nThe Acting British Consul reported that, in the quarter ended the 31st December, piracy was still rife, thanks to the supineness of the local officials. Pirates in one instance boarded a cargo boat under the very guns of a Chinese guard-boat permanently stationed at the entrance of the channel.\n\n## Nanking\n\nThe chief event in the quarter ended the 31st January was the change of Viceroys. The new Viceroy, Tuan Fang, succeeded to an almost empty treasury, and as he had at once to deal with famine in North Kiangsu and insurrection in West Kiangsi, his initial difficulties were very great. Progressive, and fond of spending money as he is, his position must be somewhat irksome, and his reputation as a \"pro-foreigner\" in the present wave of jealous concern for Chinese self-dependence, does not tend to smooth his way in the direction of popularity. A correspondent states that Tuan Fang came back from abroad full of ideas of reform, but that he has altered his opinions in accordance with the change in the direction of the wind at Peking. Thus it was originally at his Excellency's instance, a year or two ago, that the movement for enlistment of territorial troops was started, but since his appointment to the Viceroyalty he has got rid of all the strong members of the Army Reorganization Bureau, substituted creatures of his own, and is in every way discouraging the new army. His object is to keep up the distinction between Manchus and Chinese, as is shown by his leaning on Manchu advisers, to whom the recent innovation of a Manchu bodyguard is due. Such a bodyguard for Viceroy or Governor is said to be an unprecedented step. The Viceroy is also reported to be desirous of raising a foreign loan, in order to form a second army division at Nanking, but that it is not yet known for what amount or from what country the loan is to be.\n\n## Chengtu\n\n### Hankow-Szechuan Railway\n\nThe accounts for the period, 16th November to 15th December, 1906, balance at 1,756,524 Kuping taels & m. 7 c., the balance carried forward being 1,747,748 Kuping taels 6 m. 4 c.\n\n## 3\n\nOn the 22nd January a Hankow native newspaper announced that the officer in command of a regiment of the 31st Brigade had been arrested on account of his connection with a rebel Society, and was being detained in prison. Frequent interrogation showed that he had had no dealings with the rebels.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General learnt privately that, at a magic lantern show some months ago given by a Missionary Society, a number of officers and men of the drilled troops were present in uniform, and when a picture of the Emperor of China was shown there were cries of \"We don't want that man!\" from the military.\n\nA teacher, who is now imprisoned on suspicion of being a head of a Secret Society, was a secretary to the General before he joined the college, where he had special charge of this Society, and confesses that he had relations with members of the brigade who belonged to anti-dynastic Societies; he is said to have been tortured in prison.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General wrote on the 22nd January that there was a regular reign of terror in the cities of Hanyang, Wuchang, and Hankow over arrests for complicity in revolutionary Societies.\n\nA Hankow native newspaper announced on the 6th February that the police had unearthed a seditious book of a rebel Society. The book contained a number of unprincipled statements; its authorship is unknown.\n\n## Nanking\n\nThe authorities are vigilant in their search for members of anti-dynastic and Anarchist Societies. Four such persons, discovered by accident as the result of a petty squabble in a tea-house which led to police intervention, were beheaded on the 12th December, and three others, an expectant Taotai and two students, were arrested recently with bombs in their possession, and are now being tried.\n\n## Memorandum\n\n### Hankow\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General wrote, on the 14th November, 1906, that, as the result of careful inquiries on the part of the Japanese officers employed by the Viceroy, he had learnt that there was no proof of many, at least, of the foreign drilled troops being affiliated to any Secret Society, but that all the Chinese officers, from the General down to the most junior subaltern, suspected the men and each other of being tainted with disloyalty.\n\nOn the 17th December a Hankow native paper published a statement that, influenced by the abundant rumours, and fearing lest either students in the military schools or Secret Society men might be lurking in the schools, the Viceroy had ordered a secret investigation of them all.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General reported early in January that the Concession Deputy had informed him in December of the receipt of alarming intelligence as to foreigners having joined Sun Wen's Secret Society; the Deputy inquired what the French and German law was in regard to abetting rebellion. The British Regulations were translated to him, and at his request His Majesty's Consul-General agreed to order the British police to co-operate in arresting Chinese suspects on the British Concession, even before a regular warrant had been backed by him, and holding them for inquiry before His Majesty's Consul-General, in order that a prima facie case for rendition to their authorities might be established. No such cases had up to the 9th January occurred, and the orders to the Customs to exercise special care against the smuggling of munitions were reported to have been fruitless; several Secret Society men had been, however, seized in Hankow and Hanyang.\n\nPage 360", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412624, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 384, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 18.)\n\nPeking, April 2, 1907.\n\n**(No. 160.)**\n\nSir,\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward to you herewith a summary of events which have occurred in China since the date of my despatch No. 111 of the 4th ultimo, and concerning which no separate despatches have been furnished.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n### Monthly Summary of Events in China.\n\n1. **Changsha.**\n\nYu Chih-mo (see Mr. Carnegie's despatch No. 363 of the 3rd September, 1906).— His Majesty's Acting Consul reports that this man, who was one of the most dangerous characters in Hunan, and who was arrested last August and finally sentenced to a term of imprisonment, has now been beheaded. There is no doubt that the intention always was to behead him, and his execution was only delayed by threats of reprisals on the part of the students of the Secret Societies. That the authorities should now openly announce the fact that he has been executed testifies to the improved state of affairs at the present moment.\n\n2. **Chengtu.**\n\nSzechuan-Hankow Railway.—The accounts for the period the 16th December to 18th January, 1907, balance at 2,099,167 Kuping t. 7 m. 3 c., the balance carried forward being 2,055,866 t. 8 m. 4 c.\n\n3. **Chinkiang.**\n\nThere has been a considerable amount of destitution consequent upon the floods in the late summer. The crops in the districts about the old bed of the Yellow River, with Suchien as a centre, were almost entirely destroyed. In December, starvation having begun to make itself felt among the villages, the villagers began to flock into the towns, which is, on a limited scale, an ordinary annual occurrence at winter time. The numbers, however, grew abnormally great, due in part to the gregarious nature of the villager; if a few families in a village decided to emigrate to a town, many, if not all, of the remaining families in the village accompanied them, although they were not in immediate want.\n\nThis clannish adhesion is due to the lawless state of the district, the villagers feeling that any reduction of their numbers threatens the safety of those remaining. As a result of this, wholesale emigration camps of refugees were formed at a few places on the Grand Canal, the principal one being at Chinkiang-fu, where some 400,000 were reported to be congregated, the next camp in point of size being at Yangchow, with an estimated number of 40,000 refugees. The Chinese officials took half-hearted measures to deal with the problem of organizing and feeding the refugees at Chinkiang-fu, and after about two months succeeded in persuading them to return to their homes. This was an excellent thing, as the camp was a hot-bed of filth. In Chinkiang itself, the immigrants are numbered some 8,000 or 9,000, the number in a normal winter being about one-third of that figure. The Taotai and others have organized relief.\n\n**Grand Canal.**-A sum of 90,000 taels is supposed to be set aside annually for the conservancy of the canal, but it is questionable how much of that sum is devoted to its...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412627, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 387, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 2. Chengtu\n\nDisturbance on Szechuan-Kansu Border. On the 31st March, His Majesty's Acting Consul-General reported that there had been frequent rumours during the previous three months of disturbances on the borders of the province. Official confirmation of these rumours beyond the stereotyped statement that \"local brigades are creating trouble\" was hard to obtain, but it was certain that the movement of secret society men, who were taking advantage of the growing discontent engendered by the indiscriminate levy of the new railroad tax, was causing the provincial authorities some anxiety.\n\n## 3. Hangchow\n\nScarcity of Rice. - His Majesty's Consul reported on the 1st April that this was occasioning the authorities some anxiety. The price was steadily increasing, and the local Magistrates had been obliged to issue warnings to the public not to create disturbances. To cope with the matter, the Governor has ordered the appropriation of 300,000 taels from public funds for the purchase of rice, and officials have been sent to various parts of China and also to Annam to obtain a supply. The Treasury being empty, the above sum has been borrowed from the Chekiang Provincial Railway Company, and an Agreement for the loan has been sealed by the Governor and Provincial Treasurer. Two riots, attributable to the scarcity of rice, have already occurred, but neither were very serious.\n\nLocal Exchequer. - The poverty of this is said to be very alarming. The revenue of the province is 9,000,000 taels a year, but former Governors and Treasurers have made full use of their positions to enrich themselves, bequeathing an empty Treasury to their successors.\n\n## 4. Hankow\n\nRise in Cost of Rice. - A native newspaper announced on the 1st April that \"the spring rains have prevented supplies coming into town, and caused a scarcity of which this has led to great distress. The dealers have taken advantage to form a corner.\"\n\nGerman Professors. - \"The Viceroy of Nanking,\" says a native newspaper of the 28th March, \"is extremely friendly to the Germans. Since his transfer to Nanking, he has taken mostly German advice. He now proposes to dismiss the foreign professors at the Kin Ling College en bloc and engage Germans instead. He has already telegraphed to the German Minister in Peking, and asked him to find them for him.\"\n\n## 5. Ichang\n\nThe advent of the China New Year (13th February) was marked as usual by increased lawlessness, and several robberies, accompanied by incendiarism, occurred in the neighbourhood, but nothing had come to the notice of His Majesty's Consul to indicate the existence of serious disorder or unrest. The troubles at Ping Hsiang, and reports that some of the leaders in that rising had taken refuge here, caused some uneasiness in official circles. Proclamations were posted offering rewards of 1,000 dollars and downwards for certain suspected revolutionaries, and the General thought it expedient to remove the ammunition from the camps to his yamên.\n\n## 6. Ningpo\n\nOppressive taxation, especially the taxes on houses, wine, land, pigs, opium, cattle, and a rumoured impending poll tax; \nForeign customs collection, as represented by the Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nHaimên Outbreak. - The question of the punishment of the ringleaders in the outbreak of last autumn is still unsettled, owing to the refusal of the Roman Catholic Bishop to surrender them, except on the understanding that their punishment is to be deportation only and not imprisonment, as required by the Chinese authorities. It is reported that as neither party can come to an agreement in the matter, the entire case has now been referred to Peking for discussion between the French Minister and the Wai-wu Pu. In January, two Roman Catholic chapels in the neighbourhood of Taichow were burnt, and a Chinese official who was sent by the Governor to investigate reported in a secret Memorial that the two chapels had been set on fire by the Catholics themselves.\n\nOutbreak in Yamên. - On the 2nd February, the prisoners in the Magistrate's yamên, numbering 80 odd, made a desperate effort to escape. It seems that about New Year's time, prisoners are given more liberty than usual, that their chains are removed, and that they receive better food. Taking advantage of this liberty, the prisoners made arrangements for a general break out, which was nearly successful. They managed to get out of two courts, after killing the warder in charge of each, before the alarm was given. At the gateway of the last court, however, they were met by armed soldiers led by the Magistrate, who at once shot down several, after which the remainder surrendered. The ringleaders have been executed. Had the prisoners succeeded in their effort to escape, they would probably have fired the city.\n\n## 7. Tien-tsin\n\nMr. Wills' Disappearance (see Sir J. Jordan's No. 467 of the 13th November, 1906). - On the 11th January, a long despatch reached His Majesty's Consul-General from the Taot'ai, inclosing a report of all the evidence obtained at the trial of the boatmen. Subsequently, all Mr. Wills' effects were sent to the Consulate, as well as his letters, among which was one found on the last pages of his diary, which proves conclusively the fact of suicide.\n\nLabourers for Newchwang and Manchuria. - With the coming of spring and the opening of the Peiho comes the usual exodus of Chinese labourers and artisans. Every year, men from South Chihli and Shantung go over to Manchuria to find work during the summer months as labourers, masons, carpenters, bricklayers, &c. This spring, owing to the cessation of hostilities and the returning feeling of personal security in those parts, and also, no doubt, owing to the increased demand for skilled and unskilled labour in the laying of railway lines, rebuilding of houses, and the opening up of new industries, the number of labourers going to Manchuria is quite unprecedented.\n\nTaku Bar (see Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 467 of the 13th November, 1906). - Now the Peiho reopened, the cutting made by Mr. Fergusson during the autumn of last year has been almost exclusively used by the steamers resorting to Tien-tsin, and on examination, it was found that this channel, far from having silted up during the winter months, had deepened slightly, and after the guiding marks had been replaced, was as ready for use as when navigation ceased in November 1906. This would seem to stamp entirely to its efficacy. The scheme so far has a modicum of success, but whether the channel is widened and is constantly being used by the shipping of the port, it can be maintained at a depth sufficient to allow ships to pass with such a draught as is compatible with the subsequent navigation of the river is a matter of such doubt that the Shipping Companies of Tien-tsin still look on this new scheme with doubt, and do not at all seem inclined to take the risk without the additional safeguard of a powerful dredger. Another complication has now appeared in the person of the Governor of Chihli, who does not wish to allow the British Municipal Council to furnish money for the purchase of such a dredger, as his Excellency thinks that the care of the river should be in the hands of the Chinese Government, and that to allow the Municipal Council to provide the money, as suggested, would injure Chinese prestige. The purchase of a large dredger is therefore in abeyance for a while.\n\nThe rising in the Hsiang Shan district (see Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 152 of the 28th March) has now been suppressed, and the native pastor who had been captured by the brigands has effected his escape. The Magistrate expressed a wish to settle all claims for losses at once, and handed over a sum of 480 dollars in full settlement of all losses and claims, which amount was accepted, and the matter is now closed. The prime mover in the rising was a military graduate, who is suspected of being the leader of a Secret Society, whose aim is to involve the local authorities in difficulties. He is still at large. The grievances of the brigands appear to be the following:\n| Grievance |\n| --- |\n| 1. Hatred of Catholics and their methods; |\n| 2. Scarcity and dearness of rice; |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412636, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 396, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 2\n\n**Commissioner of Customs**.-Mr. King, the new Commissioner, is unreliable to a degree, pro-Chinese, and retrogressive. He has already succeeded in making himself generally unpopular, both officially and otherwise. Any general advancement of commercial interests or any furtherance of British objects, so long as he remains at Canton, will not be facilitated.\n\n**Canton--Hankow Railway**.-On the reappointment of his Excellency Tsen as Viceroy, the two chief Controllers (one of whom was Wa Ting-fang) resigned. The line is now open for some 13 miles. It has been carefully constructed, and is said to be a marked contrast to the Japanese-built line from Swatow to Chaochow-fu. The first section has a considerable number of bridges, and one cutting was necessitated with a maximum height of about 50 feet and a total length of 1,000 yards. The engagement of two British (Canadian) engineers and one Japanese has already been reported, as of a Norwegian. The more recent engagement of a Swiss makes a total number of eight section engineers, of whom two are Chinese, and His Majesty's Consulate-General is informed that telegraphic application has been made for nine additional Canadians. The salaries of the Canadians now employed are respectively £610 per annum, rising in three years to £750, and £425, increasing in six months to £500. They are both young men, one being 26 and the other 24 years of age.\n\n### 3. Changsha\n\n**Canton-Hankow Railway**.-On the 28th May the Provincial Treasurer and the Hunan Railway Company urged the people of the province in a joint appeal to take up the Company's shares, so that the Hunan section should be proceeded with without further delay. The cost of the line (400 miles) was estimated to be over 30,000,000 dollars. Preference shares to the amount of 6,000,000 dollars (including the money already raised by the Chamber of Commerce) would be offered to the public up to the 4th December. Besides the general dividend, one-fifth of the receipts would be appropriated to these shares. The fact that foreigners were in no way interested in the enterprise was emphasized, and it was added that if a foreign engineer was employed to survey the line, a Chinese engineer would be associated with him. The public were also assured of the certain financial success of the undertaking and the appreciation of the shares.\n\nThe appeal has produced no effect. The official Director and his colleagues are hoping to raise a large part of the capital in Shanghae and the Straits Settlements.\n\n**Protection of Foreigners**. The officials display considerable solicitude for the safety of the foreign residents. Every Mission (as also the Customs residences) has a guard of three or four soldiers posted outside its gates, and every member of the Mission going out-of-doors is followed about by one of the guard. Strangers arriving at Changsha are escorted in the same manner. A certain amount of espionage seems to be included in this attention.\n\n**Liuyang**. Throughout June there were persistent rumours of fresh trouble in the Liuyang district, but His Majesty's Consul does not think that any serious outbreak is threatened. Two hundred soldiers were dispatched from Changsha on the 17th June with two officials specially charged with the arrest of the leading conspirators. The officials reported that the rebels were dismayed by the military preparations and had all dispersed, while official underlings returned from Liuyang state that no rebels had ever been visible.\n\n### 4. Chengtu\n\n**Thibetan Affairs**.-An anonymous letter was published in April in a native newspaper, of which the following are the more important points: The Imperial Residency is situated in Anterior Thibet and is divided into four Departments: (1) the Secretariat, (2) the Thibetan Department, (3) the Chinese Department, (4) the Nepalese Department. There are five Grain Commissariats, two in Anterior Thibet, one in Ulterior Thibet, one on the Szechuan frontier, and one on the Indian frontier near Darjiling (this last named is the most lucrative).\n\n**Native Government**.-In Thibet, the direct Rulers of the people are all Native Chiefs, descendants of officials alone being eligible for office; thus the common people can never become officials, save only lamas and Chinese, who must first shave their heads and enter the priesthood. The writer then remarks on the practice of choosing Rulers from hereditary families, and continues: \"With regard to Chinese suzerainty over Thibet, the Thibetans have clearly manifested their desire to be tributary to China, and their anti-foreign feeling is more pronounced than in any other country. If schools were established and education spread throughout the land and the country divided into provinces, some of the natives might, after careful selection, be employed in the lesser official posts. This would tend to sweep away the distinction between the aristocracy and the plebeians, promote progress, and tend to raise the prestige of the Government.\"\n\n**Military Administration**.-The majority of the Chinese troops formerly stationed in Thibet have either married native women or have taken to opium and have become enervated and incapable of bearing arms. Unfortunately, the descendants of soldiers alone can enter the ranks. The native Thibetan troops formerly possessed no foreign rifles, but through the energy displayed by the Dalai Lama in initiating reforms, a factory was established, Ghurka gunners engaged, and 2,000 guns manufactured.\n\n**Lamas**.-There are, the writer observes, five large lamaseries, in each of which there are over 7,000 priests and acolytes. In every family, two out of three brothers become lamas.\n\n**Customs Station**. Yatung is distant 80 English miles from Darjiling and 14 from the Grain Commissariat already referred to. This station was opened in 1894 as an observation post on trade between India and Thibet, but so far, no duty has been levied. **Thibetan Currency**.-Thibetan silver is very inferior in quality. The writer fears that unless the reform of the currency is taken in hand, the British a few years after the opening of Gyantse will do it for themselves.\n\n**Nepal**. The Ghurkas are an extremely warlike race and very expert in the use of their knives. Their King, who has recently been on a tour of inspection in British territory, is paying great attention to increasing the strength of his country, and possesses an army of over 100,000 able-bodied troops. The Ghurkas still continue to send tribute to China, but the British are at present doing their utmost to establish close and intimate relations with them, doubtless for some ulterior motive. Nepal is in the position of a buffer to Thibet, and therefore merits particular attention.\n\nThe year before last, the Nepalese King addressed a request to his Excellency Yu, Imperial Resident in Thibet, begging him to select and send to Nepal three or four good professors versed in Chinese learning to instruct his subjects and spread enlightenment among the people of the frontier. It is reported that his Excellency Yu paid no attention to this request. The matter is one well known among those having intercourse with Thibet, and appears to bear the stamp of truth. That Nepal, situated in the very heart of the mountains, should take this step bodes well for Thibet. The latter country, however, is in the toils of the British, and, unless Nepal solves the difficulty, the Ghurkas will be involved in the loss of Thibet.\n\n**Organization of New Territory**.-The following proposals for the administration of the Szechuan-Thibetan frontier appeared in the \"Universal Gazette\" of the 7th May: \"A Japanese paper, under date of the 29th April, 1907, announces that the late Viceroy of Szechuan Hsi Liang and the Imperial Commissioner in charge of the defence of the Szechuan-Yunnan-Thibetan border have recently submitted a joint telegraphic Memorial suggesting six measures of reform in the administration of Thibet, together with proposals for raising the necessary funds. These six measures are as follows:\n\n| Measure | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | The raising of a brigade of modern drilled troops to be stationed along the Szechuan-Thibetan frontier. |\n| 2 | The adoption of comprehensive measures for the working of the numerous mines found in the territory under the rule of the native chieftains. |\n| 3 | The construction of roads for the improvement of communication and the promotion of trade. |\n| 4 | The establishment of schools at Batang. |\n| 5 | The building of a city wall, fortifications, and official residence at Batang; the abolition of the native Rulers, and the appointment of local officials. |\n| 6 | The opening to cultivation of some 3,000 Chinese li of land in the neighbourhood of Batang. |\n\n\"It is estimated that a preliminary sum of 2,000,000 taels will be needed. There will further be an annual expenditure of 3,000,000 taels, to cover which it is proposed to ask for a yearly contribution from other provinces, as is done in the case of Kansu and the new territory. The Government having already decided to allot a sum of 1,000,000 taels from the Board of Revenue, the balance could be supplied from the Chungking, Chinkiang, and Hankow Customs.\n\nTo this Memorial, the Imperial sanction has already been received.\n\nPage 333", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412675, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 435, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n[33109]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[October 9508 432]\n\nREG\n\nNOV 07\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 5.)**\n\n(No. 401.)\n\nPeking, August 20, 1907.\n\nREFERRING to my despatch No. 376 of the 6th August and subsequent telegrams, regarding the establishment of a Government opium monopoly at Nanking, I have the honour to inclose copies of the note which I have addressed to the Chinese Government on this subject, stating that this project involves an infraction of Article V of the British Treaty of Nanking and of Article XIV of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin, and inviting the serious attention of the Chinese Government to the danger of allowing independent action on the part of the provincial authorities in a matter which is under consideration by the British and Chinese Governments.\n\nI have the honour to inclose also a copy of a further despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul at Nanking, forwarding copy of the proposed Opium Monopoly Regulations. Mr. Ker states that they have not yet been published.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.**\n\nPeking, August 19, 1907.\n\nI HAVE received from His Majesty's Consul at Nanking a number of reports regarding the proposed establishment by the authorities of the Liang-kiang Province of a Government monopoly for the sale of prepared opium. From these it appears that the scheme for such a monopoly was originally to have been carried out by merchants under official control, since the purchase by Government of the necessary stocks of opium would have involved too great an outlay.\n\nOn reconsideration it was, however, decided that if such a matter were intrusted to merchants, evasion and delays might arise, and that it was after all necessary that Government should find the funds required.\n\nUnder orders of the Viceroy, an Office has accordingly been established, under the name of the Kiangnan Head Anti-Opium Office for the Monopoly of the Sale of Government Prepared Opium. This Office is placed under the control of the Provincial Treasurer at Nanking, and derives its working capital of 500,000 taels from the Yuning Government Bank. Its object is to purchase raw opium, conduct the sale of prepared opium, and suppress the use of the drug.\n\nBy Article 3 of its Regulations, all opium is to be purchased exclusively by this Office from the wholesale dealers, who will be licensed for this purpose, and who will not be allowed to sell to the public. Small dealers, whose resources are insufficient to undertake this trade in raw opium, are to be permitted, under licence, to become agents for the Government Office in the retail sale of prepared opium.\n\nIt has been pointed out by His Majesty's Consul to his Excellency the Viceroy Tuan that, in view of Article V of the Treaty of Nanking, the restriction of the sale of raw opium to the Government Office or its licensed dealers would appear to be irregular; and urgent representations have been made to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae by the principal importing firms, complaining that the establishment of this monopoly has led to the closing of the business on the part of several wholesale native dealers, with the result that outstanding orders are being cancelled, and large stocks are left on the hands of the importing firms, who have already suffered considerable losses by the fall in the price of foreign opium since the establishment of this monopoly was proposed.\n\nThe reports of His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Chengtu and newspaper extracts which have been sent to me show further that similar monopolies are contemplated in Szechuan, Hupei, and Kiangsi. I have therefore considered it my duty to inquire of His Majesty's Government by telegraph whether they concur in the view that...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412677, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 437, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE, \n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n39508 [October 5.] \n\n434 \n\nRES 9 NOV 07 \n\n## SECTION 6. \n\n[33101] \n\n### No. 1. \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 5.) \n\n**(No. 393.)** Sir, \n\nPeking, August 20, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch `No. 362` of the 25th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum, which has been drawn up for me by Mr. Garnett from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls and missionaries since that date, on the progress of the measures which are being taken in the provinces for the enforcement of the Imperial Regulations against the use of opium. \n\nI have, &c. (Signed) \n**J. N. JORDAN.** \n\n### Inclosure in No. 1. \n\n**Opium Summary.** \n\n#### Amoy. \n\nHIS Majesty's Consul reports that when the Taotai learnt that it was proposed to dispatch officials from Foochow to inquire why he (the Amoy Taotai) had taken no steps to suppress the use of opium in the district, he hastily issued a Proclamation, dated the 10th July, in which he ordered all opium dens to be closed by the 19th July. This order is said to have been strictly enforced and obeyed. Opium can still, of course, be bought at retail shops, but may not be consumed in public places. \n\n#### Changsha. \n\nHis Majesty's Consul reported on the 27th July that the local officials are credited with determination to carry out their Regulations for the suppression of the opium dens. The \"Changsha Gazette\" reports that many of the latter are already taking steps to convert their premises into shops, tea-houses, &c., and that some have been closed. Two official dispensaries have been opened in Changsha for the cure of the opium habit. These are conducted under official Regulations, which have received the approval of the Governor and the Viceroy. During the first month the total number of applicants registered amounted to 154, all belonging to the poorest class of the population. No instance of inquisitorial or punitive measures has yet been reported. The authorities, however, seem to be sincerely in sympathy with the anti-opium movement, and the Judge, who is also Chief of Police, is known to be a warm supporter of it. None of the local officials are opium-smokers, and expectant officials are aware that no employment will be found for any who are not beyond suspicion in this respect. \n\n#### Chengtu \n\nThe Acting Viceroy has issued a Proclamation ordering the closing of all opium divans by the 8th August, after which date the preparation and sale of opium will be a Government monopoly. \n\nThe Regulations attached to the Proclamation appear to refer to the city of Chengtu only, but a similar procedure will probably be adopted throughout Szechuan. \n\nUnder these new Regulations all opium-smokers must take out a licence at a police station, on which will appear the amount of their daily consumption of opium. This amount is to be reduced annually by one-tenth, so that in ten years' time their allowance...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412721, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 481, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 18.)\n\nPeking, October 3, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to previous despatches on the subject of constitutional reform in China, I have the honour to report the establishment on September 20th, by Imperial decree, of an institution entitled the \"Tzu Chêng Yuan,\" which, for want of a better name, may be rendered for the present by the word \"Senate.\" The latter term, literally translated, means \"College (or Chancellery) for assisting in government.\"\n\nThe Decree establishing this body begins by saying that the time is not yet ripe for setting up the Upper and Lower Chambers, which are an essential feature of constitutional government, but that it is necessary to make a beginning in that direction. The young Prince Pulun (second cousin of the Emperor) and the Grand Secretary, Sun Chia-nai, are therefore commanded to undertake the presidency of the Senate, the composition of which still remains to be discussed. In the meanwhile a deliberative Assembly, consisting of eighteen of the highest metropolitan officials, is holding sessions every ten days. These meetings began on the 19th September, when the members took their seats at a long table in the hall of the Grand Secretariat, and Resolutions were brought forward in due form and put to the vote.\n\nOn the 27th September a Decree was issued, which is believed to be the result of the meeting, commanding that the Manchu garrisons be disbanded and absorbed amongst the Chinese population.\n\nThe Decree of the 10th August, inclosed in my despatch No. 406, had indicated the amalgamation of the two races as the goal to be aimed at. The present Decree, of which a translation in précis is now inclosed, lays down the first step to be taken towards this end. The Manchu garrisons (exclusive of Peking) are twenty-two in number, and are scattered from Canton to Chinese Turkestan. As military forces they are worthless in the highest degree, while the possession by them of pay and privileges not accorded to persons of Chinese birth constitutes a standing grievance. In the various cities where they are quartered - Canton, Foochow, Nanking, Hangchow, Chengtu, &c. - they live as a caste apart, governed by their own officials, and are not amenable to the Chinese jurisdiction, do nothing to justify their existence, and are even forbidden to engage in trade or agriculture, the fiction still being maintained that they are keeping the Chinese population in subjection.\n\nTheir abolition will be one of the few practical steps yet taken by the Chinese Government in its efforts towards reform. The second session of the deliberative Assembly took place on the 29th September, and was followed by the issue of two long Decrees on the next day commanding that public education should be pressed forward in order to fit the nation for self-government, and laying down the principle, apparently warning to any who may entertain Republican sympathies, that China's future constitution will be monarchical. I have the honour to inclose a résumé of these Decrees.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n#### Résumé of Imperial Decree, published September 27, 1907.\n\nThe Manchu dynasty was founded by military prowess, and throughout the Empire garrisons were established for the tranquillization of our dominions. When peace had long been established, they had nothing to do but idly receive their pay, their numbers decreased, and they fell into poverty. It is high time that they should find some means of ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412763, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 523, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n520\n\n44/07 November 18.\n\nSpcm 44EC 07\n\n[37963]\n\n**(No. 469.) Sir,**\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received November 18.)**\n\nPeking, October 1, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a monthly summary, compiled by Mr. Garnett, of events in China which have not been reported in separate despatches.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n## Monthly Summary of Events in China.\n\n### Chengtu.\n\nTHE Acting British Consul-General reported on the 22nd July that he arranged an interview between Mr. Polhill, of the China Inland Mission, and the Acting Viceroy, before the former left for Tachienlu on the 17th July. The Acting Viceroy received Mr. Polhill in a very friendly manner, and said he had no objection at all to his opening mission stations at Litang and Batang, but he advised him for the present to confine his work to the main roads and not to penetrate into the interior.\n\nA member of the China Inland Mission at Tachienlu writes as follows under date 8th July:\n\n\"There is a good deal of talk here just now about the Roman Catholics who are buying up a number of houses in the city. They have recently bought a row of ten houses, practically a whole street, and are now trying to get hold of five or six inns at the back of this street. The inn people don't want to sell, but they are afraid the Roman Catholics will bring foreign, i.e., French, pressure to bear by referring the case to Chengtu.\n\n\"The Envoy from Nepaul, with about forty men, is here on his way to Peking. He speaks English very well, and is a very pleasant gentleman.\n\n\"Ya Tai, the late Chinese Amban, is now in Litang on his way to Chengtu. He is travelling quite unofficially, being in disgrace.*\n\n\"A Chinese surveyor, who has been eight years in Japan, is now in this district making maps for the Viceroy.\"\n\nWith reference to the inns mentioned in this missionary's letter, they are large Thibetan inns managed by Headmen of the Min Cheng Sau, or native King, for the convenience of Thibetan traders and others. They make no charge for board or lodging, but are allowed a percentage on all trade transactions taking place in their inns. Their title to the property is hereditary; they cannot sell, but are allowed to let on annual leases. If the family owning an inn dies out it reverts to the King, who then bestows it on some other family. There are forty-eight of these inns in Tachienlu.\n\nThere is a good deal of friction just now between the Chinese authorities at Tachienlu and the native King, owing to the former's attempts to restrict his powers and prerogatives. It is just possible that the Roman Catholic Mission, in endeavouring to obtain possession of these Ko-chuangs, is acting with the knowledge and consent of the Chinese officials, who may seize the opportunity to deal a blow at the native King's influence by abolishing the inn system.\n\n### Foochow.\n\nArsenal at Pagoda Anchorage.-The contracts with the French officers in charge of the arsenal will expire this month, and it is not the intention of the authorities to renew... * This is contradicted in another despatch.\n\n[2732-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412786, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "page_number": 546, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nRECD 127 [December 14] JAN 08 542\n\n### SECTION 1\n\n[40878]\n\n#### No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received December 14.)\n\n**(No. 506.)**\n\nPeking, October 29, 1907,\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 245 of the 27th May, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from Mr. Fox, Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, reporting the resignation of the Szechuanese President and Vice-President of the native Ch'uan Han Railway Company, and also of the Director of the Ichang office.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\n#### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**(No. 49.)**\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, September 24, 1907.\n\nON the 14th September the Chengtu \"Daily Gazette\" published a long letter from Taotai Fei Tao Shun, Director of the Chuan Han Railway office at Ichang, to the Acting Viceroy, requesting permission to resign his post on the grounds of physical exhaustion, brought about by the journeys he had undertaken and the services he had performed on behalf of the Railway Company.\n\nOn the following day appeared a letter from Mr. Hu Chün, Vice-President of the Company, tendering his resignation of his post, also on the ground of ill-health. I have the honour to inclose copy and translation of this letter.*\n\nWhile I believe it is a fact that Mr. Hu Chün has suffered from dysentery during the past summer, and while it is quite possible that Fei Taotai's condition may be such as he describes, it is significant that the decision of both to relinquish their posts should coincide with the resignation of their fellow-provincial, Ch'iao Shu Nan, the President of the Company, on the score of pressure of work in the Board of Education in Peking.\n\nThe general opinion appears to be that railway matters have again reached a deadlock, and that these representatives of the Szechuan gentry have resigned as a protest against the interference in railway matters which the officials, on the one hand, and the Szechuanese students in Japan, on the other, continue to exercise.\n\nIt may be, also, that the gentry are beginning to realize the unpleasant fact that without foreign assistance the railway can never be constructed, and that therefore their leaders are withdrawing temporarily from the control of the Company in order that they may not incur the odium of being the first to suggest so unpopular a course.\n\nIt is, I think, not unlikely that the non-arrival of Viceroy Chao Erh-hsün, whose appointment was received with general satisfaction, and the uncertainty which prevails regarding his successor's policy and movements—the latest news is that his Excellency Ch'en K'uei Lung will not take up his post until next year—have contributed in some degree to the present deadlock. As long as the province remains without a substantive Viceroy there seems small likelihood of this unfortunate railway making any headway. A foreign loan is inevitable; but it is not to be expected that the present Acting Viceroy, energetic and capable as he is, would be willing to embark upon a policy and incur responsibilities which might be repudiated by his successor.\n\nIt is most difficult to arrive at the true facts of the situation; the railway is the one topic which the Chinese authorities, from the Viceroy downwards, refuse to discuss.\n\n* Not printed.\n\n[2768 0-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415732, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 427, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### SECTION 6\n#### [42347]\n\n**(No. 525.) Sir,**\n## No. 1.\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received December 28.)**\n\nPeking, November 12, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a summary of reports received from His Majesty's Consuls in China during the last month, in regard to matters which have not been reported upon in separate despatches.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### inclosure in No. 1.\n## Monthly Summary of Events in China\n\n### THE YANG-TSZE PROVINCES\n#### Szechuan\n\nTHE province has, on the whole, been peaceful during the summer, and thus the general fear that there might be a recrudescence of the disturbances at K'ai Hsien, which have been reported upon in separate despatches, has not been realized. Mr. Fox, acting British Consul-General at Ch'engtu, attributes the quiet mainly to the fact that the provisions of the Anti-Opium Edicts have not been carried out with any degree of completeness or severity.\n\nThe numbers and influence of Chinese converts to Protestantism are increasing, and collisions between them and the Roman Catholic converts are becoming more frequent and more serious. For this state of affairs it seems that jealousy and lack of sympathy and co-operation between the British and American Missions on the one hand, and the French Roman Catholic Mission on the other, are mainly responsible. Each side accuses the other of undue interference on behalf of their converts. The Roman Catholics regard the Protestant missionaries as people whose main object in coming to China is to make a comfortable living for themselves and their families. On the other hand, the Protestants regard the French priests as political agents of the French Government, who obtain for their converts the status, more or less, of French citizens. The attitude of the French Consul, M. Bons d'Anty, gives colour to this charge, for he appears to take up cases officially on the slightest provocation, and makes no secret of the fact that he regards himself as the natural protector not only of the French missions, but of their native converts and inquirers. It seems a pity that the foreign Missions cannot work in harmony throughout China, in the interests of the Christian faith which they desire to propagate. The spectacle of constant quarrelling and mutual recrimination between preachers of the gospel of peace is hardly an edifying one, nor one calculated to bring conviction to the heathen. Another unfortunate incident has been the absence from Chengtu, during the whole of July and August and part of September, of the greater portion of the Protestant missionary community, thus entailing the closing of school, chapel, and hospital. The abandonment of the hospital, more especially during the summer months, does not inspire confidence in the earnestness of the missionaries concerned.\n\nThe Szechuan-Bankow Railway affairs seem, for the present, to have reached a deadlock owing partly to the resignation of the newly-appointed President and Vice-President, and partly to the uncertainty regarding the Governor-Generalship of the province. The Acting Viceroy, Chao Erh Feng, has been a success, but little is known of Chen K'uei Lung, who has been appointed to the substantive post, and it is not likely that much energy will be shown in the prosecution of railway enterprises until his arrival.\n\n`[2769 ee—6]`\n#### 424", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415733, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 428, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "The summer has been unusually wet throughout the province and much distress caused among the lower classes by floods. The crops, however, do not appear to have suffered, and the harvest, particularly of rice, is a very fair one.\n\nVice-Admiral Sir A. Moore, Commander-in-Chief on the China station arrived at Chungking on His Majesty's ship \"Widgeon\" on the 11th October after five days' steaming through the rapids and gorges from Ichang. He called on the Taotai and Chentai, and his visit seems generally to have created a good impression.\n\nHupei and Hunan.\n\nThe Viceroy Chang Chih Tung, just before leaving Wuchang, decided that the Hupei Railway Office should enter into a two years' contract with a British engineer, Mr. Ross, as executive engineer, with liberty to lend him to the Hunan Railway Company. The contract is to be signed and dated the 5th July, the day of Mr. Ross' arrival at Hankow, as soon as telegraphic instructions to that effect are received from his Excellency from Peking. It is expected that work on the section Changsha Chu-chou Chên will then be undertaken as soon as possible. Assurances have been given to Mr. Consul-General Fraser that Mr. Ross will be given a free hand in Hunan.\n\nFeuds between Sikhs at Hankow are of frequent occurrence. Over the Sikh police the Consul-General now has more or less effective control, but there are numbers of watchmen and unemployed who live in other concessions, in the native town and in other places round Hankow. Mr. Fraser considers their presence in Treaty ports in increasing numbers as a menace to peace and good order in our relations with the Chinese people and their authorities, who regard them all as employés of the British authorities. At the same time it is difficult to see what steps can be taken beyond the issue of the notice inclosed in my despatch No. 414 of the 15th October, 1907, the provisions of which cannot, however, be enforced upon private individuals engaging watchmen nor upon foreign municipalities other than British. The restriction of emigration from India except under proper guarantees and passports would be the only remedy, but there would probably be many difficulties in the way of such a course.\n\nAccording to the Rev. Arnold Foster, a missionary of long experience in Wuchang, the schools started by the late Viceroy are shutting up. The scholars have now to live in inns and pay their own board and lodging. This and the low character and attainments of the Government school teachers has led to repeated complaints of parents and the withdrawal of their children.\n\nIn the Liuyang district of Hunan, on the Kiangsi border, a state of chronic unrest appears to exist, and the local authorities are in constant apprehension of an outbreak. It is said that a military graduate named Chu Yen Sen has enrolled four or five thousand followers with a view to creating trouble when a favourable opportunity occurs, but the Governor of Hunan knows little of their desires and movements.\n\nAnhui.\n\nGreat nervousness in regard to revolutionaries exists among the provincial authorities, and a very close watch is kept on all passengers landing from steamers at the various ports of call; all luggage and coffins are very carefully searched for smuggled arms and ammunition. The cutting off of the queue, which is regarded as an outward sign of revolutionary sympathies, has been expressly prohibited.\n\nMr. Goffe, His Majesty's Consul at Wuhu, reports that the general attitude of the new Governor towards foreigners is hostile and that during his short tenure of office he has made it abundantly clear that foreign interests will receive scant consideration at his hands.\n\nVery little progress has recently been made with the Anhui Railway. The foundation work of a few bridges has been begun and some culverts prepared, but no embankment has yet been started.\n\nKiangsu.\n\nFears have been entertained that there would be a recrudescence in the autumn of the disastrous famine which visited part of this province in the autumn of last and in the spring of this, but His Majesty's Consul at Chinkiang hears that the crops this year are unusually good, so it is to be hoped that these fears will not be realized.\n\nOn the 17th October the first through trains between Shanghae and Chinkiang began to run, and it is not impossible that the whole line from Shanghae to Nanking may be in working order by April next.\n\nPage 37\n\n3\n\nCOAST PROVINCES.\n\nChekiang.\n\nDisturbances, which were suspected to be of an anti-dynastic character, took place in various parts of the province during the latter part of June and July and occasioned the local authorities much anxiety. Quiet was, however, gradually restored, and the unpopular Governor Chang Tseng Yang transferred to Soochow as Governor of Kiangsu. His Excellency was a man of bad temper and harsh character and incurred much hatred by the ruthless manner in which he dealt with the rioters and their adherents. The reforms which he was credited with the desire of inaugurating were never carried out, mainly owing to lack of funds. Although not pro-foreign, he showed himself determined to have no murders of missionaries within his jurisdiction, and never failed to take prompt and effective precautionary measures when applied to.\n\nThe Hangchow section of the railway from Chiang Kan, south of the city, to Hu Shu near the Settlement on the north was opened to goods traffic in July. As passenger cars failed to arrive, goods waggons were fitted with seats and passengers have been carried since the end of August, though the line will not be officially opened until the arrival of the cars from Europe, the date of which is still uncertain. It is estimated that the receipts of the line now average £500 a-month.\n\nThe line is now being extended towards Kashing and embankments have been completed for a distance of some 15 miles to Liu Ping.\n\nFukien.\n\nWork has been begun on the Amoy end of the Amoy-Changchou Railway and a couple of miles of embankment have been completed. The line is a Chinese undertaking, and a Board of Directors was appointed on the 19th August. There has been no public call for tenders, but a British firm, Messrs. Tait and Co., has secured a contract for the supply of picks, shovels, and other tools. On the other hand, a contract for two locomotives has been divided between a Japanese and a German firm, the British firm referred to complaining that they lost the contract, a small one but carrying the promise of others in the future, because of the attitude of their principals in England, who refused to submit specifications, &c., but desired to have these sent to them first. The Directors of the Company do not appear to be conversant with railway matters. On a catalogue of engines being submitted to them they spent some time in admiring the locomotives depicted, but unfortunately they held the book upside down. Rails and rail accessories are to be obtained from the Hangyang Arsenal.\n\nKuangtung.\n\nPakhoi District. The disturbances which took place in this district during the summer have been reported upon in separate despatches. Small outbreaks are still of frequent occurrence, and there seems to be a general feeling of insecurity. Although the officials profess to feel security, Mr. Fletcher, Second Assistant in charge of His Majesty's Consulate, considers that the general position is far from assuring, and that everything seems to point to a serious outbreak growing imminent. The Port of Pakhoi is somewhat isolated, and communications are uncertain, as all telegraph wires pass through the disturbed areas.\n\nThibet.\n\nThe Rev. T. H. Edgar, in letters to the Acting British Consul-General at Chengtu from Litang and Batang, dated the 16th and 28th August, states that he can see no signs of Chinese colonization, nor does he think that such colonization is possible without dispossessing the natives. On the whole he considers that the Thibetans are being well treated by the Chinese, and that they are happier under them than when they were under their own Lamas and native Chiefs. In Batang the utter subjection of the Lamas is very noticeable, but the country does not present the same military appearance as Litang, where there are 1,000 men, and which shows signs of becoming an important military station.\n\nThe unfortunate experiences of an American named Demenil and a German named Dr. Tafel, while travelling in the native States on the Thibetan border, called forth a despatch from the Viceroy of Szechuan to the foreign Consuls, drawing attention to the fact that recent cases had occurred of foreign travellers, unprovided with passports, \n\nPage 425", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415772, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 467, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## The following despatches are returned herewith:-\n\nForeign Office, No. 175; Peking, No. 274; China Association, June 25; Foreign Office to Board of Trade, July 10; Board of Trade to Foreign Office, August 13; Foreign Office to Board of Trade, August 28, 1907.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) **HAROLD G. PARLETT**,\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n### TABLE of Freight Charges for whole Cars.\n\n| Station | From and to Dairen | | | From and to Yinkow | | |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| | 1st Class, Yen per ton | 2nd Class, Yen per ton | 3rd Class, Yen per ton | 1st Class, Yen per ton | 2nd Class, Yen per ton | 3rd Class, Yen per ton |\n| Talien Choushuitzn | 6.30 | 4.50 | 3.28 | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 |\n| Nankwanling | 6.13 | 4.38 | 3.14 | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 |\n| Tafangshen | 5.95 | 4.25 | 3.05 | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 |\n| Chinchou | 5.78 | 4.13 | 2.96 | ... | ... | ... |\n| Saushilipu | ... | ... | ... | 0.88 | 0.63 | 0.45 |\n| Puliantien | 5.60 | 4.00 | 2.87 | 1.23 | 0.88 | 0.63 |\n| Wafangtien.. | 5.08 | 3.63 | 2.60 | 1.75 | 1.25 | 0.90 |\n| Teliszu | 4.73 | 3.38 | 2.42 | 2.28 | 1.68 | 1.17 |\n| Wanchialing | 4.03 | 2.88 | 2.06 | 2.80 | 2.00 | 1.44 |\n| Hsiung Yueching | 3.68 | 2.63 | 1.88 | 3.33 | 2.38 | 1.71 |\n| Kaiping | 3.15 | 2.25 | 1.61 | 4.03 | 2.98 | 2.07 |\n| Tashichiao.. | 2.45 | 1.75 | 1.25 | 4.55 | 3.25 | 2.34 |\n| Haicheng | 1.75 | 1.25 | 0.89 | 5.25 | 3.75 | 2.70 |\n| Tangkangtzu | 1.40 | 1.00 | 0.70 | 5.95 | 4.25 | 3.06 |\n| Aachangchang | 2.45 | 1.75 | 1.23 | 6.48 | 4.63 | 3.33 |\n| Liaoyang | 3.50 | 2.50 | 1.75 | 6.65 | 4.75 | 3.42 |\n| Changtaitzu.. | 3.85 | 2.75 | 1.93 | 7.35 | 5.25 | 3.78 |\n| Yentai | 5.25 | 3.75 | 2.63 | 7.53 | 5.38 | 3.87 |\n| Suchiatan | 5.60 | 4.00 | 2.80 | 7.88 | 5.63 | 4.05 |\n| Fengtien (Mukden) | 6.30 | 4.50 | 3.15 | 8.40 | 6.00 | 4.32 |\n| Hushitai | 7.30 | 5.20 | 3.65 | 8.75 | 6.25 | 4.50 |\n| Hsintaitzu | 7.90 | 5.60 | 3.95 | 9.10 | 6.50 | 4.68 |\n| Tiebling | 8.50 | 6.00 | 4.25 | 9.63 | 6.88 | 4.95 |\n| Kaiyuan | 9.40 | 6.60 | 4.70 | 10.60 | 7.40 | 5.30 |\n| Changtu | 10.60 | 7.40 | 5.30 | 11.45 | 7.98 | 5.73 |\n| Shuangmiaotzu | 11.45 | 7.96 | 5.73 | 12.22 | 8.46 | 6.11 |\n| Szupingchieh | 12.22 | 8.46 | 6.11 | 12.65 | 8.74 | 6.33 |\n| Kuociaten | 12.65 | 8.74 | 6.32 | 13.03 | 8.98 | 6.52 |\n| Kangohuling | 13.03 | 8.98 | 6.51 | 13.60 | 9.35 | 6.80 |\n| Fanchiatung | 13.60 | 9.35 | 6.80 | 13.86 | 9.52 | 6.93 |\n| Mengchiatung | 13.86 | 9.51 | 6.93 | 14.30 | 9.80 | 7.15 |\n| Changchung | 14.30 | 9.80 | 7.16 | 14.44 | 9.88 | 7.22 |\n| Kwangchengtzu | 14.44 | 9.88 | 7.22 | 14.49 | 9.91 | 7.24 |\n| Yingchengtzu | 14.49 | 9.91 | 7.24 | 14.52 | 9.93 | 7.25 |\n| Lushun (Port Arthur) | 14.52 | 9.93 | 7.25 | 0.88 | 0.63 | 0.45 |\n| Yinkow | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 | 6.48 | 4.73 | 3.32 |\n| Hsienchi Chai | 7.00 | 5.10 | 3.59 | 9.63 | 6.88 | 4.95 |\n| Fushun | 9.63 | 6.88 | 4.95 | 9.40 | 6.60 | 4.70 |\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**CHINA TRADE, CONFIDENTIAL, [1043]**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Foreign Office to Board of Trade, [January 15.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, January 15, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 25th November, 1907, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, to be laid before the Board of Trade, a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking on the subject of the proposed Chinese Regulations for the registration of trade-marks.\n\nThis matter is not being pursued at present, pending the conclusion of an Arrangement with Japan for the mutual protection of British and Japanese trade-marks in China.\n\nAs you are aware, a draft Convention has been put forward by the Japanese Government in this latter connection, but, pending the receipt of the Board's observations thereon in reply to the letter from this Department of the 6th ultimo, no answer has been returned to the Japanese Government.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed) **F. A. CAMPBELL**.\n\n*Sir J. Jordan, No. 551, November 26, 1907.* \n\nPage 464", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415831, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 526, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "12\n\nare being prepared with great secrecy, though it is reported from two districts that orders have been given for a reduction of cultivation next year.\n\nAs the seed is only sown at the beginning of November, it is too early to form any reliable opinion as to what is being done in the matter.\n\nAlthough in isolated instances in other provinces the cultivation of the poppy has been reduced, yet it may be safely said that in general no attention has been paid to this Article throughout the Empire, nor have the penalties for non-compliance with its provisions been imposed.\n\nArt. 2. To issue licences to smokers in order to prevent others from contracting the habit.\n\nIn Chengtu, the capital of Szechuan, an attempt is being made to carry out this Article by ordering all persons using the official opium divans or purchasing opium from the official opium shops to register themselves. But it is only among the humbler classes that the authorities have been able to enforce these orders with any amount of success. The Chinese have an instinctive dislike to registration. Growing public opinion condemns the use of the drug, and hence a natural disinclination on the part of persons of any claim to respectability to avow themselves addicted to the habit. Registration of smokers has been carried out to a certain extent at Cheloo, Hangchow, Kiangchow, Nanning, Changsha, Chengtu, Chungking, Yunnan-fu, but in general it may be said that little or nothing has been done in this matter, although many instances have occurred of people considerably under the age of 60 not hesitating to register themselves as having reached that age, in order to insure to themselves the privilege of continuing the habit.\n\nArt. 3. To reduce the craving for opium within a limited time in order to remedy chronic addiction thereto.\n\nAt Chengtu (Szechuan) the head Anti-Opium Bureau has issued Regulations providing for a limited quantity of opium being issued to each smoker, the amount to be reduced annually by 20 per cent.\n\nThese Regulations, however, have not been effectively carried out for the reasons given under Article 2.\n\nIn the rest of China this Article is practically a dead letter.\n\nArt. 4. To prohibit opium houses in order to purify the abodes of pollution.\n\nOf all the eleven Articles in the Decree, the above has met with most success.\n\nIn the Province of Szechuan, generally speaking, dens have been closed, licensed houses being opened in their stead.\n\nIn Chengtu the divans have been reduced from 500 to 300; in other towns the reduction has been on a smaller scale, but they are undoubtedly under stricter police supervision than in the past. Though dens have not been suppressed altogether, they have been improved and brought under official control, a much needed reform in a province where they were notoriously the resort of the criminal classes. For the rest of China it may be said that the dens have been closed in nearly all the chief cities and without disturbance, while the majority have been shut in the country districts.\n\nArt. 5. To closely inspect opium shops, in order to facilitate preventive measures. In Chengtu the Provincial Government, as in several other provinces, have gone somewhat beyond the scope of the spirit of the Article, and have endeavoured to create a monopoly of the manufacture and sale of the prepared drug.\n\nOfficial opium stores have been established, and a limited number of retail opium shops have been licensed. The sale of prepared opium without a licence is made a criminal offence. No restriction has been placed on raw opium which can be purchased as desired, though boiling is prohibited, except in official store, where only an amount is allowed corresponding to that noted in the smoking licence.\n\nIn Chungking a similar procedure is in force, but elsewhere in the province the monopoly depends on the ability of the local officials to enforce it.\n\nIn the rest of China the shops are inspected and licensed in most cities, and are more or less under official supervision and subject to taxation, which is generally based on the amount of business done. Raw opium can still, however, without much difficulty be purchased by those who wish and can be prepared and smoked at home. Nevertheless, the opium den in China occupies very much the same popular position as the\n\nC\n\n13\n\npublic-house in England, and its suppression is a very important step in the right direction.\n\nArt. 6. To manufacture remedies for the cure of the opium habit.\n\nThis is one of the most difficult rules to carry out efficiently, not from the lack of remedies, but from the fact that those provided are either not efficacious in themselves or produce greater evil than that which they are intended to prevent.\n\nMost anti-opium medicines contain either opium or morphia, and the efficacy of such cures is not infrequently limited to the period during which they are taken, while they have a tendency to introduce opium eating instead of smoking, replacing one vice by another, and introducing one more difficult to cure. In Chengtu opium refuges exist where medicine is supplied free of charge, but these establishments are not well patronized. In addition, the sale of opium remedies, for the most part spurious, is strictly controlled by the police.\n\nIn other places in the Province of Szechuan benevolent societies have been formed for the distribution of opium remedies, and a large number of people have applied to mission dispensaries for medicine. In most cases the applicants cannot be induced to undergo a course of treatment in the mission hospital. It is also noteworthy that the Chinese authorities do not invoke the assistance and advice of foreign medical men in the selection and preparation of opium remedies.\n\nFor the rest of China it may be said that refuges and anti-opium medicines are provided in nearly all the capitals and chief towns, and that they are within reach of the majority of the inhabitants of the Empire.\n\nThe morphia question is one which is of great importance in connection with that of opium, inasmuch as the Chinese have of late years taken a great fancy to it. It would no doubt take the place of opium were the latter eventually suppressed had not the Chinese Government already taken steps to prevent this contingency.\n\nBy Article XI of the Commercial Treaty of the 5th September, 1902, between Great Britain and China His Majesty's Government undertook to prohibit the general importation of morphia into China, except for medical purposes, as soon as all other Treaty Powers agreed to this step. The Chinese Government on their side undertook to adopt measures at once to prevent the manufacture of morphia in China. With the exception of Japan, the consent of all the Treaty Powers has now been obtained, so that China is within measurable distance of seeing morphia eradicated.\n\nArt. 7. The establishment of Anti-Opium Societies in order to promote the good movement.\n\nIn the Province of Szechuan the authorities have given little encouragement to such Societies, and have ordered them only to discuss opium and not current politics or questions of local government.\n\nIn the rest of China Anti-Opium Societies have been established in many of the capitals, some being under official auspices, others of a private nature. They display a certain amount of energy.\n\nArt. 8. To charge the local authorities with the duty of leading the movement.\n\nIn regard to the Province of Szechuan, with the exceptions of the capital (Chengtu) and Chungking, it cannot be said that the local authorities have as a whole done much to help and encourage the anti-opium movement. The country officials are mostly smokers, their attitude lukewarm, and their action generally limited to the issue of the necessary Proclamations. As to the rest of China, the officials foremost in energy are those of the cities of Tien-tsin, Chefoo, Soochow, Shanghae, Nanking, and Foochow.\n\nArt. 9. To strictly forbid the smoking of opium in order that an example may be set for others to follow.\n\nThis Article is practically a dead letter in the Province of Szechuan. The late Viceroy did issue an order to all civil and military officials throughout the province fixing a limit of six months in which to give up the habit, opium smokers in the meantime to report themselves to their superior officials in order that their names might be entered on a black list. No officials are known to have reported themselves; On the other hand, several officials, notoriously inveterate smokers, are retained in office.\n\n[2813 -5]\n\nE\n\n523", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415893, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 58, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "led to appointment of Secretary Wang to audit the accounts on the spot, and no arts will prevent so skilled a workman from discovering the truth. As the line is now being handed over to business management, it is requisite to review its abuses and its future.\n\n\"The essentials in railway cases are finance and construction. If the money is raised unjustly the people will rise, and if the line is not wisely built the biggest funds will never accomplish the job.\n\n\"Now as to construction. Hu Chun pretends to take the whole matter easily, whereas the Head Director, Ch'iao, found it too serious for him. The whole line- Ichang up to Ch'engtu-comes to 2,600 to 2,700 li, and Hsu-liang reckoned the cost, at only double ordinary track rate, at about 50,000,000 taels. As investigation proves this is far too low, let us consider only the Ichang-Wan-hsien section. This included the Wu-shan gorge, 1,000 li of hill and valley necessitating cuttings and tunnels, so that the Szechuan engineer estimated 100,000 taels, the British over 70,000 taels, and the Japanese over 60,000 taels. Taking the average, this means a total of 70,000,000 to 80,000,000 taels-even if the distance by land is not longer than that by water. As for the time needed for building, the British put this section at ten years. There remain 1,600 or 1,700 li to Chengtu, which section is also not over ordinary ground, which means that the total cost of the line will run over 100,000,000 taels, and that twenty years will pass before completion. As from poverty-stricken Szechuan it has taken three years to wring these 7,000,000 or 8,000,000 taels, it would take thirty years to raise the capital for the Ichang-Wan-hsien section alone. Such a vast scheme, with the interests of the Szechuan people and resources, and the foreign intervention and frontier risks, cannot be lightly undertaken. Besides, the I-Wan section must be completed from both ends before trains can run, and its upkeep be provided for, that is, this vast capital would bring in nothing for a dozen years. Any one with any sense would see that this work can never start, or if started never succeed-which shows what a fool Hu Chun is.\n\n\"The Hukuang Viceroy, knowing the magnitude of the undertaking, proposed joint action, but the Szechuan gentry refused. Then his Excellency suggested each province doing its own portion, but Hu Chun insisted on Szechuan's undertaking all from Ichang westward, and this was assented to, the Hupei part being redeemable after twenty-five years. If either of the original schemes had been adopted after three years there would have been some actual work to show, as each would have started from its end. Last year the Peking officials revived his Excellency Chang's first proposals, but the Szechuan officers were too proud of doing Hupei's work to agree to drop it. And now after another year nothing has happened except expensive building and entertainments and gambling away the deputies' and gentry's salaries. No wonder 1,500,000 taels has been wasted and popular suspicion raised. In the 5th moon Hu Chun wired that the trace was laid down and the surveys completed. Now the gorges section is as great a work as the Suez Canal, and demands an engineer of the highest skill and experience. So last year the Hukuang Viceroy's Memorial pointed out the doubt of possibility of tunnelling the hills, and the Board of Communications suggested the special engagement of first-class Belgian and Norwegian engineers, as no student who had been abroad was equal to such a location survey, and any error might involve throwing away several millions. The pressing needs of the moment are to organize the Company properly according to law and to improve the share-collecting system, to found a bank, combine the provinces, and on the lines of Hunan and Kuangtung's new rules raise the missing capital for financing the whole job. As important is the engagement of first-class foreign engineers to locate the trace anew and then to begin on the I-Wan section from both ends at once, instead of building a cul-de-sac line inland. might get the gentry of both provinces to form one general Company and give up the The Board twenty-five years redemption idea; otherwise, each province attending to its own part, people will not put money into such a piecemeal project as the past three years have shown. The only other method possible is for the Court to appoint a head and let the shareholders decide as to employés and measures, the head, as representative of the gentry and merchants of the two provinces, arranging with the two Viceroys as to funds, surveys, purchase of land, &c. This is what I mean by reforming the scheme of construction.\n\n\"These proposals, which will spare the people's means and facilitate railway affairs, have no light bearing on the general situation, otherwise too many cooks will spoil the broth, and there will be no hope of completing the job.\n\n\"A rescript hands the above to the Board of Communications for consideration and report.\n\n5\n\nSoochow-Ningpo Railway.\n\nThe \"Nan Fang Pao\" of the 6th October discusses the Wai-wu Pu's attempt to force a foreign loan for the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway. The writer quotes a Japanese as saying that foreign trade in China has at one step changed from an economic to a political question of influence, and thence will change as quickly to a military question, India and Egypt being sad examples to China. \"Such a warning from an outsider we think a disgrace to our rulers and, still worse, a bad omen for the future. India and Egypt perished from the incoming of foreign capital, but also because the treasury was empty, the people impoverished, while tyrannous sovereigns and vile officers shortsightedly welcomed foreign funds to supply their pleasures. If our own resources can be applied to our own industries in abundance, no such reckless and suicidal policy need be adopted, and if only China discourages foreign capital her fate need not be that of India and Egypt. While the people remain sunk in ignorance and no reforms start, a crisis may necessitate foreign aid, but the Canton-Hankow Railway redemption proved our readiness to seize an opportunity to secure lost rights, and, the draft Agreement proving useless, the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway funds have been got together, survey work completed, when not an ignorant person but a mighty Board, at the threat of outsiders, suddenly would force the gentry and traders of two provinces to raise a foreign loan!\n\n\"Some say that this is due to foreign intrigue. All foreign States try to promote trade by improving communications and getting hold of railway rights. But of late our people are waking up to the danger of foreign-built railways, and projects of resumption are rife, so foreigners have changed offers to finance lines as a blind to their aggressive plans. As the people are not to be duped, the foreigners chose a critical moment for squeezing our incapable Government by threats of armed intervention, or they make diplomatic demands, or use bribes to effect their purpose. Perhaps this explains the present case as it does others.\n\n\"Others ascribe it to the Government's rooted slackness, which neglects all State matters and popular interests for dissipation and private struggles for wealth and rank. The foreigners present demand found them ignorant of law and the particulars of the case and ready to accept any threatening demand. Thus they earn the foreigners' contempt, and will alienate the people while not ready to maintain any administrative act to be unalterable.\n\n\"Others, again, say that this is due to the old ways of each putting responsibility on someone else. Our statesmen, instead of taking their part in vindicating our rights at home and abroad, always disclaim any power to act and seek the easiest present way out of every difficulty, as now they no doubt hope the provinces will not acquiesce, and so will give an excuse to offer to the foreigner.\n\n\"If our statesmen's action on this subject arises from one of the above three causes it is not so very reprehensible; if not, the Wai-wu Pu should not have entered on discussion of foreign exorbitant demands or interfered with the provinces' past action. If the Board professes to be trying to find a compromise to save interest on both sides, it should remember that encouragement of foreign capital being injurious to vital interests of the State, even without the extra burden of security pledged, the result will be to render the completed line of no benefit except to the foreigner, whose claim to interfere with the lives and property of the provinces will be the stronger for the loan. In case of default the result may be ruin to China, as the Japanese says, and as a Government that should be the defence of the people, instead of refuting outsiders, adopt this lowest policy of compromise in regard to the railway, it is certain that when weightier matters than this arise, as they often will, this case will be quoted against the Wai-wu Pu with success, and this is why I see in this case shame to the Government and sorrow for China's future.'\n\nThe Nan Fang Pao\" of the 25th October discusses the forced borrowing for Kiangsu and Chekiang Railways and the permitted rice purchase by Japanese at Wuhu. Yang, of Siangtan, says our Government now is one that shirks its responsibility. Towards foreigners it is a presenting, towards its own people it is a robbing, Government. Mere shirking of responsibility implies being a spectator, but still not disregard for people's lives and property nor the forcible handing of them over to outsiders. But our present Government goes so far as to play jackal to tiger, guide to robber, as though it feared the Powers' own resources would not suffice to extinguish our China nor China's straits to crush our people, and so must hurry on the date of our dismemberment and ruin. Some say of late the Government has been keen on genuine reforms in accordance... \n\n[2818 bb-1]\n\n0\n\n55", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416045, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 210, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "4 \n\nward of the city--each proprietor depositing 50 taels as a guarantee for good behaviour. Upon representation that two would not be sufficient to accommodate the smokers in the larger wards, the total number has temporarily been increased to 100.\n\nOn the 26th August proprietors of opium dens proceeded to the office to make their 50 taels deposit. Unfortunately, more than the required 100 presented themselves, and further delay will be necessary while instructions are awaited.\n\nIt is said that the class of smokers registering themselves is a poor one, the well-to-do having laid in a sufficient stock of opium to render themselves independent of the Government supply.\n\nThe following reports have reached His Majesty's Consul from the province: K'uei-chou Fu, August 12.--Opium dens in full swing.\n\nWan Hsien, August 1.-Tung-chuan Deputy recalled and no tax collected. A short time since opium dens were closing, but these have reopened, and, as far as can be seen, not one has closed; people exultant; anti-opium Society has disappeared; officials are indifferent.\n\nSui Fu, August 13.-A missionary found no dens open and very little private smoking. The Magistrate made an example of several den keepers who tried to run the gauntlet. The street stalls, where opium is boiled and sold in small quantities, have been reduced by forty. The Prefect, although a miserable opium wreck, and the most indifferent and lazy official that has been in Sui Fu, is in high favour with his superiors, and has just received an Imperial decoration in recognition of his able services!\n\n3. Chengtu.\n\nAll opium shops and divans in the city and suburbs of Chengtu were closed by the police on the 8th August. On the following day the preparation and sale of opium became a Government monopoly. The Regulations now in force are briefly as follows:-\n\nNine opium \"hongs\" are established for the sale of opium to opium shops and holders of licences.\n\nAt twenty-six wholesale opium stores the drug may be purchased by holders of licences.\n\nThree hundred opium shops (i.e., divans) are opened where opium may be consumed on the premises.\n\nNo disturbances of any kind attended the closing of the old opium divans. The people principally affected, namely, the lowest classes of the population, porters, chair coolies, labourers, &c., who might have been expected to resist the summary closing of their old haunts, have shown no hesitation in patronizing the new official divans, which, decorated with gaudy coloured lattice-work fronts, fancy lanterns, and bright red or blue curtains before the door, now form a striking feature in every street in the city. The quality of the official opium is--at any rate, for the present--good, and the price is but slightly higher than before.\n\nThe middle and upper classes of opium smokers, who have for the last three months been busy laying in and preparing a stock of opium sufficient to last them for some time to come, are not affected by the new Rules; they have, generally speaking, not registered themselves on the \"black list,\" and they are apparently content to await developments.\n\nIf the arrangements described can hardly be regarded as carrying out the letter, and even the spirit of the Imperial Decrees against the use of opium, they are nevertheless a distinct step in the desired direction.\n\nThe sudden and complete stoppage of the supply of the drug in a city of some 400,000 inhabitants, where over 50 per cent. of the male population are credited with being opium smokers, would inevitably have led to serious rioting, in which foreigners and foreign property could hardly fail to have become involved; these disturbances in the capital would undoubtedly have found an echo throughout the province, with serious consequences not only to the peace and prosperity of the country, but also to the prospects of the anti-opium movement.\n\nOn the other hand, this partial application of the Regulations has the following advantages. An important reduction is made in the number of opium divans in the city. They were estimated at from 450 to 500; there are now only 300. The new divans will, moreover, presumably be better managed and under stricter police control than the old ones. The instinctive dislike of the Chinese to registration, apart from the stigma which the better class of public opinion is now attaching to indulgence in opium, will deter large numbers of what are called \"mild smokers\" from continuing the habit. Inveterate smokers who have any remnant of self-respect will doubtless now make a serious attempt to break off the habit, so as to avoid being placed on the \"black list,\" and possibly consigned to the unpopular opium refuges. Registration, again, may be expected to deter young men from acquiring the habit. Much depends, of course, on the manner in which the subordinate officials and licensers of opium stores perform their duties. In Chengtu there is little doubt that the Regulations will be strictly enforced, but in the smaller cities everything depends on the local officials. One instance of their conception of their duty that has come to the notice of His Majesty's Consul-General is not encouraging. At Sui Fu, one of the principal towns of Szechuan, the opium divans were all closed with a flourish of trumpets in June last, but a resident missionary reports that many of the divans closed to the street have a back door open, and that opium smoking is clandestinely carried on all over the city. The police have made one or two ostentatious raids, but generally speaking connive at what they dare not suppress. The Prefect himself smokes opium.\n\nOn a recent journey overland from Chiating to Chengtu His Majesty's Consul-General passed through five hsien cities. In not one of them could he learn that any arrangements had been made for the closing of opium dens. At P'eng Shan Hsien the Magistrate, who is a notorious opium smoker, is reported to have laid in a stock of opium sufficient to last him ten years. This journey brought home to His Majesty's Consul-General in a most forcible manner the firm hold which the opium habit has on the people of the province. The chair coolies, porters, the so-called soldiers who formed the escort, were all confirmed opium smokers. In every town, market, and hamlet passed the air reeked of opium, and a glance at random through an open door was certain to reveal in the darkest corner the dim glow of the opium lamp. Even on the sacred Mount Omei a majority of the pilgrims met with on the road carried small boxes containing their opium requisites.\n\nOfficial exhortations, prohibitions, restrictions, &c., are of small avail to suppress a habit so deeply rooted and so widely distributed as opium smoking in Szechuan.\n\nThe only means whereby the Government of Szechuan can effectually eradicate the use of opium in the province is by restricting the supply of the drug by gradually limiting the area under cultivation. In October next the new opium crop will be sown, and the steps then taken by the Chinese authorities to limit the cultivation of the opium poppy will be watched with great interest.\n\n4. Foochow.\n\nOpium dens are said to have been closed since the 12th May, and bands of students go frequently about the streets to see that the Edict is obeyed. Not all the Foochow officials are themselves free from the opium habit, but they dare not do anything to show that they are not in sympathy with the movement. There are said to be seven opium refuges in the city and neighbourhood to and from which there is a constant stream of patients. There seems to be no doubt of the sincerity and determination of the larger class of gentry and literati in Foochow, and that the officials will be obliged to fall into line.\n\n5. Hankow.\n\nMissionary reports have reached His Majesty's Consul at Hankow, of which the following is a summary:—\n\nKansu. Another report from Chingchou, making the third to date, shows that up to the 31st July nothing beyond the posting of Proclamations had been done in that district. Experiments with various medicinal herbs were being made by the people themselves, so far without success. Opium is plentiful and low priced.\n\nIn P'ing Liang and the surrounding country within a radius of 50 miles the substance of the ten Articles had been made known by Proclamation in the beginning of July, but no active steps taken to enforce abstention from the opium habit. Opium dens remain open, the other Articles are ignored, and no example is set by either officials or gentry. The area under cultivation, as already reported, appears to be rather on the increase.\n\nIn Lanchou nothing whatever had been done hitherto except issuing three Proclamations, but, writing on the 12th August, a missionary reports that opium dens are now closed and shops obliged to take out licences, while officials have been appointed to examine the shop-keepers' books. It is refreshing to read that an official dispensary gives out anti-opium medicine which the recipient, unless he wishes to pay for it, is required to take on the spot. Articles 2 and 3, however, which provide for the issue of licences to smokers, and the fixing a time within which they must cease smoking, are...\n\nPage 210\n\nPage 211", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416114, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 279, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "275\n\n4\n\nlead to the more rapid suppression of opium-smoking within the Settlement than is now contemplated. What action will finally prevail will depend upon the opinions expressed at this meeting by the ratepayers.\n\nIn compliance with your request I have the honour to return to you herewith Mr. Broomhall's pamphlet.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nPELHAM L. WARREN.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from Intelligence Report for December Quarter, 1907, in Chengtu, January 28, 1908.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Movement.-There is, I regret to say, but little progress to be reported in this direction. Such information as I have been able to obtain during the past three months will be included in a separate Report.\n\nMissionary travellers inform me that in most places opium-smoking is indulged in, as heretofore, openly and without restriction. Beyond the taxing of the opium divans by the officials nothing has been done to regulate the traffic in the drug, and whatever reduction of the area under cultivation there may have been this autumn is not noticeable. In Chengtu the vigorous measures taken six months ago appear to have been almost entirely relaxed; the once clean and tidy official opium divans are relapsing into their former state of squalor, registration of opium smokers is not enforced, and the private preparation of the drug continues unchecked.\n\n(No. 4.) Sir,\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul Pearson to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nHangchow, February 3, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose a Report on the progress of the anti-opium movement in this province during the past four months.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nQ. W. PEARSON.\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nReport on the Progress of the Anti-Opium Movement in Chekiang Province. Hangchow--The provincial authorities show very little energy in support of the anti-opium movement throughout the province. The new Governor, Feng, has so far ignored the whole question, and his apathy in this direction is universally imitated by his subordinates.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Society of Hangchow was gradually dying a natural death through lack of enthusiasm and funds, when in November Taotai Wang, head of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, called a meeting of the gentry and asked for subscriptions to revive the Society. Little was forthcoming, the officials and their subscriptions being conspicuously absent. It was decided to relinquish the comparatively large buildings then occupied by the Society, and to lease smaller premises and curtail operations. Some dozen men of no standing or reputation have been attached to the Society as agents, but their investigations have been perfunctory and of no practical value.\n\nThe dens are to some extent disguised as shops for various commodities, which are displayed for sale in the front room of the establishment, while divans are provided in the rear. In Hangchow City smoking goes on as much as ever.\n\nThe raw opium dealers are said to have had a very prosperous quarter. An increasing taste for the native drug is shown, but this may be due to the state of the Shanghai opium market.\n\nDuring November two Commissioners, Jao and Wu, were sent to Hangchow from Peking to investigate the import of foreign and the cultivation of native opium in the province. They formally notified the higher authorities that the quantity grown and imported must be decreased by 10 per cent. yearly, and asked for statistics. The Provincial Treasurer issued circular instructions to all district Magistrates to prepare reports on the consumption, import, and cultivation. Pending the compilation of these returns, the Commissioners proceeded to Fukien, whence they will return in a few weeks.\n\nHsiang Shan.-The District Magistrate of Hsiang Shan has reported to the Provincial Treasurer that throughout his district, where hitherto the best opium in the province was grown, the cultivation has been abandoned, and grain crops have been sown in its stead.\n\nMissionary Reports.-The missionary reports, which have been sent in in some numbers, are not informing, being mostly \"nil returns.\" They show that practically nothing has been done towards suppression.\n\nProclamations.-Two new Proclamations only seem to have been issued, one by the Raw Opium Tax Office, and the other by the Sui An District Magistrate, urging in general terms the abandoning of poppy cultivation.\n\nOfficial Action.-In T'ai P'ing and Sui An Hsiens alone has any local official action been taken. In the former district the Military Commander has issued a notice that any of his men found smoking will be instantly dismissed. At Sui An the opium dens are closed, and several of the den-keepers, who continued to permit smoking on their premises, were bambooed.\n\nAltitude of Local Officials and Gentry.-Throughout the whole province the attitude of the officials seems to be total indifference. At Chu Chou, however, the Taotai and Brigade-General have broken themselves of smoking, but the head of the Chamber of Commerce is an opium den-keeper, and his establishments are still open. At Ching Yun the District Magistrate has established a refuge for smokers and has handed it over to the Protestant Mission. At Kiang Shan 50 per cent. of the gentry have given up smoking, and yamên runners are forbidden to smoke.\n\nRestriction of Area under Cultivation.-With the exception of Hsiang Shan, no restriction of the cultivated area whatever has been enforced, nor have any returns or investigations been made by officials. A proclamation discouraging poppy-growing has been issued at Sui An. At Tai Ping it is said that one-third of the land hitherto sown with poppy is being used for other purposes.\n\nRestriction on Smokers.-All missionary reports are unanimous in stating that no restrictions on smokers have been put into force.\n\nUse of Anti-Opium Medicine. At T'ai Ping Hsien the anti-opium medicine shop is well patronized.\n\nAt Sui An the only magistrate who is at all active of all those mentioned in the missionary reports has opened a refuge, and pays for assistants employed therein and all medicines, and has placed the control of this establishment in the hands of the Protestant Mission. At Ching Tün, the local magistrate and gentry have contributed to a fund for the free distribution of medicine, but no cures are on record. At Yen Chou, since the nominal closing of the dens on the 21st October, medicine has been distributed gratis. At Chu Chou, one shop has been opened under official auspices specially for the sale of anti-opium medicine, and some private institutions of the kind exist. At Lung Yu, a hong which originally sold raw opium, has been turned into an anti-opium medicine shop.\n\nNo other official refuges or anti-opium societies would seem to exist in the province.\n\nMonopolies and Increased Taxation.--Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co. complain that the Prefect of Hu-chou is attempting to establish an official opium monopoly within the prefecture. I have called the attention of the Governor to this breach of the agreement with the Wai-wu Pu that the question of official opium monopolies is to be left in abeyance for the present. A scheme for an official monopoly at Ping Hu and Chapoo is also reported, but I have been unable to obtain confirmation of the attempt.\n\nAn increase of taxation at Hangchow is in force. In addition to the usual tax, 8 cents per tael weight, less 10 per cent., is levied on raw opium, and 8 cents net on prepared drug.\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from Report respecting Consumption of Opium in Manchuria. WHAT has been done in the way of controlling and limiting the consumption of opium in Manchuria is this. The opium edicts have been published everywhere. Opium\n\n5", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416192, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 357, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nC. O.\n\n4855\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(7876)\n\nNo. 1.\n\n182 [March 7, 20 APR 08\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n352\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.(Received March 7.)\n\n**\n\n(No. 32.) Sir,\n\nPeking, January 21, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 435 of the 17th September last, in which I inclosed a Report by the Captain of His Majesty's ship Woodcock on the desirability of an improved type of gun-boat for service on the Upper Yang-tsze, I have the honour to forward to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Acting British Consul-General at Chengtu reporting the result of the recent visit, paid under the instructions of the Viceroy of Szechuan, by Chou Taotai, the capable and intelligent Chinese official who is Director of the Bureau of Commerce at Chengtu, to Chungking, with the object of inspecting His Majesty's ship \"Woodcock\" and inquiring into the question of steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze.\n\nThe practical result of the visit as regards British interests has been that the Viceroy has given an order to Messrs. Yarrow and Co. for a tug-boat and flat, which, if that firm consent to undertake, and to the satisfaction of the provincial authorities, may lead to further and more important orders being given.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 58.) Sir,\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, December 20, 1907.\n\nIN my Intelligence Report for the September quarter, 1907, I stated that Chou Taotai had proceeded to Chungking on the 23rd September in order to inquire into the question of steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, and that I had arranged for him to make a trip to Wanhsien and back on one of His Majesty's gun-boats.\n\nThis arrangement the naval authorities, as reported in Mr. Bristow's despatch No. 27 to Chengtu of the 19th October, copy of which was forwarded to you, were unfortunately unable to carry out in its entirety. However, His Majesty's ship \"Woodlark\" took Chou Taotai and Mr. Bristow a two days' journey down the river to Fuchou and back. This did not allow of Mr. Chou's seeing what one of these vessels could do in a rapid—the principal object I had in view when arranging the journey—but it enabled him to form some idea of the conditions under which steam navigation is conducted on the Upper Yang-taze. His experience was apparently satisfactory, for on his return to Chungking he called a meeting of merchants, at which it was decided to form a Chinese Company, with a capital of 100,000 dollars, to run steam-boats between Ichang and Chungking.\n\nI have the honour to inclose copy of a letter addressed by Mr. Bristow to the Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade, giving an account of the proceedings at this meeting.\n\nOn Mr. Chou's return to Chengtu he informed me that he had asked Captain Plant to draw up plans and specifications for a shallow-draught tug-boat, with passenger and cargo flat, the order for which the new Company proposed to place with Messrs. Yarrow and Co.\n\nOn the 20th November I received a letter from Captain Plant stating that he did not see his way to placing his plans at the disposal of the Chinese unless the undertaking could be postponed until the end of the year 1909, at which date his contract with the French naval authorities would expire, and he would be free to devote himself to the superintendence of the new craft. He explained that his scheme of tug-boats and lighters had been drawn up on the understanding that he himself would be in charge, and he did not feel justified in his own interests in committing the results of his labour to other, and probably less competent, hands, as by so doing the scheme ran a serious risk of turning out a failure, and the\n\n[2895 g--2]\n\nB", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416193, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 358, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "353\n\n2\n\nestablishment of regular steam communication between Ichang and Chungking would thus once more be indefinitely postponed.\n\nWhile fully sympathizing with Captain Plant's point of view, I felt convinced that the Chinese, once they had made up their minds to carry the project through, would never consent to wait two years for its fulfilment, and I felt sure that if we refused our assistance they would apply elsewhere, to Japan or Germany most probably, for what they wanted.\n\nIt seemed to me of the utmost importance that this undertaking, small at present, but big with possibilities in the future, should be started under British auspices. I therefore called on Mr. Chou, explained to him Captain Plant's position, and suggested that, if he were disinclined to postpone operations as Captain Plant proposed, he should at once secure that gentleman's co-operation by offering him the post of Marine Superintendent of the Company as soon as his services became available, and in the meantime arrange with Messrs. Yarrow and Co. for the construction of the vessels. I said Captain Plant's employment on the French gun-boat was of an intermittent nature—he sometimes remained four months at a time in Chungking—and that the French authorities would doubtless be willing to lend him to the new Company when the time came for the first tug-boat to proceed up river; if they demurred, well, perhaps the Viceroy might use his influence in the matter.\n\nMr. Chou accepted the suggestion with alacrity, and said he would at once instruct the Company to draw up a contract with Captain Plant. The latter, agreeing to this arrangement, sent up his plans and specifications on the 28th November.\n\nThe tug-boat is to be built of galvanized steel, the hull divided into ten water-tight compartments. She will have twin screws working in raised tunnels, Yarrow's patent. Length over all, 100 feet; beam, 14 feet; draught with steam up and twenty-four hours' coal on board, 2 ft. 6 in. The engines will be triple expansion with water-tube boilers developing 400-H.P., giving a speed of 14 knots in smooth water; towing flat, with 60 tons dead weight against a 6-knot current; speed, 11 knots, i.e., 5 knots over the ground. She will be fitted with powerful steam capstan and steel hausers for hauling over rapids, and will have two steel derrick masts and improved towing gear. Price, complete, £5,750 approximately.\n\nThe flat will also be of steel, 100 feet in length, 16 feet beam; carrying capacity, 60 tons dead weight, 150 tons measurement. She will have accommodation for twelve saloon passengers and fifty-two in steerage. Cost, complete, £2,500 approximately.\n\nI made a rough Chinese translation of the specifications and, with the plans, sent them into the Viceroy. On the 14th December Mr. Chou called on me and said the Viceroy approved of the plans, and desired that I would at once forward them to Messrs. Yarrow and Co., asking them if they would undertake the order on certain conditions, a list of which Mr. Chou handed to me. If they agreed, he was anxious, in order to save time, to have a reply by wire; and if the reply was satisfactory, Mr. Chou, acting on behalf of the Company, would confirm the order by cable.\n\nI have the honour to inclose copy of my letter to Messrs Yarrow, together with a Memorandum by Captain Plant on steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, which I have forwarded to the firm.\n\nThe only condition that seems likely to present any difficulty is that providing for the handing over of the vessels in Shanghai. It is a point to which the Chinese attach some importance—their experience with the deputies appointed to take over the machinery for the Chungking Mint and the new Chengtu Arsenal having been particularly unfortunate—and I am in hopes Messrs. Yarrow will see their way to obliging them in the matter.\n\nThe question of gun-boats is for the moment in abeyance, but I have reason to believe that the Chinese authorities will order one or more of these vessels if the tug-boat proves a success, and in that case we may hope with some confidence that the order will go to England.\n\nI sent duplicates of the plans received in reply to my application to Mr. H. H. Fox, British Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, who succeeded in interesting the Provincial Government to such purpose that a special officer was deputed to take a trip on one of His Majesty's gun-boats.\n\nIn the meantime, by circulating the plans among the merchants of this port, I had succeeded in bringing about the discussion of a scheme for establishing a system of tug-boats between Ichang and Chungking. On the arrival of the above-mentioned officer, therefore, matters were ripe for a successful issue. This is described in the inclosure herewith. It only remains now to secure the Viceroy's approval both for the tug-boat scheme and the purchase of gun-boats.\n\nChou Taotai, the above-mentioned officer, will, if the scheme is sanctioned, place the order for tugs with Messrs. Yarrow and Co. through Mr. S. C. Plant of this port, who should be authorized to act for the firm. The order for gun-boats will in all probability be placed with the same firm, the type approved being Yarrow's No. 531A, but with speed of 15 knots. His Majesty's ship \"Widgeon's\" recent successful navigation of the gorges at high water has largely conduced to the favourable attitude of the Chinese officials and merchants.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nH. H. BRISTOW.\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nSteam Navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze.\n\nAT the Chungking Chamber of Commerce on the 24th October, 1907, Chou Taotai, appointed by the Viceroy of Szechuan to inquire into the practicability of a steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, addressed the meeting as follows: He alluded to the wreck of the \"Suisiang\" above Ichang and the check thereby given to mercantile enterprise in this direction; but now that three British gun-boats, one French, and one German had passed up and down many times without accident, it was time that the matter was reconsidered. If strangers dared these dangers, should our own people be backward? Besides a French Company was seeking a Concession for establishing tugs on the Upper Yang-tsze. Should not the Szechuanese be first in the field and secure the profits for themselves? In order to assist them the Provincial Government was willing to advance a sum equal to that raised by shares. Germany and England were both anxious to lend their assistance, as their trade would ultimately benefit by improved means of communication. The Taotai had himself been taken for a trip on His Majesty's ship \"Woodlark\" in company with the British Consul, and had seen for himself that steam navigation in these waters was not very different from that on the lower river. Mr. Yang Chun Ching, who had accompanied him on the trip, would give them further details.\n\nMessrs. Chang and Chao opposed the idea of official aid. Chou Taotai said that he did not wish to force assistance upon them, but it would be at their disposal when required.\n\nMr. Yang Chun Ching then explained details of engines and expenses. Merchant-ships would naturally be less expense than gun-boats.\n\nMr. Li, a banker, then proposed that those now present who refused to buy shares should never be permitted to do so; that the shareholders should have preference in shipping goods according to the amount of their shares. It was finally decided to consult the various guilds and lay their opinions before Chou Taotai. Capital of Company was fixed at 100,000 dollars in 10,000 shares of 10 taels each, 10 taels paid up.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nHARRY H. FOX,\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nVice-Consul Bristow to Board of Trade,\n\nChungking, October 25, 1907.\n\nIT will be remembered that my despatch of the 19th November, 1906, called for estimates for river gun-boats suitable for these waters.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Messrs. Yarrow and Co.\n\nChengtu, December 17, 1907.\n\nTHE Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade have doubtless communicated to you a letter from His Majesty's Consul in Chungking reporting the formation of a semi-official Chinese Company with the object of placing shallow-draft steam tugs and lighters on the Upper Yang-tsze between Ichang and Chungking.\n\n[2895 g-2]\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416226, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 391, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "14\n\nshall be made in the presence of the owner of the undertaking or his substitute, and, in case of their absence, before two witnesses.\n\n12. The verification and the writing of the Protocol shall not interfere with the proceeding of the trade or other work in the establishment; but if a trade or industrial establishment is conducted without a trading licence, and if during a month's time it shall not be procured, such establishment shall be immediately closed, about which Protocol in explanation shall be made in writing.\n\n13. The Protocol in regard to the infractions found shall be laid before the Administration of the railway not later than three days after it is written, or by the first mail, for the collection of the required payment by an administrative order.\n\n14. For any infraction of these obligatory Regulations, the guilty owners of trade and industrial establishments shall be subject, according to the nature of the infraction, to the payment of a fine not exceeding 100 roubles, or to arrest for one month.\n\nThese obligatory Regulations shall be enforced from the date of their publication.\n\nFor the Manager of the Railway,\n\n(Signed) B. GRONBCHEVSKY.\n\nJanuary 10 (23), 1908.\n\n15\n\nThe total holdings would therefore be:-\n\nAlong the main line, exclusive of Newchwang Along the Antung line Total..\n\nAcres.\n\n6,665 2,916 10,671\n\nThese so-called railway settlements are invariably situated between the railway line and the native cities served thereby, and at Tiehling I am informed the Japanese tract embraces all the desirable land between the city, the railway, and the Liao River.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) W. D. STRAIGHT, Consul-General.\n\nInclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Straight to Mr. Fletcher.\n\nSir,\n\nFebruary 7, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Legation instruction of the 30th January, 1908, in which you direct me to report upon the location and extent of the territory of the South Manchurian Railway Company.\n\nIn reply to my inquiries, the Japanese Consul-General and Major Sato, the confidential aide of Baron Goto, have informed me that, while the boundaries of the so-called railway settlements are still the subject of negotiations with the Chinese authorities, the extent thereof is approximately as follows:-\n\nMukden Liaoyang Tieling Kungchuling Total\n\nAcres.\n\n1,666 1,250-1,666 1,250 2,083 6,665\n\nAt Kaiping, Tashihchiao, Haicheng, Anshantien, Kaiyuan, Changtu, and other minor stations along the railway, less extensive areas, aggregating about 3,332, are held by the Railway Company.\n\nThe tracts mentioned above were originally acquired by the Russian Chinese Eastern Railway. Japanese attempts to add thereto have provoked Chinese protests and are responsible for the present boundary disputes.\n\nAt Newchwang ground (area unstated) acquired by the Japanese Military Administration, shortly after the reinstatement of Chinese authority at that place, turned over to the South Manchuria Railway Company (see Mr. Pontius' despatch of the 23rd February, 1907, to the Legation).\n\nAt Kuanchengtzu over 1,000 acres have been pre-empted, and at Antung there are 2,916 acres held by the railway and by the Kuangtung Government. This tract has been nominally divided as follows: 972 acres for the exclusive use of the South Manchurian Railway Company, and 1,944 to be administered by the Consul for the Government of the Kuangtung leased territory (see my despatch of the 28th April, 1907).\n\nFor all practical purposes, however, this land may be considered railway territory, both by virtue of its present administration and in view of the Japanese assertion that in case China did not recognize the forcibly acquired land titles at Antung, the tract pre-empted would be considered to be a railway settlement, and would be held as such.\n\nAt Fengchuangcheng, Tsaohokou, Chiaotou, Pehchihu, and other points along the Mukden-Antung line, there are small holdings varying from 20 to 200 acres in extent, and aggregating, probably, about 1,000 acres.\n\n385\n\n43", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416286, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 451, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "434 C. O.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government 6436\n\nCHINA TRADE\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nREC\n\n[April 10. 18 MAY 08\n\nSECTION 2,\n\n[12287]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received April 10.)\n\nPeking, March 17, 1908.\n\n(No. 131.) Sir,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu in regard to the opium movement, from which it would appear that the cultivation of the poppy is decreasing in that district, although little or no attention is now being paid to the other regulations of the Anti-Opium Decree.\n\nRecent information from different parts of the Empire tends to confirm the view expressed in my despatch No. 93 of the 25th ultimo that there is a lack of sustained effort to overcome the opium evil and a tendency to revert to the old order of things. This seems chiefly due to the negligence of the official classes, for the people show a general willingness to carry out the wishes of the Government.\n\nI inclose a short précis of reports on the subject which I have not considered of sufficient importance to form the subject of separate despatches.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 2.) Sir,\n\nConsul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, February 8, 1908. IN continuation of my despatch No. 53 of the 16th October, 1907, I have the honour to submit my ninth report on the anti-opium movement in this province.\n\nI have, during the past three months, endeavoured to ascertain what steps were being taken by the Chinese authorities to restrict the growth of the poppy, and to what extent the area under cultivation was being reduced this autumn. My official duties having confined me to the city of Chengtu during the period under review, I have been obliged to rely almost entirely on the reports of missionaries in forming my conclusions. I had hoped that the assemblage of over 150 missionaries from North, South, and West Szechuan (East Szechuan was not represented) for the West China Missionary Conference would place a mass of information regarding the anti-opium movement at my disposal. In this, unfortunately, I was disappointed. The brief paper on \"Opium\" read at the Conference dealt not so much with the movement itself as with the relation of the foreign missionary, and more especially the medical missionary, towards it; and the subsequent discussion on the paper was not very instructive. The Conference passed a Resolution, which I have been asked to hand to the Viceroy, expressing their \"high appreciation of the efforts being made by the Provincial Government to rid the Chinese people of the drug,\" and assuring the Viceroy \"that the members of the Conference were willing to do their utmost to help on this beneficent reform.\"\n\nFrom a number of Delegates whom I interviewed on the subject of the area at present under poppy cultivation I received, generally speaking, replies of a conflicting and unsatisfactory nature; few, moreover, possessed any certain data on which to base a comparison between the present and former years.\n\nThe general impressions I received, after carefully considering all the information at my disposal, may be stated under three heads: the first, that there is on the whole a decrease in the area under poppy cultivation this autumn as compared with former seasons; the second, that in almost all places this decrease is in proportion to the energy displayed by the local official in carrying into effect the Proclamations restricting the cultivation of the poppy—in other words, that the power to reduce the area under cultivation rests almost entirely with the local authorities; the third, that a decrease of cultivation in one district may mean a corresponding increase in another.\n\nIn support of the first impression I quote Bishop Cassels, of Pao Ning Fa, whose opinion carries weight, as he has over twenty years of experience of Szechuan and is constantly travelling through his diocese, which practically embraces the northern half\n\n[2918 - -2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416287, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 452, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "3\n\n445\n\nof the province. Bishop Cassels says: \"There is a very remarkable decrease in the amount of land placed under opium cultivation this autumn. This is, I think, not the result of any fresh official action, but is due to the fear that impending heavy taxation will render opium growing unprofitable.\"\n\nDr. Smith, of the Canadian Methodist Mission, Yung Hsien, states: \"In this district I am sure that not more than one-third of the total area has been planted with poppy this autumn. Yung Hsien is an important opium-growing district, and formerly quite two-thirds of the whole area was under cultivation.\"\n\nDr. J. R. Cox, of the same mission, writes of the Jen Shou district: \"I notice a marked decrease in the area under cultivation this year.\"\n\nWith regard to my second impression, I quote Mr. Faers, of the China Inland Mission at Suifu, an old resident and keen observer. He says: \"There is certainly less land under poppy this year. I attribute this entirely to the vigorous action taken by our new District Magistrate.\" Dr. Parker, of the London Mission at Chungking, informs me that the Pa Hsien Magistrate has \"practically stamped out the poppy in the Chungking district.\" This is confirmed by Mr. Bristow in his Report No. 12 of the 5th December last: \"I was surprised to find no trace of poppy cultivation on the right bank of the river (i.e., in the neighbourhood of Chungking), where last year the greater proportion of the available land was producing opium.\"\n\nOn the other hand, at Kuan Hsien, where the local official is an opium smoker, the missionary reports that no attention has been paid to the Proclamation ordering a reduction of cultivation.\n\nIn support of my third impression, namely, that a decrease of cultivation in one district may mean an increase in another, I again quote Mr. Faers. He writes, after referring to the reduction in the neighbourhood of Suifu: \"I must admit that between Tzu Chou and Chengtu (on the road from Suifu to the capital) the poppy was universal.\" And Mr. Davey, who recently visited Chiang Ching Hsien, a district adjoining the Pa Hsien above referred to, tells me that opium is being cultivated in that district in increased quantities this year.\n\nTurning now to the restrictions placed by the Chinese authorities on opium smoking, I have to state that, to the best of my knowledge, these exist at the present time only in name and not in reality. The preparation of opium has been made a Government monopoly, effective in Chengtu and the larger cities, only partially so in the smaller towns and country places; otherwise the opium smoker can obtain the drug as easily and almost as cheaply now as he could a year ago. To take Chengtu as an example: there is no registration of opium smokers; any one may go into an official opium divan and obtain as much opium as he requires; police control of these establishments appears to be purely nominal; opium is provided as heretofore in the inns, restaurants, and houses of ill fame; opium ash is still hawked about the streets, not so openly as formerly, but quite as generally; the opium refuges established in various parts of the city stand empty.\n\nReports from missionaries in the interior indicate a similar state of affairs. Opium dens reopened, no official supervision, no registration of smokers, prices slightly raised owing to taxes imposed on dens and boiling shops, is the tale most of my correspondents have to tell. Mr. Crabtree, of the Church Missionary Society, who recently made a tour in North-Western Szechuan, writes: \"In no single case could I find the slightest attempt being made to check opium smoking. At Maochou (on the Chengtu-Sungpan road) dens are all closed, but opium can be freely bought and smoked in the inns. In many places I asked smokers if they had their opium licences, but in every case the answer was in the negative.\"\n\nOne is therefore forced to the conclusion that the local officials, as a body, are doing little or nothing to assist the movement for the eradication of the use of opium in this province. They doubtless take their cue from the Viceroy and his advisers in Chengtu, who, as their term of office will shortly expire on the arrival of the new Viceroy, are naturally disinclined to take any drastic measures, possibly involving a collision with agricultural interests, at the present juncture. The approaching change of Administration may also account for the fact that the Acting Viceroy appears to have made no serious attempt to weed out the many notorious opium-smoking officials holding office in the province. While opium smokers are debarred from teaching in schools or holding commands in the new army and police force, territorial officials, more especially District Magistrates, who are known to be habitual opium smokers are retained at their posts and even receive promotion. I select two examples from several that have come under my notice. Mao Yu Lin, the notorious opium-smoking Prefect of Suifu, more than once referred to in my reports, who should long ago have been cashiered for his inability to break off the opium habit—he has, I am informed, endeavoured to cure himself and is in consequence little better than a mental and physical wreck—has recently been appointed Director of the new arsenal at Chengtu. At Wei Yuan Hsien the Magistrate is unable to attend to the duties of his office because of the opium habit; in the adjoining sub-district of Kung Ching, the Assistant Magistrate in charge, also a heavy smoker, has recently been appointed District Magistrate and transferred to a more lucrative post.\n\nThere is happily a brighter side to the picture. The movement against opium among all classes of the people of this province is undoubtedly slowly but surely growing. There is a consensus of opinion on the part of those, both native and foreign, who are best qualified to judge that opium smoking is on the decrease. This applies more particularly to Chengtu and Chungking, cities where an enlightened public opinion is able to make itself felt in a more forcible manner than elsewhere.\n\nIn 1904 Sir Alexander Hosie, in his Report on the Province of Szechuan, estimated the number of male opium smokers in this city at 50 per cent. of the adult male population. Replies that I have received to inquiries on this point agree in fixing the proportion at the present time at not more than one in four, or 25 per cent. The proportion of women smokers is estimated at from 10 to 12 per cent., as compared with Sir Alexander Hosie's former estimate of 20 per cent.\n\nMore than one recent traveller has mentioned to me the growing demand for opium \"remedies to cure the drug habit.\" Mr. Crabtree, above referred to, writes: \"I am constantly being asked for medicine.\" Another missionary mentions that opium pills are in great demand among the country people at his station, and Dr. Smith, of Yung Hsien, tells me that on a recent occasion thirty people from one village came in and asked him to cure them of opium smoking. They were, as is usually the case, disinclined to undergo treatment, and greatly disappointed when the doctor told them that he had no sovereign remedy for opium in the shape of pill or powder.\n\nA Delegate from Chiating, an opium-ridden city, informed the Conference that his Mission had offered to assist the local authorities by opening opium refuges under foreign medical superintendence, but that the offer had been politely but firmly declined. One or two other Delegates related similar experiences. This confirms my opinion, expressed in a former report, that the Chinese do not want, and will not accept, foreign assistance in this matter. It would be well if some of the more enthusiastic but less experienced members of the Protestant missionary body in Szechuan would realize this fact and devote less time and attention to the furtherance of what they term the \"anti-opium crusade.\"\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nHARRY FOX.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nPrécis of Reports respecting the Opium Movement.\n\nChefoo.\n\nTOWARDS the close of 1907 an official Prepared-opium Bureau was opened, which consisted of a body of merchants intrusted not only with the opium trade generally in and around Chefoo, but who were also accorded the exclusive right or monopoly to manufacture and sell prepared opium.\n\nThe Bureau thus became practically the depository of all opium, raw and prepared, in Chefoo, having the right to take over all opium it required at a fair market price.\n\nAs a result of representations in the matter, the Taotai has promised to alter the Regulations so as to exclude foreign opium.\n\nChinkiang.\n\nThe opium dens in the British Concession have, as already reported, been closed. In regard to the opium shops in the Concession, the 1908 licences are revocable at any moment should circumstances render such action necessary, and will not be renewed for 1909.\n\nIn the Provinces of Hupei, Hunan, Shensi, Shansi, and Kansu Proclamations continue to be issued at intervals, without producing much effect, and the general...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416334, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 499, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(13289)\n\n(No. 98.)\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n16992\n\n[April 18.]\n\n13 MAY 081\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received April 18.)\n\nPeking, February 29, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward to you herewith copy of an interesting Intelligence Report which I have received from His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, covering the period from the 1st October, 1907, to the 20th January, 1908.\n\nThe remarks on the activity of the Szechuan Government and people in military and industrial matters and on the attention devoted by French missionaries and officers to the Chien Ch'ang Valley are especially noteworthy.\n\nOne part of the Report in particular—that which deals with educational matters—shows the great changes which are going on all over the Empire. School sports, which ten years ago would have shocked the Chinese sense of propriety, are now becoming popular everywhere.\n\nThe Acting Viceroy, Chao Erh Feng, a brother of the Hankow Viceroy, is establishing a reputation as a firm and wise administrator, and his short period of rule in Szechuan has been attended by a success sufficient to mark him out for further high office.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the Chengtu Intelligence Report for December Quarter, 1907.\n\nI.—Political Summary—\n\nABSTRACT OF CONTENTS.\n\nThe Military, Industrial, and Educational Development of the Province of Szechuan. The Manchu Garrison at Chengtu.\n\nArrest and Trial of Revolutionaries.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Movement.\n\nMissionary Affairs—\n\nAffrays between Protestants and Roman Catholics at Ningyuan-fu: Conditions in the Chien Chang Valley.\n\nMurder of a Protestant Inquirer at Lung Shui Chen: The interference of Missionaries in Chinese Affairs.\n\nThe West China Missionary Conference.\n\nEducational Affairs—\n\nThe Union Christian University.\n\nOfficial Recognition of Mission Schools.\n\nGovernment Primary School Sports.\n\nRailway Affairs—\n\nEstimate of Cost of Construction of Chann-Han Railway, Proposed Manufacture of Railway Material at Hanyang.\n\nI.—POLITICAL SUMMARY.\n\nThe Military, Industrial, and Educational Development of the Province of Szechuan.\n\nTHE history of Szechuan during the past three months has been, on the whole, uneventful. While I am unable to record any noticeable progress in the anti-opium movement or in railway affairs, the province has, under the enlightened rule of the Acting Viceroy, Chao Erh Feng, enjoyed freedom from internal dissensions, and has moved slowly forward along the path of reform.\n\n[2921 s-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416335, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 500, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "493\n\n2\n\nIn military affairs an almost feverish activity is being displayed. The spacious buildings of the new military school (\"Lu chün Hsiao Hsüoh Tang\") are complete; the barracks of the Lu Chün inside the city are being rebuilt and enlarged, and outside the North Gate, at Feng Huang Shan, quarters to accommodate some 5,000 men are finished. The construction of the new arsenal proceeds apace, both at the main establishment and the adjacent powder factory. I am told that the new small-arms factory will be in working order in six months' time; the present factory will then be removed from the old arsenal, which will be devoted to the manufacture of heavy ordnance. Companies of recruits are being brought up from all parts of the province to Chengta for training. They are well clothed in foreign (Japanese) style, apparently well armed, of good physique, and usually well-behaved. They are much in evidence in the city, frequently marching through the streets headed by their bugles and drums.\n\nIn the matter of education, the temporary reaction I chronicled a year ago would appear to be arrested, and the tide of Western learning is again running strong. In Chengtu new schools are again springing up in all directions, a technical college under the auspices of the Bureau of Commerce has lately been opened, and the transformation of the Provincial College from a High School into a University, with advanced courses in science, mathematics, and languages, will soon be an accomplished fact. Almost every issue of the \"Chengtu Daily Gazette\" contains a report of the opening or enlargement of a school, the engagement of teachers with foreign training, or the introduction of new subjects of instruction. It is a gratifying fact that the teaching of English forms a prominent feature in the curriculum of most of the new schools, but one could wish that a portion of the money which is so freely expended on buildings were devoted to securing the services of properly qualified teachers. What discipline can do for the Chinese schoolboy was strikingly exemplified at the primary school sports in October last, when some 4,000 boys, of ages ranging from 7 to 15, exhibited their prowess in athletics and drilling before the Viceroy and a large concourse of interested spectators.\n\nIn commercial and industrial affairs great, if often misdirected, energy is being displayed in developing the resources of the province. Associations are being formed to encourage and improve the manufacture of tea, the cultivation of raw silk and wax, the weaving of cotton and silken fabrics. Szechuanese returned from abroad, chiefly from Japan, ask for permission to open mines and to exploit them by foreign methods. They propose to bore for oil, to apply machinery to the salt wells, to erect steam saw mills and glass factories. Of far greater importance is a practical attempt by the Chinese themselves to grapple with the difficult problem of steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, a project which if it can be successfully carried out will go far to remove the most serious disabilities under which the trade of the province has hitherto suffered. As reported in my despatch No. 58 of the 20th December, the newly formed Upper Yang-tsze Steam Navigation Company have sent Messrs. Yarrow and Co. the order for their first steamer.\n\nIt is unfortunate that the patriotic movement of the present day, with its watchword \"China for the Chinese,\" which has reached even this remote part of China, tends to prevent the organizers of new undertakings from availing themselves of foreign capital and foreign assistance, with consequent misdirection of energy and waste of money. Western learning and an experience of foreign countries are at a premium these days, but it is difficult to make any but the most enlightened Chinese understand that a few years' residence in Japan, or even in America, or a tour round the world, does not qualify a young Chinese to build a railway, take charge of a mining enterprise, or expound intelligibly the mysteries of modern science.\n\n3\n\nThe Manchu Garrison at Chengtu.\n\nThe message from the \"Times\" correspondent in Peking, published in the \"Weekly Times\" of the 4th October, might lead one to infer that the disbandment of the Manchu garrisons throughout China was an accomplished fact. This, at any rate as far as Chengtu is concerned, is not so.\n\nThe Imperial Edict duly appeared in the \"Chengtu Gazette\" of the 30th September, but it was not until the 20th November that the Tartar General and Viceroy issued a joint Proclamation on the subject. This Proclamation explained that the Edict did not mean the sudden abolition of the Manchu garrison and the withdrawal of their pensions, but that measures were to be taken, gradually and with due regard to Manchu interests, to break down the existing barriers between Manchu and Chinese by finding industrial and agricultural employment for the former, and providing them with a means of livelihood which would make a continuance of the Government 'doles unnecessary. The Proclamation further assured the Chinese that their land would not be forcibly taken from them for the benefit of the Manchus, but purchased at a fair price.\n\nFrom inquiries I have made I gather that no steps have yet been taken to carry the Edict into effect. I am informed that there are, nominally, 20,000 Manchus in Chengtu, of whom some 2,500 adults are in receipt of Government pay. The Manchu city, situated in the south-west corner of Chengtu, occupies about one-fifth of the whole intra-mural area. It is a standing example of the degradation of the ruling race in China. Quite half of it is waste land and vegetable gardens; the grass grows in the deserted streets, the houses are poor and dilapidated, the garden walls fallen down and not repaired, the temples little better than ruins. Few Chinese, and those only of the lowest class, live there; there are no shops worthy of the name, and, except in the main street which leads to the west gate of Chengtu, a silence, as in a city stricken with the plague, reigns both day and night. There are one or two primary schools, a small police force, and a few hundred troops, who may occasionally be seen engaged in rudimentary drill on the vast parade ground. The remainder of the garrison spend their days within doors or on their doorsteps—smoking, eating, and sleeping. The Tartar General ranks with and before the Viceroy; his influence in the province appears to be nil.\n\nArrest of Revolutionaries.\n\nDuring the first days of November rumours were rife of a \"Ko Ming Tang\" plot to assassinate the Viceroy and other high officials. The authorities apparently attached some importance to these rumours, for it was noticeable that, as the anniversary of the Empress Dowager's birthday drew near, the police patrolled the city in pairs, the city gates were closed early and carefully guarded, and many of the higher officials went about with unusually large escorts. Nothing happened, but on the 17th November the police raided two large inns in the city and captured some thirty students and others alleged to be members of the \"Ko Ming Tang.\" Of these all but six were subsequently released; the six, natives of Szechuan recently returned from Japan, in whose possession incriminating correspondence and literature were found, were tried, and sentenced to banishment for life. I give their names for purposes of record: Chang Chih Hsiang, Li Ching-yü, Huang Fang, Chiang Yung-ching, Yang Wei, and Wang Shu-huai.\n\nThe Viceroy, in a Proclamation issued on the 20th December announcing these sentences, stated that the culprits had been leniently dealt with on account of their youth and inexperience. He warned people not to take advantage of this leniency, and in the confidential manner in which even the highest officials discuss the affairs of the nation in Proclamations, went on to explain what steps the Empress Dowager and her advisers were taking to introduce constitutional government into China. He begged the reading public not to be led away by what they read of revolutions in the histories of other countries. Other countries had, it was true, purchased good government at the price of much bloodshed; in China, conditions were fortunately entirely different, and the movement towards reform was being led and encouraged, not opposed and hindered, by the highest in the land.\n\nThe Viceroy's well-timed leniency in this affair has had a good effect. There was, I believe, some muttering and discontent among the students when these men were arrested, and their execution seemed a foregone conclusion, which might easily have been fanned into an outbreak. There appears to be a strong under-current of ill-feeling against the Manchus, especially among the student class, and the death of these men would have afforded the Chinese patriot a fresh cause of grievance against the present Government.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Movement.\n\nThere is, I regret to say, but little progress to be reported in this direction. Information as I have been able to obtain during the past three months will be included in a separate Report.\n\nMissionary travellers inform me that in most places opium smoking is indulged in, as heretofore, openly and without restriction. Beyond the taxing of the opium divans by the officials nothing has been done to regulate the traffic in the drug, and whatever reduction of the area under cultivation there may have been this autumn is not noticeable. In Chengtu the vigorous measures taken six months ago appear to have been almost entirely relaxed, the once clean and tidy official opium divans are relapsing...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416336, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 501, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "494\n\n4\n\ninto their former state of squalor, registration of opium smokers is not enforced, and the private preparation of the drug continues unchecked.\n\nMISSIONARY AFFAIRS.\n\nAffrays between Protestants and Roman Catholics at Ningyuan-fu: conditions in the Ch'ien Ch'ang Valley.\n\nSeveral serious affrays between the adherents of Protestant and Roman Catholic Missions have occurred during the past quarter.\n\nAt Ningyuan-fu the chronic ill-feeling between Protestants and Roman Catholics broke out into open violence during the first days of October. A Protestant inquirer was severely beaten by the Catholics, and the former retaliated by waylaying and nearly killing a prominent member of the latter Church, alleged to have been the instigator of the first outrage. The foreign missionaries on both sides warmly espoused their adherents' cause, and the local officials have not yet succeeded in arresting and punishing the culprits, one of whom at least is known to be in hiding in the Roman Catholic Mission at Ningyuan-fu.\n\nAbout the same time the Viceroy complained to me that Mr. Wellwood, the representative of the American Baptist Mission, was harbouring a convert wanted by the local authorities on various charges of extortion and assault. I explained to the Viceroy that as Mr. Wellwood, although a British subject, was a member of an American Mission, I had no jurisdiction in this case. (Sir Ernest Satow's ruling in his despatch No. 9, of the 13th November, 1905.) I said that I had transmitted a copy of his despatch to the American Consul in Chungking.\n\nIt appears that Mr. Bristow received an identical complaint against Mr. Wellwood from the Chungking Taotai, and, being unaware of the attitude I had adopted in the matter, wrote officially to Mr. Wellwood, calling upon him to surrender the man to the Chinese authorities. It was partly with a view to avoiding a similar misunderstanding in the future that I made with Mr. Bristow the arrangement reported in my despatch No. 17, Accounts, of the 21st November, 1907.\n\nIn the meantime, both Mr. Wellwood and the Roman Catholic priest at Ningyuan-fu, Père Bourgin, appealed to the French Consul-General and myself, their accounts of what had taken place being, I need hardly say, totally at variance one with the other. M. Bons d'Anty took up the Catholic side of the dispute with characteristic energy, but I did not feel justified in interfering, contenting myself with forwarding copies of Mr. Wellwood's letters to the American Consul, and informing the Viceroy, as opportunity offered, that affairs at Ningyuan-fu were assuming a very serious aspect.\n\nIn the beginning of November, Père Bourgin came to Chengtu, ostensibly to lay his convert's case before the high authorities; as a matter of fact, I believe his own superiors admit that his injudicious championship of his adherents, regardless of their innocence or guilt, has done much to embitter the disputes between the two Missions, and with a view to effecting an amicable settlement of outstanding cases, he has purposely been removed from the Chien Chiang Valley for a time. In his absence, Père de Guébriant, a priest of broad views and conciliatory disposition, is doing his best to arrange matters with Mr. Wellwood.\n\nThe Chien Chiang Valley is notorious for the turbulence of its inhabitants, of whom a majority are Lolo tribesmen, constantly engaged in fighting each other and the Chinese authorities. To such people the foreign Missions are a great attraction, and I learn from Mr. Wellwood that on more than one occasion whole villages, even tribes, have expressed their desire to turn Christian, and have naïvely placed their fighting strength at his disposal.\n\n5\n\nIt is alleged that the French missionaries have not hesitated to take advantage of this state of affairs; it is certain that the number of their adherents has largely increased during the last few years, and their influence is such that the local authorities apparently do not dare to resent their interference in what are often purely Chinese affairs.\n\nThe French Consul-General openly states that he has procured the removal of the Ningyuan Prefect, who is, according to Mr. Wellwood, a capable and enlightened official, for having unduly favoured the Protestants at the expense of the Roman Catholics! The interest taken by the French in the Chien Ch'ang Valley has been more than once referred to in these Reports; they make no secret of the fact that they consider the valley as being in an especial degree within their sphere of influence.\n\nFrench missionaries, Consular and military officers, mining and other experts, are constantly passing up and down the valley; at the present time a military and scientific Mission, under the leadership of a Captain d'Olonne, is on its way to Chengtu from Tachienlu after spending some months on the journey up from Yunnan through the Chien Ch'ang Valley.\n\nIt is probable that the valley is regarded as the natural route of the extension of the Yunnan Railway into Szechuan, hence the interest taken in it by the French authorities, and the suspicion and dislike with which they regard the incursion of foreign influence, in the person of Mr. Wellwood with his flourishing school and hospital, in this domain.\n\nMy position in regard to this gentleman is a difficult one, as he is a British subject, and both the Chinese and French officials persist in regarding the British Consul-General as the natural protector of him and his works. What little I could do, unofficially, to smooth over his differences with the Roman Catholics I have done, and in the accomplishment of this task, the friendly relations which exist between M. Bons d'Anty and myself have been of some value.\n\nMurder of a Protestant Inquirer at Lung Shui Chen: the Interference of Missionaries in Chinese affairs.\n\nAt a place called Lung Shui Chen, in Ta Tsu Hsien, an adherent of the Friends' Mission was murdered by a Roman Catholic on the 25th October last. As far as I can learn, the outrage was the outcome of a family feud, and as the local officials have arrested the murderer, I have not taken any action in the matter.\n\nIn reporting the affair to His Majesty's Vice-Consul in Chungking, Mr. Maw, of the Friends' Mission, made use of the following expression: \"While we do not insist on the execution of the murderer, I write this for your information, as the case will probably come before you.\" He added, although he produced no evidence in support of the statement, that this was a test case between Roman Catholics and Protestants.\n\nI have called the attention of the Friends' Mission to what appears to be a misconception on Mr. Maw's part of the jurisdiction of the British Consular authorities in such cases. The case in question is not one of religious persecution, and unless it can be shown that some glaring miscarriage of justice has taken place, neither the Mission nor the Consul have any grounds for interference.\n\nEven were proof adduced that the Roman Catholic Mission were protecting the murderer, that would not, in my opinion, justify us in taking any official action.\n\nI have taken this opportunity to state clearly what I deem to be our position in these cases, because several instances have occurred during the past year where Protestant missionaries who would indignantly deny that they were interfering in any way with the course of Chinese justice have either themselves approached the local officials on behalf of their converts involved in lawsuits, or have requested me to communicate with the higher authorities and urge them to instruct their subordinates to do their duty.\n\nSuch action on the part of missionary or Consul is, in itself, interference, and is so regarded by the Chinese. It is, I am aware, freely practised by the Roman Catholic priests and the French Consular officials, and for this reason, we should, I think, be all the more careful to avoid anything that may have the appearance of interference or bringing influence to bear in purely Chinese affairs.\n\nMy experience is that our missionaries in this province are, on the whole, deserving of praise for the moderation and tact they display, often under great provocation and in difficult circumstances, and I have reason to know that their attitude is understood and appreciated by the Chinese authorities.\n\nThe West China Missionary Conference.\n\nThe Delegates to the West China Missionary Conference, which is to be held at Chengtu from the 26th January to the 2nd February, are beginning to arrive. As the influx of some 150 foreigners, with their wives and families, at the time of the Chinese New Year might be misunderstood by the people, I have had a notice inserted in the \"Chengtu Daily Gazette,\" explaining the objects of the Conference, and I have arranged with the authorities that the police shall pay special attention to the streets in the vicinity of the missionary compounds.\n\nThe Viceroy has promised to send a deputy to attend the inaugural meeting of the Conference, and he has consented to receive a deputation.\n\nThe Conference will be attended by Bishop Cassells, Anglican Bishop of West China; Bishop Bashford, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of America; Mr. Hoste, Director of the China Inland Mission; Dr. Arthur Smith, and other well-known missionary workers.\n\n[2921 s-1]\n\n0", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416337, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 502, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "6\n\n(\n\n7\n\n# EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS\n\nThe Union Christian University cost 20,000 taels.\n\nThe temporary Committee of Management have completed the purchase of the University site, a piece of land measuring some 250 mou, outside the south gate of Chengtu. The purchase deeds have been made out in the name of a Ssŭ Hui, representing the four Missions concerned, i.e., the Canadian Methodist, Methodist Episcopal, American Baptist Union, and the Friends Foreign Missionary Association. As the second and third named are American Missions, a difficulty has arisen regarding the registration of the property. The Committee wished to register the whole property at this Consulate-General under the above name, afterwards dividing it into four portions and registering the shares in the name of each Mission. In view of the dual nationality of the owners, I did not think this would be advisable, as I did not see how it could be arranged that each Mission received a legal title to its share. At my suggestion, the native owners are being asked to make out four purchase deeds, the land being roughly divided into four portions. Each Mission will take one, which will be registered either here or at the American Consulate in Chungking.\n\nAs I have been in some doubt as to the attitude the Chinese authorities would adopt towards this University, the more so as the original idea of a central college, or \"Chung Hsüeh Tang,\" for the scholars from the Mission primary schools throughout the province has gradually developed until the scheme comprises a university open to Christians and non-Christians, with a staff of professors specially engaged, and schools of electricity and engineering (the funds for the latter to be provided by the University of Chicago), I made it clear to the Committee of Management that I could not assist them with the registration of this property unless they would authorize me to inform the Viceroy of the purpose for which the land had been acquired. To this they agreed, somewhat reluctantly, and I therefore propose, when sending in the deeds to be stamped by the city Magistrate, to explain how the Missions have come to acquire this property. If there is to be opposition on the part of the Chinese authorities, it is better that their objections should be dealt with now than later on when the money is paid, and the Missions stand irretrievably committed to the scheme. As long as the secular side of the enterprise is not brought into too much prominence, and I have strongly advised the Committee to say as little as possible for the present regarding Chicago's share in the University—I do not apprehend that the Chinese will make any serious objections. I have already informed the Viceroy that the Protestant Missions are unifying their educational work in Szechuan, and that they propose to establish a central college in Chengtu, and the retiring Chengtu Magistrate has intimated to me that he is ready to stamp the deeds at once: the transfer fees will amount to over 1,000 taels. Unfortunately, the Committee cannot avail themselves of this opportunity, as half the members are away attending Council meetings in various parts of the province. As they are all to meet in Chengtu in a month's time, this furnishes one more instance of the unbusinesslike manner in which the Protestant Missions conduct their affairs.\n\nWhen discussing this university scheme in a former Report, I said that the small number of students in the Mission schools prepared for a university course did not seem to warrant the establishment of such an institution, at any rate for the present. The Registrar's Report on the Union Schools of Szechuan, just published, would appear to confirm this view. Of junior primary schools, there are 26, with 388 boys; of senior primary, 11, with 187 boys; of secondary (middle) schools, only 5, with 120 students. In the latter class, the numbers are not increasing; the three Chengtu schools actually show a falling off as compared with the last three years' average. In the Report above referred to, I estimated the number of students now ready for an advanced course at fifty or sixty. I now learn, after careful inquiry, that there are actually not more than twenty students sufficiently advanced to take the course as given in the Government College at Chengtu. There is, I cannot help thinking, a growing tendency on the part of some of the Protestant Missions in Szechuan, notably those hailing from the American continent, to neglect the preaching, even the medical part of their work, for the more attractive and much less burdensome task of providing the Chinese with education on Western lines. The Roman Catholic missions in Szechuan, whose methods one is bound to admire if one cannot always approve, pay little attention to education, but devote themselves entirely to a purely religious propaganda, making the conversion of the young their special care. The China Inland Mission, whose methods approximate most nearly to those pursued by the Roman Catholics, and who are undoubtedly the most successful Protestant organization in Western China, adopt a similar attitude towards secular education; they are holding entirely aloof from the University scheme.\n\n## Official Recognition of Mission Schools\n\nAt the recent annual meeting of the West China Christian Educational Union, Dr. Squibbs, of the Church Missionary Society, Mien Chu Hsien, related his unsuccessful attempt to obtain the registration of the Mission's primary school. The school being entirely under the management of native Christians and practically self-supporting, the curriculum and accommodation, moreover, complying in every respect with Government requirements, Dr. Squibbs had reason to hope that the educational authorities would not refuse to place the school on the official register. The local Magistrate and Director of Education were apparently prepared to do so, but the Bureau of Education in Chengtu, to whom the application was submitted, refused, quoting in support of their refusal a Circular from the Board of Education, dated the 1st November, 1906, in which the following sentence occurs: \"No Regulations have received the Imperial Assent permitting foreigners to establish schools in the interior. In addition to those schools already established, no objection will be made for the present to the opening of others, but there is no necessity to register them, and their scholars are not eligible for official rewards.\" Viceroy Hsi Liang, to whom the matter was referred, was even more explicit. He wrote: \"The Board of Education have laid down that missionaries may please themselves as to the opening of schools, but the question as to whether their pupils may or may not qualify to enter the Government schools has never been raised, and cannot, therefore, be taken into consideration. The Magistrate, in carelessly submitting such an application, acted in a most blundering manner.\"\n\n## Government Primary School Sports\n\nOn the 5th November, the primary schools of Chengtu held their annual athletic sports on the grounds of the Provincial College. The mission schools did not join owing to the sports having been fixed to take place on a Sunday. They were, as a matter of fact, postponed on account of the weather to the following Tuesday. The sports, beginning at 7 o'clock in the morning, lasted until 5 in the evening, and were attended by most of the high officials and a vast crowd of spectators. A special stand had been erected for ladies, and a sign of the times was a notice prominently displayed at the entrance gate, \"No women with bound feet will be admitted.\" The events included racing, jumping, gymnastics, drill, and a singing competition. The winners received medals, books, various articles of stationery, and towels! Most of the schools were in uniform, and the grand march past at the end of the day, in which some forty schools, numbering nearly 4,000 boys, took part, was an impressive and significant spectacle. Each school carried its banners, many had their own bugles and drums, and those who had not were played past the saluting point by the Viceroy's band. The discipline and the hearty good-will with which even the smallest boys entered into the affair was most remarkable. Among the schools taking part were two Mahommedan, one Manchu, various Prefectural and district schools, and the boys of Chou Taotai's orphanage. These, to the number of 200, boys picked out of the gutters or rescued from the beggar encampments, carried off the palm for smartness and drill. Scrupulously clean, clad in yellow khaki suits, black forage caps, and armed with miniature rifles, they marched past in perfect order and step, and the manner in which the command \"Eyes left,\" given by the diminutive commander as he lowered his toy sword on passing the Viceroy's stand, was carried out by his men would have done credit to a German \"Garde regiment.\"\n\n## The \"Imperial School of Military Medicine\"\n\nM. Huet, the French naval officer whose unexpected arrival in Chengtu to join the staff of the Medical School I reported in my despatch No.25 of the 24 April last, left here in July on a flying visit to Europe. He returned, with a wife, in November. M. Huet will devote himself to an exhaustive study of the medicinal herbs and products of Szechuan.\n\nDr. Legendre, whose relations with the Chinese were latterly somewhat strained, will not return to Chengtu.\n\n\"Mission\n\nDr. Mouillae, the Third French Medical Officer attached to the\n\n495", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416338, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 503, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n8\n\nScientifique,\" goes on furlough as soon as his successor Dr. Eserteau, now on his way up river, arrives.\n\nThe French Medical Staff in Chengtu, therefore, remains intact, in spite of the attempts of the Chinese authorities to dispense with the services of at least one of them. A request from Dr. Legendre, senior, to be allowed to open a school of chemistry and physics in connection with the medical school has, however, been somewhat curtly refused by the Viceroy.\n\nRAILWAY AFFAIRS,\n\nEstimate of Cost of Construction of Chuan-Han Railway.\n\nAs far as I am aware, work has not yet commenced on the Chuan-Han Railway, but it is rumoured that a start will be made at Ichang early in the New Year.\n\nThe \"Chengtu Daily Gazette\" of the 1st December stated that the Board of Communications had passed the railway accounts (forwarded in my despatch No. 54 of the 23rd October), and that Hu Chün and Cháo Shu-nan had been directed to continue to act as President and Vice-President respectively. The former will, it is said, proceed to Ichang after the New Year.\n\nFrom a copy of an estimate of the cost of construction of the line drawn up by Hu Tung-cháo, Engineer-in-chief, I extract the following particulars: A translation of the document will be forwarded later.\n\nThe line will be divided into three sections, viz., Ichang to Wan Hsien, Wan Hsien to Chungking, Chungking to Chengtu.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[6633]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n496\n\n[February 25.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 25.)\n\n(No. 47.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nPeking, February 25, 1908. I HAVE received your telegram No. 42 of the 22nd instant, respecting the seizure, in Macao waters, by the Chinese of the \"Tatsu Maru.\"\n\nIt is asserted by the Chinese Customs that the seizure took place in Chinese waters.\n\nI have had several interviews with my Portuguese colleague, and have advised him to consult with the Japanese Minister. I shall continue to give him any assistance I can.\n\nThe Japanese Legation has demanded the release of the vessel.\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nI fear that active intervention on our part might perhaps lay us open to the charge of holding the Canton Government responsible for the acts of pirates, while at the same time encouraging the importation of arms for their use. During the recent piracy discussions, the Viceroy at Canton complained to His Majesty's Consul-General of the attitude of Macao, and it is admitted by the Japanese Minister that in this case there is room for suspicion as to the ultimate destination of the arms.\n\n[2846 bb-2]\n\n \n \n Length.\n Cost.\n \n \n First section\n Li.\n Taels.\n \n \n Second section\n 8594\n 32,265,500\n \n \n Third section\n 654\n 21,261,000\n \n \n Total\n 872\n 19,075,500\n \n \n \n 2,886\n 72,602,000\n \n\nThe funds now in hand, at a liberal estimate, amount to 3,000,000 taels.\n\nProposed Manufacture of Railway Material at Hanyang,\n\nThe \"Universal Gazette\" of the 2nd October had the following:- \"Their Excellencies Chang Chih-tung, the Viceroys of Kuangtung and Szechuan, and the Governor of Hopei have memorialized the Throne for permission to establish a railway factory for the four provinces in Hupei. At this factory will be manufactured all the railway material required for the Canton-Hankow and Hankow-Szechuan lines. This machinery will be for the use of these railways only, and must not be sent abroad; the surplus production of the factory may be disposed of to other provinces.\n\n\"The factory will be started with a capital of 400,000 taels subscribed in equal shares by the four provinces of Hupei, Hunan, Kuangtung, and Szechuan. This Memorial received the Imperial assent on the 3rd September.\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416652, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 817, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[20521]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[June 15]\n\nSECTION\n\n23756\n\nJUL 08\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received June 15.) (No. 176. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nPeking, April 24, 1908. DURING my recent visit to Hong Kong, Sir F. Lugard informed me of a suggestion which had been made to him by Mr. Clementi of the Colonial service to examine the country between Changsha and Chungking with a view to possible railway construction.\n\nI was not able at the time to offer any opinion as to the feasibility of the scheme, but after consultation with His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow and examination of the military reports on the region in question, I am led to believe that it will present considerable difficulty.\n\nI have the honour to inclose copy of Sir F. Lugard's despatch of the 9th April on the subject, and of my reply of to-day's date.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure I in No. 1.\n\nGovernor Sir F. Lugard to Sir J. Jordan,\n\nHong Kong, April 9, 1908. WITH reference to our conversation of the 5th instant, I have the honour to submit to your Excellency the suggestion I then made, and which I understood that your Excellency would be willing to further by any means in your power.\n\n2. Mr. Clementi, who, as your Excellency is aware, has just completed a very remarkable journey from Turkestan to South China, visited the city of Chengtu, which is the objective of the proposed railway from Hankow, viâ Chungking. He states that there is no question at all, but that the line from Chengtu to Chungking is greatly needed and will be built, and that the Chinese authorities have decided that any line connecting Chengtu with Hankow must pass through Chungking. The section between the latter place and Hankow as at present projected traverses the rocky and very difficult gorges to the north of the Yang-tsze River, a region, I understand, scantily inhabited and devoid of produce requiring railway carriage. Mr. Clementi suggests that it should instead proceed due east to meet the Siang River at Changsha, south of the Tung Ting Lake, and there unite with the projected Hankow-Canton line, by which connection will be made with Hankow. He is confident that this line will present less engineering difficulties than that at present proposed, and the portion to be constructed (leaving out of consideration the piece of the Hankow-Canton line from Changsha to Hankow) will be very considerably shorter. The total mileage from Chengtu to Hankow will probably be about the same by either route, but a line from Chungking to Changsha, especially if on survey it is found that the easiest route passes Chen Chou-fu, would offer facilities for the construction of a branch line to Kuei Yang-fu, the capital of the Province of Kwei Chou.\n\n3. The Colony of Hong Kong is interested in this question, since it is probable that if the southern route were adopted, railway freights would be carried southwards to Canton and Hong Kong instead of westwards; the district of Chengtu would also benefit, since the total mileage from that place to the sea will be less by the southern route than by the western route.\n\n4. I am aware that an Anglo-French Syndicate holds a Concession for the line from Hankow to Chungking, but I submit that no interference with their rights will be involved by adopting the route suggested, while expense will be saved, both in mileage to be constructed, and in the rate per mile.\n\nPage 2\n\n \n[1814 p-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416753, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 80, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[June 24.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[21726]\n\n(No. 249.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 24.)\n\nPeking, June 4, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a Report drawn up by Mr. Seeds, Third Secretary in His Majesty's Legation, summarizing the events of minor importance which have occurred during the past month.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nSummary of Events for the month of May.\n\nAmoy.\n\nA FURTHER instance of the activity displayed by the Japanese in this district is to be found in the efforts now being made by the Japanese Consul to secure the appointment of one of his nationals as foreign engineer in charge of the Amoy-Changchou Railway. This line, which was reported on in the monthly summary inclosed in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 101 of the 3rd March last, is making slow progress owing, to some extent, to the present foreign engineer. The Railway Company wish to dismiss this person—a Frenchman—and to engage a British engineer in his place. This the Japanese Consul is strenuously opposing. He is, unfortunately for British interests, sure of the support of the Amoy Taotai, an official with strong pro-Japanese leanings.\n\nIn another case which occurred some little time ago the Japanese efforts were crowned with success. A Company which had been formed to exploit some mines near O-thau, not far from Chuanchou-fu, had engaged a British engineer, but the Japanese Consul was successful in bullying the Company into dismissing the Englishman and appointing a Japanese engineer in his stead.\n\nChengtu.\n\nThe Manchu Garrison at Chengtu.---Dissatisfaction among the members of the Manchu garrison with the Edict of September and the Proclamation of November last respecting the removal of distinctions between Manchus and Chinese and the provision of a working livelihood for the former, culminated on the 19th January in a riot in the Tartar city. Some hundreds of Manchus, men and women, went to the Tartar General's yamên and commenced to wreck the buildings. The assistance of the Chengtu police and of the Chinese garrison troops were called in, and the Acting Viceroy, with the whole body of local officials, went to the scene of the disturbance, which was suppressed before any very serious damage was done. The Tartar General and the Acting Viceroy reported the affair to the Throne, and on the 20th January a Rescript was received ordering the punishment of the ringleaders and of the officers whose duty it should have been to suppress any such outbreak.\n\nA lengthy Proclamation in the vulgar dialect was issued at the end of February, explaining that, to guard against the increasing poverty likely to result gradually from the increase in their numbers, land is to be given to the bannermen to cultivate, and schools are to be established where they may learn to gain a living, and that there is no intention of withdrawing their pensions without compensation. A severe warning is given against further disturbances.\n\nThe Chuan Han Railway—No further statement of accounts would seem to have been published since the balance sheet of the 9th July, 1907, which formed the subject of Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 549 of the 25th November last. There is no great\n\n[1819 aa-1]\n\n77", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416754, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 81, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\neagerness in any part of the province to subscribe capital for the enterprise, and the Acting British Consul-General reports that there exists a great deal of dissatisfaction on account of the \"rent share\" system (see Mr. Fox' Report inclosed in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 245 of last year). Indeed, it is estimated that the present taxation on cultivated land, including this rent share subscription, is not far short of 10 per cent. per annum of the value of the crops. The Acting Viceroy has been compelled to prohibit all meetings where the general dissatisfaction is likely to find expression in \"reckless oratory,\" and great efforts are being made, by lectures and other means, to stimulate public interest in the railway scheme. Past experience has not taught the officials that it will be well nigh impossible to raise funds for railway construction without having recourse to foreign assistance, and the Acting Viceroy, under instructions from the Board of Posts and Communications, has officially stated that there is no intention of employing foreign capital in the case of this railway.\n\nChinan-fu.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports the arrival at Chinan-fu of Yuan Shu-hsün, who has taken over charge of the province, as Acting Governor, from Wu Ting-pin. The latter is returning to his home, not having taken up his new post of Treasurer of Chihli on the ground of ill-health.\n\nYuan Shu-hsün will be remembered in connection with the Shanghai riots of 1905, when his attitude as Tantai was not such as to lead one to attribute to him any very friendly feelings towards foreigners.\n\nKiukiang.\n\nA Japanese post office was opened early in March in the British Concession, and bids fair to become a serious rival to the Chinese Imperial Postal Service. The complaints that are made against the latter are numerous and serious, involving cases not only of delay and loss of money orders and parcels, but also of breach of confidence and absence of secrecy. From the reports of His Majesty's Consul it would not seem that the good reputation which the Chinese Post Office enjoys elsewhere is in any degree maintained in the Kiukiang district.\n\nKanchou Riot.--Various officials have been dealt with by Imperial Decree as a result of the outbreak in the Kanchou district last autumn (see Monthly Summary inclosed in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 104 of the 3rd March, 1908). One Magistrate has been dismissed from the public service for ever, while four other officials have been handed over to the Board concerned to receive the severest penalties.\n\nThe supersession in Nan Chang of Chuang Taotai by Taotai Wang Kan-ching means the removal of an official whose attitude to foreigners has always been one of obstruction and hostility.\n\nForeign Missions.\n\nA report received from His Majesty's Consul at Chinan-fu shows that the Western \"conscientious objector\" is finding his imitators in the Far East.\n\nA tax is being levied by the local authorities in several districts of Shantung for the purpose of repairing the local Confucian temples. In some instances native Christians have sought the support of missionaries in claiming exemption from payment of this tax. They maintain that the imposition of such taxes upon Christians is contrary to Treaty rights, and, further, that their consciences will not permit them to contribute to the up-keep of institutions where ceremonies repugnant to their religious convictions are performed. Among the native converts, if not among the missionaries, a righteous indignation is almost universally expressed at the thought of the proceeds of the tax being devoted to the maintenance of so idolatrous a form of worship, though the more moderate party is inclined to draw nice distinctions between the national Confucian religion and the more superstitious Buddhist and Taoist creeds. The latter question is one that affords great scope for ingenious theological arguments, hinging on the moot point as to whether Confucianism is an idolatrous religion or merely a national code of morals; indeed, the learned teachers of Christianity in China have found in this question a fertile source of controversy for the last three hundred years.\n\nThe point of conscience appears to be too delicate for any but theologians to determine, but, as regards the Treaty rights claimed by the converts, the only justification for such a claim is to be found in Article 14 of the American Treaty of 1903, which provides that converts are to be exempt from the payment of taxes \"levied for the support of religious customs and practices contrary to their faith.\" On the other hand, Confucianism is the State religion of China, and, as the new Governor of Shantung very sensibly pointed out in a conversation with His Majesty's Consul, the Confucian temples are national Chinese institutions, the support of which is a legitimate charge on the public revenue.\n\nAt Chengtu, the West China Missionary Conference passed a Resolution appointing a Committee to consider what measures could be taken to prevent the importation of cigarettes. This Resolution is directed against the British-American Tobacco Company, and the American Consul is very indignant with the American missionaries for trying to harm a Company whose capital is largely American.\n\nThis same Conference was addressed at its opening meeting by a deputy from the Acting Viceroy, who, after congratulating the Protestant missions on their reputation for abstaining from political intrigues, proceeded to give the members some sound advice as regards the choice of candidates for conversion, hinting that Chinese did not always embrace Christianity from purely religious motives. It is satisfactory to note that the members of the Conference seem to have taken his words in good part.\n\nBoycott of Japanese Goods.\n\nFrom the information contained in the Quarterly Intelligence Report, sent to this Legation by His Majesty's Consulate-General at Canton, it would seem doubtful whether the boycott will be able to affect Japanese trade to a really serious extent in that city. The importation of coal, for instance, is largely in the hands of the Japanese, and it would be practically impossible to obtain coal from any other source. The Society which plays the leading part in the movement, the so-called \"Self-Government\" Society, is one not much respected by the better class of Cantonese merchants, its head being a bankrupt banker. The efforts of this Society, aided by the prejudice which does exist against Japanese goods, will, however, probably not be without a certain effect, temporary though it may be, on the business done by the local Japanese traders.\n\nThe opinions expressed by the native journals in general as to the desirability of the boycott vary widely. On the one hand a large section of the press clamour loudly in favour of the movement, hailing it as an expression of national indignation at the disgrace inflicted on China by the Government's weakness over the \"Tatsu Maru\" incident. On the other hand, we find Chinese papers deprecating a boycott; their tone is no less jingoistic than that adopted by the pro-boycott press, but they base their attitude on the advantages reaped by British, German, and American trade from the check to Japanese commercial enterprise. They point out that to boycott the goods of any one country is merely to push the trade of the other foreign nations who are exploiting China for their own selfish ends. This view is expressed, not without a certain pathos, by the \"Universal Gazette\" (Hankow): \"It follows that all our trouble only brings immediate success to others. Therefore the better policy is to encourage the manufacture and use of native imitations.\"\n\nThe Native Press on Railways.\n\nThere are few subjects on which the Chinese press waxes so eloquent as on that of the connection between Chinese railways and foreigners. With tireless zeal the papers insist on the dangers attaching to the influx of foreign capital, and point to the profit which would attend the substitution of Chinese for foreign ownership of the railways. Unfortunately their readers seem slow to learn their lesson, as most attempts to raise loans for railway enterprises have shown.\n\nA series of articles which have appeared in the \"Universal Gazette,\" on the much-debated Chekiang Railway question, are typical of the tone adopted by the press. Taking the Loan Agreement as his theme, the writer draws attention to the dark British schemes which lurk hidden under such Agreements. Great Britain, whom the writer terms the \"leading devil in the work of destroying nations by trade,\" is bent on securing complete control of the Yang-tsze Valley, and \"if England can get the Shanghai-Nanking and Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railways, she will hold China's natural Treasury, Kiangsu-Chekiang, and later advance her sphere over Anhui and Kiangsi, ultimately obtaining the Canton-Hankow Railway section in Hunan.\" Chinese should therefore subscribe towards the redemption of foreign-owned railways, gaining thereby not only great financial profit, but also the glory which attaches to true patriots.\n\nThe same paper has an article about the Hsinmintun-Fakumen Railway, and takes...\n\n3\n\n...\n\n78", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416806, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 133, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "130\n\n! \n\nUnited States Ambassador should Lord Crewe concur. It \n\nwould seem that by the proposed alteration in the \n\ninstructions to the delegates, the necessity for fresh \n\ninvestigations into the opium question, which Lord \n\nCrewe would prefer to dispense with, would be obviated. \n\nWith regard to the last paragraph of the India \n\nOffice letter, Sir E. Grey concurs in the proposal \n\nthat one delegate should be appointed to represent \n\nIndia, another to represent the Crown Colonies, and a \n\nthird by the Foreign Office among His Majesty's Officers serving in China, and he has nominated as representative of this Department Sir Alexander Hosie, His \n\nMajesty's Consul-General at Chengtu and Acting Commercial Attaché to His Majesty's Legation in China. \n\nIn the event of Lord Crewe also concurring, he will be \n\nglad to learn in due course for communication to the \n\nGovernment of the United States the name of the Delegate whom His Lordship proposes to nominate. \n\nAs \n\n!", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416808, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 135, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "JEGISTRY 10.23084.\n\nсо\n\n0132\n\n26166\n\nFOREIGN OFFICE,\n\nJuly\n\n20 JUL 08'\n\n1908.\n\nProposed Commission to American Ambassador.\n\nYour Excellency:-\n\nWith reference to Your Excellency's note of May 4th last communicating to me the suggestions of the United States Government as to the constitution, scope, procedure and time and place of meeting of the proposed International Opium Commission at Shanghai, China, I have the honour to state that His Majesty's Government accept with pleasure the proposal that the Joint Commission shall meet at Shanghai. They propose to nominate as British Delegates:-\n\n1. Sir A. Hosie, His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu and Acting Commercial Attaché to His Majesty's Legation in China.\n\n2.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416840, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 167, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# 164 \n## 8 \n\n### Anhui Province \n\nDens are merely nominally closed. Official action is restricted to the issue of Proclamations. The movement is not generally popular. There is but little cultivation.\n\n### Chekiang Province \n\nGenerally speaking, the official attitude throughout the province is one of total indifference, though smoking is slowly and surely becoming discredited in the public mind. Such Anti-Opium Societies or refuges as still continue owe their existence to private enterprise.\n\nAt Ningpo, though the dens are closed to all new-comers, old customers can still smoke upstairs, or in any place not public. The reason given for previous official inactivity was the difficulty of finding a new source of revenue. Inactivity continues, with the exception of increased taxation on all opium sold in the district, which pays 8 cents per 1 tael weight. The official reason assigned for this tax is the difficulty of suppressing dens and smoking, the tax being a kind of licence on retailers, who report sales every five days. Cultivation has practically ceased owing to the fear of confiscation and taxation.\n\nAt Wenchow the dens, though nominally closed, are all reported to be illegally used. At Hangehow there is a general set-back since the arrival of the new Governor, who ignores the whole question, his apathy being imitated by his subordinates. Commissioners from Peking have visited the district and called for reports on the quantity grown and imported, both of which are in future to be reduced by one-tenth annually.\n\n### Fukhien Province \n\nLittle, if any, progress, although the authorities of Foochow periodically collect and burn smoking utensils. Though comparatively little opium is grown in the province, the area of cultivation has been reduced by about one-fourth owing to the activity of the Anti-opium League.\n\nAt Amoy public opinion and Government action have helped to reduce the use of the drug, and numerous refuges have been opened by private persons or public subscription.\n\n### Kuangtung Province \n\nThe Island of Hainan still pays a spasmodic and desultory attention to the Edict. At Swatow general apathy reigns supreme, while information from the surrounding country towns shows that the dens are quietly reopening, and that a state of hopeless confusion exists in regard to the Anti-Opium Edict and its enforcement. Fulminating Proclamations appear from time to time against the use of opium, but the result is practically nothing, though missionaries are inclined to think some good has been effected, inasmuch as those who now wish to abstain find some encouragement.\n\nAt Pakhoi, according to the official version of a deputy specially dispatched from Canton to make inquiries, smokers are registered and classified according to age, 5,000 tickets being issued in the town and neighbourhood. Opium shops are also registered and have to take out a licence and record sales. In Pakhoi ten shops sell raw and forty boiled opium. Ten per cent. of the population, male and female, are stated to be addicted to smoking, and there is little popular demand for reform.\n\nAt Canton there is nothing new to report. The drug is sold under licences, but the latter are easily obtained.\n\n### Kuangsi Province \n\nSmoking continues, and it appears hopeless to think of curing those already addicted to the habit. Others are afraid to start smoking.\n\n### Hunan Province \n\nA Wesleyan missionary, who has recently travelled 2,000 miles in the east of the province, was much struck by the evident genuineness of the measures taken to suppress opium smoking; in some places it is impossible to purchase the drug. In Changsha the prohibition is effectively carried out, though the success is somewhat lessened by the popular sale of anti-opium medicines containing opium. The Provincial Treasurer, who is a warm supporter of the anti-opium movement, was prepared to guarantee that next year no poppy would be grown in the province.\n\n### Honan Province \n\nThe movement is not popular, and little is being done, the chief obstacle to progress being financial and commercial considerations. No honest attempt is being made to grapple with the question.\n\n### Hupei Province \n\nGenerally it may be said that nothing is being done. At Hankow a scheme has been agreed upon after conference with opium dealers by which in future the drug is to be officially prepared and sold by dealers. Intending purchasers must present an officially stamped authorization giving the date and the amount they are entitled to purchase. Illicit sales are to be heavily fined. Rules for reduction of cultivation are to follow.\n\n### Szechuan Province \n\nThough the area under poppy between Chungking and Chengtu has been much reduced, being frequently adapted to sugar cane, little progress has been made, and there seems to be no very general reduction of the area, while the rigorous measures of six months ago have been entirely relaxed.\n\nAn American botanist who has recently visited the district between Wan Hsien and Chia-ting-fu was impressed with the increased cultivation of poppy, which he estimated at a third greater than on the occasion of his previous visit in 1904.\n\nHowever, it is confidently asserted that the cultivation is on the decrease rather than on the increase; that this decrease is in proportion to the energy of the officials, showing that power rests with the local authorities, though a decrease in one district may mean a corresponding increase in another.\n\nThe Acting Viceroy at Chengtu has appointed special officers to make investigations in a large number of Prefectures in regard to the area under cultivation, while in many districts notice has been given to farmers to register all land growing poppy. Cultivation on unregistered land is prohibited, and a tax of 500 cash per mou will be imposed next year on all poppy land for which due permission has been obtained. It may be said generally that fear of official activity and of taxation is exercising a discouraging effect on the industry, and that there is a tendency among farmers to abandon the cultivation of poppy without a protest.\n\nRestrictions on smoking now exist only in name. The preparation of opium has been made a Government monopoly, effective in Chengtu and the larger cities, only partially so in the smaller towns, but smokers can still obtain the drug as easily and almost as cheaply as they could a few years ago. Dens are now being generally reopened, and there is a complete lack of official supervision. One is, in fact, forced to the conclusion that the officials are doing little or nothing to obey the Decree, though in Chengtu they show energy in regard to anti-opium medicines, six refuges having been opened where registered smokers can receive free treatment.\n\nBut if the authorities are lax, the same cannot be said of the people, amongst whom the movement against opium is really gaining ground.\n\nAt Chungking there is a considerable decrease in cultivation—about seven-tenths—owing to the activity of the Magistrate. There are now only 81 dens, against 860 last year. The price of opium has risen from 270 cash to 500 cash per ounce, and can only be purchased at the four official establishments.\n\n### Kueichow Province \n\nHere, as in Yunnan, a far more genuine attempt is being made to stamp out the evil. At Kueiyang, the capital, the sale of opium utensils is prohibited; the area of poppy cultivation is to be reduced one-tenth annually, and growers must obtain certificates. An official bureau is also established at Kueiyang for the sale of prepared opium. Shops and smokers are registered, and anti-opium medicine freely distributed.\n\n## 9 \n\n...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416847, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 174, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nC.O.\n\n28370\n\nRECEIVED JULY 19 08\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n[23084]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nForeign Office to India Office.\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, July 18, 1908.\n\nI AM directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo communicating the views of the Secretary of State for India in Council on the suggestions of the United States' Government as to the constitution, scope, procedure, and time and place of meeting of the proposed International Opium Commission at Shanghae.\n\nSir E. Grey concurs generally in the observations and proposals contained in your letter, and considers that the reply to the United States Government should be on the lines of your letter under reply; but before expressing any final opinion he is consulting the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whose views, as will be seen from the inclosed copy of a letter from the Colonial Office, do not appear inconsistent with the proposed action.\n\nWith regard to the last paragraph of your letter, Sir E. Grey concurs in the proposal that there should be three Delegates—one to represent India, another to represent the Crown Colonies, and a third appointed by the Foreign Office from among His Majesty's officers serving in China; and he has nominated as representative of this Department Sir Alexander Hosie, His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, at present acting as Commercial Attaché to His Majesty's Legation in China. Sir Edward Grey will be glad to learn in due course, for communication to the Government of the United States, the name of the Delegate whom it is proposed to nominate as representative of India.\n\nAs regards the question of cost, it is presumed that the Government of India will defray the expenses of their Delegate as in the cases of the Arms Traffic Conference and the Sugar Commission at Brussels.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nF. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n[1844 2\n\n-2]\n\n171\n\nPage 171\n\nPage 171\n\nPage 171\n\n...\n\n...\n\n...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417114, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 440, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "Pukou-Sinyang Railway. I have duly forwarded copy of this despatch for the information of my Board.\n\nWith reference to the statements therein contained, I avail myself of this opportunity to observe that the change in circumstances to which his Highness alludes is fully recognized by the Chinese Central Railways, as has recently been shown by their acceptance, in the case of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway Loan Agreement, of conditions substantially different from those to which they were entitled under the Preliminary Agreement. It is evident that the precedent of reasonable compromise thus created, based upon recognition of existing conditions, would apply in the present instance, but I would respectfully submit that the fact of circumstances having changed cannot reasonably be cited in justification for further postponement of these negotiations. I would also observe that towards the conclusion of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway negotiations in October last it was suggested to your Excellency by the Wai-wu Pu, and I informed my Board of the fact, that the Pukou-Sinyang Railway should be simultaneously concluded under conditions similar to those of the Anglo-German Agreement; since which date no noteworthy change of circumstances has occurred.\n\nAs regards the final location of the terminal points of the railway, the matter is evidently one for consideration by the Imperial Chinese Government and possible rearrangement, but it affords, per se, no sufficient reason for postponement of these negotiations. The Directors of the Chinese Central Railways give me discretion to accept any reasonable modification in this matter or any other in which the conditions implied in the Preliminary Agreement can be shown to be inexpedient or unworkable.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n[Unsigned.]\n\nC 0.\n\n437\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\n1\n\n4 SEP 08\n\n[August 14.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[27926]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 110.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nForeign Office, August 14, 1908. CHINA railways. Bland is being instructed by Chinese Central Railways (Limited) to apply to you for Concession for Hankow-Chengtu Railway. The Syndicate base their application on the promise given in 1903 by Prince Ching. Do you think the moment favourable for giving the support of His Majesty's Government to the scheme?\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nThe Syndicate are taking this step owing to a report which has reached them to the effect that Szechuen Railway Concession is being applied for by the French in connection with the settlement of their Yünnan frontier troubles. This report appears to me improbable, but the Syndicate state that they would prefer that the grant of such a Concession should be founded on the 1903 promise, and should be negotiated through the British Legation.\n\n[1897 0-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417137, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 463, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,\n\n460\n\n32383\n\n[Jul 48.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n08\n\n[AMENDED SECTION.]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(23084]\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office to Colonial Office.\n\nForeign Office, July 18, 1908.\n\nI AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo in regard to the suggestions of the United States' Government as to the constitution, procedure, scope, and time and place of meeting of the proposed Joint International Opium Commission at Shanghae.\n\nI am to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a letter from the India Office,* from which you will perceive that the Secretary of State for India expresses views in general harmony with those of the Earl of Crewe.\n\nSir E. Grey considers that the reply to the United States' Government should be on the lines suggested by the India Office, and I am to inclose a draft of the communication he would propose to address to the United States' Ambassador should Lord Crewe concur.\n\nIt would seem that by the proposed alteration in the instructions to the Delegates the necessity for fresh investigations into the opium question, which Lord Crewe would prefer to dispense with, would be obviated.\n\nWith regard to the last paragraph of the India Office letter, Sir E. Grey concurs in the proposal that one Delegate should be appointed to represent India, another to represent the Crown Colonies, and a third by the Foreign Office among His Majesty's officers serving in China; and he has nominated as representative of this Department Sir Alexander Hosie, His Majesty's Consul-General at Cheng-tu, and Acting Commercial Attaché to His Majesty's Legation in China. In the event of Lord Crewe also concurring, he will be glad to learn in due course, for communication to the Government of the United States, the name of the Delegate whom his Lordship proposes to nominate.\n\nAs regards the question of cost, it is presumed that the salaries and travelling expenses of the Colonial Delegate will be defrayed from Colonial funds, but that application should be made to the Treasury by this Department for the living expenses of the British and Colonial Delegates at Shanghae to be charged to the Imperial Exchequer, together with any incidental expenditure which may be incurred.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nDraft Note to Mr. Whitelaw Reid.\n\nWITH reference to your Excellency's note of the 8th May last communicating to me the suggestions of the United States' Government as to the constitution, scope, procedure, and time and place of meeting of the proposed International Opium Commission at Shanghae, I have the honour to state that His Majesty's Government accept with pleasure the proposal that the Joint Commission shall meet at Shanghae. They propose to nominate as British Delegates :-\n\n1. Sir A. Hosie, His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, and Acting Commercial Attaché to His Majesty's Legation in China.\n\n2.\n\n3.\n\nWhile His Majesty's Government have every desire to further the general objects which the United States' Government have in view, they cannot but think, after\n\n* India Office, June 22, 1908.\n\n[1844\n\n-3]\n\nPage 461\n\n...\n\nPage 461", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417156, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 482, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "479\n\nD\n\nC.O. 33035\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nRECO 1949 SEP 08 [August 11.]\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nSECTION 4.\n\n[27926]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nChinese Central Railways to Foreign Office,(Received August 11.)\n\n(Extract.)\n\n110, Cannon Street, London, August 10, 1908.\n\nI AM instructed to lay before the Foreign Office another and still more important matter. My Directors consider the time has come to renew the application for a railway from Hankow to Chengtu in the Province of Szechuan, and to call on the Chinese Government to fulfil the promise made to Mr. Townley and confirmed in writing to Sir Ernest Satow in 1903, viz., that, failing native capital, this line should be constructed by British capital. For the terms of this undertaking, I have the honour to refer you to Foreign Office letter to the Peking Syndicate of the 13th August, 1903. The promise was to \"British and American\" capital, but it having been found that no American capitalists desired to participate, and the Peking Syndicate and the British and Chinese Corporation—the only two Companies applying—having merged their interests for this purpose in the Chinese Central Railways, it is submitted that this latter Company is the one now entitled to the benefit of the promise.\n\nThe five years that have elapsed since the undertaking was given must be amply sufficient to show the futility of expecting that native capital will be forthcoming for this work, and, on the other hand, the urgent necessity for a railway to connect Szechuan with the navigable Yang-tsze must now be apparent to even the most conservative of Chinese officials. It was mainly for the purpose of securing the construction of a railway into Szechuan that the Anglo-French combination, now constituting the Chinese Central Railways, was, with the approval of our respective Governments, formed, and we have only been waiting the completion of the Tien-tsin-Pukow negotiations to proceed with the Szechuan business. My Directors consequently directed Mr. Bland some little time ago to take the necessary steps, in concert with M. Casenave, the representative in Peking of the French group, to approach the Chinese Government with this object, and it was pointed out to him that he might at this juncture receive considerable support from the French Minister, who was reported to be asking for certain railway privileges in connection with the settlement of the Yunnan claims. My Directors have since learned from a communication just received from their colleagues of the French group that the French Minister in Peking has actually been instructed to make the granting of the Szechuan Railway to the Anglo-French group a condition of the settlement of the Yunnan frontier business.\n\nConsidering, however, that the Chinese Central Railways is a British Company, my Directors would much prefer that the grant should come through the British Legation based on the promise of Prince Ching to Sir Ernest Satow in 1903, mentioned above, rather than through the French, and it is conceived that this course would be more palatable to the Chinese Government. They are accordingly instructing their agent in Peking to lose no time in sending in application in this sense to Sir John Jordan, if this has not already been done, and my Directors would respectfully submit for the consideration of the Foreign Office whether it would not be desirable to address a communication by telegraph to Sir John direct, acquainting him with the circumstances of the case, and desiring him to take such action as may be deemed proper.\n\n[1897 1-4]\n\n....", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417283, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 609, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government? 606\n\n35745 [September 14 1908]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[31935]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 3.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey-(Received September 14.)\n\n(No. 377.) Sir,\n\nPeking, August 21, 1908. IN confirmation of my telegram No. 145 of the 19th instant, respecting the proposed application by the Chinese Central Railways for the Hankow-Chengtu Railway Concession, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of the letter dated the 14th ultimo in which the Board suggested that Mr. Bland should endeavour to raise the question of the Szechuan line in connection with the French demands for reparation on account of the Yunnan frontier incident.\n\nI have already forwarded to you in my despatch No. 338 of the 22nd ultimo Mr. Fraser's despatch No. 38 of the 30th June, reporting that the Viceroy at Wuchang had declined to entertain the suggestion, made by my instructions, that Mr. Bland should proceed to Hankow to negotiate a loan for the line.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nDear Sir,\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nChinese Central Railways to Mr. Bland.\n\n110, Cannon Street, London, July 14, 1908.\n\nI BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th June, in which you submit, for the consideration of the Board, a proposition for the cancelling of the Pukow-Sinyang Preliminary Agreement in exchange for a Peking-Hankow Redemption Loan to be arranged on terms and conditions set out in your letter. In reply, I am to state that my Directors are unable to give you the authority asked for in the last paragraph of your letter, viz., to submit proposals in this sense to the Chinese Government. They think it would be impolitic, under any circumstances, to approach the Chinese Government with a proposal to cancel a Concession regularly obtained as the Pukow-Sinyang was. Such a step would seriously weaken our position and embarrass the British Minister if his aid had to be invoked later. It may be that the Chinese Government finds itself in a difficulty in giving effect to the Preliminary Agreement, but it is not a difficulty of our creating, and it is for them to make a counter-proposition and not for us.\n\nAs regards the Peking-Hankow Redemption Loan, you will have learnt from my No. 43 how the matter stands as between the Chinese Central Railways and Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank. Since the date of that letter it is understood that the negotiations between the bank and the Chinese Government have continued, and, indeed, are approaching completion, so it is extremely unlikely that there will be any opportunity of your intervening in that business.\n\nThere is, however, another alternative which might afford a solution to the Pukow-Sinyang difficulty, if there be a difficulty, and to which the Board would wish to draw your attention, and that is a Concession for the Szechuan line from Hankow to Chengtu. This is a line of so much greater importance that my Directors would be willing to postpone their rights to the Pukow-Sinyang line or possibly waive their rights altogether if a satisfactory agreement for the Szechuan line could be negotiated. At present the position stands that you have obtained the aid of the British Minister in calling on the Chinese Government to proceed with the Final Agreement for the Pukow-Sinyang line. To that application so far apparently no reply has been made. The application, however, cannot be ignored, and if difficulties are pleaded such as you anticipate, an opportunity would arise to introduce the Szechuan business as an alternative without in so many words offering to cancel the Pukow-Sinyang Preliminary Agreement.\n\nAs you are aware, we have claims for the Szechuan line independently altogether of the Pukow-Sinyang. Four years have now elapsed since the formal promise was\n\n(1940 0-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417334, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 46, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "C. O.\n\n644\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n3.7616.\n\n4\n\nwill be established, annexed to the above nursery garden, where young natives will be taught and equipped with general knowledge bearing upon practical agriculture and forestry, and the development thus furthered of agriculture and afforestation within the Kwantung Province.\n\nThe principal object of afforestation in the vicinity of Dairen and Port Arthur is the improvement of the scenery, and in spots like Peiyushan (Hakugyokuzan, Monument Hill), in Port Arthur, one of the parks of Manchuria, it is intended to plant beautiful flowers, and thus in the future, when some years have passed, the top of Peiyushan will be covered with flowers.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[32667]\n\n15.001 08 [September 21.]\n\nSECTION 2,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received September 21.)\n\n(No. 352.) Sir,\n\nPeking, August 1, 1908. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a summary of the events of the past two months, not recorded in separate despatches, which has been prepared by Mr. Seeds, Third Secretary in His Majesty's Legation.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nMonthly Summary for June and July, 1908.\n\nRailways.\n\nTien-tsin-Pukow.-The ceremony of cutting the first sod on the northern portion of the line was performed at Tien-tsin on the 30th June, in the presence of the Viceroy and the Director-General.\n\nReports from Nanking state that work is to be begun on the southern section as soon as possible. The Engineer-in-chief, Mr. Tuckey, is on the spot, and, of the sixteen foreign engineers arriving shortly, the majority are British subjects.\n\nIt is said that the Chinese contemplate declaring Pukow a \"self-opened port,\" an undesirable measure in view of the difficulties that have arisen under similar conditions at Nanning (see Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 211 of the 12th May).\n\nShanghae-Nanking. The railway authorities have been having some trouble lately in connection with compensation claims for injuries and loss of life. The relatives of a youth who was run over and killed near Lungtan hit upon the ingenious plan of prostrating themselves on the rails in front of the offending train. They remained there for some six hours, until, three trains having been held up, they were eventually removed with the help of a detachment of soldiers. Life in China is cheap, and the compensation finally granted in this case amounted only to £57; but the scheme seems to have recommended itself to the peasantry, and a similar case has occurred quite recently. The Railway Company cannot do more than warn the people of the danger of crossing the line, and it will be a serious matter if the running of trains is to be liable to such interference at any moment.\n\nHankow-Chengtu.-Surveys are being carried on, in connection with this proposed line, by Chinese and Japanese engineers. Funds are insufficient, and it is not probable that much construction work will be done for some time to come.\n\nCanton-Hankow.-Sir Chen Tung Liang Cheng, the President of the line, is reported to be sending in his resignation. The question at issue would appear to be his salary, which was strongly protested against as excessive at a meeting of shareholders some months ago. It is now hinted that his resignation is due to his taking a directly contrary view of the matter.\n\nWork on the line generally is hampered by the jealousies existing between the official and unofficial classes, and also by the lack of cohesion arising from provincial control of the various sections of the railway. In Hunan the gentry are confident that they can raise the necessary funds, a fact which is frankly denied by the Governor. In the opinion of His Majesty's Consul at Changsha, the decision of railway matters in Hunan is in the hands of the gentry, who, however, need to be stimulated by their feelings of rivalry with the adjoining provinces. This probably applies to all the provinces concerned, and it is to be hoped, in the interests of construction work, that the recent appointment of Chang Chih-tung as Administrator-General, reported in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 333 of the 21st ultimo, may lead to more united action on the part of the various authorities concerned.\n\n[1933 ---2]\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417430, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 142, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[35632]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[October 14.]\n\nSECTION 4.\n\n(No. 424.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received October 14.)\n\nPeking, September 21, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 388 of the 2nd instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Acting British Consul-General at Chengtu, respecting the movements of Chao Erh-feng, the Chinese Resident for Thibet.\n\nI am sending a copy of this despatch to the Government of India.\n\n(No. 18.) Sir,\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\nActing Consul-General Twyman to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, August 23, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to my telegram of to-day's date and to the Intelligence Report for June quarter of this year (Thibetan affairs), I have the honour to inform you that his Excellency Chao Erh-feng, Chinese Resident for Thibet, paid a farewell visit to me to-day before starting on his journey to Lhassa.\n\nHis Excellency informed me that he expects to be about three months on the road; he is taking three camps of soldiers (\"Hsün Fang Tui\"), presumably about 1,500 men. These are, he says, to be employed as a police force for the maintenance of order; but no doubt they are also a precaution against surprises or trouble on the road. There has been, the Resident says, a good deal of dissatisfaction among the lamas of Thibet at his appointment, it being thought from his operations against the lamaseries in 1906 that he was inimical to Thibetan Buddhism, and the former Resident, his Excellency Lien Yu, was requested to memorialize the Throne with a view to its being cancelled; this Lien Yu refused to do.\n\nThe road from Tachieolu to Chengtu has recently been improved and has now a width of 10 Chinese feet throughout, and a commodious official rest-house is being constructed at Tachienlu for the use of the Resident and other Government officials travelling between here and the west.\n\nA recent Imperial Decree appoints Weng Tsung Yao Assistant Resident for Thibet, with the rank of Deputy Lieutenant-Governor.\n\nI am sending copy of this despatch to the Government of India.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) B. TWYMAN.\n\n[1982 0-4]\n\n138", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417433, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 145, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n141\n\n2\n\nofficial, appealed to the Magistrate, who said he could do nothing against the Governor's soldiers. This has only just occurred, and Mr. Nelson, the representative of the British Asiatic Petroleum Company, has applied for redress through His Majesty's Consul at the port. The Governor of Nanchang is asked to pay the value of the oil, 2,000 taels, and an extra 1,000 taels as redress for his soldiers' behaviour.\n\nI would respectfully beg to submit that, if practicable, the British gun-boats should be represented in the lake again as soon as possible. If this cruising ground, a most healthy part of the Yang-tsze Valley, should be lost to us, it will be a very great pity.\n\nThe lake is cool, and Nan-Kan, just inside the lake, is a place where gun-boats have gone for a long time now in the summer to escape from the heat of the Yang-tsze River. It makes a splendid health resort, and is most valuable to the Yang-tsze River gun-boats when the crew are falling sick.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[28886]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[August 19.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 19.)\n\n(No. 145.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nHANKOW-SZECHUAN Railway.\n\nPeking, August 19, 1908.\n\nPlease refer to your telegram No. 110 of the 14th instant.\n\nI instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow in June last to suggest to the Viceroy that he should receive Mr. Bland for the purpose of negotiating a loan for the line. Mr. Fraser did so on the 24th of that month, but the Viceroy did not accept the proposal. I do not think it likely that the Chinese have modified their views since then.\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nAs regards the reported intention of the French to apply for the Szechuan Railway Concession, I learn from the French Minister that his Government have been considering the possibility of making such an application, and have consulted him on the subject. M. Bapst takes our position fully into consideration, and advocates a combination between the French and British interests for the joint conduct of the necessary negotiations.\n\nIt would seem that the China Central Railways Syndicate are themselves responsible for the introduction of the French into the question. They suggested to Mr. Bland, in a letter of the 14th July, that he should apply for the Hankow-Chengtu line, waiving for that purpose the rights to the Pukow-Sinyang line, and they hinted that he might obtain the support of the French, who might include the Szechuan Railway in their demands in connection with the settlement of the incident on the Yunnan frontier.\n\nM. Bland is due to arrive in England in the course of next week, and I would suggest that he should be consulted before arriving at a decision.\n\n[1897 t-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417569, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 281, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nC. O.\n\n[November 29, 1907]\n\n277\n\n(3rd stanza)\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(38025)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n24 NOV 08\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received November 2.)\n\nPeking, September 14, 1908.\n\n(No. 413.) Sir,\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that the Nepalese Envoy left Peking on the 11th instant by special train for Tien-tsin, where he proposes to stay a few days before starting on his homeward journey. The Envoy, whom I saw off at the station, told me that he had obtained special permission from the Chinese Government to pay a visit to Tien-tsin and to travel thence by train to Honan, whence he will proceed overland viâ Chengtu.\n\nThe Envoy and the principal members of his staff were all dressed when leaving in Chinese official costume and wore the decorations which had been conferred upon them by the Emperor. A Chinese guard of honour was at the station, but no Chinese official of any standing was present, and the Envoy's departure, like his reception generally, was attended with scant ceremony.\n\nI furnished the Envoy with a letter of introduction to His Majesty's Consul-General at Tien-tsin, by whom he was met there on his arrival, and with similar letters of recommendation to His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu and to the members of the various British missionary communities in the districts through which he will pass on his overland journey.\n\nThe relations between the Nepalese Mission and this Legation have been very friendly, and the Envoy expressed his appreciation of the attention that had been shown to him.\n\nI am sending a copy of this despatch to the Government of India.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n[2029 B-21]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417911, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 623, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "Anhui Province,\n\nOfficial action is restricted to the issue of Proclamations. The movement is not generally popular. There is but little cultivation.\n\nChekiang Province.\n\nGenerally speaking, the official attitude throughout the province is one of total indifference, though smoking is slowly and surely becoming discredited in the public mind. Such Anti-Opium Societies or refuges as still continue owe their existence to private enterprise.\n\nAt Ningpo, though the dens are closed to all new-comers, old customers can still smoke upstairs, or in any place not public. The reason given for previous official inactivity was the difficulty of finding a new source of revenue. The inactivity continues, with the exception of increased taxation on all opium sold in the district, which pays 8 cents per 1 tael weight. The official reason assigned for this tax is the difficulty of suppressing dens and smoking, the tax being a kind of licence on retailers, who report sales every five days. Cultivation has practically ceased owing to the fear of confiscation and taxation.\n\nAt Wenchow the dens, though nominally closed, are all reported to be illegally used. At Hangchow there is a general set-back since the arrival of the new Governor, who ignores the whole question. Commissioners from Peking have visited the district and called for reports on the quantity grown and imported, both of which are in future to be reduced by one-tenth annually.\n\nFukien Province.\n\nLittle, if any, progress, although the authorities of Foochow periodically collect and burn smoking utensils. Though comparatively little opium is grown in the province, the area of cultivation has been reduced by about one-fourth owing to the activity of the Anti-opium League.\n\nAt Amoy public opinion and Government action have helped to reduce the use of the drug, and numerous refuges have been opened by private persons or public subscription.\n\nKuangtung Province.\n\nThe Island of Hainan still pays a spasmodic and desultory attention to the Edict. At Swatow general apathy reigns supreme, while information from the surrounding country towns shows that the dens are quietly reopening, and that a state of hopeless confusion exists in regard to the Anti-Opium Edict and its enforcement. Fulminating Proclamations appear from time to time against the use of opium, but the result is practically nothing, though missionaries are inclined to think some good has been effected, inasmuch as those who now wish to abstain find some encouragement.\n\nAt Pakhoi, according to the official version of a deputy specially dispatched from Canton to make inquiries, smokers are registered and classified according to age, 5,000 tickets being issued in the town and neighbourhood. Opium shops are also registered and have to take out a licence and record sales. In Pakhoi ten shops sell raw and forty boiled opium. Ten per cent. of the population, male and female, are stated to be addicted to smoking, and there is little popular demand for reform.\n\nAt Canton there is nothing new to report. The drug is sold under licences, but the latter are easily obtained.\n\nKuangsi Province.\n\nSmoking continues, and it appears hopeless to think of curing those already addicted to the habit. Others are afraid to start smoking.\n\nHunan Province.\n\nA Wesleyan missionary, who has recently travelled 2,000 miles in the east of the province, was much struck by the evident genuineness of the measures taken to suppress opium smoking; in some places it is impossible to purchase the drug. In Changsha the prohibition is effectively carried out, though the success is somewhat lessened by the popular sale of anti-opium medicines containing opium. The Provincial Treasurer, who is a warm supporter of the anti-opium movement, was prepared to guarantee that next year no poppy would be grown in the province.\n\nPage 9\n\nHonam Province.\n\nThe movement is not popular, and little is being done, the chief obstacle to progress being financial and commercial considerations. No honest attempt is being made to grapple with the question.\n\nHupei Province.\n\nGenerally it may be said that nothing is being done. At Hankow a scheme has been agreed upon after conference with opium dealers by which in future the drug is to be officially prepared and sold by dealers. Intending purchasers must present an officially stamped authorization giving the date and the amount they are entitled to purchase. Illicit sales are to be heavily fined. Rules for reduction of cultivation are to follow.\n\nSzechuan Province.\n\nThough the area under poppy between Chungking and Chengtu has been much reduced, being frequently adapted to sugar cane, little progress has been made, and there seems to be no very general reduction of the area, while the rigorous measures of six months ago have been entirely relaxed.\n\nAn American botanist who has recently visited the district between Wan Hsien and Chia-ting-fu was impressed with the increased cultivation of poppy, which he estimated at a third greater than on the occasion of his previous visit in 1904.\n\nHowever, it is confidently asserted that the cultivation is on the decrease rather than on the increase; that this decrease is in proportion to the energy of the officials, showing that power rests with the local authorities, though a decrease in one district may mean a corresponding increase in another.\n\nThe Acting Viceroy at Chengtu has appointed special officers to make investigations in a large number of Prefectures in regard to the area under cultivation, while in many districts notice has been given to farmers to register all land growing poppy. Cultivation on unregistered land is prohibited, and a tax of 500 cash per mou will be imposed next year on all poppy land for which due permission has been obtained. It may be said generally that fear of official activity and of taxation is exercising a discouraging effect on the industry, and that there is a tendency among farmers to abandon the cultivation of poppy without a protest.\n\nRestrictions on smoking now exist only in name. The preparation of opium has been made a Government monopoly, effective in Chengtu and the larger cities, only partially so in the smaller towns, but smokers can still obtain the drug as easily and almost as cheaply as they could a few years ago. Dens are now being generally reopened, and there is a complete lack of official supervision. One is, in fact, forced to the conclusion that the officials are doing little or nothing to obey the Decree, though in Chengtu they show energy in regard to anti-opium medicines, six refuges having been opened where registered smokers can receive free treatment.\n\nBut if the authorities are lax, the same cannot be said of the people, amongst whom the movement against opium is really gaining ground.\n\nAt Chungking there is a considerable decrease in cultivation—about seven-tenths—owing to the activity of the Magistrate. There are now only 81 dens, against 860 last year. The price of opium has risen from 270 cash to 500 cash per ounce, and can only be purchased at the four official establishments.\n\nKueichow Province.\n\nHere, as in Yunnan, a far more genuine attempt is being made to stamp out the evil. At Kueiyang, the capital, the sale of opium utensils is prohibited; the area of poppy cultivation is to be reduced one-tenth annually, and growers must obtain certificates. An official bureau is also established at Kueiyang for the sale of prepared opium. Shops and smokers are registered, and anti-opium medicine freely distributed.\n\n[890 k]\n\nD\n\n619", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417985, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 697, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## Regulations for Opium Shops and Smokers in Peking\n\nWhen a shop changes its name or transfers to another locality, it must notify the authorities. When a shop gives up business, the licence must be surrendered. It is not transferable.\n\n8. Shops importing foreign or native opium into Peking must report the amount to the police.\n\n9. When a consignment of opium is ordered for the use of several opium shops, the names of the purchasers must be entered on the passes issued by the police. The foils of these passes must be sent to the police for examination every month, and any opium brought to Peking without such a pass will be treated as contraband.\n\n10. Opium-smokers' licences have been issued by the police, and to these licences is attached a seal slip of paper on which the amounts of opium purchased are to be noted.\n\n11. When any opium is sold, the amount must be noted on the above slip, and the 'chop' of the shop must also be affixed, together with the date.\n\n12. Shops selling raw or prepared opium are required to provide themselves with small 'chops' giving the name of the shop, to be used as stated above.\n\n13. Shops selling opium to persons not holding licences, or not in accordance with the amount stated on the licence, or failing to note the amount, &c., on the licence, will be liable to fine.\n\n14. No opium must be sold to any person whose licence has expired or who has already purchased the amount permitted by his licence.\n\n15. When opium ash is taken in exchange for prepared or raw opium, the amount must be noted on the licence, and no opium can be given in exchange for opium ash to any person not holding a licence.\n\n16. Opium shops are required to furnish monthly returns of their purchases and sales of opium.\n\n17. The market price per (Chinese) ounce for the various kinds of prepared and raw opium must be written up above the counter.\n\n18. No opium pipes may be kept in an opium shop, and, should the proprietor or his assistants hold opium-smokers' licences, they must consume the drug off the premises.\n\nA general survey of the reports from the provinces goes to show that, while progress is being made, there is a great lack of uniformity in the practical steps being taken to enforce suppression, and it is this independent action on the part of the provincial authorities which renders a reliable estimate of actual achievement somewhat difficult of attainment. Indeed, the Central Government in its desire to eradicate the evil would appear to an outsider to be too hasty in approving the multifarious proposals emanating from the provinces and to pay too little attention to uniformity of action. In Yunnan, for example, Proclamations have been posted fixing the close of the present Chinese year (the 21st January, 1909), as the date on which cultivation and consumption must cease, other provinces are following suit, while in others, again, different limits are given, and in Proclamations issued by separate authorities in the same prefecture of a province limits of three and ten years occur side by side. It is well understood that the Government are anxious to shorten the ten years limit, and yet while Yunnan, the second in importance of the opium-producing provinces, must, according to the Governor-General of Yunnan and Kueichow, cease all connection with opium in a few months, the Regulations for the issue of certificates to smokers in Peking, quoted above, state that the allowance will be reduced by one-eighth annually—in other words, the metropolis still adheres to the term originally fixed in 1906. Yunnan may be looked upon as a test case, and if the Governor-General of these south-western provinces succeeds in what is undoubtedly the herculean task of eradicating opium by the 21st January, 1909, it is not unlikely that the time limit will be reduced in the other provinces, where a more gradual reduction is recommended. His efforts, if not altogether to the liking of the farmers of Yunnan, are fully appreciated by the Central Government.\n\nThe acreage under poppy cultivation is in process of compilation by the local authorities throughout the various provinces, but nothing has yet been made public. In some provinces, special deputies have been sent to check the reports, and in parts of Szechuan, it is reported that plants have been uprooted by the farmers themselves rather than face inspection. There, too, the Governor-General has called for district returns of the yield of grain crops during the present year, and has given orders for the complete abolition of opium cultivation in all districts where drought or famine has caused shortage or distress. Wheat, beans, and other winter crops are to take its place. When the grain crops have been satisfactory, a reduction of 50 per cent. in poppy cultivation next season is ordered, and the amount of reduction in future years is left over for further consideration. This action is not in accord with the approved proposals of the Board of Finance, which will be referred to later.\n\nFrom some of the inland provinces, it is reported that little is being done to carry out those Regulations which deal with the issue of licences to smokers and the reduction of the craving for the drug, but this is not applicable to the country as a whole, for in many places smokers have been licensed, official and private refuges have been opened for the treatment of patients, and foreign and native anti-opium medicines are being sold and distributed gratuitously. At Canton, the most populous city in China, 130,000 licences were prepared for the city, while, after eighteen months, only some 20,000 were applied for, and the failure of the system is there attributed, in the main, to the treatment which respectable Chinese are alleged to receive at the hands of the police officials entrusted with their issue. It is stated, however, that the Regulations are being so strictly enforced that opium smoking is rapidly dying out among the middle and lower classes, and that all opium-boiling shops are closely watched by the police and their owners heavily fined for selling to unlicensed persons or quantities in excess of a smoker's allowance. But in some parts of the same province, non-licensed smokers known to the opium shops can still purchase supplies, while in other parts, soldiers are stationed at the entrance to see that the Regulations posted on the shop doors are strictly complied with.\n\nGenerally speaking, the licensing of wholesale and retail opium shops and of smokers is being enforced, and although some provinces display less energy than others, it must be admitted that very considerable progress in this direction has already been made. Less attention, however, has as yet been paid to the inspection of opium shops.\n\nAs regards anti-opium medicines, their number is legion. They are of native and foreign (principally Japanese) manufacture, and many of them contain opium or morphia in varying quantities. The husk of the foreign opium ball made into pills is also sold as a cure, and most of the reports from the provinces draw attention to the serious evil which these so-called remedies are creating—an evil far worse than the disease they are advertised to cure. Opium smokers are in many cases becoming opium or morphia eaters, and developing a craving which is still more difficult to eradicate. By the Regulations, the manufacture of anti-opium medicines devoid of opium ash or morphia is encouraged, but the result is a phase of the opium question which remains untouched by the Chinese Government, although it is one which would appear to call for early supervision and control. An English missionary in the Province of Szechuan, where there is a wide field for curative medicines, imported from Singapore thirty sacks of the plant yielding what is known as the Malay anti-opium cure, and he reports that he had, at the date of writing, tried it on about fifty persons and that in every case the medicine had effected a cure. The Anti-Opium Bureau of the Province of Chibli at Tien-tsin has an arrangement with Mr. C. B. Towns, the American opium expert referred to in last Report, for the cure of smokers. The Bureau issues passes in Chinese and English to smokers wishing to undergo this cure; Mr. Towns signs an English certificate that the patient has broken off the habit when the cure has been effected, and the Bureau thereupon issues to the party cured a Chinese certificate to that effect. Many who are not smokers of long standing are breaking off the habit by sheer will-power, while others who used to toy with the pipe now religiously avoid it for fear of contracting the craving.\n\nIn several provinces, anti-opium bureaux have been established, and one of their functions is to test officials, whether smokers or non-smokers. At Chengtu, the capital of the Province of Szechuan, such a bureau was opened on the 8th July, and all persons holding official posts have each to reside there for a period of three days. If during that time the craving does not manifest itself, the person under observation is released and recorded as a non-smoker. Should the craving develop, a time limit for abandonment of the habit is assigned to the smoker, and at the expiry of the limit, he is subjected to a second test; failure to pass which brings dismissal from his post.\n\nRefuges for the treatment of in-patients are quite common, and in juxtaposition are frequently found dispensers of native medicines for consumption by out-patients on the premises. Anti-opium Societies are also much in evidence, and although some doubt is thrown on their efficacy, they are said to be of assistance to the police authorities in unearthing breaches of the Regulations. One of these Societies in the Canton Province offers small monetary prizes to smokers who break off the habit.\n\n*Mr. Towns has just opened a similar institute at Shanghae.*\n\nPage 693", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 701, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## regret thât in a majority of places no Proclamations have been issued informing the people of the Imperial Decree and its benevolent intention to deliver them from the evils of opium consumption, while in other places, even where Proclamations have been posted up, no serious attempt has been made by the responsible officials to enforce obedience to their contents. We hear of opium dens from which the sign-boards have indeed been taken down, but all the while it remains a matter of notoriety that doors are still open through which people can pass to smoke their opium as before. We see everywhere opium shops still carrying on their trade without there being, so far as we can learn, any diminution of their number, and we are informed on good authority that the manufacture and sale of morphia, which is a more insidious and even greater evil than opium itself, continues unchecked, a large proportion of this drug being used for manufacture of pills stated to be for the cure of the opium habit, while really they only deceive the purchasers and confirm them in their dependence on opium.\n\nUnder these circumstances we most respectfully but most earnestly implore your Excellency to initiate without delay a reform of the methods by which opium and morphia can be provided in places under your Excellency's jurisdiction. The British Government, which more than two years ago expressed its willingness to co-operate with the Chinese Government in limiting the importation of opium from India into China has recently ordered the immediate suppression of opium consumption in Hong Kong, and has promised its extinction in the Straits Settlements also. The consumption of the drug has already been entirely suppressed in other British Colonies in which natives of China reside. The attitude of the American Government towards opium consumption in the Philippines is, no doubt, well known to your Excellency. Those of us who are British subjects are continually being asked by friends in Great Britain who wish well to China to supply reliable information which can be printed in England for general publication as to the extent to which the use of opium is being really and effectively prevented by the Government of China. We take the liberty of sending herewith an official book presented by command of His Britannic Majesty the King to both Houses of the British Parliament in February last. This book contains copies of the Reports that have been sent through His Britannic Majesty's Minister in Peking to the British Government detailing the action that has been taken in each of the eighteen provinces of China with a view to carrying out the Edict of two years ago. We would draw especial attention to PP. 35-40.\n\nYour Excellency's memorialists are not unaware of the immense difficulties that in every land attend the endeavour to reform great public evils such as the opium is in China, especially when a large revenue to the country is being drawn from their maintenance, but they know also that these difficulties are never insuperable, for Heaven is always on the side of the right. They pray that your Excellency's tenure of the exalted office of the Viceroy of Hu-Kwang provinces may be signalized by the rapid and entire suppression of the opium habit among the people, so that in the days to come your name may live in the annals of China as one of her greatest benefactors, and as one under whose long and enlightened rule the Provinces of Hupei and Hunan became happier, more prosperous, and more upright than they had ever been before.\n\n## \n\nIn June the native papers contained many articles, probably as a result of the above Memorial, stating that active steps were being taken in the cities of Wuchang, Hankow, and Han-yang in closing and taxing shops and in burning opium pipes; but the reports state that these measures are not real, the drug is still sold, and the officials are easily hoodwinked. In fairness, however, it should be mentioned that the sale of opium has not been prohibited: what is commanded is sale under certain restrictions, with annual reduction, as recently enforced in Peking and elsewhere.\n\nFrom Ichang, in the west of the province, it is reported that the opium houses in the city were closed on the 9th September, but the local authorities are said to have represented to the Governor-General the inexpediency of enforcing the prohibition at present as much sickness prevails, and the sudden cessation of smoking would probably be attended with serious consequences to those addicted to the habit.\n\n## Hunan\n\nEnergetic steps in the anti-opium movement were taken by the officials of this province from the beginning, and there is nothing to show that they have been relaxed, or that the expectations held out in the last Report will not be fulfilled. Breaches of the Regulations are promptly dealt with. An instance may be given:\n\nIn a city in the east of the province ten opium smoking-houses were secretly reopened. Under instructions from the Departmental Magistrate a raid was made at night by the police, the shops were confiscated and sold, and the proprietors were imprisoned, beaten, and cangued. The proceeds derived from the sale of the property were allotted to educational and police purposes. There is one point in connection with poppy cultivation in Hunan that requires some elucidation. It is said that the product of the poppy is \"opium juice,\" which is used for mixing with the opium of other provinces, and is not in itself capable of being boiled into proper smoking consistency.\n\n## Kwangtung\n\nThis, the Canton, province produces little or no opium, and the provincial authorities are not concerned with any restriction of cultivation. They are now busying themselves with the registration and licensing of opium shops and smokers. In shops are included wholesale dealers. I have already referred to the registering of smokers at Canton. The system at first introduced was imperfect in that the licences covered prepared opium only, so that smokers could purchase and prepare the raw opium themselves. I have also stated that the licensing system is lax in other parts of the province, and time is required to modify and place it on a proper basis. The efforts of the authorities, in Canton at any rate, are strongly backed by public opinion. A considerable moral reaction against opium smoking has set in, and numbers of moderate smokers are voluntarily breaking themselves of the habit. Their new-found patriotism has a good deal to do with their attitude on the question, and the native press has not been without its influence on educated opinion. It is no longer fashionable to smoke opium at dinner parties, and young men do not have to acquire the taste as one of the polite accomplishments.\n\n## Kwangsi\n\nThis province draws its supplies of opium from Yunan and Kueichow, the bulk of it coming from the former province by way of the West River. There is some difference of opinion as to whether the consumption has decreased at the Port of Wuchow, but importers declare that it has gone down about 40 per cent. during the present year. No decrease has manifested itself at Lungehow or Liuchow; but at Kueilin, the capital, as well as at the port of Nanning, there has been a considerable decrease as compared with three years ago. Many smokers are stated to have broken off the habit, while the feeling against it is so strong that few wish to acquire it. One sign of the diminution of the habit is found in the fact that a certain class of pipe and apparatus which formerly cost 5 dollars can now be had for 50 cents. The licensing system has not yet been introduced. Some of the high officials of the province are opium smokers, and to this the present laxity is attributed. The supplies of opium from Yunnan have greatly fallen off.\n\n## Szechuan\n\nThis is the greatest opium-producing province in the Empire. I have already mentioned the opening of a bureau at Chengtu for the purpose of testing the officials, and the imposition of a tax on salt to compensate for the loss of revenue from native opium. In the districts bordering on the Yang-tsze, between the port of Chungking and Hsü-chou Fu, Proclamations have repeatedly been issued. One at Lu Chou caused such consternation among the farmers that opium cultivation would have forthwith ceased, had not the Magistrate, fearing for the revenue, withdrawn it. The attitude of the local officials and gentry is strongly in favour of suppression. As regards the area under poppy, the production has decreased by more than 50 per cent., and is insufficient for home consumption. Many opium houses have been voluntarily closed. The price of opium has doubled, and the quantity sold is 50 per cent. less than usual. In the Yung-ning district, in the south of the province, cultivation has been much reduced, except in a few places. From districts lying on the west side of the Chengtu plain, such as Ch'iung Chou, P'u-chiang Hsien, and Ta-yi Hsien, it is reported that the gentry of Ch'iung Chou show a general desire to give up the habit. The area of cultivation has been reduced by at least one-half as compared with last year; but nothing has yet been done to close opium houses and retail shops, which are under official control. Corruption is alleged to be rife among inspectors. One official shop sells anti-opium pills containing opium dust.\n\nIn the Pao-ning Prefecture, in the north of the province, Proclamations have been issued by the police authorities explaining the rules to be put in force for controlling the sale and consumption of the drug, and all smokers have been registered and licensed. The area under poppy has been considerably reduced. In the Nan-pu district it was scarcely one-tenth of previous years, and the rise in price of the drug is compelling poor people to abandon the habit.\n\nIn the Shun-ching Prefecture, in the east of the province, no official effort has yet been made to suppress cultivation or smoking, and where farmers had, in fear of ...\n\nPage 696", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417990, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 702, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## 697 \n\n### 14 \n\ntaxation, uprooted the young plants, a reassuring Proclamation was issued. Registration of poppy land is described as a farce. It is said that many people have voluntarily given up the opium habit.\n\nIn the K'ai Hsien and Wan Hsien districts of K'uai-chou Prefecture, also in the east of the province, nothing whatever has been done to check use or cultivation, and although Proclamations have been issued in the O-mei district, in the Chia-ting Prefecture, south and west of the provincial capital, announcing official control of opium, nothing has been done to enforce obedience. Some of the gentry and scholars have abandoned the habit, but there is no reduction in cultivation.\n\nPoppy cultivation has been practically abandoned in the districts of Pa Hsien and Chi-chiang Hsien, lying between the port of Chungking and the frontier of the Province of Kueichow. One traveller states that, with some very few exceptions, he saw nothing in this part of the province but wheat, beans, &c., where last year opium grew in profusion. In the Pa Hsien district, opium growers are all registered, and in spring, many fields of poppy were summarily destroyed by their owners to avoid being found out by yamen runners sent out with a deputy on a tour of inspection. In these districts, opium houses have been reduced in most instances from ten or more in a market town to two or three. Food-stuffs were cheaper than for many years, owing to their larger production.\n\nIt is at the district city of Sui-ning, in the Prefecture of Tung-chuan Fu, which lies between the Prefectures of Pao-ning and Chengtu, that experiments are being made with the Malay opium cure already referred to. Reference has also been made to the orders given by the Governor-General for curtailment of cultivation in future, and to the special deputies appointed to report on the areas under poppy. In Szechuan, the poppy seed is sown during the present month (November), so that it is yet too soon to say what measure of success will attend the instructions enjoining curtailment.\n\nKueichow—In last Report, it was mentioned that a genuine attempt was being made in this province to stamp out the evil. This may be applicable to Kuei-yang, the provincial capital, and the immediate neighbourhood; but Reports recently received from other prefectures tell quite a different story. Of the Prefecture of An-shun Fu, in the west of the province, it is stated that Proclamations were issued last year and this year, but no action has been taken locally in pursuance of them. No steps have been taken to restrict the area under cultivation. Nearly all the available land is given over to poppy growing, and very little wheat is cultivated. In the beginning, the officials made a pretence of closing the opium houses and shops, and the signboards were taken down, but now both houses and shops are in full swing again, and no inspection is carried out. The only step taken to cure the smokers has been to open a temple as a place for dispensing medicines to help in the cure.\n\nWriting from the Prefecture of Chen-yuen Fu, in the east of the province, a correspondent says that a Proclamation was issued last March warning residents of a certain locality that the Opium Regulations were still in force, and that planting of poppy was a violation thereof, but no official action has been taken.\n\nLast year's anxiety on the subject has quite disappeared, and none of the officials are really giving up the habit. One Magistrate near Chen-yuen sent deputies to destroy the poppy fields, but appeal was made to the Governor, and he was made to pay heavy restitution. There are no restrictions on smokers in this district, nor are any medicines being given out by the officials.\n\nAnother report states that in the Tsung-yi Prefecture, in the north of the province, nearly 85 per cent. of the fields in the writer's district are under poppy, and that more opium is being bought than last year. No fresh Proclamations have been issued, and the opium houses and shops are neither closed nor inspected, and there are no restrictions on smokers.\n\nThe above is rather a black picture, but Kueichow is probably the most opium-sodden province of the Empire, and eradication of the evil will take time.\n\nYünnan.—I have already referred to the energy displayed by the Governor-General of Yünnan and Kueichow, and to his determination to eradicate opium from the former province during the present Chinese year. The following is the gist of the Proclamation which he issued on the 21st July: Those who have contracted the opium craving must free themselves of it during the year; all fields hitherto under poppy must be sown with beans and wheat, and the cultivation of poppy must cease; and all stocks of raw and prepared opium in shops and godowns must be speedily removed out of the province. All who still smoke after the 21st January, 1909, will be prosecuted and severely punished; all who cultivate the poppy after that date will have their crops uprooted, and the land will be confiscated for the public benefit; all prepared opium shops and godowns for the storage of the raw drug must be closed and their business cease; and any daring to have secret stocks of either the raw or prepared drug will have the same confiscated and be themselves punished.\n\nThe Governor-General has taken the further step of telegraphing to the provincial authorities ordering them to prevent the passage of opium through any Customs or li-kin barriers within their jurisdiction on and after the 21st September. If these instructions are carried out, opium in Yünnan will cease to have a marketable value. He has had secret agents at work in the province inquiring into the poppy areas and watching the measures being taken for suppression.\n\nReports speak of crops having been uprooted in the neighbourhood of the provincial capital, and of areas being reduced in some districts from a fourth to a third with a consequent lowering of the price of food-stuffs; but as a whole, and taking into consideration the steps that have been taken in the matter, they cast some doubt on the ability of the Governor-General to eradicate opium within his time limit. They also point out the great difficulty that will be experienced in dealing with cultivation in the mountainous country in the west of the province inhabited by Lolos, Kachins, Shans, and others, as well as by Chinese, where control is somewhat weak, but here, as everywhere else in China, success must largely depend on the energy and good faith of the local authorities.\n\n### 15 \n\nIn condensing these reports, which are necessarily fragmentary dealing as they do with only parts of provinces, I have endeavoured to extract and present the most salient points bearing on the carrying out of the task which China has imposed upon herself. They reveal a curious mixture of energy and apathy; but it must be admitted that through the former considerable progress is being made, especially in curtailment of production. As regards smoking, the closing of opium houses, if here and there somewhat lax, has placed a stigma on the habit, and a public opinion strongly adverse to the drug is discernible in several important centres. The registration and licensing of opium shops and smokers is gradually being enforced, but, although some provinces lag behind others in this respect, time has been insufficient to carry out what has only been completed in the metropolis less than a month ago. There is evidence that smokers are voluntarily breaking off the habit, but the information regarding the cures affected by anti-opium medicines is somewhat indefinite, and it is to be feared that in many cases opium and morphia eating is taking the place of opium smoking.\n\nThere are two questions calling for some attention in connection with the suppression of opium in China. They are—\n\n1. What can be grown in place of the poppy?\n2. How is the revenue hitherto derived from opium to be made good?\n\nThe time of opium harvesting differs with the provinces, but in general terms, it may be said that in Western and South-Western China, where the great bulk of the drug is produced, the poppy occupies the ground from November to the middle of April, and in Manchuria and North China from March to July. In the West, wheat, rape, beans, and peas are cultivated during the poppy season; and in the North, where the rigorous winter stops all cultivation, the poppy shares the ground with the usual summer crops. The advantage of opium production, in addition to the higher value of the harvest per acre, is the portability of the drug in a country where lack of means of communication bars access to a market. One man can carry a load of opium for hundreds of miles over atrocious roads to a market without unduly raising its cost, whereas grain or other produce of the same value could not be moved many miles and yield a profit; and it is to the development of railways that the Chinese cultivator must look to enable him to grow and dispose of the crops best suited to climate and soil. Where communication is easy and cheap, the farmer will lose little by abandoning the poppy.\n\nIt is a much more difficult matter to say whence China will derive the revenue which the suppression of opium (native and foreign) will necessarily cut off. Although China considers the abandonment of that revenue of no account in comparison with the eradication of the evil, the sacrifice is a heavy one. Certain steps have, however, already been taken to make good the loss. Increased taxation of land under poppy is only a temporary relief, and will cease with the suppression of cultivation; but in Szechuan, the Provincial Government, under instructions from the Board of Finance, has imposed a tax of 3 cash a catty on the salt production of that province, and an additional tax of 5 cash per catty on salt exported from Szechuan to Hupei. The", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421912, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 701, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## 696 \n**C.O.** \n**10507** \n\n**Telegram to Sir J. Jordan, Peking. from Foreign Office,** \n**RESP** \n**Reao 25 MAR 09** \n**Copy.** \n\n**No.51 dated March 24th 1909.** \n\n(11041) \n2 \n**2nd encl** \n**Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan.** My telegram No.49 of March 20th.\n\nIt is the desire of the Germans to conclude two Agreements: one to relate to all loans to China and another to railway loans exclusively, both Agreements to be subject to certain provisions. After conclusion, German Agent at Peking is to open negotiations, with the aid, if necessary, of British and French Legations, for modification of preliminary Agreement to Canton-Kowloon terms of control as minimum.\n\nProvided that Hankow-Chengtu Loan (Hupeh Section) is concluded simultaneously, British and French groups may then arrange for Canton Hankow line (Hunan and Hupeh sections). Chief Engineer of latter to be British but for former German.\n\nBritish group are to consider these proposals to-day, and prima-facie there appears, Addis says, no reason why negotiations should not be resumed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422076, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 105, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nC.0. 12734\n\n[March 24]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\n(No. 51.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nForeign Office, March 24, 1909.\n\nCANTON-HANKOW Railway Loan.\n\nMy telegram No. 49 of the 20th instant. It is the desire of the Germans to conclude two Agreements, one to relate to all loans to China and another to railway loans exclusively, both Agreements to be subject to certain provisions. After conclusion German Agent at Peking is to open negotiations with the aid, if necessary, of British and French Legations, for modification of Preliminary Agreement to Canton-Kowloon terms of control as minimum.\n\nProvided that Hankow-Chengtu Loan (Hupeh section) is concluded simultaneously, British and French groups may then arrange for Canton-Hankow line (Hunan and Hupeh sections). Chief Engineer of latter to be British, but for former German.\n\nBritish group are to consider those proposals to-day, and prima facie there appears, Addis says, no reason why negotiations should not be resumed.\n\nPage 103\nRece 14 APR OC \n[2193 aa-] \n[11041]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422116, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 145, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 145 \n## 2 \n\nPeking will be withdrawn immediately upon an understanding having been arrived at; should meanwhile our Peking negotiations be concluded, we will offer business to new Syndicate for joint dealings.\n\nTo Berlin, March 4, 1909.\n\nYour telegram of 3rd. Anglo-Franco-German entente générale having been already established in principle, we regret you do not see your way to suspend Peking negotiations pending meeting. In any case, we would strongly urge you to negotiate only on Canton-Kowloon conditions as agreed Article 6.\n\nTo Berlin, March 4, 1909.\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation confirm Memorandum 26th February. Keswick, Addis appointed representatives. Chinese Central meet to-morrow. It is proposed representatives should meet London, Monday, 15th March. French agree. Hope you will agree also. Bland has just wired Chang Chih-tung offers conclude loan with us, Tien-tsin-Pukow terms; we have refused. Hope, therefore, you will support us in affirming Canton-Kowloon terms.\n\nFrom Berlin, March 5, 1909.\n\nIn accordance with decision our Syndicate, we are sorry cannot give Cordes new instructions, but in order to avoid any inconveniences we propose to meet London at earlier date, say middle or end next week. Anyhow, the 15th does not suit us, so eventually you must fix later date - say 18th.\n\nTo Berlin, March 5, 1909.\n\nChinese Central Railways agree. Meyer, Jamieson appointed representatives. To meet your views, meeting fixed for Monday, 8th March; wire at once if suitable. All parties having now accepted, we consider you are bound by Article 6, and should immediately telegraph instructions to Cordes.\n\n## 3 \n\nFrom Berlin, March 9, 1909.\n\nAs in accordance with our telegraphic correspondence Friday-Saturday last week, we could not instruct Cordes to withdraw from negotiations; the latter telegraphs that the Chinese Government has accepted an offer made by us for Deutsch-Chinesische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft on 3,000,000 5 per Cent. Loan at 95 per cent, in terms Tien-tsin-Pukow Final Agreement for construction of Hankow-Canton Railway. Bearing in mind that on your side preferential rights are claimed for this line, we think that the Chinese Government has accepted only for the purpose of trying to get better conditions from you. Will discuss matter on Friday, having reserved eventual participation English and French groups.\n\nTo Berlin, March 15, 1909.\n\nIn accordance with your provision, British Minister, Peking, has been instructed consult with French colleague as to best means securing withdrawal or modification of your Preliminary Agreement Hankow-Canton Railway; presume German Minister instructed.\n\nFrom Berlin, March 16, 1909.\n\nReplying to yesterday's. Our Syndicate cannot meet before Friday, therefore before any decision has been arrived at are sorry cannot approach our Foreign Office.\n\nTo Berlin, March 17, 1909.\n\nYour telegram of 16th. Have communicated contents our Foreign Office and Paris. In reply to Foreign Office inquiry I have stated that, in accordance with Minutes, you have instructed Cordes suspend loan negotiations and maintain status quo. Do you confirm?\n\nFrom Berlin, March 19, 1909.\n\nAfter the decision of our Syndicate, having met to-day, we are in hopes of coming to an understanding with you and French group. Will write fully.\n\nFrom Berlin, March 5, 1909.\n\nWe are prepared to give Cordes the desired instructions, providing you agree to our appointing Chief Engineer for Hankow-Chengtu line. This was always our pronounced intention when proposing alternate appointment. Will be London 8th. Savoy Hotel.\n\nTo Berlin, March 6, 1909.\n\nYour telegram of the 5th. French wire absolutely impossible, arrive London before Thursday night, regret therefore impossible hold meeting before Friday morning. Hope you can arrange attend on that day, please wire at once so that I may inform French, and finally arrange for our meeting; regret your decision re Cordes regarding Hankow-Chengtu, you must submit matter to meeting of delegates, impossible for me anticipate their decision.\n\nFrom Berlin, March 6, 1909.\n\nThanks for telegram, will be London Friday morning.\n\n## 7", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422118, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 147, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### No. 1. Foreign Office to Chinese Central Railways.\n\nForeign Office, March 26, 1909\n\nSir,\n\nWith reference to the letter from this Department of the 17th instant respecting the proposed railway from Pukou to Sinyang, I am directed by Sir Edward Grey to inform you that a despatch has been received from Sir J. Jordan, His Majesty's Minister at Peking, which confirms the view that the present moment is an unfavourable one for approaching the Chinese authorities in the matter. Sir J. Jordan states that, pending the completion of the Canton-Hankow Railway negotiations, which are now proceeding, there is no hope of obtaining a consideration of the Pukou-Sinyang project.\n\nIt appears that the Chinese authorities are most reluctant to allow the materialization of any railway scheme involving definite control on the part of the concessionnaires, and Sir J. Jordan is of opinion that no pressure on the part of His Majesty's Legation would secure the fulfilment of the obligations entered into by the Preliminary Agreement of 1898. While Chinese credit stands so high in Europe it can scarcely be expected that the Chinese Government should resist the strong public outcry in China against foreign control of railways in any shape or form, and their present intention seems to be only to entertain loans for railway construction on a purely financial basis. It is indeed admitted theoretically at Peking that this cannot be done consistently with the maintenance of existing engagements, which were, however, entered into many years ago under totally different conditions; but the difficulty of obtaining in practice the fulfilment of these engagements is one which, Sir J. Jordan points out, can hardly be fully appreciated at a distance.\n\nSir J. Jordan believes that compensation may furnish an ultimate solution of the question, though he adds that at present there appears to be no inclination on the part of the Chinese to follow the precedent of the Peking Syndicate's case in Shansi. He is inclined to think that the compromise suggested by your Company in regard to the Hankow-Szechuan line is more likely to commend itself to the Chinese Government.\n\nI am, &c.\n(Signed) **F. A. CAMPBELL**\n\nP.S.-I am to take the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 23rd March, and to inform you that a copy of it will at once be forwarded to His Majesty's Minister at Peking.\n\nF. A. C.\n\n[2193 cc-i]\n\nPage 13950\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### 145 C.0.\n\n2\n\nCorporation and the British and Chinese Corporation cannot be cancelled or altered.\n\n(f) Both Agreements shall not come into force before fulfilment of the conditions hereafter specified under No. 3.\n\n3. After conclusion of both Agreements, M. Cordes shall immediately be instructed to reopen negotiations for a modification of the Preliminary Agreement for the Canton-Hankow Railway loan, if necessary, under assistance of the British, French, and German Legations in Peking, so that the provisions concerning the control over the employment of loan funds may be improved to Canton-Kowloon terms as a minimum.\n\nThe British and French groups will then be free to enter into the Canton-Hankow Agreement (Hunan and Hupeh sections), provided always that the Hankow-Chengtu loan (Hupeh section) will be concluded simultaneously. The Chief Engineer for the former line shall then be appointed by the British group, but for the Hupeh section of the Hankow-Chengtu line the power of appointing the Chief Engineer rests under any circumstances with the German Syndicate.\n\n4. All efforts must be made by the three groups to the effect that the internationalization of all loans coming under both Agreements be insured.\n\nIf necessary, it can be granted that the expenses for stamp duty and publicity are shared in common by the three groups.\n\nThe time of notice of termination to be given for both Agreements should be twelve months instead of six months, and both Agreements should not terminate sooner than the 31st December, 1911.\n\nWe hope you will agree to continue the negotiations on these lines, and we shall be prepared to meet you and the other English and French friends in Brussels or Paris during the week commencing the 29th instant, but not before the 1st proximo.\n\nWe remain, &c.\n\n**(Deutsch-Asiatische Bank)**\n\n(Signed) **ERICH AND REHDERS**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 13950\n\nRECE [March 26] 24 APR 09", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422171, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 200, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Sub-section (c)\n\nThis is contrary to the last paragraph of clause 6 of the draft Agreement of the 15th March, 1909, which provides that, subject to other arrangements, a representative of the Corporation should conduct the negotiations with the Chinese. This point it was agreed, according to the Minutes of the 12th March, 1909, should stand over for further consideration.\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above suggest that this should be further considered in the spirit of clause 6 of the Railway Agreement.\n\n## Sub-section (d)\n\nThe addition of a clause providing against composition was, according to the Minutes, agreed to in principle in regard to the Railway Agreement, and it is now suggested that it should be extended to the Agreement between the banks, and it is provided for in the draft Agreement between the three banks.\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above point out that the draft Agreement between the three banks contains the clause in question, and it is proposed to add a clause on similar lines to the Railway Agreement.\n\n## Sub-section (e)\n\nAccording to the Minutes it was agreed that the Railway Agreement should terminate automatically on the Agreement of the 30th June, 1903, between the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Corporation terminating. The suggestion now is that the Agreement of the 30th June, 1908, which automatically ceases on the 30th June, 1918, shall be incapable of termination as long as the Agreement between the three banks remains in force, and provisions to this effect would have to be added in both Agreements.\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above think that the German suggestion was merely to reverse the suggestion that the Railway Agreement should be determined as soon as the Agreement of the 30th June, 1898, between the Corporation and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation terminated. There seems no objection in such reversal, and it was clearly understood that if the Agreement of the 30th June, 1898, was determined the Railway Agreement should also come to an end. There can be no question of now prolonging the Agreement of the 30th June, 1898, which does not in the ordinary course come to an end until 1918.\n\n## Sub-section (f)\n\nThe suggestion now is that the German group having obtained the advantage of a preliminary Agreement with the Chinese Government in defiance of the terms of the Addis Memorandum are not to take steps to modify its terms until the two Agreements, viz.: that between the three banks and the Railway Agreement have been entered into. As some time must inevitably elapse before the terms of the two above-mentioned Agreements can be settled, the German group is left in undisturbed possession of its preliminary Agreement with the Chinese, which will tend to crystallize and make it more difficult to modify its terms later. If, however, this is not considered a matter of moment, it will have to be expressly provided in both Agreements that they are only entered into and take effect conditionally upon the modification being achieved.\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above resolved that, while there was no objection to negotiating and agreeing the terms of the two Agreements, they should not be finally signed until the preliminary Agreement with the Chinese Government was either modified or withdrawn.\n\n## Clause 3\n\n### Paragraph 1\n\nIt must be noted that Canton-Kowloon terms as a minimum are referred to, though these include a mortgage of the railway. The real minimum terms are set out in clause 10 of the draft Agreement and are no doubt intended to be referred to by the expression \"Canton-Kowloon terms.\"\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above were of opinion that the conditions of clause 10 of the draft Agreement of the 15th March, 1909, were intended then rather than actual Canton-Kowloon terms.\n\n### Paragraph 2\n\nThis clause appears to contemplate the Germans being left as parties to the Canton-Hankow Agreement vis-à-vis the Chinese Government, and that the British and French groups should be admitted to participation as between themselves and the German group. This is not in the spirit of the Agreement, and the modification of the preliminary Agreement with the Chinese Government should take the form of substituting for the German group the three groups as well as the modification of the actual terms. The stipulation that the Hankow-Chengtu Railway Loan shall be concluded simultaneously is a new provision, and subject to explanation it would, if insisted upon, either be impossible to secure its fulfilment as against the Chinese Government, or would delay the completion of the modified terms of the Canton-Hankow Railway. The German group now definitely claim the appointment of an Engineer for the section from Hankow to Chengtu, viz., the Hupeh section of the Hankow-Chengtu line. This contention would again make another exception in favour of the German group to be taken out of the alternate series of appointments.\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above, were of opinion that as it was probable that an attempt by the Germans to modify the terms of the preliminary Agreement would result in the Chinese withdrawing it, it would then be open and desirable for a new Agreement to be concluded, to which all three groups were parties.\n\nIn regard to the Chengtu Loan, it was resolved to be impossible to stipulate that this should be concluded simultaneously, and in regard to the claim of the German group to an Engineer of the Hupeh section, to inquire of the German group on what they based such claim.\n\n## Clause 4\n\n### Paragraphs 1 and 2\n\nThese two paragraphs carry out the terms of the Minutes agreed upon in London.\n\nIn regard to the third paragraph dealing with the termination of both Agreements, these are to be subject to twelve instead of six months' notice, and up to the 31st December, 1911, certain.\n\nThe representatives of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having considered the above, suggest that the notice should be six months from the 31st June or 31st December, and that 1910 should be substituted for 1911.\n\nDear Sir,\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1\n\n**Deutsch-Asiatische Bank to Mr. C. S. Addis**\n\nBerlin, March 20, 1909\n\nIn confirmation of our yesterday's telegram, as per inclosed copy, we beg to inform you that our Syndicate has agreed to continue the negotiations re the proposed Anglo-French-German Agreement on the point where they have been suspended, and that Messrs. Urbig, Erich, and Rehders have been authorized to resume and conclude these negotiations on the following conditions:\n\n1. Two Agreements are to be made simultaneously, viz.:-\n (1.) The first Agreement has to be made between the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine. It shall relate to all loans and advances which may be concluded with the Chinese Imperial or Provincial Governments, or under the guarantee of such Governments, taking as basis the Agreement made by us with your esteemed bank on the 27th July, 1895.\n (2.) The second Agreement has to be made between the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), the Deutsch-Chinesische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft m.b.H., and a Railway Syndicate to be formed by the Banque de l'Indo Chine. This second Agreement shall relate only to loans and advances for railway purposes.\n\n2. The conclusion of Agreements as described above shall be subject to the following provisions:-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422172, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 201, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Memorandum\n\n**(a.)** Spheres of interest not to be allowed; the railways in the Province of Shantung not to fall into the scope of the Agreement.\n\n**(b.)** Chief Engineers to be appointed alternately by the three groups, with the exception of the railway line Pukow-Sinyang-in which case the Chief Engineer shall be English--and the railway lines Techou-Chengtingfu and Yenchonfu-Kaifeng, in which cases the Chief Engineer shall be German.\n\n**(c.)** The position of the Peking representative of the German Syndicate in negotiations with Chinese authorities shall be in parity with the position of the representative of one or the other group.\n\n**(d)** An additional clause shall be inserted that all parties to both Agreements shall bind themselves not to be interested in any competing business within the scope of the Agreement without disclosure of such interest and the consent of the other parties thereto.\n\n**(e.)** As long as the first Agreement to be concluded remains in force, the Agreement made on the 30th June, 1898, between the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the British and Chinese Corporation, cannot be cancelled or altered.\n\n**(f.)** Both Agreements shall not come into force before fulfilment of the conditions hereafter specified under No. 3.\n\n3. After conclusion of both Agreements, M. Cordes shall immediately be instructed to reopen negotiations for a modification of the preliminary Agreement for the Canton-Hankow Railway Loan, if necessary under assistance of the British, French, and German Legations in Peking, so that the provisions concerning the control over the employment of loan funds may be improved to Canton-Kowloon terms as a minimum.\n\nThe British and French groups will then be free to enter into the Canton-Hankow Agreement (Hunan and Hupeh sections), provided always that the Hankow-Chengtu Loan (Hupeh section) will be concluded simultaneously. The Chief Engineer for the former line shall then be appointed by the British group, but for the Hupeh section of the Hankow-Chengtu line the power of appointing the Chief Engineer rests under any circumstances with the German Syndicate.\n\n4. All efforts must be made by the three groups to the effect that the internationalization of all loans coming under both Agreements be ensured.\n\nIf necessary it can be granted that the expenses for stamp duty and publicity are shared in common by the three groups.\n\nThe time and notice of termination to be given for both Agreements should be twelve months instead of six months, and both Agreements should not terminate sooner than the 31st December, 1911.\n\nWe hope you will agree to continue the negotiations on these lines, and we shall be prepared to meet you and the other English and French friends in Brussels or Paris during the week commencing the 20th instant, but not before the 1st proximo.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n## Agreement\n\nWe remain, &c.\nDeutsch-Asiatische Bank,\n(Signed) ERICH.\nREHDERS.\n\nMEMORANDUM of Agreement made the ... day of ... 1909, between the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), having its registered office at 3, Lombard Street, in the City of London (hereinafter called \"the Corporation\") of the first part, Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having its registered office at 110, Cannon Street, in the said City (hereinafter called \"the Central Company\") of the second part, the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, having its head office at 15 bis, Rue Lafitte, Paris (hereinafter called \"the French Bank\") of the third part, and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, having its head office at 14 to 16, Bebrenstrasse, Berlin (hereinafter called \"the German Bank\") of the fourth part.\n\nWHEREAS by an exchange of notes the Governments of England and France have declared themselves opposed to the subjects of either country making loans to the Empire of China for railway purposes, unless accompanied by suitable guarantees that the moneys will be devoted to the object for which the loan was ostensibly raised.\n\nAnd whereas the German Syndicate for Chinese business hereinafter referred to having been in negotiations with the Government of the Chinese Empire in competition with the Corporation and the French Syndicate in connection with Chinese business to which this Agreement relates, and being satisfied that the principle adopted by the Governments of England and France should be adopted on their behalf, also as affording the most beneficial and economical manner of providing sufficient security for the service of loans made by them have accordingly expressed their willingness to enter into a general Anglo-Franco-German understanding for the purpose of governing the action of the Corporation and the French and German Syndicates in connection with the negotiations for and making to the Chinese Empire loans for railway purposes.\n\nNow it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:\n\n1. In the matter of this Agreement the French Bank is acting on behalf of the French Syndicate for Chinese business consisting of the parties whose names are set forth in the First Schedule hereto, and the German Bank is acting on behalf of the German Syndicate for Chinese business consisting of the parties whose names are set forth in the Second Schedule hereto.\n\n2. This Agreement relates to all loans and advances for railway purposes to be floated out of the Chinese Empire, which may be made with the Chinese Imperial Government, but does not relate to loans to be floated within the Chinese Empire.\n\n3. Any business of the kind hereinbefore defined to which this Agreement relates, which may be offered to either of the contracting parties of the first, third, and fourth parts (hereinafter jointly referred to as \"the lenders\") must be dealt with jointly by them in accordance with the stipulations of this Agreement, and any loans or advances to Government Departments and Companies for railway purposes and having Chinese, Imperial, or Provincial Government guarantees are to be treated in the same manner.\n\n4. As regards joint action in respect of financial operations for railway purposes not having such guarantees special Agreements will have to be made in each separate case.\n\n6. This Agreement is made on the principle of equality, namely, equal terms in every respect between the lenders, and each of the lenders enters into this Agreement for their respective groups, and shall take an equal share in all operations, and jointly sign all contracts, except as hereinafter provided, and shall bear in equal shares all charges in connection with any business (except charges of and connected with the realization by each of the lenders in their respective markets of their participation in the operations), and conclude all contracts with equal rights and obligations as between themselves.\n\nProvided always that in cases where the introduction of third parties is calculated to prejudice the success of the negotiations any business falling within the scope of this Agreement may be entertained and negotiations entered upon by either of the lenders alone, with or without notice to the other lenders, and should it appear in the course of such negotiations that the conditions imposed upon the business preclude joint negotiations and (or) joint signatures by the lenders in terms of this Agreement, the negotiating party may conclude and sign the Agreement and negotiations alone, but upon the terms of the other lenders being entitled to all rights or participation under this Agreement other than those involving or arising from joint negotiation and joint signature, but it is understood that all the lenders will use their best endeavours to obtain the joint signatures to any contract wherever possible, except where for any reasons this is found to be impracticable, when the party signing the contract shall by the insertion of a special clause or execution of a separate declaration of trust, or otherwise insure to the other lenders the same rights as regards the taking over the issue and service of the loan which it has obtained under the contract for itself, and also the authority required for obtaining official quotations in the respective markets of the said other parties.\n\n6. All contracts shall, so far as possible, be made so as not to impose joint liability on the lenders, but each of the parties to the said contracts shall severally liquidate its own engagements and liabilities towards the party of the other side in China. The parties to the said contracts will, so far as possible, come to an understanding with regard to the realization of the operations, but so that such realization...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422180, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 209, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 15128 CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[April 6.] \n207 \nSECTION 1.\n\n### No. 1. Minutes of a Meeting held at 15 bis, Rue Lafitte, at Paris, on April 2, 1909.-- (Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, April 6, 1909.)\n\nTHE following gentlemen were present:- \n- M. S. Simon and M. Ullmann Representing the French Group.\n- Mr. W. Keswick and Mr. C. S. Addis Representing the British Group.\n- Herr Urbig, Herr Erich, and Herr Rehders Representing the German Group.\n- Mr. Carl Meyer and Mr. G. Jamieson Representing the Chinese Central Railways.\n\nOn the proposal of Mr. C. Meyer, M. S. Simon took the Chair.\n\nThe Chairman suggested that the negotiations should be resumed at the point at which they were broken off in London, and that the letter dated 20th March, 1909, by the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and signed by Messrs. Erich and Rehders, and addressed to Mr. C. S. Addis of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank should be taken as a basis of discussion.\n\nThereupon Mr. Rehders expressed his desire to make a preliminary statement, which he did by reading the same from written notes which he had. In the course of his remarks, he explained that the German Group had already taken steps to ameliorate the conditions of the proposed Hankow-Canton Loan in the following respects: (1) as to the audit, and (2) as to the book-keeper, and was sure to obtain the condition that \"the gentry\" should not interfere with the railway. He stated that the question was as to whether or not the French and British Groups were now prepared to participate in this loan as it stood. Mr. Rehders further stated that it was a condition to this participation by the three groups that the Hankow-Chengtu Loan should be signed at the same time.\n\nMr. Addis, in reply, asked what new circumstances had arisen which justified the German Group in making an entirely new proposal. He recited the various facts in the case, which led up to the present position. He reminded the meeting of the terms of the Protocol of the 26th February, 1909, and the provision in clause 6 of such Protocol, that in return for participation in the loan, the German Group agreed to withdraw their offer to the Chinese and to adhere, along with the Anglo-French Groups, to the terms which had been described as Canton-Kowloon terms of control, as a minimum. He stated that in the view of the British Group, the German Group, being assured of participation, had, by their Consortium, given an unqualified approval in principle of the terms of the Protocol. He referred to the fact that the British Group had, on the 4th March, 1909, refused the loan on the terms described as Tientsin-Pookow terms, when offered by them to the Chinese, and had communicated this fact to the German Group without reserve. He took exception, therefore, to the action of the German Group in concluding a preliminary contract with the Chinese on the Tientsin-Pookow terms, on or immediately after the 6th March, 1909. He concluded his remarks by putting this question to the German Group: \"If, as a result of your further negotiations with the Chinese, you are unable to modify the terms of your agreement with them so as to insure for the lenders control over the expenditure of the loan funds, are you prepared now to bind yourselves to withdraw from your agreement with the Chinese?\"\n\nMr. Urbig, in reply, dealt with the various facts in connection with the negotiations between the three groups, and stated that, whatever misunderstanding... \n\n[2241 ƒ-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422226, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 255, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nC.O.\n15433\n[April 17.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n(FG 7 MAY 08)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Wilton to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 17.)\n\n**(No. 5. Confidential.)**\n\nSir,\n\nYünnan-fu, February 27, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward herewith a copy of my despatch No. 7, Confidential, of the 25th February, addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, reporting the departure of Kao-erh-ch'ien, Administrator of Foreign Affairs for the Province of Yunnan.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) E. C. WILTON.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Wilton to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n**(No. 7. Confidential.)**\n\nSir,\n\nYunnan-fu, February 25, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that Kao-erh-ch'ien, Administrator of Foreign Affairs for the Province of Yunnan, handed over charge to the Provincial Judge on the 15th instant, and left to-day for Hong Kong via Tongking. He has been appointed Chinese Commissioner on the Macão Commission to be held at Hong Kong on an early date.\n\nMr. Kao paid me a farewell visit on the 22nd February, and introduced the topic of the downfall of Yuan Shih Kai. The downfall would appear to be complete, otherwise so astute a man as Mr. Kao would hardly have expressed himself so openly as he did. He exulted over the disgrace of Yuan Shih Kai and hinted mysteriously that I would share his opinion. I said that Chinese politics at Peking were beyond my knowledge. Mr. Kao then inveighed against the British press, especially the \"Times,\" for having sided with Yuan Shih Kai. I replied that I had not seen the newspaper articles to which he alluded, but I believed I was correct in stating that the Chinese press of Shanghae had ascribed the downfall of Yuan Shih Kai to the fact of his being Chinese rather than Manchu. I asked Mr. Kao if he thought this view correct. Mr. Kao, who appeared to be excited at the prospect of leaving Yunnan-fu, scorned such a suggestion. Yuan Shih Kai, he declared, had betrayed the Emperor in 1898, and was a man who cared only for his private ends and nothing for the public welfare.\n\nIn my Intelligence Report for the period ended the 31st December last, I reported that Kao-erh-ch'ien was a protégé of Ts'en-ch'un-hsuan. He is an able man, clever and crafty. Utterly unscrupulous and bitterly anti-foreign at heart, he conceals his hatred under an appearance of frankness and friendliness. Mr. Kao, who took up his post at Yunnan-fu on the 25th September last, tells me that he is still gazetted as Administrator of Foreign Affairs for Yunnan, but he gave me to understand that he would not return. My experience of Kao-erh-ch'ien at Chengtu, 1902-3, has taught me to be wary of him during our intercourse in Yünnan.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) E. C. WILTON.\n\nPage 253", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422302, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 331, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "329 \n\n2 \n\nIl y a lieu de remarquer que, suivant l'Article 4 du Mémorandum, un arrangement est proposé, dont les points essentiels sont établis par les Articles 6 et 7. Nous avons adhéré à cette proposition en principe, en réservant toutefois non seulement l'adhésion de notre Consortium, mais aussi notre propre accord, à une entente sur d'autres conditions, et notamment sur des points de détail à soumettre à une conférence à réunir le plus tôt possible. \n\nAinsi faisant, nous ne voulions dire ni plus ni moins que ce qui suit :-- \n\nNous acceptions le point de vue proposé par Mr. Addis en vue d'une entente générale, mais avant que celle-ci puisse être appliquée dans la pratique, notre Consortium doit se prononcer sur la question, et une entente doit intervenir sur les autres conditions spécialement indiquées par nous (et qui, pour le moment, étaient encore très discutées). \n\nSi nous avions voulu donner notre acceptation et admettre l'application sans réserve, les mots \"en principe\" auraient été superflus. Mais la réserve de l'approbation de notre Consortium n'était pas seulement une simple façon de parler; nous voulions expressément laisser la parole aux membres de notre grand Consortium, dont la force consiste précisément dans le fait que les membres donnent toujours un libre cours à leurs opinions bien pesées. \n\nIl s'agit donc de voir si la résolution du Consortium, que nous allons reproduire ci-après textuellement, s'éloigne de la déclaration que nous avons faite nous-mêmes en adhérant au Mémorandum :-- \n\n\"La réunion se déclare prête, sur la base du Mémorandum, à entrer en négociations avec la Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank et la Banque de l'Indo-Chine, et autorise MM. Erich et Rehders à prendre part à une Conférence à convoquer à cet effet, et à conclure une entente sous la réserve habituelle en prenant en considération les points suivants : \n\n\"(a.) Comme la personne de l'Ingénieur en chef est la clef de la question des commandes de matériel, il est de la plus grande importance de déterminer à ce sujet les dispositions concernant la manière d'occuper cette situation. Le droit de désigner l'Ingénieur en chef pour un chemin de fer à construire doit appartenir alternativement aux représentants des trois groupes. Mais s'il était démontré que, pour un chemin de fer à construire, un intérêt prépondérant existait en faveur d'un groupe autre que celui auquel appartiendrait ce droit de désignation, d'après le tour alternatif pour le cas dont il s'agirait, ce droit de désignation serait, après entente entre les trois groupes, transféré au groupe respectif ayant une prépondérance. Le tour alternatif se trouverait, par ce fait, modifié en ce sens que, dans le cas suivant, le droit de désignation appartiendrait à celui des groupes qui, dans le cas précédent, y aurait renoncé en faveur d'un autre groupe. \n\n\"Chacun des Ingénieurs en chef recevra des instructions de celui qui lui donnera des ordres, en vue de répartir les fournitures de matériel, et autres commandes pour la construction du chemin de fer, autant que possible d'une manière égale entre les trois pays. \n\n\"(b.) L'entente devra, dans tous les cas, être signée également par la British et Chinese Corporation et la Chinese Central Railways. Par contre, nous pourrons, suivant les circonstances, nous engager aussi pour la Société Allemande des Chemins de Fer Chinois. \n\n\"(c.) Nous devons nous réserver, après un temps à déterminer, la faculté de nous retirer de l'entente si l'impossibilité était démontrée que les emprunts à conclure aient un caractère international, et ne puissent être admis, pour leur montant intégral, aux Bourses de Berlin, Londres, et Paris. \n\n\"Il a été, en outre, décidé que les négociations à Pékin ne seront pas suspendues, et qu'en attendant Mr. Addis serait informé que nous sommes prêts à les suspendre aussitôt qu'une entente aura été obtenue à la Conférence. Dans le cas où, à Pékin, une conclusion interviendrait avant une entente complète avec les Anglais et les Français, cette affaire serait apportée à la nouvelle collectivité.\" \n\nNous ne pouvons pas voir une rectification ou un désaveu de notre déclaration dans la résolution qui précède, car les points qui sont textuellement exprimés dans cette résolution et qui constituent la base principale de vos attaques et de celles du groupe anglais--c'est-à-dire, la résolution de retirer seulement les offres, à Pékin, lorsque l'entente générale entre les trois groupes sera devenue complète--se trouvent implicitement compris dans notre première déclaration. Il n'est donc pas juste de demander qu'un point soit retiré d'un programme commun, plus étendu, et que son exécution soit demandée, tandis que, sur plusieurs autres points aussi importants, aucune entente ne serait encore établie. \n\n3 \n\n2. Après ce qui précède, nous pouvons traiter brièvement la seconde question, à savoir, si le Consortium a agi en harmonie avec les déclarations qu'il a faites. \n\nAfin de mettre en lumière, avant tout, la rédaction du télégramme de la Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, du 3 mars, nous reproduisons ici textuellement cette dépêche :-- \n\n\"Notre Syndicat approuve en principe les vues établies dans notre conversation avec Schoeller et Erich. Erich et Rehders ont été désignés pour se rendre à la réunion qui sera fixée à Bruxelles à une date aussi rapprochée que possible après cette semaine. Notre offre à Pékin sera retirée immédiatement lorsqu'une entente aura été établie. En attendant, si nos négociations à Pékin aboutissaient, nous offririons l'affaire au nouveau Syndicat pour être traitée en commun.\" \n\nNous admettons qu'il eût été préférable de dire \"après\" une entente, au lieu de \"lorsque.\" Mais déjà la phrase finale indique clairement que l'offre ne devrait pas être retirée avant la conclusion de l'entente générale, et la réponse de la Hong Kong Bank du lendemain indique également clairement que le contenu de notre télégramme du 3 mars n'a pas été mal interprété. Cette réponse est rédigée comme suit :-- \n\n\"Votre dépêche du 3. L'entente générale anglo-franco-allemande étant déjà établie en principe, nous regrettons que vous ne trouviez pas convenable à suspendre les négociations à Pékin en attendant la réunion. Dans tous les cas, nous recommandons vivement de négocier seulement sur la base des conditions Canton--Kowloon, ainsi que c'est établi par l'Article 6.--ADDIS.\" \n\nVu ces circonstances, nous pouvions de bonne foi laisser nos propositions à Pékin en force. \n\nUne acceptation de nos propositions d'emprunt pour le chemin de fer de Hankow-Canton était d'autant plus imprévue pour nous, que Mr. Addis, dans la réunion du Syndicat du 28 janvier dernier et encore plus tard--a déclaré formellement que les Anglais seuls feraient cette affaire. Notre Consortium, confiant dans cette déclaration de Mr. Addis, ne voyait donc, en maintenant les offres déjà présentées, aucun danger pour les groupes anglais et français, parce qu'on était convaincu que, pour le moment, l'affaire de Hankow-Canton seule était à l'ordre du jour. \n\nMais dans quelle situation nous serions-nous placés si, pour les points sur lesquels les Anglais et les Chinois différaient--c'est-à-dire, la demande des conditions de Kowloon--nous avions modifié nos propositions? Les Chinois auraient refusé l'acceptation de nos offres, et si, dans la suite, comme nous l'avons mentionné, nous n'étions pas arrivés à une entente sur les autres points encore en litige du programme, nous nous serions assis entre deux chaises--c'est-à-dire, l'affaire de Canton nous aurait échappé et, en ce qui concerne l'affaire Chengtu, le groupe anglais se serait tenu fermement à ses prétentions; de sorte que, pour cette affaire aussi, nous aurions dû nous laisser acculer à une situation qui, d'après l'ensemble de nos négociations, nous n'aurions nullement tenu à accepter, ou bien la Chinese Central Railways, avec laquelle nous n'avions encore aucune espèce d'arrangement, aurait pu nous refuser purement et simplement une participation à l'affaire. \n\nNous espérons que l'exposé qui précède vous donnera la conviction que, de la part de la Disconto-Gesellschaft, aussi bien que du Consortium pour les affaires d'Asie, on a procédé d'une manière correcte, ne donnant lieu à aucune critique, même amicale, et nous verrions avec plaisir que la suite ultérieure des affaires permette de réunir les trois groupes en vue d'une entente commune et avantageuse. \n\nSCHOELLER. \nDR. SALOMONSOHN. \n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1. \n\nM. Ullmann to Herr Schoeller and Dr. Salomonsohn. \n\nChers Messieurs, \n\nComptoir d'Escompte de Paris, le 19 avril, 1909. \n\nPAR votre lettre du 13 courant vous avez bien voulu prendre la peine d'exposer le point de vue du groupe allemand au sujet des affaires chinoises, à propos desquelles", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422332, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 361, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C \n\nC.0. \n\n16496 \n\n359 \n\nPiece \n\nfree 17 MAY 09 \n\nParaphrase of Telegram from Count de Salis to Sir E. Grey, No. 64, dated May 14th, 1909. \n\nRailways in China. \n\nAt to-day's meeting an agreement in the following terms was drawn up and signed by the British and German delegates: \n\nA joint loan to be issued to the amount of £5,500,000. \n\nA British engineer for the whole of the Canton-Hankow line to be appointed. \n\nA German engineer to be appointed for the Hupeh section of the Hankow-Szechuan line about 500 miles. \n\nThe three groups to participate equally in the supply of materials as regards both lines, including the extension. \n\nThe Chinese Central Railways to appoint engineers for the Ichang-Chengtu extension: for the first section a French engineer, for the final section an English engineer. \n\nWith regard to this the French claim that their section be made equal in length to the Hupeh section.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422356, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 385, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O 17226\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**TRE MAY 09. 383**\n\n### SECTION 2. [16690] No. 1.\n\nTelegrams from and to Peking. (Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, May 1, 1909.)\n\n#### (1.)\n\nTelegram received from Peking, May 1, 1909.\n\nE. G. HILLIER had an interview to-day with Chinese negotiator, who proposes the following modification: clause 14, after \"representative\" read \"who shall, moreover, two days previously issue in duplicate a certificate stating clearly the object of the fund to be drawn, handing one copy to the bank and one copy to the Auditor.\" In addition to the foregoing, they will give an official despatch stipulating Auditor will have the right to satisfy himself by reference to General Manager and/or Accountant's department that requisition is in order; if not in order, Auditor may inform bank accordingly, who in that case may defer payment until Auditor satisfied. With reference to the foregoing subject, as to the wording of despatch, in our opinion it is satisfactory, and British Minister approves. Telegraph immediately: may we negotiate on this basis? Important we should have a reply Sunday. With reference to the foregoing, Chinese also wish to negotiate Hankow-Szechuan Railway Loan on same terms. Have we your authority to do so on the basis of Anglo-French-German participation? Communicate to Foreign Office.\n\n#### (2.)\n\nTelegram received from Peking, May 1, 1909.\n\nReferring to our telegram of 1st, strictly speaking, Chinese position is they offer Hankow-Szechuan Railway to Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation now on terms proposed, but are prepared to entertain German participation Hankow-Szechuan Railway and/or British participation Hankow-Canton Railway; they have suggested Hankow-Canton Railway all British, Hankow-Szechuan Railway all German.\n\n#### (3.)\n\nTelegram dispatched to Peking, May 1, 1909.\n\nReferring to your telegram of 1st, first telegram, we agree that the proposed modification clause 14 appears to afford sufficient guarantee for the proper employment of the loan funds, and you are therefore authorized to negotiate Hankow-Canton Railway Loan on this basis; you are also authorized to negotiate Hankow-Szechuan Railway on same terms on the basis of Anglo-French-German participation. Referring to your telegram of 1st, second telegram, we understand that British claim to appoint English engineer Hankow-Canton Railway whole line is not disputed by either French or Germans. As regards Hankow-Szechuan Railway, we cannot ignore Chinese, Central Railway, and French; we therefore suggest divide whole line Hankow-Chengtu into three sections, with English, German, French engineers respectively. For your information, stamp on foreign bonds now 11s. instead of 10s.\n\n[2264a-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422358, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 387, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 17226\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nREG 21 MAY 09\n\n## [May 1.]\n\n### 385\n### SECTION 4.\n\n(No. 121.) Sir,\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.** (Received May 1.)\n\nPeking, March 17, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose translations of two recent Decrees and a Memorial of the Board of Communications on the subject of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway.*\n\nThe Chinese engineer who has been appointed to start work upon this line has taken a prominent part in the construction of the Peking-Kalgan Railway, now approaching completion. As soon as this line is open to traffic in the course of the coming summer, Mr. Yen Te Ching, I understand, is to proceed to Szechuan.\n\nThe Report of the Board of Communications on the finances of the Provincial Company confirms the statement in the Chengtu Intelligence Report for December last, inclosed in my despatch No. 89 of the 26th February, that they have available a sum of about 9,000,000 taels (say 1,125,000l.), but their assumption that this will be augmented annually by a revenue of 2,000,000 taels accruing from further contributions out of taxation appears unduly sanguine. One source for their revenue, for example, is the taxation of opium and opium divans, and this will not be forthcoming long if the Vicer ... to stamp out opium within one or two years.\n\nIt is, however, possible that a commencement of work on the Ichang-Wanhsien section of the line may encourage the public to take up a greater proportion of the shares; but there is no reason to think that native capital and Chinese engineers will suffice to bring the enterprise to completion.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n* Not printed.\n\nPage 385", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422360, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 389, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "C.O. 17226\n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nRECE REG 21 MAY 09\n\n[May 3]\n\n## SECTION 5\n\n-387 [16902]\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.—(Communicated by Mr. Addis, May 3, 1909.)\n\n20, Avenue Friedland, le 2 mars, 1909.\n\nVos deux lettres d'hier m'ont été remises ce matin. Vous aurez vu, par mon télégramme à M. Casenave, que je suis d'accord avec vous. Je comprends que vous n'ayez pas pu me consulter au préalable, Mr. Hillier vous demandant une réponse pour dimanche, ainsi du reste que M. Casenave me l'avait déclaré de son côté.\n\nJe considère que le télégramme de Mr. Hillier est satisfaisant. En effet, du moment où, deux jours avant les retraits de fonds, l'auditor peut se rendre compte de l'utilité de leur emploi, et du moment où les banques peuvent retarder le paiement jusqu'à ce que l'auditor ait eu satisfaction, il est certain que nous avons un contrôle a priori, c'est-à-dire en temps utile. C'est donc un contrôle efficace. Dans la journée d'hier, j'ai pu soumettre la question à notre Foreign Office, qui partage mon avis.\n\nVous avez donc fort bien fait de télégraphier à Mr. Hillier pour l'autoriser à négocier dans ce sens.\n\nEn ce qui concerne le Chemin de Fer de Hankow à Chengtu, je suis également de votre avis. La ligne devrait être divisée en trois sections, et bien que, en ce qui nous concerne, nous soyons disposés à accorder aux Allemands le choix de l'ingénieur, pour la première section, il vaut mieux ne pas le déclarer dès maintenant, et le leur présenter plus tard, comme une concession que nous leur faisons.\n\nJ'espère que vous trouverez que mon télégramme d'hier à M. Casenave est suffisant; je n'ai pas cru nécessaire d'entrer dans plus de détails, comme il aura connaissance de la dépêche que vous avez envoyée à Mr. Hillier.\n\nM. Ullman n'a pas reçu ce matin votre lettre. Mais je lui ai téléphoné pour le mettre complètement au courant, et il me charge de vous dire qu'il approuve ce que vous avez fait, et la ligne de conduite que nous avons adoptée.\n\nJ'ai pris note de votre adresse privée; vous trouverez la mienne au commencement de cette lettre.\n\nCroyez-moi, cher Mr. Addis, bien cordialement à vous,\n\n(Signé) S. SIMON.\n\n`[2264 c-5]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422379, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 408, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 17204\n## RECR REGP 22 MAY OS\n### HANKOW-CANTON and HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY LOAN NEGOTIATIONS.\n\n**Memorandum of Terms of Agreement** come to at a Meeting at the Offices of the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank**, Berlin, on 14th May, 1909.\n\n**Parties:**--\n- **THE BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED**\n- **CHINESE CENTRAL RAILWAYS, LIMITED**\n Representing the British Group.\n- **THE DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK**\n Representing the German Group.\n- **THE BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE**\n Representing the French Group.\n\n(1) The Addis Memorandum of 26th February, 1909, is accepted as the basis of the present arrangement in respect of the Hankow-Canton Railway and Hankow-Chengtu Railway.\n\n(2) The British-German-French Groups agree to enter into an agreement with the Chinese Government for a Loan for £5,500,000—and any supplementary loans to be issued in connection therewith for the above railways on the basis of the draft agreement approved by the parties.\n\n(3) This Loan to be divided equally between the three groups and to be issued simultaneously.\n\n(4) All orders for materials to be divided as far as possible equally between the three groups.\n\n(5) In regard to the appointment of Chief Engineers, the Chief Engineer for the Hankow-Canton Railway to be appointed by the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited; the Chief Engineer for the Ichang-Hsiangyang-Kuangchui Line and the Ichang-Hanyang Line to the length of about 800 kilometres to be appointed by the German Group; and the Chief Engineer of the extension of the Line from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu to be appointed by Chinese Central Railways, Limited.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422380, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 409, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY.\n\n407\nC.O.\n17204\nRECR REG 22 MAY 09,\n\n(6) Each of the groups to apply to their respective Bourses for the internationalisation of the above Loans.\n\n(7) The stamp duties on the Bonds to be pooled and divided equally between the three Groups, but this is not to be treated as a precedent for future Loans. All other expenses of issue to be borne by the respective groups.\n\n(9) A general agreement to be entered into by the three groups providing for equal participation of all future Railway Loans in China, with as far as possible equal division of orders for materials, and with alternate appointments of Engineers, except where the interest of any party can be shown to predominate. This general agreement to be entered into for a fixed period to be agreed, but the determination of this general agreement shall not affect the above arrangements in regard to the Hankow-Canton Railway and the Hankow-Chengtu Railway.\n\n(9) A general agreement also to be entered into by the **Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation**, the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank** and the **Banque de l'Indo-Chine** providing for equal participation in all future Chinese Government Financial Loans on the basis of the Anglo-German Bank Agreement of 1895 and 1905. This agreement to be entered into for a fixed period to be agreed.\n\nApproved subject to ratification,\n\n**THE BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED,**\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nFor **CHINESE CENTRAL RAILWAYS, LIMITED,**\nCARL MEYER.\n\n**DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK,**\nERICH.\nREADERS.\nFR. URBIG.\n\n**BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE,**\nST. SIMON.\n\n## Heads of Agreement made at Berlin 14th May, 1909,\n\nBetween\n\n**CHINESE CENTRAL RAILWAYS, LIMITED,**\n**THE BANQUE DE L'INDO-CHINE** representing the French Group.\n\nIt having been agreed between the above parties and the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank** representing the German Group, that in regard to the Hankow-Chengtu Railway, the Chief Engineer for Ichang Hsiangyang Kuangchui line and the Ichang Hanyang line to the length of about 800 kilometres, is to be appointed by the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank**, and that the Chief Engineer of the extension of the line from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu is to be appointed by **Chinese Central Railways, Limited**, it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto, that in respect of the portion of the line for which the Chief Engineer is to be appointed by **Chinese Central Railways, Limited**, that Company shall appoint a French Engineer for the first section to be constructed of such portion up to about 800 kilometres, but not exceeding one-half of such portion, and a British Engineer for the second section to be constructed.\n\n**CHINESE CENTRAL RAILWAYS, LIMITED,**\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n**BANQUE DE L'Indo-Chine,**\nST. SIMON.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422381, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 410, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY.\n\n**C.O.** \n`17204` \n**RECR** \n`REGP 22 MAY 09.` \n`408` \n\n15th May, 1909.\n\n**CHINESE CENTRAL RAILWAYS, LIMITED, LONDON.**\n\nDEAR SIRS,\n\nReferring to the two Memoranda of 15th May, 1909, in reference to the Chengtu Line, in the event of that portion of the line which is to be under a French Engineer not amounting to about 800 kilometres, we hereby declare that we shall offer no objection to a French Engineer being appointed to so much of any extension or branch of the before-mentioned portion of the Chengtu Line as may be next built, as will make up the portion under a French Engineer to about 800 kilometres.\n\nYours very truly,\n**DEUTSCH-ASIATISCHE BANK.**\nERICH.\nREHDERS.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422386, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINESE CENTRAL RAILWAYS LIMITED\n\n110 CANNON STREET, LONDON, B.C.\n21st May 1909.\n\nStanislas Simon Esq.\nPARIS.\n\nDear Sir,\n\nYour letter of 18th May addressed to Mr Addis has been laid before my Directors. It is noted that the following resolution was to be moved by you at the Meeting of the Paris Directors held the next day, viz;-\n\n\"The nomination of the Engineer-in-Chief being accorded to the Chinese Central Railways for the construction of the prolongation of the Hankow-Chengtu Line beyond the Hupeh Province, it is understood that the Chinese Central Railways will appoint a French Engineer for the first half of this line. If this first half does not amount to 800 kilometres a French Engineer will be eventually appointed for any extension prolongement or branch of this line up to a total length of 800 kilometres.\"\n\nIn reply I am to say that the London Directors agree to the above resolution, it being understood that the \"extension prolongement ou embranchement\" referred to is an extension starting from some point on the said \"premiere moitie\" of the line.\n\nI am, Dear Sir,\nYours faithfully,\n(Sgd) THOS. GILBERT.\nSecretary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422416, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 445, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "443 \nC.O. \n18642 \nRECR Free 4 JUN \n\n**HANKOW-CANTON and HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY LOAN NEGOTIATIONS**\n\nMinutes of a Meeting at the Office of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on the 14th May, and (continued on) the 15th May, 1909.\n\nPresent:-\n- **MR. URBIG**\n- **MR. ERICH**\n- **MR. RENDERS**\nRepresenting the German Group.\n\n- **MR. C. S. ADDIS**\n- **MR. CARL MEYER**\n- **MR. S. SIMON**\n- **MR. ULLMANN**\nRepresenting the British Group.\n\nRepresenting the French Group.\n\n**Mr. URBIG** in the Chair.\n\nThe Minutes of the proceedings at the Meeting of the 13th May were read and approved.\n\nThe following documents were agreed upon and signed by the Representatives of the parties thereto subject to ratification by their respective principals.\n\n1. **HANKOW-CANTON and HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY**\n Memorandum of Terms of Agreement come to at a Meeting at the Offices of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on the 14th May, 1909.\n\n2. **HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY**. Heads of Agreement made 14th May, 1909, between Chinese Central Railways, Limited, and the Banque de l'Indo Chine, representing the French Group.\n\n3. **HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY**. Letter of Deutsch-Asiatische Bank to Chinese Central Railways, Limited, 15th May, 1909.\n\nMinutes of 18th May, 1909, on page 3.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422417, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 446, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Minutes of the Meeting at the Offices of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on 13 May, 1909; read and approved at the Meeting on 14th May, 1909.\n\n### Present:\n\n| Name | Representing |\n| --- | --- |\n| MR. URBIG | |\n| ERICH | German Group |\n| CARL MEYER | German Group |\n| C. S. ADDIS | British Group |\n| C. S. Annis | British Group |\n| S. SIMON | French Group |\n| ULLMANN | French Group |\n\nMr. URBIG took the chair.\n\nThe preparation and conclusion of the general Agreements contemplated in Clauses 8 and 9 of the above-named No. 1 Agreement were discussed, and it being considered that these Agreements could be dealt with by correspondence, it was arranged that the British & Chinese Corporation and the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation would submit drafts to the several Groups as quickly as possible.\n\nWith the object of preventing any misconception, Mr. Addis stated that although the British Group were receiving the exclusive support of the British Government in regard to the business concerning which an understanding between the Groups had now been reached, viz., the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railways, they, the British Group (including the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), could not rely upon the exclusive, although they confidently expected the general support of the British Government in regard to the future business contemplated in the proposed general Agreements.\n\nIt was decided to proceed with the discussion of the particular proposal cabled from Peking on 7 May prior to proceeding with the discussion of a general arrangement.\n\nThe French Group submitted that the Peking proposal did not preserve the principle of equality on which the whole of the negotiations had been based, in so far as a German preference in regard to materials was claimed in respect of the Chengtu section of the Hankow-Chengtu line was not mentioned, it was actually the \"Chengtu\" or more likely \"Chengtu line's Szechuan section\" or simply the line, while the British and French Groups would have to share the Hukuang section of the Hankow-Canton Railway between them.\n\nA discussion then took place as to the length and termini of the respective sections, and it was decided to cable to China for this information.\n\nThe draft agreement prepared by the German Group to be entered into with the Chinese Government was then laid before the meeting and read, considered and approved in principle, subject to slight modifications and to the demand of the French Group that they should appear as parties to such agreement on equal terms with the German and British Groups. It was also agreed that the security proposed was not entirely satisfactory and that efforts should be made to improve it.\n\nThe question of the Internationalisation of the Loan was then raised, and while a general consensus in favour of such a course was expressed the British Group pointed out that in principle they could not agree to share in the stamp duties of other countries, and the German Group in these circumstances also declined to do so.\n\nIn reply to Mr. Urbig both the British and French Groups declared that neither directly nor indirectly had they given information of any kind to the Press or otherwise after the meeting in Paris, and that they were as much surprised as the German Group at the announcement that had appeared in the Times,\n\nPage 444", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422418, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 447, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# HANKOW-CANTON and HANKOW-CHENGTU RAILWAY LOAN NEGOTIATIONS\nMinutes of Meetings held at the Offices of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on 13th, 14th and 15th May, 1909.\n\nEDEX FISHER & COMPY LTD, LONDON, EC.\n\n| Office or Individual | Foreign Office | Last Previous Paper | \n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | 1909 | L |\n| | 13 June | HÒNG NG 19073 |\n\nAffairs of China\nChina Railways\nPrints of further\n\n| | COLES | \n| --- | --- |\n| | 445 |\n\nDOMESTIC.\nC.0. 19075\n\n| Raad | 8 JUN OS | B 10 Secret | \n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | 23 you | 17899 |\n\n1789. &E. W.-20962/27-- 26000--11-03.\n\nNext subsequent Paper\n204 27\nMay 21 $1.\nM. Stablertidis. might be looked at\nPrints # H.H. If secret.\n594 17/6\nRes. 7.\nalome\nFr. 18", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422438, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 467, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## C.O. 19075\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n**(No. 174.)**\n\nSir,\n\n**No. 1.**\n\nCount de Salis to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 17.)\n\nBerlin, May 15, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that Mr. Addis, representing the British and Chinese Corporation, arrived here on Thursday the 13th, to resume negotiations with the French and German groups with regard to an arrangement in respect of the Hankow-Canton Railway, and the Hankow-Chengtu (Szechuen) Railway.\n\nIn the course of the following day the Agreement, of which I have the honour to inclose a copy, was drawn up by the three groups and signed forthwith by the English and Germans. As you will observe, the Agreement provides for the issue of a loan of 5,500,000l. which, as well as all orders for materials, is to be equally divided between the three groups. The chief engineer of the Hankow-Canton Railway is to be appointed by the British and Chinese Corporation, and the chief engineer of the first (Hupei) section of the Hankow-Szechuen Railway by the German group. Some divergence of views seems to have existed as to the definition of this section, which is declared in the Agreement to be about 800 kilometres in length, and therefore does not merely consist of a direct line between Hankow and Ichang, but also a branch or loop to Siang-yang. At the last moment the French group refused to sign the Agreement, unless there should be reserved to them a section of the extension from Ichang to Chengtu of the same length as that of the Hupei section reserved to the Germans, i.e., 800 kilom., even if the remaining section, the final one, left to the English, were far inferior to that extent.\n\nAn Agreement was ultimately arrived at, of which I have the honour to inclose a copy, providing that 800 kilom. were to be reserved to the French if a still further extension of the line should admit of a similar extent falling to the English. By a letter dated the 15th May (copy inclosed), the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank agree not to offer any objection to this arrangement.\n\nIt is further provided that a general Agreement is to be entered into between the three groups for equal participation in all future railway loans in China, also that a general Agreement is to be concluded between the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo Chine, for equal participation in all future Chinese Government financial loans.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nJ. DE SALIS.\n\n[2261r-1]\n\n* Not printed.\n+ Printed in Mr. Addis letter of May 17, 1909.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422465, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 494, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# Paraphrase of telegram from Sir J. Jordan to Sir E. Grey\n\nNo.102 dated June 4th 1909.\n\n## Railway Loan\n\nI have had an interview with Liang and asked that an assurance may be obtained from Chang-chih Tung regarding the British and Chinese Corporation in the sense indicated in your telegram No.103, last paragraph.\n\nWhile promising to do all he could, Liang urged the importance of the Agreements being signed at once, as the provincial gentry are becoming very troublesome and the Americans are reviving their claim to a share of the Chengtu Railway.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422491, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 520, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[19104]\nNo. 1.\n[May 20, 1909] JUN\nSECTION 2. 518\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, May 20, 1909.\n\n(1.)\n## Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railway Loan Negotiations\n\n**Memorandum of Terms of Agreement** come to at a Meeting at the Offices of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on May 14, 1909.\n\nParties: the **British and Chinese Corporation (Limited)**, **Chinese Central Railways (Limited)**, representing the British group; the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank**, representing the German group; the **Banque de l'Indo-Chine**, representing the French group.\n\n1. The **Addis Memorandum** of the 26th February, 1909, is accepted as the basis of the present arrangement in respect of the Hankow-Canton Railway and Hankow-Chengtu Railway.\n\n2. The British-German-French groups agree to enter into an Agreement with the Chinese Government for a loan of £5,500,000, and any supplementary loans to be issued in connection therewith for the above railways on the basis of the draft Agreement approved by the parties.\n\n3. This loan to be divided equally between the three groups and to be issued simultaneously.\n\n4. All orders for materials to be divided as far as possible equally between the three groups.\n\n5. In regard to the appointment of chief engineers, the chief engineer for the Hankow-Canton Railway to be appointed by the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), the chief engineer for the Ichang-Hsiangyang-Kuangchui line and the Ichang-Hanyang line to the length of about 800 kilom. to be appointed by the German group, and the chief engineer of the extension of the line from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu to be appointed by Chinese Central Railways (Limited).\n\n6. Each of the groups to apply to their respective bourses for the internationalization of the above loans.\n\n7. The stamp duties on the bonds to be pooled and divided equally between the three groups, but this is not to be treated as a precedent for future loans. All other expenses of issue to be borne by the respective groups.\n\n8. A general Agreement to be entered into by the three groups providing for equal participation of all future railway loans in China, with as far as possible equal division of orders for materials, and with alternate appointments of engineers, except where the interest of any party can be shown to predominate. This general Agreement to be entered into for a fixed period to be agreed, but the determination of this general Agreement shall not affect the above arrangements in regard to the Hankow-Canton Railway and the Hankow-Chengtu Railway.\n\n9. A general Agreement also to be entered into by the **Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation**, the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank**, and the **Banque de l'Indo-Chine** providing for equal participation in all future Chinese Government financial loans on the ...\n\n[2264 - -2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422492, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 521, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n#### No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 24.)\n\n**(No. 168.)** Sir,\n\nPeking, April 30, 1909.\n\nDURING the week which has elapsed since my despatch No. 160 was written, Mr. E. G. Hillier has continued his efforts to arrive (through negotiations with M. Cordes) at some satisfactory solution of the difficulties connected with the Canton-Hankow Railway Agreement. The modification which, as reported in that despatch, Mr. Hillier sought to introduce into Article 14 of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Agreement was rejected by the Chinese delegates, who, according to M. Cordes, proposed instead to insert a clause stipulating in general terms for the adoption of the practice actually in force on the northern section of the Tien-tsin-Pukow line. This practice was to be embodied in a Memorandum to which reference was made in the Loan Agreement, and a copy of which was to be communicated separately in an official despatch.\n\nM. Cordes represented that the Chinese were not prepared to prolong the negotiations unless there was a reasonable prospect of arriving at an agreement, and Mr. Hillier was requested to ascertain at once if this proposal could be accepted in principle.\n\nThis he did, and received the natural reply that unless the Memorandum was found to provide for some foreign control of or veto on expenditure of loan funds, the proposal was no improvement on Tien-tsin-Pukow terms and could not be accepted.\n\nMr. Hillier made an alternative suggestion, which is given in full in the inclosed account of the negotiations addressed by him to Mr. Addis, but this proposal, like those which preceded it, had little chance of acceptance by the Chinese.\n\nAs a matter of fact, however, it was never put forward, and the negotiations have entered upon an entirely new phase from to-day. This morning Mr. Hillier received a letter from the delegates, saying that in my last note to the Wai-wu Pu I had indicated him as the British agent for negotiating the terms of the Hankow-Szechuan Agreement and inviting him to meet them in the afternoon for the purpose. It was evident that the real object of the request was to get into direct relations with us in the Canton-Hankow affair, and I therefore advised Mr. Hillier to take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate to the Chinese negotiators the reasons which made it impossible for us to accept Tien-tsin-Pukow terms as enforced on the southern section of the line. I furnished Mr. Hillier with a statement of these reasons as set forth in my last note to the Wai-wu Pu, and authorized him to say that in the interests of good relations between Great Britain and China it was most undesirable to repeat an experiment which had already caused so much friction and produced so many abuses.\n\nAs was anticipated, the delegates plunged at once into the Canton-Hankow question and made it the main topic of discussion. Mr. Hillier expatiated at length upon the iniquities of the Managing Director on the southern section of the Tien-tsin-Pukow line, and pointed out in detail the various infringements of the Loan Agreement which had been committed. The upshot of the interview, which lasted an hour, was that the delegates came forward with a proposal which had evidently been carefully considered beforehand. It was that clause 14 of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Agreement should be modified by inserting after the word \"representative\" the words, \"who shall, moreover, two days previously, issue in duplicate a certificate particularizing the object of the funds to be drawn, handing one copy to the bank and one copy to the Auditor.\"\n\nIn addition to this amendment of the Agreement the deputies also stated that they would be prepared to give an official despatch stating that the Auditor would have the right to satisfy himself, by reference to the Managing Director or the Accountant's department, that the requisition was in order, and that if it was found not to be in order the Auditor would inform the bank, who in that case would have the right to withhold payment until the Auditor was satisfied. The delegates added that they were prepared to negotiate the Hankow-Szechuan Railway Loan on the same terms, and asked Mr. Hillier to submit their proposal to his principals by telegraph.\n\nThis proposal, as I have stated in my telegram No. 82, appears to me to afford a basis for a satisfactory solution of the question. It gives us what the Tien-tsin-Pukow terms unfortunately failed to give--the right to withhold the loan funds until the Auditor...\n\nPage 519\n[19451]\n\n### Heads of Agreement made at Berlin, May 14, 1909, between Chinese Central Railways (Limited), and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, representing the French Group.\n\nIT having been agreed between the above parties and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank representing the German group, that in regard to the Hankow-Chengtu Railway, the chief engineer for Ichang-Hsiangyang-Kuangchui line and the Ichang-Hanyang line to the length of about 800 kilom., is to be appointed by the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and that the chief engineer of the extension of the line from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu is to be appointed by Chinese Central Railways (Limited), it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto, that in respect of the portion of the line for which the chief engineer is to be appointed by Chinese Central Railways (Limited), that Company shall appoint a French engineer for the first section to be constructed of such portion up to about 800 kilom., but not exceeding one-half of such portion, and a British engineer for the second section to be constructed.\n\n| Party | Action |\n| --- | --- |\n| Chinese Central Railways (Limited) | Appoint a British engineer for the second section |\n| Banque de l'Indo-Chine | Representing the French Group |\n\n**Heads of Agreement**\n\n1. basis of the Anglo-German Bank Agreement of 1895 and 1905. This Agreement to be entered into for a fixed period to be agreed.\n\nApproved subject to ratification.\n\nThe British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), **C. S. ADDIS**.\n\nFor Chinese Central Railways (Limited), **CARL MEYER**.\n\n(Signed) Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, (Signed) Banque de l'Indo-Chine, (Signed) **ST. SIMON**.\n\n2. Hankow-Chengtu Railway.\n\n**FR. URBIG. ERICH. REHDERS.**\n\n### Deutsch-Asiatische Bank to Chinese Central Railways (Limited), London.\n\nDear Sirs,\n\nREFERRING to the two Memoranda of the 15th May, 1909, in reference to the Chengtu line, in the event of that portion of the line which is to be under the French engineer not amounting to about 800 kilom., we hereby declare that we shall offer no objection to a French engineer being appointed to so much of any extension or branch of the before-mentioned portion of the Chengtu line as may be next built as will make up the portion under a French engineer to about 800 kilom.\n\nYours, &c. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, (Signed) **ERICH, REHDERS**.\n\nC.0. 20427\n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n18 JUN \n\nPage 519 \n[19451]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422495, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 524, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## C.0. 20427\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. \nRec'd 18 JUN 09\n\n### CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[18872]\n\n#### No. 1\n[May 27]\n\n##### SECTION 1\nForeign Office to Mr. C. Addis\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, May 27, 1909.\n\nI AM directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, in which you report that at the conclusion of the meeting held at Berlin on the 15th instant in connection with the Canton-Hankow Railway loan you formally stated to the German and French delegates that, while the British group, consisting of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and Chinese Central Railways (Limited), were entitled to claim and would receive the exclusive support of their Governments as regards their interest in the two railways from Hankow to Canton and from Hankow to Chengtu, they were not entitled to claim a monopoly of Government support as regards any railways in China which might be constructed in the future.\n\nI am to thank you for this communication, which meets with Sir E. Grey's approval.\n\n`(2264 dd-1)`\n\nI am, &c. \n(Signed) **F. A. CAMPBELL**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422503, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 532, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Paraphrase of Telegram from Sir J. Jordan, Peking, No.105, dated June 10th, 1909\n\n### Hankow Szechuan Railway\n\nPlease see my telegram No.102. The United States Chargé d'Affaires, who has received instructions from Washington, has just told me that he has notified Chang-chih Tung and the Wal-wu Pu that the United States Government have not released China from her 1903 engagement and that they claim a share in this railway. The suggestion put forward by the United States is to include in the agreement the section above Ichang and that the American group should participate equally with the other signatories in the Hankow-Chengtu line.\n\nI reminded Mr. Fletcher that the information had been elicited by enquiries made in Washington in 1905 that the participation of United States capital was not forthcoming and that there had been no indication of a reversal of that decision, although the negotiations had received the widest publicity. I added that it", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422504, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 533, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "it would be most unfortunate if anything now took \nplace to disturb the agreement which had been signed \nand was only awaiting the issue of an Imperial Decree, \nand that it would nearly certainly be wrecked if any \nattempt were made to include within its scope the \nIchang-Chengtu section.\n\nThe danger of reopening the question here was \nfully apparent to the United States Chargé d'Affaires \nand he agreed with me that it was only by consultation \nwith the group in Europe that a solution of this question and of the question of the participation of the \nUnited States in future business could be reached.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422533, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 562, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 560 \n\n## 36 \n\nThere are many \"ifs\" attached to the Arrangement, but I am inclined to think that this element of uncertainty has its advantages also for the British capitalists likely to be interested in the Szechuen and Yencheng-Puk'ou line.\n\nThere is every reason to believe that it would be no easy matter to procure the necessary capital in England for the construction of the lines under present circumstances, and it may, therefore, not be disadvantageous that no date should have been fixed for the drawing up of final Agreements. There is not the smallest chance that China will herself be able to find the requisite funds for the construction of the Szechuen line, and there is good ground for supposing that she will have recourse to the foreign assistance provided for at no very distant date, since Prince Ch'ing repeated to me what he had previously said to Mr. Townley, namely, that it was recognized that it is most desirable in China's own interests that a railway should be made into Szechuen.\n\nAs far as I can ascertain, the immediate desire of the Peking Syndicate is to make some satisfactory arrangement with the Chinese authorities whereby their financial responsibilities in the line from Taokou to Tsechou will be lessened. The first clause of the arrangement provides a sound basis for such a settlement, and the Syndicate's Agent in Peking is now at Shanghae for the purpose of coming to an agreement with the Director-General of Railways.\n\nIt is improbable that the amalgamated Syndicates will be very keenly desirous of constructing the Yencheng-Puk'ou line until the necessary funds have been raised for the British section of the Tientsin-Chinkiang line, or until it has been clearly demonstrated that the output of the Honan mines is such, both as to quantity and quality, as to call for a special means of communication with the Yangtse.\n\nIn their letter to the Foreign Office of the 15th July last, the British and China Corporation lay great stress upon the importance to them of the Puk'ou-Sinyang line, adding that its construction should not be delayed beyond the necessary time for careful survey and the negotiations for the final Agreement. The arrangement provides for the maintenance of the Concession which, by the terms of the preliminary Agreement, the Chinese Government had some grounds for claiming had lapsed, and the Corporation's Agent, who is now at Shanghae, has been informed that Sheng Ta-jên has been instructed to negotiate with him in a friendly spirit. Should it be found after survey that the Puk'ou-Sinyang line is the really valuable railway that the British and China Corporation believe it to be, there would, of course, be good grounds for asking that Sinyang should be the eastern terminus of the Szechuen line, but it can hardly be denied that the Chinese Government, in expressing an opinion that Hankow is a more natural terminus, is possessed of good arguments, seeing that the latter place is one of the most important trade centres on the Yangtse, whereas the former is a small and quite insignificant town. The statement in the Corporation's letter that a line starting from Hankow for Chengtu would run for a considerable extent parallel to the Luhan line, does not seem to be borne out by examination of the map, inasmuch as the former would follow up the Han River valley to Siung-yang, and for the first half of the distance would be at right angles to the Luhan line to Sinyang.\n\nMy American colleague has kindly furnished me with information respecting the American interests he has been supporting for some time past in their efforts to secure the Szechuen Railway. It would appear that Mr. Thurlow Weed Barnes, of New York, is the organizer and principal representative in the United States, and that the following British firms are interested:\n\n| Firm |\n| --- |\n| S. Pearson and Sons |\n| Arthur G. Evans and Company |\n| Sir Douglas Fox and Partner |\n| George Cawston |\n| Henry Bessemer and Company |\n| Ibbotson Brothers and Company |\n| Houlder Brothers and Company |\n| J. A. H. Drought |\n| Ebbw Vale Steam and Iron Company |\n| North British Locomotive Company |\n| Metropolitan Amalgamated Carriage and Wagon Company |\n\nI am furnishing Messrs. Brenan and Jamieson with copies of the notes exchanged between Prince Ch'ing and myself for their confidential information, but I am of opinion that it is desirable that for the present not more should transpire of the arrangement come to than that a settlement satisfactory to the parties interested has been arrived at.\n\nWhile inclined to entertain considerable doubts of the commercial and financial prospects of a railway from Puk'ou to Sinyang and thence into Szechuen, I am at the same time fully alive to its importance from a political and strategical point of view, and of the desirability of securing that it shall be regarded as a British Concession.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) **ERNEST SATOW**\n\n## 37 \n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 46\n\n### Sir Ernest Satow to Prince Ch'ing\n\nYour Highness,\n\nPeking, September 15, 1903. \nWhen your Highness called on me a few days ago, I said that I proposed to place on record the arrangement come to between your Highness and Mr. Townley with regard to various railway questions that had been under discussion, and your Highness was good enough to agree to this being done.\n\nThe Agreement as regards the various points is, I understand, as follows:- \n1. The Peking Syndicate line from Taokou to Tsechou to be placed on the same footing as the Russian line from Taiyuan to Cheng-ting. The mode of giving effect to this Agreement is now under discussion between Sheng Ta-jên and the Syndicate's Representative, Mr. Jamieson, at Shanghae.\n\n2. Fair rates to be secured for the conveyance of the produce of the Peking Syndicate's mines on the Luhan line.\n\n3. If the Chinese Government is not obliged to make up a deficit on the Luhan line, and is willing that a line should be built from Yencheng to Pukow, the Peking Syndicate shall have the right to construct it.\n\n4. The preliminary Agreement for the construction of the line from Sinyang to Puk'ou remains intact, and the details of the final Agreement will be arranged between Sheng Ta-jên and Mr. Brenan at Shanghae.\n\n5. As regards the line from Hankow to Szechuen, if China desires to construct such a line, and Chinese capital is insufficient, she will obtain the necessary foreign capital from Great Britain and the United States. As to the proportion to be contributed by each, and the non-alienation of the same to the nationals of a third Power, I have read Mr. Townley's Report of his conversation with your Highness on the 9th August, of which he furnished a copy to His Excellency Lien Fang on the 14th August, recording the promise made to him by your Highness at that interview.\n\nI shall be glad to learn from your Highness that the above account of the arrangement with Mr. Townley is correct.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) **ERNEST SATOW**\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 46\n\n### Prince Ch'ing to Sir Ernest Satou\n\nKuang Hsi, 29th year, 6th day (September 26th, 1903).\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge your letter just received, to the effect that you proposed to place on record the Agreement arrived at between Mr. Townley and myself on the subject of railways.\n\nAs regards the first point, your letter states that the Tsechou to Taokou line is to be placed on the same footing as the Cheng-ting to Taiyuan line. Since Mr. Jamieson is discussing with Sheng Ta-jên at Shanghae the mode of placing them on the same footing in accordance with this Agreement, it will be proper to wait till Sheng Ta-jên has come to a definite settlement and reports it to the Board, when it can be considered and decided.\n\nThe second point is that fair rates are to be secured for the conveyance of the produce of the Peking Syndicate's mines by the Luhan line. The Luhan line is not yet completed, and there is as yet no definite point to which the products of the Peking Syndicate's mines are to be conveyed. It will be proper, therefore, to wait till the Peking Syndicate have come to a definite agreement with the Administrator General of the Luhan Railway as to these fair rates.\n\nThe third point is that if the Chinese Government is not obliged to make up a deficit on the Luhan line, and is willing that a line should be built from Yencheng to Pukow, the Peking Syndicate shall have the right to construct it.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422565, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 594, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n\nExtract from the \"Hong Kong Daily Press\" of March 15, 1909,\n\n### CANTON - HANKOW RAILWAY\n\n#### Triumph of the Shareholders\n\nIT is reported in well-informed circles at Canton that Taotai Wong Ping Yen, who was recently appointed superintendent of the affairs of the Canton-Hankow Railway in Canton, is transferred to Yeh Hoi as taotai of that city.\n\nThis is the outcome of the petition recently wired by the seventy-two trade guilds and the charitable institutions to the Central Government protesting against Chang Chih Tung's appointment of an official to control railway affairs. The situation was a very delicate one, and Chang Chih Tung has found a neat solution to the difficulty in appointing Wong Ping Yen to another post. This is a decided victory for the shareholders of the Canton-Hankow Railway Company, who are resolutely determined not to submit to any undue interference on the part of the Government. Their position has been strengthened, and it is very unlikely that the Government will make any further move in this direction. The Government bureau which was recently established at Canton with the object of superintending the construction of the Kwangtung section of the railway (although still in existence in name) may be considered to have been practically abolished. Viceroy Cheng has cabled to Peking requesting that permission be given to detain Taotai Wong Ping Yen in Canton to perform other important public functions. This is a characteristic way of \"saving face.\"\n\n## No. 1\n\n### Mr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office.--(Received May 29.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, May 29, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to enclose six copies of the signed minutes of the meeting held at Berlin on the 15th instant, between delegates of the English, German, and French groups connected with the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Szechuan Railways, in which the reservation made by the British delegate with regard to the degree of British Government support to be accorded to his group will be found officially recorded.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n\nI am, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n### Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railway Loan Negotiations\n\n#### Minutes of a Meeting at the Office of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, May 14 and (continued on) May 15, 1909.\n\nPresent: \nM. Urbig, \nM. Erich, \nM. Rehders, representing the German group. \nMr. C. S. Addis, representing the British group. \nM. Carl Meyer, \nM. S. Simon, representing the French group. \nM. Ullmann,\n\nM. Urbig in the Chair.\n\nTHE minutes of the proceedings at the meeting of the 13th May were read and approved.\n\nThe following documents were agreed upon and signed by the representatives of the parties thereto subject to ratification by their respective principals.\n\n1. Hankow-Canton and Hankow Chengtu Railway.-Memorandum of terms of agreement come to at a meeting at the offices of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on the 14th May, 1909.\n2. Hankow-Chengtu Railway-Heads of agreement made the 14th May, 1909, between Chinese Central Railways (Limited), and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine representing the French group.\n3. Hankow-Chengtu Railway.-Letter of Deutsch-Asiatische Bank to Chinese Central Railways (Limited), the 15th May, 1909.\n\nThe preparation and conclusion of the general agreements contemplated in clauses 8 and 9 of the above-named No. 1 agreement were discussed, and it being considered that these agreements could be dealt with by correspondence, it was arranged that the British and Chinese Corporation and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation would submit drafts to the several groups as quickly as possible. With the object of preventing any misconception, Mr. Addis stated that although the British group were receiving the exclusive support of the British Government in regard to the business concerning which an understanding between the groups had...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422566, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 595, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[20791]\n\n### No. 1. Minute by Sir F. Campbell.\n\n[June 1.]\n\n#### SECTION 1.\n\nMinutes of the Meeting at the Offices of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, on May 13; read and approved at the Meeting on May 14, 1909.\n\nPresent: \nM. Urbig, \nM. Erich, \nM. Rehders, \nrepresenting the German group.\nMr. C. S. Addis, representing the British group.\nM. Carl Meyer, \nM. S. Simon, \nM. Ullmann, \nrepresenting the French group.\n\nM. Urbig took the Chair.\n\nIt was decided to proceed with the discussion of the particular proposal cabled from Peking on the 7th May prior to proceeding with the discussion of a general arrangement.\n\nThe French group submitted that the Peking proposal did not preserve the principle of equality on which the whole of the negotiations had been based, in so far as a German preference in regard to materials was claimed in respect of the Hupeh section of the Hankow-Chengtu line, while the British and French groups would have to share the Hukuang section of the Hankow-Canton Railway between them.\n\nA discussion then took place as to the length and termini of the respective sections, and it was decided to cable to China for this information.\n\nThe draft agreement prepared by the German group to be entered into with the Chinese Government was then laid before the meeting and read, considered, and approved in principle, subject to slight modifications and to the demand of the French group that they should appear as parties to such agreement on equal terms with the German and British groups. It was also agreed that the security proposed was not entirely satisfactory and that efforts should be made to improve it.\n\nThe question of the internationalisation of the loan was then raised, and while a general consensus in favour of such a course was expressed, the British group pointed out that in principle they could not agree to share in the stamp duties of other countries, and the German group in these circumstances also declined to do so.\n\nIn reply to M. Urbig, both the British and French groups declared that neither directly nor indirectly had they given information of any kind to the press or otherwise after the meeting in Paris, and that they were as much surprised as the German group at the announcement that had appeared in the \"Times.\"\n\n### Canton-Hankow, &c., Railway Loan.\n\nMR. ADDIS called to say that at the last moment a serious difficulty had arisen. They had come to a complete agreement with the French and the Germans, and all were ready to sign the loan agreement with the Chinese, but Chang Chih Tung was now insisting that the British and Chinese Corporation were not to appear in the business, and were not to have the agency for the purchase of material in this country. The bank had offered to recall Mr. Bland, thinking it was personal to him, and that Mr. Hillier alone should sign, but this had not satisfied Chang, who appears to insist upon the British and Chinese Corporation not having anything to do with the matter. Mr. Addis pointed out that this would apply to all Chinese business, and that it would mean having to form another group and the British and Chinese Corporation having to close their doors and dissolve, and that the effect of this would be deplorable.\n\nWhatever complaints the Chinese may have against the corporation on the score of extravagance in railways, like the Shanghae-Nanking, which they have built, there has been no suspicion as to their integrity, and they would have no scope for extravagance as regards a railway constructed by the Chinese, in which they only take a 5 per cent. commission on materials ordered through them.\n\nI think we should telegraph to Sir J. Jordan to do his best to get this decision reversed. The matter is pressing, as the French and Germans are pressing the bank to send out instructions to sign.\n\nForeign Office, June 1, 1909.\n\nTelegrams communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, June 2, 1909.\n\n#### (1.) Telegram received from Peking, June 2, 1909.\n\nF. A. C.\n\nREFERRING to your telegram of 1st to head office, Chang Chih Tung absolutely refuses to accept name of British and Chinese Corporation (Limited); but if British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) can change name, or form new company with predominant interest under new name, we think we can obtain insertion in article 18. If foregoing arrangement implies delay, we strongly recommend authorising us to word clause in terms of our telegram of 30th May to head office. In any case, matters are most urgent, as delay is causing Chinese to reconsider other terms of agreement. It is very important to decide promptly, in order that we may initial final agreement, if possible, to-morrow.\n\n#### (2.) Telegram received from Hong Kong, June 1, 1909.\n\nPEKING wires -- \nWhat is your opinion as to wording clause for respective railway :- \n\n[2317 11]\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nnow been reached, viz., the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railways, they, the British group (including the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation), could not rely upon the exclusive, although they confidently expected the general, support of the British Government in regard to the future business contemplated in the proposed general agreements.\n\nFor the Representatives of the German group, \n**FRANZ URBIG**.\n\nFor the Representatives of the British group, \n**C. S. ADDIS**.\n\nFor the Representatives of the French group, \n**S. SIMON**.\n\nPage 593\n\nC.C. 21011\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nReceived: G: 24 JUN 09.\n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[20791]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422586, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 615, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nChinese Central Railways to M. Simon.\n\n110, Cannon Street, London, May 21, 1909.\n\nYOUR letter of the 18th May addressed to Mr. Addis has been laid before my directors. It is noted that the following resolution was to be moved by you at the meeting of the Paris directors held the next day, viz. :-\n\n\"The nomination of the engineer-in-chief being accorded to the Chinese Central Railways for the construction of the prolongation of the Hankow-Chengtu line beyond the Hupeh province, it is understood that the Chinese Central Railways will appoint a French engineer for the first half of this line. If this first half does not amount to 800 kilom., a French engineer will be eventually appointed for any extension, prolongement, or branch of this line up to a total length of 800 kilom.”\n\nIn reply, I am to say that the London directors agree to the above resolution, it being understood that the \"extension, prolongement, ou embranchement\" referred to is an extension starting from some point on the said \"première moitié\" of the line.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n**THOS. GILBERT, Secretary.**\n\n2 \n\nJe ne manquerai pas de vous tenir informé par câble des décisions prises par ces deux réunions.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c. **Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Le Secrétaire-Général,**\n\n613 \n\nDear Sir,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422587, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 616, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[21251] \n614 \n[June 7.] \nC.O. \n### SECTION 1\n22029 \nRECO \nNo. Bre? 2 JUL 09 \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 7.) \n**(No. 180. Confidential.)** \nSir, \nPeking, May 19, 1909.\n\nTHE modification of clause 14 of the Tien-tsin-Pukow agreement, which, as reported in my despatch No. 168 of the 30th April, was proposed by Chang Chih Tung's delegates, was accepted by Mr. Hillier's principals, and he was authorised to negotiate both the Hankow-Canton and the Hankow-Szechuan railway loans on those terms, on the basis of Anglo-French-German participation. According to Mr. Hillier's telegram of instructions, it was understood that the British claim to appoint an English engineer for the whole of the Hankow-Canton Railway was not disputed by either French or Germans, and the suggestion was made that the Hankow-Chengtu line should be divided into three sections, with English, German, and French engineers respectively.\n\nIn Peking, however, M. Cordes at once objected to the British engineer for the Hankow-Canton Railway, alleging that the conditions had changed since the provisional agreement of the 1st March between the three financial groups was made, and the Chinese on their side raised difficulty as regards the introduction of the Banque de l'Indo-Chine into the loan agreement, which threatened for some days to be serious. Chang Chih Tung professed to fear that if the French, who had no engagement with the Chinese Government concerning either railway to rely on, became a party to the transaction, some other nationality—the Belgians or Americans—might interfere and make claims; but his delegates confidentially informed Mr. Hillier that his opposition was really based on personal antipathy and suspicions of French policy. Eventually Mr. Hillier overcame the difficulty by arranging that the French Bank should be stated in the loan agreement to be \"in association\" with the English group.\n\nThe matter was now plain sailing so far as the Chinese were concerned, but the British group showing disinclination to communicate with the Germans at Berlin, who \"let it be known through M. Cordes that they expected London to make the first move, Mr. Hillier suggested to London that he should be authorised to make the best arrangements possible with M. Cordes, who telegraphed for similar authority to Berlin. Mr. Hillier had proposed previously that, as a settlement, a German engineer for the Hupei section should be accepted by us, but I had let him see plainly that I was not in favour of the proposal unless it included a satisfactory arrangement regarding the future extension into Szechuan beyond Ichang, which we knew Chang Chih Tung had no power to discuss, and which had to be left to the future.\n\nThe authorisation required by Messrs. Hillier and Cordes duly arrived, and in the evening of the 6th May they and Mr. Casenave, on behalf of the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, agreed, subject to ratification by the English, French, and German groups, to the following terms:-\n\n| Loan Details | Amount | Purpose | Engineer Preference | Material Preference |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Hukuang sections of Hankow-Canton Railway | 2,500,000l. | Construction | British | British and French |\n| Hupei section of Hankow-Szechuan Railway | 2,500,000l. | Construction | German | German |\n| Redemption of Belgian bonds | 500,000l. | Redemption | - | - |\n\nI told Mr. Hillier that I was unable to support this provisional agreement unless the three groups concluded a general agreement similar to the draft enclosed in your despatch No. 78 of the 18th March, or came to a definite and satisfactory arrangement on the subject of the Szechuan extension. Although I fully recognized Mr. Hillier's difficulties, I thought it unfortunate that he had not raised this point in his discussions with M. Cordes, for it seemed to me only too probable that silence would only increase the difficulty in Europe. My objection, communicated to you in... \n[2317 9-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422637, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 40, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nNo. 1.\n\nC.O. 23208\n\nJune 23.\n\nSECTION 2,\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid.\n\nForeign Office, June 23, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 12th instant on the subject of the proposed participation of American financiers in the Hankow-Szechuen Railway loan.\n\nI entirely agree with all that your Excellency says as regards the danger that would arise in China from the pursuit of conflicting interests and the consequent disagreements among Western nations.\n\nAs I had the honour to explain verbally to your Excellency, I also concur entirely in your view that, as a doctrine of international law, one of two joint concessionnaires has no power to fix the term when the right of the other to its share in a concession should lapse through non-use. I suggest, however, to your Excellency that in certain matters of business that do not admit of indefinite delay circumstances arise which justify, and, indeed, compel, one party to a bargain to assume that the other party no longer desires to adhere to the arrangement if the latter party after reasonable notice gives no indication of its wishes. In the present case, several years' notice was given, and it was not until the negotiations between China and the European groups concerned had been proceeding quite openly for many months and had, subject to Imperial sanction, reached a successful issue that any claim to participation was put forward on behalf of American financiers.\n\nThe agreement which has been reached between British, French, and German financial groups and the Chinese Government is to the following effect:\n\n| Details | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Loan Amount | 5,500,000 |\n| Shares | to be raised by the three groups in equal shares |\n| Purpose | for the construction of railways in Hupei and Hunan |\n| Hankow-Canton Railway | to be constructed by a British chief engineer |\n| Hankow-Szechuen Railway | About 500 miles, including branches, all in Hupei, to be constructed by a German chief engineer |\n| Remainder of lines in Hupei | to be constructed by a French engineer |\n| Extension to Chengtu | endeavours should be made to secure an extension to Chengtu, the capital of Szechuen |\n| Construction of extension | to be constructed partly by a French and partly by a British chief engineer |\n\nIt is further agreed that of the whole line from Hankow to Chengtu about a third each should be entrusted to German, French, and British chief engineers.\n\nI venture again to express the hope that the American group will place no difficulties in the way of securing Imperial sanction for the agreement which has been reached.\n\nAs regards, however, the participation of American capital in financial loans in China, I have the honour to suggest that the American group should place themselves in communication with the British, French, and German syndicates concerned.\n\nHis Majesty's Government entirely approve and welcome in principle the participation of American capital in Chinese railway loans, and they hope that an arrangement may yet be arrived at for an equal participation between the American and other foreign banks in the loan in question, leaving undisturbed the agreement concluded by the British, French, and German groups.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\nPage 38", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422787, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 190, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[25758]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n188\n\n[July 7.]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, July 7, 1909.\n\n(1.)\n\n**MEMORANDUM** of agreement made the 6th day of July, 1909, between the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), having its registered office at 3, Lombard Street, in the city of London (hereinafter called the \"corporation\"), of the first part; Chinese Central Railways (Limited), having its registered office at 110, Cannon Street, in the said city (hereinafter called the \"Central company\"), of the second part; the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, having its office at 15 bis Rue Laffitte, Paris (hereinafter called the \"French bank\"), of the third part; and the Deutsch-Chinesische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft m.b.H., having its office at 31, Unter den Linden, Berlin (hereinafter called the \"German company\"), of the fourth part;\n\nWhereas the parties hereto have expressed their willingness to enter into a general Anglo-Franco-German understanding for the purpose of governing their action in connection with the negotiations for and making to the Chinese Empire loans for railway purposes:\n\nNow it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:-\n\n1. In the matter of this agreement the French bank is acting on behalf of the French syndicate for Chinese business, consisting of the parties whose names are set forth in the first schedule hereto; and the German company is acting on behalf of the German syndicate for Chinese business, consisting of the parties whose names are set forth in the second schedule hereto. The French bank and German company reserve to themselves the right of increasing or reducing in each special case the number of parties interested in the French and German syndicates respectively and a similar right is reserved to the corporation, but so that in any such case any party dropping out in any special case shall still remain bound by the restrictive provisions hereof and any party coming in in any special case shall become subject to the restrictive provisions hereof.\n\n2. This agreement relates to all loans and advances for railway purposes to be floated out of the Chinese Empire which may be made with the Chinese Imperial Government and/or with Government departments and companies having Chinese Imperial or provincial Government guarantees, but does not relate to loans to be floated within the Chinese Empire nor to any loans in connection with the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railways.\n\n3. Any business of the kind hereinbefore defined to which this agreement relates which may be offered to either of the contracting parties of the first, third, and fourth parts (hereinafter jointly referred to as the \"lenders\") must be dealt with jointly by them in accordance with the stipulations of this agreement.\n\n4. As regards joint action in respect of financial operations for railway purposes not having such guarantees, special agreements will have to be made in each separate case.\n\n5. This agreement is made on the principle of equality, namely, equal terms in every respect between the lenders, and each of the lenders enters into this agreement for their respective groups and shall take an equal share in all operations and jointly sign all contracts, except as hereinafter provided, and shall bear in equal shares all charges in connection with any business (except stamp duties and any charges of and connected with the realisation by each of the lenders in their respective markets of their participation in the operations), and conclude all contracts with equal rights and obligations as between themselves: provided always that in cases where the introduction of third parties is calculated to prejudice the success of the negotiations any business falling within the scope of this agreement may be entertained and negotiations entered upon by either of the lenders alone with or without notice to the other lenders, and \n\nB [2336 g-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422795, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 198, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CHINA RAILWAYS\n### CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[25918]\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce** \n**(No. 183.)** \nForeign Office, July 12, 1909.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nWITH reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the Hukuan loan, I have to inform your Excellency that at a meeting held at London on the 7th instant, between the British, French, and German groups and the representatives of certain American banking houses, the latter agreed to accept 25 per cent. of the Szechuan (Hankow-Chengtu) loan, with all the same privileges, including the nomination of an auditor and accountant, as the European groups. In view, however, of the American claim to 50 per cent. of the Szechuan line, they regarded this as a concession, and therefore asked for 25 per cent. also of the £2,500,000 for the Hupeh section of the Canton-Hankow line.\n\nIn this last demand the British, French, and German groups replied that they were unable to agree, and must consult their Governments. It was finally arranged that the Americans should telegraph to their Government for authority to withdraw the claim, and it was understood that they themselves would support the application.\n\nAt a further meeting held on the 8th instant, the Americans announced that they had been informed that their principals were not prepared to give way on this point. It was stated that a faint hope of reaching a compromise lay in the fact that Mr. P. Knox, the United States Secretary of State, was absent from Washington, and that on his return it was possible that their instructions might be modified. It was not, however, considered probable, and after some discussion the meeting was adjourned sine die, without the negotiations being actually broken off.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n*Also to Sir E. Goschen, No. 178; Sir F. Bertie, No. 299; and Sir J. Jordan, No. 201.* \n(2336 m--2)\n\n2\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\nJ. N. Jordan.\n\nunjustly treated in not being afforded active support in underbidding the Germans and ousting them from the position they have secured in the Canton-Hankow line.\n\nAlthough there appears little probability of amalgamating into one combine all these diverse British elements, there is, in my opinion, great room for increased efficiency on the part of the British and Chinese Corporation and for fuller co-operation between it and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank. Instead of attempting to direct affairs from Peking, the agent of the corporation will probably find it necessary in future to pay some personal attention to the construction of railways on the spot and to rely on his own powers of organisation rather than upon protests to secure the successful working of the railway agreements.\n\nThe Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, on the other hand, should clearly define its position with regard to the corporation and not expose itself to the charge of inconsistency in acting in the matter of loans sometimes through the corporation, and at other times in its own name, as its interests may happen to dictate.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422829, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 232, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O 36818\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n### CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nRef 10 AUG CO\n\n[June 4.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.- (Received June 4.)**\n**(No. 101) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nRAILWAY loan negotiations.\n\nPeking, June 4, 1909.\n\nIn reply to your telegram No. 104 of yesterday's date, I would suggest for your favourable consideration that the bank here should be empowered to proceed to the signature immediately, as there is, in my opinion, reason to fear that the agreement may not be concluded.\n\n### No. 2.\n\n**(No. 102.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received June 4.)**\n\nPeking, June 4, 1909. PLEASE refer to the last paragraph of your telegram No. 103 of yesterday's date respecting the railway loan negotiations.\n\nI have requested Liang Tun-yen to use his influence with Chang Chih-tung so as to secure some such assurance on behalf of the British and Chinese Corporation as suggested by the bank, and have obtained his promise that he will do his best in that direction.\n\nLiang was anxious to impress me with the necessity for the signature of the loan agreement without delay, urging the increasing agitation amongst the provincial gentry, and especially the endeavours of the Americans to renew their claim to a share in the railway from Hankow to Chengtu.\n\nPage 230\nPage 231", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422861, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 264, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# .0 \n£7198 \n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]** \n\n**RECEIVED 14 AUG 09**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS \n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n[28230]\n\n### No. 1. \n262 \n[July 26.] \n#### SECTION 1.\n\n**Mr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office.-Received July 26.**\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, July 24, 1909.\n\nDear Mr. Langley,\n\nSIR FRANCIS CAMPBELL informed me last night that he was going away on a holiday, and that you would act for him during his absence. I accordingly address myself to you.\n\nIn his letter of the 23rd instant, Sir Francis writes that the Secretary of State is of opinion that there is no longer any object in opposing the American demands for participation in the Hukuang railways loan.\n\nThe British delegates are quite prepared to adopt the course approved by His Majesty's Government, and to urge its acceptance upon their French and German colleagues. I have accordingly written to the representatives of the groups in Paris and Berlin pointing out that the Chinese appear to have yielded without reserve to the personal appeal of the President of the United States, and that our representatives in Peking are agreed that there is now no hope of arriving at a compromise with the American group.\n\nUnder these circumstances, I have asked the French and German delegates to consider whether it is desirable to continue a futile resistance, which can only result in the loan being hung up indefinitely, in increasing American pretensions, and in provoking the claims of Russia and Japan; or whether, on the other hand, the time has not come to accept frankly the American demand to be put upon an equal footing in every respect with the other three groups, as regards the Hukuang loan of £6,000,000.\n\nI have pointed out further that, if the continental groups will agree to adopt the second of these alternatives and admit the Americans to participation, in principle, on equal terms, then, I think, the Americans might reasonably be asked, on their part, to agree not to disturb the existing relations between the groups as regards the appointment of engineers. This would not conflict with the principle of equal participation, since the Americans would not be in any way abandoning their claim to the appointment of an engineer, but merely postponing it, in consideration of arrangements already come to between the three groups, by which a British engineer is secured for the whole of the Hankow-Canton line, and German, French, and British engineers, in the order named, for the three sections of about 800 kilom., each on the Hankow-Chengtu line.\n\nYours truly,\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n[2336 cc-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422864, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 267, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nRECR 14:214 AUG 09\n\n[July 28]\n\n265\n\n### SECTION 1\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Memorandum of Interview between Mr. C. S. Addis and Mr. W. D. Straight, the American Delegate, in re the Hukuang Loan.** (Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, July 28, 1909.)\n\n**(Confidential.)**\n\nMR. ADDIS stated that he would be prepared to recommend to the German and French that they accept frankly the American demand to be put upon an equal footing in every respect with the English, German, and French groups as regards the Hukuang loan of $6,000,000. He is not without hope that he might be able to induce the German and French groups to accede to this, provided the Americans would agree not to disturb the existing arrangement between the groups as regards the appointment of chief engineers, except in this respect, that the line from Hankow to Chengtu shall be divided into four sections instead of three - namely, a British chief engineer shall be appointed for the Hankow-Canton line, and German, French, and American chief engineers, in the order named, for the first three sections of the Hankow-Chengtu line, and that a British engineer will be appointed for the fourth section of the Hankow-Chengtu line, and that for the extensions of this railway chief engineers of the four nationalities shall be appointed in the order named. Mr. Addis is prepared to recommend a further conference on this basis.\n\nLondon, July 28, 1909.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422917, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 320, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nLi Hung-chang, and Yuan Shih Kai having all been occupants of it in succession.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\nIt is only right to add, however, that the appointments to the vacant viceroyships at Nanking and Canton, and to the post of governor in Shantung, have all been filled by Chinese, and that the selections are unexceptionable.\n\nI have, &c.\n**J. N. JORDAN**\n\n[28582]\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nForeign Office, July 29, 1909.\n\n**(No. 126.) (Telegraphic.) R.**\n\nHUKUANG loan. British group have promised American delegate to recommend to French and German groups acceptance of American demand to be put on equal footing in every respect with these groups as regards loan of £6,000,000. They hope to induce them to accede, provided Americans agree not to disturb existing arrangement between the groups as regards appointment of chief engineers, except that Hankow-Chengtu line shall be divided into four sections instead of three. A British chief engineer shall be appointed for the Hankow-Canton line, and German, French, and American chief engineers in order named for the first three sections of the Hankow-Chengtu line, and for extensions of this railway a British engineer for the fourth section. Chief engineers of the four nationalities shall be appointed in the order named. Mr. Addis is prepared to recommend a further conference on this basis.\n\nPage 2\n`G9 31 AUG 09`\n`29050`\n`318 ALC`\n[July 29.] \n`[2336 #-1]`\n`493`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422950, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 353, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O 9354\n## CHINA RAILWAYS.\n### [June 10.]\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nc 2 SEP OS,\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n[21746]\n\n### No. 1.\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 10.)**\n\n(No. 105.) **(Telegraphic.)** P.\n\nPeking, June 10, 1909.\n\nRAILWAY negotiations. America's claim to a share in the Hankow-Szechuan Railway.\n\nPlease see final paragraph of my telegram No. 102 of the 4th instant.\n\nI have just been informed by the American chargé d'affaires that he has carried out instructions received from his Government, and has formally declared to the Chinese the intention of the American Government to claim the rights which they hold under the agreement of 1903. The Americans propose that they should be admitted to equal participation with the British, French, and German groups as regards the line from Hankow to Chengtu, for which purpose the extension of the railway beyond Ichang would have to be brought within the scope of the agreement.\n\nIn conversation with Mr. Fletcher, I reminded him that American capitalists showed no desire to participate when enquiries were made in that country in 1905. In the present instance, despite the wide publicity which had attended the negotiations, there had been no sign on the part of the Americans of any intention to give up their attitude of abstention. The agreement, I said, had now been signed, and only wanted Imperial ratification; and an attempt to alter it by inserting a provision as to the section from Ichang to Chengtu would not fail to make the arrangement fall through, which would be most regrettable.\n\nMr. Fletcher said that he was well aware of the risks which would attend any renewal of negotiations in Peking, and shared my opinion that in a consultation with the three groups in Europe lay the only means of settling the question of America's participation as regards both the Hankow-Szechuan line and railway business in the future generally.\n\n[2317 k-1]\n\nPage 351", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422961, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 364, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[30581] \nNo. 1. \n352 \nC.O \n[August 14.] \nSECTION 1.\n\nDear Mr. Langley,\n\nMr. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received August 14.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, 31, Lombard Street, London, \nAugust 13, 1909.\n\nI ENCLOSE, for your information, a copy of the telegram I have dispatched this evening to Mr. Hillier.\n\nYours, &c.\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nMr. Addis to Mr. Hillier.\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, 31, Lombard Street, London, (Telegraphic.)\nAugust 13, 1909.\n\nCHINESE Central Railways (Limited) authorise you conclude negotiations on the basis of your telegram of 11th August, without raising point of security deficiency. They hope, however, that present inter-group agreement as to appointment of engineer Hankow-Chengtu Railway will not be disturbed.\n\n[2389-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423011, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 414, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[31566]\n## No. 1. Papers communicated by Mr. Addis, August 19, 1909.\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n412\n\nDear M. de la Chaume,\n\nMr. Addis to M. de la Chaume.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, 31, Lombard Street, London, August 19, 1909.\n\nI HAVE your letter of the 18th instant with an interesting enclosure from M. Casenave, for which I thank you. I trust that the enclosed telegram to Hillier, a copy of which has already been dispatched to you by wire, meets with your approval.\n\nWith regard to the inter-bank agreement now being negotiated at Peking, I believe that we are agreed as to the principle, namely :-\n| Principle | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a.) | That we should pay our own auditors; |\n| (b.) | That the Americans should pay a quarter of the preliminary expenses; |\n| (c.) | That the American portion of the loan should not be quoted in London, Paris, or Berlin, but be limited to New York. |\n\nSo much for the principle, but I confess I do not see how the details are to be settled without a second conference in Europe. Preliminary expenses, for example, have mopped up pretty well the entire capital of the Chinese Central Railway Company. Are preliminary expenses, then, vis-à-vis the Americans, to include the cost of the survey beyond Ichang (about £4,000 to £5,000), office expenses and salaries of representatives (about £2,000 a-year) during the past five years, &c.?\n\nAgain, as regards internationalisation of the loan, it would clearly be inequitable to grant America for no consideration whatever the opportunity, which would be immediately availed of, to dump her portion of the loan upon this market. On the other hand, the British group, as you will understand, would not like to be put in the position of being held up to obloquy for having discriminated against the United States in granting to France and Germany what they had denied to America.\n\nThe whole question, in fact, bristles with difficulties, which, in my opinion, can only be properly thrashed out on this side. I shall be glad to know that the line we have taken up with regard to the appointment of engineers is in accord with your views.\n\nBelieve me, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n### Mr. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking. (Telegraphic.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, London, August 19, 1909.\n\nRE your wire of 18th, Americans must pay their own issue expenses. Their issue is limited to American market. Americans must pay one-fourth preliminary expenses. We do not propose to ask them to pay auditor. `Banque de l'Indo-Chine` and `Deutsch-Asiatische Bank` agree.\n\nIn reply to your telegram of 19th, Chinese Central Railways and French group assume that nomination of chief engineers for Ichang-Chengtu line will remain as arranged at Berlin 14th May. Please inform Americans.\n\n[2389(-1)]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423012, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n### No. 1\n\n#### SECTION 1\n\n(2.) Mr. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking.\n\n**Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, (Telegraphic.)**\n\nLondon, August 18, 1909.\n\nREFERRING to your telegram of the 12th, are we to understand that Americans renounce claim to appoint chief engineer for the whole of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway, future as well as present?\n\n30327\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[August 20.]\n\n(3.) Mr. Hillier, Peking, to Mr. Addis, London.\n\n**(Telegraphic.)**\n\nPeking, August 19, 1909.\n\nREFERRING to your telegram of the 18th, question has not been raised. Condition of negotiations through intermediary of Wai-wu Pu president precludes all reference to questions affecting line Ichang-Chengtu.\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 20.)\n\n**(No. 268.)**\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, July 26, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that the affairs of the Shanghae-Ningpo Railway were also made the subject of strong representations to the Grand Secretary Shih-hsü and Prince Ch'ing at both of the interviews mentioned in my despatch No. 267 of the 24th July.\n\nThe Grand Secretary was not well acquainted with the details of the subject, and could only say that the Board of Communications had the whole question under consideration. To Prince Ching I made a long and detailed statement of my charges in the sense of my communications to their Excellencies Hsu Shih-ch'ang and Na-t'ung, as reported in my despatch No. 234 of the 1st July, and enumerated the successive steps which I had taken during the past year to induce the Central Government to take matters into their own hands and bring the provinces to reason.\n\nHis Highness told me that he was well aware of everything I had said, and asked me to accept his personal assurance that a satisfactory solution would be arranged with as little delay as possible, in conjunction with the Board of Communications. But the situation was complicated, and for that reason he begged me not to be impatient or to press him unduly.\n\nI reminded the Prince that I had had similar assurances a year previously on this matter, which was in the same position now as it was then, in spite of those assurances. His Highness admitted this without demur, but repeated with emphasis his assurance that the affairs of the Shanghae-Ningpo Railway were being earnestly considered by the Wai-wu Pu and the Board of Communications with a view to a speedy termination of the present difficulties.\n\nI accepted this personal assurance of his Highness and passed on to other matters.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nSEP 09 \n413 \n[31368] \n(2389 u--1)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423016, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 419, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## SECTION 1\n\n(No. 133.)\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nForeign Office, August 21, 1909.\n\n**(Telegraphic.) R.**\n\nHILLIER'S private telegram to Addis of the 20th August.\n\nIt is difficult to see on what grounds proposed arrangement regarding engineers on Ichang Chengtu section is considered equitable.\n\nAs regards question of engineers, we alone of the three original partners in the undertaking are made to suffer from the admission of the Americans to participation, and we receive no compensating advantages in any other respect.\n\nPlease consult Hillier and telegraph your views.\n\n \n\n2 \n\nlocation of that portion of the line from Chen-hsiang-tun to Mukden shall remain to be decided by mutual conference between the two countries.\n\n3. On and from the date when the memorandum is signed negotiations for the purchase of land and for adjustment of all the other details shall be instituted,\n\n4. From the day following signing of the memorandum, that is, from the day after the negotiations above mentioned are instituted the work of reconstruction shall be accelerated.\n\n5. China shall instruct local officials along the line to give every facility regarding execution of the work.\n\nC.O\n\n \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[31520]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[August 21.]\n\nacE II SEP 09 \n\n417 \n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government327 \n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS.**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423017, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 420, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[31520]\n\n### No. 1. Papers communicated by Mr. Addis, August 21, 1909.\n\n#### (1.)\n\n[August 21.]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\n418\n\nDear Mr. Langley,\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, August 21, 1909.\n\nI ENCLose copy of a private telegram I have sent to Hillier just to clear the ground a little.\n\nI still think that the only really equitable arrangement is the one I proposed to Mr. Straight, namely, to divide the whole line from Hankow to Chengtu into four sections and appoint a German, French, American, and British chief engineer to each section respectively.\n\nIt may, however, be decided that it is not possible to induce the Germans to give up a portion of the Hupeh section, and in that case I am privately sounding the French as to how they will view the following proposal:\n\nThe extension of the line beyond Ichang to be divided into three sections, of which one-third would be American and two-thirds Chinese Central Railways. As the line will probably fork into two directions, one branch going to Chungking and the other to Chengtu, it would probably be considered preferable to give the Americans the first of the three sections, and for the Chinese Central Railways to appoint a French and a British engineer on the Chungking and Chengtu sections respectively. For the rest, the finance and materials to be divided equally among the various groups.\n\nI thought it might be useful, before we go any further in the matter, to know how our French friends would view such a solution of the difficulty.\n\nYours truly,\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, London, August 21, 1909.\n\n**(Telegraphic.)**\n\nWITH reference to your wire of 20th, will reply as soon as possible after consultation with Foreign Office, but my own opinion is no arrangement can be considered equitable which requires the British to surrender wholly the right to engineer in Szechuan line.\n\n#### (2.)\n\n**(Telegraphic.)**\n\nMr. Hillier, Peking, to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nPeking, August 20, 1909. REFERRING to your telegram of 19th, we will do our best, but we are acting upon unconditional authority contained in your telegram of 13th August. Referring to telegram from M. Casenave 19th August, we suggest in order to avoid another deadlock you should assure French their claim with respect to chief engineer Ichang-Chengtu Railway will be respected in event of American demand rendering rearrangement necessary. Our opinion is equitable arrangement would be first half Ichang-Chengtu section French engineer, second half American engineer, on condition that Americans consent to equal participation (in) four groups finance and materials.\n\n[2389 X- -2]\n\nPage 420 \nPage 421", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423018, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 421, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## M. de la Chaume to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\n**0327**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n.:GP 11 SEP 09\n\n**(Telegraphic.)**\n\nCASENAVE wires ---- \n\nBanque de l'Indo-Chine, August 20, 1909, \n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS.**\n\n\"Impossible faire mention dans contrat à intervenir de question ingénieur ligne Itchang-Chengtu. Dites-nous par le fil si vous insistez pour que Casenave Hillier essaient arranger l'affaire séparément avec Américains.” \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[31855]\n\n**(No. 137.)**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n[August 24.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n**419**\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n**(Telegraphic.) R.**\n\nForeign Office, August 24, 1909.\n\nMR. MAX MULLER'S telegram No. 137 (of 23rd August: Railway loan). We agree that delay is unfortunate, but proposals in second paragraph would not, in our opinion, provide an equitable solution, as in neither case would Germans share loss occasioned by the participation of the Americans.\n\nIn our view only fair arrangement would be division of Szechuan line into four equal sections, of which chief engineers would be German, French, American, and British respectively.\n\n[2389 aa-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423052, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 455, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 31420\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. \nRECO \nEGR 22 SEP 09 \n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n¡32164] \nNo. 1. \n453 \n[August 26.] \n## SECTION 4\n\nSir,\n\nMr. Addis to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 26.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, August 25, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to enclose text of the telegram as despatched this day to Mr. Hillier at Peking, a rough draft of which was submitted to you this morning for your approval.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1\n\nI am, &c. \nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n**(Telegraphic.)** \nMr. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking. \nLondon, August 25, 1909.\n\nRE your wire of the 20th August. The position of the Anglo-German-French groups in the Hankow-Szechuen Railway being equal in every respect, we cannot give the French the assurance you suggest.\n\nAs regards the Germans, the consideration for relinquishing their rights in Hankow-Canton Railway was nothing more than a fair and equal participation of one-third in the Hankow-Szechuen line.\n\nThe Germans have not any special or privileged position vis-à-vis the other groups. Therefore, in any readjustment arising out of American intervention in Hankow-Szechuen line each group must in equity bear its own share of the sacrifice required. To sum up. The only fair and acceptable arrangement would appear to be the division of the Hankow-Chengtu line between the four groups into four equal engineering sections, in terms of the `Addis-Straight memorandum` of the 28th July.\n\n[2389 cc 4] \n[4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423053, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 456, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n### SECTION 5\nMemorandum of Interview between **Mr. C. S. Addis** and **Mr. W. D. Straight**, the American Delegate, in re the Hukuang Loan.-(Received at Foreign Office August 26, 1909.)\n\n(Private and Confidential.)\n\n**MR. ADDIS** stated that he would be prepared to recommend to the German and French groups that they accept frankly the American demand to be put upon an equal footing in every respect with the English, German, and French groups as regards the Hukuang loan of $6,000,000. He is not without hope that he might be able to induce the German and French groups to accede to this, provided the Americans would agree not to disturb the existing arrangement between the groups as regards the appointment of chief engineers, except in this respect that the line from Hankow to Chengtu shall be divided into four sections instead of three, namely, a British chief engineer shall be appointed for the Hankow-Canton line, and German, French, and American chief engineers, in the order named, for the first three sections of the Hankow-Chengtu line, and that a British engineer will be appointed for the fourth section of the Hankow-Chengtu line, and that for the extensions of this railway chief engineers of the four nationalities shall be appointed in the order named. **Mr. Addis** is prepared to recommend a further conference on this basis.\n\nLondon, July 28, 1909.\n\n`[2389 cc-5]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423055, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 458, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.420\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[32715]\n\n## No. 1\n\nRECR LECZ SEP 09\n\n[August 27.]\n\n456\n\n### SECTION 2\n\nTelegrams communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, August 27, 1909.\n\n#### (1.)\n\nMr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nPeking, August 27, 1909.\n\nM. CASENAVE has received instructions to conclude agreement without reference to question affecting Ichang-Chengtu section. Are we to understand that consideration urged in C. S. Addis's telegram of 25th August affects previous authority to sign? Telegraph to us definite instructions immediately after consulting Foreign Office.\n\n#### (2.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Paris.\n\nHILLIER wires:---\n\nLondon, August 27, 1909.\n\nCasenave has received instructions to conclude agreement without reference to question affecting Ichang-Chengtu section. Is this correct, and has it approval Paris Committee Chinese Central? We understand Americans will claim engineer half Ichang-Chengtu section, therefore our idea is not to sign until this point is settled. Write us fully your views.\n\n#### (3.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking.\n\nLondon, August 27, 1909.\n\nRe your wire of 27th August, we are in consultation with Paris and Foreign Office.\n\nIn the meantime do not sign until further instructed.\n\n[2389 dd-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423056, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 459, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### SECTION 1\n\nNo. 1. \n**Mr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.**---(Communicated by Mr. Addis August 28, 1909.)\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nPeking, August 28, 1909. \nM. CASENAVE informs us confidentially Russian Government is again pressing French Government to support Russian claim for participation. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, wires it is most important to obtain Imperial edict as soon as possible, otherwise difficulties are certain to arise with Russia with reference to foregoing. Re your wire of the 27th, we cannot too strongly urge authorise us to sign immediately without reference to question of railway Ichang-Chengtu. Important we should have a reply by Sunday.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423057, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 460, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n458\n[August 28.]\n\n### SECTION 3.\n(No. 139.)\n\n**(Telegraphic.) R.**\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nYOUR telegram No. 141 [of 27th August].\n\nForeign Office, August 28, 1909.\n\nIf Ichang-Chengtu section is reserved for future consideration the Germans would escape their share of the sacrifice necessary in consequence of the admission of the Americans. If the arrangement we have suggested is impracticable, we are ready to agree to any other by which the sacrifice is equally shared between the three groups. Nothing else would be fair.\n\nThe initialled loan agreement has not been maintained, but has already been modified in regard to capital and material. There seems no reason why it should not also be modified as regards German engineer.\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation are now in communication with the French group on the subject.\n\n`[2389 ee-3]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423076, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 479, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## C.O. 2\n\ndes admissions. Mais il est bien entendu que les groupes européens sont d'accord pour, le moment venu, refuser l'internationalisation de la part américaine.\n\nEnfin, en ce qui concerne la nomination et le paiement de l'auditeur, je pense comme vous que nous pouvons nous montrer conciliants, ne fût-ce que pour faire contraste avec notre attitude dans la question des ingénieurs, au sujet de laquelle nous sommes obligés de nous montrer intransigeants.\n\nRecevez, &c.\n\n**DE LA CHAUME**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 1859\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n`[32728]`\n\n### No. 1\n\nRece ReGP 25 SEP 09\n\n[August 28.]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\n### 477\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, August 28, 1909.\n\n#### (1.)\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to China Bank, Berlin.\n\nLondon, August 28, 1909. HAVING learned Americans intend claim engineer half Tchang-Chengtu extension, we have accordingly instructed Hillier not to conclude agreement until rearrangement of engineering sections whole Hankow-Chengtu line arising out of admission of American participation has been settled between the groups upon an equitable basis.\n\n#### (2.)\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to M. de la Chaume.\n\nLondon, August 28, 1909. Your letter 27th. We have wired Hillier not to conclude agreement until rearrangement engineering sections whole Hankow-Chengtu line arising out of admission of Americans to participation has been settled between the groups upon an equitable basis. Will you wire Casenave to the same effect?\n\n#### (3.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nLondon, August 28, 1909. Have seen Foreign Office, who will not consent to exclusion British engineer Hankow-Chengtu Railway or to any arrangement which does not involve equal sacrifices from the German and French groups. For political reasons question is regarded as of **first-rate** importance.\n\nWe cannot therefore authorise you to sign until this point is satisfactorily settled.\n\nSir,\n\n#### (4.)\n\nChinese Central Railways to M. Caillaus.\n\n110, Cannon Street, London, August 25, 1909.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant regarding the present state of negotiations for the Hukwang Railway loan, and suggesting a meeting of the full Board of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) for the purpose of considering the position.\n\nI assume that you are in possession of all the recent correspondence regarding these negotiations, as copies have been supplied to the `Banque de l'Indo-Chine`, as representing the French committee. The English committee have also been informed by Mr. Addis of the various proposals emanating from Peking, and have approved of his replies and instructions to Mr. Hillier, but no formal meeting has been held nor resolution recorded. Mr. Addis's replies to Mr. Hillier have also been first submitted for approval to the `Banque de l'Indo-Chine` and to the German Bank,\n\n`[2389 ee-2]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423077, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 480, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Page 478\n\n2\n\nIt follows from the correspondence that the following points have been settled with the consent of all parties:\n\n1. The American group to have a participation of one-quarter of the total loan of $6,000,000, with corresponding banking privileges and share in commission on materials.\n2. American materials to have the same preference as is given to British, French, and German in the loan agreement.\n3. Americans to have one-half participation in any supplementary loan for the Hupeh section of the Hankow-Szechuen Railway.\n\nThe principal points which remain undetermined are:\n\n1. The proportion which the American group are to receive in the future loan or loans required to complete the Szechuen Railway to Chengtu and Chungking.\n2. The question of the appointment of an American chief engineer for any part of this line.\n3. The internationalisation of the loan and share in preliminary expenses.\n\nAs regards No. 1, the question involved has not yet arisen in the negotiation. As regards No. 2 (engineer), it was assumed by the British group from Mr. Hillier's telegram of the 11th that the Americans did not claim the right to appoint a chief engineer for any part of the line, and accordingly, in giving assent to the propositions made in Mr. Hillier's telegram of the 11th, they limited themselves to expressing the hope that the arrangement come to at Berlin on the 14th May would not be disturbed. The Banque de l'Indo-Chine, in giving M. Casenave authority to conclude the agreement on the basis of Mr. Hillier's telegram, added: \"Efforcez-vous d'obtenir qu'arrangements avec Américains reconnaissent accords intervenus à Berlin relative-ment à notre droit nomination d'ingénieur.\" Subsequently, from representations received from Paris, it seemed necessary to emphasise this point more strongly, and accordingly the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank wired to Peking on the 18th August enquiring whether we were to understand that the Americans renounced claim to appoint a chief engineer for the whole of the Szechuen Railway. The reply to that informed us that the question had never been raised, whereupon we wired again on the 19th, stating that the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) and the French group assumed that the nomination of chief engineers for the Ichang-Chengtu line would remain as arranged at Berlin on the 14th May, and requested Mr. Hillier to inform the Americans. To this last wire, we have so far received no reply to say what attitude the Americans adopt on the question.\n\nThe general attitude of the English committee was expressed in a memorandum forwarded by Mr. Addis to M. de la Chaume on the 11th August, the gist of which was that if it is absolutely necessary to have a readjustment of the allotment of engineers as settled at Berlin on the 14th May, then all three groups - German, French, and British - ought to give way equally all round, and to this we adhere. It is understood that the French group would be prepared to acquiesce in this plan of adjustment, which would mean that the whole Szechuen line would be divided into four sections of something like 600 kilom. each (instead of three sections of 800 kilom.) and engineered by German, American, French, and English respectively. It is also understood, unfortunately, that the German group will on no account agree to give up any part of their Hupeh section, and hence we seem to be face to face with another deadlock unless the Americans agree to renounce all claim, or unless some other way can be found out of the difficulty.\n\nAs regards No. 3, it is proposed to stipulate that the bonds issued on one market shall not be good delivery in the market of any other of the contracting parties without the consent of all the parties to the agreement. It is also proposed that the preliminary expenses shall be shared by the four groups.\n\nWith reference to your suggestion for a meeting of the full Board, my colleagues and myself would, of course, be pleased to meet you any time, but it does not appear that at present it would serve any good purpose, and I would suggest therefore that a meeting should stand over till negotiations are further advanced in Peking. It is possible that a meeting of the four groups - English, French, German, and American - may require to be held at an early date.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. KESWICK, Chairman.\n\n3\n\n## Page 480\n\n(5.)\n\nM. de la Chaume to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\n15 bis, Rue Laffitte, Paris, le 27 août, 1909.\n\nEn réponse à votre télégramme de ce jour, je suis heureux de vous communiquer ci-joint copie de la dépêche que j'ai envoyée hier à M. Casenave, et que je n'avais pas cru devoir vous adresser plus tôt, car elle se borne à confirmer les instructions déjà données à M. Casenave par télégramme du 14 août, et que vous faisait connaître ma lettre du même jour.\n\nEn définitive, nous autorisons M. Casenave - s'il est naturellement en plein accord avec Mr. Hillier et M. Cordès - à conclure avec les Américains un arrangement qui -\n\n(a.) Ou bien reconnaisse notre droit de nomination d'ingénieurs tel qu'il résulte des accords de Berlin.\n\n(b.) Ou bien laisse au moins complètement entière la question de nomination des ingénieurs pour les lignes autres que celles actuellement concédées et faisant l'objet du présent emprunt.\n\nNous ne nous dissimulons pas que cette dernière solution ne fait que reculer les difficultés, et si nous nous y rallions c'est uniquement par esprit de conciliation pour ne pas faire échouer l'affaire actuelle.\n\nPar conséquent, si vous estimez que l'on ne doit conclure celle-ci que lorsque la question des ingénieurs pour l'ensemble de la ligne Ichang-Tchengtou aura été réglée, nous entrerons pleinement dans vos vues, car c'était également notre opinion première que je vous ai exposée par lettre du 12 août, et c'est toujours la solution qui a vos préférences.\n\nQuant à savoir quel est notre sentiment sur le règlement définitif de la question des ingénieurs, je ne puis que vous confirmer mes lettres des 21 et 25 août.\n\nNous sommes disposés à accepter le remaniement des accords de Berlin, et à nous contenter d'un quart de la ligne, si nos amis allemands y consentent également. Mais, si nos amis allemands n'y consentent pas, nous ne pouvons prendre une autre attitude qu'eux, et nous réclamons l'exacte exécution des accords de Berlin en ce qui nous concerne.\n\nJe n'ai pas qualité pour parler au nom du comité français du Chinese Central Railways, et je doute pouvoir toucher MM. Caillaux ou de Biedermaun avant lundi. Mais, d'après les entretiens que j'ai eus avec l'un et l'autre d'entre eux ces derniers jours, je ne doute pas qu'ils n'approuvent entièrement le contenu de la présente lettre.\n\nVeuillez, &c.\n\nDE LA CHAUME.\n\nP.S. - Je viens de voir M. Caillaux et ai recueilli son plein assentiment à tout ce que je vous expose ci-dessus.\n\nDE LA C.\n\n(Télégraphique.)\n\n(6.)\n\nM. de la Chaume to M. Casenave, Peking.\n\nParis, le 26 août, 1909.\n\nSi absolument impossible obtenir qu'Américains reconnaissent notre droit de nomination ingénieur tel que résulte accords intervenus Berlin, nous vous autorisons à conclure arrangement laissant question entière pour l'avenir.\n\n## Page 481", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423080, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 483, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 31859 \n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] \n\nPcc 25 SEP 09 \n\n[August 31.] \n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL** \n\n[32791] \n\nNo. 1. \n\n481 \n\n### SECTION 3 \n\nDear Mr. Greg, \n\nMr. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received August 31.) \n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, August 30, 1909. \n\nSince I saw you on Saturday I have received the enclosed correspondence from the German and French groups. \n\nI invite your attention to the Paris telegram to Peking of the 28th August, which appears to justify the hope I expressed, that our French friends would fall into line with us in making the rearrangement of the engineering sections on the whole line from Hankow to Chengtu a condition precedent to signing the agreement with the Americans. Their representative at Peking has now been instructed to act in conformity with the instructions given by us to Hillier. \n\nI also enclose copy of a telegram from Hillier to the effect that the American Government has asked the Chinese Government to modify the Hukuang Loan Agreement in order to admit the American banks as signatories. I shall call upon you this evening with regard to this point, but, in the meantime, it may be as well to state that, in my opinion, there is no foundation for Hillier's suggestion that the American demand is merely a pretext in order to gain time for their market, which is unprepared for a loan issue. \n\nYours truly, \n\nC. S. ADDIS. \n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1 \n\nMr. Hillier to Mr. Addis. \n**(Telegraphic)** \n\nPeking, August 30, 1909. \n\nTelegram of 28th August received. American Government now request Chinese Government consent to modification Loan Agreement in order to admit American banks as signatories. Do you think it possible this demand may be pretext in order to gain time for American market, which is unprepared? Our opinion is we should do all possible to throw responsibility for deadlock on Americans. It will place us in a very difficult position towards Chinese Government if negotiations fall through upon question of extension Ichang-Chengta. Advise Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine. \n\n**(Telegraphic)** \n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1 \n\nMr. Addis to Mr. Hillier. \n\nLondon, August 30, 1909. \n\nRE your wire of 30th August, in our opinion the only way out of the difficulty is for Chinese Government to grant preliminary contract for whole line Hankow-Chengtu, increasing amount of loan corresponding, and providing for division of engineering sections in terms of Addis-Straight memorandum, 28th July. \n\nWe have not communicated the two last sentences of your telegram to Banque de l'Indo-Chine and Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. \n\n### Inclosure 3 in No. 1 \n\nCher Mr. Addis, \n\nM. de la Chaume to Mr. Addis. \n\n15 bis, Rue Laffitte, Paris, le 27 août, 1909. \n\nEn réponse à votre télégramme de ce jour, je suis heureux de vous communiquer ci-joint copie de la dépêche que j'ai envoyée hier à M. Casenave et que je n'avais pas...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423083, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 486, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 31859\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]**\n\nRECP \nRecP 25 SEP 09 \n484 \n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS.\n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n[32791] \n\n**(No. 141.)** \nNo. 1. \n**[September 1.]** \n\n### SECTION 2, \n**(Telegraphic.)** R. \n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.** \n\nMR. HILLIER'S telegram of 30th August. \nForeign Office, September 1, 1909. \n\nWe see no objection to modification of loan agreement so as to admit Americans as signatories. \n\nThe French group are now apparently willing that the whole line from Hankow to Chengtu should be divided as regards engineers into four sections, and it only remains for the Germans to do likewise. \n`[2413 a-2]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423185, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 588, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## 586\n\n### i \n\nA 2 (Yunnan). No reply was received to this, or to a further communication in April forwarding the statement of a claim against them for wages by a former employé. The latter letter was returned to me by the Chinese postal authorities at Yunnan-fu, with the endorsement that Borg Brothers had left Hokou some time previously.\n\nIn June I received a letter from them, dated Laokay (Tonquin), stating that an earlier letter had probably gone astray in the post, and requesting to be registered; but enclosing neither particulars nor fees for registration. I have now repeated my request for these particulars, and at the same time I have desired to know whether their place of residence is Hokou (Yünnan) or Laokay (Tonquin).\n\n### Chinese Hospital\n\nThe Chinese authorities propose to build a hospital for Chinese soldiers. The hospital is designed for 150 beds. The site is being selected outside the city, and will be in the medical charge of Dr. Mazzolani. The doctor is now hard at work with his classes in the military college. He has seventy picked students, and appears to be fairly well satisfied with their intelligence and application. He tells me that the provincial authorities in Szechuan have informed Yunnan that they are not at all pleased with the results of the training received at the medical college at Chengtu, under Dr. Légendre, and that the Yunnan officials intend to be absolutely independent of French medical assistance.\n\n### Falling off in attendance at French Dispensary\n\nDr. Féray, who is the French consular doctor, tells me that the Chinese soldiers formerly under his care have been taken away, and that his dispensary patients have fallen off in numbers. The French explain this by saying that the Chinese are not yet used to the new French assistant, Dr. Vadon. It is true that Dr. Vadon does not yet understand the Chinese language, but he is an able man, with a kindly sympathetic manner. The true explanation must, I think, be found in the fact that the Chinese authorities have now opened their own dispensary, and drawn away patients.\n\n### Proposed French University and Hospital\n\nThe French are anxious to establish a university and a large hospital in the city, but they are uneasy that the Chinese will raise objections. A class has been opened for medical students, but the number attending Dr. Féray's course is small - eight only.\n\n### New French Consular Site\n\nThe French consul is endeavouring to purchase a fine site for the consulate outside the city.\n\n### Proposal for a Rupee Coinage\n\nMr. Wei, the manager of the mint, has informed me that a rupee coinage for Western Yünnan and the Chinese Shan States was in contemplation. The dies would be ready in a few days. He said that upwards of 300,000 Chinese rupees were issued annually from the Chengtu mint and had penetrated throughout Thibet. The latter remark is not borne out by my own information. He hoped that the Burmah Government would permit the free circulation of this rupee in the Burmese Shan States and in Burmah. I did not encourage him in his hope, and I suspect he was sounding the way for the governor-general. I have since heard from a good Chinese source that the question is being mooted to offer the importation of salt from Burmah into the Chinese Shan States in exchange for the recognition of the Chinese rupee as legal tender in the Burmese Shan States.\n\n### Squeezes at the Mint\n\nMr. Chao, the official director of the mint, resigned, and left Yunnan-fu a few days before the departure of the Hsi Liang (25th February). It is now rumoured that he made over 80,000 taels during his eighteen months' tenure of office by debasing the coinage. A few days ago a consignment of dollars, duly sealed with the mint seal, was found by the military authorities to contain a large number of copper coins.\n\n### Mint Machinery\n\nNew machinery has arrived for the mint. It was supplied by Messrs. Mandl and Co., whose interests in Chinese Government contracts now appear to have been sold to the German firm of Carlowitz and Co.\n\n### M. \n\n#### German visitors to Yünnan-fu\n\nTwo German representatives of Carlowitz and Co., Messrs. Crasemann and Schultz, and a special agent of Messrs. Krupp and Co., M. Berger, have arrived and taken a house. They are awaiting the arrival of the new governor-general Li Ch'ing-hsi. M. Berger talks of sending for his family from Germany, but it is probable that the other two will leave as soon as business negotiations are in train. The acting governor-general declines to enter into any contract with them. Crasemann told me that his firm had bought out M. Mandl, and used his Chinese hong name, \"Hsin-yi,\" in military contracts with the Chinese Government. He appeared to regard the interest thus acquired as very valuable, not only in connection with Chinese officials generally, but more particularly in regard to the family of the late Li Hung-chang. Li Ch'ing-hsi, the newly appointed governor-general, is the nephew of the late Li Hung-chang. It cannot be gainsaid that M. Mandl was in the highest favour with Li Hung-chang during the China-Japan war. Latterly, I believe, he acquired considerable influence in Chinese official circles at Canton. M. Crasemann further informed me that M. Mandl had obtained the contract for the machinery in all the Government mints in China. Kao erh ch'ien, formerly Administrator for Foreign Affairs at Yunnan-fu, and at present Chinese commissioner on the Macao Boundary Commission, told me one day that he considered M. Mandl the cleverest European in China in his methods of dealing with Chinese. It will thus be seen that the German visitors to Yunnan-fu are well supplied with credentials for getting contracts.\n\n### Missionaries\n\nThe French consul has lately consulted me informally as to missionary cases. He complains that his hands are full of these, and that he cannot get them settled. The Chinese authorities, he declares, are becoming more and more obstructive, especially in cases connected with missionary landed property. It would be positively disastrous for this consulate-general to work in concert with the French consulate in missionary cases, and I could only say that I was thankful that I had not yet been met by similar difficulties.\n\n### Colonial Opinion in Tonquin\n\nColonial opinion in Tonquin, judging by the views of visitors to Yunnan-fu, seems to have taken the credit for having effected the transfer of Hsi Liang, whose dismissal was demanded at Peking in connection with the Weigand incident (`P.G. No. 28 of 1908`).\n\n### M. Bacot\n\nM. Bacot, a French traveller of independent means, who was recently given the Garnier Award by the French Geographical Society for his travels in Thibet, passed through in May last en route for Tachienlu. He told me that he had been very kindly received by the India Office at London. He was thinking of crossing the Thibetan province of Poyul and descending the Brahmaputra River - a somewhat ambitious programme.\n\n### Local Troubles\n\nThe trouble at Hsüan-wei-chou (Eastern Yünnan) has been nipped in the bud, owing to the prompt measures taken by the acting governor-general. What threatened to be a wide-spread rising in Chiu-pei-hsien (Eastern Yünnan) has been crushed without apparent effort, owing to the energy and courage of the magistrate. That district is inhabited by large numbers of Sha-yi, a tribe of whom very little is known. They live remote from the towns, and appear to occupy themselves principally as wood-cutters and charcoal burners. Their hair is bound into a chignon, and they wear a sort of sarong or cotton kilt twisted into a knot at the side of the waist. A few brought into contact with the Chinese have the queue, and wear the ordinary clothing of a Chinese coolie. The leader of the rising claimed to have discovered a tablet buried in the forest bearing an inscription interpreted to mean that he was a descendant of the Ming Royal Family, and that his son would become Emperor. He gathered 5,000 to 6,000 followers together and proceeded to Chiu-pei-hsien. The magistrate had no soldiers, but he closed the city gates and sent to Yünnan-fu for assistance, which was promptly forthcoming. In the meantime, the magistrate had collected a small body of men and kept the Sha-yi out of the city. They occupied the villages in proximity to the town, but were attacked by 300 soldiers with two guns. The Sha-yi were armed with nothing but clubs, knives, and stones. A hundred of them were killed without loss to the Chinese, and sixty prisoners were beheaded. The remainder have dispersed. The leader was killed. His son, a little boy of 9 years, was brought to Yunnan-fu in a cage. He is now in the new prison. I visited this establishment a short while ago in company with the judge, and the demeanour of the juvenile pretender towards his gaoler was evidence that they were not harsh with him. The judge, to whose kindheartedness he owes his humane treatment, tells me that he is now being taught Chinese, and that it is proposed to set him free when he is of age, provided his conduct has been satisfactory.\n\n### Railways\n\nIt is now confidently expected that the French railway will reach Yunnan-fu before the close of this year. The construction train has reached Liu-feng-ts'un, 100 kilom. (64 miles) from Yunnan-fu. The earthquake on the 21st May did only trifling damage to one of the tunnels, and dislodged a large quantity of débris on to the track at Po-hsi. Three or four Lolo villages in the vicinity of Po-hsi were partially destroyed and six or seven natives killed. The shock was a sharp one at Yunnan-fu, lasting for seven or eight seconds (11:30 P.M.), but no damage was done. The French consul tells me that the Chinese authorities at Yünnan-fu have denied to him that the Chinese Government intends to buy back the French railway. This railway will have cost not less than $4,000,000 by the time it reaches Yunnan-fu, and I doubt if the Chinese at Yünnan-fu would recommend the purchase, for this large amount, of a railway which they regard as doomed to financial loss.\n\nThe subject of a light Decauville railway, to cost 300,000 taels, from Yunnan-fu to ... \n\nPage 3 \n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423258, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 661, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# Inclosure 3 in No. 1\n## M. Rehders to Mr. C. S. Addis\nDeutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, August 31, 1909.\n\nI wrote you last on the 28th instant, and now beg to own receipt of your telegrams of the 28th and the 30th instant, as per enclosed; the latter one came to hand this morning only.\n\nAfter having received from M. Cordès a telegram similar to yours, and after careful consideration, I was authorised to wire you as follows:-\n\n\"The readiness of German syndicate to give up rights obtained by preliminary agreement with Chinese of the 7th March depends upon getting engineering section, as agreed between groups, Berlin, the 14th May.\n\nOpening of negotiations for rearrangement of engineering sections would mean for us to revert to our agreement the 7th March, and to include also Hankow-Canton line into rearrangement. Extension of lines and loans will therefore be only way to satisfy American demands.”\n\nIf I am allowed to give a short history of the case, I have to state that on the 7th March our bank concluded with Changchitung an agreement for the money to be advanced to the Chinese Government for the construction of the Hankow-Canton Railway, Hupeh-Hunan section, and certain concessions were granted thereby to the German group; in particular, it had been arranged that the Germans should have the right to appoint the chief engineer, who had to supervise the construction of the line.\n\nLater on, at the proposals made by you and our French friends, an agreement was arrived at in Berlin on the 14th May, according to which the chief engineer for the Hankow-Canton Railway has to be appointed by the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), the chief engineer for the Ichang-Hsiangyang-Huangchu line and the Ichang-Hanyang line to the length of about 800 kilom., to be appointed by the German group, &c.\n\nIf it now should turn out to be inevitable to rearrange the engineering sections of the whole Hankow-Chengtu line, then I must say it would only be fair that the Hankow Canton line should also fall in; anyhow, I am sure our syndicate would never consent to a - what I may call - one-sided rearrangement. If the intrusion of the Americans cannot be avoided, then all of us should suffer, and one party should not be left free.\n\nMay I still make another remark? According to our informations, it is beyond doubt that we have to thank Mr. Bland for all the troubles we have experienced with the Americans, for the latter had been quite ignorant of their pretended privilege until Mr. Fletcher, the American chargé d'affaires in Peking, was approached by Mr. Bland, and informed by him of the despatch of Prince Ching to Sir Ernest Satow in 1903. This coincides with the remark made by you in one of our meetings that the just-mentioned despatch was never communicated to the American Government. Of course we have now to face and deal with these facts, but I think it would really be too hard if we as foreigners should have to suffer most for a deed enacted by a countryman of yours; and if it should really be impossible to repel the Americans by our joint action, then I sincerely hope you will let the British and Chinese Corporation bear their share in the rearrangement of engineering section.\n\nBelieve me, &c.\n\nE. REHDERS.\n\n## Inclosure 5 in No. 1\n### Mr. C. S. Addis to M. Rehders\nLondon, August 30, 1909.\n\n**(Telegraphic)**\n\nHILLIER wires: \n\"Telegram of the 29th August received. American Government now request Chinese Government consent to modification loan agreement in order to admit American banks as signatories. Do you think it possible this demand may be pretext in order to gain time for American market, which is unprepared?\"\n\nRe foregoing, we have wired Hillier as follows: \n\"Re your wire of 30th, in our opinion the only way out of the difficulty is for Chinese Government to grant preliminary contract for whole line Hankow-Chengtu, increasing amount of loan correspondingly and providing for division of four equal engineering sections.\"\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n### Mr. C. S. Addis to M. Rehders\nLondon, August 25, 1909.\n\n**(Telegraphic)**\n\nHAVING learned Americans intend claim engineer half Ichang-Chengtu extension, we have accordingly instructed Hillier not to conclude agreement until rearrangement of engineering sections whole Hankow-Chengtu line arising out of admission of American participation has been settled between the groups upon an equitable basis.\n\nPage 659", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423260, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 663, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\nAny rearrangement, then, necessitated by the subsequent claim of the Americans to participate, must in equity leave undisturbed the relative position of the English, Germans, and French. As things are at present, it is clear that this can only be done by the sacrifice on the part of the English, Germans, and French of an equivalent portion of their respective thirds of the Hankow-Szechuan line. Any other arrangement must necessarily be to the prejudice of the British, and therefore inequitable.\n\nThat is our case. Its cogency might be reinforced, were that considered necessary, by a reference to the fact that the American claim is limited to the Hankow-Szechuan line. The Hankow-Canton Railway is not in question. The Americans do not make any pretensions to an interest in that line.\n\nThen, as regards Government intervention: The Americans have suddenly made an unexpected demand on the Chinese Government, not on the financial groups, to be admitted as signatories to the Railway Agreement. The result is to remove the negotiations from the region of finance to the realm of diplomacy, and to remove our activities to temporary inaction.\n\nUnder these circumstances I suggested in a recent letter to M. de la Chaume, a copy of which was sent to you, that the new American demand might be made the occasion for joint diplomatic representation at Peking in order to obtain from the Chinese Government an undertaking following the precedent of 1905, to give a preference to England, Germany, France, and America in the event of foreign capital and material being required in any future extension of the Hankow-Szechuan railway to Chungking as well as to Chengtu.\n\nI do not underrate the difficulties in the way, but I am persuaded that the Chinese Government would not withstand the combined diplomatic pressure of the four great Powers when exercised in favour of a request so reasonable in itself. The result would be to extricate China from the impasse created by the American demand for what would virtually be a new agreement. It is even possible that the prolongation of the Hankow-Szechuan line in the two directions I have indicated might be sufficient to provide an additional engineering section for the Americans without disturbing, at least to any great extent, the sections at present allocated to the Germans, French, and English.\n\nBelieve me, &c.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[34577]\n\n### No. 1\n\n661\n[September 15.]\n\n#### SECTION 1\n\nMemorandum communicated to Foreign Office by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, London, September 15, 1909,\n\n| No. | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (1.) | Copy of telegram dispatched to Peking, September 13, 1909. Matter still in the hands of Foreign Office, who do not wish you to take action in the meantime. WHAT are the American proposals exactly? |\n| (2.) | Copy of telegram received from Peking, September 14, 1909. REFERRING to your telegram of the 13th, we do not understand your enquiry. Americans have made no proposal other than contained in previous telegrams. |\n\nC. S. ADDIS.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423319, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "page_number": 722, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C. O.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nRECE REG 25 OCT 09:\n\nSeptember 22\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n726\n\n**Mr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis**-(Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, September 22.)\n\nMy dear Addis,\n\nPeking, September 3, 1909.\n\nI HAVE your letter of the 13th August. Hukuang Railways Loan.--In spite of all our efforts to confine negotiation to the actual subject matter of the loan agreement, as the only course which appeared to promise a practical solution, the question of the Ichang-Chengtu section has again been dragged in; the result is that we are face to face with another deadlock, the issue of which depends on whether the Germans will or will not relinquish a portion of their acquired rights over the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow line, so as to allow of a redistribution of engineers, and the attitude of our Government on the subject has evidently been stiffened by the anti-German campaign of the \"Times.\" Unless the Germans yield to this demand, and there seems to me very little prospect of their doing so, the whole business must go once more into the melting pot, and we shall revert to the situation of the 7th March last. The Germans will revive their claim to the Canton-Hankow line under their preliminary agreement with the Chinese, while we shall claim our original rights in the Szechuan-Hankow line under the Ching-Townley agreement of 1904, at the same time challenging the German claims to the Hankow-Canton line on the ground that on the improved terms, which we are prepared to accept, we are entitled to the preference under the Chang-Frazer agreement. The net result will be, I take it, that the Canton-Hankow line will be indefinitely hung up pending a settlement of our difference with the Germans, while we shall be in the position to proceed with the negotiation of the Szechuan-Hankow line in conjunction with the Americans, the French coming in as junior partners. The prospect is sufficiently appalling, but the matter is out of our hands now, and is for the Governments to arrange; it is clearly beyond the powers of ordinary business men to deal with.\n\nThe wisdom of a policy which cannot but excite the resentment of the Germans at a time when the feelings of the two countries are in a state of high tension appears questionable, but that is a matter of which it lies beyond my competence to speak. Its immediate effect here will be to throw upon us the responsibility for the collapse of the present negotiations, and while weakening our own position with the Chinese, to strengthen that of the Germans. It is humiliating to the Chinese that their claims to determine their own railway policy should be ignored by the nations quarrelling over the spoil of future concessions; but that this should lead to the indefinite postponement of present urgent railway construction will appear to them particularly cynical, and their feelings of resentment will naturally be strongest against the nation who is principally responsible for creating the impasse. The Germans, on the contrary, can count on Chinese sympathy, since their case is one which will appeal particularly to the Chinese sense of justice. The arrangement by which the Germans exchanged their acquired rights in the Hankow-Canton line for ours in the Szechuan-Hankow line, was proposed by the Chinese, and concluded with their full approval and concurrence. That the section thus conceded to the Germans happens to form one of the three divisions of the line dealt with by the Berlin agreement of the 14th May, would appear to them, as I must confess it frankly appears to me, a mere coincidence, and our action in now calling upon the Germans to give up a portion of their section as simply an attempt to go back upon our bargain. It is true that the Germans came by their rights in the Canton-Hankow line by sharp practice, to put it mildly, but that hatchet is buried now in the initialled agreement of the 6th June, with which all parties declared themselves satisfied, and we can hardly claim to dig it up again at this stage.\n\nThe Americans have meanwhile shown an unaccountable tardiness in coming to terms on questions of detail, and Straight is still without a reply from his group to the simple points submitted in my telegram to you of the 21st August, which were simultaneously submitted to Washington. The only move from that direction has been a fresh demand that the Americans may be admitted as joint signatories to the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423416, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 20, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[38932]\nNo. 1.\n\nThe British group therefore consider that they are doing all that can fairly be asked of them by offering to make the sacrifice on the Hankow-Szechuan line and expecting the Germans to do the same, for the sole question at issue is how to redistribute the engineering sections on the Hankow-Szechuan line in such a way as to admit of the American claim to appoint an engineer on one-half of the extension, without doing violence to the existing equilibrium of parties.\n\nBy the Berlin agreement of the 14th May, one-third of the Hankow-Szechuan line, namely, the Hankow-Ichang line with branches to Hsiangyang and Kuangchui, was allotted to the German group, and the remaining two-thirds, namely, the extension from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu, were allotted to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), an Anglo-French company constructed ad hoc, and representing the British and French groups.\n\nIn strict equity, therefore, the German group and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) should surrender 267 and 533 kilom. respectively, in order to satisfy the American claim to appoint an engineer on one-half of the extension, which is assumed to be 1,600 kilom. in length.\n\nIt may be admitted, however, that the German section, as the first to be constructed, is relatively of greater value than the deferred section of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), and in order to promote a settlement, His Majesty's Government would be willing that the Germans should surrender only the Hsiangyang-Kuangchui section to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), estimated at 200 kilom., as a contribution to the sacrifice of some 600 kilom. imposed upon the latter by the American claim to one-half of the Ichang-Chengtu extension.\n\nThe relative strength of the three groups over the whole line with its extensions would then be--\n| Group | Kilom. |\n|------------------------------|--------|\n| Germans | 600 |\n| Americans | 800 |\n| Chinese Central Railways (Limited) | 1,000 |\n\n(This includes the British and French shares, which thus amount to 500 kilom.)\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n**Note by M. Cambon.**----(Communicated to Foreign Office October 21, 1909.)\n\nLe Gouvernement des États-Unis, préoccupé des ravages produits par le développement de l'usage de l'opium, avait provoqué la réunion d'une commission internationale chargée d'examiner les mesures les plus propres à enrayer les progrès du mal.\n\nCette commission, réunie à Shanghai au mois de février dernier, a terminé ses travaux et a indiqué l'ensemble des dispositions dont elle conseille l'adoption par les divers Gouvernements respectivement.\n\nPar une communication récente, l'Ambassadeur des États-Unis à Paris suggère maintenant qu'une conférence internationale soit chargée de transformer en convention les conclusions de la commission de Shanghaï.\n\nLe Gouvernement de Sa Majesté a-t-il reçu une communication analogue ?\n\nAmbassade de France, Londres, le 21 octobre, 1909.\n\n[2462 a-1]\n\nForeign Office, October 20, 1909.\n\nPage 363 \n36392 \nIREC \nFree 5 NOVO October 21.]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423419, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 23, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## SECTION 3\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey\n\n#### (No. 137.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nPeking, August 23, 1909.\n\nThe proposal as to which you consult me in your telegram No. 137 of the 23rd instant, appears to be the consequence of the American Government's determination to insist, as my American colleague assures me they will do, on their right to a half share in the Ichang-Chengtu line as regards chief engineers, supply of material and financing, and also of Mr. Hillier's apprehensions as to the possible attitude of the French bank, which might go so far as to withdraw its adherence to the agreement with the Americans if the French right to appoint the chief engineer for the first half of the line in question were disregarded. It was in order to avoid the deadlock which, he feared, might thus arise that Mr. Hillier suggested our giving up the right to appoint a British chief engineer, as originally arranged, for the last section of the railway.\n\nI do not myself believe that the French would go to the lengths foreseen by Mr. Hillier, and I incline to the opinion that the question as to the degree in which the various groups shall participate in the Ichang-Chengtu section might now be reserved for future consideration, as we have practically secured that the whole railway from Hankow into Szechuan shall not in the future fall solely to the share of the Germans. Should, however, the French group insist, and the Americans refuse to waive their right to appoint the engineer to the first half of the extension, a fairer solution of the problem would seem to be that the last half should be divided into two equal portions to which a British and a French engineer would be appointed respectively.\n\nIt is possible that the line now in dispute may never be entirely built with the assistance of foreign capital; and it seems therefore regrettable to delay the ratification of the loan agreement merely because of the differences of opinion which have arisen over the appointments of engineers for the Ichang-Chengtu line.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423420, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 24, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n36392 \nIREC \n23 \n[August 27] NOVOS \nSECTION 3.\n\n[32326]\n\n## No. 1.\n\n**(No. 141.)** \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 27.) \n**(Telegraphic.)** P. \n**RAILWAY negotiations**\n\nPeking, August 27, 1909.\n\nPlease see the telegram sent to London to-day by Mr. Tillier, and the telegram of the 25th instant from Mr. Addis, to Peking.\n\nMr. Hillier considers that the arguments advanced in the latter of the above telegrams do not preclude him from signing the agreement according to his original instructions, but I have communicated to him my view that the terms of your telegram No. 137 of the 24th instant, prohibit his taking that course.\n\nAs regards, however, the suggestion made in your telegram No. 137, I am bound to say that, in my opinion, such a division of the line would not be possible without breaking the loan agreement as initialled. It would further be difficult to carry the proposed arrangement into effect, owing to the fact that the extension from Ichang to Chengtu has not hitherto come within the scope of the negotiations with Chang.\n\nThe French having now withdrawn their objection, I venture to ask whether you still attach importance to an immediate as opposed to a future settlement of the question of the extension to Chengtu.\n\n[32354]\n\n## No. 2.\n\n**(No. 142.)** \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 27.) \n**(Telegraphic.)** P. \n**CHINCHOW-TAONANFU Railway**\n\nPeking, August 27, 1909.\n\nI had an interview to-day with my Japanese colleague, and I spoke to him in the sense of your telegram No. 132 of the 20th instant.\n\nHe told me that he had received no reply from the Wai-wu Pu to his recent suggestion that they should obtain the advice of the Japanese before making definite plans for the construction of the railway. In his opinion the Chinese would be more inclined to view the matter in a friendly way after the settlement, which would not now be long delayed, of the Manchurian negotiations, and it would be advisable to suspend action on our part meanwhile, though he thought that I might perhaps endeavour to ascertain the views of the Chinese if a suitable opportunity were to present itself. I told him that I would do so.\n\nI cannot help thinking that it will be no easy task to persuade the Chinese into taking the first step and meeting the Japanese half way, as I interpret the action of the Mukden Viceroy in conveying to the British, German, and American consular officers on the 19th August his desire that the proposed mining and railway developments in Manchuria should be financed with either British, or German, or American capital, as showing the anxiety of the Chinese authorities to put a check on Japanese activity in those regions.\n\n**(Secret.)**\n\nLord ffrench tells me that at the same time as he was carrying through, on behalf of Paulings, the agreement for the survey and construction of the line, an arrangement was concluded, and is now in the hands of Mr. Straight, the representative of the American group, for the financing of the railway by American capital. In Lord ffrench's opinion, however, the existence of this agreement does not necessarily preclude the possibility of Japanese participation in the undertaking.\n\n[2389 dd-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423425, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 29, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nMr. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received October 20.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, 31, Lombard Street, London,\nOctober 16, 1909.\n\nMANY thanks for the extract from M. Pichon's note, which you were so good as to send me last night.\n\nI have jotted down my ideas as to the line to be taken in reply in the enclosed **memorandum**, which you may care to glance over before I see you at half past two.\n\nYours, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n**Memorandum** by Mr. Addis on M. Pichon's Note.-(Communicated October 14, 1909.)\n\nIT is agreed that it is the redistribution upon an equitable basis of the engineering sections consequent upon the recognition of the American claim which alone presses for solution.\n\nBut M. Pichon appears to overlook the fact that the American claim is limited to the Hankow-Szechuan line.\n\nThe Americans make no claim to appoint an engineer on the Hankow-Canton line. That is the subject of a separate agreement—the Addis-Simon agreement of the 24th February, 1908—and does not concern either the German or American groups.\n\nThe sole question at issue, therefore, is how to redistribute the engineering sections on the Hankow-Szechuan line in such a way as to admit of the American claim to appoint an engineer on one-half of the extension without doing violence to the existing equilibrium of parties.\n\nIt must be borne in mind that there are only two, and not, as M. Pichon seems to suppose, three parties concerned in the Hankow-Szechuan railway, namely, the German group on the one hand and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) on the other.\n\nBy the Berlin agreement of the 14th May, one-third of the Hankow-Szechuan line, namely, the Ichang-Hsiangyang-Kuangchui and the Ichang Hanyang line, was allotted to the German group, and the remaining two-thirds, namely, the extension from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu, were allotted to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited).\n\nThere can be no question, then, of rivalry or competition between the French and English. Their interests are merged and amalgamated in a company constructed ad hoc, and the division of engineering interests, so far as they are concerned, is therefore a purely internal arrangement which concerns themselves alone.\n\nIt is necessary to emphasise that the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) acts as a sole and independent body, with whose internal arrangements neither the Germans nor the Americans can be allowed to interfere; any attempt by one or the other to resolve it into its English and French constituents should, in the interests of self-preservation, be firmly resisted.\n\nIn strict equity, therefore, the German group and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) should surrender 267 and 533 kilom. respectively, in order to satisfy the American claim to appoint an engineer on one-half of the extension, which is assumed to be 1,600 kilom. in length.\n\nIt may be admitted, however, that the German section, as the first to be constructed, is relatively of greater value than the deferred section of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited). It is suggested, therefore, that the Germans should surrender only the Hsiangyang-Kuangchui section to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), estimated at 200 kilom., as a contribution to the sacrifice of some...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423426, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n2. 600 kilom., imposed upon the latter by the American claim to one-half of the Ichang--Chengtu extension.\n\nThe relative strength of the three groups over the whole line with its extensions would then be--\n\n| Germans | Americans | Chinese Central Railways (Limited) |\n|---------|-------------|----------------------------------|\n| Kilom. | Kilom. | Kilom. |\n| 600 | 800 | 1,000 |\n\nWith regard to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), the division of engineers is, as has been said, a matter of internal arrangement, but it is understood that no objection would be raised to the immediate appointment of a French engineer to the Hsiangyang-Kuangchui section to be surrendered by the Germans.\n\nIf the above proposal were accepted as a reasonable basis of compromise, no further obstacle need be allowed to stand in the way of a conference between the financial groups as a preliminary to the joint diplomatic action proposed by M. Pichon.\n\nLondon, October 15, 1909.\n\n**C. S. ADDIS**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government:]\n\n36392\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n(No. 170.)\n\n**(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nHUKUANG loan.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.*\n\nForeign Office, October 20, 1909.\n\n[To Washington only: With reference to your telegram No. 116 of the 19th October.]\n\nThe American Ambassador informs me that his Government are anxious that the matter should be settled as soon as possible.\n\nI have given him a memorandum assuring him that the only question which remains unsettled is the redistribution of engineering sections on the Szechuan Railway, so as to satisfy the American claim to participation, and that the delay is not the result of any action on the part of His Majesty's Government.\n\nA communication on the matter will, we understand, be received shortly from the French Government.\n\nI am sending you by post a copy of the memorandum handed to the American Ambassador.\n\n*Also to Mr. Mitchell Innes, No. 157.\n\nPage 30\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423466, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 70, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nNo. 1.\n\n## SECTION 2\n### Note communicated to Count Metternich, November 1, 1909\n\nTHE question now at issue in the matter of the Hukuang loan is the redistribution of the engineering sections on the Hankow-Szechuan line in such a way as to admit of the American claim to appoint an engineer on one-half of the extension without doing violence to the existing equilibrium of parties.\n\nOn the 27th September Sir E. Grey had the honour to inform Herr von Kühlmann that it appeared to His Majesty's Government that, under the arrangement proposed by the German financiers, i.e., that should the Hankow-Szechuan line be divided into four, the Hankow-Canton line should also be divided, the British group would be making a double sacrifice, one on the Hankow-Szechuan line and one on the Canton-Hankow line, while the German group would be compensated for the sacrifice they made on the Hankow-Szechuan line by what they gained at the British expense on the Canton-Hankow line, and would thus be making no sacrifice at all.\n\nThe British group therefore consider that they are doing all that can fairly be asked of them by offering to make the sacrifice on the Hankow-Szechuan line and expecting the Germans to do the same.\n\nBy the Berlin Agreement of the 14th May one-third of the Hankow-Szechuan line, namely, the Hankow-Ichang line with branches to Hsiangyang and Kuangchui, was allotted to the German group, and the remaining two-thirds, namely, the extension from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu, were allotted to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), an Anglo-French company constructed ad hoc and representing the British and French groups.\n\nIn order to satisfy the American claim to appoint an engineer on one-half of the extension, which is assumed to be 1,600 kilom. in length, it would seem that the German group and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) should in strict equity therefore surrender 267 and 533 kilom. respectively.\n\nIt may be admitted, however, that the German section, as the first to be constructed, relatively of greater value than the deferred section of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), and in order to promote a settlement His Majesty's Government would be willing that the Germans should surrender only the Hsiangyang-Kuanghui section to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), estimated at 200 kilom., as a contribution to the sacrifice of some 600 kilom., imposed upon the latter by the American claim, to one-half of the Ichang-Chengtu extension.\n\nThe relative strength of the three groups over the whole line with its extensions would then be----\n\n| Group | Kilom. |\n| --- | --- |\n| Germans | 600 |\n| Americans | 800 |\n| Chinese Central Railways (Limited) (this includes the British and French shares, which thus amount to 500 kilom. each) | 1,000 |\n\nThis proposal has been submitted to the French and United States Governments, and His Majesty's Government would be glad to learn that it would be favourably entertained by the Imperial German Government.\n\nForeign Office, November 1, 1909.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423492, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 96, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nBr. 23 NOV 09\n95\n\n[September 4.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 4.)**\n**(No. 146.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\n#### HANKOW-SZECHUAN Railway\n\nPeking, September 4, 1909.\n\nThe proposal made in your telegram No. 143 of yesterday's date that the whole line should be divided as equally as possible between the four groups will not, I fear, be put into effect without difficulty, although, if carried out, it would constitute the fairest settlement of the question.\n\nUnder your proposal the Germans would certainly be the gainers in the respect that they would increase their share as regards the financing of the Ichang-Chengtu line and the provision of materials for this line, but they would have to set off against this the practical surrender to the Americans or to the French of one of their Hupei branches, each of which is about 400 kilom. in length, while the extension beyond Ichang into Szechuan is, roughly, 1,000 kilom.\n\nShould, however, this difficulty be overcome and the proposal be agreed to by the four Powers concerned, I consider that the influence of the four legations ought to be sufficient to obtain from the Chinese an undertaking to apply to the four groups for the capital required in regard to the extension into Szechuan.\n\nThe conclusion of the proposed arrangement will, I presume, entail a notification to the Wai-wu Pu by my American colleague and myself that the 1903 agreement is thereby repealed.\n\n`[2413 d-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423588, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 192, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, London, to Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Peking.--(Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, July 13, 1909.)\n\nLondon, July 13, 1909.\n\n**(Telegraphic)**\n\nPresent position is, Anglo-German-French groups have offered Americans per cent. participation on equal terms finance, purchase of materials, and supervision both as regards Hupeh section Hankow-Szechuen Railway and also as regards extension to Chengtu when authorised, provided initialed agreement for Hukuang Railway loan is ratified by Imperial edict. On the other hand, Americans will only accept foregoing provided they receive in addition 25 per cent. participation finance materials Hupei-Hunan section Hankow-Canton line. They do not claim participation in any extension beyond southern boundary Hunan. The conference, being unable to arrive at a compromise on this point, was adjourned sine die. Neither Americans nor ourselves have any knowledge of a further meeting having been arranged at Paris.\n\nInform British Minister and your French and German colleagues.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423600, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 204, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### SECTION 1\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMessrs. Morgan and Co. to Mr. C. S. Addis.—(Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, November 9.)\n\nDear Sir,\n\nLondon, November 8, 1909. Referring to conversation to-day between yourself and our Mr. Grenfell, we herewith send you copy of proposal which he has received from Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., acting for the American banks:---\n\nIn order to break deadlock existing between England and Germany concerning Hukuang loan, following compromise has been suggested:\n\n\"Original agreement and supplementary agreement to stand, Chinese Government to appoint American chief engineer for Kuangshui-Hsiangyang section, who is to co-operate with and be under general direction of German who is chief engineer entire Hankow-Chengtu-Hupei section. Banks in private agreement, to which Chinese Government no party, to agree if railway extended from Ichang to Chengtu that the first section, about 500 kilom., to have French chief engineer; second section, about 600 kilom., to have American chief engineer; third section, about 500 kilom., to have British chief engineer.\"\n\nWe are willing to adopt this suggestion, providing it is understood clearly that, in the event that the groups do not join on the lines proposed, our recognised right in regard to one-half of extension shall stand.\n\nHowever, the American group feel that, before definite settlement, a definite understanding should be reached as to ultimate interchangeability of bonds between United States and three European markets. American group does not desire immediate opening of such markets, but after some given period bonds should become international, since it appears to be bad policy to have comparatively small loan cut up into four separate slices.\n\nWe understand Mr. Warburg, of Hamburg, has received a copy of the above cable, and is in conference with the German banks.\n\nWe shall be glad to hear your views and those of the French banks in reference to the above.\n\nYours faithfully,\nJ. S. MORGAN AND Co.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423605, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 209, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n208 \n\n| 09215 \n\nNovember 13, 2 DEC 09,\n\nSECTION 1,\n\n41686\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Note communicated by Mr. Whitelaw Reid.** (Received November 13.)\n\nMR. WHITELAW REID presents his compliments to His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and begs to inform him that his Government has been greatly gratified to learn from Berlin that the settlement of the Hukuang loan proposed by Mr. Straight, viz., that an American engineer should be appointed for the Hsiangyang-Kuang section of 200 kilom. to co-operate with and to be subject to the general direction of the German chief engineer, the appointment of the American engineer to be recognised by the Chinese Government by letter, and that by private arrangements the Hankow-Chengtu-Szechuan section is to be divided as follows: first section of 500 kilom., French chief engineer; second section of 600 kilom., American chief engineer; third section of 500 kilom., British chief engineer; is acceptable to the German Government provided that the American engineer for the Hsiangyang-Kuangshui section will not interfere with the judgment of the German chief engineer regarding the purchase of materials. This condition is agreed to by the United States Government on the understanding that it shall in no way prejudice the rights of their nationals for the same privileges and preferences with regard to materials, and for a voice in the selection of purchasing agencies as already agreed upon.\n\nBelieving that the Powers interested are now at one as regards the conditions of the Hukuang loan, my Government is asking that the German representative at Peking be instructed to sign the agreement without delay.\n\nInasmuch as the above settlement is also understood to be in harmony with the proposals of the British Government, as stated in the Foreign Office memorandum of the 20th ultimo, my Government hopes that His Majesty's Government will at once cause instructions to be issued to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation to sign this agreement.\n\nMr. Reid ventures to ask for an immediate favourable reply.\n\nAmerican Embassy, London, November 12, 1909.\n\n`2486 n-1`\n\nSC \n\nJune", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423615, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 219, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# \n\n218 \n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government \n\n5 \n\nA 2 DEC 09 \n\n[November 22.] \n\nCHINA RAILWAYS. \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n[42746] \n\nNo. 1. \n\nSECTION 1. \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 22.) \n\n(No. 402.) Sir, \n\nPeking, November 4, 1909. \n\nI HAVE the honour to report that the United States chargé d'affaires, in the course of a visit which he paid to me on the 26th ultimo, read to me a telegram which he had received from Washington, giving an account of an interview which the United States Ambassador in London had had with yourself and Sir Francis Campbell, and containing a summary of a memorandum which you had furnished to the Ambassador defining our position with regard to the Hukuang Railway loan.\n\nI explained to Mr. Fletcher the reasons which necessitated the rearrangement of the engineering sections of the Ichang-Chengtu line and the contribution by the German group of their share towards the loss occasioned by American participation. If the Germans agreed to give up the section of 200 kilom. from Kuangshui to Hsiang-yang, an equitable arrangement could probably be made which would satisfy all parties.\n\nMr. Fletcher seemed to regard our attitude as reasonable and natural, and said my explanations would enable him to contradict the assertions of the Chinese, that it was the British who were obstructing a settlement.\n\nTwo days later I called at the American Legation to ascertain if any further developments had taken place. Mr. Fletcher told me that he had communicated the substance of our conversation to Mr. Straight, who had seen Mr. Cordes, and given him to understand that some concession on the part of the Germans was necessary for the conclusion of the loan negotiations. I understood Mr. Fletcher to say that, after making much difficulty, Mr. Cordes had eventually agreed to recommend his group to give up their engineering rights over the Kuangshui-Hsiangyang section.\n\nMr. Fletcher had also spoken to the German Minister, Count Rex, who, without committing himself definitely to any course of action, had conveyed the impression that, if consulted, he would offer no objection to the recommendation which Mr. Cordes had agreed to make.\n\nA memorandum which Mr. Straight on the following day handed to Mr. Hillier, and of which a copy is enclosed, gave the arrangement a different complexion. According to this, the German abandonment of the Kuangshui-Hsiangyang section was far from complete, and was to be made in favour of America, and not of the common interests of the three groups. An American chief engineer was to be appointed for this section, but he was to co-operate with and be under the general direction of the German chief engineer of the entire Hupei section, as provided by the terms of the original agreement.\n\nIn the event of the railway being extended to Chengtu, the first section of 500 kilom. was to be constructed by a French engineer, the second section of 600 kilom. by an American engineer, and the third section of 500 kilom. by a British engineer.\n\nI authorised Mr. Hillier to inform Mr. Straight that the arrangement differed considerably from the description of it given to me by the United States chargé d'affaires, and that it did not appear to afford a satisfactory solution of the difficulty.\n\nThe Americans were receiving an actual 200 kilom. of construction for the abandonment of a potential 200, but that was a small point. What seemed more important was that the disposal of the section abandoned by the Germans should be given either to the Chinese Central Railways or be left to the decision of the three groups.\n\nThe accompanying extract from a private letter from His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow shows the effect which the provincial agitation against a foreign loan is having upon the Board of Communications here.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423616, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 220, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n## Memorandum handed to Mr. Hillier by Mr. Straight.\n\n**IT** is proposed to secure an early settlement of present difficulties by an arrangement as follows:-\n\nArrangements now reached, as provided by the original Hu-Kuang agreement and the draft supplementary agreement, to stand, except that an American chief engineer will be appointed for the Kuangshui-Hsiangyang section of the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan line, such engineer to co-operate with, and be subject to, the general direction of the German engineer, who shall be named as chief engineer for the entire Hupei section, in accordance with the terms of the original agreement.\n\nThe appointment of such an American engineer shall be recognised by China by an exchange of letters.\n\nA private arrangement shall be made between the banks, to which China shall not be a party, in which the American group shall recognise that, in case the railway be extended to Chengtu, the chief engineer for the first section beyond Ichang, about 500 kilom., shall be French, the chief engineer for the second section, about 600 kilom., shall be American, and the chief engineer for the third section, about 500 kilom., shall be British.\n\nOctober 29, 1909.\n\n# Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n## Consul-General Fraser to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n**(Private.) (Extract.)**\n\nHankow, November 1, 1909.\n\nTHE Taotai, returning my call on the 30th, said the Viceroy was very much in favour of the idea of having the railway embankments built by the flooded-out people; but his Excellency was loth to move in the matter just now, because the Board of Communications had telegraphed and written to him to ascertain what actual sums the two provinces could and would put up for railway building either at once or year by year.\n\nThe Hunan protest against the loan had been followed by Hupei protest, and Board and Viceroy were being bombarded with telegrams and letters full of assurances that the two provinces were able and ready to copy Chekiang and save their homes from foreign interference.\n\nA censor had memorialised in the same sense, and the Board, the Viceroy feared, was trying to shift the odium of the loan on to his shoulders. He had told Hunan governor to forward exact details of what his province could guarantee financially, and not to be content with vague promises, but to demand valid security or cash.\n\nHis Excellency had also made similar demand on the Hankow Association of Commerce and reminded the promoters of last year's agitation, of their failure to take steps to take up the enormous number of shares which they subscribed at their meetings.\n\nHis Excellency the Taotai know perfectly well that the provinces, especially Hupei just now, could not raise any considerable capital, and that the device of charging 1 dollar on every tael of land tax and issuing share scrip when the extra charge reached 5 dollars was a burden the farmers could not face; and his Excellency means to make a plain-spoken report to the Board on the fictitious nature of the protests.\n\nHis Excellency is, however, most averse from being made the scapegoat of the Board, and will try to avoid being saddled with the loan arrangements and the supervision of the work.\n\nThe native papers here seem firmly convinced that the foreign Powers are so eager to press loans on China that she could get any terms she chose, if only there were not the bogey of partition in the background. They are also beginning a scare of coming foreign tutelage of China in finance.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[42742]\n\n**(No. 398.)** Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n219\n\n09215\n\n2 DEC 09\n\n[November 22.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n## Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 22.)\n\nPeking, October 30, 1909.\n\nNOT having received the reply mentioned at the close of my despatch `No. 362` of the 5th October, I asked to see the Grand Secretary Na-t'ung specially with regard to the affairs of the Shanghae-Ningpo Railway, and at an interview at the Wai-wu Pu on the 26th October I reminded his Excellency of Prince Ching's assurance of the 20th July and of what had happened before and since, drew special attention to the memorandum you gave to the Chinese Minister on the 17th August, and pressed strongly for some definite statement of the action which the Chinese Government proposed to take.\n\nNa-t'ung assured me that as soon as Tang Shou-chien had his audience of the Prince Regent, and this must take place in the near future, another president would be appointed to the Chekiang Railway Bureau, who would be more under the control of the Board of Communications and would act in accordance with the provisions of the loan agreement.\n\nI expressed dissatisfaction at the further delay which had taken place, and dwelt on the importance of some immediate steps being taken, but the grand secretary insisted that the matter could not be hurried, and that Prince Ch'ing and the Board of Communications, both of whom he had consulted before our interview, were doing their utmost to remove the causes of the difficulties in the past and to provide for harmonious working in the future.\n\nI stated that the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank had recently paid requisitions of the director-general on the loan funds to the extent of 310,000 taels, and that it was very doubtful how far this money was being applied to the construction of the railway.\n\nI may mention that I have repeated to Mr. Hillier my opinion that the bank is not morally justified, legal advice notwithstanding, in continuing to make these issues of loan funds to the Chinese. The bank authorities know perfectly well that the risk they incur in withholding the money is infinitesimal, but it does not suit their general interests to take such a step.\n\nThat, however, is rather a reason why the bank should not undertake business in which it is not prepared to make a stand to assist the legation in resisting Chinese malversation.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423630, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 234, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## Szechuan\n\na further reduction in the area of cultivation last season. The Viceroy furnished the acting consul-general with a list compiled from reports received from the magistrates, according to which cultivation had completely ceased in fifteen districts, had been reduced by one-half in four, while from two other districts the magistrates had reported that they were taking steps to reduce the area. On the whole the Chinese reports are borne out by those received from missionaries scattered over the province. The Viceroy claimed that in Peng Hsien, one of the largest opium-growing districts north-west of Chengtu, cultivation had entirely ceased, and this was confirmed by an American missionary, who wrote that poppy was no longer grown there, wheat and vegetables having taken its place. Eight other reports received from missionaries covering a wide area may possibly serve as an indication of what is taking place in other parts of the province. In every instance they report a considerable reduction in cultivation. Unfortunately there are districts from which the reports are far from encouraging, and it is evident that the reports forwarded to the Viceroy from many districts were misleading. For instance, in the Tanleng district the magistrate reported to the Viceroy that the area had been reduced by one-half, and that there were not more than ten fields sown with poppy, whereas a missionary wrote that there were hundreds of fields covered with the plant. Not very far from Tanleng, in Pengshan Hsien and Meichou, south of Chengtu, more poppy was sown last autumn than ever before, and poppy was even substituted for other crops. In the Ninyang-fu prefecture poppy was sown in large quantities last autumn, but a newly appointed and energetic official ordered the growing crops to be dug up. The missionary reports received through His Majesty's vice-consul at Chungking have been very contradictory, but on the whole they indicate no progress in the eastern side of the province; some talked of a reduction in the area of cultivation, but the great majority said that no steps had been taken in this direction, and many even reported an actual increase, especially in the immediate neighbourhood of Chungking.\n\nThe Viceroy of Szechuan, like other Viceroys and governors, appears to have realised that it was beyond the power of the Chinese to enforce strictly the complicated regulations that had been issued in regard to reducing the area of cultivation, and he also has issued a proclamation forbidding the sowing of any poppy at all this autumn. The effect of this proclamation will certainly be to diminish the amount of poppy grown still further, and, while it may not in such a vast province owing to the laxity and venality of subordinate officials, produce immediately the desired result, there seems to be every chance that opium may not be grown on a large scale throughout the province in a year or two. His Majesty's consul at Chungking, in spite of the unsatisfactory reports he has sent, appears to be hopeful as to the ultimate result. The farmer in Szechuan is a patient and law-abiding person, not likely to offer active opposition to any measures that may be adopted, and the missionaries are of opinion that a definite prohibition of cultivation and a little genuine activity on the part of the officials would soon put an entire stop to the cultivation of the poppy. When one considers that this means that roughly one-half of the entire supply of native opium in China would thus disappear, it is evident that both the central and the provincial authorities should spare no pains to attain such a desirable result.\n\n## Suppression of Opium Smoking\n\nIn regard to the suppression of the vice of smoking, there is also some progress to be reported. Writing at the beginning of the year His Majesty's consul at Chengtu said that there was a marked decline throughout the province in the prevalence of the opium habit, which was gradually becoming unpopular among educated people of all classes. The retail opium shops or official opium dens established in 1907 were finally closed this year, in Chengtu on the 20th February and elsewhere in the province on the 22nd March, though I understand that in Chungking, where eighty-six dens remained open at the end of last year, the final closing could not be enforced till the 20th April. Since then the only lawful means of obtaining the drug has been from the official opium shops, which can only sell to holders of licences for consumption off the premises and the rule requiring the production of licence prior to purchase of opium is strictly enforced, though its real object is evaded by the indiscriminate issue to any applicant of travellers' permits allowing the holder to purchase 1 oz. a-day for five days. It is, I understand, difficult to estimate to what extent illicit traffic in prepared opium is carried on by this means, but it no doubt exists on a considerable scale.\n\nThe price of the officially prepared drug rose last year from 410 cash per ounce to 500 cash per ounce, and in the middle of July it was raised to 540 cash per ounce. This periodical increase would not, however, appear to have the effect of reducing illicit sales as smuggled opium is necessarily sold at a cheaper rate than the officially prepared drug and the higher the price of the latter the greater the profit the smuggler can make.\n\nThe returns of prepared opium issued by the official factory to the distributing agencies in Chengtu show an enormous decrease on last year's figures, but I am afraid that a considerable proportion of this decrease was due to two causes: the inferior quality of the drug prepared at the factory, and the consequent increase in the amount of opium illicitly prepared and sold. Since the quality of the officially prepared drug has improved, its consumption has again increased. However, even taking these facts into consideration, there can be no doubt that the subjoined figures giving the monthly amounts of prepared opium issued by the factory during portions of last and this year indicate a diminution in the number of smokers and in the amount of opium smoked:\n\n| Chinese moon | Kuang Hsu. 34th year. Oz. | Isuan Tung, 1st year. Oz. |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | 54,825 | 10,182 |\n| 2 | 61,248 | 7,590 |\n| 2nd intercalary | | 9,298 |\n| 3 | 51,158 | 10,770 |\n| 4 | 49,540 | 17,201 |\n| 5 | 38,033 | 12,159 |\n\n## Kueichow\n\nSir A. Hosie was obliged to paint a very black picture of the state of affairs in Kueichow, which he characterised as probably the most opium-sodden province in the Empire.\n\nDuring the past year practically no reliable information has reached His Majesty's Legation, except a report from a missionary who travelled through the province in the spring and found that opium was being grown openly everywhere and estimated the area of cultivation as even greater than in previous years. The Viceroy, Hsi Liang, would appear to have confined his attention to the province of Yunnan and not to have made any attempt to have his energetic measures enforced in the province of Kueichow. It appears that when he travelled through the latter province on his way from Yunnan-fu to Hankow last March the young poppy in the vicinity of the main roads along which he passed were covered over with earth for the day.\n\nThe only other evidence we have to go on is a memorial by the Governor of Kueichow dated the 6th July. In it he admits that both the cultivation and consumption of opium in Kueichow had increased to an exceptional extent and that its abolition was correspondingly difficult. Here, again, the governor had come to the conclusion that total prohibition of cultivation was more easily enforced than gradual reduction, and he had issued an order that no opium must be grown after this year. Although this prohibition was in many cases disregarded last spring, he hoped that by the autumn the cultivation of opium would be completely abandoned and other crops substituted. He claimed that the consumption of opium in the province had already fallen by 40 to 50 per cent., and that 90 per cent. of the officials and 40 per cent. of the people had given up the drug. I cannot help feeling, however, that if these estimates were even approximately correct, some independent confirmatory evidence would have reached us. On the whole, I am inclined to consider Kueichow as one of the provinces in which the least progress has been made, and most therefore remains to be done.\n\n## Yunnan\n\nSir A. Hosie has already described the stringent regulations issued last year by the Viceroy Hsi Liang, according to which all cultivation was to cease in Yunnan by the end of the last Chinese year, i.e., the 21st January, 1909, and no opium was to be allowed to pass any customs or li-kin barriers after the 21st September, 1908. Opinions were divided as to the wisdom of the step taken by the Viceroy in curtailing to such...\n\nPage 233\n[2494 p-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423633, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 237, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "26\n\nObtaining trustworthy returns of the acreage are equally applicable here, and only estimates can be given, which we have done according to the best of our ability in our memorandum on opium. For our shortcomings in these respects, we can only repeat that we crave the indulgence of not only the British delegation, but of all the delegations of this honourable commission.\n\nMy idea as to the purpose of these general reports on the opium question in China is that, though they may also serve for the enlightenment of public opinion as to the progress of the anti-opium campaign in China, they are primarily intended to furnish information to His Majesty's Government which may enable them at the end of the trial period of three years covered by the agreement with the Chinese Government to form a correct judgment as to whether China has fulfilled her part of the bargain, and made a corresponding reduction in the internal production and consumption of opium, so as to justify the Indian Government in continuing their policy of annually reducing by one-tenth the export of opium from India to China.\n\nIt is evident that we cannot expect reliable statistics by the end of next year; therefore, we shall have to depend on the other method to which I have before referred as affording clear evidence that the necessary diminution in production has been effected, namely, the issue and proper enforcement of orders categorically forbidding the cultivation of opium. The Chinese authorities have themselves come to the conclusion that elaborate regulations for the registration of poppy lands and a proportionate annual reduction are unworkable, and that there is only one way of measuring the progress made towards the ultimate extinction of the poppy, and that is by issuing orders for its total prohibition after a certain date and taking energetic measures to see that the orders are enforced. Such orders were already in force last season in the provinces of Shansi, Yunnan, Fukien, Hunan, Kwangtung, and Hei-lung-kiang, and were successfully enforced in most cases. The two first named were two of the greatest opium-producing provinces of China, and His Majesty's Minister considered it to be of such importance to ascertain how far the order forbidding the growth of opium had been enforced that he instructed Mr. Brenan and Mr. Rose to undertake journeys of investigation in Shansi and Yunnan respectively. I need not repeat here what I have already written as to the great results achieved in these two provinces by vigorous personal administration; but apart from the actual reduction in the total amount of opium produced by China involved therein, the results obtained are the best possible augury for the success of the movement throughout the Empire, for there seems no reason to believe that what has been done in Shansi and Yunnan could not be accomplished elsewhere were the same energy and earnestness applied to the task. All that is needed are definite and simple orders and a fearless and determined governor to secure their execution. I am strongly of opinion that prohibition of cultivation will now be enforced, of course with varying results, in practically all the provinces, and I also cannot help feeling that the majority of the high provincial authorities are convinced that no trifling with this question will be allowed, and that they will therefore do all that lies in their power to enforce the order that no more poppy is to be sown.\n\nIn one of the provinces of Manchuria—Hei-lung-chiang—total prohibition was already enforced last season, and resulted, if not in the total disappearance, yet certainly in a great reduction of the crop. Kwangtung has never been a large opium-producing province, and apparently what little was formerly grown is now to all intents and purposes suppressed. In Fukien also and in Hunan, where little poppy was ever grown, similar orders were enforced last season with a very large measure of success.\n\nIn Kuangsi, the cultivation was never very extensive and has now been entirely eradicated.\n\nThe excellent results obtained in Hei-lung-chiang, Shansi, and Yunnan appear to have inspired governors of other provinces to issue similar orders, and the growing of opium is from now on forbidden in the large majority of provinces, i.e., Kirin and Fengtien, in Manchuria; Chihli, Shantung, Honan, Kiangsu, Anhui, Szechuan, Shensi, Kansu, and Kweichow.\n\nAs to Kirin and Fengtien, the activity shown by the Viceroy and other officials in Manchuria in regard to the suppression of smoking throughout the three provinces, and the eradication of the poppy in Hei-lung-chiang, augurs well for the successful enforcement of the order in the two remaining provinces.\n\nThe prohibition of cultivation in Chihli was to take effect from last spring. A certain reduction had been already effected, and there seems little doubt that if the new Viceroy, Tuan Fang, only shows himself stern and uncompromising in enforcing the prohibition, the next reports from Chihli will show a great diminution, if not a total disappearance, of the poppy crop.\n\n27\n\nIn Shantung, the former governor, Yuan-shu-hsun, an energetic and progressive official, at first turned all his attention to the promulgation and enforcement of complicated rules for the suppression of smoking, but seeing that, though he made a certain amount of progress, his final object of abolishing smoking in Shantung could never be achieved by these means, he issued orders last year that no more poppy was to be grown. Unfortunately, he was persuaded to grant certain exemptions, but, nevertheless, the success that attended his efforts last season was so marked that it may be prophesied with some certainty that now that it is absolutely forbidden to grow poppy in Shantung, the cultivation will be practically stopped next year in this province also, provided always that Yuan-shu-hsun's successor shows the same will and energy that he himself did.\n\nIn Honan, an order forbidding the cultivation of the poppy was issued last year, but apparently was not to become generally effective till this year. As a matter of fact, it was actively enforced already last year in the neighbourhood of the provincial capital, and all the growing crops were destroyed. There seems, however, to have been some doubt in the minds of officials and farmers whether they were allowed to grow poppy last season or not, the consequence being that, though there was some reduction in area, there was still a considerable quantity of opium harvested. Now, however, there can be no doubt as to the meaning of the order, and it only depends on the officials to see that it is properly enforced.\n\nIn Kiangsu and Anhui, we have the same story; the order was issued too late last year to be carried out in its entirety. In both provinces, the authorities showed energy, and large areas of land already planted with poppy were dug up, with the result that there was, if not entire cessation, at any rate a considerable decrease of production. The authorities intend to enforce the prohibition very rigorously this year, and we may look forward to satisfactory results in both these provinces.\n\nIn Szechuan, the orders in regard to the diminution of the area of cultivation appear to have been too complicated for practical enforcement. Immediately around Chengtu, and in a less degree throughout the whole of the western half of this vast province, there has been some decrease in the amount of opium produced, but in the east of the province, especially along the Yang-tsze, the very reverse appears to have been the case; not only was there no diminution in the area of cultivation, but in some districts, there was an increase, and new lands were planted with poppy. This was apparently due to the slackness of the local authorities, who, realising that last season was probably the farmers' last chance of deriving profit from a good crop of opium, allowed them \"to make hay while the sun shines.\" The Viceroy has now forbidden the planting of any poppy, and the general impression appears to be that if he manages to convince the local officials and the people generally that he means to have his orders carried out at any price, we shall at all events see a marked reduction in the quantity of opium harvested next year, even if, in so large a province, where the cultivation of the poppy is the principal industry, it proves impossible to entirely eradicate it in such a short period.\n\nThe last three provinces, Shensi, Kansu, and Kweichow, in which the cultivation of the poppy is now totally prohibited, have hitherto been distinguished by the failure of the officials to take any efficient steps towards the suppression either of consumption or production. In all three, it looks as if the amount of poppy grown last season was actually greater than in 1906, and the issue of the prohibition will not suffice by itself to effect any improvement, unless the authorities at the same time alter their whole attitude and take effective, and, if necessary, harsh measures to ensure its enforcement.\n\nIn Chekiang, orders have been issued prohibiting the growing of opium, but they are not as definite as in other provinces, and it will not, therefore, be so easy to estimate how far they have been carried out. Apparently, an attempt is to be made this season to prevent any poppy from being sown, but the final suppression is not to be insisted on till 1911, i.e., in three years. The attempts made to reduce cultivation in this province have already been attended with such good results that a definite immediate prohibition would probably have been successfully enforced.\n\nFrom Hupei, the reports are very unsatisfactory. It is true that the province produces but little opium and imports large quantities from other provinces, but on the whole, no effective steps have been taken either to diminish the number of...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423643, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 247, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# Question 5.--Number of opium dens\n\n## Replies\n\nNan Ch'uan.-There are four large opium dens in the city; in the suburbs there are no open dens, but many secret ones. Altogether, taking city, suburbs, and twenty-eight market towns, there are more than 180 dens.\n\nPa Hsien-There were formerly 1,400 to 1,500 opium dens in the Pa Hsien district, reduced the year before last on the institution of the \"kuau kao tien\" to eighty in the city and one in each market town, of which there are 108. They were all closed on the 1st of the Chinese moon this year, but there are now more than 600 secret dens in the city.\n\nKiangpei.-There were formerly 300 odd opium dens, which were reduced for reasons above given under \"Pa Hsien\" to forty odd in the city and one or two in the forty-eight market towns, according to their size. This gave a total of 108 odd dens. They were all closed on the 1st of the 3rd moon this year; but there are still shops where opium is secretly sold and smoked, the total for city and market towns being over 100.\n\n## Question 6.--What is the general attitude of officials and people towards opium reform?\n\n### Replies\n\nLiangshan.-The officials seem to do as the gentry advise. The gentry are as a class not serious in their endeavours to control the growth and sale of opium. The people, however, cry out for complete prohibition.\n\nTung Hsiang-As you doubtless know, Tung Hsiang is perhaps the worst \"hsien\" in Szechuan for opium growing. Of six fields, I should say five grow opium. No one can borrow unless his fields are growing opium. In fact, most transactions are done in opium. The people, although in conversation, &c., they all agree that the trade is indefensible and only ruins their \"hsien,\" will do nothing unless forced to by the official. There is no public spirit about it. I cannot tell you the official's private attitude about it; he is certainly faced with a pretty tough job.\n\nK'ai Hsien.--The general attitude is indifference.\n\nWan Hsien.--Indifference.\n\nFengtu.-Proclamations issued, but officials have not exerted themselves, and people not favourable to opium reform.\n\nFuchou.-Officials and people indifferent.\n\nChungchou-Present officials are exerting themselves, but the people are not serious.\n\nShih Chu Ting-People desire eradication of opium, but they have no good medicines or houses. Frequent conferences between the ting and the gentry have led to the decision that the only effective means of stopping opium smoking is to entirely prohibit cultivation, but effect has not been given to this opinion.\n\nNan Ch'uan.-Official action during last three years has not been consistent. People have very little knowledge of the advantage to be gained by the eradication of opium, and it is very regrettable that the officials are not in earnest.\n\nPa Hsien.-Officials have made efforts to stop opium smoking, but country-people and others are against it, as opium is the most profitable source of income. The police have endeavoured to prevent secret smoking and boiling, but the people have obstructed, and on both sides action really taken has been largely on the surface and in nominal obedience to orders from Chengtu.\n\nKiangpei.-Officials have not been in earnest, and people are indifferent.\n\n## Question 7.--Are steps being taken to register opium smokers?\n\n### Replies\n\nLiangshan-I have not heard of any such registration in Liangshan.\n\nTung Hsiang.-I believe steps are being taken--anyway, there was a lot of talk about it. (This informant, as I have before stated, was away from Tung Hsiang when he wrote.)\n\nK'ai Hsien.-No steps are being taken at all.\n\nWan Hsien.-Just started, but people not registering, and magistrate not enforcing it.\n\nFengtu.-Although smokers are supposed to have a licence, no effect has been given to this requirement.\n\nFuchou.-Registration ineffective. Great numbers have evaded it, and no licences have been issued. The people do as they please; they boil and smoke as much as they like.\n\nChungchou.-Enquiry ordered but not properly made, and no registration effected.\n\nShih Chu Ting-Nothing done.\n\nNan Ch'uan-Nothing done as yet.\n\nPa Hsien.-Although smokers are supposed to be licensed, and over 20,000 licences have been issued, the official opium in the \"tsung kuan kao tien\" finds no sale.\n\nKiangpei.--No real effort made to investigate number of smokers and issue licences.\n\n## Question 8.--Have any anti-opium societies been formed?\n\n### Replies\n\nLiangshan.-I have not heard of any.\n\nTung Hsiang.--None, as far as I know.\n\nK'ai Hsien.--None.\n\nWan Hsien.--None.\n\nFengtu.-None.\n\nFuchou.-None.\n\nChungchou.-A refuge in the city.\n\nShih Chu Ting.--A refuge in the city.\n\nNan Ch'uan.-An official refuge in the city was opened by the last magistrate, but the medicines are expensive and useless. Those in charge think only of their own gain and care nothing for prohibition of smoking.\n\nPa Hsien.-There is an official refuge in the city, the average number of persons in residence being about 100. Although a good many have been cured, the number of smokers is very great. Private anti-opium refuges number thirty to forty; their methods are mainly identical, but the number of effective cures is very few.\n\nKiangpei.-There is no official anti-opium refuge, but some people, seeking for personal gain, have started a few refuges. They have no good houses or medicines, and cures are therefore impossible. Any who have really wished to give up the habit have gone to Chungking.\n\n## Question 9.--Have any \"kuan tien\" been established, and, if so, what is their procedure?\n\n### Replies\n\nLiangshan.-Offices have been established in every village for the purchase of raw opium. Theoretically, these are the only people allowed to prepare opium for use; they also issue anti-opium pills (containing opium). The people in charge seem to be left largely to themselves as regards procedure.\n\nTung Hsiang.--No information.\n\nK'ai Hsien.--A \"kuan kao tien\" has been opened, but only the signboard hangs outside; that is all. Nothing is done.\n\nWan Hsien.-There was one in each ward of the city--four in all; but all closed now.\n\nFengtu.-The city and each market town has a \"kuan kao tien,\" and the maximum amount each opium den may purchase per diem is 4 oz.\n\nFuchou.-A \"kuan kao tien\" has been established in the city. Those in charge have taken advantage of their position to make profits on exchange, refusing to reckon the value of cash or sycee in accordance with local custom. Each market town has a \"pi fa tien,\" which is compelled to deposit 50 taels as security with the \"kuan kao tien.\"\n\nChungchou.-A \"kuan kao tien\" established in the city.\n\nShih Chu Ting.--No \"kuan kao tien\" established.\n\nNan Ch'uan.--A \"kuan kao tien\" has been established in the city, and its opening has done a great deal of harm, conveying the idea to the ignorant country people that its institution is a cunning device to divert profits from their own pockets into those of the officials.\n\nPa Hsien.-There is at present a \"tsung kuan kao tien\" in the city of Chungking. I shall refer at greater length to this establishment below.\n\n[2494 p-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423644, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 248, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## Kiangpei\nA \"tsung kuan kao tien\" was opened in the city the year before last; its representatives in the market towns were the local headmen. The competition of the smuggled drug was too strong, and the present stock in the \"tien\" is 100,000 oz.\n\n## Question 10 - What taxes is it proposed to introduce to replace the revenue derived from opium and opium dens?\n\n### Replies\n\nLiangshan.--No new taxes have been suggested on land apart from that levied for railway construction, which is half as much as the original land tax. In addition to this, taxes have been levied on the paper industry, which has given rise to considerable friction. Salt has also been more heavily taxed at the source of supply.\n\nTung Hsiang.--No information.\n\nK'ui Hsien--I have not heard of any suggestions.\n\nWan Hsien.--No other taxation has been proposed as yet, but heavier tax on opium consumed has so far resulted in a large increase to the authorities.\n\nFengtu.--No arrangements made for substituting other taxes.\n\nFuchou.--Official idea is to increase li-kin, e.g., an addition of 4 cash per catty on salt. If taxation assessed as follows were imposed: i.e., 300 cash per \"tso\" of wine, 200 cash per \"cha\" of oil, with 3 to 4 cash per \"tso\" and \"cha\" for petty expenses and 500 cash per pig, and the whole were handed over to Government, it should be possible to make up the opium revenue.\n\nChungchou.--Possible substitutes for opium revenue are taxes on boats, houses, and land.\n\nShih Chu Ting--The country south of Shih Chu Ting produces very good tea, and the Viceroy has ordered increased cultivation; the mulberry does well and can also be extended. Officials look to taxation on these two products to make up loss of opium revenue.\n\nNan Chuan--Suggests taxation on wine, oil, pigs, paper, tea, iron, and coal as follows: 400 cash per \"tso\" of wine, 200 cash per \"cha\" of oil, with an allowance per \"tso\" and \"cha\" combined of 800 to 400 cash for petty expenses, 500 cash per pig, 48 cash per picul of paper, 750 cash per picul of tea, 10 cash per picul of iron, and 7 cash per picul of coal. An additional li-kin of 100 cash per head of cattle, 100 cash per pig, and 200 cash per head on water buffaloes might also be introduced, and the combined total derived from all the items mentioned should slightly exceed the opium revenue, provided the whole were handed over to Government.\n\nPa Hsien Suggestions.--Increased taxation on sugar, oil, and salt, and, if this should be insufficient, the addition of a house tax and a levy on prostitutes. For the people, it is suggested that they should improve their methods of agriculture, and experiment with sericulture, forestry, and tea planting.\n\nKiangpei.--Suggests increase of land tax, and, if that should not be sufficient, addition to the taxation on oil, pigs, and salt.\n\n## Remarks on the above\n\nIt is my intention to offer below some personal and general observations on the whole question of opium reform in this province; but it will be desirable, in the first instance, to invite attention to certain matters having special reference to the information of my correspondents above given. They are:\n\n1. **Sources of Information**.--The details in regard Liangshan, Tung Hsiang, K'ai Hsien, and Wan Hsien were kindly furnished me by members of the China Inland Mission; while the information as to Fengtu, Fuchou, Chungchou, Shih Chu Ting, Nan Chuan, Pa Hsien, and Kiangpei comes from Chinese through the agency, in the case of the first five places named, of a member of the London Mission.\n\n2. **Area under Opium Cultivation**.--Opium is grown in all parts of Szechuan, but the most renowned districts are--\n | District | Description |\n | --- | --- |\n | (a) | The Hsi Ting (Suiting) Prefecture, which includes Tung Hsiang, Taiping, K'ai Hsien, and Wan Hsien. |\n | (b) | The Chungchou Sub-Prefecture, including Fengtu, Tien Chiang, and Liangshan. |\n | (c) | The Fuchou Sub-Prefecture. |\n | (d) | Yung Ch'uan Hsien. |\n | (e) | The Chien Chou Sub-Prefecture, which is not under the Ch'uan Tung taotai. |\n | | The Hsu Ting Prefecture. |\n\nIn amplification of the information already given in regard to various places in this prefecture, I should mention that the informant to whom I am indebted for the particulars obtained as to Liangshan states in the body of his letter as follows:-\n\"In your postscript, you also ask for information from Tung Hsiang and Taiping. I regret to say that my knowledge of these two districts is very superficial, having merely gathered in the course of conversation with the worker stationed in Tung Hsiang that little or nothing was being done to stop the sale or growth in these two hsiens.\" This seems to be generally true of all the large opium-growing districts in this part of the province. K'ai Hsien and Tien Chiang, with whom we join borders, rank with the above two 'hsiens' in being the main sources of the opium supply. To say that little or nothing is being done to restrict the growth or sale of the drug is to repeat the common report of those who trade or journey in these parts, and not to give first-hand information arrived at by personal observation and enquiry.\n\nAnother correspondent from Hsi Ting, quoting from information supplied, mentions a very slight reduction in Ta Hsien, Tung Hsiang, Ch'ü Hsien, and Taiping, and a distinct reduction in Hsin Ning Hsien, Ta Chu Hsien, and Cheng K'ou Ting, all of which places are in the prefecture. The information as regards Tung Hsiang, however, does not agree with the statement of the missionary gentlemen working in that district.\n\nYung Chuan--Reports from various sources are to the effect that the poppy was very extensively grown in this district, and that there was a considerable increase over the previous year.\n\nConsidering only the places the particulars as to which form a preface to this report, it will be noted that in three of them alone is there any mention of a decrease, namely, Fengtu, Chungchou, and Shih Chu Ting, the last having the same area under cultivation as in the season of 1907.\n\n3. **Comparison of Estimated Profits on Opium and other Crops**.--The estimates of different informants vary, but a rough average makes the profits on opium three to four times as great as on pulse and cereals.\n\n## Observations\n\nI pass now to a general consideration of the opium question in Szechuan, and the remarks thereon will conveniently fall under the following heads:\n\n* Measures for prevention of opium smoking.\n* Area under opium cultivation.\n* Taxation in substitution of opium revenue.\n* The position of the Szechuan farmers.\n* The effect of opium eradication on the economic conditions of Szechuan.\n* Difficulties and prospects.\n\n1. **Measures for Prevention of Opium Smoking**.--The particulars with which this report opens do not encourage the hope that much has been done in Ch'uan Tung to exert a real check upon indulgence in the drug. Indeed, if Chungking may be taken as an example, I know of no better criticism on the steps taken than the Chinese aphorism, \"Yu ming wu shih,\" i.e., the measures adopted have had effect in name, but not in fact.\n\nChungking has had its \"tu hang,\" or raw opium depôt, under official control, a head official prepared opium store (\"tsung kuan kao tien\"), four branch stores (\"fen kuan kao tien\"), licensed opium dens, and \"pi fa tian.\" There remain at present the raw opium depôt and the head prepared opium store, and this is the net result: the smoker has been, and is, able to get all the opium he wants without application to any official institution, the city is honeycombed with secret dens, and the head prepared opium store has a large stock in hand of which it has been unable to dispose for some months. The doings of the deputy in charge of this store have been similar to those of his confrères at Chengtu. The drug was offered for sale at ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423645, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 249, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# 8\n\nAt a prohibitive price, and was adulterated to such a degree that nobody would purchase. In the end, an enquiry was held, and he was ordered at his own expense to reboil it, separating the good from the bad, and adding a sufficient quantity of the pure article to bring the whole amount of nearly 200,000 oz. up to standard. This he did; but the difficulties of the store were not then over: there were no branch stores or licensed dens or \"p'i fa tien\" to assist in the disposal of the rehabilitated stock; the police and headmen of the different wards of the city, whose services were sought, refused to have anything to do with it, and it has now been arranged that so-called reputable merchants, furnished with adequate guarantees, shall be allowed to purchase and sell it. As a Chinaman justly observed, this opens the way to various abuses, and any person charged with smoking can retort that he is consuming the official drug. It may be taken for granted that the authorities care naught so long as the stock can be sold and the accounts of the store be duly squared. It is reported that the nefarious deputy has been dismissed, and it is estimated that his speculative venture will have involved him in an outlay of several thousand taels. He remains, however, in Chungking, and is possibly being detained until the whole business is settled. It may here be explained that opium dens being, on paper, now non-existent, the necessity for \"kuan kao tien\" should cease; but it will be understood from what has just been said that the officials do not mean to be left with any surplus stocks.\n\n## 2. Area under Opium Cultivation\n\nBasing my conclusions on the statistics with which this report opens and on information acquired in a general way, I have no doubt that the area under opium cultivation in Eastern Szechuan last season was much in excess of that during the preceding one, and was, I am disposed to think, up to the average of previous years. To do full justice to this part of the matter, extended travel is necessary, but I can say this much from personal observation, namely, that in April last, the poppy was growing in abundance along both banks of the Yang-tsze the whole way from Chungchou to Chungking, passing by Shih Chu Ting, Fengtu, and Fuchou, a distance by water of 540 li. Two ostensible causes may be assigned for this increase: firstly, the vacillating and changeable policy of the officials; and, secondly, the threat of total prohibition this autumn. Though operating on the minds of the people in different ways, the effect was the same: the man who saw that his neighbour had not suffered by cultivation the previous season again took heart, while the threat of impending total prohibition acted as a stimulant to sow as much seed as possible and make hay while the sun still shone. In fact, the Chungking prefect is, as stated by my predecessor in his opium report for November and December 1908, popularly credited with having said that the people might grow as much as they liked last season as there would be no poppy allowed this.\n\n## 3. Taxation in Substitution of Opium Revenue\n\nTwo taxes have been introduced which are to take effect throughout the province. One is an increase of 3 cash per catty on salt and the other an addition of 200 cash on every pig slaughtered for food.\n\nI have endeavoured to form an estimate of the revenue previously collected by the provincial authorities on salt, and of the extra amount likely to be obtained from the increased taxation now imposed. Mr. George Jamieson, in his report on the revenue and expenditure of the Chinese Empire, 1896, puts the total revenue accruing to the province from this commodity at 2,170,000 taels. He takes the total production at 400,000,000 catties, and reckons 1,600 cash to the tael. Substituting Sir Alexander Hosie's round figures of 500,000,000 catties for the 400,000,000 mentioned by Mr. Jamieson, and taking 1,500 cash to the tael—which is a better average rate for Szechuan at the present time—I estimate that the total annual revenue previous to the new increase was approximately 2,500,000 taels, and that the addition of 3 cash per catty will furnish a further sum of 1,000,000 taels, which is 100,000 taels in excess of 900,000 taels, the amount of native opium li-kin as reported to the Peking Government in the 28th year of Kuang Hsu.\n\nThe additional levy on pigs which became operative on the 1st of the 8th moon (13th September) was inaugurated by a viceregal proclamation, in which the people were given to understand that the proceeds were to be sent to the Board of Finance as the province's contribution towards the loss of revenue which will result to the board from the eradication of opium. The Viceroy in his proclamation estimates that the additional tax will not raise the cost of pork more than 1 to 2 cash a-lb. (catty). The future may bear testimony to his sagacity; but at the present moment, the price of pork in Chungking is 112 cash per catty; it had not previously gone above 100. Two or three months only have elapsed since the former levy of 300 cash per pig was increased to 400, and the pork butchers have taken advantage of the new impost to run up prices as above described and to fix a minimum of 106 cash a catty. This, however, is somewhat of a digression, and, to return to the point at issue, pork and salt will provide the funds necessary to meet the demands at present made by Peking, it being presumed that the former acknowledged revenue of 900,000 taels from opium li-kin was held at the disposal of the Central Government. There remains the question of provincial requirements.\n\nThe salt levy will, as previously explained, apparently leave a small surplus of 100,000 taels. Salt being a Government monopoly, its taxation is easily controlled, and it would appear that the idea of the present Viceroy is to obtain a tighter grip on the revenue derived from other sources and to some extent concentrate taxation. Thus, except in the small districts, fees on land transfers have been taken from the magistrates and are now collected by the inland revenue officers, who are appointed from Chengtu, and who have also been made responsible for the taxes on wine, oil, and pork. In principle, there is a good deal to be said for the Viceroy's scheme, as there is for his recent innovation of a fixed scale of salaries for district magistrates; in practice, there is good reason to doubt whether these measures will be equal to the strain put upon them, and one may look to see the old abuses, where not continued in whole or in part, give place to new. Generally speaking, too, it may be expected that the different localities will be largely left to shift for themselves, and that fresh taxes will spring up according to place and circumstance. Some districts report new levies on inns, coal, tea shops, and paper; at Chungking, however, the only increase which can to date be definitely ascribed to opium reform is—excluding, of course, salt and pork—the tax on tea shops of 10 cash per table per diem reported in my intelligence report for the June quarter.\n\n## 4. The Position of the Szechuan Farmers\n\nThe conditions of tenancy of agricultural land in the province of Szechuan are not, I believe, generally known. Briefly, the position is this: The land-owner when leasing to the tenant exacts an adequate deposit in cash as security; the summer crop of rice, less a percentage calculated in various ways, belongs to the land-owner; the winter crops are the tenant's own, and they, with the percentage on the summer crop, which I have heard stated may be taken at a rough average of 25 per cent., are supposed to recoup the tenant for his labour and furnish a proper rate of interest on his deposit money. It will, of course, be understood that this is a mere outline of the system, and does not embrace the numerous modifications of which every Chinese arrangement of the kind is capable. The winter crops, then, being the tenant's, it follows per se that the opium crop falls to him and not to the land-owner. I have already shown that a rough average assesses the profits on the poppy cultivation at three to four times the amount of those on pulse and cereals. I think that this fact should be borne well in mind when we are told, generally by missionaries, that the people in the province are in favour of opium reform. Such a state of mind does not accord with the character of the Chinese. It is, in fact, quite evident that the entire prohibition of opium cultivation is a very serious matter for large numbers of Szechuanese farmers; it deprives them of their most profitable crop without making provision for an equally valuable substitute. It is easy to talk of sericulture, tea-planting, and cotton; but time, knowledge, suitable physical conditions, and capital are needed to make these industries pay. What is possible in one place is not suited to another, and for the most part, I understand that, should the poppy not be allowed, its place in Ch'uan Tung can, in the immediate future, only be taken by the usual winter crops of pulse, cereals, and rape. It will be said that the prices of these foodstuffs will thereby be reduced. So they will, but the cheaper they become, the smaller the margin of profit affecting both land-owner and tenant—the former indirectly; and it must be remembered that in average years, Szechuan already produces enough to feed its large population.\n\n## 5. The Effect of Opium Reform on the Economic Conditions of Szechuan\n\nTo put the matter tersely, opium prohibition involves Szechuan in a commercial and fiscal revolution. New sources of revenue have to be found, and I have shown under the preceding heading that the farmer will be a keen sufferer, intimating that the land-owner will be called upon to share in the tenant's loss. I have, in fact, already heard of local meetings between landlords and tenants, the stand taken by the latter being that they cannot lease on the old terms if deprived of the benefits of poppy cultivation. Farmers and land-owners, however, do not stand alone. Opium, as before stated, is the province's most valuable developed asset, and to Szechuan, opium is money, for the whole trade of the province with the outer world is practically an exchange in kind in the hands of the merchant capitalists who (vide Chungking Trade Report for 1903) control the import of yarn and export of opium and silk. Thus, it may be anticipated that the abolition of opium will induce a decline in the import of \n\nPage 9 \n\n[2494 p--3] \n\nD \n\n248", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423705, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 309, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[41853] \nNo. 1. \n[November \nC.O 40792 \nSECTION 3. \nRECS \nRec 17 FC 00 \n\n**(No. 389.)** Sir, \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 15.) \nPeking, October 25, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 249 of the 10th July last, in which I discussed the commercial rivalry between Newchwang and Dalny, I have the honour to enclose herewith an extract from a report by His Majesty's consul at Newchwang on the subject of the new tariff of the South Manchurian Railway. Mr. Wilkinson points out that the effect of the tariff is to discriminate unfairly in favour of Dalny as a shipping port and to handicap seriously the trade of Newchwang.\n\nI have, &c. \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n### Extract from Report by Consul Wilkinson\n\nTHE new tariff of the South Manchurian Railway came into force on the 1st October. The traffic rates from Newchwang to Mukden and stations south of Mukden remain much the same as under the old tariff, but there is a small reduction to stations north of Mukden. The rates on the other hand, from Dalny to Mukden, are considerably lower than formerly, but to stations beyond Mukden, as far north as Kungchulin, the reduction is slightly less than from Newchwang. There is, therefore, a small difference now in the rates to these latter stations in favour of Newchwang. To Changchun (Kuanchengtzu) the rates, though also a trifle reduced, remain the same from both places.\n\nThe following table shows the changes that have been made in the car-load rates per ton (2,000 lbs.) from Newchwang and Dalny respectively in the case of goods of the third class, in which the main staples of Manchuria are included:\n\n| Destination | Newchwang Old | Newchwang New | Dalny Old | Dalny New | Difference (in favour of Newchwang) |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Mukden | 3.35 | 2.36 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.64 |\n| Tiehling | 5.40 | 4.68 | 5.40 | 5.00 | 0.32 |\n| Kaiyuan | 6.00 | 5.31 | 6.00 | 5.70 | 0.39 |\n| Changtu | 6.65 | 5.38 | 6.65 | 6.40 | 0.52 |\n| Shuangmiaotzu | 7.80 | 6.36 | 7.30 | 6.90 | 0.54 |\n| Szpingchieh | 7.30 | 6.87 | 7.30 | 7.30 | 0.48 |\n| Kuochatien | 8.00 | 7.38 | 8.00 | 7.80 | 0.32 |\n| Kungchulin | 8.00 | 7.86 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 0.14 |\n| Fanchiatun | 8.50 | 8.20 | 8.50 | 8.20 | ... |\n| Changchun | 8.50 | 8.80 | 8.50 | 8.80 | ... |\n\nHow unfair these rates are to Newchwang and the extent to which the trade of the port is handicapped by them the following figures will show.\n\nThe chief inland centres of trade in South Manchuria are Mukden, Tiehling, and Changchun. From Dalny to Mukden by the South Manchurian Railway is 247 miles. From Newchwang to Mukden by the same line is 110 miles. The distance, therefore, from Newchwang to Mukden is considerably less than one-half that from Dalny to Mukden. Yet the rate per ton from Dalny is only 4 gold yen, while that from Newchwang is 3.36 gold yen, a paltry difference in favour of Newchwang of 64 sen for a saving in distance of 136 miles. From Dalny again to Tiehling is 290 miles. From Newchwang to Tiehling is 153 miles. The rates are 5 gold yen and 4.68 gold yen... \nPage 308 \n[2495 p-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423718, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 322, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## **CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[December 2.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n321\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nSir Edward Grey to M. Cambon, \nForeign Office, December 2, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to my note of the 24th ultimo relative to the Hukuan loan negotiations, I have the honour to inform you that the German Government have now expressed their readiness to instruct their representative at Peking to endeavour to obtain, in concert with the representatives of the other Powers interested, the concession for the extension from Tchang to Chengtu of the Hankow-Szechuan line.\n\nI am aware that this arrangement might be criticised on the ground that it only gives the Anglo-French group 1,000 kilom., while leaving 600 kilom. to the German group. His Majesty's Government do not, however, consider that this slight difference, which your Excellency will recollect only concerns the question of engineers, should be allowed to interfere with the settlement of this long-pending matter which has at length been arrived at, and they confidently trust that the French Government will also share this view, and will send instructions accordingly to their representative at Peking.\n\nMoreover, the fact should not be overlooked that the 200 kilom. now surrendered by the German group represents part of a line in respect of which they already possessed a preliminary agreement, whereas the portions of the line assigned to the British, French, and American groups are concerned with an undertaking as to which the consent of China has yet to be obtained.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n`[2538 b-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423741, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "page_number": 345, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n### Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n**(No. 193.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nForeign Office, December 2, 1909.\n\nHUKUANG loan: Please see my telegram No. 185 of the 17th November. The Germans, in a memorandum which they have now sent us, accept the settlement proposed by Straight, and are willing to send instructions to Peking to the effect that the German Minister should endeavour to obtain from the Chinese Government the concession for an extension of the line from Ichang to Chengtu, in concert with the representatives of the other Powers interested.\n\nThere are some signs that the French Government may make difficulties. We have therefore informed them of this possible solution, expressing the hope that they will agree to it and instruct French Minister in Peking accordingly. We will let you know their answer when it comes.\n\n`[2538 b-2]` \nPage 344 \n43836 \n41443", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 426144, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7]", "page_number": 513, "title": "CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7]", "content_text": "511 \n\nIn this manner the existing condition, due to the want of a properly regulated currency, is likely to be aggravated rather than improved. I venture therefore to suggest that the serious attention of the Chinese Government be drawn to a few leading principles which must be observed if success is to be attained.\n\n3. In reply to an enquiry of His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, I learn that on the 28th of May the Provincial Mint received orders to cease the minting of all coinage on the 6th ultimo; that minting accordingly has been suspended and that the Mint is awaiting instructions with regard to the minting of the new coinage. Mr. Jamieson adds that he understands a Central Mint will be established at Tientsin with branches at Canton, Wuchang, Yunnan, and Chengtu.\n\nIt is to be presumed that the Chinese Government is alive to the vital importance, in the interests of the scheme, of absolute control of the Branch Mints. Past experience leads those in this Colony who are qualified to form a judgment to believe that the success of the operation depends, as far as the Two Kwang Provinces are concerned, upon the closing of the Canton Mint. The temptation to manipulate the coinage is too great", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 426149, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7]", "page_number": 518, "title": "CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7]", "content_text": "YO\n\nlegal tender and will be received only at their value as \n\nbullion. \n\n516\n\nTo facilitate the understanding of some intricate details \n\nnoted above and a demand for a profound study of \n\nthe situation, it is to be regretted that the data \n\navailable are not sufficient to allow a thorough \n\ninvestigation into the matter. The reform \n\nadopted is to bring about a new coinage system \n\nand to abolish the irregularities that have prevailed \n\nin the weight and value of the various coins.\n\nChambers of Commerce are to be asked \"to \n\ngive lectures explaining the gist of these Regulations, that all persons may know that this reform of the coinage system is designed for the benefit of the merchant and the general public, \n\nand by abolishing the irregularities that have prevailed in the weight and value of the various coins, to take the first \n\nsteps towards the reform of the finances of the country\", \n\nThe Regulations contain strict \n\nand detailed provisions as to the limit of tolerance between \n\nthe actual and legal weight and between the actual and legal \n\ndegree of fineness of the new coins; their deterioration \n\nthrough use and wear; the right to refuse coins wilfully damaged;\n\nthe limitation of the amount of the subsidiary coins to \n\nbe minted; the rates of exchange between the old and the new \n\ncurrency, and the assaying and control of the coins issued. \n\nThe minting of all coins now in circulation \n\nwas to cease from the date of the publication of the Regulations \n\nand I understand that simultaneously all the Provincial Mints \n\nnow existing are abolished, and that the minting of the new \n\ncoinage will be undertaken by the General Mint at Tientsin, certain existing Mints such as those at Hankow, Chengtu, Mukden, \n\netc., being made branches of the General Mint to assist in the \n\nissue of the new currency. \n\nThe currency decree and the Regulations \n\nwould certainly appear to indicate a serious determination on \n\nthe part of the Chinese Government to deal in a practical \n\nmanner with the reorganization of their financial system, the \n\nnecessity for which has so repeatedly been urged on them both in the interests of foreign commerce and of the stability \n\nof Chinese credit and it is to be hoped that steps will be \n\ntaken without undue delay to put the proposed measures into \n\npractical effect. The vested interests of innumerable officials", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428101, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 26, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": ":|\n\n2\n\n7. Alterations in the special freight rates, and their adaptation to goods to and from Port Arthur station. The following table shows the advantages gained by Newchwang at the principal points along the line for third-class goods, i.e., cereals, bean cake, &c.:--\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[December 21.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nDairen.\n\n \n \n To and from---\n Old Rates.\n New Rates.\n Old Rates.\n New Rates.\n \n \n \n \n \n Yen per ton.\n Yen per ton.\n Yen per ton.\n Yen per ton.\n \n \n Mukden..\n 4.90\n 4.50\n 3.95\n 3.36\n \n \n Tielling..\n 5.40\n 5.00\n 5.40\n 4.68\n \n \n Kaiyuan\n 6.00\n 6.70\n 6.00\n 5.31\n \n \n Changtu\n 6.65\n 6.40\n 6.65\n 5.88\n \n \n Szupingchieh\n 7.80\n 7.30\n 7.30\n 6.87\n \n \n Kungchuling\n 8.00\n 8.00\n 8.00\n 7.86\n \n \n Fanchiatun\n 8.50\n 8.20\n 8.50\n 8.20\n \n \n Changchun\n 8.50\n 8.30\n 8.50\n 8.30\n \n \n\n8. A special discount is made on gunny bags sent from Dairen or Newchwang. When the weight exceeds 3,000 kin, the charge will be 20 sen per 100 kin, irrespective of distance. This has been done to encourage the use of new bags and to reduce expenses as much as possible in the trade in the staple products of Manchuria.\n\nE. G.\n\nDairen, November 23, 1909.\n\n[46372]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 213.) Sir,\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir C. MacDonald.\n\nForeign Office, December 21, 1909.\n\nI took an opportunity on the 17th instant of giving the Japanese Ambassador a summary of all that had passed respecting Macao, including a statement of our position in the matter, as described in the telegram which I was sending to Sir John Jordan, on hearing that the Chinese had refused arbitration.\n\nI explained to the Ambassador that I was not making an official communication to him or asking that any action should be taken, but that, in view of our alliance, I thought it was as well to keep him informed of the situation.\n\n[2548-1]\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n25", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428115, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 40, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[December 22.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n[46521]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nChinese Central Railways to M. Simon.--(Communicated by Mr. Addis December 22, 1909.) M. le Président,\n\n110, Cannon Street, London, December 21, 1909.\n\nMR. ADDIS has handed me copy of your letter to him of the 17th December, and I am requested by my colleagues, the English directors of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), to address you on the situation which has been created by the refusal of the French Government to accept the distribution of engineers on the Hankow-Szechuan line proposed by the American group, and assented to under certain reservations by the English directors of the Chinese Central Railways.\n\nIn all the long correspondence which has taken place between the French and English groups on this subject, there are two points on which the two groups have been hitherto in complete accord. These points are:-\n\n1. That the engineer for the Hankow-Canton line should be British.\n\n2. That whatever portion of the Hankow-Szechuan line fell to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), that portion should be shared in equal moieties between French and English engineers.\n\nAs regards the first of these two propositions, the accord between the two groups was based on a twofold consideration: first, that a preference had been accorded to British capital by Chang Chih Tung in return for the loan made by the Hong Kong Government; and, secondly, that by express agreement between yourself and Mr. Addis on the occasion of negotiating the Lahan redemption loan, the French group expressly waived all claim to appoint a French engineer for any part of the Hankow-Canton line.\n\nAs regards the second proposition, it has been a fundamental principle ever since the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) was formed that the French and English constituent groups should be as far as possible on a footing of entire equality. It is quite evident, indeed, that on no other principle could harmonious co-operation between the two groups be secured, and that if either of the two were to press for exceptional advantages, whether termed political or commercial, it would necessarily bring about the dissolution of the company.\n\nThe arrangement come to between the three European groups up to the advent of the American claim was based on the above understanding. The engineer for the Canton-Hankow line was assigned to the British group (the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited), and the two-thirds of the Szechuan line falling to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) was allotted, as to one moiety, to a French engineer, and as to the other moiety, to an English engineer. In other words, the two British groups between them had the nomination of an engineer for 1,700 kilom., the Germans for 800, and the French for 300. This arrangement was fully approved of by the Foreign Office in London, and it was understood it also had the approval of the Quai d'Orsay.\n\nWith the advent of the American claim a redistribution of engineering sections became necessary. The English directors of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) have always maintained that the only fair and acceptable adjustment was to divide the whole of the Hankow-Chengtu line into four approximately equal sections of 600 kilom. each, giving an engineer of each nationality to each section. This plan of adjustment had, it is understood, the approval of the Paris directors and of the Quai d'Orsay (vide, in particular, letter from Mr. Addis of the 21st August and reply of same date, also Mr. Addis's letter of the 30th August), and the English directors still hold that this is the only proper solution of the difficulty. The obstacle at first was the reluctance of the German group to give up any part of the 800 kilom. assigned to them by the tripartite agreement, but this obstacle has in part been overcome by their agreeing to surrender 200 kilom. to a sub-engineer of the American group. Consequent on that the American group put forward the proposition which is now the subject of discussion, viz., that 600 more kilom. of the deferred portion of the line should be assigned to an American engineer, and the remainder, some 1,000 kilom.,\n\n[2538 y-2]\n\n39", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428118, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 43, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government)\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[December 29]\n\n### SECTION 1\n\n[47103]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nAide-memoire communicated by Mr. Whitelaw Reid, December 29, 1909.\n\nREFERRING to the negotiations for the settlement of the Hukuang loan, it has been represented to the Government of the United States that the Government of France would withdraw its objection to the signature of the Hukuang Loan Agreements provided the French group receives engineering rights on an additional 100 kilom. of the Chengtu extension. If this report is well founded, the Government of the United States is prepared to share equally with His Majesty's Government in making such sacrifice of engineering rights provided that the original and supplementary agreements are thereupon signed without further delay, and subject also to the following two conditions:\n\n1. That notwithstanding the surrender by the United States of such engineering privileges, equal rights to the American group in all matters relating to the purchase of materials for the Chengtu extension and branches are guaranteed; and\n\n2. That a satisfactory arrangement be made for interchangeability of bonds.\n\nThe Government of the United States would be glad to be informed, at as early a date as may be found convenient, whether the above proposal is acceptable to His Majesty's Government.\n\nAmerican Embassy, London,\n\nDecember 29, 1909.\n\n[2538-1]\n\n42\n\nFil", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428120, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 45, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[47103]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[January 3.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid.\n\nForeign Office, January 3, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's memorandum dated the 29th ultimo, stating that it had been represented to the United States Government that the French Government would withdraw their objection to the signature of the Hukuang loan agreements provided that the French group received engineering rights on an additional 100 kilom. of the Chengtu extension, and expressing the willingness of your Government, if the report was well founded, to share equally with His Majesty's Government in making such sacrifice of engineering rights provided certain conditions were fulfilled.\n\nI have the honour to state, in reply, that no information to the effect that the French Government would be satisfied if their group received engineering rights on an additional 100 kilom. of the extension has so far reached His Majesty's Government. My latest information, which is contained in a note from the French Embassy dated the 22nd ultimo, is to the effect that the French group are unable to accept a share of the Szechuen line inferior to that allotted to the other groups, or to agree to any reduction of the line given them by the Anglo-Franco-German arrangement of the 14th May last.\n\nI expressed my regret at the decision of the French Government to allow the slight and comparatively unimportant difference between the share allotted to the American and German groups and that allotted to the Anglo-French group to interfere with the settlement of the whole question, and I added that I observed with surprise that the Hankow-Canton line should be mentioned on an apparently equal footing with the Hankow-Szechuen line, as if the two lines formed part of one undertaking. I said that in the circumstances it would appear that the only solution of the question now remaining was the division of the Szechuen line into four equal parts among the four groups with the internationalisation of the bonds as desired by the United States Government, and that I was prepared, subject to the concurrence of the French Government, to put this proposal before the United States and German Governments. I am now awaiting the reply to the above communication.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n[2581]\n\nE. GREY.\n\n44", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428181, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 106, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[147]\n\n(No. 669.)\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n105\n\nC\n\n765\n\n[January 31\n\n1 29 JAN 10 SECTION 5.\n\nSir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 3, 1910.)\n\nSt. Petersburgh, December 22, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's vice-consul at Vladivostock, reporting on recent attacks on the German consul at that port and on Russo-German relations in the Far East in general.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nA. NICOLSON.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nVice-Consul Hodgson to Sir A. Nicolson.\n\n(No. 26.) Sir,\n\nVladivostock, December 5, 1909.\n\nIT is possible that your Excellency's attention has been called to an article which appeared some six weeks ago in the \"Novoe Vremya\" in which it is stated that meetings had been held in the course of last summer in Berlin with the object of organising a plan of action with a view to undermining Russian influence in the Far East, and that these meetings were attended by M. Adolph Dattan, head of the firm of Kunst and Albers, and German consul at Vladivostock.\n\nThis article has been reprinted, with additions and commentaries, in the Vladivostock press, and I have the honour to transmit herewith a cutting from the local \"Okeanski Vyestnik,\" reproducing it and continuing it by a further attack on M. Dattan, who is accused of ingratitude towards Russia, in which country he has made a large fortune and from whose Government he has received honours and decorations of various kinds.\n\nThat M. Dattan in fact attended meetings in Berlin which had for their object the fomenting of anti-Russian agitation in North Manchuria has, naturally, been denied both in the German press and, by M. Dattan himself, in the Vladivostock papers. As far as I have seen, no attempt has indeed been made to substantiate the charge. The fact, however, that it should have appeared at all is indicative of the very strong antipathy to Germans in general, and to the firm of Kunst and Albers in particular, which has been growing up in this country for some time past, notably since the latter part of the war; which has gained in intensity on account of the recent political events in the Balkans, and which has latterly been rendered particularly acute by the friction arising out of the attitude adopted by the German consul in Kharbin.\n\nThe firm of Kunst and Albers has existed in Vladivostock for some forty-five years, being one of the earliest businesses established here. From a small ship-chandler's store it rose to hold a commanding position in the Russian Far East as merchants, as retail dealers in goods of all kinds, and as shipping and insurance agents and bankers. Their Asiatic head-quarters are in Vladivostock, while their European office is in Hamburg, and they have branches in about twenty of the more important commercial centres of this region. Till lately they have had to face no serious competition, except in the retail trade, in which they have long been closely followed by the Moscow firm of E. Churin and Co. Latterly, however, former employees of the firm, having learnt the business with them, have established themselves in lines in which Kunst and Albers formerly had the monopoly, and a number of their best agencies in trade and shipping have passed into other hands. Moreover, Messrs. Churin and Co. have started competing for the large contracts for Government supplies, which have in past years constituted the backbone of Kunst and Albers's business, and, being a Russian firm dealing in goods of Russian origin...\n\nPage 105\n\n...\n\nPage 106\n\n4\n\nmissionaries' accounts of the mobilisation of troops and the arrival of heavy guns are strengthened by the admission made to His Majesty's consul by the German consul at Chengtu that he knew of large purchases of arms and ammunition carried out by the Szechuan Government at Shanghai. Time will show whether these warlike preparations are the heralds of Chao Erh-feng's long-delayed advance into Tibet.\n\nThe Tongking Chinese frontier remains in a state of disturbance, but it may be said that but little of the trouble comes from the Chinese side of the border. In Tongking the general unrest has assumed somewhat grave proportions, according to a report received from His Majesty's consul at Pakhoi. Numerous minor successes gained by the rebels have obliged the French military authorities to start a series of arduous \"drives,\" without, however, attaining any decisive results, as the rebels, when hard-pressed, generally managed to take refuge in Chinese territory, much to the discomfort of the Chinese border officials. The agreement for mutual assistance is nevertheless working well, both Chinese and French authorities affording each other early information of rebel movements.\n\nChang Chih-tung.\n\nSome interest attaches to the severe criticisms on the career of the deceased statesman that have appeared lately in a native paper published at Hankow, with which Yuan Shih-k'ai is believed to be closely connected. Chang is chiefly accused of reckless borrowing from foreigners, whereby he is stated to have besmirched the fair fame of his earlier career. His attitude in regard to borrowing was guided entirely by his idea of his own interests. Thus, the first time he acted at Nanking, just after the Japanese war, had added 200,000,000 to our burden, he borrowed from the foreigner a sum of 2,000,000 merely for the construction of a road from his official residence to the river. His twenty years at Wuchang brought 10,000,000 of debt, and he set the fashion of reckless foreign loans.\" Taking the above as a text, the paper in question preaches the necessity for seizing the opportunity offered by Chang's death, and preventing the conclusion of the foreign railway loan.\n\nIn Chang's last memorial to the Throne he refers particularly to his unfinished task of providing funds for the two railways running south and west from Hankow. These lines, he says, should be run by the Central Government, though provincial capitalists should be allowed to participate to the extent of one-half.\n\nAs regards the campaign now in progress against Chang's foreign loan for the Hankow Railways, an article which has appeared in the native paper above mentioned suggests the suspicion that the provincial objection is not so much to foreign loans per se, but rather to the determination of the Central Government to keep such loans entirely in its own hands. Commenting on the reported refusal of the Government to allow the province of Manchuria to raise a foreign loan for the expenses of reform, the paper complains that the Peking authorities want to monopolise the raising of loans and prevent the provincial authorities from sharing in the plunder which is to be made out of foreign loans. \"As to the suggested internal loan bonds,\" the paper continues \"such things are not feasible in a country like China, where no trust is placed in the honesty of the Government.\"\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428227, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 152, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "On his Excellency's departure the president and vice-president accompanied him to the courtyard of the main hall, bowed, and waited until he had entered his chair; and afterwards the rest of the executive officials departed in order of rank, while the president and vice-president waited and bowed to each.\n\nComposition of Assembly.-The members of the Hupei assembly are said to be mostly reformers, and almost all have either official status or literary degrees. Thus the president is an expectant taotai and the two vice-presidents are Hanlin graduates. The Viceroy's opening speech impressed on the members the need for public spirit, and cautioned them against encroaching on the sphere of the executive officials.\n\nProgramme of Business.-The programme of the assembly at the close of October contained five subjects-\n\n1. Extension of education and financial provision therefor.\n\n2. Prevention of fires.\n\n3. Encouragement of agriculture and forestry.\n\n4. Provision of funds to meet cost of self-government.\n\n5. Opium repression.\n\nHUNAN.\n\nThe report by Mr. Hewlett, His Majesty's consul at Changsha on the provincial assembly of Hunan is quoted :-\n\nElections.- In accordance with instructions issued by the governor through the director of education in April last, elections were held throughout the province with a view to appointing members for the first Hunan Parliament. At the end of June a meeting was held in Changsha, at which a programme was discussed, and the reasons for forming a Parliament given; a report of this meeting was drawn up by the industrial taotai, and was sent to all the local authorities in the province. By the beginning of September the elections were completed, and by the end of the month the members elected, eighty-two in all, assembled in Changsha in preparation for the opening of Parliament, which was fixed for the 14th October. Mr. Tang Yen-k'ai was elected president of the Parliament.\n\nOpening; Governor's Speech.- On the 14th October the governor opened the first Parliament in person. His Excellency read an address in which the duties of the members as representing the public opinion of the whole province of Hunan were briefly enumerated, and in which the importance of a constitution for China was carefully explained. He exhorted them to work in unison; to be sincere in the fulfilment of their duties; to cast aside private differences; to practise what they preached, and zealously to support the officials in promoting the best interests of Hunan, and in eradicating abuses.\n\nPresident's Reply.- Mr. Tang Yen-k'ai's reply was slightly patronising. He declared that the Parliament would always serve the best interests of Hunan, and that as Hunan had saved the Chinese Empire in the days of the Tai Ping rebellion so now and in the future they would assist the officials to stamp out abuse, and by unanimity of purpose secure the fullest advantages for Hunan.\n\nTwo members stand out prominently in the Parliament, Mr. Tang Yen-k'ai and Mr. Chen Wen-wei. The former is the political authority, and commercial matters are practically entirely in the hands of the latter, but as far as the others are concerned the majority have never crossed the borders of Hunan, and for some the present occasion is the first visit to Changsha.\n\nPolitical Associations; Attitude of Interference in Foreign Cases.- The two men mentioned above rule the counsels of the political association (the Yen Chiu Hui) whose members are all members of Parliament. This association has, even at this early date, made it clear to the provincial authorities that they intend to be consulted on every question, political or municipal, affecting Hunan, and they base their right on the power they possess of appealing directly to the political institutions in Peking. The customs taotai has told me quite frankly that he dare not take any action which promotes foreign interests in Changsha without the permission of this association, even if the foreign demand is strictly in accordance with treaty provisions. The association has already interfered in two cases, which are still unsettled, in a very definite manner, and it still remains to be seen whether the governor has the strength of will to withstand the unwarrantable interference of this body of men in questions affecting foreign relations, seeing that they are totally ignorant of the solemn obligations incurred by China under the various treaties, obligations which the association considers can be set aside merely because they prove distasteful to Hunan.\n\nThe provincial treasurer tells me in confidence that several tens of petitions have already been received demanding the dismissal of about 60 per cent. of the representatives, but up to the present only two have been dismissed.\n\nThe remaining political institution in Changsha-the Tiao Ch'a Chu-has met with keen opposition in the exercise of its functions, chiefly as regards the census and the assessment of property. The members of the gentry who were not elected to the Parliament encourage the opposition, and it will be some time before this conservative province agrees to a close scrutiny of what its population consider questions which affect themselves alone as private individuals.”\n\nSZECHUAN.\n\nThe following is from a report by Mr. W. Stark Toller:-\n\nElections; Distribution of Seats.- The elections for the provincial assembly took place at the appointed date---on the 15th day of the 6th month (the 31st July)- though in several cases it was not until two or three days later that the election was completed. The number of members elected for the whole of Szechuan was 105, the numbers from each prefecture being as follows:---\n\n \n Chengtu\n 14\n \n \n Mien-chou\n 4\n \n \n Li-ang\n ...\n \n \n An-fa\n ...\n \n \n Mao-chou\n 1\n \n \n Ta chon\n ...\n \n \n Ning Yuan\n ...\n \n \n Cuiating\n ...\n \n \n Mei-chou\n ...\n \n \n Chinng-chou\n ...\n \n \n Chung king\n ...\n \n \n K'uei-fu\n ...\n \n \n Hsu Ting\n ...\n \n \n Chung-chon\n ...\n \n \n Yu Yang-chon\n ...\n \n \n Paoning\n ...\n \n \n Shun Ching\n ...\n \n \n Tung Chuan\n ...\n \n \n Esu-chou-fu (Suifu)\n ...\n \n \n Hsu Yung Ting\n ...\n \n \n Lu-chou\n ...\n \n \n Tzu-chou\n ...\n \n \n Total\n 105\n \n\nTo this number must be added the two extra members elected to represent the banner garrison in Chengtu, thus bringing the total up to 107. There were also elected 54 expectant members, to fill any vacancy that might occur. These expectant members were elected by a separate ballot after the election of the sitting members, which explains the otherwise remarkable fact that the expectant members have almost invariably a greater number of votes recorded in their favour than have the sitting members.\n\nWant of Enthusiasm in Electorate.- In the June quarter's intelligence report Mr. Smith mentioned that at the first, or direct, election in the two districts of the city of Chengtu the number of men who obtained the fixed minimum of votes fell very far short of the quota to be elected by each district magistracy, the deficiency in the Chengtu Hsien being 9, and in the Hua Yang Hsien 14. A supplementary election was therefore held a few days later, at which the requisite number of men were elected. In the Chengtu Hsien 63 votes was sufficient to secure qualification for the second and final election, while the lowest number obtained by a successful candidate in the Hua Yang Hsien was 70 votes. When so little interest is shown in the capital, it does not seem reasonable to expect great enthusiasm in the external cities, and such information as I have been able to obtain tends to confirm this view.\n\nComposition of Assembly.- The greater part of the elected members of the provincial council are either holders of some official rank or are graduates under the old system of examinations. Of the total of 161 sitting and expectant members, there are only six who possess neither of these qualifications, and these are all elected under the property qualification (5,000 dollars). A large proportion of the members elected are returned Japanese students. I am told that fully 30 per cent. of the whole, including the president (I Chang) come under this category.\n\nAn examination of the official list of members shows the average age to be ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428228, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 153, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "· 16 \n\nabout 42; the oldest member is 70 years of age, and there are several who are barely 30. \n\nOpening.\"The opening of the council took place on the 1st day of the 9th month (14th October), the Viceroy performing the ceremony. \n\nViceroy's Speech.\" In his opening speech his Excellency pointed out the necessity of co-operation between the gentry and the officials, and cautioned the representatives against trying to proceed at too rapid a rate, saying that as the Government regulations provided for the gradual introduction of parliamentary institutions spreading over a period of ten years, they must not try to anticipate the reforms so provided for. 'This, with the election of the president and vice-president, completed the proceedings for the first day. The president, named P'u Tien Chun, appears to have been elected on his literary reputation. He is a well-known member of the local gentry, was first of his year in the examination for provincial graduates, and is a third-class secretary of one of the metropolitan boards (chu shih '). \n\n\"The council was then closed for thirteen days, reopening on the 15th day of the 9th month (28th October). When the council first met, the subjects for discussion had not all been prepared, so an adjournment was necessary for their completion. On account of this adjournment, the period of sitting has been extended five days, and the session will not close until the 16th day of the 10th month (28th November). \n\nProgramme of Business.\" On the opening day, the Viceroy handed over to the president a list of subjects for discussion that he himself had drawn up. The council does not confine its deliberations to these subjects, but also proposes questions for itself; moreover, the various high provincial officials frequently request the council to give them the benefit of their deliberation on matters of reorganisation and administration. As an indication of the scope of the council's discussions, a list of the subjects dealt with up to the present date, together with those named in the Viceroy's list, is included as an Appendix (Appendix A), \n\nProceedings of Assembly.\"The council sits every day (except Sundays, when there is no sitting) from 1 P.M. to about 5 P.M., with an interval of about twenty minutes in the middle. As there are usually three or four subjects to be dealt with each day, this time does not seem to admit of very thorough discussion. Examination of the published reports of the debates shows that the discussion is largely monopolised by a very few of the deputies, the greater number taking no part in the debates. Every day a certain number of the provincial officials are appointed by the Viceroy to be in attendance at the Chamber, and when matters touching on their administration are raised, these officials themselves take part in the debates. \n\nCriticism of Provincial Government; Altercation between Assembly and Provincial Government.\" Reports go to show that the council is very free in its discussion of the merits--or more frequently, the demerits--of the officials of the province. This independent attitude of theirs has already led to a mild constitutional struggle, that Accounts vary as seems to have done a little to raise the prestige of the council, \n\nto how the breach arose, but all agree that an attempt was made, either by the Viceroy or by his secretary in his name, to restrict the freedom of debate. The council were discussing, with great freedom, the conduct of certain officials, and the Viceroy's principal secretary, who is an expectant intendant of circuit and also the director of the official newspaper office, was sent to instruct the council that this was ultra vires. The president objecting to this ruling, the secretary went on to say that he was there as the representative of the Viceroy and that he therefore had full power to instruct the council as to what subjects were admissible and what were obnoxious—in other words, to point out to the council what subjects they might discuss. The council would not agree to this position, and the president told the secretary that the powers of the council were conferred by the Emperor and were therefore not to be diminished by the Viceroy, adding that a continuation of this attempted interference would compel him to telegraph a full account of the incident to the Constitutional Investigation Office in Peking. The secretary was thus compelled to withdraw, but on the next day the president apologized to the Viceroy, admitting that the discussion was out of order on the ground of irrelevance. In spite, however, of this admission, the general opinion seems to be that the incident has strengthened the position of the council. \n\nLittle Notice taken by the People.\" It might be thought that an assembly that has adopted so independent an attitude towards the officials and is dealing with subjects of such direct interest to the people would awaken a certain amount of excitement and enthusiasm among them; but it is no exaggeration to say that, so far as the preponderating majority are concerned, the people regard this revolutionary \n\n17 \n\nbody with an even milder interest than a parish council excites in England. This is no doubt explained in part by the absence of full newspaper reports of the debates, with free comments thereon. There are only two daily papers circulating in Chengtu: one of these is an official paper and the other is privately established. The reports of the debates appear only in the official paper, and then only in the form of a very brief précis, as will be seen from the typical specimen appended to this report (Appendix (B)). These reports are, I believe, substantially accurate, but are too brief to excite much interest, besides which the paper is not allowed to make any comments on the debates. The official paper at first appended its own opinions in the form of a parenthesis, but the president of the council informed the director of the newspaper office that this was not satisfactory to the council, and since then all comments in the papers have ceased. No report at all, but only a list of subjects, \n\nin the unofficial paper. appears \n\nI am given to understand that the management of this paper prepares reports of the council's proceedings for insertion in the paper, but that these are always disallowed by the police. \n\n\"It is probable, too, that the lack of interest on the part of the public is partly occasioned by the powerlessness of the council to carry any of its recommendations into effect. \n\nArrangements for Admission of the Public.--\"Arrangements have been made for the admission of the public to the galleries of the chamber, and also for the admission of newspaper reporters. The public are admitted by ticket. These tickets are procured, in the case of officials of the province, by writing direct to the president of the council; foreigners may obtain tickets by applying to the most convenient public office (this is explained as meaning the foreign bureau); and other people are admitted on the introduction of a member of the council, each member being allowed to \n\nintroduce two guests. Rules are drawn up providing for orderly and decorous conduct on the part of those so admitted. The people avail themselves of this privilege in good numbers, but from the general attitude of the public it would seem that in the majority of cases they attend rather from curiosity than from a genuine interest. \n\n\"Appendix (A). \n\n\"List of Subjects discussed by the Szechuan Provincial Council. \n\n\"1. Viceroy's original list:- \n\n\"Eradication of superstition. \n\n\"Institution of an experimental department for industrial machinery and \n\nimplements. \n\n\"Dispersion of illegal societies. \n\n\"Reform of the train-bands. \n\n\"Establishment of trade banks (Chin yeh yin hang '). \n\n\"Means of curing the opium habit. \n\n\"Establishment of 'schools for easy reading.\" \n\nC \n\nExpenses of police. \n\nExpenses of river police. \n\nDiscouragement of foot-binding. \n\nExpenses of the education department. \n\n\"Establishment of irrigation societies in district cities. \n\n\"Protection of woods and forests. \n\nPrevention of disputes between converts and other natives. \n\nEstablishment of textile societies. \n\n\"Establishment of a provincial society for the investigation of natural \n\nresources. \n\n\"Collection of fees in primary schools. \n\nFC \n\n** \n\nRaising of funds for the Szechuan Province Mining Supervisory \n\nCompany. \n\nImprovement of rapids on the river, \n\n\"Acceleration of the raising of capital for the Chuan-Han Railway. \n\n\"2. Other subjects dealt with up to the 17th November:- \n\n\"Collection of share capital by the Szechuan Province Mining Supervisory \n\nCompany. \n\n[2605 (-2) \n\n151", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428229, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 154, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "\"Universal establishment of police. \n\n\"Universal education. \n\n\"Rules of the council. \n\nAdvantages and evils of the 'ticket salt system.' \n\nRegulations of the local Government councils. \n\n\"Discrimination in collection between local and Imperial taxes. \n\n44 \n\nReorganisation of the affairs of the Chuan-Han Railway Company. \"Revision of legal fees. \n\n\"Revision of the extra coal and iron taxes at Chungking. \n\n\"Reform of the salt-tax system. \n\n\"Abolition of excess incidental expenditure by local officials. \n\n\"Bank administration. \n\n\"Reform of the public granaries. \n\n* \n\nPreparation for a voluntary force. \n\n\"Revision of the funds of the various temple societies' for the expenses \n\nof the local Government councils. \n\n\"Reform of the receipts given to the payers of land tax. \n\n< \n\nExtortion by local officials under the guise of fines. \n\n\"The alteration of the Mining Supervisory Company into a model commercial company. \n\n\"That the defence of the Szechuan-Thibetan frontier should be an Imperial \n\ncharge. \n\n\"The necessity for care in the choice of the local educational officers. \"Institution of a public library in Chengtu. \n\nK \n\n'Appendix (B). \n\n\"Proceedings of the Provincial Council on the 17th day of the 9th month (October 30). \n\nSpecimen of Debate.-\"The sitting commenced at 1 P.M., the following officials being in attendance: the Provincial Judge, Intendant of Commerce, Prefect Yang (Director of the School of Laws), the district magistrate of Chengtu, and Ting, a deputy of the Viceroy's. \n\nThe first subject discussed was the reorganisation of the train-bands. \"Liu Chih Ch'eng mounted the rostrum and said that the train-bands and the police were both matters of importance. \n\n\"Li Wen Hsi: In reorganising the train-bands the leaders and headmen should be first dealt with. These men should be elected. \n\n\"Fu Huai Ping: Industrial institutions must be widely established, in order to eradicate the source of thieves and robbers; neither police nor train-bands can be abolished. \n\n\"Wang Shu Huai: Whether police have or have not been established in a place, the train-bands cannot be cast aside. The important points are to discriminate carefully in rewarding and punishing the train-bands; to search out the thieves' dens; to relax the prohibition of the purchase of swords; and to buy larger quantities of weapons, which the officials will then distribute for use in protection. \n\n\"Kao Ling Hsiao: The headmen should be elected by ballot, and the train-bands should be drilled in accordance with the military regulations. \n\n\"Hsiu Kuang P'u: The train-bands should be divided into classes according to their size, the larger bands consisting of forty men, and the smaller of twenty. They should be drilled for two hours daily, and instructed for two hours. The men should be changed annually, so that, in course of time, everybody will have been through a course of military training, and our peasantry will be our army. \n\n\"Chou Chang Chao: If the duties of raising funds, controlling expenditure, and administering business all devolves on one man, if he is honest, he will have a heavy burden, and if he is dishonest it will be very easy for him to commit malpractices. The regulations should therefore be revised, \n\n\"Ch'en Nien Tsu: There are at present three defects in the administration of the train-bands, (a) the headmen are changed in rotation; (b) expenses are not allowed; (c) no respect is shown to the men. Reform is necessary to produce efficiency. The first step should be to take a census and to distribute weapons. \n\n\"Ch'en Ying Tu: The train-bands should be abolished. Even supposing they were properly reorganised, still in course of time local self-government and police will be an accomplished fact, and then in the end the train-bands will have to be done away with. \n\n\"Li Shu Ch'un: The headmen should be elected by the local self-government councils. Mr. Li further pointed out the advantages of the system of rewards and punishments, and of the use of modern weapons, \n\n\"Ch'ih Chu agreed with Cheng Ying Tu. He added that if the train-bands and police were established side by side there would necessarily arise friction between them. \n\n\"Liu Sheng Yuan: In deciding whether or not the train-bands shall be dealt with the essential question is, 'Do they keep the criminal classes in order?' Even if we have modern weapons, to make good use of them we must also have men trained in science, military matters, and mechanics. In conclusion he pointed out the need of a reorganisation of the Police Training Department. \n\n\"La Chi: The two most important matters are the detective department of the police force and the census. \n\n\"Tung Ching Chun rose in his seat and inquired whether the question was one referred for discussion, or was originated by council itself. The president replied that the provincial judge had previously written to him about this question, and that therefore it should be considered as referred. The second question on the day's agenda might be classed as 'originated.' \n\n\"The Provincial Judge explained that his object was to ascertain the opinion of the council, in order that he might make the necessary reforms. \n\n\"This concluded the discussion of the first question. \n\n\"The second question was the protection of woods and forests. \n\n\"Liu Sheng Yuan: Any scheme for protection must be prefaced by registration. \n\n\"Cheng Nien Tsu: For the sake of convenience the forestry society should be a branch of the agricultural society and not a separate institution. Rules for the protection of woods and forests should be drawn up by the proprietors of the same. \n\n\"Wang Shu Huai: The protection of public and unowned woods is a simple matter, but difficulty will be found in the protection of those that are private property, hence the starting point should be the protection of the livelihood of the owner. Enlarging on this, the member went on to point out that the taxes on mortgages were harmful to owners of property, and should therefore be abolished. He went on at great length, to the annoyance of the council. \n\n\"The president then said that, although the member had already explained clearly, it still appeared that the matter he was discussing was irrelevant; moreover, there would be a separate discussion on this subject, so it need not be dealt with now. \n\n\"Kao Ling Hsiao: There is no need to establish any society, for it would be only an empty name. Wax, varnish, rubber, and camphor trees should be cultivated to replace opium. \n\n\"Cheng Ying Tu: Privately-owned woods should be protected from being cut down by thieves. Societies should be established as occasion demands. \n\n\"The Vice-President, Lo Lun: There are three causes of deforestation: (1) Cutting too early; (2) Failure to plant; (3) Theft of trees. Schemes for protection should be divided into direct and indirect. On the one hand, coal mines should be developed so that there should be no need to burn timber; and on the other hand, forestry societies should be established as branches of the agricultural societies. Regulations and punishments should be defined, markets should be opened up, and so on. \n\nThis met with the approval of the council. \n\n\"The President: The subject immediately under discussion includes three heads: Unowned woods, public woods, and private woods, and also incidentally embraces three other objects: Preservation of monuments, development of wells and springs, and production of timber. \n\n\"The Intendant of Commerce expressed his views: These three classes of woods and forests must all be surveyed and investigated, and the unowned woods can then be made the foundation of State forests. While all woods, whether unowned, public, or private, must be surveyed, the unowned and public woods should be dealt with first. \n\n\"Several members raised the point that when a census of mulberry trees was taken last year, the people became suspicious and cut down the trees. \n\n\"The President: Registration must be the basis of all administration. Suspicion is not aroused in other matters; why should the registration of woods and forests be the solitary exception? I have no hesitation in asserting that there will be no difficulty. \n\n19 \n\n152", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428232, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 157, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2+\n\norganisation office, with the provincial treasurer, chancellor of education, and judge as heads, and the president and vice-president were appointed deputies under them. Being soon impressed with the difficulties of carrying out the new rules, he set the chiefs of the organisation office the task of investigating the different systems of colonial government in East and West and elaborating a modification suitable to his territory.\n\nViceroy and Provincial Government show Deficiencies in proposed Electorate. ---- The nature of the difficulties is well brought out in the report of the organisation office, a copy of which was inclosed in his memorial. It was pointed out, for instance, that education having always been under official management in the New Dominion, there were no electors qualified under (1) of article 3; that there was not a single person in the territory qualified under (2); that the provincial quota under the old system of examination being only two graduates, there were few persons qualified under (3), and the greater number of these were disqualified under articles 7 and 8; that there were no civil officials of the 7th rank or higher, and only a few of the necessary military rank, most of whom were uneducated, and therefore, under article 6, lay under the disability that they could neither vote nor offer themselves for election; and that as for the property qualification, the region had frequently suffered from the ravages of war, and the number of persons qualified under articles 3 (5) and 4 was very limited. There were a few wealthy merchants from other provinces, but they were not on good terms with the natives. In the Northern Marches (Sungaria) the Mahommedans far outnumbered the Chinese, and the two were as \"fire and water.\" In the South Marches (Kashgaria) conditions were even worse: the Mahommedans were proportionately more numerous, of less tractable disposition, and differences of religion and usages were more marked. Few knew or spoke Chinese, and experience had shown that the native begs were not to be trusted with authority.\n\nSuggestion of modified Scheme based on Crown Colony system placed before Chinese Government.-A dissertation on Western methods of colonisation and rule of colonies follows, with the object of showing that the government of Turkestan, under representative institutions, should begin by the crown colony system, or something similar, and gradually progress to the full programme of the rest of the Empire. The scheme suggested by the organisation office, and supported by the governor, was a limited council composed of officials and of notables elected by persons possessing the franchise and approved by the provincial authorities. At the same time education was to be vigorously spread and schools founded with the object of increasing the proportion of persons knowing Chinese.\n\nThe governor's memorial, which wound up with excuses for delay on account of the distances and slow communications, received the Imperial rescript, \"Let the board concerned take note.\"\n\n39\n\nNothing further has appeared in the press.\n\n(Reports on the assemblies of Chekiang, Anhui, and Kuangsi have not yet reached the legation. They will be forwarded separately.)\n\nGeneral Remarks.-A few general remarks may be offered in conclusion. The extent of the Empire and the diversities of population, climate, and usages have driven the Chinese Government to seek their solution of the problem of popular government along the lines of the existing political divisions, and, to some extent, after the model of a federation of States. That they have done this with caution and in a hesitating spirit, and solely because they feel that the plunge must be taken, is evident from the almost universal attitude of the officials, who really govern the country, and from an examination of the franchise.\n\nApathy of Higher Officials of Central Government.-The reserve or apathy of the higher officials of the central Government has been striking. Not one has, by any overt act, shown interest in the elections or proceedings of the assemblies, which are rarely mentioned in conversation unless the foreigner expresses curiosity; and a resident in Peking in 1909 could not have known without special enquiry that such a thing as an election was proceeding during the greater part of the year, or that there was an electorate of any kind, or that the capital had any concern in the assembly which met at Tien-tsin on the 14th October. A Peking official of high rank, who was reminded on that day by a secretary of legation of the ceremonies then taking place at all the provincial cities, confessed that he had not given them a thought.\n\n* See précis translation of rules appended to this report.\n\n25\n\nSimilar Attitude in Provinces.-This attitude of indifference has prevailed widely in the provinces. It is true that the responsible provincial authorities, spurred by repeated decrees and warned by the removal of the Kansu Viceroy, have in a few instances zealously, in most perfunctorily, endeavoured to carry out the Imperial designs, but nowhere has there been any popular enthusiasm, and the opinion of the masses is one of expectancy or unconcealed distrust. In Shantung, where the official propaganda was most thorough, the elections were practically confined to the educated classes, though unavailing efforts were undoubtedly made to extend the interest lower down. At Shanghae it was not known how many persons voted, and from the general ignorance of what happened it appeared that the elections were largely in the hands of a clique of gentry and semi-official persons. Little public interest was aroused in what seemed to be considered an \"additional set of talons and teeth\" rather than the creation of an organ for the expression of the people's wishes. His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow states that, apart from the educated class, the public showed little interest in the proceedings, and that there was great difficulty in inducing sufficient voters to support the required number of candidates. The native press on the Yang-tsze perceive that finance is the point on which the success of the assemblies depends, and are by no means confident that the mass of the population will respond to extra levies at the bidding of the new bodies any more readily than to the exactions of the regular officials. From Foochow Mr. Playfair reported (27th October) that little appeared to be known on the subject by Europeans or natives whom he had questioned. At Chengtu (Szechuan) slight attention was paid to the elections, and there was difficulty in inducing a sufficient number of voters to go to the poll. Mr. Sly's experience at Chungking may be given in his own words-\n\n\"It was at first only with the greatest difficulty that I was able to obtain even a very general and imperfect idea of the franchise proposals, and a mere questioning of Chinese, who should have been fully acquainted with the main facts, was quite useless. Chungking is the great trading and distributing centre of Szechuan; it is a big city and has a large population. It might, then, have been expected that a measure which is in principle so great an advance upon any previous concession, and which carries with it the promise of popular government, would have excited a wide interest. It does not appear that such has been the case, and there would seem to be considerable apathy and indifference. It is doubtful whether the system of recording votes has been altogether regular, and there has been no little difficulty in obtaining the desired number of representatives. In some instances persons possessing the required qualifications were not to be found, and in others men able to serve have refused to come forward or to accept office even when elected.”\n\nRestricted Character of the Franchise. Assemblies merely the \"Gentry.\"--The caution of the Chinese Government is displayed in the franchise, the practical effect of which is to restrict the conceded privileges to the literati, officials, and property-owners, who have in the past always exercised the powers of local government in conjunction with the executive. Under the conditions laid down in articles 3 to 8 of the assembly rules, a précis of which is appended for reference, it is possible for provincial governments to see that no one outside the narrow circle of those who are now privileged registers a vote or enters an assembly. In other words, the assemblies are merely the \"gentry,\" of whom we have heard so much of recent years, but the gentry of different localities brought together in one building and acting coherently may have political force very different from the more or less independent bodies hitherto scattered over areas the smallest of which is larger than Ireland.\n\nApprehensions of Chinese Officialdom. That the Chinese Government are apprehensive is evident from the stress laid upon the limited powers of assemblies in the decrees and speeches of the Viceroys and governors, who do not let the members forget that their deliberations must not wander beyond the boundaries of their provinces; and it is commonly anticipated that the \"local bully\" type of notable, who has always been a thorn in the flesh of governors and governed, will prosper as demagogues under the new régime and acquire a wider and more baleful influence than was possible before.\n\nAssemblies so far appear to have Worked in Harmony with Provincial Governments.— There have been a few signs that the assemblies are not disposed to content themselves with purely local affairs, but as a rule the cases are not serious, and the members appear so far to have fulfilled their appointed rôle of working in harmony with the executive authorities in the interests of their respective provinces.\n\n[2605 -2]\n\nH\n\n155", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428331, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 256, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n48254\n\nRECR RrGP18 FEB 10\n\n[January 29.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nNote communicated to M. Cambon January 29, 1910.\n\nSIR E. GREY has carefully considered the memorandum of the 13th instant, which the French Ambassador was good enough to communicate to Sir F. Campbell on the following day, relative to the Hukuan loan negotiations, and he notes with satisfaction that the proposed division of the Szechuan line into four equal parts among the four groups is not unacceptable to the French Government, on the understanding, however, that the principle of equality, which formed the basis of the agreement between London and Paris in regard to Chinese railways, be extended to the Hankow-Canton line by the appointment of a French sub-engineer in accordance with the French proposal of the 8th December.\n\nThe French Government stipulate, moreover, that, as compensation for that portion of the Szechuan line which the French group are surrendering to the Americans, they will receive the fourth, or most westerly, section, which is at present allotted to Great Britain, in the event of China granting the concession for the extension of the Hankow-Ichang Railway. Sir E. Grey has the honour to observe that, by the agreement of the 14th May made at Berlin between the Chinese Central Railways and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, which was afterwards ratified in London, this section was allotted to the British group. It was then laid down between the two parties that, in respect of the portion of the Szechuan line for which the chief engineer was to be appointed by the Chinese Central Railways, that company should appoint a French engineer for the first, or eastern, section of the extension to be constructed of such portion up to about 800 kilom., but not exceeding one-half of such portion, and a British engineer for the second, or western, section to be constructed. There was no mention in that or any subsequent inter-group agreement of the appointment of a French sub-engineer on the Hankow-Canton line.\n\nSir E. Grey sees no reason for departing from the understanding arrived at last spring, as the inclusion of the American group, involving as it does equal sacrifices on the Szechuan line for all three groups, cannot be held to affect the distribution of engineering sections on either line in the manner suggested by the French Government. Indeed, the reopening of this question is, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, to be greatly deprecated, tending as it does to the conclusion that there is to be no finality in any of these negotiations.\n\nThe French Government also enquire as to what would be the share of the respective groups in the event of the Chinese Government refusing to grant the extension of the Szechuan line for which a joint application is proposed.\n\nShould the Chinese Government refuse to grant the extension of the railway to Chengtu, His Majesty's Government would certainly raise no objection to the division of the first, or Hupeh, section of this line (Hankow-Ichang) into four equal parts if such a step would facilitate an agreement, but it is feared that this course would scarcely commend itself to the German Government, who originally held the whole 800 kilom.; and His Majesty's Government would hardly feel disposed themselves to make such a suggestion at Berlin.\n\nForeign Office, January 29, 1910.\n\n[2581 #-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428500, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 425, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n8011\n\n422\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[February 18:]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nIS MAR 10\n\n[6185]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nFebruary 18.)\n\nMessrs. Morgan, Grenfell, and Co. to Mr. Jamieson.~(Communicated by Mr. Addis,\n\n22, Old Broad Street, London, E.C.,\n\nFebruary 17, 1910.\n\nDear Sir,\n\nWE have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, which we received yesterday.\n\nWe regret to notice therefrom that you are unable to accede to the proposal made by us on behalf of the American group in our letter of the 11th instant. We regret your decision the more, as such proposal appears to be satisfactory to the French and German groups.\n\nWe have already written to you that the American group cannot accept the proposal made in your letter of the 25th January.\n\nYours faithfully,\n\nMORGAN, GRENFELL, AND Co.\n\n## Enclosure in No. 1\n\n## Memorandum by Mr. Jamieson on the Position of the Inter-Group Controversy regarding Engineering Sections of the Hankow-Szechuan Line\n\nBY clause 5 of the Berlin agreement of the 14th May, 1909, it was agreed that the chief engineer for the Hupeh section of the line to the extent of about 800 kilom., should be appointed by the German group, \"and the chief engineer for the extension of the line from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu to be appointed by Chinese Central Railways.\"\n\nBy collateral agreement between C. S. Addis, representing the Chinese Central Railways, and Mr. Simon, on behalf of the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, it was agreed \"that in respect of the portion of the line for which the chief engineer is to be appointed by the Chinese Central Railways, that company shall appoint a French engineer for the first section to be constructed of such portion, up to about 800 kilom., but not exceeding one-half of such portion, and a British engineer for the second section to be constructed.\"\n\nBy a letter from Mr. Simon to Mr. Addis dated the 19th May, we were informed that at a meeting of the French directors held at Paris that day a resolution was passed ratifying the general agreement and the Addis-Simon agreement signed at Berlin the 14th May, and also that the following resolution had been adopted:--\n\n\"La nomination de l'ingénieur-en-chef étant accordée aux Chinese Central Railways pour la construction du prolongement de la ligne Hankeou-Chenton au-delà du Hupeh, il est entendu que les Chinese Central Railways désigneront un ingénieur français pour la première moitié de la ligne. Si cette première moitié n'atteignait pas 800 kilom., il y aurait lieu éventuellement de désigner un ingénieur français pour la construction de toute extension, prolongement ou embranchement de cette ligne jusqu'à ce que soit parfaite une longueur totale de 800 kilom.\"\n\nTo this we replied under date the 21st May, to say that the London directors agree to the above resolution, it being understood that the 'extension, prolongement ou embranchement' referred to is an extension starting from some point on the said 'première moitié' of the line.\n\nSo matters stood when the American claim to participate was put forward. The attitude of the English group is sufficiently set out in my letter to Messrs. Morgan, Grenfell, and Co. of the 25th January, when we pressed them to fall in with the equal division principle, the share allotted to America being\n\n \n \n Sub-Engineer (Hupeh section)\n Chief Engineer (extension)\n Kilom.\n Total\n \n \n \n \n \n 200\n 400\n 600", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428516, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 441, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "these bonds should be called in and an endorsement put on them of the order, if it should be obtained, sanctioning the change. I think there would be further difficulty if it was desired to carry out the matter, in accordance with the recent letter of the Director-General of Railways. No doubt if before the application to the court here had been made the local companies had submitted and we received instructions not to proceed, the matter could be dropped, but the application would, in my opinion, have to be put before the court in the definite form of substituting the new railway for the old, and not subject to such a condition as that the substitution was only to take effect if the local companies did not submit within a definite period, and when once the court had sanctioned the substitution of the one railway for the other, it would, in my opinion, thereafter be a breach of trust to let the funds be applied for the purposes of the old railway. Apart from these risks as to publicity, there is also, in my opinion, the possible chance that the court would say that the total change in the character of the undertaking was such as to take the case out of the category of a compromise which could be sanctioned under order 16, rule 9a. In other words, a compromise capable of being sanctioned under that rule would not, in my opinion, include one which involved the destruction of the whole trust and the substitution of a new one. Before I was informed that a very large part of the loan funds remained unexpended in the hands of the bank, I had thought it possible that the object which the Government has in view might have been effected by their creating a collateral security over the new railway in favour of trustees for the debenture-holders, and so practically setting free the revenues of the original railway, but, having regard to the express terms of the loan agreement, I do not think that the bank could justify parting with the residue of the funds for the purpose of enabling the new railway to be built with them. If the matter is of extreme importance, it may be thought wise to run some of the risks which I have referred to above, as I cannot suggest any other means of carrying out what is desired, for there is no doubt at first sight considerable analogy between the present case and that of the Northern Railway, although, for the reasons I have given above, I think that the court would at any rate require greater precautions to be taken to protect the interests of possible dissentients.\n\nLincoln's Inn, February 19, 1910.\n\nF. WHINNEY.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[6868]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to M. Cambon,\n\n438\n\n8011\n\nREC? REGE 18 MAR 10\n\n[March 8.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nForeign Office, March 8, 1910. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the memorandum communicated by your Excellency on the 25th ultimo in regard to the Hukuang loan negotiations, to the effect that the United States group are prepared to surrender to the French group their engineering rights over 100 kilom. of the American portion of the extension of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway, and that the United States group have informed the French financiers that they consent to this arrangement on condition that His Majesty's Government make the concessions desired by the Government of the Republic.\n\nThese concessions are, as stated in your Excellency's note of the 14th ultimo :---- 1. That the British group should take the present French section of the Hankow--- Szechuan Railway in exchange for the fourth or most westerly section which was allotted to them by the Addis-Simon arrangement of the 14th May last; and\n\n2. That they should agree to the appointment of a French sub-engineer on the Tankow-Canton Railway.\n\nYour Excellency expresses the hope that His Majesty's Government will recognise the reasonableness of the French demands,\n\nAs I pointed out to your Excellency in my note of the 29th January, there appeared to be no good reason at the time for departing from the understanding of the 14th May, 1909, one of the provisions of which stipulated that—\n\n1. The British and Chinese Corporation was to appoint the engineer for the Hankow-Canton line;\n\n2. The German group was to appoint one for the Hupeh section of the Szechuan line; and\n\n3. The Chinese Central Railways was to appoint one for the extension of the line from Ichang to Chengtu.\n\nBy a subsidiary agreement of the same date between Mr. Addis on behalf of the Chinese Central Railways and M. Simon on behalf of the French financiers, the Chinese Central Railways undertook to appoint a French engineer for the first half of the extension and a British engineer for the final half.\n\nI am not aware that the position has altered since the date of that note, and I would remind your Excellency that the above arrangements were accepted and ratified at a meeting of the French directors in Paris, and were considered at the time both by the British group and by His Majesty's Government as final. It is true that the French Government have not formally given their assent to these arrangements, but it has been understood throughout the protracted negotiations that the French group never took any important decision without consultation with, and the approval of, their Government.\n\nIn regard to the statement that had the French Government not believed that, by virtue of the appointment of engineers of the different nationalities by rotation, the French and German groups would receive equivalent advantages to the English group, they would at once have protested against what they consider to be a flagrant breach of the spirit of the arrangement, I have the honour to observe that the principle in question was first introduced in an agreement signed between the three groups on the 6th July last in regard to future railway loans and construction in China. This agreement expressly excepts loans for the two railways now under discussion.\n\nIn the circumstances, His Majesty's Government regret that they do not see their way to accept the proposal made by the French Government. They do not consider, as they have on more than one occasion stated, that the inclusion of the American\n\n[2667 h--1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428533, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 458, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n455\n\n9850\n\n[March 7.]\n\nSECTION 24 APR 10\n\n(7910)\n\n(No. 54.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 7.)\n\nPeking, February 18, 1910.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 389 of the 25th October last, I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's consul at Newchwang, with its enclosures, containing further representations on the subject of the discrimination in favour of Dairen and at the expense of Newchwang, effected by the new tariff of the South Manchurian Railway.\n\nI have nothing to add to the arguments adduced by Mr. Wilkinson showing that the interests of Newchwang are seriously handicapped by the advantage in rates of freight per mile given to the port of Dairen by the specific rates to places in Manchuria. The object is unquestionably to divert trade to Dairen, with which port the interests of the railway administration are so closely identified.\n\nI can only suggest for your consideration, in view of the intimate relations between the South Manchurian Railway and the Japanese Government, whether it would not be possible for the latter to take steps to remedy the grievance complained of.\n\nWith regard to the discrepancies referred to in your despatch No. 13 of the 12th January, the correct figures for the new rates from Dairen to Mukden and from Newchwang to Changtu are undoubtedly 4 yen and 5.88 yen respectively. As for the old rate from Newchwang to Mukden, Mr. Wilkinson explains that the rate of 3.95 yen per ton, published in the tariff of the 1st July, 1908, was subsequently lowered, at any rate for all staple products, such as beans, to 3.36 yen a ton. The latter figure would therefore appear to be the correct one for comparison.\n\nI have, &c. (For the Minister),\n\nW. G. Max Müller.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 7.) Sir,\n\nConsul Wilkinson to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nNewchwang, February 8, 1910.\n\nIN my intelligence report for September quarter I commented at some length on the new tariff of the South Manchurian Railway Company, and showed how very unfairly it discriminated in favour of Dairen at the expense of Newchwang, the rates having in many cases been obviously fixed with the object of diverting trade from this port to Dairen.\n\nI have now the honour to enclose a copy of a letter in the same connection which has been addressed to the Newchwang Chamber of Commerce by the agent at this port of the Asiatic Petroleum Company (Limited), who has made the matter the subject of an official complaint to the chamber. He draws the chamber's attention to the fact that under the new tariff the rates on kerosene oil have been made the same from Dairen as from Newchwang to Liaoyang and all stations north of that city, although the distance from Dairen is 137 miles greater than from Newchwang, so that to Mukden, for instance, the largest distributing centre in Manchuria, oil from Newchwang is made to pay more than twice the rate of freight per mile than is paid by oil from Dairen. Such discrimination, as the Asiatic Petroleum Company's agent points out, is a very serious thing for his company, for, relying on the principle of equal opportunity which Japan has so often expressed her intention to maintain in this country, they have made Newchwang, as the port in the closest proximity to the trade centres in the interior, their head-quarters for Manchuria, and have erected oil-tanks here, only to find that companies establishing themselves at Dairen are to be given an unfair advantage over companies established at Newchwang. From the railway company, whom they have approached on the subject, the only reply they can...\n\n[2675 g-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428534, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 459, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "456\n\n9850\n\n2\n\nget is that it is open to them to remove their establishment to Dairen, a course which is obviously impossible, in view of the large amount of capital which they have sunk in Newchwang. The agent therefore asks the assistance of the chamber of commerce at making representations in the proper quarter in order that pressure may be brought upon the railway company so as to induce them to place their rates from Dairen and Newchwang on a mutually fairer basis than is at present the case.\n\nThe chamber have accordingly brought the matter in their turn to the notice of the consular body, by which it has been decided that each consul shall address his Minister separately on the question, my Japanese colleague objecting to a joint despatch to the doyen at Peking.\n\nThe Asiatic Petroleum Company's agent puts his case so clearly that comment on it on my part is scarcely necessary. As it may, however, be argued that, as long as the railway freight from Dairen to the interior is not lower than from Newchwang, the latter port is not at any actual disadvantage, even though deprived of the benefit which its closer proximity to the trade centres of Manchuria should give it, I venture to point out that sea freights to Newchwang are higher than to Dairen, and that for large steamers expenses here are considerably greater than they are at Dairen, so that the discrimination in the railway rates is without question a very severe handicap to the trade of this port. The importance of the question to the Asiatic Petroleum Company has been accentuated too by the fact that, tempted by the favourable freights offered and by the promises of the railway administration, the Standard Oil Company, their chief rivals, propose to make Dairen their head-quarters, and to erect there, instead of at Newchwang, the tanks they have in contemplation.\n\nI also enclose a copy of the letter addressed by the chamber of commerce to the senior consul, transmitting the Asiatic Petroleum Company's complaint.\n\nSir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nF. E. WILKINSON.\n\nNewchwang Chamber of Commerce to Mr. Beltchenko.\n\nNewchwang, January 29, 1910.\n\nI BEG to bring to the notice of your honourable body the disadvantage at which Newchwang is placed vis-à-vis Dairen, in the matter of freight rates on certain commodities by the South Manchurian Railway.\n\nIn their latest freight tariff dated the 3rd November, 1909, equal rates are charged from both ports to the principal trade centres of Manchuria, although the distance from Dairen is 137 miles greater than from Newchwang.\n\nAs an illustration of the way in which this discrimination on the part of the South Manchurian Railway Company is affecting an important branch of Newchwang trade, I beg to lay before your honourable body the enclosed copy of a communication, dated the 28th instant, which this chamber has received from the Newchwang agent of the Asiatic Petroleum Company (Limited), London, in which it is pointed out as an instance that on its oil dispatched from Newchwang to Mukden the Company is most inequitably compelled to pay more than twice the freight per mile than is paid on oil from Dairen.\n\nThis chamber considers most unsatisfactory the verbal reply made by the South Manchurian Railway to the Asiatic Petroleum Company's representations, amounting as it virtually does to an admission that the rate basis has been fixed with the object of diverting trade from Newchwang to Dairen, and this chamber would ask your honourable body to take up this question with the object of securing, by fair and proportionate adjustment of mileage rates, that equality of treatment which the trade of Newchwang has the right to enjoy.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. F. HARLEY, Chairman.\n\n3\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nAsiatic Petroleum Company to Newchwang Chamber of Commerce.\n\nREP Real 4 APR 10\n\nSir,\n\nNewchwang, January 28, 1910. WE should like to draw your attention to the baggage and freight tariff of the South Manchurian Railway Company, published on the 3rd November, 1909, in which, on p. 33, under the heading \"Specific Freight Rates,\" there appears the following:-\n\nThe car-load rate on kerosene oil\n\n\"(V) Freight Rates on Kerosene Oil. from Dairen and Yingkou only shall be as follows :-\"\n\nFollowing this the rates are given per ton to Liaoyang, Mukden, Tiehling, Kaiyuan, Changtu, Ssupingchieh, Kungehuling, Changchun, and Kwanchengtau.\n\nThe list comprises all the important towns in Manchuria, and the distance from Dairen to any of these places is 137 miles greater than the distance from Newchwang (Yingkou), In making the freight rates the same from Dairen as from Newchwang the railway company are undertaking the haulage over this distance of 137 miles for nothing. To Mukden, for instance, the largest distributing centre in Manchuria, the distance from Dairen is 248.7 miles, while from Newchwang it is only 111 miles, so that on kerosene oil sent from here we are paying more than twice the rate of freight per mile than is paid on oil from Dairen.\n\nSuch discrimination is greatly to the detriment of the trade of this port, and entirely obviates the advantage which its closer proximity to the trade centres of Manchuria should give it; and at the same time it gives to companies establishing themselves at Dairen an unfair advantage over companies established at Newchwang.\n\nWe have gone to the expense of erecting an oil-tank installation at Newchwang and have made this port our head-quarters for Manchuria, relying on the principle of \"equal opportunity\" which Japan has so many times expressed a willingness and desire to maintain in this country. We are of opinion that the present schedule of rates is in contravention of that principle, and we have approached the South Manchurian Railway Company and put this view before them, but we are met only with the reply that it is quite open to us to establish our head-quarters in Dairen instead of in Newchwang. It is, however, obviously impossible, when capital has been sunk on tanks and buildings, &c., in one port, to transfer such tanks and buildings to another port without great loss; and we are thus hampered in every way in our endeavours to work the trade of Manchuria through Newchwang.\n\nIt is because we consider that the rates as published, not only on kerosene oil but on all goods, are calculated seriously to hamper the trade of Newchwang and to give a great and unfair advantage to the trade of Dairen that we wish to lodge this protest with you, and to ask the assistance of the chamber of commerce in making representations in the proper quarter, in order that some influence may be brought to bear upon the railway company so as to induce them to place their rates from the two ports on a mutually fairer basis than is at present the case.\n\nWe beg, &c. For the Asiatic Petroleum Company (Limited),\n\nG. S. HAWKINS.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428544, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 469, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "466\n\n2\n\nseraient partagées par parts égales entre les trois groupes; que les anglais auraient la direction technique du Hankéou-Canton; les Allemands celle d'une première section de 800 kilom. du Sétchouen; les Français celle d'une seconde section de 800 kilom.; les Anglais celle d'une troisième section de 800 kilom.; enfin, que la direction technique d'une quatrième section (ou de toute autre ligne de 800 kilom.) serait dévolue aux Allemands, puis encore une autre aux Français, et ainsi de suite, le roulement commençant en réalité par des sections de 800 kilom., les Anglais prenant la première, celle représentée par le Hankéou-Canton, et les Français la troisième, c'est-à-dire la deuxième du Sétchouen. Telle était la portée et l'esprit, déclarent formellement les Français, de la convention de juin 1909.\n\n\"A peine cette convention fut-elle signée que surgit un quatrième concurrent, les Américains, imposé brutalement par les Chinois aux trois premiers contractants.\n\n\"La situation était bien simple, disent les Français. Il fallait, si l'on se décidait à accepter ce nouvel associé, que chacun des trois groupes anglais, allemand, et français fit une place absolument égale aux Américains en diminuant sa propre part.\n\nPuisque, dans l'affaire du Sétchouen, chacun des trois groupes devait avoir-en vertu de la convention de juin 1909–800 kilom., il eût été bien simple de prélever sur chacune de ces trois parts 200 kilom., en faveur des Américains et \"de diviser ainsi la ligne de 2,100 kilom. en quatre parts égales.\n\n66\n\nMais les Allemands, qui, en vertu de cette même convention de 1909, avaient droit à une première section de 800 kilom. sur le Sétchouen, déclarèrent formellement qu'ils se refusaient à accepter autre chose qu'un sous-ingénieur américain sur 200 kilom. de cette section de 800 kilom., attendu que s'ils avaient accepté de rétrocéder le Hankéou-Canton aux Anglais, c'était à la condition expresse que, dans l'affaire du Sétchouen, on leur réservât une section de 800 kilom., c'est-à-dire une section d'une longueur égale à ce qui reste à construire du Hankéou-Canton.”\n\nDans ces conditions, les Français disent :-\n\n\"La convention de 1903 nous donnait droit à la seconde section du Sétchouen, section qui devait avoir une longueur identique à la première. En 1908, les Anglais, qui devaient avoir cette première section du Sétchouen, ont été obligés de la donner aux Allemands tout en déterminant que cette première section aurait 800 kilom. Il faut donc que la seconde section du Sétchouen ait également une longueur de 800 kilom.\n\n\"On fait également remarquer à Paris que le Quai d'Orsay ne cesse d'attirer l'attention sur le fait que, à son avis, c'est le groupe anglais qui jusqu'ici se montre seul intransigeant, car on retrouve dans toutes les négociations qui ont été poursuivies un grand esprit de conciliation aussi bien à Berlin qu'à Paris. En effet, en vertu de la convention de 1909, les Allemands pouvaient être parfaitement intraitables et ne rien rétrocéder de la première section du Sétchouen. Ils n'ont pas pris cette attitude et, pour faciliter l'introduction des Américains, ils ont consenti à leur donner une sous-ingénieur sur 200 kilom. A Paris, on a été plus loin encore, dit M. Pichon, puisqu'au lieu de ne consentir qu'à un sous-ingénieur étranger sur les 800 kilom. de la seconde section, les Français consentent à aller jusqu'à ne prendre qu'une section de 600 kilom., mais exigent un sous-ingénieur sur une autre section de 200 kilom.\"\n\nTelle est, mon cher Mr. Addis, expliquée de la façon la plus claire que possible, la théorie française.\n\nPour ce qui regarde la liquidation de la Chinese Central Railways, il y a lieu de vous faire la remarque suivante:---\n\nParmi les actionnaires français de la Chinese Central Railways se trouvent certains groupes qui n'ont consenti à abandonner les démarches qu'ils poursuivaient pour l'obtention du Chemin de Fer du Sétchouen qu'en raison de l'intérêt qui leur était réservé dans la Chinese Central Railways. Toutes ces intentions ont été nettement marquées dans les contrats intervenus entre eux, la British and Chinese Corporation, le Peking Syndicate, la Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, &c. Croyez-vous, dans ces conditions, qu'une des parties contractantes puisse liquider la Chinese Central Railways et s'engager directement ou indirectement dans des négociations avec le Gouvernement chinois pour l'obtention de cette même affaire du Sétchouen, sans s'exposer à de graves inconvénients juridiques et à de violents reproches ?\n\nJ'ajouterai, de plus, que la situation est semblable pour la Compagnie d'Orient, vis-à-vis de laquelle, avant la création de la Chinese Central Railways, étaient déjà liés la British and Chinese Corporation et le Peking Syndicate.\n\nJ'attire simplement votre attention sur ce point, convaincu que son importance ne vous échappera pas.\n\nVotre tout dévoué,\n\nDear M. Francqui,\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to M. Francqui.\n\n10-19\n\nE. FRANCQUI 10\n\nLondon, March 1, 1910.\n\nI BEG to thank you very cordially for your letter of the 22nd ultimo, in which you inform me confidentially of the line of reasoning of our French friends in regard to the matters now in dispute. I take the opportunity to reply equally frankly, giving you the English view.\n\nIn the first place, we do not know what is meant by the convention of 1903 or 1904, which our French friends say \"specifies\" that engineers are to be appointed in rotation-the English to have the first section, the French the second, the English the third, and so on, the sections to be of equal length. The first agreement we know of is the one on which the Chinese Central Railways was reconstituted, viz., the Carl Meyer-Simon agreement of the 2nd October, 1905. The arrangement as to engineers is found in clause 8, which reads as follows --\n\n\"The engineers and other European employés engaged upon the said railway from Pookoo to Chengtu, and of each railway that may be formed or controlled by the company (other than the railway from Pookoo to Tien-tsin), shall, as far as possible, be in equal proportions of French and British nationalities,\" &c.\n\nPossibly enough a division by sections is the form which the arrangement would have taken, but I know of no suggestion of the sort; and, at all events, at the date when German competition supervened there was no formal stipulation as to rotation of engineering.\n\nHaving premised so much I come now to the agreements made in May and July 1909, after the German competition came in; and here I would remark that it is not quite correct to say that \"les Anglais demandèrent Paris d'accepter ceux-ci dans l'entente générale.\" It was as much the interest of the French as the English to exclude German competition, or, if that could not be, to come to terms with them, and, as a matter of fact, we consulted them and got their consent at every step.\n\nThere are two agreements of 1909-one signed at Berlin on the 14th May and the other signed at London on the 6th July. The first deals exclusively with the Hukuang loan, and the provision as regards chief engineers is as follows:--\n\n1. British and Chinese Corporation appoints for the Hankow-Canton.\n\n2. German group appoints for Hupeh section of Szechuan line, 800 kilom.\n\n3. Chinese Central Railways appoints for the extension of the line from Ichang to Chengtu.\n\nBy a subsidiary agreement of the same date between myself, on behalf of Chinese Central Railways, and M. Simon, on behalf of French group, Chinese Central Railways undertook to appoint a French engineer for the first 800 kilom. of the extension-but not exceeding one-half of the whole-and a British engineer for the final half. These agreements were accepted and ratified at a meeting of the French directors in Paris, and presumably were communicated to the Quai d'Orsay -at least, we regarded them as final and settled.\n\nThe other agreement, signed on the 6th July, deals with future railways acquired by any one of the groups, and specifically excepts loans for the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railways. Here for the first time the principle of rotation of engineers and engineering sections is introduced. Clause 10 of that agreement is the one dealing with engineers. I need not quote it, as you will have a copy, and in any case it deals with the future, and cannot be invoked as the guiding principle for the allotment of engineers on the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railways. It so happened that the Hankow-Chengtu line lent itself to a division into three approximately equal parts of 800 kilom, each; but the principle was, after satisfying the German demands, equal division between the two component groups of the Central Railways.\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428583, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 508, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "promising rewards to the more active subscribers. Throughout the country the scheme is being enthusiastically supported by the student class and by such associations as the China Patriotic Fund Society in Shanghae.\n\nConsidered merely as a spontaneous outburst of patriotism, the above movement is in itself perfectly legitimate, and no more objectionable from our point of view than the sacrifices made by the French people with a similar object after the Franco-German war. It assumes, however, a somewhat more serious aspect in the light of the trend of Chinese public opinion at the present juncture, and the fact that it has been welcomed with practically universal enthusiasm emphasises the importance which must be attached to the wave of anti-foreign prejudice now sweeping over the Empire. It has long been a commonplace observation that, since the troubles of 1900, both Government and people have confined their anti-foreign efforts to peaceful methods, which, in the hands of skilful passive resisters like the Chinese, have proved much more successful than such ill-considered outbreaks as those of the Boxers. Of late, however, the language used by the native press and the effect produced thereby on the ignorant mass of the people have led the more timid section of the foreign community to fear a revival of actual violence. Undue importance may, of course, be attributed to the disquieting symptoms; still, it would be foolish to under-estimate the gravity of the situation as depicted in the intelligence reports from all the consuls along the Yangtse Valley as far inland as Chengtu. A rumour, of which the source is not quite clear, crediting the treaty Powers with the intention of partitioning China, has rapidly grown in volume and intensity until it has become the chief topic of conversation among the people. Missionaries in such turbulent provinces as Anhui, for instance, who have exceptional opportunities for watching the trend of public opinion, state that undoubted effect is being produced by the dissemination of alarmist placards and leaflets, calling on the people to arm in defence of their country. These pamphlets, which resemble those circulating all over the country, and which would be ludicrous were not their influence so serious, declare that the work of partition has already begun, and magnify such incidents as the visit of Lord Kitchener, or the arrival of a British regiment in Hong Kong into acts of foreign aggression. The result of this agitation is that there is much wild talk of the formation of rifle corps, while numerous bodies of students, notably at Nanking and Changsha, have petitioned the authorities for a distribution of arms and ammunition.\n\nHitherto, however, the officials have succeeded in keeping the agitation within more or less reasonable bounds. Their view of the situation is perhaps to be found in a statement made to His Majesty's consul at Changsha by the governor of Hunan. He made no attempt to minimise the gravity of the state of affairs, and expressed his conviction that it was the work of revolutionaries in Hupei. He declared, however, that the rumours were only believed by the students and gentry, not by the officials and the people at large, and that, so long as that was the case, he was complete master of the situation.\n\nRailways.\n\nThe above agitation has by no means distracted attention from the Canton-Hankow Railway and the possibility of a foreign loan in connection therewith. The Provincial Assembly of Hunan is taking a prominent part in the movement, and is foremost in advocating compulsory subscriptions and other wild-cat schemes for averting what, in its circular to the other Assemblies throughout the country, it terms a national calamity The Hunanese can never forget that they alone of all the neighbouring provinces drove back the Taiping rebels from their capital, and, in their boasted superiority to all other Chinese, persistently blind their eyes to what might be learnt by a study of railway matters in other parts of the country. Buoyed up by ridiculously low estimates of the cost of railway construction, flattering themselves with delusive statements as to available funds, and with extravagant hopes of enormous profits—the fact that one of the most anti-foreign newspapers of Shanghae now admits the deplorable state of the Chekiang Railway, owing to the financial starvation of the line, does not give the Hunan agitators pause—and these are now indulging in an orgy of childish arguments against a foreign loan, reckless levies on trade and people, and impudent demands for official support and subscriptions towards an enterprise in which no official interference is to be permitted.\n\nThe Shanghae-Ningpo line is making but slow progress towards completion, the energy of the foreign engineers being discounted by the dissensions and the inertia existing amongst the Chinese officials. On the Hangchow-Ningpo section, the work of surveying and land-purchase is still proceeding. As regards the already opened Shanghae-Hangchow section, it is the opinion of experts that the present express train speed of 118 miles in five hours is very nearly the highest rate of travelling that is to be expected, owing to the defective construction of the so-called permanent way. Surveys are now being made for an extension of the Peking-Kalgan Railway to Kuei-hua-cheng in Shansi. The length of the extension will be about 200 miles, and the funds are to be provided out of the surplus earnings of the Imperial Northern Railway.\n\nCommercial Situation in Tien-tsin.\n\nThe condition of the native debtor firms has greatly changed for the better, and they are beginning to make arrangements with their creditors. While, at the beginning of 1909, the number of native dealers sued by British firms was fourteen, the number at the close of the same year had fallen to seven. In the case of the firms which refused to make voluntary arrangements with their creditors, the difficulty has lain in fixing the responsibility on the proprietors of the defaulting concerns. Even when this has been clearly assigned, the Chinese authorities have in some cases displayed great reluctance to act on the findings of the Shen Pan Ting, and the prospect of obtaining payment from at least four of the defaulting firms is reported by the consulate-general to be practically hopeless.\n\nCampaign against the Lolos in Szechuan.\n\nThe punitive expeditions against the Lolos, which were organised after the murder of Mr. Brooke, are proceeding in a desultory and ineffective fashion, though the official accounts which are published in the press are uniformly optimistic. The efforts of the Chinese troops are apparently confined to sundry marches into Lolo territory, careful avoidance of any actual fighting, and some fitful negotiations with the various tribes. It is perfectly clear that the troops at the disposal of the Chinese authorities are totally inadequate they are unable to protect their own people from Lolo depredations, and can hardly therefore be expected to carry out the difficult task of penetrating into the mountain fastnesses of the warlike tribesmen.\n\nPort of Heungchou.\n\nAccording to an official report, this place, which was created with the object of withdrawing trade from Macao, is being steadily developed. It is now said to be a town of over 2,000 inhabitants, and is provided with a custom-house, a post office, &c. Unfortunately, it would not appear to possess many advantages as a harbour, the water being so shallow that steamers, even of moderate draft, have to anchor a mile from the shore.\n\nPage 505", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428601, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 526, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "(No. 6. Confidential.) Sir,\n\n2\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul Smith to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChungking, February 9, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No. 7, Confidential, of the 28th December last, transmitting copy of a communication addressed by His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies respecting the alleged increase in the export of native opium from Szechuan, and asking for my observations on the subject.\n\nI have the honour to enclose a memorandum dealing with the figures quoted and amplifying the explanation furnished by Mr. Acheson in the trade report referred to, which qualifies the bare figures given in the enclosure to your despatch. From this it would seem that the customs figures themselves do not necessarily justify the conclusion that the Chinese standards in regard to the suppression of opium were not being reasonably maintained during 1908.\n\nWhatever may have been the actual state of affairs in that year, I would mention that, on the whole, the authorities would seem to be making commendable efforts to put down the cultivation of opium at present. In order to ascertain the result of the Governor-General's proclamation of August last forbidding the sowing of any poppy whatever in Szechuan this season, Mr. Broomhall, of the China Island Mission here, recently addressed the following question to members of his mission throughout the province: \"Is the poppy being grown in your district?\"\n\nOut of forty-six replies received the answers are: \"No\" in forty cases; \"Practically none\" in four cases; in one case \"Not in the open districts, but I suspect there is some in unfrequented places\"; in one case \"Yes, but less than one-third of what was formerly grown.\"\n\nAs far as I am able to learn the only place where the proclamation has been seriously disregarded in the Ch'uan Tung district (Eastern Szechuan) is at Fowchou—a large opium-producing centre. The taotai recently visited the place and took bonds—so he informs me—that all poppy plants would be uprooted within ten days, and did not leave until he was satisfied that the undertaking was being carried out. No foreign missionaries reside there, and I have not yet been able to get reliable information as to what the actual result of the visit is.\n\nSpeaking generally of the Ch'uan Tung district, I think that on the whole a serious attempt, which is being attended with considerable success, is being made to suppress the cultivation of opium, but that the carrying out of the rules with regard to smoking, licensing, &c., leaves much to be desired. This, however, does not seem of so much importance, and will right itself in due time if the authorities persevere in their present efforts to entirely cut off the source of supply.\n\nI regret that I have not yet been able to forward a report on the progress of the anti-opium movement in this district for the present season, delays having occurred in the receipt of answers to enquiries which I have addressed to missionaries in the interior. I hope, however, to be in a position to send it shortly.\n\nI have forwarded a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu, and am sending the original under flying seal to the British consul at Ichang.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. L. SMITH.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum re Customs Figures respecting Export of Native Opium for 1908.\n\n\"There was an increase of 58 per cent. in the export of native opium from Chungking, namely, 16,429 piculs in 1908 as compared with 10,378 piculs in 1907.\"\n\nIN 1906 the Central Government established \"t'ung shui\"—a tax of 115 taels per picul on the export of opium; payment of this was to free the cargo from any further levy to whatever part of the Empire it might be sent. During that year the tax was imposed in Hupei but not in Szechuan; opium exported from Chungking was therefore charged the ordinary 20 taels per picul export duty here, and on arrival in Ichang the \"t'ung shui\" of 115 taels. This double levy naturally put a check on export.\n\n3\n\nOn the 14th January, 1907, levy of the \"tung shui\" was commenced in Szechuan, but excited so much opposition that it was abolished on the 10th June. Pending a settlement of the question as to whether the tax would be discontinued or not, stocks were held back. Stocks which were actually exported but which would in other circumstances have passed through the Customs were sent by Li-kin, owing to the fact that the \"tung shui\" collecting office allowed one month for payment of the tax after departure of the cargo in Li-kin-controlled junks, whereas cash down was required by the Customs.\n\nThe result was that the amount of opium which passed through the Customs during the first two quarters of 1907 was about one-half less than in the corresponding periods of previous years.\n\nOwing to the dangers which beset navigation during the flood season of the summer and early autumn, and also possibly to market conditions also, the export of the stored opium did not commence till later on in the year and continued into 1908.\n\nOpium, therefore, which would ordinarily have been exported in 1907 went to swell the returns of 1908, so that the increase was an artificial one. In the trade report to which the Governor of Hong Kong refers, Mr. Acheson states under the heading of revenue that \"328,530 taels were derived from native opium, but the very great increase of 189,125 taels over the 1907 collection must not be held to imply any abnormal development in the trade. While the figures for 1908 undoubtedly show that the trade flourished, by far the greater part of the increase was merely due to the fact that it had then resumed its wonted channel.\"\n\nThis statement is borne out by the returns for 1909, during which year 13,106 piculs were exported as against 16,429 piculs in 1908, 10,378 in 1907, and 12,125 in 1906. It should be mentioned that these figures include Yunnan-grown opium to the extent of from one-fourth to one-third in each year.\n\n\"It was reported that 11,000 piculs of native opium were passed through the Fowchow office at the new year season.\n\n21\n\nAt the time Mr. Acheson was writing—the 27th February, 1909—opium cultivation was officially restricted to 50 per cent. but not prohibited, hence, Szechuan being one of the largest opium-producing provinces, a considerable quantity must have been available for export. Opium is sown in the autumn and reaped in the spring, so that the stock exported at the new year of 1909 would be mostly derived from the harvest of the 1907-8 crop, when restrictions on cultivation were not so great.\n\nAs Fowchow is one of the best opium-growing districts of Szechuan and the chief centre whence export under li-kin is made, it is scarcely surprising that large stocks should be collected there in order to reap the benefits of the rebates granted, as Mr. Acheson states, at the China new year season.\n\nMr. Acheson adds that at the date of his report (the 27th February, 1909) 73 opium dens had been allowed to register and continue business.\"\n\nMr. Acheson's full statement is: \"Having in view the public peace, it has been deemed inexpedient to attempt the entire suppression of public smoking. In Chungking the great majority of the old dens, over 1,600 in number, have indeed been closed; but a certain number—73 at date—have been allowed to register as 'kuan kao fen hsiao tien' (branches for the distribution of officially prepared opium) and continue business.\n\n**\n\nIn amplification of this statement I would add that, in view of the reason given, these \"fen hsiao tien\" were duly licensed by the authorities to continue business.\n\n(No. 1.)\n\nSir,\n\n37\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nConsul Little to Sir J. Jordan,\n\nIchang, January 11, 1910.\n\nIN reply to your despatch No. 4, Confidential, of the 28th December, calling for my observations on a report by the Governor of Hong Kong respecting the export of opium from Szechuan, I can only repeat, in somewhat different form, what has already been said in the reports I have furnished from time to time on this subject.\n\nOpium is exported from that province (1) by chartered junks from Chungking to\n\n523", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428608, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 533, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(8842)\n\nNo. 1.\n\n11760\n\nRECD\n\nREGD 21 APR [March 14.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received March 14.)\n\n(No. 56.) Sir,\n\nPeking, February 23, 1910.\n\nWITH reference to the last paragraph in my despatch No. 54 of the 18th instant, on the subject of the discrepancies in the information regarding the old and new freight rates on the South Manchurian Railway, I have the honour to report that I have now received from the acting vice-consul at Dairen a printed copy of the tariff of the 1st July, 1908, in which the specific car-load rate per ton for 3rd class goods between Newchwang and Mukden is given as 3·85 gold yen, and not 3·95 as originally stated.\n\nIf the comparison, therefore, is confined to the tariffs as published on the 1st July, 1908, and on the 3rd November, 1909, the correct figures in the three cases of discrepancy are as follows:\n\n3rd class goods---\n\n \n 1. Dairen-Mukden, new rate\n Yen.\n 4.00 per ton.\n \n \n 2. Newchwang-Mukden, old rate\n \n 3·85\n \n \n 3. Newchwang-Changtu, new rate\n \n 5·88\n \n\nMr. Paton states that the above figures have been verified by the South Manchuria Railway Company.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(For the Minister),\n\nW. G. Max Müller.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428654, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 579, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 576\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[11480]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[April 11.] C.O. SECTION 12550\n\nRECEIVED 28 APR 10\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid.\n\nForeign Office, April 11, 1910.\n\nI HAVE received your Excellency's note of the 2nd instant, stating that the United States Government assent to the principle of equal division in the matter of engineers on the Hukuang Railway, but that they do not consider the arrangement proposed by His Majesty's Government to be an equitable manner of settling the question.\n\nYour Excellency adds that the effect of the British proposal would appear to leave the American group only 400 kilog. as against the 1,500 kilog. given to the British group, and that your Government fail to see why the Hankow-Canton section should be an integral part of the Hukuang agreement for the loan and materials, but not for engineering rights.\n\nI would, however, point out that the United States Government themselves admit that, having arrived late in the field, they agreed to waive their rights as to chief engineers, though reserving them on further extensions, and this undertaking would therefore appear to exclude, as far as the American group is concerned, the Hankow-Canton section from the discussion.\n\nThis section does undoubtedly form an integral part of the whole loan agreement, with the important reservation, however, of the chief engineer, who by an arrangement come to between the French and British groups in February 1908, and confirmed by the British, French, and German groups on the 19th May last, was to be British.\n\nIt therefore follows that neither the American nor the French group can reasonably claim engineering rights on the Canton section of the Hukuang Railway.\n\nAs regards the Szechuan portion of the railway, His Majesty's Government have always maintained that, though they had agreed to make the necessary sacrifices in order to admit last summer the American group into the arrangement, these sacrifices should at any rate not be greater than those made by the other two groups, and it is for this reason that they have proposed a division of the line into four equal parts of 600 kilog. per group.\n\nI am aware that the Germans have only given the American group the right to appoint a sub-engineer on 200 kilog. of their 800, which, with the 400 allotted to the American group on the extension to Chengtu and when conceded by China, will make up their 600 kilog.; but it must be borne in mind that these 200 kilog. are part of a line already conceded by China, whereas the concession of the extension is, to say the least of it, problematical. Moreover, that the division is a fair one, at any rate, in the opinion of the British group, is, I think, amply proved by the recent offer made by that group to exchange sections with the American group, an offer which your Excellency will recollect was not accepted.\n\nIt will therefore be seen that the privileged position of the British group on the Canton line has been acquiesced in by the French, and later on by the French and German groups, and last of all by the American group itself, inasmuch as it waived its rights to a chief engineer except on any extension of the present line, and that the American group have a position, on the Szechuan line at any rate, equal to that held by the British group, which it must not be forgotten has never withdrawn its offer to exchange sections with the American group, should they so desire. It is perfectly true, as stated in your note, that the arrangement proposed does not constitute an equal division of the whole of the lines now under discussion, but His Majesty's Government have always claimed, and still claim, on behalf of the British that they are entitled to a privileged position as regards the Hankow-Canton section, in virtue of their having alone advanced the funds required to enable China to repurchase the concession for this line from the original holders. Moreover, the preference thus\n\n[2706 7-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428668, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 9, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2 \n\nChina. We desire, however, to record our emphatic opinion that the continuance of such reduction after 1910 should be made absolutely conditional on the fulfilment by China of her part of the agreement. We dealt very fully with this point in our despatch No. 64, dated the 21st February, 1907, and we do not propose to repeat our arguments at length. We would merely insist on the main fact that, in proportion as we reduce our exports, so is China pledged to reduce her own production, and, in so far as the latter condition may not have been attained, the former should be held in abeyance. We are fully prepared to admit that the central authorities in China are thoroughly in earnest in their desire to eradicate the opium habit, and that some at least of the provincial governors have taken up the matter with vigour. The information given to the Shanghae Commission showed, however, that China herself was unable to give any satisfactory statistics of the progress made, and the consular reports which we receive indicate that such progress is by no means universal. We would, therefore, strongly urge that consent to a continuance of the agreement after the year 1910 should not be accorded until trustworthy evidence of concomitant reduction of poppy cultivation has been secured by independent inquiry, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, by an official, for instance, such as Sir Alexander Hosie, who has large knowledge of the great poppy growing districts, and is also understood to be in sympathy with the prohibition movement,\n\nWe \n\n12. If the result of this enquiry were favourable, we should consent to a continuance of the agreement for a further term of three years. We consider, however, that it would in that event be eminently desirable to lay down certain further conditions. As your Lordship is aware, the merchants engaged in the wholesale trade with China have recently had reason to complain of restrictions placed on the sale of the Indian drug, and we think that we may fairly insist that they should be allowed free trade within the treaty ports, and that the number of wholesale dealers should not be arbitrarily reduced. Restrictions on retail sale are, we fully recognise, entirely justifiable if China is to make real progress with the check of consumption; but this argument does not apply to wholesale dealings.\n\n13. We also consider it most essential that China should not increase the duty on Indian opium unless and until there has been a corresponding and effective increase in the taxation of the local article. Otherwise, as we pointed out in our despatch No. 64, dated the 20th February, 1907, there would simply be a transfer of revenue from our exchequer to that of the Chinese Government.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[14136]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nCO14293\n\n[April 25.]\n\nSECTION 2 RECE 12 MAY 10,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 25.)\n\n(No. 102.) Sir,\n\nPeking, April 8, 1910. WITH reference to my despatch No. 99 of the 7th instant, I have the honour to transmit a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu pointing out that foreign merchants may soon find it worth their while to commence to import foreign opium into Chungking. Mr. Wilkinson refers to the prohibition against the importation of opium into Szechuan, and shows that, in the event of any foreigner attempting to introduce foreign opium into the province, the Governor-General might very probably resort to measures which would call for a strenuous protest from the consul concerned, and he suggests that he should be authorised to inform the Governor-General beforehand that any such attempt on the part of a British subject would be reprobated.\n\nMr. Wilkinson's suggestion deals only with a possible contingency, and I did not feel justified, without definite instructions from you, in authorising him to give any such assurance as he proposed to the Chinese authorities. I have, however, enquired of the acting British consul at Chungking whether there is a probability of any British firm represented at that port embarking on the importation of Indian opium into Szechuan, and have instructed him to do what he can to dissuade British merchants from engaging in a trade which would lay them open to justifiable criticism and might place this legation in a very difficult and embarrassing situation vis-à-vis the Chinese Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Wilkinson to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 21. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nChengtu, March 8, 1910. IN my immediately preceding despatch I reported that the import of opium into Szechuan after the 10th April next has been forbidden by the provincial Government, Hitherto, as you are aware, the only opium brought into this province in quantities not too small to escape the attention of the Customs, maritime or provincial, has been native raw opium from Yunnan, Kueichou, Kansu, or Shensi. It is conceivable, however, that if the measures now being taken to prevent the sowing of the poppy and to force private holders of native opium to either export their stocks before the 7th July or to sell them to the Régie prove successful, the price of the drug will rise to such a point as would make it highly profitable to import Indian opium from Shanghae. What, under those circumstances, could legitimately be done by the Szechuan Government.\n\nIndian opium is not contraband, nor is there any agreement between the Governments of Great Britain and China to forbid the import of it into any part of the Empire.\n\nMoreover, the Opium Régie in Szechuan is of the nature of a corporation privilégiée,\" or a \"coalition organisée dans le but d'excercer un monopole sur le commerce,\" both of which are declared illegal in the treaties. As long as the Régie deals with native opium only, and a trade in which foreigners have not, and never have had, a part, no cause for the citation of these articles in the treaties will arise; but if, for example, a foreign merchant were, after the 10th April, to bring a number of chests of Indian opium to Chungking—a treaty port—and on his own premises to prepare the drug for consumption within his compound, what would happen? It seems clear that he would be acting within his treaty rights; nor is it easy to see under what actual law his Chinese clients could be punished, provided that they held \"Permits to smoke. The existence of such establishments would, however,\n\n[2719 bb-2]\n\n73", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428716, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 57, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCO\n\n55\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[14133]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[April 25.]\n\n15574\n\nRECO SECTION 3.0\n\nRecd 23 MAY 10\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 25,)\n\n(No. 99.) Sir,\n\nPeking, April 7, 1910. WITH reference to my despatch No. 92 of the 31st ultimo, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of a report which has just reached me from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu on the progress of the movement for the suppression of opium in the western districts of Szechuan province during the half-year ended the 28th February last. As Mr. Wilkinson observes, this report completes that of His Majesty's consul at Chungking, which formed the enclosure of my above-mentioned despatch, and it confirms my observations and those of Bishop Bashford on the success which has attended the determined efforts of the Governor-General to eradicate opium cultivation and consumption in Szechuan.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 20.) Sir,\n\nConsul-General Wilkinson to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nChengtu, March 8, 1910. IN continuation of Mr. Langford Smith's despatch No. 24 of the 11th August last, I have the honour to enclose my report on the progress of the movement for the suppression of opium production and opium smoking in the province of Szechuan during the past six months.\n\nThis was compiled before I had the advantage of reading Mr. Smith's report on the measures taken during the same period in the eastern circuit. In forwarding to the Government of India a copy of my present despatch, I am adding a transcription of Mr. Smith's, since the two taken together, I venture to think, afford convincing proof of the sincerity of Governor-General Chao's efforts to merit, as far as his province is concerned, a renewal of the agreement for the progressive restriction of the export from\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nReport by Consul-General Wilkinson respecting the Suppression of Opium in Szechuan for the period September 1909-March 1910.\n\nWHAT will, it is now permissible to believe, prove to have been the death-blow to the production, if not to the consumption, of opium in the province of Szechuan, was the proclamation issued on the 25th July, 1909, by Governor-General Chao Erh-hsun, forbidding absolutely the sowing of the poppy throughout his jurisdiction. This document is in doggerel hexameters, rhyming to the word yen (\"opium\"), but as its effects promise to be so far-reaching, a copy and translation are appended. Unlike his colleague of the Yun-Kuei, who launched his interdict exactly a year earlier, Chao Chih-t'ai is not insisting that all smoking must cease, but with that very notable exception the measures taken of late in Szechuan resemble largely the Yunnan scheme as outlined by Sir A. Hosie in his General Report on Opium for 1908 (Blue Book: \"China No. 1, 1909,\" p. 14).\n\nThe two most important documents directing these measures that have been issued are, always excepting his Excellency's metrical notification-\n\n[2719 66-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428717, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 58, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "1. Regulations issued by the provincial opium head warehouse (\"tung-sheng yen-t'u mai-mai tsung-hang\") and the provincial li-kin head office (\"tung-sheng li-kin tsung-chu\") published on the 19th November last, for \"the abolition of the opium duty offices and stations and the prevention of the import and export of the drug,\" Of these regulations I have the honour to enclose a copy together with a translation by Mr. Toller.\n\n2. Revised regulations for the suppression of opium in all departments, drawn up by the police intendant (\"hsun-ching tao\") and issued, with the imprimatur of the Governor-General, last December. Of this document I beg to submit an abstract.\n\nThe two papers set out with such conciseness (this is more particularly the case with the earlier of them) the procedure to be followed that it is difficult to condense them. The salient points, however, would seem to be as follows:—\n\n(a.) The import of opium into Szechuan is to cease from the 10th April next. (\"Opium\" (\"t'u-yao\") here means extra-provincial raw native opium. Neither the native prepared drug (\"kao\") nor foreign opium has for some years been imported into this province.)\n\n(b) The export of Szechuan opium is to cease from the 7th July next.\n\n(c.) The system of licensed retailers (\"p'i-fa tien\"), described in previous reports as \"wholesale opium stores,\" is to be continued. These establishments are licensed to sell prepared opium, but to smokers with police permits only, and not for consumption on the premises. Their supplies of the drug are derived, as before, from an official (or Government) head opium store (\"kuan-kao tsung-tien\"), one of which is established in each city or town. The latter offices have hitherto depended for their raw material (\"yen-t'u\" or \"tu-yao\") on the head Government \"hong\" (warehouse) for the purchase and sale of crude opium (\"yen-t'u mai-mai tsung-hang\") at Chengtu or its branches. From the 7th July these \"hongs\" will cease to exist. The opium stores will have before that date to lay in a sufficient stock of the raw stuff to last out the time of grace for smokers (now, at the most, seven years) allowed by the edicts of 1906. This stock they will obtain either from the \"hongs\" before the latter are dissolved, or from private holders, who, in their turn, are compelled to get rid of their whole supply before the 7th July, either by selling it to the opium stores or by exporting it from Szechuan.\n\n(d) The registration of smokers is to be strictly enforced. It is recognised that a considerable number of smokers have failed to comply with the law, which laid down that application for permits must be made before the 24th October, 1908, after which date none would be issued. Smokers must now have registered—in towns, at the police stations; and in the country, before the tithing-ward—by the 11th January last. The totals registered will be reported to the police intendant, who will then authorise a supplementary, but positively final, issue of permits.\n\n(e.) Permits to smoke.—The earlier permits will continue to be renewable every three months; but the supplementary permits must be renewed every two months. The fee for issue and for such renewal is 100 cash. Permits will, as before, be of two classes, \"A\" and \"B\"; but while holders of the earlier \"A\" permits were allowed three years in which to break off the habit, holders of the new (supplementary) \"A\" permits will be allowed only one year. Holders of \"B\" permits are allowed three months. The object of the new regulations is stated as an endeavour to eradicate opium smoking in Szechuan before the time set by the edicts (Art. 3; see Blue Book, \"China No. 1 (1908),\" p. 5).\n\nConsequent on the proclamation forbidding the planting of the poppy, all regulations of the provincial opium head warehouse relating to the diminution of areas of cultivation were cancelled last September. Permits that had been issued were called in by the branch warehouses (\"yen-t'u fen-hang\"), and all blank forms were returned to the head office at Chengtu. As we have seen, the head warehouse and its branches are to be abolished by the 7th July. The same date sees the dissolution of the opium li-kin establishment—with a month's time for the settlement of accounts—and the dismissal of brokers (agents) at the godowns and receiving rooms, where raw opium was purchased on behalf of the warehouse from the peasant growers, by the taotai.\n\nOther formal steps taken during the past six months are:-\n\n1. The binding over of all official employés to continue to abstain from smoking, or to abandon the habit within two months. All officials below the rank of prefect, and all educational officers, have to submit to scrutiny twice a year for the opium habit. Two such tests have already been held, and certificates granted, and the third examination is now approaching. (For officials in the capital it takes place at the \"chieh-yen ch'a-yen so,\" or anti-opium inspection department, persons reporting themselves for examination between the 22nd and 27th February.) There are still, however, some 500 officials in the province who have not yet received their certificates for the first examination. The registers at the office of the financial commissioner show that over 200 of these can be accounted for as dismissed, or dead, or in mourning. The remainder are exhorted to undergo examination and obtain their certificates as quickly as possible.\n\nIn pursuance of this procedure (which is in harmony with art. 9 of the Imperial Regulations of 1906), on the 20th August, the \"yen-ch'a tao\" (intendant for gabelle and tea duties) enforced the measure for his staff, for the salt transport office, and for the establishments under his control throughout the province. The Commissioner for Education (\"ti-hsueh ssu\") did the same, on the 10th November, and the Financial Commissioner on the 2nd December. As a deterrent, four petty officials were denounced by Chao chih-t'ai to the throne and were dismissed the service in perpetuity, for \"lack of strength to break off opium\" (\"ch'ih yen pu li\").\n\n2. Hospital accommodation has been extended. The opium refuge opened by the Chamber of Commerce was originally intended only for traders and the mercantile class generally. It has, says the semi-official “Chengtu Daily News\" (\"Ch'engtu Jih-pao\") of the 7th October, proved so successful that its operations are to be extended. Anyone who gets a guarantee from a shop may attend and receive medicines, gratis.\n\nAbout the same time the police intendant opened a training college where doctors, or would-be doctors, can learn the best methods of assisting smokers to break off the habit. Doctors study for a month, paying a fee of 4 dollars; they then receive a diploma which permits them, according to the class obtained in the examinations, to take charge of hospitals in the various towns of the province, or to serve as assistants in such hospitals.\n\nOn the 20th December the police intendant reported that several thousand doctors trained at Chengtu will now be sent to take charge of opium refuges throughout the province. The expenses of these refuges will be met as follows:---\n\n(a) From public charitable funds, which will be devoted to the cost of medicines, salaries of attendants, and maintenance of poor people breaking off the habit. Patients who can afford it will pay for their own meals while in hospital.\n\n(b) Where there are no such public funds, by subscriptions collected from the gentry and merchants.\n\n(c) If both these plans fail, the local official may authorise the doctor to sell his medicines, the cost to the indigent being met out of the profits of such sales.\n\nThe \"Chengtu Daily News\" of the 28th December contains regulations, drawn up by the intendant of police, for the establishment of an opium refuge for gentry and merchants. The regulations as issued consist of fourteen clauses, but at the end are the two characters \"wei wan\" (\"to be concluded\"). No further instalment, however, has appeared up to the present.\n\nThe regulations provide generally for good behaviour and order among the patients. Patients are received in batches of from twenty to thirty, and the cure takes five days. Patients must not bring their own servants with them, and on admission, they must submit their luggage and belongings to inspection lest there should be any of the drug concealed therein. Nothing is said about the cost of treatment, except that if patients develop any extraneous complaint, necessitating the use of expensive medicines costing 50 cash or more, the patients themselves must pay for them.\n\n3. The official price of prepared opium was raised on the 11th December from 540 cash per liang to 950 cash for the lowest quality (\"pa t'u\"). Prices for the other qualities are:\n\n(1.) Yünnan from 900 cash to 1,240 cash.\n\n(2.) Ch'en and piao from 600 cash to 1,060 cash.\n\n4. The loss of revenue is partly made good by the increased charge on salt, previously reported. Other taxes to the same end are:\n\n(a) 200 cash on each pig killed, large or small.\n\n(b) 2 cash per catty on pork.\n\nWriting on the 25th October last, Mr. Ricker, who had just returned from a visit to Tzu Chou (about halfway on the main road from Chungking to Chengtu), says:\n\nPage 56", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428718, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 59, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "4\n\nThe price of opium has advanced to 500-700 cash per ounce, from about 300 cash. Besides the revenue from licences, which is used to defray running expenses of the kuan-kao chi, pork is taxed 1 or 2 cash extra per catty. In Jung-ch'ang an Lung-ch'ang coal is taxed 1 cash per catty. In several places tea shops are taxed 10 cash per table per day. Some places (in fact I should say a-half) do not have any tax added to rice or other eatables, though others are reported to be taxed. I understand that in Nei-chiang, the great sugar district, sugar is further taxed.\n\n\"I do not think that the former tax of 1,000 cash per den per month is fully made up even by these amounts, and it seems that the police system, which depended largely on this revenue, is in a rather weakened condition. I do not know of any tax being put upon the wealthy people or on business houses in general, where the burden should come.\n\nThe poor are greatly burdened, and disproportionately, of course, to the wealthy. I might add that the additional taxes, together with the census taking, have aroused some feeling in the north-east of Lung-ch'ang county, and also west of Tzechow. There are threats to abolish the li-kin office and the church.\"\n\nBefore noting the steps that have been taken to carry into effect the prohibition of poppy culture, a table may be given of the amounts, in \"liang\" (Chinese ounces), of prepared opium issued by the kuan-kao tsung-chü at Chengtu since the last report:\n\nHsuan-t'ung, 1st year-\n\n \n 5th moon\n 12,851\n \n \n 6th moon\n 15,922\n \n \n 7th moon\n 17,381\n \n \n 8th moon\n 18,780\n \n \n 9th moon\n 26,115\n \n \n 10th moon\n 37,907\n \n \n 11th moon\n 15,294\n \n \n 12th moon\n 14,415\n \n\nThe remarkable expansion in the 9th and 10th moons was due first to the triennial examinations for licentiates, next to the session of the deliberative assembly (provincial Parliament), and lastly to the shareholders meeting of the Chuan-Han Railway; three events which temporarily added largely to the population of the city.\n\nThe Enactments in Practice.\n\nMr. Langford Smith, who had been acting here pending my arrival, was good enough to draw up a series of questions which his experience suggested might be put to the missionaries who assisted my predecessors in preparing the fourteen reports that have, from first to last, issued from this consulate-general. I enclose a copy of the consequent circular, and will proceed to give a précis of the replies I have received.\n\nI preface it with a few notes extracted from the local Chinese newspapers by Mr. Toller.\n\nOn the 25th September the Governor-General directed the financial commissioner to select \"wei-yuan (special officers) to see whether opium is being sown.\n\nOn the 18th December other \"wei-yuan\" were sent by his Excellency in all directions.\n\nOn the 27th October poppy having been sown at Shih-pan Tan (some 16 miles north of Chengtu), the Huayang magistrate (one of the two Chengtu magistrates) personally saw it rooted up, and confiscated the land. He also issued a proclamation ordering any other poppy-fields to be cleared within five days, under penalty of confiscation.\n\nOn the 22nd November the same magistrate destroyed a poppy crop at Ta-mien P'u, bringing the culprits into Chengtu for punishment.\n\nOn the 26th November the poppy was found to have been sown at Lung-tang Ssu (some 6 miles north of this), but the headman persuaded the farmers to replace it with another crop.\n\nNovember 28-Opium shops forcibly closed in Chien-wei Hsien (Chiating prefecture). Cultivation prevented at Peng-ch'i Hsien (Tung-ch'uan prefecture).\n\nDecember 22.-Poppy said to be still grown in Ying-shan Hsien, and the drug to be still smoked at the licensed retailers (\"pi-fa tien\"). An opium inspector sent by the Governor-General has seized and destroyed a large quantity of raw opium and opium-pipes at Lung-ch'ang Hsien.\n\nDecember 27-A number of opium dens were discovered at Ping-shan Hsien, Tzu Chou, Tzu-yang Hsien, and Chien Chou; orders have been sent to suppress them.\n\n5\n\nAt Chien Chou the magistrate claims to have abolished altogether the cultivation, sale and consumption of opium. The Chengtu prefect has personally seized some opium-dens.\n\nDecember 28.-The local official at Shuang-liu Hsien has called a meeting of the local gentry, and collected funds for the establishment of an opium refuge in the town. All addicted to the drug are to be compelled to enter the refuge and undergo treatment.\n\nJanuary 3.-Dens are being clandestinely opened in Hochiang; peremptory orders have been sent to close them.\n\nFebruary 23.-The local official at Chien Chou has subscribed 300,000 cash (nearly 300 dollars, or 25l.) of his private money, and purchased with it a quantity of anti-opium medicines for free distribution. Great numbers of people have already broken off the habit.\n\nReports from Missionaries.\n\nUnless a date is mentioned, these reports are to be taken as describing the condition of things in the month of January 1910. Reports from missionaries in the Ch'uan-tung circuit-Eastern Szechuan-will be dealt with by His Majesty's acting consul at Chungking.\n\n1. Interdiction of the Poppy.\n\nNing-yuan, November 6.-Opium is growing freely through the great district of Yen-yuan Hsien, but not planted openly along the main roads of official travel. (This is confirmed by a later report, the 4th January.)\n\nKuang-yuan and Chaohua-Practically none; in both, the officials made personal inspection, and the little that was found was pulled up and the owners were punished.\n\nFushun.-Proclamation posted; no opium grown since 1907, thanks to the energy of the magistrate.\n\nPaoning-In one or two out-of-the-way places planting has been ventured, but the areas were small.\n\nChiating-Opium growing stopped entirely; in one case a farmer tried, but was fined 30,000 cash.\n\nTu Chou-In the districts under notice (Lu Chou, Chiang-an Hsien, Na-ch'i Hsien, Ho-chiang Hsien, Yun-ning Chou, Ku-ling) the order forbidding the sowing of opium has, as far as I can ascertain, been entirely carried out.\n\nTeh-yang, Mien-chu, Shih-fang, Han Chou, Chin-tang.-None planted this year in any of these.\n\nSui Fu.-Strictly carried out.\n\nPa Chou. In some remote places, e.g., Tsen-tzu Pa, in Nankiang Hsien, the poppy is still being secretly grown.\n\nJung Hsien. No opium planted this year.\n\nChung-Chiang Hsien. The order, in so far as I can learn, is being strictly enforced; some few who ventured to disobey were punished and the crop destroyed.\n\nSintu-In Shih-fang Hsien, Chin-tang Hsien, Sintu Hsien, and Hau Chou, I am positively assured that no opium is grown; in fact, the farmers dare not grow it. All informers are rewarded by half the property under opium cultivation, whilst the Government takes the other half. I am assured that this is not only the law, but that the law has been carried out; so that in spite of the great temptation the farmers dare not cultivate.\n\nSOWU.\n\nSan-t'ai Hsien, She-hung Hsien, Yenting Hsien.--Probably none sown.\n\nMien Chou-No opium planted this year.\n\nNgan Hsien.-I see no signs of poppy cultivation anywhere (4th March).\n\n2. Attitude of Farmers.\n\nKuang-yuan and Chaohua-Farmers are making the best of it, and sowing other crop; there are no public manifestations of discontent. Fushun.-No complaints are heard this year. Paoning-Seem quite satisfied.\n\nChiating. Make the best of it without complaint.\n\n[2719 66-3]\n\n-3]\n\nC\n\n57", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428719, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 60, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "6\n\nLu Chou-Farmers are submitting with fairly good grace, though in some places the proclamation has raised a strong anti-foreign feeling among them.\n\nTeh-yang, &c.-No doubt the farmers suffer loss-probably the grain, beans, and vegetables do not fetch anything like half the profit formerly gained; but I have heard of no movement in the direction of organised resistance.\n\nSui Fu.-No signs of resistance.\n\nPa Chou.-Making the best of it and growing other crops.\n\nJung Hsien-Has heard no complaint.\n\nChung-chiang Hsien. Making the best of it and growing other things. San-t'ai, &c.-Would like to grow it, as lucrative, but submit to officials. Mien Chou.-Accept the inevitable, and do not venture to disobey,\n\nNgan Hsien-The city and district seems quite to have submitted to the new prohibitions.\n\n3. Alternative Crops.\n\nKuang-yuan Hsien, &c.-Rape and wheat; no attempt to introduce anything new. Fushun-Beans, wheat, oil-plant (rape); an increase in beans owing to the demand from Tzu-lui Ching (the salt wells); nothing new.\n\nPaoning-Ordinary spring crops; nothing new.\n\nChiating.-Wheat, beans, rape, and sugar; missionary suggested cotton, but nothing was done.\n\nTa Chou-Beans, wheat, cotton, rape; marked increase in all these, especially cotton and rape; nothing new,\n\nTeh-yang, &c.--Wheat, barley, beans, peas, and rape; nothing new. An increase in wheat and rape; the officials and gentry have done nothing.\n\nSui Fu-No new crops, but a marked increase in cereals and oil-producing plants. Pa Chou. More wheat; no new kinds.\n\nJung Hsien-No new crops.\n\nChung-chiang Hsien.--Wheat, barley, peas; no new crops; no interest of any being shown.\n\nSintu-Wheat and beans.\n\nkind\n\nSan-t'ai-Wheat, beans, rape; nothing new-officials suggest mulberry. Mien Chou.--Rape and wheat; also \"iné tung\" (a medicinal plant). An increase in mulberry and cotton.\n\n4. Restrictions on obtaining Opium.\n\n(a.) Dens.\n\nKuang-yuan, &c.-No private dens; official divans were closed, but a few have been reopened, though only one lamp may be lit. No illicit traffic.\n\nFushun. All official divans closed, but private dens numberless, especially in the salt wells district. Illicit trade is carried on extensively throughout the district. When found, the runners usually settle the matter by receiving a sum of money. Street officials take no notice of the private dens.\n\nPaoning-Is being carried out quite as far as anything is ever carried out in China; there are private dens, and a deal of illicit traffic,\n\nChiating-Believe it is now carried out with remarkable strictness; there are very few, if any, private dens. Some have been heavily fined and \"paochengs\" (tithing-wardens) dismissed from office.\n\nLu Chou. The number of private dens depends on the energy of the local official. In some districts they are numerous, but in at least one Hsien city they are non-existent. There is considerable illicit traffic in opium. Many people bought large quantities some time ago when cheaper, intending to sell at high prices in the near future.\n\nTeh-yang, &c.-I am constantly travelling, and find that when I get an opium smoker for a coolie he can always get opium. There are private dens where opium can be obtained much cheaper than in the official shops, but the authorities are very stern, and when these places are discovered the owners are fined and often beaten and imprisoned. Strenuous efforts are made to enforce the law, and illicit traffic is being lessened and becomes more and more dangerous; still I fear it is considerable.\n\nSui Fu.-Private dens are getting less; proprietors are punished. Pa Chou.-There are private dens; the official regulations are more or less observed.\n\nJung Hsien.--The opium dens are all closed, but there is much illicit traffic.\n\n>\n\n7\n\nChung-chiang-Coolies travelling can get opium at certain places and smoke on the premises. This is regarded as a necessity.\n\nSintu-Here in Sintu there are some opium dens, but the official, I think, knows nothing about them. It seems to me that there must be illicit smoking going on. Such rapid strides are being made by the Government in these parts that I do not see how the people could keep up with them, even if they were really keen to; and there must be many who smoke because they find relief from pain, who would be afraid to give up the habit, and also who would be ashamed to register. One such case is known\n\nSan-tai-Many private dens, it is believed with the cognisance of the officials. Mien Chou.--Many private dens.\n\nto me.\n\n(b.) Registration of Smokers.\n\nKuang-yuan.-Very little notice taken of the rule; the number of those who have applied for permits is small.\n\nFushun. Some are registered, and procure the drug for their friends. Lu Chou---The rules have not been observed to any great extent; it has been difficult to register smokers.\n\nTeh-yang-The rules are being enforced, but I cannot say how far they are evaded.\n\nJung Hsien. The regulations are not fully carried out as to how much they sell to each person.\n\nChung-chiang.--Were in force at one time, but now anyone may purchase without a licence.\n\nSintu. All smokers are registered.\n\nSan-t'ai.-Permits are issued, but are evaded.\n\nMien Chou-Very little observed.\n\n5. Curative Measures.\n\nKuang-yuan. Nothing done by officials and gentry; no distribution of medicines, no opium refuges. Anti-opium pills are sold at the Hsien's yamen, but at an increasing price.\n\nFushun.-None.\n\nPaoning. Very little beyond official sale of anti-opium medicines.\n\nChiating-Help of some kind seems general; at Mei Chou the gentry offered food as well as medicine.\n\nLu Chou-Large hospital for free cures at Lu Chou, 100 patients a-month. Nothing else done; no action such as that of the Chengtu Chamber of Commerce.\n\nTeh-yang, &c.-At Han Chou a hospital. Shops with non-smoking assistants receive certificates. At Teh-yang no hospital, but a shop where remedies are sold, not given.\n\nShihfang.-Number of publicly established companies to assist people in breaking off opium.\n\nSui Fu.--Nothing done.\n\nPa Chou.-No anti-opium medicine given free, or hospital: but people are ordered by official proclamation to break off the habit, and are arrested by the city police if they are found smoking,\n\nJung Hsien-There are many medicines and some cures. Chung-chiang.No steps whatever.\n\nWhile\n\nSintu. Magistrate is very keen to help, and gives free aid to the poor. they are breaking off the habit, good food is provided, eggs and meat daily. No women are allowed to stay on the premises, but they may come for the anti-opium remedies, and follow out the instructions at home. The cure lasts ten days, and is generally successful.\n\nSan-t'ai-In Tungchuan city the magistrate is opening a refuge; elsewhere nothing is being done.\n\nMien Chou-Chamber of Commerce distributes anti-opium medicine charitably, but has not taken steps to investigate the conditions prevailing amongst employees in business houses. Very brisk trade by private dealers in remedies.\n\nNgan Hsien. A place with an official signboard has been opened for those who want to break off the habit.\n\n58\n\nPage 60\n\nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428721, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 62, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "aud so on.\n\n10\n\nAutumn sees inspectors go, To eradicate with care, Treading down and scraping off Where the cultivators dare; Landlord, tenant, both will share Penalties the tithings bear.\n\nEnclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n(Translation.) REGULATIONS drawn up by the Provincial Opium Warehouse (\"yen-t'u mai-mai tsung-hang\") and the Opium Li-kin Office for the abolition of the opium octroi stations and the prevention of the drug crossing the frontier in either direction. (From the \"Chengtu Jih-pao\" of the 19th November, 1909.)\n\nAFTER the first day of the 3rd moon of Hsuan-t'ung II (the 10th April, 1910), the import of opium will be prohibited. A despatch has been sent to the Governors-General and governors of Shensi, Kansu, Yunnan, and Kueichou requesting them to issue instructions to this effect.\n\n2. After the first day of the 6th moon of Hsuan-t'ung II (the 7th July, 1910), no Szechuan opium will be allowed to leave the province.\n\n3. Apart from the Government opium stores (\"kuan kao tien\")—the purchase of prepared opium by which is dealt with in Regulation 4—all other merchants must export their stocks of raw opium, whether local products or imported, before the first day of the 6th moon of Hsuan-t'ung II (the 7th July), reserving no raw opium in stock. Any raw opium found in stock after that date will be dealt with as illicit opium.\n\n4. In buying the raw article the Government opium stores shall purchase sufficient for the needs of the district under their charge. When a sufficient quantity has been purchased a notice shall be exhibited that buying will cease.\n\n5. In places where no Government opium stores have been established, a request shall be made to a branch warehouse (\"yen-t'u fen-hang\"), which will then issue a warrant authorising sale at some specified Government opium store in the neighbourhood. The raw drug must then be transported thither within the set time, and handed over to the branch warehouse of that place for sale to the Government opium store.\n\n6. The head and branch offices of the opium li-kin administration, all opium li-kin stations, and the head and branch Government opium warehouses shall all be abolished on the 1st day of the 6th moon of Hsuan-t'ung II (7th July). After this date, a further period of one month is allowed for the settling up of accounts, and after the expiration of that time, all payments will cease.\n\n7. All brokers employed in warehouses and receiving offices shall be dismissed at the expiration of this period.\n\n8. After the abolition of the li-kin offices and the Government store, preventive offices (\"ch'a chi ssu t'u chi\") will be set up at all important points on the provincial frontier. If merchants are found smuggling opium, and investigation proves it to have been brought from other provinces, in the first ten days (after the 7th July) 10 per cent. of the quantity will be confiscated, and so on proportionately, 10 per cent. for every ten days' delay. The remainder of the drug will be sent back under escort, and not allowed to come into Szechuan for sale. After the expiration of three months from the date of prohibition, the whole will be confiscated.\n\n9. The duty of the preventive offices is confined to the prevention of the drug crossing the frontier in either direction. If opium is illicitly stored, sold, or transported within the province, it is the duty of the local officials to deal with the case, the penalties being fixed and punishments determined by the intendant of police.\n\n10. The opium so confiscated shall be sold at current rates to the Government store of the place. Half the amount so received shall be included in the accounts; the other half will form a prize fund. The expenses of the men employed as escorts under regulation 8 shall come out of this prize fund.\n\nTranslated November 20, 1909.\n\nW. STARK TOLLER.\n\n11\n\nEnclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nRegulations by Police Intendant for the Suppression of Opium Smoking: approved by the Governor-General of Szechuan, December 1909.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nChapter I—Introductory.\n\nALL branch warehouses for the purchase and sale of raw opium (\"mai-mai yen-t'u fen-hang\") will be abolished on the 7th July, 1910. Though cultivation of the poppy is to cease, smoking will continue. Hence the necessity for recasting previous regulations, to the end that opium-smoking may be effectually suppressed.\n\n2. The present regulations will take effect from the 10th February, 1910. Previous regulations for (a) dealing uniformly with officially prepared opium (\"t'ung-hsing ch'ou-pan kuan-kao\"); and (b) the issue of licences (\"fa-chi p'ai-chao\"), except in so far as these are embodied in the present regulations, are hereby rescinded since they are no longer applicable to existing circumstances.\n\nChapter II.—Prepared Opium.\n\n3. The method heretofore of dealing with officially prepared opium (\"kuan-kao\") has been to set up in each city or town one head office (\"tsung tien\"). In the country districts regard was had to population and distance; the larger market towns were allowed two licensed retail shops (\"pi-fa kuan-kao tien\"), medium market towns one such shop; villages none. This system will be continued; but while shops may be closed, no new shops are to be opened. The local authorities will keep a register showing the number of shops, the owners' names, addresses, and capital; a copy of the register will be sent to the intendant.\n\n4. Privately owned supplies of opium must be exported from Szechuan before the 7th July. Each head office must calculate, on the basis of the smokers' list (\"yen-chieh\"), (see chapter 3), the yearly amount to be sold, and, allowing for the annual reduction, must estimate how much of this opium in private hands they ought to buy. Capital for the purpose may either be borrowed from public funds, or raised by shares, or procured as in section 13. The local authorities will convene gentry and traders, and arrange with them, reporting to the intendant.\n\n5. Licensed retail shops shall, as before, get their supplies from the head office, at a discount of 5 per cent. They must sell at the official price.\n\n6. Licensed retail shops can never receive more from the head office than the amount they get in the first moon of the second year of the Hsuan-t'ung (10th February to 10th March, 1910). They must continue to report to the intendant the quantity they have sold each month.\n\n7. Hitherto on each mace of prepared opium sold, an additional charge of 8 cash has been made, one-half of which has gone towards the expenses of establishing opium refuges (\"chiel-yen kung-so\"). From the 10th February, 1910, the head office, whatever be the rate at which it sells to the shops, will, after deducting the charges for wages, boiling, interest, and rent, add on 12 cash per mace. Returns must be sent in before the 5th of the following moon; if not, then for every ten days after such returns are due, one bad mark will be scored against the local official, and for every month three bad marks. The intendant will inform the financial commissioner, and the local official will not be allowed to redeem his marks. One half of the fund so raised will go to the local opium refuge; the other half, towards local police expenses.\n\n8. Shops can only sell officially prepared opium, and may not allow smoking on the premises. If detected in permitting smoking, in selling contraband prepared opium, or in selling without a licence (\"p'ai-chao\"), they will be fined fifty-fold.\n\n(Added by the Governor-General). Establishments other than licensed retail shops selling opium for smoking will be severely punished. If what they sell is officially prepared opium, they will not only be fined fifty-fold, but will be forcibly closed.\n\nChapter III Smokers' List.\n\n9. Persons of all conditions within the police districts of a town and its suburbs will be under the supervision of the police; persons in the country under that of the tithing (\"pao-chia\"). All smokers who have not relinquished the habit, whether...\n\n[2719 bb-3]\n\nE\n\n60", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428722, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 63, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "12\n\nrich or poor, must attend at their superintending police-station or tithing room, and fill in a form showing their names, ages, addresses, and daily consumption of opium. This form will be registered, and a return must be made before the 11th January, 1910, of the number on the registers of (a) towns (b) country districts, and of the amount of prepared opium required. As each person abandons the habit, his permit (\"yen-p'ai\") must be recovered for cancellation. The monthly returns are to give totals, not names; they are needed to check the monthly decrease, and to compile the yearly report to the Board. So if, as heretofore, local officials trifle, procrastinate, or neglect to report, those officials will be punished as in section 7.\n\n10. Persons employed in the registrar's district, but having their homes in another district, must not be registered twice over. If they cease to be employed and return to their homes, they may report their change of domicile.\n\nChapter IV.--Permits to Smoke.\n\n11. Section 2 of the regulations issued by the Reform Council (\"cheng-wu-ch'u\") required a printed permit, duly sealed, to be taken out by each smoker. Anyone smoking or buying opium without a permit would be punished, and after the first inspection no permits will be issued. In Szechuan permits of the \"A\" and \"B\" classes were prepared, but no readiness was shown in applying for them. This laxity must cease, and, ten days after receipt of the present regulations, a return must be made of the old \"A\" and \"B\" permits, and the fees must be sent in. When the intendant receives the list of smokers, then, in addition to the \"A\" and \"B\" permits earlier issued, supplementary permits will be granted to smokers unprovided with these certificates. These supplementary permits will be issued through the local authorities to the police or the tithing-wards and filled in. Each smoker will receive his permit and pay his fee, as a condition precedent to buying and smoking. When this new issue is completed, the smokers' list will be closed, and no further permits granted.\n\n12. The new permits, whether for residents or travellers, will be good for two months. His daily allowance will be noted on each permit. Wherever the holder may be, he must change his permit at the end of the two months, otherwise he will be treated as an illicit purchaser of opium.\n\n13. Permits are only good within the bounds of the province. When changed at a town other than that of issue, the permit must be surrendered at that town and fees paid there. A return is to be made of those fees, and they are to be forwarded, together with those paid by residents, to the intendant.\n\n14. Visitors from other provinces, on arrival in Szechuan, must apply for permits through the landlord of their inn, and conform to the regulations.\n\n15. Holders of the old \"A\" permits were allowed three years within which to abandon smoking. The present supplementary permits (\"pu-fa-chih pai\") give one year only.\n\n\"B\" permits remain at three months, counting from the day of issue.\n\n16. New permits must be dated, and entries written in full, not in figures.\n\n17. New \"A\" and \"B\" permits, and all renewals, pay a fee of 100 cash. The total receipts are to be sent quarterly to the intendant in silver to cover printing, paper, and wages, the balance going to the Chengtu Opium Refuge (\"chieh-yen tsung-hui\").\n\nChapter V.--Penalties.\n\n18. Establishments storing raw opium (\"tun-t'u-chih chia\"), whatever the quantity, must report purchases and sales in towns to the police, and in the country to the tithing ward, who in their turn will report to the head office. All must be sold before the 10th July, 1910. If this cannot be done, then application must be made to the head office to buy. Sales to outsiders will not be allowed. If the date is overpassed, or the head office is not informed, or if the quantity is understated, then the whole stock will be confiscated, its value going towards the expenses of local Government.\n\n19. Szechuan raw opium cannot be exported after the 7th July. If after that date persons are, by the frontier stations (\"yen-pien chu\"), found in possession of it, these will be fined one-tenth of its value for every ten days. The balances will be sent with its owner by the station to the place whence it was derived, and will be purchased there by the head office. If found after three months have expired (that is after the 6th October), the whole will be confiscated, one-half going to the informer and one-half sent by the preventive service (\"ch'a-chi ssu-t'u chu\") to Chengtu.\n\n13\n\n20. Private persons boiling opium either for their own use or for sale will be punished by confiscation of the drug, 30 per cent. going to the informer and 70 per cent. towards local Government.\n\n21. The duty of looking out for contraband opium, raw or prepared, devolves in towns on the police, and in the country on the tithing ward; no others may intermeddle. No domiciliary visits will be allowed before the 7th July.\n\nChapter VI.--Addendum.\n\n22. Endeavours must be made to get everyone in Szechuan to abandon the habit before the limit of time fixed by decree. When the smokers' lists are complete, and the amount of prepared opium required has been estimated, a date will be proposed by the intendant.\n\nTranslated March 1, 1910.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON.\n\n61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428730, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 71, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n69\n\nC O\n\n[B]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[15022]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n15575\n\nRECEIVED May 2.\n\nREGISTERED 23 MAY 10,\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 2.)\n\n(No. 108. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nPeking, April 14, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 86 of the 10th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a memorandum on the political situation drawn up by Mr. E. S. Little.\n\nThis memorandum was written in the middle of January, and Mr. Little at that time kindly forwarded a copy of it to Sir John Jordan. I had just returned from the Yang-tsze Valley, and in a private letter to Sir F. Campbell, dated the 13th February, I mentioned certain alarmist rumours in regard to the threatened partition of China which had come to my ears, and about the same time, in my despatch No. 53 of the 18th February, which had not reached you when you wrote your despatch No. 86 of the 10th March, I drew special attention to the paragraphs in Mr. Seeds' general summary dealing with this question. Mr. Seeds' remarks were based on the intelligence reports received from His Majesty's consular officers in the early part of the winter, at the very time that Mr. Little was collecting alarmist rumours along the Yang-tsze Valley.\n\nIt is well known how difficult, if not impossible, it is for the foreign legations in Peking to obtain for themselves reliable information as to the state of feeling in the provinces, but our many consuls posted along the Yang-tsze are alive to the necessity of keeping His Majesty's Minister fully informed as to the possibility of any movement which might threaten the lives and property of foreign residents. From the reports received it was evident that the anti-foreign feeling in the Yang-tsze Valley was a factor to be reckoned with, and that it was being fostered by the wilful misrepresentations as to foreign policy disseminated by the native press and other means, by the subversive speeches of the returned student class and the supineness of the Central Government. Nevertheless, the whole tone of Mr. Little's memorandum appeared to me to be too alarmist and to convey too exaggerated a picture of existing conditions to warrant my forwarding it to you.\n\nSince the commencement of February the alarmist rumours which were prevalent in the Yang-tsze Valley when I was travelling appear to have died away, to judge from the latest intelligence reports received.\n\nI have, nevertheless, in obedience to your instructions, forwarded a copy of Mr. Little's memorandum to His Majesty's consular officers at the most important centres in China, and have requested them to furnish me information on the general situation in their respective districts, especially in regard to any anti-foreign agitation such as Mr. Little has depicted. The consular officers whom I have selected are His Majesty's consuls-general at Shanghae, Canton, Hankow, and Chengtu, and His Majesty's consul at Nanking. It will, however, be some time before their reports reach me, and I therefore venture to submit the following remarks of my own on this important question. In doing so I feel that I am treading on very dangerous ground, where even the oldest residents in this country may easily go astray, and where I am further handicapped by my limited experience of things Chinese and by my inability to converse with the people of the country or to read the newspapers. It is therefore with great diffidence that I venture to write on this subject. Mr. Little, on the contrary, speaks the language, mixes with the people, travels widely, and has good opportunities for judging, but I was gratified to find that Sir John Jordan, with whom I discussed Mr. Little's memorandum before his departure for England, shared my opinion that it conveyed an altogether exaggerated impression of the state of things in China, bad as that state undoubtedly is, and that when Mr. Little speaks of \"violent and bloody outbreaks against foreigners\" as being imminent, he is unduly pessimistic.\n\n[27516-1]\n\nB\n\nC", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428731, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 72, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Dr. Timothy Richards, one of the oldest missionaries in China, who has exceptional opportunities of judging of the state of feeling of the natives, writes to me that while there is truth in \"Mr. Little's facts, some of them are unduly magnified, and that he holds that the anti-foreign attitude has been the result of an ignorant native press, to counteract the influence of which no steps are taken.\n\n\"Carved Melon\" notice, Mr. Little had subsequently sent Sir John a copy of the \"\n\nIt contains the usual irresponsible statements as to the threatened partition of China, which Mr. Seeds rightly described as \"ludicrous were not their effect so serious,\" but its moral appears to be preparedness for war rather than violent attacks on peaceable foreigners.\n\nAt about the same time that Mr. Little was in Szechuan, His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu had reported to Sir John Jordan that he had heard from a missionary correspondent that armed robbers had been active in the neighbourhood of Fushun, a little north of Sulfu, and that the popular excitement was being further influenced by the distribution of an anti-foreign poster very similar in tenor to the \"Carved Melon\" document, but he added that the Governor-General on being approached, had at once informed him that he had already issued stringent instructions prohibiting its circulation and ordering it to be torn down wherever it could be found.\n\nThe posting of such notices and the distribution of pamphlets misrepresenting the policy and intentions of foreign Powers are bound to have a pernicious effect on the minds of the half-educated students and of others of lower class and have no doubt given rise to a large amount of irresponsible threatening talk. Ignorant natives may be made to believe by demagogues and agitators that foreigners are responsible for innovations such as railways, schools, mints, arsenals, census, reformed police, &c., which are to their minds a mere excuse for further exactions by the officials. In all these cases the only thing to do is for the consular officers to bring the matter to the notice of the local authorities, and it would appear that hitherto a certain measure of success has attended such action.\n\nThere is, however, another force with which we have to reckon and that is the native press, which teems with similar harangues as to the aggression of foreign Powers.\n\nWhat Mr. Little says as to the anti-foreign tendency of the native press contains little that has not often been said before, though manifestly its evil influence penetrates further and further as the number and circulation of the newspapers increase. This I am afraid will continue to be the case as long as the native press is in the hands of a set of irresponsible half-educated scribblers who possess just enough education to wilfully mislead their still more ignorant compatriots without realising the possible disastrous consequences of their folly.\n\nTowards the end of last, and in the early part of the present year the native press teemed with references to foreign designs on China, to impending troubles in Manchuria, &c., and to the consequent necessity of universal military training to repel the threatened invasion. The wild scheme for paying off the national debt by voluntary subscriptions was universally advocated as the best means of depriving foreign Governments of all right to intervene in the affairs of China. Violent and revolutionary statements appeared attacking the Central Government and all officials for their venality and subservience to foreign influence and for their connivance in a secret invasion of China and encroachment on Chinese rights by loans, railways, mining concessions and trading facilities.\n\nThe refusal of the Central Government to consent to the immediate opening of the National Assembly, and their action in limiting the discussions of the provincial assemblies were vehemently criticised, as was the refusal of the local authorities in certain towns to countenance military training and the distribution of arms among the schools, and approving references were printed to the scheme of political assassination in India as proving that even the most down-trodden race could have sufficient courage for such a step.\n\nIn connection with this subject I beg to enclose a memorandum on the attitude of the native press written by Dr. Timothy Richards and Mr. Cornabe, well-known members of the editorial staff of the Christian Literature Society for China. I had an opportunity of reading this memorandum when I was in Shanghae, early in January, but I did not receive a copy of it till so much later as to render it rather out of date. I must say that here too the tendency appears to me to be unjustifiably pessimistic and when the two authors compare the signs of the times now and in 1899, as has frequently been done of late, they appear to me to forget that in 1900 the Court went mad and took the lead in the \"kill the foreigner\" movement, and no one can honestly say that up to the present there is any sign of Chinese officialdom, either at the capital or in the provinces, contemplating a similar act of suicidal madness.\n\nI have lately discussed his own memorandum with Dr. Richards and he frankly admits that it was too alarmist. He has since then been in contact with some of the editors of the Shanghae native papers, and has pointed out to them the folly and danger as regards their own country of stirring up this anti-foreign feeling till it may pass beyond control, and it would appear that the tone of the Shanghae press, and indeed of the native press generally, has become somewhat modified in this respect of late. I am afraid that it is extremely difficult if not impossible for any foreign agency to counteract the pernicious influence of the Chinese press. This makes it doubly regrettable when one sees the native papers drawing their weapons of attack from foreign sources, as has lately been the case in regard to the anti-British campaign directed by the press bureau of the Wai-wu Pu and largely inspired by Mr. Ohl, the \"New York Herald\" correspondent. That the Chinese Government, on the other hand, can control the press, if they really wish to, was shown last year by the cessation of criticism of Japanese policy during the Sino-Japanese negotiations in regard to pending questions in Manchuria.\n\nWhat Mr. Little says as to the demands of the students in various schools to be given arms and to be allowed to drill is, I believe, true, though my information goes to show that this movement met with little encouragement at the hands of the authorities. Curiously enough agitations of this description took place in several missionary schools, and when I was at Shanghae I heard of the case of a Catholic school where an anti-foreign agitation was discovered by the fact of all the students concerned arranging to take the communion together. In Hünnan, where the anti-foreign feeling has always been specially strong, it was still further intensified by the partition rumours, and the students requested the governor to issue arms to them and were severely reprimanded for doing so; while it is said that the hero of the cut-off finger episode, reported by Mr. Little, was bastinadoed. At a public meeting of the law students at Changsha, it was decided that the Nationals of the Power which made the first war-like demonstration against Hünnan should be massacred, but that other foreigners should be protected; but on His Majesty's Consul discussing this resolution with the governor, his Excellency asserted that he was complete master of the situation so long as we took no actively aggressive action in regard to certain pending cases. His Excellency explained that the rumours were believed only by students and gentry and not by the officials, merchants, and people, and that as long as this was the case immediate trouble need not be feared. In the case of certain small disturbances last December, which arose out of a strike of masons and carpenters, the governor took prompt and successful measures. I cannot, therefore, agree with Mr. Little when he says that the Government instead of checking this absurd movement are doing nothing of the sort, and that when they are not actively encouraging it by permitting the students to enrol and actually issuing arms, they are standing aloof and permitting without any protest the movement to develop.\n\nWhen I was in Changsha at the end of October my wife and I walked for hours in the narrow streets of the city, and though we were the objects of inconvenient curiosity, I saw no signs of hostility on the part of the crowd. Since then, however, I have heard from Mr. Hewlett that menacing remarks have been addressed to him and his wife in the streets, but he did not regard these as a sign of imminent trouble.\n\nIn regard to the neighbouring province of Hupei, His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow wrote at the close of last year that no definite warning of coming trouble had yet reached him, but that the rise in prices due to the depreciation of the copper currency, the great distress due to the floods, and the many deaths due to starvation, cold, and disease among the numerous refugees did not make for an orderly winter in that part of the province.\n\nThere has been a singular absence of missionary disturbances of late, and such disturbances as have occurred in various parts of China during the past few months appear to me to have been primarily directed against the authorities, and not against foreigners, and in most cases to have been created by mutinous soldiery. It is inevitable in such a country as China that in any sudden local riot foreigners are likely to become the object of the attack of the rioters; this is a danger which it is impossible to foretell or to guard against; but I cannot justly say that I have noticed any hesitation on the part of the Chinese Government and of the local authorities to take prompt and efficacious measures for the protection of the lives and property of foreigners, whenever they have been threatened.\n\nOne of the rumours that I have gathered on my travels was that there was a\n\n70", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428768, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 109, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[17548]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n16664\n\nRECR\n\nREG 2 JUN 10 [May 17.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nMr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 17.)\n\nAmerican Embassy, London, May 16, 1910.\n\nSir,\n\nREFERRING to your note of the 11th April relative to the division of engineering rights on the Hukuang Railway, I have the honour to inform you, under instructions from my Government, that, while dissenting from the principle of equal division of the Hankow-Szechuan line, the United States Government is disposed to accept 400 kilom. chief engineering rights on the extension to Chengtu, and 200 kilom. sub-engineering rights with Germany on the Hupeh section, provided such acceptance will close the negotiations.\n\nAs will be readily observed, this proposal, while not a formal statement of my Government's position, is in effect in accord with the views of His Majesty's Government. It would seem, therefore, that only the acquiescence of His Majesty's Government remains to bring about agreement between all the interested groups, an agreement which, as you state, would appear all the more urgent on account of recent occurrences in the Yang-tsze Valley.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nWHITELAW REID.\n\n[2761 -1]\n\n107\n\n།", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428769, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 110, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n108\n\n16664\n\nRECO [May 21]\n\n2 JUN 10.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[17548]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid,\n\nForeign Office, May 21, 1910.\n\nI HAVE received your Excellency's note of the 16th instant, stating that the United States Government are disposed to accept 400 kilom. chief engineering rights on the extension of the Hankow-Ichang line to Chengtu, and 200 kilom. sub-engineering rights on the Hupeh (German) section, provided such acceptance will close the negotiations.\n\nHis Majesty's Government have learnt with great pleasure of the decision come to by the United States Government. They understand that a meeting of the four groups concerned is to be held in Paris on Monday next, the 23rd May, for the purpose of confirming the arrangement now arrived at.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n[2761-\n\n-1]\n\nPage 3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428856, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 197, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "of funds, it is of no use pressing our offers of assistance or our claims under the initialled agreement. This, however, appears to me to be a question for the Governments, and not for the financial groups, to settle, and I shall doubtless receive your instructions on this point in due time, though it is no use disguising the fact that we shall probably encounter considerable opposition on the part of the Chinese Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCITINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n195\n\nСО\n\n18595\n\nRECO\n\n[May 26.] Pro 18 JU 10\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n1\n\n[18514]\n\n(No. 77.)\n\nHUKUANG loan,\n\n(Telegraphic.) R.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nForeign Office, May 26, 1910.\n\nAn agreement was signed at Paris on 24th May by the representatives of the four groups on following basis :\n\n1. Finance and material equally divided.\n\n2. British group to retain full engineering rights on Hankow-Canton line. Hankow-Szechuan line to be divided equally between the four groups in the following order-\n\nGermans, 800 kilom., chief engineering rights, of which 200 kilom. sub-engineering rights are conceded to the Americans; Americans, 400 kilom. chief engineering rights, plus 200 kilom. sub-engineering rights as above; British, 600 kilom.; and French, 600 kilom. French and British groups having exchanged sections.\n\n3. Purchasing agents will follow chief engineers as regards nationality.\n\n4. American group agrees to accept one-fourth of whole loan in lieu of former claim to half of Szechuan line.\n\nAs regards possible extension beyond Chengtu, any addition up to 600 kilom. in respect of engineering rights to be equally divided between American, British, and French groups, and any further extension to be divided equally between all four groups.\n\nInstructions to approach Chinese Government in conjunction with your colleagues will be sent to you in due course.\n\n[2761 cc-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428903, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 244, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation to the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and Messrs. Morgan, Grenfell, and Co.\n\nDear Sirs,\n\n3, Lombard Street, London, May 27, 1910.\n\nI AM directed to inform you that, at a meeting of the board of directors held yesterday, it was resolved that this corporation, which, with Chinese Central Railways (Limited), constitutes the British group, hereby confirms the proceedings of the representatives of the British group at the meetings of the French, German, British, and American groups at Paris on the 23rd and 24th instant, and adopts the minutes of those meetings and the agreement of the 23rd instant between the groups signed by the respective representatives.\n\nAgreeably with the understanding come to in Paris and expressed in the minutes of the 23rd instant, the British group is informing the British Government of the agreement arrived at in Paris with all necessary documents, and requesting the Government to join with the French, German, and American Governments in an identic note to the Chinese Government requesting that Government to complete the loan agreement, and a supplemental agreement in the form approved in Paris, providing for the inclusion of the American group as parties to the loan.\n\nEnclosed is a copy of the telegram which, at the request of the British group, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation is sending to-day to its Peking agent.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nA. N. FREWER, Secretary.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghue Banking Corporation to its Peking Agent.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nMay 27, 1910.\n\nWE are informing Foreign Office of Paris agreement between the four groups, and requesting Foreign Office instruct His Britannic Majesty's Minister in Peking join with German, French, American Ministers address identical note to the Chinese Government requesting signature agreement initialled 6th June, with supplementary agreement, so as to include American group. Please note amortisation table requires revision; also that the four groups have altered the draft supplementary agreement, namely, the one sent home by W. D. Straight to Morgan, Grenfell, and Co. on 23rd September as the latest draft.\n\nC\n\nArticle 2. Strike out the words commencing 'one half\" and ending with \"1,500,000 inclusive,\" and substitute the words \"one quarter of the whole loan.\" Strike out the last twenty-eight words.\n\nArticle 3, last clause. Substitute \"one quarter\" for \"one half.\" Substitute the word “these\" for \"the.\" Strike out the words \"for the Hupeh section of the Szechuan-Hankow line.\"\n\nEnclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum of Terms of Agreement respecting the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu Railway Loan Negotiations come to at a Meeting at the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Paris, on May 23, 1910.\n\nParties:\n\nThe British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and the Chinese Central Railways,\n\n(Limited), representing the British Group;\n\nThe Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, representing the German Group; The Banque de l'Indo-Chine, representing the French Group; Morgan, Grenfell, and Co., representing the American Group.\n\nTHE British German, French, and American groups agree to enter into an agreement with the Chinese Government for a loan of 6,000,000l., and any supplementary loans to be issued in connection therewith for the above railways on the basis of the two draft agreements approved by the parties hereto and initialled by them being the draft original loan agreement, with accompanying despatch and a draft supplemental loan agreement.\n\n2. This loan to be divided equally between the four groups, and to be issued simultaneously.\n\n3. All orders for materials to be divided as far as possible equally between the four groups.\n\n3A. The American group shall share equally in the commissions on the purchase of materials, plant and goods allowed by the terms of article 18 of the original loan agreement.\n\n4. In regard to the appointment of chief engineers and sub-engineers, for the lines contemplated by the original loan agreement, it is agreed that the chief engineer for the Hankow-Canton Railway is to be appointed by the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited); that the chief engineer for the Ichang-Hsiangyang-Kuangchui line and the Iehang-Hanyang line, to the length of about 800 kilom., is to be appointed by the German group, which is to provide for the appointment by the American group of a sub-engineer for a section of these lines to the length of about 200 kilom. With regard to the proposed extension of the line from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu, which is estimated to be 1,600 kilom. in length, the chief engineer for the first 400 kilom. is to be appointed by the American group; the chief engineer for the next 600 kilom. is to be appointed by the British group, and the chief engineer for the remaining 600 kilom. is to be appointed by the French group. If the extension of the line above referred to should be less than 1,600 kilom. in length, then the above-mentioned lengths of 400, 600, and 600 kilom. shall abate proportionately. If the extension of the line above referred to should exceed in length 1,600 kilom., then the appointment of chief engineers of the excess between 1,600 kilom. and 2,200 kilom. shall be apportioned equally between the American, British, and French groups. If such extension should exceed in length 2,200 kilom., then the appointment of chief engineers of the surplus over 2,200 kilom. shall be divided as nearly as possible equally among the four groups.\n\n5. Each of the groups to apply to their respective bourses for the internationalisation of the above loans.\n\n6. The stamp duties on the bonds to be pooled and divided equally between the four groups, but this is not to be treated as a precedent for future loans. All other expenses of issue to be borne by the respective groups.\n\n7. The preliminary expenses incurred by the four groups prior to the signing of this agreement shall be shared by the four groups upon an equitable basis.\n\nFor the British Group:\n\nCARL MEYER. C. S. ADDIS. G. JAMIESON.\n\nFor the German Group:\n\nFR. URBIG. E. REHDERS.\n\nFor the French Group:\n\nJ. CAILLAUX. ST. SIMON. ULLMANN. CASENAVE.\n\nFor the American Group:\n\nE. C. GRENFELL. H. P. DAVISON. MAX WARBURG. H. H. HARJES, WILLARD STRAIGHT,\n\n242", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428913, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 254, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nfor some time, the stumbling-block being the provision of funds for the upper river works. We have asked the taotai to inform us definitely whether the provincial Government will or will not provide the money required, but have been unable as yet to obtain any reply from him. I understand that he has referred the question to the Viceroy, and is awaiting his instructions in the matter.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nF. E. WILKINSON,\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[18996]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n252\n\n19141\n\nRECR\n\nRro 23 JUN 10,\n\n[June 7.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid,*\n\nForeign Office, June 7, 1910.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nWITH reference to my note of the 21st ultimo respecting the Hukuang loan, as your Excellency is already aware, an agreement was signed at Paris on the 24th ultimo by the representatives of the British, American, French, and German groups on the following basis :\n\n1. Finance and material to be equally divided.\n\n2. British group to retain full engineering rights on Hankow-Canton line. Hankow-Szechuan line to be divided equally between the four groups in the following order :\n\nGermans, 800 kilom., chief engineering rights, of which 200 kilom. sub-engineering rights are conceded to the Americans; Americans, 400 kilom. chief engineering rights, plus 200 kilom. sub-engineering rights as above; British, 600 kilom.; and French, 600 kilom.—French and British groups having exchanged sections.\n\n3. Purchasing agents will follow chief engineers as regards nationality.\n\n4. American group agrees to accept one-fourth of whole loan in lieu of former claim to half of Szechuan line.\n\nAs regards possible extension beyond Chengtu, any addition up to 600 kilom. in respect of engineering rights to be equally divided between American, British, and French groups, and any further extension to be divided equally between all four groups.\n\nI have now the honour to state that His Majesty's Government approve of this arrangement, and, subject to the concurrence of the three other Governments concerned, they consider that the Chinese Government should be formally requested without delay to complete the loan agreement of the 6th June, 1909, already initialled by them, as well as the subsequent supplemental agreements come to with a view to the inclusion of the American group in the former tripartite arrangement, a step which, it might be pointed out, is in accordance with the express wishes of the Chinese Government.\n\nIn instructing the representatives of the four Powers at Peking to address an identic note to the Wai-wu Pu on the lines above indicated, I would suggest that the latter should be reminded of the promise given by Prince Ch'ing to the British and American representatives in October 1903, to the effect that, should China desire to build a line from Hankow to Szechuan, and should Chinese capital be found insufficient, she would obtain the necessary foreign capital from Great Britain and the United States. It should at the same time be pointed out to the Wai-wu Pu that, in accepting the present loan agreement, this undertaking must henceforward be held to extend to France and Germany as well as to the two countries to whom the promise was originally made.\n\nI trust that the United States Government will see their way to ratifying the arrangements arrived at.\n\nIt would seem desirable that no time should be lost in sending out instructions to the four representatives at Peking.\n\nA similar note will be addressed to the French Ambassador and German chargé d'affaires in London.\n\n[2792 g-1]\n\nI have, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\nAlso to M. Cambon and Herr von Kühlmann, mutatis mutandis.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428992, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 333, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nChildren are wearing charms in order to prevent their souls being taken away to form the foundations for railway bridges. The census is popularly believed to have been instituted in order that foreigners may place the names collected under the railroad; whenever a name is crushed by a train, the person so named immediately dies. The epithet \"foreign devil,\" which since 1890 has been rarely heard, is now frequently applied to foreigners in the streets, and the missionaries all agree that the Chinese are in a most restless and excited state, and ready to be led away by any mob orator. The Viceroy has assured the foreign consuls, in an official note to the senior consul, that there is \"no ground for anxiety,\" and that he is \"fully able to protect foreign lives and property\" (see enclosure in Mr. Goffe's despatch No. 32 of the 23rd May). According to a telegram from Nanking, his Excellency also sent two deputies to His Majesty's consul on the 29th May, and these officials told Mr. Goffe that the Viceroy was confident of his ability to deal with any emergency, that every precaution had been taken, and that the troops could be relied on. Whether his Excellency's assurances are due to a knowledge that he is master of the situation, or whether, as the foreign consuls are inclined to believe, they are inspired by a desire to appear confident, is a matter of opinion, and the truth will only be ascertained when and if disturbances occur, but of one thing I feel sure after the conversation I had with his Excellency Natung on the 26th instant, and that is that the Chinese Government are fully alive to the necessity of preventing any revolutionary outbreak at Nanking, and that every precaution that can be taken has been taken. \"Astra\" will be at Nanking on the 5th June, the date of the opening of the exhibition, and stay there for a few days.\n\nThe despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu, copy of which is enclosed herewith, serves the double purpose of showing that the spirit of unrest is manifesting itself in the most remote provinces of the Empire, and that, where the local authorities are really efficient, the situation is by no means so serious as it undoubtedly is in Hupei, Hunan, and Kiangsu. Mr. Wilkinson reports that rumours similar to those current at Nanking have been prevalent at Chengtu, where it has been commonly asserted that foreigners were cutting off women's hair, emasculating small boys, and desecrating graves. The authorities took prompt measures to undeceive the populace, and to remind them that death was the penalty for those who disseminate dangerous lies. The Governor-General, the energetic and able Chao Erh-sun, assured Mr. Wilkinson that some of the culprits had already been punished, and the result of his Excellency's action is that Mr. Wilkinson is able to report that the rumours are dying out. Similarly, I have received a despatch from His Majesty's consul at Chinkiang, reporting that an anti-foreign riot very nearly occurred at Hsing Hua Fu, a town situated 55 miles to the north-east of Chinkiang, owing to a woman falsely accusing a local missionary of stealing her child. A riot was prevented by the decisive action of the magistrate, who not only adequately protected the mission house from the crowd, but caused the guilty woman to be paraded through the streets bearing a cangue and preceded by a man carrying a board on which the nature of her misdeed was described in large characters.\n\nAlthough, therefore, the situation is serious, as I have already pointed out in my previous despatches, it has not yet passed beyond control, and the central Government have it still in their power to prevent, by the adoption of firm measures, the spread of disorder and the advent of a revolution which the present policy of laisser faire is calculated to encourage.\n\nTwo favourable factors in the situation are that, firstly, the comet has come without bringing again great misfortune to China, though many Chinese, I am told, believe that it was the cause of the grievous loss suffered by the British Empire in the death of His late Majesty King Edward, and, secondly, that during the last few days there has been a marked improvement in the climatic conditions; in the Yangtse Valley, sunshine and dry weather have greatly improved the prospect of the crops, while in the neighbourhood of Peking, and in fact throughout the province of Chihli, the three last days of rain have had a similar effect.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. Max Müller.\n\nChengtu, No. 33, May 3, 1910.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nC [June 20] 858\n\n330\n\n[22106]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nRECD 8 JUL 10\n\n(No. 183.) Sir,\n\nPeking, June 4, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a report which I have received from the military attaché upon the discipline of the Chinese regular troops quartered at Changsha.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nMAX MÜLLER.\n\nReport of Lieutenant-Colonel Willoughby on the Discipline of the Chinese Army.\n\n(Hunan Regular Troops.)\n\nPeking, June 1, 1910.\n\nWITH reference to the remarks on p. 5 of my report No. 6, dated the 25th April, 1910 (on \"Indiscipline in the Chinese Army\"), relating to the inaction of the troops at Changsha during the recent riots there, the following report, just received from His Majesty's consul at Changsha, is of especial interest, bringing out strongly, as it does, the fact that the headway gained by the forces of disorder was due, not to culpable inaction on the part of the troops or sympathy with the rioters, but to the pusillanimous conduct, if not worse (viz., actual connivance), of the high civil officials, who prevented the troops from acting against the rioters, thereby incidentally subjecting their discipline to the severest strain.\n\nThe report is as follows:\n\n\"During the attack on the governor's yamên, the regular troops were only once permitted to fire, and that was when General Yang obtained Governor Ts'en's permission to kill the men who were pouring oil on the roofs of his Excellency's entrance halls. With this one exception, the men stood stolidly for twelve hours, hemmed in by a hostile mob, stoned with large bricks and tiles and suffering casualties; yet not one single shot was fired nor one bayonet thrust given in retaliation because, as a soldier himself quite simply expressed it, 'How could we? we had orders not to.'\n\nSuch discipline might be equalled by some, it could not be surpassed by any troops in the world.\n\n\"From the 14th April to the 7th May, the consulate was left to the care of a section of infantry under the command of a lieutenant. There were also two of the consulate servants on the premises. During this period, not one single article of any type or description was stolen. It would not have been surprising had chickens been stolen or vegetables removed, but nothing was touched.\n\n\"At present, I have one section (forty-two men) under a lieutenant quartered in the chair-house attached to the consulate, and they will remain here, I am told, till the middle of August. The total size of the quarters is 38 feet by 20 feet, and the accommodation is miserable, and yet not a single complaint is made. The men, who are specially picked, are uniformly civil, quiet, and orderly.\n\nWhatever defects the 'Mixed Brigade' of Hunan may have, their discipline is beyond all praise. As I conceive that perfect discipline forms the very backbone of military efficiency, I take this opportunity of bringing the admirable discipline of General Yang's troops to your notice.\"\n\nMr. Hewlett then moots the question of our Government giving some permanent memento to the troops for their services, the British property (Government and personal) protected by them being worth about 1,000; and I think with him that, amid so much that is blameworthy (viz., attitude of the high provincial officials, hostility of the gentry and students, anti-foreign tone of the press, &c.), it would be...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429009, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 350, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "11th ultimo, there were three banks issuing notes, the Ta Ching Bank, the Chiao Tung Bank, and the Shan Hou Chü, their issues being to the following amounts respectively, 500,000, 100,000, and 1,500,000 dollars. The Ta Ch'ing Bank's issue was wholly guaranteed by the Government; the Chiao Tung Bank, being connected with the Ministry of Communications, was probably also so guaranteed; while the Shan Hou Chu had a reserve fund of 1,000,000 taels in bullion. The last-named bank, moreover, was then calling in its notes, at the rate of about 50,000 dollars a-month. At the date of the report, a deputy from the Ministry of Finance was engaged in making investigations into the working of the regulations, but the result of his enquiries had not been made public.\n\nAt the following places the regulations are reported to have been ignored altogether: Tien-tsin, Ichang, Kiukiang, Wuhu, Hângchow, and Swatow. A report to this effect from Tien-tsin corresponds with information received from the agent at Peking of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, to the effect that owing to the continued resistance of the Peking Chamber of Commerce, the regulations have been suffered to remain in abeyance here. The chamber of commerce, it appears, have warned the Ministry of Finance, through the Ministry of Commerce, that the withdrawal of notes in the proportion proposed would create a financial stringency which might result in a very serious crisis. This means presumably that the note circulation has been allowed to grow so far in excess of the bullion at the command of the issuing banks, that the notes cannot be redeemed at the rate of 20 per cent. per annum. At Ichang the only bank issuing notes was the Ta Ching Bank, of which a branch had been at the date of the report (the 26th March, 1910) recently opened. At Wuhu, the taotai had no information on the subject, and local officials and merchants took little or no interest in it. Three official banks had branch offices there and a note circulation, but the note issue of the third of these, the Ta Ch'ing Government Bank, was gradually superseding the issues of the others. At Swatow the local banks had in October last received no official intimation of the regulations. A branch of the Ta Ching Bank had been recently established, but was doing only a small business.\n\nAt the following places the regulations were issued, but not enforced: Newchwang, Hankow, Chinkiang, Foochow. At Newchwang notes were issued only by the Ta Ching Bank, which owing to its official character did not apparently consider itself to be bound by the regulations in the same sense that other banks were. At Hankow the failure to put the regulations in force was due to the objections made by the bankers' guild representatives on the Chinese Association of Commerce, who asserted that the enforcement of the regulations would cause numerous failings and another financial crisis. No bank-notes are issued at Chinkiang. At Foochow, as at Hankow, the local native banks strongly objected to the regulations, and were of opinion that the present state of affairs had better continue.\n\nHis Majesty's consuls at Changtu, Chungking, Amoy, Wuchow, and Tengyuch reported that the regulations did not affect their respective districts, there being no issue of native bank-notes therein. An exception to this statement, however, has to be made in the case of Chungking and Amoy, where the issue, to a small extent, of Ta Ching Bank notes has been reported.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Mukden reported last month that in Manchuria no banks but the official banks were allowed to issue notes. The issue of notes by the official banks in the three provinces had been largely in excess of the quantity required, and the notes were at a considerable discount. The report in question made no reference to the regulations.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai, who reported on the 22nd February last, had also no remarks to make on the actual working of the regulations, but he forwarded a copy of a letter from the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce subjecting the regulations to detailed criticism. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of this letter as representing the views entertained by the mercantile and banking communities in China as to the inadequacy of the regulations. Very similar criticism by the agent of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank at Hankow was forwarded in the Hankow report already mentioned (dated the 15th October, 1910). The latter took exception especially to the mutual guarantee of notes as being equivalent to no guarantee, to the impossibility of judging the reliability of firms guaranteeing cash shops, and to the absurd inadequacy of the penalties.\n\nThe chief impression left by perusal of His Majesty's consul's reports, however, is that the detailed provisions of the regulations are of but little consequence beside the question of what steps are taken by the authorities to carry into effect the general control over the issue of notes aimed at by the legislation. It hardly seems so far that this measure has had more practical effect than the abortive memorials and decrees on the cognate subject of currency which have appeared one after the other during the last few years only to vanish into oblivion.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(No. 22.). Sir,\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nShanghai, February 22, 1910. WITH reference to your circular of the 13th September, 1909, on the subject of the provisional regulations for controlling the issue of Chinese bank-notes. I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of a letter from the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, giving their views on these regulations.\n\nI also enclose a translation of the Nanking Viceroy's reply to the provincial assembly's enquiries regarding the note issue of the Government banks at Soochow and Nanking, which appeared in the \"Hsin Wen Pao,\" of the 20th November, 1909.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nPELHAM L. WARREN.\n\nSir,\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nShanghai General Chamber of Commerce to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nShanghai, February 7, 1910. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 19th November enclosing a translation of the provisional regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance, with the Imperial sanction, for controlling the issue of Chinese bank-notes, and asking for any observations on the operation of the regulations in the Shanghai district.\n\nThe chamber has been in communication with the associated exchange banks and their and my committee's opinion is that the regulations, speaking generally, are totally inadequate so far as safeguarding the public, or preventing fraud is concerned.\n\nThe following observations upon the respective regulations are unanimously agreed to by the foreign exchange banks and my committee:--\n\n3. This will tend to make a circle of banks and is most insecure from a creditor's point of view. One bank with heavy liabilities may be the means of making five other banks insolvent, and further, there is nothing to prevent any group from guaranteeing twenty or thirty others.\n\n4. Cash notes should be at once recalled as the discount on these is extremely heavy, and in Manchuria, it is very difficult to have any notes redeemed by cash. If merchants are allowed to guarantee cash shops, it will in all probability tend to increase instead of diminish note circulation.\n\n5. The authorised capital, amount paid up, and reserves against note issues should be at once called for by the Ministry of Finance.\n\n6. The last sentence should be deleted, as it is an encouragement for increasing note issues by the establishment of more banks.\n\n10. Forty per cent. of ready money is not sufficient as there are very few natives, bankers, or others, who hold Government bonds. Are deposit notes meant to be native orders?\n\n14. No further issues should be allowed till the subsidiary coinage is circulating ut par.\n\n16. No powers of an official nature should be vested in the Chamber of Commerce.\n\n18. The penalties for a breach of the regulations are quite inadequate.\n\n[2788 dd--1]\n\nPage 347", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429050, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 391, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "pacification of the province of Yen-Thé, where the above guerilla warfare took place. The civil authority in this region was superseded by a military administration. The native chiefs of the neighbouring provinces were warned to exercise a careful control over malefactors in their jurisdiction; the search for Ti-ts'an was to be carried on unremittingly, and new roads and police posts were to be established in the wild forest district to prevent a recrudescence of trouble. As the \"Courrier d'Haiphong\" tersely summed it up, the situation has been ended by the precautions which should have been taken in the beginning.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[July 4.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n0\n\n[23853]\n\n(No. 188.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 4.)\n\nPeking. June 3, 1910.\n\nWITH reference to my telegram No. 104 of the 28th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit a translation of the Imperial decree establishing the silver dollar as the unit of currency throughout the Chinese Empire, together with a translation of the regulations in regard to the projected reform of the currency issued by the Board of Finance and sanctioned by the decree. It will be seen that the unit of currency is to be a dollar of 7 mace and 2 candareens weight, equal to 416 grains troy-the present Mexican dollar-with subsidiary coins in silver of 50 cents, 25 cents, and 10 cents; in nickel of 5 cents and of 2 cents, 1 cent, 5 cash and 1 cash, the value of the cents and cash to be decimal proportions of the dollar, and permanently fixed. The fineness of the dollar is to be .9 of pure silver, of the 50-cent. and 25-cent. pieces .8, and of the 10-cent. pieces .65. The weight and fineness of the nickel and copper coinage is to be decided on later. These new coins are to be minted under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, which will be charged with the duty of seeing that they conform with the standard in weight, purity, and design. The new coins will be put into circulation as soon as a sufficient supply is available, and the Ta Ching Government bank is to be responsible for effecting the change from the old monetary systems to the new currency. The new dollar will be legal tender everywhere to an unlimited amount, but not so the subsidiary coinage, except when offered at the Government bank or one of its branches for exchange. Meanwhile, existing coins will be exchanged at their market value, and will gradually be withdrawn from circulation, until a certain date to be fixed later, when it is hoped that a sufficient number of the new coins will be in circulation to meet the payment of all taxes and duties and the requirements of trade, and the old coins will then cease to be legal tender, and will be received only at their value as bullion.\n\nChambers of commerce are to be asked \"to give lectures explaining the gist of these regulations, that all persons may know that this reform of the coinage system is designed for the benefit of the merchant and the general public, and by abolishing the irregularities that have prevailed in the weight and values of the various coins, to take the first steps towards the reform of the finances of the country.\"\n\nThe regulations contain strict and detailed provisions as to the limit of tolerance between the actual and legal weight and between the actual and legal degree of fineness of the new coins; their deterioration through use and wear; the right to refuse coins wilfully damaged; the limitation of the amount of the subsidiary coins to be minted; the rates of exchange between the old and the new currency, and the assaying and control of the coins issued.\n\nThe minting of all coins now in circulation was to cease from the date of the publication of the regulations, and I understand that simultaneously all the provincial mints now existing are abolished, and that the minting of the new coinage will be undertaken by the general mint at Tien-tsin, certain existing mints such as those at Hankow, Chengtu, Mukden, &c., being made branches of the general mint to assist in the issue of the new currency.\n\nThe currency decree and the regulations would certainly appear to indicate a serious determination on the part of the Chinese Government to deal in a practical manner with the reorganisation of their financial system, the necessity for which has so repeatedly been urged on them both in the interests of foreign commerce and of the stability of Chinese credit, and it is to be hoped that steps will be taken without undue delay to put the proposed measures into practical effect.\n\nThe vested interests of innumerable officials and merchants, who profit by the existing chaos in the monetary system, are opposed to the reform, but the Central Government certainly possess the power, if they have the will, to put these measures into practice, just as they had the power to enforce the opium suppression regulations which also meant ruin to many vested and far more legitimate interests.\n\nThe Imperial decree of the 5th October, 1908, which laid down that China should...\n\n[2827 d-2]\n\nPage 388", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429061, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 402, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)\n\n[B]\n\n# AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[24532]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[July 7.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n(No. 200.) Sir,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 7.)\n\nPeking, June 17, 1910.\n\nIN my despatch No. 108 of the 14th April I reported that I had forwarded a copy of Mr. E. S. Little's memorandum on the political situation in China to His Majesty's consular officers at Shanghai, Canton, Hankow, Chengtu, and Nanking, and had requested them to furnish me with information on the general situation in their respective districts, especially in regard to any anti-foreign agitation such as Mr. Little had depicted. In view of the long delay which would have been entailed if I had awaited the receipt of the replies, I thought it better to embody in a despatch my own views on the subject, based on the information already in my possession and the impressions I had gathered during my recent journey. The last reply, viz., that from Chengtu, has to-day reached me, and it appears to me better to forward the five reports to you as they stand than to attempt to combine them in one memorandum. \"The circumstances in the various consular districts with which they deal are so different, and the opinions and conclusions of the writers are so divergent, that it would be a difficult and very unsatisfactory task to try and weld them together, while a short précis of their contents might easily, from absence of context and continuity, represent the arguments and views of the writers in an unfair and misleading light.\n\nIt is\n\nMr. Fraser's despatch was written previous to the Changsha riots. pessimistic in tone, and emphasises the dangers arising from the failure of the crops, the licence of the native press, the partition and other anti-foreign rumours, the financial chaos, the attitude of the provincial assemblies, the lawlessness of the students, and the failure of the authorities to take any serious measures to check anti-foreign agitation.\n\nSir P. Warren generally endorses Mr. Little's observations, but the conclusion in his last paragraph, when he talks of 6,000 of the regular army joining the rioters at Changsha, is based on false information.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Nanking also agrees generally with Mr. Little's conclusions, though he disputes the accuracy of his two statements referring directly to Nanking, and dissents from his judgment of the provincial assemblies so far as it refers to Kiangsu. I would draw your attention to the last paragraph of Mr. Goffe's despatch, which appears, so far as I can judge, to contain a very just exposition of the real nature of the so-called anti-foreign feeling existing in China.\n\nMr. Jamieson is far more optimistic, and writes that \"Mr. Little's appreciation of the general political situation, however accurate it may be in respect of Central or Northern China, tends to give a somewhat distorted view of the state of affairs actually obtaining in Southern China.\" I would also draw your attention to the following sentence:----\n\n\"In so far as this process (i.e., of political development) affects the foreigner, however, there are up to the present few, if any, indications of a disposition to cut his throat. What would appear to be chiefly aimed at is a complete encompassment of his supposed rights.\"\n\nThis sentence appears to me to convey very much the same meaning as I wished to express when I wrote that the anti-foreign feeling now existing was a more civilised feeling than the blind hatred of the foreigner previous to 1900; that it was directed not so much against the foreigner as such as against his privileged position and boasted superiority; and that it was more likely to find expression in determined attacks on his privileges than in violent and bloody outbreaks.\n\nMr. Wilkinson appears to think that Mr. Little's statements in regard to Szechuan were exaggerated, and that there is no immediate cause for anxiety. He attaches especial importance to the anti-dynastic movement and the disaffection of the troops,\n\n[2827 g-2]\n\nB\n\n399", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429065, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 406, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "8 \n\nand ingenuity are devoted by the authorities and the self-appointed leaders of reform -- so called. To what extent these latter are represented by the mass of the people it is hard to say, but they at least deserve the credit of not openly advocating violent measures.\n\nAccording to the vernacular press and to common report, the \"carved melon story,\" if it ever circulated in this part of China at all, has not laid hold on the minds of the populace in the way it has done in Central China. Ever since the annexation by France of Upper Tonquin, it is true there has existed an apprehension with regard to further expansion in a northerly direction, but such apprehension is in nowise connected with recent happenings. It may be called chronic, and is mainly confined to those stationed or dwelling along the frontier in Kuanghsi and Yunnan. Of late, the negotiations regarding the delimitation of Portuguese territory at Macao led to the circulation of rumours that Portugal contemplated aggression on Chinese soil. These, however, were circulated by those desirous of rendering the negotiations abortive, and it is difficult to imagine that general importance has been attached thereto. Of anti-foreign agitation amongst the student class there is practically no trace. Local scholars would seem to have a respect for authority, and to be content to leave agitation to the various associations of which mention will be made later on.\n\nAs to railway loans and the construction of railways, there is similar lack of evidence of popular dissatisfaction with foreigners on their account. The Kuangtung section of the Yüeh-han Railway is being constructed with Chinese capital—rapidly approaching exhaustion,—and the squabbles between its shareholders and their directors, and the tracasseries to which the Chinese engineer-in-chief is subjected, only affect those directly concerned. The Canton-Kowloon Railway is being allowed to progress without any opposition beyond that offered by turbulent local rowdies, anxious to turn a dishonest penny out of land sales, or the advancement of personal interest. The Chinese newspapers, since 1900, cannot be said to preach hatred of the foreigner. They confine their efforts to asserting the sovereign claim of the people—i.e., themselves—to do what seems right in their own eyes, irrespective of treaty conditions or international obligations, vigorously and ably seconding in this respect the efforts of the self-government and other similar societies.\n\nThe clannish and self-centred spirit, which is characteristic of the Cantonese, may account for the fact that subscriptions towards paying off foreign loans and indemnities or towards providing funds for a national navy are not forthcoming, but towards their own particular railway lines and other provincial undertakings they have contributed freely. An intense interest is also displayed in any official proposals for raising internal taxation, and when it comes to discussing salt or gambling monopolies, the voice of the people makes itself loudly heard. (Indirect proof of an absence of hostility against a scheme purely because of its foreign origin might be found in the generous subscriptions made towards the University of Hong Kong.) These are not, however, matters which can be said to affect foreign relations. Of disloyalty amongst the foreign drilled troops one can ascertain but little. It was whispered that the recent outbreak on the occasion of the Chinese New Year had been fomented by revolutionaries, but of this there is no proof whatever. Nor can any credence be attached to stories prophesying an anti-dynastic rising in the near future.\n\nFrom the above, it will be evident that Mr. Little's appreciation of the general political situation, however accurate it may be in respect of Central or Northern China, tends to give a somewhat distorted view of the state of affairs actually obtaining in Southern China, or perhaps, to put it more correctly, in the provincial capital of the Liang Kuang, although there is no reason to suppose that the one differs from the other. Given, however, as is at present the case, a weak Governor-General, there is one phase of local politics which is becoming a grave menace to constituted authority, and one which, under conceivable circumstances, might very seriously imperil foreign relations. The reference is to the growing power of the Self-Government Society and its affiliated bodies, the Merchants' and Mercantile Steam-ship Associations, aided and abetted by the Newspaper Syndicate. These combinations arrogate to themselves the right to interfere in anything and everything, and, the appetite coming with eating, pusillanimous concession has placed them in the position of being able to hector and bully the officials. So long as purely domestic affairs are at stake one might regard matters from a disinterested standpoint, but it is in foreign affairs that they particularly claim the right of intervention, as witness the Tatsu Maru and Fatshan cases—two of the more important recent ones. Nothing is too trivial to escape their attention; their emissaries pounce on every communication to and from a foreign consulate, and immediately publish it with sarcastic or prejudicial comment, in some instances even before it reaches the addressee. The transaction of public business has accordingly become almost intolerable, and were a grave international question to arise, it is not difficult to foresee what complications might ensue or to what extent endeavours to arrive at a diplomatic settlement would be frustrated. Remonstrances addressed to the authorities are unavailing, as the people, in other words the societies, insist on knowing what is going on and on dictating the course of action to be pursued. To those conversant with history, parallels with the conduct of public affairs by the national assembly would readily occur, but of these governors and governed are ignorant. Fortunately, as has already been pointed out, this energy has, up to the present, been directed solely towards the maintenance of the principle that in matters between Cantonese and foreigners, the former have everything and the latter nothing to say. Should the foreigner be so ill-advised as to object, he is threatened with boycott and pecuniary loss; his life and personal property would not so far appear to be placed in jeopardy.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON, Consul-General.\n\nCanton, April 20, 1910.\n\n(No. 36.) Sir,\n\nEnclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Wilkinson to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nChengtu, May 23, 1910. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No. 3 of the 6th ultimo, enclosing copy of a memorandum on the political situation in China, drawn up by Mr. E. S. Little, and instructing me to report upon it.\n\nSince my arrival at Chengtu last December I have, in my despatches to the legation, dealt with most of the topics discussed by Mr. Little. To take them in the order in which they are given in the memorandum:\n\n1. The \"Carved Melon,\"—A translation of a circular that had found its way into Szechuan formed Enclosure No. 2 of my despatch No. 4 of the 13th January last; while my despatch No. 40 of the 23rd December had for its subject the cognate matter of the Japanese boycott. I need only say here that either agitation would appear to have died out in this province.\n\n2. Railway Loans.—I would refer to my despatches No. 12 of the 3rd February, No. 13 of the 11th February, and No. 24 of the 23rd March. When Mr. Little's memorandum was compiled he had not had access to the published accounts of the Chuan-Han Railway Company; consequently, the figures he gives for the loss sustained by the shareholders are below the mark. I fear that, pace Mr. Nicolson's informant (Enclosure No. 1 in my No. 24), the shareholders and the Government and people of Szechuan are still strongly opposed to obtaining from foreigners the money necessary to bring that railway to completion. As sufficient funds, even after the disappearance or dissipation of some 5,000,000 taels, yet remain to construct the first section of the line—a section that the native engineers reckon that it will take three years to build—the question of a foreign loan has not become acute as far as this province is concerned.\n\nNewspapers.—The newspapers published here are the \"Chengtu Jih-pao,\" a semi-official organ, and two other daily papers, the \"Tung-su Jih-pao\" and the \"Ping-lun Jih-pao,\" both under police supervision. Nothing to which serious objection could be taken has appeared in the first of these, while the second, as has been reported elsewhere, is subsidised by my French colleague. The \"Ping-lun Jih-pao\" has reprinted some articles on alleged French designs in Yunnan, but otherwise has not attacked foreigners. On the other hand, the \"Chengtu Jih-pao\" has published without comment Dr. Timothy Richards' outspoken \"Parting of the Ways,\" in which he contrasts the losses and dangers certain to result from refusal of foreign aid in railway and mining ventures with the prosperity and security that would follow a more liberal policy.\n\nOfficials.—The Governor-General, Chao Erh-hsun, has, with the exception of his somewhat testy refusal to admit our right to take an interest in the Thibetan campaign (see my No. 17 of the 23rd February), always shown himself courteous and reasonable. Whenever I have had occasion to write to him regarding anti-foreign rumours or the occasional anonymous placards imputing offences to foreigners he has promptly...\n\n[2827 g-2]\n\nD\n\n403\n\n9", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429066, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 407, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "10\n\n17\n\nreplied, declaring that such falsehoods were regarded by him \"with the deepest detestation,\" and that he had issued the most stringent orders for their suppression. I would refer in this connection to my despatch No. 33 of the 3rd instant, adding that on the 18th instant the \"Chiengtu Jih-pao\" publishes a proclamation by his Excellency, threatening penalties against all who disseminate them, and ordering the local authorities to depute \"intelligent gentlemen,\" who, in conjunction with the heads of the trainbands, shall go from village to village and deliver lectures exposing the baselessness of these stories.\n\nAs regards the purchase of land, his Excellency has frankly recognised, in writing, the permission accorded to missionary societies to lease or buy land in the interior, only stipulating that the deeds should be marked \"tso-wei chiao-hui kung-ch'an\" (\"as the common property of the mission\"). There has only been one instance, since my arrival here, where anything that could be twisted into animus has been shown by a local official, and the magistrate concerned in this case (which I trust is now in process of settlement) suffered from dementia, and has been superseded.\n\nVoluntary Subscriptions.-A meeting was held to discuss the repayment of the National Debt (\"ch'ou-huan kuo-chai\"). Regulations were drawn up, and then the thing died out. No money has been subscribed. Contributions for a Chinese navy have not, as far as I can learn, been even suggested by any one in Szechuan.\n\nThe Comet. The skies of Central Szechuan are so frequently covered with clouds that few opportunities have offered in the Chengtu plain of seeing Halley's comet. On the 8th instant a diagram showing the relative positions of the sun, the earth, and the comet on various nights from the 20th April to the 30th May was published as a supplement to the \"Tung-su Jih-pao,\" together with an explanatory note in the colloquial. The diagram was provided by my French colleague, as also, I should imagine, the facts on which the note is based. There is, at all events, not the least hint that the appearance of the comet is a portent of disaster, though it is admitted that on the 18th May there is a bare possibility of danger from contact of the earth's atmosphere with the cyanogen (the word is given in foreign script) of the comet's tail.\n\nChinese Finances.-The balance-sheet of this province for 1908 was given in my No. 14 of the 18th February. It shows a surplus, but in other State documents that have from time to time been published, the difficulty of making both ends meet is dwelt on by the Governor-General. His Excellency's too precipitate suppression of opium will necessarily disorganise the provincial finances, and meanwhile is necessitating the levy of additional taxes.\n\nNo bank notes are current in Szechuan, with the negligible exception of a very limited issue at Lu Chou (see my No. 1 of the 3rd January).\n\nDisaffection of the People.--A number of new taxes are being levied, and these are, it is perhaps hardly necessary to remark, decidedly unpopular. Mention was made of some of them in my opium report (No. 20 of the 8th March), and in the Intelligence Report for March quarter (separate of the 21st April), and I now append a note, compiled by Mr. Toller, of further exactions, which, though apparently localised, are probably of general application, or, at any rate, are likely to furnish precedents for similar levies in other districts. It is a matter of common talk that in one hsien, Tzu Tzu-yang, taxation is so heavy that even respectable people are prostituting their daughters.\n\nMr. Little himself observed (Enclosure in No. 22 of the 10th March) that \"the coin, as far as one can judge, is of a high standard compared with most of the coins turned out in China in other provinces.\" So far, the copper coinage struck here has not been debased.\n\nThe formation of a provincial mining company was reported by Mr. Langford Smith in his Intelligence Report for September quarter, 1909, and reference to it is made in Enclosure 2 of my despatch No. 32 of the 23rd April. There is little reason to doubt that its inception was due less to a desire to encourage mining than to the intention of forestalling foreign demands for mineral concessions. The present Intendant of Commerce professes to be eager to encourage exports, but too often leaves his motives open to misconstruction by insisting on official control of each new undertaking.\n\nProvincial Assemblies.-No pronounced anti-foreign sentiment appeared during the sittings of the assembly. Foreigners were allowed to sit in the \"strangers' gallery,\" and on the first occasion when a European availed himself of this privilege the President directed the attention of members to the fact, and asked them to refrain from expectoration and other practices likely to lower the dignity of the assembly in the eyes of the world. The Szechuan Assembly, however, contains a large proportion of the class now foremost in all anti-foreign movements-young men who have studied in Japan, and have returned thence with some knowledge of modern institutions, and a far greater idea of their own importance.\n\nThe attitude of the assembly towards officialdom was dealt with in Mr. Toller's report (Enclosure in No. 37 of the 17th November last). It may be briefly described as \"captious neutrality.\"\n\nLoyalty of the Troops.-There is no doubt that a considerable section of the officers and men are anti-dynastic, and that the army is honeycombed by secret societies, such as that of the Hung-teng Chiao, or Brotherhood of the Red Lamp. The Japanese boycott movement was fostered in the Military Academy (my No. 40 of the 23rd December, 1909).\n\nDesertions are not infrequent, at any rate from the Hsin-fang Chün. This no doubt is largely due to the fact that from this force are chiefly drawn the troops which, alone in China at the present time, are employed on what is practically service abroad, the expeditions against the Tibetans and Lolos.\n\nTo sum up: I think that Mr. Little's prognostications are by no means baseless, but that as far as Szechuan is concerned the danger is not altogether as imminent as he fears. There is growing dissatisfaction among the people, who are feeling acutely the burden of increased taxation, and there is too much probability that in the event of a rising against the officials foreign residents will also be attacked, while the army cannot be relied upon to protect either the officials or the residents.\n\nMy colleagues, whom I have consulted, are of the same opinion, that trouble is brewing, but that there is no immediate cause for anxiety.\n\nI append some notes on Mr. Little's report that have been drawn up at my request by Mr. Davey, Mr. Hamilton, and the Rev. J. Vale, all residents of long standing in Szechuan, and well acquainted with its language and people.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nEnclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nList of New Taxes Levied in Szechuan.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON.\n\nA tax on chair hongs was levied at Feng-chieh Hsien (the home magistracy of K'uei-chou Fu) last winter, to the extent of 1,500 cash per mensem. As this is now found to be insufficient, a slight increase has been made. Two shops resisted the imposition and have been officially closed.\n\nAt the same magistracy there is a tax of 1 dollar on every beast killed. At the time of the Confucian festival, several people killed cattle without paying the tax: they have been arrested and heavily fined.\n\nThe Governor-General has given his sanction to a tax on grain sales in Shih-fang Hsien. Vendor and purchaser each pay 1 cash on a peck; fractions of a peck are exempt.\n\nTo cover police expenses, taxes on tea-shops and feasts are being levied at Peng-ch'i Hsien. The daily tax on tea-shops is 5 cash per square table, 3 cash per long table. For feasts, the tax per table is: Feast with sharks' fins, 200 cash; feast with ginseng, 100 cash; plain (water) feast, 40 cash; the amount being doubled in each case if the cook comes to the host's private house. Funeral feasts are exempted. Similar taxes have also been instituted in Shih-fang Hsien, to cover the expenses of the school of Sericulture and of the officer of commerce. The rates are as follows:-\n\n \n Upper class\n 160 cash per table (per meal)\n \n \n Middle class\n 120\n \n \n Lower class\n 80\n \n\nThe estimated annual yield is 1,000 tiao,\n\n11\n\n[2827 9-2]\n\nE\n\n404", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429067, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 408, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "405\n\n12\n\nEnclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nNotes by Mr. Davey on Mr. Little's Memorandum.\n\nI HAVE read Mr. Little's report through very carefully, and as far as it concerns this locality I cannot take any exception whatever to it. During the past few weeks I have not had time to visit certain friends to obtain reliable information, but the following remarks are based upon observations of earlier date :-\n\nPartition. This idea was very much talked about a few months ago, when several well-to-do and officially-connected friends asked if it were true; and the impression left upon me was that they were convinced that foreigners intended to partition the country.\n\nStudents as Volunteers.--Last year the students requested to be supplied with arms to practice, &c., but the Governor-General thought his own skin might be endangered thereby.\n\nAnti-foreign Placards.----These are so recent here that they do not call for comment. Though not done so openly now I am convinced the ferment still exists. The students have their meeting days.\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nSome time ago I mentioned that the Governor-General had received information that an attempt was to be made upon his life, and how he had surrounded himself with a bodyguard of forty men, who are not to leave him day nor night. This information was imparted to me confidentially by a brother of the superintendent of the river police, through whom I believe the information reached the Governor-General.\n\nPeculation has been fruitful. Railway Loans.-The same antagonism exists here.\n\nI have every reason to believe that the late staff of accountants did everything in their power to get the Tungshih Chu (Board of Directors) to state their accounts were correct, and thus throw the onus upon their predecessors. They have a new set now, who will be no better than their predecessors in peculations.\n\nSubsidise a paper, and it will never speak evil of you. Recent publications in this city will prove it.\n\nDevils are Comet. Many superstitious rumours are now in vogue around us. flying everywhere around us, and many affirm that they have heard them running over the roofs.\n\nFinances are bad.---The banks demand high rates of interest; in my opinion not a true sign of real prosperity.\n\nTreasury is said to be all but empty here.\n\nThe Provincial Assembly.--Also anti-foreign.\n\nEnclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nW. J. DAVEY.\n\nNotes by Mr. Hamilton on Mr. Little's Memorandum,\n\nIT is quite apparent that there is some unrest among the Chinese at this time. Especially so may this be said of Chengtu: rumours of various kinds, mostly of a depraved nature, are freely circulated, and these bear fruit in scornful and supercilious glances from the people, especially the semi-educated people, that one daily meets on the streets. These rumours are not quite recent: even last summer the opening of graves, and the stealing of bones-especially the frontal bone-for the purpose of being used in the manufacture of smokeless powder, was very rife. Rumour is always busy in China: how can it be otherwise with a people having little to do, little else to discuss, and mentally drawn to all that is curious, strange, and depraved? But again, they die, especially if the powers that be take steps to contradict and punish the rumour-spreader.\n\nOne feels the seriousness of being asked to make any remarks on this question; and again things differ so tremendously, but so far as I can form a judgment on this matter, I should say that there is small likelihood of anything very serious happening. Time after time, especially since the Emperor Kuang-hsu's death and before, it was said that there would be serious, very serious, troubles, and yet events have proved otherwise, especially in this part of Szechuan. Personally, I think there are a good number of Chinese who would delight in a row, but they know, and the powers that be know, that such a game cannot be played yet. In fact, over and over again, men in responsible positions have affirmed that another trouble like the Boxer trouble means a partitioned China, and so such tendencies to destroy, to exterminate the foreigner, have to be kept in check, and in the meanwhile we can only hope that constant intercourse that becomes intimate destroys this feeling of antipathy to the foreigner and his ways.\n\nE. A. HAMILTON.\n\nSir,\n\nEnclosure 10 in No. 1.\n\nRev. J. Vale to Consul-General Wilkinson,\n\n[Undated.]\n\nIN reply to your request for some notes on the present condition of things in this province, I beg to present the following as being as near as I can judge a fair presentation of the case :-\n\n1st. The Carved Melon Scare.--During the whole of my journey through the province from Hupeh to Chengtu I never heard a word about this, though I mixed freely with all classes.\n\n2nd. Railway Loans.-I should judge from what I heard that the feeling is still strong against contracting any loan for the Szechuan-Hankow line. I gathered, though, that many would favour the employment of foreign engineers to build the line.\n\n3rd. Newspapers.-The following from \"Chinese Recorder,\" March 1910, by the editor of the \"Ta-t'ung Pao\" (Rev. W. A. Cornaby), fairly represents the newspaper attitude-\n\n\"But now (after having reviewed the past anti-foreign crusade) one has to report with pleasure that, yielding to various influences and appeals, the Shanghai papers for the whole of January onwards, and the provincial press in many parts from the middle of January, has been wonderfully mild and moderate as regards foreign policy, and even the Chinchow-Aigun Railway loan scheme (23rd January) evoked no word of criticism, though set forth in the teeth of numerous articles of the previous year, written at white heat ....; a new era of journalistic sanity seems to have dawned.\"\n\nThe Szechuan press has no power in forming public opinion, and the effect of the changed attitude above referred to seems to be that newspaper agitation was ceased.\n\n4th. Officials-anti-Foreign.-This is nothing new; a certain class of these officials always has been, and apparently always will be, anti-foreign, but the majority know too well that to stir up anti-foreign feeling amongst the people is to endanger their own positions and lives. I have heard of no such thing in this province. Many officials are exceedingly pro-Chinese, and sometimes go too far in this line, but because they are pro-Chinese, that does not prove that they are plotting to repeat the Boxer movement again.\n\n5th. Voluntary Subscriptions.-The movement seems to have died out.\n\n6th. The Comet.--I have heard no rumours regarding this.\n\n7th. Provincial Assemblies.-These bodies will doubtless be strongly pro-Chinese, and doubtless they will soon come in conflict with the Government.\n\n8th. Loyalty of the Troops.-Herein is, to my mind, the great danger. I have heard of nothing to give one the idea that the troops in this province are in any way disaffected, but the whole army is so under the control of secret society men, that It is almost certain that any movement, whether anti-foreign or anti-dynastic, that showed signs of success, would see the whole army joining its ranks.\n\nFinally, rumours and local uprisings are the usual spring crop of troubles in this province. Anything that has arisen is nothing more than in ordinary years. We have, however, to add this, that undoubtedly there is a strong anti-dynastic movement under the surface of things, and also a desire to use any anti-foreign feeling in the country to get things \"moving,\" in order to further this anti-dynastic movement.\n\nWe also must add that the people are almost at the limit of their endurance of taxation, which will, sooner or later, end in a rising. Further, a deep-rooted hatred is growing against the officials, who are openly spoken of as \"robbers of the people.\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429079, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 420, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "417\n\n2\n\ntheir powers under the loan agreement over the whole railway, and while there was a reasonable prospect of the fulfilment of the board's anticipation I was not unwilling to recommend the corporation's representative to exercise patience. He informs me now, however, that, according to the information received by him recently from the board, no definite arrangements have yet been made for giving effect to the loan agreement, and that it is considered probable that several months must still elapse before any change in the situation can be expected.\n\nThe prospect of further indefinite delay is most unacceptable to the corporation, which has exercised great patience during the past two years, and has shown the utmost consideration for the difficulties of the Chinese Government, but which can hardly be expected to submit to the continued disregard of the loan agreement without remonstrance.\n\nIt appears to me that the time has come for the active intervention of the central Government in this matter. The loan agreement was contracted with the Wai-wu Pu and the Board of Communications under the sanction of an Imperial decree of the 6th March, 1908, and your Highness is no doubt well aware that a covenant of this nature cannot be openly infringed or set at nought by agitators of one province for more than two years without serious menace to the peace and credit of the whole Empire. In my view, the simple solution is the issue of an Imperial decree instructing the Board of Communications to resume control of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, and I have the honour to request your Highness to memorialise the throne in this sense at an early date.\n\nThe favour of a reply is requested.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[24641]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n23223\n\nRece\n\n128 10\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nMr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received July 8.)\n\nAmerican Embassy, London, July 7, 1910. REFERRING to our conversation at the Foreign Office on the 27th June, when I ventured to suggest an apprehension lest one paragraph in your note of the 7th June relative to the Hukuang loan implied an extension to which my Government had not committed itself, I beg to say that I am now instructed to call your attention to an apparent discrepancy between the actual text of the agreement signed at Paris on the 23rd and 24th May, 1910, by representatives of the several financial groups, and the recital thereof in your note. The discrepancy relates to the provision of article 4 of the agreement of the 23rd May \"in regard to the appointment of chief engineers and sub-engineers for the lines contemplated by the original loan agreement.\"\n\nYour note seems to regard the agreement as to any additional engineering rights (up to 600 kilom.) to refer to a possible extension of the line beyond Chengtu. Now, both the text of the agreement of the 23rd May and that of the 11th May between Mr. Addis and M. Simon show that the reference was to any surplus over and above the 1,600 kilom. (estimated length of a possible extension from Ichang or Hsiangyang) to Chengtu, and not beyond that point.\n\nThe understanding of my Government is that the actual distance from Ichang or Hsiangyang to Chengtu by any route to be surveyed is unknown. If it should prove to be less than 1,600 kilom., the division into sections of 400, 600, and 600 kilom. \"shall abate proportionately.\" On the other hand, \"if the extension of the line above referred to should exceed in length 1,600 kilom., then the appointment of chief engineers of the excess between 1,600 and 2,200 kilom, shall be apportioned equally between the American, British, and French groups.”\n\nThe point we have wished to make clear is that the United States has not approved of any arrangement for a possible extension of the line beyond Chengtu. My Government also saw no reason for reminding the Chinese Government of the promise given by Prince Ching to British and American representatives in 1903, except to record the willingness of the United States, Great Britain, and China to admit German and French capitalists to participation in the loan. We have entered into no agreement as to the financing of any future loans that may be needed for the extension of the line to or beyond Chengtu.\n\nWe should be gratified if you could advise us of your understanding on these different points. My Government has taken pleasure in giving its approval to the agreements as signed, and, when informed that the other Governments interested have expressed their approval, will request the Chinese Government, through its representative at Peking, to complete the original and supplemental loan agreements.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nWHITELAW REID.\n\n[2813 h-1]\n\nPage 420\n\nPage 421", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429082, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 423, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n23223\n\n[July 12.] RFS: 28 JUL TO\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[24641]\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid,\n\nForeign Office, July 12, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 7th instant respecting the Hukuang Loan Agreement, and to state, in reply, that the reference contained in my note of the 7th ultimo to a possible extension of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway beyond Chengtu was due to a misunderstanding at the time as to the precise meaning of article 4 of the Paris Agreement of the 23rd May. The extension of the line alluded to, exceeding in length the 1,600 kilom. actually divided among the American, British, and French groups, refers merely to the construction of subsidiary branch lines or to a miscalculation as to the length of the main line from Ichang to Chengtu, and not, as was originally supposed in this department, to an extension of the line westwards beyond the terminus Chengtu.\n\nThe substitution of the word \"to\" for the word \"beyond\" Chengtu would appear to make the meaning of the sentence correct, and, with your Excellency's concurrence, there appears to be no necessity for any further modification.\n\nI am not quite clear as to what is meant by the penultimate paragraph of your Excellency's note regarding the financing of any future loans that may be needed for the extension of the line to or beyond Chengtu. It is true that the loan of 6,000,000l. alluded to in article 1 of the Paris Agreement will be devoted to the construction of the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Ichang lines only, but reference is made in the same article to \"any supplementary loans to be issued in connection therewith for the above (Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Chengtu) railways on the basis of the two draft agreements approved by the parties hereto and initialled by them, being the draft original loan agreement, with accompanying despatch and a draft supplemental loan agreement.\"\n\nIn the draft supplemental loan agreement it is further stipulated that the provisions of the original loan agreement in regard to supplementary and future loans shall remain unaffected by the present agreement, except that the American right to one-quarter participation in the said supplementary and future loans was recognised.\n\nIt would appear, therefore, that the American group have entered into an agreement with the three other groups for the financing of future loans needed for the extension of the line as far as, though not beyond, Chengtu, should the extension be entrusted to them by China.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n[2813 m-1]\n\nE. GREY.\n\n420", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429322, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 59, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n58\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[29199]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[August 11. 20647]\n\nSECTION 1RECO\n\nREG916 SEP 10\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 11.)\n\n(No. 241.) Sir,\n\nPeking, July 26, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that His Majesty's vice-consul at Chungking informed me by telegraph on the 14th instant that he had received a letter from the Taotai, which was sent at the instance of the Viceroy, stating that, if it was necessary for His Majesty's gunboats to cruise, they were only allowed to do so below Chungking, and could not be permitted to visit the Yang-tsze ports above that place.\n\nMr. Langford Smith replied that His Majesty's ships were allowed to cruise both above and below Chungking by virtue of article 52 of the treaty of Tien-tsin; that these were the instructions which he had received from His Majesty's Minister; and that he was therefore unable to take any other view. On the Taotai arguing the matter, Mr. Langford Smith repeated his former reply. He further informed the senior naval officer that there was no necessity to modify the programme for the summer cruise, which was planned exclusively for visits to up-river ports.\n\nOn the 18th instant His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu telegraphed that he had received several letters from the Vicer...\n\nOn the 20th July, I instructed Mr. Wilkinson to act in strict accordance with the instructions contained in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 10 of the 30th August, 1909, a copy of which was sent to you in his despatch No. 304 of that date, and of which the terms were approved by your despatch No. 311 of the 19th October. At the same time, I requested him to approve Mr. Langford Smith's attitude.\n\nOn the 22nd instant I received a note from the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu, in which they argue that although article 52 of the Tien-tsin Treaty permits British ships of war to visit all ports in China, places on the inland waterways are not treaty ports, and if foreign gunboats suddenly proceed thither their visit is sure to cause alarm and suspicion, and perhaps arouse a feeling of hostility among the inhabitants. Wai-wu Pu, who appear to have confused His Majesty's ship \"Widgeon\" with His Majesty's ship \"Woodcock,\" conclude by requesting me to request the latter to return at once to Chungking.\n\nI have addressed a note to the Wai-wu Pu in reply, informing them of the view held by His Majesty's Government that British warships have the right, in accordance with article 52 of the treaty of Tien-tsin, to visit all Chinese ports, whether opened by treaty to foreign trade or not, and that I am therefore unable to comply with their request. Copies of the correspondence with the Wai-wu Pu are transmitted herewith.\n\nIt appears from a despatch which I have received from the Commander-in-chief, China Station, that the local Chinese authorities have recently made similar difficulties in regard to the cruise of His Majesty's ship \"Moorhen\" to the ports on the Upper West River, and have protested against her visiting Liauchow, Nanning, and Pose. I enclose copies of Vice-Admiral Sir A. Winsloe's despatch and of the reports of the commanding officer of His Majesty's ship \"Moorhen,\" annexed thereto.\n\nI have informed Sir Alfred Winsloe fully of the action taken by His Majesty's Legation and consular officers to assert the rights of His Majesty's ships to visit the ports of the Upper Yang-tsze.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\n[2862 -1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429323, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 60, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nWai-wu Pu to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nJuly 22, 1910. Sir,\n\nWE have the honour to inform you that the Viceroy of Szechuan telegraphs as follows:-\n\n\"In July and August of 1909 the British and German gunboats proceeded into the interior to Chiating, and representations were made that they should be ordered to return to Chungking. This year the German consul personally told me that the German gunboat would not proceed (up-river). But, on the other hand, the British gunboat 'Woodcock' is now again anchored at Chiating. I have remonstrated with His Majesty's consul-general, but he replies that in August last year instructions were received from His Majesty's Minister that he should act in accordance with article 52 of the Tien-tsin treaty, which states that British ships of war coming for no hostile purpose shall be at liberty to visit all ports within the dominions of the Emperor of China. I argued the matter frequently with him, but the consul states that he has no power to decide in this case. The British Minister should therefore be requested to instruct the gunboat to return to Chungking.\"\n\nWe have the honour to observe that although article 52 of the Tien-tsin treaty permits British ships of war to visit all ports in China, yet places on the inland waterways are not treaty ports, and if foreign gunboats suddenly proceed thither their visit is sure to cause alarm and suspicion among the inhabitants, and it is to be feared lest a feeling of hostility should spring up.\n\nWe have the honour to request that you will therefore instruct the gunboat to return immediately to Chungking.\n\nAwaiting the favour of a reply, we avail, &c.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n[Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu.]\n\nMr. Max Müller to Wai-wu Pu.\n\nJuly 25, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Highness's letter of the 22nd instant on the subject of His Majesty's ship \"Woodcock's\" visit to Chiating on the Upper Yang-tsze, and requesting that instructions should be sent for her immediate return to Chungking.\n\nI have the honour to observe that in August last year, when the question of the rights of His Majesty's ships to navigate inland waters in China was raised, His Majesty's Minister instructed the acting British consul-general at Chengtu that His Majesty's Government held that, in accordance with article 52 of the treaty of Tien-tsin, British warships have the right to visit all Chinese ports, whether open by treaty to foreign trade or not.\n\nHis Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs having subsequently approved the instructions then issued by Sir John Jordan, I regret that I am unable to agree to the request made by your Highness's board and the Viceroy of Szechuan, that His Majesty's ship \"Woodcock\" be ordered to return immediately to Chungking.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nLieutenant Leith to Rear-Admiral Lyon.\n\nH.M.S.\"Moorhen\" at Liu Kong Hui, June 27, 1910. Sir,\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that the Governor of Kwangsi has sent to the British consul-general at Canton a two-fold complaint: first, that a British gunboat visited an unopened port, to wit Liau Chau Fu, without permission, and, second, made a long stay there, although asked by the officials to go away.\n\nIn my report of the cruise of His Majesty's ship \"Moorhen,\" written before I heard of this, I have, I think, explained what actually happened.\n\nI now have before me a communication from the consul at Wuchow, in which it is stated that he has received an official protest from the Chinese authorities against His Majesty's ship \"Moorhen\" visiting such ports as Nanning or Pose; his reply, to which I quote verbatim :-\n\nArticle 52 of the Tien-tsin treaty reads—\n\n\"British ships of war, coming for no hostile purpose or being engaged in the pursuit of pirates, shall be at liberty to visit all ports within the dominions of the Emperor of China, and shall receive every facility for the purchase of provisions, procuring water, and, if occasion requires, for the purpose of repairs. The commanders of such vessels shall hold intercourse with the Chinese authorities on terms of equality and courtesy.\"\n\nIn correspondence on the subject of the navigation of the Poyang Lake by British gunboats, in which the circumstances are similar, His Majesty's Government held that the clause quoted meant that British men-of-war were at liberty to visit any port whatever.\n\nIn a memorandum dated the 29th May, 1908, Vice-Admiral Sir H. Lambton stated, with reference to a gunboat which had been stopped by the Chinese military authorities when entering the Poyang Lake: \"The movements of gunboats are not to be affected by the verbal protests of the local Chinese authorities.\"\n\nUnder these circumstances, I submit that I may be given renewed authority to proceed with the remainder of my cruise, observing that the French gunboat \"Vigilante\" is proceeding to Nanning, and thence to Lung Chau, without, as far as I can ascertain, any objection being raised.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nGEORGE LEITH, Lieutenant and Commander,\n\nSenior Naval Officer, West River.\n\nSUBMITTED. On receipt of this letter I telegraphed to the \"Moorhen\" to proceed on the cruise to Nanning and Pose, as I see no reason for detaining her, the article in the Tien-tsin treaty being so clear.\n\nI would submit that the attention of His Majesty's Minister at Peking be called to this incident.\n\nAs regards the \"Moorhen's\" visit to Liau Chau Fu, this is fully dealt with in the letter of proceedings from that ship dated the 15th June (Commodore's minute No. 46 of the 3rd July, 1910).\n\nH. LYON, Rear-Admiral.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nSir,\n\nVice-Admiral Sir A. Winsloe to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nJuly 16, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward, for your information, the accompanying copy of correspondence concerning a protest made by the local Chinese authorities against the visit of His Majesty's ship \"Moorhen\" to Nanning and Pose, observing that I concur in the action taken by the commanding officer of the \"Moorhen\" and the Rear-Admiral in Charge, Hong Kong.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nL. WINSLOE.\n\nJuly 5, 1910.\n\nPage 60\n\nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429462, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 199, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2 \n\nof worn coins is also enclosed, and I am to ask for the favour of their Lordships' observations thereon. \n\n7. I am to add with regard to the main matter that the Governor has been informed by telegraph that, pending full consideration of the question with the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, his scheme cannot be approved, \n\n8. It is very regrettable that this enormous supply of Hong Kong subsidiary coin 800 fine should have been provided for circulation in China without the provision of a reserve fund to guarantee the face value. Profit on subsidiary coin is, his Lordship understands, usually paid to current revenue, and, where the issuing Government has control over the currency in the area to which the coin is limited, the danger may be small. But when, as in this case, the over-valued coin was supplied for use in a foreign country, as well as in a British colony, it was clearly desirable to hold a portion of the profits in reserve to provide for redemption. I am, &c. \n\nMy Lord, \n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1. \n\nSir H. May to the Earl of Crewe. \n\nH. BERTRAM COX. \n\nGovernment House, Hong Kong, July 29, 1910. \n\nI HAVE the honour to forward for your Lordship's information the enclosed copy, furnished to me by the courtesy of Mr. Max Müller, of a despatch addressed by him to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, giving cover to a translation of a decree, and of regulations to give effect to it, establishing in China a currency on the basis of a silver dollar. \n\n2. This innovation, if carried out by a strong hand guided by expert financial advice, would, I need scarcely point out, be a great boon to trade and commerce generally throughout China, and would therefore result in advantage to the trade of the colony, which is at present considerably hampered by the chaotic state of the currency in the neighbouring provinces. \n\nBut if the operation proposed under the decree is handled in a thoughtless and ignorant manner, the existing condition, due to the want of a properly regulated currency, is likely to be aggravated rather than improved. I venture, therefore, to suggest that the serious attention of the Chinese Government be drawn to a few leading principles which must be observed if success is to be attained. \n\n3. In reply to an enquiry of His Britannic Majesty's consul-general at Canton, I learn that on the 28th May the provincial mint received orders to cease the minting of all coinage on the 6th ultimo; that minting accordingly has been suspended, and that the mint is awaiting instructions with regard to the minting of the new coinage. Mr. Jamieson adds that he understands a central mint will be established at Tien-tsin, with branches at Canton, Wuchang, Yunnan, and Chengtu. \n\nPast experience leads those in this colony who are qualified to form a judgment to believe that the success of the operation depends, as far as the two Kwang provinces are concerned, upon the closing of the Canton mint. The temptation to manipulate the coinage is too great, and the ignorance of the provincial authorities of the disastrous results of tampering with currency are too profound, to justify the keeping open of this mint. \n\n4. The next point I wish to emphasise is that, so long as the existing largely over-issued silver coinage of the Canton mint, consisting of 10- and 20-cent pieces (of which the 10-cent pieces are believed to be below the authorised weight), remains at a discount, none of the new subsidiary coinage should be put into circulation. I gather from the fact that the necessity of first dealing with the existing small silver coinage is not mentioned in the regulations that the Chinese Government is ignorant of the elementary principle that if two coinages are in circulation side by side the baser will drive the better out of the market. \n\nThe Chinese Government should either wait till the existing silver coins issued by the Canton mint reach par, or they should hasten that event by a scheme of redemption before any issue of the new subsidiary coins is made; and I would ask that this fact be urgently pressed upon the Wai-wu Pu. \n\n5. The point alluded to in the preceding paragraph is also important when section 14 of the regulations is considered. Apparently it is contemplated to repudiate the existing small silver coins after a date to be fixed upon. Unless some scheme of redemption is adopted at any rate for the 20-cent pieces, which are at present the real currency of the two Kwang provinces, an act of very grave injustice will be done, which will touch the pockets of rich and poor alike, and will therefore be likely to lead to very serious difficulties. \n\n6. I question whether the Chinese Government realise that the coinage of standard coins, which is both necessary and desirable, involves expenditure of about 1 per cent.; and that the establishment of a good dollar currency with a properly limited sub-coinage will cost it money instead of producing it. \n\n7. Lastly, I notice that no mention is made of the Hong Kong subsidiary coinage in circulation in China and of how it is proposed to deal with it. This is a point upon which this Government would like information. \n\n8. I have sent copy of this despatch to His Majesty's chargé d'affaires at Peking. \n\nSir, \n\nI have, &c. \n\nH. MAY, \n\nOfficer administering the Government. \n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1. \n\nColonial Office to Treasury. \n\nDowning Street, September 13, 1910. With reference to the letter from this Office of the 8th April last on the subject of Hong Kong subsidiary coin to which no answer has yet been received, and which is no doubt still engaging the attention of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury ----I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you, to be laid before their Lordships, copy of a despatch from the officer administering the Government of the colony regarding the measures recently taken in China for the establishment of a new uniform currency on a silver dollar basis. \n\n2. These measures, if carried into operation, will profoundly affect the situation described in the letter from this Office above referred to, and it appears that the mint at Canton has already suspended coinage operations. I am to request that you will invite their Lordships' observations on the whole matter, more especially as regards the advice which should be offered to the Chinese Government in connection with the new scheme, and as to the representations which should be made with regard to the Hong Kong subsidiary coins now circulating in China. \n\n3. A copy of this correspondence is being sent to the Foreign Office. \n\nI am, &c. \n\nG. V. FIDDES. \n\n198", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429505, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "page_number": 242, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "241\n\n2\n\nNewchwang, Corea, and Vladivostock in search of work. Riots took place in the east of the province at Laiyang and Haiyang, as reported in despatch No. 250 of the 29th July. The autumn crops in this province, and indeed in most parts of China, promise well, and thus one of the main causes of unrest is likely to be removed for a time.\n\nSouth of the Yang-tsze unrest has been prevalent during the past quarter all over the province of Chekiang, where His Majesty's consular officers at Hangchow and Ningpo report there were riots in early spring at a dozen places besides those at Hangchow itself above referred to. The causes of trouble at the various places have been dear rice, school taxes, the taking of the census, the suppression of poppy cultivation, li-kin exactions, the tyranny of minor officials, and anti-foreign agitation.\n\nReports from the southern ports of Amoy, Swatow, Canton, Pakhoi, and Kiungehow show that the rice crops were ruined by drought. His Majesty's consul-general at Canton states that considerable anxiety was felt during the quarter lest famine should visit Kuangtung, and some 400,000 taels' worth of rice was bought from Siam and Saigon by official and charitable institutions and sold at low prices in and around Canton, the inferior quality of the rice saving the institutions from loss. For twenty years the rainfall has never been so low for the first six months of the year at Pakhoi, and it is the third bad harvest in succession reported from Kiungehow. Both Kiungehow and Pakhoi were visited by plague in April, which created a panic. The ports were declared plague infected at Singapore, and that, combined with the flight of merchants, contributed to the stagnation of trade. No steps were taken to check the outbreak in Pakhoi, and the people fled and spread the disease in the surrounding district. It is estimated that there were over 1,000 deaths at Pakhoi alone out of a population of 15,000. His Majesty's consul for these two ports states that there has been the usual outbreaks of Loi tribes and abortive punitive expeditions of Chinese troops to Hainan, and that the country round Pakhoi is in a serious state of unrest. In the Kaochan prefecture the drought was very severe, and a large part of the population fled on the approach of plague. Robber bands have not missed their opportunity, and have joined forces with the Kuanghsi banditti, with whom they have commenced pillaging and killing. Troops have been sent from Lien Chou, but they are likely to have considerable difficulty in subduing the brigands. His Majesty's consul at Wuchow reports a rising 40 miles below Nanning on the West River on account of a small additional tax on wine, sugar, and oil. Several people were killed, and eventually the Nanning taotai and commander-in-chief of Kuanghsi took the field, with the result that sixty men were killed and forty made prisoners. A secret society known as the Chien Tzu Hui is becoming notorious. It is a kind of robber guild, and appears to organise bands. His Majesty's consul at Swatow reports numerous cases of piracy on the inland waters, even official boats having been the object of attacks. Apart from the agrarian aspect of the situation, the outlook in the south is not devoid of political dangers. His Majesty's consul-general at Canton reports the existence of a strong and widely prevalent revolutionary movement of an anti-dynastic kind. The strongholds of the revolutionaries are in the district of Yingtê, on the North River, and Canton city. There is no doubt that sedition is rampant, and the Manchus in Canton are uneasy, as in the event of trouble they would be the first to suffer. In April the Viceroy issued orders prohibiting the admission and circulation in the province of Kuangtung of all Chinese newspapers published in Hong Kong, on the ground that their tone was seditious and revolutionary.\n\nWriting from Yunnan at the end of April, His Majesty's consul-general reported that the price of food had been rising since the beginning of the year, and owing to a census and heavy taxation, disturbances began in March in the Chaotung prefecture. European missionaries fled from the fury of the people to Chaotung, where they were efficiently protected. The officials behaved with commendable energy, and by the middle of April the rising was suppressed and most of the ringleaders captured, but the provincial Government desired that missionaries should not travel until the hostility of the rural population against foreigners had subsided. Towards the end of March, Mr. W. F. Collins, a British mining engineer, and one of the directors of the \"Syndicat du Yüunan,\" arrived at Yunnan-fu, and negotiated an agreement for the Anglo-French Company with the provincial Government, and proceeded to carry out prospecting operations. Towards the end of July rumours were abroad of an impending anti-foreign rising, and the French Minister made representations to the Wai-wu Pu. Mr. O'Brien Butler reported that at a theatrical performance held at the Yunnan military school, in the presence of the Commissioner of Education and some foreigners, a rickshaw appeared on the stage drawn by an exhausted Annamite coolie under the blows of an irate French passenger, and Indian native troops were also represented being maltreated by British officers.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu gives a more satisfactory account of Szechuan. Rumours which were rife in April and May have now disappeared, and missionary reports from different parts of the province agree that, though a couple of months earlier the mind of the populace was very unsettled, everything is now tranquil.\n\nEarly in July reports were received from His Majesty's consul at Kashgar that, owing to the prohibition of opium cultivation, serious disturbances had arisen at Kucheng, in the Zungarian region of Sinkiang. The Urumchia magistrate, who had beheaded five rebels, was said to be besieged in Kucheng, and was subsequently reported shot by rebels. On the 24th August Mr. Macartney reported that Kucheng was apparently quiet, but that the regular troops had made a disturbance in Urumchia on the 10th August, and burned over a hundred houses.\n\n2. Provincial Assemblies.\n\nAs was the case in the last summary of events, few of the quarterly reports from the provinces mention the provincial assemblies. An extraordinary session of the Kuangtung Provincial Assembly was convened in May, and a vote of censure was passed on the late director of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, Liang Ch'eng, now Minister at Berlin, for having failed to explain how so large a sum had been expended on the railway with so little result. The assembly also reiterated its last year's opinion that, whether funds could or could not be found to supplement the deficit in revenue, gambling should be abolished forthwith. An indication that the assembly takes itself seriously was given by the adverse criticism passed on the absence of the Governor-General and other high officials at the opening session, and they apparently admitted the justice of the censure by coming to the next meeting.\n\nThe Hankow press continues to advocate the early opening of a national assembly as the one and only remedy for all the evils of the Empire, and on the 1st July the \"Eastern Times\" published an open letter to the nation lamenting the failure of the prayers of the second deputation to Peking for an early Parliament, and attacking the Regent and his Ministers for thus delaying the salvation of the nation.\n\n3. Anti-Foreign and National Debt Movements.\n\nThere is no progress to report under these headings. Such disorders as have occurred were not dangerous to the lives of foreigners, though there was considerable anti-foreign feeling in Chekiang and Yunnan, and His Majesty's consul at Wuchow mentions that the natives in some way connect the steady rise in the price of grain since the opening of the port with the advent of the foreigners. The agitation against foreigners in Szechuan seems to have died down for the present, but it is to be remembered that the mercantile and agricultural classes are both affected by the suppression of opium cultivation and discontented at the partial treatment of some districts, e.g., Fuchow. It is clear that any internal outbreak owing to excessive taxation or other causes, or any anti-foreign agitations in other parts of China, might bring about disturbances involving danger to foreigners in Szechuan. The agitation in the Hankow native press against foreign loans for railway development has somewhat abated during the quarter.\n\n4. Education and Reforms.\n\nLittle information has been received from the provinces under these headings, but the extra taxation necessary for the establishment and upkeep of new police and new schools has inclined to render innovations unpopular in many parts. His Majesty's consul at Newchwang says the reform movement in his district appears to have had a set-back, and His Majesty's consul at Chinan reports that the education given is a farce. Backward students are pressed on to advanced work which they cannot assimilate, discipline is lax, and moral tone bad. In fact, the new system promises to be a failure. Better accounts are heard of the education given to Chinese at Tsingtau. Extensive school buildings are being erected at Nanchang, in Kiangsi, for the accommodation of 1,000 students of law and civil government. There are at present 300 students there.\n\nB 2\n\n[2893 cc-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430517, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "page_number": 70, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "Telegram from Mr. E.H. Wilson to the Colonial Secretary.\n\nChengtu, 25th November, 1910.\n\nOffer declined, thanks.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430518, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "page_number": 71, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "Telegram from the Governor to H.M.'s Consul-General, Chengtu.\n\nHongkong, 30th November, 1910.\n\nSalary at the rate of £360 may be offered to Wilson with reference to telegram from him 25th November. Telegraph if accepted.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430519, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "page_number": 72, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "Telegram from H.H.'s Consul-General, Chengtu, to the Governor.\n\nChengtu, 2nd December, 1910.\n\n68\n\nYour telegram 30th November. Wilson regrets cannot accept offer.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430520, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "page_number": 73, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "Care of H. B. M. Consulate-General,\n\nChengtu, West China,\n\nNovember 26th., 1910.\n\nSir,\n\nI beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No.1684/10) dated October the 27th. last, offering me the post of Assistant Superintendent of the Botanical and Forestry Department in Hongkong.\n\nWhilst I fully appreciate the offer, I must, for reasons which it is unnecessary to relate, decline the honour. To this effect I telegraphed you yesterday (November 25th.) immediately on receipt of your letter.\n\nThanking you for the honour extended.\n\nI am, etc.,\n\n(sd.) B. H. Wilson.\n\nColonial Secretary,\n\nHongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430521, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "page_number": 74, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "H. M. Consulate-General,\n\nChengtu, December 2nd, 1910.\n\n70\n\nSir,\n\nI had the honour to receive on the 30th ultimo your Excellency's telegram of that date, authorizing me to offer to Mr. E. H. Wilson, the Botanist, a salary of £360.\n\nI wrote yesterday to Mr. Wilson to convey this offer, and I am now in receipt of his reply, of which I beg to enclose copy, saying that although he duly appreciates Your Excellency's proposal, he regrets that he is unable to accept it.\n\nI am accordingly telegraphing to you in the above sense.\n\nI have etc.,\n\n(sgd.) W. H. Wilkinson,\n\nConsul-General.\n\nHis Excellency\n\nSir F. J. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.,\n\nGovernor of Hongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430522, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "page_number": 75, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "TOPY,\n\n(To accompany 6.)\n\nW. H. Wilkinson, Esq.*\n\nChengtu, West China,\n\nDecember 2nd., 1910.\n\nPage 71\n\nSir,\n\nH. B. M.'s Consul-General,\n\nChengtu.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt\n\nof your letter of yesterday's date informing me of the arrival of a\n\ntelegram from Sir Frederick Lugard, Governor of Hongkong,\n\nauthorizing you to offer me a salary of Three Hundred and Sixty Pounds.\n\nWhilst duly appreciating His Excellency's\n\noffer, I regret to state that I am unable to accept it.\n\nI am, etc.,\n\n(sd.) E. H. Wilson.\n\nPage 72", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 433303, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10]", "page_number": 288, "title": "CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10]", "content_text": "# Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Canton-Kowloon Railway\n\nshown by the Northern Railways, and to which I have just referred. To permit of these new enterprises being rapidly and economically built, China must find a means of buying land required for construction purposes on cheap and easy terms, and a still more knotty problem to be solved by her Statesmen is the question of Lekin obstruction, an obstruction which at this very moment is hampering the progress of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, and causing it to be a burden in place of a paying and profitable investment. Finally, and perhaps the hardest task of all, China must realize that efficient maintenance of her railways is the only sound policy, and that to allow a well-constructed line to go to rot and ruin for lack of efficient maintenance or supervision is a suicidal policy, which must react to the great detriment of the Empire. All the world knows that China has conceived and carried out great enterprises,--some of them perhaps on a greater scale than any hitherto attempted by other nations,--but alas, which of her many great works has been efficiently maintained? As an instance, witness that magnificent conception the Tangchow Road. Gentlemen, China's greatest need is now being cared for, and to that end great Trunk lines are being built stretching from North to South and from East to West, and further great schemes are in active preparation. Should no unforeseen delays or difficulties occur, in a few years from now, you will be able to travel by rail not only from Canton to Hankow, but should your fancy lead you in the direction of Szechuen, a road will be open, and from the comparative security of a Pullman Car, you will be able to feast your eyes on the far-famed gorges of the Yangtze, and possibly even on the sandstone walls of Chengtu! Or should you desire to visit the Great Wall of China, the splendid railway engineered by Taotai Jeme Tien Yai is available, while the silk combs of Soochow, the famous porcelain kilns of the Poyang Lake or the coal mines of Shansian in turn may be visited by Chinese railways. That this opening up of the country will benefit China's teeming millions, by the eradication of prejudice and by incalculable increase in trade, I myself have no doubt, and therefore heartily congratulate her to-day on the completion of this small link in that great chain of communications which is now being forged.\n\nI wish her all success in the enterprises now being undertaken and I ask you gentlemen to rise, and drink with me to \"**Success to Railway Enterprise in China**\", coupled with the name of Taotai Cheng Wang Cheng. (Applause).\n\n## Speech by Taotai CHENG YUNG\n\nTaotai CHENG YUNG, Director of the Police Department in the Chinese Section of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, spoke as follows: I feel highly honoured to be able to participate with the Chinese and British Officials and Gentry in the celebration of this historical ceremony which officially opens the whole line of the Canton-Kowloon Railway to traffic. It is my belief that such valuable means of communication as this, having once been established, will henceforth facilitate the commercial intercourse and substantially promote the interest of the two friendly nations concerned. The opening of this Railway, so far as the Chinese Section is concerned, particularly interests me, as it is the duty of my department to see peace and order always maintained throughout this Section and that nothing within my control should be overlooked which will impede business progress on this line. Therefore I sincerely hope that the opening of this line, to-day, to traffic, will be an act of beneficence to the general public. (Applause).\n\n## Speech by HE LUNG CHIEN CHANG\n\nHE LUNG CHIEN CHANG, Councillor, Board of Communications, said: Your Excellencies and Gentlemen, For the last ten years the Peking-Mukden, the Peking-Hankow, the Tong-Tai, the Kai-Fong, the Tao-Ching, the Shanghai-Nanking, the Ping-Chu, the Hangchow-Shanghai, the Tientsin-Pukow, the Kalgan-Chanchun railways have all shown very satisfactory results. The Canton-Hankow, the Szechuan-Hankow, the Szechuan and the Kwang-Si railways are successively in course of construction. These afford through and easy communications to all the provinces of China, which in olden days China had not. Peking-Mukden railway which connects with the Siberian railway forms a principal connecting line between the two great continents of Asia and Europe and now we have the Canton-Kowloon railway, the completion and opening of which we are here to-day witnessing and which will be of no less importance as it will be the means of communication between the five great continents of the world. I say that in the near future the products of the four great continents of Europe, America, Africa and Australia will be assembled at Hongkong and by this railway connected with the Canton-Hankow railway, the products will be distributed among the provinces of China. Railways form the principal means of communication and wherever a railway passes commerce will greatly develop and people be benefited. The completion of this railway has been brought about through the kind assistance of our friendly neighbour and I earnestly hope that not only the merchants of foreign nations coming to China to trade will increase, but the existing friendship between China and England will be strengthened. (Applause).\n\n## Closing Remarks\n\nMr. J. W. JAMIESON, H.B.M's. Consul-General at Canton, briefly thanked the Chinese, on behalf of the guests present for the reception accorded them, and the proceedings ended.\n\nThe party then returned to the station where good-byes were said, and the Hongkong guests were soon speeding back to the Colony. It was a glorious day for a railway trip, and the journey through picturesque country was immensely enjoyed by all on the train. Great care had been taken by Loco. Superintendent Lambert and Mr. G. Walker in decorating the engine which drew the train from Hongkong, and their work was decidedly artistic. Worked in varicoloured flowers on the front and rear of the boiler were the letters `K.B.`, while drooping above the foremost display were the British and Chinese flags. The foot plates, handrails and tanks of the engine were also garlanded with flowers and greenery, and above the latter ran a row of small flags.\n\n283", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434294, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 295, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\nCO 293/3447\n[January 13.]\nLC? of 3 FEB 1\nSECTION 2.\nNo. 1.\n[1369]\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received January 13, 1911.) (No. 462.)**\n\nPeking, December 23, 1910.\n\nREFERRING to my telegram No. 200 of the 15th instant on the subject of the reported intention of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway Company to purchase light-draught steamers for use on the Upper Yang-tsze, I have the honour to enclose copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu reporting the opening of the second annual general meeting of the above-mentioned company.\n\nMr. Wilkinson states that three important proposals were to come up for discussion at this meeting. The first that construction of the line from Ichang should be abandoned in favour of the line from Chungking to Chengtu, a scheme often mooted but always dropped on account of the difficulties attending the transport of railway material up the Yang-tsze Rapids between Ichang and Chungking; the second that a million taels or so of the railway company's funds be invested in the purchase of light-draught steamers similar to the \"Shutung,\" doubtless with the object of overcoming the difficulties of transport above referred to; and the third that the railway company's funds, hitherto deposited in native banks in Shanghai and Hankow, be transferred to \"trustworthy banks and commercial establishments in Szechuan,\" a resolution obviously inspired by the company's recent losses in connection with the failure of the Shanghai native banks.\n\nI communicated the information contained in Mr. Wilkinson's telegram to the agents of the British ship-building firms represented in Peking, who are taking steps to get into touch with the Szechuan Railway authorities.\n\nThe \"Shutung,\" as you are aware, was built by Messrs. Thorneycroft, and their agent here informs me that he thinks the Kiangnan Dock and Engineering Company, of Shanghai, a Chinese Government institution, who put the \"Shutung\" together when she first came out, stand the best chance of securing the order.\n\nIn a telegram dated the 9th December, Mr. Wilkinson states that the shareholders have decided, by a majority of votes, not to continue construction from Ichang for the present beyond a place called Hsiang-chi (20 miles above Ichang), but to commence work on the Chungking-Chengtu section.\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n*Not printed.*\n\n[1855 n--2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434454, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 455, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n### SECTION C1\n\n(No. 10.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 6.)\n\nPeking, January 7, 1911. IN continuation of my despatch No. 462 of the 23rd ultimo, I have the honour to transmit copy of a further despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu, enclosing an abstract of the minutes of proceedings at the annual general meeting of the Szechuan Hankow Railway Company, held in Chengtu on the 21st November and following days.*\n\nThe proposal to commence construction of the line from Chungking to Chengtu was carried by a majority of 182 votes to 45, and as the scheme has the support of the Governor-General, Mr. Wilkinson is of opinion that it will receive the approval of the Board of Communications. He understands that work will be begun at the Chungking end, and he considers this to be a mistake owing to the difficult nature of the country in the first section from Chungking. A line through the densely populated plain between Chengtu and Chienchow, the first section at the Chengtu end, would not only pay, but would afford a valuable object lesson to the people of Szechuan.\n\nMr. Wilkinson has, I think, omitted to make allowance for the difficulties of transport of railway material, whether carried overland or by river, between Chungking and Chengtu.\n\nIt was this question of transport that moved the shareholders, with the Governor-General's approval, to pass the second important resolution providing for the purchase of a small fleet of steamers similar to the \"Shutung.\" Mr. Wilkinson mentions that while a majority of shareholders favour the new flotilla being placed under the control of the railway company, there is a strong body of opinion in Chungking which advocates amalgamation with the Shutang Steamship Company, thus securing the services of Captain Plant, the \"Shutung's\" designer and commander, to supervise the construction of the new vessels.\n\nI stated in my previous despatch that the order for these boats would probably be given to a Shanghai dockyard, and Mr. Wilkinson mentions the likelihood of the company sending a delegate to Shanghai, \"who will accept the offer of the contractor who promises him the highest commission,\" a method of doing business for which Szechuan officials have in the past gained an unenviable notoriety.\n\nThe meeting discussed, without apparently coming to any definite conclusion, the best means of augmenting the company's capital and safeguarding the funds in hand, the interesting statement being made, on the auditor's authority, that the company had suffered a loss of 1,320,000 taels, owing to the failure of the Shanghai native banks, \"of which it is hoped to recover one-half.\"\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n*Not printed.\n\nPage 453", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434689, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 103, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# 101\n\n2\n\nI have met. I should say a man of decided character.\" (See also Captain Pritchard's remarks on this officer on p. 54 of his report. General Ts'ui commands the 19th Division, to which the detachments which have proceeded to the frontier belong.) The telegram received this morning from His Majesty's consul, Tengyueh, clears up the point as to the identity of the troops who are reported to have occupied Pien-ma. They are clearly the regulars of the 19th Division who were diverted north from Yungchang on the 1st February, accompanied by Prefect Chiang (who may be considered as holding a corresponding position to that of Mr. Hertz).\n\nAssuming the necessity of maintaining the British claim, seeing that it was notified to the Chinese Government in unmistakable terms, and taking into account the uncompromising attitude of China in regard to the matter, it remains to consider what forces she has at her disposal in support of the troops of the Yunnan province, if she is determined to contest the point to the uttermost. (My note of the 18th October, 1910, dealt with the regular troops of Yunnan province only, viz., 19th Division, consisting of\n\nAt Yunnan-fu and vicinity-\n| Unit | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| 73rd Infantry | three battalions |\n| 74th Infantry | |\n| Maxim gun battalion | |\n| 19th Cavalry Regiment | two squadrons |\n| 19th Engineer Battalion | |\n| 19th Artillery | nine batteries (Krupp 75 mm. Q. F. mountain guns) |\n| 19th Transport | |\n\nIn all, with staffs, &c., about 10,000 combatants.)\n\nThe neighbouring provinces are Szechuan, Kueichow, and Kuangsi (and behind them again Hupei, Hunan, and Kuangtung).\n\nThe military resources of Szechuan are already severely taxed with the occupation of Thibet and the \"marches,\" but there is at Chengtu the 33rd Mixed Brigade of Regulars, of whom Major Pereira, who recently inspected them, formed a high opinion. These troops number\n| Unit | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| Two infantry regiments | |\n| One cavalry squadron | |\n| Mountain artillery | one battalion (Japanese 75 mm.) |\n| Engineers | one company |\n| Transport | |\n| Military police | |\n\nTotal, with staffs, some 4,300.\n\n(Besides these, this brigade had sent a force of some 2,000 troops of all arms to Thibet in 1909.)\n\nOwing to the necessity of retaining a reserve in hand to reinforce Thibet or the \"frontier force\" in the \"marches,\" where the as yet unsubdued tribesmen of San-ngai and Cantui, &c., are ever ready to contest Chinese authority, and allowing for deductions for recruits, sick, and a depôt, we may reckon that the 33rd Brigade could not, at the utmost, send more than about\n| Unit | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| Infantry | three battalions |\n| Cavalry | half-squadron |\n| Mountain artillery | two batteries |\n| Engineers | half-company |\n| Transport | |\n\nIn all about 2,200 all ranks.\n\nTheir easiest route would be by boats down to Sui-fu (four to seven days), and thence by road twenty-four stages to Yunnan-fu (whence to Tali-fu 228 miles, and to Tengkeng 140 on, or about twenty-six marches—see Appendix B).\n\nThe Szechuan provincial troops and \"frontier forces\" are fully occupied in the maintenance of internal order, and it is unlikely that they could furnish any contingent. It has to be remembered that more than one-third of the province is inhabited by non-Chinese populations unfriendly to the ruling Power.\n\n3\n\nThe regulars of Kueichow (at Kueiyang-fu) amount only to one regiment of infantry and one four-gun battery of mountain artillery, and are in every way backward. (See despatch No. 18, dated the 12th January, 1911, to Foreign Office.) They might at the utmost send two battalions of infantry and their battery (about 1,200 all ranks). The provincial troops might, perhaps, furnish an equal number (their battalions are nominally 301 strong, but probably a good deal less).\n\nThe distance from Kueiyang to Yunnan-fu is 393 miles. (Major Pereira recently marched it in twenty days, and, considering the excellent marching powers of Chinese troops, I consider they could probably do it in three weeks or a little over.)\n\nInformation is very conflicting as to the strength, composition, and distribution of the troops in Kuangsi, but it is believed that, all told, they number some 15,000 (including the regulars and various classes of provincial frontier troops). According to a French account, some 3,600 of these, spoken of as the 1st Brigade, and classed, I think erroneously, as \"lachun\" (i.e., regulars), with a battery of mountain artillery, are stationed in West Kuangsi, from Nanning to Posé (on the Yu Kiang). Posé is twenty-one stages from Yunnan-fu, and Nanning 155 miles (in a direct line, and probably, at least, 200 by road) from Posé.\n\nThe real \"luchun\" (regulars) of Kuangsi are said to consist of the following:-\n| Location | Unit | Details |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Lungchou | 1st Infantry Regiment | one battalion only |\n| | Mountain guns | three batteries |\n| Nanning | 2nd Infantry Regiment | three battalions, almost complete |\n| | Mountain guns | two batteries |\n| | Cavalry | one squadron (in formation) |\n| | Engineers | one battalion (in formation) |\n| Kueilin | | A commencement only has been made, less than one regiment being stated to have been organised up to the present. |\n\nAt Nanning they have also six machine-guns.\n\nThe total of the \"luchun\" may be reckoned as about 3,000.\n\nThe Kuangsi provincial troops are very much scattered in small detachments, and are fully occupied in policing the province, a notoriously turbulent and lawless one. I think it safe to assume, therefore, that an inconsiderable proportion of them only could be moved away. Possibly a few \"yings\" (battalions of 300 odd) might be collected and moved up via Posé.\n\nHunan has the 25th Mixed Brigade of Regulars, viz.:-\n| Unit | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| Infantry | six battalions |\n| Cavalry | one squadron |\n| Mountain artillery | three batteries |\n| Engineers | two companies |\n| Transport | one company |\n\nIn all some 4,600.\n\nLast summer, at the time of the Changsha riots, they were found insufficient to maintain order, and regular troops had to be borrowed from the neighbouring province of Hupei. In view of these so recent disorders, I hardly think it likely that troops could be spared from Hunan province. If, however, any could be sent, proceeding viâ Changte and the \"mandarin route\" through Chenchou and Yuanchou to Kueiyang-fu, and so to Yünnan-fu, they would take at least eight weeks to cover the distance. If they went by river (Hsiang River and Yang-tsze) to Sui-fu, and thence by road to Yünnan-fu, the time might be reckoned as about seventy-two days.\n\nHupei, though so distant, is the most likely province whence supports might be sent, as Wuchang has a division and a-half of regulars, viz.:-\n| Unit | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| 8th Division | a fairly good and well-trained division, under Major-General Chang Piao, a soldierly, strong man, though of the old school |\n| Infantry | twelve battalions |\n| Cavalry | three squadrons |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435085, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 499, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nREC'D REG: 16 JUN 11\n\n[May 22]\n\n## SECTION 6\n\n### No. 1\n\n[19442]\n\n**(No. 176.)**\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 22.)\n\nPeking, April 25, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to enclose a report, compiled by Mr. Ramsay, on matters of general interest which have come under the notice of His Majesty's Legation during the quarter ended the 31st December last.\n\nSeveral causes have recently contributed to impose additional labours on the members of the staff, and I trust that this will be found sufficient justification for the unusual delay in the dispatch of this report.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1\n\n#### Report by Mr. Ramsay for the Quarter ending December 1910\n\n##### Unrest\n\nTHE last quarter of the year has been a peaceful one in most provinces. There are no very serious disturbances to report, but the agitation for the earlier opening of the Chinese Parliament has not been dropped, and the tendency of the provincial assemblies to undermine the authority of the provincial Governments has been demonstrated in the province of Chilli where His Majesty's consul-general reports that the political situation for the quarter has been marked by a feeling of unrest and agitation. The session of the Provincial Assembly opened early in October and afforded opportunity for ventilating the grievances of the province, of which agitators were quick to take advantage. Viceroy Chen Kuei Lung's position from one of popularity has become increasingly difficult, till, after leave on the plea of ill-health, he was reported to be about to resign early in December. His chief difficulty was lack of funds and that was complicated by the efforts of the Provincial Assembly to obtain the control of finances, while his action in forwarding the Chihli gentry's petition for the speedy opening of Parliament brought him into disfavour with the central Government. Large demonstrations of students at Tien-tsin were organised by agitators and delegates from Manchuria in support of a memorial of the Governor-General of Manchuria for the speedy concession of an Imperial Parliament and the Viceroy was prevailed upon to forward their petition to the Throne. It met with a stern refusal from the Regent, and regulations were issued forbidding further meetings in support of the agitation, upon which the students refused to attend lectures. In consequence of a telegram from the Students' Association at Tien-tsin, a similar movement occurred among the students at Chengtu, who struck work till the central Government should reconsider its decision and held out for a month, when they yielded to a firm notification from the Viceroy.\n\nThe Yang-tsze valley generally has been free from disturbances. The acting British consul at Changsha, however, reports that a disturbance was threatened in October at Hsiang-hsiang-hsien owing to the farmers' exasperation at the action of the gentry in preventing the export of rice for speculation purposes. It will be recalled that this was one of the main causes of the Changsha riots. There is considerable and increasing ill-feeling between the gentry and the lower classes in Hunan, which is likely to lead to further trouble sooner or later. In November a leading article appeared in the Hankow native press on the danger to society of the jealousy between the student and gentry classes, which was daily growing more acute. It referred to the spirit of animosity which characterised the relations of the Hupei Provincial Assembly and the Educational Society, and the Viceroy has frequently had to issue orders for the removal of placards, said to be the work of students, grossly libelling the councillors.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435086, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 500, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## 2\n\nNormal conditions are reported to prevail at Nanking, though from time to time prominent persons receive letters threatening a rising with the object of exterminating the Manchus. The modern troops have all been rearmed and the city is no longer patrolled.\n\nA sign of the emancipation of women which is silently proceeding in China was manifested in a meeting of the \"Women's Association for Fostering National Resources\" which was held in October in the exhibition grounds at Nanking. It was attended by over 1,000 persons of both sexes, and several ladies made speeches advocating extended use of native-made articles and deprecating the partiality of Chinese women for foreign goods, especially jewellery, tobacco, and wines.\n\nAt Chinkiang a disturbance occurred in December owing to the municipality unwisely attempting to disturb ancient custom and oblige native water carriers to draw water at the municipal pump station instead of the river front. The motor pump broke down, and a hostile crowd invaded the concession. Serious consequences were, however, averted by timely reversion to the old system in agreement with the local authorities.\n\nIt was mentioned in the previous summary that parts of northern Kiangsu and Anhui had suffered greatly from floods. Large numbers of starving refugees have begged their way south to Chinkiang, Kiukiang, and Wuhu. The affected regions are that part of Anhui which lies north of the Huai River and the adjoining districts of Kiangsu. The Grand Canal on the east, the Huai and Ko Rivers on the south and on the west approximately mark the boundaries of the worst part of the famine area. In some 7,000 square miles the autumn crops were a total failure, and only about half the usual amount of wheat land could be sown for the spring crops. The population is entirely agricultural and is estimated at 3,000,000. Troops were moved to the distressed region to preserve order and suppress brigandage.\n\nShantung, generally considered a poor province, owing to its arid climate, also suffered from rains far in excess of the average, and all low-lying lands were swamped. In addition to this calamity, the Yellow River burst its banks in the Li Ching district, and caused more damage than has occurred there for the last six years.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Hangchow reports that the native press has shown less animosity towards foreigners, but the attitude of the officials remains unfriendly. Piracies on junks carrying foreign goods along the coast have occurred repeatedly during the year, and their recurrence at short intervals in the same neighbourhood shows that very little energy is displayed by the officials to check them. In Amoy city robberies increased to such an extent that the question was discussed in the Provincial Assembly and special measures were taken. More police were engaged, and a proclamation was issued that shops were to close at midnight. A proposal to institute water police to be paid for by a tax on passengers on steam launches fell through, as the launch owners asserted that their passengers refused to pay the tax.\n\nThe Kwangtung Provincial Government have experienced difficulties in carrying out the census in outlying districts owing to the suspicions of the ignorant natives, who fear that it foreshadows increased taxation. Several small outbreaks occurred, the most serious being at Lien-Chou, where the mob attacked certain houses and subsequently demolished the schools and houses of foreign missionaries. No lives were lost and no British interests were involved.\n\nSome alarm was occasioned at Macao at the end of November by a trifling military disturbance. The affair was magnified by the Chinese of the adjoining district of Hsiang-shan with a view to inducing the Chinese Government to descend on the Portuguese colony with armed forces under the pretext of protecting Chinese lives and property. Six Chinese gun-boats were rumoured to have entered the harbour and large bodies of Chinese troops to have camped near the frontier, and two British gun-boats were actually dispatched to Macao to safeguard British interests. They found the Chinese gun-boats anchored outside the harbour limits and failed to verify the reported movements of Chinese troops. Nothing occurred, and His Majesty's ships were withdrawn a fortnight later.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Kiungchow reports that the local Self-Government Society is showing signs of a growing spirit of independence and an increasing disregard of proper authority. A newly arrived and unpopular magistrate was mobbed in the streets of Kiungchow and his chair was broken to pieces. A report from Pakhoi states that the circuit of Ch'in Lien, on the Tonquin border, formerly noted for the depredations of robber bands, has been entirely pacified and the district is being regenerated by a patriotic, intelligent, and energetic official named Taotai Kuo Jen-chang. Draft regulations for the better preservation of order on the frontier, drawn up by the Viceroy of Liang Kuang, the Viceroy of Yunnan, and the Board of Foreign Affairs has been submitted to the French Minister, whose modifications have been sent to the above-mentioned taotai for annotation.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Wuchow reports the occurrence of no less than ninety cases of robbery and piracy during the quarter. The worst case was the looting of the market, pawnshops, and forty-one houses at Yang-So, in Ping-lo-fu. There were several skirmishes between the soldiers and the robbers, but they eventually effected their escape. His Majesty's consul-general at Yunnan-fu reports the murder of a French missionary, the Rev. Father Mérigot, by Chinese at a place called Ching-yü, in Yung-pei Ting, north of the Yang-tsze. A dispute about land is supposed to have been the cause of the attack.\n\n## Provincial Assemblies and Self-government Societies\n\nThe organisation of local self-government societies was carried on during the quarter in Hupei, but the general public showed no signs of active interest in them. Even the regular sittings of the provincial assembly were rarely attended by more than half its members. The general impression seems to prevail that the assembly is too much concerned with questions of personal interest to its members and to similar bodies in other provinces. One successful motion, however, put an end to the custom of purchasing supplies for yamên use at official rates, a practice that was detrimental to petty market dealers. The assembly lacks a proper sense of the need for economy, and expensive schemes of development of communications, education, famine prevention, &c., are freely advocated.\n\nIn September elections were held for the Nanking Self-Government Society and much dissatisfaction was expressed at the manner in which they were conducted by the two responsible officials. According to the native press many self-government societies have been constituted in the Soochow district and the delegates have met and deliberated upon a variety of matters such as come within the sphere of municipal bodies in England. The Provincial Assembly commented on the progress made in this direction in the Soochow district as compared with the apathy displayed by the officials in the portion of the province administered from Nanking.\n\n## Reforms\n\n### Judicial\n\nThe intelligence reports from His Majesty's consuls indicate that active steps are being taken in several provinces to introduce the new judicial system advocated by the Committee of Constitutional Reform. In the revised programme published in January it is laid down that shenpantings of all grades shall be established in 1912. More or less complete steps towards the new system are reported by the provinces of Kiangsu, Honan, Hupei, Kuangsi, Shantung, Chekiang, Fukien, Szechuan, and Fengtien, and His Majesty's consuls state that courts are being built or new law officers appointed at Chengtu, Chungking, Ichang, Tsinan, Tsinan settlement, Chefoo, Hangchow settlement, Ningpo, Wenchow, and Wuchow.\n\nThe main feature of the new system is the complete separation of the judicial from the administrative and executive powers. It deprives the provincial officials of a great weapon of authority and fertile source of revenue, while it creates a new class of officials under the direct orders of the Board of Justice in Peking and independent of the provincial authorities. The change can only be distasteful to the latter who will be ready to criticise the parallel position of the new law officers as well as their work. The future alone can show whether the people will benefit and whether Chinese justice will be any less venal or more real than it was under the old system.\n\nThe prominent position given in the introduction of judicial reform to the opening of shenpantings in the open ports suggests that one of its main objects is to deal with international cases, and experience of the sheupanting at Tien-tsin shows that foreign interests are likely to be seriously affected. Every effort will probably be made to deny to foreign consular officials their treaty right effectually to watch proceedings in court, sitting as assessors and intervening on behalf of the foreign plaintiff when necessary. From this point of view the new system may be regarded as an attempt to... \n\nPage 495", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435087, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 501, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Judicial Reforms\n\nThe Chinese Government have introduced a new judicial system with the object of undermining the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the treaty Powers. In this connection His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu observes that the new system is in all essentials the same as that introduced into Korea by the Japanese advisers of 1891 and the constitution of the courts is practically identical with the Japanese.\n\nIn view of the importance of the reform, the following sketch of the new judicial system and the constitution of the courts may be of interest.\n\nAt the foot of the scale is the preliminary court, or court of first instance, which is to be established in each \"hsien,\" or county town, of each department; above this is the district or assize court to be established in every \"fu,\" or prefectural city, and at independent sub-prefectural cities. From the district court an appeal lies to the provincial high court, and thence to the final court of appeal, or cassation, in Peking. In the more distant provinces branches of the final court are to be attached to the high courts.\n\nThe high court is presided over by a \"president\" who ranks with the judicial commissioner. It has a civil and a criminal side, each of which is provided with a judge and two puisne judges. An assize court has a \"president and judge,\" with one assistant judge for civil and one for criminal cases, while a court of first instance should be under an assistant judge. Attached to each court is a staff of secretaries, clerks, ushers, &c. The high court and the assize court each have a \"procurator-general\" assisted by a \"procurator,\" and a court of first instance a \"procurator\" only. The duties of these officers combine those of Crown advocate and sheriff. All officers of, or above, the rank of puisne judge or \"procurator\" are styled law officers, and are selected by examination, except the \"president\" and \"procurator-general,\" who are appointed by commission from the Throne. The examinations are held in Peking, except for the more distant provinces, which receive examiners from the capital.\n\n## Prisons\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Nanking reports that a step is being made towards prison reform on western lines by the establishment of a model gaol for offenders convicted of the less serious crimes. The prisoners are properly fed, and made to keep their cells clean and take regular exercise. They are also taught a trade, and earn wages which are remitted to their families. His Majesty's consul at Pakhoi reports that Kuo taotai has caused the prisons of Ch'in Chou to be conducted on similar reformatory lines. In November a training school was opened at Chungking for 700 rural police for the neighbouring country districts. In Kiangsu an attempt is being made to police the streets of Isinghua and a police system has been inaugurated at Huai An Fu.\n\n## Other Reforms\n\n### Standardisation of Weights and Measures in Szechuan\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Chungking reports that an attempt is being made to introduce the standardisation of weights and measures of length and capacity, but great difficulties are being met with in regard to weights owing to the confusion and opportunities for cheating attending the transition stage.\n\n### Post to Thibet\n\nThe Imperial Chinese post is extending its service from the former western terminus of Tachienlu to Batang, a difficult portion of road notorious for robbers, and a similar extension is to be made from Lbassa to Chiamdo. The two lines are doubtless eventually intended to effect a junction.\n\n## Railways\n\n### Tien-tsin-Pukou\n\nThe coupling of the Tien-tsin-Pukow with the Peking-Mukden Railway is now an accomplished fact. The opening ceremony was performed on the 19th December. The Tien-tsin terminus is what was formerly known as the \"city station,\" now called the Tien-tsin Central Station. A regular service of construction trains runs between Tien-tsin and Tsinan, the journey occupying some fourteen hours. The line is open to Taian-fu, 76 kilom, south of Tsinan. On the southern section construction trains now carry passengers, and the section between Pukow and Lin Huai Kuan will be opened to traffic in spring.\n\n### Hankow-Canton Railway\n\nVery little progress has been made on the Changsha-Chuchou section. About 14 miles of sleepers and rails have been laid between Chuchou and Chaoshan, but the permanent way has not been ballasted, and no bridges have been erected. Between Chaoshan and Changsha the road-bed is being made. It is hoped to complete the line from Yochow to Chenchou in about five years.\n\n### Szechuan-Hankow Railway (Hupeh Railways)\n\nConsiderable progress has been made during the quarter. At Ichang three godowns and an engine shed at the wharf are finished, and the east-gate station buildings are nearing completion. The first tunnel of about 1,000 feet, at about 12 miles from Ichang, has been pierced, and a construction train runs for a mile or two.\n\n### Canton-Kowloon Railway\n\nThe British section of Canton-Kowloon Railway was opened during the quarter as also the first section of the line at the Canton end.\n\n### Canton Kowloon-Yueh-Han Railway\n\nIt is proposed to build a line connecting the Yueh Han and Canton Kowloon Railways. This line of some 3 or 4 miles would pass through the north-east suburbs of Canton. The route has been surveyed and presents no engineering difficulties. The line would soon pay.\n\n### Shanghai Hangchow-Ningpo Railway\n\nThe Chekiang Railway Company have gradually carried out improvements on the permanent way so that the line is at present in fair condition. A handsome red brick station has been erected within the Hangchow city walls and is practically complete.\n\nIt is rumoured that work is soon to be stopped on the Ningpo-Shaoshing section for lack of funds.\n\n### Peking-Kalgan Railway (Chang Sui extension)\n\nThe distance from Kalgan to Sui Yuan Cheng is about 220 miles by the proposed route via Tatung-fu. The rail-head has reached Tsai Kou Pu 30 miles from Kalgan. It is expected to complete and open the whole section to Tien Chen Hsien by the end of the year, but the Board of Communications have ordered the suspension of construction beyond this point for four years.\n\n### Taichow-Shiherhwei Railway\n\nThe construction of the Taichow-Shiberhwei Railway and the raising of the necessary funds has been sanctioned in Peking. It is estimated to cost about 2,250,000 taels, but it is not clear where the money is to come from.\n\n### Fokien Railway (Chang-Hsia)\n\nThe railway is being mismanaged and work continues very slowly-10 miles complete. It is proposed to carry the line round Pholum which will add to its length, but obviate expenditure on a large bridge.\n\n### Kiangsi Railway (Nan-Hsün)\n\nWork is proceeding slowly and trains run as far as Wang Lao Men, about 20 miles from Kiukiang Station.\n\n### Tsingtau\n\nThe growing importance commercially of the port of Tsingtau is shown by the fact that German mail steamers from Europe call now regularly both on outward and homeward voyages. The P. and O. Company is now sending intermediate steamers to Tsingtau and the Messageries maritimes are contemplating similar action.\n\nPage 496", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435090, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 504, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[20183] \n6.6 10637 \n[May 26.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nREC? MEG 16 JUN 11\n\n### No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey-(Received May 26.)\n\n**(No. 203. Very Confidential.)**\n\nPeking, May 10, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of notes of an interview between Mr. Straight and M. de Hoyer, representative at Peking of the Russo-Belgian group of financiers.\n\nMr. Hillier, who furnished me with this document, informs me that the Russian Minister, in conversation with Mr. Straight yesterday, confirmed the substance of the policy indicated by M. de Hoyer, and expressed himself in favour of an understanding between the four groups and the Russo-Belgian group in respect to railway enterprise in Mongolia and other regions where Russia has a political interest, more especially in regard to the Kalgan-Kiachta line.\n\nIt is evident that the Russo-Belgian group is not likely to prove a formidable competitor for railway business in China proper, but some understanding between it and the four groups in regard to future railway enterprise in Mongolia and Manchuria seems desirable.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Memorandum regarding Proposals from M. de Hoyer, Representative at Peking, of the Russo-Belgian Group.**\n\nON Friday, the 5th May, 1911, M. de Hoyer, after a general conversation with Mr. Straight regarding the currency loan and the Chinchou Aigun Railway, stated that he had given considerable thought to the position of his group vis-à-vis our own. He stated that he had no desire to compete with us, as such competition would be profitable only to the Chinese.\n\nM. de Hoyer then suggested that three relationships were possible:-\n\n1. Competition.\n2. A mutual understanding regarding prices which might be quoted by the Chinese Government and an arrangement for mutual non-interference; with possible co-operation in certain specific enterprises.\n3. Co-operation.\n\nMr. Straight enquired whether M. de Hoyer's second suggestion contemplated a division on geographical lines. He replied that he regarded a geographical division as undesirable, as the Chinese would not regard with favour the operation of a Russian group in Manchuria and Mongolia, which field would be naturally his if a geographical division were made.\n\nM. de Hoyer stated that he did not wish to interfere with the Hukuang loan, but asked whether he had other enterprises in mind in Central and Southern China. Mr. Straight replied that the groups had certain claims on the Chengtu extension of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway. M. de Hoyer said that he had no intention of meddling in this matter. He then asked whether the quadruple groups would be prepared to co-operate with his group in loaning to China funds for the construction of the Kalgan-Kiachta Railway.\n\nMr. Straight replied that he could not say but that he personally thought that the American group at least might be willing to favour such an arrangement if it were understood that this did not contemplate the abandonment of the Chinchou-Aigun Railway project.\n\n[2023] \n499", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435123, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 537, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation to Foreign Office.-(Received May 15.)\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, May 13, 1911.\n\nTHE enclosed telegram has just come in from Peking, which will no doubt interest you. Mr. Addis is out of town to-day, but will be back at the office on Monday.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nA. M. TOWNSEND.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\nCopy of Telegram from Peking Office, dated May 13, 1911.\n\nCOMMUNICATE following to four groups:-\n\nRe our wire of 4th, Imperial Decree 9th May cancels permit to provincial company Hupeh, Hunan, and orders early signature Hukuang Loan Agreement. Simultaneous decree orders resumption by Chinese Imperial Government all main lines, special reference being made to provinces Kwangtung, Szechuan, and orders Yu-chuan Pu to submit immediately scheme for taking over and advance construction. At interview 12th May Sheng requested us submit following proposal for approval groups: Hupeh section Szechuan line to be increased by addition section Ichang to Szechuan boundary. Amount of loan to be increased to 10,000,000l., issued two series, 6,000,000l., 4,000,000l.; second series, price 95 firm, to be issued solely discretion of groups whenever market favourable. Term of loan, 40 years; redemption commencing eleventh year by annuity 650,000l., which is covered by present security. Preliminary advance to be raised from 500,000l. to 1,000,000l., to be partially employed in expropriating present provincial company under changed conditions created by edict. Sheng now anxious complete Hankow-Canton Railway, and push construction to Chengtu as soon as possible. We have suggested clause 19 substitute extension for branches in order to secure preference further loan, or whatever alternative loan, 10,000,000l., in two series as above, for entire main lines Hankow-Canton, Hankow-Chengtu, to be supplemented by further series on terms to be arranged.\n\nRe foregoing, Sheng is consulting Chinese Imperial Government and promises reply in the course of three days.\n\nOur opinion is, if Chinese Imperial Government decide upon latter alternative suitable arrangement can be made in respect to engineers purchasing agents.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435129, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 543, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## SECTION 1.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nNo. 1. REG2 16 JUN (1\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 26.)\n\n203. (Very Confidential.)\n\nPeking, May 10, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of notes of an interview between Mr. Straight and M. de Hoyer, representative at Peking of the Russo-Belgian group of financiers.\n\nMr. Hillier, who furnished me with this document, informs me that the Russian Minister, in conversation with Mr. Straight yesterday, confirmed the substance of the views indicated by M. de Hoyer, and expressed himself in favour of an understanding between the four groups and the Russo-Belgian group in respect to railway enterprise in Mongolia and other regions where Russia has a political interest, more especially with regard to the Kalgan-Kiachta line.\n\nIt is evident that the Russo-Belgian group is not likely to prove a formidable competitor for railway business in China proper, but some understanding between it and the four groups in regard to future railway enterprise in Mongolia and Manchuria is desirable.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum regarding Proposals from M. de Hoyer, Representative at Peking, of the Russo-Belgian Group.\n\nON Friday, the 5th May, 1911, M. de Hoyer, after a general conversation with Mr. Straight regarding the currency loan and the Chinchou Aigun Railway, stated that he had given considerable thought to the position of his group vis-à-vis our own. He stated that he had no desire to compete with us, as such competition would be profitable only to the Chinese.\n\nM. de Hoyer then suggested that three relationships were possible:-\n\n1. Competition.\n2. A mutual understanding regarding prices which might be quoted by the Chinese Government and an arrangement for mutual non-interference; with possible co-operation in certain specific enterprises.\n3. Co-operation.\n\nMr. Straight enquired whether M. de Hoyer's second suggestion contemplated a division on geographical lines. He replied that he regarded geographical division as undesirable, as the Chinese would not regard with favour the operation of a foreign group in Manchuria and Mongolia, which field would be naturally his if a geographical division were made.\n\nM. de Hoyer stated that he did not wish to interfere with the Hukuang loan, but enquired whether he had other enterprises in mind in Central and Southern China. Mr. Straight replied that the groups had certain claims on the Chengtu extension of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway. M. de Hoyer said that he had no intention of meddling in this matter. He then asked whether the quadruple groups would be prepared to co-operate with his group in loaning to China funds for the construction of the Kalgan-Kiachta Railway.\n\nMr. Straight replied that he could not say but that he personally thought that the American group at least might be willing to favour such an arrangement if it were understood that this did not contemplate the abandonment of the Chinchou-Aigun Railway.\n\n[Page 203]\n\nPreceding page metadata: \n[83] \n[May 26.] \n0.0. \n18097 \n\nDocument is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nPreceding document partially visible:\n...\ncompletely. I have pointed out that the Russian Government would not object to this line only in the case of tracing it far enough from the Chinese Eastern Railway, and that it would be necessary for the promoters to know in this matter also the attitude of the Japanese Government, with which Russia is bound by common interests in similar affairs.\n\nAt the same time, I confirm you the correctness of your other statements.\n\n**NA RAILWAYS.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nAccept, &c.\n\nKOKOVTSOFF.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435348, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 128, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## The arrangements for the control and expenditure of the loan funds, as embodied in article 14 of the agreement, are, on the whole, perhaps less stringent than the similar provisions of the initialled agreement, and differ in one important respect from the terms settled upon with Chang Chih-tung.\n\nThe present agreement stipulates that one-half of the net balance of the loan funds may be deposited with two native Government banks—the Bank of Communications and the Ta Ching Bank—and the Chinese Government declares itself responsible for all the funds so deposited with these native banks.\n\nThis stipulation met with much opposition from some of the foreign banks, who objected also, for reasons connected with exchange operations, to the transfer of the loan funds to China in the manner mentioned in this article, but the Chinese negotiator, who is an astute man of long business experience, would have no agreement which left the manipulation of the exchange to the foreign banks and deprived China of the higher interest obtainable in this country on her own money.\n\nOn the whole I am inclined to think that the banks acted prudently in yielding this point, and that the provisions of article 14 will, in the hands of the four Powers, prove sufficient to safeguard the interests at stake.\n\nTuan Fang, the new director-general of the whole line from Canton to Chengtu, leaves Peking in about a fortnight to take up the arduous duties which have been assigned to him. His Excellency, whose last post was Viceroy of Chihli, has been Governor of Hunan and Hupei, and has all the qualities necessary to make him a successful director-general. Not only has he to make arrangements for the expropriation of the existing railway companies, one of which is working with 40,000 men on the section above Ichang, but he has to enforce a railway policy which will test to the utmost the power of the central Government to impose its will upon the provinces.\n\nThe Government here is fully conscious that it must stand or fall by the attitude which it has adopted on this question, and at no time since China entered into relations with foreign Powers has she taken a step which so fully entitles her to the consideration and sympathy of all those who wish to see her integrity maintained, not merely in name, but in reality.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**J. N. JORDAN**\n\n## Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n### Hukuang Imperial Government Railways: Final Agreement\n\n**THIS agreement is made at Peking on the 22nd day of the 4th month of the 3rd year of the Emperor Hsuan Tung, corresponding to the 20th day of May, 1911, Western calendar, and the contracting parties are :----**\n\nHis Excellency the Kung-Pao Sheng Hsuan-Huai, Minister of Posts and Communications, duly authorised by Imperial decree to act on behalf on the Imperial Government of China, of the one part, and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, and Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., Messrs. Kuhn, Loeb, and Co., the First National Bank, and the National City Bank, all of New York, constituting the American group, hereinafter called the \"banks,\" of the other part, witnesseth as follows:--\n\n#### Article 1.\n\nThe Imperial Government of China authorises the banks to issue a 5 per cent. gold loan for an amount of 6,000,000l. The loan shall be of the date on which the bonds are issued to the public, and shall be called \"**the Imperial Chinese Government 5 per cent. Hukuang Railways Sinking Fund Gold Loan of 1911**.\"\n\n#### Art. 2.\n\nThis loan is designed to provide capital, first—\n\nFor the redemption at a premium of 2 per cent., with accrued interest, of certain unredeemed gold bonds of the total par value of 2,222,000 dollars United States currency, issued by the American China Development Company on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government; and secondly—\n\nFor the construction of a Government railway main line from Wuchang, the capital of the Hupei province, through Yo-chou and Chang-sha, the capital of the Hunan province, to a point in the district of Yi-chang-hsien, in the prefecture of Ch'en-chou, on the southern boundary of Hunan, connecting with the Kuang-tung section of the Canton-Hankow Railway line, the total length of this line, hereinafter known as \"the Hupei-Hunan section of the Canton-Hankow Railway line,\" being an estimated distance of 1,800 Chinese li, or 900 kilom., and of\n\nA Government railway main line from a point at or near Kuangshui, in the province of Hupei, connecting with the Peking-Hankow Railway line, and passing through Hsiang-yang and Chingmenchou to Ichang, an estimated distance of 1,200 Chinese li, or 600 kilom., and from Ichang to Kueichoufu, in the province of Szechuan, an estimated distance of 600 Chinese li, or 300 kilom.--this latter section of the main line having been added in substitution for the branch line from Ching-menchou to Han-yang originally agreed upon--the total length of this main line, hereinafter known as \"the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway line,\" being about 1,800 Chinese li, or 900 kilom.\n\nThe survey lines shall be open to revision by the Ministry of Posts and Communications.\n\nThe Chinese Imperial Government undertakes to call in, after having received from the banks application in writing to do so, the aforesaid gold bonds, and the banks will apply the amount necessary for the said redemption out of the proceeds of the loan, and will deliver the redeemed bonds to the Chinese Government after having made the bonds valueless. The Chinese Imperial Government will, after receipt of the redeemed bonds, cancel the inscription of the pledge of the Canton-Hankow Railway line in their archives, and will advise the banks in writing after having done this.\n\nIt is understood that any surplus of the nominal amount of 500,000l. hereby allotted for the redemption of the gold bonds issued by the American China Development Company aforesaid which may remain after complete redemption of those bonds shall be allotted to the above-named railway lines.\n\n#### Art. 3.\n\nAfter deduction of the amount required for the redemption of the gold bonds referred to in article 2 of this agreement, the balance of the loan proceeds shall be solely devoted to the construction of the aforesaid railway lines, including the purchase of land, rolling stock, and other equipment, and to the working of the lines, and to payment of interest on the loan during the period of construction, which is estimated at three years from the actual beginning of the works, a longer period, however, being allowed for the completion of the section from Ichang to Kueichou-fu in consideration of the engineering difficulties to be encountered. Work shall be commenced simultaneously at Wu-chang, Chang-sha, Kuang-shui, and Tchang within six months after this agreement has been signed, within which period the banks shall notify the Ministry of Posts and Communications that the sum of 600,000l. has been placed at its disposal, in case funds should be required for survey or construction purposes, or for ordering of materials, and for the resumption by the Imperial Chinese Government of the portion of these lines already constructed by the provinces concerned, the said sum to be held in Europe and [or] in the United States of America or remitted to China as the Ministry may direct as a first instalment on account of the proceeds of the loan. This amount of 600,000l., or whatever portion thereof is actually advanced, together with interest thereon at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, shall be deducted from the first proceeds of the sale of the bonds.\n\nIt is understood that the lines of railway already constructed by the two provinces of Hupei and Hunan prior to the signature of this agreement with capital provided by those provinces themselves, together with the property of those two provincial railways, shall henceforward be taken over by and incorporated in the Canton-Hankow and the Szechuan-Hankow Government Railways Administration, and further that any supplementary funds which may be furnished in the future by the Ministry of Posts and Communications on account of a deficiency in the amount required for the construction of the Canton-Hankow and Szechuan-Hankow main lines within the boundaries of the two provinces of Hupei and Hunan, as provided for in article 15 of the present agreement, shall also rank as capital of the Canton-Hankow and Szechuan-Hankow Railway main lines within the boundaries of the two provinces aforesaid. But the returns due upon such capital shall not in any manner impair the arrangements for payment of interest and repayment of principal of the present loan.\n\n#### Art. 4.\n\nThe rate of interest for the loan shall be 5 per cent. per annum on the nominal principal, and shall be paid to the bondholders half-yearly. The said interest shall be calculated from the date on which the loan is issued to the public, and shall be paid by the Imperial Chinese Government during the time of construction either...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435459, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 239, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 28.)\n**(No. 63.) (Telegraphic.)** \n\nPeking, February 28, 1911. \n\nWITH reference to my telegram No. 35 of the 11th instant, I have received the following telegram from Sir A. Hosie, dated yesterday, from Chengtu :-- \n\n\"I shall proceed in a few days to Yunnan and Kweichow as soon as I have completed my report on Szechuan. \n\n\"I have been travelling overland for thirty-four days through what were in past years the chief opium-producing centres of Szechuan and through many other districts which I know from previous visits to have been areas which produced opium on a large scale. \n\n\"From personal investigation in these districts and information gathered in regard to others I am satisfied that the season of 1910-11 has seen the successful suppression of the cultivation of opium in Szechuan.\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 440295, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 188, "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n1)\n\n[9439]\n\n(No. 6.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(March 4.)\n\n186\n\nC\n\nSECTION\n\n10849\n\nRLC?\n\nNros 10 APR 12.\n\nConsul-General Wilkinson to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 4.)\n\nChengtu, January 10, 1912.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of a despatch which I have to-day addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, reporting on renewed cultivation of the poppy plant in Szechuan province, and the steps taken by the new Republican Government for its suppression.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Wilkinson to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 5.) Sir,\n\nChengtu, January 10, 1912.\n\nIN his letter dated Yachou, the 26th December last (enclosure in immediately preceding despatch), Mr. Openshaw says: \"Opium is being grown very widely throughout this district.\" The \"Kuo Min Pao\" of the 6th January states that fugitives lately arrived at Chengtu from Liangshan Hsien (near Wan Hsien), \"saw the poppy plant growing in great abundance all along the route\"-the high road from Wan Hsien hither.\n\nThere can, indeed, be little doubt that much poppy has been sown this autumn, but it is only fair to add that this has been done contrary to the expressed wishes of the new Government. The same issue of the \"Kuo Min Pao,\" from which I have quoted, contains a metrical exhortation addressed to farmers by the town council of the two home districts of Chengtu:\n\n\"Since the railway controversy arose this year farmers have constantly suffered and lost. It is said that they are now sowing the poppy, wishing to make up for previous losses. They ought to know that China's restrictions on opium affect diplomatic relations with foreigners. Although Szechuan is now independent, the treaties have still force and effect; if in a twinkling prohibition is not completed, there will be indemnities doing grievous harm.\"\n\nFarmers are accordingly admonished to refrain from sowing the poppy. If they have sown it they are called on to hoe it up, and to substitute for it spring wheat.\n\nIn the same spirit the Chengtu Government has issued two proclamations, published together in the \"Kung Pao\" of the 3rd January. One, in metre, is directed against opium dens, which have been reopened in many quarters; the other, in more sober prose, against the renewed cultivation of the poppy. Premising that prohibition of opium smoking is essential to national improvement, and eradication of the poppy would check the bane at its source, the latter proclamation (or rather, circular) orders the immediate and complete destruction of all poppy plants throughout the province, and threatens with severe punishment anyone who may hesitate to obey.\n\nHow far the Chengtu Government, whose authority has not yet been acknowledged in Eastern and Southern Szechuan and the Chien-chang Valley, will be able to enforce this mandate it is impossible as yet to say. The British missionaries have temporarily withdrawn from nearly all their stations, so that I shall not be able, as in the past two years, to enlist their aid. I shall not, however, fail to report to you anything that I can learn from other sources.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON,\n\n[2412 d-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 440352, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 245, "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)\n\n242\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[March 18.]\n\n10-34\n\nALCO\n\nSECTION\n\nRear 3 MAY 12\n\n[10701]\n\n(No. 92.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received March 12.)\n\nPeking, February 22, 1912. WITH reference to your despatch No. 15 of the 17th January, forwarding a copy of a telegram from the Government of India enquiring as to the reported resumption of opium cultivation in China, and requesting that a report may be furnished upon the subject, I have the honour to state that, with the exception of the despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Yunnan-fu, No. 46 of the 25th November, 1911, copy of which was forwarded by Mr. O'Brien-Butler direct to the Foreign Office, no further information has been received in regard to the province of Yunnan, but His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu reports that farmers are once more planting the poppy in Szechuan, while His Majesty's acting-consul at Chungking telegraphs that sowing has taken place, not, however, to any large extent, in the districts of Nan-ch'uan, Ta-tsu, Mien-chu, and An Hsien, and in the department of Fu Chou, and adds that the Government is endeavouring to suppress cultivation, but has failed at Fu Chou on account of local resistance, and that fresh efforts at suppression will be made when conditions permit.\n\nThe department of Fu Chou was the chief opium producing centre of the province of Szechuan, and up to the season of 1909-10, when the area under poppy was largely extended, offered the most strenuous resistance to the measures of suppression, a resistance, however, which was overcome in 1910-11 when Sir Alexander Hosie failed to see a single poppy plant during his journey through the department. That it should be one of the first districts to take advantage of the present disturbed and uncontrolled condition of the province is scarcely a matter for surprise.\n\nAs regards the province of Hunan, in which the poppy was cultivated during the season of 1910-11, His Majesty's consul at Changsha reports that the districts in which the most poppy has been sown for the 1911-12 crop are Tz'u-li Hsien in the north and Kuei-yang Chou in the south. In the latter the authorities have found it impossible to interfere successfully with the growers, as, with the present high level of prices, the profits of one crop were said to exceed the normal value of the land itself. Other districts in which poppy has recently been sown are Pao-ching Hsien and Lung-shan Hsien in the Yung-shan prefecture and Ling Hsien in the prefecture of Heng-chou-fu. He further states that orders have been issued for all the poppy sown to be dug up, and for the growers to enter into a bond that they will sow no more. The Provincial Parliament proposed that, if any refused to comply, the land should be confiscated and the offenders rendered liable to imprisonment for not more than three years and a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars, and that those who were still recalcitrant should be summarily executed; but these proposals did not commend themselves to the Governor.\n\nThere can be little doubt that at the present juncture the leaders of the revolution have been unwilling to alienate the people by enforcing drastic measures of suppression. They have as a rule maintained a passive attitude; but the proclamation issued on the 25th November last by the authorities of Ning-hsia-fu in the north-east of the province of Kansu, enclosed in my despatch No. 54 of the 31st ultimo, is an exception to that rule.\n\nDuring a visit which President Yuan Shih-kai paid to me on the 20th instant I took the opportunity of remarking on the recrudescence of opium cultivation, and his Excellency gave me to understand that as soon as peace and order were restored this, like many other matters, would not be lost sight of.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n[2412 m-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 440354, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 247, "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "2 \n\nM. Spakler wrote me saying he had received on that date a letter from the acting governor of Macao, stating that the opium was indeed for the Macao farmer. \n\n3. Yesterday the Netherlands Trading Society have again applied for a permit to export 150 chests of Indian opium to the opium farmer, Macao, also per steam-ship “Johanne.” The actual requirements of Macao are between 10 and 20 chests per month, say, on an average 15 chests per month. The Macao farmer is therefore receiving 310 chests within 6 weeks, or about 2 years' supply. As uncertified opium is not allowed into China at all, none of these chests unless smuggled can be for China. It is ridiculous to suppose that such enormous quantities are intended for local consumption in Macao. It can only be intended for smuggling in the form of chandu into other countries, e.g., Straits, Java, China, &c. The danger, therefore, to this colony is very serious, and is twofold. Every chest of uncertified opium sold to Macao over and above their legitimate requirements means so many chests less for sale to bona fide purchasers like ourselves, Java, Saigon, Bangkok, &c. (with Government control in each place). This will undoubtedly raise the price of raw opium against us, especially as an unrestricted importation for smuggling via Macao will induce the smugglers to pay almost any price. Further, having turned the opium into chandu, such chandu will undoubtedly be smuggled into the Straits, Java, &c., thus causing us a double loss of revenue. It seems to me, therefore, imperative for our own protection, unless all are prepared to acquiesce in serious financial losses, to take immediate steps to frustrate what is undoubtedly going on. \n\n4. Under section 5 (2) of the Chandu Revenue Ordinance, 1909, the Governor-in-Council has power to prohibit the export of opium or chandu to any place or subject same to conditions, \n\n5. I suggest that a letter be sent to the Macao Government, informing them that we are aware 310 chests of opium have gone there within six weeks, and as the normal requirements of Macao are only some 15 chests per month, we propose, unless they can show good cause to the contrary, to prohibit the export of opium from the colony to Macao for a period sufficient to allow for the normal consumption of 310 chests. \n\n6. I may say I have lived in Macao and know something of the Government. The place is moribund, and the opium farm rent is a large portion of their revenue. I am quite convinced the Macao Government will do nothing to embarrass the farmer, nor will they be guilty of excess of zeal in suppressing irregularities. We cannot object to their getting legitimate revenue from their farm, but we ought to object strongly to Macao being made the base of a series of operations which are bound to cause heavy financial losses to this colony. \n\n7. The withdrawal from the open market of such an enormous quantity as 310 chests for a place consuming only 15 chests per month cannot but have a great, immediate, and lasting effect in putting up the market price. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(Telegraphic.) P. F. M. BADDELEY, Superintendent, Government Monopolies Department. \n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1. \n\nMr. Harcourt to Sir A. Young. \n\nDowning Street, February 28, 1912. REFERRING to my cypher telegram of the 17th instant, I am advised that large shipments of opium to Macao are still being made. Please send by despatch as soon as possible as complete a statement as can be obtained of amounts exported from Straits to Macao since the 1st July last with names of consignees. \n\nI should be glad if you would consider whether further action should not be taken under section 5 (2) of Ordinance 21 of 1909. \n\n(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government) \n\nOPIUM. CONFIDENTIAL. [12645] \n\n(No. 110.) Sir, \n\n244 10404 [March 25.] SECTION 3 MAY 12 \n\nNo. I. \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey-(Received March 25.)’ \n\nPeking, March 6, 1912. WITH reference to my despatch No. 92 of the 22nd February, on the subject of the resumption of opium cultivation in China, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's consul-general at Yünnan fu, reporting that in the prefectures of Chao-tung Fu and Tung-chuan Fu the passive attitude of the authorities has emboldened the farmers to clear their fields of young beans and supplant them with poppy, and that in the plain of Yunnan-fu the poppy is now being grown without any attempt at concealment.” \n\nIn his report on the province of Yunnan of the 15th April, 1911, Sir A. Hosie stated that a proclamation had been issued by the then Viceroy permitting the export through the port of Mengtzu of old stocks of opium for a period of four months from the 30th March to the 25th July, 1911, and, as will be observed from the enclosure contained in the despatch of His Majesty's consul-general, a similar proclamation was issued by the military governor of Yunnan on the 1st January, 1912, permitting export of stocks up to the 16th April, on the ground that the original period fixed for the sale of accumulated stocks was too short, and that, as large reserves still remained, smoking was carried on as a matter of course; but the fact that no opium had been reported for export up to the 9th February would appear to show that holders prefer to dispose of their stocks locally at their equivalent weight in silver, while, to judge from the recrudescence of cultivation throughout the province, farmers do not seem to attach much importance to the order of the military governor, that the cultivation of the poppy in hidden places will not be permitted. \n\nIn his despatch No. 5 of the 10th January, copy of which was forwarded direct to the Foreign Office, His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu was able to report that opium was being very widely cultivated within the prefecture of Ya-chou Fu to the south-west of the provincial capital, and that the poppy was growing in great abundance all along the high road from Wang Hsien to Chengtu. He states, however, that this resumption of cultivation in Szechuan is contrary to the expressed wishes of the Chengtu Government, which has issued proclamations ordering the immediate and complete destruction of all poppy plants; but as the authority of the Chengtu Government had not yet been acknowledged in Eastern and Southern Szechuan, it was impossible to say how far its mandate could be enforced. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(No. 6.) Sir, \n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1. \n\nConsul-General O'Brien-Butler to Sir J. Jordan, \n\nJ. N. JORDAN. \n\nYunnan-fu, February 9, 1912. IN continuation of Mr. O'Brien-Butler's despatch No. 41 of the 25th November, 1911, I have the honour to report that a proclamation on the subject of opium was issued on the 1st January by the military governor of Yunnan province. \n\nThe terms of the new proclamation bear considerable resemblance to the abortive regulations drawn up by the ex-Viceroy and issued on the 11th April last (despatch No. 21 of 1911). In view of the recrudescence of poppy cultivation and the relaxation of strict supervision over opium smokers, I would venture to submit the opinion that the latest effort to rid Yünnan of its reserves of opium is doomed to a similar failure, and that the issue of this proclamation is merely an obvious and hypocritical pretence on the part of the provincial authorities, in consideration of recent opium agreements with foreign Powers, to carry on the work of suppression begun by his Excellency Hsi Liang and continued by the ex-Viceroy. I am informed that to date no opium has been produced at the two li-kin stations opened in Yünnan-fu and Mengtsz, those who ...\n\n[2412 bb-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 440447, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 370, "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n366\n\nC. O.\n\n19041\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[21417]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 20.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n20 UNIC\n\n(No. 200.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.---(Received May 20.)\n\nPeking, April 30, 1912.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 110 of the 6th ultimo, I have the honour to report that missionary and other refugees from Kansu and Shensi bring the information that the poppy is being widely cultivated in these two provinces. A British missionary, writing on the 29th March from the city of Fo-chiang Hsien, in Kansu, which was a great centre of production in 1910, says that, in order to keep people quiet during the unrest caused by the revolutionary movement, official intimation was made during the autumn that the suppressive measures would not be enforced, with the result that during the present spring the poppy abounds on hillsides and in valleys to the exclusion of every other crop except wheat. He further states that a proclamation in the name of the high provincial authorities was posted at Fo-chiang on the 28th March imposing taxes on all land under poppy and warning the people that no cultivation would be permitted next year.\n\nBritish missionaries who have returned to their stations in Shansi report that opium is now being largely cultivated in the central and southern parts of that province, which was declared free from cultivation in 1910, and is one of the five provinces from which Indian opium was excluded from the 11th September, 1911.\n\nHis Majesty's consular officers at Chengtu and Chungking continue to report the resumption of opium production in Szechuan, especially in the prefecture of Ya-chou Fu and in the Ning-yuan Fu or Chien-chang Valley, bordering on Yünnan, whence it has spread to the hill tribes, and they state that proclamations commanding eradication issued by the Chengtu authorities are not being enforced by the local officials. In some districts in the east of the province, still independent of Chengtu rule, opium is being cultivated, and troops have been sent to the districts of Tien-chiang and Liang-shan and to the department of Fu Chou to bring them under control and at the same time eradicate the poppy.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Yünnan Fu reports that as much opium is now being grown in the east and west of Yunnan as in times of unrestricted cultivation, and that the area under crop in the immediate neighbourhood of the provincial capital is estimated at 40 per cent. of the area previous to the introduction of repression. He states that there is absolutely no attempt at concealment, that many fields lie along frequented high roads, and that he has been given to understand that no endeavour to curtail cultivation will be made during the present year.\n\nAs regards the province of Fukien, His Majesty's consul at Amoy reports that in the districts of An-ch'i and Tung-an, the latter a district from which the poppy had disappeared, cultivation recommenced as soon as the Imperial executive collapsed, and on the island of Amoy, behind the city of Amoy, poppy fields stretched in all directions on the 31st March, some still in flower, but the great majority ripe unto harvest with a good proportion of the capsules in process of being tapped, and he adds that the cultivation was being carried on by the local farmers without let or hindrance on the part of the authorities.\n\nIn the province of Chekiang, where the most vigorous efforts are being made by the authorities to exclude Indian opium, the poppy is reported to be under cultivation in at least two prefectures—Wenchou Fu and T'ai-chou Fu.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n[2502 u-]\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 440641, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 564, "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "2\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum communicated to Sir J. Jordan by the Wai-chiao Pu.\n\nTHE Wai-chiao Pu have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the memorandum from His Majesty's Minister, stating that, in the case of the nine chests of Indian opium seized at Ch'iang-t'ou in the province of Chekiang, the total loss owing to difference in value between the dates of seizure and release, interest, and miscellaneous expenses amounted to 7,124,715 taels, to which had to be added 500 dollars, the amount of the fine imposed, and that in the case of the one and a-half piculs of Indian opium seized and detained at Hangchow, the interest from the date of seizure to the date of release and the expenses incurred in connection with this case amounted to a total loss of 56.55 taels.\n\nThe memorandum added that Sir John Jordan had, in accordance with instructions from His Majesty's Government, to request immediate payment of these sums.\n\nThe Wai-chiao Pu are now in receipt of a reply from the Chekiang Tutu, embodying his investigations into this matter, and stating that in both these cases of detention the goods were the property of Chinese merchants, on whom also fell any losses there may have been, and that British merchants were not involved.\n\nThe manner of settlement of these two cases should, therefore, be discussed by the Chinese merchants concerned direct with the local authorities: British merchants must not interfere.\n\nThe Wai-chiao Pu have the honour to request that the above be communicated to His Majesty's Government.\n\nMay 27, 1912.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nHU WEI-TË.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum communicated to Sir J. Jordan by the Wai-chiao Pu.\n\n556\n\nTHE Wai-chiao Pu have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the memorandum of the 21st May from His Majesty's Minister, reporting the receipt of telegrams from the Government of India and from the British consul-general at Canton, reporting the renewal at that port of obstructions to the foreign opium trade.\n\nThe memorandum under reply is entirely without detailed indications regarding the obstructions to the foreign opium trade at Canton. The Wai-chiao Pu have the honour, therefore, to request details as to the place, the owners of the foreign opium, and the circumstances of the obstruction, to enable them to send instructions for thorough investigation.\n\n80\n\nSir John Jordan's memorandum goes on to state that \"Szechuan and Shansi, which were declared free a year ago, are now in many districts ablaze with the poppy.\" Information is also requested as to the districts in which are situated the places where the poppy is actually being recultivated and as to the names of those places, to facilitate the issue of instructions for thorough investigation and suppression.\n\nThere is, however, one observation which must be made, namely, that at the present time of change in the situation in China, whilst confusion is throughout the country, the local officials have not the leisure to attend to this question, and it is impossible to prevent all possibility of evil-disposed people taking the opportunity to resume the cultivation of opium. The Chinese Government, however, have not changed in the smallest degree their attitude towards the policy of opium suppression. Some time ago orders were issued by the President to persevere in this policy, and now that the situation is becoming settled, strict suppression has again been enjoined. The peculiar conditions which have made their appearance cannot be stigmatised as entire failure in the fulfilment of treaty obligations.\n\nMay 24, 1912.\n\nHU WEI-TË.\n\nMemorandum communicated to the Wai-chiao Pu by Sir J. Jordan.\n\nSIR JOHN JORDAN has received the Wai-chiao Pu's memorandum of the 27th May, the contents of which have caused him considerable surprise.\n\nIt is not strange that the Tutu of Chekiang, whose short tenure of office has been marked by a flagrant disregard of all treaty rights, should have sought to contend that the seizure of Indian opium, while being conveyed into the interior by Chinese subjects, is no concern of British merchants, but as one who was connected with the negotiation of the 1885 Opium Agreement, who was present at its signature, and who has since watched its working with the closest interest, Sir John Jordan can affirm with confidence that this is the first time that any responsible Chinese Government has placed such an interpretation on the 3rd clause of that agreement, which stipulates that opium in which foreigners are interested must be conveyed into the interior by Chinese subjects.\n\nThe engagement into which China entered under the 1885 agreement applies to the goods, not to the merchants who carry the goods, and His Majesty's Minister must protest energetically against this encouragement which the Wai-chiao Pu are giving the Tutu of Chekiang in his high-handed action.\n\nThe observance of the 1885 agreement during a long period of years was one of the acts which reflected credit upon the late Manchu Government, and which encouraged His Majesty's Government to enter into the 1902 treaty for the abolition of li-kin and the increase of the tariff duties. The announcement that the Government of the republic formally arrogates to itself the right to treat foreign goods in Chinese hands in the interior as it pleases, irrespective of treaty obligations, will, it is feared, be received with grave disappointment by His Majesty's Government, who are not likely to see in this latest phase of the opium controversy a favourable indication for the settlement of tariff revision.\n\nIn conclusion, Sir John Jordan begs to renew his demand for the payment of the claim which he presented in his memorandum of the 9th May on behalf of the British merchants interested in the nine chests of opium wrongfully seized at Chiang-t'ou in Chekiang.\n\nPeking, May 30, 1912.\n\nEnclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum communicated to the Wai-chiao Pu by Sir J. Jordan.\n\nHIS Majesty's Minister has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Wai-chiao Pu's memorandum of the 24th instant, requesting details as to the circumstances of the restrictions imposed on the foreign opium trade at Canton.\n\nThe telegraphic report from His Majesty's consul-general at Canton stated that a proposal had been made by the Canton authorities to close all prepared opium shops at the end of the present year, and that the opium dealers had protested against this proposal. As soon as the full report from the consul-general is received, His Majesty's Minister will communicate further with the Wai-chiao Pu. In the meantime, it is his duty to point out that such a proposal is at variance with the agreement of the 8th May, 1911, which was concluded with the express object of gradually diminishing the export of opium from India to China and suppressing the growth of opium in China, inasmuch as the sudden closing of the prepared opium shops would be equivalent in effect to the total prohibition of the import of Indian opium.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister is obliged to repeat his warning that if the Central Government cannot succeed in imposing their will on the provinces in this matter, and preventing the issue of all kinds of local regulations which contravene the settled policy agreed upon between the two Governments, they run a serious risk of forfeiting the assistance which has hitherto been so freely, and under the Manchu régime so successfully, accorded to them by His Majesty's Government in their endeavours to suppress opium.\n\nAs regards the enquiry in the memorandum under acknowledgment as to the names of the places in Szechuan and Shansi where the poppy is being recultivated, His Majesty's Minister begs to inform the Wai-chiao Pu that the evidence on which he based his former statement was derived mainly from the reports of missionaries travelling through, or resident in the provinces mentioned. In Szechuan it is admitted that the military authorities have made efforts to prohibit the cultivation of opium, but the local officials have in many places been unwilling or unable to enforce the proclamations. In the Chengtu press there are several allusions to the sale in open...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 440642, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 565, "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n0.0.\n\nmarkets of this year's raw opium. As to Western Szechuan, the cultivation of the poppy has been resumed in the prefectures of Ya-Chou Fu and Hing-Yuan Fu, whence it has spread to the hill tribes bordering on Yünnan. As to Eastern Szechuan, from Wan Hsien and all along the river to Wu Shan, the prohibition proclamations have been entirely disregarded, and in Fu-chou, Feng-tu, and Tien-chiang as many poppies have been planted as before the issue of the Imperial edicts; indeed a British official, Mr. Teichman, travelling recently from Chengtu to Ichang, found between Peng-tu and Chung-chou that the poppy was the predominating crop on all sides. Liang Shan, T'ung Chuan, Shih Chu-t'ing, and Wan Hsien have also planted poppies, but in much smaller quantities than before the publication of the edicts; K'ai Hsien and the districts to the north have also planted a good deal, which has been ruined by weather.\n\nIn Shansi, British missionaries returned to their stations report that opium is now being largely cultivated in the central and southern parts of that province.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister has dealt only with Szechuan and Shansi, but he is continually receiving reports of the recrudescence of opium cultivation in other provinces. For example: Kansu, where Colonel Pereira, lately military attaché to this legation, has seen the poppy planted round Lanchow Fu and Liang-chou; Shensi, where it is reported to be widely cultivated; Yunnan, in the east and west of which province as much opium is grown as before the Imperial edicts; Hunan, where poppy seems to be grown everywhere; Fukien, where poppy fields are to be seen in all directions near Amoy and in other districts; Chekiang, where poppy has been replanted in at least two prefectures, and Kueichou, where, according to a telegram just received from His Majesty's consul at Chungking, the opium prohibitions have been cancelled.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister admits the difficulties imposed on the Chinese Government in their policy of suppressing the cultivation of the poppy by the present unsettled conditions in the interior; but the very fact that circumstances render them unable to fulfil their obligations in that particular makes it all the more incumbent on them to prevent breaches of the agreement in other particulars being deliberately committed.\n\nPeking, May 31, 1912.\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[27289]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n211\n\n[June 27. Ent 2 AUG 12]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n(No. 103.) (Telegraphic.) R.\n\nForeign Office, June 27, 1912. PROCLAMATION said to have been issued in Kiangsi province to establish monopoly of sales of opium from 1st July, and to suppress trade in December next.\n\nYou should make a strong protest to Chinese Government.\n\n[2519 dd-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 445463, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "page_number": 537, "title": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "content_text": "## Page 2\n\nThe months of October and November last. Suppressive measures had been vigorously conducted within the last two months and much of the crop had been destroyed. He is of opinion that there are still some patches of poppy cultivation here and there in outlying parts of the prefecture.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai forwarded on the 15th March the copy of a report compiled by Mr. Ezra, who had sent two Chinese for the special purpose of investigating the conditions of opium cultivation in the province. These men left Shanghai on the 19th February and returned on the 11th March. According to their report, poppy was being grown in no great abundance in the Chinkiang prefecture. The neighbourhood of Haimen (50 miles north of Shanghai) and Tungchow (60 miles north-west of Shanghai) was full of poppy, and large fields were under cultivation. The villagers at the latter place had stated that the senior of their local headmen owned two fields, and had twice uprooted a few plants in order to show his zeal in the anti-opium campaign. In the unfrequented districts around Nanking miles upon miles of poppy-fields had been seen, and there was an area of 30 miles under cultivation in the Kiang-ning prefecture. This does not appear, however, to be borne out by the statements of His Majesty's consul at Nanking, given above. According to the two Chinese, poppy was also being grown to some extent in hundreds of places along the Kiangsu-Honan and Kiangsu-Shantung borders, and the neighbourhood of Haichow was covered with the fields for a distance of 50 miles. The report states that \"the foreign missionaries resident in the city [Haichow] confirm the fact that no attempt has yet been made by the local officials to restrict the growth.\" This is to some extent confirmed by the information furnished by His Majesty's consul at Chinkiang. In the northern district of Su-chien the poppy is reported by Mr. Ezra's two investigators to be cultivated extensively, and the supply in this district alone is declared to be adequate for the needs of thousands of smokers.\n\nHonan.\n\nThe \"Central China Post\" of the 21st March published a report on the authority of a missionary that the poppy was being grown on fields belonging to the President, Yuan Shih-kai, as well as on those belonging to his relations. The Peking \"Daily News\" of the 17th March stated that strict orders had been telegraphed to the Governor to investigate the district concerned, and to carry out prompt measures of suppression at all costs.\n\nHupeh.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Ichang reported on the 27th February that the prefect had gone on a special tour, and had found large areas under opium cultivation in the north-west. According to information received from the Belgian missionaries, the cultivation had increased greatly in the south-west district of Li-chuan. His Majesty's consul reported that apparently poppy was not being grown elsewhere in his consular district.\n\nSzechuan.\n\nThe acting consul-general at Chengtu reported on the 2nd March that he had received information from missionaries that greatly increased cultivation had taken place in the Chien-chang Valley, in the south of the province, during the past year—more especially in the tribal territories beyond Chinese control. The poppy area in this region embraced the prefecture of Ning-yuan, and the districts of Hui-li and Yen-yuan, together with the intervening territory of the independent Lolos. Three good crops had been harvested in quick rotation. Feeble and ill-directed official efforts had been made to destroy these crops but without success. In Western Szechuan a general recrudescence had taken place in the prefecture of Ya-chou since the revolution, but the area under cultivation was less than in former years. The crop had been grown for the greater part in out-of-the-way places, and in the country under the jurisdiction of the native chieftain of Mupin and the tribal lands in the district of Fu-lin. Renewed instructions to suppress cultivation had been issued recently, but the area is difficult of control, a great part being mountainous. In Northern Szechuan there was an inconsiderable amount of cultivation in the prefecture of Pao-ning and the district of Chien-chou. A large amount was being grown in the districts of Kuang-yuan and Chao-hua. Little or no attempt at concealment was made, and the plants flourished in close proximity to the high roads. In the prefecture of Lung-an the enforcement of suppressive measures against the large crops had given rise to local disturbances. In Eastern Szechuan no effort had been made to check the cultivation around Kai-hsien. The acting consul-general also reported that, in addition to the localities mentioned above, small crops were being undoubtedly raised in the more remote places throughout the province. He added that reports from many districts showed an apparently complete suppression of cultivation, and that the cultivation did not appear to have reached really serious dimensions anywhere but in the Chien-chang Valley, where a condition resembling anarchy prevails.\n\n## Page 3\n\nThe acting consul at Chungking reported on the 3rd March that, with the exception of some districts close to the Kueichow border, opium cultivation had been effectively suppressed through Eastern Szechuan. The authorities, he stated, had been actively enforcing the removal of all poppies from these districts. The information from Chungking is not confirmed by the acting consul-general so far as Kai-hsien is concerned. A consular officer has also received information from a trustworthy source, based on observations made during a tour in the neighbourhood of Wan-hsien (25 miles south of Kai-hsien) to the effect that the poppy is growing there freely in all directions.\n\nYünnan.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Yunnan-fu has forwarded information, dated the end of January, from missionaries in Northern and Eastern Yunnan, which shows a large amount of cultivation in those parts. In the Prefecture of Chao-tung the quantity under cultivation was larger than last year, and in the adjoining Prefecture of Tung-Ch'uan the poppy had been freely planted. In the Prefecture of Wu-ting the poppy, especially in remote districts, flourished probably in larger quantities than last year. Prohibitory proclamations had been issued, but little or nothing had been done to check the cultivation among the non-Chinese tribes. In the eastern Prefecture of Ch'ü-ching, the missionary had been on a recent tour, and had noticed a considerable quantity of poppy in fields along the high road. He was informed on good authority that it had also been planted in greater abundance in the hill country away from the main roads. The planting was more extensive than last year, but a large amount had been lately destroyed by soldiers, so that he estimated the local crop this spring at one-half of that of last year. Speaking generally, he considered that the officials in that prefecture were doing very little to prevent cultivation. In a later despatch His Majesty's consul-general reported, from a Chinese source, that the poppy had been sown this year in the districts of Tengyueh, Lung-ling, Yung-ping, Wei-hsi, and Chung-tien, in the west; in Szemao, Chen-pien, and Yung-kang, in the south; in Lo-ping, Chan-yi, Yung-shan, Ta-kuan, and Lu-tien in the east; in Yuan-mow and Lu-chuan in the north. He estimated, on the authority of a Chinese in touch with the local opium dealers, that the yield this season is expected to be three-quarters of the amount last year. The consul-general has received information from a native source that the tutu is doing his best to stop opium cultivation, and is constantly issuing orders to that effect. In the neighbourhood of large towns, the local officials, aided by the military, are able to prevent the planting of the poppy, but in more remote districts—especially in those inhabited by the tribes—they are quite helpless. Several have offered to resign sooner than attempt to interfere with the people's poppy fields, and the soldiers told off for the destruction are beginning to complain that they are laying up trouble for themselves when they leave the army. The tribesmen in the districts bordering on Tonkin and Burma have threatened to emigrate if they are prevented from growing opium.\n\nKueichow.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Yunnan-fu has forwarded information, dated the 27th January, from a missionary at An-shun, 50 miles south-west of the provincial capital, to the effect that the poppy had been planted in greater quantities than in any season during the last six years. The local officials, however, had begun to take energetic measures for suppression, and, as a consequence, the farmers had begun to plough up the poppy and sow beans. A missionary informant writing from Kuei-yang, the provincial capital, on the 1st February, stated that the poppy was widely planted, certainly in larger quantities than before the revolution. He continued that it was reported that in some districts the officials were taking strong measures to suppress cultivation, but that they seemed helpless in the district of the provincial capital itself. In a later despatch the consul-general reported, on trustworthy information based on a recent tour, that the poppy had been seen \"growing everywhere in several districts in the Prefecture of An-shun, and also in the southern Prefecture of Hsing-yi.\n\n## Page 536", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 445495, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "page_number": 569, "title": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "content_text": "# \n567\n\n! \n\nIn the south, on the other hand, missionary correspondents reported in March that cultivation was on a greatly increased scale—such being especially the case in the tribal territories which are beyond Chinese control. Official efforts at destruction had been feeble and ill-directed, with the result that three good crops had been harvested in quick rotation. I have received further reports regarding Southern Szechuan as lately as the beginning of the present month, and they continue to speak of the very serious proportions which cultivation has assumed. One letter on the subject contains the following passages:— \n\n\"The area under cultivation is increased three hundred fold over that grown under the Manchus. Farmers are now sowing, or rather have sown, three or four measures of seed this season, whereas usually only one measure was grown. The value of an ounce of new opium is 2 tael cents cheaper than it was this time last year. The present price is low because of the large quantity expected. There is no district without its opium. The suppression methods and the official feeling is one of helplessness. No edicts or proclamations have been issued for months, and the people naturally conclude that they are free to grow as much opium as they wish.\" \n\nWith regard to Western Szechuan, a general recrudescence is reported from the prefecture of Yachow, but the area under cultivation is said to be less than in former years, and the more extensive poppy fields are situated in the remoter districts and tribal territories. His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu, in reporting on this prefecture, mentions that mutinous soldiery, after looting a local town, were seen to have their clothing \"literally bulging with opium,\" in which they had apparently invested the proceeds of their foray. In view of the mountainous nature of the country, it was thought that instructions issued for the renewal of repressive measures were unlikely to lead to any marked result. \n\nReports received from the north of the province state that in two districts, large areas of poppy were being grown. Cultivation was carried on without concealment, and flourishing crops were seen in close proximity to the high roads. In one prefecture, attempts to destroy the more extensive fields had given rise to disturbances. \n\nIn conclusion, it may be added that His Majesty's Consul-General was, towards the end of April, informed by the Szechuan Department of the Interior that total suppression had been carried out over two-thirds of the province, and that surreptitious cultivation was confined to inaccessible and mountainous spots, where it was of insignificant extent. He is not altogether prepared to endorse this statement and concludes that poppy continues to be grown to a greater extent than is admitted by the officials, and that cultivation is by no means confined to the more isolated districts. \n\n## Shensi \n\nAt the end of last year, considerable cultivation was reported. No recent information has been forthcoming. \n\n## Shansi \n\nThe province was declared free of cultivation in August 1911 and placed on the list of provinces into which Indian opium should not be conveyed. A relapse took place last year, and the poppy was cultivated in the south and centre. The area sown appears to have been appreciable and was reported to be one-twentieth of that in earlier years, when the annual production was about 20,000 chests. \n\n## Hupeh \n\nCultivation was reported in the south-west. \n\n## Kiangsi \n\nAt the end of last year, cultivation was reported in remote localities, but the amount does not appear to have been of any extent, nor is there information of further cultivation. \n\n## Chekiang \n\nA statement furnished by one of the foreign opium importers at Shanghai as to the conditions in February last reported a moderate amount of cultivation in the north-east and south-east, and very heavy cultivation in the east, not far from the coast; a fair quantity has also been observed in the central districts of the province. A missionary wrote last month that he had seen thousands of mow (1 acre equals 6 mow) planted with poppy in the south-east not far from Wenchow earlier in the season. In March last, he made a tour through this district and now testifies to the total destruction of the crop. \n\nThe three Manchurian provinces were placed on the prohibition list in August 1911, and Chibli and Kuangsi were added in February of this year. Shantung, Anhui, and Hunan have recently been examined by consular officers under Article 4 of the Opium Agreement of May 1911, and I will deal with them in a separate despatch. \n\nOn the whole, it may fairly be said that the Chinese Government have shown signs of earnestness in the suppression of opium cultivation in the provinces this year, and an advance in this direction has been made within the last three months. \n\nWhile making full allowance for their difficulties, I cannot but point out that a great deal remains to be done before the work of suppression can be considered as complete—notably in the provinces of Yunnan, Kueichow, Kiangsu, Kansu, and Szechuan. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n0 \n\n**J. N. JORDAN**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 445636, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913", "page_number": 107, "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n106\n\n**OPTUM.**\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n[28793]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[June 23.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nSir,\n\n**Messrs. Bride and Son to Sir Edward Grey.-Received June 23.)**\n\n39, City Road, London, June 21, 1913.\n\nWE beg to submit, for your information, a letter received from one of our correspondents in the interior of China, which may be of interest to your Department. After perusal, we would esteem it a favour if you will return the original to us.\n\nYours, &c.\n\nA. J. BRIDE AND SON.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Mr. Wellwood to Mr. Bride.**\n\nAmerican Baptist Mission,\n\nDear Mr. Bride,\n\nNing Yuen Fu (viâ Chengtu), May 15, 1913.\n\nYOUR favour of the 27th March reached me last mail. Thank you for sending the books along. Hope they will reach here on time and in good condition. Mail and parcels have a long and dangerous way to reach us. Yet it is remarkable how few things are either spoiled or lost.\n\nYes, the opium is a real problem in China at present. Large quantities are grown in this section of the province, much more than under the Manchus. The officials seem helpless to suppress it. I have little doubt, however, of the ultimate success of the Government to suppress it. But this statement must be somewhat qualified. China will suppress it as long as England brings pressure to bear on her. Let this pressure be removed and one cannot say what may result.\n\nThe country is gradually settling down, though there is much unrest in some sections of this province still. Capital, too, is timid, and investors are holding back until things are more secure. Yuan Shih-kai is the only man capable of steering the ship of state through these stormy waters studded with rocks. He alone can pilot things safely through. I am sorry that the party most in evidence in Peking seem to be opposed to him, but the country north and south is solid for him. The men that are trying to make trouble are young men mostly educated abroad, and are excellent theoretic Republicans. But these men lack the confidence of the people and of most of experienced Chinese statesmen. I am decidedly for Yuan, and I think Sen Wen could never manage the country. He is considered as being mostly foreign, and does not quite understand the Chinese point of view. Yuan understands the Chinese and their needs.\n\nThanking you again for your kind help. With kindest regards, I am, &c.\n\nR. WELLWOOD.\n\n[2965 z-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 445905, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913", "page_number": 376, "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913", "content_text": "374\n\nVSA\n\nag., Jrewed\":\n\n-op tot, 2001\n\nno lanksto\n\n1\n\naniNødtebru to noidyo Jexit end\n\n.yawlied wodnsil-notnet erit\n\n(OLEN, TROY Enivollot DAT\n\nTOPOZTOCTOŬ eeening bris deiðina\n\nC.SшITTovoð a'mjeejan Bill\n\n› mindje od quotË toneri edt\n\nPria Aguoʻzið vævliell zoánsh\n\net in Crupo ni badirɔadwa ed\n\nJNƏMƏZANEN\n\nvad vi 39el mi virsã\n\nallt gntzub beunitnos\n\nJors Man79% old, 2091, doʻral\n\nOPTIKAMI., eds benjoj bad,200l\n\nTol now..elly doland of eredba oj unidst\n\n9.\n\nC\n\n10 N50 vari İsń wodneli-nojnal edt\n\nDepri,quorü Moneti-vIgnA ÎNT\n\nMA: Blues and acted jeed add exe\n\nmmercio.bjoy Jivofitib bas gnol raJÌA\n\nJe beloner vilsnit\n\nco-operation in the Canton-Hankow and Hankow-Chengtu Railway Loans on the basis of equal participation with\n\nthis one exception, that the Chief Engineer for the Railway from Hankow to Canton was to be British.\n\nThe result was (that) the Hukuang Railway Agreement of the 20th May, 1911, to which, for reasons which it is unnecessary to enter into here, the American Group was also made a party.\n\nTo return to the advance of $ 5 lacs to the Canton Provincial Railway Company, I understand that the Chinese insisted upon dealing with the Bank alone, which was not therefore in a position to offer participation to other Groups.\n\nIt would be difficult, however, to maintain that the advance is a purely banking transaction, seeing that the Railway is mortgaged as security and that the advance carries with it a preference for future Railway Loans.\n\nThe\n\nIt would seem, therefore, that if such a Railway Loan should eventually be required, the French, German and American Groups would have a claim to participation.\n\nwhole tenor of the Canton-Hankow negotiations, as I have tried to outline them in this letter, is international in character, and, in view of Article 19 of the Hukuang Railway\n\nHome", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 449803, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-414 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [10-11]", "page_number": 485, "title": "CO129-414 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [10-11]", "content_text": "Page 482\n\nNo.9856.\n\nImperial German General Consulate for China.\n\nSHANGHAI, 12th November, 1914.\n\n1744\n\nREC REGR 12 JAN 15 In case nothing of a corresponding nature has been done there I have the honour to give you the following advice. The Chinese central authorities in the provinces are nearly all subscribers to Reuters, but some, not all, to the \"Ostasiatische Lloyd\". In Chengtu the Chinese provincial government have successfully been persuaded to subscribe to Lloyd's Telegraph service, under the demonstration that their doing so was called for by the obligations of neutrality. It should be possible to attempt the same there with you, and it is desirable that the Chinese official authorities concerned, should give the same priority for our telegrams as for Reuters service. The German telegraph agency here would then be in a position to send you more words on account of the Chinese payments.\n\nThe Imperial General Consul,\n\nKnipping.\n\nTo\n\nThe Imperial Consul,\n\nHerr Dr. Rossler,\n\nCanton.\n\nPage 482\n\n \n(end of page information)\n\nvriend ndłw undgniat revo qu\n\n \n(appears to be OCR gibberish and is left as is)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-414 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 450634, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "page_number": 216, "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "content_text": "(No. 2.) Sir,\n\nNo. 14.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 20.)\n\nPeking, January 3, 1913.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward to you herewith a copy of a note from the Wai-chiao Pu on the subject of the payment in sterling in London of sums due on account of the foreign loans of China.\n\nThe Ministry of Finance, realising the loss on exchange caused to China by the present system of paying out large sums in silver at Shanghai, desired to substitute for that system an arrangement whereby the service of the foreign loans could be effected on the due dates by sterling payments in London. After considering the matter, the Diplomatic Body decided that the question was one which was regulated by the several loan agreements, and could therefore only be settled by direct arrangement with the holders of the bonds. This decision was accordingly conveyed to the Wai-chiao Pu on the 2nd instant in a memorandum drafted by the French Minister.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nEnclosure in No. 14.\n\nWai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Translation.) Sir,\n\nPeking, November 28, 1912. IT has hitherto always been the practice for China, when making payments in respect of her foreign loans, to do so in silver, delivering it at the current sterling rate of exchange, for transmission, to the Shanghai branches of the various banks concerned.\n\nThe Ministry of Finance now propose, in order to avoid loss by exchange, to make payments at the due dates in sterling to the correspondents of the several banks on the spot in London, instead of having to deliver for transmission through the three banks in Shanghai.\n\nI venture to think their Excellencies the foreign representatives at Peking will readily approve an economical scheme of this nature, and have the honour, therefore, M. le Doyen, to request the favour of an early reply from the diplomatic body to facilitate the issue of instructions to the inspector-general, the Ministry of Finance, and the banks concerned to concert the necessary measures.\n\nIn regard to last year's joint scheme in eight articles for the appropriation of customs revenues for the service of foreign loans, I have the honour also to state that, with the exception of the slight modifications occasioned by the procedure suggested above, that scheme will continue to have effect.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Seal of Wai-chiao Pu.)\n\n(No. 19.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 30.)\n\nPeking, January 14, 1913. I HAVE had the honour to report by telegraph the attack by armed robbers near Luchou on a party of Canadian Methodist missionaries. The attack which took place on the 2nd January resulted in the death of John Jolliffe, the infant child of one of the missionaries. One of the robbers was captured during the attack and strong representations were made to the local authorities by the acting British consul-general at Chengtu, urging them to adopt energetic measures for the capture of the remaining members of the gang and for the general suppression of brigandage in the district. In an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of the 8th instant, I called his attention to the facts of the case and on the following day I addressed an official memorandum to the Wai-chiao Pu requesting that the most stringent instructions might be sent to the provincial authorities to effect the capture of the culprits and to deal with the case in a prompt and effective manner. I also instructed the acting British consul-general at Chengtu to send a representative\n\n212", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 450635, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "page_number": 217, "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "content_text": "200\n\n4\n\n213\n\nto the scene of the crime and to hold an inquest on the body of the murdered child. He has since informed me that the representative in question was leaving Chengtu on the 10th instant and was being provided with an escort by the Provincial Secretary for Foreign Affairs. The latter had also called in person at the consulate and had expressed his regret at the commission of the crime.\n\nI have now received from the Wai-chiao Pu a memorandum, translation of which I have the honour to enclose herewith, containing expressions of regret on behalf of the Chinese Government and informing me of the instructions sent to the provincial authorities for the capture of the robbers responsible for the murder.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nEnclosure in No. 19.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nNote communicated to Sir J. Jordan by Wai-chiao Pu.\n\nTHE Wai-chiao Pu were apprised by His Majesty's Minister in person of the shooting by robbers in Szechuan of the child of a British missionary proceeding from Chungking to Chengtu, and Sir John Jordan requested them to send instructions for the punishment of the criminals. They at once telegraphed to the Tutu of the province, whose reply states that, according to a telegram from the magistrate of Fu Shun district, a British missionary, Jolliffe, with his family, entered his jurisdiction under escort provided in Lu Chou. Their boat, moored at Huang Ko Wan, was raided by robbers in the middle of the night of the 3rd instant. Dr. Cox, travelling with the party, opened fire and killed one of the robbers. The rest of the gang evaded arrest by shooting, and mortally wounded the missionary's infant son, John Jolliffe. Hearing the noise, militia guards collected and captured one, Tang Hsing-fa, the leader of the robbers, the rest of whom made good their escape. The Tutu adds that he is instructing the district magistrate to have the captured robber, Tang Hsing-fa, brought up for trial, and deal with him with the utmost rigour; he is also sending immediate orders throughout the province to take all possible steps for the arrest of the escaped robbers, who must be captured and brought to trial without fail.\n\nThe Wai-chiao Pu regard with the deepest regret this encounter of British missionaries with robbers in Fu Shun district, and the wounding, mortally, of the Rev. Mr. Jolliffe's infant son. They are telegraphing to the Tutu of Szechuan to effect as soon as possible the capture of the escaped robbers. Meanwhile, they have the honour to communicate the above information.\n\nPeking, January 11, 1913.\n\n[5466]\n\nNo. 21.\n\n(No. 27.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 4.)\n\nPeking, January 20, 1913. IN my despatch No. 55 of the 30th January, 1912,* I had the honour to forward a copy of the instructions issued by the Diplomatic Body to the International Bankers' Commission at Shanghai, which was formed to arrange for the due payment out of customs revenues of the foreign debt charged thereon. Article 6 of these instructions reads as follows:-\n\n\"If normal conditions are not restored by the end of 1912, then at that time an account shall be taken of the surplus available for the indemnity, and such account shall be sent to the Diplomatic Body for their decision as to its disposal.\"\n\nThe secretary of the International Bankers' Commission forwarded to me, as dean, an account dated the 4th January, 1913, showing a balance on the 31st December, 1912, to the credit of the combined loan service accounts in the three custodian banks of Shanghai of 10,268,202.59 taels, a sum which was subsequently corrected to 10,273,682.09 taels. On receipt of this account on the 8th instant, I immediately circulated it among my colleagues and called a meeting for the 16th instant to discuss the disposal of this surplus.\n\n* See \"China, No. 3 (1912),” No. 113.\n\nL", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 450642, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "page_number": 224, "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "content_text": "II\n\nSzechuan.\n\nThe political situation at Chengtu has been chiefly remarkable for the complete ascendency which has been gained by the military party under the acting Tutu Hu Ching-yi and the gradual elimination of rival claimants for power from among the various political parties in the province. Owing to the successful intrigues of Hu, the president was induced to abolish the separate post of civil governor, hitherto held by Chang Pei-cho, president of the Tung Meng Hui, and to invest Hu himself with the duties of the office. Other members of the Teng Meng Hui were compelled to resign their offices, the only one now left in a situation of importance being the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Chang Chih-hsiang, whose position is none too secure. As a result of the ascendency of the military party, nearly all the yamêns and temples have been converted into barracks and the parade grounds in the corners of the city are scenes of great activity.\n\nIn spite of the good order that is being maintained, signs of unrest and discontent are not wanting, and plots engineered by the many divergent political parties are constantly coming to light.\n\nThe restoration of order in Szechuan has rendered the return of foreign missionaries to their districts feasible and the great majority are now back at their posts with their wives and families. Partly owing to their temporary retreat a movement has been started in more than one place for eliminating the foreign missionaries altogether from the control of church work and placing the mission centre and incidentally the mission property under the control of native pastors. Such a development appeals strongly to the highly independent Szechuan mind and has the sympathetic support of the non-Christian but equally anti-foreign native officials. This phase will require some tactful handling by the foreign missionary body in the near future.\n\nThe acting British consul at Chungking reports that the interior of Eastern Szechuan is reverting to normal conditions, and that travel and residence in these parts is now incomparably safer than was the case in December 1911. Armed robbers, however, are still to be feared, as is evidenced by the recent attack on a party of missionaries near Fushan, which resulted in the death of the six-year old son of the Rev. R. O. Jolliffe.\n\n220", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 450658, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "page_number": 240, "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "content_text": "236\n\n30\n\nto them. Public attention at Chengtu has been concentrated during the past quarter on the provincial elections to the Peking Parliament. The election of the thirty-five members to represent Szechuan in the Lower House was effected without serious difficulty, but that of Senators for the Upper House, which had to await the settlement of the internal affairs of the Provincial Assembly, proved a tardy process. Of the thirty-five members of Parliament for Szechuan, twenty-three are said to belong to the Kuo Min Tang and twelve to the Kung Ho Tang. The result may be said to be less representative of public opinion in the province than of a highly-organised party, whose main object appears to be the obtaining of well-paid posts for its members. The Kuo Min Tang favour the maximum of provincial autonomy, including the right to elect their own Governor and choose their own executive officials. The Kung Ho Tang is in favour of centralisation and willing to leave the appointment of Governor and executive officials in the hands of the Central Government at Peking.\n\nTowards the end of February, there was a mutiny of unpaid soldiers at Ningyuenfu. Order was restored, but no serious attempt was made to punish the ringleaders.\n\nVarious conferences have taken place at Chengtu between representatives of the native converts who wish to manage their own church independently of the foreign missionaries and the missionaries themselves. This independent church movement is growing all over China, but the question of finance is at present the main stumbling-block in the way of the Chinese converts.\n\nEastern Szechuan was also disturbed in the month of February by a deliberate attack on the city of Wan Hsien by the Chengtu troops forming part of the garrison. At best an ill-disciplined body, arrears of pay and rumours of their approaching disbandment had brought about a state of mutiny in the ranks. Fifteen of the largest firms and pawnshops were successively invaded and looted, and the men, having secured between 5,000 and 10,000 taels in silver, were only induced to return to their barracks by a promise of 10,000 dollars from the townspeople. Further outrages were averted by the payment of this sum, the troops concerned being also awarded an additional month's pay as a gratuity. Some time elapsed before the authorities took steps to bring the ringleaders to book, but several of the chief offenders were eventually shot, and the disorderly company was transferred to Chengtu.\n\nDuring the looting, no hostility to foreigners was displayed, but His Majesty's Consul at Chungking reports that a certain measure of irritation, which has found vent in posters inveighing against the malicious designs of the foreign Powers for the partition and enslavement of China, has lately made its appearance in Wan Hsien.\n\nThe reduction of the military forces of Szechuan has led to a recrudescence of armed robbery and kidnapping in Nan Chuan, Ch'i Chiang, and other districts bordering on the lawless province of Kueichou. A force sent from Chungking to restore order was defeated by a strong band of brigands, and concerted action by the military authorities of Kueichou and Szechuan was needed to suppress the general disorder along the border. At present, a party of soldiers is posted every 5 li along the main roads, and conditions are so far improved that the Post Office is endeavouring to reopen the parcel-post service to Kueichou, which has been interrupted since the beginning of the railway rising of 1911.\n\nYünnan.\n\nVery peaceful conditions have prevailed in the province of Yünnan for some time, and there have been no serious disturbances to record. The people appear to be prosperous and contented, and the army—well paid and disciplined—has given no trouble. The Provincial Treasury is reported to be practically empty, but funds are forthcoming to provide for the current expenses of administration and even for the purchase of munitions of war. The feeling of hostility towards the British on account of their supposed aggressions on the frontier still exists amongst all classes of Yunnanese, and has a prejudicial effect on British interests in that part of China. His Majesty's Consul-General is endeavouring to counteract this, in some measure, by persuading the local authorities to send a few students to the Hong Kong University out of the 100 which are to be sent abroad this year.\n\nA society for the advancement of Buddhism in China has been established in Yunnan-fu under the patronage of the local Government.\n\nPage 240\n\nPage 241", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 450686, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "page_number": 268, "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914", "content_text": "63\n\n2. Although I now have a wireless chain from Hankow to Shanghai, the wireless work is found to be very difficult; the Chinese shore stations still accept telegrams, but it is quite problematical whether they send them through, and in any case a delay of some days is to be expected. Consequently everything has to be done by wireless, and the consular authorities at all the ports look to the ships to transmit their messages, besides the large amount of naval work going on.\n\nWith the ships of five nations (British, American, German, Japanese, and French) thus competing against each other, the result was confusion, and I have arranged with the other nations that the twelve hours of day and night shall be allotted, two to each nation exclusively and the remaining two for general use.\n\n3. The situations at the three centres of the fighting are at present as follows:-\n\nNanking.\n\nThe opposing forces are at Peng-pu, on the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway line, about 100 miles north of Pukow. It seems probable that the northern army will drive back the southern army on Pukow, and, as the latter hold the railway line, they should be able to effect their retreat without any difficulty, perhaps destroying the line behind them.\n\nThe danger here lies in the possibility of a routed and demoralised southern force arriving in Nanking unpaid and unfed, and ready to start looting. Apart from this, there is no reason to anticipate disturbances in Nanking itself.\n\nThe southern wounded are being sent down in considerable numbers, and there is only very indifferent medical aid for them.\n\nI have offered the services of our medical officers, and they have been accepted but not made use of yet. The Chinese said they would send word when they desired them.\n\nShanghai.\n\nSouthern attacks on the arsenal close to Shanghai take place nightly, and so far have failed completely. The Chinese ships there have been taking part with the northerners in the defence of the arsenal.\n\nThe Shanghai international corps of volunteers has been called out for the defence of the settlement, if required, and the British and foreign ships there are prepared to land armed parties.\n\nI have ordered \"Monmouth\" and \"Hampshire\" to Wusung—as near to Shanghai as they can go—and \"Welland\" and \"Usk\" to Shanghai itself.\n\n\"Newcastle,\" \"Ribble,\" and \"Woodlark\" are already at Shanghai, so the British naval force there will be a strong one.\n\nKiukiang.\n\nThe northern troops are meeting with general success, and appear to be driving the southern troops before them with slight opposition. No change has been reported during the last forty-eight hours.\n\n31\n\n4. I have heard from Hong Kong that trouble is feared at Canton. The \"Otter\" and \"Fame\" have been sent there, the latter being completed to full crew from \"Rosario,\" and also taking twenty marines.\n\n264\n\n[38906]\n\nNo. 126.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nT. H. M. JERRAM,\n\nMr. Alston to Sir Edward Grey—(Received August 23.) (No. 199.) (Telegraphic.) R.\n\nPeking, August 23, 1913.\n\nCRITICAL situation has arisen at Chengtu owing to 1st division having thrown in their lot with Chungking rebels, against whom they were sent. They are said to be marching on Chengtu. General Yin, at Yachow, has been threatened with death unless he declares against the Government, which he is expected to do at any moment. Other towns have also revolted.\n\nOne division of troops from Yünnan-fu, intended for pacification of Hunan, have been diverted to Szechuan. Foreigners so far all safe.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 456940, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915", "page_number": 256, "title": "CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915", "content_text": "2\n\n44\n\nCK\n\nattack on the Japanese consul produced some effect, and recently there have been marked indications that Chinese opinion at Canton is veering round to the other side.\" Mr. Jamieson, moreover, expresses the opinion that the German campaign did nothing to injure British or to maintain German trade, and that the latter is suffering severely. At Foochow the German campaign has been more successful, thanks to the activity of the German consul and the pro-German tendencies of his intimate friend, the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, and His Majesty's consul reports that Germany is obviously regarded as the nation which is to rescue China from the wolves which are tearing her to pieces.\" At Amoy on the other hand, where, as at Foochow, fears of Japanese aggression might have been expected to assist a German propaganda, the general feeling among the educated classes is a fear as to the effect of the war on trade, and the possibility of China being embroiled, while the masses feel an amused satisfaction that the Powers, who, they are told, are always united at China's throat, should now be grappling with each other.\" An attempt to stir up a pro-German feeling by the dissemination of highly-coloured pamphlets has met with no success. At Tsinan-fu the Japanese proved themselves the more skilful organisers of a press campaign, and they received effective support from His Majesty's consul, who showed great initiative and energy in obtaining the dissemination of Reuter's telegrams. Mr. Pratt's account of the general situation in Shantung during the past quarter is of special interest, and is therefore enclosed in extenso. In Yunnan, where mutiny and rebellion have been so common for years past as scarcely to excite comment, stories of mutiny in India are readily believed, though His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu has been at pains to deny them.\n\nVarious circumstances have contributed to the success of the German press campaign in Western China; the withdrawal of the French missionaries recalled to the colours has naturally given rise to a crop of rumours, and the German scientific expedition, which is now travelling in Western Szechuan, has industriously spread every kind of story, while the two German professors at Chengtu have spared no effort to disseminate glowing accounts of German victories in Europe. In the attack on Tsingtao an analogy has been found to the violation of Belgian neutrality, and it is freely argued that China should declare war on Japan for the same reason that Belgium is fighting Germany. There is no doubt that it would require no official encouragement to make an anti-Japanese policy on the part of the Government extremely popular.\" On the other hand, the command of the Dalai Lama that prayers should be offered throughout Tibet for the success of the British arms has had considerable influence on the frontier tribesmen. It is satisfactory that His Majesty's consul-general should be able to report that the local authorities at Chengtu have shown every desire to adopt a reasonable and impartial attitude. At Pakhoi the German campaign is in the hands of the Keeler Mission, which issues a broadsheet every week. Mr. Toller reports that \"normally it is a religious tract pure and simple, but since the outbreak of the war it has become a local edition of the \"Ostasiatischer Lloyd.\" Its editing would seem to leave room for improvement: Saturday's issue can often be bought on Thursday, and occasionally it appears with such items of news as :- \"The Germans have defeated the ... Or the German ship has sunk the ... ship named ...,\" the task of filling up the blanks in the stereotyped formula having escaped the missionary's notice.\" At Chunking the unfortunate Chinese are asked to believe that \"the British fleet has been swept off the seas by the German warships.\" At Hankow the interest taken by the native population in the war is stated to be about as great as that which would be taken in a Tibetan border affray, and the same must be true of many other parts of China, as the subject of Chinese opinion or sympathies is not even mentioned in many of the quarterly reports.\n\nRecently, however, the Germans appear to have decided that China is a suitable field for an active campaign. The two or three Chinese papers published at Peking, which are known to be partly or wholly German owned, have published many virulent attacks on Great Britain, a favourite theme naturally being the contrast between the attitude she adopted towards the violation of Belgian and Chinese neutrality. However, even these papers publish the official British telegrams and Reuter's telegrams, but in less prominent type than the German and with impertinent comments.\n\nIt is difficult to see what results it is hoped to achieve by this campaign. Chinese sympathy could only show itself in a practical form by an attempt to massacre Germany's foes, and in such a massacre the Germans could not hope to escape. As is pointed out in some of the consular reports, from the commercial point of view, the Chinese are confronted with the concrete fact that German trade has almost ceased to exist. They are therefore compelled to trade with those who can trade with them, whether or no they believe that Germany's foes will at some future date be swept off the face of the earth.\n\nAt the same time there is a possibility, which cannot be entirely disregarded, that the many factions in opposition to the President (who is known to lean on British support) may think the moment a favourable one to rebel, and hope to gain adherents from the fact that the educated classes have been led to believe that the President's main prop among the European nations is a broken reed.\n\nThe actual news issued by the \"Ostasiatischer Lloyd\" is a curious study. Occasionally this agency obtains information—notably in the case of the engagement off the coast of Chile two or three days before it is received from other sources; in other cases the news has every appearance of being Reuter's telegrams suitably \"decked out\" and expanded or minimised. Many of the \"telegrams\" which appear under a heading \"New York, November 1; Peking, November 3,\" almost must have been drafted here, but they do little credit to their author's intellectual capacity, and in some cases even reveal a deplorable ignorance of geography. Another remarkable point is that the \"Ostasiatischer Lloyd\" news bears little resemblance to that issued by wireless from Germany as reported in \"The Times.\" It is only occasionally that news is issued by the German Legation, and it has been observed that in cases where the statement is unusually inaccurate, the copy posted at the Peking Club sometimes bears the signature of the German Chargé d'Affaires. Reference has been made in the London press to the removal from the \"Peking Gazette\" of the English editor, Mr. Woodhead, for taking a too partial view of the war, and it may probably be traced to German influence, though it is impossible to speak with certainty. When the paper was founded rather over a year ago, a Mr. Eggerling, a British subject born of German parents in Scotland, informed Mr. Woodhead that he was the sole proprietor, and that the paper was in no sense under German influence. Subsequently shares were acquired by Chinese, of whom the most prominent is one Eugen Chen, an able man, who is on the roll of English solicitors, but cannot on that account be regarded as a friend; he has, indeed, on one occasion made a violent personal attack on His Majesty's Minister in another Peking paper. Prior to the outbreak of the war the editor had on several occasions criticised the policy of the French, Russian, and Japanese Legations with more vigour than discretion, and the general view held in Peking was that the paper was directly or indirectly under German influence. As the war progressed, Mr. Woodhead adopted a steadily more anti-German line, with the result that he found himself in conflict with Mr. Eggerling, who had not relinquished his position in the German Bank, and probably found himself subjected to considerable pressure. Mr. Woodhead, however, refused to change his tone, whereupon Mr. Eggerling transferred his interest in the paper to Eugen Chen, who promptly dismissed Mr. Woodhead on the ground that a strongly partisan attitude towards the European conflict cannot be held to be in conformity with the avowed policy of upholding the present régime in China and of maintaining an independent attitude towards the Governments of other Powers. This incident has been regarded by the German community as a marked success, but hitherto Eugen Chen, who has undertaken the editorship himself, has given no indication that he intends to run the paper in the interests of Germany, and indeed his comments on Mr. Asquith's Guildhall speech would not have excited adverse criticism had they appeared in any London paper.\n\nHe has, however, only been in control for three weeks, so that it is too early to judge whether he will really act on his public announcement that the paper will henceforth be conducted with the sole view of supporting Chinese interests and will discuss and report European questions in a perfectly impartial spirit. As regards the attitude of the official classes it is impossible to generalise more than to say that the President and his entourage have more sympathy with us than with our enemies, whereas the military classes who have come to some extent directly under German influence incline to the other side. Otherwise local conditions are the determining factor. With the fall of Tsingtao there is little danger of further serious violation of China's neutrality. During the past months many incidents have conclusively proved her inability to defend it, but whenever this Legation has called the Government's attention to any particular case, some serious effort has been made to meet our views, and we have every reason to be satisfied with the manner in which the Chinese Government has interpreted the duties of neutrality.\n\nThe general situation in the provinces, as portrayed in recent consular reports, has to some extent improved. Brigandage on a large scale has received a check in the disappearance of \"White Wolf,\" though small bands continue to flourish in most districts; mutinies of the troops have been less frequent in spite of the fact that the provincial authorities frequently enrol brigands in the army, even when they have been caught with arms in their hands. The only serious outbreak occurred at Kalgan and ...\n\n251\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 456942, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915", "page_number": 258, "title": "CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915", "content_text": "7\n\n65\n\nbut it is, perhaps, wiser to regard these more as an indication of the orderly working of the machinery of Government than as a symptom of acute rebel activity.\" Brigandage still continues, but the \"White Wolf\" bands have been greatly weakened. Various official and unofficial accounts of the leader's death have appeared, but in some quarters it is suggested that he is still alive, but pretending to be dead for the sake of the reward of 100,000 dollars placed on his head.\n\nThe only noteworthy fact reported from Ichang is the successful establishment of a steamship service between that port and Chunking; hitherto it had generally been held that the rapids would render a regular service impossible.\n\nThe following interesting paragraph occurs in the last quarterly report, from Chunking:--\n\nイ\n\n7\n\n\"In August a somewhat startling paragraph appeared in the North China Herald to the effect that the German gunboat Otter had attempted to tie up to the British and French gunboats at Chunking and that hostilities had only been averted by the prompt action of Mr. Yen Hsi-ching, the Chinese diplomatic officer, who had prevailed on the German gunboat to leave the port. What actually occurred is as follows: At the end of July H.M. ship Widgeon was the only gunboat at Chungking. The German gunboat was at Suifu and H.M. ship Teal and the French gunboat were at Chiating. On the 3rd August the Otter returned to Chungking, and after the commander had held a brief conversation with the German consul, steamed down the river, mooring some 10 miles below her usual tying up place, which is situated half a mile below the British anchorage and not, as reported in the paper, alongside H.M. ships. The same day, in compliance with an official request from the commander of H.M. ship Widgeon, acting under instructions from the commander-in-chief, I notified the Chinese officials that war was imminent with certain Powers and that H.M. ships on the Upper Yang-tsze had every desire to respect China's neutrality. I also communicated through a neutral channel with the commander of the 'Otter' and enquired in guarded language whether he was equally desirous of respecting China's neutrality. His reply communicated to me on the 3rd August was as follows: 'If H.M. ships on the Upper Yang-tsze respect the neutrality of China I will do the same.' The German gunboat left for Ichang the next day. The only moment when hostilities appeared at all likely was when the German gunboat, after passing H.M. ship Widgeon on the 3rd August turned and repassed her. No demonstration was made on either side and the 'Otter eventually swung round and stemmed down river. The account in the North China Herald appears to have been inserted for the benefit of Mr. Yen Hsi-ch'ing, the Foreign Affairs delegate, and it is not founded on fact.\"\n\n4\n\n7\n\nConsiderable credit seems to be due to His Majesty's consul and the commander of the \"Widgeon\" for the manner in which they dealt with a difficult and entirely novel situation. An interesting appreciation of the situation on the Thibetan border and of the views held locally is contained in the following letter from a member of the China Inland Mission to Mr. Brown :-\n\n\"The impression seemed to be very general among Chinese on the border, that the Lhassa troops were being supplied with the best modern guns from India and there were rumours that Ghurka soldiers were in the Thibetan army.\n\nThese rumours seemed to be causing some bad feeling among the Chinese troops against the British. While in the part of Eastern Thibet in which we were there was every appearance of Chinese supremacy and Thibetan subserviency and fear of the Chinese soldiery. There was, I gathered, a vague widespread feeling abroad that Lhassa troops would be able to drive back the Chinese and regain the supremacy of Eastern Thibet, and that in this way they have British influence behind them. I think in a general way the Thibetans are regarding Britain as a friend, while the Chinese view is of course the counterpart of that. I think it is quite possible that this vague general feeling may have been one of the factors in the desire that has been recently expressed in several districts to have British missionaries among them.\"\n\nThe province of Szechuan has been comparatively quiet during the past months, and there are indications that hostility to foreign enterprise, which has hitherto been more intense in this province than in any other part of China, is slowly breaking down. Otherwise the condition of the province continues to be unsatisfactory, and there is little hope of any material improvement until the radical reform of the currency has been undertaken. Szechuan is potentially one of the richest provinces of China, but trade has been so hampered by a depreciated paper currency and the exceptional dishonesty of the officials that the provincial administration is on the verge of bankruptcy, and is unable to make any contribution to the national exchequer. As an instance of official peculation Mr. Fox states that during the revolution millions of dollars were made by the simple process of issuing bank notes with duplicated and even triplicated numbers. As regards the currency, \"the following table,\" he says, \"will give some idea of the hopeless muddle into which the currency of Chengtu and neighbourhood has been allowed to drift. Not counting the tael, there are five distinct units of currency in everyday use, each having a varying rate of exchange with the others :-\n\n \n \"1. The Szechuan silver dollar (Mexican dollars of other provinces not accepted, except at an exorbitant discount) with subsidiary 50, 20, and 10 cent. pieces, whose rate of exchange with the dollar is constant. This dollar exchanges for 1,400 to 1,500 cash in paper dollars, 130 to 140 copper cents of any province, and 1,200 to 1,250 metal cash;\n \n \n \"2. The Szechuan military dollar note of 1,000 cash, with subsidiary 200 and 100 cash notes. This dollar exchanges for 83 to 86 copper cents and for 800 to 850 metal cash;\n \n \n \"3. The above-mentioned 200 and 100 cash notes, whose relation to the parent dollar is constant but whose value expressed in copper cents or cash is variable, with a steady downward tendency;\n \n \n \"4. Copper cents of any province as long as the colour is good, but this coin has become comparatively rare in Chengtu; one copper cent equals 9 to 11 cash;\n \n \n \"5. The old metal cash, practically unobtainable in Chengtu, but in general use in the country.\"\n \n\nThe depreciation of the currency, coupled with increased taxation has exercised a most depressing effect on the sale of foreign goods, and the business of the British-American Tobacco Company, for instance, has been run at an actual loss, so much so that their representative at Chengtu has recommended a drastic reduction of the foreign staff until better conditions prevail.\n\nIn his report for the quarter ending the 30th June, His Majesty's consul at Tsinan-fu gives a striking instance of the \"reckless manner in which the Oriental will mortgage the future.\" It had been decided to increase the tax on salt, and in order to allow the salt merchants to recoup themselves, to make a proportional increase in its price. A week's notice was, however, given of the impending change, during which time it was permitted to pay duty at the lower rate. There was naturally a rush to buy salt, and 1,600,000 dollars was paid in duty during that period, while the extra profit of the merchants was estimated at 1,000,000 dollars.\n\nThe last quarterly report from Chefu contains some interesting reference to the conduct of the Japanese troops on landing at Lungk'ou. His Majesty's consul has formed the opinion, based on several careful and impartial reports, \"that the difficult operation of landing and accommodating troops was carried out with the least possible inconvenience to the natives, and that, except in one or two isolated cases, the men conducted themselves well in very trying circumstances\" (very heavy rainstorm). The local Germans did all they could to create a panic among the Chinese, but no special success attended their efforts. A number of reports from other sources which have reached the legation tend to show that the conduct of the Japanese troops was quite good on the whole. Isolated instances of violence and rape occurred, but the latter crime especially was repressed with the utmost severity.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nTsinan Intelligence Report, September Quarter, 1914.\n\nPolitical Summary.\n\nJULY of this year was more than usually uneventful, but with August came the war in Europe which affected Shantung in a special degree owing to the position within its borders of the German fortress of Tsingtao. All ordinary concerns were suddenly dwarfed and the provincial authorities found themselves faced at a moment's notice\n\n[2313 ee-)\n\n-1]\n\nD\n\n253", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 460373, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]", "page_number": 506, "title": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]", "content_text": "503\n\nthe proposed line westwards from Tsinanfu; and, if so, whether this will enable Germany to extend her sphere of influence beyond Shantung, to which she has hitherto been confined by the Kiaochau Convention?\n\nThe Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey): The answer is in the affirmative. I cannot say whether the extension will have the effect suggested, but in any case it is a matter which concerns the German and Chinese Governments, and I am not aware that there is any Convention that debars Germany from obtaining a railway concession outside Shantung.\n\nTuesday, 7th July, 1914.\n\nSHANGHAI SETTLEMENT\n\nEXTENSION.\n\nMr. Theodora Taylor asked whether there have been negotiations between China and ourselves and other Powers for the addition to the leased territory known as the International Settlement of Shanghai of the district known as Chapei; and, if so, what consideration in return is being offered to China?\n\n60\n\nSir E. Grey There is no leased territory at Shanghai, but for many years past friction has been caused between the Chinese and foreign authorities by the conflict of jurisdictions arising out of the natural development of the International Settlement at that port. In September, 1912, the diplomatic body at Peking were requested by the Chinese Government to arrange for the negotiation locally of a clear demarcation of the boundaries between the Chinese and foreign areas with a view to effecting a permanent settlement of the questions at issue. No effect was given by the Chinese authorities at Shanghai to this request until the end of last year, when the subject was again raised. Beyond some friendly exchange of views, no formal negotiations have, however, taken place as yet.\n\nFriday, 10th July, 1914.\n\nRAILWAY CONCESSIONS, BRITISH\n\nGOVERNMENT POLICY.\n\nExtract from Speech made by Mr. GEORGE LLOYD\n\nI have reviewed what we have not gained in the Middle East. Now let us come to the Far East. Whilst the position there is not quite so serious, I think there is still ground for a great deal of anxiety and criticism. We have seen, in the last few years, the whole of Manchuria and China being opened up to foreign railway enterprise. With the big advantages of production which this country is alleged to possess in virtue of its free markets and its purchasing facilities, with low paid labour and predominant transport facilities, one would have thought the right hon. gentleman would have a far easier task than anyone else who is seeking to get commercial concessions out of the Chinese Government. We put practically no duties on Chinese exports. We have treated China in every way both as regards opium, and in other ways with peculiar generosity and fairness. That cannot be said of other nations to the same extent in dealing with China. Therefore the Foreign Secretary ought to have an advantage in negotiation, and to have had a You would have singular in quotation. thought that the combination was irresistible, and we ought to have swept the board. The fact is not so. Other nations, handicapped as everyone on that side of the House will admit they are by a system which makes it more difficult for them to compete with us in the acquisition of these concessions in railway considerations and the production of staple material, and with the perpetual reproach which China made against them. \"You treat our exports with a huge tariff and do not give us any chance\" - you would not have thought that any other nation could have stood a chance with us in negotiations for what was going in China. Take areas in China - I exclude Manchuria and Shantung, where in one case Russia, and in the other Germany has admittedly a special position.\n\n61\n\nTake even our own areas where we admittedly have special claims which are admitted by other countries, such as the Yangtsze Valley. It will be remembered by everyone that in 1905 there was concluded a simple agreement to which the Foreign Office was a witness; it took note of the agreement. It was an agreement literally with the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, by which it was admitted by our trade rivals in those areas that in return for keeping out of certain areas in China we were to be put in a privileged position in the Yangtze Valley for the purpose of expansion and other matters. As regards commerce, there was to be a special field for British enterprise. There is no doubt about that. It was a perfectly clear agreement, and it seems to me that, as the Foreign Office was a witness to it, it was the duty of the Foreign Office to see that the Yangtsze Valley Agreement was respected by those parties who put their hands to it. That is common sense, and it is obvious to everybody. The point is: Did the Foreign Office see that the Yangtsze Agreement, in return for the self-denying ordinances we entered into in regard to other matters in China, was observed by the other parties? I think it is clearly shown that the agreement was not observed.\n\nThat is regrettable, and it is ground for criticism. The Foreign Office seem to have made no effective protest as regards the Yangtsze Valley, or, if any steps were actually taken, none of them have been really effective. Of course, it is not a question of debate at all. According to the agreement the Germans were given the right in the Yangtsze Valley to build the Ichang under Lautiokow Railway, and it is now under construction. Russians and Belgians equally have the right to come down the Yangtsze Valley to Chiengtu, and the French, who are not concerned at this particular moment, have yet got, as hon. gentleman may remember, rights to build a railway from Haiphong to Yunnan. The French, in addition, have now got a concession to build a railway from Yunnan to Chiang King, which is beginning to be of great interest in Burma. The railway from Haiphong to Yunnan is a very important line indeed. They, therefore, go into the Yangtsze Valley by a prolongation of the railway. In regard to the latter line - though of this I am not sure, not being in a position to know. I believe we made a Treaty in 1896 by which we were to share with the French the railway rights in Yunnan and Shantung. If that is the case, and if in virtue of that agreement we do so share these railway rights, I wish to know whether or not the Foreign Office has protested as regards the acquisition of France of treaty rights in which we ought to share. If we do not share them, what have you got for the position which France has made for herself in that area?\n\nExtract from Speech made by Sir J. D. REES.\n\nI am afraid I must adhere to my view, notwithstanding what the hon. gentleman", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 464592, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916", "page_number": 152, "title": "CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n14209 REC \nRECE 4 WAR 15\n\nNo. 1.\n\n150\n\n[February 22.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n([34464] No. 31.)\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 22.)\n\nPeking, January 26, 1916.\n\nIN continuation of my despatches Nos. 6 and 22, I have the honour to report further on the progress of the Yunnan movement, and to convey a correct appreciation of the present situation. I cannot do better than enclose a memorandum by Mr. Teichman, who has an intimate knowledge of the country and was stationed at Chengtu in 1911, when the Yunnan troops invaded Szechuan and followed precisely the same tactics which they are repeating in the present campaign.\n\nIt will be seen that the Yunnan troops have advanced into the province of Szechuan, and that their objective seems to be Chungking and the possession of the upper waters of the Yang-tsze, which would give them a position of considerable strategic value. Mr. Teichman computes that there are at least 12,000 northern troops in Szechuan under the Military Governor, Ch'en Yi, who is a trusted servant of Yuan Shih-kai, and these, with the expeditionary force of some 20,000 men, now on its way up the river, should, if properly handled, be able to cope with the situation, unless there are large defections on the part of the Szechuan troops. To guard against this, Yuan Shih-kai is, I understand, making use of a weapon which plays an important part in all revolutionary movements in China, and is prepared to offer substantial inducements to troops which remain faithful to him or which care to transfer their allegiance to his cause. On the other hand, the loss of prestige which the President has suffered by the enforced abandonment of his monarchical programme and the justification which this action has given to the separatist movement, have undoubtedly improved the chances of the revolutionaries, and made the suppression of the revolt a far more serious task than it was at the outset. Outwardly, there has been little change in the attitude of the neighbouring provinces, although in Kueichow, where the Governor has been removed from his post, popular feeling appears to lean to the side of Yunnan. At Canton, as in Peking, the maintenance of order depends entirely upon the life of one man, and that life exposed to the attempts of many enemies. One odd and rather disquieting feature of the Canton situation is that General Lung is himself a native of Yünnan, and that more than half of his troops belong to that province, but he himself seems confident that they will obey his orders.\n\nI take this opportunity of enclosing copy of the joint despatch in which the two Governors of Yunnan notified His Majesty's consul-general of the independence of the province, as also copy of a note which they addressed to me on the same subject.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Yunnan Rebellion: Memorandum on the Present Position on the Yunnan-Szechuan Frontier.**\n\nTHE strength of the troops in Yünnan before the outbreak of the rebellion amounted at the outside to 20,000 modernly trained and equipped men, i.e., the 1st Division at Yünnan-fu and Tali (General Chang Tzu-chen), the 2nd Division at Mengtzu (General Liu Tsu-wu), and various miscellaneous garrisons. In Kueichow there were about 10,000, i.e., the 1st Division at Kueiyang and various miscellaneous detachments. In Szechuan there were possibly 20,000 (exclusive of the frontier force in the Thibetan Marches, 7,000 strong); of these at least 12,000 were northern troops, who accompanied the new Governor, General Ch'en Yi, to the province last May; these northern troops had their head-quarters at Chungking, Chengtu, and Mienchou (north of Chengtu).\n\nThere are two main roads from Yunnan to the Yang-taze and Szechuan, (1) from Yunnan-fu through Tungchuan and Chaotung to Suifu, and (2) from Yunnan-fu through Chuching, Hsuanwei, Weining, and Yungning to Luchow. There is one main... \n\n[2541 y-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 464593, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916", "page_number": 153, "title": "CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916", "content_text": "# 151 \n\n## 2\n\nThe main road from Kueichow to the Yang-taze and Szechuan, i.e., from Kueiyang, through Tsunyi, to Chungking. The more westerly roads from Yunnan into Szechuan, i.e., from Tali and Tengyueh, can be left out of account as they lead into the March country. There are thus three points of strategic importance on the Upper Yang-tsze—Suifu, Luchow, and Chungking, being the Szechuan leads of the three main roads from Yunnan and Kueichow. At Suifu was a small garrison, which was reinforced on the outbreak of trouble by 2,000 troops from Chengtu; at Luchow was stationed a General Lin with a division of Szechuan troops of doubtful loyalty; and at Chungking was a garrison of Ch'en Yi's northern troops.\n\nOn the outbreak of civil war the Imperial forces at Suifu and Luchow were pushed southwards, the former entering Yunnan and advancing down the Chaotung road for 70 miles or so, and the latter being moved south to Yungning on the Weining road.\n\nThe Yunnan rebels advancing from Yunnan-fu by the Tungchuan-Chaotung road met and defeated the Szechuanese Imperialists from Suifu at Laoyatan about the 16th January, advanced and repulsed them again at Ampien about the 18th January, and occupied Suifu, the most important centre on the Yang-taze west of Chungking on the 20th January. It appears probable that General Wu and his Szechuanese at Suifu did not fight seriously, but withdrew or went over to the rebels. Meanwhile, at Yungning the attitude of General Liu and his 8,000 Szechuanese covering Luchow is most uncertain; the Chengtu authorities are doubtful about them, and the Yunnan-fu authorities claim to count on their support. Thus, of the two main roads leading from Yunnan to Szechuan, the rebels hold the Tungchuan-Chaotung-Suifu one throughout, and appear likely to be in possession of the Weining-Yungning-Luchow one shortly. General Tsai Ao, Commander-in-chief of the rebel forces, left Yünnan-fu for Weining on the 6th January, from which it seems probable that another rebel force will shortly debouch into Szechuan by this road and join hands with the wavering Szechuanese troops at Yungning and Luchow.\n\nAlthough the Yunnan rebels by acting promptly have seized Suifu, and possibly the whole of the Upper Yang-tsze as far down as Luchow, the campaign cannot yet be said to have seriously commenced, since the Government expeditionary force of northern troops has not yet had time to reach the scene of action. This expeditionary force consists of the 3rd Hupei Division (from Yochow) with some additional troops, amounting in all to about 10,000 men, under General Ts'ao Kun, followed by the 7th Division (from Peking) with additional mixed brigade, also totalling about 10,000 men under General Chang Yao. The 10th Division (from Peking) is also said to be moving as a reserve. These troops have got to be hauled up the Yang-tsze from Ichang in native boats, there being no steam navigation to speak of at this time of the year. The journey from Ichang to Chungking in a native boat takes at least three weeks. General Tsao Kun's troops (the 3rd Hupei Division) were passing through Ichang during the first half of January, and the main body cannot possibly get to Chungking before the end of the month or early February.\n\nIt is possible, therefore, that the Yunnan rebels may meet with further success on the Upper Yang-taze in the near future, since there is nothing to stop them but Szechuan troops, many of whom are a doubtful quantity. But the real test will not come till the Imperialist expeditionary force gets beyond Chungking. Then, according to the official plan, General Ts'ao Kun's 3rd Division, with his rear protected by the following 7th Division, will join hands with General Chen Yi's northern troops and attack Yunnan in earnest. Wholesale defections by the Szechuanese troops to the rebel side before General Ts'ao Kun gets up-river would completely change the whole outlook. The attitude of Kueichow is also of great importance in connection with the campaign, owing to its position on the flank of the expeditionary force rendering possible an attack on Chungking from Kueiyang by the Tsunyi main road.\n\nThe Yunnanese are good soldiers with a great reputation in Szechuan. In 1911 a Yünnanese army entered Szechuan by the Suifu route, ostensibly to fight the Imperialists, but in reality to levy contributions on the rich cities of southern Szechuan. Though vastly outnumbered, they did as they liked in the province for months, and only withdrew of their own accord after the declaration of the republic. It remains to be seen whether they will prove a match for the well-equipped northern troops. Similarly, the Kueichow army showed its worth vis-a-vis the Szechuanese when in occupied Chungking during the interprovincial fighting in the autumn of 1913. The Kueichow troops only withdrew of their own accord after negotiation. During the troubles of 1911, 1912, and 1913 there was always a tendency on the part of the authorities of Yünnan and Kueichow, both poor but warlike provinces, to regard the rich and peaceable Szechuanese as a legitimate field for their freebooting expeditions, and to aim at the incorporation of Szechuan with Yunnan and Kueichow to form a federated south-western Chinese State. Szechuan has, in the past, also shown strong separatist tendencies, and for geographical and other reasons has always been in much closer touch with Yunnan and Kueichow on the south than with Hupei, Shensi, and Kansu on the north.\n\nPeking, January 23, 1916.\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n**Joint Despatch signed and sealed by the Military and Civil Governors to Consul-General Gough.** (Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nThe Republic of China was duly recognised by all the friendly Powers, but the President, Yuan Shih-kai, in violation of the Constitution and his oath, has now taken advantage of the continuance of the European war to plan a rebellion and cast his eyes upon the Imperial dignity. His Majesty's Minister in Peking has more than once counselled and warned him, but in utter disregard of all sense of right he ruthlessly pursues his way. Consequently, the friendly Powers have abandoned him, and the Chinese people regard him as of no account.\n\nWe received our appointments from the Republican Government and only recognise loyalty and duty towards the republic. All the provinces have unitedly declared that they will uphold the republic and continue in that path.\n\nWe recall that Great Britain previously recognised the republic, and we feel assured that on this occasion the British Government, as well as yourself, will approve our purpose of safeguarding the republic and upholding the Constitution. It is, accordingly, our duty to formally notify you of our intentions in order to strengthen our good relations with your country.\n\nIt is now our duty to inform you, for communication to your Government and the British Minister at Peking, of the course we propose to follow with regard to the treaties, and of our earnest desire for cordial relations with Great Britain :-\n\n1. From the date of the declaration of independence all the treaties negotiated with the Manchu and Republican Governments, as well as the separate conventions regarding Burmah and Tonkin, to continue in force.\n2. The lives and property of all foreign officials, merchants, and missionaries residing or travelling within our sphere of influence to be afforded full protection, as provided by treaty. Compensation will be paid by us for any actual losses incurred; but losses incurred through proceeding, in despite of our warning, into the territory of the tribesmen or disturbed districts will not be included in this category.\n3. We request you to telegraph to the Government of Burmah asking that the civil and military officials on the frontier be instructed to co-operate, as before, with the military and civil officials of the Republic of Yunnan for the preservation of order on the frontier.\n4. The neutrality in the European war proclaimed by the Republican Government will be fully enforced in our sphere of influence.\n5. In future, important affairs will be dealt with directly by us; in other matters we request you to continue to negotiate with the Foreign Affairs Bureau of Yunnan.\n\n[Signatures and seals of Tang Chi-yao and Jen K'o-ch'eng, Military and Civil Governors, respectively.]\n\nYünnan-fu, December 29, 1915.\n\n## Enclosure 3 in No. 1\n\n**Military and Civil Governors of Yunnan to Sir J. Jordan.** (Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nYünnan-fu, December 31, 1915.\n\nWhen on the 10th October, 1911, the standard of right was first raised in China, and all the other provinces responded, the reason was that the people of the whole country had long been weary of oppression under an autocrat: they arose with enthusiasm and brought about a political revolution. At that time the friendly Powers...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 465616, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916", "content_text": "## \n409\n\nGeneral Chen, Governor of Szechuan, developed an attack on Suifu, which was at one moment thought to be on the verge of capture, but the attack failed and the Government troops had to be withdrawn to Tzulinohing; this is said by the Chengtu Authorities to have been due to the suspicious behaviour of General Wu Hsiang-ch'ong's brigade, the same which evacuated Suifu without serious resistance at the beginning of the campaign. General Wu commands 3000 men, and his defection, which now appears probable, would be a serious blow to the loyalists.\n\nAs far as can at present be ascertained Luchow has not yet been occupied by the Yunnanese, though fighting has been going on within a few miles of the city. Over 11,000 men of the Northern Expeditionary Force have now passed through Chunking, and some are already reached Luchow, so that if these troops and their leaders are loyal that important city should now, like Chunking, be adequately defended.\n\nA Kweichou force has made an incursion into Hunan and raided the important city of Yuanchou in the east of that province. The rebels doubtless hope to ensure the adhesion of Hunan to their cause by the same means by which they won over Kweichou. The authorities at Changsha are hurrying troops in that direction, but they are reported by H.B. Consul to be uneasy.\n\nA Chinese official telegram from Peking on the 6th instant states that General Lung Tsing-kwang entered Yunnan from Kwangs and attacked Yoyai or the Laotzu arch and captured Yuho forts, and on the 2nd occupied the hills at the rear finally capturing Yoyai in the afternoon of the same day. This is the strategic point of great importance on the Yunnan frontier. The Government troops completely occupied the surrounding hills and retook Suifu on the 3rd March. A report from Yunnan states that...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 466502, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916", "page_number": 84, "title": "CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916", "content_text": "in conjunction with native agents and correspondents. During the past few years this method has been adopted by a rapidly increasing number of British, American, German, Russian and Japanese houses, but it is noteworthy that, whereas the German penetration has been largely effected by merchants whose headquarters were at the ports, the British organisation has been almost entirely carried out by large manufacturers of semi-monopolies and proprietary articles, such as cigarettes, kerosene, alkalies, household soap, candles, patent medicines, and refined sugar, who, having previously conducted their business through the medium of merchants in the ports, have discarded this system as being unsuitable to their requirements, and have undertaken the marketing themselves. This fact demonstrates that there has been a much closer co-operation between the German manufacturers and merchants than is the case in this country. The Germans have enjoyed the virtual monopoly of two important lines of trade, viz., arms and ammunition, and aniline dyes and synthetic indigo. The manufacturers have insisted upon the elaboration of an extensive up-country organisation, have defrayed the bulk of the expense, have sent out experts to assist in the work, and have allowed a generous commission of not less than five per cent. to their agents for the services rendered. These agencies have had a dual advantage. In the first place, they have provided the German merchant in China with a handsome annual profit; and, secondly, they have furnished him with an organisation, free of expense, which he has been able to utilise for the sale of those other lines of imports in which he was interested.\n\nThis brings us to the vital question of the sale of industrial and machinery supplies, a business which has been fostered by our rivals by these extensive methods, and where they have been rapidly gaining on us. I feel very strongly that unless prompt steps are taken by British manufacturers and merchants towards installing the necessary organisation for securing the new contracts which are springing up in all parts of China for electrical power plants, and industrial and mining machinery and supplies of all kinds, we shall find before very long that the market is closed to us, and is entirely in the hands of our competitors. British manufacturers can, as a rule, produce the machinery required at competitive rates, but we have lost and are losing ground through less efficient methods of marketing, and the fact is that while our representatives are busy in their offices in Shanghai and elsewhere the German firms are tapping this considerable and rapidly increasing stream of trade at its source. This question is one which has been dealt with in some detail in certain interim reports, which doubtless many of you gentlemen have already seen.\n\nI will, therefore, briefly describe the methods which have been employed by our rivals to secure the trade. The German houses through their valuable agencies, and also their hold on the export trade of China produce, have usually a branch at the interior Treaty Ports, such as Chung King, Changshen and Tsinan Fu. Their trade in arms and munitions and other equipment for Government contracts has enabled them to maintain representatives at the large provincial capitals such as Chengtu, Yünnan Fu and Moukden. In many cases they have been able to induce the Chinese authorities to employ their nationals to operate the plant in the Government powder factories and arsenals, which means that all renewals and extensions are obtained through them. From these bases in almost every province a system of Chinese correspondents has been elaborated, who inform the local office of any new industrial scheme mooted within their district, and receive a small commission should business result—an inexpensive but quite satisfactory arrangement.\n\nShould it become likely that an electrical power plant or mill of any sort is shortly to be required, the firm sends down usually a Chinese-speaking engineer, who is also tactful and possesses the savoir faire required in handling Chinese, and this representative remains on the spot sometimes for months if the scheme is an important one, acquires the confidence and goodwill of the buyers by means of painstaking and persistent methods, entertainment, social intercourse, and the preparation of specifications and plans of the machinery required. Pressure is also occasionally brought to bear by the nearest Consul, working through the officials, and in nine cases out of ten the representative does not leave that locality\n\nPage 83", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 469428, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917", "page_number": 302, "title": "CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917", "content_text": "fail to find a single opium-poppy. On arrival at Lungling, the consulate writer and I were entertained to a Chinese dinner-party in his yamên,\n\nThe discovery of only one solitary field of opium along the route between Nantien and Lungling must, I think, be taken as evidence of the strenuous efforts which have been made during the past few months to eradicate all traces of the prescribed plant; from one or two more talkative residents encountered en route I obtained admissions of a considerable recrudescence of cultivation during last year, but all agreed as to the thorough measures of suppression carried out since November last. In the T'engch'ung district, for instance, no less than three separate expeditions of eradication had been sent out, under territorial, military, and police officials respectively, and it is only just to place on record that their duties were performed in a very thorough manner.\n\nThe normal order of procedure was for my caravan, headed by the writer and myself, to take the lead, and for the Taoyin's more imposing party to bring up the rear. The 1st April was, however, appropriately celebrated by the failure of the Taoyin's party to keep touch with us at a parting of the ways, this added some 2 miles for them to the long and undulating road to Siangta. Thence to P'ingka is normally reckoned as a single though lengthy stage for caravans; at the Taoyin's request we split it into two, halting at the small hamlet of Huchiachal, 7,000 feet high, picturesquely situated in the midst of dense groves of bamboos. At Huchiachal we encountered our first rain, and thereafter we had not a single rainless day until the 19th April. From Pingka to Hankuai, high above the right bank of the Salween, with a magnificent view of the lofty mountains on the other side, was another long day's march.\n\nThe crossing of the Salween was a tedious business for so large a cavalcade; two bamboo rafts were provided, taking only some five mule-loads or ten men on each trip; the method of propulsion across the swift current was by a species of flat umbrella fashioned of stout bamboo; at each end of the craft an \"oarsman\" plied one of these cumbrous weapons by plunging it into the water and pulling it towards himself with powerful strokes.\n\nArrived at the left bank of the Salween, we were in the Chênk'ang district; and at the head of the very long and stiff ascent from the river we were met by the local magistrate, Tang Te-ch'uan, a pleasant elderly official, who travelled with us until we left his jurisdiction. Tê-tang, where his official residence is, was our third halt after crossing the Salween; this place was made memorable for me by a sufficiently unhappy experience. Somewhere about A.M. a gale of wind, accompanied by torrents of rain, brought my tent down over my head, and my slumbers to a beautifully abrupt close.\n\nThe town of Chênk'ang was reached next day. Formerly there was a Chinese Shan Sawbwa of Chenkung, but his downfall was brought about as the result of the Manchu viceroy, Hsi Liang's, policy for the gradual absorption of the Chinese Shan States into direct Chinese administration; and save for a few picturesque ruins of the Sawbwa's palace, the place is now shorn of any pomp and circumstance it may have once possessed.\n\nTwelve days' travel, although for the most part along comparatively unfrequented routes, had now disclosed but one solitary field of opium-poppy, and I therefore decided on a somewhat rash experiment. None of the four maps of Yunnan which I took with me gave any indication of a road from Chênk'ang to Mienning, the next district town on my list, and the recognised routes between these two places are circuitous in the extreme, passing through either Shunning or Yünchow. I ascertained, however, that a road practicable for chairs existed, and elected to attempt it. Fortunately, by this time the Tengyueh Taoyin had resigned himself to accepting my lead, or he would almost certainly have protested. For five days we followed the roughest of mountain paths, which had in many places to be prepared overnight for our transit by the felling of trees and clearing of jungle. At none of the intermediate halts, Pank'a, Maulung, Hup'o, and Manlai, we were assured, had a white traveller ever been seen, and I cannot recommend my example as one to be lightly followed. The only camping-ground to be found at Manlai was on a wind-swept spur projecting out of a deep ravine, and once again a sudden hurricane brought my tent crashing down.\n\nBelow Manlai our route crossed the Namting River by a ford which would obviously be impracticable during the heavier rains of midsummer. At the Namting we quitted the Chênk'ang district and entered the jurisdiction of the Chinese Shan Sawbwa of Kengma. During our six days of travel through Chenkang territory we had found no opium crops whatever, though I learnt that there had been a small harvest of the earliest sown poppy. The magistrate was said, however, to have been indefatigable in the work of eradication, and I was assured—not by himself—that since November of last year he had never been in residence at his post for five consecutive days.\n\nDuring our day and a-half through the jurisdiction of the Kengma Sawbwa we were escorted by his Shan-Chinese clerk, who was full of his recent visit to Rangoon and Lashio in attendance on his master. The road from the left or south-east bank of the Namting River was a terribly steep ascent for some 3,000 feet, which we negotiated in pouring rain; this was succeeded by a hair-raising path—with an average breadth of 14 inches at the most—for some 5 miles along the edge of a precipice. After the heavy rain the surface of red laterite was so treacherously slippery that I felt safer on my sure-footed Yunnan pony than on my own legs.\n\nOur next halt, the Shan village of Chepi, was on a route traversed more than twenty years ago by H. R. Davies, the standard authority on the province of Yunnan, and doubtless by other foreigners since; here for the first time I abandoned my tent, in favour of a comparatively clean temple.\n\nAt this point we were met by a guard of honour sent out to meet us by the P'uêrh Taoyin, who had arrived at Mienning, our pre-arranged meeting-place, on the 11th April. I owe the noisy but efficient commandant a debt of gratitude for his thorough arrangements for my comfort at each of our halting places throughout the Mienning district.\n\nFor several days in succession I had seen nothing whatever of the Tengyueh Taoyin; at Chêpi, however, much to my surprise, he rode over to call on me. The reason for the visit was only apparent when he propounded the astonishing request that as during seventeen days' travel in his circuit we had only found one field of opium-poppy, I would overlook it in my report to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires.\n\nOn my replying that, had we found one hundred I should be bound to report one hundred, and that I must equally report the one; he then suggested that I should add a rider that the field found was close to the scene of military operations against the offending Kachins. To this I rejoined that I had been over the country in question and he had not, and that I knew for a fact that the two places were at least two and a-half days' journey apart. Soon afterwards he took his leave, considerably crestfallen.\n\nApril 14th: Shortly after leaving Chêpi the road to Mienning makes a very steep ascent of some 3,000 feet, on to a lofty shoulder, the view from which on a clear day must be magnificent, embracing extensive country in the jurisdiction of Shunning and Kengma, in the Tengyueh circuit, and Mienning in the Puerh circuit. On an open bit of grass land just beyond a pillar marking the boundary, a large booth had been erected, and we were met by the Puerh Taoyin and the Mienning district magistrate, each of whom furnished a guard of honour. The Puerh Taoyin, Lu Pang-shun, a Kiangsu man aged 56, has held office for the past twenty-one years in Yunnan, and possesses a very thorough knowledge of the province. Two periods of service he has spent in Tengyueh, first as sub-prefect in Manchu times, and secondly as taotai under the Republic in 1913. The Mienning magistrate, Hsieh Yunan, has formerly held a billet in the War Office in Peking; he struck me as being unusually intelligent and capable.\n\nAt Pingyehhsün, where we halted for the night, the two Taoyins came over to call. From the first, Mr. Lu showed up very favourably beside his Tengyueh colleague, and displayed a friendly acquiescence in my suggestions with regard to our joint tour.\n\nThe following day we reached the ancient walled city of Mienning, inhabited by a mixed population of Chinese and Shans, while Lolos and natives of several other tribes inhabit the surrounding villages. On arrival at the city, we were escorted for a sort of Jericho-tour round the walls before being conducted to the old lieutenant-general's yamên, especially done up for the occasion, where ample quarters were provided for both Taoyins and their escorts, and a refreshingly clean and well-aired suite of rooms was set apart for me.\n\nMy caravan had now been on the move for nineteen consecutive days; men and animals had, I felt, well earned a rest, and I accepted without compunction the friendly invitation of Lu Taoyin and the magistrate to stop over one day in Mienning. The first night they entertained the Tengyueh Taoyin and myself at dinner; the next day they gave me a bathing-party picnic at a hot sulphur spring some 3 miles outside the town.\n\nFor the journey from Mienning to Szemao my first care was to ascertain the route followed by Lu Taoyin to the rendezvous; he had come, as I expected, by the most direct road through Chingku hsien (the modern name of Weiyuant'ing of Manchu times). I asked Mr. Lu point-blank whether he had seen any opium cultivation on his outward journey; he replied that a few isolated patches had been sown at the beginning of the season.\n\n[2729 -1]\n\n298", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 469429, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917", "page_number": 303, "title": "CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917", "content_text": "7\n\nseason, but that all had been uprooted by expeditions sent out in November and I see December, and there was no trace of any remaining when he came out.\n\nIt was no reason whatever to doubt this statement, but even if it was untrue, it was practically certain that there would not be a single plant left after his passing through; I therefore decided to take an entirely different road for our joint journey and selected the southern route via Poshang, the Tapeng ferry over the Mekong, Mengka, and Mengchu. This is a fairly well recognised, though little used, road, but I possess records of only isolated portions as having been previously traversed by British subjects.\n\nThe first two days' journey from Mienning via Poshang to Toukuo call for no special comment beyond the unusually good condition of the road-surface. Nature has so fashioned the province of Yunnan as to render it practically impossible for the road-builder to make the crooked straight; for some weeks prior to our passing through, however, human labour had done a great deal to make the rough places plain. In spite of pouring rain on the second day, we encountered no really serious obstacles.\n\nOn the 19th April, at the Taoyin's suggestion, we made a very early start in view of the formidable journey in front of us. After 6 miles of easy going, we reached the limits of the Mienning jurisdiction and bade farewell to the magistrate. No trace of opium poppy had we seen in his district, in which, as far as I could ascertain, he and his subordinates had carried out their suppression duties with exceptional thoroughness. The next 7 miles traversed a corner of what is now known as the Lants'ang (i.e., Mekong) district—formerly the sub-prefecture of Chênpien—and the going was very severe, though it must, in all fairness, be admitted that the country is extremely difficult, including a terrific descent for 3 miles through constantly subsiding red clay to the level of the River Mekong (2,750 feet). The crossing of the Mekong is effected in a single huge wooden boat with deep sides; mules and their loads are transported in this craft, the river-current being too swift to admit of the animals swimming across without danger. The ascent up the left or east bank of the Mekong is even more severe, and for 2 miles the ruling gradient is steeper than one in six. The consulate writer and I reached the halting-place about 2:20 P.M., followed about an hour later by the Taoyin and his party, who took up their quarters in a native hovel close to our selected camping site. Realising our discomfiture at the non-arrival of our mule-loads, Mr. Lu with friendly thoughtfulness sent us over a supply of tea and Australian biscuits, to which I at least did unhesitating justice. It was not till after sunset that the rest of my caravan turned up. At one of the steepest points of the descent to the Mekong the mule entrusted with my small but precious supply of glass and crockery had missed his footing and rolled headlong, load and all, for several hundred feet, and rescue had taken much time; further, heavy delay had been caused by the passage of the Mekong with but one unwieldy boat, to which the liveliest objection was displayed by most of the mules.\n\nTwo stages further, through pine-woods tenanted by peacocks and brilliant emerald-green parrots, brought us to the Chinese Shan town of Mêngka. At Tamotacho, the half-way halt, we came across a few families of Lahu race, said to be rapidly dying out in China. Given a plentiful supply of soap, water, and combs, the smaller children could, I am convinced, be made into strikingly pretty little gipsies.\n\nShortly before reaching Mêngka we were met by the Chingku district magistrate, La Kuang-shih, a Kuangsi man, who accompanied us so long as we continued in his extensive jurisdiction. Mêngka, the residence of a Shan Sawbwa, possesses also large temples and two monasteries in the Burmese Shan style; one in particular, over 200 years old, must have been very fine in bygone days.\n\nAt Liutsungt'eu'n, our halt mid-way between Mêngka and Mengchu, the Chinese Shan Sawbwa of the latter place, and Meng'an came over to pay his respects; both the excellence of his Chinese and his appearance gave the lie, I fancied, to his boasted pure Shan parentage. Mêng'an is one of the old Shan towns whence the original inhabitants have been practically ousted by the more thriving Chinese. Here, I was given fairly decent quarters in the temple of the god of war, now converted into a school, the discipline of which struck me as unusually good; the very natural curiosity at the arrival in their midst of the first white man ever beheld by any of the ninety scholars was never allowed to exceed the bounds of politeness.\n\nOn the 25th April, two days after leaving Mêngchu, we crossed the River Weiyuan (or Chingku, as it is now gradually becoming known) at Patieh. At this season of the year the stream is just fordable here: I managed, however, to find a place not much higher up where a swim proved welcomely refreshing. The next halt bore the ill-omened name of Ch'ou-Shui (\"Stinking Water\"), but I have stayed at many places in Yunnan where the water supply has been even worse. Two days later, after passing a few villages inhabited by natives of the strikingly handsome Puman race, we entered the Szemao district and were met by the local magistrate, Hsieh Shih; the following day, the 28th April, we arrived at Szemao, where spacious quarters were provided for me adjoining the Taoyin's Yamên. The Taoyin and magistrate pressed me to stay a week in Szemao; I consented to two days, but on the second day Mr. Lu urged that he still had important business to transact, and I could hardly refuse his request that we should postpone our departure for one more day. Both he and the magistrate were most hospitable during my stay, celebrated by two Chinese dinner-parties and a picnic.\n\nPrevious to my departure for Tengyuen, I had written to the commissioner of Szemao Customs, soliciting his co-operation to obtain for me, if possible, information on the subject of opium in the area under his cognisance. With that request M. R. de Nully, the commissioner (French), very courteously complied; he informed me quite definitely that, as the result of several punitive expeditions during the past winter, there was, as far as he was aware, no more cultivation of opium in the Szemao district, and that while probably at least 30 per cent. of the adult population of the town, both male and female, still continued to consume the drug, the enormous rise in price bore out his contention.\n\nFrom Szemao northwards towards Tali three routes were open to me; that via Chingku (Weiyuan) was ruled out by the fact that it had already been traversed by Lu Taoyin on his journey to Mienning to meet me; on the north-eastern route, via Talang—the main road to Yunnan-fu according to all the information I could obtain, a considerable quantity of opium had been grown, and harvested, earlier in the season, but very thorough measures of eradication had been carried out some weeks previously; I therefore decided to take the more direct but less frequented route via P'uêrh, Hsinfu (in Chênyüan district) and Chingtung.\n\nLeaving Szemao on the 2nd May, some three hours of travel, including a stiff climb, brought us to the boundary of the Puerh district, where the local magistrate, Chou Ju-chao, awaited us; the Szemao magistrate, however, continued to accompany us till the town of Puerh was reached the next day; on this day's journey our route crossed a splendid Chinese arched stone bridge, in admirable preservation. At Puerh, an old walled city with relics of fine stone carving, I was again given most comfortable quarters; Mr. Chou also entertained the Taoyin, the Szemao magistrate, and myself at a lengthy Chinese dinner.\n\nAt Mabei, the next stage, I took the opportunity to pay a visit to the large and flourishing salt mines about a mile and a half away. Dr. Kelly, the American representative of the Chinese Salt Administration, who had arrived about two months previously, was away on tour, but his English-speaking Chinese colleague very kindly demonstrated to me all the processes of Chinese salt extraction.\n\nThe next four stages, via Mop'o, Maupieh and Manlien, to Hsin-fu, call for little comment save for the extreme beauty of the scenery; on all sides rose range after range of pine-clad hills, mostly well-wooded to their summits; the valleys were, however, parched and bare, and travelling along the lower levels was excessively hot. Our route crossed the eastern section of the Chênyüan district, and midway during the third stage we were joined by the magistrate, Mo Yu-ju, a scholarly man of considerable charm of manner, with whom my relations during our five days of joint travel were exceedingly cordial, and from whom I parted with really genuine regret.\n\nThe only record in my possession of a route between Hsinfu and Chingtung dated from 1881, when the journey was made by a British traveller; our route, however, was almost entirely different from his, and we spent but five days on the distance which had taken him six. For the last three days we were accompanied by the Chingtung magistrate, Ming Fao-ch'ien, who came out to meet us. The surroundings of Chingtung breathe of ancient history; the last 5 miles of the road could hardly have been repaired for centuries, while of the city-wall nothing now remains save one single gate; peacocks strutting unmolested in the main street seemed likewise aloof from modernity. The magistrate's yamên was woefully dilapidated, and I was well housed by comparison in the newly built Szech'uan Guild premises. From Szemao we had travelled for twelve days on end, mostly in great heat, and a halt of one day was amply justified. For me it spelled the inevitable Chinese dinner-party, as the guest of the district magistrate.\n\nThis latter official was also among the number of those who have displayed special energies in the matter of opium suppression; practically every town and hamlet which\n\n299", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 474962, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917", "page_number": 656, "title": "CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917", "content_text": "108\n\nand which are required to be run by the various companies in return for their subsidies :-\n\nSTEAMSHIP SERVICES ORDERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS,\n\n109\n\nLince.\n\nVessels on the Line and their Departure\n\nPeriod’s during which the Government Recipients of Order.\n\nOrder takes Effect.\n\nEuropean Service : Antwerp Line\n\n11 vessels employed: 7,500 to 12,000 tons gross each; speed, 15–16 knots; regular service, once every fortnight.\n\nCommencing with January 1916\n\nNippon Yusen Kaisha.\n\nYpsen Line\n\nLine connecting Hokkaido with Mainland.\n\nDairen Line\n\nVessels on the Line and their Departure.\n\n2 vessels employed; over 700 tons gross each: maximum speed over 10 knots; regular service, once or more every day.\n\n4 vessels employed; over 2,000 tons gross each; maximum speed over 14 knots; regular service, twice or more a week.\n\nPeriods during which the Government Recipients of Order.\n\nOrder takes Effect.\n\nCommencing with October 1915 and ending in March 1918. Commencing with April 1916 and ending in March 1918.\n\nKitsu\n\nNippon Kisen Kaisha.\n\nShosen Kaisha.\n\nOsaka\n\nand ending December 1917.\n\nSea of Japan Service:\n\nKarafuto Line\n\nNorth American Service:\n\nPuget Sound Line\n\nSan Francisco Line\n\n6 vessels employed; 5,500 to 9,700 tons gross each; speed, 14-16 knots; regular service, once every fortnight.\n\n3 vessels employed: 12,500 to 18,500 tons gross each; speed, 18-20 knots; regular service, once or more every four weeks.\n\nSouth American Service:\n\nWest Coast Line\n\n3 vessels employed: 6,000 to 9,700 tons gross each; speed, 13–15 knots; regular service, once in two months.\n\nNippon Yusen Kaisha and Osaka Shosen Kaisha.\n\n2 vessels employed; over 700 tons gross each; maximum speed, over 10 knots; regular service thrice or more in April, five times or more a month from May to November, and twice or more in December.\n\nNippon Yusen Kaisha.\n\nToyo Kaisha\n\nKiseti\n\nTsuruga Vladivostock Line.\n\nOtaru-Vladivostock Line.\n\nAustralian Service: Melbourne Line\n\nJava Line\n\nChina Service\n\nShanghai-Hankow Line.\n\nHankow Ichang Line\n\nHankow Line,\n\nSiangtau Hankow Line.\n\nChangtu Shanghai Line\n\nNorth China Line\n\n3 vessels employed; 5,000 to 7,500 tons gross each; speed, 15-17 knots; regular service, once a month.\n\n1 vessel employed; over 3,000 tons gross each; maximum speed, over 11 knots; regular service, once or more every four weeks.\n\n6 steel steamers employed; over 2,000 tons gross each; maximum speed, over 11 knots; regular service, four times or more a week from March to December, and six times or more every fortnight in January and February.\n\n2 steel steamers employed; over 1,500 tons gross each; maximum speed over 10 knots; regular service, six times or more a month from April to September, and five times or more a month from October to March of the following year.\n\n2 steel steamers employed; over 800 tons gross each; maximum speed over 7 knots; regular service, eight times or more a month, except in the period during which the water of the river is diminished in volume.\n\n1 steel steamer employed; over 800 tons gross; maximum speed, over 7 knots; regular service, twice or more a month, except in the period during which the water of the river is diminished in volume.\n\nKobe Shanghai Line; 2 vessels employed; over 3,000 tons gross each; maximum speed, over 14 knots; regular service once or more a week. Yokohama-Shanghai Line: 2 vessels of over 2,500 tons gross each, having the maximum speed of over 14 knots; and 3 additional ships are employed on regular service twice or more a week. Kobe-Newchwang Line: 4 vessels employed; over 1,500 tons gross each; maximum speed, over 12 knots; regular service, once or more a week. Yokohama-Newchwang Line, additional to the above line; additional ships are employed on regular service once or more every fortnight.\n\nNippon Yusen Kaisha.\n\nCommencing with October 1915 and ending in March 1918.\n\nNippon Yusen Kaisha.\n\nCommencing with April 1916 and ending in March 1918.\n\nRyobu Yusen Kaisha.\n\nNisshin Kaisha.\n\nKisen\n\n1 vessel employed; over 2,000 tons gross; maximum speed over 14 knots; regular service, once or more a week. Direct line 1 vessel employed; over 1,100 tons gross; maximum speed, over 11 knots; regular service, once or more a month, January being excepted. Circuitous line; the same vessel is employed on a regular service once or more a month from March to August. The services of the above two lines are to be carried on alternately.\n\nOsaka Shosen Kaisha.\n\n1 vessel employed; over 1,000 tons gross; maximum speed, over 10 knots; regular service, six times or more a month.\n\nBritish shipowners, before the war, were feeling the competition most keenly in the trade between British India and the Far East, and in all the coasting services east of Singapore. The Japanese had secured the lion’s share of the trans-Pacific trade, and during the war British interests in the Pacific may be said to be only nominally represented by 7 steamers as against 27 vessels employed by the Japanese\n\nOwing to the system of subsidies in the foreign traffic, and a ruthless cutting of freights in the coasting traffic, the share of Japanese shipping in the trade of China is increasing rapidly.\n\nThe following comparative table shows the percentage of the share taken by the British and Japanese flags in the carrying trade of China from and to foreign countries and also between the open ports of China during the years 1910, 1913, and 1914\n\n \n Percentages.\n 1910.\n 1913.\n 1914.\n \n \n Flag\n Foreign Trade.\n Coast Trade.\n Total Trade.\n Foreign Trade.\n Coast Trade.\n Total Trade.\n Foreign Trade.\n Coast Trade.\n Total Trade.\n \n \n British\n 43.34\n 39.00\n 40.97\n 41.16\n 18.40\n ...\n 16.98\n 22.20\n ...\n \n \n Japanese\n 42.28\n 41.75\n 41.96\n 38.31\n 40.07\n 16.94\n 19.44\n 24.30\n 16.90\n 20.43\n ...\n \n\nThe Japanese Government not only fosters their shipping by means of an annual subsidy of about 1,000,000l., but they close their coasting trade to all foreign countries; whereas Japanese ships are allowed free entry not only into the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, but into that of India. There is a very strong feeling on the part of British shipowners that the Indian coasting trade should be reserved for British ships,\n\nThe Nippon Yusen Kaisha was and is a member both of the Outward and Homeward Shipping Conferences between Europe, Straits, and China ports, notwithstanding the fact that the freight rates charged must be approved by the Japanese Government, which fixes maximum charges.\n\nQ 3\n\n651", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 481749, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919", "page_number": 481, "title": "CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[111282]\n\n471\n\nCO 48823\n\n[August 2.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nRECD\n\nRon122 AUG 19\n\nSir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.-(Received August 2.)\n\n(No. 260.)\n\nPeking, June 11, 1919.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 176 of the 30th April last and to subsequent despatches on the subject of the recrudescence of poppy cultivation in the province of Szechuan, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of a despatch written by Mr. Teichman from Tachienlu reporting the result of his personal observations during his journey between that place and Chengtu.\n\nMr. Teichman furnished conclusive evidence that this opium cultivation is carried on openly at the direct instigation of the Chinese officials whose duty it is to suppress it.\n\nI have the honour to enclose copy of a letter, which I have addressed to the Wai-chiao Fu, bringing the facts to their notice; but I fear that the Chinese Government has not the strength, if it has the will, to adopt the only effective remedy, namely, the removal and punishment of the military governors responsible for the present state of affairs.\n\nI am sending a copy of this despatch to the Government of India.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\n1+\n\nMr. Teichman to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 14.)\n\nTachienlu, April 27, 1919.\n\nSir,\n\nWITH reference to my immediately preceding despatch reporting my return to Tachienlu and impending departure for Peking, and in connection with the concluding portion of my despatch No. 9 of the 12th ultimo regarding the trade in opium and the cultivation of the poppy in the area controlled by General Ch'en Hsia-ling, I have the honour to report that on my journey back from Chengtu we found the entire length of the T'ung River valley (along which the road runs for two days' march-district of Luting), blazing with countless fields of red and white poppies in full bloom wherever the bays in the gorge permitted of cultivation. In most places fully a quarter of the land under cultivation was producing opium. This poppy cultivation (which I had failed to notice on my way down a month and a-half earlier owing to my being very unwell and to the plant not being in flower) is openly carried on without the least attempt at concealment right along this main route, which is one of the most important and most travelled of the big trunk roads of China; and the poppies were even thriving in the immediate vicinity and in full view of the magistrate's seat and the big Catholic Mission establishment at Luting Ch'iao itself. The local people told my servants that the neighbourhood was growing poppy for the first time for many years, and that the cultivation was encouraged by the officials who levied a tax of 28 rupees per Chinese acre of opium-producing land.\n\nMy statements about this opium cultivation, and the amazingly open way it is carried on, can be corroborated by Mr. Clements, of the China Inland Mission at Tachienlu, the Catholic missionaries, and by my own Pekinese servants.\n\nI shall try and secure some photographs of it on my way down.\n\nNo poppy cultivation whatever was to be seen for the first nine days' march out of Chengtu (i.e., while traversing regions controlled by the southern leader, Governor Hsiung Ko-wa); and we only came upon the opium after traversing the Fei Yueh Ling (pass) and entering the district of Luting, which forms part of the Szechuan frontier territory (Ch'uan Pien) controlled by General Ch'en Hsia-ling, who holds his appointment from and represents the Peking Government.\n\nThis poppy cultivation provides the Frontier Commissioner with the sinews of war to enable him to maintain his position, and to turn against the southern leaders in ...\n\n[540 b--1]\n\nPage 363\n\n...\n\nPage 363\n\n...\n\nPage 363", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 481750, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919", "page_number": 482, "title": "CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919", "content_text": "2\n\nSzechuan or move against the Thibetans according to the development of events. This officer is therefore not only guilty of deliberately attempting to stir up trouble between Great Britain and China over Thibet to forward his private political ends (see my previous despatches), but is likewise guilty of deliberately infringing the Anglo-Chinese Opium Treaty of 1911 for his own enrichment,\n\nI have had considerable experience of opium suppression in the distant interior of China, and I well know that the responsibility for any recrudescence of cultivation in formerly clean regions lies at the door of the local officials (who can maintain the suppression with the greatest ease if they desire to do so) acting under the orders of the Governor of their province, or the military chief controlling their area; exception being made in the case of semi-independent tribal country and of regions controlled by brigands or rebels. Luting, however, is a peaceful and purely Chinese district, as easily governed as the Chengtu Plain or the country round Peking, and is actually under the control, not of the southern \"rebel,\" but of a Peking-appointed official.\n\nConsular officers may perambulate provinces and certify them as clean; but such certification provides no guarantee whatsoever that cultivation will not be vigorously resumed in the following season if the local authorities desire to raise money from this unique revenue-producing source (as is the case in the present instance). It is always the officials and not the people who should be punished; but, unfortunately, the reverse is usually the case.\n\nI am fully aware of the wonderful progress that has been made in China as a whole, especially in the eastern provinces, in regard to opium suppression (in spite of the widespread recrudescence reported in disturbed and brigand-infested regions), and of the relatively small importance, to the whole question, of remote parts in Western Szechuan being under poppy cultivation; unmistakable evidence of the real progress made in suppression being everywhere provided by the high price of the native drug compared to ten years ago (though this high price is, of course, partly due to the heavy taxation imposed). But I am impelled to report this instance of open recrudescence under official auspices and encouragement, in order that you, sir, and perhaps the Chinese Government, may be informed of the nature of the official to whom Thibetan affairs continue to be entrusted.\n\nPerhaps the Chinese Government are under the impression that they cannot remove General Ch'en Hsia-ling from his post owing to Szechuan being independent. Such, however, is not the case. It is only the moral support afforded by his having the mandate of Peking to act as Frontier Commissioner that enables him to maintain his present position. Were that support withdrawn by an open mandate cashiering him, he would disappear from the scene almost at once.\n\nI have not mentioned the matter of this poppy cultivation to General Ch'en Hsia-ling, since I did not like to do so without your instructions, and also because I did not consider it desirable to do anything to impair the outwardly friendly relations which I have maintained with him in the interests of the peace of the frontier at the time of my departure.\n\nThe Chien-chang valley (the narrow strip of Chinese-inhabited territory running south towards Yunnan between Lolo and tribal country) is said to be also full of opium, definite information in regard to which has probably been supplied by Mr. Eastes. That region, which was until last summer also controlled by General Ch'en Hsia-ling, appears now to be a sort of no-man's-land, the possession of which is in dispute between the latter, the Szechuanese, and the Yünnanese.\n\nSzechuan was, I believe, passed as clean without an official inspection at the time the 1911 agreement was made. There was a limited amount of recrudescence after the revolution and during the subsequent troubles, and the poppy has always continued to flourish in the remote and semi-independent tribal country behind Kuan Hsien. But I have never heard of anything like the open and legalized cultivation now being carried on in Luting district and neighbourhood.\n\nCopy of this despatch has not been forwarded to the Foreign Department of the Government of India, as it is not directly concerned with Thibetan affairs.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nERIC TEICHMAN.\n\n8\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum.\n\nNOT carrying with me any paraphernalia for official correspondence on my journey hither from the Burmah frontier, I incorporated in a letter despatched en route to His Majesty's Minister at Peking my observations on the vast quantities of opium being grown, not only in the Chien-ch'ang valley, but also throughout the whole region traversed by me during twelve and a-half days' travel in south-western Szechuan.\n\nDuring the whole length of my journey across the western circuit of Yunnan, from the extreme south-west to the extreme north-east, I saw only five fields of opium poppy, and these were passed on the last half-day's journey in Yunnan, within 10 miles of the Szechuan boundary.\n\nOnce, however, I had crossed the River Yang-tsze and entered Szechuan, matters were entirely different, and poppy fields abounded on all sides, without the smallest attempt at concealment,\n\nFor the first two and a-half days to Hui-li the country was in the hands of Yunnan troops, and the percentage of opium crops was not very great; from Hui-li onwards for the next ten stages poppy fields were passed everywhere, in enormous quantities, and the percentage of these pernicious crops rose certainly to 50 per cent.\n\nThe valley of the Anuing River, which is the Chien-ch'ang (formerly Ning-yuan Fu) valley proper, is reached shortly before the end of the second stage northwards from Hui-li; three stages more, through absolutely countless poppy crops, brought me to the very large walled city of Chien-ch'ang (formerly Ning-yuan Fu), the headquarters of the Chien-ch'ang Taoyin, which lies just out of the Anning River valley, on its east side, in a broad plain which when I traversed it on the 17th March was a brilliant mass of poppy crops. During these three stages I travelled in company with a recently retired district magistrate of Hui-li, and in the course of conversation with him I commented freely on this flagrant breach of the Opium Agreement with Great Britain. His defence for his own scandalous inactivity in the matter, that he had no troops to carry out the work of suppression, was wholly specious, for throughout our journey in company we constantly passed large numbers of ill-disciplined local militiamen, whose sole occupation seemed to be loafing and gambling outside the gates of the many walled towns in which they were quartered; while day after day my efforts to find a temple to spend the night were frustrated because the temples—which abound all over Szechuan—were already occupied by these ruffians. Throughout the whole course of my journey in Szechuan I saw not a single proclamation against the cultivation of opium poppy bearing a date later than 1917.\n\nI agree entirely with Mr. Teichman's comment that it is always the officials and not the people who should be punished; my ex-magistrate travelling companion should undoubtedly have received a very severe sentence for his criminal, and doubtless highly lucrative, apathy. I was told by friendly natives encountered on my travels that each field of the illicit crop was worth 6 dollars to the authorities conniving at its existence.\n\nTwo stages above Chien-ch'ang the road quits the Anning River valley and becomes more mountainous as far as I could judge; the fact that opium cultivation for the next few stages is distinctly less universal is due solely to the less congenial character of the soil. But not until my sixteenth day's journey in Szechuan, four days north of the large district town of Yih-hsi, did I cease to see poppy crops altogether, and I attribute that cessation solely to the fact that the idle militia gave place, in the neighbourhood of the large towns of Ta-shu-p'u and Fu-lin, and thence onwards to Chengtu, to regular troops, under the command presumably of officers owning more than a nominal allegiance to the present military governor, Hsiung K'o-wu.\n\nMr. Teichman refers to the continued flourishing of poppy cultivation in the remote and semi-independent tribal country behind Kuan-hsien (about 40 miles north-west of Chengtu); this state of affairs is corroborated by local missionaries, who tell me, moreover, that opium growing on a small scale has begun again in several other hilly or mountainous areas on the fringe of the great Chengtu Plain,\n\nOn the 25th April a small paragraph in the local native press announced that General Tan Mou-hsin, the commander of the 1st division of Szechuan regulars, one of...\n\n472", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 481751, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919", "page_number": 483, "title": "CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919", "content_text": "the most devoted adherents of the military governor, was sending out a force of his troops to destroy poppy-crops in the neighbourhood of Peng-hsien, 30 miles north-west of Chengtu.\n\nChengtu, May 5, 1919.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nA. E. EASTES.\n\n473\n\nHONG KONG\n\n48875\n\n48876\n\n23 UG 19:\n\nSir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu.\n\nMay 29, 1919.\n\nIT has recently been my duty on more than one occasion to address communications to your Excellency on the subject of the recrudescence in various provinces of cultivation of the opium poppy, in violation of the agreements reached between Great Britain and China. Of these communications the last was my letter of the 6th May, which dealt with the provinces of Kirin and Heilungkiang.\n\nI am now in receipt of information on this subject from two of His Majesty's consular officers who have recently traversed a small portion of the province of Szechuan.\n\nMr. Eastes, who has reached Chengtu from Tengyueh, travelling overland, states that sixteen stages of that part of the journey, which lay through the province of Szechuan, were through country in which opium fields were common, while ten consecutive stages lay through country of which from 30 to 50 per cent. of the fields, according to the character of the soil, were under opium. These stages lay north and south of the city of Chien-ch'ang, the seat of a Taoyin. Furthermore, opium-growing exists in the hills immediately bordering on the Chengtu Plain.\n\nFrom Mr. Teichman, who has recently traversed the road from Chengtu to Tachienlu, I learn that throughout the entire length of the T'ung River valley, through which the road runs for two days' march within the district of Luting, countless fields of opium poppy are to be seen, in many places as much as 25 per cent. of the cultivated land being under that crop. A special tax there levied of 28 rupees (the coinage locally current) on every mow of opium-producing land.\n\nI am aware that a portion of the areas above indicated is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Central Government, but I regret to note that hitherto the steps which are essential to the suppression of opium production in parts of China still under the control of your Excellency's Government, and which were mentioned in my note of the 29th April, have not been taken.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nForaign\n\n1919\n\nOffici\n\nTreatment\n\nof Dr. A. Gaston.\n\nFr. further\n\n...\n\nfrom French Chargé D'Affaires,\n\nLast previous Paper.requests that further investigation be made in\n\n...\n\nrey me\n\n47235\n\nCopy above #0.9 Septiq\n\nthe\n\nMy bowill.\n\non.\n\nWe do not appeter yet to have recund replies from Hich. as Australia to the Deeppe\n\nIt with the sufficerent\n\ninqbolin.\n\nbe sufficerent, therefore, to\n\nherewith.\n\n?tel as in dift. 7.0., -short aft.\n\nbofig should\n\n90\n\n$28.8.\n\n...\n\nAt once\n\nAll\n\n30.8\n\n...\n\nNext subsequent Paper.\n\nGov. 49366\n\nBW.\n\n(201944 b.) Wt. 80376-21. 50m. 11/18. D&8. G. 122 41.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 488983, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 131, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## offered by the earth \n\n129 \n\nIn my despatch No. 59 of the 16th August I reported a mandate ordering the arrest of Fang Yi-t'ing, Northern Peace Delegate at Shanghai. \n\nShortly after night of that Anfu leader to Juan, the Government offered the post of Peace Delegate to General Li Shan, Military Governor of Nanking. He at first refused the appointment but later accepted it under pressure and carried on certain negotiations with Lu Jung-t'ing, representing the Kuangsi faction, and Fang Chi-yao and other leaders of the Southern Provinces. However, well aware that other negotiations were being carried on behind his back with the Kuangsi faction.\n\nDisgusted by such proceedings and despairing of any good resulting from his efforts to bring about the reunification of the country, he resigned the post of Peace Delegate and on the 12th October took his own life.\n\nThe question of the appointment to this important Governorship has given rise to a fresh series of intrigues amongst the Northern military leaders.\n\nBy despatch No. 645 of the 20th September, I reported the expulsion of the Yunnanese from Chengtu on the 6th September by a combination of the forces of the Szechuenese rivals, Liu Ts'un-hou and Yang Sen.\n\nand the enclosures to my despatch No. 703", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 488989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 137, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## II.-Leases.\n\nThe Kowloon Extension (area 356 square miles, leased for ninety-nine years by the Convention of the 9th June, 1898). The population is 93,400, exclusively Chinese. This territory was acquired for strategic reasons for the defences of Hong Kong.\n\nWei-hai Wei, in Shantung, includes the island of Liu-Kung and a belt of land 10 miles wide along the coast line of the bay (area 235 square miles, leased \"for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia,\" by the Convention of the 1st July, 1898). The population was 147,000 in 1911. Wei-hai Wei has no economic importance, and its value as a naval station, for which it was acquired, has never been developed.\n\n### III. Concessions (Residential)\n\nConcessions under perpetual lease are held by Great Britain at Tien-tsin, Hankow, Canton, Amoy, Chinkiang, Kiukiang and Newchwang (three-quarters of this has been washed away by the river). The total area, excluding Newchwang and the extensions at Hankow (74 acres) and Tien-tsin (1,059 acres), is approximately 233 acres. The present total value of the concession lots and buildings is estimated to exceed £2,500,000.\n\n## IV. Settlements\n\nThe distinction between concessions and settlements are thus defined. The leasing of a concession is made from Government to Government under consideration of a nominal ground rent. In the case of settlements, foreigners rent their land within a prescribed area (1) in perpetuity, or (2) at an expropriation price and for a term of years, generally thirty, renewable at option.\n\nThe principal settlement in China is the International Settlement of Shanghai. This is administered by a municipal council, elected annually by foreign land-renters and ratepayers, and consisting of not more than nine and not less than five persons. Of these the majority is always British, thus indicating the importance of Great Britain's holding in this miniature but valuable republic. The foreign population of this international settlement in 1915 was 18,509. Of these 7,169 were Japanese, 4,822 British, 1,307 Americans and 1,155 Germans.\n\nGeneral foreign settlements also exist at Woosung, Amoy (island of Kulangsu), Changsha, Wuhu, Nanking, Hangchow and Soochow.\n\n## V-Spheres of Influence\n\nGreat Britain's claim to a sphere of influence in the Yang-tsze valley is based on the Chinese Declaration of 1898, given in return for one of the Japanese war indemnity loans, that any territory in the Yang-tsze valley would never be alienated to another Power. This was confirmed by our agreement with Russia of the 28th April, 1899, in which Russia recognised our sphere. That His Majesty's Government has construed the Chinese declaration to connote priority for British claims for railway construction and industrial enterprises, may at first sight appear presumptuous, but as Sir J. Jordan wrote in his despatch No. 257 of the 2nd July, 1914, \"Britain is the only great Power to-day in China who has not converted any of her railway concessions into national undertakings, but has invariably maintained them as Chinese enterprises. All the other Powers, Russia, Japan, France and Germany, chose for the most part to make their railways national undertakings and fix their own tariffs. We alone made ours Chinese State railways and left the control in the hands of the Chinese. We could not, therefore, afford to let Japan or any other Power build railways in the Yang-tsze valley and utilise them, in the approved fashion of Korea and Manchuria, for the purpose of undermining our immense trade interests in the Yang-tsze valley.\n\nExcept in this preventive sense, it is hard to interpret the meaning of our sphere of influence in the Yang-tsze valley, which certainly never tried to aim at any form of national or territorial differentiation. We have financed and constructed for the Chinese Government over 800 miles of railway in the Yang-tsze valley, and we hold loan agreements for some 2,000 more (see `Appendix IV`).\n\nThe area of the Yang-tsze sphere has been defined in answer to a parliamentary question (the 23rd February, 1899) as follows: \"The valley or basin of the Yang-tsze presumably includes, according to the ordinary meaning, the provinces of which the streams run into that river.\"\n\n## VI.-Diplomatic, Consular and Military\n\nBesides the Legation at Peking, His Majesty's Government has consuls-general at Shanghai, Canton, Tien-tsin, Hankow, Yunnan-fu and Kashgar; consuls at Amoy, Changsha, Chefoo, Chengtu, Chinkiang, Dairen, Foochow, Hangchow, Harbin, Ichang, Kiukiang, Kiungchow (and Pakhoi), Mukden, Nanking, Newchwang, Swatow, Tengyueh, Tsinan, Wuchow and Wuhu; and vice-consuls at Chungking, Ningpo and Tsingtao.\n\n| Location | Officers | Other ranks |\n|-----------------|----------|--------------|\n| North China | 6 | 150 |\n| South China | 91 | 974 |\n\n(This includes the Hong Kong garrison, and excludes Indian native troops.) Great Britain has post offices in the following places: Amoy, Canton, Chefoo, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Ningpo, Shanghai, Swatow and Wei-hai Wei; in Tibet, at Gyantse, Phagri and Yatung; in Kashgaria, at Kashgar.\n\n## VII.-Population (Foreign)\n\n| Nationality | 1908 | 1913 | 1919 |\n|-------------|--------|--------|--------|\n| British | 5,662 | 8,966 | 13,284 |\n| American | 2,542 | 5,340 | 6,660 |\n| French | 1,213 | 2,292 | 4,409 |\n| Portuguese | 1,930 | 9,486 | 2,370 |\n| German | 1,658 | 2,949 | 1,885 |\n| Russian | 361 | 5,287 | ... |\n| Japanese | 56,765 | 148,170| 80,219 |\n| Total | 171,185| ... | 171,185|\n\n## VIII Shipping\n\nDuring 1919, out of a total tonnage of 95,725,000 tons of shipping entering and clearing from Chinese ports, 36,284,000 tons were British. The tables given in `Appendices V` and `VI` show that even during the worst years of the war, the preponderance of British shipping in the Chinese ports was well maintained. Japanese shipping has not increased so much as might have been expected, and American competition, though it has greatly increased, especially since 1918, is still a long way behind.\n\nThe names of the principal shipping firms, British and foreign, are given in `Appendix VII`. Of these nine are British, three American and five Japanese.\n\n## IX. Banking\n\nThe pioneer modern bank in China is the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, one of the most powerful banking institutions in the world. This bank, besides its immense business in exchange and in financing trade, has been connected with almost all the principal Government and railway loans in China. It is associated with Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. in the British and Chinese Corporation for railway construction, and it is the leading bank in the British loan.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 488999, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 147, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Page 22\n\nThere is also the concession for which Messrs. Pearson and Co. were negotiating, and which the Chinese Government has now offered to the British and Chinese Corporation :-\n\n| Line | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Nanchang-Shiuchow (on Canton-Hankow line) | about 300 |\n| 2. Canton-Chaochowfu | about 200 |\n| | 500 |\n\nOther lines in which Great Britain has a financial interest (see `Appendix IX`) are:-\n\n| Line | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Peking-Mukden | 606 |\n| 2. Peking-Hankow | 755 |\n| 3. Tien-tsin-Pukow (Northern Section) (formerly German) | 390 |\n| 4. Taokow-Chingbua | 95 |\n| 5. Canton-Kowloon | 112 |\n| | 1,958 |\n\n## Page 23\n\nOther important foreign concessions are:-\n\n| Line | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Russian - Pinhei Railway in North Manchuria | 660 |\n| 2. Franco-Belgian - Yunnan-Kwangsi Railways (Yamchow, near Pakhoi-Yunnan-fu. Yunnan-fu-Chungking) | 1,000 |\n| | Tatung-Chengtu Railway | 960 |\n| | Wuchang-Howkang Railway Bridge. Pukow harbour works | |\n| 3. American - Siems-Carey Concessions (1916) for... | 1,100 |\n| (1.) Fengchen-Ninghsiafu (Shansi-Kansu) | |\n| (2.) Ninghsiafu-Lanchowfu (Shansi-Kansu) | |\n| (3) Hengchowfu-Nanning (Hunan and Kwangsi) | |\n| (4.) Hangchow-Wenchow (Chekiang) | |\n| (5) Kiungchow-Lohwei (Hainan Island) | |\n| 4. Hukuang Railways | |\n| 1. The completion of the Canton-Hankow Railway (in all) | 759 |\n| 2. The Hankow-Kweichow (Szechwan) Railway, eventually running to Chengtu (in all) | 800 |\n\nOf British concessions which are not likely to materialise in the near future, the Tengyuel-Bhamo line across the Burma frontier may be mentioned. Britain does not own any of those railways in China which are foreign concessions, and are entirely independent of Chinese control.\n\nAn international concern, financed by the first consortium (Anglo-American-Franco-German groups).\n\n## APPENDIX V\n\nThese are:-\n\n| Line | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Chinese Eastern Railway (Russian) | 1,073 |\n| 2. Yunnan Railway (French) | 288 |\n| 3. South Manchurian Railway (Japanese) | 697 |\n| 4. Shangtung Railway (Japanese) | 284 |\n| | 2,342 |\n\n## SHIPPING IN CHINESE PORTS\n\n| Year | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1908 | 30,708 | 9,911,000 |\n| 1913 | 121,768 | 19,900,000 |\n| 1919 | 137,575 | 27,089,000 |\n\nThe Japanese concessions for railways in Manchuria and Mongolia are as follows:-\n\n| Line | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Changchun-Kirin-Hueining* | 280 |\n| 2. Ssupingkai-Chengchiatung Taonanfu* | 182 |\n| 3. Kaiyuan-Hailungchen-Kirin* | |\n| 4. Taonanfu-Changchun | 2,596 |\n| 5. Taonanfu-Chihfeng-Jehol | 470 |\n| 8. Point on Jehol Railway to a seaport | ? |\n| Total | 765 |\n\n| Year | Chinese (including junks) | British | Japanese | American | German | French | Russian | Total Tonnage |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| | No. | Tonnage | | | | | | |\n| | 77,012 | 1,178,000 | | | | | | |\n| | 1,020 | 56,000 | | | | | | |\n| | 3,265 | 57,290,000 | | | | | | |\n| 1908 | | | 1,178,000 | | | | | |\n| 1913 | | | 19,900,000 | | | | | |\n| 1919 | | | 27,089,000 | | | | | |\n| | | | | 1,736 | 559,000 | 2,458 | | |\n| | | | | 1,020 | 56,000 | 3,265 | | |\n| | | | | | | 57,290,000 | | |\n| | 190,738 | 88,120,000 | 30,074 | 23,422,000 | 27,182 | 898,000 | 6,320,000 | 1,232,000 |\n| | 471 | 1,687,000 | 2,-03 | 93,834,000 | 209,754 | 36.281,000 | 27,581,000 | 4.433 |\n| | | | | | | | 2,569,000 | |\n| | | | | | | | 414,000 | 708,000 |\n| | | | | | | | 95,725,000 | |\n| | | | | | | | 1,362 | |\n\n## APPENDIX VI\n\nFor railways in Shantung :-\n\n| Line | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Chefoo-Weihsien | 170 |\n| 2. Kaomi-Suchowfu, about | 200 |\n| 3. Tsinan-Shuntehfu, about | 200 |\n| | 570 |\n\n## SHIPPING\n\nPercentage of Tonnage in Chinese Ports.\n\n| Year | Chinese (including junks) | British | Japanese | American | German | French | Russian | Norwegian | Dutch |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1905 | 22.55 | 31.25 | 48.24 | 1.78 | | 2.34 | 11 | 1.02 | -31 |\n| 1910 | | 28.42 | 38.58 | .82 | 21.29 | 5-55 | 1.62 | 1.23 | +38 |\n| 1913 | | -06 | 40.84 | .196 | 25.10 | 1.32 | 1.81 | +79 | *43 |\n| 1914 | | *08 | 40.28 | 1-06 | 24.59 | -92 | 1.96 | '77 | 41 |\n| 1915 | | *02 | 41-55 | BL | 26-33 | -67 | 2.12 | *X5 | 55 |\n| 1916 | | | 40.72 | -91 | 27-53 | +48 | 1.75 | +72 | 53 |\n| 1917 | | | 88-64 | F-30 | 28-28 | ? | 1.64 | *55 | .82 |\n| 1918 | | | 86-25 | 1.25 | 11.25 | | *72 | 31 | 71 |\n| 1919 | | | 37-89 | 2:10 | | | | +31 | 48 |\n\nThe Japanese are also financially interested in :-\n- Peking-Hankow Railway | 755 \n- Nanchang-Kiukiang Railway | 162 \n- Peking-Suiyuan Railway | 289 \n\n*Work on these lines has already commenced.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489003, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 151, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## CONGREGATIONAL\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Lienkong | 1880 | 4 |\n| LoyBanlisien | | |\n| Hanyang | 1863 | 4 |\n| Suichow | | |\n| Liaoyang | 1897 | 4 |\n| Monkden | 1896 | 3 |\n| Tayeh | 1889 | 4 |\n| Heilungchiang-Hulan | | |\n| Ningteh | 1880 | 4 |\n| Kirin-Ashiho | | |\n| Ilaan-Ilengchowfu | 1910 | 2 |\n| Ilankow | 18/1 | 18 |\n| Wuchang | 1865 | 13 |\n| Shearking- | 1911 | 6 |\n| Hwangpei.. | 1898 | 2 |\n| Wusuel | 1875 | 6 |\n| Kaiydan | | |\n| Siangtan | | |\n| Yungchowfu | 1908 | 5 |\n| Sisokan | 1×80 | |\n| Kangai | | |\n| Wuchow | 1898 | 6 |\n| Tiehling | 1882 | 5 |\n| | 1875 | 81 |\n| | 1905 | 4 |\n| | 1892 | 6 |\n| | 1890 | 4 |\n| | 1896 | 3 |\n| Kwangai-Kweilin | 1899 | 5 |\n| Tsaoshih | 1899 | b |\n\n## OTHER SOCIETIES\n### Friends and Interdenominational\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Taichowfu | 1892 | 13 |\n| Tingchowfu | 1892 | ୫ |\n| Tungluksien | 1913 | 1 |\n| Chibi- | | |\n\n### PRESBYTERIAN\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | [843 | 7 |\n| Peking | 1861 | 15 |\n| Kwangsi-Nanning | 1914 | 1 |\n| Siaochang.. | 1888 | 10 |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | 1914 | 2 |\n| Kwangtung-Canton | 1898 | 12 |\n| Tie-n-tain | 1861 | 13 |\n| Hupch-Ichang | 1878 | |\n| Szechwan-Chengtu | 1904 | 8 |\n| | 1862 | 20 |\n| Tsangchow | 1895 | 10 |\n| Hongkong | 14 | |\n| Shangtong Tsinaniu, | 1917 | 2 |\n| Chung king | 1890 | 11 |\n| Kwantung-Kowloon.. | | |\n| Limehowfu | | |\n| Pakhoi | | |\n| Yunnan-Yunnan-fu | | |\n| Szechwan-Autsien | | |\n| ('heng tu | | |\n| Chungkinghsien | | |\n| Chungking | | |\n| Chungpa | | |\n| Lunganfu.. | | |\n| Miencłow.. | 1000 | 3 |\n| Shanghai-Shanghai | 1843 | 17 |\n| Suining | 1901 | :::: |\n| Kwangtung-Canton .. | 1807 | 4 |\n| Tungchwan | 1900 | |\n| | 1886 | ४ |\n| Hong Kong | 1843 | 11 |\n| Fukien-Tungliang.. | 1904 | 2 |\n| | 1915 | 5 |\n| Kwangtung-Poklo | 1850 | 4 |\n| Amoy | 1894 | î |\n\n## METHODIST\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Chanipu | | |\n| Chuanchowfu | | |\n| Yungchun.. | | |\n| Shanghang | | |\n| Kwangtung-Samhopa | ::::: | |\n| | 1850 | 13 |\n| | 1889 | 4 |\n\n## Unclassified under Denomination\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Apostolic Faith Missionaries | 1899 | |\n| Chekiang- | 1902 | |\n| | 1894 | |\n| Czechwan- | 1911 | |\n| Chengtn | 1892 | 73 |\n| Wukingfu.. | 1882 | 12 |\n| Shansi- | | |\n| Chaochowfu | 1888 | 5 |\n| | 1894 | 20 |\n| Chungchow | 1911 | * |\n| Miesclusieu | 1804 | |\n| Mowchow | 1900 | |\n| Chungking | | |\n| Fowchow.. | | |\n| Jenshowbsitn | 1910 | 21 |\n| Swabue | 1898 | |\n| Swatow | 1856 | 18 |\n| | 1913 | B |\n| | 1907 | ў |\n| Paoniug | ++ | |\n| Shihchan.. | 1895 | |\n| Junghsien | 1905 | 14 |\n| Ilangchow | | |\n| Ningpo | | |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | | |\n| Fengcheu.. | | |\n| Pingtingchow | | |\n| Tatungfu | | |\n| Yang kao | 1913 | 3 |\n| | 1912 | 4 |\n| Sintulisien.. | 1894 | |\n| Kiatingfu.. | 1894 | 16 |\n\n## PRESBYTERIAN Church in Canada\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Sheasi-Yulinfu | | 7 |\n| | 1910 | 4 |\n| | 1911 | 2 |\n| | 1913 | 2 |\n| Tebyang | 1903 | 2 |\n| Lachow | 1908 | 7 |\n| Honan-- | | |\n| Penghsien.. | 1908 | 6 |\n| Changte Ho | 1854 | 21 |\n\n## Federal Foreign Mission Committee of Churches of Christ in Australia\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Tzeliutsing | 1907 | 19 |\n| Hwalkingfu | 1902 | 15 |\n\n## Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Chibi- | | |\n| Chichow | | |\n| Hokientu .. | | |\n| Peking | | |\n\n## United Methodist Church Missionary Society\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Tien-tain | 1880 | |\n| Yungching | 1889 | |\n| Chihli- | 1880 | མ ུམཐ |\n| Ningpo | 2 | |\n| Peking | | |\n| Tangshan | | |\n| Shantung-Tien-tain | thefoo | |\n| | 1874 | (Vacant) |\n| Yung pingfu | | |\n| Pingyin | 1879 | |\n| Kiaugsi-Kuling | 1864 | |\n| | 1878 | |\n| | 1883 | |\n| | 1861 | |\n| | 1902 | ++ |\n| Kaifeng | | |\n| Siuwu | | |\n| Tackow | | |\n| Weihwei | 1914 | |\n| Wuan | | |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | 1916 | 1 |\n\n## Canarlian Holiness Movement Mission\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | 1908 | |\n| | 1902 | 25 |\n| Hupac- | 1909 | 2 |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | 1899 | |\n| Ansiang | 1911 | 5 |\n| Shantung Tsinan | 1917 | |\n| Changteh | 1910 | 2 |\n| Kwangtung-Kongmoon | 1902 | 14 |\n| ₹ | | |\n\n## Foreign Mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Chibli-Triantu | 1878 | 8 |\n| Shantung- | | |\n| Tainan | | |\n| Tungchangfu | | |\n| Wei-hai Wei | | |\n| Yunchowfu | | |\n\n## BAPTIST\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Chucliiatsai, via Telchow | 1866 | 4 |\n| Chaoyangfu | 1885 | 5 |\n| Manchuria- | 1913 | 2 |\n| Wuting | 1905 | 2 |\n| Chengteblu (Jehol) via Peking | 1906 | 5 |\n| Kirin, Kirin | 1891 | |\n| | 1901 | 2 |\n| Chekiang Wenchow.. | 1878 | 9 |\n| Chihfeng (Hada) | 1912 | 5 |\n| Kwanchengtze, Kiria | 1886 | |\n| Pingchuan, Pakow | 1897 | 3 |\n| | 1909 | 4 |\n| Kweichow- | | |\n| Shihu enkan, viâ Chaotung, | 1907 | |\n| Yushuting, Kirin | 1891 | 4 |\n| Chinchowfu, Shengking | | |\n| Linyuanhsien, Tatzukou | 1885 | 5 |\n| | 1885 | 4 |\n| Tukiawopu | 1906 | 3 |\n| Yunnan | | |\n| Sifangeling, via Chaotung. | 1907 | 1 |\n| Fakuting, Shengking | 1891 | 5 |\n| Kiangsi- | | |\n| Baptist Missionary Society | | |\n| Kwanguing, Shengking | 1891 | 3 |\n| Ani Ki | 1902 | 2 |\n| Yumo | | |\n| Moukdeo, Shengking | 1889 | ti |\n| Hukow | 1899 | 2 |\n| Chibli-Peking | | |\n| Kinngsu-Shanghai.. | | |\n| Shansi-... | | |\n| Sinchow | 2 | |\n| Yunnan- | 4 | |\n| Chao ung .. | 1886 | 4 |\n| Newchwang, Shengking | 1869 | |\n| Fengsin, lienghaien | 1903 | |\n| Siuminfu, Shengking | 1888 | |\n| Kao An Heli | 19073 | 2 |\n| Tungeliwau | 1885 | 3 |\n| Kuikiang.. | 1899 | 18A5 |\n| | | 6 |\n| Na.chunghsier | 1896 | 10 |\n| Taichow | | |\n| Taiyuanfu.. | 1802 | 6 |\n| Wesleyan Methodist Missionury Society | 1878 | 19 |\n| Shaho, via Kiuliang | 2 | |\n| Sinchang | 1×99 | |\n| Shantung- | | |\n| Hunan- | | |\n| Kwangtung- | | |\n| Teianhsien.. | 1808 | |\n| Chowisun.. | 1003 | 15 |\n| Changsha | 1902 | 4 |\n| Canton City | 1901 | |\n| Poichen, Putsi | 1903 | 5 |\n| Liuyanglisien | 1908 | |\n| Jena | 1902 | |\n| Tainan | 1904 | 26 |\n| Packing | 1903 | 3 |\n| Kongtsun.. | 1908 | 11 |\n| Tuchanghsien | 1918 | |\n| Tukiafow | 1899 | |\n| Yungsiuhaien Ki | 1896 | |\n\n## United Free Church of Scotland's Foreign Mission Committee\n| Province and Town | Mission Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Shensi-Panyuanhsien | | |\n| Sianfu | | |\n| Yenanfu | 1904 | 2 |\n| Yiyang | 1906 | 5 |\n| Shantung-Kwa Hisia Kia | | |\n| Yungchowfu | 1904 | G |\n| Shibiso | 189 | 3 |\n| Hupeh- | | |\n| Shengking-Tashuipob | 1911 | 4 |\n| Anla | 1891 | -3 |\n| | | 7 |\n| Chaoyangchen | 1900 | 4 |\n| Hankow | .. 1562 | 15 |\n| Yungling | 1807 | |\n| | 1894 | |\n| Wei-hải Wei | 1892 | * |\n| Wenteng | 1858 | 9 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489004, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 152, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Mission\n### Province and Town. Opened. No. of Staff,\n| Province and Town | Date of Establishment | Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| **Yunnan** | | |\n| Aduntsi | 1918 | 3 |\n| Likiang | 1913 | 5 |\n| Yunnan-fu | 1912 | 15 |\n| **Chibli** | | |\n| Chengtingfu | 1918 | 2 |\n| Kalgan | 1918 | 2 |\n| Paotingfu | | |\n| **British and Foreign Bible Society** | | |\n| Tien-tsin | | |\n| Hupeh-Hankow | | |\n| Kiangsu-Shanghai | | |\n| Kwangtung-Canton | | |\n| Hong Kong | | |\n| Shantung | | |\n| Tsinan | | |\n| Szechwan-Chengtu | | |\n| Yunnan-Yunnan-fu | | |\n| Manchuria-Moukden | | |\n\n:::::::::: \n\n| Province and Town | Date of Establishment | Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kingtzekwan | 1896 | 4 |\n| Klebsiu | 1901 | 3 |\n| Kihsien | 1899 | 2 |\n| Kuwo | 1911 | 2 |\n| Luanfu | 1885 | 9 |\n| Lucheughsien | 1886 | |\n| Pingyangfu | 1887 | |\n| Pingyolisien | 1880 | |\n| Siaoyi | 1879 | 3 |\n| Changsha | 1888 | 2 |\n| Sichow | 1901 | 4 |\n| Tatungfu | 1885 | 2 |\n| Hankow | 1886 | |\n| Ichang | 1889 | 17 |\n| Laohokow | 1895 | 425 |\n| Yicheng | 1887 | 2 |\n| Yoyang | 1897 | |\n| Yuwuchen | 1896 | 4 |\n| Peking | 1918 | 2 |\n| Taku | | |\n\n### Christian Literature Society for China.\n| Province and Town | Date of Establishment | Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| **Kansu** | | |\n| Lanchowfu | 1885 | |\n| Liangchowfu | 1888 | |\n| Ningsiafu | 1885 | |\n| **Shantung** | | |\n| Chefoo | 1879 | 50 |\n| Tsingkiangpu | | |\n| **Fukien** | | |\n| Fuchow | | |\n| **Kiangsu** | | |\n| Shanghai | 1887 | 11 |\n| **Shansi** | | |\n| Fengchen | 1918 | 1 |\n| **Kwangtung** | | |\n| Canton | | |\n| **International Postal Telegraph Christian Association.** | | |\n| Hupeh-Hankow | 1914 | 2 |\n| Kiangsu-Shanghai | 1907 | 2 |\n| Shantung-Chefoo | 1917 | |\n\n## CHINA INLAND MISSION,\nEngland, Canada, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and Switzerland.\n\n| Province and Town | Date of Establishment | Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| **Kiangsi** | | |\n| Anjen | 1918 | |\n| Changshu | 1889 | |\n| Fusbauhsien | 1918 | |\n| Kanchow | 1891 | |\n| Kiukiang | 1889 | |\n| Nanchang | 1895 | |\n| Nankangfu | 1898 | 4 |\n| Singfenghsien | 1887 | |\n| Takutang | 1899 | |\n| Titfu | 1918 | |\n| **Chibli-Tien-tsin** | | 2 |\n| **Hupeh-Hankow** | | 2 |\n| **Kiangsu-Shanghai** | 1919 | |\n| **Szechwan** | | |\n| Chengtu | 1893 | 2 |\n| Chubsien | 1888 | 2 |\n| Chungking | 1879 | & |\n| Kiatingfu | 1898 | |\n| Kiukiang | | |\n| **Kwangsi-Nanning** | 1906 | |\n| **Kweichow** | | |\n| Kweichowfu | 1908 | 5 |\n| Liangshan | 1902 | |\n| Luchow | 1903 | |\n| Yangkow | 1890 | 6 |\n| **Shansi** | | |\n| Chowchih | 1893 | |\n| Fengsiangfu | 1895 | |\n| Hanchungfu | 1896 | |\n| Hinganfu | 1881 | |\n| Meihsien | 1894 | |\n| Sianfu | 1877 | |\n| Yanghsien | | |\n\n| Province and Town | Date of Establishment | Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| **Kiangsu** | | |\n| Antung | 1898 | |\n| Chiukiang | 1883 | |\n| Shanghai | 1854 | 36 |\n| Yangchow | 1863 | *nend |\n| **Auhwei** | | |\n| Anking | 1869 | |\n| Shunking | 1896 | 5 |\n| Sintientze | 1892 | 2 |\n| Taiping | 1917 | 2 |\n| **Szechwan** | | |\n| Suifu | 1888 | 3 |\n| Suitingfu | 1899 | 7 |\n| Tachu | 1909 | 3 |\n| Tatsienfu | 1897 | 5 |\n| Wanhsien | 1888 | 7 |\n| **Chekiang** | | |\n| Ningpo | 1857 | 3 |\n| Pingyanghsien | 1874 | 4 |\n| Wenchow | | |\n| Yenchow | 1875 | |\n| **Chihli** | | |\n| Chengtingfu | | |\n| Tatingfu | 1915 | 1 |\n| Tientsin | 1888 | 2 |\n| **Honan** | | |\n| Chenchowfu | 1895 | |\n| Chowkiakow | 1884 | |\n| Kaifeng | 1891 | 13 |\n| **Shansi** | | |\n| Chaocheng | 1902 | |\n| Hotsin | 1893 | |\n| Hungtung | 1917 | |\n| Kiangchow | | |\n| Kotsingfu | | |\n| Wutingchow | 1908 | 4 |\n| **Yunnan** | | |\n| Tengyueh | | 2 |\n| Yuanmowhsien | 1889 | 4 |\n| Yunnan-fu | 1908 | 3 |\n| **Sinkiang** | | |\n| Tihwafu | 1908 | 2 |\n\n## Total \n1,658 \n\n## [4797 8-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489006, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 154, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "36\n\nMedhurst College (L.M.S.), Rev. E. J. Malpas, B.A. Medhurst Girls' School.\n\nNOTE.-In Shanghai there are the following schools provided for by the Shanghai Municipal Council from the rates, but under the control of British teachers entirely:\n\n| School | Head |\n| --- | --- |\n| Public School for Boys (foreigners) | G. M. Billings |\n| Public School for Girls (foreigners) | Miss Patterson |\n| Thomas Hanbury School for Boys (Eurasians) | A. J. Stewart |\n| Thomas Hanbury School for Girls (Eurasians) | Miss Mayhew |\n| Public School for Chinese | G. S. F. Kemp |\n| Ellis Kadoorie Public School for Chinese | R. G. Dowie |\n| Nieh Chin Kuel Public School for Chinese | L. H. Turner |\n| Polytechnic Public School for Chinese | G. S. F. Kemp |\n| Shanghai High School (for foreign girls) | Miss J. M. Fraser, B.A. |\n| Shanghai Jewish School | Miss Perry, B.A. |\n\nKwangtung-\nCanton:\n\n| School | Head |\n| --- | --- |\n| Holy Trinity School (C.M.S.) | Rev. W. W. Rogers |\n| Wesleyan Girls' Boarding School | Miss F. A. Britton |\n\nHong Kong (See Government Education Report.)\n\nManchuria-\nFakuting: (viâ Newchang), Christian Middle School (Irish Pres. Miss.).\nHaicheng: San Yu Middle School (U.F. Church of Scotland).\nHulan: (Heilungkiang), Christian School for Boys (U.F.C.S.), Rev. D. C. Davidson, M.A.\nKuangchengtzu: Middle School (Irish Miss.), Rev. W. H. Gillespie, M.A.\nKwangning: High School for Boys (Irish Miss.), Rev. W. Hunter, B.A. \nDitto for Girls.\nLiaoyang: Wen de High School (U.F.C.S.), Rev. G. Dougles, M.A.\nMoukden: \n- Manchuria Christian College (U.F.C.S.) (Irish Miss.), D. T. Robertson, M.A.\n- Medical College (U.F.C.S.), Dugald Christie, C.M.G., F.R.C.S., &c.\nYushuting (Kirin): Wen Shu Middle School (Irish Miss.), Rev. A. Weir, B.A.\n\nShansi-\nTaiyuanfu: Baptist Miss. Soc. Middle School, Rev. H. R. Williamson.\n\nShantung-\nChefoo: China Inland Mission Schools for Foreign Boys and Girls.\nChowtsun: Kwang Pei Middle School (Eng. Bap. Miss.), Rev. A. G. Castleton.\nPeichen: English Baptist Middle School, Rev. A. E. Greening.\nTaianfu: C. of Eng. Mission School, Rev. J. W. Hunter, Rev. C. R. Burnett, M.A.\nWei-hai Wei:\n- The Government School (for Chinese boys).\n- Wei-hai Wei School for Foreign Boys, L. H. Beer, L.C.B.\n- Wei-hai Wei School for Foreign Girls, Mrs. Bruce Shepherd.\n\nShensi\nSianfu English Baptist Girls' School, Mrs. Shorrock, B.A.\n\nSzechwan-\nChungking Friends' Mission High School, R. L. Simpkin, M.A.\nFowchow Boys Christian School (Can. Meth. Miss.), Rev. R. S. Longley.\nMienchow: \n- Anglo-Chinese School (C.M.S.), Rev. F. J. Watt, B.Sc.\n- Girls' Boarding School (C.M.S.), Miss V. C. Mannett.\nPenghsien: Canadian Mission School, Rev. F. Dickinson, B.A.\nTehyang C.MS. Boys' School, Rev. A. E. Seward.\n\nNOTE. There are several schools throughout the country conducted under the auspices of the China Inland Mission, but the members of this mission are not in all cases British.\n\n37\n\nOmitted from Chekiang\nWenchow: United Methodist College, T. W. Chapman, M.Sc.\n\n## German Schools in China\n\n152\n| Location | School | Details |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Peking, Chihli | Deutsch-Chinesische Mittel Schule (Old Peiyang University) | ... |\n| Tien-tsin, Chihli | Kaiser Wilhelm Schule | Boys and Girls of European parentage, 180 |\n| Hankow, Hupeh | Deutsch-Chinesische Schule | Boys 30 |\n| Hankow, Hupeh | Kaiser Wilhelmi Schule for European children | 22 |\n| Shanghai | German Engineering and Medical School | Teachers, &c., 50; Boys, 570 |\n| Shanghai | German School for Chinese, Kiangse Road | ... |\n| Shanghai | Kaiser Wilhelm Realschule and Kindergarten for European children | 226 |\n| Tungsun viâ Canton | Rhenish Mission Middle School | ... |\n| Hokshiha viâ Canton | Basel Mission School | ... |\n| Kaying: Kwantung | Basel Mission Middle School | Men, 20 |\n| Kowloon (Hong Kong) | Blindenheim (Mission School for Blind) | Girls, 62 |\n| Kuchuk via Canton | Middle and Normal School (Basel Mission) | Boys, 77 |\n| Linpingchow: viâ Canton | Basel Mission School | ... |\n| Lukhang: viâ Canton | Berlin Mission School | ... |\n| Shuichowfu | Berlin Mission School | Girls, 46 |\n\nNOTE. During 1915-6-7 many of the above schools were closed. During 1914 many were closed, of which details cannot now be obtained. Prior to 1914 the various German Missionary Societies were very active in Kwangtung and Shantung.\n\n## American Universities in China\n\n| University | President | Students |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Peking University | Rev. H. H. Lowry, D.D. | Men, 800 |\n| University of Nanking | Rev. A. J. Bowen, LL.D. | Men, 460 |\n| St. John's University, Shanghai | Rev. F. L. H. Pott, D.D. | Men, 483 |\n| West China Union University, Chengtu, Szechwan | Rev. J. Beach, D.D. | Men, 355 |\n| Boone University, Wuchang, Hupeh | Rev. A. A. Gilman, B.A. | Boys, 316 |\n| Shantung Christian University, Weishien | Rev. J. P. Bruce, M.A. | Men (including Medical School), 216 |\n| Soochow University, Soochow, Kiangsu | Rev. J. W. Cline, D.D. | Men, 420 |\n\nNOTE. Peking and Nanking Universities are Unions institutions, and controlled by American missions. The West China Union University and Shantung Christian University have British missionaries acting with Americans on the faculties, St. John's University and Boone University are under the American Church Mission. Soochow University is under the Methodist Episcopal Mission of America.\n\nApproximate number of American men and women engaged in teaching in mission and other schools and colleges of all grades: ...\n\n## American Colleges in China\n\n| College | Location | Students |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Hangchow Christian College | Chekiang Province | Men, 200 |\n| North China Union Women's College | Peking, Chihli | Women, 37 |\n| Union Medical College for Women | Peking, Chihli | 53 |\n| Tungchow North China Union College of Arts | Peking, Chihli | Men, 87 |\n| Palmage College (Kulansu) | Amoy, Fukien | Boys, 87 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489225, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 373, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "371 \n\nwork on the unfinished line in the northern region of Kuangtung in order that the railways may be connected in the manner indicated by the group banks in paragraph 5 of their letter of the 28th April last. I still consider, however, that only those lines which are provided for under the terms of the Hukuang Railways Loan Agreement can be regarded as within the scope of the loan. The extension of Chengtu and the connection with Kuangchow do not come within the scope of the Hukuang Railways Loan Agreement, and it is the duty of the Chinese Government to consider proper means for the construction of these two lines. This question, therefore, need not be discussed here.\n\n3. I propose to defer discussion of the remaining points mentioned in the group banks' letter of the 28th April until the question of the issue of a supplementary loan, in accordance with the loan agreement, is brought up by the group banks for consideration.\n\nThe various suggestions made by the group banks in the aforementioned letter, viz. (a), that security should be provided from a separate source; (b), that no payments of interest should be made from the loan funds during the construction; and (c), restrictions of expenditure of loan funds, are all matters which have already been settled in the loan agreement and the annexes thereto and must be dealt with accordingly.\n\nI hope that the group banks will give the foregoing points their attention. The Ministry of Communications have instructed Mr. Yen, managing director of the Canton-Hankow railway, to organise a body of surveyors who shall proceed within a certain date to make a careful survey of the Canton-Hankow railway line from Chuchow to Hsing-Ssu-Ling in order that work may be commenced as soon as funds are forthcoming. Since the outbreak of war the loss incurred by this railway owing to suspension of work has been by no means inconsiderable. Money markets are gradually becoming more active, and I most sincerely hope that the group banks' representatives will arrange without delay some method for the supply of funds to this railway until such a time as the loan bonds can be issued, so that losses owing to further delays may be avoided.\n\nI trust that the group banks will give these matters their earnest consideration and favour me with a reply.\n\nIn closing I may add that I have instructed Mr. Yen to prepare without delay an estimate of the costs of the Canton-Hankow railway line from Chuchow to Hsing-Ssu-Ling, and as soon as I receive this estimate I shall advise you.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nKUAN KENG LIN.\n\n(Seal of Director-General, Han Yuch Chuan Railways.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nDirector-General of Han Yuch Chuan Railways to Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. October 9, 1920.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nOn the 5th instant I addressed a letter to you which I trust has duly reached you.\n\nThe plan now proposed by this railway is to postpone construction work on the Szechuan-Hankow railway for the time being and to concentrate the whole of our energies on the Hunan-Hupeh section of the Canton-Hankow railway. Mr. Cox, the engineer-in-chief of this railway, has been instructed to prepare a careful estimate for submission to the group banks, but for the moment he is unable to supply the figures required, and I give below two proposals as to the construction work to be done and the estimated costs involved --\n\n| Proposal | Description | Estimated Cost |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| (a) | Construction work of the whole line from Chuchow to Hsing-Ssu-Ling | 29,603,630 dollars |\n| | (excluding 6 English miles from Hsing-Ssu-Ling to Kwangtung border) | |\n| (b) | Construction work from Chuchow to Hengchow | 13,880,000 dollars |\n| | Additional work for tunnelling and bridge foundations south of Hengchow | 7,170,000 dollars |\n| | Total | 21,050,000 dollars |\n\nThe time required for the completion of the work in the first proposal is estimated at three years, and in the second proposal at two years. As to which procedure is to be adopted, this will depend upon the amount of funds available and the urgency of the work calling for attention at the time.\n\nI shall be greatly obliged if you will give these two estimates your earnest consideration and grant an advance of funds until such a time as the supplementary loan bonds can be issued, so that further losses, owing to suspension of work of this railway, may be avoided. I hope that you will also give my previous letter your attention and that you will favour me with a reply to both letters as soon as possible.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nKUAN KENG LIN.\n\n(Seal of Director-General, Han Yueh Chuan Railways)\n\n## Enclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from Letter from Banks to Director-General of Han Yueh Chuan Railways, November 1, 1920.\n\nWe are also pleased to note the divergence of your views from those of Mr. Huang Tsan-hsi, inasmuch as you favour the completion of the Canton-Hankow railway to the Kuangtung border before commencing the construction of branch lines. We notice with surprise, however, that you adhere to the view expressed by the late director-general that the linking up of the Hupeh-Hunan section with the Kuangtung provincial railway and the eventual extension of the Hankow-Szechuan line to Chengtu, being matters outside the scope of the original Hukuang Railways Loan Agreement, are not to be discussed with our groups.\n\nWe beg to point out that in letters addressed to Mr. Feng Yuan Ting (then director-general of the Hukuang railways and the Minister of Communications) on the 22nd January, 1914, the group representatives pointed out the extreme importance of these two matters to the development and completion of the Hukuang railways' system, and in the reply of the Minister of Communications of the 23rd January, 1914, assurances were given that when proceeding with these extensions the various matters in connection therewith would be decided in consultation with the groups. Unfortunately, as you are aware, the outbreak of the European war and the resulting conditions precluded the raising of further funds for the completion of the railways as projected in the loan agreement and the extensions in question, but our groups rely on the assurances above referred to that these extensions will be given due place in any scheme for proceeding with construction.\n\nWe also regret to note your adherence to the view that the suggestions of the groups' representatives in their letter of the 28th April regarding the provision of separate security for a further loan, the payment of interest during construction from other sources than the loan proceeds, and the safeguards to be exercised in the expenditure of loan funds, are matters of which the principle has been laid down in the original loan agreement, and must be dealt with on the same lines. We fear that, while in any case the issue of a loan at the present time would be a matter of difficulty, unless a complete revision of these particulars can be effected, a further issue of bonds would be quite impossible.\n\nWe cannot agree with the remarks of the late director-general, which imply the unimportance of the interference with the railway traffic and other arrangements, as well as the damage caused to rolling-stock, buildings, &c., by Chinese troops. The reports of the engineer-in-chief of the Hupeh-Hunan section, extending over a very considerable period, have seldom been free from complaints of the interference by the military authorities with the running of the railway and of the loss and damage.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489255, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 403, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "401\n\n2\n\n3. Ts'en Ch'un-hsüan to remain in charge of the railway bureau for the eight Southern provinces; the Civil Governors of these provinces to be nominated by the South; Wu Pei-fu to be Shantung Tuchun, and Ts'ao K'un to be Inspector-General of Chihli, Shantung, Honan, and Shensi.\n\n4. The two Parliaments to hold joint session to draw up the Constitution and then to be dissolved.\n\nAs these terms presuppose the complete overthrow of the Anfu and Yunnanese Parties, an unlikely event under present conditions, modifications will have to be introduced if they are to form the basis of a lasting peace.\n\nParliament, though reduced to the ridiculously small number of ninety, has continued to sit at intervals. The members simply act at the bidding of the Military Government, and beyond the dismissal of Sun Yat-Sen, T'ang Shao-yi and Wu T'ing-fang have accomplished nothing. It is stated in the press, however, that there are now in Canton some 270 members of Parliament, many of whom have been waiting in Hong Kong to see if Wu Ting-fang's Shanghai Government was going to succeed.\n\nWith a view to prosecuting the anti-Japanese boycott the students have formed a native goods association, and have worked out an elaborate procedure for examining goods. Few firms have joined the association, of which the activities are restricted by the police, and the Chinese chambers of commerce will have nothing to do with the movement.\n\nDuring the occupation of the Yunnan troops opium dens were opened and protected by them. On their departure, however, the local police made a series of raids, as a result of which all the dens have been closed.\n\nIt is proposed by the Kuangsi Government to establish a mint at Wuchow on the site of the antimony bureau, and 1,000,000 dollars will be advanced towards the construction of buildings and machinery, of which the Government hopes to instal sufficient to turn out 15,000 to 20,000 dollars per day worth of 20-cent coins.\n\nChengtu.\n\nThere has seldom been so complicated a political situation in Szechuan as that of the past quarter; leading men like General Tau Mou-hsing were at times no less baffled by it than the mere lookers on.\n\nBefore giving a brief outline of the events of April, May and June, it would be well, perhaps, to indicate the attitude of the various Szechuan divisions at the outset. Pro-Hsiung were 1st and 3rd divisions, with possibly a brigade in the 2nd and 5th respectively. The 7th division was openly against the Military Governor, the 6th neutral, while the 4th and 8th were unknown quantities. The eventual decision of Liu Yu-Chiu, general of the 4th division, is likely to prove a vital factor in the fighting. Hsiung's position at the end of March appeared thus anything but secure.\n\nThe first leader to abandon him was General Shih Ch'ing-yang, of the hitherto neutral 6th division. By the middle of April Shih had leagued the 6th, 5th and 2nd divisions against the Military Governor, who, seeing himself almost encircled by enemies, resigned his position, and sent his family into hiding. From this point until the 22nd May, when hostilities actually began, followed a period of characteristic Chinese shifting, in which General Lin, of the 4th division, continued to wobble without committing himself. Meanwhile Hsiung, induced by the Canton Government to retain his position, had determined to defend Chengtu.\n\nA mistake on the part of Tang Chi-yao had the effect of ranging the 2nd, 5th and 8th divisions on the Governor's side; even Liu Yu-chiu himself made up his mind at last and joined Hsiung. During the early stages of the war the Szechuan troops were everywhere successful, and had the leaders remained loyal the Yunnan and Kueichow troops would have been cleared out of the province, but the treachery of the 5th and 6th divisions has made the Military Governor's task an uphill one. At the end of June a terrific struggle was in progress around Lungch'ang, on the result of which Hsiung's fortunes may depend.\n\nHis Majesty's consul's summing up of the situation might well be quoted: — \n\n\"The situation remains full of interest, and I can never remember a time when I felt so utterly at a loss to foresee an issue, though I emphatically do not share the general opinion held here that Hsiung Ko-wu will win in the end. The Szechuan troops have not the grit of the men from Yunnan and Kueichow, neither are they so well led.\"\n\n3\n\nThe attacks begun during the preceding quarter on Mr. P. Smith, the postal commissioner here, have been renewed. An article in the \"Echo de Chine\" accuses him, quite falsely, of granting a monopoly of appointments to Young Men's Christian Association students, simply because the postal commissioner suggested to that institution they might have a class for training prospective postal employees, chiefly for the lower grades.\n\nAs an inevitable result of the war there has been a perfect orgy of brigandage; north of Chengtu whole districts are stripped bare. While hostilities last, robber bands, many of whom are quite well-disciplined, will continue to terrorise the already sorely stricken populace at will.\n\nNanking\n\nDuring the past quarter brigandage has raged to such an extent in Kiangsu that at two places, Feng Hsien and P'ei Hsien, the magistrates dare not venture outside their respective cities. Along the Shantung border robber bands have committed outrages with impunity, killing, wounding and carrying off hostages, undisturbed by the gendarmerie. The latter, it is asserted, often made common cause with the depredators.\n\nStringent measures continue to be taken against the introduction of Bolshevism into Kiangsu. Teachers have instructions to find out new ideas imbibed by the students, and in industrial areas enquiries are made as to whether the working classes are being stirred by agitators. Three Bolshevist newspapers, reported to be circulating in Shanghai, were quickly suppressed.\n\nThe student agitation, revived again at the beginning of April, died away, thanks to the tactful attitude of the authorities, without any disturbing events. From the general ineffectiveness of the students throughout the quarter it seems that the movement is practically at an end, although the boycott continues to be fairly strictly maintained.\n\nThe reduction of expenditure mentioned in the summary for the March quarter is being steadily enforced by Li Shun, in spite of protests from his magistrates, who declare that if their civil establishments are reduced any more they will find it impossible to make both ends meet.\n\nIn consequence of the lower price of copper, the Nanking Mint has turned out an increased number of coins—chiefly 10-cash pieces, of which 300,000,000 were ordered by the Financial Commissioner alone. The Mint denies that it produced the light-weight copper coins recently found to be in circulation, and suggested that they came either from Hupeh or from Japan.\n\nInstructions have been received from Peking that universal free education is to be gradually introduced during the years 1921-28, beginning with the provincial capital and treaty ports. At present no more than 10 per cent of the children of school age attend school. The Nanking Police Commissioner, however, who is anxious to further education, has established in the city twenty-five free schools for poor people, each school designed to accommodate thirty students.\n\nThe co-education of girls and boys has not yet won the approval of the Provincial Assembly; one member asserted that it would reduce mankind to the level of beasts, while another opponent objected to it even for children under 12.\n\nSince the incident of gaol breaking on a large scale from the Shanghai Model Prison, steps have been taken to reform the administration. All higher prison officials are to be examined as to their qualifications, and those below a certain standard will be discharged unless they agree to undergo a course of training. But it is the prisoners awaiting trial whose treatment calls most loudly for reform; these unfortunate creatures are frequently imprisoned for years without their case being heard, and receive treatment almost as harsh as that of convicted criminals.\n\nIn the course of several sessions the Provincial Assembly tackled many questions, the most interesting amongst which were the Japanese demands and the students' strike. With regard to the first question, the anti-Japanese feeling in the Assembly was so strong that its members formally protested against the chartering by the Kiangsu salt merchants of a Japanese steamer to carry salt from Haichow to various Yangtsze ports. The students were commended for their feeling by the Assembly, but at the same time urged to leave politics to their elders, and serve the State by completing their education. It was largely as a result of this advice that the strike came to an end.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489303, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 451, "title": "CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Consul-General Goffe to Mr. Clive\n\n### Canton, November 18, 1920\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 100 of the 16th instant, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of Mr. Paget's railway contract, which has been kindly furnished me by Frank Lee, Commissioner of Foreign Affairs.\n\nwithin the province of the consortium, they could take over the work on the Yuet-Han line later.\n\nI said I would report to you what he had said and ask for your instructions. Although I have perused the correspondence covering the negotiations for the constitution of the new consortium, which was forwarded to me by His Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai, I am not quite clear as to whether Mr. Lee's contention that purely provincial, as opposed to national, enterprises do not fall within its scope is correct; but the fact remains that these people here do not recognise the acts of the Peking Government, and if we decline to assist them they may have recourse to other Powers—i.e., Japanese, French or American. I believe that Messrs. Loxley and Co., who, I understand from the Colonial Secretary at Hong Kong, are very keen and enterprising people, would readily undertake the work, and I have the honour to request your instructions as to whether I am authorised to broach the matter to them or any other British firm.\n\nI should be glad if you would be so good as to telegraph me your instructions. I am forwarding copy of this despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong.\n\n**(1.) Canton and Chengtu line**\n| Start from | Pass through | End at | Connection | Length |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Samshui | Shiuhing, Wachow, Liuchow, Kweiyang, Tsunyi, Chungking, Anyo, Kienchow | Chengtu | Canton-Samshui line, Shapao and Burma line, Kwangsi and Szechuan and Hankow lines | about 2,700 li (Chinese) |\n\n**(2) Shapao and Burma line**\n| Start from | Pass through | End at | Connection | Length |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Shapao | Changtek, Shenchow, Yuanchow, Chanyuen, Kweiyang, Singyi, Kunning (Yunnan-fu), Tanyung, Tali, Tengyueh | Burma | Burma Railway | about 3,500 li (Chinese) |\n\n**(3.) Canton and Hankow line**\n| Start from | Pass through | End at | Connection | Length |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Canton | Shuichow, Lokchong, Ichang, Lauyuen, Leiyang, Hengchow, Changsha, Yochow | Wuchang | Kwangtung-Chengtu line, Kwangtung and (Ningpo) Yungchow line, Shiuchow and Kanchow line, Chuchow and Yamchow line, Ningpo and Siangtan line | about 2,000 li (Chinese) |\n\nI have, &c.\n**HERBERT GOFFE**\n\n**(4.) Shiuchow and Kanchow line**\n| Start from | Pass through | End at | Connection | Length |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Shiuchow | Nanyung, Nanan, Kauchow, Kian | Nanchang | To connect Ningpo-Singtan line, Nanning-Chumchow line | about 1,110 li (Chinese) |\n\n**(5.) Canton and Ningpo line**\n| Start from | Pass through | End at | Connection | Length |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Canton | Tsengshin, Weichow, Chaochow, Chaoan, Changchow, Foochow, Wenchow, Taichow | Ningpo | Shanghai, Hangchow and Ningpo line | about 2,500 li (Chinese) |\n\n**(6) Pingnam and Langchow line**\n| Start from | Pass through | End at | Connection | Length |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Pingnam | Kweilisien, Nanning | Lungchow | Aunan Railway | about 800 li (Chinese) |\n\n### Enclosure 3 in No. 1\n\n**Copy of Railway Contract between Messrs. Paget and the Director-General of Railways of Eight Chinese Provinces**\n\n**MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT** entered into this the day of March, in the 9th year of the Republic of China and the year 1920 A.D. by and between his Excellency Tsen Chun Hsuan, director-general of railways of eight provinces, namely, Yunnan, Kweichow, Szechuan, Shenei, Kwangtung, Kwangsi, Hunan and Fukien, and Charles S. Paget, Esq., of Messrs. Paget and Liang, civil engineers, Canton, China.\n\nWHEREAS his Excellency Ts'en Chun Hsuan, being desirous of improving the industrial and productive works and promoting the general welfare of the inhabitants of the Republic of China, being duly authorised by the Administrative Council of the Military Government of South China, proposes to obtain a loan from the American engineer, Charles S. Paget, for the purpose of constructing the following railway lines. This loan will be to the amount of dollars, United States currency, more or less, as may be determined in the final agreement.\n\nBoth parties hereby agree to the following terms:—\n\n1. This loan is for the purpose of investigating, surveying, estimating, constructing and equipping the undermentioned railway lines in the provinces of—Kwangtung, Yunnan, Szechuan, Kwangsi, Kweichow, Hunan, Sheusi, and Fukien.\n\nThe total length being some 12,500 li (Chinese), or 4,200 English miles, more or less, as may be hereafter determined.\n\n2. This loan shall be secured and the following determined in the final agreement: its issue price, the rate of interest, duration of loan, dates of payment to the railway administration of the net proceeds of each advance and method of repayment.\n\n3. The final agreement shall be entered into at the expiration of the preliminary agreement, or at an earlier date if both parties come to such understanding.\n\n4. In consideration of the magnitude of the undertaking, the Administrative Council, through its director, agrees to give Mr. Charles S. Paget eight months from the date of this agreement, in which the necessary investigations and preliminary reconnaissance surveys, estimates, reports and negotiations can be carried out, and they further agree at the end of this period of eight months that if substantial progress has been made toward a favourable consideration of the project Mr. Charles S. Paget shall be given necessary extension of time, if required, to thoroughly complete the negotiations.\n\nPage 448", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489546, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 37, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## 4\n\nI informed you that, as I had no authority to alter the agreement, I was unable to reply on this point, but that there was no reason why I should not report your wishes in the matter to the Minister of Communications. I also stated that, in my capacity of director-general, I could assure the groups beforehand that if vital alterations were made in the agreement, such as an admission of another country into the consortium, it would certainly be impossible to agree to such alteration.\n\nAs regards alterations in the conditions of the agreement, I stated that I was of the opinion that, after discussion, we could arrive at a decision as to the settlement of points of minor importance in the old agreement, but that I was very much afraid that it would be impossible to come to an agreement on the principal points.\n\n### 5. Extension of the Railway System\n\nIn the course of our interview, I replied that the aim of the Chinese Government was to connect the line with Canton in the south and with Chengtu in the west. Plans as regards the Canton extension have been already published in the Government Gazette.*\n\nI trust that you will give the above-mentioned points your attention and advise the French and American representatives.\n\nAwaiting your reply, I am, &c.\n\n**KUAN KENG LIN**\n\n(Seal of the Director-General of the Han Yueh Ch'uan Railway Administration)\n\nFROM 1921 HONG KONG 31259 DATE 23 JUN 21\n\nFOR CIRCULATION:— \n| Name |\n| --- |\n| Mr. Зрубин |\n| Mr. Grindle |\n| Sir H. Lambert |\n| Sir H. Read |\n| Sir G. Fiddes |\n| Mr. Wood |\n| Mr. Churchill |\n\nPrevious Paper =27627 22 June\n\nSUBJECT Release of funds belonging to B. Pd Albrechtsen. I copy act from Danish Minister forwarding Cert. of nationality\n\nMINUTES\n| Reference | Note |\n| --- | --- |\n| 36 | Now copy Danish... |\n| 187 | ... |\n| ... | ... |\n\nSubsequent Paper yo 42955 (x) (377309) WŁ. 4710/19 Gp, 163 40000 5.21 17 & 8 L&. 27627. Danish Munshi's late copy of eating translation of artif. herein that his lo for a coin. saying property held by the Custodian should fore 9 so reply, returning original contipeals in Danish herein.\n\n| Date | Instruction |\n| --- | --- |\n| 25/4/es | 3 |\n| 24/6/21 | At once | \n| As | 95 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489649, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 140, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## \n\n139 \n\n$45 \n\n.. \n\nThe growing of opium is forbidden under the Republican régime as it is in most of \nthe provinces of China. \n\nIn Western China, according to a report received from His Majesty's Consul General at Chengtu from a missionary \nsource, a heavy opium tax is being levied which local growers \nare compelled to share in paying, the revenue being shared practically everyone grows some poppy to enable him to pay the \ntax. \n\nIt is, of course, almost impossible to surmise what tonnage of \nopium is grown in China as a whole, but the position in 1917 when \nthe country was officially recognised to have been purged of \nopium growing. It is variously estimated, however, by the Anti-Opium \nAssociation that the amount of opium marketed at the present \ntime is somewhere between ten and twenty per cent of that \ngrown before the days of prohibition. \n\nThe smuggling of opium into China, like that of other contraband, is, as I have \nhad the honour to report on more than one occasion lately, \nimmense. I am at present enquiring into a \npreliminary report that a Chinese government ship on the Yangtze, \ncontrolled by Chinese military authorities, which lately made \ntwo trips down river from Ichang carried large cargoes of \nsmuggled opium. It is admitted that the Customs officials \nfailed to search the vessel owing to opposition by \npersons in charge. The Consul General at Hankow stated in reply to an enquiry regarding this case, that he did not attempt to have foreign boats boarded or searched \nas there is a danger of his officers being ill-treated by \nsoldiers. The British Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai \nhave alluded to the incident in a letter addressed to His Majesty's Consul General and have pertinently enquired what \ninfluence...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489787, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 278, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "`2861/81/10`\n\n323.\n\n**BRITISH LEGATION,**\n\n**PEKING,**\n\n277\n\npies to Tokyo, Commander-in-Chief, Hongkong, Canton, Shanghai, Hankow, Tientsin, Mukden, Chengtu, Yunnan and Nanking.\n\n14th June, 1921.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nIn my telegram No.204 of the 20th ultimo I referred to a remark made by me, at an interview with Dr. Yen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the subject of Tibet, to the effect that I thought that the meeting of Parliament was much more remote than had been indicated by His Excellency.\n\nAt the present moment, what are described as \"Parliamentary elections\" have been held in the three Manchurian Provinces, in Sinkiang or Chinese Turkestan, and in two provinces of China Proper, Kiangsu and Kansu. In one other province the \"primary elections\" have been completed, and these have also taken place at a few places in the Metropolitan province of Chihli. In the remaining provinces nominally subordinate to Peking the opposition of the provincial military authorities to the holding of \"elections\" has been so strong that the matter remains in abeyance.\n\nMeanwhile there are no signs of any inclination on the part of the autonomous provinces of Szechuan, Hunan, Kweichow and Yunnan, and still less on the part of independent Kuangtung, to accept the olive branch offered by the President's Mandate of October 30th last, directing that steps be taken to summon a new Parliament, which was reported to Your Lordship in Mr. Clive's despatch No. 785 of November 3rd, 1920.\n\nThe reasons for this failure of the Peking Government to secure the carrying out of its policy in this respect are\n\n| \nThe Right Honourable \nThe Earl Curzon of Kedleston, K.G., G.C.S.I., \netc., \netc., \nFOREIGN...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490027, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 518, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## \n\nFor several days in succession I had seen nothing whatever of the Tengyueh Taoyin; at Chepi, however, much to my surprise, he rode over to call on me. The reason for the visit was only apparent when he propounded the astonishing request that as during seventeen days travel in his circuit we had only found one field of opium poppy, I would overlook it in my report to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires. On my replying that, had we found one hundred I should be bound to report one hundred, and that I must equally report the one, he then suggested that I should add a rider that the field found was close to the scene of military operations against the offending Kachins. To this I rejoined that I had been over the country in question and he had not, and that I knew for a fact that the two places were at least two and a half days journey apart. Soon afterwards he took his leave, considerably crestfallen.\n\nApril 14th Shortly after leaving Chêpi the road to Mienning makes a very steep ascent of some 3,000 feet, on to a lofty shoulder, the view from which on a clear day must be magnificent, embracing extensive country in the jurisdiction of Shunning and Kengma, in the Tengyueh circuit, and Mieuning in the Puerh circuit. On an open bit of grass land just beyond a pillar marking the boundary, a large booth had been erected, and we were met by the P'uêrh Taoyin and the Mienning district magistrate, each of whom furnished a guard of honour.\n\nThe following day we reached the ancient walled city of Mienning, inhabited by a mixed population of Chinese and Shans, while Lolos and natives of several other tribes inhabit the surrounding villages.\n\nFor the journey from Mienning to Szemao my first care was to ascertain the route followed by the Taoyin to the rendezvous; he had come, as I expected, by the most direct road through Chingku-hsien (the modern name of Weiyuant'ing of Manchu times). I asked the Taoyin point-blank whether he had seen any opium cultivation on his outward journey; he replied that a few isolated patches had been sown at the beginning of the season, but that all had been uprooted by expeditions sent out in November and December, and there was no trace of any remaining when he came out. I see no reason whatever to doubt this statement, but even if it was untrue, it was practically certain that there would not be a single plant left after his passing through; I therefore decided to take an entirely different road for our joint journey and selected the southern route via Poshang, the Tapêng ferry over the Mekong, Mêngka and Mengchu. This is a fairly well recognised, though little used, road, but I possess records of only isolated portions as having been previously traversed by British subjects.\n\nOn the 19th April, at the Taoyin's suggestion, we made a very early start in view of the formidable journey in front of us. We reached the limits of the Mienning jurisdiction and bade farewell to the magistrate. After 6 miles of easy going, No trace of opium poppy had we seen in his district, in which, as far as I could ascertain, he and his subordinates had carried out their suppression duties with exceptional thoroughness. The next 7 miles traversed a corner of what is now known as the Lantsang (i.e., Mekong) district-formerly the sub-prefecture of Chênpien-and the going was very severe, though it must, in all fairness, be admitted that the country is extremely difficult, including a terrific descent for 3 miles through constantly subsiding red clay to the level of the River Mekong (2,750 feet). The crossing of the Mekong is effected in a single huge wooden boat with deep sides: The mules and their loads are transported in this craft, the river-current being too swift to admit of the animals swimming across without danger. The ascent up the left or east bank of the Mekong is even more severe, and for 24 miles the ruling gradient is steeper than one in six.\n\nTwo stages further, through pine-woods tenanted by peacocks and brilliant emerald-green parrots, brought us to the Chinese Shan town of Mêngka. At Tamotsoho, the half-way halt, we came across a few families of Lahu race, said to be rapidly dying out in China.\n\nShortly before reaching Mêngka we were met by the Chingku district magistrate, a Kuangsi man, who accompanied us so long as we continued in his extensive jurisdiction. Mengka, the residence of a Shan Sawbwa, possesses also large temples and two monasteries in the Burmese Shan style; one in particular, over 200 years old, must have been very fine in bygone days.\n\nAt Lientsungts'un, our halt mid-way between Mêngka and Mêngchu, the Chinese Shan Sawbwa, of the latter place, and Mêngpan came over to pay his respects.\n\nMêngchu is one of the old Shan towns whence the original inhabitants have been practically ousted by the more thriving Chinese.\n\nOn the 25th April, two days after leaving Mêngchu, we crossed the River Weiyuan for Chingku, as it is now gradually becoming known) at Patieh. Two days later, after passing a few villages inhabited by natives of the strikingly handsome Puman race, we entered the Szémao district and were met by the local magistrate; the following day, the 28th April, we arrived at Szemao, where spacious quarters were provided for me adjoining the Taoyin's yamên. The Taoyin and magistrate pressed me to stay a week in Szemao; I consented to two days, but on the second day the Taoyin urged that he still had important business to transact, and I could hardly refuse his request that we should postpone our departure for one more day.\n\nPrevious to my departure for Tengyuch, I had written to a reliable correspondent, soliciting his co-operation to obtain for me, if possible, information on the subject of opium in the area under his cognisance. With that request he very courteously complied; he informed me quite definitely that, as the result of several punitive expeditions during the past winter, there was, as far as he was aware, no more cultivation of opium in the Szemao district, and that while probably at least 30 per cent. of the adult population of the town, both male and female, still continued to consume the drug, the enormous rise in price bore out his contention.\n\nFrom Szemao northwards towards Tali three routes were open to me; that viâ Chingku (Weiyuan) was ruled out by the fact that it had already been traversed by the Taoyin on his journey to Mienning to meet me; on the north-eastern route, via T'alang-the main road to Yunnan-fu-according to all the information I could obtain, a considerable quantity of opium had been grown, and harvested, earlier in the season, but very thorough measures of eradication had been carried out some weeks previously; I therefore decided to take the more direct but less frequented route via Puêrh, Hsinfu (in Chênyuan district) and Chingtung.\n\nLeaving Szemao on the 2nd May, some three hours of travel, including a stiff climb, brought us to the boundary of the P'uêrh district, where the local magistrate awaited us; the Szemao magistrate, however, continued to accompany us till the town of Puerh was reached the next day; on this day's journey our route crossed a splendid Chinese arched stone bridge, in admirable preservation.\n\nAt Mohei, the next stage, I took the opportunity to pay a visit to the large and flourishing salt-mines about a mile and a half away. Dr. Kelly, the American representative of the Chinese Salt Administration, who had arrived about two months previously, was away on tour, but his English-speaking Chinese colleague very kindly demonstrated to me all the processes of Chinese salt extraction.\n\nThe next four stages, viâ Mop'o, Manpieh and Manlien, to Hsin-fu, call for little comment save for the extreme beauty of the scenery; on all sides rose range after range of pine-clad hills, mostly well-wooded to their summits; the valleys were, however, parched and bare, and travelling along the lower levels was excessively hot. The only record in my possession of a route between Hsinfu and Chingtung dated from 1881, when the journey was made by a British traveller; our route, however, was almost entirely different from his, and we spent but five days on the distance which had taken him six. For the last three days we were accompanied by the Chingtung magistrate, who came out to meet us.\n\nThis latter official was also among the number of those who have displayed special energies in the matter of opium suppression; practically every town and hamlet which we traversed in his district boasted its own small bureau for the furtherance of the task, while the magistrate's extensive tours of inspection included a journey to the summit of Wu-Liang-Shan, between 11,000 and 12,000 feet high.\n\nLeaving Chingtung on the 15th May, three days' journey brought us to the boundary between the Puerh and Tengyueh circuits, at Shukai (locally pronounced Ch'ukai); Here we found that the Tengyueh Taoyin and the Mênghua district magistrate had been awaiting our arrival for three days. Before bidding farewell to the Puêrh Taoyin, I gave him a letter detailing our route through his circuit and congratulating him on the fact that we had discovered not a single opium poppy in a month's journey. In the course of an interesting conversation, he freely admitted that the task of suppression had been considerably easier in his circuit than elsewhere in the province; he was no less frank regarding the prevalence of opium smoking, and expressed the opinion that from three to five years must elapse before this would be stopped.\n\nPage [603] \n517 \n55 \n54", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490043, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 534, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## No. 35.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.—(Received June 19.)\n\nPeking, April 30, 1919.\n\nI HAVE sought to keep you informed of such general data with regard to the cultivation of opium in the provinces as reaches me from time to time.\n\nI have just received a letter from Mr. Eastes, now on his way from Tengyueh to take up his duties as acting consul-general at Chengtu, which is of distinct value from this point of view. Mr. Eastes is making the journey across country, and has thus travelled through a large part of Yunnan and of Szechuan on his way to his new post.\n\nWriting from Li-Chou-Kai, in Southern Szechuan, on the 19th March, he records that during his 33 days' journey through Yunnan it was only on the last half-day that he saw any poppy fields at all, and then only five. But once across the Yang-tsze and into Szechuan it was a very different story. Poppy was to be seen on all sides, planted without the smallest attempt at concealment. It was in evidence all along the road, in huge patches stretching up the terraced slopes as far as the eye could reach.\n\nMr. Eastes states that so far as he has been able to discover there never has been any real effort at eradication along the route which he has just followed. In eight and a half days' travel in Szechuan he has covered over 150 miles, mostly up the Chiench'ang valley, which the local Taoyin's proclamations—none more recent than 1917—admitted to be famous for poppy production. Mr. Eastes estimates the proportion of fields under poppy at anything up to 30 per cent., on some areas certainly as much as 50 per cent.\n\nThis information is exceedingly unsatisfactory, and only adds cogency to the representations which I am just addressing to the Chinese Government, calling attention to the recrudescence of cultivation in the provinces.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## No. 36.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.—(Received July 9.)\n\nPeking, May 5, 1919.\n\nI HAVE addressed to the Wai-chiao Pu a note, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, reminding the Foreign Minister that information continues to reach me to the effect that the recrudescence of poppy cultivation is apparent in a number of provinces, and that such cultivation, following upon the total cessation of the import of Indian opium, constitutes a grave infringement of the solemn pledges entered into by the Chinese Government.\n\nSince the despatch of that note, I have received from the Wai-chiao Pu a note, in which the Chinese Government admit the spread of cultivation in the province of Shensi, but state that a policy of suppression is being introduced pari passu with the suppression of internal disorder.\n\nIt is unfortunate that little evidence is forthcoming as to the pacification of the province in question, and the Military Governor is still pursuing a policy of open defiance to the authority of the Central Government, whilst the condition of his province is a growing menace to the peace of the country.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 36.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu.\n\nPeking, April 29, 1919.\n\nHIS Majesty's Government have learnt with much concern that in various provinces of China a recrudescence of opium cultivation has taken place during the last few years. This fact is so notorious throughout China that it is not necessary for me to enter into any detail in referring to it. Various instances have by my instructions been brought to your Excellency's notice from time to time as they have been reported to me. But I would mention that, in addition to Kiangsu, Fukien, Anhui, Hunan, Szechuan, Yunnan, Kueichow, Manchuria and Hsinchiang—from all of which provinces I have received reports of widespread cultivation and traffic in the drug which unfortunately leave no room to doubt their accuracy—the province of Shensi provides a particularly flagrant example of retrogression. Reliable reports have reached me from many sources in that province, both Chinese and foreign, and all go to show that not only is cultivation taking place on a large scale, but that it is either openly encouraged or secretly connived at by officials appointed by your Excellency's own Government, the Tuchun of the province being himself the principal culprit in this respect.\n\nIn considering these facts, I venture to remind your Excellency that by the Agreement of 1911 the Chinese Government bound themselves to diminish the production of home-grown opium pari passu with the diminished importation of opium from India, and that, moreover, for more than a year past the import of Indian opium into China has entirely ceased. The cessation has been enforced by His Majesty's Government solely on the understanding that opium production in China had likewise come to an end, and they cannot but regard its recrudescence as a grave infringement of a solemn pledge entered into by the Chinese Government. Against this infringement I am instructed to enter a most emphatic and earnest protest. I would remind your Excellency that in subscribing to the 1911 Agreement, His Majesty's Government were actuated by motive of assisting the Chinese Government to overcome what was commonly regarded throughout the world as a national vice. Should the attainment of this object be frustrated by the failure of the Chinese Government to sustain its part of the agreement, it is hardly necessary for me to point out the very grave responsibility which it will incur before its own people and the world at large.\n\nThe deliberate encouragement of the opium traffic in Shensi and other provinces by the responsible authorities suggests to the public opinion of foreign countries an impression of disunion in this country which is most unfortunate in China's national interests. I trust, therefore, that the Central Government will forthwith take steps to remove this impression, and will not hesitate to make an example of Governors like the Tuchun of Shensi, who are openly encouraging the growth of opium within their jurisdiction.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## No. 37.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon (Received August 2.)\n\nPeking, June 11, 1919.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch of the 30th April last, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of a despatch written by Mr. Teichman from Tachienlu reporting the result of his personal observations during his journey between that place and Chengtu. I also enclose a memorandum by Mr. Eastes, acting consul-general at Chengtu, dealing with the facts revealed by Mr. Teichman.\n\n96 \n\n### Preceding Document\n\nMarch 29, 1919\n\nMy Lord,\n\nThe districts of Chowchih are already gathering a tax on the land sown with opium, and an office for collecting a tax on opium sold has been opened. Besides Chowchih, Hingping, Wukung, Huhsien and Meihsien are all growing the crop this year, being exhorted to plough up wheat and peas and sow spring opium in order that a large sum may be paid in taxes to the Tuchun. Last year's crop was almost entirely bought by Honan soldiers and taken by them into Honan. Letters have been received by His Majesty's Legation from Chinese as well as foreign residents of that province deploring this evil, the entire blame for which is placed on Tuchun Chen Shu-fan.\n\nNow, therefore, that the Chinese Government are in a better position to restore order in Shensi, His Majesty's Legation trust that one of their first actions will be the total suppression of the opium cultivation, in order that the province may revert to the happier condition in which it was found to be in 1917.\n\nPage 87**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490044, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 535, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "88\n\nMr. Teichman furnishes conclusive evidence that this opium cultivation is carried on openly at the direct instigation of the Chinese officials whose duty it is to suppress it.\n\nI have the honour to enclose copy of a letter, which I have addressed to the Wai-chiao Pu, bringing the facts to their notice; but I fear that the Chinese Government has not the strength, even if it has the will, to adopt the only effective remedy, namely, the removal and punishment of the Military Governors responsible for the present state of affairs.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nSir.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 37\n\n### Mr. Teichman to Sir J. Jordan\n\nTachienlu, April 27, 1919.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that on my journey back from Chengtu we found the entire length of the Tung river valley (along which the road runs for two days' march - district of Luting) blazing with countless fields of red and white poppies in full bloom wherever the bays in the gorge permitted of cultivation. In most places fully a quarter of the land under cultivation was producing opium. This poppy cultivation (which I had failed to notice on my way down a month and a half earlier owing to my being very unwell, and to the plant not being in flower) is openly carried on without the least attempt at concealment right along this main route, which is one of the most important and most travelled of the big trunk roads of China; and the poppies were even flourishing in the immediate vicinity and in full view of the magistrate's seat and the big Catholic Mission establishment at Luting Ch'iao itself. The local people told my servants that the neighbourhood was growing poppy for the first time for many years, and that the cultivation was encouraged by the officials, who levied a tax of 28 rupees per Chinese acre of opium-producing land.\n\nMy statements about this opium cultivation, and the amazingly open way it is carried on, can be corroborated by Mr. Clements, of the China Inland Mission at Tachienlu, the Catholic missionaries, and by my own Pekinese servants. I shall try and secure some photographs of it on my way down.\n\nNo poppy cultivation whatever was to be seen for the first nine days' march out of Chengtu (i.e., while traversing regions controlled by the southern leader, Governor Hsiung Ko-wu); and we only came upon the opium after traversing the Fei Yü Ling (pass) and entering the district of Luting, which forms part of the Szechuan frontier territory.\n\nI have had considerable experience of opium suppression in the distant interior of China, and I well know that the responsibility for any recrudescence of cultivation in formerly clean regions lies at the door of the local officials (who can maintain the suppression with the greatest ease if they desire to do so) acting under the orders of the Governor of their province, or the military chief controlling their area; exception being made in the case of semi-independent tribal country and of regions controlled by brigands or rebels. Luting, however, is a peaceful and purely Chinese district, as easily governed as the Chengtu plain or the country round Peking, and is actually under the control, not of the southern \"rebel,\" but of a Peking-appointed official.\n\nConsular officers may perambulate provinces and certify them as clean; but such certification provides no guarantee whatsoever that cultivation will not be vigorously resumed in the following season if the local authorities desire to raise money from this unique revenue-producing source (as is the case in the present instance). It is always the officials and not the people who should be punished; but, unfortunately, the reverse is usually the case.\n\nSzechuan was, I believe, passed as clean without an official inspection at the time the 1911 Agreement was made. There was a limited amount of recrudescence after the revolution and during the subsequent troubles, and the poppy has always continued to flourish in the remote and semi-independent tribal country behind Kuan Hsien. But I have never heard of anything like the open and legalised cultivation now being carried on in Luting district and neighbourhood.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**ERIC TEICHMAN**\n\n89\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 37\n\n### Memorandum\n\nNOT carrying with me any paraphernalia for official correspondence on my journey hither from the Burma frontier, I incorporated in a letter despatched en route to His Majesty's Minister at Peking my observations on the vast quantities of opium being grown, not only in the Chien-ch'ang valley, but also throughout the whole region traversed by me during twelve and a half days' travel in South-Western Szechuan.\n\nDuring the whole length of my journey across the western circuit of Yunnan, from the extreme south-west to the extreme north-east, I saw only five fields of opium poppy, and these were passed on the last half-day's journey in Yunnan, within 10 miles of the Szechuan boundary.\n\nOnce, however, I crossed the river Yang-tsze and entered Szechuan, matters were entirely different, and poppy fields abounded on all sides, without the smallest attempt at concealment.\n\nFor the first two and a half days to Hui-li the country was in the hands of Yunnan troops, and the percentage of opium crops was not very great; from Hui-li onwards for the next ten stages poppy fields were passed everywhere, in enormous quantities, and the percentage of these pernicious crops rose certainly to 50 per cent. The valley of the Anning river, which is the Chien-ch'ang (formerly Ning-yüan Fu) valley proper, is reached shortly before the end of the second stage northwards from Hui-li; three stages more, through absolutely countless poppy crops, brought me to the very large walled city of Chien-ch'ang (formerly Ning-yüan Fu), the headquarters of the Chien-ch'ang Taoyin, which lies just out of the Anning river valley, on its east side, in a broad plain which when I traversed it on the 17th March was a brilliant mass of poppy crops. During these three stages I travelled in company with a recently retired district magistrate of Hui-li, and in the course of conversation with him I commented freely on this flagrant breach of the Opium Agreement with Great Britain. His defence for his own scandalous inactivity in the matter, that he had no troops to carry out the work of suppression, was wholly specious, for throughout our journey in company we constantly passed large numbers of ill-disciplined local militiamen, whose sole occupation seemed to be loafing and gambling outside the gates of the many walled towns in which they were quartered; while day after day my efforts to find a temple to spend the night were frustrated because the temples - which abound all over Szechuan - were already occupied by these ruffians. Throughout the whole course of my journey in Szechuan I saw not a single proclamation against the cultivation of opium poppy bearing a date later than 1917.\n\nI agree entirely with Mr. Teichman's comment that it is always the officials and not the people who should be punished; my ex-magistrate travelling companion should undoubtedly have received a very severe sentence for his criminal, and doubtless highly lucrative, apathy. I was told by friendly natives encountered on my travels that each field of the illicit crop was worth 6 dollars to the authorities conniving at its existence.\n\nTwo stages above Chien-ch'ang the road quits the Anning river valley and becomes more mountainous: as far as I could judge, the fact that opium cultivation for the next few stages is distinctly less universal is due solely to the less congenial character of the soil. But not until my sixteenth day's journey in Szechuan, four days north of the large district town of Yueh-hsi, did I cease to see poppy crops altogether, and I attribute that cessation solely to the fact that the idle militia gave place, in the neighbourhood of the large towns of Ta-shu-p'u and Fu-lin, and thence onwards to Chengtu, to regular troops, under the command presumably of officers owning more than a nominal allegiance to the present Military Governor, Hsiung K'o-wu.\n\nMr. Teichman refers to the continued flourishing of poppy cultivation in the remote and semi-independent tribal country behind Kuan-hsien (about 40 miles north-west of Chengtu); this state of affairs is corroborated by local missionaries, who tell me, moreover, that opium growing on a small scale has begun again in several other hilly or mountainous areas on the fringe of the great Chengtu plain.\n\n**A. E. EASTES**\n\nChengtu, May 5, 1919.\n\n534", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490045, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 536, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Enclosure 3 in No. 37\n\nSir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu. \nMay 29, 1919.\n\nIT has recently been my duty on more than one occasion to address communications to your Excellency on the subject of the recrudescence in various provinces of cultivation of the opium poppy, in violation of the agreements reached between Great Britain and China. Of these communications the last was my letter of the 6th May,* which dealt with the provinces of Kirin and Heilungkiang.\n\nI am now in receipt of information on this subject from two of His Majesty's consular officers who have recently traversed a small portion of the province of Szechuan. Mr. Eastes, who has reached Chengtu from T'engyueh, travelling overland, states that sixteen stages of that part of the journey, which lay through the province of Szechuan, were through country in which opium fields were common, while ten consecutive stages lay through country of which from 30 to 50 per cent. of the fields, according to the character of the soil, were under opium. These stages lay north and south of the city of Chien-ch'ang, the seat of a Taoyin. Furthermore, opium-growing exists in the hills immediately bordering on the Chengtu plain.\n\nFrom Mr. Teichman, who has recently traversed the road from Chengtu to Tachientu, I learn that throughout the entire length of the T'ung river valley, through which the road runs for two day's march within the district of Luting, countless fields of opium poppy are to be seen, in many places as much as 25 per cent. of the cultivated land being under that crop. A special tax is there levied of 28 rupees (the coinage locally current) on every mou of opium-producing land.\n\nI am aware that a portion of the areas above indicated is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Central Government, but I regret to note that hitherto the steps which are essential to the suppression of opium production in parts of China still under the control of your Excellency's Government, and which were mentioned in my note of the 29th April, have not been taken.\n\nI have, &c. \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## No. 38\n\nSir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.—(Received October 11.) \nPeking, August 27, 1919.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of a note which I have addressed to the Wai-chiao Pu entering a further protest against the general recrudescence of opium cultivation which has taken place of recent years in China, and more especially this year, in Shensi and Szechuan, in violation of the agreement of 1911.\n\nI am instructing His Majesty's consuls to report fully on this subject during the coming winter and spring, so that a comprehensive survey of the amount of cultivation during the next opium season may be available.\n\nI am personally of the opinion that if and when a strong Central Government is again established in this country the opium poppy will be once more eradicated. The present recrudescence of cultivation, though undoubtedly on a comparatively large scale, is, generally speaking, confined to remote provinces, which, whether under the nominal control of the Northern Government or not, pay little attention to the remonstrances of the Wai-chiao Pu on the subject.\n\nI have, &c. \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Enclosure in No. 38\n\nSir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu \nAugust 27, 1919.\n\nI HAVE the honour to refer your Excellency to my numerous previous communications protesting against the recrudescence of poppy cultivation in China in violation of the agreement of 1911. Thus, in my memorandum of the 29th March I drew the attention of your Excellency's Ministry to the case of Shensi, which, jointly inspected and found clean in 1917, resumed cultivation immediately afterwards in 1918, and has this year been producing large quantities of opium under the open encouragement of the provincial authorities. Again, in my note of the 29th April, I made mention of the reliable reports of widespread cultivation and traffic in more than half the provinces of China; and in my letter of the 29th May I referred to the case of two British consular officers who had recently travelled for days in Western China through countless fields of opium poppy in full bloom. Finally, in my letter of the 7th July* I informed your Excellency of the cultivation being carried on along the Chinese Eastern Railway in Kirin province.\n\nI have recently received further reports of the cultivation of the poppy in Szechuan and Fukien. In both cases cultivation is openly encouraged by the officials, who make large profit by taxing the opium produced. There would appear to be no difference in this respect between the officials of the Northern and Southern Governments, the offending districts being partly under the control of the former and partly under the control of the latter.\n\nI regret to have to point out to your Excellency that the evidence of widespread recrudescence of poppy cultivation above referred to shows conclusively that China is not at present carrying out her obligations under the agreement of 1911, and I have the honour therefore to enter a further formal protest with your Excellency's Government on the subject.\n\nI avail, &c. \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## No. 39\n\nSir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.—(Received November 12.) \nPeking, September 20, 1919.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch of the 27th August last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of further correspondence with the Wai-chiao Pu on the subject of the widespread recrudescence of poppy cultivation in this country. I am circulating copies of this correspondence to His Majesty's consular officers, whom I have already instructed to keep me fully informed of the true extent to which opium cultivation is carried on during the approaching winter and spring.\n\nI have, &c. \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 39\n\nWai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan. \nPeking, September 4, 1919.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's note of the 29th April last informing me of the reports you have received of the widespread recrudescence of the cultivation of the poppy and the traffic in opium in Kiangsi, Fukien, Anhui, Hunan, Szechuan, Yunnan, Kweichow, Manchuria and Ilsinkiang, and more especially in Shensi, in contravention of the procedure agreed to by the Chinese Government and adding that you are instructed by your Government to protest strongly on the subject.\n\nOn the 20th May this Ministry had the honour to receive instructions from the President laying the duty of stringently prohibiting opium on the civil and military officials of the provinces. These instructions were copied and issued by telegraph to the provinces concerned for the necessary action by the Cabinet, the Ministry of the Interior and this Ministry. With the exception of Kweichow, from which province, owing to the conditions now reigning there no report has been received, all the provinces concerned have sent in reports of the action taken in each regarding opium suppression and the present state of affairs in connection therewith. Just as a reply was being prepared, your Excellency's further note of the 27th August was received, informing me of additional reports of opium cultivation in Szechuan and Fukien.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490047, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 538, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## 94\n\nAll parts. No cultivation has been discovered this year. As regards the traffic in opium, its discovery is rendered difficult by unscrupulous persons who use the railway for this purpose. Arrangements have, however, been made with the Japanese officials, who will help the Chinese authorities in carrying out opium suppression, and radical prohibitionary measures are being enforced in the inns and brothels in the railway territory, so that the traffic may be destroyed at its origin, and the poison thoroughly eradicated. Renewed instructions for the most stringent action in this respect will be issued later on.\n\nKirin.\n\nMr. Chao Hsien-chang, head of the police bureau, has been specially appointed to carry out prohibitionary measures and investigations, with a view to the thorough eradication of opium. According to the reports of this officer since received, opium criminals have collected in secret bands in the mountains and forests of the north-east with the object of resisting the authorities. It is therefore difficult to carry out investigations in those parts except with the assistance of large bodies of troops. Just as the matter was under consideration, Governor Meng was transferred and the troops stationed along the roads were moved. It was thus impossible to attend to the matter. Further, owing to the situation in the capital, Mr. Chao had to return immediately; but an officer was left to carry on the investigations and complete the work.\n\nHeilungkiang.\n\nFor years past, special delegates have been deputed to co-operate with the military and police authorities in carrying out investigations during the late spring and early summer. According to reports received from the Suilan Taoyin, desperate criminals engaged in secret cultivation in the mountains have actually prepared mines with the object of resisting the authorities. Sanction has now been received to an increase in the punishments laid down for opium offenders, ringleaders being liable to imprisonment for life, &c. The introduction of these measures has produced excellent results. A special corps of mountain and forest rangers, 300 strong, has been established in the districts concerned, with the duty of patrolling the localities. A commencement has already been made with this arrangement. The various military commandants have also been instructed to co-operate with the district officials in the work of opium suppression.\n\nHsinkiang.\n\nNo opium cultivation has been permitted in the borders of Hsinkiang province for some years past. The Chinese authorities are, however, unable to cross the border and suppress cultivation in Russian territory. But, with a view to stopping the traffic at its source, soldiers were despatched in the late spring and early summer of this year to arrest people crossing over into Russian territory to cultivate opium, and forward them to the capital for punishment. Those who managed secretly to reach Russian territory were handed over by the Russian authorities to the Chinese officials. A regular scheme of opium suppression has been arranged with the Russian authorities. At the present moment, poppy cultivation has been completely eradicated in Hsinkiang.\n\n## 95\n\nExcellency of indisputable facts regarding the existence of widespread cultivation and traffic, often with the connivance and encouragement of the very officials, the reports of whose alleged energetic measures of suppression are now furnished by your Excellency for the information of His Majesty's Government. I would refer, for instance, to the cases of Shensi and Szechuan, where I am now informed by your Excellency's Ministry, the strictest measures are being taken to enforce prohibition. Yet, as must be well known to your Excellency, large areas in these two provinces were during the present spring and summer covered with the poppy, from which the opium was duly harvested without the least attempt at concealment, the opium-producing fields being taxed by the officials at a regularly assessed rate.\n\nThe reports now supplied by your Excellency would lead one to suppose that the cultivation of the poppy and the trade in opium are being rigorously suppressed throughout the length and breadth of China. I am forwarding these documents to my Government; but in doing so, I am compelled to explain that they do not represent the true facts regarding the production of opium during the past year. Indeed, it would rather appear that a large part of the country is drifting back to the state which obtained before the opium question was taken up by the Governments of China and Great Britain, and that the whole work of the past thirteen years is in danger of being completely nullified.\n\nIt remains to be seen what effect the measures now alleged to be in force will have on the production of opium during the coming season. The matter is being most closely watched on behalf of His Majesty's Government, who will be informed of the true facts regarding the amount of cultivation during the approaching winter and spring, as they have been informed of the true facts regarding the regrettable recrudescence of cultivation during the past year. I would therefore again urge upon your Excellency's Government the importance of seeing that the instructions and regulations issued on the subject are not treated as empty verbiage, but are honestly enforced by the responsible officials of the provinces, in order that the solemn treaty obligations of China may be carried into effect.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nNo. 40.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Earl Curzon.-(Received January 2, 1920.)**\n\nPeking, November 4, 1919.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch of the 20th September last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a memorandum which I have handed to the Wai-chiao Pu embodying recent reports received from His Majesty's consuls at Wuchow, Chengtu, and Ichang, on the cultivation of, and traffic in, opium in their respective districts.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(In the absence of His Majesty's Minister),\n\nSOMERVILLE HEAD.\n\n**Sir,**\n\n**Enclosure 3 in No. 39.**\n\nSir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu.\n\nPeking, September 17, 1919.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's note of the 4th instant forwarding extracts from reports received from various provinces regarding the measures alleged to have been taken for the suppression of the cultivation of the poppy and the trade in opium.\n\nIn reply, I have the honour to observe that in the frequent communications I have addressed to your Excellency on this subject, I have not complained of the absence of instructions or regulations regarding opium suppression, but have informed your...\n\n**Enclosure 1 in No. 40.**\n\nMemorandum communicated to Wai-chiao Pu.\n\nIN September, the Wai-chiao Pu communicated to His Majesty's Legation, and caused to be published in the press, reports received from the provinces showing the measures being taken by the local authorities for the suppression of the cultivation of, and traffic in, opium.\n\nIn confirmation of the statement contained in his note sent to the Wai-chiao Pu in reply on the 17th September to the effect that these reports did not represent the true facts, and in pursuance of his desire to assist the Chinese Government in carrying out their declared policy, His Majesty's Minister has the honour to bring...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490048, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 539, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "96 \n\nto their notice the following information which he has received from reliable sources:- \n\n1. Kuangsi. \n\nOwing to the unsuitability of the soil and climate of the greater part of the province for the cultivation of the poppy, its growth has always been restricted to the northern districts bordering on Kweichow and Hunan, and the quantity of opium produced has not more than sufficed for local consumption. Enormous quantities of opium, however, estimated at nearly 1,000,000 taels a year, pass through Wuchow, of which but an insignificant proportion is discovered and seized by the maritime customs. \n\nOf this opium about three-tenths is said to originate in Yunnan, the remaining seven-tenths in Kweichow. Less than half of the Kweichow drug comes down to Wuchow via Liuchow, the main centre of the trade being Poseh. Agents of the opium merchants purchase the opium at the place of production, making, if necessary, arrangements with the Kweichow or Yunnan military authorities to convoy it to the frontier, where the escort duty is taken over by the Kuangsi troops. From Poseh the drug is transported to Nanning either on one of the regular passenger motor-boats or else under charge of an escort of troops by land or junk. At Nanning the vigilance of the maritime customs is eluded by making a circuit of the settlement, and at night at some quiet spot lower down, the opium is shipped on to one of the regular Wuchow-Nanning motor-boats. At Wuchow either the opium is too safely hidden for the customs to discover or else it is dropped into sampans above the harbour. It is then taken to one of the three following yamens—Defence Commissioner, Colonel of the Garrison, or Water Police Station—for safe keeping, pending its shipment to Canton. From Wuchow the opium is shipped to Canton on one of the small river gunboats constantly running between these two ports. These gunboats are under the jurisdiction of the River Protection Department of the Kwangtung Provincial Government, and it is at that yamen in Canton that the opium is stored pending its reshipment. Of course, some opium is smuggled through without military escort and its consequent expenses, but in the main the opium trade is under the protection of the military authorities, it being presumably found cheaper to pay for military escort than to run the risk of confiscation. \n\nA year ago the price of opium was 5 dollars per tael at Poseh, 8 dollars per tael at Wuchow; but the prices at present are about 2.50 dollars and 3.50 dollars per tael respectively. This great fall of price at Poseh must undoubtedly be due to the absence of risk in its cultivation in Kweichow and Yunnan, while the reduction in the difference of price between Poseh and Wuchow would appear to be due to a reduction in the risk of loss during transport in Kuangsi. The amount paid for military protection during transport through Kuangsi is said to average 50 cents per tael. This sum is all pocketed by the Defence Commissioner and other military officers and men stationed at places through which the opium passes. With the exception of the likin authorities, who undoubtedly extort blackmail whenever they discover shipments of opium, none of the civil officials get any share of the profit, and many of them would undoubtedly take strong steps to put a stop to it, but dare not oppose the military. \n\n## II. Szechuan. \n\nHis Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu has received a letter addressed to him by twenty residents, natives of the district of Hsi Chang, the headquarters of which is the city of Chien-ch'ang, enclosing photographic evidence that the cultivation of the poppy was carried on there under the compulsion of a military official, by name Kuo-ch'ang-ming, who contrived to establish himself in command of the Chinese forces at Chien-ch'ang, and that any persons daring to disobey the order to plant were subjected to heavy fines. In further proof the writers forwarded copies of the orders issued for the collection of the opium tax. Copies of these orders and of the photographic evidence above referred to are annexed to this memorandum. \n\n## III. Ichung. \n\nOn the 1st June, His Majesty's consul at Ichang found 56 catties of opium concealed in the backquarters of the burnt offices of His Majesty's consulate. Twenty-five catties were also found by the Rev. T. R. Kearney in the servants' quarters of his house on the 9th June. The opium was handed to the customs and destroyed by fire. Since that date His Majesty's consul has been continually pressing the local authorities to investigate these cases properly with a view to adequately punishing the guilty parties and to take steps to prevent their recurrence; but in spite of his insistence, up to the present time the local authorities have taken no serious measures. His Majesty's consul adds that his experience with the local authorities is that where opium is concerned they are acting as if the prohibition against the drug had been cancelled by the Central Government and trade in it were now legal. He states the customs also get no satisfaction in regard to the offenders they send in to the authorities to be dealt with. \n\nHis Majesty's Legation will not fail to keep the Wai-chiao Pu informed of any further particulars that may reach them in regard to the traffic in other provinces. \n\nOctober 29, 1919. \n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 40. \n\n## Extracts from printed Chinese Pamphlet. \n\n### Copy of Rules made by Commandant Kuo for the Collection of Opium Tax. \n\n(Translation.) \n\nTAX is to be levied on cultivated land at the rate of 80 dollars per shih. For more or less land cultivated, the amount of tax is to be calculated accordingly. \n\nDeputies on inspection must make investigations direct from the heads of every ten families, in order to ascertain accurately the area of land cultivated and the amount of tax due; they must personally examine the lands in conjunction with the local headmen and submit joint lists and reports. \n\nLists must state clearly the names of regions, localities and cultivators; the area of land cultivated and the amount of tax due should be stated underneath. \n\nWhen the tax is collected, taxpayers should make payment to the inspector in the presence of the local headman, a seal bearing the inscription \"Received in full\" being then impressed on the list and shown to the taxpayer as evidence of payment. \n\nWith a view to avoid malpractices, the taxpayer should also sign the list against the amount of the tax paid by him. \n\nAfter thorough investigations have been instituted, the taxpayer should make full payment of the tax in accordance with his undertaking within a period of fifteen days. \n\nIn the event of the taxpayer being unable to pay the whole amount of his tax at once, the inspector may give various time-limits for payment, but this liability must be guaranteed by the local headman. \n\nThe inspector will submit an advance report with a list of the number and names of taxpayers. \n\nThe inspector will draw a salary of 16 dollars per month, with an extra allowance of 1 dollar when travelling on duty and a subsistence allowance of 50 cents when halting. \n\nWhen investigating into the number of mou of land, the inspector must be scrupulously accurate; he must not indulge in malpractices with his colleagues or the local headman such as reducing the amounts reported or suppressing names and embezzling funds. Appropriate penalties will be inflicted for any such offences, on detection. \n\nThe inspecting deputy should remit the money once in every three days, and submit for inspection a report with a list of names in every ten days. \n\n### Copy of Instructions issued through the Hsi-Ch'ung District Magistrate urging the Collection of Opium Tax. \n\nInstruction No. 352 issued by the Office of the Hsi-Chang District Magistrate:- \n\nTo Chou Yü tsun, Head of the Pao-An Trainband. \n\nOn receipt of an earlier letter from the Commandant's headquarters stating that the \"acre-tax in this district was still heavily in arrears and requesting me \n\n97 \n\nPage 97 \n[6032] \nH \n\n538", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490049, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 540, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## 98\n\nTo enforce the order for payment to headquarters to meet military requirements, orders were issued accordingly to the Trainband to collect the tax and send it forward within a time-limit of one week. Since then a long time has elapsed; but as yet the Trainband has made no remittance to this office; this implies serious negligence and delay.\n\nThis order is hereby issued instructing the Trainband to obey the previous order and promptly to send here the amount due. In the event of any further negligence or delay, the head of the Trainband will be summoned and payments will be enforced without any leniency.\n\n**LI CHIH, Magistrate.**\n\n30th day of the 7th month of the 8th year of the Chinese Republic (the 30th July, 1919).\n\n## 99\n\nThe following reply has also been received from the Civil Governor of Fukien :-\n\nOpium suppression was formerly very successful in Fukien. Last year, however, owing to the occurrence of military operations, bandits and bad characters have become prevalent throughout the countryside, and have taken the opportunity of distributing the seed. Under the circumstances this could scarcely have been avoided. Circular instructions are, however, now being issued for strict suppression, and if as much as an inch of poppy plant appears above ground, the local officials as well as the illicit cultivators are most severely punished. It is also proposed to put into operation a provisional scheme for the prohibition of cultivation in eight articles, which is submitted for consideration.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**Seal of Wai-chiao Pu.**\n\n## No. 41\n\nMr. Lampson to Earl Curzon. (Received May 7.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nPeking, March 11, 1920.\n\nWITH reference to Sir John Jordan's despatch of the 27th August, 1919, I have the honour to transmit herewith translation of a letter from the Wai-chiao Pu replying to the complaints then made regarding opium cultivation in Szechuan and Fukien.\n\nCopies of the Wai-chiao Pu's letter are being forwarded to His Majesty's consular officers in Szechuan and Fukien for their information.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**MILES W. LAMPSON.**\n\n## No. 42\n\nMr. Lampson to Earl Curzon. (Received June 11.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nPeking, March 19, 1920.\n\nWITH reference to Sir John Jordan's despatch of the 4th November, 1919, I have the honour to transmit herewith translation of a letter from the Wai-chiao Pu informing me of the steps that are being taken to suppress the opium traffic in Szechuan.\n\nIt will be clear to your Lordship from earlier reports that these protestations from Chinese officials need not be taken too literally, but it is nevertheless satisfactory to note that some attention is being paid to the matter.\n\nI am forwarding a copy of the Wai-chiao Pu's letter to His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu, who will doubtless report in due course on the real extent of the Governor's activities.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 41\n\nWai-chiao Pu to Mr. Lampson,\n\nPeking, March 6, 1920.\n\nI HAVE the honour to refer to Sir John Jordan's note of the 27th August last, regarding the reports received of the cultivation of the poppy in Szechuan and Fukien, which were to the effect that cultivation was openly encouraged by the officials, who made large profits by taxing the opium produced. His Excellency stated that the above showed conclusively that China was not carrying out her obligations under the agreement of 1911, and added that he had therefore to enter a further formal protest with my Government on the subject.\n\nThis Ministry thereupon communicated with the Governors of Szechuan and Fukien provinces directing them to instruct the local officials to take stringent measures for investigation and prohibition. The following reply has now been received from the Civil Governor of Szechuan :-\n\nSince the assumption by Governor Hsiung of the joint office of Civil and Military Governor, strict instructions have repeatedly been sent out to the officers in charge of troops, police and train bands, to see that the prohibition of opium is energetically and strictly enforced in the country districts.\n\nAfter my assumption of office as Civil Governor I have also made every effort, and have despatched delegates to supervise investigations. Wherever opium is reported, despatches and telegrams are immediately sent out setting a time limit for the eradication of the plants; and in cases where magistrates are inadequate in making progress, they are cashiered and severely punished, or if deserving of lighter punishment, fined and noted for their faults. Despatches and proclamations are on record in proof of the above. As regards Eastern Szechuan, in consequence of the receipt of complaints regarding recrudescence of poppy cultivation there, special delegates were sent by the Civil and Military Governors to make secret investigations in those parts, and to take measures zealously from time to time for the complete eradication of the opium poison.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 42\n\nWai-chiao Pu to Mr. Lampson,\n\nPeking, March 13, 1920.\n\nI HAVE the honour to refer to Sir John Jordan's memorandum regarding the traffic in native opium in Kuangsi, Szechuan and Hupei, forwarding documentary and photographic evidence of the same, and to the reports from Szechuan and Hupeh transmitted by this Ministry in reply.\n\nA further report has now been received from the Civil Governor of Szechuan to the following effect:—\n\n\"Kuo Chang-ming, the commandant of the Han Chun troops on the 2nd Circuit, mentioned in the British Minister's memorandum, has already been instructed by Governor Hsiung to vacate his office and await the results of an enquiry, while Li Chih, magistrate of Hsi-ch'ang Hsien, has long since been removed by this office. Strict instructions have now been repeatedly issued to the Taoyin concerned for the carrying out of opium suppression in Southern Chien-chang, and capable officers, Chou Chih-hsun, Wang Cheng-yuan, and Li I-lung, have been despatched to proceed to those parts to make investigations; so that by the time spring turns into summer the neighbourhood will be uniformly clean.”\n\nI have the honour to observe that according to the above report opium suppression in Szechuan is progressing on strict lines, and that the officials who were remiss with regard to poppy cultivation have all been dismissed from their posts. This is in accordance with the policy of opium suppression followed by the Central Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**Seal of Wai-chiao Pu.**\n\nPage 540\nPage 541", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490226, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 717, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# \nThe total trade of Hong Kong for 1919 amounted to about £171,793,000: of this total, £7,822,000 only was trade with the United Kingdom. The total shipping entering and clearing the port during 1919 reached 649,168 vessels of 35,615,169 aggregate tons. As to the nationality of the ships, nearly 4,000 British ocean-going vessels came and went, compared with a total of 5,274 foreign ships of the same type. The percentage of total tonnage (ocean and coasting steamers) passing through Hong Kong Harbour in 1913 and 1918 was— \n\n| Nationality | 1913 | 1918 |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| British | 47.72 | 37.50 |\n| Japanese | 21.59 | 35.41 |\n| American | 3.06 | 3.75 |\n| German | 12.50 | ... |\n| Dutch | 6.87 | 3.75 |\n| French | 1.70 | 1.70 |\n| Chinese | 3.12 | 3.06 |\n| Others | 8.75 | ... |\n\nAppendix I gives a list of the principal British industrial concerns in Hong Kong, and Appendix II the principal general merchants.\n\n## II.—Leases.\n\nThe Kowloon Extension (area 356 square miles, leased for ninety-nine years by the Convention of the 9th June, 1898). The population is 93,400, exclusively Chinese. This territory was acquired for strategic reasons for the defences of Hong Kong.\n\nWei-hai-Wei, in Shantung, includes the island of Liu-Kung and a belt of land 10 miles wide along the coast line of the bay (area 285 square miles, leased for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia, by the Convention of the 1st July, 1898). The population was 147,000 in 1911. Wei-hai-Wei has never been developed either as a naval station, for which purpose it was acquired, or as a commercial port.\n\n## III.—Concessions (Residential).\n\nConcessions under perpetual lease are held by Great Britain at Tientsin, Hankow, Canton, Amoy, Chinkiang, Kiukiang, and Newchwang (three-quarters of this has been washed away by the river). The total area, excluding Newchwang and the extensions at Hankow (74 acres) and Tientsin (1,059 acres), is approximately 233 acres.\n\nThe present total value of the concession lots and buildings is estimated to exceed £2,500,000.\n\n## IV. Settlements.\n\nThe distinction between concessions and settlements is thus defined. The leasing of a concession is made from Government to Government under consideration of a nominal ground rent. In the case of settlements, foreigners rent their land within a prescribed area (1) in perpetuity, or (2) at an expropriation price and for a term of years, generally thirty, renewable at option.\n\nThe principal settlement in China is the International Settlement of Shanghai. This is administered by a municipal council, elected annually by foreign land-renters and ratepayers, and consisting of not more than nine and not less than five persons. Of these, the majority is always British, thus indicating the importance of Great Britain's holding in this miniature but valuable republic.\n\nThe foreign population of this international settlement in 1920 was 23,307. Of these, 10,215 were Japanese, 5,341 British, 2,264 Americans, 1,301 Portuguese, 1,266 Russians.\n\nGeneral foreign settlements also exist at Woosung, Amoy (island of Kulangsu), Changsha, Wuhu, Nanking, Hangchow, and Soochow.\n\n## V—Spheres of Influence.\n\nGreat Britain's claim to a sphere of influence in the Yangtsze valley is based on the Chinese Declaration of 1898, given in return for one of the Japanese war indemnity loans, that any territory in the Yangtsze valley would never be alienated to another Power. This was confirmed by our agreement with Russia of the 28th April, 1899, in which Russia recognised our sphere. That His Majesty's Government has construed the Chinese declaration to connote priority for British claims for railway construction and industrial enterprises, may at first sight appear presumptuous, but as Sir J. Jordan wrote in his despatch No. 257 of the 2nd July, 1914, \"Britain is the only Great Power to-day in China who has not converted any of her railway concessions into national undertakings, but has invariably maintained them as Chinese enterprises. All the other Powers—Russia, Japan, France, and Germany—chose for the most part to make their railways national undertakings and fix their own tariffs. We alone made ours Chinese State railways and left the control in the hands of the Chinese. We could not, therefore, afford to let Japan or any other Power build railways in the Yangtsze valley and utilise them, in the approved fashion of Korea and Manchuria, for the purpose of undermining our immense trade interests in the Yangtsze valley.\n\nExcept in this preventive sense, it is hard to interpret the meaning of our sphere of influence in the Yangtsze valley, which certainly never tried to aim at any form of national or territorial differentiation. We have financed and constructed for the Chinese Government over 800 miles of railway in the Yangtsze valley, and we hold loan agreements for some 2,000 more (see `Appendix IV`).\n\nThe area of the Yangtsze sphere has been defined in answer to a parliamentary question (the 23rd February, 1899) as follows: \"The valley or basin of the Yangtsze presumably includes, according to the ordinary meaning, the provinces of which the streams run into that river.\"\n\n## VI. Diplomatic, Consular, and Military; Post Offices.\n\nBesides the Legation at Peking, His Majesty's Government has consuls-general at Shanghai, Canton, Tientsin, Hankow, Yunnan-fu, and Kashgar; consuls at Amoy, Changsha, Chefoo, Chengtu, Chinkiang, Dairen, Foochow, Hanchow, Harbin, Ichang, Kiukiang, Kiungchow (and Pakhoi), Mukden, Nanking, Newchwang, Swatow, Tengyueh, Tsinan, Wuchow, and Wuhu; and vice-consuls at Chungking, Ningpo, and Tsingtao.\n\nThe number of British troops in China in 1920 were:- \n\n| Location | Officers | Other Ranks |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| North China | 6 | 150 |\n| South China | 91 | 974 |\n\n(This includes the Hong Kong garrison, and excludes Indian native troops.)\n\nGreat Britain has post offices in the following places: Amoy, Canton, Chefoo, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Ningpo, Shanghai, Swatow, Tientsin, and Wei-hai-Wei; in Tibet, at Gyantse, Phagri, and Yatung; in Kashgaria, at Kashgar.\n\n## VII. Population (Foreign).\n\n| Nationality | 1903 | 1913 | 1919 | 1920 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| British | 5,662 | 8,966 | 18,284 | 11,082 |\n| American | 2,542 | 5,340 | 6,660 | 7,269 |\n| French | 1,213 | 2,292 | 4,400 | 2,753 |\n| Portuguese | 1,930 | 3,486 | 2,890 | 2,282 |\n| German | 1,658 | 2,949 | 1,385 | 1,013 |\n| Russian | 361 | 56,765 | 148,170 | 144,413 |\n| Others | 5,287 | 80,219 | 171,485 | 158,918 |\n| Japanese | ... | ... | ... | ... |\n\n## VIII. Shipping.\n\nDuring 1920, out of a total tonnage of 104,266,695 tons of shipping entering and clearing from Chinese ports, 40,315,707 tons were British. The tables given in `Appendices V` and `VI` show that even during the worst years of the war, the preponderance of British shipping in the Chinese ports was well maintained. Japanese shipping has not increased so much as might have been expected, and American competition, though it has greatly increased, especially since 1918, is still a long way behind.\n\nThe names of the principal shipping firms, British and foreign, are given in `Appendix VII`. Of these, eleven are British, six American, and five Japanese.\n\n## IX. Banking and Insurance.\n\nThe senior British bank in China is the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China; but so far as China is concerned, it has been outdistanced by its rival... \n\nPage 2\nPage 46\nPage 3 \n[7320 GG] \nB 2 \n715", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490234, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 725, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## \n18 \nA. S. Watson and Co. (Kulangsu). Ice factory. \nShanghai Electric and Asbestos Company (Kulangsu). Electric light. \nChangchow Electric Light Company (Changchow). Electric light. \n\nSwatow- \nSwatow Aerated Water Company. Aerated water factory. \nSwatow Ice Company. Ice factory. \nFoochow China Import and Export Lumber Company. Saw mills. \nChengtu- \nCanadian Methodist Mission. Electric light plant. \nCanadian Methodist Mission. Printing works. \nChinkiang-Municipal Council of British Concession. \nNanking. International Export Company (Kiangsu). factory, egg packing. \nChefoo-- \nJ. MacMullen and Co. \nH. E. Railton and Co. \nFrank W. Smith and Co. \nLace and hair net factory \nLace and hair net factory. \nElectric light plant. \nLace and hair net factory. \nJ. MacMullen and Co. Printing works. \nIce and cold storage \nWuchow. Tien Wo Engineering Works (Banker and Co.). Engineering works. \nPeking. Peking Electric Light Company. Electric light. \nMukden. British Cigarette Company. Cigarette factory. \nHarbin. The Anglo-Chinese Eastern Trading Company. Oil mill. \nPakhoi. Pakhoi Mission Press (Church Missionary Society). Printing works. \n\nIt may also be observed that the Asiatic Petroleum Company (British) and the Standard Oil Company (American) have kerosene oil tanks and tin-making factories at most of the treaty ports; and so far this business remains entirely in the hands of these two companies. The only other foreign firms which are so widely distributed throughout the cities of China are the British and American Tobacco Company and the Singer Sewing Machine Company. \n\nGeographically speaking, Hong Kong and Shanghai are the pillars of the British position. Economically speaking, our principal assets are our commercial and industrial position at Hong Kong, and our preponderance hitherto in trade, banking and finance, in railway construction, shipping and marine engineering and our important share in the cotton industry of Shanghai. \n\n## APPENDIX II \n(Information supplied by Department of Overseas Trade and Office of His Majesty's Commercial Counsellor, Shanghai.) \n\n### British General Merchants in Hong Kong \n| Company | Address in London |\n| --- | --- |\n| Arnhold Brothers and Co. (Limited) | Arnhold Brothers, 14, Fenchurch Street |\n| Bradley and Co. (Limited) | Richardsons, Billiter Square Buildings, E.C. 2 |\n| Caldbeck, Macgregor and Co. (Limited) | |\n| Dodwell and Co. (Limited) | |\n| S. J. David and Co. | 24, St. Mary Axe, E.C. 3 |\n| Gibb, Livingston and Co. | Win. Forbes and Co., 110, Cannon Street, E.C.4 |\n| Gilman and Co. | J. Palmer, Jr., and Co., Frederick Place, Old Jewry, E.C. |\n| W. A. Hannibal and Co. | |\n| Hong Kong Mercantile Company (Limited) | |\n| W. G. Humphreys and Co. | 18–20, Creechurch Lane, E.C. 3 |\n| John D. Humphreys and Son | 64, Crutched Friars, E.C. 3 |\n| John D. Hutchinson and Co. | Power, Power and Co., 5, Mark Lane, E.C. 3 |\n| A. G. Kidston and Co. | 148, Fenchurch Street, E.C. 3 |\n| Jardine, Matheson and Co. (Limited) | Matheson and Co. (Limited), 3, Lombard Street, E.C. 3 |\n| W. R. Loxley and Co. | 34, Lime Street, E.C. 3 |\n| Macdonald and Co. | A. R. Brown, Macfarlane and Co. (Limited), 19, St. Vincent Place, Glasgow |\n| Reiss and Co. | Holland House, Bury Street, St. Mary Axe, E.C. 3 |\n| Robertson, Wilson and Co. | Bush Thompson (Limited), 155, Gt. Charles Street, Birmingham |\n| Alex Ross and Co. | 13, Whitechapel, Liverpool |\n| U. Rumjahn and Co. | |\n| David Sassoon and Co. (Limited) | 12, Leadenhall Street, E.C. 3 |\n| E. D. Sassoon and Co. | |\n| Shewan Tomes and Co. | 31-33, Lime Street, E.C. 3 |\n| Harry Wicking and Co. | James Morrison and Co. (Limited), 5, Fenchurch Street, E.C. 3 |\n\n19 \n\n## APPENDIX III \n(Information supplied by Department of Overseas Trade, and Office of His Majesty's Commercial Counsellor, Shanghai.) \n\n### British General Merchants in China \n| Company | Location in China | Address in London/Other |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Arnhold Brothers and Co. (Limited) | Shanghai, Hankow, Canton | 14, Fenchurch Street, E.C. 3 |\n| Arthur and Co. | 20, Nanking Road, Shanghai | 78, Queen Street, Glasgow |\n| Barlow and Co. | 5, Kiukiang Road, Shanghai | T. Barlow and Brother, 49, Eastcheap, E.C. 3 |\n| S. T. Barma | 7, Kiangse Road, Shanghai | |\n| Barry and Dodwell (Limited) | Chungking | |\n| Bathgate and Co. | Foochow | |\n| Bowern and Co. | 8, Museum Road, Shanghai | |\n| Boyd and Co. | Amoy | |\n| Bradley and Co. | 2a, Kiukiang Road, Shanghai, and Swatow | Messrs. Richardsons, Billiter Square Buildings, E.C. 3 |\n| H. S. Brand and Co. | Foochow | |\n| A. R. Burkill and Sons | 2, Kiukiang Road, Shanghai | |\n| Caldbeck, Macgregor and Co., Ltd. | Shanghai, Tientsin, Hankow, Peking | |\n| Calder Marshall and Co. (Limited) | 32a, Nanking Road, Shanghai | |\n| Cawasjee Pallanjee and Co. | 19, Kiukiang Road, Shanghai | |\n| Central China Import Company | 77, Szechuan Road, Shanghai | |\n| The China Agents Company | 8, Nanking Road, Shanghai | |\n| The China Silk and Agency Company (Limited) | 18, Museum Road, Shanghai | |\n| Collins and Co. | 1, Taku Road, Tientsin | 70, Gracechurch Street, E.C. 3 |\n| Comerford and Co. | Shanghai | |\n| Cornabé, Eckford and Co. | Chefoo, Tsingtao | |\n| S. J. David and Co. (Limited) | Shanghai | J. Elliott and Sons, Bush Lane House, E.C. 4 |\n| F. R. Dastoor and Co. | 10, Hankow Road, Shanghai | |\n| Deacon and Co. | Canton | |\n| Alfred Dent and Co. | 5, Kiukiang Road, Shanghai | |\n| Dick Bellamy and Co. | 17, The Bund, Shanghai | |\n| H. C. Dixon and Co. (Limited) | 5, Canton Road, Shanghai | |\n| Dodwell and Co. (Limited) | Shanghai, Hankow and Foochow | 24, St. Mary Axe, E.C. 3 |\n| Dowler, Forbes and Co (China) (Limited) | Shanghai | |\n| Duncan and Co. | 5, Canton Road, Shanghai | A. R. Brown, Macfarlane and Co., 19, St. Vincent Place, Glasgow |\n| W. Dutton and Co. | 12, Hankow Road, Shanghai | |\n| The Eastern Trading Company | 13, Kiukiang Road, Shanghai | St. Giles, Dorset, England |\n| Edgar Brothers and Co. | Newchwang, North China | \n\n20 \n| [7320 no] | \nD 2 \n723", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490236, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 727, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## APPENDIX V\n\nOther lines in which Great Britain has a financial interest (see Appendix IX) are:-\n\n| Miles | |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Peking-Mukden | 606 |\n| 2. Peking-Hankow | 755 |\n| 3. Tientsin-Pukow (Northern Section) (formerly German) | 390 |\n| 4. Taokow-Chinghua | 95 |\n| 5. Canton-Kowloon | 112 |\n| | 1,958 |\n\nOf British concessions which are not likely to materialise in the near future, the Tengyueh-Bhamo line across the Burma frontier may be mentioned. Great Britain does not own any of those railways in China, which are foreign concessions, and are entirely independent of Chinese control.\n\nThese are:-\n| | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Chinese Eastern Railway (Russian) | 1,073 |\n| 2. Yunnan Railway (French) | 288 |\n| 3. South Manchurian Railway (Japanese) | 697 |\n| 4. Shantung Railway (Japanese) | 284 |\n| | 2,342 |\n\n### American—\nSiems-Carey Concessions (1916) for \n1. (1.) Fengcheng-Ninghsiafu (Shansi-Kansu). (2.) Ninghsiafu-Lanchowfu (Shansi-Kansu). (3) Hengchowfu-Nanning (Hunan and Kwangsi). (4.) Ilangchow-Wenchow (Chekiang). (5.) Kiungchow-Lohwei (Hainan Island). | 1,100* |\n| 2. The Hankow-Kweichow (Szechwan Railway, eventually running to Chengtu (in all) | 800* |\n| 1. The completion of the Canton-Hankow Railway (in all) | 759* |\n| 4. Hukuang Railways- | |\nAn international concern, financed by the first consortium. (Anglo-American-Franco-German groups.)\n\n## APPENDIX VI\n\nThe Japanese concessions for railways in Manchuria and Mongolia are as follows:-\n\n| | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Changchun-Kirin-Hueining* | 280 |\n| 2. Ssupingkai Chengchiatung-Taonanfu* | 182 |\n| 3. Kaiyuan Hailungchen-Kirin* | 250 |\n| 4. Taonanfu-Changchun | 180 |\n| 5. Taonanfu-Chilfeng-Jehol | 470† |\n| 6. Point on Jehol Railway to a seaport | ? |\n\nFor railways in Shantung:-\n\n| | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Chefoo-Weihsien | 170 |\n| 2. Kaomi-Suchowfu, about | 200+ |\n| 3. Tsinan-Shuntehfu, about | 200‡ |\n| | 570 |\n\nThe Japanese are also financially interested in—\n\n| | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| Peking-Hankow Railway | 755 |\n| Nanchang-Kiukiang Railway | 86 |\n| Peking-Suiyuan Railway | 289 |\n\nOther important foreign concessions are :—\n\n| | Miles |\n| --- | --- |\n| **Chinese** | |\n| 1. Russian- Pinhei Railway in North Manchuria | 660 |\n| **British** | 48.24 |\n| **Japanese** | 8.58 |\n| **German** | 38.58 |\n\n## SHIPPING IN CHINESE PORTS\n\n| Year | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| | **Chinese** | | **Total** | | | |\n| 1903 | 30,708 | 9,911,000 | 77,012 | 57,290,000 | | |\n| 1913 | 121,768 | 19,903,000 | 190,738 | 93,334,000 | | |\n| 1919 | | | 209,754 | 137,575 | | |\n| 1920 | | | | 27,089,000 | | |\n\n| Year | **British** | | **Japanese** | | **American** | |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage |\n| 1905 | 25,297 | 28,122,000 | 7,554 | 7,965,000 | 1,736 | 559,000 |\n| 1910 | 32,186 | 38,120,000 | | | 1,362 | |\n| 1913 | 22,716 | 23,422,000 | 2,458 | 898,000 | | |\n| 1914 | 5,382 | 6,320,000 | 1,020 | 1,282,000 | | |\n| 1915 | 471 | | | 3,265 | 1,687,000 | |\n| 1916 | | | | | | |\n| 1917 | | | | | | |\n| 1918 | 36,074 | 36,234,000 | 27,182 | 27,531,000 | 4,433 | 2,589,000 |\n| 1919 | 40,315 | 28,191,000 | | | 4,718,000 | |\n| 1920 | | 27,653,000 | | 414,000 | $52,000 | 708,000 |\n\n| Year | **German** | | **French** | | **Russian** | |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage | No. of Entries and Clearances | Total Tonnage |\n| 1905 | 6,424 | | 2,596 | | | |\n| 1910 | | 7,310,000 | | 1,178,000 | | |\n| 1913 | | | | | | |\n| 1914 | | | | | | |\n| 1915 | | | | | | |\n| 1916 | | | | | | |\n| 1917 | | | | | | |\n| 1918 | | | | | | |\n| 1919 | | | | | | |\n| 1920 | 933,00€ | 93,725,000 | 104,262,000 | | | |\n\n### Percentage of Tonnage in Chinese Ports\n\n| Year | Chinese | British | Japanese | American | French | Russian | Norwegian | Dutch |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1905 | 28-25 | 25.10 | | 1.78 | 2.34 | 11 | 4.02 | .31 |\n| 1910 | 28.31 | 24-59 | | .82 | 5.55 | 1.62 | 1.23 | -38 |\n| 1913 | 26.52 | 26-33 | | -96 | 1+32 | 1-81 | -79 | +43 |\n| 1914 | 37.89 | | 36.25 | 1.06 | .92 | 1.95 | .77 | -. |\n| 1915 | | 27.53 | 40-72 | -89 | .62 | 2-12 | .72 | · 41 |\n| 1916 | 26-58 | | 38-64 | .91 | .68 | 1-75 | -55 | .55 |\n| 1917 | 27-64 | | | 1.30 | .67 | 1.64 | · 31 | +53 |\n| 1918 | | | | 1.25 | 1 | -98 | 31 | .82 |\n| 1919 | 29.42 | 31.25 | 38.67 | 2:10 | *28 | -72 | | .71, |\n| 1920 | 27.04 | | | 4.52 | -43 | | | +48 |\n\n* Work on these lines has already commenced.\n† Offered to Consortium, 1920.\n‡ Offered to the Consortium, 1920.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490240, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 731, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Mission Statistics\n\n| Province and Town | Mission | Opened | No. of Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Lienkong | CONGREGATIONAL | 1887 | 2 |\n| Suicbow | London Missionary Society | 1889 | 4 |\n| Loyüanhaien | London Missionary Society | | |\n| Ningteh | | 1896 | 3 |\n| Hanan-Hopeh-Taveli | | | |\n| Hengehowfa | | 1910 | |\n| Hankow | | 1861 | 18 |\n| Siangtan | | 1911 | |\n| Hwangpei | | 1898 | |\n| Yangchowfu | | 1903 | |\n| Siaokan | | 1880 | |\n| Kwangsi-Kweilin | | 1899 | 5 |\n| Tanoshih | | 1899 | |\n| Chekiang-Wachang | | 1867 | *2007 |\n| Chukilsien | | 1892 | 5 |\n| Fakian-Hangchow | | 1865 | 226 |\n| Amoy | | 1844 | 7 |\n| Hong Kong | | | |\n| Ningpo | | 1848 | 19 |\n| Changchowfu | | 1862 | |\n| Shaolingfu | | 1870 | 8 |\n| Hweianhsien | | 1866 | |\n| Taichuwfu | | 1892 | 13 |\n| Tingchowfu | | 1892 | 100 |\n| Kwangtung-Shuichow | | 1863 | + |\n| Liaoyang | | 1882 | |\n| Moukden | | 1875 | |\n| Heilungchang Hular | | 1880 | + |\n| Kirin-Ashibe | | 1892 | |\n| Shengking-Wusueh | | 1875 | h |\n| Kaiyuan | | 1896 | |\n| Kwangsi-Wachow | | 1896 | 6 |\n| Tiebling | | 1896 | |\n| Kwangtung-Canton | | 1852 | ! |\n| Fatsban | | 1869 | |\n| | | 1889 | 4 |\n| | | 1871 | 6 |\n| Tongluhsien | PRESBYTERIAN | 1913 | 1 |\n| Chibli-Peking | Church of Scotland, Foreign Mission Committee | 1861 | 15 |\n| Kiangsu-Shanghai | | 1845 | 7 |\n| Kwangsi-Nanning | | 1914 | 1 |\n| Siaochang | | 1888 | 10 |\n| Hupeb-Ichang | | 1878 | |\n| Kiangs-Shanghai | Friends and Interdenominational, Friends' Foreign Mission Association | 1914 | 2 |\n| Kwangtung-Canton | | 1898 | 12 |\n| Hongkong | | 1862 | 20 |\n| Tien-taiu | | 1861 | 13 |\n| Chengtu | | 1904 | 8 |\n| Shangtang-Tsinanfu | Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church of England | 1917 | 2 |\n| Suining | | 1904 | 5 |\n| Kowloon | | 1900 | 3 |\n| Shanghai | | 1843 | 17 |\n| Tungchwan | | 1900 | |\n| Linchowfu | | | |\n| Pakboi | | 1902 | 4 |\n| Kwangtung-Carton | | 1807 | + |\n| Fukien-Tungling | | 1904 | |\n| Kong Kong | | 1843 | 11 |\n| Yanuan-Yunnan-fu | | 1915 | 5 |\n| Kwangtung-Poklo | | 1850 | 4 |\n| Amoy | | | |\n| Changpu | | 1850 | 13 |\n| | | 1889 | + |\n| Szechwan-Anhsien | Inclassified under Denomination | 1894 | |\n| Chengtu | | | |\n| Chungkianghaien | | 1903 | |\n| Chungking | | 1917 | |\n| Changpa | | 1894 | |\n| Lunganfu | | 1911 | |\n| Mienchow | | 1894 | 20 |\n| Mienchuhsien | | 1894 | |\n| Mowchow | | 1906 | |\n| ProDing | | | |\n| Shinchuan | | 1895 | |\n| Sintuhsien | | 1294 | |\n| Tehyang | | 1903 | |\n| Szechwan-Chengta | METHODIST, Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, Canada | 1892 | 73 |\n| Chüanchowfo | | | 3 |\n| Yangchau | | | 2 |\n| Shanghang | | | 4 |\n| Kwangsi-Symphoa | | | |\n| Wukingfu | | 1881 | 1+ |\n| Cheklang-Hangchow | Apostolic Faith Missionaries | 1902 | 12 |\n| Chungchow | | 1911 | 8 |\n| Chungking | | 1910 | 21 |\n| Chaochowfu | | | |\n| Swabue | | | |\n| Swatow | | 1856 | NNA*X |\n| Fowehow | | 1913 | 8 |\n| Jenshowhaieu | | 1907 | 9 |\n| Janghsien | | 1905 | 14 |\n| Kiangsu-Shanghai | Foreign Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canada | | |\n| Shansi-Fengchen | | 1913 | 4 |\n| Pingtingchow | | | 22 |\n| Tatungfu | | | ***** |\n| Yangkao | | 1912 | |\n| Kiatingfu | | 1894 | 16 |\n| Shensi-Tülinfu | | 1910 | 4 |\n| Luchow | | 1911 | 2 |\n| Honan | | 1913 | |\n| Penghsien | Federal Foreign Mission Committee of Churches of Christ in Australia | 1908 | 6 |\n| Tzeliutsing | | 1907 | 19 |\n| Changte Ho | | 1894 | 21 |\n| Hwaikingfo | Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts | 1902 | 15 |\n| Chibli-Chichow | | 1904 | 1 |\n| Chibli-Hokienfu | United Methodist Church Missionary Society | 1880 | |\n| Chibli-Peking | | 1880 | 24 |\n| Tien-tsin | | | |\n| Yungcbing | | 1889 | |\n| Shantung | | 1890 | co to o |\n| Ningpo | | | 2 |\n| Peking | | | |\n| Tangshan | | 1879 | 9 |\n| Chefoo | | | |\n| Pingyin | | 1874 | (Vacant) |\n| Taianfu | | | |\n| Tainan | | | |\n| Tungchowfu | | | |\n| Wei-hai-Wei | | 1864 | 8 |\n| Yenchowfu | | 1878 | 1 |\n| Yangpingfu | | 1883 | 2 |\n| Kiaugsi-Kuling | | 1861 | |\n| Kaifeng | | 1902 | ĐÔI TAN GIG |\n| Siuwn | | | |\n| Tackow | | | |\n| Weihwei | | | Weal |\n| Kiangsu-Shanghai | Foreign Mission of the Presbyterian Church in Canada | 1914 | 2 |\n| Shantung-Tainan | | 1916 | 1 |\n| Kwangtung-Kongmoon | | 1912 | 4 |\n| | Canadian Holiness Movement Mission | 1908 | 5 |\n| Hunan-Ansiang | | 1899 | 2 |\n| Changteh | | 1911 | 5 |\n| | | 1917 | 3 |\n| | | 1910 | 2 |\n| | Christian Missions in Many Lands, Church in Ireland | 1902 | 14 |\n| Chihli | | 1878 | |\n| Shantung-Chaoynugfa | | 1885 | ++ |\n| Manchuria-Chengtefu (Johol) via Peking | | 1906 | |\n| | | 1916 | 5 |\n| Kirin, Kirin | | 1891 | |\n| Chilfeng (Hada) | | 1912 | |\n| | | 1915 | |\n| Chekiang-Wenchow | | 1878 | 9 |\n| Kwanchangtze, Kirin | | 1886 | 6 |\n| Pingchuan, Pakow | | 1897 | |\n| | | 1901 | 2 |\n| Kweichow-Yüshuting, Kiria | | 1891 | 4 |\n| Linyüanhsien, Tatzukou | | 1885 | |\n| | | 1909 | 處 |\n| Shihmenkan, via Chaotang | | 1907 | 3 |\n| Chinchowfu, Shengking | | 1855 | + |\n| Takiawopu | | 1906 | 3 |\n| Yuruan | | | |\n| Fakating, Shengking | | 1891 | 5 |\n| Sifangching, via Chaotung | BAPTIST, Baptist Missionary Society | 1907 | 1 |\n| Kwangsing, Shengking | | 1891 | 3 |\n| Ani Ki | | 1902 | |\n| Yunnan-Monkilen | | 1889 | 6 |\n| Hukow | | 1899 | |\n| Yunnan-fu | | | |\n| Newchwang, Shengking | | 1869 | |\n| Feugsin, [fenghsien] | | 1903 | 4 |\n| Chibli-Peking | | | 2 |\n| Kiangsu-Shanghai | | | 4 |\n| Chanting | | 1886 | |\n| Siaminfo, Shengking | | 1888 | |\n| Kao An Hsien | | 1903 | |\n| Shansi-Tungchwan | | 1885 | |\n| Knikiang | | 1893 | |\n| Nanchaughsien | Foreign Mission Committee of the Baptist Union of Scotland | 1897 | |\n| Sinchow | | 1885 | 6 |\n| Taichow | | 1892 | 6 |\n| Taiyuanfu | | 1878 | 19 |\n| Shao, via Kiukiang | Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society | | |\n| Sischung | | 1899 | |\n| Kwangtung-Teianhsien | Presbyterian Church of New Zealand | 1893 | |\n| Shantung | | | |\n| Hunan-Chowtsun | | 1903 | 15 |\n| Changsha | | 1902 | |\n| Peichen, Patai | | 1903 | 5 |\n| Linyangbeien | | 1908 | |\n| Tainan | | 1904 | 26 |\n| Packing | | 1909 | |\n| Tsingchowfo | | 1875 | 13 |\n| Pingkiang | | 1904 | 2 |\n| Weibsion | | | |\n| Yiyang | | 1906 | |\n| Yangchowfu | | 1904 | VƏ VƏ 29 30 19 to |\n| Canton City | | 1901 | + |\n| Tachanghsien | | 1918 | |\n| Jeaho | | 1902 | 3 |\n| Tukisfow | | 1899 | |\n| Kongtauu | | 1908 | 11 |\n| Yungxiubsien Ki | | 1896 | |\n| Shantung | United Free Church of Scotland's Foreign Mission Committee | | |\n| Kwan Hain Kis | | | |\n| Shibtao | | 1889 | |\n| Shengking-Savy anhsion | | 1891 | 5 |\n| Hupeb-Sianfu | | 1892 | 22 |\n| Anlu | | 1801 | 7 |\n| Chaoyangchen | | 1897 | 4 |\n| Tashnipoli | | | |\n| Wei-bai-Wei | | 1911 | |\n| Yenanfu | | 1892 | |\n| Hankow | | 1862 | 15 |\n| Yungling | | 1894 | 4 |\n| Wenteng | | 1898 | 1 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490241, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 732, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Province and Town\n### Mission No. of Opened. Mission Staff.\n\n| Province and Town | No. of Opened | Staff | Date of Establishment |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| **Tunnan-** | | | |\n| Aduntsi | | | |\n| Likiang | | | |\n| Yannan-fu | Literature | | |\n| **Pentecostal Missionary Union for Great Britain and Ireland** | | | 1918 |\n| Chibli- | | 3 | |\n| | | 5 | 1913 |\n| | | 15 | 1912 |\n| **The Salvation Army** | | | 1918 |\n| Chibli- | | 2 | |\n| Chongtingfu | | | 1918 |\n| Kalgan | | 2 | 1918 |\n| Tien-tsin | | | |\n| Hupeh-Hankow | | | |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | | | |\n| Kwangtung-Canton Hong Kong | | | |\n| Shantung-Tainan | | | |\n| Szechwan Chengta | | | |\n| Yunnan-Yunnan-fu | | ... | |\n| Paotingfu | | 2 | 1918 |\n| Kingtzokwan | | | |\n| Kwangchow | | | 1890 |\n| Shangtsai | | | 1899 |\n| Shekichen | | | 1916 |\n| Sibwa | | | 1886 |\n| Taikang | | | 1890 |\n| Tencheng | | | 1895 |\n| Kiehsia | 2327 | 2 | 1902 |\n| Kibaien | 226 | | 1891 |\n| Kovo | | | 1911 |\n| Luanfa | | | 1885 |\n| Luebenghsien | | | 1887 |\n| Pingyangfu | | | 1889 |\n| Pingyaohsien... | | | 1879 |\n| Banan- | | | 1828 |\n| Siaoyi | | | 1887 |\n| Changshu | | | 1890 |\n| Changteh | | | 1901 |\n| Hupeh- | | 3 | 1898 |\n| Hankow | | | 1889 |\n| Manchuria-Moukden | | | |\n| Peking | | 17 | 1916 |\n| Ichang | | | 1895 |\n| Laobokow | N+ | | 1887 |\n| Sichow | | | 1885 |\n| Taning | | 3 | 1885 |\n| Tatungfu | | | 1826 |\n| Ficheng | | 2 | 1897 |\n| Yoyang | | | 1890 |\n| Yuwuclien | (Vacant) | 4 | 1896 |\n| Taku | | 2 | 1918 |\n\n## Christian Literature Society for China\n| Province and Town | No. of Opened | Staff | Date of Establishment |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Shantung | | 4 | 1918 |\n| Tien-tain | | | |\n| Tungchow Chi | | 1 | 1918 |\n| Fukiang | | | 1899 |\n| Chefoo | | 50 | 1879 |\n| Shansi- | | | |\n| Fengclien | | 1 | 1918 |\n| Kiangan-Shanghai | | | |\n| International Postal Telegraph | | 11 | 1887 |\n| Lauchowfu | | | 1885 |\n| Ninghaichow. | | 2 | 1886 |\n| Liangchowfu | | 4 | 1888 |\n| Tsinan | | 1 | 1918 |\n| Ningsinfu | | 3 | 1885 |\n| Sheusi- | | | |\n| T'atungfu | | 2 | 1918 |\n| Biningfu | | | 1880 |\n| Chengku | | | 1887 |\n| Shantung- | | | |\n| Chefoo | | | |\n| Fashonhsien | | | |\n| Hupeh-Hankow | | 22- | 1914 |\n| Kiangsu Shangbai | | | 1907 |\n| Tsinchow | toto | | 1878 |\n| Chowchil | | 2 | 1893 |\n| Kiangai | | 2 | |\n| Fengsiangfu | | | 1888 |\n| Tsinanfu | | 1 | 1918 |\n| Anjeu | | | 1889 |\n| Hanchongfu | | 6 | 1879 |\n\n## National Bible Society of Scotland\n| Province and Town | No. of Opened | Staff | Date of Establishment |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Changshu | | 3 | 1895 |\n| Hinganfa | | 3 | 1898 |\n| Hokow | | 4 | 1878 |\n| Meihsien | | 2 | 1893 |\n| Chill-Tien-tain | | | |\n| Iyang | Medical and Philanthropic | 3 | 1890 |\n| Sisiang | | 3 | 1895 |\n| Hapel-Hankow | | 2 | |\n| Jaochow | | +4 | 1898 |\n| Yanghaien | | 1 | 1896 |\n\n## Emmanuel Medical Mission\n| Province and Town | No. of Opened | Staff | Date of Establishment |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Kwangsi-Nanning | | | 1906 |\n\n## Mission to the Chinese Blind and Illiterate Sighted\n| Province and Town | No. of Opened | Staff | Date of Establishment |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Chibli-Peking | | | 1919 |\n| Kiangsu Shanghai | | | 1919 |\n| Kwangtang-Canton | | | |\n| Kanchow | | | 1899 |\n| Szechwan- | | | |\n| Kianfu | | + | 1891 |\n| Chengtu | | 3 | 1881 |\n| Szechwan Changking | | | |\n\n## Religions Tract Society. Kiangsu Shangbai\n| Province and Town | No. of Opened | Staff | Date of Establishment |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| | | 2 | 1909 |\n| | | 2 | |\n\n## Total\n1,658\n\n## CHINA INLAND MISSION\n| Province and Town | Date of Establishment | Staff |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kinki | | |\n| Kinkiang | | |\n| Kuling | | |\n| Kwangsinfu | | |\n| Kwaiki | 1906 | |\n| Licking | | |\n| Loping | | |\n| Chuhsien | 1898 | |\n| Chungking | 1899 | |\n| Fushun | 1877 | |\n| Kailisien | 1902 | 1001 |\n| Kiangtaing | 1902 | |\n| Kiatingfo | 1878 | |\n| Kiungebow | 1888 | |\n| Lungchuan | 1910 | 2 |\n| Kwanganchow | 1902 | |\n| Nanchang | 1910 | |\n| Kwangyan | 1898 | 4 |\n| Nankangfu | 1889 | |\n| Kwanhsien | 1887 | 3 |\n| Singfenghsion | 1889 | 2 |\n| Kweichowfu | 1899 | |\n| Takatang | 1903 | 2 |\n| Liangshan | 1873 | |\n| Tungsiang | 1902 | 2 |\n| Lachow | 1903 | |\n| Yang kow | 1890 | 4 |\n| Nanpu | 1890 | |\n| Yuanchow | 1902 | 6 |\n| Pachow | 1903 | 3 |\n| Inghan | 1837 | 4 |\n| Paoning | 1877 | 18 |\n| Kiangsu | 1886 | |\n| Pengshanhaien | 1911 | (Vacant) |\n| Antung | 1893 | |\n| Chinklang | 1889 | |\n| Shanghai | 1854 | 36 |\n| Tsingkiaupu | 1869 | |\n| Yangchow | 1868 | 6 |\n| Shanking | 1896 | 5 |\n| Sinticntze | 1892 | 4 |\n| Suitu | 1888 | 2 |\n| Suitingfu | 1899 | 10 |\n| Tacho | 1909 | |\n| Anhwei- | | |\n| Taiping | 1917 | |\n| Acking | 1869 | |\n| Mokanahan | 1901 | F |\n| Chengyangkwan | 1897 | |\n| Ninghaihaien | 1868 | 4 |\n| Anping | 1913 | 1 |\n| Tatsienfu | 1897 | |\n| Ansbufu | 1888 | 2 |\n| Wanhsieu | 1888 | |\n| Chihchowfu | | |\n| Hweichow | 1674 | D |\n| Ningpo | 1837 | 3 |\n| Pingganghsien | 1875 | + |\n| Chenyban | 1874 | + |\n| Weikia | 1901 | 3 |\n| Kiemping | 1909 | (Vacant) |\n| Shachingfu | 1894 | |\n| Fingi | 1866 | 2 |\n| Yingbsan | 1891 | 2 |\n| Kinghsien | 1898 | 2 |\n| Kwangtehchow | 1915 | |\n| Laian | 1890 | |\n| Liuanchow | 1899 | |\n| Sienku | 1890 | |\n| Sinchanghaien | | |\n| Taichowfu | | |\n| Taiping | 1899 | |\n| Kweiyang | 1877 | |\n| Hsinhao | 1870 | |\n| Panghai | 1897 | |\n| Sienku | 1906 | |\n| Kutaingfu | 1915 | |\n| Tatingfu | 1889 | |\n| Sopushan | 1867 | |\n| Ningkwofn | 1898 | |\n| Tientai | 1874 | |\n| Tennyi | 1902 | |\n| Watingehow | 1898 | |\n| Tassban | 1907 | |\n| Talifu | 1899 | |\n| Shucheng | 1881 | |\n| Taiho | | |\n| Wahu | 1901 | |\n| Yingchowfu | 1892 | 2 |\n| Chekiang- | | |\n| Wenchow | 1867 | |\n| Youchow | 1882 | |\n| Tungchow | 1902 | |\n| Tengyueh | 1894 | |\n| Yungkang | 1908 | |\n| Weining | 1882 | 7 |\n| Tusnmowhaien | 1917 | |\n| Yunnun-fu | 1897 | |\n| Chihli- | | |\n| Hwailu | 1887 | 7 |\n| Chaocheng | 1008 | |\n| Hotain | 1893 | |\n| Changshan | 1878 | |\n| Chenghsien | 1918 | |\n| Chuchow fu | 1872 | |\n| Fenghwa | 1866 | |\n| Hangchow | 1866 | |\n| Hwangyen | 1996 | |\n| Kinhwafn | 1875 | |\n| Lunchi | 1894 | |\n| Sbuntehfa | 1888 | 5 |\n| Tien-tain | 1888 | + |\n| Hangtung | 1886 | 2 |\n| Hwochow | 1886 | 2 |\n| Honau- | | |\n| Chenchowfu | 1895 | 3 |\n| Chowkiakow | 1884 | 2 |\n| Fukow | 1900 | 2 |\n| Hiangcheng | 1892 | |\n| Kaifeng | 1901 | 13 |\n| Kiangchow | 1898 | |\n| Sinking- | | |\n| Tihwafu | 1908 | 2 |\n\n## Total\n690 \n[7320 GO] \nG 2 \n730", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490243, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "page_number": 734, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# Kiangsu\n## Shanghai:\n36\n\nAnglo-Chinese School (C.M.S.), W. A. H. Mouie. Cathedral School. S. P. G. Barrow. Medhurst College (L.M.S.). Rev. E. J. Malpas, B.A. Medhurst Girls' School.\n\nNOTE.-In Shanghai there are the following schools provided for by the Shanghai Municipal Council from the rates, but under the control of British teachers entirely:\n\n| School Name | Head/Teacher |\n| --- | --- |\n| Public School for Boys (foreigners) | G. M. Billings |\n| Public School for Girls (foreigners) | Miss Patterson |\n| Thomas Hanbury School for Boys (Eurasians) | A. J. Stewart |\n| Thomas Hanbury School for Girls (Eurasians) | Miss Mayhew |\n| Public School for Chinese | G. S. F. Kemp |\n| Ellis Kadoorie Public School for Chinese | R. G. Dowie |\n| Nieh Chin Kuel Public School for Chinese | I. H. Turner |\n| Polytechnic Public School for Chinese | G. S. F. Kemp |\n| Shanghai High School (for foreign girls) | Miss J. M. Fraser B.A. |\n| Shanghai Jewish School | Miss Perry, B.A. |\n\n## Kwangtung-\n### Canton:\nHoly Trinity School (C.M.S.), Rev. W. W. Rogers. Wesleyan Girls' Boarding School, Miss F. A. Britton.\n\n## Manchuria\nFakuting: (via Newchang). Christian Middle School (Irish Pres. Miss.). Haicheng San Yu Middle School (U.F. Church of Scotland).\n\nHulan (Heilungkiang), Christian School for Boys (U.F.C.S.). Rev. D. C. Davidson, M.A.\n\nKuangchengtzu: Middle School (Irish Miss.). Rev. W. H. Gillespie, M.A. Kwangning: High School for Boys (Irish Miss.), Rev. W. Hunter, B.A. Ditto for Girls.\n\nLiaoyang Wen de High School (U.F.C.S.), Rev. G. Dougles, M.A. Moukden: Manchuria Christian College (U.F.C.S.) (Irish Miss.), D. T. Robertson, M.A.\n\nMedical College (U.F.C.S.), Dugald Christie, C.M.G., F.R.C.S., &c: Yushuting (Kirin): Wen Shu Middle School (Trish Miss.), Rev. A. Weir, B.A.\n\n## Shansi-\n### Taiyuanfu \nBaptist Miss. Soc. Middle School, Rev. H. R. Williamson.\n\n## Shantung-\n### Chefoo: \nChina Inland Mission Schools for Foreign Boys and Girls. Chowtsun: Kwang Pei Middle School (Eng. Bap. Miss.), Rev. A. G. Castleton. Peichen: English Baptist Middle School, Rev. A. E. Greening. Taianfu C. of Eng. Mission School, Rev. J. W. Hunter, Rev. C. R. Burnett, M.A.\n\n## Wei-hai-Wei:\nThe Government School (for Chinese boys). Wei-hai-Wei School for Foreign Boys, L. H. Beer, L.C.B. Wei-bai-Wei School for foreign girls, Mrs. Bruce Shepherd.\n\n## Shensi\n### Sianfu \nEnglish Baptist Girls' School. Mrs. Shorrock. B.A.\n\n## Szechwan-\n### Chungking \nFriends Mission High School, R. L. Simpkin, M.A. Fowchow: Boys' Christian School (Can. Meth. Miss.), Rev. R. S. Longley. Mienchow: Anglo-Chinese School (C.M.S.), Rev. F. J. Watt, B.Sc. Girls Boarding School (C.M.S.), Miss V. C. Mannett. Penghsier Canadian Mission School. Rev. F. Dickinson, B.A. Tehyang: C.M.S. Boys' School, Rev. A. E. Seward.\n\nNOTE. There are several schools throughout the country conducted under the auspices of the China Inland Mission, but the members of this mission are not in all cases British.\n\n37\n\n## German Schools in China.\n\nDeutsch-Chinesische Mittel Schule (Old Peiyang University), Peking, Chibli. Tientsin, Chihli, Kaiser Wilhelm Schule, Boys and Girls of European parentage, 180.\n\nHankow, Hupeh. Deutsch-Chinesische Schule, Boys, 50. Kaiser Wilhelm Schule for European children, 22.\n\nShanghai: German Engineering and Medical School, formerly in the French Concession. now at Woosung Forts; Teachers, &c., 50; Boys, 570. German School for Chinese, Kiangse Road. Kaiser Wilhelm Realschule and Kindergarten for European children, 226. Tungsun viâ Canton. Rhenish Mission Middle School. Hokshiha: viâ Canton, Basel Mission School.\n\nKaying Kwantung. Basel Mission Middle School; Men, 20. Kowloon (Hong Kong). Blindenheim (Mission School for Blind); Girls, 62. Kuchuk: via Canton. Middle and Normal School (Basel Mission); Boys, 77. Linpingchow via Canton. Basel Mission School. Lukhang via Canton, Berlin Mission School. Shuichowfu. Berlin Mission School; Girls, 46.\n\nNOTE. During 1915-6-7 many of the above schools were closed. During 1914 many were closed, of which details cannot now be obtained. Prior to 1914 the various German Missionary Societies were very active in Kwangtung and Shantung.\n\n## American Universities in China.\n\n| University Name | President | Number of Men |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Peking University | Rev. H. H. Lowry, D.D. | 800 |\n| University of Nanking | Rev. A. J. Bowen, LL.D. | 460 |\n| St. John's University, Shanghai | Rev. F. L. H. Pott. D.D. | 483 |\n| West China Union University, Chengtu, Szechwan | Rev. J. Beach, D.D. | 355 |\n| Boone University. Wuchang, Hupeh | Rev. A. A. Gilman, B.A. | 316 |\n| Shantung Christian University, Weihsien | Rev. J. P. Bruce, M.A. | 216 |\n| Soochow University, Soochow, Kiangsu | Rev. J. W. Cline, D.D. | 420 |\n\nNOTE. Peking and Nanking Universities are \"Union\" institutions, and controlled by American missions. The West China Union University and Shantung Christian University have British missionaries acting with Americans on the faculties. St. John's University and Boone University are under the American Church Mission. Soochow University is under the Methodist Episcopal Mission of America.\n\nApproximate number of American men and women engaged in teaching in mission and other schools and colleges of all grades:-\n\n## American Colleges in China.\n\nHangelow Christian College; Men. 200 (Chekiang Province).\n\nPeking. Chihli: North China Union Women's College; Women, 37. Union Medical College for Women, 53.\n\nTungchow: North China Union College of Arts; Men, 87. Amoy, Fukien: Talmage College (Kulansu); Boys, 87.\n\n732", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 492980, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12]", "page_number": 333, "title": "CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12]", "content_text": "2014 12 Europe Australia, and other Ports \n\nP. & O.-BRITISH INDIA, APCAR \n\nANA \n\nFASTERN & AUSTRALIAN LINES \n\nCOMPANIES incorporated in ENGLAND) \n\nΤΟ \n\n*TRAITS ★ BURMA, CEYLON, INDIA PERSIAN GULF, WEST INDIES MAURITIUS EAST & SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, &c. \n\nNCIUDING, NEW ZEALAND & QUEENSLAND PORTS. RED SEA, BÜLLET RODE PTC \n\nPENINSULAR & ORIENTAL FORTNIGHTLY DIRECT ROYAL MAIL STEAMERS (UNDER CONTRACT WITH H. M. GOVERNMENT.) \n\nYAN \n\nSICILIA MANTUA DONGOLA \n\nJANUS EGRA \n\nTana \n\n19,000 6,702 11,000 \n\n8,000 \n\n\" \n\nFrom Hong-kong (about) \n\nDestination \n\n11 Oct 11 a.m. Mles, London & Antwerp \n\n16th Sept 1 S'pore, P'ang, Cbo & B'bas 25th Oct. B'hay, Mles, L'don, A'werp \n\n8th Nov. M'les, London & Antwerp \n\nBRITISH INDIA, APCAR SAILINGS (South) \n\nTHE \n\nHONGKONG \n\nTELEGRAPH. \n\nSATURDAY, \n\nSEPTEMBER 30, 1922. \n\nShipping to Europe, Australia, and other Ports \n\nN. Y. K. \n\nSAILINGS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION \n\nVICTORIA, SPATTLE & VANCOUVER via Shanghai & Japan ports. Through Bills of Lading issued to all Overland Common Points in U.S.A. & Canada. \n\nSHIDZUOKA MARU (Calling Keelung) Sat., 30th Sept., at 11 a.m. \n\nYOKOHAMA HARU...... \n\nMonday, 23rd Oct., at 11 a.m. \n\nMARSEILLES, LONDON & ANTWERP via Singapore, &c. \n\nKASHIMA MARU, \n\n29th Sept. at 11 a.m. 13th Oct. at 11 a.m. \n\nHAKONE MARU \n\n--- \n\nFriday, \n\nFriday, \n\nAMBURG via LONDON, ROTTERDAM. \n\nLIVERPOOL via MARSEILLES. \n\nTOYOHASHI MARU \n\nSecond half of October. \n\n... \n\nAKI MARU \n\nSYDNEY & MELBOURNE via Manila, &c. \n\nYOSHINO MARU....... \n\nTuesday, 17th Oct. at 11 a.m. Tuesday, 14th Nov. at 11 a.m. \n\nNEW YORK VIA PANAMA. \n\nEnd of October. \n\nMAYABASHI MARU... \n\nRIO DE JANEIRO, SANTOS & BUENOS AIRES via Cape. \n\nBOMBAY via Singapore, Penang & Colombo \n\nAWA MARU \n\nThursday, Penang. BALCUTTA via Singapore, Penang & Rangoon. \n\nMORIOKA MARU NAGASAKI, KOBE & YOKOHAMA, \n\nAKI MARU SHANGHAI, KOBE & YOKOHAMA. \n\nMISHIMA MARU \n\n| 30 Sept. I p.m. ↑ Calcutta via S'pore, 5, 08 \n\n8th Oct. Singapore. EASTERN & AUSTRALIAN SAILINGS (South) \n\n(Manila, Iloilo, Sandakan, | 6,000 | 4th Oct. 11 a.m. \n\nThurs Is., Tville. B'ban \n\nSydney & Melbourne. \n\nARAFURA \n\nFrequent connections from Australia with the following:- The Union S.S. Company to the United Kingdom via New Zealand &c. \n\nThe P & O Branch Service of steamers to London via the Cape \n\nThe New Zealand Shipping Co's steamers for Bordeaux &c. \n\nFGR \n\nSAILINGS TO SHANGHAI & JAPAN. \n\nAnong. \n\n*n* Canal \n\nSICILIA \n\n5,108 670 DONGOLA 18,084 \n\n4th Oct. \n\n5th Oct d'light \n\n7th Oct. \n\nST. ALBANS | 6,000 \n\n9th Oct. \n\nAmoy Shanghai. Shanghai & Japan. Japan. \n\nAll dates are approximate and subject to alteration without notice \n\nWIRELESS ON ALL STEAMERS. \n\nParcels measuring not more than 2ft x 2ft x 1ft, will be received at the Company's Offices up to noon on the day previous to sailing \n\nFor Passage Rates, Handbooks, Freights etc., apply to \n\nMACKINNON, MACKENZIE & CO \n\n22, Des Voeux Road Central. \n\nCLEN \n\nAND \n\nAgent- \n\nSHIRE. \n\nJOINT SERVICE OF STEAMERS \n\nO.K., STRAITS, CHINA & JAPAN Service \n\nVessel. \n\n9.S.S. \n\nGIENAVY \n\nS.S. \n\nGLENAPR \n\nSS. \n\nCARNARVONSHIRE \n\n$S. S.S. \n\nGLENUARY\": \n\nOLENIFFER \n\nVessel. \n\nS.S. GLENARIFFE \n\nS.S. GLENOGLE \n\nOUTWARDS. \n\nHOMEWARDS. \n\nLeaves Hongkong. \n\nDue Hongkong. \n\n5th October. 5th October. 19th October. 2nd November \n\n16th November. \n\nDischarges. \n\n18th Oct. LONDON. A'WERP & HAMBURG 23rd Oct. L'DON, A'WERP, R'DAM, H'BURG, \n\nMovements are subject to change without notice. For freight or further particulars please apply to:- \n\nJARDINE, MATHESON & CO., LTD. \n\nTHE GLEN LINE, LTD \n\nAGENTS' \n\nTelephone Central No 215, sub-ex 23 and 3696 \n\nJAVA-CHINA-JAPAN LIJN. \n\nSteiner \n\nREGULAR FORTNIGHTLY \n\nSERVICE BETWEEN \n\nJAVA, CHINA and JAPAN. \n\nFim \n\nor about \n\nW1il Trave \n\nnz about \n\nExpected D \n\nTjikembang Java 30th Sept. Tjitaroem...Shai, N.C. | 2nd Oct. Tjiliwang... | Japan Amoy 7th Oct. \n\nJapan Amoy 15th Oct. | 17th__ Oct. \n\n7th Oct. 4th Oct. 9th Oct. \n\nFor \n\nFor further information apply to Tel. Central Nos. 292 & 293. \n\n10th October. \n\nFriday, \n\n29th Sept. \n\nFriday 13th Oct at 11 a.m. \n\nThursday, \n\n12th Oct. at 11 a.m. \n\nNIPPON YUSEN KAISHA. K. H. KAMEI, Manager, \n\nDODWELL & CO., LTD. \n\nREGULAR SAILINGS TO NEW YORK & BOSTON \n\nFOR NEW YORK & BOSTON, \n\nS.S. KENDAL CASTLE\" Sailing on or about 15th Nov. \n\nLLOYD TRIESTINO. \n\nTaking cargo on through Bills of Lading for Levant, Black Sea and Danube Ports. \n\nFIUME having been re-opened for traffic, cargo is also accepted for this port on through Bills of Lading. \n\nFOR SHANGHAI. \n\nS.S.TRIESTE ̈ \n\nSailing on or about 14th October. For BRINDISI, VENICE & TRIESTE. Via Singapore, Penang and Colombo. \n\nwww \n\nS.S.TRIESTE \" Passengers' Luggage can be insured at the office of the Agents, \n\nSailing on or about 31st October. \n\nNATAL LINE OF STEAMERS \n\nRegular Passenger and Cargo Service. \n\nFROM CALCUTTA TO SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS \n\nSailing on or about 31st October. S.S. \"UMLAZI\" \n\nThrough Bills of Lading issued from Hongkong. \n\n*** \n\n*** \n\nFor Freight or Passage on any of the above Lines apply to:- \n\nDODWELL & CO., LTD., \n\nAgents. \n\nTelephone Central 1030, \n\nAUSTRALIAN, ORIENTAL LINE. \n\nHONGKONG TO PHILIPPINES & AUSTRALIAN PORTS. SAILING (SUBJECT TO ALTERATION). \n\nSteamer. \n\nTAIYUAN CHANGSHA \n\nArrives Hongkong from Australia. \n\n2nd Oct. \n\n15th Oct. \n\nCOASTAL SHIPPING. \n\nINDO CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD. \n\nSAILINGS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION \n\nMon. Tues. \n\nTues. \n\nThurs. \n\nThurs. \n\nSailing \n\n1st Oct. at 10 a.m. 1st Oct. at noon. 2nd Oct at 4 p.m. 3rd Oct. at noon. 3rd Oct. at 3 p.m. 5th Oct. at noon. 5th Oct. at 2 p.m. 6th Oct. at 8 a.m. 6th Oct. at 3 p.m. \n\nnoon. 8th Oct at \n\nSHIPPING NEWS. \n\nC.S, MERCANTILE MARINE \n\nRATIONING PLAN, \n\nThat steamship operating at New York approve in principle the rationing plans being worked out by the division of operations of the United States Shipping Board is indicated not only by their expressions of approval, but by active co-operation in working out details. The Standing Committee of managing agents of the Shipping Board and representatives of thirty-eight steamship companies operating Government vessels met in the Whitehall Building, NY, says the New York Maritime Recorder, to discuss details of the rationing plan. \n\nDestination \n\nSteamer BANGKOK via Swatow Drufar Sun. TAO via S'tow & S'hai Yatshing Sun. OBE....... \n\n......Laisang TTAO via Stow & S'bai Hangsang STRAITS & Calcutta... Kutsang ANTUNG via Shanghai Loksang SANDAKAN \n\nMarsang HAIPHONG via Hoihow Leesang Fri. | MANILA \n\nYuensang Fri. TT Ovia Stow & S'hai Kwongsang Sun. KOBE via Yokohama...... Namsung Tues, 10th Oct. at noon. BANGKOK via Swatow Childar Tues, 10:h Oct. at noon, ~ALCUTTA LINE:-This Line now affords regular sailings to \n\nCALCUTTA, PENANG and SINGAPORE; Returning from Calcutta steamers proceed via Straits and Hongkong to \n\noccasionally calling at Shanghai, \n\nJapaustenance, repairs, stores and \n\nfuel. The rationing of the latter, the most they say, presents difficulties. A fixed allowance for sustenance is already in force, the Government allowing 65 cents a day for each member of the crew of a Shipping Board \n\nAll steamers have excellent passenger accommodation, are fitted \n\nwith Electric Light & Fans and carry a fully qualified Surgeon. SHANGHAI LINE: Sailings approximately every three days between \n\nCanton and Shanghai, sometimes calling at Swatow. Through tickets can be obtained and through Bills of Lading are issued all to Northern and Yangtsze Ports via Shanghai.\" MANILA LINE:A weekly service is maintained with Manila by vessels with good passenger accommodation, sailings from both ports every Friday. |HAIPHONG LINE :-Sailings approximately weekly for passenger and cargo, calling at Hoihow when inducement offers- BORNEO LINE :—Fortnightly sailings to and from Sandakan by two 5,000 ton steamers S.S. \"HINSANG\" & \"MADSANG \" both steamers having excellent passenger accommodation Cargo taken on through Bills of Lading for Kudat, Jesselton, Labuan, Tawao and Lahad Datu. \n\nTIENTSIN LINE:-A regular service is run from March to Nov. between H'kong & Thentain calling at Weihaiwei & Chefoo, BANGKOK LINE:-A weekly service is provided between Hong \n\nkong and Bangkok, via Swatow, by five steamers fitted with \n\nup-to-date passenger accommodation. \n\nCALCUTTA LINE. S.S.\"Kutsang\" will be despatched on or about Tuesday, † 3rd Oct., at 3 p.m. for SINGAPORE, PENANG & CALCUTTA. \n\nThrough Bills of Lading issued to RANGOON, PORT SWETTENHAM & MADRAS & DUTCH EAST INDIES \n\nFor Freight or Passage apply to: \n\nJARDINE MATHESON & CO., LTD. \n\nTelephone Central No. 815. \n\nGeneral Managers. \n\nC. N. C. \n\nCHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTD. SAILINGS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION \n\nSteamers. \n\nFor SWATOW & BANGKOK ...Kiangsu SHANGHAI & TSINGTAO...Szechuen W’WEI, CHEFOO & T’TSIN Kuzichow [SWATOW & SINGAPORE „Kaying \n\nSHANGHAI & TSINGTAO... Kanchow HAIPHONG \n\n.Chinhua \n\nMO & SHANGHAI ......Suiyang SHANGHAI & гSIN ITAO...Sinkiang \n\nH’HOW. PHOI, H'PHONG. Kalong [SWA POW & BANGKOK ...Chengtu \n\nW WEI, CHEFOO & T’TSIN Huichow \n\nTo Sail. 1st Oct. at 1st Oct. at 1st Oct. at 2nd Oct. a. 3rd Oct. 1 4th Oct. at 5th Oct. at .. 7th Oct. at ..10th Oct. at .,10th Oct. at .10th Oct. at \n\n... \n\nnoon.. 4 p.m. 4 p.ni, 2000. \n\n+ p.m. * 8.11. 4.p.m. \n\n4 p.m. ↑ a.m. \n\nnoon. \n\n4 p.m. \n\nBUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, (John Swire & Sons, Ltd.) \n\nAGENTS. \n\nTelephone Central No. 36. Cargo and baggage can be insured at the above office. \n\nyat arranged is the amount of vessel. One of the details not \n\nthe allowance for passengers carried by Shipping Board freighters. The cost of meals for passengers is above that of rations for the crew, the operators contend, and the adjustment of the rate because of this \n\nis being discussed by Shipping Board officials and the representatives of the companies concerned. There also has been some discussion of a more elastic allowance to provide for adequate payment where rationing necessitates the carrying of food in launches to vessels anchored midstream or in out-of-the-way \n\nplaces. It is understood that the Shipping Board has decided to permit operators to arrange for minor repairs without the specific approval of the board. Minor repairs in this case considered to be all those costing less than $5,000. The bill in each case is subject to checking up by a representative of the Government. Repairing costing more than $5,000 will have to be approved by the division of construction and repair, headed by Commander R. D. Gatewood, before ordered by the operating \n\ncompany \n\nBREAKDOWN OF JOB CONTROL UP\" \n\nTHE COMMONWEALTH LINE, A correspondent writes to the.. Journal of Commerce:--As I \n\nreported in my last letter, rather' than agree to the demands of the Seamen's Union to appoint the \"bo'sun\" of the Largs Bay the Commonwealth Line management, under instructions from the \n\nPremier, ordered the vessel to be \n\nSHANGHAI LINE.—PASSENGERS, MAILS AND CARGO, withdrawn from the sailing schedule and laid up, and further. \n\nExcellent Saloon accommodation smidships. Electric Fans in Saloon and State-rooms. Regular schedule service between Canton, Hongkong and Shanghai (thrice weekly) and Tsingtao (weekly), taking Cargo on through Bills of Lading to all Yangteze. \n\nAustralian ports should also be laid up as and when they arrive, avoiding the inconvenience of transhipment at Woosung. \n\nThis very quickly resulted in a BANGKOK LINE.—Weekly service to and from B'kok via S'tow. \n\npartial climb down of the union. \n\nthough \n\nWilliam \n\nFor Freight or Passage apply. \n\nMorris Hughes is regarded by Labour as one big bluff, unfortunately not. until the Largs Bay had actually been withdrawn and anchored at an Admiralty buoy in Farm Cove, \n\ndays later the union announced that Daley, the bo'sun bone of contention, had resigned, and the matter might be considered as ended. This of course was an ingenious method of saving face, but not enough to satisfy Billy \n\nHaving thrown his chest once, and not had it burst in, he threw it again and called for unconditional surrender of the union, in the form of an undertaking that there should be no further attempts at job control, either on the Largs Bay or on any other vessel of the line \n\nIt has taken a fortnight to get this well home into Tom Walsh's head, and now the undertaking has been given. It may be assumed that job control is now ended, but the situation as regards the private lines is unchanged \n\nNegotiations are, however, proceeding, and will translate in the \n\nLeaves Hongkong \n\nDOUGLAS STEAMSHIP CO. LTD. \n\nfor Australia. \n\n6th Oct. 20th Oct. \n\nHONGKONG & SOUTH CHINA COAST PORTS SERVICE. Regular Service of Fast, High Class Coast Steamers having \n\nShanghai. \n\nThis steamer is fitted with Refrigerating machinery, ensuring good accommodation for First Class Passengers, Electric Light and Fans in state-rooms and Saloon and \n\nBanka, Batavia. a plentiful supply of ice, fresh provisions etc. and has superior Cuisine. \n\nFor Swatow, Amoy and Foochow and Returns. Macassar. S'ban accommodation with Electric Light throughout and Electric Fans in \n\nBilliton, Batavia the State-rooms. A duly qualified Doctor is carried. Reduced Fares. \n\n(Occupying 9 to 10 days.) Cargo booked through to all Australian, New Zealand and Tas- \n\nCaptain. \n\nLeaving. ¦ Haifang... | W. S. Turnbull... TUES. 3rd Oct, at \n\nHaichine... J. S. Thomson ... FRI., Haibong W. C. Paramore | TUE., 19th \n\nThe steamers are all fitted throughout with electric light and have accommodation for a limited number of saloon-passengers All steamers carry a duly qualified surgeon. through rates to all ports in Netherlands-India and Australia. \n\nFor Freight and Passage apply to the \n\nTelephone Central No. 1574. \n\nCargo taken s \n\nJava-China-Japan Lijn. \n\nYork Building.. \n\nPACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. \n\nOFFERS \n\nSPECIAL THROUGH FIRST CLASS RATES \n\nHONGKONG TO EUROPE \n\nvia SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK \n\nU. S. $120.50 \n\nwhich includes \n\nMINIMUM BERTH TO SAN FRANCISCO FIRST CLASS RAIL ACCOMMODATIONS \n\nSAN FRANCISCO TO NEW YORK \n\nWITH STOPOVER PRIVILEGES, BERTH AND ACCOMMODATIONS ON ANY ATLANTIC OCEAN STEAMER VALUED AT U.S. $49. $205.00 \n\nBUT DOES NOT INCLUDE BERTH AND MEALS ACROSS AMERICAN CONTINENT. \n\nFOR FULL INFORMATION apply to \n\nPACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO. \n\nManaging Agents. \n\nUNIT D STATES SHIPPING BOARD. \n\nUNION BUILDING, HONGKONG \n\nCable Address \"SOLANO\" Cinton Agents, REISS & CO. \n\nSteamships. \n\n1 p.m. I p.m. 1 p.m. \n\nFor Freight and Passage apply to \n\noth \n\nOct. al Oct. al \n\nTelephone Central No. 36, \n\nButterfield & Swire. (JOHN SWIRE & SON, LTD) Agents. \n\n‡ Calling at Amoy for Passengers only. Arrivals and Departures from the Co's Wharf 'near Blake Pier.) \n\nFor Freight and Passage, apply tō“ \n\n\"ELLERMAN\" LINE, \n\n(Ellerman & Bucknall S. S. Co., Ltd) UNITED KINGDOM & CONTINENT SERVICE. \n\nOUTWARDS. \n\n\"City of Tokio \" \n\n20th Oct. \n\nHOMEWARDS. \n\nS'hai, Kobe & Yokohama. \n\n\"City of Sydney\" 10th Oct. L'don, A'werp, R'da 'n, l'burg, G'gow. PA-SEN ER SERVICE. \n\nMarseilles & London. \n\nCity of Paris' City of York \" \"City of Simla “ \"City of Poona\" \n\nMid. Dec. \n\nFeb. Beg. Mid. March. Mid: April. Subject to change without notice. for further particulars apply to REISS & CO. \n\n14 \n\nCLETON. \n\nTHE BANK LINE, LTD. \n\n(Tel. Central 80). \n\nDouglas Lapraik & Co.. General Managers. \n\nNANYO YUSEN KAISHA. \n\nceeding, and will translate in the \n\nThe South Sea Mail S.S. Co., Ltd.) REGULAR FORTNIGHTLY SERVICE \n\nbetween \n\nJAPAN, HONGKONG & JAVA. \n\nFor Batavia, Samarang & Sourabaya. \n\nS.S. BORNEO MARU Sailing on or about 12th Oct. \n\nFor Moji, Kobe & Yokohama. \n\nS.S. MACASSAR MARU Sailing on or about 10th Ost. \n\nFor further particulars please apply to:- \n\nsame manner without doubt. The success of the Commonwealth \n\nLine is a matter of great importance, because ever since the war labour tactics in this country have been developing almost on the lines of Sovietism. Industry was to be run by and for the benefit of those engaged in it \n\nThe nation was to be regarded \n\nly as the source from which tribute should be paid to Labour, which would decide exactly what should and should not be produced, and how much should be demanded for the production. \n\nX \n\nTel. Central No. 2206. Second Floor, Prince's Building. \n\nK. SUZUKI, Manager. \n\nPEPYS'S CURING WATER. For many years Pepys's curing water, sold at Banner, N London, is to be cleaned and repaired. Samuel Pepys records frequent visits there.. \n\nis \n\nn", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493270, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 178, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA\n\n[March 20.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[F1156/583/10]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir B. Alston to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.-(Received March 20.) (No. 75.) My Lord,\n\nPeking, February 4, 1922.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 757 of the 28th December on the subject of anti-foreign feeling in Szechuan, information since received from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu is such as to make prominent the intimate relationship existing between students of Christian and other educational institutions, their teachers, members of the Young Men's Christian Association, &c., and the various associations and guilds in Szechuan, such as the Tung I Hui (or Society of the Common Aim) and Servants' Guild and Labour Self-Government Society, which are permeated with anti-foreign feeling and the desire to overturn authority, such as it is, in Szechuan. The missionaries and the Young Men's Christian Association secretary find themselves powerless to eradicate or check these political movements associated with institutions which they theoretically control, and the authorities appear equally incapable of taking effective steps.\n\nI have the honour to enclose a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Chengtu, dated the 24th December, on the subject of students' processions, which took place on the 21st of that month for the purpose of arousing the people in the matter of China's treatment at the Washington Conference. On that day students of practically all the Chengtu schools, whether missionary or Government, and of the missionary Union University, absented themselves from work and formed processions through the streets. Selected students entered the teashops and harangued the people, stating that the Chinese were now to become slaves to the Powers, and urging their audiences to combine against foreign aggression. At the same time pamphlets were distributed. One issued by the Middle School of the Missionary University was to the effect that the Washington Conference had decided to hand over Manchuria and Mongolia to Japan and Tibet to Great Britain. A pamphlet issued by the Government Agricultural College said: \"Who would have thought when the conference started that Powers who deserve to be absolutely exterminated, root and branch, should avail themselves of this opportunity to discuss the partition of our territory, the control of our finances.\"\n\nIn the opinion of His Majesty's consul-general the above-named and other political societies, whose effect, if not their avowed aim, is disorder, are on the point of combining under the Tung I Hui, or Union Society. (N.B.-This is a different society from that mentioned above and in the enclosure to my despatch No. 757, although the romanised name is identical.) This society is stated by His Majesty's consul-general to be probably in close touch with Hsiung K'o-wu, formerly Military Governor of Szechuan, who is using it for his own ends.\n\nIn other provinces besides Szechuan the failure of the Washington Conference to obtain the extravagant results hoped for by many Chinese gives the cue of the moment to student agitation. Nothing is said by the agitators about the gain which China is actually obtaining from the conference. Attention is concentrated on the fact that China will not yet be mistress in her own house, and her hope of recovering lost rights with the assistance of Powers other than Japan is declared to have been disappointed owing to those Powers having taken the side of Japan against China. With this attitude it is of interest to compare the statement made, according to a Reuter telegram from London dated the 20th January, by the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires at a meeting of the Union of Chinese Students, that \"China is in the position of a joint at a sacrificial feast with its carvers pretending to be actuated by the greatest goodwill towards the animal furnishing the chief dish.\"\n\nIn Shensi, now ruled by a Christian military governor named Feng Yi-hsiang, I learn through letters from the British Postal Commissioner in the provincial capital that agitation similar to that in Szechuan is on foot, and that it has the support of the military governor. Processions were formed by the students at Hsi-an on the same day as at Chengtu, bodies of them marching through the streets and shouting \"Down with the Japanese and foreigners!\" \"Drive them out of the province!\"\n\n[7997 - -9]\n\nPage 178\n\n \nWe", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493272, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 180, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "4\n\nunder the beneficent rule of a republic, and even—which seems incredible to any foreigner who has any extensive experience of the interior of China—advocate the abolition of extra-territoriality. As far as I know, these foreigners are all foreigners who have spent their lives in security in China in the midst of foreign communities, such as Peking, Tien-tsin and the coast, and who have no first-hand experience of the interior. One can only regret that these advocates of putting the foreigner under the jurisdiction of so-called Chinese justice cannot be forced to live for six months in some remote village or city in the interior, far away even from the restraining influence of a consulate, and made liable to be publicly and ignominiously dragged to a yamên, forced to kneel on chains to extort a confession, liable to the ignominious and cruel punishment of the bamboo, or, even putting aside the risk of torture, which still goes on in some places, liable to die from cold in the winter in the wretched dens which do duty as prison quarters—only last winter I heard of such a case. Such degradation of the foreigner would mean his loss of prestige, and when this comes to pass the interior of China will only become attractive to those wearied of the vanities of this life and aspirants for the martyr's crown—a noble band whom I admire, but among whom I have no wish to be enrolled as a member.\n\nThe state of chaos in China will not be improved until—\n\n1. The strong men get control, and, combining together, gradually put each province in order.\n\n2. The students are kept in check.\n\n3. The soldiers are reduced to legitimate requirements and kept under a proper state of discipline, whilst brigands are relentlessly hunted down.\n\nIt is impossible to forecast what combinations of strong men will eventually bring back peace and prosperity to the country. I should like to see a combination of such men as Wu Pei-fu in the centre of China, Ch'en Shu-fan in Shensi, Ch'en Chiung-ming at Canton, and possibly Hsiung K'o-wu in Szechuan. Other provinces, of which I have no recent experience, might be able to add to the number. These combined should be able to put an end to the effete puppets of the Peking Government, that visionary impossibility, Sun Yat-sen, and the wind-bag, Wu Ting-fang of the Canton Government. As regards Chang Tso-lin, who rules supreme in Manchuria, I do not know whether he has improved and is a reformed character from what he was twelve or thirteen years ago when I visited him. He had then recently retired from the leadership of the Hunghutzu of the district and had a reputation for cruelty. He disgusted me by bragging about a recent triumph over an enemy, another robber chief, the fact being that he had invited him to a feast of reconciliation, and after the feast had seized the opportunity to have him crushed to death between two of the big stones used for crushing grain.\n\nChengtu, Szechuan.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nG. PEREIRA.\n\nReport by Brigadier-General G. Pereira of December 14, 1921.\n\nIN 1900 the Chinese people were in a state of unrest, partly caused by a failure of the crops, and partly by the recent introduction of European education and a feeling of the necessity of reform. The movement was primarily anti-dynastic, but the Court, realising its danger, managed to divert the Boxer movement to an anti-foreign outbreak. At that time the country was united under one rule, and enjoyed the benefits of individual security and prosperity under a mild form of autocracy, the only form of government suitable for Asiatic nations in their present undeveloped state. Therefore, whilst the anti-foreign movement was more dangerous owing to the better organisation under a united Government, still it was greatly lessened and localised thanks to the provinces being swayed by an exceptional number of eminent and capable viceroys and governors, such as Liu K'un-yi at Nanking, Chang Chih-tung at Wu-ch'ang, Li Hung-Chang at Canton, Yuan Shih-k'ai in Shantung and Tuan Fang in Shensi.\n\nIn 1900 those who prophesied trouble before the Boxer outbreak were stigmatised as alarmists, whilst those who pooh-poohed the chances of trouble were afterwards abused for their want of foresight. The same will happen again at the present time, the fact being the prophets fail to realise that there are such thousands of unforeseen circumstances that none can foresee, which will divert popular feeling and action into unexpected courses. This makes it wrong to make definite prophecies, as their fulfilment is a pure gamble, and it is only the irresponsible man, with a limited local knowledge, who ventures to do so. If he turns out to be right he can say, “I told you so,” whilst if he is wrong his prophecies are too unimportant to be remembered. At the present time it is universally admitted by all who know China that the country has never been in such a rotten state, and that the experiment of a republic has proved a most dismal failure. The people, especially in the upper classes, are not educated up to the requirements of a liberal form of government, and it will be many years before they attain to it.\n\nNot only do all the evils under the imperial régime still exist, but they are multiplied, owing to there being many heads instead of one. In the old days the millions poured into the Court at Peking, and a good deal of the money was spent in the service of the State, whilst smaller sums, more or less regulated by precedents, and in a measure recognised as legitimate perquisites of underpaid officials, were received by officials. At the present time the millions go into the pockets of the bigger officials, such as Chang Tso-lin in Manchuria, Wang Chan-yuan, late Governor of Hupei, and Hsiung K'o-wu, the late ruling spirit in Szechuan, and a little or nothing of this comes back to the State. In the same way the minor officials, with no restraining influence from Peking or fear of public opinion, are out to make what they can, and as quickly as possible, whilst their day of power lasts. In the old days public opinion had much influence over the officials, and if one tried to overstep the limits of squeeze the people rose and there was trouble. Now the soldiers have increased so enormously in numbers and power that they keep the people in a state of subjection and terrorism. The merchants and people long for a state of peace and security in vain.\n\nThe break-up of the central power has been the chance for adventurers, and now the provinces are divided against each other, and often a province is split up into factions.\n\nIn the old days the army was despised as an inferior profession and a restraining influence kept on it, but the rise of innumerable factions has given the soldiers their chance. Each petty leader is dependent on them, and the men themselves now thoroughly understand their power. Very few military officers trouble about discipline or take any pains about securing a regular payment for their men. As a result the soldier is generally owed a large amount of back pay, which is sometimes made up for by encouraging looting. If this is not sufficiently profitable the soldiers desert and join a brigand band.\n\nThe students are, to my mind, an even greater source of danger, but as I have dealt with them in a recent report, I will not dwell on them now. It must be remembered that, whatever his failings and lack of education, the student of to-day represents the future ruling class of China, and that the ideas he now imbibes will later be developed.\n\nThe spirit of unrest is increased by secret societies, which have always existed in China, and have now increased in numbers and power. Though primarily they may be organised against the Chinese Government of the day, still there is often the watchword of \"China for the Chinese!\" which tends for an anti-foreign feeling. This, at times, may only require a few foolish actions by one or two irresponsible foreigners to fan the spark, and produce a local and totally unforeseen combustion, which once started may easily spread.\n\nIn Szechuan, probably the most factious and split-up province in China, with apparently no commanding figure to restore order out of chaos, there is of course a certain amount of safety for the foreigner, whilst the factious are fighting amongst themselves, and the leaders may feel that one day their only chance of escaping may be through the assistance of the foreigners. On the other hand, owing to the lack of any stable form of government or dependence on any central authority, a sudden anti-foreign rising by a mob or engineered by secret societies would be more dangerous than in any other province owing to its inaccessibility.\n\nThrough the collapse of Russia, and in a lesser degree of Germany, the power of the foreigner to command respect in China is much less than it used to be, the more so as the remaining Powers are more engrossed in restoring order in their own countries. Luckily they can still demonstrate against Peking, Canton, Wuchang and Nanking, the most important centres of influence in China, whilst with its long coast line other important points can be threatened. Yunnan, too, with the railway to Hanoi and its neighbourhood to Burma, can feel the power of the foreigner, but the western provinces are generally isolated and beyond the reach of a foreign expedition. In the case of Kansu this does not much matter as long as the Mahomedans and the Chinese...\n\nPage 180\n\nPage 181", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493273, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 181, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "181\n\nG\n\nare more or less equally divided and engrossed with their own rivalries. Shensi and Kueichow and Kuangsi are unimportant provinces, dependent on and influenced by their more powerful surroundings. The only inaccessible province that matters is Szechuan, which is secure in its own isolation, and possibly could only be brought into subjection by a boycott of its exports. As my recent experiences are connected with Szechuan, I feel that this province requires the most delicate handling; the feeling of restlessness may pass away with the struggle of contending factions, and the rise of a strong man to power. There is always the danger, however, of some imprudent action by a foreigner diverting the unrest to a movement against the white man, and causing a trouble which no one can foresee.\n\nSir,\n\nChengtu, December 14, 1921.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Hewlett to Sir B. Alston.\n\n11\n\nG. PEREIRA.\n\nChengtu, December 24, 1922.\n\nIN my despatch No. 29 of the 21st November I mention \"disappointment at the results of the Pacific Conference as among the causes which might lead to popular movements against foreigners.\n\nOn the 19th December I was warned privately that all the schools, including the Union University, intended to go out on strike on the 21st December as a protest against the decision of the Powers, as reported in telegram which had been received by the student body here, to supervise the finances of China and to allot Tibet to Great Britain and Mongolia to Japan.\n\nOn the 20th December I called on the Deputy for Foreign Affairs, who confessed complete ignorance of the movement, and who asked me to keep Liu Yu-Chiu duly informed if the students carried out their intentions.\n\nThere was no need, however, for any such action on my part, as the students published the whole of their programme, including the route to be followed, in the native press. In addition to the student agitation, the Chamber of Commerce issued an appeal to the heads of every trade guild summoning them to a meeting. \"According to a telegram,\" ran the appeal, \"the Powers have discussed the supervision of China. Our Northern and Southern delegates there are divided in opinion. To the final extermination of our country lies before our very eyes..... We mean to rouse to action all the people here.\n\nThe students issued two letters, one to their teachers, the other to all scholars. In the former, after stating that they are frequently in receipt of letters and telegrams from home and abroad reporting that all their most ardent hopes are being destroyed at the Pacific Conference, they continue: \"We want to rouse the people and to form a foreign relations defence society. The matter involves the prestige of our country, so we ask you for one day's leave, and beg you to grant your students absolute freedom of action.\n\nI understand the leave was not actually granted, but no steps were taken to stop the demonstrations. In the latter letter they again reiterate their intention to rise and form the defence society, as the \"Pacific Conference, in so far as the reconstruction of China is concerned, has completely destroyed all our hopes,\" and they appeal for united action among themselves.\n\nThe processions were perfectly orderly, and foreigners passing them were in no way insulted or molested.\n\nSpecial students had been selected to give addresses during the parade through the streets. These students entered the tea-shops and harangued the people. Weeping copiously, they explained how China was on the verge of extermination, how after an existence of 5,000 years as a nation the Chinese people were now to become slaves of the Powers, no better than beasts of burden, and they urged their audiences to combine against foreign aggression.\n\nIn addition to these speeches, pamphlets were scattered broadcast. A few extracts will suffice to show the nature of these documents :-\n\n\"Arise quickly, stir up your merchant guilds, your farmer guilds, your labour organisations and every class of guild or society, and follow our example.\"\n\nThe middle school of the Union University, of which Yang Shao-ch'uan is the principal, issued the following:-\n\n\"The conference has decided to hand over Manchuria and Mongolia, an area of several million square li, to the control of Japan; Tibet, a territory which produces gold, to Great Britain. Tibet adjoins Batang, Litang and Tachientu and is practically a part of Szechuan. If all China arises to oppose these measures, we may still have a little hope.\"\n\nThe French school is responsible for the following :-\n\n\"China's administrative and financial control are both to be handed over to the Powers.\n\nThe eastern provinces go to Japan. The western provinces, such as Szechuan, Tibet and Yunnan and Kueichow, go to Great Britain. Southern and northern provinces will be divided between France, America and Russia, according to their propinquity. Here we have out-and-out the division of China.”\n\nThe \"Public\" School gives eight demands which are to be telegraphed to their representatives at the conference, Yü Jih-chang and Chiang, with the bidding that they be firmly pressed for:-\n\n1. Equality for all countries.\n\n2. Negotiations between countries must be public, not secret.\n\n3. China's territory, administrative powers, mines, railways and every kind of trading rights must never be wrested from her by force.\n\n4. Tsingtau must be restored without negotiations\n\n5. China's Parliament having been dissolved, no secret treaties made since the dissolution can be recognised.\n\n6. All leased territories and special privileges acquired by the Powers to be abrogated.\n\n7. Abolition of extra-territorial jurisdiction.\n\n8. Revision of the customs tariff.\n\nTheir pamphlet ends: \"All provinces, students and assemblies, officials and gentry must be requested by telegram to ask the Northern and Southern Governments to fix a limit of time within which we will make our internal affairs at one, so that we may oppose the foreigner.\"\n\nThe agricultural college is the most outspoken: Who would have thought when the conference started that heart and gall could have been so utterly poisonous, and that Powers who deserve to be absolutely exterminated root and branch should avail themselves of this opportunity to discuss the partition of our territory, the control of our finances? Matters grow worse from day to day.\"\n\nAlthough nothing untoward occurred, the pamphlets and speeches are bound to bear fruit. I had men out listening to the speeches, and the weeping students produced a decided effect. Tea-shop comment was: Yes, it is quite true: these foreigners are too brutal for words.\"\n\nThe use of Chinese characters, although coming naturally in this place, is worthy of notice. I am convinced that the comment made in my despatch No. 34 of the 5th December is correct, and that the day has come when all the various societies are combining under this society.\n\nThis society, wishing for political ends to bind together certain factions in north and south, has seized on either false rumours or deliberate fabrications regarding decisions arrived at in Washington to start a movement, which now cannot be checked and which will probably spread rapidly. Once more they find that any appeal to resist the foreigner is the rallying cry, and this fact should cause those who maintain anti-foreign feeling on a certain scale does not exist to weigh their opinions more carefully.\n\nIn Szechuan, in any case, the fact may be bluntly stated, and had better be fearlessly faced, “generally speaking, the foreigner is absolutely hated.”\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. M. HEWLETT.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493274, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 182, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "121\n\ncopy.\n\nNo.583 (7066/31)\n\ngogy to India.\n\nTrifinal Ri\n\n182\n\n0/8108/22/Cola\n\nBritish Legation,\n\nPeking.\n\nOctober 17th, 1931,\n\nChengtu No.21\n\n6.9.11.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nOn receiving Your Lordship's telegram No.248 of 31st July 1921, I requested His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu to amplify the statements contained in his despatch No.44 of 16th May 1921 regarding the prospect of anti-foreign troubles in the province of Szechuan, and to furnish his reasons for thinking that the movement is likely to develop, and I now have the honour to transmit a copy of Mr Hewlett's reply.\n\nThe original statement made by Mr Hewlett was as follows:- \"By a little consideration at the present time it may be that the blow will be softened when the anti-foreign outburst, which will be the first consequence of a really united Szechuan, comes\". As Mr Hewlett's previous despatches have frequently indicated, it will be many a long year, if at all, before a \"really united Szechuan\" is likely to materialise.\n\nIt is therefore not surprising to learn from his enclosed despatch that Mr Hewlett does not anticipate\n\nThe\n\nMarquess Curzon of Kedleston. K.G., G.C.S.I..\n\netc.\n\netc.\n\nForeign Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493277, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 185, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "To Peking. No.31 \n\nand 3 copies.\n\nCopies to Chungking\n\nand Tachienlu.\n\nSir,\n\nMr Hewlett to His Majesty's Minister.\n\nH.B.M. Consulate General,\n\nChengtu.\n\nSeptember 6th, 1921.\n\n18\n\nIn reply to your despatch No.21 (5830/21)\n\nof August 8th last, many reasons lead me to the\n\nconclusion that when Szechuan really becomes a\n\nunited whole, and this I do not think can be\n\naccomplished within the next four or five years,\n\nwithout external problems or internal dissensions\n\nto provoke the ambitions or stimulate the avarice\n\nof her leaders, the reunification of the province\n\nwill be followed by an anti-foreign outburst.\n\nIt is not, however easy to explain more\n\nfully than has already been done from time to time\n\nin despatches and reports the reasons which have\n\nled me to this conclusion, neither do specific\n\nindications exist quite so definite as those which\n\npreceded, for example, the Changsha riots, the\n\nadvent of which I foresaw although only one\n\nand he a Norwegian missionary, would support my\n\nopinion that everything was working up to an\n\nBir Beilby Alston, K.C.M.G., C.B.,\n\nHis Majesty's Minister,\n\nPeking.\n\nanti-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493278, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 186, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "186\n\nanti-foreign outburst.\n\nAt the same time it is perfectly obvious to me after five years of very close study of this Province that an \"atmosphere\" exists which is keenly anti-foreign, and anti-foreign feeling is expressed in various ways which, however trifling they may appear to others, for me have a definite significance.\n\nA common catchword in Chengtu is \"first oust the extra provincial, then oust the foreigner\" ( ). The Szechuan hatred for Yunnan and Kueichow first found vent in the explosions of 1917 against Lo P'ei-chin and Tal K'an.\n\nThe war cry was \"out with the extra-provincial\" and although the consummation of the desideratum was incessantly delayed owing to friction between the various Szechuan leaders, the main objective was not only not lost sight of, but was accomplished after a record which for sheer sordid low cunning could hardly be beaten. Liu Te'un-hou who had borne all the brunt of the fighting, being an adherent of the North, was not allowed to reap the fruit of his victories, and Hsiung K'o-wu actually allied himself with Yunnan and Kueichow to drive him out. Hsiung, however, always bore in mind \"Szechuan for the Szechuanese\", with the result he rounded on his former allies, appealed to his old enemy Liu Te'un-hou to come to the assistance of Szechuan, with his help drove the Yunnanese and Kueichow men out of the Province and ended by once more expelling Liu Te'un-hou.\n\nThis must be rehearsed in order to follow the", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493279, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 187, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "187\n\nthe workings of my mind. In this record we have\n\nclearly displayed the pertinacity with which\n\n\"first oust the extra-provincial\" has been followed,\n\nwhile personal ambition was still allowed to have\n\nfree play. The goal to which they were striving\n\ncould easily have been reached in 1917: it was not\n\narrived at for three years, during which the Province\n\nsuffered hideously, owing to the avarice and personal\n\ngreed of the various Szechuan leaders, but when in\n\nAugust 1920 for three months all combined, the\n\nSzechuanese carried all before them and no mercy\n\nwas shown to any of the enemy who fell into their\n\nhands. I am convinced that the same treatment will\n\nbe meted out to the foreigner \"when\" the\n\nreunification of Szechuan is absolutely complete.\n\nThis, as I have stated above, may not be for four or\n\nfive years.\n\nI now come to the reasons for my conviction that \"next oust the foreigner\" will become a definite propaganda directly the Szechuan leaders\n\nare sufficiently consolidated to devote their whole attention to frustrating all foreign interests.\n\nAs reported before, General Tan Mou-hsing once told me that they could arrest and kill any\n\nChinaman in foreign employ without fear of\n\nreprisals as foreign gunboats could not get to\n\nChengtu. In momentary temper he expressed what many\n\nof the leading authorities feel, namely that they\n\nhave the whiphand and that the foreigner in\n\nSzechuan is on sufferance: he has his uses in\n\ntime of trouble so for the present leave him alone.\n\nThe immunity of the foreigner during all the\n\nrecent", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493282, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 190, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "190\n\nspread and it is a real power for evil.\n\nStudents and the Press encourage and spread the wildest tales about Great Britain's designs through Tibet, and the more fantastic the tale, the more eagerly it is swallowed. Absolute falsehoods have also been published regarding French misrule in Annam. All these are now at the present time merely \"incidents\", but they are, to my mind, being deliberately piled up for the day of reckoning.\n\nThe students at the University are almost out of hand, and the professors seem powerless to produce proper discipline. Many people have commented on their contemptuous attitude towards foreigners. In this connection, I am of opinion it only requires the return of forty or fifty of the students from France who have been writing violently anti-foreign letters to Szechuan, to organise students and Labour in a manner which may produce very serious consequences. It is very marked how Labour and students are drawing together in Chengtu. Added to this, it has to be remembered that Bolshevik propaganda is finding its way everywhere; that a complete organisation exists in the secret societies, which are all-powerful, which can be put in operation for any purpose; brigandage is rampant; and that after five years of civil strife the Province is ready for complete anarchy.\n\nYang Wei, the former Commissioner of Police, who is living in retirement, told me that within the next two years everything would be ready for utter disorder and it was only after that period had", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493284, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 192, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "No.757.(8610/31).\n\nCopy to Tokyo, Shanghai, India and Chengtu.\n\nBritish Legation,\n\nPeking.\n\n192\n\nDecember 28th, 1921.\n\nChengtu No.38 of 71-1-31.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nWith reference to my despatch No.583 of October 17th relative to the attitude of the Szechuanese towards foreigners and the prospect of anti-foreign troubles in the province, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul-General at Chengtu reporting upon the establishment there of an anti-foreign society whose members have been emitting threats against the lives of British subjects.\n\nRegarding the question of the Servants Guild referred to in the last paragraph of the enclosure herein, I received from His Majesty's Consul-General a separate report in which it is explained that the Guild was started in 1919 by a few servants in the employ of foreigners at the University as a protest against the manner in which Mr Leonard, a member of the Canadian Methodist Mission, dealt with Chinese employees. The movement spread under the encouragement of the students, and now embraces practically all servants in mission employ and has developed into the so-called Labour Self-\n\nMarquess Curzon of Kedleston, K.G., G.C.S.I.,\n\netc.\n\netc.\n\nForeign Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493287, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 195, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "One Enclosure\n\nChinese Enclosure No.3.\n\nNo.28.\n\nand 4 copies.\n\ncopies to Chungking\n\nand Taohienlu,\n\n(† GR563/563/10)\n\nSir,\n\nChengtu,\n\n195\n\nNovember 21st, 1931.\n\nI have the honour to transmit, herewith,\n\nthe original, a copy and translation of a Chinese\n\nletter I received on November 14th through the post.\n\nI have delayed forwarding this letter as\n\nI wanted to interview General Liu Yu-chiu, and to\n\nmake other enquiries before bringing the matter to\n\nyour notice.\n\nWith the assistance of Mr Hutson, of the\n\nChina Inland Mission, who has been in the Province\n\ntwenty-seven years, I have ascertained that the\n\nT'ung I Hui is a Society to encourage the revival\n\nof Buddhism: their members include a Japanese\n\nsubject, they are anti-foreign and their principal\n\nplace of meeting is in a street adjoining this\n\nConsulate General.\n\nTheir intentions as stated in the letter\n\nmust be known outside, as their threat to assassinate\n\nall Britons has been discussed in tea shops,\n\nFurther, a former employee of the British American\n\nTobacco Company, very well known to me,\n\na keen adherent of Buddhism called here and warned\n\nmy head messenger that the leaders of the society\n\nhad...\n\nSir Beilby Alston, K.C.M.G., G.B.E.\n\netc.\n\netc.\n\nPeking.\n\netc.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493288, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 196, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "196\n\nhad arrived. He would answer no questions, and said it was sufficient for me to know they were in Chengtu.\n\nI was naturally anxious not to attach undue importance to a threat of this kind, still I considered it would be not only foolish but wrong absolutely to ignore it. I therefore took the letter to General Liu Yu-hsi for his comments. He said there was no danger whatever, he would accept responsibility for the safety of all foreigners, the T'ung I Hui would never dare to commit murder, but he added that, as a precaution, he would inform the Police Commissioner and the Commandant of the city Quarters.\n\nFour days later he was not quite so confident, and told me that precautions were being taken and that, if he could, he meant to round up the gang.\n\nStrict precautions are being taken, for three nights ago I was challenged by the Police three times in the street adjoining the Consulate General, and the Police also ordered my night watchman at nine thirty p.m. to close and bolt the main entrance, although I was not in.\n\nI have brought the letter confidentially to the notice of the Superintendents of all British Missions with a request that they would, from time to time, furnish me with any positive signs, not rumours, of the existence of anti-foreign feeling in this Province.\n\nI think the question is serious, especially when taken in conjunction with the Servants' Guild and the Labour Self-Governing Society.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493320, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 228, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[F923/110/10]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 16.]\n\nSECTION 4.\n\n227\n\n(No. 380.) Sir.\n\nThe Marquess Curzon of Kedleston to Sir B. Alston (Peking).\n\nForeign Office. May 16, 1922.\n\nWITH reference to my telegram No. 57 of the 23rd February and your telegram No. 74 of the 2nd instant, I transmit a copy of Earl Balfour's despatch (No. 21) 11737/ to the Prime Minister of the 2nd February, from which you will see that the British Empire Delegation at Washington made a determined effort to improve the present unsatisfactory situation in regard to the China arms embargo by obtaining a reaffirmation of the 1919 embargo by the Powers represented at the Conference on Pacific and Far Eastern Affairs. You will have learnt, however, from Earl Balfour's telegram No. 325 of the 2nd February, which was repeated to you, that his efforts failed to achieve the desired result owing to the obstructive attitude of the Italian Government, who qualified their acceptance of the proposed resolution by a reservation similar to that which they made in Peking in 1919 respecting outstanding contracts.\n\nThe best course now appears to be for you to discuss the question with your colleagues with a view to framing a recommendation, which should, if possible, be unanimous, as to the steps to be taken to place the embargo on a satisfactory footing, and I transmit herewith copy of a memorandum (B.E.D.-178) prepared by the Foreign Office Section of the British Empire Delegation at Washington, which forms a comprehensive survey of all the circumstances connected with the arms embargo up to date, with the following three exceptions:-\n\n(1) A contract by a Danish firm, Nielsen and Winter, for the supply of machinery to the Mukden arsenal has been reported to His Majesty's Legation at Copenhagen, and Mr. Parr was instructed on the 3rd January (see my despatch No. 18 of the 5th January) to co-operate with his American and Japanese colleagues in protesting to the Danish Government against the execution of this contract. The result of these representations has not yet been reported.\n\n(2) The representations made by Sir R. Graham at Rome, in concert with his French, Japanese and United States colleagues, respecting the supply of Italian arms to China at first only produced an evasive and inadequate reply, and Sir R. Graham's recent reports No. 1042 of the 28th December and No. 65 of the 20th January on this subject are enclosed for your information. You will have learnt, however, from Sir R. Graham's telegram No. 169 of the 12th April, which was repeated to you, that a more satisfactory reply has now been received from the Italian Government, and I transmit herewith copy of Sir R. Graham's despatch No. 339 of the 12th instant giving details of their undertaking now given that no further sales of Italian arms and ammunition in China will be made to the Chinese directly or indirectly.†\n\n(3) The engagement of a German engineer for the Chengtu arsenal, reported in your despatch No. 684 of the 22nd November, was not known to the Foreign Office Section at the time when their memorandum was prepared.\n\nThe amended draft resolution introduced by Earl Balfour before the Committee for Pacific and Far Eastern Affairs on the 31st January proposes to prohibit the export to China of arms or munitions of war, whether complete or in parts, but it is evident that in various instances recently some of the Powers have not been acting in accordance with the spirit of the embargo policy, and yet might claim to have been acting within the letter of the embargo resolution. In the light of our experience, it is therefore desirable that the scope of the embargo should be more precisely defined and widened so as to include materials and tools\n\nFebruary 16, Section 1.\n\n† April 18, Section 1.\n\n[5 q-4]\n\nPage 228\n\n...\n\nPage 228", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493701, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "page_number": 92, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "24\n\ndistrict of Szechuan in January 1912. In May and August 1912 the matter was the subject of questions in the House of Commons, but the Government declared its determination to carry out the British side of the 1911 agreement irrespective of events in China, in the hope that when a settled Government emerged in China it would take up the work of suppression where it had been left by the Manchus.\n\nThe hoped for change came towards the end of 1912, when the Republican Government was at last firmly in the saddle, and began to surpass the rigours of the Manchu rulers in the suppression of the opium habit. The movement had, as might have been foreseen, become indiscriminate, a hatred of native opium being accompanied by a hatred of imported, and the conditions of the 1911 agreement were lost sight of in the fervour of the moment,\n\nThis movement, holding up the stocks at Shanghai, led to an accumulation of 30,000 chests at that port. The situation became serious, and in April 1913 the Government of India stopped export to China. On the 7th May 1913, Mr. Montagu, at that time Under Secretary for India, stated that \"we are prepared not to send any more opium to China not only this year, not only while the stocks are being absorbed, but never again, with the single exception that we desire to be satisfied that China is steadfast in the pursuit of her present policy and determined to get rid of her indigenous poppy.\"\n\nThe closure of provinces now, of course, only affected the disposal of stocks at Shanghai and the general situation as far as it was affected by the stocks question, and the remainder of the history of the poppy in China is of academic interest only, so far as the 1911 Agreement is concerned. Throughout 1913 the suppression of cultivation went on, marked by violent methods of intimidation and repression, which were directed as much against the purchases of Indian opium as against the native cultivators and dealers, and by this time probably nobody except the Anti-Opium Society believed that poppy cultivation could be permanently suppressed in China. In 1917 the Chinese Government closed the whole of China to Indian opium, holding that the 1911 Agreement had automatically expired.\n\nOn the 17th October 1918 it was stated in the House of Commons that no official information had been received of any increase in the production of opium in China since 1917, but civil war and the breakdown of the machinery of central control were soon to lead to a change, in which native opium came to be regarded as the chief means of raising money for troops.\n\nPage 25\n\nIn 1918 considerable recrudescence of growing took place in five provinces, and in Kansu the price of opium had fallen 50 per cent. Large quantities of the drug were also produced in Russian territory and imported into China, thousands of Chinese themselves crossing the border to grow the crop.\n\nFurther reports of planting and harvesting were received in April 1919, together with confirmation of the fact that cultivation in Fukien was connived at by the local officials. Fukien, however, being in the hands of the Southern Government, Sir J. Jordan considered it useless to protest to the Chinese Foreign Office at Peking. In May information was received of extensive growing, with official support, in Szechuan and Shensi, cultivation being permitted on payment of a tax, and Sir J. Jordan admitted that his representations would be likely to have little effect. It is worth noting that the Chinese armies were credited with reintroducing the opium smoking habit in all districts they occupied, and that the military governors and commanders were saddled with the responsibility of fostering the cultivation and consumption of the drug.\n\nIn June 1919 a remarkable letter was received from Sir J. Jordan, in which he said that Mr. Easte, travelling to take up his duties at Chengtu, reported that 30 to 50 per cent. of the fields in his line of march through Szechuan were full of poppy, and added that there appeared never to have been any real effort at eradication.\n\nIn spite of a formal protest to the Chinese Foreign Office, warning them that the continued and growing cultivation constituted a grave infringement of the solemn pledge \"entered into by the Chinese Government by the 1911 Agreement,\" reports received in July 1919 more than confirmed all that had gone before, and it was estimated that in 1918 the acreage under poppy in Kirin Province (North Manchuria) alone was 40,500. Affairs were rapidly returning to the position of affairs at the time when Vice-Consul Spence wrote his report in 1882.\n\nThe year 1920 continued the tale of flourishing cultivation, on the profits and extortions from which most of the armies in China appeared to be subsisting, while in spite of heavy taxation the price of opium remained generally only half the rates that had obtained in 1918. In Chinese Turkestan it had fallen from 45 taels to 15 taels per lb., and in Yunnan it was stated to be selling at 30 cents an ounce, less than the cost of production in India.\n\nThe reports of His Majesty's Consular officers, corroborated and strengthened by missionaries, private firms of standing, shipping companies, and the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, point conclusively to the fact that China is now much the greatest opium-producing country of the world.\n\nThe end of the China trade reduced the Indian export trade to extremely small proportions. Smuggling to China was guarded against by the imposition of a voluntary limit on exports, as has been stated above. It was decided in 1911, after a systematic examination of all the available data, to\n\n89", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493953, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "page_number": 344, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "22\n\nadded to the private claims amounted to about 2,800,000; and the balance, 2,200,000 was remitted by proportionate deductions from the future payments. This was done without any conditions being imposed. At this point, the American Minister at Peking, Mr. W. W. Rockhill, a persona gratissima with the Chinese Ministers, induced the Chinese Government to continue to issue the American quota of the indemnity without deduction: and to pay that portion which was not claimed by the United States Government to a Commission of Education for the purpose of sending Chinese students to American universities. With the money so freed (about 75,000 a year), 400 Chinese students are provided with full scholarships in American universities, each receiving the amount of the university fees and a sum of about 170l. a year for his or her personal expenses. This fund is entirely under Chinese control. The Boxer indemnity also contributes towards the Tsing Hua College near Peking. This college was opened in 1911 by the Chinese Government with the assistance of a staff of American teachers. In 1913, there were 624 students, about two-fifths of whom were in the upper school, and the remainder in the preparatory school. The object of the Tsing Hua College is to prepare students for a further course of study in the United States of America. The college is independent of foreign control, but Dr. Tenney, Chinese secretary of the United States Legation, is an honorary member of the governing body. The college has been a most successful experiment.\n\nBesides the \"Indemnity\" scholars, about 100 of the Chinese students in the United States of America are supported by various provinces in China; and there are about 1,500 private students. The China Club of Seattle, in co-operation with the University of Washington and certain commercial and manufacturing firms, has inaugurated a scheme by which each firm will receive one Chinese student or more, and provide his tuition charges at the University and 600 dollars a year for his maintenance.\n\nWhen to these factors are added the powerful contribution of American missionary establishments in China, which, as Sir J. Jordan says, can always count upon receiving money for any new enterprise they may think desirable, some idea may be formed of the influence which America can exert in China through these channels. The following list of prominent alumni of St. John's College Shanghai (American) is significant: Wellington Koo, Chinese Minister in London; Alfred Sze, Chinese Minister in Washington; W. W. Yen, formerly Chinese Minister in Berlin; Dr. Y. T. Tsur, formerly president of the Tsing Hua College; Z. T. K. Woo, superintendent of the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works; S. C. Chu, general secretary of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway; Dr. H. L. Yen, secretary of the Board of Foreign Affairs; David Z. T. Yui, general secretary of the Y.M.C.A.; Yen Fu-ch'ing, dean of the medical faculty, Yale College, Changsha; W. Y. Hu, justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Peking.\n\nThe Rockefeller Foundation is giving a great impetus to medical education in China. The commission which visited the country in 1915, has recommended the opening of medical schools, the training of Chinese men and women for hospital work, and a system of pensions to allow missionaries on furlough in America to study medicine. This will all be financed by the Rockefeller Institute. Five scholarships of 300 dollars each have already been established for Chinese nurses. A medical institute has been erected in Peking at a cost of 6,000,000 dollars and amply endowed. Clearly, it will be difficult for Great Britain to compete with such munificence.\n\nFrance. The Société franco-chinoise d'Education (see Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 40 of the 23rd January, 1920), was founded in 1914 to take the place of a former society of the same nature founded in 1911, which had already sent 200 students to France in 1912. The executive powers of the society are exercised by a Peking committee and a provincial committee, each consisting of French and Chinese members. The society maintains two schools in Peking, schools at Tien-tsin and Chengtu; and language courses at Pao Ting Fu and Shanghai. These schools prepare students for a further course in France. In 1919 (January–September) the society sent 300 students or artisans to France. These Chinese students must possess at least 300 dollars, and must count on having an income of 600 dollars to 1,000 dollars a year. However, the society makes arrangements for them to live in France as cheaply as possible. The most advanced are then placed in the technical schools: but usually they do one year's course in a factory. The least advanced are placed in a lycée or college to perfect their French. A journal in Chinese is published in Paris for their benefit. Other reports announce further projects on the part of the French.\n\n23\n\nstates that the French Government have invited 600 Chinese students to France and have offered to defray all their expenses. According to the British Engineering Standards Association, the French have a scheme for training 5,000 to 6,000 Chinese in France during the next few years, 800 already having arrived in French colleges. The Association also states that Italy is considering a similar policy. Newspaper reports have estimated that there are as many as 2,000 Chinese students now in France; and even a casual visitor to Paris cannot help being struck by the considerable number of young Chinese to be seen about the city.\n\nBy the Treaty of Versailles, article 134, Germany renounced in favour of the French and Chinese Governments conjointly the property of the German school situated in the French concession in Shanghai. This article in itself gave a considerable impetus to the cause of French education for Chinese; so we find a supplementary vote of 300,000 fr. in the 1920 budget assigned to the Shanghai school (see W814/814/17, memorandum on French policy with regard to propaganda in foreign countries). The \"Daily Mail\" of the 20th January, 1921, states that the French Government's contribution is 30,000 dollars (3,000l.), that the school will be jointly controlled by the Chinese and French Governments, both of which will provide for its annual maintenance expenses, estimated at 130,000 dollars (13,000l.). The \"North China Herald\" of the 4th December, 1920, further states that French manufacturers have allotted a sum of 2,000,000 fr. towards this school. So reports are contradictory as to the amount and origin of this endowment. With a staff of a dozen professors from the French universities and a similar number of Chinese instructors it is hoped to make this new institution a preparatory school for the French universities.\n\nBesides the vote for the Shanghai school, a sum of 1,072,625 fr. is allotted in the 1920 budget for propaganda in China (as compared with 115,000 fr. for Japan). The sums appropriated for propaganda in the Far East in 1919 and 1918 respectively were 1,000,000 fr. and 215,000 fr.\n\nBut still more significant was M. Painlevé's mission to Peking in the autumn of last year. Though M. Painlevé was nominally adviser to the Government Technical Board on the Standardisation of Railways, his main interest was evidently in education. His mission ended with the conclusion of an agreement by which the Chinese Government is to provide an annual subsidy of 4,000l. for the Institute des Hautes Études chinoises in Paris; they will also furnish a sum of 20,000l. a year for the creation of a branch of the university of Paris in one of the Chinese universities on the condition that the French Government supplies a similar amount. The President of China has given to France three copies of a reproduction of the four great Chinese classics.\n\nDuring his stay at Peking, M. Painlevé made the following statement (\"Far Eastern Review,\" August 1920): \"Already there exists in Paris an institute for advanced Chinese study, but it will be necessary for us to develop it in such a way that the youth of China shall come to it for study in increasing numbers. We purpose to make the curriculum at this institute so interesting that the powerful attraction which it will exercise on the minds of our young Asiatic friends will be simply irresistible. This course of study, which will comprise all the technical courses of our advanced commercial schools, will include, in addition, the study of English, since this language seems to be considered a necessary finishing touch to the equipment of every Chinese intellectual. Moreover, we intend to do something which has never occurred before to those at the head of any foreign institution of learning to teach, likewise, the history of Chinese culture in order to keep the students in touch with their own civilisation. Unlike other nations, we do not wish our Chinese students to lose the sentiment of their own nationality and become for ever Frenchified: we wish that they may remain Chinese, yet arrive, notwithstanding this, at a real realisation of the superiority which they gain by making themselves part of two civilisations, the oriental and the occidental.\n\nSo much for Paris. In China, our task will be far more arduous, because practically everything there tending to the attainment of the end which we have set ourselves must either be created out of the whole cloth or recreated. Our first task will be to establish at the universities of Peking, Canton and Shanghai, courses in\n\nIt is not without significance that twenty girl students are also being sent over by the Chinese Government to Paris. They will study medicine, law, science and art, and when they have graduated, they will return to China to found girls' schools and colleges on European lines. There are about four Chinese girl students in London, and two or three in Edinburgh.—(\"Daily Mail,\" February 2 and 8, 1921.)\n\n339", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493955, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "page_number": 346, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "24\n\nstudents, including one at Oxford and seventeen at Cambridge. We are also informed that the Federation of British Industries, and the English Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association have succeeded in arranging for the training of a first group of a few students.\n\nSchemes for British Education of Chinese,\n\nThe following is a résumé of the schemes so far suggested for strengthening Great Britain's share in the education of Chinese :-\n\n1. 1912. Sir Evan Spicer's proposal to found and maintain a Chinese university in Central China with 400,000l. out of the Boxer Indemnity Fund. This was rejected by the Treasury.\n\n2. 1918. Mr. Wilton's scheme, which falls under five general heads-\n\n(a.) Financial strengthening of certain British institutions already in existence in China (Tien-tsin, Tsinan, Hankow, Foochow and Shanghai).\n\n(b.) Financial assistance to Hong Kong University.\n\n(c) Establishment of a school at Canton, to act as feeder to Hong Kong University.\n\n(d) Financial assistance to Chinese technical institutions already in existence, and encouragement by means of advice and financial assistance in the foundation of others in industrial centres.\n\n(e.) Financial assistance to the technical department of the Peking University.\n\nFinancial assistance should take the form of a number of entrance and leaving scholarships. A large majority of the latter should be for technical training, especially in the various branches of engineering, and be tenable for three or four years in the British and Colonial universities, Hong Kong University, and the Peking University.\n\nMr. Wilton is not in favour of purely British educational institutions in China; and he recommends financial assistance to purely Chinese establishments, such as the some method of co-operation with Peking University. He further recommends Chinese Chambers of Commerce, industrial companies and the guilds concerned, to be arranged by British Chambers of Commerce for the establishment and maintenance of technical schools.\" \n\nAs an endowment fund for this scheme, which he admits is an expensive one, Mr. Wilton recommends the remission of the whole of the Boxer indemnity. He recommends also the appointment of a small commission to examine thoroughly (for at least a year) the whole question of financial control, as well as the details of an educational scheme.\n\n3. 1919. Liang Chi-Chao's proposal that Great Britain should return the outstanding amount of her share of the Boxer indemnity on condition that two modern universities should be founded in the country-one at Peking and one, perhaps, at Nanking under Sino-British joint management.\n\n4. 1919. The Tien-tsin British Chamber of Commerce's proposal that a levy on the paid-up capital of China companies would be a fair and reasonable method of raising funds for educational purposes. They quote the instance of a fee of 0.04 dollars for each 100 dollars of paid-up capital, which is levied annually by the Hong Kong Government. If a similar rate were levied through the registrar of companies at Shanghai, they estimate that a yearly revenue of 100,000 dollars (10,000l.) could be raised. The Tien-tsin Chamber agrees with Sir John Jordan, that the financing of a scheme for British educational propaganda in China is one primarily for the merchants themselves.\n\n5. 1920. The Department of Overseas Trade's proposal that any scheme put forward should provide for the arrival of fifty Chinese students per annum for a training course of about five years in Great Britain. Such students should be trained for one of the following vocations: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering, electrical engineering, industrial chemistry, law, chartered accountancy.\n\n6. The China Association's scheme (prepared by Mr. H. B. Morse), which assumes that part of our share of the Boxer indemnity will be remitted, in the same way as the American share, and that the remission will amount to 80,000l. a year.\n\n* According to Mr. Bucchell Shen, Director of La Mission scolaire chinoise en Europe (\"Daily Mail of the 5th December, 1920), fifty of these are Chinese Government scholarship holders. They receive a grant of 240l. a year. Medicine and engineering are the subjects generally taken\n\n27\n\nThis sum should be paid to a Chinese commission one member of the commission should be a British subject, nominated by His Majesty's Legation, but in an advisory capacity only. The expenses of this commission should be borne by the Chinese Government in each year, one-eighth of the remitted indemnity, viz., 10,000l. should be allotted to each of four universities for students taking their studies in the English language. These universities should be (a) Tien-tsin, for Northern Mandarin; (b) Hankow, for Southern Mandarin; (c) Shanghai, for Central Coast dialects; (d) Hong Kong, for Cantonese. Provision should be made for joint Sino-British representation on the boards of control of these universities. 40,000l. a year should be allotted for fellowships for graduates of these universities proceeding to the United Kingdom for further study in universities there. While in the United Kingdom these students should be under the control of a joint Sino-British Advisory Council, expenses of which should be borne by the British Government.\n\n7. Federation of British Industries' and English Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' schemes (already being put into practice), which arrange for the training of a first group of a few Chinese students in Great Britain.\n\n8. The British Engineering Standards Association's proposal that His Majesty's Government should provide funds to render education for Chinese free at Anglo-Chinese colleges such as that in Tien-tsin; and to encourage graduates of such colleges to proceed to England for training in the chief steel works, and in branches of the mining industry. in civil engineering, and the administration and accounting of engineering undertakings.\n\nLAST of Prominent Educational Institutions in China.\n\nNames of Schools.\n\nNumber of Students.\n\nLocation.\n\nNationality.\n\nYale College of Medicine\n\nBoone University\n\nUniversity of Nanking\n\nAutora University\n\nSt. John's University\n\nSoochow University\n\nHong Kong University\n\nShantung Christian University\n\nNorth-West China University\n\nWest China Union University\n\nCanton Christian College\n\nGovernment University\n\nPeking University\n\nPeiyang Government University\n\nHunan University (Government)\n\nYale College in China,\n\n21\n\n53\n\n353\n\nWnchang, Hupel\n\n488\n\nNanking, Kiangst\n\n180\n\nShanghai, Kiangsu\n\n492\n\n416\n\nSouchow, Kiangsu\n\n220\n\nHong Kong\n\n103\n\nTsinan, Shautung\n\n-\n\n355\n\nSianfu, Shensi\n\nChengtu, Szechuan\n\nColleges and High Schools.\n\n525\n\nCanton, Kwangtung\n\nChristian College\n\n60\n\nHangchow, Cheklang\n\n145\n\nNingpo, Chekiang\n\n60\n\n17\n\nUnited Methodist College\n\n120\n\nWenchow, Chekiang\n\nCustoms College\n\n114\n\nPeking, Chilli\n\nChinese.\n\nNormal College\n\n409\n\nNorth China Union Theological College\n\n17\n\n2\n\nWomen's College\n\n38\n\n21\n\n51\n\nTsing Hua College\n\n624\n\nTien-tsin, Chilli.\n\n997\n\n87\n\nTungchow, Chibli\n\nAmerican.\n\n190\n\nKulangsu, Amoy, Fukien\n\nBritish.\n\n60\n\nAmerican.\n\n11\n\n11\n\n11\n\nCanton Christian College\n\n-\n\nEnglish Methodist College\n\nTrinity College\n\nAnglo-Chinese College\n\nNankai School\n\nNorth China Union College of Arts\n\nAnglo-Chinese College\n\nAmoy Girls' High and Normal School\n\nTalmage College\n\n87\n\nAmerican and British.\n\nAmerican.\n\nChinese and American.\n\nBritish.\n\nChinese.\n\n* Similarly Sir Charles Eliot (see paper 158944 of the 5th December, 1919), insists that the Indemnity Fund, if remitted, should be given to the Chinese Government under conditions which would ensure its being used to send Chinese students to British institutions or to found schools of which we approve.\n\nIf the money were distributed directly to British educational establishments by the British Government there would be two inconveniences (1) the Chinese Government would be Annoyed and feel no gratitude, (2) a special department would be needed to deal with the demands of all the rival educational and missionary claimants.”\n\n341", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 496152, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "page_number": 232, "title": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "content_text": "## 10\nIt would appear that the present situation, with all its attendant complications and the possibility of another general flare-up, is in the main the result of Sun Yat-sen's return to Canton and the revival of Kuo Min Tang influence in the South. But any scheme of military unification (such as appeared possible last year when Ch'en Chiung-ming was in control at Canton and Doctor Sun bidding his time in semi-retirement at Shanghai) which excluded Sun Yat-sen and the Kuo Min Tang, could scarcely have had any permanent results.\n\n## 11\nThe antics of Parliament, who have been a constant source of trouble to the Government (e.g., in the questions reported on in separate despatches of the Manchurian leases and the controversy about the payment of the indemnity to the Late Powers in gold or paper francs), have been overshadowed by the threat of further civil war on a large scale. During the nine months they have been in session, the two Houses have done nothing but furnish conclusive proof of the impracticability of parliamentary government in China.\n\n## 12 is missing, proceeding to 13\nThe origin of the present conflict in Szechuan is, in the words of His Majesty's Consul at Chengtu (not Changking), \"to be traced to the abortive military conference convened last autumn. \n\n## Other parts of the text appear to be garbled OCR output and are not coherent. The above sections are the only parts that form coherent paragraphs.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 496153, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "page_number": 233, "title": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "content_text": "## OCS\n\nAfter the debacle of the 2nd Army, which failed to achieve any definite allocation of territory between the rival commanders, the situation in Szechuan was somewhat as follows.\n\nLiu Yu-hsiu, an astute military politician and nominal Commander-in-Chief of the provincial forces, was in control of Chengtu, the capital.\n\nTeng Hsi-hou, the most powerful of the semi-independent military chiefs of Szechuan, was in occupation of Chungking, the principal commercial centre of the province.\n\nHsiung K'o-wu, notorious Kuo Min Tang partisan, ex-governor of the province, and influential leader of the Szechuan-for-the-Szechuenese party, was living in retirement at Changtu.\n\nTan Hou-hsin, Hsiung's right-hand man, was in occupation of Jan Hsien, the trade mart on the river between Chungking and Ichang.\n\nYang Sen, the defeated General of the 2nd Army who had been expelled from the province last year, was waiting at Ichang in Hupei, where he had been reorganising his forces with the financial assistance of Wu Pei-fu, who apparently thought it convenient to have a tool with which to intervene in Szechuan at the opportune moment.\n\nLiu Wen-hou, former Governor of the Province in Northern interests, was established with his army on the Northern border of Szechuan, i.e., the Southern Shensi, where he had been maintaining himself and his troops independent of any superior authority for years past, awaiting a favourable opportunity to intervene again in the affairs of the rich province of Szechuan.\n\n14.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 496154, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "page_number": 234, "title": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "content_text": "## Towards the end of January, Liu Yu-chiu had trouble with one of his subordinate generals, whom he cashiered.\nThe latter revolted and was immediately supported by Teng Hai-hou, who was apparently nervous lest Liu Yu-chiu intended to deal individually with and displace the various generals to his own advantage. Hostilities opened, and Teng Hai-hou advanced from Chungking to Chengtu. Tan Mou-hsien immediately took the opportunity to advance from Wan Hsien on Chungking, while Yang Sen similarly seized his chance and advanced upriver from Ichang on Wan Hsien. Chengtu was for a time partly besieged by Teng Hsi-hou, until Tan Mou-hsien's advance relieved the pressure. Fighting is now proceeding, and it will be seen that the mêlée is fairly general, except that there is not so far any news of Liu Ts'un-hou taking advantage of the opportunity to invade the province from the North.\n\nIt is usual in these Szechuan wars for the rival factions, though in actual fact fighting for their own hands, to have some vague connection with the other political parties in China, and in the case of the present mêlée, Hsiung K'o-wu, Tan Mou-hsien, and Liu Yu-chiu (the latter possibly mainly by force of circumstances) represent the Kuo Min Tang, while Yang Sen (and possibly Teng Hai-hou by the fact that he is fighting the other party) represent and are supported by Wu P'ei-fu as part of the latter's general campaign against the Kuo Min Tang. Hostilities have also broken out in Kueichow, probably in sympathy with, and on the general lines of, those in Szechuan.\n\n## \nFrom the above review of the present political situation in China, it will be seen that the outlook for the coming year is bad, and that the prospects of the country attaining any stability of government (which at one time last year appeared fairly good) are again remote. Indeed, the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 496213, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "page_number": 293, "title": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.”\n\n# CHINA\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n`[F 1772/12/10]`\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nNo. RE 12 JUL 23\n\nSir R. Macleay to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.-(Received June 11.)\n\n**(No. 259.)**\nMy Lord,\n\nPeking, April 26, 1923. IN paragraph 8 of my despatch No. 205 of the 24th March, reporting on the general political situation in China, I mentioned the issue by the Peking Government of mandates appointing Wu Pei-fu's nominees, Shen Hung-ying and Sun Ch'uan-fang, to the Military Governorships of Kuangtung and Fukien respectively in opposition to Sun Yat-sen. I added that, while the effect of these mandates was then being awaited, they were generally regarded as a declaration of war by Wu Pei-fu and Peking against Sun Yat-sen and the Kuo Min Tang. This has unfortunately proved a true forecast, and hostilities have now recommenced in the South.\n\n2. For some time after the issue of the mandates Shen Hung-ying at Canton made no move, and it appeared to be an open question whether he would accept his appointment or not. Apparently, however, he was merely waiting until his preparations were complete, and in the middle of April he announced his acceptance of office under Peking and simultaneously opened hostilities against Sun Yat-sen, who for his part threw down the gauntlet by issuing a circular telegram in the name of the South-West, denouncing Wu Pei-fu and the Chihli Military party in terms with which we are now so familiar. Somewhat to the general surprise, Sun Yat-sen, supported by the Yunnanese troops under their leader General Yang Hsi-min, has so far held his own, and as the result of the fighting which has been proceeding during the past few weeks, Shen Hung-ying and his Kuangsi troops have been driven back up the river. It now remains to be seen whether the Northern troops in Kiangsi and the remains of Ch'en Chiung-ming's forces in Northern Kuangtung will or will not come successfully to Shen's assistance.\n\n3. In Fukien Wu Pei-fu's nominee, Sun Ch'uan-fang, has been able to take up his appointment at Foochow without opposition, since Hsu Ch'ung-chih and his Kuo Min Tang forces have withdrawn towards and into Kuangtung to assist Sun Yat-sen. Fukien has, therefore, for the time being passed again under the nominal control of Peking.\n\n4. In the other theatre of civil war, the Province of Szechuan, the fighting has gone in favour of the party supported by Wu Pei-fu. General Yang Sen, advancing up river from Ichang, has reached and occupied Chungking, while his ally for the moment, General Teng Hsi-hou, after suffering preliminary reverses, has apparently been equally successful in the fighting round Chengtu, the provincial capital. The former Commander-in-chief and de facto Governor, Liu Yu-chiu, seems to have abandoned the sinking ship and to be currying favour with the victorious side, and it is expected that the ex-Tuchun, Liu Ts'un-hou, will shortly resume the governorship of the province in the interests of Peking. It is to be feared, however, that this nominal re-establishment of Peking's control over Szechuan (attained by lending support to one native faction against another) will in due course be followed by further political intrigue and civil war in that rich but turbulent province, which, ever since the revolution has been notoriously intolerant of extra-provincial interference in its affairs.\n\n5. Copies of the reports from His Majesty's consuls-general at Canton and Chengtu reporting in detail on events in Kuangtung and Szechuan respectively will be forwarded separate despatches.\n\n6. It will thus be seen that Wu Pei-fu's plans have been successful in Szechuan, but not in Kuangtung. In this connection I have the honour to enclose copy of an interesting note on a conversation held by Mr. Mayers, of the British and Chinese Corporation, with a Chinese official professing to be in close touch with Wu Pei-fu and Tsao Kun on the subject of the plans of these two leaders (or rather of Wu Pei-fu, for his appears to be the directing brain) for the military unification of China by the overthrow their enemies the Kuo Min Tang-Anfu-Mukden combination. It will be seen that these plans are alleged to consist in the domination of \n\n`[3221-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 496214, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "page_number": 294, "title": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "content_text": "## 2\n\nSzechuan and the expulsion of Sun Yat-sen from Canton, the overthrow of Tang Ch'i-yao in Yunnan and of the Anfu leader, General Lu Yung-hsiang, in Chekiang, and finally, after most of the provinces have been thus dominated, an attack in force on Chang Tso-lin in Manchuria this summer. Tsao Kun is to become President, and he and Wu Pei-fu are then to proceed to the reorganisation of a unified China. It is of course notoriously difficult to forecast events in this country, but one cannot help feeling doubts as to the ability of Wu Pei-fu to succeed where Yuan Shih-kai failed. Perhaps the former, if checked in his plans at Canton, will abandon the attempt to unify the country by force, but for the moment at any rate all schemes for peaceful reunification appear to be relegated to the background, and we are faced with the prospect of continued turmoil and internal warfare throughout the country.\n\n## 7\n\nIn the meantime local rumours of the impending resumption of civil war in North China between Chihli and Manchuria continue to be prevalent, and certain movements of troops on both sides of the frontier between the Metropolitan Province and Manchuria have given colour to these rumours. Wu Pei-fu himself, however, denies any intention of attacking Chang Tso-lin as long as the latter remains within his own dominions, and he spoke in this sense to the military attaché during a visit which the latter recently paid to Loyang. A copy of Colonel Orpen-Palmer's report on this visit is attached to this despatch. As for Chang Tso-lin, he also denies any aggressive intentions, but professes to have conclusive proof that he is about to be attacked by Wu Pei-fu. I have the honour in this connection to enclose copy of a despatch (enclosure No. 3) from His Majesty's consul-general at Mukden, reporting on a conversation which he had with Marshal Chang on the subject of the Peking-Mukden Railway, in which the latter expressed himself in the above sense.\n\n## 8\n\nIn paragraph 9 of my despatch above referred to I mentioned the application, made to this Legation by the Wai-chiao Pu on behalf of Wu Pei-fu for permission for certain ships of the Chinese fleet now in Canton waters to refit at Hong Kong with a view to coming North. A curious development, indicative of the political plottings and counter-plottings which are now going on all over China, occurred in connection with this matter soon after, when the Minister of the Navy conveyed to me a secret message urging that permission for the ships to refit be refused on the grounds that the application had been made against the wishes of the nominally responsible Department, the Ministry of the Navy, and that no matter what guarantees were given, the vessels would after their refit be employed in the furtherance of Wu Pei-fu's military plans. A similar message was also delivered by Admiral Tu, the nominal Commander-in-chief of the Chinese navy, to His Majesty's consul-general at Nanking. I accordingly advised his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong by telegram that, in view of the above and the strong opposition to the proposal shown by Sun Yat-sen (who had been sounded indirectly on the proposal) the matter had better be dropped, and received in due course his Excellency's reply expressing the hope that it might be possible to induce the Chinese Government to withdraw their application, which would otherwise have to be refused. The fact that hostilities had in the meantime broken out in the South afforded a suitable pretext for regarding the matter as closed, and I accordingly caused a private message to that effect to be conveyed to the Vice-Minister in charge of the Wai-chiao Pu, with an intimation that under the circumstances it was impossible to give any further consideration to the application, which we preferred to regard as withdrawn.\n\n## 9\n\nThe position of the Chinese navy in connection with the general political situation is somewhat as follows: The main flotilla, under the Commander-in-chief, Admiral Tu Hsi-kuei, remains in the Yang-tze in the neighbourhood of Nanking. It will be remembered that in last summer's civil war Admiral Tu supported Wu Pei-fu and the Chihli party in their fight against Chang Tso-lin and sent ships to Shanhaikuan to bombard Chang's line of communications on the Peking-Mukden Railway. From the developments recounted above, however, it is apparent that, like many other of Wu's former supporters (e.g., Feng Yu-hsiang), Tu has now become to some extent estranged from Wu, and, though he may not take the field against him, does not intend to further his military plans, at any rate as far as his operations against the South are concerned. The Chinese Ministry of Marine and the Chinese navy are very largely staffed and officered by Fukienese, and Wu Pei-fu's action in forcing a Northern Governor on Fukien has naturally aroused their opposition. Admiral Tu recently made another threat against the Yang-tzu salt revenues (as he did last spring) owing to the non-receipt of the monthly subsidy of several thousand dollars which he was supposed to draw therefrom for the payment of his men. It was fortunately not found necessary for the Legations to intervene, and the matter has, I understand, now been settled by the renewal of the subsidy. Another portion of the Chinese navy, consisting of the ships at Shanghai, have declared their independence of Peking, and appear to have placed themselves at the disposal of the Anfu leader, General Lu Yung-hsiang of Chekiang. A third portion, the five ships under Admiral Wen Shu-te in Canton waters, which the Central Government desired to refit at Hong Kong with a view to recovering them in Northern interests, had, I am informed, been heavily bribed by Wu Pei-fu to desert Sun Yat-sen, but permission for them to refit at Hong Kong having been refused, their commander will presumably now await developments with a view to joining the winning side.\n\n## 10\n\nIn Peking the prestige and authority of the Central Government continue to deteriorate, and the collapse of the Cabinet, which is as usual in extreme financial straits, is expected at any moment. Opposition to the Administration is becoming more and more apparent in Parliament, partly no doubt as the result of Sun's return to Canton and the outbreak of hostilities between him and forces representing Peking, and there have been unruly scenes in both Houses in connection with attempts to pass a vote of non-confidence in the Chang Shou-tseng Cabinet. Wellington Koo, who is still in Peking, was appointed Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs by mandate in the middle of April, but he has so far refused to accept the appointment, and the Wai-chiao Pu remains without a responsible head.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1\n\nI have, &c.\nR. MACLEAY.\n\n## Mr. Mayers's Notes of Conversation, April 18, 1923\n\n### Political Affairs: The Chihli Party's Programme\n\nThe following is a note of what was said to me on the 15th April by a Chinese official, who professes to know the policy of Tsao Kun and Wu Pei-fu:\n\nThe plan of dominating Szechuan has already succeeded. Chungking and Chengtu are occupied. The next step in the West and South-West will be to fight T'ang Chi Yao, the Tuchun of Yunnan, but this is less important than the movement against Sun Yat-sen at Canton. Within a month Shen Hung Ying (Shum) and Ch'en Ch'iung Min will drive Sun out of Canton, while Sun Chuan Fang - who is already in Foochow - with the assistance of forces now advancing from Kiangsi, will attack the Chekiang Tuli (Tuchun) Lu Yung Hsiang, and will then have the open support of Tuchun Ch'i at Nanking.\n\nWithin three months the Chihli party will dominate all the provinces south of the Great Wall except possibly Yunnan and Kueichow. Wu Pei-fu himself will probably go to Szechuan, to bring the province into order and smash Tang Chi Yao of Yunnan.\n\nAt the same time, say, in June, Generals Wang Huai Ching (Jehol), Peng Shou Hsin (Shanhaikuan) and Feng Yu Hsiang (Peking) will attack Chang Tso-lin (Mukden). The latter's generals and regimental commanders are nearly all Chihli men, and will come over to the Chihli side. It is all arranged.\n\nBy the autumn all will be over. It is all arranged. Tsao Kun will be elected President by the present Parliament or, if the present Parliament proves unmanageable, it will be dissolved and a new one will be elected, which will elect Tsao Kun as President. There must be a Parliament, because China is a republic, and it must be a large body of many hundreds of members because China is a large country. So Tsao Kun will be President, and the country will be unified. There will be no punishment or persecution of defeated rivals. They will become yuan lao (elder statesmen) and receive salaries. Chang Tso-lin will be required to live in Peking, but Sun Yat-sen can live where he likes.\n\nThe Cabinet will be formed of the most suitable men. Liang Shih Yi is a bad man, but suitable for Minister of Finance. He may be Minister of Finance. Yeh Kung Cho is also a bad man, but he has experience of railways. He may be Minister of Communications, because if Liang is Minister of Finance, Yeh must be Minister of Communications.\n\nLiang Ch'i Ch'ao will be Minister of Education. Wellington Koo or W. W. Yen will be Minister for Foreign Affairs. The difficulty is about the Premier. The most suitable man would be Tuan Ch'i Jui, but he cannot serve under Tsao Kun, as he is senior to the latter. Perhaps it will be Chou Tzu Ch'i. He is a ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 496306, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "page_number": 386, "title": "CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923", "content_text": "## 13.\n\nIntermittent hostilities continue in the South and West, and have now also broken out in Hunan. In Kuangtung, Sun Yat-sen has not yet succeeded in quelling the resistance of Ch'en Chiung-ming and his forces. In Fukien, Amoy has been thrown into confusion by an attempt on the part of a portion of the fleet to recover that centre in Northern interests, an incident which forms the subject of a separate despatch. In Szechuan, the tide of war between the provincial Kuo Min Tang party and the opposing faction supported by the 'ei-fu ebbs and flows. As reported in my despatch No. 451 of the 15th instant, the Treaty port of Chungking was for a time besieged by Kuei-chow forces who suddenly changed sides and attacked the troops of Yang Sen, Tu P'ei-fu's nominee. They were eventually driven off and the war now continues intermittently along the land and river routes between Chungking and Chengtu.\n\nMajesty's Consuls General at Shanghai and Nanking (see enclosures Nos. 2 and 3) and also of the joint Note (enclosure No.4). This demarche had no doubt a good effect, and the crisis has now apparently passed away, partly perhaps as the result of the failure, so far, of Parliament to establish itself at Shanghai.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 501111, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925", "page_number": 138, "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "136\n\n34\n\n9. The situation at Hankow has been fully dealt with in the Commanding Officer of the \"Despatch's\" letter No. 617 of 1st August, since when nothing of particular interest has occurred there.\n\n10. A narrative of the events dated 16th July, 1925, at Chungking written by the Senior Officer, Upper River (Commander S.H.Simpson D.S.O., R.N.), has already been forwarded to you. Since that date matters have improved at that port. The \"Teal\" and the two merchant ships which were sent to Suifu to evacuate the British residents in Changtu and other parts of Szechuan have now returned to Chungking but with only two men, two women and four children aboard, the remainder of the British residents having, with the approval of the British Consul at Chengtu, decided to remain.\n\nIt would be interesting to know who is going to pay for the hire of the two steamers which did a round trip of over 400 miles in order to bring down eight refugees. Latest reports from Szechuan indicate that Yang Sen, the Tupan, has been defeated by the Rebel Generals under Tuan Tau King of Chungking. It is hoped that this is only a temporary set-back for, from the point of view of the foreigner, a complete victory for Yang Sen is very desirable.\n\n11. \"Athenia\" sailed from Shanghai on the 31st July for Tangtse Port when she discharged stores and completed ships with fuel, arriving at Hankow on the 5th August, and sailing down river on the 7th August. \"Ruthenia\" arrived at Kiung on the 9th August and sailed for Wei-hai-wei on the 10th after discharging certain stores.\n\n12. The situation at the remaining Yangtse ports and Ningpo is quiet and unchanged. \"Hollyhock\" arrived at Shanghai on the 5th August and after coaling returned to Ningpo where she arrived on the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 501115, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925", "page_number": 142, "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "landing party with the Shanghai Volunteers and Foreign Landing Parties.\n\n140\n\n9. I should like to take this opportunity of placing on record the friendly and co-operative spirit animating the United States, Italian and Japanese Rear-Admirals who have done their utmost to assist me. Information and movements of our respective ships have been freely exchanged, and at times mails and stores have been carried by and for British men-of-war. In fact we have acted as one Navy in support of foreign interests.\n\n10. The situation at the Yangtse ports has remained quiet and unchanged. At Hankow, a long deferred demonstration is planned for the 7th September, and in view of the possibilities arising from it, \"DESPATCH\" is, with your approval, remaining at Hankow until the 8th September, when on relief by \"HOLLYHOCK\" she will proceed to Wei-hai-wei, in accordance with your instructions.\n\n11. In Szechuan, the defeat of the ex Tupan Tang Sen by forces under Tuan Tsu King, now appears to be complete. This is unfortunate from the foreign point of view as Yuan has in the past, displayed strong anti-foreign feeling. On 21st August Bishop Howell and several other Missionaries were reported as being captured by bandits near Changtu, the Capital of Szechuan. Press reports state that the Chinese are endeavouring to effect their release.\n\n13. The situation at Ningpo continues to be peaceful and unchanged. \"HOLLYHOCK\" will on the 2nd September proceed to Hankow to relieve \"DESPATCH\" in accordance with your instructions. I do not consider that the situation at Ningpo merits the stationing of a sloop there, but would suggest that occasional visits be made.\n\n15. Should the situation remain quiet at Shanghai, I propose visiting River Ports in H.M.Ship \"KEE\" from 14th September to 10th October.\n\n(Sgd) D.M. Anderson.\nRear-Admiral.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 501842, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925", "page_number": 88, "title": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "52\n\nto discard completely these means of raising revenue, excepting the import and export duties, inland tax, and excise as hereinafter provided for, and to abolish completely and permanently throughout the provinces and special territories of the Chinese Republic all li-kin and other transit dues, native customs duties, production taxes, weighing taxes, slaughter taxes, consumption taxes, destination taxes, octroi taxes, boat and cart and motor-car and transport, animal and conveyance taxes (excepting existing tonnage and port dues), bridge and road tolls, shop and business taxes, monopoly fees, licence fees, examination fees, protection and escort fees, school, temple, guild, and chamber of commerce taxes, and all public utility contributions levied on goods, and all other forms of internal taxation on goods and trade whatsoever; and the Chinese Government guarantees that, excepting the import and export duties, inland tax and excise above referred to, no other taxes or dues or fees of any kind shall in future be levied directly or indirectly on native or foreign goods or raw material, whether in Chinese or foreign hands, nor on their importation, exportation, purchase, transportation, sale or consumption, nor on their means of manufacture or conveyance, nor on the shops or businesses dealing therein; and it is understood that the Chinese Government will refund the amount of any taxation levied in violation of the provisions of this paragraph to the firms or individuals who may have paid such irregular taxation. The abolition of internal taxation as above provided for shall be carried completely into effect before the enforcement of the increased import and export duties and excise and inland tax hereinafter provided for.\n\n(Note. Municipal rates and taxes and licences and possibly an income tax should perhaps be excluded from the above under proper safeguards.)\n\nThe Governments of the other contracting Powers in return agree that China shall be free to fix her own customs tariff rates on the lines and within the limits hereinafter laid down; and they consent to the imposition of an inland tax on all goods imported into China by their nationals, the proceeds of which shall accrue to the provinces for local expenditure of a constructive nature in compensation for the loss of local revenue resulting from the abolition of internal taxation. They further agree to consider the concession of full tariff autonomy in ten years from the date of the carrying into effect of the present supplementary article if, in the opinion of a two-thirds majority of the Governments of the contracting Powers, the provisions of the present treaty and supplementary article, including the complete abolition of internal taxation, have been satisfactorily carried into effect.\n\nThe increased import and export duties and excise and inland tax provided for in the present supplementary article shall come into force within one year from the date of the signature of the protocol carrying the present supplementary article into effect on a date to be determined by the Chinese Government; but at least three months' notice of such enforcement shall be given to the Governments of the other contracting Powers.\n\nThe Chinese Government will recast the export tariff on a graduated scale not exceeding 10 per cent, ad valorem.\n\nThe Chinese Government will recast the import tariff on a graduated scale not exceeding 10 per cent. ad valorem in the case of ordinary articles, 25 per cent. ad valorem in the case of articles of luxury as detailed in the schedule attached to article 2, and 40 per cent. ad valorem in the case of wines, beer, porter, spirits, tobacco products and narcotics.\n\nAn inland tax at a uniform rate of 5 per cent. ad valorem will be levied by the Maritime Customs Administration on all imported goods simultaneously with the import duty, and by the Excise Administration on all local manufactures simultaneously with the excise duty; excepting only wines, beer, porter, spirits, tobacco products, and narcotics, whether imported or locally produced, on which the inland tax shall continue to be levied by the Wine and Tobacco Administration as provided for and at the rate laid down in article 1.\n\nThe proceeds of the import and export duties shall constitute the customs revenues, which shall be dealt with as provided for in article 3.\n\nThe revenues from the inland tax levied on foreign imports by the Maritime Customs Administration will be lodged, less expenses of collection, in the Shanghai Office of the Bank of China, where they shall lie in a special account at the disposal of the head of the Revenue Council and the Inspector-General of Customs, who, acting on behalf of the Central Government, will distribute the proceeds pro ratâ according to the localities in which the foreign imports are consumed amongst the provinces for local expenditure of a productive nature in compensation for loss\n\n53\n\nIn the event of any further taxation being levied, directly or indirectly, on such foreign imports, or on their transportation, sale or consumption, the amount of such taxation will be refunded, on presentation of taxation receipts or other satisfactory proof of payment, by the Maritime Customs Administration out of and up to the amount held by the said Administration on account of inland tax for the province in which such taxation is levied, and the total amount of such irregular taxation shall be deducted from the amount due on account of inland tax to the province in question. In the event of the amount of such taxation exceeding the amount due to the province concerned, reimbursement will be made by the provincial authorities, or, if the said authorities fail to do so, by the Central Government, out of other funds.\n\n(Note.-The above is a repetition of the paragraph in article 1 regarding the disposal of the transit pass dues, which are replaced by the inland tax.) The revenues from the inland tax levied on local manufactures by the Excise Administration will be similarly dealt with mutatis mutandis and distributed by the Chinese and foreign chiefs of the Excise Administration pro ratâ amongst the provinces in the same way.\n\nThe revenues from the inland tax levied on locally manufactured wine and tobacco products by the Wine and Tobacco Administration will continue to be dealt with as provided for in article 1.\n\nThe revenues from the factory excise and from the excise on wine and tobacco products, and those from the stamp taxes and salt duties, will continue to be dealt with as provided for in article 6.\n\n(Final Note. The Washington China Customs Tariff Treaty was signed by China and the United States, Belgium, the British Empire, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Portugal. The other \"Old Treaty Powers\" are Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The \"New Treaty Powers,\" namely, who cannot claim tariff privileges, are Bolivia, Chile, Germany, Persia, and Russia. The Chinese Government are also in relations of some kind with Austria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Uruguay.)\n\nAnnex I.\n\n(Referred to in Article 1.)\n\nList of Ports open to Foreign Residence and Trade.\n\nThis list will include all existing treaty ports and trade marts (with possibly a few exceptions in the case of certain marts opened by the Chinese in the north for political reasons in which foreign trade is not yet interested), and also certain centres such as Wanhsien, and Yunnanfu, the status of which is doubtful, and also a number of other places which might well be opened in the interests of foreign trade, e.g., Peking, Chengtu, Chengchow, Hsuchow, Pengpu, Siangtan, &c., in regard to which the British Chambers of Commerce in the various important centres would have to be consulted.\n\nAnnex II.\n\n(Referred to in Article 2.)\n\nSchedule of Luxury Articles.\n\nNo attempt is here made to draw up a list of luxury (i.e., non-essential) articles. But two lists are attached hereto, as being of possible assistance in a later study of this very contentious question. List No. I is a tentative list of luxury articles drawn up by the customs representative on the last Tariff Revision Commission for the preliminary consideration of the inspector-general; and List No. 2 is a \"Provisional Import Tariff for German and Austrian Goods,\" issued by the Chinese Government in 1920 but never enforced owing to the refusal of the Treaty Powers to agree to the use of certificates of origin. These two lists, which have been obtained privately from the Inspector-General of Customs, should be regarded as strictly confidential documents.\n\n[13577]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 503041, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8]", "page_number": 116, "title": "CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8]", "content_text": "The outcome is still in doubt; but whether either or both of them eventually occupy Peking, it is fairly certain that these War Lords will not thereby extend their control over any region which they do not already dominate as War Lords. The mere fact that they own Peking will not of itself gain for them the allegiance of Marshal Sun Ch'uan-fang or General Chiang Kai-shek. It might even result in bringing Marshal Sun and General Chiang closer together, if the two northern War Lords, when possessed of Peking, attempt to exert authority over Shanghai and Canton.\n\n15. There remain to be considered the provinces of Shensi, Kansu, Szechuan, and Yunnan. Under the Manchu dynasty, the two former constituted the Shen-kan viceroyalty and were subject to one administrative control. I have no reliable information concerning present conditions in these two provinces; but I am told that, although part of Shensi may perhaps recognize the authority of Marshal Wu P'ei-fu, the greater portion of it and the whole of Kansu province are under Bolshevik influence and dominated by the Kuo-min-chun, i.e., presumably by Marshal Feng Yu-hsiang, who is, I believe, now in Moscow, and who will, I suppose, when he is strong enough, make another bid for the capture of Peking.\n\n16. As regards Szechuan politics, the most recent information I have seen is contained in a despatch from Mr. J.B. Affleck, His Majesty's Consul General at Chengtu, dated 18th November, 1925, and addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking. In it, he reported that six Tupans were endeavouring to settle their spheres of influence in the province; that local Chinese merchants viewed the future with the utmost pessimism; that things go from bad to worse; and that \"until the province has been unified under one Tupan and the numerous military establishments cut down, there does not seem to be any hope of improvement.\" This magnificent province is, therefore, distracted by its own civil wars and is not at present affiliated to any one of the larger groups.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 505218, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926", "page_number": 484, "title": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 439\n\nCHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[F4519/1859/10]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[October 23, 1926.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nMemorandum on Steam Navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze.\n\nTHIS title is, in fact, a misnomer, the section dealt with, that between Ichang and Chungking, is always spoken of as the \"Upper Yang-tsze,\" although Chungking is actually not half-way up the river from its mouth, the distance being roughly 1,400 miles, and the length of the \"Upper Yang-tsze\" (Ichang-Chungking) section being about 400 miles.\n\nThis 400-mile section is one long series of navigational difficulties - rapids, gorges, whirlpools, and rocks—but all the greatest obstacles are concentrated in the 200-mile stretch between Ichang and Wanhsien, though there are several serious rapids and races above the latter town. A Chinese guide book, compiled for the use of Upper Yang-tsze pilots, enumerates 1,000 rapids between Ichang and Chungking. The current in these rapids may attain a speed of twelve knots or over, and, as the course of every rapid is bestrewn with rocks, visible or submerged, they constitute difficulties of the first order. It may be mentioned that the average fall from Chungking to Ichang is well over 1 foot per mile.\n\nThe gorges lie entirely in the mountainous country between Ichang and Wanhsien. The longest of them, the Wushan gorge, is about 20 miles in length, running the whole of this distance in a narrow channel between precipitous limestone cliffs, its width varying from 300 to 600 feet, and the cliffs rising at times to 1,000 feet. The enormous mass of water being pent up in a narrow space produces violent eddies, while in times of flood the water level in the gorges rises at a prodigious rate, a rise of 100 feet in a day being by no means extraordinary. These desolate mountainous sections are necessarily very sparsely inhabited, with the natural result that they have at all times been the haunts of pirates; when I first went up the river in 1909 there were to be seen frequent warning notices painted on the rocks to the effect that the river was unsafe and that boats should tie up at recognised mooring places only.\n\nAt the upper end of the gorges is the town of Kueichowfu (commonly known as Kweifu), which was formerly the seat of one of the most important and lucrative native customs stations in China, with a collection of 2,000 taels a day, and ranking second only to Canton.\n\nOne or two events in the history of Szechuan may be mentioned in order to furnish background. In the 3rd century A.D., China was divided into the famous \"Three Kingdoms,\" one of which, Shu, was roughly identical with the present province and had its capital at Chengtu, the present capital of the province. The period of the Three Kingdoms is the romantic age of China, and furnishes the material for a large proportion of its historical plays; and the names of the \"Three Heroes who founded the Kingdom of Shu are household words.\n\nAnother event which has contributed largely to the formation of the character of the inhabitants of Szechuan was the rebellion that devastated the province in the middle of the 17th century, at the time of the overthrow of the Ming dynasty and the establishment of the Manchus. Szechuan was the prey of one of the most bloodthirsty tyrants that the world has ever seen, Chang Hsien-chung, whose name is even now a terror to its inhabitants. His orgies of slaughter appear fabulous, but they are well substantiated; their effect was the practical depopulation of the province. (A census of the province taken in 1710 gave a total population of 144,154; the present population is not less than 45 millions.) After this wholesale massacre, the province was repeopled with the off-scourings of other provinces, so that the average inhabitant of Szechuan is a very poor type of Chinese. At the present day it is difficult, if not impossible, to get an inhabitant to admit that he is a native of Szechuan; he will say that he belongs to Hupeh, Hunan, Kiangsi, or even Kwangtung, claiming as his province the home of his immigrant ancestor, and in some districts colonies of descendants of the early settlers are found retaining the costumes, manners, customs, and even traces of the dialects of their forefathers.\n\nBrief mention may be made of two other events that materially affect the attitude of the Szechuanese; the province was practically untouched by the T'aiping\n\nPage 363\n\n3684\n\n[1422\n\nz—17\n\nB\n\n1A", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 505247, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926", "page_number": 513, "title": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926", "content_text": "30\n\ndistrict in different directions. I travelled 10 hours a day and covered 33 English miles daily, and saw poppy everywhere extensively cultivated. The farmers are compelled to plant by the military. Merchants from Honan and Hupeh provinces come here to buy opium. The city has to pay this year in taxes to the General in Chungking $500,000-\n\n\"Opium smoking is dreadful, out of 172 families in one village only 27 do not smoke. Children in home and school are indulging. Over 30 of our church members were suspended in 1925 for opium smoking.\"\n\nMy Mission work covers three districts and Clony Choo, itineraries cover 50 miles north and south of the river and 90 miles along the river. Little opium is grown in Changchow district, but in the other two districts of Fengta and Shihtzu it is plentiful. Poppy seriously affected the rice crop in 1925 and rice rose to $9 a bushel,\n\nOpium smoking everywhere, and dens well patronized.\n\nWest Szechuan.\n\nFachow. Increased planting this year, poppy fields come right up to the edge of school compound.\n\nHuvilichow. From this city all the way down the section of the province which dips into Yunnan, there is increased cultivation. This area adjoins \"Loiiland\".\n\nNing Yuen. There is heavy traffic in the drug, but figures not obtainable.\n\nTatsienbu. We are 8,500 feet up, no poppy grown here but plenty in the plain. 300 opium dens in the city. Big trade of opium into Tibet. Opium is bartered to Tibetans who are using more and more each year. No official prohibition of any description.\n\nSoutheast Szechuan.\n\nFoochow. We are living in the midst of a poppy field. We cannot imagine a time when more poppy was grown than at present. In a local meeting in Dec. 1925 the gentry, merchants and people protested against the demand of the Military Governor that $600,000 be raised by opium taxes. The Governor stated that this sum had been raised in previous years and it must be raised again.\n\nSouth Szechuan.\n\nLatchow. Not more than one-third of last year's planting. Use is general, opium dens everywhere.\n\nSuifu. Some sections show increased planting, others less, on the whole about half of that planted in 1925 season. Dry weather and heavy taxes in 1925 discouraged the farmers, most of them lost money. Townships on the Yunnan border have been compelled to plant by official proclamation.\n\nSmoking on the increase, 3,000 licensed dens in the city.\n\nTranshipment of opium is the main business of Suifu and the main source of revenue.\n\n\"I recently travelled for a short distance with a caravan of one hundred loads of opium, coming from Yunnan to Suifu. It was protected by 250 soldiers, and valued at $700,000\".\n\nCentral Szechuan.\n\nChengtu. \"In the four counties where I itinerate opium planting is about half that of last year. Lien Yang, which last year raised more than any other county in this part of China, has greatly reduced the poppy acreage this year. In Chengtu and all market towns opium dens are more numerous.\n\nMienchow, Chang Ming, Chang Yu, Loh Chuang. Not much to be seen along the highroads, more back in the mountain districts. Posters with a heading, \"Forbid Opium Regulations\", are seen everywhere. This means the tax must be paid for selling and opium dens. Opium smoking is obvious everywhere.\n\nChung Kiang. None planted here, the tax being far too heavy, farmers will not risk it. Opium plentiful, everywhere taxed. About 500 dens in the city. Each lamp in dens is taxed $2 a month and in private houses, $4. Smoking without tax permit is heavily fined. The whole traffic controlled by the military.\n\nTing You. The military attempted to force the people of this county to plant sufficient opium to furnish a tax of $30,000. The people tried to compromise by supplying $15,000, and at the time of writing, the question is not yet settled.\n\nJien Chou. Has more opium planted than any other part of the province. My travels take me over five counties, and opium forms about 1/3 of the total crops.\n\nLess planted this year in some counties because of heavy taxes. The area which suffered most from famine last year is the section of Jien Chou which grows most opium.\n\nHokiang. The people generally seem unwilling to plant, and five-sixths of those who do are forced to it.\n\nEast Szechuan, Kweifu/Kweichow. Poppy has been planted in this district more plentifully than ever before, and the harvest is very promising. The military are levying a large tax upon the output of opium, and this year, as formerly, all those who refuse to grow poppy in their fields have to pay a tax for exemption. The outlook is distinctly bad.\n\nYUNNAN\n\nThough reports this year are few, they indicate little change. The remoteness of this opium province, and its freedom from Central Government control, encourages extensive cultivation. As far as can be ascertained it still maintains its position as the premier opium province in China.\n\nYunnan opium is of high quality and the land exceptionally good for its cultivation. Its opium reaches all parts of China by land and sea. Shanghai combines both Naval and Military import from Yunnan, whilst both India and France complain of the amount smuggled across their frontiers. The Yunnan opium reaching Burmah exceeds that sold by the Government Monopoly. Much is smuggled to Hongkong and Malay States. Chinese Naval cruisers are credited with having annexed 400 cases of Yunnan opium en route to Shanghai.\n\nEastern Yunnan. More opium planted than last year.\n\nWestern Yunnan. There is no change this year. Opium cultivation and use is as general here as in the rest of the province.\n\nNorth Eastern Yunnan. Freely planted everywhere. Government tax imposed whether opium planted or not. Opium smoking is universal.\n\nNorth Yunnan. There is no limitation in area planted with poppy. Half to two-thirds of the fields suitable for its cultivation are planted with poppy. Opium smoking is general amongst all classes.\n\nSouth Yunnan. Cultivation general. No changes from last year. The...\n\n31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 505263, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926", "page_number": 529, "title": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926", "content_text": "10\n\nsum of money should be deposited pending the enquiry. (This telegram reached Hankow on the morning of the 4th September, so that it cannot have been until some time that day that Mr. Eastes received it, if it ever reached him. There is no evidence that Mr. Eastes carried out these instructions.)\n\nSeptember 2 (late at night).—A telegram in Chinese from Wu Pei-fu to Yang Sen, directing him to release the merchant ships at once, was received on board His Majesty's ship \"Cockchafer.\"\n\nSeptember 3 (morning).—This message was transmitted to General Yang, who answered that he had telegraphed a reply to Marshal Wu direct.\n\nSeptember 3, 6 P.M.-His Majesty's ship \"Widgeon\" arrived at Wanhsien and tied up alongside \"Cockchafer.\"\n\nSeptember 3, 9'15 P.M., G.M.T. (September 4, 5'15 A.M., Ichang time).-Telegram sent to His Majesty's Minister stating that His Majesty's Government had authorised the use of force as a last resource.\n\nSeptember 4 (probably not later than 9 A.M.).—Steamship “Kiawo,\" with naval crew but no wireless, left Ichang for Wanhsien.\n\nSeptember 4.—According to the Wai-chiao Pu, Sir R. Macleay called on them and was assured by Admiral Tsai Tingkan (Minister for Foreign Affairs) that instructions for an amicable settlement would be wired to General Yang, and these instructions were sent the same afternoon.\n\nSeptember 5 (morning).—Considerable numbers of extra troops were sent on Kiawo's board at Wanhsien and Wantung, showing that news of the plans had reached General Yang and that the element of surprise had been lost. \"Kiawo\" does not appear to have been informed of this.\n\nSeptember 5.-Commander-in-chief, China, informed Rear-Admiral, Yang-tsze, that on the arrival of the \"Kiawo\" at Wanhsien it would be desirable for His Majesty's consul to repeat once more the offer of an enquiry and guarantees. We have no evidence that these instructions were carried out; they would appear not to have been received.\n\nSeptember 5, 6'20 P.M.-\"Kiawo\" arrived at Wanhsien. Almost before she reached abreast of the 'Wanhsien firing commenced. Very early in the engagement a hot fire was directed against His Majesty's ship 'Cockchafer' from all sides, with rifles and machine guns; several shots penetrated her armour-plating, while at least three field guns were brought into action against her. Under the circumstances, Lieutenant-Commander Acheson had no option but to bring into action both his 6-inch guns in the endeavour to silence the hostile field guns and also to search out the more important of the many premises in and around Wanhsien City occupied by Chinese troops.\n\nHis Majesty's ships \"Widgeon\" and \"Cockchafer\" managed to reach before nightfall an anchorage some 5 miles below Wanshien, whence was clearly visible the glow of the large fires started at several points in the city by the bombardment \" (Mr. Eastes's report). A fuller report of the action is necessary, and will no doubt be forthcoming in due course from the Admiralty.\n\nBritish official report put the Chinese losses at less than 100 civilians killed, 140 injured and 20 houses destroyed. According to Chinese official statements more than 100 police or gendarmes were killed, nearly 1,000 civilians killed and wounded, and over 1,000 houses and buildings were destroyed by gunfire. British casualties were 3 officers and 4 seamen killed, and 2 officers and 13 seamen wounded; one of the mercantile marine officers lost his life in an attempt to escape. The remaining 5 officers were rescued, but it was found impossible to remove the detained steamers.\n\nSeptember 5, after 8.10 P.M.-His Majesty's Minister telegraphed to Rear-Admiral, Yang-tsze, that he expected His Majesty's consul to make final effort for amicable settlement, on lines laid down on the 2nd September, before force was actually used. This telegram was, of course, too late to be acted upon.\n\nSubsequently negotiations were initiated at Ichang between Rear-Admiral Cameron and Yang Sen's representative, and on the 19th September it was reported that the return of the steamers, through a neutral (American) intermediary, had been agreed to.\n\nSeptember 25.-Steamship \"Wantung\" arrived at Ichang and was handed over to her owners.\n\nSeptember 28.-Steamship \"Wanhsien\" arrived at Ichang and was handed over.\n\nSeptember 29. British gunboats left Ichang to resume their normal duties with their base at Chungking.\n\nThe incident has so far had no repercussions except locally. But in Szechuan, and particularly in Chungking (which was for a month without a British consul and also without its usual British naval patrol) there has been considerable anti-British agitation. The situation became so aggravated that on the 17th September all British women and children were evacuated. An anti-British boycott has been started there, and there has also been considerable looting and destruction of British property. There has also been considerable anti-British agitation in Chengtu, which is ten days overland from Chungking and where there is a very large community of British missionaries (principally Canadian) and, in view of geographical conditions and the impossibility of affording direct protection, it has been necessary to consider seriously the question of their withdrawal.\n\nWhile the Wanhsien episode has stirred up Szechuan feeling to such a pitch as to become a genuine threat to the existence of British interests in that province, it cannot be said to have achieved anything towards the removal of the causes that led up to it. The commandeering of steamers continued, and has now reached such a point that steamers have practically ceased running.\n\nProposals have been put forward for the investigation of the Wanhsien incident by a joint diplomatic enquiry. His Majesty's Minister has been authorised to consent to such an investigation or, at his discretion, to propose it. If the enquiry is to be held, it appears highly desirable that the terms of reference should be comprehensive and admit of the consideration of all causes of hostility to and interference with British steamers on the Upper Yang-tsze. His Majesty's Minister has also been instructed to report as to the desirability of making a small compassionate grant to the civilian sufferers of Wanhsien.\n\nA strong section of local opinion urges that the problems of the Upper Yang-tsze can only be settled by means of strong action, which, it is suggested, might take the form of a blockade of Szechuan. Owing to the fact that practically the whole of the external trade of Szechuan is carried by the River Yang-tsze, a blockade could be made effective with a minimum of force, but, owing to the self-contained nature of the province, the cessation of external trade would not be a fatal, or even a serious, blow, and the blockade would have to be continued for months before it would have any beneficial effect. The effects of the blockade would first make themselves felt in the salt trade, and would therefore react directly on the militarists of Szechuan, who derive the bulk of their revenue from the salt taxes, but the stoppage of the export from Szechuan would mean that the supply for Hupeh was cut off, and the blockade would immediately foment anti-British movements in that province, thus spreading rather than curbing the trouble.\n\nMoreover, it would be fatal to initiate a blockade without first withdrawing all British subjects from Szechuan—a step which appears distinctly paradoxical as a means of maintaining British interests.\n\nV.—Denunciation of Treaties by China.\n\nThe Peking Government has embarked upon a course of denouncing, whenever they fall due, the \"unequal treaties\" concluded with foreign Powers. Further, when the right of denunciation applies only to certain (e.g., tariff) clauses in the treaty, the Chinese Government nevertheless assume the right to denounce the whole treaty, including the exterritorial clauses.\n\nThis policy of treaty denunciation began with the notice given to the French Government on the 4th February, 1926, that the time had come for a revision of the conventions of the 25th April, 1886, the 26th June, 1887 (with additional commercial convention of the same date), and the 20th June, 1895—all dealing with trade and customs arrangements on the Indo-China frontier. The French Minister, on receiving this note, questioned whether the provincial authorities and people of the Province of Yunnan, who enjoyed certain special privileges under the treaties, had been consulted, and also doubted whether the present Peking Government was in a position to denounce a treaty with a foreign Power and to conclude a new one. We have no further information as to the attitude of the French Government regarding these conventions, but the Peking Government have recently given orders that, in\n\n[15412]\n\n11", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 505415, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926", "page_number": 137, "title": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926", "content_text": "134\n\n6\n\npost. It seems to have been his ambition to establish under his own leadership a Government for the provinces of South China on a federal basis. Neither his claim to the post of Vice-Generalissimo nor his federal policy was acceptable to the Government at Canton, and when his troops, under General Lung Yun, entered Kuangsi from the west and occupied Lungchow, Nanning and Poseh, General Fan Shih-sheng, a native of Yunnan Province, but a bitter enemy of Tang Chi-yao, persuaded the Canton Government to allow him to lead his troops into Kuangsi to oppose T'ang's advance. This he effectively did, the Yunnanese forces being compelled, after a severe defeat early in June, to retreat to their native province, into which they were pursued by General Fan's forces, who, advancing by way of Poseh, succeeded in cutting the railway to Yunnan-fu. General Tang Chi-yao made preparations to escape from Yunnan-fu by aeroplane, when, on the 20th and 21st August, his troops inflicted a defeat on their adversaries in the south-east of the province, and forced them to retreat into Kuangsi.\n\n14. At Canton itself strained relations between the local government and the Yunnan-Kwangsi commanders in the city led to fighting during May and June, which ended in the defeat on the 12th June of the Yunnanese troops, who were subjected during the next few weeks to the most brutal treatment by the infuriated populace of Canton.\n\n15. Freed from internal dissension, the Cantonese now turned eagerly to join in the anti-British agitation, which had gathered fresh impetus after the riot at Hankow on the 11th June. An account of the development of that movement at Canton, which culminated in the incident referred to ever since in the Chinese press as the Shakee massacre, will be found in this report in the section dealing with the repercussion in Canton of the Shanghai incident of the 30th May.\n\n16. A new Government, known as the \"Nationalist Government,\" was organised at Canton in July, but was dominated by M. Borodin and other Russian advisers, and by the Strike Committee. On the 20th August, Liao Chung-kai, one of the chief members of the executive committee, chief of the Labour Department of the Kuomintang, and for some time in 1924 Civil Governor of Kwangtung, who was the real power behind the strike, was murdered. The Government was disintegrated, and a coup d'Etat on the 25th August transferred in effect the executive power to two men, General Chiang Chung-sheng (Chiang Kai-shek), commander of the Whampoa Military Academy and garrison commissioner of Canton, and his civil coadjutor, Wang Ching-wei. A series of arrests followed of prominent adherents of the Kuomintang who were thought to be wavering in their allegiance. General Hsu Chung-chih, who had already announced his resignation from the post of Commander-in-chief of the Canton army, fled at the end of September to Shanghai, just in time to escape arrest. A \"mandate\" issued on the 20th September by three commissioners, Messrs. C. C. Wu, Wang Ching-wei and Tan Yen-k'ai, announced that the command of the Canton army had been given to General Chiang Kai-shek. General Hu Han-min, who had succeeded Sun Yat-sen as chief of the Kuomintang and head of the Canton Government, was suspected of complicity in the murder of Liao Chung-kai, and surrendered himself to General Chiang Kai-shek. After a harassing trial by a military court, nothing definite appears to have been proved against him, and, in consideration of his long services in the cause of the Kuomintang, he was permitted to proceed, virtually as a prisoner, on a special mission to Russia via Vladivostok, accompanied by the secretary of the Canton Military Council and two cadets of the Whampoa Military Academy. He was given an effusive welcome at Vladivostok and at Moscow. The alleged object of his visit was to see Soviet Russia and to judge for himself the advisability of introducing communistic methods into China.\n\n17. General Ch'en Ch'iung-ming's second campaign against Canton was launched in September, in the form of an attack on Chaochow and Swatow. Swatow was captured on the 18th September, much to the relief of the foreign, and especially of the British, residents of that port, who had for several months been enduring the dictatorship of the worst elements in a violently hostile population. Unfortunately General Ch'en's campaign very soon showed signs of collapse. Lack of funds, bad leadership (General Ch'en himself never left Hong Kong) and bad organisation led to the complete defeat of the anti-Canton party. Waichow was taken by the Whampoa cadets under General Chiang Kai-shek on the 14th October, and, after a steady advance, Swatow was reoccupied by the Canton troops on the 6th November. By the end of the year the whole of Kwangtung was under the control of the Government at Canton.\n\n7\n\nWest China.\n\n18. In Szechuan the chief political event during the year was the defeat in August of General Yang Sen (a former adherent of Wu Pei-fu) by a strong combination of generals headed by Liu Hsiang. General Yang had been confirmed by a presidential mandate (the 7th February) in his appointment as Tupan, or Military Governor, of the province, and his régime was generally regarded as one of the best seen in Szechuan for many years. However, the civil war which has harassed this province for so long was renewed in April, the bone of contention being the control of the salt revenues at Tzuliutsing. General Yang gained the upper hand in the struggle, and obtained military control of the province west of a line drawn north from Luchow, on the Yang-tsze. The opposing forces were confined to a small area round Chungking, when an armistice was called by General Liu Hsiang, and a conference of generals was held at Chungking to attempt to settle the future government of the province. The conference failed, and hostilities broke out again in the middle of July, which ended in the defeat of General Yang, who was forced to abandon Chengtu and finally to leave the province. The defeat appears to have been mainly due to the defection of his generals. Another military conference was called, which came to an end on the 30th August, and at which the district monthly salt revenues were apportioned among eight or nine generals. This was followed by a second conference in December to arrange for the provincial administration and to discuss ways and means of raising funds. By the end of the month some 150 delegates had arrived, but up to that time the conference had been mainly occupied in settling the rule of procedure.\n\n19. Civil War.\n\nWhen Shanghai was occupied by General Sun Ch'uan-fang's troops on the 16th October, General Yang Yu-t'ing received telegraphic orders from Mukden to retreat. A remarkable collapse of the Fengtien forces followed, and in the short space of two and a half months Marshal Chang Tso-lin, though he still held Mukden and part of the Peking-Mukden Railway, had lost Kiangsu, Anhui and Chihli provinces, as well as the Jehol district. Deserted by one of his most trusted generals, Kuo Sung-lin, commanding the 9th Division at Luanchow (on the Peking-Mukden Railway), who went over to the enemy with some 40,000 troops and advanced along the railway towards Mukden, Marshal Chang was contemplating taking refuge in flight and abandoning Manchuria to his rival. He was induced, nevertheless, to make a last and desperate effort to save the position. On the 23rd December the troops loyal to him met those under Kuo Sung-lin near Hsinmintun, by the Liao River, in a short and decisive engagement. The stake at issue was the future control of Manchuria. Thanks to a bold stroke by the general commanding Marshal Chang's cavalry, who succeeded in getting behind General Kuo's forces and attacking them in the rear, the latter were defeated, and Kuo himself was captured and executed. Whilst this struggle was proceeding, in favour of the Fengtien forces, Tien-tsin, which had been held for some weeks for Chang by General Li Ching-lin against the advance of the Kuomin army from three sides, was captured by the latter, and General Li had to retreat southwards with his troops. In Shantung, the Fengtien Military Governor, General Chang Tsung-chang, succeeded in holding at bay the forces threatening to attack Tsinan-fu from the south, while in the north of the province a struggle with the Kuomin troops for the possession of Tehchow, on the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway, left that place in his hands. The end of the year saw the formation at Peking of a new Cabinet, composed chiefly of moderate Kuomintang elements under the premiership of Mr. Hsu Shih-ying (see annual report, 1922, \"Who's Who,\" No. 7). General Sun Yüeh, Military Governor of Shensi, was appointed Military Governor of Chihli (the 25th December). Marshal Feng Yü-hsiang resigned his post of Tupan of North-West Frontier Defence and Tupan of Kansu, these posts being given to two of his own generals. Shansi, which had kept out of the civil war, remained under the governorship of General Yen Hsi-shan. Shantung was still held by General Chang Tsung-chang. The Central Government, recognising a fait accompli, appointed General Sun Chuan-fang Military Governor of Kiangsu (the 26th November), but he refused to accept the title and continued to style himself the Commander-in-chief of the Five Allied Provinces (Kiangsu, Anhui, Kiangsi, Fukien and Chekiang). He was at the time Military Governor of Chekiang Province. In Anhui, General Teng Ju-cho, commanding the allied Kiangsi troops, showed an inclination to accept from the Government at Peking the title of Tupan of Anhui.\n\n[1500]\n\nB 4\n\nrade", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 507517, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-500-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 30-6-1927 - 8-11-1927", "page_number": 85, "title": "CO129-500-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 30-6-1927 - 8-11-1927", "content_text": "# THE WAR\n\n## Feng Yu-hsiang at Hsuchowfu\n\n### TROOP MOVEMENTS\n\nNanking, July 26.\n\nAccording to latest reports, the Northerners have been driven from Hsuchow by General Feng Yu-hsiang.-Naval Wireless.\n\n### TROOP MOVEMENTS\n\n#### The Concession at Chinkiang Occupied\n\n##### NORTHERN ADVANCE\n\nChinkiang, July 26. According to reports received here, the Northern troops have pushed on as far as Tsing Kiang Pu, and with the exception of the Commissioner's house, troops have taken up their quarters in Customs' property.\n\nGeneral Ho Ying-ching, en route from Nanking to Shanghai, has passed through, and a report has been received to the effect that General Wang Peh-sing will reach here to-day.\n\nMen of the 58th regiment, controlled directly by General Ho Ying-ching, are in occupation of the concession, and the ninth transport has now arrived in harbour.\n\nLater.\n\nThere is a big concentration of troops here, who have occupied all buildings at both the concession and the Consulate. Efforts are being made to communicate with the responsible authorities.-Naval Wireless.\n\nShanghai, July 27.\n\nGeneral Feng Yu-hsiang has telegraphed to Nanking that two brigades of his army are marching on Hsuchow to help the Nanking Army in the war with Shantung. An important delegation from Feng Yu-hsiang arrived at Nanking yesterday to confer on the military party on the Shantung military campaign.-Wah Kiu Yat Po.\n\n## CANTON'S WAR\n\n### Chiang Kai-shek Appoints Eight Field Marshals\n\n#### YUNNANESE FOR KIANGSI\n\nCanton, July 27. General Fan Shek-sang, who was recently sent up to the North River with part of his Yunnanese army, returned to Canton yesterday afternoon to report to General Li Chai-sum the completion of the North River defence.\n\nGeneral Sze-cheng-hsum (commands Chuen in Chungking vicinity) is Field Marshal of the Sixth Force, General Chau Shi-cheng, (commands the armies in Kwaichow province, who now threatens to attack Hunan from the west) commands the Seventh force, and General Li Chai-sum, who commands the Liangkwang armies, is therefore the Field Marshal of the Eighth Force.\n\nIt is understood, however, that the precedence of these Field-Marshals is not arranged according to strength or reputation but by territories.-A Correspondent.\n\n### YUNNAN FIGHTING\n\n#### Control\n\nGeneral Fan's troops, who recently arrived from Kwangsi and have been sent up to the North river to join the anti-Red expedition, are now being concentrated in Shiukwan and vicinity.\n\nAccording to military circles, General Hu is not yet in full control; instead of sending them into Hunan as was planned, General Fan's army will be assigned to the Kiangsi expedition. The reason for this is that most of the \"Reds\" in Kiangsi are Yunnanese troops under General Chu Pei-teh and may be won over.\n\n#### Field Marshals\n\nThe anti-Red expedition against Hunan and Kiangsi is taking form, as General Li Chai-sum, the South China military leader, has been appointed by Nanking as Field-marshal of the Eighth Nationalist Expeditionary force, and is entrusted with the task of attacking the Reds from the South.\n\nRecently Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, to facilitate the direction of the Nationalist expeditionary forces in different parts of the country, appointed eight Field Marshals.\n\nGeneral Ho Ying-ching is Field Marshal of the First Expeditionary Force, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek (with Pei Chung-hsi acting) commands the Second Force, General Li Chung-yan (who commands the Nationalist Kwangsi contingent) is Field Marshal of the Third Force, General Feng Yu-hsiang commands the Fourth, General Lui Hsiang (who commands a large Szechuenese army in Chengtu) is Field-marshal of the Fifth Force, General Lui...\n\n## MARCH ON THE CAPITAL\n\nParis, July 26.\n\nA message from Yunnanfu states that General Hu Jo-yu is continuing his march on Yunnanfu.\n\nThe rival forces have given an assurance to the French Consul that there will not be any fighting in the city. All steps necessary have been taken to assure the safety of the French residents and Annamite coolies-Reuter.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-500-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 30-6-1927 - 8-11-1927.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 516704, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-512-4 Boxer Indemnity Settlement 22-12-1928 - 9-5-1929", "page_number": 132, "title": "CO129-512-4 Boxer Indemnity Settlement 22-12-1928 - 9-5-1929", "content_text": "131\n\n\"for the Kwangshui-Ichang section of the Szechuan-Hankow railway line, with a fully qualified American Engineer-in-Chief for the section of that line from Ichang to Kweichowfu, at the same time informing the Banks of the selection made.\n\nNo share of the construction was allotted to the French Group but, as a solatium, the Kweichow-Chungking-Chengtu section was reserved for French capital.\n\n## 7.\n\nArticle XVIII concedes to the British and German Groups exclusive purchasing rights for the whole system, including the American section.\n\n## 8.\n\nIt had already, however, been agreed among the groups themselves, by an agreement signed on May 23, 1910, not to take advantage of this stipulation. The purchasing agents, that is the British and Chinese Corporation and the Deutsch-Asiatische bank, bound themselves to \"make all proper provision for the receipt on an absolute basis of equality of tenders between British, German, French, and American manufacturers\".\n\nWith regard to the relation of the project to (2) the Consortium Agreement, it may be argued that the issue of a public loan would be avoided by the use of the British Indemnity fund. All that happens, it may be said, is that the British Indemnity fund is remitted to the Chinese Government who can employ it as they please. The letter of the Consortium Agreement is observed by the British Group, and no objection can be taken by the others to a deal which lies without the ambit of the joint operations contemplated by their Agreement.\n\n## 10.\n\nAll this may be true, but it does not follow that the French and American groups might not feel aggrieved at this particular use of the Indemnity fund; and, if the remission to", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-512-4 Boxer Indemnity Settlement 22-12-1928 - 9-5-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 521182, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-520-6 Railway development- Canton-Kowloon Railway 5-11-1929 - 5-11-1930", "page_number": 83, "title": "CO129-520-6 Railway development- Canton-Kowloon Railway 5-11-1929 - 5-11-1930", "content_text": "258\n\nTHE CHINA\n\nCRITIC\n\n+\n\nMarch 13, 1930\n\nMarch 13, 1930\n\nTHE CHINA CRITIC\n\n259\n\n93\n\nRACE\n\nBOOK REVIEW Edited by Quentin Pan\n\nAND POPULATION PROB-LEMS. By H. G. Duncan.\n\nXV and 424 pp. New York: Longmans, Green and Co. 1929.\n\nquantitative\n\nThis book forms one of the Long-mans' Social Science Series under the general editorship of Professor Ernest R. Groves. It is designed as a general introduction to population problems, both in their qualitative and quantitative aspects. As a textbook it differs from others in that it contains a great many quotations and citations from various authorities in the field, as the author has tried to make it serve at the same time as a book of readings. We see here the last stage of the process of the simplification of supplementary reading materials, for which the average American college student cannot but feel thankful. Knowledge is nowadays obtainable in increasingly handy and digestible doses. Let us hope there is no appreciable loss of flavor and piquancy which goes with original and deliberate search.\n\nThe text is in two books, the first having to do with the problem of races, and the second with the problem of numbers. While on the whole the author presents a quite balanced panoramic view of the whole field of population problems, the second book appears to be much better written. One of the reasons for this is that the qualitative problem has been approached in recent years from many more angles than the quantitative, and there is much less agreement as to some of its major issues. As one of the weaknesses we may mention our author's failure to distinguish between race as \"stirps\" which involves valuation and race as a taxonomical term which is merely descriptive. The failure is quite common; it is also found in Professor Hankin's Racial Basis of Civilization, but is quite serious as it tends strongly to becloud the issues involved. The racialist eugenist owes the untenability of his position almost entirely to his inability to make this distinction. A better outline of the volume would be Book I, The Problem of Races, Book II. The Problem of Quality, and Book III, The Problem of Numbers.\n\nAnother weakness appears to be our author's inability to be really impartial between any two rival schools of thought. This weakness is of course well-nigh universal. While the author \"has striven to refrain from injecting his own conclusions,\" his inclination towards some particular viewpoint or school of thought is often quite obvious from the way he sifts his reference materials and the varying emphasis which he puts upon them, usually through the use of italics. Our author starts one of the chapters saying, \"We have no intention of minimizing the importance of the social environment, but it is well to remember.........\" But he concludes the same chapter with a passage from Jennings, the very last sentence of which he has taken pains to italicise: \"And the way they (the hereditary units called genes) interact and what they produce depends on the conditions.\" So our author appears to be at heart an environmentalist. Similarly, he appears to be a racial egalitarian, and tends to minimize racial differences. While he speaks disdainfully of the racialists, he himself has not hesitated to refer to the Mexican as \"a more slothful and less progressive group\" than the Americans, the Chinese as \"non-assuming,\" and the Japanese as \"efficient,\" nor has he been slow in adopting Professor Smith's Tentative Scheme of the Relationships of the Different Genera, Species, and Races of the Human Family, which makes the Nordic Race the latest development of the trunk and all other races earlier developed branches from the trunk.\n\nThat in the discussion of monogenism versus polygenism and of the production of genius, Crookshank and Redfield should have occupied as respectable places as most other authorities, and this in an introductory textbook, is a big surprise to us. We also wonder why in the discussion of mental differences between races, Professor Porteus' contributions which are based upon quantitative measurements and upon a method of testing which obviated the use of language, are not even alluded to.\n\nAs minor mistakes, we may mention that the three teeth of the Java Man were not all discovered by Dubois in 1891-2. One of the three came to light a few years later as a result of the expedition sent out by Madame Selenka. Polydactylism, brachydactylism and the \"sex-linked disease, color-blindness\" are by this time fairly well established to be Mendelian traits, and not \"thought by a few\" to be such. Students in heredity usually do not call such traits as color-blindness \"diseases.\" And in calling such traits \"sex-linked,\" the author has himself implied something more than what is strictly Mendelian.\n\nThe volume has more typographical errors than one would normally expect from American publishers. One error is perhaps serious, as it appears more than once; we refer to Professor H. F. Osborn being misspelt \"Osborne\" on page 143.\n\nIn spite of all this, we do not hesitate to recommend this volume as a good textbook for a term course in Race and Population Problems, provided of course the teacher knows how to make good some of the drawbacks we have mentioned. For Chinese colleges and universities which are not equipped with good reference libraries, the volume will prove particularly useful, as it is in part a book of readings, containing as many as \"some 650 quotations and citations\" which \"present the major as well as some of the minor contributions to the field.\"\n\nQ. P.\n\nOFFICIAL DOCUMENTS\n\nTHE RAILWAY ENTERPRISE UNDER THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT\n\nA Brief History of the Ministry of Railways\n\nDr. Sun Yat-sen said \"Transportation is the key to Industries and Railway the key to Transportation.\" Verily the Railway is the fundamental instrument of transportation and therefore the foundation of industrial development. That is why Dr. Sun Yat-sen advocated, at the very beginning of the Republic, the construction of a 100,000-mile railway network. His advocacy has taught us that without executing the Railway policy, material construction in China will be impossible.\n\nThe National Government, acting on Dr. Sun's instruction, established on November 1st, 1928, under the Executive Yuan the Ministry of Railways to take charge of the Railways in the Country and to consummate Dr. Sun's plan. Mr. Sun Fo was appointed Minister; Messrs. Lien Sing-hai and Wang Cheng were appointed Political and Administrative Vice-Ministers respectively. On the day of the Ministry's inauguration, it consisted, as provided in the Organic Law promulgated by the National Government, four departments, namely, the Department of General Affairs, the Department of Railways Administration, the Finance Department and the Department of Planning and Construction with Messrs. Chen Yen Chun, J. K. Choy, Wang Cheng and Y. S. Chun as Directors of the respective departments. Messrs. C. S. Liu, T. C. Yen, Kuan Keng Lin and J. Usang Ly were appointed Counsellors.\n\nHaving taken over from the Ministry of Communications all duties pertaining to Railways, the Chiaotung University in Shanghai, the Civil Engineering College in Tangshan, the College of Railway Administration in Peking and a chain of Railway Middle and Primary Schools established in the various Railway Centers for the education of the children of Railway employees; the Ministry set to work. Minister Sun Fo introduced in the Central Political Council of the Kuomintang two Administrative Policies; i.e., the Centralization of Railway Administration and the Independence of Railway Accounting System. Having passed these resolutions, the Central Political Council ordered the Ministries of War and Railways to execute these policies in full. The Railway enterprise in China began a new life.\n\nOn account of the lack of Railway experts in China, Dr. J. A. L. Waddell was retained as Consulting Engineer, Mr. J. J. Mantell as Adviser on Railway Management, Mr. R. S. Norman as Legal Adviser and Mr. Wm. B. Poland as financial Adviser to the Ministry.\n\nFor the sake of facilitating business transaction, an office of the Ministry was established at Shanghai with Mr. Tieh-sun Chen as Director.\n\nSo much for organization; let us now come to the administration of the various Railways.\n\nSince Nanking became the National Capital, the political and economic importance of the Nanking-Shanghai and the Shanghai-Hangchow-Ningpo Railways has gradually grown. Mr. J. K. Choy was appointed to concurrently take charge of these administrations.\n\nThe Peiping-Mukden and Peiping-Suiyuan Railways, being trunk lines of the North-East, have suffered great damages from internal strife of late. They urgently need rehabilitation. Mr. Wang Cheng was appointed to currently take charge of them.\n\nThe Lunghai and the Tatung-Chengtu Railways were formerly administered by Directorates-General. Upon the recommendation of the Ministry, the Executive Yuan abolished the above-mentioned offices so that the administration of these Railways would be under one head instead of two.\n\nThe settlement of the Tsinan Incident called for reorganization of the Kiao-Tsi Railway. Consequently, the Kiao-Tsi Railway Managing Commission was established with Dr. T. C. Yen as Chairman of the Commission.\n\nLater, with its head office removed to Peiping, the Hankow-Peiping Railway was renamed as Peiping-Hankow Railway. Mr. W. T. Liu was appointed Managing Director.\n\nMessrs. Pan Ting-hsien, Sun Ho-kao and Faung Ta-chih were appointed Managing Directors of the Peiping-Suiyuan, the Tientsin-Pukow Railways and the Hunan-Hupei Section of the Canton-Hankow Railway respectively.\n\nThen three Railways in Kwangtung came under the actual control of the Ministry. The Canton-Samsui Railway was amalgamated into the Canton-Hankow Railway with Mr. Chen Yin Wen as Managing Director, while Mr. Liu Chiu-ko was made Managing Director of the Canton-Kowloon Railway.\n\nUpon the request of the Kiangsi Provincial Government, the Ministry took over the administration of the Nanchang-Kiukiang Railway. Mr. Kung Hsueh Shui was appointed Managing Director.\n\nAfter the inauguration of the Ministry, the Ministry of Communications, acting on the order of the State Council, transferred to the Ministry of Railways all duties pertaining to National Highways. A National Highway Planning Commission was organized with three Commissioners appointed by the Ministry and one representative from each of the Provincial Construction Departments and Mr. Y. S. Chun as Chairman. It completed its task of planning in three months.\n\nThe Ministry of Communications also handed over its European office at Paris which served as an organ to arrange for international through traffic. Upon taking charge of this office, the Ministry appointed Mr. K. Y. Woo as Director and concurrently as Delegate to the International Railway Union representing the Peiping-Liaoning, the Peiping-Hankow and the Tientsin-Pukow Railways.\n\nFor the classification of goods and the determination of tariffs, the Advisory Committee on Fares, Rates and Classification of Goods was appointed with the Director of the Department of Railway Administration as Chairman of the Committee.\n\nIn order to unify the accounting and statistical systems of the various Railways, the Advisory Committee on the Unification of Railway Accounts and Statistics was appointed with the Director of the Finance Department as Chairman.\n\nAn Editorial Committee on Railway Rules and Regulations was also appointed. Vice-Minister Lien Sing-hai serves as Chairman.\n\nTo eliminate corruption in the purchasing of Railway materials, a Purchasing Commission, a Commission on Selection of Tenders and a Commission on Inspection of Purchased Materials were organized. Later, the three Commissions were amalgamated into the Purchasing Commission with Messrs. Hu Chi-hsien, Tieh-san Chen and Chen Chiu An as members of the Standing Committee. Three Sub-committees were appointed to Peiping, Hankow and Canton.\n\nFor the training of qualified personnel for Railway Service, the improvement of the existing Railway Schools and the education of the low-grade staff and laborers now in active service, the Committee on Railway Education was organized with at first Mr. Y. S. Chun and later Mr. Kuan Keng Lin as Chairman.\n\nMore than fifty years have elapsed since China first adopted modern means of communication, but no complete and reliable record of the History of Communications is available. Since the organization of a Committee to compile a history of communications under the auspices of the Bureau of Compilation and Translation in the defunct Peking Government in 1922, the history has not been completed although several changes had already taken place. The Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications, organized the Committee for Compiling the History of Communications with Mr. Kuan Keng Lin as Chairman and Mr. Chang Hsin Cheng, a division chief of the Ministry of Communications, as Editor-in-Chief.\n\nIn last September, Vice-Minister Wang Cheng resigned on account of poor health. Mr. J. Usang Ly was appointed to succeed him. Meanwhile, Mr. Hu Chi-hsien was appointed Director of the Finance Department, Dr. T. C. Yen was transferred to be Chief Technical Expert. Messrs. Liang Han Chau, F. K. Sah and Dr. King Cheng-yang were appointed Counsellors.\n\nNot long after, Mr. J. K. Choy was sent to Europe to study Railway conditions and problems. Mr. F. K. Sah was made acting Director of the Department of Railway Administration and Mr. Hu Chi-hsien was appointed to concurrently take charge of the Administration of the Nanking-Shanghai and Shanghai-Hangchow-Ningpo Railways.\n\nThe Peiping-Mukden Railways was renamed as Peiping-Liaoning Railway with Mr. Kao Chi Yi appointed Managing Director. The unification of administration in the Peiping-Liaoning Railway was effected.\n\nFor one year after the establishment of the Ministry, no serious change in organization took place. But being newly established, the division of duties inside the Ministry worked more or less on a trial basis. As the Ministry goes on, experience calls for reorganization. Therefore, on the 18th of last November, the National Government promulgated the revised Organic Law of the Ministry. In the new organization, the Ministry is composed of the following departments and bureaus:\n\n1. The Counsellors' Office.\n\n2. The Secretariat.\n\n3. The Department of General Affairs, with Mr. Chen Yen Chun as Director.\n\n4. The Department of Traffic and Operation with Mr. Kuan Keng Lin as Acting Director.\n\n5. The Finance Department with Mr. Hu Chi-hsien as Director.\n\n6. The Engineering Department with Mr. F. K. Sah as Director.\n\n7. The Railway Through Traffic Administration with Mr. Kuan Keng Lin as Acting Director.\n\n8. The Bureau of Statistics with Mr. F. K. Mok as Director.\n\n9. The Railway Health Service with Dr. S. M. Woo as Director.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-520-6 Railway development- Canton-Kowloon Railway 5-11-1929 - 5-11-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 528261, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-531-10 Hong Kong University- encouragement of Chinese students to counteract American influence 30-5-1931 - 1-9-1931", "page_number": 218, "title": "CO129-531-10 Hong Kong University- encouragement of Chinese students to counteract American influence 30-5-1931 - 1-9-1931", "content_text": "294\n\n104\n\nthat this may have an adverse effect on imports from Great Britain, which in 1929 were valued at £1,177,000. The net result will encourage still further the use of the cheaper grade of locally made cigarettes.\n\n215. Chemicals and Dyes.-The most noticeable changes in this section are to be found in the duties imposed on soda products, and more especially on soda-ash, which has now to bear a duty of gold units 0.77 per picul (about 13.1d. per cwt.) as against 0.34 gold units (about 5.6d. per cwt.) in the previous list. British manufacturers are largely interested in this type of chemicals, and whilst they will doubtless find it possible to meet the situation, the new scale of duties will place them at a considerable disadvantage vis-a-vis their native competitors.\n\nWith the exception of artificial indigo, on which the duty remains practically unchanged, the rates on dyes show an upward trend, but not to an extent likely to affect the trade to any marked degree.\n\n216. Candles, Soaps, Oils, etc.-Whilst the duties on kerosene, gasolene, and lubricating oil have been lowered, there is a very considerable increase in the rates charged on soap and candles, and here also there would appear to be evidence of the introduction into the tariff of the policy of protecting native industries.\n\n217. In the remaining sections of the tariff, one finds few changes of special interest to British manufacturers, but substantial additions have been made to the duties on many articles, for example, crystal-ware, fancy buttons, flasks, rubber goods, perfumery, jewellery, linoleum, etc., and in the case of two items-chinaware and matches, the increase is so considerable (from 7 per cent. to 40 per cent.) as to be clearly designed for protective purposes.\n\n218. On the whole, it would appear that with the possible exception of the woollen and artificial silk sections, the main lines of British trade with China are not directly threatened by the higher rates imposed under the new tariff. Indirectly, however, it is to be feared that the extra cost resulting from these increased duties will further accentuate the demand for cheapness rather than quality, and so add to the difficulty of competition by British goods with lower-priced foreign and native products.\n\n## CHAPTER VIII\n### CULTURAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA\n\n219. From the time when the Treaty Ports were opened to foreign traders in 1842, Great Britain took the lead in developing China. At the present time, though Japan is the chief supplier of goods to China, the United States comes second with a share of nearly one-fifth of the total of all China's imports compared with less than one-tenth secured by Great Britain.\n\n1\n4\n105\n\n220. The increase in the United States' share of the imports into China deserves serious consideration. The United States has the advantage of being a source of foodstuffs and raw material such as cotton and oil, which Britain cannot supply. She also shares with Britain the advantage of the English language, which the activities of British traders have made the general medium of communication between China and the West. We desire, however, to draw attention to another factor, which is of the utmost benefit to American trade with China and will continue to be so in an increasing measure in future years. This factor is the permeation of modern China by American culture. We do not refer in this connection to the world-wide diffusion of American films and jazz music, but to the much more penetrating influences which arise from the fact that a large proportion of those in responsible positions in modern China are young men who have been educated in American Universities, and are therefore strongly pro-American in sentiment. This would appear to be the result of the deliberate policy of the United States Government, which in December, 1908, remitted gold $11,961,121 of its share of the 1900 Indemnity, and the remitted indemnity has since been used for the upkeep of Tsing Hua College and the support of students educated in that institution who proceed to America for further study. On May 8th, 1924, the remaining balance of the American indemnity, amounting to gold $6,137,552, was remitted, to be applied at the discretion of the President, to educational and cultural activities as decided by a Board of Trustees consisting of ten Chinese and five Americans. In the same year, the China Federation for the Promotion of Education and Culture was organised to receive, deposit, invest, and apply the funds. In order to promote the progress of science, it was decided to establish some 30 science professorships in the six centres of Peking, Nanking, Wuchang, Canton, Chengtu, and Mukden. Grants are also made to well-known colleges and universities to extend and develop their courses in applied science, the National University of Peiping (Peking), and Lingnan, Nankai, Futan, Tatung, Chung Hwa, Nanyang, and South Eastern Universities being thus assisted.\n\n221. In 1922, Great Britain decided to devote her remaining share of the 1900 Indemnity to purposes mutually beneficial to both countries, and in 1925, a Statutory Committee was set up to advise as to the best use of the indemnity funds. By the end of August, 1929, the report of the Committee had not been acted upon by the British Parliament (see China Year Book, 1929-30), though we believe from newspaper statements that some action has been taken in the last few days (February, 1931).\n\n222. The lengthy delay has been most regrettable, and the advantage of the long start thus obtained by the United States was impressed upon us on many occasions. We visited several universities\n\n295", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-531-10 Hong Kong University- encouragement of Chinese students to counteract American influence 30-5-1931 - 1-9-1931.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 533224, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "page_number": 198, "title": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "content_text": "The lecture is the only thing that matters, it is this for which credit is obtained. There is no discussion over essays, no community of interest in societies and games, and so there does not arise that spirit of social service and cooperation which gives character and quality to an institution.\n\nIt is doubtful whether a University situated in the capital of China can very well escape political influences. Students and staff are likely to be courted by office seekers who desire the backing of educated men and they, in return, naturally look for certain rewards. The atmosphere of the University is likely to be vitiated by serious partisanship and political rivalry, and this is fatal to calm, dispassionate academic work.\n\nMy interest lay, however, in the important department of this University for the training of Teachers. There was a four years' course, and it was meant to provide teachers for the middle schools and also future administrators. The Chinese system stresses the technique or the training side to a greater extent than the European system, which requires first of all an educated and cultured person, that is, one who has studied his subject in the ordinary way and graduated in it. The Chinese system, which is based on the American system, aims at securing the trained teacher, the person skilled in the technique of his job. In this connection, there was an article in a recent number of Harper's Magazine, which cynically suggested that a very rich man might buy up Yale and inscribe on its gates the following: \"By the munificence of Mr. Robt. Lock, this University is closed in the interests of education.\" The universities, it was argued, were producing, in all departments, merely trained and not educated men and women.\n\nAs though to protest against this absorption in modern science and useful knowledge, we were summoned to an exhibition of Chinese art in one of the halls of the Central University. The pictures were the work of Yu Yu Jen, chairman of the Board of Censors, one of the chief yuans of the Government at Nanking. This statesman was apparently maintaining the old tradition, according to which Mandarins sought solace and escape from the anxieties and burden of their office by studying philosophy, writing poems, and painting pictures. The works, which were very numerous and very beautifully done, gave one the impression that this statesman, however, did not allow his governmental duties to interfere too much with his recreations, for the quantity and quality of that which was shown must have represented very considerable effort.\n\nWe passed on, in the same city, to the University of Nanking, which is much smaller, more compact, and more delightfully situated than the larger and older national university about which we have just been speaking. This institution received its charter of incorporation from the Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1911, and the deed entitling it to Government registration in 1928. It has three faculties or colleges: Arts, Science, and Agriculture. The Government refuse to recognise any institution as a University unless it has a college of science and at least two other colleges. This contrasts with the European tradition and is too striking to be passed over. In Oxford, Duke Humphrey's gateway into the Bodleian leads up to 3 doors, over which is inscribed, respectively, Law, Medicine, and Theology, but the latter occupies the central and most important position. The supreme position today in China is officially reserved for science, which thereby displaces Ethics and Morals as the main theme of study in China.\n\nIt was in this college that Pearl Buck wrote \"The Good Earth\", that delightful and convincing picture of rural life in China. There is here, as in Lingnam and in Chengtu, a strong section dealing with agriculture, where the scope is obviously very great for the introduction of improved methods. The only doubt that assails the mind after visiting such an institution as this is whether the living standards and the general level of equipment, etc., with which the student is familiarised, does not unfit him to return for work among his people. With the new system of registration, however, it is probable that this aspect of higher education in China in foreign institutions will be dealt with.\n\nPage 298\n\nPage 298\n\nPage 298\n\nPage 299\n\nPage 299\n\nPage 299", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 533226, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "page_number": 200, "title": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "content_text": "297\n\nFor this institution the average expenditure of each student in 1930 was two hundred and sixty dollars. Another feature of this college is the importance which is attached to the examinations, intermediate and final. In most institutions the student merely collects a certain number of credits, passes an internal examination and then qualifies. This does not satisfy Dr. Wei who aims at high intellectual standards for his college and is determined to secure them.\n\nIn contrast with this modest institution, modest that is in so far as numbers and range of curriculum are concerned though not in quality of work, there is the new Wuhan University. It would be difficult to imagine a more picturesque site for a university than that occupied by the buildings of this institution. There is a lake about ten miles long and probably one and a half to two miles across and surrounding this are several low hills which command splendid views of the open country. The university buildings are constructed on the summit of these hills and form a striking landmark symbolising as they do in their architectural design, the union of the occident and the orient. Already there are 700 students occupying the hostels, though the accommodation has not been available for more than one year. This zest for great numbers is partly due to the need for students' fees, for it is one of the failings of those who promote modern universities to assume that, when buildings are erected, the university is established. Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars have already been spent on these very substantial buildings and another building, the women's hostel by the edge of the lake, was in course of erection, but the staff had been receiving only forty per cent of their salary for the past four months, and yet a distinguished Chinese scholar, Mr. Han Lih-wu speaks of this university in the following terms. \"The fact is that the air of learning surrounding Wu Han is appreciably purer and more noticeable than it is anywhere else in China. There are fewer professors who have part-time work outside. There are fewer students who pay more attention to politics, play and society than they do to their studies. There are almost no student strikes, professors walk out and other painful innovations of the educational world in China.\" As Sir Reginald Johnston says in his comment, \"One must regret the 'almost'\"\n\nIn Chungking we found the nucleus of a provincial university which was accommodated in what had been an old temple. There is a strong movement in China which aims at converting all temples - Buddhist, Confucianist and Taoist - into schools, colleges and lecture halls. Many already have been adapted in this way. General Liu Hsiang of Chungking has given fifty thousand dollars towards the cost of a more modern and appropriate building for the University work and it was nearing completion when we passed through. Now that war has broken out between him and his relative Liu Wen-hui there is not much likelihood of further funds being available. This will mean another university building without adequate endowment, equipment, or staff. There was nothing of outstanding interest in this institution which was really just trying to establish itself as a university but one interesting fact emerged when the head of the department of education was discussing Chinese studies. He said that they had gone back to the old-fashioned method of learning the classics for the new methods had been tried and had failed. The person responsible for this order was the head of the university, a returned American student, but as far as we could gather it was unique in this respect though everywhere the study of the Chinese Classics constituted a problem of the first order.\n\nIn Chengtu we were in close touch with the staff of the West China Union University, which is situated in spacious and very lovely grounds on the outskirts of the city. This institution, which owes its existence to the combined efforts of several missionary societies, exerts the greatest possible influence, from the point of view of Western culture in Szechuan.\n\nPage 200\nPage 201", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 533227, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "page_number": 201, "title": "CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933", "content_text": "298\n\nIt has about 250 students who are divided among the various faculties Medicine, Science, Arts and Agriculture. There is a school Dentistry which is an outstanding feature of the University work, being excellently equipped and splendidly organised. There are two untrained men on the staff one is a coolie who earns eleven dollars per month. He is in the anatomy department and has a perfect genius for assembling bones together after proper treatment and building up the skeleton of the animal to which the bones belong. There is another lowly-paid man who is able to model heads and faces which illustrate the diseases of the jaw. There are dozens of examples of his work on the shelves in the dental school.\n\nThe department of Agriculture is building up a reputation for itself by improving the quality of the local fruit, by crossing it with foreign varieties. The breed of cattle too is being improved by the introduction of new strains.\n\nLast summer the University sent out a scientific expedition to the tribes of people to collect data and statistics with regard to diseases among them and their physical condition. The medical work is an important feature of the University. There are two modern hospitals, one for women and one for men in Chengtu, and a third administered by an American mission on an independent basis. The students have therefore splendid opportunities of becoming proficient in the science and art of medicine for the department is very much alive and most anxious to train students who will bring credit to the institution after they have gone into practice. Dr. H. Anderson said he was anxious to establish a liaison with Hong Kong University, so that his students could come to Hong Kong and do such medical work as was not possible in Chengtu owing to absence of equipment or facilities.\n\nA pleasing feature in this sphere of University work was the cooperation and the cordial relations which existed between the provincial University in the city and the Union University. Some of the foreign staff gave assistance in the matter of English. The provincial university was accommodated in Chinese buildings surrounding a series of courtyards. We were received by the Dean of the Faculty of Law which in every Chinese University forms the largest faculty. One recent report goes so far as to say that 36 per cent of the undergraduates are taking a law course, but the Education Year Book of 1932 gives the percentage as 18. The standard in this university was probably not high. There were 1800 students, a number that could hardly be provided by the Middle Schools available without lowering the standard of admission. An attractive feature about this University to me personally was the presence of three of my former students on the staff. Two were engaged in the departments of Education and English respectively, and the third was in charge of a large Middle School.\n\nThe general impression one gathers from a survey of the work that is going on in the Universities of China is the titanic effort that is being put forward to get into line with Western thought and the character of the intellectual conflict which lies behind the new movement. It would appear, at first sight, that the transition of thought from the study of man's behaviour, which has been the province of the Chinese philosopher, to that of nature would be easy and logical. This, however, is not necessarily true for the humane philosopher in China proceeds on the deductive principle to the establishment of certain doctrines which become fixed. The acceptance of the Confucian code was the result, after much trial and examination of many systems. It is evolved from the general body of thought in China, and conforms therefore to the wishes of the people. Having been accepted and established, it has moulded the thought of succeeding generations. Its principles cannot easily be eradicated, for the rigid discipline of its teaching has determined the manners, customs and behaviour of hundreds of generations. It has in the past won\n\n7.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-538-2 Hong Kong University 23-6-1932 - 15-3-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 536298, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933", "page_number": 91, "title": "CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933", "content_text": "## A SWIRE & SONS LTD.\n\nTELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS, TEMSELOAF, FEN, LONDON.\n\nTELEPHONE, MONUMENT 3041.\n\nE 17.AR 1933\n\n26\n\n91\n\n8 Billiter Square, London E.C.3. 15th March, 1935.\n\nSir,\n\nReferring to your letter 13725/1933 of 10th March, we note that the Statement of Fines levied at Swatow and Canton has crossed your letter.\n\nWe regret that we have no specific information from the East with regard to fines imposed in connection with ships which proceed direct from Hong Kong to the different ports in China. As far as we can ascertain from our \"Steamers' Movements\" lists, the following vessels on the Shanghai Statement proceeded direct from Hong Kong to the port concerned, but in a few cases the vessels did not start at Hong Kong:\n\n| Date | Vessel | Amount | Port |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 25.11.31 | \"Huichow\" | Hk.Tls. 1000.00 | Ningpo |\n| 9.3.32 | \"Tean\" | Sh. 219.58 | |\n| 10.8.32 | \"Yingchow\" | 1679.09 | |\n| 15.11.32 | \"Kanchow\" | G.U. 398.20 | |\n| 24.11.32 | \"Yingchow\" | G.U. 12.25 | #1 |\n| 18.6.31 | \"Taiyuan\" | Hk. Tls. 100.00 | Amoy |\n| 5.1.32 | \"Antung\" | Hk 200.00 | |\n| 19.9.32 | \"Chenan\" | Hk. 1000.00 | |\n| 19.9.32 | \"Anhui\" | Hk. #1 1000.00 | # |\n| 22.9.32 | \"Chengtu\" | Hk. 1000.00 | |\n| 29.9.32 | \"Anshun\" | Hk. # 1000.00 | # |\n| 8.11.32 | \"Kiungchow\" | Hk. 100.00 | Hoihow |\n| 6.6.32 | \"Yingchow\" | Hk. # 100.00 | Shanghai |\n| 10.6.32 | \"Suiyang\" | Hk. # 100.00 | |\n| 9.9.32 | \"Kingyuan\" | Hk. = 100.00 | Amoy |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 536315, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933", "page_number": 108, "title": "CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933", "content_text": "## Date | Vessel | Amount | Nature of Fine\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 5.10.31 | \"Tungchow\" | Hk.Tls. 300.00 | Fine seizure of opium in Quartermaster's cabin. |\n| 7.10.31 | \"Fengtien\" | | |\n| 11.12.31 | \"Fengtien\" | Hk.Tls. 200.00 | Fine - seizure of opium in stokehold. |\n| #1 | | | |\n| 7.4.32 | \"Shengking\" | Hk.Tls. 100.00 | Fine seizure of 98 packages smuggled cargo in holds. |\n| 18. 6.31 | \"Taiyuan\" | Hk.Tls. 50.00 | Fine - seizure of copper coins in engine room. |\n| Amoy | | | |\n| 17. 8.31 | \"Taiyuan\" | Hk.Tls. 100.00 | Fine smuggling of cargo in crew's quarters. |\n| #1 | | | |\n| 1. 1.32 | \"Taiyuan\" | Hk.Tls. 200.00 | Fine - smuggling of cargo in crew's quarters. |\n| 11 | | | |\n| 5. 1.32 | \"Antung\" | Hk.Tls. 500.00 | Fine smuggling of ammunition in after store |\n| #1 | | | |\n| 3. 9.32 | \"Taiyuan\" | Hk.Tls. 200.00 | Fine smuggling of Ginseng in paint locker and store room. |\n| n | | Hk.Tls. 1,000.00 | Fine - attempted smuggling of 54 gold bars by compradore's staff. (Subsequently remitted as a result of representations made through H.B.M.Consul, Amoy). |\n| 9. 9.32 | \"Kingyuan\" | Hk.Tls. 100.00 | Fine - smuggling of flour in carpenter's room. |\n| 19. 9.32 | \"Anhui\" | Hk.Tls. 1,000.00 | Fine - smuggling of sugar, Ginseng and Medicine in locker and crew's quarters. |\n| 11 | | | |\n| 22. 9.32 | \"Chengtu\" | Hk.Tls. 1,000.00 | Fine - smuggling of sugar in holds and 'tween decks. |\n| 29. 9.32 | \"Anshun\" | Hk.Tls. 1,000.00 | Fine smuggling of sugar in bunkers, engine room and galley. |\n| 19.9.32. | \"Chenan\" | Hk.Tls. 1,000.00 | Fine - smuggling of ginseng, sugar & piecegoods in bunkers and chain lockers. | \n## GEN 108", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552482, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 1, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "# 53740\n## CLOSED UNTIL \n### Previous \n### Subsequent \n1936 \n\n## Attempted Assassination of \n`co 129/559` Wang bhing \n| Date | Person | Action | Ref |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 29/4/36 | M Duncan | Reject | 74 |\n| 30/4/36 | M. feat Cowell | | 30 L3 |\n| 7/4/36 | M. Carstairs/7/4 M. Gaunt | | 83 7/2 |\n| 2/5/36 | | 83 MI | 2/5 |\n| 11/5/36 | | | 11/5 |\n| 8/4/36 | M-barstais's | | |\n| 4/2/36 | 1. Carstairs | | |\n| | He Me Seat • Mr. Bigg | | 83 74/5 |\n| 17/3/36 | M'Caustan | 44.00 | 18/3 |\n| 19/5/36 | My Billcar | | Mr Gent Jel Ser |\n| 8/4/36 | A Caustaris | | M. Bigg 19/3 |\n| 16/6/36 | MDRs) 16 PUT BY ~Duncan | | -6/7/36 19 th |\n| | Im Cowell... In Monattal of | 283 | 83 3 |\n| 26/3/36 | W/ Castur Dept | 208 | 83 1/4 |\n| 27/3/36 | | 83 | 27/3 |\n| 28/3/36 | W. Carstair | | 28/3 |\n| 28/3/36 | M. Carstairs | 28 | Ar Bigg aus |\n| 24/3/36 | Mr Seats | | 83 94 |\n| 14/4/36 | Rua May | 14 | 298 15/4 |\n| 20/4/36 | | 83 | 20/4 |\n| 12/35 | M. & S. Ltd. | 26247/34 6,000 | (13119) |\n| | Gp. 641 | | |\n\n## FILE A.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552483, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 2, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## Requests for referral for entry into Colony of alleged accomplice pending trial of principal conspirators, subsequently accounted for under Section 3(1)(c) of the Immigration Ordinance, 1935.\n\n**Subject**\n\nIt is proposed to approve the deportation of Aliens under the Immigration Ordinance, 1935.\n\nIf the alleged accomplice arrived in Hong Kong under escort, he would be in unlawful custody there, and Habeas Corpus proceedings could be instituted at once.\n\nAssuming, however, that he was released before he actually arrived in the Colony; that he subsequently gave evidence there; and that the Chinese Government then wanted him sent back to China, the proper procedure would be for that Government to apply for his extradition.\n\nHe could not properly be deported to China under Section 3(1)(c), as the Governor suggests, since (1) it is undesirable in principle to substitute deportation machinery for the normal extradition procedure, and (2) to let this man into the Colony and then to deport him in this way would be a manifest abuse of the provisions of the section in question, which were never intended for such a purpose.\n\n| Date | Reference |\n| --- | --- |\n| 17/2/36 | Juttibhus 18/3/26 |\n\nG.D. obvious \n\n`XCR(85)72` is not present in the original text, hence not included. \n\nNo.1 For de l 59 is likely a page number or file reference, but without more context, it is difficult to determine its correct formatting. However, the text \"No.1\" is present and has been left as is.\n\nPage numbering is not explicitly mentioned in the original text, but \"1 For del 59\" and \"۱۶\" may be related to pagination or other metadata. Without further context, they have been omitted. \n\nThe non-English text (ہو بود چرا and дола) has been left as is, as per the instruction to preserve all languages. The Chinese text is not present in the original text.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552484, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 3, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "3\n\nnever intended, and could, not in my opinion, properly be held, to cover a case of this kind. As this is a request from the Chinese Government through the British Ambassador, it would seem to be advisable to let the Foreign Office have a copy of No.1 and also of our proposed reply. If this is done I would like to see the draft letter to the Foreign Office in due course.\n\nI asked Mr. Brass at the Home Office this morning whether he knew of any similar request having been made to this country. He said that he had never heard of one; and he agreed with me that action on the lines indicated by the Governor in No.1 could not properly be taken.\n\nWe might enquire at our leisure into the validity of the existing extradition arrangements between Hong Kong and China. There is no extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and that country, and it would be interesting to know what the position is as regards Hong Kong. In this connection see the notes by Mr. Brass on the attached sheet (numbered 2), and also the book on extradition to which reference is made.\n\n19/3/36.\n\n14. Duncan.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552485, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 4, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "4 \n\nknow nothing of the trial result \n\nWe object to being put on trial in absentia. \n\nbut it appears to be the case \n\nis there a CAL that \n\nthis Chamber has obtained from the extraction Firm in HK ?? \n\nsome alleged culprits who are wanted for trial in connection with the unsuccessful attempt made took years to accumulate \n\nIn support of Wang C.W. this Applicant, the Chinese authorities contemplate sending evidence to HK regarding another alleged accomplice whom they are presently holding in custody in China, but they want to know in advance that this man will be rejoined to the case in HK.\n\nMr. Pincan's opinion filters the evidence given by the Chinese authorities.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552486, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 5, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \nThe point of view of the law of HK is that to Colonial Govt commit properly to act on Chinese Govt requests. \n\nFrom the political point of view, it would be most undesirable for the Colonial Govt to go beyond the correct limits for the sake of accommodating the Chinese Govt in such a matter.\n\nThe position is this. It was proposed that subject to certain conditions, to inform the Chinese Govt that the Governor, however, under Section ... of the law mentioned, could not properly exercise his powers to meet the request of the Chinese Govt.\n\n... for a very early reply. \n\nPage 19.3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552487, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 6, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "I agree \n\nlopsugg \n\n19/3/36 \n\nH.Q. Cowell \n\nWhitehall 19 \n\nresidence 19/3/36 \n\nall's murm... \n\n7 \n\nCfantais \n\n2013 \n\n27/7 \n\n22 7.0-myc (1) - bous: \n\n2.0 MAR 1936 \n\nMr Bagg. \n\nP.L. See slip attached. The seat is away today. \n\nPassing oft \n\nCyCarstan's 21/3 \n\nI have passed the tel. Mr Bigg also bring away. \n\nTel to Fier J.K. No 54 \n2121 March, 1531 \n\npo- \n4 To Fro. (`uk3`) 135/126 \n\n26/3/46", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552488, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 7, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \nNR Bear in mind Deana's letter of 19/3 (first pan) to remind, please.\n\n? do you wish to have attached (5) 27/05 28.3.36 suggests that a request from China to allow ... be acceded to as asks for suggestion. Technical difficulties being ...\n\nMy view is that political considerations justify stretching the terms.\n\nThe U.K. ordinance is in favour of this request, as is Nanking - whereas from the point of view of the U.K., whose relations with Nanking are less important than relations with Canton, political considerations would seem to indicate that it would be advisable beyond a straightforward interpretation of the law in this matter.\n\nPerhaps you will take this up verbally with Mr Orde, who, I understand from the Jones in the Treaty Dept, has taken the view that H.M. Govt should do what the Central Govt asks.\n\nexCarstans 273", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552489, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 8, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \n8 \n\nسد \n\nin dh; tant stendose Copy & N° 3 Mbant. 28.3 ... 30/3/36 at onl 6 To 7.0. (Sunod.) (15k 3) 31/3/36 No reply to (6) - ? wait another few days please. Uscogland \n\n7/4 CyCaustaus 7/4/36 Y. 4 зв Summediate Concurs proposal to inform For that powers under lidue cannot be war to effect wishes of Chinese, fort. & funds copy of delegram set to Am Ambassador in Seking + recive. ? til. as indfl: conson for conson of the last para. of Mr Wunceurs minute of 19.3.36. CY Courtains 8/4/36 ç To Sov. Hong King, Tel. 4o. 66, 9/4/06 \n\n* \nPag Pag q he Gauntle ? To F1.0. (w/18) 1/126 1574/36 overkaf. 10 lo Recind. refer. min of 8/4 8. Manis 20/4/06 27.4 36 Iwds copy of Sekery tele unumbers of 22 of 195 of rape + 198.23Gfl n extradition arrangements The Gumbers in au assurance to get [vot that Cuina are trying from the ItK. the withers will not be allowed to escape after the trail. 11- is not clear how this can be done, in view of the decision conveyed in (8). We can only await The reply hide (Mt quel) of the St.K. Eor't': Peking tel no 15-15771 210 \" put by CyCarstan's 28/4 Noted M'Duncan That we, having nothing to add 11 No 8, can punte рив further this by I want for any request by the Erv. for instructions. If the witness hunself voluntinly sechs protection to return safely Hy ho will probably find Shmahni means to neccommodate him. Mrent 29.4 ge 9 ge 9 Page 10 M. Gaut Jance that we shouw wait for any further request by the Gommor for uistinctions. 29/4/36 11. Duncan P.S. Ishmwlike to see any further communication on the subject which the FO. send us, 11.D. За $ // Exxtract from Aty Necker, Pun 12 ditto 15/5/36 Page : see). ? put ( (!!) +(12) (M with reft to the final para. of Mr Duncan's minute of 18/3/36, the attached volumes contain the necessar documen 15. Perhaps G.D. will advise? CyCarstairs 4/1/20 Perhaps the hebran at then thisun (if any) ge 10 ge 10\n\n## Page 8\nCopy & N° 3 \n28.3... 30/3/36 \nat only **6 To 7.0. (Sunod.) (15k 3)** 31/3/36 \nNo reply to (6) - wait another few days please. \nUscogland 7/4 \nCyCaustaus 7/4/36 \n**Y. 4** \nSummediate Concurs proposal to inform For that powers under lidue cannot be war to effect wishes of Chinese, fort. & funds copy of delegram set to Am Ambassador in Seking + receive. \n? til. as indfl: conson for conson of the last para. of Mr Wunceurs minute of 19.3.36. \nCY Courtains 8/4/36 \nç To Sov. Hong King, Tel. 4o. 66, 9/4/06\n\n## \nPag q \nhe Gauntle ? \nTo F1.0. (w/18) 1/126 1574/36 overkaf. 10 lo \nRecind. refer. min of 8/4 \n8. Manis 20/4/06 \n27.4 36 \nIwds copy of Sekery tele unumbers of 22 of 195 of rape + 198.23Gfl n extradition arrangements \nThe Gumbers in au assurance to get that Cuina are trying from the ItK. the withers will not be allowed to escape after the trail. \n11- is not clear how this can be done, in view of the decision conveyed in (8). We can only await The reply hide (Mt quel) of the St.K. Eor't': Peking tel no 15-15771 210 \" put by CyCarstan's 28/4 \nNoted \nM'Duncan That we, having nothing to add 11 No 8, can punte further this by I want for any request by the Erv. for instructions. \nIf the witness hunself voluntinly sechs protection to return safely Hy ho will probably find Shmahni means to neccommodate him. \nMrent 29.4 ge 9 \n**Page 10** \nM. Gaut Jance that we shouw wait for any further request by the Gommor for uistinctions. 29/4/36 \n11. Duncan \nP.S. Ishmwlike to see any further communication on the subject which the FO. send us, 11.D.\n\n## Page 11\n// Exxtract from Aty Necker, Pun 12 ditto 15/5/36 \nwith reft to the final para. of Mr Duncan's minute of 18/3/36, the attached volumes contain the necessar documen 15. \nPerhaps G.D. will advise? \nCyCarstairs 4/1/20 \nPerhaps the hebran at then thisun (if any) ge 10 ge 10 \nPage 11", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552490, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 11, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \n4 \n\nThe existing authority for extradition between Hong Kong and China is Article 21 of the Treaty of Tientsin, 1858. The substance of this Article is contained in the preamble to the Chinese Extradition Ordinance of Hong Kong (Ordinance No.7 of 1889). This ordinance as amended by the Chinese Extradition Amendment Ordinance 1927 (No.17 of 1927) was passed in order to implement the Treaty in Hong Kong or, as stated in the second part of the preamble to the 1889 Ordinance, \"for the more effective carrying out of the said Treaty in relation to the surrender of criminals, subjects of China, who \n\nSzen. 6/7/36 14. Duncan.\n\n47", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552491, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 12, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "who take refuge in Hong Kong or on board the British ships there\".\n\nCopy of the 1889 and 1927 ordinances are attached herewith.\n\nJ. H. Fraser \nd. H. Commissioner \n7.7.36 \n\nM. Imbrian \nIrant \n97 \nS. Wonde \n16.7.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552492, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 13, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "# THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS & \n## May 15, 1936 \n### EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS NEARING END \n#### Counsels' Submissions \n##### UNCORROBORATED EVIDENCE \n\nExtradition proceedings against four men, alleged fugitives from the Nanking Government in connection with the attempted assassination of Mr. Wang Ching-wei and Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, continued on Friday before Mr. W. Schofield at the Central Court.\n\nMr. Peter H. Sin appeared for the alleged fugitives while Mr. D. L. Strellet, of Messrs. G. K. Hall Brutton and Co., appeared for the prosecution.\n\nThe four fugitives who appeared before Mr. Schofield on Friday were Yu Lap-fai, Chan Chi-ping, Wu Tai-hoi and Cheung Chi-hon.\n\nIt will be recalled that the plotters formed a news-agency knowing that newspaper men were allowed to come into close contact with the officials for the purpose of taking pictures. This news-agency was called \"Kwong News Agency\" and under the guise of being a newspaper man, Suen Fung-ming, the actual assassin, with the help of a camera was thus able to get very close to the officials.\n\nAddressing His Worship, Mr. Sin, in submitting that he had no case to answer, said that the charge against the four alleged fugitives was that of a conspiracy to murder Mr. Wang Ching-wei. His Worship had heard numerous witnesses and he submitted that if any evidence was to go it was that of Wong Yan-san. He also submitted that as far as the testimonies of the other witnesses were concerned, they were fraught with no material evidence against the alleged fugitives.\n\nUpon reviewing Wong Yan-san's evidence, he had given remarkable details in all particulars and such testimony was too good to be true. He was the only witness who had alleged that the four fugitives had conversation with a mysterious person named Wong Ah-chui, whom he alleged to be the prime-mover in the plot to murder Marshal Chiang Kai-shek.\n\nMr. Sin's submission was that Wong Yan-san was in fact and in law an accomplice and if the whole of his evidence was to be believed then it was only the evidence of an accomplice against the four alleged fugitives. The Court, said Mr. Sin, exercises great care where an accomplice gives evidence. Counsel did not mean to say that the evidence of an accomplice was not admissible in law, but he submitted that the practice has almost become law that an accomplice's evidence requires corroboration.\n\nMr. Sin then quoted cases and submitted that he had never found a case yet where a Magistrate has committed on the uncorroborated evidence of an accomplice. He was a very clever young man, very evasive and very elusive, said Mr. Sin. He calls Wong Ah-chui the \"King of all murderers\" and yet at the young age of 19 he moves with that sort of man. What sort of a man was Wong Yan-san? He had admitted under cross-examination that he had assisted Wong Ah-chui in the murder and that he was one of the conspirators. He had helped most actively in the plot, asserted counsel, in that (1) he was seeing Wong Ah-chui all the time, (2) he loaned his house for the meetings of the conspirators and (3) he went to Shanghai to accompany the wife of Suen (the actual murderer) and for that reason was paid by Wah Hak-chee, who witness had said was one of the prime-movers of the conspiracy.\n\nIt was the submission of Mr. Sin that Wong Yan-san had not come down to Hong Kong voluntarily and was not, in counsel's opinion, questioned. It was the submission of Mr. Sin that Wong Yan-san had come down to tell his story and get some sort of a reward and to clear himself out of his trouble. And that he accordingly would ask His Worship to discharge the defendants.\n\n### CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE \n\nMr. Strellett in reply said that the evidence of Wong Yan-san was that on which the prosecution undoubtedly relied and assuming that he was an accomplice, the first proposition that Mr. Sin put was that Magistrates do not convict on the uncorroborated evidence of an accomplice and said that there were no cases wherein he had found such proceedings. If that was the case then where did the cases which Mr. Sin quoted come from? It was this that Mr. Sin had seen many cases where the Magistrate had committed on the evidence of an accomplice but has he not recognised them.\n\nOne thing was the evidence of an accomplice was evidence in law and is evidence upon which a jury can convict. Another thing was that the old saying of judges in that if there were no corroborative evidence of an accomplice then the jury were told not to convict had been altered in that now the judge can only warn the jury on the danger of convicting on such evidence.\n\nWhen one starts on corroboration then one must corroborate the offence as well as connect the criminals with the offence. As far as the Magistrate was concerned, he need not worry about corroboration. All that the Magistrate had to judge was that whether there was some evidence upon which a jury might convict. Unless, therefore, His Worship was prepared to say that there was no evidence upon which a jury might convict then, Mr. Strellett suggested that what Mr. Sin had said about corroboration did not apply to the present case.\n\nUnless, concluded Mr. Strellett, Mr. Schofield was satisfied that the witness was an absolute liar, then his evidence does not need corroboration and that a prima facie case had been established.\n\nThe case was then adjourned until Wednesday, 13th.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552493, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 14, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "# THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS\n## A CASE TO ANSWER\n### Magistrate's Ruling\n#### EXTRADITION PROCEEDING\n\nThat the four alleged fugitives wanted by the Nanking Government in connection with the attempted assassination of Mr. Wang Ching Wei and Marshal Chiang Kai Shek had a case to answer in the extradition proceedings against them was the decision of the Central Magistrate, Mr. W. Schofield in answer to Mr. Peter H. Sin's plea at a previous hearing that his clients had no case to answer.\n\nMr. D. L. Strellet, of Messrs. G. K. Hall Brutton and Co., appeared for the prosecution.\n\nThe four fugitives who appeared before Mr. Schofield on Wednesday were Yu Lap-fai, Chan Chi-ping, Wu Tai-hoi and Cheung Chi-hon.\n\nOutlining his defence, Mr. Sin said that on the part of the first fugitive he will say that he never met Wong Ah-chui in Hong Kong, nor did he conspire with him or others, not in custody, to murder Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and Mr. Wang Ching-wei. If this mysterious person named Wong Ah-chui did conspire to murder these men, then he (first fugitive) was in no way to blame. He only met Wong Ah-san a few times. He was detained for 15 months on one occasion by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek owing to his subordinates causing a minor revolution and he (the first fugitive) being in command was blamed for the upheaval.\n\nHe will admit that he stayed at No. 10, Wing Hing Street where he shared a flat with a man named Chang. He then moved and stayed at No. 69, Shing Wo Road where Mr. Chang Yick-kin, the principal tenant, shared a flat with him. He had never met Wong Ah-chui nor had he any dealings with him.\n\nHe will submit to the Court that Wong Ah-chui was a person who held different political views from those of the Central Government, and thus because his extradition was sought, why should his (first fugitive's) also be sought? He will say that the evidence of Wong Ah-san was absolutely false. How Wong Ah-san came here, the first fugitive did not know, but there was a great deal behind these proceedings.\n\nThe second fugitive will say that he was a guest of the first fugitive and that he was a former member of the Executive Committee of the Seamen's Guild of Wo Hoo, Anhui Province. He came to Hong Kong and became the first fugitive's guest. He will also say that he never knew Wong Ah Chui nor had he conspired with him to murder the said statesmen as alleged.\n\nThe third fugitive will tell the court that he was formerly connected with General Mok Hung, then in command of the 88th Division, which division was connected with the Central Government. He was unemployed and came to Hong Kong to look for work. He was at one time a cook at Cheng Yick Kin's house at No. 69 Shing Wo Road and while he was thus employed, he was arrested. He had been asked by Mr. Cheng to carry certain documents to No. 92 Robinson Road and was asked to wait for him. He will also deny any suggestions of using a bomb in the Nanking outrage. In short, he had nothing to do with any conspiracy with Wong Ah-chui whom he had never met.\n\nThe fourth fugitive will deny point blank being related to Wong Ah-chui, or that his sister was married to him. At the time of his arrest, he was staying at No. 199 Wanchai Road. He had never met Wong Ah-chui or any of the other fugitives before he came to this court.\n\nAll the fugitives will say that the story as unfolded by Wong Ah-san was a fabricated one and will deny all the allegations in total.\n\nMr. Schofield said: Having consulted the cases quoted, I am satisfied that I am in no sense bound to dismiss this case nor am I in the position of a jury which has to be warned but which nevertheless can convict. That being so, there is evidence which raises a probable presumption of the fugitives' guilt and this is in fact my opinion. There is a case to answer.\n\nAfter the evidence of Cheung Kin-pui, translator of certain documents found on the third fugitive when arrested, the case was adjourned till today.\n\n## Page 864\nMay 22 \n24", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552494, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 15, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \nIn any further communication on this subject, please quote \nNo. T76036102314 \nand address—not to any person by name, \nbut to— \n\"The Under-Secretary of State,\" Foreign Office, London, S.W.1.\n\nImmediate \n\n**THE Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs** presents his \ncompliments to the Under-Secretary of State \nColonies \ntransmits herewith \nForeign Office, \n27th April \nfor \nand, by direction of the Secretary of State, \n1936. \n\nCopy \nof the under-mentioned papers. \n\n| Reference to previous correspondence : | Name and Date | Description of Enclosure | Subject |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| C.O. letter 53740/36 of 31st March | | | |\n| | Unnumbered No: 195 Peking 22nd April | Telegram from H.M. Representative at Peking | alleged accomplice of the murderer of Wang Ching-wei, former Chinese Foreign Minister. |\n| | 198 of 23 April | | |\n\n14-6130 12588(2) \n\nSimilar letter sent to", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552495, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 16, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "**(T7603/6102/374)**\n\n**Decode.**\n\nMr. Howe. (Peking).\n\n**NO DISTRIBUTION.**\n\nD. R.\n\nApril 22nd, 1936.\n\n(by wireless) 7.9.p.m. April 22nd, 1936.\n\n8.50.p.m. April 22nd, 1936.\n\nNo.\n\n(R).\n\nAddressed to Hongkong telegram No. 15.\n\nYour telegram No. 6 to Nanking.\n\nI feel it my duty to point out that the escape of this witness, while in Hongkong, would seriously affect our relations with the Central Government. I trust therefore that Your Excellency will be able to take measures to ensure that he is safely embarked for Shanghai in charge of his escort on conclusion of his trial.\n\nRepeated to Foreign Office, Mission.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552496, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 17, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "**(T7605/6102/374)**\n\n## Decode. Mr. Howe (Peking)\n\n22nd April, 1936.\n\nBy Wireless, 22nd April, 1936.\n\n**NO DISTRIBUTION.**\n\nD.\n\nR.\n\nNo. 195.\n\n8.50 p.m.\n\n**(R).** 22nd April, 1936.\n\n`1* 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 11 10 11 11 11 11 18 42 41 TEAT11 31`\n\nFollowing received from Hongkong No. 8 April 21st.\n\nAddressed to Mission, repeated to Peking April 21st.\n\nYour telegram No. 3, Extradition, and my telegram No. 5.\n\nFollowing from Secretary of State, begins:\n\nYour telegram No. 59: extradition.\n\nI am advised that your powers under deportation ordinance cannot properly be exercised to meet the request of Chinese authorities.\n\nPlease inform Waichiaopu.\n\nWang Yan-shan must therefore be released on conclusion of trial but has himself expressed the desire to return to Shanghai under protective escort.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552497, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 18, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "**(T7606/6102/374)**\n\n**NO DISTRIBUTION**\n\n**Decode**\n\nMr. Howe (Peking), \n23rd April, 1936.\n\nD. W/T \n23rd April, 1936.\n\nR. 6.30 p.m. \n23rd April, 1936.\n\nNo. 198. (R).\n\nAddressed to Mission No. 87.\n\nHongkong telegram No. 6.\n\nMessage which you are asked in above telegram to convey to Waichiaopu is certain to cause serious disquiet and recriminations unless it can be accompanied by an assurance that means will be found to secure witness safe return to Shanghai in custody. You should therefore await reply from Hong-kong to my telegram No. 15 before speaking to Waichiaopu.\n\nRepeated to Hongkong and Foreign Office No. 198.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552498, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 19, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## C. O.\n\nMr. Caustairs 8/4 \nMr. My Bigg 8/4 \nMr Gent & \n53740/36 \nJFK. \nMe than 8/4/36 ho.. \nCowell \nSir G. Tomlinson. \nSir C. Bottomley. \nSir J. Shuckburgh. \nPermt. U.S. of S. \nParly. U.S. of S. \nSecretary of State.\n\n9. \nгру \nماما \n9 \nSAL \n} } \n19 \n-Joked Lent \n9/4/36 106 \n6.0. Pm \nYour tel. 59. Extradition.\n\nI am advised that your powers under the **Deportation Ordinance** cannot properly be exercised to meet the request of the Chinese Govt that alleged accomplice to attempted assassination / WANG CHING WEI ...\n\nDRAFT. FURTHER ACTION.\n\nCopy 45 70. 4 off `rf(1)`, Frecive to Fo...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552499, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 20, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \n19A WEI be held and returned at the conclusion of the trial.\n\nSecer.\n\nPage 20\nPage 21", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552500, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 21, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "In any further communication on this subject, please quote `No. T 6616/6102/374` and address—not to any person by name but to \"The Under-Secretary of State,\" Foreign Office, London, S.W.1.\n\n**IMMEDIATE**\n\n**RECERED**\n\n**FOREIGN OFFICE.**\n\nS.W.1\n\n7th April, 1936\n\n20\n\nSir,\n\n**APR 1936 0.0. REGY**\n\nWith reference to your letter `No.53740/36` of the 31st March, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Eden to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that in view of the doubt which appears to exist regarding the legal right of the Governor of Hong Kong to hold in temporary custody the Chinese national who is accused of complicity in the attempted murder of Wang Ching wei and whom the Chinese Government wish to produce as a witness at the extradition trial of certain other accused persons now proceeding in the Colony, Mr. Eden concurs in Mr. Thomas's proposal to inform Sir A. Caldecott that his powers under the Hong Kong Deportation Ordinance of 1935 cannot properly be exercised to meet the request of the Chinese Government that this man be held and returned to China at the conclusion of the trial.\n\n2.\n\nA copy of a telegram which has been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Peking in this connexion is enclosed herewith.\n\nThe Under-Secretary of State,\nColonial Office.\n\nI am,\nSir,\nYour obedient Servant,\nMore or Less Roland", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552501, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 22, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "`6616/6102/374`\n\n**NO DISTRIBUTION**\n\nCode telegram to Mr. Howe (Peking).\n\nForeign Office. 6th April, 1936.\n\n3.20 p.m.\n\nNo.91 (R).\n\nHongkong telegram of 17th March (extradition proceedings against persons accused of attempted murder of Wang Ching-wei).\n\nI have concurred in proposal of Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform Governor that he cannot exercise his powers under Deportation Ordinance of 1935 in the manner suggested.\n\n21", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552502, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 23, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \n\nMr. Gent 28 \n\nMr. Duncan (Int) H.G.B.30/3 \n\nMr. Bigg 30/3 \n\nMr. Cowell 30. \n\nSir C. Parkinson. \n\nSir G. Tomlinson. \n\nSir C. Bottomley. \n\n× Sir J. Spackburgh 30/3 \n\nPermt. U.S. of S. \n\nParly. U.S. of S. \n\nSecretary of State. \n\n**DRAFT** \n\n**FOR CONSON.** \n\n**UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE** \n\n**FOREIGN OFFICE** \n\n53740/36/HK. \n\nAuar (7) \n\nSir, \n\n31 MAR \n\nC \n\n31. \n\nZZ \n\n6 \n\nI am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th of March No. T.6102/6102/374 and to request you to inform Mr. Secretary Eden that the assumption in the second paragraph of your letter is correct.\n\n2. Having regard to the principles involved, and to certain legal difficulties such as the fact that the man could not be kept in lawful custody in Hong Kong, Mr. Thomas does not feel able to justify an assurance being given to the Chinese Government that the alleged accomplice would be restored to their custody in China on being no longer required at the trial in Hong Kong.\n\n**FURTHER ACTION**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552503, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 24, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \ncannot but feel \n\n3. Further, Mr. Thomas holds strongly the special opinion that, in the circumstances of the Colony, it would be extremely undesirable for the Governor of Hong Kong to accommodate the Central Government of China in such a matter as this without the clearest legal authority for action in the sense desired; and, he regrets that he is unable to offer any suggestion for the purpose mentioned at the end of your letter.\n\n4. In order to ensure that no action is taken by the Governor while the Chinese request is under consideration by H.M.G. that runs counter to meeting Mr. Eden's wishes in this or any other matter, a telegram has been sent to him, of which a copy is attached.\n\n**(Signed)** H. R. POWELL", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552504, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 25, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "In any further communication on this subject, please quote No. `T6102/6102/374` and address - not to any person by name but to CE The Under-Secretary of State,\" Foreign Office, London, S. W.1.\n\nSir,\n\n**FOREIGN OFFICE.**\nS. W. 1.\n5\n28th March, 1936\n23A\n\nI am directed by Mr. Secretary Eden to invite reference to your letter No. 53740/36 of the 20th March regarding the proposal of the Governor of Hong Kong to exercise his powers under the Hong Kong Deportation Ordinance of 1935 in order to ensure the return to Chinese territory of an alleged accomplice in the attempted assassination of the former Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Ching-wei, whom the Chinese Government are sending to the Colony under escort for the purpose of giving evidence in the extradition trial now proceeding of persons accused of complicity in the crime.\n\n2. Mr. Eden assumes that in proposing to disallow the Governor's proposal Mr. Secretary Thomas has regard to the principle that deportation procedure should not be used as a substitute for extradition proceedings and to the fact that, since the accomplice whose evidence is required in Hong Kong is an accused person in China it would not be proper, once he has been introduced into the Colony, to seek to secure his return to China by any procedure other than that of extradition.\n\n3. I am, however, to observe, for the consideration of Mr. Thomas, that Mr. Eden regards it as desirable from the political point of view that an attempt should if possible be made to comply with the request made by the Chinese Government on this occasion, since it would be a matter of no little difficulty\n\nThe Under Secretary of State,\nColonial Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552505, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 26, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "So hap difficulty to explain to that Government in a convincing manner the reasons which prevent the Governor from acceding to a demand made by them in the interests of justice, and I am to enquire whether Mr. Thomas can suggest any means of overcoming the technical obstacles which stand in the way of permitting the Governor to adopt the course he proposes.\n\nI am,\nSir,\nYour obedient Servant.\nM Moun", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552506, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 27, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "T6102/6108/374\n\nSir,\n\n4.5.1.\n\n28th March, 1936\n\nI am directed by Fr. Secretary Eden to invite reference to your letter No. 53740/36 of the 20th March regarding the proposal of the Governor of Hong Kong to exercise his powers under the Hong Kong Extradition Ordinance of 1938 in order to ensure the return to Chinese territory of an alleged accomplice in the attempted assassination of the former Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Ching-wei, whom the Chinese Government are sending to the Colony under escort for the purpose of giving evidence in the extradition trial now proceeding of persons accused of complicity in the crime.\n\nMr. Eden assumes that in proposing to disallow the Governor's proposal Mr. Secretary Thomas has regard to the principle that deportation procedure should not be used as a substitute for extradition proceedings and to the fact that, since the accomplice whose evidence is required in Hong Kong is an accused person in China it would not be proper, once he has been introduced into the Colony, to seek to secure return to China by any procedure other than that of extradition.\n\nI am, however, to observe, for the consideration of Mr. Thomas, that Mr. Eden regards it as desirable from the political point of view that an attempt should if possible be made to comply with the request made by the Chinese Government on this occasion, since it would be a matter of no little difficulty.\n\nI am,\nThe Under Secretary of State,\nColonial Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552507, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 28, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "# \n\n26 \n\ndifficulty to explain to that Government in a convincing \nmanner the reasons which prevent the Governor from acceding \nto a demand made by them in the interests of justice, and \nI am to enquire whether Mr. Thomes can suggest any means of \novercoming the technical obstacles which stand in the way \nof permitting the Governor to adopt the course he proposes. \n\nI am, \nSir, \nYour obedient servant, \n(Sd.) W. L. M. DUNLOP,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552508, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 29, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## C. O.\n31. Lanstans 20/3\n\nMr. Goul 20\nMr.\n\nSir C. Parkinson.\nSir G. Tomlinson.\nSir C. Bottomley.\nSir J. Shuckburgh.\nPermt. U.S. of S.\nParly. U.S. of S.\nSecretary of State.\n\n(MD) mirn\n\nSir,\n\n2Q MAR 1936\n\nI am to transmit to you, to be laid before My Secretary Eden, a copy of a tel. from the Governor, Hong Kong, subject (copy of (1)).\n\nFURTHER ACTION\non the Governor's proposal which My Eden may have, Mr. Thomas proposes to inform the Foreign Office.\n\nDRAFT. See minutes u.5.95.\n70. Winder tel. 59\n53740/36\nIFTE 2\n27\n2: March 1936\nImportant", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552509, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \n28\n\nCaldecott that he is advised \nthat the Governor's powers \nunder \nthe section \nof \nthe \nColonial law cited in his \ntel. \ncould not properly \nbe exercised to meet the \nrequest of the Chinese Govt.\n\n2.\n\nA very early reply to \nthis letter would be appreciated.\n\nJan.\n\n**(Signed)** A. CLUNEL\n\nPage 30", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552510, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 31, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "# Telegram from Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies\n\n## Details\n**No 59.** \n**Chinese** \n**Confidential** \nDated 17th March, 1936. \nReceived 8.50 a.m. 17th March, 1936.\n\nAddressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies repeated to Peking Mission.\n\nIn extradition trial now proceeding of persons accused of complicity in attempt to assassinate Tang Ching-wei former Foreign Minister Government owing to failure of other evidence are sending to Colony under escort alleged accomplice and urgently request through Ambassador that this accomplice be held and returned to Ching, after trial. I am advised that only legal method is under section three (one) of Deportation of Aliens Ordinance `1935` with ships order under section eleven for return to Shanghai for trial and I propose to adopt this course subject to your approval.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 552511, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "page_number": 32, "title": "CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936", "content_text": "## \n\n\nIt appears you haven't provided the OCR text that needs proofreading. Please provide the text, and I'll be happy to assist you in proofreading it according to the guidelines.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-559-5 Attempted assassination of Wong Ching-wei- proposed extradition of alleged accomplice 17-3-1936 - 15-5-1936.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 555254, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938", "page_number": 104, "title": "CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938", "content_text": "# THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS & \n## October 29, 1937\n### AMAZING PROGRESS IN SIX YEARS\n#### What Sino-Japanese War Has Meant To China\n\nSomething of China's amazing progress during the past few years was discussed by Mr. Walter Han-ming Chen, the well-known Chinese journalist and publicist when he spoke to Hong Kong students at the Hong Kong University on Oct. 19 on \"Present-day China.\"\n\nAs you know, China, since the overthrow of the Manchus 26 years ago, was for more than two decades divided and nobody was able to bring about unification in our country. Military leaders and political chieftains were jealous of each other; they fought for power and self-aggrandizement. Communists battled against the central government.\n\nBanditry was rife. Then came the Japanese, who forcibly occupied our Three Eastern Provinces, where they set up a puppet state which they called Manchukuo. Then they pushed further southward into north China and there, aided by traitors, they established a so-called autonomous regime, which permitted widespread smuggling and the poisoning of our unfortunate people, through the sale of opium, morphine, and other dangerous drugs.\n\nAfter that, they occupied Peiping, Tientsin, and other places in north China, and started warfare in Shanghai and other places along the Peiping-Hankow and the Tientsin-Pukow Railways, where at present our brave soldiers and airmen are putting up a glorious battle for the honour and existence of our country. Such a state of affairs, everybody will agree, could not be tolerated.\n\nChina had to have a leader who was capable of uniting the country and resisting invasion. We had to find a leader, who was a real and sincere patriot, who would command the people's confidence. Heaven gave us General Chiang Kai-shek, the only man who is able to save China and lead our national army in defence of our country. With his New Life Movement, the Generalissimo has succeeded, where others had failed, in uniting our ancestral land and is, as you know, personally directing the resistance against those who are trying to dominate and conquer our country.\n\n### REAL UNITY\n\nMany people have questioned me as to whether our unity is real. I can assure you that, beyond a shadow of doubt, it is. China is now more united than she has been for years past. Never before, indeed, have we Chinese been so united and never before have the people and their leaders shown such spirit of co-operation.\n\nIt has constantly been claimed that China is weak and not united and that it is unsafe and dangerous to live in our country, but we have shown, during the past few months, that we are far from being weak and that we are a really unified country. As to the allegation that China is a dangerous place to live in, you may be interested to know that nowadays, with the exception of the territories occupied by the Japanese, people may come and go about and live in China in perfect safety.\n\nIn former days, one would never have dared to make such a statement, but to-day things are different and we seldom read in the press of civil warfare, communist activities, banditry, or kidnappings - depredations which have been nearly wiped out - such as we used to read about almost every day in the past.\n\n### AMAZING PROGRESS\n\nThe really startling thing about China to-day is the amazing progress which has been taking place throughout the country. The era of civil war and banditry, as I have already said, is ended. Both the will of the people and the policy of the National Government are united in harmonising and composing all differences through peaceful means.\n\nEverywhere, there is a widespread recognition of the fact that, with the solution of the economic problem, the political problem would automatically be solved. For this reason, our government has been bending all its energies towards giving the people an efficient, honest, and progressive administration.\n\nWe do claim to have made considerable progress in this direction. We must give the Chinese Government time to wipe the slate clean. We must be patient and not expect too much at once. We must be fair and just to her friends.\n\n### NEW LIFE MOVEMENT\n\nThe New Life Movement is deeply concerned with the character that goes to make a nation and with developing that character. Without men and women of character, there can be no unified state. When men allow personal ambition, greed, selfishness, and vanity to dominate their political theories and acts, we are immediately plunged into civil war. The New Life Movement has done a considerable amount of work and it would take hours to tell of the progress which it has already made, and the reforms which it has brought about in China.\n\nIn addition to character building, the New Life Movement stresses the responsibilities of citizenship. Ambitious men may intrigue to invade neighbouring provinces but, as citizens more and more are voicing their opinions and insisting upon unification, this breaking of national unity has become exceedingly difficult. He is a foolhardy man indeed who to-day disregards this growing and formidable public opinion. There is national unity in China because the people demand it. National reforms are being brought about because the people demand them.\n\n### AFTER THE WAR\n\nNow that unity has been restored, the Nanking authorities will, when the present Sino-Japanese hostilities are ended, and eventual victory is won by China, turn their eyes to education and communications, after which I understand, steps will be taken towards raising the standard of living of the people.\n\nThe growth of the modern school system throughout China has been phenomenal. Everywhere in the interior, we see children and adults with their books coming and going. The fact is that the vast majority of the people are not informed on many matters that concern their everyday life, and ignorance and superstition still influence them to an alarming extent.\n\nNow, I am happy to say, education has come to China and it has come to stay. It is growing rapidly and thousands of cheap and efficient schools are being opened, or have been opened in the different provinces. Madame Chiang Kai-shek has opened a number of schools, and is mothering several hundred students in schools for the children of the revolution and recommends this form of social service to her friends.\n\n### EDUCATION FORGING AHEAD\n\nI have mentioned a cheap and efficient system of education. Between 600 and 1,000 of the most used characters in the Chinese written language have been chosen and those who know these have a useful everyday grasp of their use. Cheap books have been printed and supplied to the different schools, free of cost. Paper and ink are distributed gratis to the students.\n\nTeachers who have finished their middle and normal school education are selected and given a small salary, just enough to live on. In many places, temples and other buildings are borrowed and used as school buildings.\n\nIn many cases, there are blackboards but no desks or stools. Sometimes students are to be seen sitting on the ground, using their knees as their desks, and writing as best they can on them. Nevertheless, in spite of their difficulties, they learn and, at the end of their day's work, they are told to go home and teach their parents and elders, which they generally do, and this has amazing results.\n\nApart from the classes for the children, there are classes for adults, which are generally held in the early mornings or at dusk or after, so as to permit these people to attend their fields and other duties during the day.\n\n### COMPULSORY CLASSES\n\nIn the cities, we have a system of compulsory education for servants, shop assistants, and others who have not attended school. These are conducted along the mass education system and already thousands have been educated in this way. Agents of the government are sent regularly to the different shops and homes and they register all those who are uneducated. Notices are sent and tell the uneducated to attend classes at selected places, generally early in the morning or in the evening. Should they fail to attend classes, both they and their employers are fined.\n\n### MILITARY TRAINING\n\nNow we come to the compulsory citizens' military training. Every citizen over the age of 18 and under the age of 45 is expected to serve a term with the colours. There are many who do not like to serve and who try to evade military service, but the government has, nevertheless, ordered that they should undergo a period of training ranging from three to six months, failing which they are punished.\n\nI have seen classes in which business magnates have stood shoulder to shoulder with shop assistants or other employees. All these undergo strict and rigorous training and are subjected to military law. Even girls are called upon to serve and those unable to carry rifles are put through courses of first aid and nursing.\n\nAt the time I left Shanghai, before the outbreak of hostilities on August 13, one of the girls undergoing military training was my daughter and another was the daughter of Mr. O. K. Yui, Mayor of Shanghai, who is prominently in the news nowadays and who has refused to use his influence to enable his daughter to escape her national responsibilities. As a result, thousands have been turned into efficient citizens with military training.\n\n### EXAMINATION FOR OFFICIALS\n\nIn the political sphere, the financial administration has been centralised, our national budget has been balanced, and the tax system has been reformed, so that, since the advent of the National Government, some local taxes have been abolished. Some of these former taxes, levied by warlords, had been collected 89 years in advance!\n\nOfficials high and low are being subjected to severe civil examination and those found unqualified are being removed from office, irrespective of the influence of friends.\n\nThousands of miles of fine new highways have been built since 1927 when the National Government came into power. These are to be found in every province, and it is now possible for one to travel from the leading coastal cities to formerly inaccessible places, by motor car.\n\nMany miles of new railways also have been constructed and the Canton-Hankow Railway has been completed while the Lunghai Line has been extended.\n\nA network of telephone wires permits persons in Shanghai, Nanking, and Canton, for instance, to converse with others in places thousands of miles away.\n\n### AERIAL SERVICES\n\nThen, of course, there are the efficient airway services, the planes of which carry passengers to such inland places as Kuming (Yunnan), Sian, and Chengtu in a few hours, whereas it used to take weeks and months to make the trips in former times. Unfortunately, these services have temporarily been suspended as a result of the Sino-Japanese war.\n\n## BANKING CORPORATION\n\n| | |\n| --- | --- |\n| **AUTHORISED CAPITAL** | $50,000,000 |\n| **ISSUED AND FULLY PAID-UP** | $20,000,000 |\n| **RESERVE FUNDS** | |\n|   STERLING | £6,500,000 |\n|   HONG KONG CURRENCY RESERVE | $10,000,000 |\n| **RESERVE LIABILITY OF PROPRIETORS** | $20,000,000 |\n\n**HEAD OFFICE:** HONG KONG\n\n**BOARD OF DIRECTORS:**\n- G. Miskin, Esq., Chairman\n- Hon. Mr. M.T. Johnson, Deputy Chairman\n- J.K. Bousfield, Esq.\n- K.S. Morrison, Esq.\n- Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson\n- Ali Compton, Esq.\n- S. H. Dodwell, Esq.\n- T. E. Pearce, Esq.\n- J. E. Vasson, Esq.\n- A. Shields, Esq.\n- Sir Vandeleur M. Grayburn, Chief Manager\n\n**BRANCHES:**\n- Amoy\n- Bangkok\n- Batavia\n- Bombay\n- Canton\n- Chotoo\n- Colombo\n- Dairen\n- Foochow\n- Haiphong\n- Hamburg\n- Hankow\n- Hong Kong\n- Iloilo\n- Ipoh\n- Jobore\n- Kobe\n- Kowloon\n- Kuala Lumpur\n- Lyons\n- Malacca\n- Manila\n- Mukden\n- New York\n- Peiping\n- Penang\n- Rangoon\n- Saigon\n- San Francisco\n- Shanghai\n- Singapore\n- Surabaya\n- Swatow\n- Tientsin\n- Tokyo\n- Tsingtao\n- Wuhu\n\n**CURRENT ACCOUNTS** opened in Local CURRENCY and Fixed Deposits received for one year or shorter periods in Local CURRENCY and STERLING on terms which will be quoted on application.\n\n**ALSO** up to date SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES in various sizes To LET\n\nHong Kong, 12th May, 1937.\n\n## ANNOUNCEMENT\n\nAn engagement is announced between Robert, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Hooper of Madras, and Sybil, older daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Crawford of \"Craigieburn,\" Brookmans Park, Herts., late of Hong Kong.\n\nThe marriage will take place in Madras in January.\n\nIn General Chiang Kai-shek we Chinese have a sincere and capable patriot as our leader. We are at one in giving him our full support and co-operation and will follow him unswervingly to the end in spite of the threat of our enemy to oust him and to exterminate the Nanking regime.\n\nLet us all place our confidence in the Generalissimo and give him a free hand. Do not try to rush him along for he knows what he is doing. He is a military man and we are civilians who are not familiar with the art of warfare.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 560091, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-570-1 Sino-Japanese War- arrangements for refugees from Shanghai 2-2-1938 - 2-11-1938", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-570-1 Sino-Japanese War- arrangements for refugees from Shanghai 2-2-1938 - 2-11-1938", "content_text": "Statement of Expenditure incurred by the Hong Kong Government on persons who were not evacuated by His Majesty's Consul-General, Shanghai.\n\nEnclosure No.1.\n\n30\n\n \n Date of arrival\n Name and Address in Hongkong\n Where from\n Name of ship\n Date of departure\n Expenditure incurred Hkg. $\n Amount recovered. Hkg. $\n Amount outstanding Hkg. $\n Nationality\n \n \n 1.1.38\n Miss N.A. Afanassieff\n Hankow\n Train\n 9.1.38\n Maintenance January 1-9: 48.00\nPassages to Shanghai: 82.00\n 82.00\n 48.00\n Russian\n \n \n 15.12.37\n Mr. Peter V. Berezovsky\n Hankow\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Maintenance December 15-22: 21.00\nPassage to Shanghai: 41.00\n \n 62.00\n Formerly Russian, now Chinese.\n \n \n 1.1.38\n Miss T. Daniloff\n32, Rue Moliere Hankow\n Hankow\n Train\n 9.1.38\n Maintenance January 1-9: 24.00\nPassage to Shanghai: 41.00\n 41.00\n 24.00\n Russian (?)\n \n \n 4.9.37\n Mrs. A. Dridgin\n25 Ichang Li, Elgin Avenue, Tientsin\n Canton\n Train\n 22.10.37\n Maintenance September 4-October 22: 144.00\n \n 144.00\n Roumanian\n \n \n 1.9.37\n Mr. Z. G. Kern (deceased)\n Shanghai\n S.S. Gneisenau\n died 9.12.37\n Maintenance September 3-23 & October 29-December 3: 165.00\n \n 165.00\n Latvian\n \n \n 1.1.38\n Mr. & Mrs. A.V.Kooklin & child\nUniversal Agency.\n Kuling\n Canton Train\n 6.1.38\n Maintenance January 1-6: 30.00\nPassages to Shanghai: 140.00\n 140.00\n 30.00\n American\n \n \n 27.8.37\n Mrs. J. Kwonk & 2 children\n Shanghai\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 28.9.37\n Mrs. M. Matveenko\n135 Route Lorton, Shanghai\n Canton\n S.S. Empress of Canada\n 9.9.37\n Maintenance August 27-September 9: 91.00\nMaintenance September 28-December 25: 264.00\nPassage to Shanghai: 41.00\n \n 305.00\n Russian\n \n \n 26.8.37\n Miss M. Money\nCanadian School, Chengtu, Szechuen\n Canton\n \n 27.8.37\n Maintenance 1 day: 5.00\n 5.00\n \n ?\n \n \n 25.12.37\n Miss Z.J. Morozoff\n118, Route Vallon, Shanghai\n Hankow\n Train\n 9.1.38\n Maintenance December 28-January 9: 39.00\nPassage to Shanghai: 41.00\n \n 80.00\n Russian\n \n \n 24.8.37\n Mrs. I Nastashevsky\n Shanghai\n S.S. Aramis\n 25.12.37\n Maintenance September 3-December 25: 339.00\n \n 339.00\n Russian\n \n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-570-1 Sino-Japanese War- arrangements for refugees from Shanghai 2-2-1938 - 2-11-1938.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 560107, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-570-1 Sino-Japanese War- arrangements for refugees from Shanghai 2-2-1938 - 2-11-1938", "page_number": 46, "title": "CO129-570-1 Sino-Japanese War- arrangements for refugees from Shanghai 2-2-1938 - 2-11-1938", "content_text": "Statement of Expenditure incurred by the Hongkong Government on persons who were not evacuated by His Majesty's Consul-General, Shanghai.\n\n46\n\n \n Name and Address\n Date of Arrival\n Where from\n Name of ship\n Date of departure\n Expenditure incurred Hkg.$\n Amount recovered Hkg.$\n Amount outstanding Hkg.$\n Nationality\n \n \n Miss N.A. Afanassieff\nMrs. N. P. Afanassieff\nNo trace of present whereabouts in Hongkong\n 1.1.38\n Hankow\n Train\n 9.1.38\n Maintenance Jan. 1-19\nPassages to Shanghai\n 48.00\n82.00\n \n 48.00\n82.00\n Russian\n \n \n Mrs. A. Andre Brysky\n 15.12.37\n Hankow\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Maintenance Dec 8-21\nPassage to Shanghai\n 21.00\n41.00\n \n 62.00\n Formerly Russian, now Chinese\n \n \n Miss T. Daniloff\n32, Rue Molière\n 1.1.38\n Hankow\n Train\n 9.1.38\n Maintenance Jan 1-9\nPassage to Shanghai\n 24.00\n41.00\n \n 24.00\n41.00\n Russian (?)\n \n \n Mrs. A. Dridgin\n25 Ichang Li, Elgin Avenue, Tientsin\n 4.9.37\n Canton\n Train\n 22.10.37\n Maintenance Sept 4-Oct 22\n 144.00\n \n 144.00\n Roumanian\n \n \n Mr. Z.G. Kern (deceased)\n 1.9.37\n Shanghai\n Gneisenau\n 9.12.37\n Maintenance Sept 3-23 & Oct 29-Dec 3\n 165.00\n \n 165.00\n Latvian\n \n \n Mr. & Mrs. A.V. Kooklin\nKuling Universal Agency, Kuling\n 1.1.38\n Canton\n Train\n 6.1.38\n Maintenance Jan 1-6\nPassages to Shanghai\n 30.00\n140.00\n \n 30.00\n140.00\n American\n \n \n Mrs. J. Kwok, 2 children\n 27.8.37\n Shanghai\n S.S. Engress\n 9.9.37\n Maintenance Aug 27-Sept 9\n 91.00\n 45.00\n 46.00\n Chinese\n \n \n Mrs. H. Matveenko\n135 Route Lorton, Shanghai\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Miss M. Money\nCanadian School, Chengtu, Szechuen\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Miss Z.J. Morozoff\n118, Route Vallon, Shanghai\n 28.9.37\n Canton\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Maintenance Sept 28-Dec 25\nPassage to Shanghai\n 264.00\n41.00\n \n 305.00\n Russian\n \n \n Mrs. I. Nastashevsky\n 26.8.37\n Canton\n \n 27.8.37\n Maintenance 1 day\n 5.00\n \n 5.00\n \n \n \n In Hongkong\n 24.8.37\n Shanghai\n S.S. Aramis\n 25.12.37\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mrs. E. Plihalova & child\nP. Sommer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n No trace of present whereabouts\n 25.12.37\n Hankow\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Maintenance Dec 28-29\nPassage to Shanghai\n 339.00\n61.50\n \n 339.00\n61.50\n Russian\n \n \n Mr. S.L. Smirnoff & 2 children\n 25.12.37\n Hankow\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Passage to Shanghai\n 41.00\n \n 41.00\n Russian\n \n \n Mrs. A. Suchochlebova\nNo trace of present whereabouts\n 25.12.37\n Hankow\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Passages to Shanghai\n 102.50\n \n 102.50\n Russian\n \n \n Mrs. A. Vershinin & child (address not known)\n 14.9.37\n Canton\n Train\n 25.12.37\n Maintenance Sept 14-Dec 25\nPassages to Shanghai\n 796.00\n102.50\n \n 898.50\n Russian\n \n \n Mrs. V. Vituhnovskya and child\nNo trace of present whereabouts\n 28.9.37\n Canton\n \n 25.12.37\n Maintenance Sept 28-Dec 25\nPassage to Shanghai\n 440.00\n41.00\n \n 481.00\n Russian\n \n \n Total\n \n \n \n \n 3181.50\n 308.00\n 2873.50\n \n \n\nPage 46", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-570-1 Sino-Japanese War- arrangements for refugees from Shanghai 2-2-1938 - 2-11-1938.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 561158, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "page_number": 157, "title": "CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939", "content_text": "# 157 \n**NO DISTRIBUTION.** \n**Decypher.** \nR. Allen (Shanghai), \nD. \nW/T \n2nd November, 1958. \nshould be \n2nd November, 1938.\n\n## Corrected Text\n# 157 \n**NO DISTRIBUTION.** \n**Decypher.** \nR. Allen (Shanghai), \nD. \nW/T \n2nd November, 1938. \n\nR. 4.45 p.m. 2nd November, 1938. \nNo. 1575. \n\nFollowing is repetition of Chungking telegram No. 95 of October 27th. \n\nBegins. \n\nAddressed to Embassy, Shanghai No. 95 of October 27th, repeated to Mission No. 32, His Majesty's Ambassador. \n(2) Hongkong telegram No. 307 Secretary of State for the Colonies. \n\nReuter's correspondent confirms that feeling is widespread and similar information comes from other quarters. He does not regard sentiment as serious at present. I have seen no indication of it in Chinese press apart from alleged quotations from the French press. \n\nOn October 25th the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed the view that Japanese action in South China was made possible by the Munich Agreement which was regarded as indicating that no strong action could be expected from Britain. \n\nIn spite of initial depression at the loss of Canton and Hankow, opinion seems to be stiffening. The general view appears to be that Japan cannot stage any more spectacular successes and that a continuance of the war would mean that she would go on losing men, money, and trade without much to show for it. \n\nSince the fall of Hankow, the three generals in Chengtu have telegraphed Chiang Kai-shek assuring him of their continued support in the war of resistance.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-571-11 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese attacks on the south; fall of Canton and Hankow and visit to... 6-10-1938 - 5-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 564096, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939", "page_number": 59, "title": "CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939", "content_text": "# \n\n216. On the 15th June a further statement was made by Mr. Kawai at Hsinking to the effect that the new régime in China would eventually take back the foreign settlements and concessions, which were described as anachronistic.\n\n217. On the 25th June the press reported that a petition signed by four leading reactionaries, including Mr. Toyama and Mr. Honda, had been formally presented to the Emperor, advocating the exercise by Japan of belligerent rights in order to put a stop to assistance to Chiang Kai-shek and to deal effectively with the problem of the concessions.\n\n## Military Operations\n\n218. On the 21st June Japanese troops landed in the neighbourhood of Swatow, and were able to capture the city without resistance on the part of the Chinese. On the same day the Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed an identic note to foreign representatives in Tokyo, stating that purely military operations were being undertaken against the Kwangtung coast, and requesting the co-operation of foreign authorities in China with the Japanese army in order to prevent or minimise accidental damage to the rights and interests of third Powers. The Japanese naval authorities at the same time requested foreign warships not to enter the harbour of Swatow, and expressed considerable indignation when this request was disregarded by a British destroyer. On the 28th June a further Japanese landing was made on an island lying off Foochow and Wenchow by way of prelude to an attack on these ports.\n\n## Japanese Air Activities\n\n219. On the 9th June Chungking was raided for the fifth time by Japanese naval aircraft. Further attacks on Chungking and also on Chengtu were made on the 11th June. Considerable damage was reported in the Japanese press, but foreign property does not appear to have been affected.\n\n## Kulangsu\n\n220. On the 10th June the United States Chargé d'Affaires expressed to the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs apprehension at the continuance of unsettled conditions at Kulangsu, and objected to the Japanese method, which seemed to be to meet all suggested terms for settlement with renewed threats of force. Mr. Dooman further stated on the 13th June that the United States authorities would be prepared to accept a reasonable local solution preserving the complete integrity of the settlement, but were not prepared to give in to threats. Representations on the same subject were made on the 15th and 16th June by the counsellors of the British and French Embassies respectively. The United States Chargé d'Affaires made representations against the blockade of Kulangsu on the 19th June, and the counsellor of His Majesty's Embassy spoke in a similar sense at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the following day. Further semi-official representations were made on the 23rd June by the United States Chargé d'Affaires, who raised the question of interference with fuel and food supplies and asked for a statement indicating the full scope of the facilities which, according to the Japanese Consul-General at Amoy, would be provided for the maintenance of such supplies.\n\n## Views of Mr. Nakano Seigo\n\n221. On the 14th June a meeting arranged by the Tohokai was addressed by Mr. Nakano Seigo, leader of the group, who has of late been assiduously cultivating the poorly educated lower middle class. He has set himself up amongst this class as a \"Japanese Hitler,\" and there were cries of \"Hitler!\" when he ascended the platform.\n\n222. Mr. Nakano's speech consisted largely of a truculent attack on Great Britain and the settlements in China. He maintained that by comparison with British actions in China in the past Japan's present activities were the height of moderation. It was not enough to blockade the settlements; they should be wiped out, an aim which Japan could easily achieve without having any repercussions to fear. Japan should follow the example of Franco's Spain and use submarines of unknown nationality to sink British and French trading vessels now supplying ammunition and war material to the Chinese Government. If the United States were to cease supplying oil and scrap iron to Japan, the latter would immediately seize the British and Netherlands possessions in the Far East, where oil and iron were available. Japan should follow the example of Germany, which, without the loss of a single soldier, had taken Austria, the Czech States, and Memel. If Japan had sufficient determination, she could take all the possessions of Britain and France in the Far East without even going to war.\n\n## U.S.S.R.\n\n223. The Kwantung Army announced on the 2nd June that the Japanese had lost eleven officers and 114 men during the skirmishes with Outer Mongolian troops at Nomonhan (see Political Diary for May, paragraph 180). There was further fighting near Changlingtse, north of Chankufeng, on the 3rd June, in which, according to Japanese sources, Soviet troops were repulsed after crossing the Manchurian frontier. On the same day the Manchukuo authorities protested to the Soviet Government through the latter's consul-general at Harbin regarding the recent alleged violations of the frontier. Conflicts on a larger scale took place between the 22nd and 27th June, accompanied by considerable aerial battles with heavy casualties claimed by each side. There was a temporary lull at the end of the month, but every indication that hostilities would shortly be resumed.\n\n224. On the 16th June the Soviet and Chinese Governments signed in Moscow a new trade agreement, which, according to press reports, contained a most-favoured-nation clause, together with provisions about the legal status of the trade representatives of each Government in the territory of the other.\n\n225. On the 19th June the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs invited the Soviet Chargé d'Affaires to call and discuss with him various outstanding fishery questions. No settlement of these disputes had, however, been reached by the end of the month.\n\n226. On the 29th June it was announced that the Soviet Chargé d'Affaires had been recalled and would shortly leave for Moscow.\n\n## General\n\n227. It was announced on the 6th June that Mr. Kojiro Inoue and Mr. Kikuji Yonezawa had been appointed ministers to Hungary and Portugal respectively.\n\n228. The Enquiry Committee of the Privy Council approved on the 26th June a proposal to establish Japanese Legations in Iraq and Bulgaria.\n\n## Position of the Government\n\n## INTERNAL AFFAIRS\n\n229. The rumours of an impending change in the Government, to which reference has been made, have now subsided, though the Government continue to come in for a certain amount of criticism for their failure to produce concrete measures to cope with domestic difficulties, such as rising prices.\n\n## Change in Organisation of Ministry of Commerce and Industry\n\n230. Plans are under consideration for the reorganisation of the Ministry and for the creation of a new organ for the supervision of foreign trade, something on the lines of our Department of Overseas Trade. The acting commercial counsellor is informed, however, by the Vice-Minister, Mr. Mukase, that the project is meeting with some opposition from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and may not materialise.\n\n## The Seiyukai\n\n231. In spite of the fact that Mr. Kuhara was duly elected as official president of the Seiyukai in May, the difficulties to which the election of the president had given rise did not thereby come to an end. The reformist group with Mr. Nakajima as their rival president continued to repudiate Mr. Kuhara's appointment and recently scored a minor triumph by inducing Mr. Yamazaki, a former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry who was one of the leaders of the now defunct Showakai, to join them. It is believed that several other members of the Showakai will also join the faction and this may indicate that the faction will separate themselves entirely from the Seiyukai and form a fresh party.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 564119, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939", "page_number": 82, "title": "CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939", "content_text": "# 97\n\n\n4 \n\nOut similar heavy air raids any number of times to wreck Chengtu, Kweilin, Kunming and all other cities still held by General Chiang Kai-shek, until he was left without any city to which he could flee.\n\n## Central China Bank\n\n176. The commercial counsellor to His Majesty's Embassy was informed on the 1st May at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that the Central China Bank, the establishment of which at Shanghai was formally announced on that day, was not intended to constitute an attack on the Chinese national currency, which its notes would supplement but not replace; there would be no trade or exchange control or other measures of compulsion regarding the acceptance of the bank's notes. The same subject was raised by His Majesty's Ambassador with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the 8th May, when Sir Robert Craigie explained that His Majesty's Government must regard the bank's establishment as potentially detrimental not only to the stability of the Chinese currency but to the economic structure of China; he accordingly requested an official reply to certain enquiries which he wished to make on the subject. On the 11th May an assurance was received from the Asia Development Board repeating the explanation already given to the commercial counsellor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The reply to the enquiry made by His Majesty's Ambassador, which was received on the 17th May, amplified these assurances by providing detailed information regarding the scope of the new bank. On the following day, the question was taken up by the French Ambassador, who requested similar assurances to those which had already been asked for by His Majesty's Ambassador.\n\n## Shanghai\n\n177. On the 3rd May, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed to His Majesty's Ambassador and to the United States Ambassador a long statement, which was subsequently published, regarding the need for changes in the constitution of the Shanghai Municipal Council and of the district court if satisfactory arrangements were to be made for the suppression of terrorism and the avoidance of friction between the council and the Japanese authorities. In reply to these representations, the United States Ambassador stated on the 13th May that his Government could not discuss the proposed changes at present in view of the abnormal situation existing in the settlement at Shanghai. At the same time, Mr. Grew drew Mr. Arita's attention to certain press reports and stated that he would regard the usurpation by any Power of the rights and duties of the duly constituted authorities of the settlement as a deliberate impairment of United States rights. In reply, the Minister for Foreign Affairs stated categorically that Japan had no intention whatsoever of occupying the International Settlement. On the 19th May, His Majesty's Ambassador spoke to the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs on the same lines, and the French Ambassador made similar representations on the 22nd May.\n\n178. At the same time, the Shanghai Municipal Council showed their willingness to go as far as possible to meet the Japanese attitude by publishing on the 12th May a joint declaration, signed also by the French Concession authorities, stressing the absolute neutrality of the areas under their control and prohibiting all political activities in them.\n\n## Kulangsu\n\n179. On the 12th May, Japanese naval forces were landed in the International Settlement on the island of Kulangsu, opposite Amoy, to seek the assassins of the pro-Japanese president of the Amoy Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hung Li Hsiun. In reply to a protest which he made on the 16th May against this landing, His Majesty's Ambassador was informed that the landing was an emergency measure taken to suppress anti-Japanese acts of assassination, but that the landing party had largely realised their aim and were already effecting a gradual withdrawal. Sir Robert Craigie's representations were supported by the United States and French Ambassadors on the 17th and 19th May respectively. Meanwhile, the three interested Powers had concentrated warships at Amoy, and on the 17th May, British and American naval contingents, each equal in size to the Japanese naval forces already in the settlement, were landed at Kulangsu under the command of the Commander-in-chief, China; a French contingent of the same strength followed very shortly afterwards. Japanese naval authorities retaliated on the 24th May by issuing an order that no ships of third nations should pass between the island and the mainland without receiving permission from themselves, the object of this measure being to constitute a blockade of the International Settlement, at any rate so far as concerned traffic in junks. On the 26th May, His Majesty's Ambassador in China arrived and spent a few days, before proceeding to Shanghai, in assisting in the discussions proceeding between the consular representatives of the four Powers concerned for measures to be taken to ensure the elimination of terrorism from the settlement. Agreement had not yet been reached by the end of the month.\n\n## U.S.S.R.\n\n180. In a communiqué published on the 29th May, the Japanese Kwangtung army referred to a series of clashes which had been proceeding for several days between Outer Mongolian troops and Japanese and Manchukuo forces in the neighbourhood of Nomonhan, and stated that fifty-nine hostile aircraft had been brought down during rather more than a week. The Japanese press universally ascribed these skirmishes to the instigation of the U.S.S.R.\n\n## General: Japanese Policy\n\n181. In statements issued on the 5th and again on the 22nd May, the Prime Minister, Baron Hiranuma, emphasised that Japanese diplomacy is, as always, based on 'morality rather than selfish interests, and that its mission in international affairs is to indoctrinate other nations with the same idea. A grasping policy might be pursued for a short period of ten or twenty years, but retribution would come swiftly and surely. No nation should be influenced by consideration of its own interests alone, lest it stray from the right path. Japan must check those countries attempting to disturb the peace of the world and join hands with those nations which shared her task. The China incident had not been aggression, but it meant that the national destiny of present and future generations was bound up in the future course of events in China. The objective of Japan's guiding political principles was the realisation of the justice of Heaven and Earth and the expression of the Divine Will.\n\n## Position of the Government\n\n## HOME AFFAIRS\n\n182. In spite of a good deal of criticism for their failure to announce concrete details regarding their policy vis-à-vis Europe and regarding the expected new measures for dealing with the China incident, the position of the Government still seems fairly secure, if only for the reason that there is no suitable candidate for the post of Prime Minister if Baron Hiranuma were to resign. The annual conference of prefectural Governors, which of late years has grown in importance as giving the Government an opportunity of explaining their policies in a more informal and less constrained atmosphere than that of the Diet, was held during the first week of May. The Prime Minister's opening speech was merely a rehash of his address at the opening of the Diet, and this, together with the vagueness of the addresses by the other ministers, led to attacks both by the press and by the Governors themselves. In view of the sharp divergence of opinion known to exist among the members of the Cabinet regarding the strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Pact, there was reason to believe that a Cabinet crisis was imminent, but a series of conferences of the \"key\" ministers was followed by the announcement on the 21st May that a final decision in regard to policy vis-à-vis Europe had been made and submitted to the throne. Statements about the nature of the decision were sufficiently vague to raise the hopes both of those who advocated and of those who opposed the strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Pact, and in many of the papers, the hope has been expressed that now that the Government has settled the question of Europe and their policy, they will be able to get on with the more important problem of the incident.\n\n## Selection of a President for the Seiyukai\n\n183. As has been explained, feelings on this question among members of the party rose so high that the reformist group who favour the candidacy of Mr. Nakajima went to the length of occupying the party headquarters in Tokyo.\n\n# 98 \n \n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 565586, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-578-11 Sino-Japanese War- refugees 17-1-1939 - 5-12-1939", "page_number": 60, "title": "CO129-578-11 Sino-Japanese War- refugees 17-1-1939 - 5-12-1939", "content_text": "## 6.79/2.\n\n**Statement of Expenditure incurred by the Hong Kong Government on persons who were not evacuated by His Majesty's Consul-General, Shanghai.**\n\n| Date of arrival in Hong Kong | Where from | Name of ship | Date of departure | Expenditure incurred Hkg. | Amount outstanding Hkg. | Amount recovered Hkg. | Nationality |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1.1.38 | Hankow | Train | 9.1.38 | Maintenance January 1 Passages to Shanghai | 48.00 | 82.00 | 48.00 | Russian |\n| 15.12.37 | Hankow | Train | 25.12.37 | Maintenance December 15 Passage to Shanghai | 21.00 | 62.00 | 41.00 | Formerly Russian, now Chinese |\n| 1.1.38 | Hankow | Train | 9.1.38 | Maintenance January 1 Passage to Shanghai | 24.00 | 41.00 | 24.00 | Russian (?) |\n| 4.9.37 | Canton | Train | 22.10.37 | Maintenance September 4 October 22 | 144.00 | 144.00 | - | Roumanian |\n| 1.9.37 | Shanghai | S.B. Gneisenau | died 9.12.37 | Maintenance September 3 & October 29 December 3 | 165.00 | 165.00 | - | Latvian |\n| 1.1.38 | Canton | Train | 6.1.38 | Maintenance January 1 Passages to Shanghai | 30.00 | 140.00 | 30.00 | American |\n| 27.8.37 | Shanghai | S.S. Empress of Canada | 9.9.37 | Maintenance August 27 September 9 | 91.00 | 305.00 | 5.00 | Chinese |\n| 28.9.37 | Canton | Train | 25.12.37 | Maintenance September 28 December 25 Passage to Shanghai | 264.00 | 45.00 | 46.00 | |\n| 26.8.37 | Canton | ? | 27.8.37 | Maintenance 1 day | 5.00 | ? | ? | Russian |\n| 25.12.37 | Hankow | Train | 9.1.38 | Maintenance December 28 January 9 Passage to Shanghai | 39.00 | 80.00 | 41.00 | Russian |\n| 24.8.37 | Shanghai | S.S. Aramis | 25.12.37 | Maintenance September 3 December 25 | 339.00 | 339.00 | - | Russian |\n\n**Miss N.A. Afanassieff** \nNo trace of present whereabouts \n32, Rue Moliere, Hankow. \n\n**Mr. Feter V. Beresovsky** \nNo address deported \n\n**Miss T. Daniloff** \n32, Rue Moliere, Hankow. \n\n**Mrs. A. Dridgin** \n25, Ichang Li, Elgin Avenue, Tientsin \n\n**Mr. Z.G. Kern (deceased)** \n(deceased) \n\n**Mr. & Mrs. A.V. Kooklin & child** \nKuling Universal Agency, Kuling \n\n**Mrs. J. Kwonk & 2 children** \nNo trace of present whereabouts \n\n**Mrs. M. Matveenko** \n135, Route Lorton, Shanghai \n\n**Miss M. Money** \nCanadian School, Chengtu, Szechuen \n\n**Miss Z.J. Morozoff** \n118, Route Vallon, Shanghai \n\n**Mrs. I. Nastashevsky** \nIn Hong Kong \n\nPage 60 \nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-578-11 Sino-Japanese War- refugees 17-1-1939 - 5-12-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 567415, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-580-1 Sino-Japanese War- handing over of suspected terrorists to Japanese authorities 1-5-1939 - 24-8-1939", "page_number": 79, "title": "CO129-580-1 Sino-Japanese War- handing over of suspected terrorists to Japanese authorities 1-5-1939 - 24-8-1939", "content_text": "68\n\n79\n\nNO DISTRIBUTION.\n\nDecypher.\n\nSir R. Craigie (Tokyo).\n\n14th June, 1939.\n\nD.\n\n12.10 p.m., 14th June, 1939.\n\nR.\n\n9.30 a.m., 14th June, 1939.\n\nNo. 555.\n\nIMMEDIATE.\n\nMy telegram No. 554, not repeated to Shanghai and Tientsin.\n\nIn the course of the same conversation, the French Counsellor spoke to the head of the Bureau about Tientsin. The latter said that he thought that in two or three days there would be possibilities of co-operation there between the Japanese, French and British. The French Counsellor presumed he was thinking of proposal for tribunal.\n\nVery Confidential. Head of the Bureau then speaking quite unofficially remarked \"We are very embarrassed by the war in China and do not know how to end it\"; and that the purpose of bombings in Chungking and Chengtu was to enable the Japanese Government to have something to show to the Japanese people.\n\nThe head of the Bureau should on no account be quoted.\n\nAddressed to Foreign Office No. 555 June 14th; to Shanghai No. 443 and Tientsin No. 48.\n\nrepeated", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-580-1 Sino-Japanese War- handing over of suspected terrorists to Japanese authorities 1-5-1939 - 24-8-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568625, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 10, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT\n\nCHINA\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[F2998/2998/10]\n\nApril 29, 1940.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nCopy No. 112\n\nReport by Sir Stafford Cripps on the Position in China.-(Received in Foreign Office, April 29, 1940.)\n\nIT will be convenient to divide this report into a number of different sections dealing with various subjects, though many of these are closely inter-related, and in some places this will entail a certain degree of repetition. I make no attempt to give detailed figures or statistics except occasionally by way of example, as my object is rather to give a broad view of the present state of affairs with the aim of assisting the formulation of policy. At the conclusion of the report I make a number of detailed recommendations upon the assumption that it is the object of the British Government to give China such assistance as is possible in the circumstances. This report is divided into the following sections:-\n\n(1) The scope of the enquiry.\n\n(2) General background as it affects the present situation.\n\n(3) Military position.\n\n(4) Political situation.\n\n(5) Finance.\n\n(6) Transport.\n\n(7) Economic reconstruction.\n\n(8) Social reconstruction.\n\n(9) Foreign relations.\n\n(10) Sinkiang.\n\n(11) Tokyo visit.\n\n(12) Recommendations.\n\n2. The course of my travels in China took me by road from Lashio to Kunming with stops in Paoshan and Talifu. I remained five days in Kunming and then flew on to Chungking, where I spent nearly a month on and off. I visited Chengtu by road, stopping at Nikiang on the way and later en route for Sinkiang visited Lanchow and Suchow. I then flew out to Hong Kong and went by sea to Shanghai. From there I flew to Tokyo and then returned to Hong Kong via Formosa and Canton, and so back. During my visit to Sinkiang, I flew to Moscow and back, but I do not deal with that in this report. Every possible facility was given me by the Central and Provincial Governments to see everything I wished, and I was fully supplied with all the available material for which I asked.\n\n3. The Generalissimo sent a delegation down to Rangoon to meet me and to accompany me to Kunming, so that I might get as much information and background as possible on my way into China. The delegation consisted of Mr. W. H. Donald, Mr. Sung of the Department of Communications, and Mr. Yun of the Economics Department. I also met at Rangoon Mr. Yseng, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the consul-general. After arrival at Chungking, Dr. Kung put at my disposal Mr. O. H. Hsia, the secretary of the Bank of China, who remained with me the entire time till I left China.\n\n4. During many talks with Donald, I was given a full description of events and personalities during the last thirty years in China, during which time he has been intimately connected with the movement of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with the Young Marshal, and now with the Generalissimo and Mme. Chiang Kai-shek. His position is a unique one as he lives in the next house to the Generalissimo and takes all his meals with them. He goes away with Madame when she visits Hong Kong for a rest and is extremely intimate with both of them. He has no official position, but a great deal of attention is paid to his advice, especially by Madame, who, with Donald, is often in opposition to the Generalissimo's line of action in particular matters. He maintains close contact with the British and American Embassies, but not with any other foreign representatives. Though he prides\n\n[21258]\n\nPage 10\n\nPage 11\n\n11", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568626, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 11, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "sense\n\n>>\n\n2\n\nhimself on not knowing Chinese, he has a very thorough knowledge of every personality of importance in Chinese politics. He started life as a journalist in Australia and later became a correspondent in China for some of the most important English and American newspapers, but he has had no experience of politics in England or America, or, indeed, anywhere outside of China, and consequently has not the broad background necessary for a general political adviser. He has, however, a sense of what is right or wrong for China, which I think is often correct. His advice on the whole is probably more negative than constructive. He is in no sense an intriguer nor is he self-interested, though he naturally likes to maintain his most interesting position. He is, I am convinced, perfectly straight and honest, making nothing out of his position and doing his utmost with Madame to fight against all forms of corruption in the Administration. There is no doubt that he is a powerful factor in Chinese politics, and many people, especially foreign advisers, ambassadors and some of the anti-corruption Chinese elements, go to him to try and get things done by the Generalissimo. He describes himself as the channel for all complaints. This irregular and anomalous position that he holds naturally antagonises a number of the Chinese, amongst them T. V. Soong, with whose position I will deal later.\n\n5. It might here be appropriate to deal with the position of Madame in China. She naturally holds a very special position as the wife and confidante of the Generalissimo and as his English interpreter on all important occasions. She is a most attractive and intelligent woman with considerable drive and energy, and she has especially identified her activities with the New Life Movement in Chinese Politics. She is genuinely anxious to clean up the Administration and to make honesty and efficiency the criterion of service. She is accused by some of hypocrisy, since she has not accomplished or ordered the changes that she has recommended in her series of \"Resurgam\" articles. I have copies of these for anyone who would care to read them. These articles contain the most remarkably frank discussion of Chinese administration and have had a wide publicity in China itself. The proofs for them were corrected by the Generalissimo, who is thoroughly in sympathy with the ideas contained in them. When, however, it comes to carrying the necessary changes of personnel into effect, there is sometimes a sharp division of opinion between the Generalissimo and Madame. The former is basically influenced by the traditional feudalism of China though he is anxious to see the new China grow up with better standards, whereas Madame wants immediate and drastic reformation. She is constantly exhausting herself in this struggle and threatening to give it up as it is of no use to continue. On the last occasion on which I saw her in Hong Kong, where she was resting, she told me of all her difficulties with the Generalissimo, and said: \"You must never forget that he has a truly oriental mind.\" This means that he is prepared to agree for politeness' sake with propositions he has no intention of carrying out, that he will not get rid of old associates who are loyal to him, and that the longest way round may often seem to him to be and may, in fact, be the shortest way home.\n\n6. There is one special difficulty that affects both the Generalissimo and Madame, and that is the Soong family relations; Mme. Sun Yat-sen is in sympathy with the Communists, who are hated and feared by the Generalissimo, and she has not been allowed in Chungking in the past. Mme. Kung, the other sister, lives in Hong Kong, and is generally accused throughout China of having made herself a multi-millionairess by speculating with special knowledge in foreign exchange. T. V. Soong also lives in Hong Kong, and associates rather with Mme. Sun than with the other sisters. Mme. Chiang's one completely blind spot is for the Kung family. However much she sees and fights corruption elsewhere, as far as they are concerned her family loyalty prevents any criticism. I should say that on the whole she is a very good influence for China, though her actual powers to get things done are, I believe, overestimated. Her attitude to Great Britain, while not being one of hostility, is apt to be rather bitterly critical in the light of recent events. The only other member of the Soong family who is actively engaged in Chinese politics is the brother, T. L. Soong, who is in charge of Stores and Transport at Peiping and of whom many unsavoury stories are current.\n\n(1) Since writing the above the three Soong sisters have together gone to Chungking and made a tour of the western areas and the front lines. This is an important political rapprochement.\n\n3\n\n7. I return to the scope of my enquiry. While in Burma I was able to discuss Sino-Burmese relations with the Governor and some of his leading politicians. I was fortunate in being able to get Donald to stay one night with the Governor in Mandalay, and we had a long and useful discussion together on the situation. There has hitherto been an almost complete lack of contact between the two countries so far as the ruling powers are concerned, and this has led to a certain amount of misunderstanding and difficulty over such matters as the through road and railway. Now that the air service and road are available between the two countries, it is most desirable that a closer contact should be maintained. I have done what I could to encourage this and the Chinese are certainly prepared to do all they can to create a more friendly relationship. I think that it is most important for the future that visits should be exchanged between the important personalities in each country as soon as possible.\n\n8. The most important matters between the two countries at the moment are the questions of the Burma-Yunnan Railway and the Bhamo-Yunnan road, with which I will deal later under the Transport section. The only other outstanding matter is the question of the delimitation of the boundary over a comparatively small section in the Southern Shan States. Its importance is that the railway would pass through this area unless an unnecessary deviation were made to avoid it, and there seems to be no reason why this boundary should not be delimited forthwith and thus any present or future difficulty could be removed.\n\n9. From Mandalay we proceeded by road to Lashio, and thence we drove in a convoy of cars provided by the Chinese Government up the Burma-Yunnan Highway, visiting the Sino-American aircraft factory at Loiwing on the way. We spent one day in Paoshan and another in Talifu with Mr. Tan, the extremely capable and energetic manager of the Yunnan-Burma Highway Administration. We visited the headquarters of the Yunnan-Burma Railway construction just beyond Shia-Kwan and then flew into Kunming from Yunnan-Ni in the Generalissimo's plane which he sent for us. We inspected the training school for military aviators under American instructors at Yunnan-I.\n\n10. The whole of the aviation south and east of Chungking is under American influence, that north and west under Russian instructors and influence. The only other operating company is the Eurasia, which is half German and flies from Chungking to Hong Kong (sharing the service with the C.N.A.C.), and also to Hami, in Sinkiang, where it joins the Sino-Russian service to Moscow.\n\n11. We stayed in Kunming for five days, during which we inspected a great number of factories and other institutions, including the universities, and also interviewed the Governor and many other important people. A provincial reception committee looked after us and arranged for us to see everything we wanted to. We were provided with reports at most of the factories describing their initiation and activities. From Kunming we flew to Chungking and remained there for about three weeks, during which I spent five days in motoring to Chengtu, via Nikiang and Tseluchan, with a special view to seeing something of the Chinese Industrial Co-operative movement and also some factories along the route.\n\n12. I was fortunate enough to establish very friendly contact with the Soviet Ambassador in Chungking, with the result that I obtained a visa to visit Russia, via Sinkiang. I was particularly anxious to see something of the latter place and ascertain what was happening there. We were the first non-Chinese, other than Russians (excepting the consul at Kashgar), to visit the province for several years, and I will devote a special section of this report to that province.\n\n13. I had many opportunities for long talks with the Generalissimo, Madame, all the Ministers, many other prominent Chinese, including T. V. Soong, as well as the British Ambassador and his staff, the American Ambassador and Mr. Peck, the counsellor to the American Embassy. I also met all the prominent British commercial representatives both in Kunming and Chungking, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and many of the Canadian and American missionaries, especially at Chengtu, where the West China University is situated. I saw a great number of the young Chinese administrators and technical staff, and also a multitude of principals of universities, professors, &c. In the provincial towns I saw the Governors and their staffs and also provincial administrators, mayors, &c. As far as possible I saw everyone who was in any way concerned with the new China, and each one of them was only too anxious to give me all the information they could.\n\n[21258]\n\nB 2\n\n12", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568628, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 13, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "15\n\n6\n\nconvenient excuse for those and there are a number of them-who desire to retain the old vices of the Administration. In spite of this, it is, I think, certain that the effect of the Japanese aggression and its extreme brutality of method has been to rally the entire nation, apart from the puppets, behind the Generalissimo and to make it easier for him and those who think like him to get rid of the evil traditions of the past. A typical case is the opium traffic in Szechuan, which was extremely bad a year or two ago, and which now, by the patient and persistent work which the Generalissimo, in his office of Governor of Szechuan, has performed, has nearly been done away with.\n\n21. The other important aspect of the Chinese character in the present situation is its infinite capacity for patient resistance, suffering and cheerful resilience under difficulties which would entirely overwhelm other peoples. The quite incredible bestiality of the Japanese bombing in practically every open town in China has to be seen to be believed. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded by bombs and burnt by fires started by the bombing. The Chinese quite deliberately do not jeopardise their own scanty supply of aircraft by attempting to defend these towns, as they consider they can better afford to lose a few hundred thousand civilians than even a few precious aero-planes, which are kept for the defence of the key points of industry. This action by the Japanese has not in the least destroyed the morale of the Chinese defence. Indeed, it has almost certainly increased it and made the Chinese more determined to fight to the end. When cities or parts of them are destroyed the inhabitants patiently proceed with their work in a perfectly fatalistic way, and do not even show any violent or excessive bitterness against the Japanese. It is almost disconcerting the way they go off into peals of laughter when recounting some of the Japanese exploits, out of which they manage, as out of everything, to extract humour.\n\n22. This attitude is apt to make them so careless of consequences that they fail to take the steps open to them to protect their vital points of economic and transport importance. A typical case is the Haiphong Railway, the bridges of which have never been adequately protected by anti-aircraft guns of any type. It is true that they have very few such guns available, but there is no doubt that more could have been done in the way of protection before the bombing took place. I understand that the French Ambassador gave the Chinese specific warning that the bridges should be protected some six months before the first bombing, but nothing was done. I, myself, discussed this matter with General Lung, the Governor of Yunnan, who is the responsible authority, and he assured me that everything possible would be done, but shortly after fresh bombing took place where there was no protection. It is fair to say that there are many points of danger on the railway, such as the bridges over steep, narrow gorges, and it may be that the supply of guns was not available, though the general opinion seems to be that something more effective might have been done. Now at last a more efficient anti-aircraft service has been placed on the railway, but much valuable time has been lost. I had a similar experience as regards a very important alcohol factory about 100 miles from Chengtu which was wholly unprotected and placed in a very exposed spot. When I discussed this matter with the Acting Governor of Szechuan at Chengtu, he assured me that the planes from Chengtu could give the protection. This was obviously impracticable, owing to distance and the scarcity of planes. He will no doubt wait hopefully until the factory is bombed before taking steps to protect it.\n\n23. It must also be remembered that the industrially effective free China is now situated in the extreme west, an area which till a short time ago was only reached (with the exception of a city like Chungking on a navigable river) by pack ponies or chairs. Places like Paoshan or Talifu in Yunnan or Lanchow and Suchow in Kansu are to-day exactly as they were 1,000 years ago.\n\nin a sense only nominally a part of China, and was, in effect, almost as independent as Tibet. Szechuan, which is the backbone of resistance in China to-day, was slightly more developed so far as Chungking and Chengtu were concerned, but beyond these two cities it was entirely untouched by any modern ideas. The north-western provinces were even less accessible by reason of the long winter snows and the extremely mountainous nature of the country. What is being attempted is to convert these very backward agrarian and mountainous areas into an industrial base for Chinese resistance to Japan. There are very many millions of refugees from the east who have come back to these areas, especially those who were skilled in various crafts and manufactures. In addition, considerable quantities of machinery of all kinds have been brought back by river, road or railway, often being carried by man-power. This body of labour and management and the machinery salvaged from the eastern factories has made the problem less difficult, as it means that a great deal of machinery and labour is available which would otherwise be lacking. But the fundamental difficulty remains of the industrialisation of a backward area, while at the same time a major war is being carried on,\n\nMen as\n\n24. The one inexhaustible asset of China is her man-power. labourers and as beasts of burden have accomplished feats which would be unthinkable in any other country. Driving up the Burma Road, which was completed in just under twelve months and is probably one of the longest mountain roads in the world, one is aghast at the achievement of the builders, who had no single mechanical device to assist them in their task-not even a steam-roller. Thousands of bridges and culverts were built, tens of thousands of tons of rock cut down and removed by hand, and millions of cubic feet of earth must have been shifted. The building was done by unpaid labour, and the labourers even supplied their own food. When it is remembered that some 100 miles are in an area infested with mosquitoes whose bite is often fatal within twenty-four hours, it will be realised what a superhuman task this was. This spring they have a force of 72,000 paid labourers repairing the road, putting in permanent stone bridges and some 3,000 permanent culverts to prevent wash-outs during the wet season. The Chinese, too, are the most wonderful improvisers. They can do almost anything with bamboo poles and a sufficient number of coolies. They will even carry a locomotive along a road or pick a bridge out of a river into which it has fallen. At such work they are not only efficient, but extremely quick.\n\n25. It is this great reserve of patiently working man-power (and woman- and child-power too) that gives one the feeling that China is unconquerable despite all the difficulties in her administration and any other drawbacks of the Chinese character.\n\n26. There is one other factor which is universally observed and commented upon by foreigners and by the younger Chinese themselves. Politeness is an essential foundation of the Chinese character, and no official will be so rude as to disagree openly with any suggestion put forward. The ready and grateful acceptance of these is apt to mislead people into the belief that something will be done about the suggestion when there is no such intention whatsoever. Not only so, but the Chinese themselves are great planners, in the sense that they are always putting forward and agreeing to extensive plans of all kinds, and very many of them remain nothing but plans and never reach the stage of execution. Having planned something they sit back satisfied. This is partly due to an inherent incapacity to exert themselves unduly in a positive direction, and perhaps even more because the carrying out of each and every plan offers innumerable opportunities for sabotage on the basis of \"squeeze or 'face,'\" and the attitude of mind and effort that are required to drive through such difficulties are not part of the normal Chinese character. At present, with the existing Executive Yuan and the Ministers, there are too many of the old type in power and in the Administration to permit the representatives of the New China to have their way. As one of the younger Chinese administrators remarked to me: \"Though I am a peaceful man and do not as a rule approve of violence or of shooting individuals, there will have to be a great many more shootings in China before the difficulty is overcome.\" So far shootings of individuals have been practically limited to military personalities who have made grave blunders or acted traitorously, or to political opponents such as the Communists at the instigation of the Kuomintang in the more remote provinces, but some drastic form of action is required (not shooting, I trust) if the Administration is to cope adequately with its problems.\n\nMilitary Position.\n\n27. It is extremely difficult to appreciate the full significance of the military situation in China without the assistance of detailed maps showing the disposition of the various forces. I was fortunate enough to be shown about the middle of January by General Ho, the War Minister, and his Chief of Staff all the latest and most confidential maps of the Chinese staff, giving the exact position as it\n\n16", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568630, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 15, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "31. While at Chengtu I made an inspection of the military academy and the training school for air force ground staff engineers, both run by the Central Government. I was immensely impressed by the efficiency of both these institutions, the former of which has 8,000 students. The thorough organisation and training of the central armies is undoubtedly acting as a strong unifying force in China and provides an increasingly solid backing for the authority of the Central Government both in the provinces and as against the Communists or anyone else who has a private army of their own. By the time the war is over, if the Central Government is still in power, it should be in an impregnable position to exert its influence wherever it wishes.\n\n32. The troops that one sees on the road, and one sees very many, are sufficiently clad in warm uniforms and most of them seem to have full equipment. Military supplies of all light arms and ammunition are adequate at the moment and for some time to come, and there is at present a sufficiency of transport for the vital needs of the army. From the purely military point of view, the Japanese seem to have penetrated China about as far as they can in view of the difficulty of maintaining their lines of communication.\n\n33. One of the most powerful factors that is operating to keep the Japanese army and navy in Chinese territory is the plunder, loot and squeeze which the officers of both services are getting out of China. This tends to make them all, high command and junior officers, unwilling to forfeit their economic prosperity by leaving China. They have practically stripped the occupied part of China of valuables of every kind, including such things as furniture, and no one can get permits or passes for persons or goods without paying squeeze to some Japanese authority. In certain cases, like the tea trade, this has been \"regularised\"; and a certain percentage of the value of the goods is being paid over to the naval officers. In other cases the principle is to charge the maximum the traffic will bear. If attempts are made to get goods through without paying due squeeze, the goods are stopped or, in the case of traffic by junks, the junks may be sunk by the navy. The whole business is just one mass of corruption, and is in accord with the abominable behaviour of the Japanese soldiers towards civilians and especially the young girls and women, none of whom are safe from rape in the occupied areas. At least one missionary has been killed by the Japanese while attempting to protect young girls from being raped. The fact that the allowance out of China of export goods may help the Chinese Government apparently has no bearing on the attitude of the Japanese officers. It is reported that they have put aside very large sums of money derived from these and other sources in the banks of the International Settlement of Shanghai, as they are afraid to transmit them to Japan lest they might be seized by the Japanese Government. Indeed, it is commonly said that the Japanese naval and military authorities will not violate the International Settlement as they desire to retain it as a safe neutral depository of their ill-gotten gains. This behaviour not only antagonises the Chinese people who are subjected to these exactions and brutalities, but it has a very direct reaction upon the effectiveness of the Japanese military occupation. Perhaps the most undesirable factor of all, from the long-term point of view, is the manner in which the Japanese military are dealing with the drug and opium traffic. I have no first-hand knowledge of this, but the almost universal complaints which one hears in China, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Japan itself make it certain that the stories emanating from the occupied areas are largely correct. I append a reliable report(*) from a very highly respected missionary in Nanking, which, I believe, describes accurately a state of affairs which is common throughout most of the occupied areas, particularly in the north and the Yangtze Valley, and is most remunerative to the Japanese. The effect upon the morale of the population is not only extremely serious at the present time, but will grow worse as the drug-taking habit increases. Fortunately, a great many of the younger Chinese are either with the army or have become refugees to the parts of China still under control of the Central Government. These are at least protected from the worst dangers of the drug and opium traffic, and it is to be hoped that they will emerge as the new leaders of China after the war. How great this exodus has been from the occupied areas may be judged from such an example as Amoy, where, I was informed by the American Consul, the population had gone down from 170,000 to 15,000. The Japanese forces are not only morally degenerate in their behaviour, but are tending to (2) Not printed.\n\n[21258]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568633, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 18, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "23\n\n14\n\nactual numerical strength of the Communists, except in the areas which they control, is almost negligible, but their influence might easily expand very quickly if any major disaster were to occur.\n\n19. If there should be a breakdown of the Central Government, there would no doubt be a temporary resumption of war-lordism and provincialism in some form, and the only point on which unity could be regained, assuming, as one must, that the Japanese war was then terminated, would be the anti-foreign cry for which by that time the Chinese would be fully prepared. This would no doubt be encouraged by the Japanese and would result in the extermination of foreign influence in China. It is therefore essential in the interests of foreigners in China to preserve the Central Government in power and to reinforce it in every way in its struggle against Japan. It will be gratitude for such help that will be the guarantee for future foreign interests in China. There is already a tendency for the anti-foreign feeling to grow, especially amongst the more left-wing elements. For instance, there is considerable criticism of the use of foreign advisers and specialists, when it is suggested that there are plenty of Chinese to do the job, and do it much more cheaply. Also the disappointment at the failure of the Western European Powers to give effective help has led to a good deal of hostile criticism, which could easily develop into a fanatical anti-foreign movement if it were encouraged.\n\n50. The movement for rapprochement with Japan which is being carried on by Wang Ching-wei will not have any effect upon the Central Government or upon those parts of China under the direct control of the Central Government. Wang Ching-wei is looked upon as a traitor to his country, and is universally hated and despised for his pro-Japanese attitude. The publication at the end of January of the proposals for settlement between him and Japan were read with amazement and horror throughout China, and finally destroyed the possibility of his getting any support from decent Chinese people. The Central Government have no fear or anxiety over this movement at all, and are confident of its failure to disrupt China, which is, of course, its intention. On the day after leaving Chungking I heard of the visit of Leyton Stewart and saw a copy of the proposals that he was carrying for a peaceful settlement of the war. I do not know what will come of these, but it seems quite incredible that they can have any support from the Japanese Government, as they amount to a complete capitulation. If they are genuine, then they would no doubt form a basis for discussion. If the Central Government can get the Japanese out of China proper, they will not, I think, quibble about some arrangement over Manchuria.\n\n51. It is perhaps necessary to say a few words about the relationship between the Provincial and Central Governments. So far as Sinkiang is concerned I will deal with that in a separate section. I have already dealt with the case of the Border Government in the north-west, and there remain, as effective and important areas in the west. Szechuan, Yunnan and Kansu and those parts of Shensi and Shansi not under the Border Government, and the easterly provinces, most of which are partially occupied, though only very partially, by the Japanese. In this actual war zone there is and has been no suggestion of difficulties between the provinces and the centre. War-lordism or individualism in provincial government has only been alleged, recently, so far as the western provinces are concerned. The question cannot arise in Szechuan since the Generalissimo is also Governor of that province, though the actual work is done by a very competent deputy at Chengtu. In Kansu the Governor at Lanchow is a very devoted follower of the Generalissimo, and there is and has been no trouble of any sort between him and the Central Government. The same applies to Shensi and Shansi. The only remaining case is that of Yunnan, where it has been suggested that General Lung is not really a supporter of the Central Government. I think there is little doubt that some of the old war-lordism survives in Yunnan which has so very recently come into close contact with other parts of China. But the great activity of the Central Government in Yunnan, both in the construction of roads and railways and the building of factories, has completely altered the situation. General Lung is a clever and competent man. I had two long talks with him and many with members of his executive council. I asked him point blank about his relationship with the Central Government, and his answers quite satisfied me of his loyalty, but I think that, at the same time, he, like other Governors, enjoys his autocracy and that he is not above utilising the war circumstances to assist in the development of Yunnan, which is a poor and sparsely inhabited province, and also of his own purse and those of his more immediate followers and supporters. There has been some trouble with the province over taxation as the Provincial Government has imposed taxes which the Central Government consider to be their prerogative. However, wisely I think, they are letting the matter remain outstanding for the present as they are confident that the present developments, together with the centralisation of the army, will, before long, enable them to exert whatever control and direction may be necessary over the Governor and the province. The personal relations between the Generalissimo and General Lung are excellent and there is, I am convinced, no truth in the suggestions that the Governor or the people of Yunnan are not behind the Central Government in their fight against Japan. These suggestions, like so much one hears of China, are the result of Japanese propaganda and can be completely discounted.\n\n52. On the whole the relationship between the centre and the provinces is satisfactory if one bears in mind how comparatively recent is the attempt at any real centralisation of control.\n\nFinance.\n\n53. I do not propose to deal in any detail with the budgetary position in China or with the general financial situation, as all this is fully dealt with in the reports submitted from time to time by Mr. Rogers from Hong Kong. I had the advantage of a number of discussions with him as well as with other persons, including Dr. Kung at Chungking. The position about the currency is, however, so vital that I wish to make some observations upon this aspect of the problem.\n\n54. I am convinced that the maintenance of the value of the Chinese national dollar at some exchange value above 4d. sterling is absolutely vital to the victory of the Chinese. One of the major successes of the Chinese has been the maintenance of their currency in North China and throughout the occupied areas. This is almost entirely the excellent work of Mr. Rogers and is a very remarkable feat. Its value is not merely that it maintains the outside purchasing power of the dollar, but it has, too, maintained the loyalty of the Chinese in the occupied areas, which is a very important point indeed. The attempt of the Japanese to force other currencies upon the Chinese has so far failed and has resulted in further antagonism to the Japanese. When first the paper currency was introduced and replaced silver, the Chinese were most distrustful of it since they had been accustomed to a very stable silver currency in which they always knew just how much rice a silver dollar would buy, and this is their major care so far as any currency is concerned. They finally became reconciled to the paper currency and realised that it had a purchasing power. Its subsequent variation in value, in terms of rice, has been hard to accustom them to, but, in the war situation, they have recognised the need for these variations, and they now cling to the dollar as a stable measure of value. If it were to be allowed further to depreciate to any great extent, the people would lose all faith in it and would abandon it in favour of any Japanese or puppet currency they could get, and this would have the most serious political effects in the occupied areas. We found, for instance, that in Canton the national dollar was readily accepted whereas no one would accept the local puppet currency which was at a heavy and daily-varying discount.\n\n55. The present time is a very critical one for the currency. The usual drain upon it, as the result of the import season which is now coming on, is liable to be particularly heavy this year owing to crop shortages and the way in which the Japanese have denuded the Yangtze Valley area of supplies by taking them to Japan. The interference with the export trade and the difficulties in getting agricultural products and minerals to the coast is also tending to diminish the set-off against imports. Added to these factors are the heavy expenditure necessitated by the war and the need for further supplies in the interior, due to the large refugee population which has migrated there. The net result of all these factors is a tendency for the exchange value to weaken and the need for the support of the dollar from the Stabilisation Fund.\n\n56. Unfortunately, it has been necessary, in the peculiar circumstances of the war and the Japanese occupation, to maintain a free exchange market, and this gives the speculators in Shanghai an opportunity to operate whenever there is a tendency for the exchange to weaken. \n\n+\n\n15\n\nprovince, and also of his own purse and those of his more immediate followers and supporters. There has been some trouble with the province over taxation as the Provincial Government has imposed taxes which the Central Government consider to be their prerogative. However, wisely I think, they are letting the matter remain outstanding for the present as they are confident that the present developments, together with the centralisation of the army, will, before long, enable them to exert whatever control and direction may be necessary over the Governor and the province. The personal relations between the Generalissimo and General Lung are excellent and there is, I am convinced, no truth in the suggestions that the Governor or the people of Yunnan are not behind the Central Government in their fight against Japan. These suggestions, like so much one hears of China, are the result of Japanese propaganda and can be completely discounted.\n\n24", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568635, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 20, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "61.\n\n17\n\nTransport.\n\nThe question of the organisation and fuelling of road transport is a critical one for China to-day, both as regards the capacity to import vital supplies and as regards the internal movement of goods. The problem of maintaining and extending railway transport, particularly for heavy machinery and such goods, is also vitally important. The available means of transport are:-\n\n(1) Air.\n\n(2) Railway.\n\n(3) Water.\n\n(4) Motor trucks.\n\n(5) Hand trucks.\n\n(6) Pony- and bullock-drawn carts.\n\n(7) Pack trains and camel caravans.\n\n(8) Coolie carriers.\n\n62. So far as air transport is concerned, this is in the hands of three companies, the China National Aviation Company, which flies Douglas planes and is under American influence; the Eurasa Company, which flies Junker planes and is half German; and the Sino-Russian Company, which operates the service across Sinkiang from Hami to Ili and on to Moscow, also with Douglas planes. The routes are limited to the following external: Chungking-Moscow; Chungking-Hong Kong; Kunming-Haiphong; Kunming-Rangoon. The routes also serve certain internal communication purposes as well, e.g., the Moscow route connects Chungking, Chengtu, Lanchow, Suchow, Hami, Urumchi and Ili, and there are, in addition, regular services between Chungking and Chengtu and Chungking and Kunming. These services are most useful for passenger purposes, but cannot, of course, carry any effective load of goods. They do, however, enable official communications to be maintained both personally and by letter.\n\n9\n\n63. It is a great pity that the Kunming-Rangoon service is not in the hands of a Sino-British company, which might serve Northern Burma as well as Yunnan, and could be run in connexion with a Sino-British aeroplane factory which might be established in North Burma to the great benefit of both Burma and China, and which, in normal times, could supply aircraft for such places as the F.M.S. and Siam in addition to local needs.\n\n64. The Americans, Russians and Germans have realised the importance of getting in on these air services, which are bound to develop very greatly in the future since the Chinese are becoming very air-minded, and in many cases there is no practical alternative to air services for passengers and mails. The influence of these services goes a good deal beyond the mere transport facilities they provide. In fact many of the pilots are foreigners, and they have considerable influence as instructors and otherwise in the different localities, and in the placing of orders for planes of all kinds. The British are losing a very great opportunity for future trade and influence by refusing to partake in the development of aviation services in China. I realise the difficulty at the present moment in sparing personnel, but the very small number required would make it in my view well worth while in consideration of the very large influence that it would have as regards the future. There can be no argument against it from the point of view of not antagonising Japan, since the Americans are already doing so much in this direction. If this matter is allowed to wait over until after the war then it will be too late to establish any market for British airplanes in China and the Far East.\n\n(2) Railways.\n\n65. From the point of view of imports and exports railway transport is of supreme importance, as it is by far the most economical method of transporting large quantities of goods great distances. It is also of value in certain districts for internal transport, where the Chinese have managed to keep the railways running in spite of being under gunfire from the Japanese or subject to aerial bombardment. The stories of how this has been accomplished and of the very large mass of goods still moved by these means display a heroism in the railways\n\n[21258]\n\nD\n\n26\n\nPage 20\n\nPage 21\n\n27", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568637, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 22, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "29\n\n20\n\n26\n\nI discussed the question of the construction of this railway with the British Ambassador in Tokyo, and, after I had explained the situation to him, he said that he would not offer any objection to the construction of the railway, though no doubt the Japanese would object, but that he thought that their objection would before long be forgotten.\n\n73. I understand from the Minister of Communications at Chungking that the agreement has been signed with the French for the new railway from Yunnan to Indo-China, and that the French would be prepared to allow British participation in this line, if the British would give them participation in the Burma-Yunnan line. This arrangement could not, of course, be carried through unless the latter line were to be built right through to Lashio. From this point of view also I think that it is important that the work should be undertaken, as it is not desirable to have a French monopoly of railway transport in Yunnan.\n\n74. Of all the single acts that could be done, at this time, to improve Sino-British relations, a decision to go forward with the construction of the railway in Burma would, I believe, be the most effective, and would be repaid a hundredfold in the subsequent development of Sino-British trade. From the Chinese point of view we hold it in our power to grant or withhold this absolutely vital facility, and if we withhold it they will think that we are not interested in the rightness of their cause or in the maintenance of their independence, and in the future they will have no particular regard for British interests.\n\n(3) Water.\n\n75. The main arteries of trade in China have always been the rivers, particularly the Yangtze, which is still largely used for traffic from the east up to Chungking and beyond. Regular steamer services are still in operation, when there is sufficient water in the river, from Ichang to Chungking, and a great deal of material comes through by this route from the eastern provinces, particularly raw cotton, though precisely how it gets through to Ichang it is difficult to say. There is also a great deal of local transport upon the upper sections of the Yangtze and other rivers, such as the Yellow River, by junks and sampans. A good deal of coal, sugar, molasses and similar goods are so transported, but the areas in Western China which can be served by such transport are limited, and in the most westerly and northerly regions water transport is of no account.\n\n(4) Motor Trucks.\n\n76. These have perforce become the substitute for railway transport in the west, and this fact creates great difficulty in gasoline supplies. The distances are so great and the roads so mountainous in many areas that a truck will use up a considerable portion of its capacity in transporting enough gasoline for its own use. For instance, on the north-west highway from the Russian rail-head to Lanchow and back a motor truck will use more than its own load of gasoline, and consequently such through traffic is a practical impossibility as a regular feature. Appendix 15 deals with this matter to some extent.\n\n77. The two main highways are the Yunnan-Burma and the north-west, a portion of which is in Sinkiang, and this section is dealt with in the Sinkiang section of this report. In addition there is a highway from Kunming to Chungking, and from the latter town to Chengtu and on to Lanchow through Paoki, with auxiliary roads to Sian and Ningsia. The road to Indo-China has now been cut by the Japanese at Nanning and so is no longer available beyond that point, but a new road, avoiding Nanning and Pinyang, is being put through and will be completed about the beginning of May. I attach a map(*) which is the most up-to-date I could get of the road system.\n\n78. An immense volume of traffic is carried over these highways, of which at present the Burma-Yunnan is the most important, as it provides the only effective source of external supplies for South-West China apart from the Indo-China Railway. On this highway, owing to steep gradients and high altitudes, the average load of a truck is between 1 and 2 tons. Transhipment is necessary in almost every case at a point about 30 miles within the Chinese border, since neither the Burmese nor Chinese lorries run through over the whole route. This leads to a good deal of unnecessary handling of goods and a certain amount of irritation and delay. Negotiations have been proceeding between the Chinese and Burmese Governments with regard to the granting of reciprocal permission for the lorries of the two nationalities to run over each other's roads, I do not know whether these have yet been concluded, but the difficulty that stood in the way was created by the firms who had sold lorries to the Burmese on hire-purchase terms and were afraid that they might not see their money back unless a monopoly of transport on the Burmese side was granted to their customers. This difficulty certainly ought to be overcome as it is creating quite unnecessarily a handicap for the Chinese. The other road inside Burma which might be of considerable use to the Chinese is that which runs from Bhamo, past Lowing, joining the Burma-Yunnan highway at the 105th mile-post east of Lashio. Bhamo is the head of the main Irrawaddy navigation, and transport by river from Rangoon to Bhamo is very much cheaper than by railway to Lashio. At the present time the Lowing factory obtains its material and supplies, including gasoline, by river to Bhamo and thence by road. This road is about 70 miles long and the present junction with the Burma-Yunnan highway is about 40 miles from Lowing. The latter section, over which we drove to Lowing, has good bridges, but in parts is not in good condition for heavy traffic, while the former section is narrow and contains many sharp bends, which make it difficult for heavy traffic, though a considerable amount has, in fact, been passed over it. It is stated that this road is kept in a bad condition so as to force the traffic over the railway to Lashio, which is more remunerative for the Burmese Government. Whether this is so or not, it would seem most desirable to improve this road so that the alternative route from Rangoon by river to Bhamo is available to the Chinese Government. A new road is now under construction from Lowing direct to the Burma-Yunnan highway, entirely inside Chinese territory, and if the Bhamo road were improved to Lowing this would enable the traffic to pass along that route and direct on into China. The river at Lowing is not bridged except temporarily in dry weather, but there is an adequate ferry service, and, if necessary, an international bridge could be constructed at this point. I deal with the problem of gasoline supply at the end of this section.\n\n(5) Hand Trucks.\n\n79. This is a recent development so far as large-scale transport is concerned. No trucks are allowed on the main Central Government highways unless they have pneumatic tyres, though this does not apply to the portion of the north-west road that is in Sinkiang. As a result a number of trucks have been built with old motor-wheels which are capable of carrying up to a ton or slightly more, and are drawn by man-power. This is a slow form of transport but has the great advantage of not requiring gasoline supplies. I attach a copy of a note(*) on this subject which I submitted to the Generalissimo dealing with the possibilities of this form of transport. The Government are already constructing in Kunming steel-frame trucks with pneumatic tyres for utilisation on the Burma road. It would be of great assistance if facilities could be given at Lashio or some other point in Burma for the construction of such trucks, and if arrangements could be made for sending second-hand or cheap new axles, motor-wheels and tyres to Rangoon for use on these trucks. If the system suggested in my note could be organised and developed a great saving could be effected in gasoline, and if truck construction were to be started in Burma it would establish a useful industry which would be likely to continue for a long time. This form of transport, once it is regularly established, is likely to persist for many years to come in Western China, since, compared with carriage by individual coolies, it effects a considerable economy in man-power and enables large and heavy packages to be transported in a much more convenient way. It would, at best, be a very long time before it could be substituted by motor transport methods, especially in the more remote districts.\n\n(6), (7), (8). Pony- and Bullock-Drawn Carts, Pack Trains and Camel Caravans, Coolie Carriers.\n\n80. These are the traditional methods of transport in China. In Yunnan practically only coolie transport is in evidence, though there are occasional pack trains of ponies or bullocks in the west. In Szechuan there are more ponies, but\n\n(*) Not printed.\n\n30", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568639, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 24, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "33\n\n24\n\nthe investment of private funds from diverse sources, but especially from Chinese individuals, in new industries, and they have a special section of the Department of Economics which is charged with this encouragement. They are equally anxious to obtain the help of foreign capital and of foreign advisers, a considerable number of whom are already helping them, but there are, as far as I know, practically no British experts in the industrial sphere, if the Salt Administration is excepted. I append a note(*) got out for me by Mr. Yün on the Ministry of Economics and the National Resources Commission.\n\n88. One other aspect of this matter is well worth bearing in mind. It was put to me by one of the best of the younger men in the Ministry of Finance, whom the Minister lent me when my secretary fell ill at Chungking, and who afterwards accompanied us to Sinkiang, Mr. C. L. Hsia (brother of the man of the same name in the Chinese Embassy in London). He said that one of the principal traditions of behaviour of the Chinese was to remember with gratitude those who had helped them or done them a favour, and that the future relations of China with foreigners and foreign Governments would, to a great extent, be determined by what those Governments or nationals now did to help the Chinese in their hour of need. It would be of no use for the nationals of those countries who had not helped China to expect any particular advantages or opportunities in the future, when the time of extensive and wholesale reconstruction came.\n\n89. In spite of the splendid work and great popularity of the present British Ambassador to China, it is impossible to gain any other impression than that the Chinese are gravely disappointed at the way in which Great Britain has failed to give active help, and has tried to appease Japan at the expense of China. America and Russia are both giving, either officially or through their nationals, a very great deal of help, and are very prominent in the bigger cities of the west. This means that in the future these two countries will reap the harvest of their assistance in their participation in China's reconstruction on favourable terms, whereas other foreigners may be left out in the cold. It is extremely easy to raise up feeling in China against foreigners because of the tradition of foreign exploitation of China, and, if there should come, for any reason, a breakdown of the Central Government of China, the one common ground upon which it will be possible to unite the Chinese people will be an anti-foreign campaign. Then, as more than one Chinese has said to me, woe betide the unfortunate foreigners if that day should ever come.\n\n90. The attitude of many representatives of British firms in Western China seems to be merely a continuance of the old spirit of selfish exploitation. They do not seem yet to have realised that there is a new spirit and a new determination in China upon this matter, and that their future, if any, lies in assisting the Chinese and co-operating with them upon equal or subordinate terms, even though the Chinese may seem to them inefficient or difficult to work with. Some of the younger representatives that I have met do seem to have grasped this idea, but there are as yet no definite practical signs of its being put into effect. I should like to add here a word of high commendation of the Consul-General at Kunming and of the Consul and his staff at Chungking, all of whom realised the new situation and are doing their best to advance British interests in difficult circumstances.\n\n91. It would not be of assistance to set out here in detail accounts of the actual productive units that have been put into operation in Western China. They are pitifully small compared with the magnitude of the task. When it is remembered that the population of Szechuan is about the same as that of Germany, it will be realised how great is the task. Though small in extent, however, a very real and good beginning has been made, and the work being done both by the Chinese managing technicians and by the workers is of excellent quality and accuracy. A certain degree of planning is to be found in the arrangement of the new factories; for instance, at Kunming the new electric power station has been placed close to a copper refinery and a cable manufacturing plant, to both of which it supplies power. Other factories have been similarly grouped, where the safety factor allows of this, and regard has been had to the accessibility of labour and transport. In one area to the west of Chengtu, which I was not able to visit because of the distance and the time occupied, a regular factory estate has been laid out for a number of factories of different kinds. At the same time, however, a certain confusion and waste is in evidence due to\n\n(*) Not printed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568641, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 26, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "35= \n\n27 \n\n26 \n\non a permanent basis. In view of the number of electric power plants and permanent factories already established, or in course of erection, it is impossible to contemplate the discontinuance of industrial production in this area when the hostilities terminate. At least one very large and one smaller hydro-electric plant have been planned and are to be erected. These, together with the coal resources available, give a power reserve which is bound to find its outlet in industrial production. The people in the area are becoming industrially conscious, and the standard of living throughout the area will undoubtedly rise with the growth of industry to an extent that will make it impossible to revert to pre-war conditions. One of the main industrial problems at the moment is the provision of fuel for transport purposes, but this has been dealt with in the \"Transport section. \n\n96. In view of the constant attacks by Japanese airplanes upon all Chinese towns, it has been considered wise as undoubtedly it is to erect small units of production, relying upon a multiplicity of these rather than upon one large unit. This no doubt tends to reduce overall efficiency, but on the other hand it eases to some extent the transport problem. There are very few factories other than cotton spinning and weaving mills, and the arsenals, which employ more than 200 operatives. The arsenals, as well as some smaller factories, are now producing large quantities of all types of small arms, including machine-guns and ammunition, but not arms of large calibre. The main aircraft factory at Lowing, under American management, has just come into production, its construction having been completed in twelve months, a remarkable feat in view of the isolation of its situation. The Sino-Russian Aviation Factory is now under erection by the Central Government in Sinkiang, and there is another aircraft factory in operation at Kunming. \n\n97. In reviewing the situation as regards industrial reconstruction, I was struck with the importance of the \"returned student personnel\" which is to be found everywhere in managerial and technical positions. These men are both keen and efficient in their work, and are certainly putting their whole energy into the task of freeing China from Japanese aggression, often under most difficult circumstances. I gained the impression, from contact with a great number of them, that they were prepared for almost any sacrifice in their patriotic devotion. It is very noticeable how such persons, consciously or unconsciously, influence the policy adopted in the purchase of machinery. For instance, in a factory which is run by an American returned student, most of the machinery will be American, and so with other nationalities. This makes it a matter of very great importance that our country, if it wishes to get orders from China in the future, should do its utmost to encourage the Chinese to come to Great Britain both for university and technical courses and also to work in British factories. Some of the larger British industries are apparently hostile to this procedure. For instance, I discussed this matter with the I.C.I. representative in Kunming, and he told me that his firm would not allow any Chinese student in their works on principle. He further added that they were hostile to giving any help in the setting up of any industry in which they were interested in China, as they wished to retain China as an export market for their own manufactures. Nothing could be more hopelessly short-sighted than such a policy, and if it is persisted in by British firms it will only lead to the complete loss of Chinese sympathy and of the Chinese market. A very different attitude is, I gather, adopted by other big industrial countries, including Russia. \n\n98. I desire to emphasise that some immediate action is necessary if Great Britain is to maintain her trading position with the new China. The competition to help Chinese reconstruction, after the war is over in Europe, will be very intense as China will be one of the few really hopeful export markets for heavy industry. The opportunity of getting any advantage in that competition will depend, not so much upon what is done then, but very largely upon what is done in the period from now until that time. So far the reserves of goodwill in China are more in favour of Russia and America and some of the smaller countries than they are of Great Britain. Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the prestige of Great Britain, which once stood so high that no major step was taken without consultation with the British, has now fallen to a low ebb, and if matters continue as at present there will be nothing upon which Great Britain will be able to rely for gaining any special position, or perhaps any position at all, in the reconstruction of China. \n\n99. \n\nIn order to supplement the efforts of the Chinese Government and also to deal with the refugee problem in Western China, the Chinese Industrial Co-operatives (C.I.C.) were started by a group of foreigners and Chinese. The C.I.C. has set up a very large number of producing co-operatives throughout Western China, though they are stronger in the north-west where there is less mechanised industry and where there is more of the Communist influence than in the south and west. Many have also been established in the areas behind the Japanese lines, where they are still in contact with the central organisation and are doing excellent work. This movement has the support of the Chinese Government, who have given it considerable financial assistance and have placed very considerable orders with it for military supplies. During the present year over 1 million blankets have been ordered and will be delivered to the army by the co-operatives. The co-operatives rely almost entirely upon handwork. I believe that at present they have only one power machine, and that is an old motor engine converted to use producer gas. I visited some of these co-operatives, including one near Chengtu, where they were making simple machine-tools and engineering material with lathes, &c., operated entirely by hand power. Unfortunately, there are as yet no accurate statistics as to their production, but the attached report(*) gives an account of their activities up to the time that I left China. Their staff consists of a very keen and competent set of young men and women who are devoting themselves to this work for the merest pittance, from purely patriotic motives. The opportunity for the expansion of this work is almost unlimited, and it has the great merit of producing the goods in small units of production widely distributed and often close to the point of use, thus assisting in the economy of means of transport. Under the existing circumstances in China, and for a long time to come until transport facilities are very greatly improved and transport costs greatly diminished, there will be almost unlimited opportunities for the C.I.C. to continue with its development and expansion, and it will be able to play an important part in the industrial production of the country. The C.I.C, however, is not only of industrial importance, the educational work that it is doing is also likely to have a marked and permanent effect upon Chinese life. This work is primarily devoted to education in co-operative ideals, but it necessarily awakens the political and civic consciousness of the people and helps to prepare them for the exercise of their democratic rights. At a recent exhibition of co-operative production in the north-west over 20,000 peasants visited the exhibition which was entirely organised by the peasants themselves. \n\n100. To start up such work even with the simplest hand machinery and to acquire the necessary premises, &c., involves a very considerable outlay, though it is small compared with the capital required for mechanised industries. The C.I.C. are much hampered at present by their lack of funds for this purpose. There was a proposal in Great Britain that a Sino-British society should be set up to give the C.I.C. assistance, and steps had been taken to this end when the war broke out in Europe and the proposal was put aside. I think that every effort should be made to revive this idea and to bring it into effective operation, as this type of help now given at very small cost would find a ready response from the Chinese and might lead hereafter to a considerable trade of a limited character between the two countries. The assistance would be quite unofficial, but the British Government could, in fact, do a certain amount to facilitate the launching of such a venture and so give it an auspicious start. Mme. Chiang, who is a keen supporter of the C.I.C., has also herself started a series of Women's Co-operatives for the production of articles of household use, &c., for which women's hand labour is particularly suitable. So far their production is a negligible quantity. \n\n101. If the British Government is not prepared itself as I gather it is not from the replies that have been given to the Chinese requests—to assist directly in the reconstruction of China through the National Government, something else must be done to preserve the future position of Great Britain in the Chinese markets, by actively encouraging all other agencies which may help in that direction, and by facilitating the supply of all goods that it is feasible to supply. There is, and can be, no doubt as to the importance of the Chinese market when war production ceases in Europe and America and a change-over has to be made \n\n[21258] \n\n(*) Not printed. \n\nE 2 \n\n36", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568642, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 27, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "28 \n\nto peace-time production. I feel that there is a strong danger that this considera-tion may be overlooked with the most unfortunate consequences to our domestic situation in a time of great difficulty. The best solution would be to give direct help to China in their struggle against Japanese aggression, but if this cannot be done, for fear of the consequences so far as Japan is concerned, then every possible means of indirect assistance should be utilised. \n\n102. I have not burdened this section with any detailed accounts of the industries set up in Western China, but I attach a map() which gives the character and location of most of the new factories erected by the Government, a list of those that I personally visited and a typical account of the origin and development of one of these factories. If any further information is of use on these topics I have it available in the form of my detailed notes. \n\nAgriculture. \n\n103. The basic industry of China is, of course, agriculture, and by far the greatest proportion of her population is either directly, or indirectly, engaged in this industry. The Chinese are excellent farmers, being most industrious and economical. There is practically no mechanised farming, and the methods as a whole are the traditional ones that have been developed and carried on for many centuries. In the majority of districts, except where new crops have been intro-duced, the methods must be very much the same as they were a thousand years ago. The crops are very varied, depending upon the widely different climatic and soil conditions that prevail in the different parts of the country. Practically every kind of \n\ncrop can be grown in some part of China, with the exception of those that require a tropical climate, such as rubber. A great deal of attention is now being paid to the development and improvement of agricultural crops. \n\n104. I visited the Agricultural Institute at Chengtu, which is run by the Provincial Government, as are most of the similar institutions in other parts of the country. I was greatly struck by the thoroughness and efficiency of the whole organisation, which is entirely staffed by Chinese. A great deal of work is being done on plant-breeding and seed selection, especially for rice. Plant diseases are also being studied and remedies devised, and a good deal has been done on compost manures which are already used in the district. Animal diseases are being studied, particularly those of cattle and pigs, and last year over 4 million cubic centimeters of serums of various kinds were distributed to the farmers. Very little, however, is being done as regards animal breeding or other branches of animal husbandry, with the exception of a section which deals with Chinchilla rabbits. There is not as yet any full exchange of information with foreign experimental stations. All this work in Western China is of very recent origin, but already a number of such stations have been set up in the different provinces, most of them doing general work, but some specialising in such matters as sugar cultivation and forestry. This latter subject needs a great deal more attention than it has yet had, since much forest has been cut and denudation has already resulted in some areas. The main need to-day is probably in the field of animal husbandry, as many of the local breeds are poor and could be much improved. There is practically no dairying industry in Western China, except around Chengtu, where a beginning has been made through the efforts of the West China University Experimental Farm which runs a Fresian herd belonging to Mme. Chiang. A considerable improvement has been made in the local cattle by crossing with this herd, and the crossed stock now fetches large prices in the district. Good work has been done as well in the improvement of chicken breeds, the average egg-laying capacity of the local breeds being doubled on a first cross with Rhode Island Reds. Very little has been done with sheep or goats, while the pigs are of such excellent quality, especially in Szechuan, that they hardly need improving. Although they have not yet done much in this direction, the Chinese are very anxious to improve their breeds, and for this purpose would very much welcome any assistance that can be given in the importation of bulls, billy-goats, rams and cockerels. This would seem to be a matter in which Great Britain could give some very practical assistance, either directly or through India or possibly New Zealand or Australia. A closer connexion between the Chinese, \n\n() Not reproduced. \n\n29 \n\nBurmese and Indian research stations would also be of great advantage to all of them. Many of the questions now being dealt with at the Indian and Burmese stations are similar to those which the Chinese have to deal with. I believe that the Chinese would also be very ready to use the services of some good British agricultural advisers, especially in the matter of animal husbandry. If this could be arranged, and in addition a full exchange of material and personnel could be made between the Chinese and British Empire research stations, Great Britain could come to hold an influential position of assistance in the basic industry of China. \n\n105. The main exports of China are to-day agricultural, and this will no doubt remain the case for a long time to come. Tea and tung oil constitute the most important items of export. Plans are on foot to extend the area of both these crops in the west--tea is to be grown in the Yunnan hills and tung oil is to be developed further north. The area of wheat in Kansu and the northern provinces is being extended by the suppression of opium, and the land so made available is to be used for wheat. Fruit growing is also being extended, but there is no immediate prospect of this becoming an export crop owing to transport difficulties and the fact that as yet there is not sufficient grown for Chinese needs. The position as regards rice in the west is that, at present, no export is allowed owing to the internal shortage, but normally Yunnan has a surplus which is available for North Burma or other export markets. A great deal of work is being done on the selection of rice varieties, and it is hoped that this will result in an increase of yield, in which case an export surplus will be available. So far as internal supplies are concerned it must be remembered that at the moment there are millions of refugees from the east in Western China, and that when peace is made there will be a tendency for many of these to return to their homes. This diminution of population will temporarily mean a surplus of commodities in the west, some of which may be available for export. \n\n106. The incidence of land tenure and the splitting up of the land into very small holdings as well as the physical condition of such a province as Szechuan, which, with the exception of such areas as the large plain of Chengtu, is hilly throughout. militate against any idea of large scale farming in China. Consequently the agricultural methods of the west or America are not really applicable; there is on the other hand great scope for the development of better hand- and bullock-operated implements and some work is being done on this subject by the research institutes. I have suggested and I think that the suggestion will be carried out-that the C.I.C. should take up the manufacture of such improved implements through widely distributed village co-operatives. Apart from this, however, there is great scope for the manufacture of such implements on a large scale in China. \n\n107. The Chinese farmer is, like all farmers, apt to be very conservative in his ideas, but the moment that it can be proved to him that he will do better out of his land by the introduction of new methods or new breeds of animals or plants he is only too ready to adopt these improvements. I was told at the research institutes that they had found the farmers most responsive, and that they were the determined supporters of the work, in many cases pressing the provincial Governments to spend more money upon these institutes. \n\n108. A good deal has been done through agricultural co-operatives. organised by the Government, to assist in the financing of the small farmer and to get him out of the clutches of the moneylender. Owing to corruption in the administration of this service, due to the appointment of unsuitable local officials, a great deal of money has been lost, amounting to nearly 20 per cent. of the investment. The losses due to farmers not repaying the loans are almost negligible, as they are extremely honest in this respect. Efforts are now being made to clean up the local administration, but this is not always easy, especially where the local magistrates are themselves involved in the dishonesty. But the result, so far as the farmer is concerned, in districts where the co-operatives are functioning properly, has been good. Rates of interest have fallen from as much as 30 per cent. per annum to 8 per cent. per annum, which is the charge made by the co-operatives. Even where the fall in the rate of interest has not been so great there has been a definite tendency for moneylenders' rates to fall thus easing the burden on the producer. Some efforts are also being made in certain areas through the agricultural co-operatives to collectivise the purchase of seeds and other requirements, but this aspect of the question has not as yet received very \n\n38", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568644, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 29, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "41\n\n32\n\nChina, and, as it also affects North-West Burma, it would seem that we might offer China some assistance in the solution of the problem, as the Americans have already done.\n\n117. The time for the development of a social service programme on a large scale has not yet come, but undoubtedly this will be one of the major problems that will confront China in the future, especially the question of health and disease prevention.\n\n118. A great deal of voluntary work is being organised to give assistance to war orphans, wounded soldiers and refugees, and this is much encouraged by the Government. Wherever possible deep shelters are provided against bombing, which is constant everywhere. In Chungking, where the rocky and hilly nature of the town lends itself to the building of such shelters, the Government is still building deep dug-outs, and has now provided shelter for nearly 200,000 inhabitants. This protection, combined with a certain amount of evacuation into the surrounding country districts, does a great deal to maintain the morale and cheerfulness of the inhabitants. In other areas, such as Chengtu, where it is not possible to build deep shelters owing to the amount of water near the surface, very complete arrangements have been made to evacuate the inhabitants on notice of an air raid. Owing to the very excellent system of observation posts and the good secret service, notice of some hours is generally received of air raids, which makes the task of evacuation much easier.\n\nForeign Relations.\n\n119. The present attitude of the Chinese is strongly nationalist, but, at the same time, they all recognise that they need the assistance of foreign Powers if they are to be successful in the present war. They turn naturally to the Western Democracies, Russia and the United States for assistance, though they do not have any objection to help from Germany. They regard, rightly I think, their interests as very largely identical with those of the Western Democracies, since they regard themselves as having the same libertarian ideals as are supposed to be enshrined in the political systems of Great Britain and France.\n\n120. So far as Russia is concerned, she has provided more practical assistance for the Chinese than any other Power, with the possible exception of the United States. Large credits amounting to 150 million American dollars have been granted on very favourable terms indeed, and a barter arrangement is in operation which is of the most profound importance to China. It is because the stopping of wolfram ships going to Russia interferes with this arrangement that the Chinese feel so sore about it. So far, Russia has applied no political pressure whatsoever upon China, somewhat to the surprise of some of the Chinese, who have been afraid that there might be some interference with Chinese internal politics as the price of Russian assistance. Indeed, last summer, when Sun Fo went to Moscow, he was asked specifically by the Generalissimo to see Stalin about the relations between the Chinese Communists and the Central Government. Sun Fo then pointed out that Stalin would undoubtedly say that this was an internal matter for China and he could not interfere, and this is, in fact, the attitude that has been adopted by Russia throughout. There is, however, always a danger that, as the economic power of Russia increases in Western China, she will bring political pressure to bear in favour of the Chinese Communists. When I was in Moscow I asked Molotov about the possibility of the division of China into Russian and Japanese spheres of interest, and he stated that the Russian Government would never come to any such agreement with Japan, as they were determined to assist China to gain her independence and freedom. A new state of affairs is likely to arise when the war is concluded, as then, in all probability, there will arise a sharp internal political conflict between the Kuomintang and the Communists, and if Russian influence is then predominant from an economic point of view it may well be that the Russian Government will influence the turn of events by giving to, or withholding from, one or other party necessary supplies. It is, in my view, therefore important, if British interests are to be protected, that the maximum of economic assistance should be given by the British Government to China at the present time, so as to diminish the predominance of Russian help. The Chinese themselves, and particularly the Generalissimo, are anxious that they should avoid the danger of a too-exclusive economic association with Russia in the west, and, from this point of view as well as from that of", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568656, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 41, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT\n\n59\n\nCHINA\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[F2998/2998/10]\n\nApril 29, 1940.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nCopy No. 107\n\nReport by Sir Stafford Cripps on the Position in China.-(Received in Foreign Office, April 29, 1940.)\n\nIT will be convenient to divide this report into a number of different sections dealing with various subjects, though many of these are closely inter-related, and in some places this will entail a certain degree of repetition. I make no attempt to give detailed figures or statistics except occasionally by way of example, as my object is rather to give a broad view of the present state of affairs with the aim of assisting the formulation of policy. At the conclusion of the report I make a number of detailed recommendations upon the assumption that it is the object of the British Government to give China such assistance as is possible in the circumstances. This report is divided into the following sections:-\n\n(1) The scope of the enquiry.\n\n(2) General background as it affects the present situation.\n\n(3) Military position.\n\n(4) Political situation.\n\n(5) Finance.\n\n(6) Transport.\n\n(7) Economic reconstruction.\n\n(8) Social reconstruction.\n\n(9) Foreign relations.\n\n(10) Sinkiang.\n\n(11) Tokyo visit.\n\n(12) Recommendations.\n\nI\n\n2. The course of my travels in China took me by road from Lashio to Kunming with stops in Paoshan and Talifu. I remained five days in Kunming and then flew on to Chungking, where I spent nearly a month on and off. I visited Chengtu by road, stopping at Nikiang on the way and later en route for Sinkiang visited Lanchow and Suchow. I then flew out to Hong Kong and went by sea to Shanghai. From there I flew to Tokyo and then returned to Hong Kong via Formosa and Canton, and so back. During my visit to Sinkiang, I flew to Moscow and back, but I do not deal with that in this report. Every possible facility was given me by the Central and Provincial Governments to see everything I wished, and I was fully supplied with all the available material for which I asked.\n\n3. The Generalissimo sent a delegation down to Rangoon to meet me and to accompany me to Kunming, so that I might get as much information and background as possible on my way into China. The delegation consisted of Mr. W. H. Donald, Mr. Sung of the Department of Communications, and Mr. Yun of the Economics Department. I also met at Rangoon Mr. Yseng, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Consul-General. After arrival at Chungking, Dr. Kung put at my disposal Mr. O. H. Hsia, the secretary of the Bank of China, who remained with me the entire time till I left China.\n\n4. During many talks with Donald, I was given a full description of events and personalities during the last thirty years in China, during which time he has been intimately connected with the movement of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with the Young Marshal, and now with the Generalissimo and Mme. Chiang Kai-shek. His position is a unique one as he lives in the next house to the Generalissimo and takes all his meals with them. He goes away with Madame when she visits Hong Kong for a rest and is extremely intimate with both of them. He has no official position, but a great deal of attention is paid to his advice, especially by Madame, who, with Donald, is often in opposition to the Generalissimo's line of action in particular matters. He maintains close contact with the British and American Embassies, but not with any other foreign representatives. Though he prides\n\n[21258]\n\nB", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568657, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 42, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "2 \n\nhimself on not knowing Chinese, he has a very thorough knowledge of every personality of importance in Chinese politics. He started life as a journalist in Australia and later became a correspondent in China for some of the most important English and American newspapers, but he has had no experience of politics in England or America, or, indeed, anywhere outside of China, and consequently has not the broad background necessary for a general political adviser. He has, however, a sense of what is right or wrong for China, which I think is often correct. His advice on the whole probably more negative than constructive. He is in no sense an intriguer nor is he self-interested, though he naturally likes to maintain his most interesting position. He is, I am convinced, perfectly straight and honest, making nothing out of his position and doing his utmost with Madame to fight against all forms of corruption in the Administration. There is no doubt that he is a powerful factor in Chinese politics, and many people, especially foreign advisers, ambassadors and some of the anti-corruption Chinese elements, go to him to try and get things done by the Generalissimo. He describes himself as the channel for all complaints. This irregular and anomalous position that he holds naturally antagonises a number of the Chinese, amongst them T. V. Soong, with whose position I will deal later.\n\n5. It might here be appropriate to deal with the position of Madame in China. She naturally holds a very special position as the wife and confidante of the Generalissimo and as his English interpreter on all important occasions. She is a most attractive and intelligent woman with considerable drive and energy, and she has especially identified her activities with the New Life Movement in Chinese Politics. She is genuinely anxious to clean up the Administration and to make honesty and efficiency the criterion of service. She is accused by some of hypocrisy, since she has not accomplished or ordered the changes that she has recommended in her series of Resurgam articles. I have copies of these for anyone who would care to read them. These articles contain the most remarkably frank discussion of Chinese administration and have had a wide publicity in China itself. The proofs for them were corrected by the Generalissimo, who is thoroughly in sympathy with the ideas contained in them. When, however, it comes to carrying the necessary changes of personnel into effect, there is sometimes a sharp division of opinion between the Generalissimo and Madame. The former is basically influenced by the traditional feudalism of China though he is anxious to see the new China grow up with better standards, whereas Madame wants immediate and drastic reformation. She is constantly exhausting herself in this struggle and threatening to give it up as it is of no use to continue. On the last occasion on which I saw her in Hong Kong, where she was resting, she told me of all her difficulties with the Generalissimo, and said: You must never forget that he has a truly oriental mind. This means that he is prepared to agree for politeness sake with propositions he has no intention of carrying out, that he will not get rid of old associates who are loyal to him, and that the longest way round may often seem to him to be—and may, in fact, be—the shortest way home.\n\n6. There is one special difficulty that affects both the Generalissimo and Madame, and that is the Soong family relations; Mme. Sun Yat-sen is in sympathy with the Communists, who are hated and feared by the Generalissimo, and she has not been allowed in Chungking in the past.(2) Mme. Kung, the other sister, lives in Hong Kong, and is generally accused throughout China of having made herself a multi-millionairess by speculating with special knowledge in foreign exchange. T. V. Soong also lives in Hong Kong, and associates rather with Mme. Sun than with the other sisters. Mme. Chiang's one completely blind spot is for the Kung family. However much she sees and fights corruption elsewhere, as far as they are concerned her family loyalty prevents any criticism. I should say that on the whole she is a very good influence for China, though her actual powers to get things done are, I believe, overestimated. Her attitude to Great Britain, while not being one of hostility, is apt to be rather bitterly critical in the light of recent events. The only other member of the Soong family who is actively engaged in Chinese politics is the brother, T. L. Soong, who is in charge of Stores and Transport at Peiping and of whom many unsavoury stories are current.\n\n(1) Since writing the above the three Soong sisters have together gone to Chungking and made a tour of the western areas and the front lines. This is an important political rapprochement.\n\n7. I return to the scope of my enquiry. While in Burma I was able to discuss Sino-Burmese relations with the Governor and some of his leading politicians. I was fortunate in being able to get Donald to stay one night with the Governor in Mandalay, and we had a long and useful discussion together on the situation. There has hitherto been an almost complete lack of contact between the two countries so far as the ruling powers are concerned, and this has led to a certain amount of misunderstanding and difficulty over such matters as the through road and railway. Now that the air service and road are available between the two countries, it is most desirable that a closer contact should be maintained. I have done what I could to encourage this and the Chinese are certainly prepared to do all they can to create a more friendly relationship. I think that it is most important for the future that visits should be exchanged between the important personalities in each country as soon as possible.\n\n8. The most important matters between the two countries at the moment are the questions of the Burma-Yunnan Railway and the Bhamo-Yunnan road, with which I will deal later under the Transport section. The only other outstanding matter is the question of the delimitation of the boundary over a comparatively small section in the Southern Shan States. Its importance is that the railway would pass through this area unless an unnecessary deviation were made to avoid it, and there seems to be no reason why this boundary should not be delimited forthwith and thus any present or future difficulty could be removed.\n\n9. From Mandalay we proceeded by road to Lashio, and thence we drove in a convoy of cars provided by the Chinese Government up the Burma-Yunnan Highway, visiting the Sino-American aircraft factory at Loiwing on the way. We spent one day in Paoshan and another in Talifu with Mr. Tan, the extremely capable and energetic manager of the Yunnan-Burma Highway Administration. We visited the headquarters of the Yunnan-Burma Railway construction just beyond Shia-Kwan and then flew into Kunming from Yunnan-Ni in the Generalissimo's plane which he sent for us. We inspected the training school for military aviators under American instructors at Yunnan-I.\n\n10. The whole of the aviation south and east of Chungking is under American influence, that north and west under Russian instructors and influence. The only other operating company is the Eurasia, which is half German and flies from Chungking to Hong Kong (sharing the service with the C.N.A.C.), and also to Hami, in Sinkiang, where it joins the Sino-Russian service to Moscow.\n\n11. We stayed in Kunming for five days, during which we inspected a great number of factories and other institutions, including the universities, and also interviewed the Governor and many other important people. A provincial reception committee looked after us and arranged for us to see everything we wanted to. We were provided with reports at most of the factories describing their initiation and activities. From Kunming we flew to Chungking and remained there for about three weeks, during which I spent five days in motoring to Chengtu, via Nikiang and Tseluchan, with a special view to seeing something of the Chinese Industrial Co-operative movement and also some factories along the route.\n\n12. I was fortunate enough to establish very friendly contact with the Soviet Ambassador in Chungking, with the result that I obtained a visa to visit Russia, via Sinkiang. I was particularly anxious to see something of the latter place and ascertain what was happening there. We were the first non-Chinese, other than Russians (excepting the consul at Kashgar), to visit the province for several years, and I will devote a special section of this report to that province.\n\n13. I had many opportunities for long talks with the Generalissimo, Madame, all the Ministers, many other prominent Chinese, including T. V. Soong, as well as the British Ambassador and his staff, the American Ambassador and Mr. Peck, the counsellor to the American Embassy. I also met all the prominent British commercial representatives both in Kunming and Chungking, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and many of the Canadian and American missionaries, especially at Chengtu, where the West China University is situated. I saw a great number of the young Chinese administrators and technical staff, and also a multitude of principals of universities, professors, &c. In the provincial towns I saw the Governors and their staffs and also provincial administrators, mayors, &c. As far as possible I saw everyone who was in any way concerned with the new China, and each one of them was only too anxious to give me all the information I\n\n[21258]\n\nB 2\n\n61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568659, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 44, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "6\n\nconvenient excuse for those and there are a number of them-who desire to retain the old vices of the Administration. In spite of this, it is, I think, certain that the effect of the Japanese aggression and its extreme brutality of method has been to rally the entire nation, apart from the puppets, behind the Generalissimo and to make it easier for him and those who think like him to get rid of the evil traditions of the past. A typical case is the opium traffic in Szechuan, which was extremely bad a year or two ago, and which now, by the patient and persistent work which the Generalissimo, in his office of Governor of Szechuan, has performed, has nearly been done away with.\n\n21. The other important aspect of the Chinese character in the present situation is its infinite capacity for patient resistance, suffering and cheerful resilience under difficulties which would entirely overwhelm other peoples. The quite incredible bestiality of the Japanese bombing in practically every open town in China has to be seen to be believed. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded by bombs and burnt by fires started by the bombing. The Chinese quite deliberately do not jeopardise their own scanty supply of aircraft by attempting to defend these towns, as they consider they can better afford to lose a few hundred thousand civilians than even a few precious aeroplanes, which are kept for the defence of the key points of industry. This action by the Japanese has not in the least destroyed the morale of the Chinese defence. Indeed, it has almost certainly increased it and made the Chinese more determined to fight to the end. When cities or parts of them are destroyed the inhabitants patiently proceed with their work in a perfectly fatalistic way, and do not even show any violent or excessive bitterness against the Japanese. It is almost disconcerting the way they go off into peals of laughter when recounting some of the Japanese exploits, out of which they manage, as out of everything, to extract humour.\n\n22. This attitude is apt to make them so careless of consequences that they fail to take the steps open to them to protect their vital points of economic and transport importance. A typical case is the Haiphong Railway, the bridges of which have never been adequately protected by anti-aircraft guns of any type. It is true that they have very few such guns available, but there is no doubt that more could have been done in the way of protection before the bombing took place. I understand that the French Ambassador gave the Chinese specific warning that the bridges should be protected some six months before the first bombing, but nothing was done. I, myself, discussed this matter with General Lung, the Governor of Yunnan, who is the responsible authority, and he assured me that everything possible would be done, but shortly after a fresh bombing took place where there was no protection. It is fair to say that there are many points of danger on the railway, such as the bridges over steep, narrow gorges, and it may be that the supply of guns was not available, though the general opinion seems to be that something more effective might have been done. Now at last a more efficient anti-aircraft service has been placed on the railway, but much valuable time has been lost. I had a similar experience as regards a very important alcohol factory about 100 miles from Chengtu which was wholly unprotected and placed in a very exposed spot. When I discussed this matter with the Acting Governor of Szechuan at Chengtu, he assured me that the planes from Chengtu could give the protection. This was obviously impracticable, owing to distance and the scarcity of planes. He will no doubt wait hopefully until the factory is bombed before taking steps to protect it.\n\n23. It must also be remembered that the industrially effective free China is now situated in the extreme west, an area which till a short time ago was only reached (with the exception of a city like Chungking on a navigable river) by pack ponies or chairs. Places like Paoshan or Talifu in Yunnan or Lanchow and Suchow in Kansu are to-day exactly as they were 1,000 years ago. Yunnan was in a sense only nominally a part of China, and was, in effect, almost as independent as Tibet. Szechuan, which is the backbone of resistance in China to-day, was slightly more developed so far as Chungking and Chengtu were concerned, but beyond these two cities it was entirely untouched by any modern ideas. The north-western provinces were even less accessible by reason of the long winter snows and the extremely mountainous nature of the country. What is being attempted is to convert these very backward agrarian and mountainous areas into an industrial base for Chinese resistance to Japan. There are very many millions of refugees from the east who have come back to these areas, especially those who were skilled in various crafts and manufactures. In addition, considerable quantities of machinery of all kinds have been brought back by river, road or railway, often being carried by man-power. This body of labour and management and the machinery salvaged from the eastern factories has made the problem less difficult, as it means that a great deal of machinery and labour is available which would otherwise be lacking. But the fundamental difficulty remains of the industrialisation of a backward area, while at the same time a major war is being carried on.\n\n7\n\nMen as labourers and as beasts of burden have accomplished feats which would be unthinkable in any other country. Driving up the Burma Road, which was completed in just under twelve months and is probably one of the longest mountain roads in the world, one is aghast at the achievement of the builders, who had no single mechanical device to assist them in their task-not even a steam-roller. Thousands of bridges and culverts were built, tens of thousands of tons of rock cut down and removed by hand, and millions of cubic feet of earth must have been shifted. The building was done by unpaid labour, and the labourers even supplied their own food. When it is remembered that some 100 miles are in an area infested with mosquitoes whose bite is often fatal within twenty-four hours, it will be realised what a superhuman task this was. This spring they have a force of 72,000 paid labourers repairing the road, putting in permanent stone bridges and some 3,000 permanent culverts to prevent wash-outs during the wet season. The Chinese, too, are the most wonderful improvisers. They can do almost anything with bamboo poles and a sufficient number of coolies. They will even carry a locomotive along a road or pick a bridge out of a river into which it has fallen. At such work they are not only efficient, but extremely quick.\n\n25. It is this great reserve of patiently working man-power (and woman- and child-power too) that gives one the feeling that China is unconquerable despite all the difficulties in her administration and any other drawbacks of the Chinese character.\n\n* 5\n\n26. There is one other factor which is universally observed and commented upon by foreigners and by the younger Chinese themselves. Politeness is an essential foundation of the Chinese character, and no official will be so rude as to disagree openly with any suggestion put forward. The ready and grateful acceptance of these is apt to mislead people into the belief that something will be done about the suggestion when there is no such intention whatsoever. Not only so, but the Chinese themselves are great planners, in the sense that they are always putting forward and agreeing to extensive plans of all kinds, and very many of them remain nothing but plans and never reach the stage of execution. Having planned something they sit back satisfied. This is partly due to an inherent incapacity to exert themselves unduly in a positive direction, and perhaps even more because the carrying out of each and every plan offers innumerable opportunities for sabotage on the basis of \"squeeze or face,\" and the attitude of mind and effort that are required to drive through such difficulties are not part of the normal Chinese character. At present, with the existing Executive Yuan and the Ministers, there are too many of the old type in power and in the Administration to permit the representatives of the New China to have their way. As one of the younger Chinese administrators remarked to me: \"Though I am a peaceful man and do not as a rule approve of violence or of shooting individuals, there will have to be a great many more shootings in China before the difficulty is overcome.\" So far shootings of individuals have been practically limited to military personalities who have made grave blunders or acted traitorously, or to political opponents such as the Communists at the instigation of the Kuomintang in the more remote provinces, but some drastic form of action is required (not shooting, I trust) if the Administration is to cope adequately with its problems.\n\nMilitary Position.\n\n27. It is extremely difficult to appreciate the full significance of the military situation in China without the assistance of detailed maps showing the disposition of the various forces. I was fortunate enough to be shown about the middle of January by General Ho, the War Minister, and his Chief of Staff all the latest and most confidential maps of the Chinese staff, giving the exact position as it\n\n65", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568661, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 46, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "31. While at Chengtu I made an inspection of the military academy and the training school for air force ground staff engineers, both run by the Central Government. I was immensely impressed by the efficiency of both these institutions, the former of which has 8,000 students. The thorough organisation and training of the central armies is undoubtedly acting as a strong unifying force in China and provides an increasingly solid backing for the authority of the Central Government both in the provinces and as against the Communists or anyone else who has a private army of their own. By the time the war is over, if the Central Government is still in power, it should be in an impregnable position to exert its influence wherever it wishes.\n\n32. The troops that one sees on the road, and one sees very many, are sufficiently clad in warm uniforms and most of them seem to have full equipment. Military supplies of all light arms and ammunition are adequate at the moment and for some time to come, and there is at present a sufficiency of transport for the vital needs of the army. From the purely military point of view, the Japanese seem to have penetrated China about as far as they can in view of the difficulty of maintaining their lines of communication.\n\n33. One of the most powerful factors that is operating to keep the Japanese army and navy in Chinese territory is the plunder, loot and squeeze which the officers of both services are getting out of China. This tends to make them all, high command and junior officers, unwilling to forfeit their economic prosperity by leaving China. They have practically stripped the occupied part of China of valuables of every kind, including such things as furniture, and no one can get permits or passes for persons or goods without paying squeeze to some Japanese authority. In certain cases, like the tea trade, this has been regularised; and a certain percentage of the value of the goods is being paid over to the naval officers. In other cases the principle is to charge the maximum the traffic will bear. If attempts are made to get goods through without paying due squeeze, the goods are stopped or, in the case of traffic by junks, the junks may be sunk by the navy. The whole business is just one mass of corruption, and is in accord with the abominable behaviour of the Japanese soldiers towards civilians and especially the young girls and women, none of whom are safe from rape in the occupied areas. At least one missionary has been killed by the Japanese while attempting to protect young girls from being raped. The fact that the allowance out of China of export goods may help the Chinese Government apparently has no bearing on the attitude of the Japanese officers. It is reported that they have put aside very large sums of money derived from these and other sources in the banks of the International Settlement of Shanghai, as they are afraid to transmit them to Japan lest they might be seized by the Japanese Government. Indeed, it is commonly said that the Japanese naval and military authorities will not violate the International Settlement as they desire to retain it as a safe neutral depository of their ill-gotten gains. This behaviour not only antagonises the Chinese people who are subjected to these exactions and brutalities, but it has a very direct reaction upon the effectiveness of the Japanese military occupation. Perhaps the most undesirable factor of all, from the long-term point of view, is the manner in which the Japanese military are dealing with the drug and opium traffic. I have no first-hand knowledge of this, but the almost universal complaints which one hears in China, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Japan itself make it certain that the stories emanating from the occupied areas are largely correct. I append a reliable report(2) from a very highly respected missionary in Nanking, which, I believe, describes accurately a state of affairs which is common throughout most of the occupied areas, particularly in the north and the Yangtze Valley, and is most remunerative to the Japanese. The effect upon the morale of the population is not only extremely serious at the present time, but will grow worse as the drug-taking habit increases. Fortunately, a great many of the younger Chinese are either with the army or have become refugees to the parts of China still under control of the Central Government. These are at least protected from the worst dangers of the drug and opium traffic, and it is to be hoped that they will emerge as the new leaders of China after the war. How great this exodus has been from the occupied areas may be judged from such an example as Amoy, where I was informed by the American Consul, the population had gone down from 170,000 to 15,000. The Japanese forces are not only morally degenerate in their behaviour, but are tending to(2) Not printed.\n\n[21258]\n\nC\n\n67", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568664, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 49, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "72\n\n14\n\nactual numerical strength of the Communists, except in the areas which they control, is almost negligible, but their influence might easily expand very quickly if any major disaster were to occur.\n\n49. If there should be a breakdown of the Central Government, there would no doubt be a temporary resumption of war-lordism and provincialism in some form, and the only point on which unity could be regained, assuming, as one must, that the Japanese war was then terminated, would be the anti-foreign cry for which by that time the Chinese would be fully prepared. This would no doubt be encouraged by the Japanese and would result in the extermination of foreign influence in China. It is therefore essential in the interests of foreigners in China to preserve the Central Government in power and to reinforce it in every way in its struggle against Japan. It will be gratitude for such help that will be the guarantee for future foreign interests in China. There is already a tendency for the anti-foreign feeling to grow, especially amongst the more left-wing elements. For instance, there is considerable criticism of the use of foreign advisers and specialists, when it is suggested that there are plenty of Chinese to do the job, and do it much more cheaply. Also the disappointment at the failure of the Western European Powers to give effective help has led to a good deal of hostile criticism, which could easily develop into a fanatical anti-foreign movement if it were encouraged.\n\n50. The movement for rapprochement with Japan which is being carried on by Wang Ching-wei will not have any effect upon the Central Government or upon those parts of China under the direct control of the Central Government. Wang Ching-wei is looked upon as a traitor to his country, and is universally hated and despised for his pro-Japanese attitude. The publication at the end of January of the proposals for settlement between him and Japan were read with amazement and horror throughout China, and finally destroyed the possibility of his getting any support from decent Chinese people. The Central Government have no fear or anxiety over this movement at all, and are confident of its failure to disrupt China, which is, of course, its intention. On the day after leaving Chungking I heard of the visit Leyton Stewart and saw a copy of the proposals that he was carrying for a peaceful settlement of the war. I do not know what will come of these, but it seems quite incredible that they can have any support from the Japanese Government, as they amount to a complete capitulation. If they are genuine, then they would no doubt form a basis for discussion. If the Central Government can get the Japanese out of China proper, they will not, I think, quibble about some arrangement over Manchuria.\n\n51. It is perhaps necessary to say a few words about the relationship between the Provincial and Central Governments. So far as Sinkiang is concerned I will deal with that in a separate section. I have already dealt with the case of the Border Government in the north-west, and there remain, as effective and important areas in the west, Szechuan, Yunnan and Kansu and those parts of Shensi and Shansi not under the Border Government, and the easterly provinces, most of which are partially occupied, though only very partially, by the Japanese. In this actual war zone there is and has been no suggestion of difficulties between the provinces and the centre. War-lordism or individualism in provincial government has only been alleged, recently, so far as the western provinces are concerned. The question cannot arise in Szechuan since the Generalissimo is also Governor of that province, though the actual work is done by a very competent deputy at Chengtu. In Kansu the Governor at Lanchow is a very devoted follower of the Generalissimo, and there is and has been no trouble of any sort between him and the Central Government. The same applies to Shensi and Shansi. The only remaining case is that of Yunnan, where it has been suggested that General Lung is not really a supporter of the Central Government. I think there is little doubt that some of the old war-lordism survives in Yunnan which has so very recently come into close contact with other parts of China. But the great activity of the Central Government in Yunnan, both in the construction of roads and railways and the building of factories, has completely altered the situation. General Lung is a clever and competent man. I had two long talks with him and many with members of his executive council. I asked him point blank about his relationship with the Central Government, and his answers quite satisfied me of his loyalty, but I think that, at the same time, he, like other Governors, enjoys his autocracy and that he is not above utilising the war circumstances to assist in the development of Yunnan, which is a poor and sparsely inhabited\n\n15\n\nprovince, and also of his own purse and those of his more immediate followers and supporters. There has been some trouble with the province over taxation as the Provincial Government has imposed taxes which the Central Government consider to be their prerogative. However, wisely I think, they are letting the matter remain outstanding for the present as they are confident that the present developments, together with the centralisation of the army, will, before long, enable them to exert whatever control and direction may be necessary over the Governor and the province. The personal relations between the Generalissimo and General Lung are excellent and there is, I am convinced, no truth in the suggestions that the Governor or the people of Yunnan are not behind the Central Government in their fight against Japan. These suggestions, like so much one hears of China, are the result of Japanese propaganda and can be completely discounted.\n\n52. On the whole the relationship between the centre and the provinces is satisfactory if one bears in mind how comparatively recent is the attempt at any real centralisation of control.\n\nFinance.\n\n53. I do not propose to deal in any detail with the budgetary position in China or with the general financial situation, as all this is fully dealt with in the reports submitted from time to time by Mr. Rogers from Hong Kong. I had the advantage of a number of discussions with him as well as with other persons, including Dr. Kung at Chungking. The position about the currency is, however, so vital that I wish to make some observations upon this aspect of the problem.\n\n54. I am convinced that the maintenance of the value of the Chinese national dollar at some exchange value above 4d. sterling is absolutely vital to the victory of the Chinese. One of the major successes of the Chinese has been the maintenance of their currency in North China and throughout the occupied areas. This is almost entirely the excellent work of Mr. Rogers and is a very remarkable feat. Its value is not merely that it maintains the outside purchasing power of the dollar, but it has, too, maintained the loyalty of the Chinese in the occupied areas, which is a very important point indeed. The attempt of the Japanese to force other currencies upon the Chinese has so far failed and has resulted in further antagonism to the Japanese. When first the paper currency was introduced and replaced silver, the Chinese were most distrustful of it since they had been accustomed to a very stable silver currency in which they always knew just how much rice a silver dollar would buy, and this is their major care so far as any currency is concerned. They finally became reconciled to the paper currency and realised that it had a purchasing power. Its subsequent variation in value, in terms of rice, has been hard to accustom them to, but, in the war situation, they have recognised the need for these variations, and they now cling to the dollar as a stable measure of value. If it were to be allowed further to depreciate to any great extent, the people would lose all faith in it and would abandon it in favour of any Japanese or puppet currency they could get, and this would have the most serious political effects in the occupied areas. We found, for instance, that in Canton the national dollar was readily accepted whereas no one would accept the local puppet currency which was at a heavy and daily-varying discount.\n\n55. The present time is a very critical one for the currency. The usual drain upon it, as the result of the import season which is now coming on, is liable to be particularly heavy this year owing to crop shortages and the way in which the Japanese have denuded the Yangtze Valley area of supplies by taking them to Japan. The interference with the export trade and the difficulties in getting agricultural products and minerals to the coast is also tending to diminish the set-off against imports. Added to these factors are the heavy expenditure necessitated by the war and the need for further supplies in the interior, due to the large refugee population which has migrated there. The net result of all these factors is a tendency for the exchange value to weaken and the need for the support of the dollar from the Stabilisation Fund.\n\n56. Unfortunately, it has been necessary, in the peculiar circumstances of the war and the Japanese occupation, to maintain a free exchange market, and this gives the speculators in Shanghai an opportunity to operate whenever there\n\n73", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568666, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 51, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "# 17\n\nTransport.\n\nThe question of the organisation and fuelling of road transport is a critical one for China to-day, both as regards the capacity to import vital supplies and as regards the internal movement of goods. The problem of maintaining and extending railway transport, particularly for heavy machinery and such goods, is also vitally important. The available means of transport are:-\n\n(1) Air.\n\n(2) Railway.\n\n(3) Water.\n\n(4) Motor trucks.\n\n(5) Hand trucks.\n\n(6) Pony- and bullock-drawn carts.\n\n(7) Pack trains and camel caravans.\n\n(8) Coolie carriers.\n\n62. So far as air transport is concerned, this is in the hands of three companies, the China National Aviation Company, which flies Douglas planes and is under American influence; the Eurasa Company, which flies Junker planes and is half German; and the Sino-Russian Company, which operates the service across Sinkiang from Hami to Ili and on to Moscow, also with Douglas planes. The routes are limited to the following external: Chungking-Moscow; Chungking-Hong Kong; Kunming-Haiphong; Kunming-Rangoon. The routes also serve certain internal communication purposes as well, e.g., the Moscow route connects Chungking, Chengtu, Lanchow, Suchow, Hami, Urumchi and Ili, and there are, in addition, regular services between Chungking and Chengtu and Chungking and Kunming. These services are most useful for passenger purposes, but cannot, of course, carry any effective load of goods. They do, however, enable official communications to be maintained both personally and by letter.\n\n63. It is a great pity that the Kunming-Rangoon service is not in the hands of a Sino-British company, which might serve Northern Burma as well as Yunnan, and could be run in connexion with a Sino-British aeroplane factory which might be established in North Burma to the great benefit of both Burma and China, and which, in normal times, could supply aircraft for such places as the F.M.S. and Siam in addition to local needs.\n\n64. The Americans, Russians and Germans have realised the importance of getting in on these air services, which are bound to develop very greatly in the future since the Chinese are becoming very air-minded, and in many cases there is no practical alternative to air services for passengers and mails. The influence of these services goes a good deal beyond the mere transport facilities they provide. In fact many of the pilots are foreigners, and they have considerable influence as instructors and otherwise in the different localities, and in the placing of orders for planes of all kinds. The British are losing a very great opportunity for future trade and influence by refusing to partake in the development of aviation services in China. I realise the difficulty at the present moment in sparing personnel, but the very small number required would make it in my view well worth while in consideration of the very large influence that it would have as regards the future. There can be no argument against it from the point of view of not antagonising Japan, since the Americans are already doing so much in this direction. If this matter is allowed to wait over until after the war then it will be too late to establish any market for British airplanes in China and the Far East.\n\n(2) Railways.\n\n65. From the point of view of imports and exports railway transport is of supreme importance, as it is by far the most economical method of transporting large quantities of goods great distances. It is also of value in certain districts for internal transport, where the Chinese have managed to keep the railways running in spite of being under gunfire from the Japanese or subject to aerial bombardment. The stories of how this has been accomplished and of the very large mass of goods still moved by these means display a heroism in the railways\n\n[21258]\n\nD\n\n75", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568668, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 53, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "78\n\n20\n\nI discussed the question of the construction of this railway with the British Ambassador in Tokyo, and, after I had explained the situation to him, he said that he would not offer any objection to the construction of the railway, though no doubt the Japanese would object, but that he thought that their objection would before long be forgotten.\n\n73. I understand from the Minister of Communications at Chungking that the agreement has been signed with the French for the new railway from Yunnan to Indo-China, and that the French would be prepared to allow British participation in this line, if the British would give them participation in the Burma-Yunnan line. This arrangement could not, of course, be carried through unless the latter line were to be built right through to Lashio. From this point of view also I think that it is important that the work should be undertaken, as it is not desirable to have a French monopoly of railway transport in Yunnan.\n\n74. Of all the single acts that could be done, at this time, to improve Sino-British relations, a decision to go forward with the construction of the railway in Burma would, I believe, be the most effective, and would be repaid a hundredfold in the subsequent development of Sino-British trade. From the Chinese point of view we hold it in our power to grant or withhold this absolutely vital facility, and if we withhold it they will think that we are not interested in the rightness of their cause or in the maintenance of their independence, and in the future they will have no particular regard for British interests.\n\n(3) Water.\n\n75. The main arteries of trade in China have always been the rivers, particularly the Yangtze, which is still largely used for traffic from the east up to Chungking and beyond. Regular steamer services are still in operation, when there is sufficient water in the river, from Ichang to Chungking, and a great deal of material comes through by this route from the eastern provinces, particularly raw cotton, though precisely how it gets through to Ichang it is difficult to say. There is also a great deal of local transport upon the upper sections of the Yangtze and other rivers, such as the Yellow River, by junks and sampans. A good deal of coal, sugar, molasses and similar goods are so transported, but the areas in Western China which can be served by such transport are limited, and in the most westerly and northerly regions water transport is of no account.\n\n(4) Motor Trucks.\n\n76. These have perforce become the substitute for railway transport in the west, and this fact creates great difficulty in gasoline supplies. The distances are so great and the roads so mountainous in many areas that a truck will use up a considerable portion of its capacity in transporting enough gasoline for its own use. For instance, on the north-west highway from the Russian rail-head to Lanchow and back a motor truck will use more than its own load of gasoline, and consequently such through traffic is a practical impossibility as a regular feature. Appendix 15 deals with this matter to some extent.\n\n77. The two main highways are the Yunnan-Burma and the north-west, a portion of which is in Sinkiang, and this section is dealt with in the Sinkiang section of this report. In addition there is a highway from Kunming to Chungking, and from the latter town to Chengtu and on to Lanchow through Paoki, with auxiliary roads to Sian and Ningsia. The road to Indo-China has now been cut by the Japanese at Nanning and so is no longer available beyond that point, but a new road, avoiding Nanning and Pinyang, is being put through and will be completed about the beginning of May. I attach a map(*) which is the most up-to-date I could get of the road system.\n\n78. An immense volume of traffic is carried over these highways, of which at present the Burma-Yunnan is the most important, as it provides the only effective source of external supplies for South-West China apart from the Indo-China Railway. On this highway, owing to steep gradients and high altitudes, the average load of a truck is between 1 and 2 tons. Transhipment is necessary in almost every case at a point about 30 miles within the Chinese border, since neither the Burmese nor Chinese lorries run through over the whole route. This leads to a good deal of unnecessary handling of goods and a certain amount of irritation and delay. Negotiations have been proceeding between the Chinese and Burmese Governments with regard to the granting of reciprocal permission for the lorries of the two nationalities to run over each other's roads. I do not know whether these have yet been concluded, but the difficulty that stood in the way was created by the firms who had sold lorries to the Burmese on hire-purchase terms and were afraid that they might not see their money back unless a monopoly of transport on the Burmese side was granted to their customers. This difficulty certainly ought to be overcome as it is creating quite unnecessarily a handicap for the Chinese.\n\nThe other road inside Burma which might be of considerable use to the Chinese is that which runs from Bhamo, past Lowing, joining the Burma-Yunnan highway at the 105th mile-post east of Lashio. Bhamo is the head of the main Irrawaddy navigation, and transport by river from Rangoon to Bhamo is very much cheaper than by railway to Lashio. At the present time the Lowing factory obtains its material and supplies, including gasoline, by river to Bhamo and thence by road. This road is about 70 miles long and the present junction with the Burma-Yunnan highway is about 40 miles from Lowing. The latter section, over which we drove to Lowing, has good bridges, but in parts is not in good condition for heavy traffic, while the former section is narrow and contains many sharp bends, which make it difficult for heavy traffic, though a considerable amount has, in fact, been passed over it. It is stated that this road is kept in a bad condition so as to force the traffic over the railway to Lashio, which is more remunerative for the Burmese Government. Whether this is so or not, it would seem most desirable to improve this road so that the alternative route from Rangoon by river to Bhamo is available to the Chinese Government. A new road is now under construction from Lowing direct to the Burma-Yunnan highway, entirely inside Chinese territory, and if the Bhamo road were improved to Lowing this would enable the traffic to pass along that route and direct on into China. The river at Lowing is not bridged except temporarily in dry weather, but there is an adequate ferry service, and, if necessary, an international bridge could be constructed at this point. I deal with the problem of gasoline supply at the end of this section.\n\n(5) Hand Trucks.\n\n79. This is a recent development so far as large-scale transport is concerned. No trucks are allowed on the main Central Government highways unless they have pneumatic tyres, though this does not apply to the portion of the north-west road that is in Sinkiang. As a result a number of trucks have been built with old motor-wheels which are capable of carrying up to a ton or slightly more, and are drawn by man-power. This is a slow form of transport but has the great advantage of not requiring gasoline supplies. I attach a copy of a note(*) on this subject which I submitted to the Generalissimo dealing with the possibilities of this form of transport. The Government are already constructing in Kunming steel-frame trucks with pneumatic tyres for utilisation on the Burma road. It would be of great assistance if facilities could be given at Lashio or some other point in Burma for the construction of such trucks, and if arrangements could be made for sending second-hand or cheap new axles, motor-wheels and tyres to Rangoon for use on these trucks. If the system suggested in my note could be organised and developed a great saving could be effected in gasoline, and if truck construction were to be started in Burma it would establish a useful industry which would be likely to continue for a long time. This form of transport, once it is regularly established, is likely to persist for many years to come in Western China, since, compared with carriage by individual coolies, it effects a considerable economy in man-power and enables large and heavy packages to be transported in a much more convenient way. It would, at best, be a very long time before it could be substituted by motor transport methods, especially in the more remote districts.\n\n(6), (7), (8). Pony and Bullock-Drawn Carts, Pack Trains and Camel Caravans, Coolie Carriers.\n\n80. These are the traditional methods of transport in China. In Yunnan practically only coolie transport is in evidence, though there are occasional pack trains of ponies or bullocks in the west. In Szechuan there are more ponies, but\n\n(*) Not printed.\n\n21\n\n79", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568670, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 55, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "82\n\n24\n\nthe investment of private funds from diverse sources, but especially from Chinese individuals, in new industries, and they have a special section of the Department of Economics which is charged with this encouragement. They are equally anxious to obtain the help of foreign capital and of foreign advisers—a considerable number of whom are already helping them—but there are, as far as I know, practically no British experts in the industrial sphere, if the Salt Administration is excepted. I append a note got out for me by Mr. Yün on the Ministry of Economics and the National Resources Commission.\n\n88. One other aspect of this matter is well worth bearing in mind. It was put to me by one of the best of the younger men in the Ministry of Finance whom the Minister lent me when my secretary fell ill at Chungking, and who after accompanied us to Sinkiang, Mr. C. L. Hsia (brother of the man of the same name in the Chinese Embassy in London). He said that one of the principal traditions of behaviour of the Chinese was to remember with gratitude those who had helped them or done them a favour, and that the future relations of China with foreigners and foreign Governments would to a great extent be determined by what those Governments or nationals now did to help the Chinese in their hour of need. It would be of no use for the nationals of those countries who had not helped China to expect any particular advantages or opportunities in the future, when the time of extensive and wholesale reconstruction came.\n\n89. In spite of the splendid work and great popularity of the present British Ambassador to China, it is impossible to gain any other impression than that the Chinese are gravely disappointed at the way in which Great Britain has failed to give active help, and has tried to appease Japan at the expense of China. America and Russia are both giving, either officially or through their nationals, a very great deal of help, and are very prominent in the bigger cities of the west. This means that in the future these two countries will reap the harvest of their assistance in their participation in China's reconstruction on favourable terms, whereas other foreigners may be left out in the cold. It is extremely easy to raise up feeling in China against foreigners because of the tradition of foreign exploitation of China, and, if there should come, for any reason, a breakdown of the Central Government of China, the one common ground upon which it will be possible to unite the Chinese people will be an anti-foreign campaign. Then, as more than one Chinese has said to me, woe betide the unfortunate foreigners if that day should ever come.\n\n90. The attitude of many representatives of British firms in Western China seems to be merely a continuance of the old spirit of selfish exploitation. They do not seem yet to have realised that there is a new spirit and a new determination in China upon this matter, and that their future if any lies in assisting the Chinese and co-operating with them upon equal or subordinate terms even though the Chinese may seem to them inefficient or difficult to work with. Some of the younger representatives that I have met do seem to have grasped this idea but there are as yet no definite practical signs of its being put into effect. I should like to add here a word of high commendation of the consul-general at Kunming and of the consul and his staff at Chungking, all of whom realised the new situation and are doing their best to advance British interests in difficult circumstances.\n\n91. It would not be of assistance to set out here in detail accounts of the actual productive units that have been put into operation in Western China. They are pitifully small compared with the magnitude of the task. When it is remembered that the population of Szechuan is about the same as that of Germany, it will be realised how great is the task. Though small in extent, however, a very real and good beginning has been made, and the work being done both by the Chinese managing technicians and by the workers is of excellent quality and accuracy. A certain degree of planning is to be found in the arrangement of the new factories; for instance at Kunming the new electric power station has been placed close to a copper refinery and a cable manufacturing plant, to both of which it supplies power. Other factories have been similarly grouped, where the safety factor allows of this, and regard has been had to the accessibility of labour and transport. In one area to the west of Chengtu, which I was not able to visit because of the distance and the time occupied, a regular factory estate has been laid out for a number of factories of different kinds. At the same time, however, a certain confusion and waste is in evidence due to\n\n(*) Not printed.\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568672, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 57, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "84\n\n26\n\n25\n\non a permanent basis. In view of the number of electric power plants and permanent factories already established, or in course of erection, it is impossible to contemplate the discontinuance of industrial production in this area when the hostilities terminate. At least one very large and one smaller hydro-electric plant have been planned and are to be erected. These, together with the coal resources available, give a power reserve which is bound to find its outlet in industrial production. The people in the area are becoming industrially conscious, and the standard of living throughout the area will undoubtedly rise with the growth of industry to an extent that will make it impossible to revert to pre-war conditions. One of the main industrial problems at the moment is the provision of fuel for transport purposes, but this has been dealt with in the Transport section.\n\n96. In view of the constant attacks by Japanese airplanes upon all Chinese towns, it has been considered wise—and undoubtedly it is—to erect small units of production, relying upon a multiplicity of these rather than upon one large unit. This no doubt tends to reduce overall efficiency, but on the other hand, it eases to some extent the transport problem. There are very few factories other than cotton spinning and weaving mills, and the arsenals, which employ more than 200 operatives. The arsenals, as well as some smaller factories, are now producing large quantities of all types of small arms, including machine-guns and ammunition, but not arms of large calibre. The main aircraft factory at Lowing, under American management, has just come into production, its construction having been completed in twelve months, a remarkable feat in view of the isolation of its situation. The Sino-Russian Aviation Factory is now under erection by the Central Government in Sinkiang, and there is another aircraft factory in operation at Kunming.\n\n66\n\n97. In reviewing the situation as regards industrial reconstruction, I was struck with the importance of the returned student personnel which is to be found everywhere in managerial and technical positions. These men are both keen and efficient in their work, and are certainly putting their whole energy into the task of freeing China from Japanese aggression, often under most difficult circumstances. I gained the impression, from contact with a great number of them, that they were prepared for almost any sacrifice in their patriotic devotion. It is very noticeable how such persons, consciously or unconsciously, influence the policy adopted in the purchase of machinery. For instance, in a factory which is run by an American returned student, most of the machinery will be American, and so with other nationalities. This makes it a matter of very great importance that our country, if it wishes to get orders from China in the future, should do its utmost to encourage the Chinese to come to Great Britain both for university and technical courses and also to work in British factories. Some of the larger British industries are apparently hostile to this procedure. For instance, I discussed this matter with the I.C.I. representative in Kunming, and he told me that his firm would not allow any Chinese student in their works on principle. He further added that they were hostile to giving any help in the setting up of any industry in which they were interested in China, as they wished to retain China as an export market for their own manufactures. Nothing could be more hopelessly short-sighted than such a policy, and if it is persisted in by British firms, it will only lead to the complete loss of Chinese sympathy and of the Chinese market. A very different attitude is, I gather, adopted by other big industrial countries, including Russia.\n\n98. I desire to emphasise that some immediate action is necessary if Great Britain is to maintain her trading position with the new China. The competition to help Chinese reconstruction, after the war is over in Europe, will be very intense as China will be one of the few really hopeful export markets for heavy industry. The opportunity of getting any advantage in that competition will depend, not so much upon what is done then, but very largely upon what is done in the period from now until that time. So far, the reserves of goodwill in China are more in favour of Russia and America and some of the smaller countries than they are of Great Britain. Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the prestige of Great Britain, which once stood so high that no major step was taken without consultation with the British, has now fallen to a low ebb, and if matters continue as at present, there will be nothing upon which Great Britain will be able to rely for gaining any special position, or perhaps any position at all, in the reconstruction of China.\n\n1\n\n27\n\n99. In order to supplement the efforts of the Chinese Government and also to deal with the refugee problem in Western China, the Chinese Industrial Co-operatives (C.I.C.) were started by a group of foreigners and Chinese. The C.I.C. has set up a very large number of producing co-operatives throughout Western China, though they are stronger in the north-west where there is less mechanised industry and where there is more of the Communist influence than in the south and west. Many have also been established in the areas behind the Japanese lines, where they are still in contact with the central organisation and are doing excellent work. This movement has the support of the Chinese Government, who have given it considerable financial assistance and have placed very considerable orders with it for military supplies. During the present year, over 1 million blankets have been ordered and will be delivered to the army by the co-operatives. The co-operatives rely almost entirely upon handwork. I believe that at present they have only one power machine, and that is an old motor engine converted to use producer gas. I visited some of these co-operatives, including one near Chengtu, where they were making simple machine-tools and engineering material with lathes, &c., operated entirely by hand power. Unfortunately, there are as yet no accurate statistics as to their production, but the attached report(*) gives an account of their activities up to the time that I left China. Their staff consists of a very keen and competent set of young men and women who are devoting themselves to this work for the merest pittance, from purely patriotic motives. The opportunity for the expansion of this work is almost unlimited, and it has the great merit of producing the goods in small units of production widely distributed and often close to the point of use, thus assisting in the economy of means of transport. Under the existing circumstances in China, and for a long time to come until transport facilities are very greatly improved and transport costs greatly diminished, there will be almost unlimited opportunities for the C.I.C. to continue with its development and expansion, and it will be able to play an important part in the industrial production of the country. The C.I.C., however, is not only of industrial importance; the educational work that it is doing is also likely to have a marked and permanent effect upon Chinese life. This work is primarily devoted to education in co-operative ideals, but it necessarily awakens the political and civic consciousness of the people and helps to prepare them for the exercise of their democratic rights. At a recent exhibition of co-operative production in the north-west, over 20,000 peasants visited the exhibition, which was entirely organised by the peasants themselves.\n\n100. To start up such work, even with the simplest hand machinery and to acquire the necessary premises, &c., involves a very considerable outlay, though it is small compared with the capital required for mechanised industries. The C.I.C. are much hampered at present by their lack of funds for this purpose. There was a proposal in Great Britain that a Sino-British society should be set up to give the C.I.C. assistance, and steps had been taken to this end when the war broke out in Europe and the proposal was put aside. I think that every effort should be made to revive this idea and to bring it into effective operation, as this type of help, now given at very small cost, would find a ready response from the Chinese and might lead hereafter to a considerable trade of a limited character between the two countries. The assistance would be quite unofficial, but the British Government could, in fact, do a certain amount to facilitate the launching of such a venture and so give it an auspicious start. Mme. Chiang, who is a keen supporter of the C.I.C., has also herself started a series of Women's Co-operatives for the production of articles of household use, &c., for which women's hand labour is particularly suitable. So far, their production is a negligible quantity.\n\n101. If the British Government is not prepared itself—as I gather it is not from the replies that have been given to the Chinese requests—to assist directly in the reconstruction of China through the National Government, something else must be done to preserve the future position of Great Britain in the Chinese markets, by actively encouraging all other agencies which may help in that direction, and by facilitating the supply of all goods that it is feasible to supply. There is, and can be, no doubt as to the importance of the Chinese market when war production ceases in Europe and America and a change-over has to be made\n\n[21258]\n\n(*) Not printed.\n\nE 2\n\n85", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568673, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 58, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "86\n\n28\n\nto peace-time production. I feel that there is a strong danger that this consideration may be overlooked with the most unfortunate consequences to our domestic situation in a time of great difficulty. The best solution would be to give direct help to China in their struggle against Japanese aggression, but if this cannot be done, for fear of the consequences so far as Japan is concerned, then every possible means of indirect assistance should be utilised.\n\n102. I have not burdened this section with any detailed accounts of the industries set up in Western China, but I attach a map(7) which gives the character and location of most of the new factories erected by the Government, a list of those that I personally visited and a typical account of the origin and development of one of these factories. If any further information is of use on these topics I have it available in the form of my detailed notes.\n\nAgriculture.\n\n103. The basic industry of China is, of course, agriculture, and by far the greatest proportion of her population is either directly, or indirectly, engaged in this industry. The Chinese are excellent farmers, being most industrious and economical. There is practically no mechanised farming, and the methods as a whole are the traditional ones that have been developed and carried on for many centuries. In the majority of districts, except where new crops have been introduced, the methods must be very much the same as they were a thousand years ago. The crops are very varied, depending upon the widely different climatic and soil conditions that prevail in the different parts of the country. Practically every kind of crop can be grown in some part of China, with the exception of those that require a tropical climate, such as rubber. A great deal of attention is now being paid to the development and improvement of agricultural crops.\n\n104. I visited the Agricultural Institute at Chengtu, which is run by the Provincial Government, as are most of the similar institutions in other parts of the country. I was greatly struck by the thoroughness and efficiency of the whole organisation, which is entirely staffed by Chinese. A great deal of work is being done on plant-breeding and seed selection, especially for rice. Plant diseases are also being studied and remedies devised, and a good deal has been done on compost manures which are already used in the district. Animal diseases are being studied, particularly those of cattle and pigs, and last year over 4 million cubic centimeters of serums of various kinds were distributed to the farmers. Very little, however, is being done as regards animal breeding or other branches of animal husbandry, with the exception of a section which deals with Chinchilla rabbits. There is not as yet any full exchange of information with foreign experimental stations. All this work in Western China is of very recent origin, but already a number of such stations have been set up in the different provinces, most of them doing general work, but some specialising in such matters as sugar cultivation and forestry. This latter subject needs a great deal more attention than it has yet had, since much forest has been cut and denudation has already resulted in some areas. The main need to-day is probably in the field of animal husbandry, as many of the local breeds are poor and could be much improved. There is practically no dairying industry in Western China, except around Chengtu, where a beginning has been made through the efforts of the West China University Experimental Farm which runs Fresian herd belonging to Mme. Chiang. A considerable improvement has been made in the local cattle by crossing with this herd, and the crossed stock now fetches large prices in the district. Good work has been done as well in the improvement of chicken breeds, the average egg-laying capacity of the local breeds being doubled on a first cross with Rhode Island Reds. Very little has been done with sheep or goats, while the pigs are of such excellent quality, especially in Szechuan, that they hardly need improving. Although they have not yet done much in this direction, the Chinese are very anxious to improve their breeds, and for this purpose would very much welcome any assistance that can be given in the importation of bulls, billy-goats, rams and cockerels. This would seem to be a matter in which Great Britain could give some very practical assistance, either directly or through India or possibly New Zealand or Australia. A closer connexion between the Chinese, Burmese and Indian research stations would also be of great advantage to all of them. Many of the questions now being dealt with at the Indian and Burmese stations are similar to those which the Chinese have to deal with. I believe that the Chinese would also be very ready to use the services of some good British agricultural advisers, especially in the matter of animal husbandry. If this could be arranged, and in addition a full exchange of material and personnel could be made between the Chinese and British Empire research stations, Great Britain could come to hold an influential position of assistance in the basic industry of China.\n\n(7) Not reproduced.\n\na\n\n29\n\n105. The main exports of China are to-day agricultural, and this will no doubt remain the case for a long time to come. Tea and tung oil constitute the most important items of export. Plans are on foot to extend the area of both these crops in the west-tea is to be grown in the Yunnan hills and tung oil is to be developed further north. The area of wheat in Kansu and the northern provinces is being extended by the suppression of opium, and the land so made available is to be used for wheat. Fruit growing is also being extended, but there is no immediate prospect of this becoming an export crop owing to transport difficulties and the fact that as yet there is not sufficient grown for Chinese needs. The position as regards rice in the west is that, at present, no export is allowed owing to the internal shortage, but normally Yunnan has a surplus which is available for North Burma or other export markets. A great deal of work is being done on the selection of rice varieties, and it is hoped that this will result in an increase of yield, in which case an export surplus will be available. So far as internal supplies are concerned it must be remembered that at the moment there are millions of refugees from the east in Western China, and that when peace is made there will be a tendency for many of these to return to their homes. This diminution of population will temporarily mean a surplus of commodities in the west, some of which may be available for export.\n\n106. The incidence of land tenure and the splitting up of the land into very small holdings as well as the physical condition of such a province as Szechuan, which, with the exception of such areas as the large plain of Chengtu, is hilly throughout, militate against any idea of large scale farming in China. Consequently the agricultural methods of the west or America are not really applicable; there is on the other hand great scope for the development of better hand- and bullock-operated implements and some work is being done on this subject by the research institutes. I have suggested and I think that the suggestion will be carried out that the C.I.C. should take up the manufacture of such improved implements through widely distributed village co-operatives. Apart from this, however, there is great scope for the manufacture of such implements on a large scale in China.\n\n107. The Chinese farmer is, like all farmers, apt to be very conservative in his ideas, but the moment that it can be proved to him that he will do better out of his land by the introduction of new methods or new breeds of animals or plants he is only too ready to adopt these improvements. I was told at the research institutes that they had found the farmers most responsive, and that they were the determined supporters of the work, in many cases pressing the provincial Governments to spend more money upon these institutes.\n\n108. A good deal has been done through agricultural co-operatives, organised by the Government, to assist in the financing of the small farmer and to get him out of the clutches of the moneylender. Owing to corruption in the administration of this service, due to the appointment of unsuitable local officials, a great deal of money has been lost, amounting to nearly 20 per cent. of the investment. The losses due to farmers not repaying the loans are almost negligible, as they are extremely honest in this respect. Efforts are now being made to clean up the local administration, but this is not always easy, especially where the local magistrates are themselves involved in the dishonesty. But the result, so far as the farmer is concerned, in districts where the co-operatives are functioning properly, has been good. Rates of interest have fallen from as much as 30 per cent. per annum to 8 per cent. per annum, which co-operatives. Even where the fall in the rate of interest has not been so great there has been a definite tendency for moneylenders' rates to fall thus easing the burden on the producer. Some efforts are also being made in certain areas through the agricultural co-operatives to collectivise the purchase of seeds and other requirements, but this aspect of the question has not as yet received very\n\n87", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568675, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 60, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "90\n\n32\n\nChina, and, as it also affects North-West Burma, it would seem that we might offer China some assistance in the solution of the problem, as the Americans have already done.\n\n117. The time for the development of a social service programme on a large scale has not yet come, but undoubtedly this will be one of the major problems that will confront China in the future, especially the question of health and disease prevention.\n\n118. A great deal of voluntary work is being organised to give assistance to war orphans, wounded soldiers and refugees, and this is much encouraged by the Government. Wherever possible deep shelters are provided against bombing, which is constant everywhere. In Chungking, where the rocky and hilly nature of the town lends itself to the building of such shelters, the Government is still building deep dug-outs, and has now provided shelter for nearly 200,000 inhabitants. This protection, combined with a certain amount of evacuation into the surrounding country districts, does a great deal to maintain the morale and cheerfulness of the inhabitants. In other areas, such as Chengtu, where it is not possible to build deep shelters owing to the amount of water near the surface, very complete arrangements have been made to evacuate the inhabitants on notice of an air raid. Owing to the very excellent system of observation posts and the good secret service, notice of some hours is generally received of air raids, which makes the task of evacuation much easier.\n\nForeign Relations.\n\n119. The present attitude of the Chinese is strongly nationalist, but, at the same time, they all recognise that they need the assistance of foreign Powers if they are to be successful in the present war. They turn naturally to the Western Democracies, Russia and the United States for assistance, though they do not have any objection to help from Germany. They regard, rightly I think, their interests as very largely identical with those of the Western Democracies, since they regard themselves as having the same libertarian ideals as are supposed to be enshrined in the political systems of Great Britain and France.\n\n120. So far as Russia is concerned, she has provided more practical assistance for the Chinese than any other Power, with the possible exception of the United States. Large credits amounting to 150 million American dollars have been granted on very favourable terms indeed, and a barter arrangement is in operation which is of the most profound importance to China. It is because the stopping of wolfram ships going to Russia interferes with this arrangement that the Chinese feel so sore about it. So far, Russia has applied no political pressure whatsoever upon China, somewhat to the surprise of some of the Chinese, who have been afraid that there might be some interference with Chinese internal politics as the price of Russian assistance. Indeed, last summer, when Sun Fo went to Moscow, he was asked specifically by the Generalissimo to see Stalin about the relations between the Chinese Communists and the Central Government. Sun Fo then pointed out that Stalin would undoubtedly say that this was an internal matter for China and he could not interfere, and this is, in fact, the attitude that has been adopted by Russia throughout. There is, however, always a danger that, as the economic power of Russia increases in Western China, she will bring political pressure to bear in favour of the Chinese Communists. When I was in Moscow I asked Molotov about the possibility of the division of China into Russian and Japanese spheres of interest, and he stated that the Russian Government would never come to any such agreement with Japan, as they were determined to assist China to gain her independence and freedom. A new state of affairs is likely to arise when the war is concluded, as then, in all probability, there will arise a sharp internal political conflict between the Kuomintang and the Communists, and if Russian influence is then predominant from an economic point of view it may well be that the Russian Government will influence the turn of events by giving to, or withholding from, one or other party necessary supplies. It is, in my view, therefore important, if British interests are to be protected, that the maximum of economic assistance should be given by the British Government to China at the present time, so as to diminish the predominance of Russian help. The Chinese themselves, and particularly the Generalissimo, are anxious that they should avoid the danger of a too-exclusive economic association with Russia in the west, and, from this point of view as well as from that of\n\nPage 60\n\nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 573584, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943", "page_number": 69, "title": "CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943", "content_text": "## \nMinistry of Education before leaving Chungking and I had received a personal assurance from the Minister, Mr. Chen Li Fu, that Hong Kong University students would be eligible for admission to any of the National Universities of China, and that, if necessary, they would also be entitled to apply for the Chinese Government loan for living expenses. This, together with the fact that tuition and dormitory space is free in Chinese Government Universities, made the outlook for Hong Kong students appear much brighter once the immediate difficulties of transportation had been overcome.\n\nIn addition to dealing with students already in Free China, a machinery was set up in the three main centres of Kukong, Kweilin and Kweiyang for the assistance of further arrivals from Hong Kong. Details of the various universities were made available, together with the approximate number of vacancies for students and an attempt was made to provide free travel wherever available. In Kukong Mr. A. H. Bentley, former Government Pharmacist and part-time lecturer in Pharmacy to the University, undertook the details of Student Relief from May to the middle of August when the work passed into the hands of Mr. P.C.M. Sedgwick of the Relief Bureau, consequent upon Mr. Bentley's accepting an appointment with the National School of Pharmacy in Chungking. In Kweilin the work was handled by Mr. M.K. Cheng (former University accountant) and later by Mr. I. S. Wan, also of the Hong Kong Refugee Relief Bureau. In Kweiyang Messrs. R.E. Lawry and Derek G. Cox of the Friends Ambulance Unit have been particularly generous of their time in assisting students either to settle in Kweiyang or to proceed on their journey to Chungking or Chengtu. Travelling has become progressively difficult from month to month especially along those sections of the road (from Chin Ch'eng Chiang to Kweiyang and Chungking) which are only provided with motor transport. Phenomenal prices have been paid for places on trucks by those who were not so fortunate as to obtain free transportation, and the earlier estimates for the cost of travel have needed drastic revision in recent months. In spite of all difficulties, however, a steady stream of students has continued to come out and at the date of writing this report a total of 255 students is known to have reached Free China. This figure may be taken as representing very nearly the total of those who are likely to come out of Hong Kong, although it is possible that there may be a number of others in Free China who have not yet got into touch with the University Relief Organisation.\n\nThe following figures express in concise form the number of members of the University (Students, recent Graduates and Members of the Teaching Staff) who have reached Free China:\n\n### STUDENTS\n\n| Faculty | Year | Number |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Medical | 1st | 22 |\n| | 2nd | 11 |\n| | 3rd | # |\n| | 4th | 2 |\n| | | 137 |\n| Engineering | 1st | 25 |\n| | 2nd | 20 |\n| | 3rd | 10 |\n| | 4th | 2 |\n| | | 57 |\n| Arts | 1st | 16 |\n| | 2nd | 23 |\n| | 3rd | 12 |\n| | | 51 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575508, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 150, "title": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "# FEC. 4.5.42.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n**Records No. NY. 8140-42**\n**UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NATIONAL CENSORSHIP**\n\nFrom: Arthur N. Young, V e Pres. Chinese American Institute of Cultural Relations, Chungking, China\nTo: Mrs. Arthur N. Young, 1725 Chelsea Road, San Marino, Cal.\n\nDate of letter: Feb. 1-22, 1942\n\n## ARMY\n\nSubmitted to: COL. O.I. bis 308. MAY COMMENT.\n\n### #36 Par.1. LOCATION OF JAPANESE HEADQUARTERS IN HONGKONG\n\nFrom a letter written by a Chinese who had lately left Hongkong, it was learned that things were still going on in Hongkong fairly well, though the Japs are taking over many things, such as the telephone system, power plant, etc. They have military headquarters at the Race Course and have commandeered the Moore Memorial Church nearby for offices, also the Foreign Y.M.H.A. and the American Club.\n\n### #38. Par.2.\n\n\"It seems from reliable reports that the earlier report of the murder of some Americans is quite untrue.\"\n\n### #35. Par. 2.\n\nThe writer has been sending messages to his family via broadcast.\n\n### Blue Letter. Feb. 22. P.2. Par.5:\n\n\"The building situation here is extremely difficult as so much has been destroyed by bombing and there is such a demand for what exists.\"\n\n### #35. Par. 3.\n\nPaving and improvement of the roads has been going on well; however, a trip to Chengtu from Chungking (275 miles) took 65 minutes by air and 2 1/2 days by road.\n\nPage 150\nPage 151", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575509, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 151, "title": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": ".150\n\nThere are now many universities in Chengtu as they are \"refugeeing from occupied China,\" the campus is the center of cultural life which is outstanding in China today.\n\n7). \n\nThere is no obvious damage from bombing in Chengtu except a few places in town. (This city has suffered two bombings)\n\n35. Par 6.\n\n\"C.N.A.C. has been doing a great job in the emergency and deserves great credit\". (Chinese National Aviation Corporation).\n\n#36. Par. 6.\n\nAmerican U.P. Press men were aided in escaping from Shanghai to Chungking by \"guerillas\".\n\n36. Par. 2.\n\n\"So far there has been no sign of mail here... trying to get service going via C.N.A.C. and we have approached the other governments but nothing has happened.\"\n\n## POLITICAL REACTIONS IN CHINA\n\n\"Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, the British Ambassador, has been transferred to Moscow and left here last week. He has been very much liked here and people hate to see him leave. It was a blunder of the British Government to transfer him just now, when relations between the two countries are so important and when the Chinese are rather critical of some British action. The British here also feel he should not have been transferred.\" (36. P.2. Par.2.)\n\n\"During the past week, the big event here has been the authorization of the U.S. $550 million credit to China. The Chinese are very pleased.\" (36. Par.4.)\n\n\"Everyone talks of how conditions have improved in the province since the Central Government took over in 1942. The opium that formerly was seen everywhere has largely disappeared. The old civil wars have been stopped. There are many public improvements.\" (#35, Par. 6.)\n\nEnc. 8.\n\nAllocation of this comment sheet: C.P.C. 3/17/42.\n\nDisposal of original letter: C.P.C. FOR INSTRUCTIONS. RELEASED", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575616, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 258, "title": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "# FE. Section, Ministry of Information. \nWest China University Hospital. Chengtu, Szechwan. China. February 3rd. 1942.\n\n**Lord Moyne** \nSecretary of State to the Colonies. \nColonial Office. \nDowning St. \nLondon S.W.1.\n\nMy Lord.\n\n257\n\nI have the honour to report my escape from Hongkong after its capitulation on the night of the 25th of December 1941 in the following circumstances.\n\nDuring the last two years my work in the Colony had become increasingly political in character. Officially neutral in the Sino-Japanese war, I had nevertheless behind the scenes consistently exerted what influence I possessed towards blocking and hampering the propaganda (and other) activities of the Japanese and the adherents of Wang Ching Wei. These efforts had not been without success. On the other hand, I worked very closely with Chinese organisations and did all in my power, consistent with the interests of the Colony, to aid them. My visits to Chungking and conversations with Chinese leaders were played up in the local press, being invested with an air of mystery and significance which they did not in fact possess. I had good reason to know that I had been marked down by the Japanese as Pro-Chungking (which I was) and as a centre of undercover anti-Japanese intrigue (which I was not).\n\nFor these and other reasons, I decided that the risks of attempting to break out of Hongkong after its fall would be preferable to falling into Japanese hands as a supposed secret agent in possession of information which I did not in fact have.\n\nAccordingly, after the siege began, I consulted the Colonial Secretary and the Defence Secretary to ascertain whether there was any official objection to the attempted escape after the cessation of hostilities. Neither of these officers saw any objection in principle, and it was agreed that the Colonial Secretary would inform me should the Governor, upon consultation, take exception to the general plan. No more was heard of the matter, and I therefore began my preparations.\n\nMy plan was by one means or another to avoid physical capture in the hours immediately following the Colony's capitulation and then, under cover of darkness, to steal a sampan, cross to the mainland, where, marching by night and hiding by day, I hoped it would be possible to pass through the Japanese positions and reach the guerilla country beyond the borders of the New Territories. Such a march would occupy perhaps a week, and I prepared a small pack of food sufficient to last for that period. A working knowledge of the language and of the country endowed the plan with a greater chance of success than it prima facie possessed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575619, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 261, "title": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "260\n\ngave some interviews and addressed some meetings on points concerning the siege of Hongkong in which the Chinese were particularly interested.\n\nAs soon as I decently could, I availed myself of the excellent medical facilities attached to the West China Canadian Mission at Chengtu and underwent an operation for the extraction of the bullet with results as shown in the enclosed copy of a letter from Dr. Wilford to Sir Archibald Clark Kerr.\n\nAs soon as I could reach paper, ink, and a post office, I wrote out an account of the operation of the Hongkong civil defence services under the test of actual warfare. This I sent with all speed to Wing Commander Steele-Perkins at New Delhi since it seemed important that the lessons learned in Hongkong should be immediately available to those concerned with civil defence in other parts of the Empire. I understand that the British Ambassador at Chungking asked by telegram that the significant parts of that brief and hasty report should be transmitted to Rangoon and Singapore in case they should there be of value. It will be appreciated that my report was necessarily sketchy and incomplete, since one observer in conditions of siege can see only a limited part of the whole. Nevertheless, certain broad lessons seemed to me to stand out and these I reported to Wing Commander Steele-Perkins to the best of my ability.\n\nThe telegraphic requests, as numerous as they were natural, which reached me from those in all parts of the world with relatives and friends in Hongkong were more difficult to deal with. I decided that the only safe rule was to stick to what I had seen with my own eyes and to report safe only those whom I had myself seen to be safe; but as civilian casualties will, I am certain, be found to have been light, I felt justified in conveying this fact in general terms to as many enquirers as possible.\n\nI wish to conclude this despatch by expressing my deep appreciation of Your Lordship's kindness in agreeing to the transfer of much needed funds to my family in Canada. It is difficult for me to say how much this relieves my mind. I also wish to thank Your Lordship most sincerely for the telegram of congratulation on my escape which reached me in Chungking.\n\nI have the honour to be\nYour Lordship's most obedient servant,\nSgd.\nF. M. Baddeley (corrected to) Om. Marionpall.\nHongkong Civil Service.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575620, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 262, "title": "CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "## OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR\n## THE UNITED HOSPITAL OF THE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES IN CHENGTU\n## CHENGTU, SZECHWAN, CHINA\n\n261\nJan. 31, 1942.\n\nSir Archibald Clark Kerr,\nH.B.M. Ambassador,\nBritish Embassy,\nChungking\n\nDear Sir Archibald :-\n\nMr. MacDougall consulted me a few days ago re. the wound of his left shoulder. I had it X Rayed and found a bullet in the region of his scapula (shoulder blade). The X-ray findings seemed to indicate that the bullet was rather superficial. So I advised an operation for the removal of it.\n\nOn operating, however, I found that the bullet had passed through the bone leaving a small hole in it. I probed through this hole but did not locate the bullet. So it is placed rather deeply and behind (under) the bone. This would need a rather extensive operation to rescue. As the bullet seems to be causing no special trouble at present (no pus, etc.), I decided not to attempt to remove it.\n\nMr. MacDougall is now (4 days after operation) over at my house convalescing. He left hospital this A.M. His temperature is normal and he is as well as can be expected after the operation. He will require several more days before he can move around freely.\n\nHis nervous system, owing to the experiences of the past few weeks, is in a rather unsatisfactory condition. This, together with the condition of his wound and the possible complications in future, would, in my opinion, make it desirable for him to leave China as soon as possible.\n\nYours sincerely,\n**E.O. Wilford, D., LRCP&S, F.A.C.S.**\nChief Surgeon and Director,\nUnited Hospital.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-23 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575835, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 187, "title": "CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "14.\n\n15.\n\n!\n\n16.\n\nponge\n\n1\n\n17.\n\n18,\n\n19.\n\n· 4\n\n186\n\nPresident of the American-supported Lingnan University had been put to death by being thrown into the street. He gives us his source \"a friend recently arrived from Hong Kong.\" (Note. The Lingnan University has had hospitality in Hong Kong since the taking of Canton in 1938.)\n\nJ. A. KEMPF, Reformed Presbyterian Mission, Takhing, West River, which is in Kwantung not very far from Hong Kong, says on 9.2.42 that Chinese who have drifted down from Hong Kong report that all missionaries are concentrated at a large missionary boarding house in Kowloon under restrictions. The food supply is very short and many Chinese are starving. He makes no mention of any atrocities or ill-treatment.\n\n\"MARY\", writing from Kukong, N. Kwantung on 11.2.42 states that some British men who had escaped had arrived there and she mentions one of the men referred to in para 8 above. She confirms their report exactly and adds that medicine is denied to sick men.\n\nROCLR ARNOLL of Y. M. C. A., Kweiyang on 19.3.42 says that more Britishers have escaped from Hong Kong, which is marvelous as the internment camps are on the island. They say little about how they got away, presumably not to cramp the style of future escapers. He makes no mention at all of conditions there or of atrocities.\n\nMRS. H. W. WORLEY writing on 1.3.42 from Foochow says that reports from Hong Kong as to the treatment of the 'whites' there are pretty terrible. One of the seminary graduates had arrived from Hong Kong the previous day. He had left on June 23rd and said that hundreds of British and American and Dutch men had been sent to Formosa for hard labour. Conditions were pretty bad. (Note. This Formosa story has been printed in a paper in Halay some time ago, I believe early in January, but I have not heard it elsewhere.)\n\nThere are five writers who give no source for their statements. MISS C. H. GREEN of the Methodist Hospital, Kunning, says on 18.2.42 \"news had come through that day that thirty of the H. K. Electric Co. staff had been lined up and beheaded... the Japs went to the hospitals and raped all the foreign nurses. Those who made a fuss were taken out and shot..... many of our men were bound hand and foot and bayonetted through their middles. It was a common sight to see Britishers being slapped in the face by Japanese sentries for failing to salute.\" This lady is probably a missionary and will certainly hear rumours among the Chinese. It is not so likely that she has actually met British escapers, as the missionaries in Kunming used to have little social contact with the British circle there, and if she had had first-hand news, she surely would have been more definite about her source. Experience has shown in this war that the Chinese are very susceptible to rumours and that rumours move and grow among them very fast indeed. The hospital story is an easy step from a report of the two authentic cases given above.\n\nCIRUTH E. BANKIRK of Chengtu, Szechuan in the far West, gives as her source unspecified eyewitnesses, \"both foreign and Chinese\". She writes on 28.2.42 that these people who have escaped \"tell everything that is happening to foreigners and Chinese in Hong Kong - a repetition of N.anking. Truck loads of foreign women taken to the Japanese barracks. One Chinese man protesting against the rape of foreign women got his eyes gouged out so that he would not see what was happening and then when they finished with the women he was killed.\" She recounts a case of rape and murder in a Chinese household. It seems unlikely that this American (her English betrays this) lady missionary in so distant a place has had personal contacts with escapers, the reference...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575842, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 194, "title": "CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "1979/6\n\nTHE PRIDISH CAMP.\n\nPART III.\n\n193\n\n(E) Letter from Rex RAY, American Southern Baptist Mission, Wuchow, S.China, dated (post mark) 13.4.42.\n\n\"I had four refugees to supper last night who escaped from the Hong Kong prison camp at Stanley. One American airplane mechanic, one Britisher, Customs, one Polish man, newspaper correspondent, and one tall English girl, about 26, Government clerk....\n\n....No one is allowed to see or talk to anyone in the camp. They have come 2500 Britishers, 450 Americans, and a few Dutch in the camp,\n\nThere are about 1000 women and children in the camp. Daily they are issued about ten ounces of rice and one of meat, counting the bone as meat. They have plenty of water. Boiled water to drink. No soap. No mosquito nets....The small children were given milk for several weeks, but that stopped about 13th March. The people in the camp do all their own work. Everything is handled by Committees. Those refugees say that nearly everyone is on a Committee. Burnside is cheerful and fat still. He is in charge of the tools, in other words tool Ross....In the camp grounds they have an old English cemetery where the first soldiers that ever arrived in H.K. were buried. The prison camp use that now. So far only very old people have died except one young man with heart trouble. They have only one coffin to use for all. One of the internees got a few boards and made it. The coffin is lowered into the grave and the coffin having a hinge on the bottom, in some way which leaves the body in the grave and coffin is taken out and saved for the next one.\n\nThe campers managed to get a bit of tea leaves. These are boiled and boiled until there is no more sell about them, then they are dried and crumbled up for the men's cooking substitute for tobacco. The belief of these four escaped refugees is that unless more food is supplied one half of those in the camp will be dead within six months. They believe it is the determined plan of the Japs to let them starve to death gradually. Money is of no use now as there is nothing they can buy in the camp. The American Consul is in a little rock walled pen by himself as the Japs say it is against international law to keep him behind the barbed-wire Fences with the other internees.\"\n\nNOTES- The want of mosquito nets may be a most dreadful thing soon.\n\nas Stanley was the most malarious place in the Island until about ten years ago when it was drained and controlled for the building of the new jail and St Stephen's College. The cemetery bears witness to the fate of nearly all the first arrivals, and about a year after the first landing the camps were all moved from Stanley because of the death rate. Without proper control, one fears that by autumn malaria will be a worse enemy than Japs to the internees. One writer quoted in the last Report said that tea and bread were provided in the American camp, but these amenities seem to be denied to the British and Dutch.\n\n(F) Letter from Elizabeth H.S.KURRAT, Christian Literature Society, Changtu, dated 25.4.42. This Society seems from the context of Misc Murray's letters to be connected with the London Mission of the Church of England, Headquarters in London. The names she mentions are those of British people.\n\n\"We find it almost impossible to get news from Hong Kong, Boxer, Gosby, and Dr.Sydenham have all been mentioned as safe, but that does not mean the others are not. Undoubtedly all our people are in concentration camps and conditions there are unsatisfactory owing to insufficient food, no medicines and unsatisfactory sanitation.\"\n\n(G) Letter from V.FARMER, 160.I., Chungking, dated 26.4.42. This writer has met Mrs Priestwood and other escapees.\n\nFood was not too plentiful, two bowls of rice a day and a little boiled lettuce. There is a canteen though, where with luck you...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 588075, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-606-5 Hong Kong Loan- Financial settlement 2-3-1948 - 4-10-1948", "page_number": 63, "title": "CO129-606-5 Hong Kong Loan- Financial settlement 2-3-1948 - 4-10-1948", "content_text": "SECTION B.\n\n-7-\n\nShips known or believed to have been sunk in the course of denial action by or on the orders on authority of the Harbour Master under three categories (i) those in respect of which there is believed or known to have been a valid war risk insurance at the time of loss, so that the only potential claim is that of underwriters (ii) those in respect of which there is doubt whether there was a valid war risk insurance at the time of loss and (iii) those in respect of which it is known that there was no war risk insurance at the time of loss. (iv) Small Craft (v) Government owned craft.\n\n(i) Vessels known or believed to be insured against war risks at the time of denial action or in connection with which no claim is expected.\n\nSHIPS.\n\n \n Owners.\n G.R.T.\n How Lost.\n Remarks.\n \n \n (Built)\n \n \n \n \n \n 1. MING SANG (Br.)\nIndo-China S.N. Co. Ltd.\n 3420 (1934)\n Scuttled in Kowloon Bay.\n Insured with M.O.T. War Risks 1.0., not recovered,\n \n \n 2. HIN SANG (Br.)\n-do-\n 4644 (1941)\n -do-\n -do-\n \n \n 3. YAT SHING (Br.)\n-do-\n 2284 (1904)\n Shellad and caught fire.\n -do-\n \n \n 4. TAU SANG (Br.)\n-do-\n 2256 (1921)\n Scuttled in Kowloon Bay.\n -do-\n \n \n 5. SOOCHOW (Br.)\nChina Navigation Co. Ltd.\n ...\n -do-\n (10.12.41)\n \n \n 6. KANCHO (Br.)\n-do-\n ...\n -do-\n (10.12.41)\n \n \n 7. CHENGTU (Br.)\n-do-\n ...\n -do-\n (10.12.41)\n \n\n62", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-606-5 Hong Kong Loan- Financial settlement 2-3-1948 - 4-10-1948.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 595749, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "page_number": 75, "title": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "content_text": "# TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS. JONIFACE. Srook, LONDON.\n\nALL LETTERS TO BE ADDRESSED TO 440 \nREMITTANCES MADE PAYABLE TO \nThe Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.\n\nThe Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. \nINCORPORATED IN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG. THE LIABILITY OF MEMBERS IS LIMITED TO THE \nEXTENT AND IN MANNER PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE No. 8 OF 1929 OF THE COLONY. \nGracechurch Street, London, E.C.3.\n\nMARK REPLY IN TOP LEFT CORNER.\n\nManager's DEP? \nMansion! \n854 \n1024)\n\nFebruary 21st, 1948.\n\nMy dear Scarlett,\n\nKING KAN (NANKING-KIANGSI) RAILWAY MATERIALS LOAN 1936.\n\nThe story of the advance made by the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation for the purchase of these Railway Materials was sent by me to Coates on the 3rd September last `F12273/152/10`.\n\nI append a note given me by Matheson & Co.Ltd., regarding the Railway Material requisitioned in Hongkong in 1941; I am informed that the Chinese Ministry of Communications are claiming compensation for the requisitioning of this Material; in fact, we have received an account from the Chungking-Chengtu Railway for the sum of £26,550 in payment of part of these requisitioned goods.\n\nPart of these Materials pertained to the King-Kan Railway Loan, but I have no information at present of the details and value of this Material, and it has been suggested that this will only be obtainable from the Chinese Ministry of Communications.\n\nHowever, we wish to register our claim to any payment which the British Government may make on account of these particular Materials; a large debt is due to us by the Chinese Government, which, up to date, they have made no attempt to repay, and our view is that any refund made to the Chinese Government on account... \n-1- \nof...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 595851, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "page_number": 177, "title": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "content_text": "Mr.\n\n55136/90/48\n\nDodds,\n\nPay Department,\n\nCrown Agents.\n\n176\n\nIn reply to your minute of 19th January (P/isc./Hong Kong/1) concerning the payment of £26,550 from Hong Kong funds to the credit of the account of the Chungking-Chengtu Railway with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, I understand from the Corporation that they have now identified this account in their books.\n\nfa € W H Scarlett.\n\nEastern Department, Colonial Office,\n\nThe Church House,\n\nGreat Smith Street\n\nS.W.1.\n\n3 February, 1948.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 595854, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "page_number": 180, "title": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "content_text": "P/Misc./Hong Kong/1\n\nEastern Department,\n\nColonial Office,\n\nGreat Smith Street, S.W.1.\n\nROSY\n\n179\n\n64/07\n\nFor the attention of Mr. E.W.A. Scarlett\n\nWith reference to your minute No. 55136/90/47 of 3rd December, 1947, regarding the payment of £26,550 from Hong Kong funds to the Chungking-Chengtu Railway, we enclose a copy of a letter received from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and would be glad if you will inform us as to the eventual disposal of this money.\n\nBG\n\nPay Department,\n\nCrown Agents Office, 19th January, 1948.\n\nHA.\n\nPage 180\n\nPage 181\n\nCopy", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 595855, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "page_number": 181, "title": "CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948", "content_text": "180\n\nOri al in P/Misc/Hong Kong/1\n\nLoans Department.\n\nThe Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking\n\nCorporation,\n\n9, Gracechurch Street,\n\nLondon, E.C.3.\n\ndated 20th December, 1947. rec'd 22nd December, 1947.\n\nThe Crown Agents for the Colonies,\n\n4, Millbank,\n\nLondon, S.W.1.\n\nDear Sirs,\n\nWe are in receipt of your letter of the 12th instant enclosing remittance for £26,550 for account of the Chungking-Chengtu Railway being value of railway stores requisitioned in Hongkong, 1941 for military use.\n\nAs we informed you on the telephone, we have no account in the name of the Chungking-Chengtu Railway and we therefore contacted the Colonial Office and also the Chinese Government Purchasing Commission who we understand have written by air-mail to the appropriate Department of the Chinese Government in Nanking.\n\nWe are therefore holding the amount in Suspense pending receipt of their reply, and we enclose our receipt for the amount.\n\nYours faithfully,\n\n(Sgd) ?\n\nfor Sub-Manager.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-622-3 War damage compensation- requisitioned railway stores and materials 19-1-1948 - 31-12-1948.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]