[ { "id": 216606, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 90, "title": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "content_text": "\nTofamation. \n\nSir Henry Pottinger Wars\", Her Wortannine Mapning Plenipotentings & in China testified by a Tesclacuation. itatis on the 6th day of October But, that the island of Chusan having been rexccempied by thee Kapotys combined \n\nast \n\nFrees, it would not be restored to the Authority of the Finperor until the demands for lughand against China thould be, not only acceded to, but carried into effect. And again. \n\nthe 14th of Becember 20201, the said = \n\n- tentiary insued a further decolammation to the effect, Bat \n\nnghai and B Bependencies would not be \n\nath of unghes \n\nody \n\ndestored to the Imperors Ruthurity under de \n\nWives petit an \n\nAbway Accum \n\nEdict of Rennerty \n\nand indemnity \n\nbecial Lege- \n\nSign Manual \n\nshould be promulgated, under the Lon \n\nto all and every one of the labject of Chima on \n\nlist intercourse An \n\naccount of his ap \n\nF. \n\nA.C. \n\nWeld \n\ndealing with, Government. \n\nor shoring resided under the Brittil \n\nand the Officer. \n\nit \n\nPeace Leving \n\nnow been Lappity concluded \n\nbetiver the love counting, and a étaty signed and \n\nStated by \n\nشده \n\nHer Beitrance Basicly's Remitictention \n\nسے ہے۔ \n\nand the Imperial Beg's Kornanissionsst \n\non \n\nSehalf of \n\ntheir respective coverage and includes the abou described stipulations, be lity of Langual \n\nHi Seland off Cluvan will be restored to the authe- \n\ninci \n\n24 by \n\nPage 90Page 91", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 218473, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-005 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1844", "page_number": 346, "title": "CO129-005 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1844", "content_text": "\n\nrecipereal, and consequently, \n\nwere \n\nthey \n\ninfringed by \n\nmat \n\none \n\n-party \n\nto them, \n\nonly \n\nhave \n\ninfringement would I concise 4. virtually absolve the other party from it's engagements .. Now, not the Portuguese Authorities at Macao frequently of late years set at nought that provision of the Treaty respecting Her Majesty's Subjects being considered and treated as those of the most : favored Nation, but they have on \n\nevery recasion takow part Chinese. Government against us, have drivon. Her Majesty's Subjects at \n\nL \n\nwith the \n\nan \n\ndared \n\n-few hours notice from their houses and property under \n\nOfficial declaration that they not disobey the Edicts of the High Chinese Officers \n\nto that effect, have distinctly and unco \n\nconditionally \n\ndeclined \n\n[ \n\nto \n\ndeclined our \n\nprofferred assistance- \n\ndefend. Macas against the Chinese Troops which were ordered \n\nto proceed there \" to expel the English\", have always refused- evon in times of peace and concord, \n\nand do so at this instant \n\nου \n\nthe same plea of it's being contrary to the commands and wishes of the Chinese Government - British Ships of \n\nMerchant \n\nNessels \n\nto allow \n\nWar or even \n\nto enter the Harbour \n\nof Mazas, and _ in one word_ have invariably acted towards us with less friendship and forbearance, than they have showed to any other Nation whatever. They have \n\ntolerated simply-in fact - \n\nour \n\nresidence at Macao, and that it may \n\nbe said solely because \n\nit", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-005 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1844.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 219793, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844", "page_number": 253, "title": "CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844", "content_text": "residing even in the City of \n\nthe City of Alacas, and although circumstances have led to her exercising an ----- \n\n: defined authority with respect to the subjects and. Citizens of foreign States similarly situated ; yet even as regards Portuguese forn Subjects, the \"Loverner and Senate of Mlaces are not, Sunderstand, -rested with the power of life and death, and have to send all such Criminals as are- \n\nlikely \n\nto demands condign punishment for trial to You. \n\nSupposing however, that the opinion of Her Majesty's. Adorcate. General be perfectly correct (and Irepeat that I dissent from it with extrême deference ), I presume, that the Asewance of the Treaties between Englands and Portugal was intended to be rigidly \n\nsciprocal, and Consequently were they infringed by one party to them, that infringement would, I conceive, virtually absolve the other party from it's engagements. Now sot only have. \n\nthe \n\nthe. Potuguese Authwities at Macao frequently of. late years set at nought that provision of the srealy respecting Her Majesty's Subjects being considered and treated as those of the most favord Nation, but they have \n\nin every occasion laten \n\npart with the Rhinese Government against us; have driven Her Majestizo Subjects at a few hours notice from their houses and properly under an Official declaration that they dared not disobey the Edicts of the High Chinese Officers to that effect; have distivally and. unconditionally declined, our profferred assistance to defend Macae against the Kinese Groeps which were ordered to proceed there \"to ispel the English ; have always refused _ even in times of peace and Emcard, and do so at this instant _ on the same plea of it's being Contrary to the Commands and wishes of the Kinese Imernment – to allow 1 British Ships or even Merchant Nessels, to enter the \n\nHarber \n\nD \n\nof War, \n\nNDEX.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 221240, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "page_number": 43, "title": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "content_text": "the Triad Society completely justifies the adoption of the most vigorous measures for suppressing and punishing them and for all persons who shall become Members of them. The same considerations vindicate the propriety of the decisions to deliver up to the Chinese Authorities any Sailing who may escape from the penalties which they may have incurred in China.\n\nIt is, however, not equally evident that the Ordinance which was transmitted is properly framed. First, It makes no exceptions in favour of persons who may have joined the Triad Society in ignorance of its designs or under the influence of terror. The latter case, as appears from the Particulars of the Case of the 21st January is not infrequent really. An illustration...\n\nSecondly, an indelible stigma inflicted on the cheek of a Criminal, even if final, when attended by fine (as I presume was intended in this instance) is yet evidently objectionable as fastening on the malefactor a stigma from which he could never be rescued by any future good conduct. It would consign him to a life of infamy and finally obstruct his return to honest and reputable society.\n\nThirdly, The Ordinance subjects to similar penalties the members of all Secret Societies. But mere membership, in the terms of an Association, would scarcely seem to require a punishment so severe or, perhaps, any punishment at all. Fourthly, Exclusion from the Colony is itself an indefinite punishment. It does not offer whether the man is to be banished for life or for any short period, nor what is to be the penalty of returning from such a banishment.\n\nFifthly, It has been stated by a Member of the House of Commons in his place in that House, that by a recent Edict or law of the Chinese Government a number of Triad Society members may be put to death at once, and without any formal trial.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 223990, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-017 - Sir John Davis - 1846 [7-12]", "page_number": 409, "title": "CO129-017 - Sir John Davis - 1846 [7-12]", "content_text": "THE Board of Officers have sent in a memorial asking for further orders.\n\nOn the 29th day of the 12th month, of the 21st year of Tamukwang, (February 1841) an Imperial Edict was received to the following effect.\n\nThe rebellious barbarians have twice invaded Formosa, when the Commander-in-Chief and Intendant, at the head of their soldiers, bravely attacked them with their whole strength, and within the short space of two months they obtained a decisive victory. They also led on their forces against those hordes of vagabonds from both north and south, who availed themselves of the opportunity to create disturbances, and completely exterminated them.\n\nWe therefore direct that an hereditary title of knighthood of the first degree should be conferred upon Tahungah, and similar titles of puopuad.\n\nHongkong Land Price | Supreme Court | Poha Court | Court\n\n4. And the said Consul shall have power to adjudicate in the said Consul shall be enactee after ob- hawegistered it -- if he think fit is to say,\"\n\nEvidence to be transmited : 40 of 532 levery hand recouvred in each of the Public Schris during the Authority Fer exhich manver appropriated Amments Reccord JOWY my m meupdates of reg all future De of this Ordin purchaser or ments, or I null and v nothing her rack rent fo\n\nIII. And actual or co ment, Will, the priority duly registe\n\nIV. And Wills, Con tained, ma within the all Dec Hexcept tive the Trade of Her Maje un, with the advice of the Le; ast of Hongkong in the seventh of the Reign of Her pregent Majesty Q Vitoria, intituled an Ordinance to r \"Her Majesty's Subjects willûn the Domi \"of the Emperor of China, or within any \n\n“or Vessel, at a distance of not more than hundred miles from the Coast of China, jret in all matters to the Law of Eng and to extend the jurisdiction of the C \"of Justice at Hongkong over the same. And whereas to carry the said recited C ance into effert it is expedient to inves Majesty's Consuls in China, with judicia thority,\n\nConsils to have the game judicial autho- rify as Courts\n\n1. Be it therefore er by His Excellency the E nor of Hongkong. and Su tendent of the Trade o Majesty's Subjects in C with the advice of the L tive Council of Hongkons from and after the passing of this Ordių, Her Majesty's Consuls shall, within the \n\nof the Port in China where they may be of ly resident, posses the same jurisdiction and authority that is now or shall hereal possessed by any Court of Judicature at i .. kong save always us is hereinafter men and excepted.\n\nConsula to record evidence.\n\n2. And be it enanter such Consul as aforesaid Deeds, have full power to inquir id, and cerning and record the o ce of all witnesses in any -rsuance misdemeanor or other criminal offence, an mo fide in all civil actions suits and matters whats, Tene- but not to determine the same, save as h after mentioned.\n\n3. And be it enactered that the evidence so recorded. he transmitted together wi- to Hongkong remarks of the said ( and rend at the thereon and on the deme Hongkong as is now or shall hereafter he d, Judg- ed, which shall thereupon duly proceed t try and determine the arid civil or cr. maiters, and for that purpose shall sd read the said evidence so recorded of a the said witnesses na ahall be absent Hongkong aforesaid, saving all exceptions to, which may appear to the said valid and just.\n\n\"have power to all affect shall be\n\n5, Deeds, Marine Price fourt\n\nOrdinance Nr. 15 of 1844 Fes the Phable for statio Adenanie Kr. of 1844 1844 Gor Foft8 Jand of the Colony. Superintendents The Fading 246. 7. 82.0 for each puss Dr Sailing letters & Indies & $5. for an Sailing letter.\n\nGovernment Rolfication of July 181474. January 18ts and H March 2t 18/04.\n\nTotal Amount of Jun. 18414 for Public puckered Ferling Showren 905 133 bbut 7/111 1/ 117.51⁄2 fi 718. $ Ꭸ b 5 844\n\nPage 363\n\nPage 363\n\nPage 363\n\n...\n\nPage 364\n\nPage 364\n\nPage 364", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-017 - Sir John Davis - 1846 [7-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 224588, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 494, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "487\n\n47\n\n46\n\n# REPORT ON\n\ndry fish, of salt, and of samshu,— an ardent spirit distilled from rice, millet, or other grains. There was also a considerable entrepôt trade between the northern and southern coasts of China. Now a foreign trade has commenced, which will probably increase to a very large extent if we retain the island. In two articles of British manufacture, the sales at Chusan during the past year amounted to 1,000,000 dollars, viz.:\n\nDollars.\n\nCotton goods to the amount of 750,000\n\nWoollen ditto 250,000\n\n—1,000,000\n\n[We omitted at the treaty of Nankin, to get a free trade between Chusan and other parts of China, at least during our occupation of the island.]\n\nIn July 1843, Captain Cleverly, of the \"William Hughes,\" sold in four days in Chusan harbour, woollen goods to the amount of 85,000 dollars. There was not so much merchandize sold at the Consular ports of Shanghai and Ningpo in nine months, as was sold at Chusan in the earlier months of 1843. The Chinese prefer purchasing goods at Chusan, as there is no monopoly, and as they have no China custom house mark on them; and they are thus more readily saleable at the different ports along the coast, as they can be transmitted into the interior of the country, without being subject to the transit duties which are levied on British manufactures, even after they have paid the custom-house duties at the Consular ports. The possession of Chusan, as a trading emporium, is the more necessary, by reason of the state of four of the Consular ports, which, excepting Shanghai, have not in any degree realized the expectations entertained. There is little British trade at Amoy.\n\n\"In Asia the observance of treaties does not arise from any conviction that they are an obligation binding on both parties, but it springs from sheer necessity; and the moment this powerful law is not in operation, all engagements are null and void. The best guarantee for the maintenance of our treaty, will be the British occupation of Chusan. Its possession by England will render the mandarins more conscientious and willing in executing the behests of their sovereign, and the great monarch more desirous of conciliation, than our fleets and armies stationed at the other extremity of the empire. Chusan will prove the bridle for restraining the wild and ungovernable passions of Mulichangah's party, and for keeping England free from all interference in the political affairs of China. In case of an European war, Chusan would prove a very valuable post for the protection of our shipping, and the expulsion of any enemy from those seas; and without such a station the northern trade, which ere long will be larger than the southern, would be exposed to imminent dangers.\n\n\"We would look upon Chusan as another Malta, not in point of natural strength, but of political importance, for the maintenance and undisturbed enjoyment of a commerce which, after the opening of Japan and Korea, and the access to Mantchouria, will certainly rival the whole of our Mediterranean trade.\n\n\"With a fourth of the money spent on the ungrateful soil of Hong Kong, Chusan would have exhibited a larger and more beautiful city than we shall ever behold on the straggling hills of this colony.\n\n\"If changes occur—if difficulties in the performance of the treaty arise—if China resumes its perfidious conduct—if other foreign powers strive to obtain the mastery in its councils—if the country is agitated, and trade must seek a safe asylum, then the permanent occupation of Chusan will become the most salutary measure that could be adopted for preserving British ascendancy and influence in Eastern Asia.\"—[Dr. Gutzlaff's report, written in November, 1844, two months after mine on Chusan.]\n\n44\n\n# CHUSAN\n\ntrade at Amoy. The \"Erin\" and the \"Mary Anne Webb\" were at Amoy during the present month (August, 1844), and could not sell a bale of cotton goods, or of anything, although there was no stock on hand. At Ningpo, there is no resident British merchant. Goods have been lying at Ningpo for the last six months unsaleable. The Ningpo authorities are ever throwing impediments in the way of trade: they forbid the introduction of foreign goods in native vessels from Chusan. I may mention the following fact: in July, 1844, the \"Cornwall,\" an English vessel of 300 tons, arrived at Ningpo from Singapore, with a cargo of \"Straits' produce,\" and some British manufactures. The \"Cornwall\" was chartered by a Chinaman, who is a merchant residing at Singapore; he was born at Malacca, and his ancestors for three generations have been British subjects. There was a Chinaman from Singapore placed on board as supercargo by the Malacca-Chinese merchant; but the captain of the ship and his crew were English. On the arrival of the \"Cornwall\" at Ningpo, the mandarins resolved on confiscating the ship and cargo, and it was only by the urgent representations of the Consul that she was saved. The \"Cornwall\" then left Ningpo for Shanghai, and was totally lost on one of the banks in the Yang-tze-kiang river, when proceeding thither.\n\nThe general policy of the Chinese Government is obviously directed to the greatest possible concentration of the foreign trade, thus rendering it subject to a more rigid system of supervision, and more available for exactions. The Tartar Government dread the extension of our trade in the northern ports, and would gladly drive it all back to Canton.*\n\n* The following information was collected for Lord Aberdeen by the Chinese Secretary to Government during the past year:-\n\n\"Keshen, a Mantchoo Tartar, who, for a considerable period swayed the Cabinet of Pekin, was considered a great reformer in everything, and was supposed to be the fittest person to curb the Western Barbarians. He augmented vast wealth from bribes, peculations, confiscations, exorbitant interest on capital lent, presents, rewards, speculations in salt trade, proceeds from pawnbroker's shops, &c.\n\nAs a diplomatist Keshen had great tact—had perfect command of his temper —great politeness—always talked the fairest words—protracted discussions—never gave offence—never made any close connection—was ready with small concessions but always avoided granting anything of importance. He realized most fully the sentiment attributed to Talleyrand, that language was bestowed on man for the concealment of his thoughts.\n\n\"When Captain Elliot and our ships appeared off the Peiho river there was not a single obstacle to oppose our capture of Pekin; Keshen was sent to negotiate with Captain Elliot and prepared a pretended letter from the British Minister to the Court of Pekin containing a sufficiency of truth to give a slight colouring to a great mass of falsehood intended to deceive the Emperor. To Captain Elliot he promised, that on due investigation at Canton some indemnification for the opium might perhaps be awarded. When our fleet left the Peiho river there were great rejoicings at Pekin, and an edict was issued by the Emperor declaring that the English barbarians were respectfully obedient and yielding (to this moment the great mass of the people at Canton believe, as they have been told, that the English paid a large sum of money to be permitted to quit the walls of Canton). On Keshen's arrival at Canton he pretended great friendship for Captain Elliot, at the very time when he was planning to surprise that brave, humane, but too confiding officer.\n\nKeshen wrote to the Emperor that the English only wanted an anchorage or careening place at Hong Kong. But as soon as it became apparent that Keshen had failed in his boasted annihilation of the Western Barbarians, there was no...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 224608, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 514, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "84\n\nBRITISH POSITION\n\nthe description and amount of goods, to be sent to the commissioner of customs at Canton, in a prescribed form, month by month.\n\nThis enactment, and these clauses, have, it is now fully acknowledged, struck a severe blow at the coasting trade; the duty and restrictions on the lorchas and small craft, rendering them too expensive, and the regulations on the Chinese vessels effectually prohibiting them from ever daring to ask for passes to trade with Hong Kong.\n\nThe supplemental treaty appears to have been most craftily designed for destroying any prospective benefit that Hong Kong might possibly have derived from the usual energy and enterprise of British merchants. Indeed, it is asserted by Mr. Gutzlaff, that while the treaty was negotiating, a proposition was seriously entertained of stationing a Chinese mandarin at Hong Kong, for collection of the duties to be levied here on behalf of the Chinese Government.\n\nAn examination of the Chinese tariff will show that the export duties levied by the Chinese Government are very heavy. On tea, the export duty ranges from 12 to 20 per cent.; on camphor, 12 to 15 per cent.; on cassia, 12 per cent.; and so on in various proportions throughout the tariff. It is also confidently stated, that the inland transit duties on British manufactures are still maintained at a high rate, and that our manufactures are thus effectually excluded from extended consumption in the interior of the country. The effect of transit duties in impeding the sale of goods has been manifested in British and in foreign India, where they are now almost entirely abolished.\n\nThe establishment of a perfectly free port to the northward, as, for instance, at Chusan, would tend to counteract these restrictions. The Chinese junks, when out of sight of their own ports, and unwatched, would freely purchase goods*, which the native traders would, through various channels, carry into the interior, without the Chinese custom-house stamp, which renders goods prohibitory, or which is an incitement to extortions at the different transit stations.\n\nIrrespective of the value which I have endeavoured to demonstrate in my Report on Chusan, of the military and naval advantages, and of the geographical position of that island, its intrinsic worth as a station for extended commerce is unquestionable; and the large number of peaceful inhabitants engaged in husbandry on Chusan and the neighbouring islands, is, in itself, an advantage for the promotion of our trade.\n\nOn the fourth point, namely, the cession of a barren, unhealthy, and useless rock, at the southern extremity of the empire, it is almost unnecessary to offer a comment, as few disinterested persons now deny that a great error was committed by our acceptance of Hong Kong. Time\n\n• Since the above was penned, the \"Hong Kong Register,\" a journal belonging to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, & Co., contains, in an editorial article of 15th April, 1845, the following remarks:-\n\n\"A great many new houses and shops are building at Chusan, and a much larger number of boats and junks now frequent the harbour. Had we permanent possession of Chusan, it would be difficult to define the limit to which our influence in China, and our trade to Shantung, the north of China, Corea, and perhaps even to Japan, might extend either in British or in native bottoms.\"\n\nAND PROSPECTS IN CHINA.\n\n85\n\nand events have confirmed the accuracy of my report upon the island; it is still devoid of trade, and without prospect of any native or European traffic; its insalubrity* is beyond a doubt; its inapplicability for colonization, unfortunate geographical position, even as regards the Canton river estuary, and its inappropriateness as a military station for the maintenance of British supremacy in China, are now pretty generally acknowledged; and many who have spent large sums in building, under the delusion that Hong Kong would become a commercial emporium, would be glad to get back even a moiety of their outlay.\n\nThe supplemental treaty, which throughout was framed restrictively and adversely to British interests†, destroyed the only chance, however remote, that Hong Kong had of ever becoming a resort for junks from the coast. The treaty was, however, almost supererogatory, for natural and insuperable difficulties prevent the island ever being made worthy the name of a British colony. On a summary review of the past, it would appear that we have not derived the fair and legitimate advantages we had a right to obtain from the recent war, and that we have lost by diplomacy, the position which had been gained by the sword.†\n\n1st. In money we have not been reimbursed for the expenditure incurred during the war; and we are still incurring a very heavy and unprofitable outlay on this coast.\n\n2nd. The expected advantages from opening four commercial ports, in addition to the port of Canton, have not been realized: we are still restricted in our intercourse, locally and generally, and life and property are considered by no means secure, at Canton itself, within a hundred yards of the British factory; while ingress is still denied to the city of Canton, where the people are encouraged to treat us with marked contumely and insult, accompanied in some instances by robbery and violence, within sight of the city walls.§\n\n507\n\nagain in Jany Youb\n\n* During the year 1843, the deaths among the troops at Hong Kong were 1 in 31, at Chusan 1 in 294. By official returns printed in the \"Friend of China\" of April 16, 1845, it appears that the mortality of 1844 has been dreadful; on an average strength of 1800 men, the deaths were 373, and the invaliding 333—706, equal to one-third of the garrison! The survivors were unequal to one heavy day's march. Among the deaths were seven European officers; among the invalidings twelve European officers. Of sixty officers who lived at Chusan for eighteen months, not one died or invalided; and the troops are in as perfect health as if they were in England.\n\n† Her Majesty's plenipotentiary who framed this treaty, now declares \"that he was an umpire between Great Britain and China.” It was supposed that he was sent here for the protection and advancement of British interests.\n\nThe prohibition of vessels from Hong Kong alone, going beyond the 32nd degree of north latitude, has not been adverted to; the injustice, impolicy, and unnationality being so obvious. Such an edict, emanating from the Court of Pekin, seems quite consistent; but that it should be framed by a British plenipotentiary seems quite impossible.\n\n|| In July, 1845, Mr. Backhouse, and some of the Consular officers at Canton, were pelted with stones and covered with mud when rowing on the river for exercise, within a few hundred yards of the British Consulate.\n\nThe following letter refers to an outrage perpetrated a short time previous to this minute being written :—\n\n\"To Francis C. Macgregor, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul, Canton.\n\n\"Sir,\n\nBritish Consulate, Canton, March 18, 1845.\n\n“About seven o'clock this morning, while walking for exercise along the north wall, on the outside of the city, we were attacked by several Chinese, who had", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 224609, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 515, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "86\n\nBRITISH POSITION\n\n3rd. The reduction of the duties on commerce and of the port charges on small coasting craft, and the regulations respecting junks trading with Hong Kong, require further modification; and a satisfactory\n\nbeen following us, and increasing in numbers, from the building known to foreigners as the Five-storied Pagoda. At first they commenced with throwing stones, which endangered our lives, and by some of which we were struck. This attack was aided and encouraged by a number of Chinese, who followed us along the top of the city wall, hurling large stones, which, if they had struck, would have killed those at whom they were aimed. Mr. Jackson was first attacked, by men brandishing swords and daggers; his arms were pinioned, and his gold chain snatched from his neck. The Reverend Mr. Stanton and Mr. Martin perceiving that Mr. Jackson was not following, returned to aid him, and were themselves seized; one of the assailants thrust a dagger at Mr. Martin's breast, two endeavoured to throw him on the ground, and whilst struggling with them, his pockets were rifled. The same course was pursued with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Stanton. The latter lost his watch, the former still retained his, but everything else was taken. The assailants then left us; but the persons on the wall followed us for some time, hurling large stones, and using menacing gestures, and opprobrious language.\n\n\"Proceeding southward beneath the wall to reach the river side, we were again followed and attacked by another party; Mr. Jackson received a violent blow on his chest, and a roof was torn up to furnish large sticks to the assailants. In this attack Mr. Jackson was deprived of his watch; our clothes were torn; and at one time the people were disposed to strip us. No resistance was offered, it was hopeless to have attempted it, not only by reason of the numbers and weapons of the multitude, but also on account of the attack on us from the watch tower and along the walls.\n\n\"The outrage was entirely unprovoked; our own official character, and the presence of a minister of religion, was a guarantee for peaceful conduct; and had his presence not restrained Mr. Jackson and Mr. Martin, bloodshed might probably have ensued. Reaching a more populous part of the suburbs, we rested a moment and then proceeded home; but not unfrequently hearing opprobrious epithets, mingled with cries of \"kill them, kill them.\"\n\n\"From no nation in Europe would British subjects suffer this treatment; there can be no excuse for tolerating a continuance of such conduct towards us in China; and we think there cannot be a doubt that the Chinese Government have it in their power effectually to put a stop, not only to the personal insults which the English daily experience, but also to prohibit effectually the repetition of the injuries we have experienced. By the prohibition to enter the city of Canton, the lower classes of the Chinese are encouraged to regard us as inferiors, and to treat us with marked contumely. No measures, that we are aware of, have ever been taken by the authorities to prevent the constant insults to which the British community are subjected; and which, instead of diminishing by time, or being subdued by acts of kindness, seem to become more frequent and more virulent,\n\n\"Anxiously desirous to maintain peace, and to promote amity, we make this representation, believing that unless the Chinese authorities remedy the evils complained of, the most serious consequences must inevitably and ere long ensue.\n\n\"We have, &c., (Signed) \"R. M. MARTIN, \"Treasurer at Hong Kong, and one of H. M.'s Council in that Colony.\n\n\"R. B. JACKSON, \"H. B. M.'s Vice-Consul at Canton.\n\n\"VINCENT STANTON, \"H. B. M.'s Chaplain at Hong Kong.\"\n\n\"Articles of which the restitution is required :--A watch, capped, and double cased in gold. A watch, double cased in silver. A gold chain and gold seal, with armorial bearings. A gold pencil case, cornelian top. A bunch of keys. Two small keys. A silver-mounted walking cane. A silk purse, studded with steel beads.\"\n\nAND PROSPECTS IN CHINA.\n\n87\n\narrangement with reference to internal transit duties, which latter is particularly essential if Chusan be not made a free port, or be not permanently retained as one of our colonies; and,\n\n4th. The cession of Hong Kong to the British crown, was no gain, in any one point of view, to England; on the contrary, its occupation has caused a great destruction of valuable life, and a considerable waste of treasure; while the retention of the island, even with the most rigid economy, must involve an annual sacrifice, unattended with any beneficial results. We made no arrangement for the revision of the treaty at the end of seven or ten years, when the working of its provisions would have been tested by time and experience; and no stipulations for the protection of those professing the Christian faith. Both these points were conceded to the Americans and French as soon as asked, and we are indebted to foreigners for concessions that ought to have been obtained by ourselves.\n\nHaving briefly reviewed the past, it may now be inquired what is our present position and policy? Do we feel secure of continued peace with China? Do we possess any commanding political position, the retention of which, by a moderate naval and military force, may arrest the direful calamity of another war? Have we any check to exercise over the Chinese, which may compel them to keep peace? developing, by precept or example, any moral control or influence which may surely, though slowly, establish our power, and win the respect and attachment of the Chinese Government and people?\n\nAre we\n\nThese important questions cannot, it is to be feared, be answered in the affirmative. The frequent expression of men of all classes of society is \"another war with China is inevitable; affairs are not yet settled.\"\n\nOn the evacuation of Chusan we shall have no position in China capable of dictating peace; and by the final abandonment of that island in January next, we shall have adopted the most effectual step that could be taken for the encouragement of a bloody, and perhaps disastrous, conflict, of which it is impossible to see the termination, and which it is very probable may engender deep and bitter feelings of national hostility to us, unquenchable by time or circumstances.\n\nAs a Government, we are doing nothing for the inculcation of our language, or for rearing a corps of useful and honest interpreters, European or Chinese; we are not merely negative, but prohibitory, as regards the dissemination of true religion*, although there is no point on which the Chinese Government and people are more indifferent; and on other points we are equally unmindful of our permanent interests.\n\n* The Christian world is indebted to the French mission in China for a revocation of the former imperial edicts against Christianity, and for the promulgation of the following edict, granting toleration and protection to the Christians. A Russian religious and scientific mission has been established at Pekin since 1728, under the sanction of a treaty. The mission is changed every two years. The French have, under the able auspices of M. Lagréné, obtained, I understand, other concessions relative to religion and literature. The \"Journal des Débats,\" in November last, had four columns of a triumphant article on the Christian conduct of France in China, and in eulogy of the now prevalent idea in France, that her mission, or destiny, is the promulgation of Christianity in the distant regions of the globe. M. Lagréné is, I understand, a lay jesuit of high standing. Whatever he be, however he deserves great credit for procuring the following \"edict.\"--\n\n508", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 224612, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 518, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "93\n\n511\n\n27646\n\n92\n\nBRITISH POSITION\n\nof art, imitative in mechanics, (thus leading to the natural conclusion that they would be equally so in social and moral duties,) having an organized Government and well administered municipalities, devoid of the prejudices of caste or of idolatry, and thus to a certain degree prepared for the reception of the seeds of Christian truth; ever seeking to benefit their condition, by labour at home, or by emigrating to other countries; habituated to a maritime life; of considerable physical power; not deficient in courage, if properly disciplined; acute or subtle reasoners; preferring the material to the theoretical or ideal; not wanting in emulative enterprise, obedient to the commands of a justly ruling authority;\n\nNOTES ON THE FOREGOING STATISTICAL TABLE,\n\nThe above are the nominal sums for which the respective officers become responsible to their sovereign. But the estimate of last year has so immensely fallen short of the actual amount required, viz., of the arrears due since the war, there remained, in October 1844, 38,711,000 taels to be paid. The rice has, for the greater part, on account of the inundation, not been forwarded to the capital.\n\nThe sundries arise from the proceeds of pawnbrokers' shops, mercantile establishments, and various fees and duties. There are moreover innumerable local items not mentioned in the statistical returns, because the mandarins on the spot receive them, without sending any account; for this they have, however, to keep up a considerable establishment.\n\nThe colonial possessions, instead of yielding a revenue, absorb considerable sums. The subsidies paid to the Mongol chiefs, both in money as well as kind, are very large; the expenditure of the army in Turkestan, amounts to several millions annually; and to keep up the establishments in Mantchouria, the treasury is constantly drained. Tibet requires only about 200,000 taels annually. No returns of these liabilities are ever published.\n\nThree taels are £4. sterling; one shih 160 lbs.; one ring 100 mow; one mow 6000 square covids.\n\nIt ought always to be kept in mind that the sums specified are the net revenue, after the deduction of the expenditure of collection, so that in many instances the sums actually raised are five times more than what is put down here. In the estimate are not included the duties on the foreign trade, which are, at the lowest, about three million taels per annum. Besides the monopoly in ginseng, percentage from the numerous mines, profits from coinage, &c., &c., which at the most moderate calculation does not amount to less than five million taels per annum, and is directly paid to the Emperor.\n\nWe have neither enumerated about thirty-four million shih of grain, which, according to the regulations, is kept in deposit by Government, in order to provide against starvation. The people have some claim on this, and reap the profits arising from the sale. The quantity, moreover, fluctuates very much, and the latter amount is abstracted from a work published about twenty years ago.\n\nChina is not remarkable for longevity. An examination was made in 1827 by the Emperor Kang-he, to ascertain how many persons were above seventy years of age, that they might be exempted from the public service, and nourished by the state. Those of eighty, ninety, and a hundred, were successively honoured with higher rewards.\n\nIn nine provinces, containing 158,793,306 inhabitants, there were but 194,086 of seventy and upwards, which latter sum is 1/818 parts of the former.\n\nIn sixteen provinces, the number of people at eighty years of age was 168,830; at ninety years 9996; and at or about a hundred years of age, but 21. Not a two thousandth part of the whole empire reached the age of eighty years; not the thirty-six thousandth part ninety years; and only about one in seventeen million inhabitants reached the age of a century.\n\nOnly three provinces evince this longevity, viz., Shantung, 9; Honan 5; Hon-an, or Hon-Guang, 4; Keangnan 3; total 21.\n\nIn the Canton province, on a population of 19,147,030, but 9415 reached the age of eighty, and only 591 that of ninety years. None attained a century.\n\nAND PROSPECTS IN CHINA.\n\nand with strong domestic and social attachments, enabling them to combine for good or evil purposes: these and other considerations render China a field peculiarly adapted for the inculcation of the Christian civilization of England.\n\nWe have it in our power to till the field thus presented for our profitable labour. Science and skill of various kinds is now anxiously seeking employment at home; where could they be more usefully employed than in China?\n\n*The Jesuits received the greatest encouragement from the Emperor Canghi, or Kanghi, during his long reign. On 22nd March, 1672, his Majesty issued a celebrated edict in favour of Christianity; in which, conformable to the report of the board of rites, he ordered the temples dedicated to the \"Lord of Heaven\" throughout his dominions to be respected, and that no opposition be given to all who chose to enter those temples, offer incense, and perform acts of worship.\n\nThis edict was issued in consequence of a violent persecution commenced against the Christians in the province of Che-kiang, by the viceroy and inferior mandarins. In consequence of the petitions of the Jesuits of science at Pekin, the Emperor ordered the board of rites to inquire into the subject; and the board reported that \"they had seriously examined that which had reference to the Europeans who lived in China; and found that they merited attention and love for the signal services which they had rendered in civil and foreign wars, by their continued studies to produce useful and curious works, and by their just and sincere affection for the public good. Moreover, that the Europeans are very tranquil; that they do not excite troubles in the provinces; that they do not cause evil, or commit any bad action. Besides, their doctrine has nothing in common with the false and dangerous sects of the empire; and their maxims do not lead people to sedition.\" The report of the board of rites went on to state, that \"as the Government of China did not prevent the Lamas of Tartary, nor the Buddhists, to have their temples, and offer incense in their pagodas, how much less ought the Europeans be prevented to have their churches, and to preach publicly their religion, as they did nothing contrary to good laws.\"\n\nIt was in consequence of this excellent report that the persecution which had commenced in China against Christianity, was suppressed by the Emperor in 1692.\n\nShortly after, the Chinese physicians having failed to cure the Emperor Canghi of a fever, the sovereign placed himself under the care of the Jesuit physicians, Gerbillon and Bouvet, at Pekin, who cured him with quinine. In gratitude for his recovery, the Emperor assigned them splendid apartments in the first enclosure of the palace, and which had belonged to the governor of the heir apparent. Artisans were employed to fit the residence up in excellent style, and a mandarin to superintend the dwelling; and understanding that they wished to have a church attached to their house, the Emperor caused a very handsome church to be erected within the precincts of the palace, which required four years building, and was opened with great ceremony in 1702. The church was adorned by the Jesuit artists with great magnificence and taste.\n\nOn several occasions the learned Jesuits established at Pekin, were enabled to render signal services to the Tartar Government at Pekin.\n\nAbout the year 1688, the Russians had been advancing, by Siberia, through Tartary to the frontiers of the Chinese empire: Their route was along the rivers Irtis, Oby, Gennissee, Angara, via lake Baikal; thence to the Amour river, penetrating to Saghalion-Oula. The Russians destroyed the forts as they advanced, not without resistance, however, from the Tartars, who were subjects of the Chinese empire.\n\nWar between the Muscovites and Chinese seemed imminent; but through the diplomacy of the Jesuits Gerbillon and Bouvet, a peace was concluded at Nipchou, by ambassadors from both powers, by which the limits of Russia were defined, and the Chinese army returned to Pekin. Gerbillon and Bouvet were appointed secretaries to the Chinese embassy, but in reality, they managed the whole negotiations in a manner which gave great satisfaction.\n\nBut a more important service was rendered to the Tartar Government of", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 224645, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 551, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "Jr. And assister\n\nI sufferer.\n\nThese should be acknowledged with thanks - although, of course, credit may be given to the Gentlemen, Mr. Martin has been discharging these self-imposed duties to the neglect of the Official duties for which he was paid. If ...\n\nMemo: Chand...\n\nto our Kina... forwarded to the Board's Trade.\n\nReport on the Tea Trade of China.\n\n- on the Opium traffic.\n\n544\n\nPage 1846\n\nPhysical geography & Topography of China; Residence; Population by Provinces - classification, character & Government of China; several Foreign Boards & Foreign Intercourse with different Nations. Manufactures; Agriculture; wages of labour; Banking & circulation, morals, weights & measures; Coasting trade; relative traffic; Inland Trade & intercourse.\n\nForeign Commerce, Shipping & Regulations, &c. - British; Haugh-Indian trade for a series of years; & American Trade in detail.\n\n& Custom regulations; Ordinance; Report on Canton general, topographical &c.\n\nMacau regulations &c.\n\nHongkong - Dr. Meteorology &c.\n\nChusan\n\nAmoy\n\nFoochowfoo\n\nNingpo; Shanghai\n\nTrade, Regulations &c.\n\nRussian trade with China via Kiakhta.\n\n5) Sailing instructions & directions for the Coast of China.\n\n& English, French, American, Russian Treaties with China.\n\n7. Edicts, Proclamations & various Legislative enactments.\n\nBy J.M. Martin", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 226144, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-022 - Public Offices - 1847", "page_number": 273, "title": "CO129-022 - Public Offices - 1847", "content_text": "For myself, I was the first clergyman of the Church of England to hold a regular service on Sundays among the Military. These 600 men, the sad relics of war, disease, and climate, were assembled in a Buddhist Temple, converted for a season to the purposes of Christian worship. Numbers had sunk into a premature grave without the solaces of religion in their dying hour.\n\nThe French Ambassador, during his visit to that Island, drew an invidious contrast in my hearing between the total absence for 5 years of the means of regular religious instruction for the British in Chusan, and the conduct of his own Government, who, in addition to other priests on board the frigate, allowed a private Chaplain for himself among his own.\n\nThe specific measure which I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship is the appointment of at least three additional Chaplains. One is required at the military post of Chefoo in the Island of Hongking, at present without any religious instruction, except the occasional visit of the military Chaplain from Victoria at a distance of 8 miles, with bad road and hilly country, which in that climate separates the two localities at the ordinary distance of 20 miles in England. Two Consulate Chaplains might be stationed with advantage at the two free ports of Canton and Shanghai, at each of which cities the British community is considerable, and where there are many sailors of the small sloops of war and the numerous Merchant vessels which frequent these ports.\n\nPage 272\n\n44. The last topic to which I beg your Lordship's permission to advert, partakes of a more general character, but is in a degree identified with the duties and the interests of the British Government. I alluded to the affording of reasonable facilities by the Consular authorities in the five free ports to British Missionaries in the prosecution of their work.\n\nDuring my exploratory visit and residence at each of the five ports of China, I have enjoyed ample opportunities of intercourse with the Chinese, and of fully testing the groundlessness of any fears as to Chinese viewing with alarm or jealousy the efforts of Missionaries.\n\nAs a proof of the growing liberality of the Chinese Government, I may recall your Lordship's attention to the Imperial Edict of universal religious toleration propounded some years ago by the Imperial Commissioner and confirmed by five supplementary Imperial Edicts.\n\nBut I can adduce more positive proof of the more tolerant spirit of the Chinese Government as seen in the liberal disposition of the local Mandarins. In the city of Amoy, I had constant access, with the other Protestant Missionaries, to the highest authorities, without any other official introduction than that of belonging to the Missionary body. The five high Mandarins of the city and district (two of whom belonged to the dominant race, the Manchus) gave jointly an invitation to a special entertainment to the Missionary body, seven in number including myself.\n\nPage 273\n\nI have overlooked this paper for some time & it is now late to return it, it must however be acknowledged apologizing for the delay upon my part that before I directed it to be returned, I was waiting for farther information on the subject.\n\nHis Statement may be liable to be detained about the sheets after certain hour without a light, as his European employees say a written note that the existence of such a regulation had not previously...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-022 - Public Offices - 1847.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228145, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "page_number": 449, "title": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "content_text": "442\n\n[ 2 ]\n\nR. M. Martin, Esq. ports being open to us, no depôt is likely to be formed at Hong Kong for the purpose of carrying on trade. The formation of a colony at Hong Kong, containing the most dissolute Chinese, is decidedly a discredit to us, and operates injuriously in our relations with the Chinese government.\n\n18 May 1847.\n\n3910. Is it necessary to maintain the present civil and military expenditure at Hong Kong, as a protection to our China trade ?-By no means, I think. I have addressed a report to Her Majesty's Government on Hong Kong, in July 1844, which I beg to submit to the Committee. I have connected with it a suggestion for the reduction of the governmental establishments there. I believe it is the best means of affording the merchants a prospect of carrying out their views in the island, by reducing the governmental establishments and diminishing the taxation required. (The report was delivered in. Vide Appendix.) The substance of that report is to prove the inefficiency of Hong Kong as a station for a commercial emporium, as a military station, and as a colony; and it contains suggestions for diminishing the expenditure in the different departments. I find that the estimated charge for Hong Kong for one year, 1846, was nearly 500,000l. The estimate transmitted to England for civil buildings, roads, and drains, amounts to 135,050l. for the year ending 31 March 1846. The Ordnance estimate laid before Parliament, dated 16 February 1846, for buildings and barracks, amounts to 124,000l. The civil salaries, wages, and contingencies, to 41,000l. The established military pay, provisions and charges for two regiments, about 150,000l. Victualling navy, stores, and advances to the navy, 50,000l., making the total cost of Hong Kong for one year, 500,000l., and this irrespective of the share of the cost of a line of battle ship, two frigates, three steamers, two gun brigs, and irrespective of the consular and superintendent of trade charges, amounting to 40,000l. The revenue received for the year 1845, was 15,221l. I cannot therefore omit this opportunity of stating, that I consider such an expenditure a waste of the resources of the British treasury, and that a single frigate or steamer at Canton would be more effective for the protection of our trade than any garrison or fleet that we can maintain at Hong Kong.\n\n3911. That expenditure of 500,000l. was for one year?—Yes.\n\n3912. That will not be continued?-No; but the estimated civil expenditure for 1847-48, for roads, drains, and bridges, is 24,302l., and for works and buildings, 4,150l, making together, 28,453l. The total estimate, colonial and consular, 1847-48, is 107,755l. When it is known that for a small island like that, the Governor costs 7,000l. a year, and the Lieutenant-governor 4,500l, and others charges in proportion, it is not to be wondered at that there has been great dissatisfaction on the part of the merchants there at the endeavour to raise a revenue to meet such charges. That expenditure is still going on, and the taxation proportionately increasing. The General's house alone will cost 70,000 dollars; the officers' quarters, 110,000 dollars; the hospital, 187,000 dollars; the barracks, about 250,000 dollars; and forts are also constructing to protect an island which produces nothing, and which protects nothing.\n\n3913. Are there any means of deriving better results from the colony of Hong Kong ?-I consider that it is due to the merchants who have laid out such a large capital there, to free the place as much as possible from taxation, to grant them their lands in perpetuity, to reduce the rents levied on those lands, and to leave the place perfectly free, giving ample security for life and property. A few years will then determine whether it be possible to produce any commercial results from the place. I have no impression that it will, but I think it is due to the merchants to give the experiment every advantage.\n\n3914. During your residence in China did you visit all the consular stations, and collect materials for a commercial report on China ?-I visited all the consular stations, and the island of Chusan; and I laid before Her Majesty's Government a full Report, any part of which can be produced before the Committee. My object in doing so was to endeavour to expand our trade with China. I consider that by opening other ports, and by getting a commercial station at Nankin, and at the Pei Ho, and other commercial stations in China, we should materially improve our trade, and get freer access to the interior of the country.\n\n3915. Do you think there is any chance of getting a commercial station at Nankin or the Pei Ho ?-I think it would be worth the consideration of the Government\n\n[ 3 ]\n\nGovernment to open a negotiation with the government of China, to point out R. M. Martin, Esq. that a mistake has been made in the selection of the present occupation, and to offer some equivalent advantages for having some other commercial stations\n\n18 May 1847.\n\nopened to us, and generally to revise our treaty, which has been an extremely unfortunate one. It was originally prepared by Mr. Poulett Thompson and Mr. Deacon Hume at the Board of Trade, and sent on shore at Nankin without any alteration whatever; and its provisions were subsequently materially restricted by means of the supplemental treaty, which isolated Hong Kong from all the surrounding ports.\n\n3916. Do you think that our commerce with China is capable of increase, either as regards exports or imports ?--I think a more free intercourse with China would develope resources that at present we are unacquainted with. I think China possesses large quantities of precious metals, which if worked would afford a considerable means of remittance to this country. I understand that sugar might be made an article of commerce and export from China; and if our East India ships were permitted, on proceeding to Amoy and other places, to load with sugar for England, although they have Lascar crews, it would be a means of furnishing return freights to this country irrespective of tea. If those ships were permitted to come to England with sugar, which the existing navigation laws prohibit in consequence of their being manned with Lascars, it would benefit the trade of China. I particularly wish to see the coasting trade carried on more extensively by English vessels.\n\n3917. Have any other means occurred to you of extending our trade with China; is there any other article that China can send us besides tea and silk ?-I have mentioned sugar; hemp is another article. There are various branches of manufactures, though small in amount, that might be extended.\n\n3918. Do not you think that probably the result of our intercourse with China will be something the same as the result of our intercourse with India, namely, that we shall undersell their manufactures and take their raw produce in increased quantities in return ?-In cotton manufactures we can undersell them all; probably also in some of their silks of a lighter description; but there are commodities of different kinds in China, I have no doubt, with such an immense population, which would be discovered by greater freedom of intercourse.\n\n3919. From your recent intercourse with China, what conclusions have you been led to draw as to the present state of the Chinese empire ?-My present impression is, that it is in a state of decadence, and has been so for two or three centuries; that it is extremely loosely held together, and its government exceedingly weak; and that by a proper representation on our part to the authorities at Pekin, we could obtain freedom of intercourse with other parts of China, and freedom of intercourse with the interior; that it would be for the benefit of the Chinese as well as the English that a freedom of intercourse should be established.\n\n3920. Would it, in your opinion, be practicable to open a negotiation for the establishment of a British resident at Pekin ?-I think so. The Russians at present have an establishment there; we might, I understood, have had it or anything else at the time of the treaty of Nankin, if we had applied for it.\n\n3921. Do you think that the Chinese government would be adverse, on religious grounds, to a more intimate intercourse with Europeans ?--I think not; there has been recently an edict granted by the Emperor tolerating Christianity, and ordering the restoration of the temples that were formerly confiscated. Any hostility that might be experienced would be principally from the Tartars, not from the Chinese. In all the northern cities of China we are received in the most friendly manner. The only hostility manifested has been at Canton, and to some extent at Foo Choo Foo, where a Tartar garrison has been established.\n\n3922. Why are they more hostile to us ?-Naturally as being a handful of people holding despotic control over China.\n\n3923. Do the Chinese government feel any indisposition towards this country in consequence of the opium trade ?-My impressions upon that subject are very strong with reference to the injurious effects of it nationally. I have made a report thereon to Her Majesty's Government, and with great reluctance refer to the point, because I have the misfortune to differ from several English merchants connected with the opium trade in China; gentlemen of high character and standing. I do not wish to make use of my position before this Committee", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228177, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "page_number": 481, "title": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "content_text": "Appendix.\n\nReport on the Tea Trade,\n\n[66]\n\nled to the craving desire for opium as a counter stimulant, is deserving of consideration; certain it is that strong coffee (coffeine) among the Turks, Persians, and strong tea (theine), (coffeine and theine are similar in their elementary qualities) among the Chinese are followed or preceded by the use of opium or similar deleterious stimulating narcotics. It is stated that in the manufacturing districts of Great Britain, where tea is very largely consumed at all meals, opium is now being introduced.\n\nThe statesman is bound to watch apparently minute and remote causes in their operating influence on the character of a nation, and to look more to the preservation of the physical strength and moral power of a people, than to any imaginary increase of revenue or trade from one branch of commerce. Since the commencement of the present century tea has increased in consumption per head in Great Britain more than sugar, wine, tobacco, &c., and it now amounts to more than 20 oz. per annum for each man, woman, and child. 28,000,000 people in the United Kingdom consume double the quantity of tea that is used by the whole population of Europe (including Russia), North and South America, Africa, and Asia (exclusive of China and Japan), although the duties in these countries are low, or, as in the United States, nil.\n\nIt is asserted that if the Government reduced the duty on tea, a diminution of price would follow and cause a still larger consumption of tea in England. But low prices (if such be desired) would probably not be obtained by any reduction of the Government revenue. Other causes will operate in the reduction of price. Competition among the European merchants at Canton, and the necessity for selling cotton goods and other manufactures for which tea is received in barter, has tended to maintain for that commodity high prices, but it is expected that the opening of ports contiguous to the tea districts will materially reduce the prime cost. Mr. Consul Alcock informed me at Foochow foo, that he ascertained tea could be shipped from that port at 20 per cent. less than the Canton prices. The commercial prospects of this capital of the Fokien province will be found under its distinctive head. Some tea has been shipped from Ningpo, and several cargoes from Shanghai direct for England (see Shanghai Consulate). The shipments from the latter-named port will probably increase in return for the large quantities of British manufactures sent thither. Competition will thus take place with the Cantonese, and the sale price be lowered materially. Considerable efforts have been made by the Chinese and former Hong merchants at Canton to confine the foreign tea trade to that city; and in this they have been aided not only by the possession of large capital, enabling them to make contracts with and advances to the tea cultivators and manufacturers, but also by an extensive credit which assists them to take off and dispose of a considerable quantity of our manufactures, and by the routine of old established channels which are not easily changed, and also by the promulgation of official documents and edicts arising partly from the Imperial policy of keeping foreigners at the extremity of the empire, and partly from a fear of losing the transit and other duties which tea pays during its conveyance from Fokien and Chekeang to Canton. Tea will ultimately be shipped from the most convenient port near to the place of growth, when our merchants are permitted to carry on a free and unrestricted intercourse with China, which would be far more beneficial for the Chinese than for ourselves. Chusan produces considerable quantities of superior tea, which is sent manufactured to Ningpo and other places for the use of the mandarins. Were Chusan or some contiguous island a British possession, tea would be brought from different ports of the adjacent sea coast, and thus shipped for England at a reduced cost. It is not our policy or interest to maintain the tea trade at Canton; on the contrary, we ought to promote this valuable commerce in the northern ports.\n\nThere has latterly been considerable fluctuations in the price of tea, in consequence of extravagant speculations. About the mouth of June 1839, when the intelligence of Commissioner Lin having issued prohibitory edicts against opium smuggling reached England, speculation began in tea, and was principally sustained by the operations of a wealthy retired opium dealer. Congou rose from 1s. to 1s. 5d. per lb., and this description of tea became the regulating price for all other teas.\n\nOn 1st August, news of trade being stopped at Canton reached London, and Congou advanced to 1s. 8d.; in October to 2s. in consequence of Captain Elliott's order that no British ship should go up the river to Canton. On 2d December Congou rose to 2s. 7d., it being known that hostile measures were to be forthwith adopted towards China. The stock of tea on hand in England, 31st December 1839, was 52,500,000 lbs., and the quantity delivered for 1839 was 32,366,412 lbs. On 16th January 1840, the speech from the throne announced that Her Majesty's Government considered the dispute with China national, and the price of Congou rose to 3s. 2d. per lb. The rumour of a treaty being arranged by Captain Elliott brought down prices to 2s. 9d., but on the refusal of Lin to ratify it, they rose to 3s. 2d. On the arrival of tea taken out of American ships at Hong Kong, and permission to land it, prices fell to 2s. 8d., but rose on 11th March 1840 to 3s. 2d., on rumour that a declaration of war against China had been issued by the Governor-General of India, in the name of the British Government. When it was known that no declaration of war had been issued, prices fell to 2s. Thus the fluctuation proceeded, affected by every true intelligence or false report artfully promulgated.\n\nAt the close of 1840 the stock on hand was 46,500,000 lbs., and the quantity delivered for home consumption during the year, 35,136,232 lbs., the highest prices during the year, 3s. 3d., lowest 1s. 11d. per lb. Throughout the year 1841, the speculations were continued, almost every day producing a new rumour and a rise or fall. On 17th August a dated letter was inserted in second edition of the Herald and Chronicle, which was said to have been received from Man, 27th April, and put on board the Bombay steamer after the mail and other despatches had been embarked. In this letter it was asserted that the Emperor had ordered the destruction of all teas, and that the order was rigidly obeyed, that hostilities had recommenced, and that\n\n[67]\n\nAppendix.\n\nReport on the Tea Trade.\n\nnot 1,000 chests of tea had found their way to the outer coasters by smuggling. This fraud rose prices immediately, but they fell again on the discovery of the forgery. On 31st August the stock in the United Kingdom was reduced to 29,000,000 lbs., the lowest which had taken place, and this aided the rage for speculation. The siege of Canton, its evacuation, the local truce, indemnity of $6,000,000 caused large operations in what were termed \"time bargains.\" A gambling called \"puts and calls\" arose, one person purchasing from another the right of buying or selling to him at a certain price, a defined quantity of tea on a given day. The announcement that although we were pushing the war on the east and north coasts of China, the truce was to exist with Canton, and trade to proceed as usual, almost entirely checked the speculation in November and December 1841. On 31st December 1841 the stock on hand was 36,000,000 lbs., and the quantity delivered for home consumption 32,262,905 lbs.\n\nPrices ranged for Congou from 1s. 4½d. to 2s. 9d. During 1842 speculation was slow and cautious, but the market nearly resumed its usual steady operations, and prices fell to 1s. 5d. on the arrival, 22d November, of the treaty of Nankin. The quantity consumed for the year was about 36,000,000 lbs., and the stock in hand 34,000,000 lbs.; range of prices, 1s. 5d. to 2s. per lb. for Congous.\n\nProbably at no period since the celebrated Mississippi scheme was there ever greater and more prolonged speculation in one article. Expresses were established between Marseilles and London; large sums paid for early official information; newspapers were fed for promulgating false intelligence. At Garraway's the speculators continued this gambling in tea throughout the evening, and for a part of the night. Monied interest was transferred from the Stock Exchange to the Jerusalem Coffee-house and to Garraway's Mart. The mania spread into the country among wholesale and retail dealers in tea, and fortunes were lost and made with marvellous rapidity. The usual results ensued; the steady pursuit of trade was abandoned for the wildest gambling. Men who rose wealthy in the morning were beggars at night, and suicide, bankruptcy, and ruin to many a hearth and home closed the scene.\n\nIt behoves the Government to avoid interfering with the routine into which the trade has now subsided. Some persons still hold inferior teas, almost rubbish, that were purchased at enormously high prices during the speculation. Their only prospect of sale is a reduction of the duty, and an alteration in the mode of levying the duty, by admitting inferior teas at a lower customs rate. These persons and their agents are therefore very clamorous for an alteration in the duty to suit their purposes; but Government can look only to the public interests, and these were considered as best served by an uniform rate of duty on all teas entered after 1st July 1836.\n\nIt was attempted in 1834, when the trade with China was thrown open by the abolition of the monopoly of the East India Company, to levy ad valorem duty of 1s. 6d. per pound on Bohea, 2s. 2d. per pound on Congou, 3s. per pound on Souchong, &c. This was deemed preferable to the mode adopted previous to 1834, viz. 96 per cent. on all teas sold at or under 2s. per pound, and 100 per cent. on all teas sold above 2s. per pound; but the levy of a discriminating duty on Bohea, Congou, &c. was, after two years' trial, found impracticable, and in 1836 the uniform rate of 2s. 1d. per pound on all descriptions of tea was levied, which, with the additional five per cent. imposed in 1840, makes the total duty now levied per pound 2s. 2¼d.\n\nThe present system of an uniform duty on all teas was adopted at the urgent request of the tea brokers and tea dealers in England; and it is impossible to examine impartially the evidence taken before the Select Committee of Parliament, appointed 6th May 1834, to inquire into the expediency of establishing one fixed rate of duty, without seeing the justice of such a proceeding, no less for the interest of the public than for the advantage of the revenue.\n\nSir George Staunton, who was on that Committee, and possessing the largest information, truly observed that he believed the present system of a rated duty had not the support of a single individual who ever was in China. Moreover, any rated duty as to quality or price would exceedingly disturb the simplicity with which the tea trade is now conducted at Canton, where the merchant is unfettered in his purchases by any other consideration than the intrinsic goodness of the leaf he is buying. If two or more rates of duty were levied in England, inferior qualities of tea would be produced, whereas when the duty is alike on all teas, good or bad, the merchant finds it his interest to export only the good.\n\nThe consumption of tea in the United Kingdom being estimated at 45,000,000 lbs. yearly, and sold at an average price to the consumer of 4s. 6d. per pound, the money expended for tea is £10,125,000.\n\nThe expenditure of this sum is distributed as follows:\n\n \n Net cost of 36,000,000 lbs. at 1s. 5d. per pound, or about 25 taels per picul, 717 taels to 1,000 dollars, or about 70d. per tael exchange dollar of 4s. 2d. to 4s. 3d. picul 133 lbs.\n £2,250,000\n \n \n Export duty in China, $3.37 per picul, or 1¼d. per pound, about\n £280,000\n \n \n Shipping charges, &c. in China'\n £25,000\n \n \n Freight, &c. China to England, 2d. per pound\n £375,000\n \n \n Insurance, a halfpenny per pound\n £93,000\n \n\n(continued)\n\nnot", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 229566, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-031 - Public Offices - 1849", "page_number": 66, "title": "CO129-031 - Public Offices - 1849", "content_text": "Age \n\nherself and infant daughter, were \n\ncalamity Entirely \n\ncut off. \n\nThat the said \"ticias smithers the month of January \n\nhundred and forty a proportion \n\nlowa \n\ndy creating \n\n\" \n\nby this \n\nfree \n\nof his to a \n\nprusion pond and the one mouth swore if such proportion been, paid fin cases. \n\nof his saing disabled (your) beheres that her late husband would have been entitled to a pension during \n\nthe remainder of his life. \n\n\"That it has \n\nbeen \n\na \n\npetitione. \n\nto your Majesty's governmento always willing to take into consideration \n\nand render assistance to the survivors of \n\npersons killed in their device and a lit Ke.. \n\nwill be found on reference to the Police. Reports that such was the case in to the said Thomas smithers \n\nYour Petitioner therefore humbly \n\nprays that she \n\nVOL. I. No. 9. \n\nChina \n\nOverland \n\nHONGKONG, THURSDAY, 28 \n\nDiplomatic Department. \n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. Ilis Excellency For Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendrut of Trade, de, &., is pleased to direct that the following Notification, issued by 1ler Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanglane, be published for the general information of British subjects in China, \n\nBy Order, \n\nA. R. JOHNSTON, \n\nVictoria, Hongkong, 30th August, 1848. \n\nBRITISH CONSULATE ORPION, SHANGHAE, \n\n12th August, 1848. \n\nNOTIFICATION. \n\nA Boats \n\nBoots \n\nHis Excellency the Officiating Tapu-tai having communicated his intention of sending certain naval vessels, enumerated in the margin, to cruise about in the neighbourhood- hood of Gutzia Island in search of Pirates, and for the protection of the native shipping, it is hereby made known that the above specified fleet is duly commissioned by the Chinese Authorities for the service on which it is \n\n5 Sin all da. to. employed, and that each vessel carries a distinguishing Flag of White with \n\n4 Canton Lurokas. a Red border, and is provided with: a Written Authority of Commission. \n\nRUTHERFORD ALCOCK, \n\nConsul. \n\nTo the British Subjects within the Consular Jurisdiction of Shaughae. \n\nbe allowed \n\nDiplomatic Department. \n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. \n\nmay some small pension \n\nhave some resistance rend to enable her to \n\nsupport \n\n4 \n\nherself and daughter a present left intirely unprovided for. \n\nAnd your petition to \n\nEver pray te. \n\nIn the accompanying paper will be found of the death of the late Thomas Smithers. \n\nlue steered for. \n\nfoot a low water.\" \n\nMail. \n\nSEPTEMBER, 1848. \n\n64 \n\nPRICE $4 PER ANNUM. \n\nand consult with \"turespon ordinary were givun to \n\nnow reaved in griply a petition, fwa Chu-kwa-yu sad the other Buty thongs, stating that they have maturely calmulated on the plan of raising a contibution; from Tire sawdx \n\njunk and me who hire \n\nKerred on the amounts to bu caminabeud with, of they prosout actalls, qui they rogues i orders tabagiven \n\ndhuli \n\n*ximating \n\nof Nether \n\nSix months ago (April 6) we noticed u enost ni reeing so many armed foreigners, \n\nsonrilat Dr Bettelheim, Hermiastonney, deserted their houses and made off towards subject, ad obedies or to our wounds we have had been murdered in Ben-choo in Sep- the hills, bus six or seven of theta were \n\nWe ther, considered overtaken and enrried to Nagpa, tomber proceding. the information as being too ragus to he Ita for tre Chinese authorities, who of mothers woning the freigla aipuris bott relied on; and are glad to learn that,course do not participate in the ignorance insight, from cutributions that they have ublicly after a voor's interval letters have been of the common people in confoundling all received from the reverend gentleman, foreigners together as fuglishren, to call for the contribution to air. Thi dated Napcking, Loo-choo, August 27, Père Danicourt to account for such tawar- \n\nen beide 0115 on \n\nkat the connu 1848. He says his puissionary Inbours antable proceelings, and to convince hier ersal re safe and stable is count; and the sail enchants, in Cam conling actively forward to make a are still regarded with jealousy'; but he that though the Edict of Toleration gives sacritice for the rafie gedara perked of meaty, an seems to be subjected to no pergcution.aim and others liberty to preach ad praeghy of conteonation and es.ec. Beside e cetition) w S this procla alase in the hurdlerances to his freedom of time their religion at any of the open puris, hagis e almu to the Futy Hings for their alar utation, giving dish or orders is the junk-and Jocomotion. His wife writes that the it lone not authorize them to make hostilemon. The 19th Any of the present tooth ed goromument has compelled the restoration invos, nor constitute them proctectors of as the dude fan which the cations for aid wid leg to be levied en exportacio of souther Goods of soms property which had been stolen natin converts in the interior, against the Let there be net die least opportun er trepediment from lain. \n\noperation of their own laws doctrine gre. A careat and special proclamacion. Obc which we have been not a little surprized to hear defended. \n\nWe are enabled to state the following ticulara respecting the affairs af D. Rustomjce & Co. of Cantou ;--- \n\npar. \n\nM. \n\nplying \n\nORY FA ANCIENS TO DX DOSYAM TED. \n\nCn Chinaen Cottons, plau, 234 dj vá, and \n\nYes Clock, \n\nOf Paro Danicourt himself we have not \n\nCourse Grace Modlig \n\nJis (Cafe Cotto \n\nForeign Lung Colon, \n\nRay Coto, uoleened, \n\ninfertor Fort, \n\n| before heart; but judging from the present Meerwanjee Jeejeebhoy, a partner in case, we infer that the appropriateness of the hons, hearing in Bombay at the failure the title he bears rests upon his being,— of Dadabhoy Rustomjee, hastily started !for China to investigate the affaire of the firm, and to protect the interests of the creditors. Upon his arrival he found \n\nOf that stabburn craw \n\nOf errail knights, whom all men grant \n\nTo be the tenc Cinch Milltant; Such as do build their faith upon \n\nThe July text of pike and gsi ; \n\nAnd pave their doctrine orthodox \n\nBy apestolic blows and knocka, \n\nWe also extract from the Friend of \n\nI \n\n13ch cleaned, \n\noh gluing Boston, \n\n10. \n\nElo \n\nWhite Lead, \n\nColuared Paper \n\nFlowed and Note Paper, \n\nStuchsen, de 1,5, &areen du. ), Tellur \n\nTay Sugar, Potidean, White so \n\n11. \n\nDi \n\nSugar Candy \n\nሱ \n\nKwangbang, dan, \n\nGreat Glager, \n\nTony Chry Sucks, \n\nCents. \n\n\"1\" \n\nPicen 2 \n\n· Dale \n\nWhico. \n\nPcular de \n\nFlowers and Flant Fellow (Sen bed) Tez, \n\nMetropolitan Gods. \n\nBlack Treppe \n\nBlack and Gruen, du.. \n\nBarn Wood, \n\nBesides to abors, there are other misellaneous zuids \n\nun them may be infeed from claccounts in the bay \n\n- \n\nTAIFOONG. \n\nGREAT PESTROMSON OF LIFE AND PROVERTY \n\nOx Thursday night, (21st August,) this part of the coast of China was visited by a storm, of which a contemporary says, \"though much low has vçe currell, it did not in strength amount to a bi- foong\" hat witch, from the disastrous accounts arriving from all quartere, appears to us to have been one of us! severity. \n\nThe following Extract of a letter from Mr Vice-Consul Robertson to Rutherford matters in such a state as to induce him! Alcock, Esquire, British Consul at Shanghae, reporting the restoration of Land-marks mediately to call a reeting of the crodi to the anchorage of Woesung, which had been swept away during the late Typhoon, ore, to whom he explained how he was eir- and furnishing Directions for the guidanes of Ship Masters entering the Wersungsted and proposal to place biz affas Mu Consul Alcocl: has issued the follow- in the hands of Trustees. To this theying Notification respecting the duties pay- River, is published for genarni Information— \n\nagreed, but afterwards, finding every thing able on Sagar api other Chinese produce on which these Poles are erected being about 16 feet aoove the level of the river: There is an old declined to net, and one of the creditors, and the open ports of China. \n\nTwo doen Poles, in buight fit feet, the baskets on then 30 feet from the ground the Battery in great confusion, the gentlemen named shipped in British vessels from Hongkong TYte bet Ecu (2, \n\nThrer Toles in triangle, at low water mark fifty feet in height; a board painted red with a Byramjee Couverjes Bbuhs, ontneed white hall in the centre, ist lost squere, being fixed thereon, at 51 feef from the ground. \n\nThe directions for guter he Wosung Reserate as follows:-In sighting flue Line of Battery Moorwananjeebecently received letters Shangae's Flamation regarding ship-sokware, Hib year, 711, th, 7th: stay. (th \n\nan action before the Supreme Court. Mr China a tunelution of the Toutes of which can be all noted bui the and Joss Poles et Pennsben, a white-washed mark in the wall with single Pole and small board from his friends in Bombay, Sondering him men by Chinese on British bottonis, August, 184) wül be seen. Keep Paoushan Pageda (a small contend-shaped roof of a Temple, very low, and but little seen above the trees) to the right of lege marks, until the Board on the iriangir just created relatanecan certain torus, which warranted wherein the right claimed by Sir John in a line with and between the two Jiss Poles, which it will be, bearing S. 70 W, when they may luna iu proposing a settlement with bis Davis is recognized, which had been pre- \n\nereditors, by which it was contemplated to viously resisted by the local unthorities. In the event of i working breeze, the Board in line with the Northernst Joss Pule will pay up the whole debt within three years, \n\nCorrespondence with Kering in China Hell No pear the N. W. end of the host on the East side, and the hourd in line with the Southern Jusu Pole will clear the Eastern edge of the beak on the Weat side, of the Chennai, giving 13 and 16 tiine being allowed him to communicate, Septenter, 1847 and Proclamation of Tu \n\nthe Marino Magtérate of amoy, No 01, April 1. farther with his father, who he thought \n\nNOTIFICATION. would assist him; and by whom securities By Order, \n\nBelfie C, 1848. In Bonsbay would be found for the All-i \n\nSTANCE, 15/A Seploraber, 3 ment of his agreement. To this they with F. E. the Tocutae respecting the Duties to H. M. Consul having been a correspondence al needed, scop pho Parsue above are on Suge des Chinees produes mentioned, who would listen to nothing brought into port by British Ships, the con lon Rifles, 077,—Total 1428: (fe0ficers but obtained a decree in his favour. On Celominee dat Sugar arriving from Amay or being 82 Native Officers 10; Non-coa-bia one of the other creditors Mirow Mrter of the onstar Pets, with Certificate of missioned Officers, Drummers, and Buglera Meerwanice into the Insolvent Debtor's Day prid, shall be exempt from furder payment Priann, when he petitioned the Judge, from Hongkong or any Foreign Part, or from \n\nof Baty of suel, produce, and that Sugar bianght 201.) \n\nby whom a special court was held on the way Consular Pert in Cina, wins Certificate ul 18th instant, when Meerwanjee waa al-Duty, shell in that case pay the Duty fixed in the tilt hall-past 2, when the hardcage was at its losed to like his petition, and afterwards Tariff, namely, a per sent ad velurem, as an height-e barneler being so los as £8.99. \n\nun+h/1;tte'li[ a tieje the Imports. released on the security of Mr Joseph Jar- \n\nFortunately the China houts for the alarm carly, Noties is hereby given, therefore, to consignees and made for the sheltered erucks on the Coulom dine and Mr Crawford Kerr. The aire \n\nside; but even there they seem to have suffered and others who may have given guarantees for the are Dow placed inthe hands of Mr Cey payment of Day on the Sugar recently brought | avverely, as a anumber of sell qud cargo boats were 04cial Administrator of Insolvent Estates. inte Port, that the said Duty of 6 per cent is pay-driven on shore, and many of their consiliorked. able through the New Custom-leuse, and it is A few large juuks and a loveli vemomed at anchor gested that the open accounts of the several off the Lower Bazaar, all of which were destroyer sips may be sivsed. \n\nduring the night. Of her which came ou share opposite Urcitar liblings about midnight, the extway with the exception of three un furry men, were lande:l in safty. \n\nVictoria, Hongkong, 27th September. 1348. \n\nOverlang China Mail. \n\nHONGKONG, THURSDAY, 9870 SEPTEN \n\nMIRTIE-A! Vistoria, Hongkong on the pich foste the wife of She Rev. Mr Jesrixe, of a Bon. \n\nBIRTH-AL West Point, Viotoria, on the 12th inst Mrs Ecart, of a Daughter, \n\nBIRTH-AC Yame, on the 31st uldme, the wife of D. J. MARCOWAN, H. D., of a Daughter \n\nMARRIAGE. On the 8th of June, at St Mary's, Bay- ensione atuare, London, by the Rev. J. I. Únores. Recto, Major Sampra Rarvogn, of the 31 ara Artery, to CA, third Daughter of Joseph Hee, Esq., X.P. \n\nHEATH-AWiraganatum, ou the 27th Jylg, Quarter Master Bergeat Tin Cankar, of the 26 Kogistens, KINK. \n\nPRATER-Drowned off the Typs near Macao, in fuc taitoony of the 1st utino, Mr J&S MACHTAGAY, Jate et Victoria; and Mr EDWARD 12s, formerly 1 mote of the Robroner Exload, Queens, \n\nDEATH-Drowned at the spa, near Macao, in the taimung of the 3:81 ultimo, Capron Pass of the Dti- \n\nBurp C DEATH-Drewood at Campstogusnor, in the taalborg of the 31s ulim, Captait, HATE and the Chief Sinto of the eiving Hip frabel linens, \n\nTEAT IM Browned, with his only fun, at Clean \n\nehow Bay, to the womward of langkong, 10 the tattoora of the 21st uitime, Mr Tumas Sms, Inspeter of The Hongkong Puiloc. \n\nLIK, lure of the P. & D. 8. N. Cu's Foestring Ship Fort BEATHA Sugaros, on the 34 lost, Cagl. Thas \n\nDEATH-AL Shangliae, on the til, fuslant. Mr i \n\nAt b \n\nt Daughter of the Way. Ur Legge. \n\non the 19th, inst, Ligatellani \n\nF. Beques, of H. M. Stramuralesa. \n\nArt:lery. \n\nA. R. JOHNSTON. \n\nPer \n\nVIDEO \n\nSepz.: Sept | Sent t \n\nPre \n\n& 10 8 \n\n40 \n\nX \n\nSappers and Minora. with erent...... \n\n13 110 170 112 100 27:36 81: 1.0 Ceylon Rides,..... 101 3083 20 00 70 551 \n\nH \n\n| 294 300 203 | 102: 180 181 \n\nI want, the late Dieutenant-Governor of 1.wangtung, has been saannaed to Court, ostensibly to receive office, but in reality. it is armise, to give his opinion of the Present state of foreign affaiss. The sub stance of the recent news from Entopo has been forwarded to the Emperer, and the \n\nevents are yo extraordinary, that even the \n\nRUTHERFORD ALCOCK, \n\nL'onsul. \n\naddition to the instances formerly given of outrages committed by the crews of co- Yeys on the cost the following parti- culars lure reached ns:-- \n\nOn the afternoon of the 20th of Augustin, eling that Chinses bicely who ship \n\nan affray took plaen at Ningpo between some Purtagnese sailors and the Chinese, in which two of the latter were killed and \n\nAs all for \n\nothers severely wounded. \n\n(From the Friend of Chlua, September 10.) \n\nPara eodle chuti pus Patice weuring to the Course Fury for Foreign Nationa \n\nWoo, Offolatione Taoutro of Shanghan, ke.. ka, hereby issues İne commands, Ús tho 17th bustani, 1 received \n\nIn Bosnkosa, enely in the furencoon the fall in the aromate attractul atientin, and the Aa- sistant Harbourmaster went wound the shipping, warmed there of what might be expecte.l. \n\nBut little fate spents to have been entertained till the approach of uning, when the sign The Barometer indicates bad weathes\" was seen tying at the Ang-staff in wont at Yalder's bill. \n\nFronts Ge the wind gradually oversed, \n\nIn the morning the Colony exhibited a mest melaretely appearance. In the harbour several vessels disanostel, others on shore, and the whole beach strewed with the wrrels of t hänesu juoking in the hs of which dead bodies were occasi ally seen Boating; while on store, every house \n\ndespatch from the Provincial Govoruer un rich \n\npay Duties so the New Custom-house, and the Chinasa at the Kiang-hae (Out) Cust-19: grofere I now hotels as flows find that the foreign expred to the stin suffered more me less,tiles \n\nsive distinct and intelligible polers, and on the receipt \n\n\"Foreign in \n\ntorn from the roots walla ievelled verandaha blown to pieces--21:1 wherever a gazolen plot fer- \n\nas been reused to inquire farther into their by the inhabitats, the friends of the de- customary apathy of las Celestial Majesty igners are there looked upon as English nature, of which no Chinese is better in-cased crowded round the British Consulated this dismic jou wil bsan a Fencianuncios in le- merly existed, the pla da napi bults were either DEATH-A Viatorin, or the auth Inst., ASHE MURRAY formed than Hwang. It's ideas on the to end the Comente assistance in appre disa that hernatter whru either broken sort off, ur fave up by the rocks \n\nhanés import Suwar or other! resocha i R hanghao, auca vels aro \n\nThe smesed table, shewing the state of the subcut may not be very comprehensive bending the wurderers; but though this \n\nBarometer declagg a night, bes been in the catiulation of European politicians, request was backed by the authoritics, and always to be regarded as determining the butted to be \n\nby the mastors of other Lorebas (ton erecced to a New Clest in-hou \n\ndnud if goods are imported by a really lovelen furnished by the Harbour-mator -- but key are certain to be marked by \n\nBer. Tras. the New Tartif thever Chinese pod shou Pasaksuvas por ACHILLES, 1 ] tamerrow, the prudence and good senac, ou gready in twelve in emberi then in the river. Manchorage, sad my Ducs der specias partest \n\nSullivan very properly declined to intor dare to pycało, with the prospect of escaping the heavy, 29 Justanter Kentang Dapsain. Beste advance of other imperial councillors. \n\nand availing of the light Duty, then the gonds will be Iwan was Keving's most trusted na fere in the marier fartier tlun by advising! goufianater to Beverinent, aut fi re benefit of at Sept, \n\nthat the neensed should be handed over to | Lie Customos rechte, \n\nbe pus coring that in ball b viser, es on after he was deprived of office the District Magistrate, who, after exauti exnutter thesoby You will at the sate line whic 20 and the Imperial Commissioner neveration, might send them to Mateo for alt i lini Ceiling sinis, Frouded, Defiled gaged in foreign adThis withent comentting \n\nFor SMarsden, Han Alures. For vez. Mesurs 1 . 51005, and in Per Singapore, Mess C. Plac, 3acker trou, au Chinese, \n\nWe are luppy to be enabled to report a \n\nfalse rutes, ad that a punishment \n\ngreat improvement in the health of the him. The office is now entrusted to a main by their own authorities; and this advice insearing (1) the Engli \n\nof auch inferior qualifications, that Keying acted on \n\nprobly see the necessity of having wang's counsel and cooperation iu raio- once to opening the City of Canton April next. \n\nwith.\" On recript of the the \n\n1 Conanl to request his Doperation, now alno, na izolaca \n\nclosely and Intolligibly, addruseling this Proois- The other caso, in which Père F. X. Ta-ation to the Chinese ineteats and to the Duly fengy nicourt, the Apustulie Missionary of Ning-fer of it for a fer the due to simp \n\npondnet your royarske, \n\ne perangaurdă contevin vit, giving pe, figured us principal, took place on the cause of or youtuston; and should Chinese 13th of Auguet, chout forty miles from Eing the protune of the tuner and put intock \n\nMercitants in Foreign vesels to carry Rugated bae, the capital of Chusan. It appears Shangliae, ar shoud Chincs pensle import any sort of that some native Roman Catholic eonverts \n\ntroops during the present mouth. In Juue, le douths were 10. in July 37, in August 16, white in September they have fallen 14, the number of sick in Hospital being 57. Since August the whole of the \n\nRegiment has been quarter on Sou, the new Governor General, who baril ships in the harbour, with the bap-now holds the appointment for the who had an interest in one of the temples, \n\nnagement of Barbarian Affairs, lately ro- \n\nmile whatever in Fercigu val. In alch Duy will be levied according to the Fow Tarif. Tling whc. destinately digobay, will gave their goods gondsgated \n\nand \n\nseld for sig benent of the Craton TOWELS \n\nali ovoru:dy obcy this, Cherish a hopes of \n\nevash, and \n\nnd thereby involve yourselves hi a ligny vei \n\nTucukwany, 28th year, 7th mouth, 24tle dag, \n\nCarefrak ngainst Ptrates. Wow, Oficiating Tanning of Shongban, &o., &c., heto by kee a procianin \n\n1sthet romanda The \n\nChee-hich of this face having represented to in that \n\nidly \n\n31st Auz. 10 \n\n.. \n\n3. NE \n\nheavy pas \n\n11 \n\n90.24 N.IS. \n\nJ \n\n+3 \n\nugly weader \n\n1 \n\n1. 20 in M.K \n\nW****. \n\nA M $3.5M \n\nInscriure \n\n9. \n\n\" \n\nH. by X \n\n- \n\n2.45 \n\n2 \n\n$12 \n\n13 \n\n21 \n\n:: \n\n| \n\nн \n\n4 \n\n. \n\n29ki \n\nJE. \n\nJa \n\n5 \n\n11 \n\n59 15 \n\nBy Soperaterra's. \n\n5,3). 24.37 \n\n8 May \n\n20.45 \n\nور \n\nE by N. \n\nጉ \n\nF. Nahig, heavy p008 \n\nkarang graffiat Times wavy pu \n\nSWly der:n \n\nThe following is an enumeration of the disaster which bufet dis Shipping, so far no we have been able to asuintain themi \n\nThe Beberg dyrk. W shirat Cizruin Floodinga; halla since been got off well legtle damage, ex- cupt the lowa offre and gratuara \n\nTho American brig Charles ilirpants, 5, eamq'ato wreek at die Boa Bay! Sturent stuce andò iz pullar angʻim. \n\nThe Metal banque tingui Sarant, en cone sul Green Lane, Sligh: hopes tersall entertained of wring the samel. The British iron bangue Jean kan, anded foul of the Eliza Ferunt, and trus baiyaenoda real folosites. \n\nThe British skip Milan Mont. Load with Sugar Live Shanglore, word avente in the pst in sety; hd the Join Laiva sivil) at down upon her, and seller against the De Heranecone, by which śe was nu merupin injurce dead sile has had to alerte her entge \n\nMurchants Wand-ying-sking and others, in which they The Spanish his Do (ferencias, Ici uusin tujuan, how statest stywe care for more receivals, ad fee-copatust \n\nnedors \n\nof the junk Thatch ship Kin form, wrecked on que our end of \n\nthe expenses of car ride to assist le defraying \n\ntato Ave ser afsendt tuse, the date the istuin, elvas to the village et Makers, this trees of her \n\npectively by the tire mondi Pun, Lah, Sony, Hon, Taj, i grew seven- \n\nPat efforts. Great part of the convit \n\nents are now fit for duty. Of the 14 oled anal officer at 1leang-shan were desirous of turning it into a Catholic teks during the month two only have for promotion, but his request, en account Clupei, in opposition to the majority of \n\nalty Aurmont and special Protiaanation. whom it belengel. From cd within the last ten days. \n\nthe pervous to of informality, has been refused; a reelt The Ceylon Rides, upon whom the or- quite unexpected, and which has engaged which the converts had the worst, and \n\naged words the disputants come to blows, in August, 1946)° dary duties of the garrison have devotee, the attention of the Board of War. The \n\ntine in the enjoyment of comparative people under his jurisdiction paise him beaten, were handed over to the Mag- ¡ two of their number, after being severely Lealth, and at present there are fewer for at being greedy of money. Ile \n\nhospital thun at any former elf lind frequently expressed his total, tate of Tugine. As you us M. Tanie het received a petition from the junk owners and Jeriod, except for a short time last year. indifference rospecting the homeurs con- \n\ncourt received the news of their imprison A furtight ago, however, two deaths oe- \n\nferred upon bis, and be readiness en, he went to the Tautas at Ningpo: urs in one night, but bett: men were surrender rice ali, in order to tool to ad insisted on their Fouration, tral Uist \n\nopium &makers. \n\nretired an quiet life. His administration their presents should be apprehended and gene diet, eruits, dog, Froth.) each The Bid bazgau Sutopiru, diffte aut lieyond Siren kiloving \n\nTable shows he on- has hitherto been marked by great sev parished. His denundet being attend to combura arcarding to is classifeasam But Isnel totally dissisted: as aface bean towed sate tike pr parative sekuese since our last report city in the dispensation of justice, dea No. 21, and with about thinly valun- cine vercle, with the cost of yoviding their asian \n\nbar Us Chinos Ja sata. to, M. Danicourt hired Portuguese Lorinchetiver the mintributions are or whited to mount, it le proper to stare that as Daugh vouring to overwe evinloers by cniet toere bem the ether borclus in purt, meal. the expensou will be for Geneight, the Frimurtes only were formerly patience. include in the Present Force, or fe not seem to be on the decrease. \n\nNevertheless crio does \n\nsailed to Chusan. The natives, fight tratton. f ten safe and convenient mouthor junks are Akolected and delivered over for the use of the marine, make of curpurison the same plot 18 now \n\nThe intest way that of a perlipin, the expense of wages and provisons will not be seal, ber. The forces however are thus of the heavy rains in the north, continue to! \n\nwho arrived at Man the very day to \n\nof lates that claso delimate to chalibuting received unerated, their actual numbers, officera arrive. Several rivers are said to have He was long with a portion of crew, dlately \n\ndoinge sppeared, (China Mail, sgten.ber 7, No. 186) | will not be adequate to die expenditure. At the present \n\neisergency, we four thạt say 10ßently in supplying as kolen 150 eurṛrity : but from what we can learn, unless alance w! Ingade te pomelims for the sapirs of Kufen the ty \n\nby car auprovets, he may escape conv be plenter, and enfure we have deviscal and agrad to the sui hentay in gruring the cast how a stridatin she be sessed on to, Chizone much evidence as will easily & European Cart Catton Coll, and offer guns exported from. His perti \n\nJunio \n\nand we request that the Duty Hong, brorizma to winter \n\nAccounts of the disnetrons evasequences. \n\nsac, the 234 instant, Feing.---Ar- inmulated whele districts, and the nast tillery, 80: Sappers and Minere, 38; Gan! terrible mvague of the flag-lo are ap- Laucars, 89; 9th Regiacot, 361; Cey- prehended, if the mains continue. \n\nThus, illamgh many jaks large and shall have writed \n\nAll if we reckon up the hire of the Braves and of tho \n\nfound to be shormona; and acadh. net war fanks genpot de buikt all at once by gen- \n\nTie eeliezmer San P. Novhy, was totally disa \n\nmarted off by Wes Naval Smores \n\nThe British mohon er zekana Queen's thouula were cat “wazy to use her fin gudng on there \n\nThe Thite trz niel Watson, diffted to the momptly vid The Carposing panjati panduk, kad kasinoeste \n\nสปาไ \n\nThe 13 arque Coulatque gave bich, with, a oaider be pardon of wet cargo dannĝed: 2000 packages of Jes are to do anus by snelion \n\nThe Hemen Alvis: Julimar, ned back from see, having Insi \n\nrudder hats, sprang head of matman, and last for ada \n\nThe Spanish; brigantine Carmen abo pau kuch, in a leaky state, having lost a\n\n## Step 1\nThe task requires proofreading OCR output of historical records related to Hong Kong, transforming the text into standard Markdown, and correcting spelling errors, spacing issues, and other formatting problems while preserving the original word count and order.\n\n## Step 2\nThe given text appears to be a collection of historical records and news articles from the \"China Overland Mail\" dated September 28, 1848. The text includes various sections such as government notifications, news, births, marriages, deaths, and reports on typhoons and their aftermath.\n\n## Step 3\nTo begin proofreading, we need to correct obvious spelling errors, remove extra spaces, and fix hyphenation or line-break artifacts. For example, \"calancity\" should be \"calamity\", \"savo 'ticias\" should be \"said Ticias\", and \"prusion pond\" should be \"prisoner or provision pond\" but based on context, it seems \"prision\" is likely meant to be \"provision\".\n\n## Step 4\nRejoining broken sentences and restoring paragraph breaks where necessary is also crucial. For instance, sentences split across lines without logical reason should be merged.\n\n## Step 5\nThe text contains sections that need to be formatted into Markdown. Headers, sub-headers, bold types, and tables need to be formatted accordingly. For example, main titles should be preceded by \"#\", sections by \"##\", and bold text should be surrounded by \"**\".\n\n## Step 6\nFile references should not have any spacing inside parentheses, e.g., \"XCR (85)72\" should be \"XCR(85)72\". Page numbering lines, if detected, should be kept as they are, usually six lines in total, three at the page beginning and three at the end.\n\n## Step 7\nNewspaper texts might not make sense due to OCR errors in recognizing columns. Reorganizing them like a puzzle might be necessary to restore the original meaning.\n\n## Step 8\nData in tables should be properly organized to reconstruct the table format.\n\n## Step 9\nSome Chinese writing might start from right to left, and if such reversal is observed, the text should be reversed to meet modern reading habits.\n\n## Step 10\nThe output should be in HTML using for paragraphs and \n only if absolutely necessary.\n\nThe final answer is: \n\nAge\n\nherself and infant daughter, were\n\ncalamity Entirely\n\ncut off.\n\nThat the said \"Ticias smithers the month of January\n\nhundred and forty a proportion\n\nlowa\n\ndy creating\n\n\"\n\nby this\n\nfree\n\nof his to a\n\nprovision pond and the one mouth swore if such proportion been, paid fin cases.\n\nof his saying disabled (your) believes that her late husband would have been entitled to a pension during\n\nthe remainder of his life.\n\n\"That it has\n\nbeen\n\na\n\npetitione.\n\nto your Majesty's governmento always willing to take into consideration\n\nand render assistance to the survivors of\n\npersons killed in their device and a lit...\n\nwill be found on reference to the Police. Reports that such was the case in to the said Thomas smithers\n\nYour Petitioner therefore humbly\n\nprays that she\n\nVOL. I. No. 9.\n\nChina\n\nOverland\n\nHONGKONG, THURSDAY, 28\n\nDiplomatic Department.\n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. His Excellency For Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendrut of Trade, de, &., is pleased to direct that the following Notification, issued by 1ler Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanglane, be published for the general information of British subjects in China,\n\nBy Order,\n\nA. R. JOHNSTON,\n\nVictoria, Hongkong, 30th August, 1848.\n\nBRITISH CONSULATE ORPION, SHANGHAE,\n\n12th August, 1848.\n\nNOTIFICATION.\n\nA Boats\n\nBoots\n\nHis Excellency the Officiating Tapu-tai having communicated his intention of sending certain naval vessels, enumerated in the margin, to cruise about in the neighbourhood- hood of Gutzia Island in search of Pirates, and for the protection of the native shipping, it is hereby made known that the above specified fleet is duly commissioned by the Chinese Authorities for the service on which it is\n\n5 Sin all da. to. employed, and that each vessel carries a distinguishing Flag of White with\n\n4 Canton Lurokas. a Red border, and is provided with: a Written Authority of Commission.\n\nRUTHERFORD ALCOCK,\n\nConsul.\n\nTo the British Subjects within the Consular Jurisdiction of Shaughae.\n\nbe allowed\n\nDiplomatic Department.\n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.\n\nmay some small pension\n\nhave some resistance rend to enable her to\n\nsupport\n\n4\n\nherself and daughter a present left intirely unprovided for.\n\nAnd your petition to\n\nEver pray te.\n\nIn the accompanying paper will be found of the death of the late Thomas Smithers.\n\nlue steered for.\n\nfoot a low water.\" \n\nMail.\n\nSEPTEMBER, 1848.\n\n64\n\nPRICE $4 PER ANNUM.\n\nand consult with \"turespon ordinary were givun to\n\nnow reaved in griply a petition, fwa Chu-kwa-yu sad the other Buty thongs, stating that they have maturely calmulated on the plan of raising a contibution; from Tire sawdx\n\njunk and me who hire\n\nKerred on the amounts to bu caminabeud with, of they prosout actalls, qui they rogues i orders tabagiven\n\ndhuli\n\n*ximating\n\nof Nether\n\nSix months ago (April 6) we noticed u enost ni reeing so many armed foreigners,\n\nsonrilat Dr Bettelheim, Hermiastonney, deserted their houses and made off towards subject, ad obedies or to our wounds we have had been murdered in Ben-choo in Sep- the hills, bus six or seven of theta were\n\nWe ther, considered overtaken and enrried to Nagpa, tomber proceding. the information as being too ragus to he Ita for tre Chinese authorities, who of mothers woning the freigla aipuris bott relied on; and are glad to learn that,course do not participate in the ignorance insight, from cutributions that they have ublicly after a voor's interval letters have been of the common people in confoundling all received from the reverend gentleman, foreigners together as fuglishren, to call for the contribution to air. Thi dated Napcking, Loo-choo, August 27, Père Danicourt to account for such tawar-\n\nen beide 0115 on\n\nkat the connu 1848. He says his puissionary Inbours antable proceelings, and to convince hier ersal re safe and stable is count; and the sail enchants, in Cam conling actively forward to make a are still regarded with jealousy'; but he that though the Edict of Toleration gives sacritice for the rafie gedara perked of meaty, an seems to be subjected to no pergcution.aim and others liberty to preach ad praeghy of conteonation and es.ec. Beside e cetition) w S this procla alase in the hurdlerances to his freedom of time their religion at any of the open puris, hagis e almu to the Futy Hings for their alar utation, giving dish or orders is the junk-and Jocomotion. His wife writes that the it lone not authorize them to make hostilemon. The 19th Any of the present tooth ed goromument has compelled the restoration invos, nor constitute them proctectors of as the dude fan which the cations for aid wid leg to be levied en exportacio of souther Goods of soms property which had been stolen natin converts in the interior, against the Let there be net die least opportun er trepediment from lain.\n\noperation of their own laws doctrine gre. A careat and special proclamacion. Obc which we have been not a little surprized to hear defended.\n\nWe are enabled to state the following ticulara respecting the affairs af D. Rustomjce & Co. of Cantou ;---\n\npar.\n\nM.\n\nplying\n\nORY FA ANCIENS TO DX DOSYAM TED.\n\nCn Chinaen Cottons, plau, 234 dj vá, and\n\nYes Clock,\n\nOf Paro Danicourt himself we have not\n\nCourse Grace Modlig\n\nJis (Cafe Cotto\n\nForeign Lung Colon,\n\nRay Coto, uoleened,\n\ninfertor Fort,\n\n| before heart; but judging from the present Meerwanjee Jeejeebhoy, a partner in case, we infer that the appropriateness of the hons, hearing in Bombay at the failure the title he bears rests upon his being,— of Dadabhoy Rustomjee, hastily started !for China to investigate the affaire of the firm, and to protect the interests of the creditors. Upon his arrival he found\n\nOf that stabburn craw\n\nOf errail knights, whom all men grant\n\nTo be the tenc Cinch Milltant; Such as do build their faith upon\n\nThe July text of pike and gsi ;\n\nAnd pave their doctrine orthodox\n\nBy apestolic blows and knocka,\n\nWe also extract from the Friend of\n\nI\n\n13ch cleaned,\n\noh gluing Boston,\n\n10.\n\nElo\n\nWhite Lead,\n\nColuared Paper\n\nFlowed and Note Paper,\n\nStuchsen, de 1,5, &areen du. ), Tellur\n\nTay Sugar, Potidean, White so\n\n11.\n\nDi\n\nSugar Candy\n\nሱ\n\nKwangbang, dan,\n\nGreat Glager,\n\nTony Chry Sucks,\n\nCents.\n\n\"1\"\n\nPicen 2\n\n· Dale\n\nWhico.\n\nPcular de\n\nFlowers and Flant Fellow (Sen bed) Tez,\n\nMetropolitan Gods.\n\nBlack Treppe\n\nBlack and Gruen, du..\n\nBarn Wood,\n\nBesides to abors, there are other misellaneous zuids\n\nun them may be infeed from claccounts in the bay\n\n-\n\nTAIFOONG.\n\nGREAT PESTROMSON OF LIFE AND PROVERTY\n\nOx Thursday night, (21st August,) this part of the coast of China was visited by a storm, of which a contemporary says, \"though much low has vçe currell, it did not in strength amount to a bi- foong\" hat witch, from the disastrous accounts arriving from all quartere, appears to us to have been one of us! severity.\n\nThe following Extract of a letter from Mr Vice-Consul Robertson to Rutherford matters in such a state as to induce him! Alcock, Esquire, British Consul at Shanghae, reporting the restoration of Land-marks mediately to call a reeting of the crodi to the anchorage of Woesung, which had been swept away during the late Typhoon, ore, to whom he explained how he was eir- and furnishing Directions for the guidanes of Ship Masters entering the Wersungsted and proposal to place biz affas Mu Consul Alcocl: has issued the follow- in the hands of Trustees. To this theying Notification respecting the duties pay- River, is published for genarni Information—\n\nagreed, but afterwards, finding every thing able on Sagar api other Chinese produce on which these Poles are erected being about 16 feet aoove the level of the river: There is an old declined to net, and one of the creditors, and the open ports of China.\n\nTwo doen Poles, in buight fit feet, the baskets on then 30 feet from the ground the Battery in great confusion, the gentlemen named shipped in British vessels from Hongkong TYte bet Ecu (2,\n\nThrer Toles in triangle, at low water mark fifty feet in height; a board painted red with a Byramjee Couverjes Bbuhs, ontneed white hall in the centre, ist lost squere, being fixed thereon, at 51 feef from the ground.\n\nThe directions for guter he Wosung Reserate as follows:-In sighting flue Line of Battery Moorwananjeebecently received letters Shangae's Flamation regarding ship-sokware, Hib year, 711, th, 7th: stay. (th\n\nan action before the Supreme Court. Mr China a tunelution of the Toutes of which can be all noted bui the and Joss Poles et Pennsben, a white-washed mark in the wall with single Pole and small board from his friends in Bombay, Sondering him men by Chinese on British bottonis, August, 184) wül be seen. Keep Paoushan Pageda (a small contend-shaped roof of a Temple, very low, and but little seen above the trees) to the right of lege marks, until the Board on the iriangir just created relatanecan certain torus, which warranted wherein the right claimed by Sir John in a line with and between the two Jiss Poles, which it will be, bearing S. 70 W, when they may luna iu proposing a settlement with bis Davis is recognized, which had been pre-\n\nereditors, by which it was contemplated to viously resisted by the local unthorities. In the event of i working breeze, the Board in line with the Northernst Joss Pule will pay up the whole debt within three years,\n\nCorrespondence with Kering in China Hell No pear the N. W. end of the host on the East side, and the hourd in line with the Southern Jusu Pole will clear the Eastern edge of the beak on the Weat side, of the Chennai, giving 13 and 16 tiine being allowed him to communicate, Septenter, 1847 and Proclamation of Tu\n\nthe Marino Magtérate of amoy, No 01, April 1. farther with his father, who he thought\n\nNOTIFICATION. would assist him; and by whom securities By Order,\n\nBelfie C, 1848. In Bonsbay would be found for the All-i\n\nSTANCE, 15/A Seploraber, 3 ment of his agreement. To this they with F. E. the Tocutae respecting the Duties to H. M. Consul having been a correspondence al needed, scop pho Parsue above are on Suge des Chinees produes mentioned, who would listen to nothing brought into port by British Ships, the con lon Rifles, 077,—Total 1428: (fe0ficers but obtained a decree in his favour. On Celominee dat Sugar arriving from Amay or being 82 Native Officers 10; Non-coa-bia one of the other creditors Mirow Mrter of the onstar Pets, with Certificate of missioned Officers, Drummers, and Buglera Meerwanice into the Insolvent Debtor's Day prid, shall be exempt from furder payment Priann, when he petitioned the Judge, from Hongkong or any Foreign Part, or from\n\nof Baty of suel, produce, and that Sugar bianght 201.) \n\nby whom a special court was held on the way Consular Pert in Cina, wins Certificate ul 18th instant, when Meerwanjee waa al-Duty, shell in that case pay the Duty fixed in the tilt hall-past 2, when the hardcage was at its losed to like his petition, and afterwards Tariff, namely, a per sent ad velurem, as an height-e barneler being so los as £8.99. \n\nun+h/1;tte'li[ a tieje the Imports. released on the security of Mr Joseph Jar-\n\nFortunately the China houts for the alarm carly, Noties is hereby given, therefore, to consignees and made for the sheltered erucks on the Coulom dine and Mr Crawford Kerr. The aire\n\nside; but even there they seem to have suffered and others who may have given guarantees for the are Dow placed inthe hands of Mr Cey payment of Day on the Sugar recently brought | avverely, as a anumber of sell qud cargo boats were 04cial Administrator of Insolvent Estates. inte Port, that the said Duty of 6 per cent is pay-driven on shore, and many of their consiliorked. able through the New Custom-leuse, and it is A few large juuks and a loveli vemomed at anchor gested that the open accounts of the several off the Lower Bazaar, all of which were destroyer sips may be sivsed.\n\nduring the night. Of her which came ou share opposite Urcitar liblings about midnight, the extway with the exception of three un furry men, were lande:l in safty.\n\nVictoria, Hongkong, 27th September. 1348.\n\nOverlang China Mail.\n\nHONGKONG, THURSDAY, 9870 SEPTEN\n\nMIRTIE-A! Vistoria, Hongkong on the pich foste the wife of She Rev. Mr Jesrixe, of a Bon.\n\nBIRTH-AL West Point, Viotoria, on the 12th inst Mrs Ecart, of a Daughter,\n\nBIRTH-AC Yame, on the 31st uldme, the wife of D. J. MARCOWAN, H. D., of a Daughter\n\nMARRIAGE. On the 8th of June, at St Mary's, Bay- ensione atuare, London, by the Rev. J. I. Únores. Recto, Major Sampra Rarvogn, of the 31 ara Artery, to CA, third Daughter of Joseph Hee, Esq., X.P.\n\nHEATH-AWiraganatum, ou the 27th Jylg, Quarter Master Bergeat Tin Cankar, of the 26 Kogistens, KINK.\n\nPRATER-Drowned off the Typs near Macao, in fuc taitoony of the 1st utino, Mr J&S MACHTAGAY, Jate et Victoria; and Mr EDWARD 12s, formerly 1 mote of the Robroner Exload, Queens,\n\nDEATH-Drowned at the spa, near Macao, in the taimung of the 3:81 ultimo, Capron Pass of the Dti-\n\nBurp C DEATH-Drewood at Campstogusnor, in the taalborg of the 31s ulim, Captait, HATE and the Chief Sinto of the eiving Hip frabel linens,\n\nTEAT IM Browned, with his only fun, at Clean\n\nehow Bay, to the womward of langkong, 10 the tattoora of the 21st uitime, Mr Tumas Sms, Inspeter of The Hongkong Puiloc.\n\nLIK, lure of the P. & D. 8. N. Cu's Foestring Ship Fort BEATHA Sugaros, on the 34 lost, Cagl. Thas\n\nDEATH-AL Shangliae, on the til, fuslant. Mr i\n\nAt b\n\nt Daughter of the Way. Ur Legge.\n\non the 19th, inst, Ligatellani\n\nF. Beques, of H. M. Stramuralesa.\n\nArt:lery.\n\nA. R. JOHNSTON.\n\nPer\n\nVIDEO\n\nSepz.: Sept | Sent t\n\nPre\n\n& 10 8\n\n40\n\nX\n\nSappers and Minora. with erent......\n\n13 110 170 112 100 27:36 81: 1.0 Ceylon Rides,..... 101 3083 20 00 70 551\n\nH\n\n| 294 300 203 | 102: 180 181\n\nI want, the late Dieutenant-Governor of 1.wangtung, has been saannaed to Court, ostensibly to receive office, but in reality. it is armise, to give his opinion of the Present state of foreign affaiss. The sub stance of the recent news from Entopo has been forwarded to the Emperer, and the\n\nevents are yo extraordinary, that even the\n\nRUTHERFORD ALCOCK,\n\nL'onsul.\n\naddition to the instances formerly given of outrages committed by the crews of co- Yeys on the cost the following parti- culars lure reached ns:--\n\nOn the afternoon of the 20th of Augustin, eling that Chinses bicely who ship\n\nan affray took plaen at Ningpo between some Purtagnese sailors and the Chinese, in which two of the latter were killed and\n\nAs all for\n\nothers severely wounded.\n\n(From the Friend of Chlua, September 10.)\n\nPara eodle chuti pus Patice weuring to the Course Fury for Foreign Nationa\n\nWoo, Offolatione Taoutro of Shanghan, ke.. ka, hereby issues İne commands, Ús tho 17th bustani, 1 received\n\nIn Bosnkosa, enely in the furencoon the fall in the aromate attractul atientin, and the Aa- sistant Harbourmaster went wound the shipping, warmed there of what might be expecte.l.\n\nBut little fate spents to have been entertained till the approach of uning, when the sign The Barometer indicates bad weathes\" was seen tying at the Ang-staff in wont at Yalder's bill.\n\nFronts Ge the wind gradually oversed,\n\nIn the morning the Colony exhibited a mest melaretely appearance. In the harbour several vessels disanostel, others on shore, and the whole beach strewed with the wrrels of t hänesu juoking in the hs of which dead bodies were occasi ally seen Boating; while on store, every house\n\ndespatch from the Provincial Govoruer un rich\n\npay Duties so the New Custom-house, and the Chinasa at the Kiang-hae (Out) Cust-19: grofere I now hotels as flows find that the foreign expred to the stin suffered more me less,tiles\n\nsive distinct and intelligible polers, and on the receipt\n\n\"Foreign in\n\ntorn from the roots walla ievelled verandaha blown to pieces--21:1 wherever a gazolen plot fer-\n\nas been reused to inquire farther into their by the inhabitats, the friends of the de- customary apathy of las Celestial Majesty igners are there looked upon as English nature, of which no Chinese is better in-cased crowded round the British Consulated this dismic jou wil bsan a Fencianuncios in le- merly existed, the pla da napi bults were either DEATH-A Viatorin, or the auth Inst., ASHE MURRAY formed than Hwang. It's ideas on the to end the Comente assistance in appre disa that hernatter whru either broken sort off, ur fave up by the rocks\n\nhanés import Suwar or other! resocha i R hanghao, auca vels aro\n\nThe smesed table, shewing the state of the subcut may not be very comprehensive bending the wurderers; but though this\n\nBarometer declagg a night, bes been in the catiulation of European politicians, request was backed by the authoritics, and always to be regarded as determining the butted to be\n\nby the mastors of other Lorebas (ton erecced to a New Clest in-hou\n\ndnud if goods are imported by a really lovelen furnished by the Harbour-mator -- but key are certain to be marked by\n\nBer. Tras. the New Tartif thever Chinese pod shou Pasaksuvas por ACHILLES, 1 ] tamerrow, the prudence and good senac, ou gready in twelve in emberi then in the river. Manchorage, sad my Ducs der specias partest\n\nSullivan very properly declined to intor dare to pycało, with the prospect of escaping the heavy, 29 Justanter Kentang Dapsain. Beste advance of other imperial councillors.\n\nand availing of the light Duty, then the gonds will be Iwan was Keving's most trusted na fere in the marier fartier tlun by advising! goufianater to Beverinent, aut fi re benefit of at Sept,\n\nthat the neensed should be handed over to | Lie Customos rechte,\n\nbe pus coring that in ball b viser, es on after he was deprived of office the District Magistrate, who, after exauti exnutter thesoby You will at the sate line whic 20 and the Imperial Commissioner neveration, might send them to Mateo for alt i lini Ceiling sinis, Frouded, Defiled gaged in foreign adThis withent comentting\n\nFor SMarsden, Han Alures. For vez. Mesurs 1 . 51005, and in Per Singapore, Mess C. Plac, 3acker trou, au Chinese,\n\nWe are luppy to be enabled to report a\n\nfalse rutes, ad that a punishment\n\ngreat improvement in the health of the him. The office is now entrusted to a main by their own authorities; and this advice insearing (1) the Engli\n\nof auch inferior qualifications, that Keying acted on\n\nprobly see the necessity of having wang's counsel and cooperation iu raio- once to opening the City of Canton April next.\n\nwith.\" On recript of the the\n\n1 Conanl to request his Doperation, now alno, na izolaca\n\nclosely and Intolligibly, addruseling this Proois- The other caso, in which Père F. X. Ta-ation to the Chinese ineteats and to the Duly fengy nicourt, the Apustulie Missionary of Ning-fer of it for a fer the due to simp\n\npondnet your royarske,\n\ne perangaurdă contevin vit, giving pe, figured us principal, took place on the cause of or youtuston; and should Chinese 13th of Auguet, chout forty miles from Eing the protune of the tuner and put intock\n\nMercitants in Foreign vesels to carry Rugated bae, the capital of Chusan. It appears Shangliae, ar shoud Chincs pensle import any sort of that some native Roman Catholic eonverts\n\ntroops during the present mouth. In Juue, le douths were 10. in July 37, in August 16, white in September they have fallen 14, the number of sick in Hospital being 57. Since August the whole of the\n\nRegiment has been quarter on Sou, the new Governor General, who baril ships in the harbour, with the bap-now holds the appointment for the who had an interest in one of the temples,\n\nnagement of Barbarian Affairs, lately ro-\n\nmile whatever in Fercigu val. In alch Duy will be levied according to the Fow Tarif. Tling whc. destinately digobay, will gave their goods gondsgated\n\nand\n\nseld for sig benent of the Craton TOWELS\n\nali ovoru:dy obcy this, Cherish a hopes of\n\nevash, and\n\nnd thereby involve yourselves hi a ligny vei\n\nTucukwany, 28th year, 7th mouth, 24tle dag,\n\nCarefrak ngainst Ptrates. Wow, Oficiating Tanning of Shongban, &o., &c., heto by kee a procianin\n\n1sthet romanda The\n\nChee-hich of this face having represented to in that\n\nidly\n\n31st Auz. 10\n\n..\n\n3. NE\n\nheavy pas\n\n11\n\n90.24 N.IS.\n\nJ\n\n+3\n\nugly weader\n\n1\n\n1. 20 in M.K\n\nW****. \n\nA M $3.5M\n\nInscriure\n\n9.\n\n\"\n\nH. by X\n\n-\n\n2.45\n\n2\n\n$12\n\n13\n\n21\n\n::\n\n|\n\nн\n\n4\n\n. \n\n29ki\n\nJE.\n\nJa\n\n5\n\n11\n\n59 15\n\nBy Soperaterra's.\n\n5,3). 24.37\n\n8 May\n\n20.45\n\nور\n\nE by N.\n\nጉ\n\nF. Nahig, heavy p008\n\nkarang graffiat Times wavy pu\n\nSWly der:n\n\nThe following is an enumeration of the disaster which bufet dis Shipping, so far no we have been able to asuintain themi\n\nThe Beberg dyrk. W shirat Cizruin Floodinga; halla since been got off well legtle damage, ex- cupt the lowa offre and gratuara\n\nTho American brig Charles ilirpants, 5, eamq'ato wreek at die Boa Bay! Sturent stuce andò iz pullar angʻim.\n\nThe Metal banque tingui Sarant, en cone sul Green Lane, Sligh: hopes tersall entertained of wring the samel. The British iron bangue Jean kan, anded foul of the Eliza Ferunt, and trus baiyaenoda real folosites.\n\nThe British skip Milan Mont. Load with Sugar Live Shanglore, word avente in the pst in sety; hd the Join Laiva sivil) at down upon her, and seller against the De Heranecone, by which śe was nu merupin injurce dead sile has had to alerte her entge\n\nMurchants Wand-ying-sking and others, in which they The Spanish his Do (ferencias, Ici uusin tujuan, how statest stywe care for more receivals, ad fee-copatust\n\nnedors\n\nof the junk Thatch ship Kin form, wrecked on que our end of\n\nthe expenses of car ride to assist le defraying\n\ntato Ave ser afsendt tuse, the date the istuin, elvas to the village et Makers, this trees of her\n\npectively by the tire mondi Pun, Lah, Sony, Hon, Taj, i grew seven-\n\nPat efforts. Great part of the convit\n\nents are now fit for duty. Of the 14 oled anal officer at 1leang-shan were desirous of turning it into a Catholic teks during the month two only have for promotion, but his request, en account Clupei, in opposition to the majority of\n\nalty Aurmont and special Protiaanation. whom it belengel. From cd within the last ten days.\n\nthe pervous to of informality, has been refused; a reelt The Ceylon Rides, upon whom the or- quite unexpected, and which has engaged which the converts had the worst, and\n\naged words the disputants come to blows, in August, 1946)° dary duties of the garrison have devotee, the attention of the Board of War. The\n\ntine in the enjoyment of comparative people under his jurisdiction paise him beaten, were handed over to the Mag- ¡ two of their number, after being severely Lealth, and at present there are fewer for at being greedy of money. Ile\n\nhospital thun at any former elf lind frequently expressed his total, tate of Tugine. As you us M. Tanie het received a petition from the junk owners and Jeriod, except for a short time last year. indifference rospecting the homeurs con-\n\ncourt received the news of their imprison A furtight ago, however, two deaths oe-\n\nferred upon bis, and be readiness en, he went to the Tautas at Ningpo: urs in one night, but bett: men were surrender rice ali, in order to tool to ad insisted on their Fouration, tral Uist\n\nopium &makers.\n\nretired an quiet life. His administration their presents should be apprehended and gene diet, eruits, dog, Froth.) each The Bid bazgau Sutopiru, diffte aut lieyond Siren kiloving\n\nTable shows he on- has hitherto been marked by great sev parished. His denundet being attend to combura arcarding to is classifeasam But Isnel totally dissisted: as aface bean towed sate tike pr parative sekuese since our last report city in the dispensation of justice, dea No. 21, and with about thinly valun- cine vercle, with the cost of yoviding their asian\n\nbar Us Chinos Ja sata. to, M. Danicourt hired Portuguese Lorinchetiver the mintributions are or whited to mount, it le proper to stare that as Daugh vouring to overwe evinloers by cniet toere bem the ether borclus in purt, meal. the expensou will be for Geneight, the Frimurtes only were formerly patience. include in the Present Force, or fe not seem to be on the decrease.\n\nNevertheless crio does\n\nsailed to Chusan. The natives, fight tratton. f ten safe and convenient mouthor junks are Akolected and delivered over for the use of the marine, make of curpurison the same plot 18 now\n\nThe intest way that of a perlipin, the expense of wages and provisons will not be seal, ber. The forces however are thus of the heavy rains in the north, continue to!\n\nwho arrived at Man the very day to\n\nof lates that claso delimate to chalibuting received unerated, their actual numbers, officera arrive. Several rivers are said to have He was long with a portion of crew, dlately\n\ndoinge sppeared, (China Mail, sgten.ber 7, No. 186) | will not be adequate to die expenditure. At the present\n\neisergency, we four thạt say 10ßently in supplying as kolen 150 eurṛrity : but from what we can learn, unless alance w! Ingade te pomelims for the sapirs of Kufen the ty\n\nby car auprovets, he may escape conv be plenter, and enfure we have deviscal and agrad to the sui hentay in gruring the cast how a stridatin she be sessed on to, Chizone much evidence as will easily & European Cart Catton Coll, and offer guns exported from. His perti\n\nJunio\n\nand we request that the Duty Hong, brorizma to winter\n\nAccounts of the disnetrons evasequences.\n\nsac, the 234 instant, Feing.---Ar- inmulated whele districts, and the nast tillery, 80: Sappers and Minere, 38; Gan! terrible mvague of the flag-lo are ap- Laucars, 89; 9th Regiacot, 361; Cey- prehended, if the mains continue.\n\nThus, illamgh many jaks large and shall have writed\n\nAll if we reckon up the hire of the Braves and of tho\n\nfound to be shormona; and acadh. net war fanks genpot de buikt all at once by gen-\n\nTie eeliezmer San P. Novhy, was totally disa\n\nmarted off by Wes Naval Smores\n\nThe British mohon er zekana Queen's thouula were cat “wazy to use her fin gudng on there\n\nThe Thite trz niel Watson, diffted to the momptly vid The Carposing panjati panduk, kad kasinoeste\n\nสปาไ\n\nThe 13 arque Coulatque gave bich, with, a oaider be pardon of wet cargo dannĝed: 2000 packages of Jes are to do anus by snelion\n\nThe Hemen Alvis: Julimar, ned back from see, having Insi\n\nrudder hats, sprang head of matman, and last for ada\n\nThe Spanish; brigantine Carmen abo pau kuch, in a leaky state, having lost a", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-031 - Public Offices - 1849.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 237958, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-054 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [1-2]", "page_number": 137, "title": "CO129-054 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [1-2]", "content_text": "the Legislative Council subject to the approval of Her Majesty's Government.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nWith the highest respect,\n\nYour most obedient Humble Servant,\n\nThe Governor?\n\nEdict\n\nAfter our N. dustes appointment to the\n\ncouncil.\n\n259.10/3.\n\n12 ap\n\nrupp\n\n132", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-054 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 239914, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12]", "page_number": 131, "title": "CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12]", "content_text": "principle in accounts, would probably rather return to a Carter had than sacrifice this principle for the sake of a currency.\n\nare the only substitutes for the Carolus dollar which have claimed our consideration – Each has been the subject of earnest discussion, and the first and second named may still retain some advocates - Indeed the Chinese officials have very recently again ordered the people.\n\n Mexican dollars, although the 128 of its inefficiency and sure indications of its fate.\n\nBut we believe that the general sentiment of this Community now is that the only certain means \n\nPage 15\n\nof restoring health to its trade will be the production of a new coin, which by its uniformity, beauty, and fitness shall become acceptable to the Chinese and by its origin, useful and trustworthy to all.\n\nThe introduction, even of such a coin, could not be rapid because the Chinese are peculiarly \n\nEdict issued, contains within itself the most ample evidences", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 239915, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12]", "page_number": 132, "title": "CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12]", "content_text": "averse to innovations - But they feel the need of a sound Currency no less than ever; as is evident by the recent petitions of the various Mercantile guilds to the Mandarins. And as the Carolus dollar was gradually brought into circulation by being well suited in style and intrinsic qualities to the wants of this people, so may a new coin, as well, or better adapted to those wants, acquire acceptance. The initiatory effort must come from foreigners; but we believe it will be heartily given - If it could be followed by favourable Edicts from the Imperial Offices, doubtless the desired effect would be hastened. But our main reliance must be upon the merits of the coin itself.\n\nThe undersigned would suggest that it be of the same weight and purity as the Carolus dollar in order not to derange accounts - that it be so well cut as to defy the ingenuity of Chinese coiners, that the people may not fear counterfeits; and that it bear on one side an English inscription which will secure it the...\n\nF129/7\n\n \n醇", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-059 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 241612, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "page_number": 38, "title": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "content_text": "dark feather, The Emperor's edict says Exterminate all the barbarians in Hong Kong\". Sam-huri and Akin are the only two in Hongkong who know all about the Chinese, but they have a number of police stationed about, who keep so strict a watch that I should have thought there was a difficulty in cutting them (Col: (aime sc: ) off. You however Gentlemen, say that it is in your power to cut off.\n\nSamhuri and Akin, it appears to me that the extermination of all in Hong-kong, if required, would be ones as easy as taking anything out of one's purse by putting hand in. Besides tons of you being Tipo, \"po, I and [and another] in charge of the devil building of the barbarians, you must be held in great respect by the barbarians, and must have assumed access against which they took no precaution to the buildings of the devils. Success would be certain were your attack made when they were unprepared and not expecting it. It is said too that the men are in the habit of going to Chee Chic (Stanley) and walking about there for...\n\nPage 36", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 241694, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "page_number": 120, "title": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "content_text": "adict the meritorious Services\n\nof Mr Cluerly but looking at the rate of payment allotted to other functionaries - and the great drain upon the Colonial funds to which we have lately been subjected, I do not feel able - at all events for the present - to recommend the increase solicited by him.\n\nI beg leave to add that in consequence of a representation made to the Minister for Foreign affairs a salary of £200 has been granted to the Surveyor General for services to the Diplomatic and Consular Department - situate that Mr. Ceverly is greatly ...\n\nThe best receipt of £1,000 a year. On the arrival of the Governor Mr. Ceverly will maturely consider the subject of his claim to a seat in the Legislative Council. Indeed the warrant is prepared & now lies for signature.\n\nI have the honor to be with the highest respect,\n\nYour most Obedient Humble Servant\n\nW. Beasley\n\nPage 120\n\nPage 121", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 244647, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "page_number": 388, "title": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "content_text": "96.\n\ninto Captivity within the Kwantung province,\n\nMurdered, and beheaded\n\nThat these Crimes have been done by hired assassins;\n\nThat the hirer whose name is authenticated by many public proclamations, edicts, and handbills, offering rewards for such Services, was the Villain Yeh;\n\nThat evidence has been taken at the Central Police Station distinctly tracing the payment of such rewards to the Mandarins of other districts of Kwantung, and even to the Authorities of Canton itself.\n\nThat already there has been transported for life to Labuan one wretched Chinese Watchman from Stanley, for the Crime of high treason; that crime consisting in his having entertained a proposal from \"One yeh yah tsik\" to assassinate some one on the bad way. And that this same \"One yeh yah tsik\" of the Criminal Sessions is the person to whom my present letter relates.\n\nI have brutally been imprudent in boasting that the interests of justice demand the delivery of the prisoner to the same Court which tries and sentences to a just punishment the miscreants' guilty accomplices.\n\nThe jurisdiction attaches from the moment that...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 244868, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "page_number": 610, "title": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "content_text": "28.\n\nThat many of the Queen's Subjects and others resident within this Colony and Her Majesty's Jurisdictions of the Five Parts have been, during the last fourteen months, kidnapped into captivity within this Kwanghing province, murdered, and beheaded; \n\nThat these crimes have been done by hired assassins; \n\nThat the hirer, whose name and seal authenticate the many public proclamations, Edicts, and handbills, offering rewards for such services, was the villain Yeh; \n\nThat evidence has been taken at the Central Police Station distinctly tracing the payment of such rewards to the mandarins of Lantão and other districts of Kwangtung, and even to the authorities of Canton itself; \n\nThat already one wretched Chinese watchman from Stanley has been transported for life to Labuan for the crime of high treason; - that crime...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 258511, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3]", "page_number": 47, "title": "CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3]", "content_text": "On the other hand, I had them with me again for an hour, that I might test their powers of speaking. They have made much progress in this respect since I last examined them.\n\nOn the whole, the progress of all three is satisfactory. They bid fair to fulfil the hopes of the Government in regard to them.\n\nI advised them to get copies of a Chinese work called \"The Sacred Edict\" and a translation of Aesop's fables into Chinese, which it would now be profitable for them to study. The former may be bought for a trifle here or in Canton. The fables will have to be procured from Shanghai.\n\nThe Gentlemen all expressed an opinion that it would be of benefit to them if they could have \"Ho Aloop\", one of the Interpreters in the Government, to read and converse with them for an hour, two or three times a week.\n\nI think it would be desirable to make an arrangement with Ho Aloop to that effect.\n\nOn the 6th Dr. Anney wrote to me that he was unable to approve Mr. Ronald from his dictics at the Civil Hospital that day. If Mr. Ronald will come to him at a convenient hour, he will arrange to examine him.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) James Legge\n\nTo W. H. Wallande,\n\nActing Colonial Secretary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 260826, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-103 - Others - 1864", "page_number": 53, "title": "CO129-103 - Others - 1864", "content_text": "22\n\nunion for some purposes. But he proposed that the same objects should be obtained, as far as might be, by leaving to yourself as Governor only the direction of matters connected with the China trade, and placing the internal affairs of the Island under a Lieutenant-Governor, to which office Colonel Caine was raised. You were therefore to have no other salary than that paid you by the Foreign Office (which was raised at the same time from three thousand pounds to four thousand pounds). This announcement was communicated to you by the Duke of Newcastle, and on these conditions you accepted the office. Nevertheless, as soon as you arrived in the Island you superseded the arrangement, took the affairs of local Government out of the hands of Colonel Caine, and assumed their direction in person. This proceeding you reported to this Department without making any demand for salary. It was sanctioned without any reference to salary.\n\n\"6. The result of the change is that Colonel Caine is left with a salary of two thousand pounds, besides allowances, as Lieutenant-Governor, and without any material duties to perform, except during your absence: as, however, this is in no degree attributable to Colonel Caine himself, who was transferred to the Lieutenant-Governorship from his own office of Secretary without even consulting him, and entirely for the furtherance of the scheme projected by the Duke of Newcastle, it cannot be avoided.”\n\nI here append an extract from the instructions given by Chum kwang tuk, Agitator-in-chief of the \"Sunon\" district, under the orders of the Imperial Commissioner \"Yeh;\" the translation is by T. F. Wade, Esq., then Chinese Secretary to the Superintendency.\n\n\"If you really have the power, if you could perform the service of taking the heads of 'Samkwie' (Mr. Caldwell) and Kama Ken' (Colonel Caine) you shall be recompensed with 50,000 dollars, a button of the 6th grade, and a dark feather. (Note by Mr. Wade explains, these words are marked in the original by circles, which correspond to our underlinings.) The Emperor's edict says Exterminate all the barbarians of Hong Kong. Samkwie and Akin are the only two in Hong Kong who know all about the Chinese, &c.\"\n\n(Signed) THOMAS F. WADE.\n\nChinese Secretary.\n\nHong Kong, April 19, 1857.\n\n23\n\n51\n\nOf the émeute at Hong Kong in November, 1856, the Memorial to the Colonial Office, attached, contains the details as exhibited in my despatch to the Colonial Office, and to which a simple acknowledgement of its receipt was all I received from the Colonial Office, without a single comment or approval.\n\nLearning in 1861 that Colonel Dunlop, Royal Artillery, was in England, I addressed him a note, asking his opinion with regard to the said émeute, that officer having been in command of the garrison at the time; his reply, in original, I forwarded to the Colonial Office on 4th January, 1861, and a copy of the same I now quote:\n\n(Extract.)\n\n\"My dear Caine,\n\nPortsmouth, January 2nd, 1860.\n\nHaving received a requisition from you for a military force on account of a large and threatening assemblage of Chinese in the city of Victoria, I immediately ordered the 59th Regiment under arms, and took about 100 men to the scene of disturbance. There I found a very large mob of all the lower orders of Chinese in the town had assembled to the extent, I should say, of from 10,000 to 15,000 men; they were using violent language and gestures, to the general alarm of all the respectable inhabitants, as well Europeans as Chinese; every shop and house was closed. You, after some time obtained a hearing, and your firm, decided, yet temperate language and bearing, the knowledge the Chinese had that you were not to be trifled with, and seeing you backed by a strong military force, were the reasons, in my opinion, of the mob gradually dispersing, without any act of violence. In conjunction with you, I took measures for the protection of property, and, after some days, affairs settled down quietly. On the return of his Excellency the Governor, I received his thanks for the services of the military, with a notification that, to show his approval, he wished me to be a Member of the Executive Council.\n\nThe whole of the civilians of the colony were for some time in much alarm, which was shared in by his Excellency. But it afterwards appeared, that the ill-affected Chinese saw that, from the prepared state we were in, it was useless to attempt anything against life or property.\n\nIn conclusion, I must say, in my opinion, we had to thank you that the mob dispersed without the active inter-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-103 - Others - 1864.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 266106, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "page_number": 576, "title": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "content_text": "# SCHEDULE of ORIGINAL DESPATCHES transmitted by The Governor of Hong-kong to The Secretary of State for the Colonies by the Mail Steamer Ellawa\n\n| NO. OF DESPATCH | DATE OF DESPATCH | SUBJECT OF DESPATCH | NO. OF INCLOSURES |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 62 | 12th June 1586 | Mr. Kinder's explanation of its unsatisfactory condition - Governors observations as to Premelters and one assistant Bayer from England to be sent out at once | 1 |\n| 63 | 23rd July 1866 | Quality supply not likely to be continued for the present. | 22 |\n| 66 | 26th July 1866 | Cases of Reputed Robbery since 29th February - \"Schooner \"Carl\" and Bangie Cases - \"Cesar\" - Trevared force of Guntent; necessary Lusipussion of Piracy greatly feasible. | None |\n| | 21st July | Piracy - Edict regulating Jurisdiction - Vice Rey of Canton. This view is not favorable. | 2 |\n\n## Metadata\nPage 575 \nRECEIVED AUG 25 1866 via Southampton. \n\n**Acting Colonial Secretary**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 268270, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-118 - Public Offices - 1866", "page_number": 250, "title": "CO129-118 - Public Offices - 1866", "content_text": "247\n\nof Her Majesty's Treasury. The point which it is most desirable that the Hong Kong dollar should hold or contain is 417.074 grains or 0.721 Troy of fine silver, (seven thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven ten thousand parts of an ounce Troy of pure silver). This is the weight of fine silver which the Mexican dollar always legally contained, and which has lately been confirmed by Edict of the Emperor.\n\nMaximilien's conclusions, referred to in this letter, have been previously adopted by Mr Arbuthnot in his Reports upon the Japanese Currency, and Statements of the Vice Consul have been verified by comparing them with the best (in Spanish) of the Imperial Edict of the 10th April 1865.\n\nAs the Hong Kong dollar is likely to have concurrent circulation with the Mexican dollar, it will probably be deemed expedient by Their Lordships that the Hong Kong dollar should possess nearly as possible the same metallic value or quantity of pure silver, as suggested above, in accordance with (1) a Report of Messrs Mocatta and Goldsmid, and (2) a Communication from the Vice Consul of Mexico, both appended.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-118 - Public Offices - 1866.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 269429, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-121 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [3-4]", "page_number": 51, "title": "CO129-121 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [3-4]", "content_text": "48\n\nmore than the silver which it represents.\n\nIt is evident also that Sir Hercules Robinson and Mr. \"Graham desired the result of coining dollars without loss or even with a profit.\n\n22.\n\nThis may be possible, but they still labor under another very pernicious delusion, that it is possible to give a special popularity to the Hongkong dollar. They would advocate a coinage of dollars at some loss for that purpose, millions at a loss, hoping to recoup by future profits when the dollar had been popularised. Nothing can be more fallacious. The popularity of the Hongkong dollar is already as great as it ever will be. That is to say, it is popular in exact proportion to the amount of silver which people believe it to contain, and if a hundred millions of such dollars had been coined at a loss - say of two millions or more - the Hong Kong dollar would not be worth a cent more. Nor could it only be done when that dollar is adopted and rendered the only currency of China as the medium of exchange.\n\nThe Chinese in that case would be compelled to resort to our Mint, and as at present they could only do so by incurring a loss of 3 per cent. An Edict compelling them to do so would probably provoke a general rebellion. It is unnecessary, however, to dwell further on this improbable contingency of the Hongkong dollar becoming the only Medium of Exchange in China.\n\n23.\n\nIt is more to the point to turn to the enclosed despatch of Sir Rutherford Alcock, and the Enclosure detailing his interview with Prince Kung.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-121 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 270218, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7]", "page_number": 108, "title": "CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7]", "content_text": "106\n\ngreat danger, and he was unable to escape capture, a large reward having been offered for his head. Keying did all he could to get possession of him.\n\nThe Surveyor General (Mr. Cleverly) employed Kwok A-bing, Government Contractor, during 1845, 1846, 1847, and he supplied the labor and materials for building the Cathedral and Government House, in addition to that required for many other public works.\n\nWhen the War of 1856 broke out, Kwok A-bing again contracted for the supplies for both Army and Navy; and when all the Chinese in the Colony were ordered by edict to leave, he and one or two others maintained their ground and declined to obey the Order; and his steady adherence to the Colony did much towards instilling courage in the minds of others, and without doubt added greatly towards enhancing in the minds of his fellow countrymen the good faith and strength of the British Nation.\n\nSuch a history as that of Kwok A-bing, and his well-known wealth, made him an eyesore to the Chinese Authorities. In", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-123 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 271286, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-125 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [10-11]", "page_number": 242, "title": "CO129-125 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [10-11]", "content_text": "## Light houses and Beacons\n\n### Payment of Duties\n\nPermission to re-export Foreign Grain.\n\nFor country vessels and for craft under flags of all nations trading with China, it may not be deemed unreasonable to propose that a portion of the Tonnage Dues paid by Foreign vessels, and those bearing the Flags of powers having no Naval force in China, be returned to Her Majesty's Government half yearly by the Maritime Customs in recognition of services rendered. This payment, however, to give no privilege of employment of Her Majesty's cruisers other than that which, on requisition having been made, may be authorized by Her Majesty's Senior Naval Officer at Hongkong, or by the Consuls at Coast ports not further North than Ningpo.\n\n(35.)\n\n## ARTICLE XXXII\nThe consultations of Consuls and Superintendents of Customs have, it would appear, resulted in the decision that little occasion exists for the erection of marks for the guidance of shipping resorting to open ports. Had the deliberations that led to this conclusion been given to the public, they would have afforded interesting matter for discussion and would undoubtedly have elicited opinions adverse to the inaction which leaves dangers unmarked and the entrance to several rivers without those facilities for navigation which were evidently intended to be provided. As the Chinese Authorities, left to themselves, do little, an improvement may be devised by their placing a certain sum, not less than one-fifth of the Tonnage Dues annually collected at each Treaty port, in the hands of a Board composed of two or more Consuls representing nations that have paid the largest amount of Dues on vessels during the preceding year, who, with the Superintendent of Customs, shall meet periodically for the purpose of carrying out the intention of this article.\n\n(36.)\n\n## ARTICLE XXXIII\ntreats of the standard of Silver required for Duty payment. The present system of payment of Duties is antiquated and highly inconvenient to those engaged in trade, and the Chamber would suggest that the Tariff rates should be payable in whatever coin or bullion may be recognised as the mercantile currency for transactions between Foreigners and Chinese at the various ports, without any addition for premium. The regulation requiring payment in Haiquan Sycee, a currency of which very little actually exists, or in coin or bullion with a premium added supposed to make the payment equal to this all but imaginary currency, is one which should not be permitted to continue; it also fosters abuses committed by the so-called Government Banks attached to each Custom House, these institutions having it in their power to advance or depress the value of Sycee as it suits their interest or convenience. A case illustrating the evil of the system has lately occurred at the port of Foochow where, for some years past, Mexican and Foochow Dollars were received in payment of Duties with a premium of Six per cent (6%); this percentage has of late been raised to Ten, thus adding Four per cent to the Duties which were levied a short time ago. Should this suggestion of the Chamber meet with Your Grace's approval and the Chinese Government be induced to accept at the Southern Ports (Canton, Swatow, Amoy, and Foochow) Dollars in payment of Duties on the same terms as they are received in general commercial transactions, not only would it be a great convenience to trade, but it might be the means of introducing largely into China the Dollars coined at the Hongkong Royal Mint, and thus greatly benefit this Colony. Some years ago an arbitrary distinction was made by the Chinese between Carolus and Mexican Dollars, the latter being refused except at a discount of Twelve (12) to Fifteen per cent (15%), a difference done away with by an edict promulgated at the instance of the Acting Consul at the time, Mr. now Sir HARRY PARKES; this case may be said not to apply to the matter here referred to, but it serves to show that reforms of magnitude were effected at a time when liberal ideas were only gaining slight acceptance and what may be done in the interests of commerce by the representations of a Consul alive to the desirability of freeing it from unnecessary exactions.\n\n(37)\n\n## ARTICLE XLV\nThe concluding paragraph of the article permits that Foreign Grain brought into any port in China in a British ship, if no part thereof has been landed, may be re-exported without hindrance. The permit does not extend to Grain that has been landed and stored. It has frequently occurred that stocks...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-125 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 272211, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-127 - Public Offices - 1867", "page_number": 404, "title": "CO129-127 - Public Offices - 1867", "content_text": "## \nto go to Canton as a Reward. had been offered for his head Keying did all he could to get possession of him \n16. The Surveyor General (Mr. Cleverly) Employed Kwok A-tong during 1845, 1846 and 1847, and supplied the labor and materials for building the Cathedral and Government House, in addition to that required for many other public works. When the War of 1856 broke out, Rev. Wong Tsing-tong again contracted for the supplies for the Army and Navy, and when all the Chinese in the Colony were ordered by edict to leave, he and one or two others maintained their ground and declared their abeyance to the order and steadfast adherence to the Colony. He did much towards instilling courage in the minds of others and, without doubt, added greatly towards enhancing the minds of his fellow countrymen in the good faith and strength of the British.\n\n## \nSuch a history as that of Kwok A-tong and his young son is known...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-127 - Public Offices - 1867.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273030, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867", "page_number": 588, "title": "CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867", "content_text": "586 \n\n20 \n\n21 \n\nsuch a monstrous perversion of the functions of an honourable and Christian government, the added disgrace of making a profit to the revenue out of such a vile source is by comparison small. The missionaries have opposed this measure from the outset, animated simply by an earnest desire to prevent a great moral wrong and injury being done to our fellow subjects, and to avert the obloquy which will be poured by the ill-will of the Chinese people, upon the \"barbarians\" who would introduce a measure so plainly contrary to the first principles of morality. Is our Hongkong government to perpetrate this crime? Such a thing is utterly abhorrent to all sound principles of legislation, and to all practice of civilized countries. What! Because the government cannot extirpate the Chinese propensity to gamble; is it itself to stoop to their level? to pander to their vice? to take the iniquity under government patronage and control? In the presence of the Chinese mind, without our giving them a sound reason for despising us, as they certainly will do if this measure is put into execution. Among the Chinese there is no quibbling about gambling being innocent without certain limits. The conscience of the whole nation, the law of the Chinese Empire, and the recent repressive Edict of our neighbour, the Governor of Canton, all condemn it without reservation. Admitting our superiority in war, and in mechanics, the Chinese has a profound conviction that in philosophy and morality, his nation is immeasurably superior. Shall we confirm him in this notion, careless of the finger of scorn which he will point at us immediately he sees government-licensed gambling houses opened in Hongkong, the only place where he has ocular evidence of what western legislation is?\n\n**CITIZENS OF HONGKONG!** It is to your credit that a body you are clear from the charge of recommending or supporting this measure. Unknown by you until it had become law, it has since been received by you without any sign of approval. Except one newspaper (of such a character that its support is almost enough alone to show that the measure is bad) and one anonymous correspondent in its columns, no one in Hongkong has stepped forward publicly to defend the government in deriving a revenue from such a source.\n\nBut it is to be feared some of you are guilty of a \"lazy acquiescence\" in this proceeding. We appeal to you now to come forward and protest against the scheme. We cannot believe that British, American and German merchants are moved to support this measure by a selfish desire to spare their pockets the expense of paying taxes. It is said that this licence money is to be a substitute for the Stamp tax. Do you for your own honour demand that the Stamp Ordinance shall be put into force, before another step is taken in the gambling house business? This hope of escaping the imposition of the Stamp Tax has been held out to the Chinese, and some of", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273164, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867", "page_number": 722, "title": "CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867", "content_text": "719 \n\nThe missionaries have opposed this measure from the outset, motivated not by factional interests but by a genuine desire to prevent a great moral wrong and injury to our fellow subjects. Is our Hongkong government to perpetrate this crime? Such a thing is utterly abhorrent to all sound principles of legislation and to all practice of civilized countries. What! Because the government cannot extirpate the Chinese propensity to gamble, is it to stoop to their level, to pander to their vice, and to take the iniquity under government patronage and control? In the presence of such a monstrous perversion of the functions of an honourable and Christian government, the added disgrace of making a profit from the revenue out of such a vile source is by comparison small. There is sufficient prejudice against the intrusive foreigner in the Chinese mind without our giving them a sound reason for despising us, as they certainly will do if this measure is put into execution. Among the Chinese, there is no quibbling about gambling being innocent within certain limits. The conscience of the whole nation, the law of the Chinese Empire, and the recent repressive Edict of our neighbour, the Governor of Canton, all condemn it without reservation. Admitting our superiority in war and mechanics, the Chinese have a profound conviction that in philosophy and morality, their nation is immeasurably superior. Shall we confirm them in this notion, careless of the finger of scorn which they will point at us immediately they see government-licensed gambling houses opened in Hongkong, the only place where they have ocular evidence of what western legislation is?\n\nOnce more, let it be pointed out that the Missionaries have not the remotest wish that our government should attempt to make its subjects moral by coercive legislation. The question is not whether gambling for petty stakes is or is not immoral. The question is this: Shall the British government set up gambling houses to be frequented by its subjects? By English and by Chinese law, the keeper of a gambling house is justly regarded as a criminal who lives by promoting and fastening upon the vice and the ruin...\n\n## CITIZENS OF HONGKONG!\n\nIt is to your credit that, as a body, you are clear from the charge of recommending or supporting this measure. Unknown to you until it had become law, it has since been received by you without any sign of approval. Except one newspaper (of such a character that its support is almost enough alone to show that the measure is bad) and one anonymous correspondent in its columns, no one in Hongkong has stepped forward publicly to defend the government in deriving a revenue from such a source. But it is to be feared that some of you are guilty of a \"lazy acquiescence\" in this proceeding. We appeal to you now to come forward and protest against the scheme. We cannot believe that British, American, and German merchants are moved to support this measure by a selfish desire to spare their pockets the expense of paying taxes. It is said that this licence money is to be a substitute for the Stamp tax. Do you, for your own honour, demand that the Stamp Ordinance shall be put into force before another step is taken in the gambling house business? This hope of escaping the imposition of the Stamp Tax has been held out to the Chinese, and some of...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-128 - Public Offices & Others - 1867.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273225, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "page_number": 34, "title": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "content_text": "## \nto receive \n\nDane were perfectly ready, \nterms Bollar av in the Clear Grexicans. \nI consulted also several Bankers in Yokohama, and it appeared mecessary all that was to have the dollar. \nlender dues made ALL C legal and accepted for Customs the basis already adopted with reference to Mexican Dollars.\n\nOn the receipt of your letter, I have addressed Obi's Boullonay, the Governor, requesting him to address Her Majesty's Minister at Jedo on the subject, and I have little doubt the British dollar will soon pass as freely in Japan as it does here.\n\nAt the Chinese Ports there will be difficulty. \nBy an edict of the Imperial Government of China dated 24th November 1866, a copy of which you will find in the Government Gazette of 12 December 1866 (similar proclamations having been issued not only in the other Provinces), the British dollar but silver coins are the subsidiary silver legal tender. \nProbably in many places the coins at present are not generally known, but with your assistance, the difficulty may be speedily overcome. \nIt will certainly...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273520, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "page_number": 329, "title": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "content_text": "# 327 \n\n5 \n\nview to holding a personal conference on the subject. I felt it might probably be an advantage to the Admiral to be just in possession of the action previously taken in the matter by this Government. Accordingly, I drew up for the Admiral's use the enclosed Memorandum which I am glad to say was found of service.\n\nOn his return from Canton, the Admiral very kindly favored me with the enclosed account of his interview with the Vice Ray. It resulted in the latter's promising to issue an edict for the disarmament of all fishing and non-trading junks, but declining to include any trading junks.\n\nI need scarcely observe that if the views be correct of those who, like myself, consider a general disarmament of all craft, especially those specially licensed by Government, as the most effective means of unmasking the real character of piratical craft, which at present cannot be distinguished from the thousands of vessels amongst which they mix and sail, any step in that direction should be regarded as one of progress.\n\nAt the same time, whilst the great mass of trading junks, by their resemblance...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273542, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "page_number": 351, "title": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "content_text": "cooperation of the Squadron under \nmy \ncommand with \nany competent \nChinese force acting towards the suppression of this evil.\n\nThe Vice Roy expressed much satisfaction, and appeared to be well disposed to avail himself of my offer.\n\n4.\n\nOn introducing the questions of Disarmament and Registration, the Vice Roy stated that he was not prepared at once to issue a general edict for disarmament; believing that it would expose the trader more than ever to piratical attack. He stated that recently when coming down the Coast in weather when fishing could be going on, he observed a number of Junks cruising about, with no other object, in his opinion, than that of robbing the wrecked or distressed.\n\nThe Vice Roy expressed his intention to at once issue an edict disarming all fishing junks, and such as were not traders, a resolve evidently influenced by what he had himself witnessed.\n\nI thought it well to be satisfied with the point of the wedge here inserted. I thanked His Excellency, and expressed my hope that this disarmament of a dangerous class, would in time...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273932, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5]", "page_number": 193, "title": "CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5]", "content_text": "## \n\nIt would appear that the original text was broken across multiple lines. Here is the reconstructed text in Markdown format.\n\n\nBut any trade requiring arms of a limited kind for self-defence, and also all sailing junks to be duly registered. A similar law prevails among all maritime States of the west and is rigorously enforced.\n\nIt would appear therefore that nothing more is required than to enforce laws already existing, and by a renewed publication under Imperial Edict, to make it generally known through the whole extent of the seabord, that a rigorous police will be exercised after a given date, so as to allow complete time to all concerned to conform to the law. It is proposed by the Naval Commanders that notice be given declaring eight months' delay, that the Chinese Government vessels of war, in concert with the Foreign Squadrons, will stop and disarm any vessels found infringing the law, and after four months more the vessels themselves will be seized and liable to confiscation - a determined measure.\n\nIf a measure of this nature were fairly carried out, piracy would of necessity cease. Because, assuming it were impossible to prevent them obtaining guns at foreign or Chinese Ports, the certainty of being immediately deprived of them when they left a port, would more effectually stop the sale and...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-130 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 276299, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868", "page_number": 355, "title": "CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868", "content_text": "Her Majesty's Government to \n\nreduce the large and Expensive \n\nSquadron, \n\nwhich has been \n\nnecessarily maintained in \n\nChina \n\nhave the honour to be. \n\nLir. \n\nYour most obedient Servant- \n\nIn a day letter \n\nHurey Heppel \n\nVice Admiral and \n\nCommander in Chief \n\nSCHEDULE OF ENCLOSURES in \n\nTo the SECRETARY of the ADMIRALTY. \n\nof 1868. \n\nNo. 162 \n\nDate. \n\n1868 26 March \n\n354 \n\nChina \n\n \n No.\n Date.\n From whom.\n To whom.\n Subject.\n \n \n \n 1868 26 March\n Si R. Alcock\n E. Keppel\n A. M. Minister commanding Partial disarmament China\n \n \n \n 1867 Oct: ... 1868 Feby:\n \n \n do\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Disarmament of Chinese junks and negotiation of Chinese ...\n \n \n \n 1868 Feby:\n Si R. Alcock\n E. Keppel\n River of Kiang. Law respecting armament of junks and further steps taken for reducing the ...\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Extract from the \"Chinese Guide to the Practice of Official duties\" showing number of cannon, Arms allowed to junks.\n \n \n \n \n Such as Lord Elgin's Forester memo.\n \n that the Representatives in Peking should consult with Chinese Authorities in order that further steps may be taken for suppression ... and showing the several points to be considered\n \n \n \n \n Si E. Keppel.\n Sub-enclosure.\n Edict issued by Viceroy disarming Fishery junks and rendering it illegal for any vessel to carry stinkpots\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Copy of the Viceroy's proclamation prohibiting stinkpots\n \n\nPage 354\n\n \n...\n\nPage 354", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 276309, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868", "page_number": 365, "title": "CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868", "content_text": "A draft relating to braking [probably \"breaking\"] bulk cargoes to be duly registered prevails similarly in all the maritime states of the West and is vigorously enforced.\n\nIt would appear, therefore, that nothing more is required than to enforce existing laws already in force and by a renewed publication under Supreme Court Edict to make it generally known throughout the whole extent of the seaboard. A vigorous police will be exercised after a given date, giving ample time to all concerned to conform to the law.\n\nIt is proposed by the Naval Commanders that notice be given declaring that after eight months' delay, the Government vessels in concert with the Foreign Squadron will stop and disarm vessels found infringing any of the laws, and after four more months, the vessels themselves will be seized and liable to confiscation.\n\nIf determined measures of this nature were fairly carried out...\n\nPage 364 remains as is, as per the original instruction to keep page numbering information.\n\n## Step-by-step analysis of the problem:\n1. **OCR errors correction**: The original text contained numerous OCR errors such as \"Adr\", \"braking\", \"egistered\", \"алл\", \"sievitar\", \"ujorously\", \"oul e\", \"wieder\", \"kie\", \"rown\", \"vegourous\", \"gevensdale\", \"lint\", \"confourn\", \"Naval bommanders\", \"g\", \"wew\", \"beese\", \"inment\", \"vesseloa\", \"Sovernm\", \"ajevars\", \"is Conent\", \"endron\", \"Squea\", \"fringing\", \"bes\". These were corrected to form coherent English words.\n2. **Reordering and sentence reconstruction**: The original text was disjointed and required reordering to form logical sentences. For example, \"Adr braking bucks to be duly egistered. prevails алл a sievitar low.\" was reconstructed into \"A draft relating to breaking bulk cargoes to be duly registered prevails similarly in all the maritime states of the West and is vigorously enforced.\"\n3. **Spacing and formatting**: Extra spaces were removed, and missing spaces were added to improve readability. \n4. **Markdown formatting**: The corrected text was formatted using HTML as per the instructions, with paragraph breaks indicated by ``.\n5. **Page numbering preservation**: The original \"Page 364\" information was preserved as per the instructions.\n\n## Fixed solution:\nThe solution is already provided in the analysis above, formatted in HTML as required.\n\nA draft relating to breaking bulk cargoes to be duly registered prevails similarly in all the maritime states of the West and is vigorously enforced.\n\nIt would appear, therefore, that nothing more is required than to enforce existing laws already in force and by a renewed publication under Supreme Court Edict to make it generally known throughout the whole extent of the seaboard. A vigorous police will be exercised after a given date, giving ample time to all concerned to conform to the law.\n\nIt is proposed by the Naval Commanders that notice be given declaring that after eight months' delay, the Government vessels in concert with the Foreign Squadron will stop and disarm vessels found infringing any of the laws, and after four more months, the vessels themselves will be seized and liable to confiscation.\n\nIf determined measures of this nature were fairly carried out...\n\n## Explanation of changes:\n* Corrected OCR errors to form coherent words and sentences.\n* Reordered text to form logical paragraphs.\n* Improved spacing for better readability.\n* Preserved original page numbering information.\n\n## Tests and example uses:\nThe corrected text can be used for historical research or archival purposes, providing a clearer understanding of the original document's content.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 276767, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-135 - Public Offices & Others - 1868", "page_number": 67, "title": "CO129-135 - Public Offices & Others - 1868", "content_text": "65\n\n1\n\nIV.\n\n14\n\nCORRESPONDENCE WITH THE COLONIAL DEPARTMENT\n\nHONG KONG. lain are an inadequate provision for the spiritual instruction of the British population.\n\nThe military station of Checkchoo, on the opposite side of the island, with some hundreds of British soldiers, is entirely destitute of the services of a chaplain resident among them.\n\nOn my arrival at Chusan, also, it was no common trial to find that during a period of five years, since its first occupation by the British, a body of 600 European soldiers and their families had been without the advantage of a resident Chaplain, and that it was reserved for myself, as the first clergyman of the Church of England, to hold a regular service on Sundays among the military. These 600 men, the sad relics of war, disease and climate, were assembled in the Buddhist temple, converted for a season to the purposes of Christian worship. Numbers had sunk into a premature grave, without the solaces of religion in their dying hour. The French ambassador, during his visit to that island, drew an invidious contrast in my hearing between the total absence for five years of the means of regular religious instruction for the British in Chusan, and the conduct of his own Government, who, in addition to other priests on board the frigate, allowed a private Chaplain for himself among his own suite.\n\nThe specific measure which I beg to recommend to your Lordship is the appointment of at least three additional Chaplains. One is required at the military post of Checkchoo, in the island of Hong Kong, at present without any religious instruction, except the occasional visit of the Military Chaplain from Victoria, at a distance of eight miles, with bad roads, over a mountainous line of country, which in that climate separates the two localities at the ordinary distance of 20 miles in England. Two Consulate Chaplains might be stationed with advantage at the two free ports of Canton and Shanghai, at each of which cities the British community is considerable, and where there are many sailors of the small sloops of war, and the numerous merchant vessels which frequent these ports.\n\n4. The last topic to which I beg your Lordship's permission to advert partakes of a more general character, but is in a no less degree identified with the duties and the interest of the British Government. I allude to the affording of reasonable facilities, by the Consular authorities in the five free ports, to British missionaries in the prosecution of their work.\n\nDuring my exploratory visit and residence at each of the five ports of China, I have enjoyed ample opportunities of intercourse with the natives, and of fully testing the groundlessness of any fears as to the Chinese viewing with alarm or jealousy the efforts of missionaries.\n\nAs a proof of the growing liberality of the Chinese Government, I may recall your Lordship's recollection to the Imperial Edict of universal religious toleration propounded two years ago by Ke-Ying, the Imperial Commissioner, and confirmed by successive supplementary edicts.\n\nBut I can adduce more positive proofs of the more tolerant spirit of the Chinese Government, as seen in the liberal disposition of the local mandarins. In the city of Amoy, I had constant access, with the other Protestant missionaries, to the highest local authorities, without any other official introduction than that of belonging to the missionary body. The five high mandarins of the city and district (two of whom belonged to the dominant race of Manchoo Tartars) gave jointly an invitation to a special entertainment to the missionary body, seven in number, including myself. The highest seats of honour were assigned to us; and on that and various other occasions a full acquiescence was expressed in the benevolence of the missionary work.\n\nI venture to submit this topic to your Lordship's consideration, from the knowledge that in some of the cities in China missionaries have gained a considerable and a rapidly increasing moral influence. I need not point out to your Lordship how important this influence with the intelligent portion of the Chinese may prove to British interests at this important crisis of national intercourse, and therefore how expedient it is that the most cordial relation should exist between the Consular authorities and the missionaries.\n\nThe Right Hon. the Earl Grey,\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(signed) George Smith.\n\nF\n\nON COLONIAL CHURCH LEGISLATION, &c.\n\n15\n\nEnclosure 2, in No. 1.\n\nSir,\n\nDowning-street, 19 March 1847. I AM directed by Earl Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th January,* in which you bring under his Lordship's notice certain statements and suggestions on the subject of the religious and social affairs of the British settlement at Hong Kong,\n\nLord Grey directs me to express to you his regret that so much delay should have occurred in answering your letter. It has been occasioned by the necessity under which his Lordship has been placed, of collecting some further information explanatory of the real state of the case to which you refer.\n\nI am now to state, that until the receipt of your letter, Lord Grey had not been aware of the existence at Hong Kong, of the regulation that any Chinese is liable to be detained in custody for moving abroad in the streets or public roads after a certain hour in the evening without bearing a lantern, and a written note from his European employer. His Lordship, however, finds that your statement is confirmed by others possessing great means of information on the subject, and he therefore proposes immediately to call on the Governor for an explanation.\n\nLord Grey has attentively considered your suggestions for the establishment of an institution for the education of Chinese, and for making \"adequate provision for the spiritual wants of British subjects in China, military, civil, and mercantile.\" His Lordship directs me to inform you, that looking to the already heavy expense of the public establishments at Hong Kong, he is not prepared to consent to any increase of that expense for those objects, howsoever desirable they may be.\n\nRespecting the condition of the Church of England at Hong Kong, you state that while places of worship raised by the Roman-catholic, and by different Christian sects from Europe and America, and even a Mahomedan Mosque, built by the contributions of the poor Indian Sepoys and camp followers, have risen up with wonderful rapidity; at the period of your leaving China in May last, only a temporary building, almost the meanest edifice in the town, existed as a place for Divine worship, according to the ritual of the Church of England.\" From this statement, Lord Grey cannot but draw the conclusion, that the members of the Established Church have already been taught to depend too much upon assistance from the public, and too little on their own spontaneous exertions, and that to this cause must be ascribed the mortifying contrast which you describe between the efforts which they have made for the advancement of religious worship and instruction, and those of the members of other religious bodies.\n\nI have, &c. The Rev. G. Smith.\n\n(signed) B. Hawes.\n\nNo. 2.\n\nCopy of a LETTER from his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury to Earl Grey.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nAddington, Croydon, 14 December 1848.\n\nI TAKE the liberty of addressing your Lordship, at the instance of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, on the subject of a Bishop for China.\n\nI understand that Her Majesty has been pleased to grant her consent to the establishment of a Bishop for the China Seas, to be styled, probably, Bishop of Victoria, as the capital of Hong Kong.\n\nI am now desired to state, that an adequate fund for the endowment of this bishopric, is in the hands of the Society, and to petition your Lordship, that the necessary steps be taken with the view to the early accomplishment of this object, by the creation of the intended see.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(signed)\n\nJ. B. Cantuar.\n\nIV. HONG KONG. Encl. 2, in No. 1.\n\n* Page 1\n\nNo. 2. Archbishop of Canterbury to\n\nEarl Grey\n\n14 Dec. 1848.\n\n355---4-\n\nB 4\n\nNo. 3.\n\nF\n\nG\n\nR", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-135 - Public Offices & Others - 1868.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 277492, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-135 - Public Offices & Others - 1868", "page_number": 792, "title": "CO129-135 - Public Offices & Others - 1868", "content_text": "20\n\nThe missionaries have opposed this measure from no factious motive. They are animated simply by an earnest desire to prevent a great moral wrong and injury being done to our fellow subjects, and to avert the obloquy which will be poured by the millions of the Chinese people, upon the \"barbarians\" who would introduce a measure so plainly contrary to the first principles of morality. Already there is sufficient prejudice against the intrusive foreigner in the Chinese mind, without our giving them a sound reason for despising us, as they certainly will do if this measure is put into execution. Among the Chinese there is no quibbling about gambling being innocent without certain limits. The conscience of the whole nation, the law of the Chinese Empire, and the recent repressive Edict of our neighbour, the Governor of Canton, all condemn it without reservation. Admitting our superiority in war, and in mechanics, the Chinese has a profound conviction that in philosophy and morality, his nation is immeasurably superior. Shall we confirm him in this notion, careless of the finger of scorn which he will point at us immediately he sees government-licensed gambling houses opened in Hongkong, the only place where he has ocular evidence of what western legislation is?\n\nOnce more let it be pointed out that the Missionaries have not the remotest wish that our government should attempt to make its subjects moral by coercive legislation. The question is not whether gambling for petty stakes is or is not immoral. The question is this: Shall the British government set up gambling houses to be frequented by its subjects? By English and by Chinese law, the keeper of a gambling house is justly regarded as a criminal who lives by promoting and fattening upon the vice and the ruin of the people. Is our Hongkong government to perpetrate this crime? Such a thing is utterly abhorrent to all sound principles of legislation, and to all practice of civilized countries. What! Because the government cannot extirpate the Chinese propensity to gamble; is it itself to stoop to their level? to pander to their vice? to take the iniquity under government patronage and control? In the presence of such a monstrous perversion of the functions of an honourable and Christian government, the added disgrace of making a profit to the revenue out of such a vile source is by comparison small.\n\n21\n\n787\n\nCITIZENS OF HONGKONG! It is to your credit that as a body you are clear from the charge of recommending or supporting this measure. You knew nothing of it until it had become law; it has since been received by you without any sign of approval. Except one newspaper (of such a character that its support is almost enough alone to show that the measure is bad) and one anonymous correspondent in its columns, no one in Hongkong has stepped forward publicly to defend the government in deriving a revenue from such a source. But it is to be feared some of you are guilty of a \"lazy acquiescence\" in this proceeding. We appeal to you now to come forward and protest against the scheme. We cannot believe that British, American and German merchants are moved to support this measure by a selfish desire to spare their pockets the expense of paying taxes. It is said that this licence money is to be a substitute for the Stamp tax. Do you for your own honour demand that the Stamp Ordinance shall be put into force, before another step is taken in the gambling house business? This hope of escaping the imposition of the Stamp Tax has been held out to the Chinese, and some of", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-135 - Public Offices & Others - 1868.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 277754, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3]", "page_number": 227, "title": "CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3]", "content_text": "by an unpublished correspondence How if the proclamation had not in fact failed in its purpose after repelling, the practice may I think be better interpreted\n\nan \n\nto proclamation sufficiently. \n\nthe But I think the question whether British opinion \n\n(2) \n\n \n\n(3) \n\nin it \n\na (he xin \n\ntown open put in repel is open to Foreign nation beyond Whampoa prondes Gth Treaty, in \n\ndeserving of \n\nAs \n\nAssau \n\natt \n\nes \n\nbs to the Chinese \"modus operandi\" do hd kea why the Edict not to require their cum \n\nthen corpor \n\nMod \n\ntradu \n\nto land \n\nat set plans of with \n\n:facilitate to collection of duties. \n\nai \n\ncan of smuggling, why the Smied \n\nnd drarch their traders at tagas the as international Law Farap \n\nCourts. \n\nBagh homme that boun \n\nhon defend kuch proceeding th \n\nh \n\nle in principle, tout the \n\ndesecrate, in peaching \n\nthat the search system was theref \n\n141 \n\nSi AM. \n\nYth View Roy. \n\n223 \n\nin there. \n\nFun F \n\nwith \"Squeezing \n\nfor \n\nwind pestates aft \n\n& propag put down \n\nkkk. \n\nIt is possible that some arms might be arrived at G at for it by a sort of smuggling (a \n\nThe Chinese auth \n\ndifficult matter to tata in hand in = free port). \n\na \n\nAnd \n\nrition facilitate legitimate trade. \n\nBut the east relations bet. P. difft But est authaitu \n\nvery difficult in fad \n\n2 \n\nheale et \n\nMetall particely to efful such \n\nAn object; \n\ncom if person practicath. \n\nAs to he Retas protut. I 12. \n\nthink that \n\nas ti (1) Logan's \n\nobjection \n\nanticall \n\nhis objection. \n\nduten alten /eci \n\n12) / Squeezing & Chinese trader) \n\nis likes \n\nthe hill \n\nfound.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 278939, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "page_number": 508, "title": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "content_text": "504\n\nnot obliged at present to go to Macao\n\nfor their ruigrant\n\nwould then be forced\n\nprobably\n\narr\n\now\n\nalternative which\n\nshim and)\n\nimpair the character of\n\ntheir Imigration to the great prejudice\n\nof Chinese interests:\n\n13.\n\nI therefore\n\nthat Sir\n\nanv\n\nsorry\n\nRucherford Alcock in writing\n\nto Prince\n\nhimself more\n\nKing did not express himself\n\nreservedly as to Emigration under contract\n\nand I think it also unfortunate that\n\ndecidedly invites the Chinese\n\nhe\n\n20\n\nGovernment to declare the carriage of Chinese Coolies except\n\non conditions defined\n\nby that Government to be Piracy. From\n\nthe context and the words used, Prince King might be induced to infer that\n\na\n\nChinese Edict could change acts done\n\nby Foreigners outside of Chinese Jurisdiction into Piracy \"jure gentium\", although they did not previously bear that character.\n\n14.\n\nNevertheless, it is difficult to\n\nimagine that Her Majesty's\n\nMinister\n\nintended to lay down a\n\nprinciple so opposed to International Law, and a\n\npassage in his enclosed letter of the 22\n\nJune to myself with that view, though\n\nsomewhat inconsistent\n\non the other hand\n\nhe declares that \"such an Edict would\n\n\"Strike\n\n\"Sanctioned\n\nblow at all traffic not so\n\nno matter from whence the \"Ship sailed or under what flag\"\n\nEnclo 18.\n\nI enclose\n\nAttorney General's\n\nan\n\nopinion of the\n\nThe subject,\n\nsubject, and...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 278945, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "page_number": 514, "title": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "content_text": "510\n\nHarting, and if so under what regulations\n\nIt will be seen that this Imperial Highness contemplates the absolute prohibition of Subjects of a non-treaty Power opening Emigration Agencies in Chinese Territories, the ships of non-treaty Powers from carrying Emigrants and also that Subjects of China shall be forbidden to take service in Countries not having Treaties with China, and finally, that no ship under the flag of a treaty Power shall be allowed to convey Coolies under contract to such Countries.\n\nAlthough such prohibitions and restrictions would not necessarily affect the power of shipping Coolies from Hongkong irrespective of any Imperial Edict, I conceive it is probable that if Her Majesty's Government agreed in the expediency of these restrictions for China, they would also feel bound to see they were made operative in Hongkong, and indeed unless the said prohibitions can be enforced both in Macao and Hongkong, it is quite clear the Chinese Government can take no steps that will be of the slightest avail to put a stop to the iniquities and abuses which have attached to Coolie Emigration under contracts with any safeguards hitherto devised.\n\nI propose to write in this sense to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, forwarding as...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 278960, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "page_number": 529, "title": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "content_text": "petition however of Chinese Coolies in Peru on which the Prince of Hunan's remarks were founded, \n\nwho themselves say they had been shipped at Macao, and not aware of any of their reason for Emigration from Hong Kong and reason for putting Macao in the same category.\n\nI have now the honor to forward 14 July, in compliance with your request Copy of the Rules for the conduct of Emigration under Contract from this Port. I also transmit Copy of my despatch to the Right Honorable Secretary of State explaining those Rules,\n\n7 which shows the best means of giving you all the information which I myself possess on the subject. 19 July 185.\n\n4. I will now venture to make one or two observations as to the policy of the proposed prohibitions by the Chinese Authorities, whose views you have decided to adopt, and first I declare my conviction that it is not for the interest of the Chinese Coolie, and that it is impolitic in the highest degree to close or even to hamper, in any exceptional way the Emigration operations from this Port so long as Macao remains open, and cannot be controlled by Chinese Edicts or Regulations.\n\n5 It is unquestionable that whilst the Port of Hong Kong is open as at present to Emigration fairly and openly conducted, it operates", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 278961, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "page_number": 530, "title": "CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7]", "content_text": "526\n\ndecided and useful check on that of Macao. I almost presume that this Your Excellency's view is no less than my own, because you declare that unless the prohibitions alluded to by the Prince of Shuny can be enforced both at Macao and Hong Kong, no favourable results of the Chinese Government's law will be of any avail. I infer therefore that we are agreed as to the practical inutility or rather the decidedly objectionable course of hampering fairly conducted Emigration operations here to the encouragement of a more questionable trade at Macao:\n\n1.\n\nI will next venture to observe that the recommendation which Your Excellency has given to the Prince to declare it Piracy to carry Chinese Coolies except at stated places and on certain conditions, may from the context imply that you believe there exists a power in the Chinese Government to make certain Acts Piracy or offences against International law, though they are not so expressly... You observe that our Edict is striking a great blow at the traffic no matter from whence a ship sails or under what flag. \"I therefore thought it desirable to obtain the Attorney General's opinion on the subject, and now do myself the honor to forward it, that you may see there is a risk of your meaning being misconstrued.\n\n20 July 1889.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-138 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 280554, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869", "page_number": 36, "title": "CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869", "content_text": "Pages relating to attempts to legalize or suppress gambling in Hong Kong, and legislative amendments thereto.\n\nEfforts were made to legalize gambling, more than once pressed for, but in vain. The negotiations already mentioned went on during the interval between 1844 and 1866. Down to 1865, the joint license of Macao lasted; that of Calcutta ceased prior to the end of 1865. The negotiations with Calcutta were still active in 1866, when the Gambling Farm Ordinance was instituted, the futile attempt being the only local Ordinance in force against gaming, and the English statute law \"applicable\" to that offense still continued to be treated as though it had been a dead letter.\n\nChinese Reports for May 1873. Not to pr. 572.\n\nFor May (Canton), 34 \"Within a few weeks, two proclamations have been issued by the local magistrates, strictly interdicting gambling, in order that the country may enjoy tranquillity. I observe &c. The edict is set forth at length in the papers. Such orders came out in Canton early this year. The police forces were set in motion; and the consequence was that all the nests of gamblers in the suburbs were broken up.\n\nA form of the Peking Gazette &c. \"Espeamen properly King Throne; &c. extracts from the Edict (January 30th 1836)?? 1836. On the western frontier, the Superintendent of the Provincial Plan has declared that Kew-he was appointed to gamble with the Prefect of the Chwary-Esen-wany, Keikthan, and continued to do so for more than a month without being detected, the trim wang. \"This is not a mere ordinary case of negligence. Let the ton-wang therefore be subjected to a count of laggin of the Tsung-jin for respect the law.\"\n\nIn December 1844, \"October The Nanhai-hien published a proclamation against Cottines. This form of gambling has been imported from the Portuguese.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 280939, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869", "page_number": 422, "title": "CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869", "content_text": "20\n\nThe missionaries have opposed this measure from no factious motive. They are animated simply by an earnest desire to prevent a great moral wrong and injury being done to our fellow subjects, and to avert the obloquy which will be poured by the millions of the Chinese people, upon the \"barbarians\" who would introduce a measure so plainly contrary to the first principles of morality. Already there is sufficient prejudice against the intrusive foreigner in the Chinese mind, without our giving them a sound reason for despising us, as they certainly will do if this measure is put into execution. Among the Chinese there is no quibbling about gambling being innocent without certain limits. The conscience of the whole nation, the law of the Chinese Empire, and the recent repressive edict of our neighbour, the Governor of Canton, all condemn it without reservation. Admitting our superiority in war, and in mechanics, the Chinese has a profound conviction that in philosophy and morality, his nation is immeasurably superior. Shall we confirm him in this notion, careless of the finger of scorn which he will point at us immediately he sees government-licensed gambling houses opened in Hongkong, the only place where he has ocular evidence of what western legislation is?\n\nOnce more let it be pointed out that the Missionaries have not the remotest wish that our government should attempt to make its subjects moral by coercive legislation. The question is not whether gambling for petty stakes is or is not immoral. The question is this: Shall the British government set up gambling houses to be frequented by its subjects? By English and by Chinese law, the keeper of a gambling house is justly regarded as a criminal who lives by promoting and fattening upon the vice and the ruin of the people. Is our Hongkong government to perpetrate this crime? Such a thing is utterly abhorrent to all sound principles of legislation, and to all civilized countries. What! government cannot extirpate the Chinese propensity to gamble; is it itself to stoop to their level? to pander to their vice? to take the iniquity under government patronage and control? In the presence of such a monstrous perversion of the functions of an honourable and Christian government, the added disgrace of making a profit to the revenue out of such a vile source is by comparison small.\n\n21\n\n408\n\nCITIZENS OF HONGKONG! It is to your credit that as a body you are clear from the charge of recommending or supporting this measure. Unknown to you until it had become law, it has since been received by you without any sign of approval. Except one newspaper (of such a character that its support is almost enough alone to show that the measure is bad) and one anonymous correspondent in its columns, no one in Hongkong has stepped forward publicly to defend the government in deriving a revenue from such a source. But it is to be feared some of you are guilty of a \"lazy acquiescence\" in this proceeding. We appeal to you now to come forward and protest against the scheme. We cannot believe that British, American and German merchants are moved to support this measure by a selfish desire to spare their pockets the expense of paying taxes. It is said that this licence money is to be a substitute for the Stamp tax. Do you for your own honour demand that the Stamp Ordinance shall be put into force, before another step is taken in the gambling house business? This hope of escaping the imposition of the Stamp Tax has been held out to the Chinese, and some of\n\nNDE", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-142 - Public Offices & Others - 1869.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 281234, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2]", "page_number": 273, "title": "CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2]", "content_text": "gest abould be maintained secure from that dread of oppression, or subje.tion of their affairs to the knowledge of their own cor. rupt officials, which is sure to possess the minds of Chinese residents here.\n\nConsequences of such a step in Chinese Residente in the Colony.-15. If then there be no right in the Chinese Government to ask this concession, and no reason why they should get anything to which they are not entitled, and, at the same time, sound policy dictates a refusal of such a privilege, it only remains, on this head, for Your Memorialiats to assure Your Lordship that it is the unhesitating - conviction of the whole community, of all professions, trades and callings, of every nation represented here, and of the Chinese themselves, that it is no mere chimerical dread of unknown consequences that leads them so strenuously to object. As the natural outlet for the exports of the whole of the South and West- ern portions of China, and as a free port where protection is afforded to property, and where commercial transactions are sub- jest to the requirements of British law, while dealing with merchants of every trad ing Power in the world, a vast quantity of ¡Chinese produce comes here in native craft i which constantly ply between this Port and the coasta East and West of the Colony, which pays such duties or other exactions as the Mandarine along the Const choose to demand from their own people, and abont which traders here kuwathing-every commodity having a price here regulated only by the law of supply and dentand. The Establishment of a Coustil here, sur- rounded as he would be by a staff of Chi- nese officials and employés, would subject this trade to a supervision resulting in the levying of taxes or duties for the Imperial Exchequer, in addition to those paid to the local officials, and which the Government never get; and the result would be that Chinese traders would, instead of resorting to this Colouy as their Emporium and Mart, go to some other place (such as the neighbouring Colony of Macao, as they used to do formerly) where no Chinese officials harass them or their trade, and thus a deadly blow would be struck at the trade and prosperity of this Colony with really no benefit to the Revenue of China, for the goods would still leave China, but not through Hongkong. It is no answers to this to say that duties would not be collecti ed here, as the Chinese officials attached to the Consulate would obtain accurate know- ledge of the goods imported or exported by Chinese traders, and on the departure of the boat outside of the waters of this Colony, she would be seized and detained for the payment of duties or squeez-8, by the Revenue cruisers which, even now, are trying to hem the Colony in-Chinese I enterprise would be crippled here because, through their relatives, family, or property in thing, all wealthy res dents would be amenable to the inquisitorial powers of the Mandarins; they would not dare to embark in trade, and would soon leave the place. Your Memorialists conclude their state- ment as to this olause in the hope that Your. Lordship will not advise ratification.\n\nTranshipment at Hongkong.-16, The 4th clause of the Convention does not in itself exclude Hongkong from being considered as a foreign port, but the regulations agreed to expresaly say \"Hongkong excepted;\" and, as goods under this section only come to Hongkong for the convenience of ship- ment to foreign ports, this exception is unfair, and seems expressly intended to prevent the forwarding of goods to Hong- kong for transhipment. Sir Kutherford Alcock, however, has promised that this shall be favourably represented to Your Lordship.\n\nThe word \"British\" in clause 5.-17. The ! 5th clause presses unduly on Hongkong, by confining the benefit of transhipment of duty-paid goods for a treaty port to such goods as are shipped by British Mer- chants;\" and Your Memorialists have the aasurance of Sir Rutherford Alcock that this was not intended, as the idea was to extend the rights to all duty-paid goods whether shipped by British or Foreign merchants.\n\nThe Port of King Chau.-18. The 6th clause Your Memorialists also look upon as inflicting a very serious and direct injury upon tue trade of Hongkong. The only Treaty Port for the whole of the South and South West of China is Canton, situated about 100 miles up a River, and neither from its geographical position, nor means of access, at all fitted to be the only Channel through which the immense pro- spective, and Vast existing trade cau be car ried on. At present no goods can go to any part of Hainan or the South Western. seaboard, even in native craft, unless they carry a Canton duty-paid \"chop\" or certi ficate, thus compelling every buyer of Cot- ton or Woollen Manufactures, Opium ori other imports, to go and return 100 miles each way more than there is any necessity for, practically almost prohibiting any in- ports from going into consumption in Hai nan and the opposite Mainland except those that are smuggled. This, so far from bene- fiting the Imperial Revenue, positively causes great loss to it. It is of course just as easy for a Branch of the Maritime Cna- toms service to collect Imperial duties at Kinng-chau as at Canton, and if the port were opened, the traffle would be conveyed in foreign bottoms, affording a certainty to the Customs officials of getting duties on goods which, when carried in Chinese craft to ports presided over by venal and corrupt Mandarins, never contribute one cent to the Imperial Revenue. If Kiuug- Chau were opened, then the true interests of China would be served, and when we know that nearly the whole of the imports would flow first through Hongkong as the natural channel between foreign Countries and the vast populations of Hainan and the mainland bordering on the Gulf of Ton- quin, it stands to reason that the abandon- ment of the Port must deprive Hongkong of a large and lucrative traffic and source- of employment for her capital, her vessels and her colonists. It is well known (und admitted by the Foreign officials of the Imperial Maritime Customs) that whit was formerly a large trade, has become, owing to the Ediot as to Canton duty, shops, almost a nominal one, and that immediately on the opening of this Port A very spirited trade would re-appear. Indeed Your Memorialists gathered from Sir R. Alcock that the abandonment of the Port was agreed to by him under a mie taken impression that Your Memorialists were not anxious for that Port to be open- ed, and also because he really thought that the \"favoured uation clause\" in the Treaty would preserve the right to frequent the Port to Great Britain if the other Powers did not give it up; but Your Memorialists, fear that where there is a positive aban- donment of a specified right by one Power, it can only be for any future concessions that such i ower could claim the “favoured nation\" right, as it has, while having the right to open the Port deliberately agreed to abandon it; and it is therefore they urge most earnestly upon Your Lordship that to abaudon the Port already conceded to us is a grave error, and indicative also of a retrogressive policy which the Chinese will readily turn to account; and they would beg mest strongly of Your Lordship not to abandon the Port, but to open it\n\nat once.\n\n272", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 281244, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2]", "page_number": 283, "title": "CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2]", "content_text": "neither from its Geographical position, nor means of access, at all fitted to be the only Channel through which the immense prospective, and vast existing trade can be carried out. At present no goods can go to any part of Hainan or the South Western seaboard, even in native craft, unless they carry a Canton duty-paid \"chop\" or certificate, thus compelling every buyer of Cotton or Woollen Manufactures, Opium, or other imports to go and return 100 miles each way more than there is any necessity for, practically almost prohibiting any imports from going into consumption in Hainan and the opposite Mainland except those that are smuggled. This, so far from benefiting the Imperial Revenue, positively causes great loss to it. It is of course just as easy for a Branch of the Maritime Customs service to collect Imperial duties at Kiung-Chau as at Canton, and if the port were opened the traffic would be conveyed in foreign bottoms, affording a certainty to the Customs officials of getting duties on goods which when carried in Chinese craft to ports presided over by venal and corrupt Mandarins, never contribute one cent to the Imperial Revenue. If Kiung-Chau were opened, then the true interests of China would be served, and when we know that nearly the whole of the imports would flow first through Hongkong as the natural channel between foreign Countries and the vast populations of Hainan and the mainland bordering on the gulf of Tonquin, it stands to reason that the abandonment of the Port must deprive Hongkong of a large and lucrative traffic and source of employment for her capital, her vessels and her colonists. It is well known (and admitted by the Foreign officials of the Imperial Maritime Customs) that what was formerly a large trade, has become, owing to the Edict as to Canton duty-chops, almost a nominal one, and that immediately on the opening of this Port a very spirited trade would re-appear. Indeed Your Memorialists gathered from Sir R. Alcock that the abandonment of the Port was agreed to by him under a mistaken impression that Your Memorialists were not anxious for that Port to be opened, and also because he really thought that the \"favoured nation clause\" in the Treaty would preserve the right to frequent the Port to Great Britain if the other Powers did not give it up; but Your Memorialists fear that where there is a positive abandonment of a specified right by one Power, it can only be for any future concessions that such Power could claim the \"favoured nation\" right, as it has, while having the right to open the Port deliberately agreed to abandon it; and it is therefore they urge most earnestly upon Your Lordship that to abandon the Port already conceded to us is a grave error, and indicative also of a retrogressive policy which the Chinese will readily turn to account; and they would beg most strongly of Your Lordship not to abandon the Port but to open it at once.\n\nIf abandonment ... In be regretted.\n\n19. Having addressed themselves to the portions of the convention more immediately affecting Hongkong, Your Memorialists would also record their conviction that the proposed increase in the duty on Opium will affect this Colony, inasmuch as, by stimulating the growth and consumption of native drug, it will lessen the import of Indian drug, a trade which entirely flows through Hongkong in the first instance.\n\n20. Your Memorialists trust their earnestness with regard to these matters will secure for their remarks an attentive consideration by Your Lordship, and that you will thereupon be enabled to advise Her Majesty that in any Revision of the Treaty the objections now put forward must prevent those clauses being agreed to.\n\nAnd Your Memorialists will ever Pray.\n\nHongkong January 21st, 1870.\n\nPRINTED AT THE CRONA MAGAZINE OFFICE, HONGKONG,\n\nPage 282\n\n \n\nPage 282 \n\nPage 282", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 289920, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-161 - Public Offices - 1872", "page_number": 84, "title": "CO129-161 - Public Offices - 1872", "content_text": "Y, NOVEMBER 20, 1872.\n\nONIYA.\n\n(PRIVILEGE IN SOULS'IONAL PROHRLATONDANT.)\n\nla paraushee L↑\n\nwork. Oodermso was that complaint on behalf of, better organization of the winis syatym, the reig I was about to inspout their work this aujant a joint Convention was ultimately entered into Mr. Tug third me unt to end 1 cafe by the British and French expremutatives at Pekin willa wyer theived, the bailing the fiarwoment of China, by which susteased arcuits was\n\nd park of the offer. Purlaub stated\n\nvaled contexture. d that ly was not in work giren for the shipment of auch routier only as were willing to our weak in the matung aus 1 tb Audley with a tilt beominigo or the cuditioão só vécér coczīves pigh wrist. Ale further sted blint he wand to receive 2 a day withratung for their other trement on the visum and a p\n\nzayn rect\n\n. In consequenes of the again from the Clues 37.\n\nof the Preach powers, can fund it would interface\n\nit alone the only freight by ever in Chi\n\nin the sport of the live esagors, both the British and Prenat Dovernalent fred so fasily the Contention. ite Chiba, huggi ut et grossná, karo ever eine refered\n\ns\n\nSHANGHAI, SEPT. fi.an putly than be The verdict of the Cears of lequiry contunel to investigate throustices aliudng the hos of the Pacific Map Company Estestacé „Anterica declares that the day was canad ith a state if suey Enil any priesandte, it I told the tars pavage at the end of the yencs, the long inne ut by mpendiaties, but unless threes the other aridance rate that they should have dominanses within servitude being haiked to shas period. This later mainly then what is published before the Court is vasma charge for the slingelt agaaulty computillest them. I was the provston oidectod ko by the plantere in their owa defect la understand how this ecclesive as swded Alz, Abel, Mr. Fray and undersign to the interest on grantly femening, the organan of the imunteme ricet al, for the story on sharp with of the dry, det prose before the deseriert asics to it appar at Daniel's low G Men, told that an American ship was to be hajat 11 weitve, to a shages and got the a tagat is quite iwadimit, and, uzdur top di Pay probed to sc. Errying was fully ezert constantes itaching to timu etavot, sareely to who coalies by xn jasentaand insigrues vilet Malaren,\n\nwerd infy the wrath about worth inquiring inti. No se asems to know how the accident capazred, but a nigamblu\n\nWhen ? arrivod at 'she Cou? Honas the soad mar diled un thrown among She bay wald be quite munisient m far as i could sewish soulies are with badkhe slicks, le strike one three provisioco, and the sealer bare seant for it. Nordous the investigation establish the tours, was ihale eptue (born in Rugludi u Repunge of migration for the Demeen parte, But Mhat any attempt was made by the officuts or moue CSA f Parigiel, Sowser, andersingi was; bet tram Farm or Hongkong, med slefuing la ke to repres the panic which naturally arces among the ila chen sinon fu logs and data in territory under Portage and end Bleds [Chan passengers, or provent the merawat dapp. Arse derests we is and fra so disregard adi Chouka Kiction\n\nRețeudaca. The case of Fartanın ngaiget Sextorsingh was ing of the gangway and companion ladders, which we sino, much the complainané dit jos rate for The jar of Wewe anaias there has huch n iled to the lamentable Jors of həy attending the Dr. Ne of my morphic anning in the icicas of sha | wwerrono la vâu referims trade and wash year Frona It appears shut the expiatu sat offers devoted prottes, I out any interpooter our among that crend, wedi 16,000 is 9456, enfucturate Culness take their deportes, rodamole with the American energy and comagenuen barzana ski fung Your way waiting to the Bush you, fan, pan show pandlela tu thu herwan to the peak of combating the lanes, it satis inely in the treat overes, in Gate Marsa ve Perk, in\n\nis sovnetti with thuit vasc Justed of romavels they lately plant and the the repoer.bility whion in a Bagi abip\n\nThe sugtige mais lend pivots, beat tusiz shiuksi they would love felt attaching to thera in re- Hoon. Arbon provided to take upon vatia the studenout | banding whip with the basher Luitened lines by the garn of theiz pasangers, athing seems to be as the let it crew. Bad from Hoses, notenturing số the\n\n|oit, Abei dar mai thai be pad assaulted cur conide ; und a best attempted in the way of acquiring the que no\n\nronal destalite ang Pemeng keid\n\nfisini sinta. (but robesduty engganti base the harbour. Ingly under\n\nita this\n\nbut with equally obranucaristia d'greyn Dər, sud volied as shay lit the vibuty of tue venyt | which we whale living cargo vas left to port in a\n\nthe kallas mut of irgbtquoi Căimucus By rostech Just an actory Hola zavoriter has uning fellatio 10 henry the\n\nThe amictal, to presend to the panntation, and is redi-\n\nrenied that my is ourselves\n\nʼn American wikusal, injetnosć by the recling that ¦ want Mr. Igaza dobb informed me that the confitiuus of fail and spus aduulated tu ilave thuis safety\n\nmeu art, mifer all eternals sus capable of harron to Javorire une wo the voyage, il auyzet ig sa of thuselves, the captain and officers are, who were heard for open to grava sushi, on this path of the Cuiness that wa rightly some, but had it perusted with followed, When i reived a Petraglin Castly, abo cnouaregem ikada curtain mention to the chipmat eto ati vonalt som remaris weddin\n\n1 olives, the interpreter od I got cat al my wrzjum. 1 fro: Torlugnare colony la might, no muitful in ten- lucked for with regard to absence any\n\nkad great sliktoky, in gelding a mask mati un buit me gedia and revelsteg crackie, en aning that co went suures for having the fangers, very hard, and I prended it underlies who loves are praction under our orn eroi fratlara\n\nive at sympling with the cofagatts\"\n\nJuss the the thin bold savansion, pertepe), ie the tin au crisp, d Jaza of these moci augeikeant rest, and res\n\nmed at armed with Luckh, azlyną, which they adopted\n\ngibst war, and this and would in a Rehme në per privilege, to renvers p14 dny to det for tho Jossos sustumed by the odioms and crew,\n\nrible maavar. Twenty dan asard police and shume un¦ Buy anulia emigration leder conditions tartuntiy diy pproved appear to inter muscadogt nil altempts to wraied van inoru ap atas yanta in frent of the by the Chiens Government, clone subjecte ti oli\n\nLee, wat miti, mit we have eaty of amity aral evt. Pelz-and wako?\n\n• seal siasta i sheir vibrts to save theatre\n\nAs to the provising of a return pudingo and a limitation\n\nabet dive deelorneo is madawa of theinadoquary; sistem maè ut\n\n19 20 we interpreter te ti tu ieri to u walls a cunila ay tumaning of bus demostracions They And of the muguraiment that passengers should lean at pay their unywele y avian w ulemps of tive years for khu turn af sorrowers the coolin\n\nfor themselv\n\nKHUSE PLA\n\nAn ecinotaures which Letnjami ritsender. Etten for a few midus thins) use of his own free will to engage 102 - AppDad\n\npo ally of the your wore scor Furby! an hoovi sulty Aineen verrals for a tale to us will try Lewis vach was bord we are seeded in the plater were slaba to in the seat joyou Dost Poutil sem spreading, and then that are to bake crece but 10 wery (we Frost China. But, on the other hand, the dame Perpe\n\n•Your pay, no és size price worth their whole, to have bec\n\nThey und wire, der ho volition, it geval, Vincolili wamilies in L. 1201220 tisic i tu solcher rent a fun scouted tipbé an fare por such sol Stuga kecies of Reiniks for looses had thom I CHE I CAN WAS untro: o: A hii uria i thy dink it nevensky, there is siery in Pexia Germ, h may not bends would be lavt if very wint quietly, he w\n\ntemarkable hot epicicu among all we dicectly internetod în there is show tub it could ajak\n\nghably be Zellowej icy dis dsgrafiation bei poa. Į šiml jwau duìed by Xan, azil vitet feesten iles: the wapicy mechď azok laivost, altu baring had abondant\n\nutter ram. Nothing could here Jingposes i sad shay: Ray rigist. The inapind par\n\nfortunately for fin. Puse feeling is mantra to do the after and provisist, bonerty earsed ont, here is practically an the rain sopportatif judging on the spot, tist vitunut this Em him. Cold and rojabeat, his ability and\n\nwould to: no foch: that the Que was ferons in same between vorlja lahmut Water ney are alone rast i rad kept him in :ws there, I azil this quer's in a Morga new, and if Heure deleres, as it appost 1 ret-red yil us whats the peine wern. The ones for touger terms and with p. facilities of t\n\nca and her repre audio da egaitus bine, it is doobfolut til: no parte bed acuture to socla exricuments bestder the Governmen of als web haen the\n\nincanta live bed Sunt athula. Tremont, and shy. There at ; the Lars for Kripp's gras aci a large organized neimos linger in tam were slowly Zonzing patre pisina, qui have souril upon 24, in this matter of aly remaining atasalin maintain alas, wis raged the parts of rar\n\nsout alter\n\nju u were down from Pelin son the Aions. I leging way thing was de cuite craigention. Great Arts and Fame, as lisey Questine, at less any there is a musayed the attut, and the pretraite une year 1, tore to Goavaliers the widest of are that the French are papucifer since, and cooked with *Good vare the trans out territoring for teens of labour in Réunion, Seiscented was for word combat which wez to prende Fraud mpg aliona shunte niy to pass, but to enfursa thest dupesa, sweetplined the pancio, and bad the first was piguet at Paris Jay 23, 455 In this is and Cinese tour the most series of an leser Wear itu au des provided by Acrete that the colis to be entered boats and other war vessels madera p\n\nugh the urgear, to the at the Minister in his designs. As there aryaste heye, the au dispersed by ferre, and the siegte with the lastaava shali mais atleting for the\n\npartient for the third bent alter per to the casi todas espiacon of whini ineistant his receive is su\n\ntype. Dering the war minutes that of the engegedans eut to sa Armresturs, 49\n\nrecest scopes\n\nyear, \"at the\n\naghly rouses, and as the douds with pacelsum)\n\ntree was to on, interactions suggest he glug, khore movie every pommunity of the lave deterrect efter on the evnice. It Ju being gely tiled, ami grey ne dis mi\n\nsault, they seemad noua irauter Basor: YLE H\n\nI love the vacato niti ng that there is best trent deal of anna• } pubzo find us the ecoclamation bang • nggement.\" Is is faber alipotucel that \"the sight of bounty, will his ogui to u maura passage as the expinion of me\n\nte tutibty of opposing forssauth misma to Danilo bistinn regantęs į Pa-sags, so Iudithe of the Frozen Corment\n\nbother shout a practically valcerva enaces but there is no s stance of an cosidasia\n\n7 lax or ranger on plan or the outer side\n\nly complicasing aut\n\nI was afer with the interfeber richa\n\nto the thus of coolies was told Men i extol upon them the agent la seduru pange extea is to his wife town of the eo for the lat w 10 jispose and his chistes lo quieres Indie vader the sze quetty has newty linda alt hat alegres, and of tow yet, weil as those in the colch. bows force would be necessary to tuotsin the law. Try In a recoat Copycation betwe\n\ntren waned the most threaching and sit apud\n\nsign an avancing ppreciation of the teet, tul used in tacka castle to the migration of insurers in Inuia to the Gutes a respubitities the local flower was my step, and listave Inept afer Fananie spinged ala at Paris, day 1. 19, the are cauling a commissioner urer to Japan in vid as he owns at ali na tangloater bure prinoties are readiture, and sider shiptune gels the case of the Maria La Peruvian, who wish tears flow is it posle that owu at the remas tipas\n\nThe state a gas of a portrayinin ya es ler's Paties Is the aby, which has been detained by urcighs ether audits of chine wafermed\n\nacernaan puading the comanation of the bite of outer legs Bal\n\nof the evaliselerdi, bath Obettajan, the vare representing\n\n-ra ta blair wileged un siltingues do spriznate nytalana, ku sutkiemiy requier ali to Wel, to that the Prolomant kill mud to citry that Benas: kiluo\n\ne-trement they are reesivel on board,\n\nels myssi is you\n\ntatian!\n\ner the naal as rogants thespcial cam, ili u to get Hospitality; deter wel, plür digging two such Conventiang with tub albes,\n\npeuter Takyone wout and we we\n\ny fue bar, if possible, to art lie grase, the to part of the Chinese Gover This reps your printe altesty kuww, from the servant ex\n\nhonda right to stipelan for simitus yarising for the pro craudoni da tary faut luttes. It is clear there was civi: the relea and yesple think of tas loveprat vations than wome lectice of tazit awa vidjecu? sae what mas cer Chitose\n\nstory to see the Cluse awakening to the that inaliers bagend thar en boundaries do! anja or less condem\n\nWe are visted this moroing by a catheke, bus no damage is reported, although the shock was teemably der indeed, in a deep silterial deposit lite has which forms Shanghai wi earthquake lies very little chance, and we scarcely, as a rete, teal the periosteal shock the Japan vs.\n\nCOOLIE IMMIGRATION,\n\nTO TUE LITTOR OF TUS TIMus.\n\nSin, I have read by the West Indu, from\n\nbecause all 3. gran disbausting themselves with og measure of\n\npaint but necessary duty; the polis fithout eaders.js fra tins fation and the far tire Chiems\n\nlt-ieter, we are overeted by the ingool. Hier tertaibe en mil) annab any twell wo cight to he\n\nEu rayure the pallis cuiston of this contry ones\n\nand get lightened as the true is with noves edice che surge properly calls \"unifando\" of the Wess Indie Charmstvo, wala, re,red to as envelopes the systan in act with comitia acesty on cobaltosey in mar dealings alley stay of a civilland oation, if no cant for no acabar, a 20, si ibe način Pantern Ios los as at least sluta to get moder lavet lente, to penat one is a party and up as bantiniens, antistol with at purrush cutico bur airua ly been waevised to yeo with a ca\n\nto put down slavery, whatever speious form it may tabs.\n\ndock Su the treator of the whole anjos, su porali ke tu\n\nspy & faw words to popla\n\nLet es, abuse, resin lo decimina as pule meetups with\n\n| Ms. Loughrab, siis magistrate present we the truguay on He. iviera's batter Joacala tip web-out fach with deleguout thetoric au the boctors of a train carson under\n\nthe estate of 14aine Unite in betapcho, British be and livery boys gived as a 23, Udern capital. Soch is the state of talugs in the Crafticis woont of the peace of the dose cal; I shot out how her. Geen & South Sad the Clitewed als; week, with light\n\nor you can by Britial gruts and with the aid ori ingeat, fuginas is a mangistrare incely apport, va Instalean, who, as I know, was not with, auder the ses of his friend detur dubion\n\nalsaved the system in the best coalie-workeri calesy in the tushändin ja mier partivulur, has beck the wave Luicy to dacharge ki. Ridicats dalies in thelogy interleut «ri kalbini way. Artist realing the jaily Astúcia mabed bian to five apos tt's long series of sELTE ONLY TO have ut just beer stre\n\ntrade of Eastern Africa, Lut the sofa Odinga bugil to ey, intoned the atter to your pouch latin we the planters of its datos Way have all these boned at Li-\n\ndats, tot in Loughena spposte aus sulp to be the morphoth sad The gentlemen who -90 | Frau biame, bus to have, wlad with equal santon dc pludible profesion of a fee or d starrer beer allowed to routinen year after a. The subject les incast I long careers the Coralized ice to put step to effectuslis us by a tailed year without ang real or Lenoit offri da ti pact of elvie ci El own at net sub of the moleculect cirouette di atas footing with this master-autic are the sed ut racy in see se it was filed\n\nwish Laters, anil puc sapere soves, le unes not setupy Tube Te imenient and Teguise to\n\nKeeper wil wees wority of the 2 \" as th\n\nfranager ut even sier, I lost Mr. Alzitoryo 3!s. (bloca and a white W2 12:15 Coa. Tutus in fare Las perued to vay, \"A\n\nCastic. He sipped my wagg, Tassice ve disprove this ansattiva, When Er. Oilsens de ant pred for sine warfalls Past strie coins whclares that the sper wally listen the ayaka Sith Meie ten craterless best tote in theat aurelit te wach, and Matigued bin with new wistent, should he be know who meanlly of his rated to stop the rule is an intern has bs! Yule I was way chilly shoes ning peremptory malca Frun wing strel (Seph 13 187) ter se taas mil tag\n\nhy and under every info, itt a hand berug and derivati\n\nie vorme 03:\n\nTeen by so\n\nmor the\n\nTHE TED Court say, te ngrew\n\n10 Zeturtun hues, using Esah Lai Sakion, i u\n\nferng and so the work as eyes and looks the\n\nother way, while the au who h\n\na bad fallen wenig Thieve\n\n* Lake, Who 2507 sed in the WOW of the Versa. i Elise vatirely in asturiase wall: PU MAZIAN WES allowed to postal is Mre cast will,\n\n6 afalien und interconte e vity upon him ami rone to inny cof\n\nRare Case \"unla dah Station, singur age Government, he eave mezzare of inasongat bady; tal sed ea val, ut the bis While to fit is takes any step to work this page p though DD 214 ited art of Auteris fire, 581apted to stop item, tue mit fårek Is | Lizzy Bealeys that Iar diúfety” da, te they plan the tation crore to fingjalah via treding įtaka\n\nMUL. You sti 4:3ar than he tok an interzausor with\n\nproval by penitus i ic of Cirsa Haking it resul Jdener to carry any dierel Calvare bar the flag. Alors For Bettisesti esiliit\n\nand a wart putyn the cearty of us are gli\n\nWant step.\n\net salire under contract\n\ninterior2a: a 36. Toggster Tieflin way usully unpiady to this of Sabay stund Heyy drem Great Britain ass toler & Row an exce e and nag Fiend thave, secse of the spend the relied Al Esity will kelpappere? Were were to\n\nBacalo ke woeld drive out so suddle a A toserosing to set up sour intere key got that what they strongly seemeeuol i Tirate & Gottur bhail heat into the early it favertine packeratina ut iis Coat He map of them sunt cvital for\n\nI wildly, they did eo in 3 coment expectatios tust as the spareting of a fer aupres Powers to join it a From Hongkong, we might then with ten bande reck\n\nto speak zu Kyses. In sudies See the wages, Colors would rudover time 14 teed kumar hat so time on effort to Kingsta repgri\n\nalber, we are luce fruit into pasangan bey would aeritudy\n\nDusterece the apoteku is what operate to mate with s\n\nin pars at etion of the countless we can see laver de condie slip would bu\n\nSusie white's\n\nhy (ting sil skigu face! cazand was the las\n\nin the can pirster, Cut the thealing are place\n\npies fate a pirate. I'hea, ant not beten, it wid Se Vonate Thether by sauce sucita\n\ntás ragùng along the stats mani, nod tej than it\n\nول لا Tarealizeri تارا باریان درست\n\nI wanted, and where they sell 28 mal vázy tracts of a very sezulur vntere, vỹ Nht Tony R. HEELFicy would you DO LACE for fun cent\n\nbor to are the ever, he west to cart year it hasty to spe\n\nbe; that the longer des list with, bere per\n\nuf eine has tubule intour palies by nautic tuo,\n\na) thali kariz wages were insulinst. I told them than de hay try my be to Bara fat that cay get\n\nnature engel beside here without lag ples of hour, and the curious as\n\nhung Ho's the gauza balcony one to the trio of the in\n\nme, and i would justica en servant of souls is my duty to stat et que delays ara\n\nBu pingued, or it\n\nOLD\n\ndirt tabur mareets of the Enat lo\n\nBol nemely divaghed\n\nShe fertile incris Wet det from art with caet't I helier pan of emp tiru culte sa organizes to coll i eunicial r with fee, on nous, of the a\n\n(Quesa, ali 20s of tim pesters, and toys of I wazo lile Dye Reaganen in the way caverant offer gw make jursesh 12 citization wherever it Se\n\nlanter: eu le kuthor w\n\npiù le aone to clear; the fam By Way\n\nrecre to the mute; wit 60 ahow the likt\n\n• 15 na tha ghabre I would strend pro Paing as a Devonshire Charles Lula an in gaier nu le\n\nSome of the ampered willing to play be, at the\n\ninut tas ties to 10 wipes the cortice of cabinet-trois end, at the drive twis\n\nthe Connoissthan impact reputed, see may be dienst, but poe cudition, far Vaiko ge butun lutem pultet, see that they graingo to Bride G\n\nSaso\n\nvar gavo nebuniuatior the Colealul One is wac\n\nListed us in ensive Lecrations\n\nby bad frum- dice tram: oferie (not exame live se tue faute, nought the pupported by the pile and a ton Splafon it Buysend\n\nWhegration from carmed onto this is, zith adagen merity fuc jy diet. After leat sigy tab uno\n\nelves, they read to to to its too with red rose fat supervision,\n\nare the maid that, withio prope facias, far god treatment, the would within a very 41 Nespetur er to write immigratione de molimo cut be undo fruthful en gaad, what\n\nin your in a weak up kidaning to w szurdy at lubaar un në\n\nengustelid, on sustape wither stages of this platters theserves; their mealtives, who have been stolently or readily at th Ja tent the runy thesis of ho ier that u pube splay of torne und in de. Tuis air feritalulity at criticis, an option in were saved u celnen with the annulat\n\nAngel-rated labor, ad arved noe skoa!? D'une sastavay it but exist where I have so them with my own eyes ies\n\nservats of\n\nof Weir trestimmt her disaat mig\n\n[ting assage to doeie for wi 269097 g that is it at pwez un finally or woubt it is the outs 5.5\"\"\" old vmpity, mid\n\nTaskN WITH US\n\nIto et sort's Townng the i\n\nin\n\nried out by Mr. Ingetar Gridlu. 107sel reforms. I luas yoṇāžendo 22 € za shu zasta boźlis Bakanker they had benne real, the icely wool\n\nwilber\n\n3 prozristy ei vannlag for the dam Flackbeard of them with you eats leant žul be for the bere berg and of izlection, pot of search, tod\n\nلونا\n\nether to my boud wast bining to Austin, The locals of says ces precies that has bes fuc\n\nby all the ture besnic teste fierteste wel\n\navese-Wien tek\n\nugh the, at i us out of a pan and win. The way to raish the pantry strat parts of the golfest of Callfun, and inter of to The section were extremely excited and\n\nGouna receive Cevi Kimberley's was to hold a wet- ing to den is very ochibong dari\n\nAuto, Sir, yet v Erlap,\n\nIney draenied repgrcher du ile monger, Me. trag wil bad toned to win her of the Louis Lencaning $1,493 1 zld Areop Mr. She and stone\n\nErvas previously. 1 gear eifendy bything of the ad, and if he hat he wond be suit\n\nfini: 1 ! I nafeted The Bee umro L\n\nSprint\n\n, and brong thure of the right use from All order to the gates or to god\n\nting the HHUANG Rgwint Att. 2haw with\n\nuitee,\n\nENKINS.\n\nL\n\nhilla, came to Ingameraity kawo in China, and ships le\n\nbarof stage with a beanwhich EDWARD\n\nthe Cities Leactors of in-chan jalá Zihej rere tit. inu, gifsing was we pas sher TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES,\n\ngalle velas, noe deeds, but thegods, wire .. Uno, sauery to the Wet us Conte lug, before toere was 5 esti o gold. ,-lethas of the 72 wat, s letar appeared the age to tipe distant wnd knowled willing to veure iùey liking put th\n\nCelia Imigrasi,\" in which felong for youton past the overlin og ey are at the wild guit He Shaw, I visited mean to ever res\n\ning papalition of the ones on the I four an und begs rely on urlops -\n\n*The Base of Chet elgration in 18 mayor in to Australasch of\n\nSerails and peoplz the slote Archlying truai ing by a ner of cuti quas tus enke hospital.\n\nwief explanation, the end is read Not evan the piece is the the hail two stress bruises on his lock of his binil, a tea\n\nJov tuliow in pezzanou, we was dented fisted in de kanst visat antepressive Purses tut Thesis severely get the body. Formed me that leased to post twin provisions which was wave clouists tum lading their WAY\n\nwith the treatment of the migrantz, bulbs it was astralia and (72liferais me euslead to dater proo hal presove by pulling revolver ons of his grrutig incomed the expenst of the unmigestion.' pucket and pay the quizen away with it until a\n\ned him. Definburg\n\nIt is to be regrettni but the Mens Caitlen in\n\n10th Airdis, reuse not pinola hefticies* le show that a rebuerative Cell for labourse the only getting forth the statement, did bet mangiare the infucinroses pery to Letire the tener supply 11. Dad in few dotizan the grass plot in front 21 the aftermid og telugu \"orzsama peak out appears in Chian bushe\n\nyruly erased the the very, Tideare, and dishonesty of the orig ampanyen? The gate obalac.s bus le\n\n2.\n\nLail\n\nધન ર\n\nat Devabels at tal-\n\n' he was used with con General conditoza were vehicul w\n\nA and lut toug\n\n* your desi si locs\n\nthe\n\nLabour\n\n(buila vampirist Folk Whore I was there was 1 pcuse of the insigentio,, in order these night juga ¦ true wgnovies, nad the vilepas of the nuties 10xhauste\n\n1) tid tar that any whether the provisos input Bele souls and just get in voorlea by the pitsi ofi\n\nHonesty acid a\n\nacid veally in sus, as yet suora, tete\n\nthe alleged or relate starwatt Free only surethattung I but you wild silver jete to entopinte far aldrup kittense why hall to cleare in staigiate at all If wine wit the labis where was sitting, Faraz w were by the addition of the fullowing facts,\n\nalled the W. & hus Eldey, she\n\n1127th, ie it best 7\n\nwould not whos\n\nLes tom solusy: while the potior wel op\n\n19, in being wasior of interlety that the exulations to define principles as only as it due re\n\ngiva i anarge for lands tictus colleure shqyed lottard le tee saputality astring any adequate a\n\nAdded surged the exeling interferid Ja\n\ntok-sp\n\nقد المي dino\n\nwas bust on, and stalag\n\ncontuent and adfuorutiinudu did dive to querenty of mixer: sy webich rutine bead the apolon asruliad Nicewise by the Seal telesuan, called darker-Buried on cater foreign is witch we ngly seeds, spas infecter les stabla to defend the shares brute from Mood where is the China bring reiting run all civiliasi nasioua for the hours permitted stach. After a crear tuaa ade vi diagno, bagations were red into at Pekin agave the euperior force ai Lugeda,\n\ntader their respective tag, and the wrongs so pestantly Complaint where fue illicenty of wages to aburet by the British and Frecek Gosentants with a view to the \"da\n\nVERITAS", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-161 - Public Offices - 1872.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 294855, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-169 - Others - 1874", "page_number": 79, "title": "CO129-169 - Others - 1874", "content_text": "## Enclosure \n\nRe:4 in Consul Robertson's No:7 of 10th February 1874\n\n**Colonial Secretary Hennessy**\n\nThe following is an extract from an Imperial Edict dated 24th September 1873.\n\nWith regard to the memorial of Siw, to the effect that last year a large quantity of foreign munitions of war were purchased for Yunnan province, and requesting that the various provincial Authorities would retain them en route,\n\nWe order Jui lin to instruct his subordinates to watch for such arms and to detain them; since Siw states Ma Ja lung really deputed Dupuis to purchase foreign arms,\n\nWe order Li to write to Yui lin, Si han chang, Kwo po yun, Wang wen shao, Chang sha tung and Ising pi tuan to obey Our former Edict, and to instruct their Subordinates to watch for Yunnan men who have been to Kwang tung province to purchase Cannon.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-169 - Others - 1874.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 294857, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-169 - Others - 1874", "page_number": 81, "title": "CO129-169 - Others - 1874", "content_text": "## Enclosure to No. 5\n\n**Confidential**\n\n207 8102 February 1874\n\n**In Continuation of Operations**\n\nfrom Imperial Edict\n\nThe 9th day, 2nd moon.\n\nCanton, 16 February 1874\n\nMy Lord,\n\nI have the honor to forward a copy of a **Confidential** despatch, I have this day addressed to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking, with reference to the proceedings of the French in Tong-quin and Annam.\n\nThe Right Honorable \nLord Tenterden, C.B. \nUnder Secretary of State \nForeign Office \nLondon", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-169 - Others - 1874.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 301029, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12]", "page_number": 157, "title": "CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12]", "content_text": "a settlement to be a portion of the Shiver Empire which was taken by force from the Government on the \n\nI 5- it thank 1849 by the then Governor Amaral, who expelled the Chinese local Authorities and established there the Convention made in 1844 by the Imperial Commissioner Keying and the then Governor Pinto. Against this act of appropriation of territory and breach of Convention the Chinese Government have always protested, alleging the \n\nPortuguese took advantage of the \n\n\"then existing belief between England \n\nand China to wrest from \n\nand China a portion of the province of \n\n155 Kwangtung, which they occupied only under an Edict of the then Emperor of the Tsing Dynasty in 1586 on payment of a ground rent \n\nThus and.... \n\n1691 \n\nit was \n\nMaels \n\nper \n\nof. \n\n1 \n\na \n\nm \n\nwhich in \n\nreduced to Three hundred; \n\nand subsequently settled at Five hundred Taels, which \n\nwere paid yearly by the Procurador of the Senate to the Cheang Than Magistrate his presenting a discharge signed by the Imperial Treasurer at Canton, \n\nceased only with the seizure \n\nand \n\nof Macao by Governor Amaral \n\nabove mentioned\" \n\nThis claim of the Chinese Government of Sovereignty over the", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 305404, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-187 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [1-4]", "page_number": 145, "title": "CO129-187 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [1-4]", "content_text": "towards \n\nChairs sent from Government House were provided for the whole party, but the Viceroy preferred his own sedan chair. Two officers of the Viceroy's staff, with a Deputy officer, Mr. CH'ÊN SUNG-SHU, took command of the escort. The procession formed without difficulty in the following order: First, came a party of Chinese Marines armed with Snider rifles; next, twelve of the Viceroy's private servants, without arms; then, six staff officers on horseback, followed by an enormous red umbrella borne by two men who walked in front of the Viceroy's sedan chair and its eight bearers. Next followed some more staff officers on horseback; next the Viceroy's Aide-de-Camp and his interpreter, whilst Colonel LAI and Sub-Magistrate WONG of Kowloong City, with some of their subordinate officers, closed the procession, which presented a rather picturesque aspect as it slowly wound its way to Government House, the whole length of the road being lined by Police Constables placed at intervals of a few yards. On reaching Murray Barracks, where the guard of honour with the band were stationed, the Viceroy gracefully bowed to the colours and to the officers, as the troops presented arms. A guard of honour of Sikh armed police was drawn up under the portico of Government House, and presented arms as the Viceroy ascended the steps, where His Excellency the Governor, in Court uniform, received his illustrious guest, and conducted him forthwith into the drawing-room, where the members of Council were successively introduced to the Viceroy. Amongst the company assembled to receive His Excellency were, His Excellency Major General DONOVAN, His Honour Chief Justice Sir JOHN SMALE, Commodore Suttie, R.N., the Honourable W. H. MARSH, Colonial Secretary, Honourable J. RUSSELL, Acting Attorney-General, Honourable J. M. PRICE, Surveyor-General, Honourable M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Colonial Treasurer, Honourable P. RYRIE, M.L.C., Honourable NG CHOY, M.L.C., Commander CHING, R.N., H.M.S. Iron Duke, Commander SALMOND, R.N., H.M.S. Midge, Commander EDWARDS, R.N., H.M.S. Kestrel, Commander EVANS, R.N., H.M.S. Hart, Lieut. Commander BRIDGER, R.N., H.M.S. Sheldrake, Lieut. CLARK, R.N., H.M.S. Iron Duke, Major HUSKISSON, A.M.S., Captain ST. CLAIR, Brigade-Major, Lieutenant DRUMMOND, A.D.C., Major PALMER, A.D.C., Dr. Eitel, Chinese Secretary and Mr. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Private Secretary. On shaking hands with Sir JOHN SMALE, the Viceroy said he had heard a good deal of him, and of his exertions for the suppression of the coolie trade. The Viceroy also recognised the Honourable P. RYRIE, who had been introduced to him, he said, on a former occasion, in Canton. When the Honourable NG CHOY was presented, the Viceroy cordially congratulated him on his appointment as a Member of Council, and appeared to have entirely forgotten or forgiven the very strong criticism which Mr. NG CHOY last year, as counsel in an extradition case, passed on the action of some of the Viceroy's subordinates, whose tampering with witnesses for the defence Mr. NG CHOY at the time exposed in unsparing terms. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Tung-wah Hospital Committee, Messrs. CHIU U-T'IN and LEUNG ON, were also present by invitation, and were subsequently introduced to the Viceroy. There was some conversation in the drawing-room between the Viceroy and the Governor, who were seated between Major-General Donovan on the one side, and the Chief Justice on the other. The Viceroy spoke of the personal friendship he felt for Mr. HENNESSY, and said he should not fail to take the first opportunity, after arrival in Peking, to bring to the notice of the Throne how well Mr. HENNESSY deserved the thanks of the Emperor for the effect his policy has had on the maintenance of good relations between England and China. He expressed also a wish to have a portrait of Mr. HENNESSY, and promised to send his own in return. No business, official or diplomatic, was alluded to, the Viceroy being evidently careful to preserve for his visit the character of a friendly semi-official call. He also explained that, if he had not already been relieved of his office in Canton, without having entered yet upon his office in Nanking, he would not have been able to pay even this informal visit to Hongkong, without a special Imperial Edict. He gave Mr. HENNESSY a cordial invitation to visit him in Nanking, where, he said, he would take up his residence as soon as he had paid a visit to his mother and reported himself at the Court. On being shown the pictures of Her Majesty the Queen, the Prince Consort and the members of the Royal Family, His Excellency spoke of the length of Her Majesty's reign, and made some laudatory remarks on the subject. He also showed great interest in two portraits of Lord BEACONSFIELD, and some conversation arose as to the correct pronunciation of the first syllable in the name; and he evinced his knowledge of the Premier's policy when he quietly remarked that he was surprised to notice the great age of Lord BEACONSFIELD as, from the vigour of his Government, he had imagined him to be a much younger man. After an inspection of Mr. HENNESSY'S collection of blue and white Ming porcelain, and other antiques, the whole assembly adjourned to the dining-room, where tea was served. The intermixture of English naval uniforms and Chinese costumes presented a good effect. On rising to leave, the Viceroy bowed to all the visitors present, and once more assured Mr. HENNESSY \n\n## 142 \n\nof his warm friendship, to which he added the hope of seeing him soon a guest in his future home at Nanking. He also left his cards for the General, the Commodore, and the Chief Justice. The Viceroy then left, accompanied by His Excellency the Governor, who parted from him at the wharf, where the Viceroy embarked in the launch Fei-ma. He subsequently privately visited the City Hall, accompanied by Dr. Eitel, and spent a considerable time in examining the Museum library, where he specially noticed the autograph of the Queen. He went over the whole building, and then proceeded to the Public Gardens, which he perambulated at leisure, without concealing his admiration of the effect produced by the talent and care bestowed on the gardens by Mr. FORD, the Superintendent. He did not visit any other place, but returned on board, and left shortly afterwards to return to Canton. \n\nWe have good reason to believe that this visit was really what it purported to be, a mere friendly call, prompted by feelings of personal friendship for Mr. HENNESSY. But, considering that His Excellency LAU is the Ex-Viceroy of Canton, and the Viceroy elect of Nanking, and that in his latter capacity he will be ex-officio Superintendent of trade for the South of China, this visit not only reflects favourably on the principles which governed the Viceroy's past career, but indicates also the friendly tendencies which will no doubt mark his Government of the Two Kiang in Central China and give colour to his future superintendency of the trade of South China.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-187 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 309369, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9]", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9]", "content_text": "29\n\ngoes about barefoot all the year through, dons shoes and stockings, the slave has to wear wooden clogs. Considering the deep hold which this system has on the Chinese people, it is not to be wondered at.\n\nThis form of slavery is comparatively rare in the Canton Province where it occurs only in connection with very wealthy families, but is said to obtain to some extent among the so-called Tán-Ká or boat population of Canton, many of these families being in the relation of hereditary slaves to wealthy clans under whose protection they live and to whom they pay a portion of their earnings. The slave, however, has nothing in his outward appearance or condition to distinguish him from a free person. Although I spent the greater portion of fifteen years in some inland districts of the Canton Province, I have never, to my knowledge, seen such an hereditary slave. I am told that generally the nearest acquaintances know a slave to be such and that the only outward distinction of an hereditary slave is the rule made by custom that on New Year's day, when even the poorest free man ...\n\nI am sure there is not one such hereditary slave in Hongkong. But suppose one came here and was told that he is entirely free on British soil, it would make no difference to him whatever. For he looks upon his master as a refuge to fall back upon in case of sickness, and anyhow he treats his relation to his master as a family relation and views his adherence to it as a matter of honour. Besides, any such slave has always a chance of purchasing his freedom and if once affranchised, his descendants in the third generation can compete for official honours.\n\nThis system of slavery, whilst comparatively rare in the Canton Province, is more frequently practised in the Fohkien Province where, by custom, the third generation of an hereditary slave regains freedom. But the principal seat of this slavery is in the agrarian districts of Shantung and most especially in the Hwai-chau, Ning-kwoh and Chi-chou Prefectures of the Ngan-hui Province. It is also said to exist to a large extent among the fishermen of the Cheh-kiang Province. But in all these cases, the slave is a member of the family to which he belongs, which is answerable for his life to the State, and the law permits all such slaves to redeem themselves by money payment, when the contract which restores liberty to the slave is to be stamped and recorded in Court.\n\nUnder these circumstances, I have no hesitation in saying that it seems to me impossible to identify this curious mixture of contract service, family dependence and slavery, which characterizes the Chinese analogue of slavery, with that slavery which the history of European society evolved and to which our law books, Acts of Parliament and Orders in Council refer. To deal justly with the slavery of China, we ought to invent a new name for it.\n\nDomestic servitude occupies an entirely different position. Whilst the hereditary slave and his immediate descendants are excluded from all competition for official honours, domestic servitude does not imply such disability, although the law treats the domestic servant during the term of his engagement as under the entire control - life, of course, excluded - of his master, who is answerable for his misdemeanours and involved in his crime.\n\nIn all arrangements, contracts or deeds regarding domestic servitude, there are invariably the elements of a monetary transaction, just as in the case of deeds of adoption. The sale, and especially the pledging of persons, whether adults or children, for purposes of domestic servitude is the ruling custom all over China. The law, although sanctioning the sale of children for purposes of adoption within each clan, and even from without, is here in advance of public opinion, as it expressly allows, by an edict of Kien Lung (A.D. 1788), the sale of children only to extremely poor people in times of famine, but forbids, even in that case, re-sale of a child once bought.\n\nPractically, however, the indiscriminate sale of children for purposes of domestic servitude is not interfered with by the law at any time. On the contrary, the advance of law over custom, here indicated, is but slight, when we consider that the law sanctions the custom of temporarily pledging one's wife, concubine or daughters to another family for purposes of domestic servitude. In the latest edition of the Penal Code, I find, appended to the Section headed \"pledging wives or daughters,\" the following note: \"This prohibition refers only to pledging, in return for money received, one's wife or concubine to another man whose wife or concubine she is to be (till redeemed), but the practice, so extremely common at the present day, of poor people pledging, for money received, their wives or daughters to others for purposes of domestic servitude is not included under this prohibition.\"\n\nA male domestic either himself makes the contract with his employer, which binds him to the latter for a number of years, or the domestic may have been handed over by his parents to the master, who pays the parents, may be, a sum, in advance, so to say, of the wages to be earned. The same is the case with grown-up or elderly female domestics. But the largest majority of all female domestics in China are young girls of more or less tender age, most of whom enter upon their domestic servitude when four or five years old.\n\nThe reason for this immense demand for young female domestics lies in the system of polygamy which obtains all over the empire and which has a religious basis. A son being required to continue the family sacrifices, anyone whose first wife proves childless will consider it his religious duty either to adopt a son or to take a second or third or fourth wife until he procures a son. To die without a son is considered a heinous sin against one's ancestors. But in a family consisting of several wives, there is no room for the sort of servant girl to which Western nations are accustomed.\n\nAs eunuchs are forbidden to all families below the rank of a prince, the custom of purchasing young girls for the performance of the lighter domestic duties became the general practice of all well-to-do families since time immemorial. Such girls may either be pledged by their parents for a certain time or sold for good. When only pledged, the case is generally this: a family being in urgent distress and requiring immediately a certain sum of money, takes one of their female children, say five years old, who has been sufficiently impressed with the misery at home, to a wealthy family...\n\n...where the child becomes a member of the family and has perhaps to look after a baby. The father receives a small loan on the security of this child, and when that loan is repaid with interest, the child returns to her father's family to remain there till, in the ordinary course, she is sold as a betrothed or, as we call it, married. But the child may be sold out and out. In that case, invariably a sum of money is paid and a deed is drawn up called, by a common legal fiction, \"a deed of gift.\" The child becomes the domestic servant of the family and is as entirely under the patria potestas of the head of that family as if she were a slave, with the exception that an all-powerful custom requires the master to find a husband for his servant girl when she is of age, and the moment she is married, she is as free forever as any married woman can be, and no touch of servitude clings to her descendants.\n\nThat Chinese can scarcely comprehend how an English Judge could come to designate this species of domestic servitude by the name slavery. On the contrary, intelligent Chinese look upon this system as the necessary and indispensable complement of polygamy, as an excellent counter-remedy for the deplorably widespread system of infanticide, and as the natural consequence of the chronic occurrence of famines, inundations and rebellions in an overpopulated country. But the abuses to which this system of buying and selling female children is liable in the hands of unscrupulous parents and buyers, and the support it lends to public prostitution are too patent facts to require pointing out.\n\nThis system of domestic servitude is very common in Hongkong among well-to-do Cantonese, less common among the Fohkien people and comparatively rare among the Hakkas. The reason is that early betrothals and early marriages are common among both the Fohkienese and especially among the Hakkas, who have, moreover, the custom of sending the betrothed, as soon as she is able to walk, say when three or four years old, to the family of her future husband, where she remains till her marriage and has exactly the same position and performs the same duties which the purchased servant girl is required for in a Cantonese family. I must mention, however, by way of explanation, that polygamy is also comparatively rare among the Hakkas.\n\nTo foreigners, of course, it seems very unnatural that children should be sold into domestic servitude. But the Chinaman sees nothing unnatural in it because almost every social arrangement in China, betrothal, marriage, concubinage, adoption, servitude, is professedly based on a money bargain. The roots of this whole system of slavery and servitude are inseverably interlaced not only with the general social organism but with the national character of the Chinese.\n\nThe British soldier who takes his shilling may be said to have sold himself into slavery. The British sailor, after signing the articles, may virtually be a slave for a period. But these forms of servitude, created by an Act of Parliament, can be swept away entirely by another Act of Parliament. They are not bound up with the social organism and have no root in the national character. But the slavery and domestic servitude of China are institutions which nothing short of the general dissolution of the whole social system of patriarchalism can possibly remove, for they are ingrained in the very blood and brain of China.\n\nTo understand the social bearings of domestic servitude as it obtains in Hongkong, it must be observed that, although the Chinese residents of Hongkong are under British rule and live in close proximity to English social life, there has always been an impassable gulf between respectable English and Chinese society in Hongkong. The two forms of social life have exercised a certain influence upon each other, but the result now visible is that, while Chinese social life has remained exactly what it is on the mainland of China, the social life of many foreigners in Hongkong has comparatively degenerated and not only accommodated itself in certain respects to habits peculiar to the system of patriarchalism, but caused a certain disreputable but small class of Chinese to enter into a social alliance with foreigners which, while detaching them from the restraining influence of the custom and public opinion of Chinese society, left them uninfluenced by the moral powers of foreign civilization.\n\nThis exceptional class of Chinese residents here in Hongkong consists principally of the women known, in Hongkong, by the popular nickname \"hám-shui-múi\" (lit. salt water girls), applied to these members of the so-called Tán-ká or boat population, the Pariahs of Cantonese society. These Tán-ká people of the Canton river are the descendants of a tribe of aborigines pushed by advancing Chinese civilization to live on boats on the Canton river, being for centuries forbidden by law to live on shore.\n\nThe Emperor YUNG CHING (A.D. 1730) allowed them to settle in villages in the immediate proximity of the river, but they were left by him and remain to the present day excluded from competition for official honours, whilst custom forbids them to intermarry with the rest of the people. These Tán-ká people were the secret but trusty allies of foreigners from the time of the East India Company to the present day. They furnished pilots and supplies of provisions to British men-of-war and troop ships when doing so was by the Chinese Government declared treason, unsparingly visited with capital punishment.\n\nThey invaded Hongkong the moment the Colony was opened and have ever since maintained here a monopoly, so to say, of the supply of Chinese pilots and ships' crews, of the fish trade, the cattle trade, and especially of the trade in women for the supply of foreigners and of brothels patronized by foreigners. Almost every so-called \"protected woman,\" i.e., kept mistress of foreigners here, belongs to this Tán-ká tribe, looked down upon and kept at a distance by all the other Chinese classes. It is among these Tán-ká women, and especially under the protection of those \"protected\" Tán-ká women, that private prostitution and the sale of girls for purposes of concubinage flourishes, being looked upon by them as their legitimate profession. Consequently, almost every \"protected woman\" keeps a nursery of purchased children or a few servant girls who are being reared with a...\n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 310941, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-196 - Public Offices & Others - 1881", "page_number": 523, "title": "CO129-196 - Public Offices & Others - 1881", "content_text": "And \n\nin making four quotations for will hear in 1 you will understand that \n\nmind that m \n\nfrommer \n\nthe present acting arrangements Offin should be held \n\nQue \n\nto continue no \n\nlonger \n\nthat \n\nmy \n\nAnd \n\ninstructions are to \n\nat out. \n\nI acted upon without \n\ndelay \n\n78. I have observed no trial \n\nby one of \n\nonat \n\nthe Adict & \n\nExfanium Office \n\nof the for. Govt conversant \n\nice or Individual. \n\nHongkong Noo 1795 \n\nNo. \n\n(Subject.) \n\nRECO \n\nDOMESTIC. \n\nC. O. \n\n1195 \n\nREG 21 JAN 81 \n\n510 \n\nWith the Chinese by shahar Apport of Police Magistrate \n\nthe \n\nthere is still considerable delay in conducting \n\ninframment in the manner \n\nin uplying & dompetches from is which the correspondence the Secretary of State, with this office is conducted \n\nand shall be glad to know \n\nwhether \n\nAt what date \n\nmy \n\npredecessor's \n\ninstructions respecting the custody of despatches \n\nI the position & duties \n\nof \n\nhave been \n\n\"fully \n\nColonial Secretary, Que \n\nCarried out \n\nDate. \n\n3 \n\n1881 \n\n20 Jan \n\nst previous Paper. \n\nW. \n\n7&d.. \n\nagenta info ý \n\nFeb. 81 \n\n8. Feb-81 No 14 \n\nsun \n\nW. \n\n2877 \n\n& Coroner \n\nAccepts.- Enquires \n\nwhether he can draw half pay from \n\nme date \n\nof his affent \n\nInterce \n\n(Minutes.) \n\nIn Kakket love no (285) that t \n\nC. B. Phukett the \n\nSpuppere there Jappie therefore \n\n40 \n\nta ? \n\n7 \n\nDecember. \n\nmay \n\ndran \n\nIo Wodehouse \n\nthe half prag op later places from the \n\n22 \n\nI December. \n\nand authore Afcats, \n\nof & lite li s \n\nInsom for with reference Wilts Cast Jacqrupl \n\nthe \n\n765 \n\nagraphe \n\nNow doretic 205 Jan 21 (285) that II. E. Wodehouse, Chief clatt in the Concl \n\n11 Lawless Mice has been posted 6 the Uppies \n\nrme. 10 | 80-H&S 0941)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-196 - Public Offices & Others - 1881.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 317905, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "page_number": 156, "title": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "content_text": "# THE CHINA REVIEW.\n\n## Vol. 14. Coinage of Cash\nIt is a singular fact that China has never possessed either gold or silver coins, and that the cash is of so very little interest. In theory at least it is an important branch of the Government.\n\n## Vol. 15. Rules for the Salt Monopoly\nIt is not strange that this necessary article of diet should produce an immense revenue when the immense population of the Empire is considered. The increase in value as the distance is counted from the place of production is wonderful. Revision in the matter of transit dues, and railroads, would introduce an immense boon to the people of the interior in this respect alone.\n\n## Vol. 16. Customs Duties\nThis includes all on the coast, on the rivers and inland. The revenue from Foreign Trade was not contemplated and is not specially provided for in this work. It affords an instance of what has often occurred in the history of other nations, of the springing up of important branches of service outside of the original intention of the constitution. Like the Foreign Trade it had insignificant beginnings, and the duties were collected by the Superintendent of the river-police at Canton, called Ho-pok-sho, of which the name Hoppo is a corruption. When it became known to the authorities at Peking that the receipts were considerable, one of the Imperial family and generally one near of kindred to the Emperor was sent to manage the business. At first the revenue was ostensibly appropriated for the purchase of cosmetics and ornaments for the ladies of the Imperial Harem, but it is well known that at the present time the receipts from this source, as foreign trade has developed and extended, have become immense, and with a prospect of great increase in the future. The origin of the Foreign Inspectorate was alluded to in the former article, and is well known. It has already an interesting history. This branch of the service affords a favorite security, upon which to hypothecate foreign loans.\n\nThe Imperial Authority at the capital has been pleased within the last few months to give the office of Comptroller of Customs and that of Tartar General to the Viceroy at Foochow. A Chinese and a native of the Canton Province. This has been a matter of surprise, as both offices have hitherto been considered as belonging especially to the Manchus alone.\n\n## Vol. 17. Sundry Taxes\nThis refers to the products of the mines, precious metals, taxes on tea, tax for sealing deeds &c.\n\n## Vol. 18. Government Grants\nThose paid to the members of the Imperial family, various officials at the capital, and in Shing-king especially those in charge of the Imperial Tombs.\n\n## Vol. 19. Remission of Taxes and Largesses in times of famine\nThis includes provision for the poor at the Capital, to whom distribution is made every year.\n\n## Vol. 20. Board of Rites and Ceremonies\nOnly a little less than one half of the whole work is included under this division. From ancient times great importance has been attached to the rites and ceremonies, not only by the official and higher classes, but in the eyes of the masses of the people they are placed first. It is a kind of religion, and has made it impossible to introduce many changes into the popular customs, as in marriage and funeral rites. The present dynasty has even in governmental ceremonies conformed very much to Chinese customs, instead of insisting upon what is peculiar to the Manchu traditions.\n\nThe chapter on this subject may be considered as the Canon Law. It is like an established religion, in which the Emperor is the Great High Priest, and the officials constitute a class of priesthood for worshipping the gods recognized by the State. Little more can be attempted in this article, than giving the subjects as they are mentioned in the Index, with brief notes. There would be wide differences of opinion among students of Chinese in regard to many points, upon the discussion of which it is not proposed now to enter. It may, however, be stated that a critical examination of these sections will be necessary to decide many important questions in dispute.\n\nThe whole subject is an exceedingly interesting study. The history, meaning, changes and necessity for some plain and sensible Code of Ceremonies are all matters of importance. It is believed that a brief examination of this portion of the statutes, and the practical result of them, will convince every honest student, that while a certain amount of outward form is desirable, a rigid system, carried out in details, is fatal to the life and development of all true sentiment, politeness and religion.\n\nThe Constitution of this Board is very much like that of the others. Presidents, one each, of Manchu and Chinese, and Vice Presidents, two each, of Manchu and Chinese; with four Superintendents.\n\n### (1.) Superintendent of Court Ceremonial Observances\n4. Propitious Rites. Attendance at Court.\n\n## Vol. 21. Attendance at Court\n## Vol. 22. \n## Vol. 23. Ceremonies connected with Ascending the Throne. Worship of Imperial Ancestors\n## Vol. 24. Choice and establishment of Empress. Honors conferred upon Imperial maternal ancestors. Honors conferred upon concubines.\n\n## Vol. 25. Regulations in regard to Imperial Education. Worship of Confucius. Imperial Travelling. Entering a New Palace.\n\n## Vol. 26. Imperial Ploughing. Attendance of Empress upon Silkworms\n## Vol. 27. Regulations for the Imperial Calendar. Publishing Imperial Edicts. Rewards.\n\n## Vol. 28. Presentation of congratulations by officials to the Emperor and Imperial Family\nThis is very much a matter of form, for drafts are made by the officials at the Capital and distributed throughout the Empire to be sent up again to the seat of Government.\n\nRegulations in regard to Official Seals. They are cast by a special commission under the direction of the Board of Rites. Great importance is attached to them, and they carry with them great authority. Some are of silver. The Emperor has a number, others are for the Empress and various members of the Imperial family, kindred and many officials of the Capital and the Provinces. They are regarded with superstitious reverence, as having high delegated authority from the Emperor.\n\n## Vol. 29. Imperial Marriage\n1. Emperor. 2. Heir Apparent.\n\n## Vol. 30. Ceremonies connected with arriving at manhood. Ceremonies connected with putting on hat and clothes of a man.\n\n## Vol. 31. Literary Examinations\nThese relate to those after the first degree. Those for the second degree are held in the provinces, and are called \"Country examinations,\" those for the third degree are held in the Examination Hall at the Capital, and are called \"Assembled examinations,\" because collected from all the provinces, those for the fourth degree \"Imperial Hall Examinations,\" because held in the palace. These last are in the presence of the Emperor, during which the scholars sit upon the floor and write the essays.\n\nThe object of these examinations is to discover those among the people who have ability to assist in the government, and such are recommended for employment.\n\n## Vol. 38. Colleges\nThis section refers to examinations for the first degree. The District Magistrates first examine, and send the names of the greater number to the Prefect of the Department, who again recommends the greater number to the Literary Chancellor, who visits the Departmental Cities.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 317908, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "page_number": 159, "title": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "content_text": "# THE CHINA REVIEW.\n\nThere is one censor for the Capital, and thirteen for the provinces. The rules are altogether in the way of freedom in the criticism of the Government and the officials. In some respects they are the very highest officers in the Empire. The members of the cabinet and even the Emperor himself cannot consider themselves as free from their attacks.\n\n## Commissioner of Information.\n\nThis is the office through which pass all the memorials from the provinces, and all Imperial edicts from the throne.\n\n## Court of Appeal.\n\nThe chiefs of this Court are two, one Chinese and one Manchu. It is a kind of Court of review of the decisions of the Board of Punishments.\n\nThe Board of Punishments, the Censorate and the Court of Appeal are called the Three Law Commissioners. The officials have a fabulous animal embroidered upon their robes which signifies the stern and haughty character of their office as judges.\n\n## Court of Sacrifices (Vol. 82.)\n\nThe chiefs of this Court are two, one Chinese and one Manchu. They have charge of the worship at the Capital and the several kinds of sacrifices, as described above in the Board of Rites.\n\n## Forms of Prayers, &c. (Vol. 83.)\n\nThese are read and afterwards burned; a careful study of their contents and disposition is necessary to a right understanding of their significance.\n\n## Imperial Academy (Vol. 84.)\n\nThe constitution of this institution is two chiefs, one Chinese and one Manchu, both having the ranks of Vice-President of the Board of Rites. They have charge of the Dynastic History, Libraries, Imperial Documents, Edicts &c. The larger part of those who obtain the fourth literary degree are members of this Academy, and they occupy the most favourable position on that account for official promotion.\n\n## Dynastic Annalists.\n\nThese officials keep an account of Imperial movements and of passing events. There are twenty of them, eight Manchu and twelve Chinese. They are near the Emperor's persons, and the diaries are preserved for future reference.\n\n## Department for Reference.\n\nThe chiefs of this institution are members of the Imperial Academy, one Manchu and one Chinese. They accompany the Emperor and sometimes hold also the office of Annalists. They are applied to for precedents in the past and take part in the direction of the Imperial studies. They are supposed to be learned men.\n\n## Court of the Imperial Kitchen (Vol. 85.)\n\nThere are two chiefs, one Chinese and one Manchu. They have charge of the Imperial provisions for the table and for feasts.\n\n## Court of Imperial Retinue (Vol. 85.)\n\nThere are two chiefs, one Manchu and one Chinese. They have charge of Imperial horses through all the provinces, and the Imperial Retinue; a large number of the subordinate officials are Mongols, who are good horsemen, and probably the horses are chiefly from Mongolia.\n\n## Department of Shun Tin.\n\nAs the Government of the District of Washington is separate from that of the State of Maryland, so the Department in which Peking is situated is separate from the province of Chihli. The chief is generally a high official, who holds this office in connection with some other.\n\n## Department of Tung Tin.\n\nThis is the Chief Department of Shing King and like the previous one is one of great honour.\n\n## Court of Masters of Ceremonies.\n\nThis institution has charge of ceremonies of Court, sacrifices, and feasts. The chiefs are one Chinese and one Manchu, but the subordinate officers under them are mostly Manchus. They direct the manner of entering the Imperial presence, when to advance, when to kneel, when to rise, retire &c. They are responsible for breaches in these matters of Court etiquette.\n\n## National College.\n\nThe chiefs of this institution are one Chinese and one Manchu, but the office is held in connection with some other. The Imperial Academy, the Department of Reference, and the National College are the three departments which have principally to do with literary and educational affairs. It is to be regretted that this College at the Capital and those in the provinces are practically, in modern times at least, of little value considered as educational institutions. The instruction given is more a matter of form than anything else, and but little or no help is afforded by them to students in the way of learning and science.\n\n## Astronomical College (Vol. 86.)\n\nThe chiefs of this institution are one Chinese, and one Portuguese, the offices held in connection with some other. For many years no foreigner has held this office, but the distinguished services of some of the Romish priests, about the time this work was published, were much appreciated by the Chinese Government and people. Quite a large space is given to plates and descriptions of the Astronomical Instruments in the Imperial Observatory.\n\n## Medical Academy.\n\nThere is a large staff of professors and physicians. In theory the Chinese pay much attention to this branch of science, and it has a distinct recognition by the Government. The time cannot be distant when they will accept the theory and practice of the modern school of the West. The science and art of healing in China is very like those of the ancient world in the West. Some of the physicians at Canton have something like a diploma from this Academy which they display.\n\n## Department of the Imperial Household (Vol. 87.)\n\nThis is of course an extensive establishment. The chief is either a high Manchu official or one of the nobility, selected by the Emperor. Under the chief are seven Superintendents of as many departments.\n\n1. Superintendent of Receipts and Disbursements.\n2. Superintendent of Accounts.\n3. Superintendent of Ceremonies (Vols. 88, 89, 90.) There is a supplement attached in regard to Official Education, and Medical Dispensary.\n4. Superintendent in Charge of Parks. (Vol. 91).\n5. Superintendent in charge of Punishments.\n6. Superintendent in charge of Construction.\n7. Superintendent in charge of Herds and Flocks.\n\n## Imperial Stables (Vol. 92). \n## Warder of Gardens.\n\nThere is a supplement in regard to weaving and dyeing.\n\n## Arsenal.\n## Imperial Retinue (Vol. 93). \n## Department of the Commander of Imperial Guard (Vol. 94.)\n\n## Generals of the Eight Banners (Vol. 95.)\n\nThis refers to the eight great divisions of the Manchu people, representing the different armies which were employed in the conquest of China.\n\n## Regulations in regard to the Banners. \n## Population. \n## Lands. \n## Military Regulations (Vol. 98). \n## Teaching and Practice (Vol. 97), \n## Distributing Office. \n## Hereditary Honors. \n## Teaching and Support. \n## Imperial Bounty. \n## Mode of Public Business. \n## Commander of the Vanguard (Vol. 98). \n## Commander of the Guards. \n## Guides. \n## Commander of the Infantry (Vol. 99). \n## Comp of Fire Arms (Vol. 100).\n\n## Guard for Un-Ming-Un (Summer Palace).\n## \"Firm and Courageous\" Camp.\n## \"Three Banner Tiger\" Camp.\n\nThe study of this work takes us back to ancient times, to the days of Marco Polo, and \n\nPage 156", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 317926, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "page_number": 177, "title": "CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9]", "content_text": "## 02\n\n**THE CHINA REVIEW**\n\n...of high rank, communicating with native Mandarins by means of \"huge official envelopes, duly stamped and sealed,\" and thus, by the implied threat of political difficulties with France or the Pope, protect unscrupulous native criminals. The number is well illustrated and contains two valuable sketch maps of the districts surrounding Amoy and Swatow.\n\nWe regret to have to note in connection with this periodical the death of the Rev. Carstairs Douglas, M.A., LL.D., who was one of its principal promoters. He died since the issue of this number, rather suddenly, of cholera. Dr. Douglas arrived in China in 1855 and has ever since been foremost among the able representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Amoy. He was a first-class scholar, as evidenced by his \"Dictionary of the Vernacular of Amoy; London, 1873,\" and his various contributions to the China Review, Missionary Recorder, and other periodicals, but he was also an excellent practical worker, gifted with a largeness of heart and keenness of foresight so widely recognized that he was unanimously chosen President of the late Missionary Conference, although he was one of the principal partisans of Shangti as against Shin or Tien-chu.\n\nA complete Atlas of the two hemispheres. Second, revised, and improved edition. Canton, 1877. This is a very creditable product of native intelligence and industry and a good specimen of native block-printing. We have here three sheets, the first giving the two hemispheres, designed each with a diameter of two feet; the frontiers of the different countries are suitably coloured; all the principal names of countries, mountains, rivers, seas, etc., printed in bold type; and the available space filled up with brief notes on the usual subjects generally treated as introductory to geography. The accompanying two sheets give the most needful details concerning the political and topographical geography of each country seriatim. For a future edition of this for native schools specially valuable publication, we would recommend Mr. Leung Chu-shan to overhaul his system of spelling foreign names so as to make it uniform, to be more liberal in accepting popular terms such as 新金山 for Australia or 加利福尼亞 for California, which have once become generally accepted and are indispensable in speaking, and finally to bring up his accounts of European countries to the date of publication, including, for instance, the political results of the late Franco-Prussian war. The author ought also to state where this second and improved edition of his Atlas is for sale in Hongkong or Canton. The only reference we find is his private address, viz. 省沙基大街梁柱臣, Leung Chi-shan, Sha-ki Street, Canton.\n\n**Chinese Studies at Oxford**.—The Rev. Professor Dr. Legge, having in the course of last term given several lectures on Chinese Grammar, continued his course of Chinese instruction, during the term which is now ending, by treating in three consecutive public lectures the well-known Sacred Edict. Next term the exhibition of these sixteen maxims will be complete by one lecture, the subsequent lectures being devoted to Grammar.\n\nWe are pleased to learn that there are now a few students giving their attention to Chinese studies. The lectures on the Sacred Edict will be published in successive numbers of the China Review, as probably also the lectures on Grammar. Dr. Legge is now in correspondence with the Foreign and Colonial Offices regarding his proposal to send the Candidates for the Consular Service in China and Japan, as also the Candidates for the Civil Service in the Straits and in Hongkong, for a course of Chinese study, as unattached students of the University, to Oxford, in which case Dr. Legge will secure the assistance of a Pekingese native teacher.\n\n**SHORT NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS**\n\n**Chinese Studies in America**.—The chair for Chinese Language and Literature which is to be established at Yale College has been offered to Dr. S. Wells Williams, the author of the \"Middle Kingdom\" and of the two well-known Dictionaries for Cantonese and Mandarin Dialects. There is also a project to introduce Chinese lectures at Harvard University, without, however, establishing a Professorial chair. Mr. Francis P. Knight, formerly of Shanghai, and Chinese Commissioner of the Philadelphia Exhibition, proposed to President Eliot to bring from China one or two native teachers, who, he thinks, with the help of Sir Thomas Wade's textbooks would teach a young man, in the course of two years, sufficient Chinese to enable him to take a position of some usefulness upon arrival in China as a Consul or in connection with the Legation in Peking. A subscription has been opened by Mr. Knight to find the necessary funds, whilst President Eliot has promised the assistance of the Corporation in this undertaking.\n\n**COLLECTANEA BIBLIOGRAPHICA**\n\n| Publication | Issue | Title/Description |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Chambers's Journal | Febr., 1877 | A journey in Turkestan |\n| Leisure Hour | March, 1877 | Augustus Raymond Margary |\n| Leisure Hour | June, 1877 | The cup of gold, a Chinese story |\n| Leisure Hour | June, 1877 | Japanese (and Chinese) Music and musical instruments |\n| London & China Express | July, 1877 | A Chinese Dictionary in the Cantonese Dialect |\n| Lappincott's Magazine | June, 1877 | The Chinese at Beaver Falls |\n| The Nation | May, 1877 | A Chinese teachership at Harvard |\n| The Nation | May, 1877 | The Folklore of China |\n| The Saturday Review | May, 26, 1877 | Marks on China |\n| The Nineteenth Century | July, 1877 | A journey to China, and round the world, by Tho. Brassey, M.P. |\n| Trübner's American and Oriental Literary Record | Nos. 125 and 126, 1877 | Translation of the Peking Gazette; China and her Apologist; Catalogue of the Jesuit Missionaries in China |\n| The Hongkong Government Gazette | No. 36, 11 Aug., 1877 | Civil Service Examinations, Hongkong |\n| The Friend of China | June, 1877 | Our Chinese critics |\n| North-China Daily News | July, 1877 | Mr. Giles' Records of the Buddhistic Kingdoms |\n| North-China Daily News | July 21, 1877 | A Chinese Professorship at Oxford |\n| North-China Daily News | Aug. 2, 1877 | Epitome of ancient history of Japan |\n| The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal | May-June, 1877 | Rise and Progress of the Miau-tsze |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. VIII, No. 26 | Philological diversions; From Swatow to Canton; Dr. Legge and the Conference; The Son of Heaven |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. IX, No. 1 | The Logus of the Chinese; Bits of Chinese Travel; Record of the Buddhistic Kingdoms |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. IX, No. 2 | Bits of Chinese Travel; A Mandarin Primer; List of the high provincial authorities of China |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. IX, No. 3 | Bits of Chinese Travel; A Chinese view of the Cuban question |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. IX, No. 4 | Bits of Chinese Travel; The China Review |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. IX, No. 5 | The departure of Mr. Wylie; Bits of Chinese Travel |\n| The Celestial Empire | Vol. IX, No. 6 | Bits of Chinese Travel |\n| Magazin für die Literatur des Auslandes | 46 Jahrg. No. 20 | Literarisches über China and Japan |\n| Das Ausland | No. 18 | Corea |\n| Europa. Redig. von H. Kleinstouber | No. 19 | Der Theestrauch |\n| Die Grenzboten. Redig. von H. Bluhm | No. 20 | Der wahre Konfutse |\n\nThe following are the latest publications on Chinese subjects:\n\n- A visit to Japan, China and India, by R. N. Fowler, M.A. London, 1877.\n- `China, No. 2, 1877`. Report by Mr. Davenport upon the trading capabilities of the country traversed by the Yunnan mission. (Blue Book.)\n- Treaties referring to trade between Great Britain and China, by Edward Herstlet, Librarian to the Foreign Office. London, 1877.\n- The Diseases of China, By John Dudgeon, M.D. Glasgow, 1877.\n- Le Catholicisme en Chine. Par P. Dabry de Thiersant. Paris, 1877.\n- China, Erlebnisse eigener Reisen und darauf gegründete Studien. Von Ferdinand von Richthofen. Erster Band. Einleitender Theil. Mit XXIX. Holzschnitten und XI. Karten. Berlin, 1877.\n- Eine Staatslehre auf ethischer Grundlage oder Lehrbegriff des chinesischen Philosophen Mencius. Von E. Faber. Elberfeld, 1877.\n\nPage 63 \nPage 174", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-202 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1882 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 320089, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882", "page_number": 53, "title": "CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882", "content_text": "## 154 \n\n**THE LONDON AND CHINA TELEGRAPH**\n\nIn all cases in which Japanese, especially Government departments, are plaintiffs in our Courts, it is eminently desirable that the fullest investigation should be accorded, and the judgment based upon the clearest reasoning.\n\nSevere indisposition has compelled Mr. Martin Dohmen, H.B.M. acting consul at Yokohama, to take leave of absence. His place will be filled by Mr. J. J. Enalie, the senior member of the consular corps in Japan, with the exception of Mr. Russell Robertson, who is now acting judge of H.B.M. Court for Japan. The appointment of Mr. Enalie has been received with much satisfaction, because the nomination of Mr. Dohmen about three years ago was regarded as improper, in view of that gentleman's shorter service and inexperience. The appointment of Mr. Hannen to be acting chief justice of the Supreme Court for China and Japan has enabled the arrears of appeals to be cleared off. Several cases tried here in 1877, and appealed to Shanghai, have been decided; but the delay, expense, and anxiety have weighed heavily upon the suitors. The probability of Mr. Rennie being promoted to the chief justiceship of Shanghai and Mr. Hannen appointed to Yokohama is a gratifying prospect to the communities of both ports, where the gentlemen named are well known and highly esteemed.\n\nThe Kaitakushi, or Colonization Commission, a department of the Government which has been for years past regarded with the utmost aversion and suspicion, is now finally abolished, the government of Yezo being assimilated with that of other parts of the empire. Hakodate, Sapporo, and Nemuro are made the seats of three ken; and the business of colonisation will henceforward be attended to in a separate department in the two latter ken. This change will probably save the national purse seventy per cent of the former cost of this service under the loose administration of General Kuroda, who is now said to have resigned his office. Probably, finding his occupation gone, no other alternative was left for General Kuroda.\n\nThe settlement is a prey to fatty robberies and burglarious openings of warehouses and abstraction of portions of their contents. The police do not seem equal to the task of suppression or detection; and this, combined with the intolerable condition of the settlement, again suggests the necessity for the formation of a municipality in which the residents shall be properly and effectively represented. The new order in council contains references to municipal and land regulations applicable to the open ports of Japan, which revive the hope that we may eventually succeed in placing this settlement under our own control; and to enforce the observance of the regulations upon those whose defiance of all laws is now a standing reproach to, and testimony of the weakness and inefficiency of the courts of those nations enjoying extra-territorial rights yet unable to control their own people.\n\n[FEB. 21, 1882]\n\nIt is now stated that Mr. Shishido will not be removed from the Japanese Legation at Peking, but will return to his post in March. The Loochoo question is, according to the Japan Herald, likely to crop up again during the summer, and \"the foreign emissary of the Japanese Government, still tarries in Peking,\" where he is supposed to be endeavouring to do something in the grievance between the two Empires. The Echo du Japon also refers to the same question. Two Loochooan delegates, who visited Peking with the idea of enlisting the aid of China to recover the lost independence of their home, have recently committed suicide, driven probably to desperation by the delays and sinuosities of Celestial diplomacy.\n\n## KOREA\n\n## FUSAN\n\nA Japanese newspaper, the Mainichi Shimbun, recently printed a note to the effect that Ri-Saison, step-brother of the King, assisted by three formerly distinguished officials, had attempted to break out into rebellion; but that their scheme was nipped in the bud, and the conspirators were arrested. Now the same paper gives further intelligence from Seoul stating that the three ex-officials were beheaded and dismembered on the 2nd Dec. The heads were suspended by the hair from poles; and the arms and legs, roughly wrapped in straw, were put on piles of faggots, while the dismembered trunks were left lying on the ground at the foot of the same. The second names of the traitors were placarded on the exposed corpses, but not their family names. Ri-Saisen, in consideration of his being the nearest relative of the Sovereign, had his capital sentence remitted, and was exiled. Ri Reisboku, one of the would-be rebels, committed suicide in prison by biting off his tongue.\n\nRumours are afloat that the King has sent a message to Peking asking for arms and soldiers to expel the Japanese who have fastened on two settlements on the shore opposite the West Coast of Japan. All accounts agree that the Japanese are very cruel, and that the Koreans are minded to rise and massacre them. The Chinese, it is stated, are even more sensitive about Korea than about Loochoo.\n\nThe Government are about to establish Custom Houses, the working of which is to be on much the same principle as the one now adopted by China in collecting her revenue on foreign bottoms.\n\n## CHINA\n\n## PEKING\n\nA very serious quarrel took place some ten years ago between a military mandarin named Chen Kuo-jui and Li Shih-chung, Commander-in-chief of the forces of Kiang-nan. An edict appeared in the Peking Gazette in 1871, in reply to a memorial from Tseng Kou-fan on the subject, degrading the two officers for their unseemly brawl. The Shen Pao of Jan. 2 contains a proclamation by the Governor of An-hui to the effect that, acting on the Imperial authority, he caused Li Shih-chung to be arrested secretly on the night of the 1st of the current moon in a garrison, and then and there beheaded.\n\nWe have enjoyed, as best we could under adverse conditions of trade, the holidays incident to the season. Christmas was observed by foreign residents in various ways; and the new year by our Japanese friends. Poverty and stagnation are, however, too visible through the outward show of festivity; and it is evident that if this country is to maintain its commercial relations with the world to the satisfaction and advantage of those concerned, a thorough and radical change must be made in the restrictive laws which impede trade and embarrass every producer and merchant alike.\n\nThe mail via United States, originally intended to leave Jan. 10, is postponed to Jan. 21, to the great inconvenience of merchants here and the annoyance of those in China whose letters are on the way to connect here with the steamer that was to leave on the 10th. The withdrawal of the excellent and regular service of the P. & O. Steam Navigation Company has been a source of much loss and inconvenience to foreign mercantile interests in Japan; and the probability is that a memorial will shortly be addressed to H.B.M. Government praying for its restoration.\n\nA general meeting of the Asiatic Society has been held at the Chamber of Commerce, Tokio, the Rev. J. L. Amerman, Vice President, in the chair. Mr. Ernest Satow read a paper entitled \"Notes on the Early History of Printing in Japan.\"\n\nIt is stated that Mr. Tekeha Pinpei, President of one of the Provincial Assemblies, has been decapitated in his own house, and his wife mortally wounded by three unknown men, who announced that robbery was not their motive. It is supposed they were actuated by private spite, or had some political object in committing the crime.\n\nA serious mutiny among prisoners broke out in the prison at Hamamatsu, Shidzuoka ken, on the 24th Dec. Eighty prisoners combined to escape, and made a desperate attempt to carry their plans into execution; but guard and police were at hand, and, by use of arms, the ringleader being shot dead at the outset, the revolt was subdued, but not until many were seriously wounded on both sides.\n\nThe Japanese newspapers state that the Miyee-kan, iron sheathed corvette, one of the three constructed by Sir E. J. Reed, on her return voyage from Persia, where she had been on a special mission, showed signs of deterioration, supposed to be due to defective construction.\n\n## DRAFT\n\nPage 55\n\nThe O.A.G.\n\nMr. ... \nMINUTE.\n\nPraesoni saful Дария\n\nMr. Wingfield.\nMr. Bramston.\nMr. Meade.\nMr. Herbert.\nMr. Courtney.\nLord Kimberley.\n\nsubmitted.\n\nb: 13.8.194\n\nit. Hoy Kay 51\n\nPii, 6948\n\nRECO\n\nREGO 16 APR 82.\n\n18April:82\n\nMy attention has been drawn to the ...\n\n678210\n\nthe Gleaner by Addicati\" to iding\n\nThe Courier reports that the Sub-Reader, Chang Chi Tung, has been appointed Governor of the Province of Shansi. This promotion is a remarkable one, from the fact that a Sub-Reader belongs to the fifth degree of rank, whereas a Governor of a Province is second in grade only to Viceroy, as the former has almost equal power with the latter, and has under his immediate command the whole of the military forces of his Province. A Sub-Reader, on the other hand, holds but an insignificant office, and the only importance that attaches to it is on account of the freedom of speech permitted in memorialising the Throne—a prerogative which is shared by the Censors. The sudden promotion of Chang Chi Tung from insignificance to importance is to be traced to his having written the famous memorial against Chung How and his more recent intrepid letter to the Viceroy Li Hung Chang. In politics Chang belongs to the Tso party, and he is regarded by them as one of their shining lights, destined shortly to blaze into the refulgence of a Viceroy.\n\nThe North China Daily News correspondent writes:--The French Minister and his family have arrived after a very considerable absence. The British Minister and Lady Wade have also arrived. It must be a source of the greatest pleasure to all Peking residents to see Lady Wade once more. Important negotiations with the Viceroy regarding opium duty have, it is reported, been occupying the attention of the British Minister and Chinese high officials at Tientsin, and doubtless the interests of the victims of the opium vice, as well as those of the two countries more especially interested, have not been overlooked by either statesman. Tsao Tsung-tang joined their deliberations at Tientsin on his way south. China has a few enlightened and able statesmen at present who seem determined to grapple with this enormous question. Very considerable interest is taken in the subject at present, and if nothing effective is now done it is to be feared another equally good opportunity may not arrive. It stands to reason that before the Chinese are able to drain their own ...\n\n\"I was ... from \"to \"monopoly there\"\n\n1 Feb. p. 162 Explow\n\nHannisy\n\nbyt? Kimberley privately. Oct. 6.\n\nRKA. Oct. 9.\n\nEnclosed extracts from the \"London & China Telegraph\" of the 13th and 22nd February, the meaning of which I am unable to understand and shall be glad to receive your ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 320775, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "page_number": 154, "title": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "content_text": "(Private and confidential.)\n\nMY LORD,\n\n20th January? to take into confidential receipt thereof. I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant, Administering the Government.\n\n19th October, 1887(?)\n\nC. O.\n\n44011\n\nRECP\n\nREGO 13 MAR 277\n\nHONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,\n\n153\n\nHONGKONG, January 20th, 1883.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE's despatch of the 10th October, 1882, replying to the communication I made on behalf of this Chamber to your Lordship on the subject of the Treaty recently negotiated between Great Britain and the Kingdom of Korea.\n\nI have now to convey to your Lordship the thanks of the Chamber for the courteous and confidential invitation extended to the Committee to express its views upon the Treaty, a copy of which was enclosed with Sir JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE's letter, and to set forth, with as much brevity as the subject permits, the opinions of the Committee upon the operation of the clauses which relate to Trade and Commerce.\n\nThe Committee has no doubt that Her Majesty's Government, when entering into political relations with Korea, has regarded that Kingdom as a State which is completely independent in respect of its domestic administration and its international responsibilities, though subject to a certain undefined suzerainty exercised by China, similar to that acknowledged by Annam and Burmah and hitherto satisfied by the rendition of an annual tribute. That such has also been the view held, until recently, by China herself, is clear from the evidence furnished by the express declarations of the Tsungli Yamên of Peking in 1866 and 1871 on the occasion of French and American difficulties with Korea, when the Chinese Government disclaimed all responsibility for Korean affairs, and by her acquiescence in the recognition of the complete independence of Korea which was declared in the Japanese Treaty with that country concluded in 1876.\n\nSince, however, the attack upon the Japanese Legation at Seoul last year, the Chinese Government appears to have changed its attitude, and to have asserted its claims to exercise control not only over the administration of the internal affairs of Korea but also over its foreign relations. The Edict published some months ago in the Peking Gazette, notifying the punishment of the Dai-in-Kun, refers to the King of Korea as being subject to Chinese law and authority, and in a document recently made public, styled \"Regulations for the conduct of trade by sea and land between Chinese and Korean subjects,\" the Grand Secretary LI-HUNG-CHANG, late Viceroy of Pechili, is designated in terms of official equality with the King of Korea, as if the Ruler of that Country were occupying a position delegated to him by the Emperor, analogous in point of rank and authority to that of a Governor General of a Chinese Province.\n\nThe Committee may hereafter deem it necessary to consider, in a separate communication to your Lordship, the terms of these \"Regulations\" and the special privileges which they appear to confer upon Chinese Traders, and refers to them now, when discussing the bearing of the British Treaty, in order to bring prominently before Her Majesty's Government the desirability of ascertaining the precise character of the relationship claimed by the Government of China quoad that of Korea, before Her Majesty is advised to ratify the Treaty negotiated by Admiral WILLES.\n\nAs the Kingdom of Korea has never been claimed to be an integral part of the Chinese Dominions, it is either a mediatized State under the protection of China, in which case the authority of its King to conclude Treaties with foreign nations may hereafter be questioned, or it is an independent country with whose autonomy the \"Regulations\" referred to are...\n\nThe Right Honourable\n\nEARL GRANVILLE, K.G.,\n\n&c., &c.\n\nHer Majesty Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,\n\nLONDON.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 320834, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "page_number": 213, "title": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "content_text": "15\n\nFull: 1° / in hd. I twlelt, luft, Deep, h&8 of 227 Jan. 1883\n\nMemorial from\n\nBourd\n\nof\n\n212\n\nC. O.\n\nRECE\n\n51461\n\narer 27 MR &\n\nPunishurich.\n\nIn the year 1811, the moralisti Board, in obedience to an Imperial edict, drew up the following Memorial on the law of torture:\n\nIn the trial of a case, if the presiding Magistrate is able to arrive at a fair and unbiassed decision without the use of torture, he does not presume to have recourse to it: but if a hundred difficulties arise, if a prisoner prove obdurate and wasive, persist in holding ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 322258, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7]", "page_number": 130, "title": "CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7]", "content_text": "all Beams Launches, Boats, &c. belonging to, and Return of Sea-going men in the employment of the Government of Hong Kong, Name of Department, no. of men, no. of men, no. of men :\n\nFonnage attached to. Engineers Firemen Dickha. pulling boats.\n\nBoat! ram launches Letoria men in Remarks.\n\nHilda Starbour De 3. 2 Caries May Police. 2 Proxequian 292 D: 10 De Blanche 12 Stealth. Brew Manned by Whines Price 2 Gigs. no Dars Jars * Starbour. 244 Do .D. Oars Oars 4 Jars + Cox: Harbour Gunpowder Depot Harbour, you ma li Dr Shauki van! De Stanley Do Aberdeend Iolice in Viktoria Harbour Total.\n\n12 Sotal of Water Police. Europeans. 1 Inspector. sergeant. 17 Conchables. / Carpenter. Chinese 56 11 Sergeants Chinese /// Constables) boatmen 2 Carpenters 2 Painters I lailmaker. 35- Chinese Edice, Jauma ti 10 Malir De Whitfield -L_Chaukiwan Herdeen\n\ntram launches 6 29 Bigs Starbour Department, Hong Kong, 20th June, 1883.\n\n7 143 * These men are Police taken from the above Force.\n\n(SA) A. & homsett. Harbour Master;", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 322803, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9]", "page_number": 160, "title": "CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9]", "content_text": "155\n\n(8)\n\nJune 30th this year is only 4, and one extradition case to Singapore, and no case has been grave enough to send to the Supreme Court. This result must be considered satisfactory.\n\nIn paragraph 18 page 123 of the Blue-book cited above Lord KIMBERLEY partially discusses three different suggested remedies. His first suggestion is to make it a misdemeanour to purport to pass a child for money in the Colony. The objections to that change in the Criminal law His Lordship himself pointed out. I think they are almost fatal and that our present Criminal law goes as far as a general regard for liberty will permit. His Lordship's third scheme, namely, registration of adopted children, had been thought of and already suggested; but there are in my opinion insuperable objections to that plan. The best informed Chinese think so too; for it will be remembered that money always passes when strangers-in-blood are adopted, as well as in cases of domestic service. The registration of such a transaction at a Government office would be at once construed as giving a good title in virtue of the money payment and it would be used against a child seeking its freedom. Frequently Chinese will come to the Registrar General's office and ask to have a transaction of sale into adoption witnessed with the view of having the fact recorded that a certain amount of money was advanced or paid. This is to preserve evidence in case a claim is made for the child. The danger therefore is that the Government would be compromised by countenancing in any way a transaction where money was paid for a child. I think a modification of Lord KIMBERLEY'S second suggestion would be practicable, as it is based on the universal custom of giving security which prevails in China. It would work smoothly and probably accomplish much good. At all events it might be tried as an experiment.\n\nThe scheme which I suggest is that power should be given to the Registrar General to summon before him suspicious persons who had \"pocket-daughters\" or female domestic servants, and in his discretion to call upon them to find reasonable security for their bonâ fides towards such children. The Registrar General should associate with himself say three or four members of the Po Leung Kuk--the Chinese society for the protection of women and children-who would advise him as a Consulting Committee. He should also have power to summon before him all women of disreputable character who kept girls between the ages of 8 and 16 inclusive by virtue of adoption or of purchase for domestic service. He should have power to require the attendance of the girls at his office before himself and the consulting Chinese Committee. He should be able also to summon persons as witnesses who could give information about either the children or their so-called owners. The girl could be instructed in her rights in cases of suspicion and shown how she could be protected; and the woman put under a rule of bail to produce the girl when required. There should also be a power of appeal in a summary way to a Judge in chambers against any order of the Registrar General, and the Registrar General should be empowered to apply to a Judge for a writ of Habeas Corpus with the view of taking away any child from the custody of persons who had no right to keep it, and whose retention of it militated against the child's interests. The Judge of course would be governed by the principles of English law and make such order as the best interests of the child demanded. The knowledge of the existence of such a power and its occasional exercise would, in my opinion, be most useful, and the leading Chinese whom I have consulted think it is the only practical method yet suggested which whilst not interfering with the respectable and settled population would be a very powerful aid towards suppressing the \"Tsó Chü fa\" nurseries for rearing up young girls for immoral purposes. The names of the consulting Chinese Committee should be approved by the Governor. The Committee would have no executive power. Their function would be purely consultative. By way of further precaution, and for the better promulgation of our law of liberty, I think there might also be erected in some of the public thoroughfares on the borders of our territory on the mainland and near some of the Chinese wharves stone tablets with inscriptions to the effect that in British territory no such thing as slavery existed, and that all transactions of purchase and sale of children were null and void. Similar tablets might be placed at the Temples and Theatres and other places of public resort. The Chinese promulgate edicts by proclamations and have engraved on stone what they want to be permanent. I would suggest also that notice boards should be put up permanently in the River steamers pointing out that every woman and child had a right to personal freedom and that no money bargain could be valid on English soil. On the steamers plying between Canton and here, and Macao and this port, and in the passenger steamers to the Straits Settlements such notices are posted up by the Emigration Officer warning people who go before him that they are free to refuse to go on board if they wish, and that they can complain to the officers on the ships or at Singapore. A more general statement of the rights of all persons might be prepared and painted on white boards. With these precautions in addition to those now in force, and a continued vigilant care on the part of all Judicial and Executive officers to promptly attend to all cases where there is any suspicion against the liberty of the subject, the abuses arising from the system of domestic service and adoption will be all but put a stop to, whilst the views of the Chinese -who are the bulk of the population-will be met, and their customs and usages maintained, (so far as is consistent with perfect freedom of the subject) as was promised them when Hongkong was erected into a Colony and they were invited to settle here.\n\nTO RECAPITULATE.\n\n1° It is shown that child adoption in China and among the Chinese in Hong-kong is always accompanied by the payment of money and a \"deed of gift\" or bill of sale when the adopted are strangers-in-blood; and that even money passes in the case of relatives if the parents of the adopted child are poor or not nearly related to the adopting parents.\n\n2° It is shown that male children are not bought and sold as servants in Hongkong nor in the Canton province, but that female children are disposed of for money by their parents according to Chinese usage and custom, and that the Chinese authorities recognise such sales as binding if executed with due formalities, whilst Hongkong treats all such transactions as null and void, giving no rights and conferring no title.\n\n3°. It is shown that the abuses arising from the Chinese system of money passing in the case of adoption and domestic service are :-----\n\n1 Kidnapping to some extent,\n\n2° Brothel bondage; and that female children who are voluntarily parted with by their parents for daughters and servants may be sold as prostitutes by disreputable persons.\n\n4° It is shown that claims set up by Chinese to ownership on the ground of purchase have been promptly set aside in Hongkong and the claimants punished for any assault or offence committed against the person claimed-and that no opportunity has been lost of proclaiming the freedom of the subject,\n\n(9)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 323883, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-213 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [12]", "page_number": 314, "title": "CO129-213 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [12]", "content_text": "is under the seal \n\nof His Excellency the \n\nGovernor General and is dated the 19th \n\nof September last \n\nM. Yu has been \n\nan officer \n\nof the Chinese Government from \n\nearly age: \n\nWe have been both requested by His Excellency the Governor General \n\nto attend to this matter. \n\nI have \n\nthe honour to be,\n\n \n(s) C. Ewens.\n\nPECE \n\n4 \n\n313 \n\nG.C.M.G. \n\nTo Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.C.M.G. \n\nGovernor and Commander-in-\n\nChief of \n\nHong Kong and Vice Admiral of the same and to Henry Charles Wodehouse Esquire, Police Magistrate and to Henry George Thomsett, Esquire, Acting Police Magistrate and to the Police Court of Hong Kong : - \n\nWe Creasy Ewens deputed Officer for and by the Governor-General of the Two Kwang and Yu Ching Cheung, officer of the civil third class expectant Prefect of the Kwangtung Province specially authorized by Imperial Edict \n\nto serve both in Northern and \n\nSouthern Ports in the Empire of China, and both specially deputed by the said Governor General to attend to and procure the arrest and \n\ntransmission", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-213 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 324314, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-214 - Public Offices & Others - 1883", "page_number": 346, "title": "CO129-214 - Public Offices & Others - 1883", "content_text": "to return to the Marquis\n\nBoing.\n\nam, sir,\n\nYou most obedient\n\nhumble servant\n\nBann cepote.\n\njol\n\n£ 9.\n\nChinese haga For\n\nJus\n\nmy and,\n\nREC?\n\n312\n\nREGO 4 AUG 83.\n\nI have the honour to\n\nof the Imperial\n\ninfaren 4.C. that responding\n\ny.. to the memorial Canon Tung thin. I'm calling\n\nAn\n\nau\n\nensuing\n\ninto the case\n\nof 13 persons accused of the\n\nmurder of Yang Sin-wei and Yang\n\nI seen. Trang\n\ni, Yang\n\nHarn\n\nKuan, and for whose extradition\n\nan application was some time\n\nago\n\nunsuccessfully addressed\n\nto the British Authorities at\n\nal framille\n\nan\n\nImperial Edict\n\nhas", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-214 - Public Offices & Others - 1883.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325310, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4]", "page_number": 570, "title": "CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4]", "content_text": "The Crisis in Peking.\n\nEnclosure\n\nTHE DEGRADATION OF PRINCE KUNG.\n\nA Decree written with the Vermilion Pencil.\n\nWe have reverently received the following commands from Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager.\n\n1\n\nAt the present moment the pristine vigour of the Empire is impaired, and the difficulties of the time are greater than ever; administration is mismanaged and the people find no rest. The services of capable men are absolutely required for the conduct of public affairs, whether central or provincial. The Grand Council is the pivot upon which all administration, internal and external, turns. Yi Hsin, Prince Kung, and those associated with him were in the first instance fairly careful in their conduct and zealous in the assistance which they rendered, but as time went on they became self-satisfied and thought only of securing their own aggrandisement, while of late years their daily increasing rank and emoluments have caused them to lapse into a corresponding condition of perfunctoriness. Every effort made by the Court to exert itself and to endeavour to exercise good government has been met by fallacious adherence to preconceived notions and an unwillingness to display any genuine exertion in the execution of its behests. Their conduct has been repeatedly criticised in detail by those who have the right to speak. They have been charged with concealment, with indifference to public interests, with corruption and with a want of perception in the selection of fitting agents.\n\nNow the Domestic Law of this Dynasty is stringent in the extreme, and if it be said that any member of the Imperial line, in imitation of someone of former generations, is anxious to usurp power and throw the Government into confusion, not only would no one dare to harbour the thought, but the Laws would not permit of the execution of such a design.\n\nInasmuch, however, as the mischief wrought by the shortcomings above referred to is already by no means slight, if We continue to pursue a course of indulgent toleration and make no change in Our attitude, how shall We promote that policy of national dignity which is the legacy of Our Illustrious forefathers? How, too, when the Emperor in due course of time takes the reins of Government into his own hands, will he be able to carry out his various duties in a satisfactory manner? If We were to give publicity to each and every one of the denunciations that have been launched against them (the Grand Council), We could not continue to be influenced by considerations of kindred or high position, nor could We endeavour indirectly to protect them by reason of their age or long service, as this would be repugnant to the broad principles of magnanimity by which the Court is actuated in its administration of affairs. When We speak of these things or reflect upon them, Our heart is filled with compassion.\n\nYi Hsin, Prince Kung, and the Grand Secretary Pao Yun have been longest in office, and upon them heavy punishment should rightly fall. But when We bear in mind that the one is afflicted with many ailments and that the other is stricken in years, We purposely take note of the past meritorious services of the first, and extend protection to the second as he nears the last stage of his journey through life.\n\nAs a special act of grace, We command that Yi Hsin shall retain hereditary rank of Imperial Prince of the First Order, which shall be secured to his family for ever, together with the emoluments attaching thereto. But he will be deprived of every office that he holds and the double allowances that were granted him as a special mark of benevolence, and he will remain at home and attend to his ailments.\n\nPao Yün will retire from office with his present rank.\n\nLi Hung-tsao, Assistant Grand Secretary and President of the Board of Civil Office, has served in the Palace for years, but is hampered by a want of ability and experience, with the result that he mismanages everything that he undertakes.\n\nChing Lien, President of the Board of War, can do no more than carry out his allotted duties in a mechanical way, but the power of organisation is not his strong point. Both these officers will relinquish all the offices they hold and be transferred to other posts with the deprivation of two steps of substantive rank.\n\nWong Tung-ho, President of the Board of Works, has just entered the Grand Council at a time when there are many affairs on hand. Although he is not conspicuous for ability, there is on the other hand no blame to be attached to him. As an Act of Special Grace, We deprive him only of his official rank and allow him to retain his office, but he retires from the Grand Council, continuing as before to officiate in the Imperial School-room. This is to manifest the discrimination We exercise in the awarding of punishments.\n\nWe have been quietly observing the motives and methods of the aforesaid Prince and high officers for some time past, and We are aware that it is absolutely impossible that they can rouse themselves from the condition into which they have fallen, while there is every reason to fear that the deeper the mischief they work, the heavier will be the punishment they must receive. We have therefore done all in our power to save them by the infliction of the lightest penalty that their offence will permit of. It is not for the commission of an ordinary or trifling offence or by reason of a single impeachment by some officer of inferior rank that We have caused the Prince and high officers to retire into leisure or be deprived of rank.\n\nFrom this time forth, all officials, high and low, whether they be serving in the capital or the provinces, must positively be earnestly on their guard against the sin of perfunctoriness. Let them one and all give expression to their views with loyalty and sincerity, provided that their criticisms are just and equitable. Their aims must be far-seeing and wide in scope. We shall look only at the motive which prompts the suggestions and not at these suggestions themselves, but should this be of benefit to the state, they will never fail to meet with their due meed of praise and tangible reward. Partisanship, on the other hand, or favouritism, or the furtherance of private interests under the cloak of public aims, struggling for the supremacy, or backbiting, or, which is worse, conduct of a low and debasing character, such as bribery and corruption, will assuredly be promptly unmasked and punished unmercifully, as the Law requires.\n\nLet this be universally made known.\n\nELEVATION OF PRINCE CHUN.\n\n(From a Correspondent at Peking.)\n\nYou will no doubt have already received news of the change of Ministry here. Nothing is said by the Chinese about the imminence of war; but the following Edict, which appears in the Gazette of the 11th instant, is significant:--\n\nTs'z Hsi, Empress Dowager, decrees that all important affairs in the Grand Council shall be referred to his Imperial Highness Prince Chun until the time when the Emperor administers the Government in person, when another Decree will be issued. Reverentially obey!\n\nIs this war or peace? I know nobody who is in a position to answer this question. Several Europeans here affirm that the new Ministers are all violently anti-foreign, and will stick at nothing; but I confess that I differ. I look upon the whole affair as a pretext for condoning the delay that has taken place, and now—in my view—the entire policy and plan of the Government is...\n\nPage 570\n\nPage 571", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325823, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 412, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "# Enclosure: \n## THE FRENCH PROTECTORATE IN TONQUIN\n\nThe wire briefly informs us that France has concluded a treaty with Annam. This is emphatically vague and might even be considered unsatisfactory, if it were not that it is tolerably easy, under present circumstances, to forecast what the main lines of the document are. The French have no doubt simply written down all they wanted and the young King, Kien-Phuc, and his ministers have meekly signed the paper and considered themselves reasonably well treated in having even so small a say in the matter. The fragmentary and erratic treaty which Dr. Harmand concluded last August doubtless but very imperfectly represents the new paper. The right to establish Custom houses in a few named towns therein stipulated for is now probably expanded to a complete liberty to establish such buildings wherever the protectors may please, now or at any future time. It is not at all improbable that a cheap show of generosity will be made in the retrocession of the province of Binh-Thuan to Annam! This district, the ancient Ziampa of Marco Polo, would be of no pecuniary advantage to the French. On the contrary, it would probably make Cochin-China budgets even more unsatisfactory reading than they are at present. By the simple process of returning the province France will be able to lay claim to magnanimity and at the same time will save a great deal of money. Instead of administering Binh Thuan at her own cost France will simply send the same number of Residents thither as she would otherwise have done and will make Annamese revenues pay for them.\n\nThe proceedings of France in the south are, however, not of so much interest to Hongkong as the possibilities in Tonquin. There undoubtedly the Republic will extend her protecting influence to the utmost. Residents will be settled in all the towns of the slightest importance, and the country will be as undistinguishable from Cochin-China as Cambodia is at the present moment. A great endeavour will be made to divert the trade of the country to Saigon, but however that trade may be favoured, it is practically certain that a great part, if not the principal part, of the import and export business will find its way to Hongkong. Numbers of Chinamen are flocking into the country already, but they are Chinamen from Hongkong, or Canton, not Chinamen from Saigon, or rather from the neighbouring mart of Cholen. It is of course the Celestials who make the trade of a country in the East, and the Chinamen in Tonquin will not fail to keep up their relations with their principals or friends, notwithstanding the temptations that may be held out to them to divert the flow of merchandise in another direction.\n\nThe present state and the prospects of the country under its new rulers are therefore matters of very considerable interest to Hongkong. At present in their fear that all the trade of the country will find its way to this colony, the French are inclined to place a variety of restrictions on foreign trade. They are afraid that they will only have the shadow and that all the substance will find its way across the Gulf. The prospect is no doubt aggravating. Tonquin is not merely a very rich colony; it is the only rich colony our neighbours have got. That it should be developed only for the swelling of the money bags of perfide Albion is too exasperating to endure just at present. When, however, it is discovered that without foreign capital Tonquin will not be so very great an acquisition after all irritation will tone down into tolerance. Tonquin promises any amount of wealth, but before money can be got out of it, it must be put in, and that is just where French colonists fail.\n\nThere are not many French colonists in the country yet, and there are no immediate signs that the number is to be increased to any very considerable extent. The few there are are not of a very estimable character from the point of view of a political economist. They are divided into two classes, the cantiniers, the pot-house and wine-shop keepers, and the somewhat more aspiring few who do not keep cabarets, but sell liquor wholesale to those who do. Both of these make money, but they do not make money for France and still less for the colony. Least of all do they advance the prospects of Tonquin. With the laudable object of putting an end to the multiplication of these sorry négociants, General Millot has issued a proclamation. Whether, however, from a hopeless recognition of the fact that no other Frenchmen but dram sellers would come to settle in Tonquin, or with a view to control foreign traders, the edict embraces merchants of all kinds. No one is to be allowed to establish a business of any kind whatever in the country without the express permission of the Government. This is not the way to encourage the bringing of capital into the country, and Tonquin wants money even more desperately than does the French Government itself. The idea may merely be to put an end to the terrible number of drinking shops, but it seems also to be intended to keep down the establishment of foreign firms of whatever kind. The suggestion may appear ill-naturel, but it seems to be borne out by a further vexatious ordinance, issued within the last few weeks. No \"armed exploring parties\" are to be permitted throughout the whole extent of the protectorate. This virtually means the prohibition of exploration of every kind, except such as is sanctioned by the French Government and supported by detachments of French troops. Beyond the limits of actual military occupation, no foreigner is safe unless he is armed. The word \"pirate\" is wonderfully misused down in Tonquin. Any native of the country is stigmatised as a pirate if he objects to the French domination of the country, and with this definition of the word the vast majority of the population of Tonquin are pirates. They are absurdly badly armed, but twenty foot long spears and swords which bend double with every blow, are quite formidable enough weapons against Europeans who have no arms at all. The exploitation of Tonquin is therefore likely to be delayed for a considerable time. Colonists from France with money to set themselves up are devoutly prayed for, but do not seem likely to come. Meanwhile foreigners are apparently warned off no matter how much money they may be willing to spend. This, however, is sure to right itself in time, possibly with the next Governor or Commissary-General, or if not with him, then with his successor, and administrators-in-chief of Tonquin succeed each other with even greater rapidity than Governments in France itself.\n\nMoney is wanted in Tonquin, but it must not be mistaken what it is wanted for. It is not for the cultivation of the country, for there is not a country in all this world that is more thoroughly cultivated than Tonquin as far north as Thai-Nguyen and Hung-Hoa. The lower delta lands are almost wholly given over to rice, but north of the Song-cau river and in the country above Son-tay, Tonquin is more like a large kitchen garden than an ordinary agricultural landscape.\n\nPage 4113\nREGP 19 JUL 84", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326346, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "page_number": 381, "title": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "content_text": "# DESPATCH.\n\n**C. O. 18738**\n\nE 4 NOV R4J 378\n\nInflammatory publications in certain Chinese newspapers.\n\nReports that criminal proceedings have been taken against the Editors.\n\nLends copy of edict published.\n\n## (Minutes.)\n\nYour letter 21/16703, with reference to para. 2. You say in regard to the prosecution of the newspapers Lord Derby proposes with Lord Granville's concurrence to approve the action taken, & in regard to the refusal to work for French ships refer to our letter (to be written to J.O.) No. 19017.\n\nSee also `GR1178/1922/32(III)`.\n\nJovernor.\n\nNo. 336\n\nDate. 8 Nov. 1882\n\nRef. to previous Paper. `J.O. 17246`\n\nand subsequent Paper. `J.O. 8775`\n\nHongKong\n\nNo. 18738\n\n(Subject.)\n\nand I shall await the report which you promised.\n\nOV \n{ \nD \n\nNo. \nuch \n\nfor ams? no. 272.20 Now. 195629 \n\ntraits \n\nCopy to J.O. with reference to pav. 2 Jou \n\ng.W. J. & Nov. 8/11 \n\nEnd Br Nov.9.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326348, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "page_number": 383, "title": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "content_text": "380 \n\n7 \n\nNOV \n\n:3 criminal proceedings to be taken against the Editors of four local Chinese Newspapers namely:- \n\n1. Wa Tsz Yat Po, printed at the \"China Mail\" Office \n2. Tsun Wan Yat Po, \n3. Chung Ngoi San Po, printed at the \"Daily Press\" Office. \n4. Wai San Yat Po, \n\nfor publishing what purported to be an Edict issued by the Viceroy of the Two Kwang and the Governor of Kwangsung, a copy of which is annexed for Your Lordship's information.\n\n(Enclosure)\n\nIn this document, Chinese subjects residing in Hong Kong are exhorted to secretly \"Kill some French Commander, or destroy by fire their munitions of war, or co-operate with the Chinese officers and soldiers in attacking them from within and without, with a view to their being entirely swept away. Promises are held out to those who comply with these instructions of forgiveness for past offences, as well as liberal rewards.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326358, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "page_number": 393, "title": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "content_text": "## \nto be an edict or issued by this Viceroy of the Two Kwang and the Governor of Kwang Tung inciting to the secret destruction of the French in Hampling.\n\n2. His Lordship proposes with Lord Granville's concurrence to approve the actions taken by the Hongkong fort in this matter of prosecution.\n\n3. In regard to the refusal of the Chinese to work for French ships referred to in Mr Marslin's despatch, I am to refer to the letter from this department of the 11th inst.\n\n4. I am also to take this opportunity of forwarding for Lord Granville's information a copy of a despatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements respecting the alleged proclamation calling on Chinese to injure the French at Singapore and other places.\n\nPage 390", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326431, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "page_number": 466, "title": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "content_text": "432 \n\ndespatch of the 17th ult. About the 26th inst. before he buys them from Berne will and will recognise (cheques) the evid this bears and \n\nthe sending cause a default in labour costing \n\nLand Telegraphica \n\nAdict the best plan will perhaps be to hold out for 15000 and \n\ntelegraph to him from after the 26th \n\nLaying that for the lens is \n\ndespatch \n\nthe reasons from to be should not weaken the \n\nGovernment remittance, but that we \n\nTelegraph to \n\nfor. \n\nHauling \n\nAutography at sight \n\nIn Meantime Our query \n\nSir R. Herbert. \n\nhave been instructed to \n\ndraw for amount ten thousand \n\nPhysically \n\nRegotiaure Preferable plan to remittance \n\n1/4 \n\nof November \n\n12 \n\nwill draw against the £10000 as we \n\nwant it \n\nSir R. Herbert \n\nWe discussed this matter \n\naround that it is a mistaken view securities \n\nA day or two earlier there company. \n\nThis telegram \n\nis the best arrangement the office of his. Bureau were at work on the underhand agreement at his arrangement being which \n\nRun 9/10 \n\nCopy ought \n\nrecorded 26.20 pm \n\n96ch: 82 and. \n\nDraft a despatch \n\nstating, explaining \n\nMutually \n\nLithographed \n\nDuly forwarded \n\nNotedly \n\nExplanation given, \n\nPublicly \n\nin my despatch of September", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326489, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "page_number": 524, "title": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "content_text": "## DRAFT\n\nHangkung \n\n20.272 \n\nдене \n\nFifer. Bowen felul \n\nfor \n\n**MINUTE**\n\nMr. John 20 Nor \nMr. De Robeek 20 \nMr. Wingfield. \nMr. Bramston. 20 \nMr. Meade. \nSir R. Herbert. \nMr. Ashley. \nLord Derby. \n\nof \n\nSee 19800 \n2 Drafts \nwith 1 draft on 19657 \n\nI \nfor Akay \n562 \n195 \nInd \nSir, \n520 \nDS. \n20 Nov. 84 \n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Marsh's despatch no.336 of the 25th of September last, and to approve the action taken by your Lordship in prosecuting the Editors of certain Chinese newspapers for publishing a supposed inciting edict to the destruction of French in Hangkung.\n\nI have also received...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326592, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12]", "page_number": 56, "title": "CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12]", "content_text": "## Marshy informed Your Lordship that, on the recommendation of the Attorney General, and with the concurrence of the Executive Council, he had directed criminal proceedings to be taken against the Editors of four local Chinese Newspapers for publishing what purported to be an Edict issued by the Viceroy of Canton. In this document, Chinese subjects residing in Hongkong were exhorted to \"secretly kill some French men\", \"Commander or destroy by fire their munitions of war, or co-operate with the Chinese officers and soldiers in attacking them from within and without, with a view to their being entirely swept away\". Promises were held out to those complying with these instructions of forgiveness for past offences, as well as of liberal rewards in the future.\n\n2. I now enclose a Memorandum from the Attorney General showing the result of the proceedings taken by the Government.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 327909, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "page_number": 287, "title": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "content_text": "20 \n285 \n21 \n\ninto China of the telegraph, which now connects the principal cities from Peking to Canton. It will probably be followed by the construction of railways, which appears to have been authorized by a recent Imperial edict, issued chiefly in consequence of the defect of communications and facilities for the movement of troops and warlike stores to the districts threatened by the French. \n\nThere is still, however, much opposition to railways not only from the vested interests of the owners and crews of junks, and canal boats, and from the carters and packhorse-men, who have hitherto enjoyed a monopoly of the inland traffic of China; but also from the inveterate hatred of all innovation which is the main characteristic of the governing classes. When I was last year entertained at Tientsin, on my way to Peking, by Li Hung Chang, (probably the most able and powerful statesman of China) I had much conversation with...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 330036, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-224 - Foreign Office - 1885", "page_number": 359, "title": "CO129-224 - Foreign Office - 1885", "content_text": "## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\nTranslation of Chinese Text of Franco-Chinese Treaty of June 1885.\n\n**HIS** Majesty the Emperor of China and the President of the French Republic, being desirous to terminate the misunderstanding which arose from the fact of the two countries being simultaneously engaged [in military operations] with Annam, and wishing to re-establish the former conditions of amity and commerce by the conclusion of a new Treaty to the advantage of both Powers, on the basis of the Preliminary Convention of Tien-tsin of the 17th May, 1884, approved by Imperial Edict on the 13th April, 1885, have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say:\n\nHis Majesty the Emperor of China, Li, Imperial Commissioner with Plenipotentiary powers, Grand Secretary of the Wên-hua Throne Hall, Grand Tutor of the Heir-Apparent, Minister Superintendent of Trade for the Northern Sea-board, Governor-General of Chihli, and a member of the first rank of the third grade of hereditary nobility, with the laudatory appellation \"Su-i;\" and Hsi, Imperial Commissioner, Minister of the Tsung-li Yamen, President of the Board of Punishments, Superintendent of the Three Treasuries of the Board of Revenue, Director of the Studies of the hereditary officials of the left wing of the Banner forces, and Lieutenant-General of the Bordered Yellow; Hao-chun, Banner Corps; and Têng, Imperial Commissioner, Minister of the Tsung-li Yamên, and Director of the Court of State Ceremonial; and the President of the French Republic, M. Patenôtre, Officer of the Legion of Honour, bearer of the First Class of the Swedish Order of the Star of the North, Minister Plenipotentiary residing in Peking for the conduct of French affairs;\n\nWho, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, and found them to be in due form, have concluded the following Treaty.\n\n### ARTICLE I.\n\nThe Government of France engages to repress disturbance, and to maintain order throughout those parts of Annam which are conterminous with the Chinese frontier. With respect to the banditti who maltreat the people, and persons of bad character who follow no occupation, it rests wholly with the French Government to take due measures to disperse them, or to expel them from the country, and to keep watch against their reassembling for purposes of disorder. But under no circumstances shall French troops ever cross the frontier of Tonquin into Chinese territory. The French Government, moreover, while distinctly engaging, on its own part, not to encroach upon the frontier in question, also guarantees it against violation from other quarters. In all cases of banditti escaping across the frontier into the border provinces of China it will rest with the Chinese Government to take measures to disperse them, or to expel them from the country. If banditti consort together in Chinese territory, and conspire to attack people under the protection of France, it will also rest with the Chinese Government to disperse them. The French Government having assumed the responsibility of securing the peace of the frontier, the Government of China, on its part, engages not to send troops into Tonquin. With reference to the mutual rendition by China and Annam of absconding criminals, a separate and special Article will be drawn up by the Governments of France and China. All residents of Chinese nationality, including disbanded troops, peaceably pursuing their avocations in Annam, whether as agriculturists, artisans, or traders, against whom no charge lies, will be entitled to the same security of person and property as those who are under the protection of France.\n\n* The Chinese text before me reads for \"basis of cancelling of.\" Probably the Chinese copyist has made an error.-E. C. B.\n\nPage 356", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-224 - Foreign Office - 1885.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 332809, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "page_number": 163, "title": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "content_text": "No. 55.\n\n162\n\nMr. O'Conor to the Earl of Rosebery, (Received April 19.)\n\n(No. 44.) My Lord.\n\nTHE Tsung-li Yamên Ministers, Sun, Liao, and Hsü, called at the Legation yesterday to inform me that an Imperial Decree had been issued approving the Opium Agreement and the Chefoo Convention, and that the Imperial ratification of these instruments would shortly be sent to London by special messenger.\n\nPeking, February 11, 1886.\n\nThe delay that had occurred in issuing this Edict had been caused by the hesitation of the German Government in acceding to the Convention. The German Minister having now signified his consent to its stipulations, the Decree had at once been issued, and the Chinese Government were glad to profit by this opportunity to express their sense of the manner in which Her Majesty's Government had acted throughout in this opium question, and of the friendly assistance which I had rendered the Yamên in their negotiations with the German Minister.\n\nThe Ministers proceeded to say that they would be much obliged if I would inform your Lordship by telegraph of this Decree, and of their desire for the appointment without loss of time of a Commission at Hong Kong, to consider the details to be arranged, with a view to giving effect to the Agreement. The Chinese Government would, the Ministers said, appoint very shortly a Chinese Commissioner, and they hoped Her Majesty's Government would on their side appoint a Consular officer to meet their Commissioner and the Delegates of the Hong Kong Government.\n\nI promised to transmit to your Lordship the message of the Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamên.\n\nIn doing so, I ventured to inquire of your Lordship whether this Commission would also be empowered to consider the questions referred to in the VIIth Article of section 3 of the Chefoo Convention for devising a system to enable the Chinese Government to protect its revenue without prejudice to the interests of the Colony of Hong Kong.\n\nIn the course of conversation yesterday, the Ministers alluded to the proposal made by the Marquis Tsêng that Chinese opium hulks should be allowed to be stationed in the Hong Kong waters to collect the opium tax, and gave me to understand that the Marquis had telegraphed that he thought Her Majesty's Government would agree to the proposal. They did not, however, dwell on this subject, nor did they appear very clear as to the meaning of the telegram from the Marquis Tseng.\n\nThe Ministers made no concealment, however, of the keen anxiety with which they looked forward to the settlement of the working details of an Agreement which they regard as certain to prove a prolific source of revenue to the Central Government.\n\nIt is evident, indeed, that the acceptance at the present moment either of the hulk scheme or of any other plan which would practically secure the execution of the Agreement within a short time would relieve the Chinese Government from a great deal of anxiety. But if so, it would deprive us of the hold over the Chinese Government, which we may be able to turn to profitable use while the opium negotiations are in course, and a satisfactory settlement is still under consideration.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 332848, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "page_number": 202, "title": "CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886", "content_text": "201\n\n27\n\nany commercial business in which goods have to be forwarded to great distances becomes an impossibility. He must further know for certain that no higher taxes will be levied than those authorized by law, and that neither he nor his goods will be subjected to exactions or detention.\n\nIt appears the more clearly that there can be nothing in these requirements opposed to the interests of the Chinese Government, inasmuch as according to the existing Regulations the Tariff must not only be publicly exposed for the inspection of all persons interested, but must also be printed and for sale at all customs stations, but not at the li-kin offices.\n\nIn the case of the former, therefore, it is merely a question of a stricter execution of the existing Regulations, and that this is considered desirable and necessary by the Chinese Government itself is sufficiently shown by the numerous Imperial Edicts and Reports from high officials on this subject which have appeared in the \"Peking Gazette.\"\n\nSuch Regulations do not exist for li-kin offices, at least not in the collected Ordinances of the Finance Ministry; perhaps because, according to the explanations of the Chinese Government itself, the li-kin tax is regarded as provisional and to be abolished as soon as possible, and an endeavour had therefore been made as far as possible to preserve its provisional character. There is, however, the less reason for not extending to the li-kin offices the Regulations issued to effect a well-ordered levy of other taxes, as far as concerns the publication of a fixed Tariff, since on the one hand it is precisely in the levying of this tax that the greatest irregularities and exactions take place, as appears from the \"Peking Gazette;\" and since, on the other hand, according to the communications of the Yamên itself, detailed information respecting the number, situation, and tariff of all the li-kin offices is in the possession of the highest local, if not in that of the central, statistical authorities. It is therefore incomprehensible that this information should not be accessible to the public, as the grievances of the commercial community would thus be removed, and greater order and legality be introduced in the levying of the li-kin tax, a thing which is certainly in the interests of a well-ordered Administration, and, therefore, of the Chinese Government.\n\nIn the previously-mentioned conversations, your Highness and their Excellencies the Ministers of the Yamên objected to the above statement of the case, that the foreign merchant or foreign manufacturer (and it is the latter in particular who is concerned in the matter, as it is a question of taxing the goods and not the person of the sender), could have no interest in the question of inland taxation, as he could protect goods sent into the interior against every payment of inland taxation and li-kin, as far as the place of their destination, by taking out a transit pass. This objection is doubtless, in theory, perfectly correct; in practice, however, the conduct of the provincial and local authorities in many provinces and places has rendered illusory the advantage assured to foreign goods by the provisions of the Treaties, i.e., that they may be sent to any part of the interior free of all further dues on payment of a 2½ per cent. ad valorem tax, or a tax not exceeding half the import duty. It has been rendered illusory by foreign goods forwarded in this way being subjected, on arrival at their destination, to a tax which is only levied on goods sent with a transit pass, and which far exceeds the difference between the transit duty and the inland and li-kin tax which these goods would otherwise have had to pay. Under these circumstances, foreign goods can only be sold a short distance inland, and the merchant pays the inland and li-kin taxes rather than make use of the advantage of taking out a transit pass which is offered by the Treaty.\n\nI would the more earnestly recommend to your Highness and their Excellencies' favourable consideration the question of the sending of foreign goods into the interior, as I have already done verbally, inasmuch as any further evasion or non-fulfilment of the provisions of the Treaty on the part of the provincial authorities would certainly produce a very unfavourable impression, whose importance in other relations the Imperial Chinese Government would do well not to underrate.\n\nI avail, &c. (Signed)\n\nVON BRANDT.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 49.\n\nThe Tsung-li Yamen to M. von Brandt.\n\nPeking, January 28, 1886.\n\nTHE Prince and Ministers of the Yamên have the honour to acknowledge the receipt, on the 23rd instant, of a note from the German Minister, in which he states that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-230 - Public Offices & Others - 1886.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 333233, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3]", "page_number": 55, "title": "CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3]", "content_text": "Chinese think so too; for it will be remembered that money always passes when strangers-in-blood are adopted, as well as in cases of domestic service. The registration of such a transaction at a Government office would be at once construed as giving a good title in virtue of the money payment and it would be used against a child seeking its freedom. Frequently Chinese will come to the Registrar General's office and ask to have a transaction of sale into adoption witnessed with the view of having the fact recorded that a certain amount of money was advanced or paid. This is to preserve evidence in case a claim is made for the child. The danger therefore is that the Government would be compromised by countenancing in any way a transaction where money was paid for a child. I think a modification of Lord KIMBERLEY's second suggestion would be practicable, as it is based on the universal custom of giving security which prevails in China. It would work smoothly and probably accomplish much good. At all events it might be tried as an experiment.\n\nThe scheme which I suggested is that power should be given to the Registrar General to summon before him suspicious persons who had \"pocket-daughters\" or female domestic servants, and in his discretion to call upon them to find reasonable security for their bona fides towards such children. The Registrar General should associate with himself say three or four members of the Po Leung Kuk—the Chinese society for the protection of women and children—who would advise him as a Consulting Committee. He should also have power to summon before him all women of disreputable character who kept girls between the ages of 8 and 16 inclusive by virtue of adoption or of purchase for domestic service. He should have power to require the attendance of the girls at his office before himself and the consulting Chinese Committee. He should be able also to summon persons as witnesses who could give information about either the children or their so-called owners. The girl could be instructed in her rights in cases of suspicion and shown how she could be protected; and the woman put under a rule of bail to produce the girl when required. There should also be a power of appeal in a summary way to a Judge in chambers against any order of the Registrar General, and the Registrar General should be empowered to apply to a Judge for a writ of Habeas Corpus with the view of taking away any child from the custody of persons who had no right to keep it, and whose retention of it militated against the child's interests. The Judge of course would be governed by the principles of English law and make such order as the best interests of the child demanded. The knowledge of the existence of such a power and its occasional exercise would, in my opinion, be most useful, and the leading Chinese whom I have consulted think it is the only practical method yet suggested which whilst not interfering with the respectable and settled population would be a very powerful aid towards suppressing the \"Tsó Chú fa\" nurseries for rearing up young girls for immoral purposes. The names of the consulting Chinese Committee should be approved by the Governor. The Committee would have no executive power. Their function would be purely consultative.\n\nBy way of further precaution, and for the better promulgation of our law of liberty, I think there might also be erected in some of the public thoroughfares on the borders of our territory on the mainland and near some of the Chinese wharves stone tablets with inscriptions to the effect that in British territory no such thing as slavery existed, and that all transactions of purchase and sale of children were null and void. Similar tablets might be placed at the Temples and Theatres and other places of public resort. The Chinese promulgate edicts by proclamations and have engraved on stone what they want to be permanent. I would suggest also that notice boards should be put up permanently in the River steamers pointing out that every woman and child had a right to personal freedom and that no money bargain could be valid on English soil. On the steamers plying between Canton and here, and Macao and this port, and in the passenger steamers to the Straits Settlements such notices are posted up by the Emigration Officer warning people who go before him that they are free to refuse to go on board if they wish, and that they can complain to the officers on the ships or at Singapore. A more general statement of the rights of all persons might be prepared and painted on white boards. With these precautions in addition to those now in force, and a continued vigilant care on the part of all Judicial and Executive officers to promptly attend to all cases where there is any suspicion against the liberty of the subject, the abuses arising from the system of domestic service and adoption will be all but put a stop to, whilst the views of the Chinese—who are the bulk of the population—will be met, and their customs and usages maintained, (so far as is consistent with perfect freedom of the subject) as was promised them when Hongkong was erected into a Colony and they were invited to settle here.\n\nTO RECAPITULATE.\n\n1. It is shown that child adoption in China and among the Chinese in Hongkong is always accompanied by the payment of money and a \"deed of gift\" or bill of sale when the adopted are strangers-in-blood; and that even money passes in the case of relatives if the parents of the adopted child are poor or not nearly related to the adopting parents.\n\n2. It is shown that male children are not bought and sold as servants in Hongkong nor in the Canton province, but that female children are disposed of for money by their parents according to Chinese usage and custom, and that the Chinese authorities recognise such sales as binding if executed with due formalities, whilst Hongkong treats all such transactions as null and void, giving no rights and conferring no title.\n\n3. It is shown that the abuses arising from the Chinese system of passing in the case of adoption and domestic service are:—\n\n1° Kidnapping to some extent.\n\n2° Brothel bondage; and that female children who are voluntarily parted with by their parents for daughters and servants may be sold as prostitutes by disreputable persons.\n\n4. It is shown that claims set up by Chinese to ownership on the ground of purchase have been promptly set aside in Hongkong and the claimants punished for any assault or offence committed against the person claimed—and that no opportunity has been lost of proclaiming the freedom of the subject.\n\n5. It has been shown that the laws have been amended from time to time to the utmost limit to protect women and girls and children against forced or fraudulent emigration or sales for purposes of prostitution, (see Ordinance 2 of 1875, annexed).\n\n6. It has been shown that the supervision of brothels, the instructing the registered women as to their rights, and the system of photographing registered prostitutes and women and children who intend to emigrate, have done much good and that there has been an enormous reduction in the kidnapping cases and selling women for prostitution since the introduction of those measures, convictions being 29 persons in 1882 as against 68 in a former year, and only 4 up to the present date.\n\n7. It has been shown that there are fatal objections to the registration of children purchased for adoption or domestic service, and it is suggested that the Registrar General and a Chinese Committee should investigate cases of a suspicious nature with power to call upon \"pocket-mothers\" to give security for their bona fides towards \"pocket-daughters\"; also that the Registrar General should be able to apply to a Judge in Chambers for a writ of Habeas Corpus with the view of taking away from improper custodians a purchased child. It is also suggested that stone tablets stating the law of freedom on English soil should be erected in places of public resort.\n\nJ. RUSSELL.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 338596, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7]", "page_number": 32, "title": "CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7]", "content_text": "Patents constituting his **bust office**, and which successive Governors have granted leases to persons desirous of occupying land in the Island, much of the bases containing a power to resume the Land on certain conditions, it is believed that no freehold titles have been granted to any person, possibly except the Sec. of State for War.\n\nLarge tracts of land were in the early days of the Colony given to the Military Authorities for military purposes.\n\nNo. I know the arrangement was under the Ordinance No. 7 of 1860. They saw but the title deeds were not made. The Ordinance was intended to apply to a simple Estate, which is an affair to fix no right to the possession, and not a right to alienate these lands. If this be so, any attempt to sell in the open market would fail from the inability of the military authorities to make a title.\n\nLord Knutsford does not advance the actionable questions with any great Estate by the Law of the Colony impeding the alienation. The Ordinance confers only a simple title. When the Board had considered previous S.Js., there was nothing in gross in fact. In the ranking front of the... It chances transfers. The Edicts of the Crown John and refund simple on reconsideration of the section. I think this is perhaps the proper construction to be put on it from handy Military satisfaction, back at the same time de Kings it may be Cost. Mention the views which are held in this alle... Expect to the Military Rumors in the Colony.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 341195, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-244 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [1-4]", "page_number": 221, "title": "CO129-244 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [1-4]", "content_text": "T&: 1. (x)-572-8000-10-83\n\nGovernor.\n\nDate.\n\nNo.\n\nMich\n\nat previous Paper.\n\nConf. 3 June\n\n~\n\nkhông đóng\n\nNo. 7239\n\nSmuggling\n\n(Subject.)\n\n220 DESPATCH.\n\nC. O.\n\n7239\n\nRac? RE 18 APR 90\n\nRequest edice of Blue Books\n\nespies containing cornto relatur to smuggling at Gibraltar to Meade\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nI kan discuped this with on Wom Des Vicent aussi frum Repell, and it seems plain that too Heming bad not acquainted benef written the hirsting of the muggling.\n\nquation when he adduped their liquing in Les i\n\nhat I subunite the deftig.\n\nan avenue to tim Explaining matten. Sie fanen Repell\n\nWe embrayagent Paper says test since 1886, his impretim is that\n\nText subsequent\n\nAfter proofreading, the text becomes:\n\nT&: 1. (x)-572-8000-10-83\n\nGovernor.\n\nDate.\n\nNo.\n\nMich\n\nat previous Paper.\n\nConf. 3 June\n\n~\n\nNo. 7239\n\nSmuggling\n\n(Subject.)\n\n220 DESPATCH.\n\nC. O.\n\n7239\n\nRac? RE 18 APR 90\n\nRequest edice of Blue Books\n\nespies containing cornto relatur to smuggling at Gibraltar to Meade\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nI have discussed this with Mr Des Vicent and also from Repell, and it seems plain that Mr Heming had not been acquainted with the wording of the protest against smuggling.\n\nWhen he addressed their lordships in the House, I submit the draft.\n\nas an avenue to tim Explaining matter. Sir Henry Repell\n\nOur Embassy's Paper says that since 1886, his impression is that\n\nText subsequent\n\nCorrected version in HTML format as requested:\nT&: 1. (x)-572-8000-10-83\n\nGovernor.\n\nDate.\n\nNo.\n\nMich\n\nat previous Paper.\n\nConf. 3 June\n\n~\n\nNo. 7239\n\nSmuggling\n\n(Subject.)\n\n220 DESPATCH.\n\nC. O.\n\n7239\n\nRac? RE 18 APR 90\n\nRequest edice of Blue Books\n\nespies containing correspondence relating to smuggling at Gibraltar to Meade\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nI have discussed this with Mr Des Vicent and also from Repell, and it seems plain that Mr Heming had not been acquainted with the wording of the protest against smuggling.\n\nWhen he addressed their lordships in the House, I submit the draft.\n\nas an avenue to tim Explaining matter. Sir Henry Repell\n\nOur Embassy's Paper says that since 1886, his impression is that\n\nText subsequent", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-244 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 353792, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4]", "page_number": 182, "title": "CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4]", "content_text": "Hongkong,\n\n9. Not once one becomes what is generally termed an \"opium sot,\" & this only if a man's means do not permit her to indulge to excess, or if he should be neglectful of his family. – The Chinese view indulgence in alcohol as degrading, although they may feel the hardships for a time. -\n\n10. They would supply themselves with opium from elsewhere. – Persian opium has been & is being consumed in China for some time; & it is not at all unlikely that China may encourage the growth of opium, which is already being carried out to a great extent. - They are not likely to take to alcohol as the Chinese are, as a rule, very abstemious, unless induced. The importation & consumption of opium is entirely & effectually stopped by Imperial Edict. –\n\n11. ...\n\n12. About one-seventh of the total revenue. – The Colony is already heavily taxed, & there are no other sources from which the much-needed revenue could be raised: – People would say that the loss...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 354467, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8]", "page_number": 201, "title": "CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8]", "content_text": "402\n\nTHE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND\n\nThere were then under treatment, thirteen cases on the Hygeia, and fourteen at Kennedy town, making a total of 27, as against 41 on the previous day.\n\ndying there after an illness of 24 hours. The symptoms were almost identical with those of the plague, and there is only too much reason to believe that this is the commencement of the disease in the hitherto uninfected eastern district. The agent of the Messageries Maritimes Company issued the following express on Wednesday: To order to avoid sanitary difficulties in further ports the steamer Oceanien, leaving at 2 p.m., will take neither passengers nor cargo.\n\n18th May: The continuation of the rain on Thursday was hailed with great satisfaction, and both plague and water famine, from which we have been suffering, will doubtless in a few days entirely disappear. There is some indication that the plague is already abating and that the conditions favourable to its development having been removed by the rain, the port will soon be declared free from the disease. The total number of deaths reported from noon on Wednesday to noon yesterday was 20, of which 2 occurred on the Hygeia, 9 in Kennedy town Hospital, and 9 in outside districts. There were only 10 new cases yesterday, 3 being admitted to the Hygeia, and 7 to the Kennedy town Hospital. 44 cases are at present under treatment,\n\nThe following circular has been issued by the Sanitary Board for the guidance of all concerned, and has been circulated among the police and sanitary officers:\n\nObservations to be made by officers conducting house to house visitation:\n\n1. See if the patient is feverish. \n2. Look for swellings (buboes) under the arms, on the groin, on the neck, above the elbow. \n3. Observe if the patient has an anxious expression and if he is walking with a tottering gait.\n\nThe rainfall registered to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, for the preceding twenty-four hours, was 0.26 inch, and for the twenty-four hours ending 10 a.m. on Thursday 2.23 inches. There were heavy showers later in the day.\n\nOur Saigon correspondent telegraphs that Hongkong has been declared an infected port and vessels arriving at Saigon are subjected to six days' quarantine.\n\nPRECAUTIONS AT MACAO.\n\nThe following order is published in the Macao Boletim Oficial:\n\nBubonic plague having appeared in epidemic form in the neighbouring ports of Canton and Hongkong and causing a considerable number of deaths amongst the Chinese population of those two cities;\n\nAt the Police Court on Tuesday there were several cases of failure to report the occurrence of the disease, and doubtless a few convictions and fines will make landlords more alive to the vital necessity of bringing the cases to the attention of the authorities without the slightest delay. Ning Kin and Lan Chuk, widows, the occupants respectively of Nos. 72 and 74, Market Street, were charged by Inspector Quincey before Mr. H. E. Wodehouse with neglecting to report the outbreak of plague in their houses. The Inspector stated that he visited the places and found men suffering from the disease, whom he had removed to the Hygeia. The symptoms were very pronounced at the time and there would be no difficulty in identifying the disease. His Worship fined the first defendant $2 or fourteen days' and discharged the second. Lai You Chang, a teacher, for a similar neglect in respect to a case at 10, Wai Tak Lane, was fined $5 or in default 14 days' imprisonment.\n\nThe fire engines on Tuesday were engaged in flushing the sewers and drains of the Taiping-shan district from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The water was pumped from the harbour by the floating engine up to the Hollywood Road level and from thence to the China Road. A good quantity of water was used. This operation will be continued to-day.\n\nDepartmental orders have also been issued calling upon the Chinese to keep their houses clean.\n\n19th May. It is regrettable to have to report that the plague has again increased and that both the numbers of deaths, admissions, and cases are larger than those of the previous day. It will be remembered that the returns on Thursday on the face of them showed a gratifying diminution of the disease, and the copious downfall of rain continuing it was confidently and naturally anticipated that this diminution would be even more pronounced yesterday. The official returns, however, up to noon on Friday show that in the twenty-four hours 25 deaths occurred, 7 were from noon on Thursday on board the Hygeia, 9 at Kennedy town Hospital, and 9 outside, as against a mortality of 21 on Thursday. The new cases were 29, viz, 12 on the Hygeia and 17 at Kennedy town, being an increase of 19. The total number of cases under treatment is 56 against 44 at the last report. This increase is not regarded by the authorities in a serious light, and no apprehensions are entertained that the disease is baffling the exertions made to stamp it out. In fact, the medical officers take a hopeful view and feel sure that the worst is now past. The increase is ascribed to the complete organisation which is operating for the detection of cases. On Friday twelve men from the Royal Engineers and twelve from the Shropshire Light Infantry were enrolled as special sanitary officers, which makes the staff numerically strong and adequate to the necessities of the work to be done. The house to house visitation is divided into sections, and it is almost impossible now that cases of plague can pass undiscovered.\n\nThe Manila authorities have prescribed 15 days' observation on all vessels arriving from this port.\n\nAt the Magistracy on Friday a hawker was charged with failing to report a case of plague which occurred in his house on the 17th inst. Defendant pleaded that he could not leave the premises, but Commander W. H. Hastings, before whom the case was heard, imposed a fine of $50 with an alternative of two months' hard labour.\n\n21st May,\n\nHaving received the advice of the Provincial Sanitary Board:\n\nI hereby order:\n\n1. That the supply of water to the public by boats stationed along the Praia Grande and in the inner harbour be continued with the greatest regularity.\n\n2. That the drains be flushed daily, especially in the districts occupied by the Chinese population, and more particularly the districts of Volong, San-kin, Sa-tong, Patane, Mong-ha, and the village of Barra.\n\n3. That the pavement of the slaughter house and its appendages be daily washed with salt water.\n\n4. That on the arrival of any vessel from Canton or Hongkong, including the steamers and launches of the regular lines, an officer of the Sanitary Board shall inspect the passengers, and especially the Chinese passengers, to ascertain if any of them are suffering from the bubonic plague or exhibit suspicious symptoms.\n\n5. That the commandant of the water police shall give the necessary directions in order that lorcha or other boats from Hongkong or Canton may not land any individual suspected to be suffering from the disease; and any case presenting its symptoms shall be detained on board until examined by an officer of the Sanitary Board, who shall be immediately informed.\n\n6. If any passenger be found to be suffering from bubonic plague, whether on board steamers or launches, such passenger shall not be landed; and if any case of the disease be found on a sailing vessel or boat propelled by oars the vessel shall be immediately to be immediately towed out of the harbour, and removed by a copious rainfall we may confidently anticipate the speedy disappearance of the evil result.\n\nGovernment Palace, Macao,\n\n15th May, 1894.\n\nThe Governor of the Province,\n\nJose M. da Horta e Costa.\n\nwork of soaching and disinfecting the localities\n\nfor development it was hoped that in a few days such an appreciable conquest of the disease would be achieved that no further danger need be anticipated. A certain section of the Chinese have now, however, attempted to frustrate all these efforts, and are determined to assert aggressively the ignorance and stupidity which peculiarly belong to the multitude of the natives. It will be remembered that one of the first acts of the permanent committee was to order the removal of all patients from the Tung Wah Hospital to the Hygeia, and the next wise edict was that no patients were to be sent there, but removed direct to the bulk. There was at the time much grumbling and opposition to this course, the patients themselves, with the instinct of their race, objecting, sometimes violently to their removal to the Hygeia and their treatment by Western skill and science. It appears that this feeling of resentment has been simmering and increasing during the past few days, and on Saturday it broke bounds and completely disorganised the work of cleansing, disinfecting, and investigating, which was in progress. Mr. Lau Wai Chuen, a member of the Sanitary Board and also Chairman of the Tung Wah Hospital Committee, has, with an intelligence which unfortunately does not belong to all his countrymen, lost the Government his hearty co-operation in the measures they have taken. Some of his colleagues on the Hospital Committee, however, imbued with anti-foreign feeling, have resisted this policy, and by their influence have created a strong opposition among the native population to the work which the authorities are prosecuting with such vigour.\n\nMay 24, 1894.\n\nCHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.\n\n198\n\n4.3\n\nAnother case occurred yesterday among the Portuguese community, the patient being taken to the Hygeia.\n\nSingapore has imposed nine days' quarantine, including the time occupied by the passage, rioting, the Government having met the Tung Wah Hospital Committee in their demand that there be no further danger of a renewal of the.\n\nMEETING AT THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL\n\nA largely attended meeting of Chinese was held on Sunday at the Tung Wah Hospital, there being present about seventy members of the leading firms and some four hundred others. The Captain Superintendent of Police and the Colonial Surgeon attended the meeting.\n\nMr. Lau Wai Chuen occupied the chair. He said that many people had preferred a request that persons suffering from the plague should be allowed to be conveyed to Canton, if their relatives so desired, by special launches.\n\nThe Captain Superintendent of Police replied that he was instructed to state that information had that morning been received from Canton that the officials there would not allow persons suffering from the disease to be landed there. Mr. Lau Wai Chuen interpreted Mr. May's reply to the meeting, who received it with strong marks of dissatisfaction. Mr. Lau Wai Chuen, endeavoured to maintain order and said he would personally apply to the Government here and the officials at Canton in relation to the matter. He suggested that they should send a petition to Canton signed by all the leading firms of the colony.\n\nYesterday morning the sanitary officers reported a house supposed to be empty and made the horrible discovery that there were five corpses on the premises and four very serious cases, all exhibiting pronounced symptoms of the plague.\n\nYesterday morning one of the turnkeys in the Victoria Gaol reported himself sick and Dr. Marques, suspecting from the symptoms that the man was suffering from plague, sent him immediately to hospital. A prisoner in the gaol, who had been convicted for not reporting a case of plague, was also removed to the new Chinese Hospital for treatment.\n\nThe arrangements for the burial of victims of the plague do not appear to be quite satisfactory. A good deal of delay takes place before the bodies are interred, separate graves having to be dug in a rather rocky and refractory soil. The squatters on the land contiguous to this cemetery have petitioned the Government on the matter. Evidently a more suitable site ought to be selected.\n\nOn Saturday many of the houses visited were blockaded and the sanitary officers stoned, and in the afternoon all attempts to continue the house to house inspection had to be discontinued, the work being rendered exceedingly unsafe and difficult. A mob also collected at the Po Leung Kuk office and broke the windows, but was dispersed by the police before doing further damage. On Sunday, while a meeting at the Tung Wah Hospital was in progress, Mr. Lau was hurriedly sent for, news arriving that his hong was being wrecked. When Mr. Lau left the building he was surrounded by a howling mob of Chinese and had to be escorted by police to his residence. Mr. P. R. May, Captain Superintendent of Police, grasped the situation at once and sent a mounted contingent of armed Sikhs to the district, the presence of which fortunately prevented further disturbances.\n\nThe Government have so far met the Chinese opposition as to assent to the establishment of a temporary hospital under the management of the Tung Wah at the Glassworks, Kennedy town, to which all patients will be removed and where they will be treated by native practitioners, and the use of the Hygeia for the reception of plague patients will be discontinued.\n\nOn Sunday the house to house inspection was recommenced, the officers being protected by a strong police guard.\n\nSome cases have been reported on the mainland and proclamations have been issued prohibiting the immigration of Chinamen from Hongkong. At Haiphong several persons have fallen victims to the disease.\n\nThis suggestion was unanimously agreed to. The Captain Superintendent of Police said that rumours were current that people not suffering from the disease had been taken to the Hygeia and the Kennedy town Hospital, people who were not sick at all, but this could be at once disproved if any of those present would go with him to examine the patients, when it would be seen they were all sick people suffering from the plague. If those attacked were not segregated it would be impossible to prevent the spread of the disease, and he referred to the visitation of the plague in England two hundred years ago and the great mortality it caused. He suggested to the Chairman that he should advise the people that they should avoid overcrowding in their dwellings, and then the number of persons attacked by the disease would decrease.\n\nCONFERENCE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.\n\nAn important conference was held yesterday at Government House for the purpose of discussing the new turn events have taken and considering the course of action to be adopted in the immediate future. His Excellency Sir William Robinson presided, and there were also present H.E. Major-General Barker, Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart (Acting Colonial Secretary), Hon. N. G. Mitchell-Innes (Colonial Treasurer), Hon. Ho Kai, Dr. P. B. C. Ayres (Colonial Surgeon), Mr. F. H. May (Captain Superintendent of Police), Mr. J. J. R. Crook, Dr. James, Francis Q.C., Mr. J. A. M. S., Dr. Lan Wai Chuen. The meeting lasted for some time. The first business was the consideration of representations by the permanent committee of the Sanitary Board as to the inadequacy of the number of sanitary officers.\n\nApplication was made for the enrolling of 400 assistants for the work of cleansing and disinfecting.\n\nAt this stage of the proceedings a petition was presented from the residents in East Street complaining of the treatment they had received at the hands of the sanitary officers, entering their houses unexpectedly and frightening the children. The petitioners asked that attention should be given to this matter.\n\nAt this time news arrived that a mob was attacking Mr. Lau Wai Chuen's establishment in Bonham Strand, the Tung San Wo, and\n\nOn Sunday night everything was quiet and it was hoped there would be no renewal of the disturbances.\n\nThe decrease in the number of cases reported for the twenty-four hours up to noon on Sunday is, it is to be feared, due to interruption of the inspection rather than to any actual diminution of the disease.\n\nA notice was subsequently issued by the Committee of the Tung Wah Hospital stating that the Government has consented to allow all patients suffering from plague to be treated by the doctors of the Tung Wah Hospital. The notice also informs the people that they need not be alarmed by the visits of the sanitary officers, as any one found to be suffering from plague will now be removed to the Tung Wah's branch hospital instead of being taken to the Hygeia.\n\nAt the Police Court on Saturday there were some more cases of failure to report outbreaks of plague. Wong Chan, a married woman, was so charged. P.S. Moffat said that he visited the house of the defendant No. 64, First Street, at 11 a.m. on the 18th. In the first room visited he found a man lying dead, and another man (the husband of the defendant) was very ill in the same apartment. In another room in the Cookhouse he discovered a woman very ill lying under a bed, and in the cockloft a girl was seriously ill. All, both the dead and the living, had the symptoms of bubonic plague. Defendant pleaded that she was a very poor woman, and was fined $5, which she paid. Chan Chol, a shopkeeper at No. 6, Hung Lane, off Queen's Road West, was also charged with concealing a case. P.S. Smith said that he went into the premises and found a man suffering from plague. There were a number of persons present, who ran away on his arrival. A like fine was imposed.\n\nWe have heard of a somewhat curious case in connection with the plague. A few days ago a coolie was charged with cutting and wounding a companion and the hearing of the charge was remanded for a week by the sitting Magistrate, bail of $250 being allowed and procured. The following day the unlucky coolie was seized with the disease and died on board the Hygeia.\n\nThe Spanish Consul received the following official telegram despatch from Manila at 9:53 a.m. on Saturday: \"Hongkong has been declared an infected port, and vessels from thence are subject to fifteen days' quarantine.\"\n\nInformation has also been received that a proclamation will be issued to-day addressed to the Chinese explaining the objects of the preventative measures now being prosecuted and calling upon them to co-operate therein and assist the Government.\n\nMr. May stated at the meeting yesterday that he and his assistants had been welcomed and not obstructed in the different houses visited.\n\nThe following are the returns for the twenty-four hours to noon yesterday:\n\nHygeia, Kennedy town Hospital, City, Total, Decrease.\n\nAdmissions: 2, 3, 0, 5, \nDeaths: 3, 2, 0, 5, \nUnder treatment: 26, 20, 17, 63, 28\n\nThe Government, we understand, is fully prepared to support the permanent committee of the Sanitary Board to the utmost. There is a suspicion that jealousy between different sections of the Chinese is at the bottom of the recent disturbances and ill-feeling.\n\nTHE DISTURBANCES-POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS.\n\nMr. H. E. Wodehouse was yesterday morning engaged at the Police Court in hearing several cases arising out of the disturbances in Chinatown reported in yesterday's issue.\n\nYesterday Yea Kay, a hawker, was charged with behaving in a disorderly manner in Po Yan Street.\n\nPage 403\n\n...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 361959, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896", "page_number": 184, "title": "CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896", "content_text": "130\n\nthat the Governor of Hong Kong at once took steps\n\nto ascertain the facts in regard to the case and\n\ncommunicated to the Viceroy the reports which reached\n\nhim, and that the latter expressed his gratitude\n\nfor the action taken. An edict of banishment from\n\nthe Colony was moreover issued against two individuals\n\nwho were believed to have taken a leading part in\n\nplanning the projected disturbances.\n\nHer Majesty's Government sent instructions to\n\nthe Governor that if any of the persons implicated\n\nhad laid themselves open to prosecution under the\n\nForeign Enlistment Act, proceedings should at once\n\nbe instituted against them.\n\nThe special application which you have now made\n\nto Her Majesty's Government will, however, be brought\n\nto the Governor's notice, and His Excellency will\n\nbe requested to continue to keep a careful watch over\n\nthe movements and proceedings of any suspected persons\n\nand to do his utmost, within his jurisdiction,\n\nto anticipate", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 363004, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-275 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [1-5]", "page_number": 520, "title": "CO129-275 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [1-5]", "content_text": "512\n\nThe Consul, however, knows 17.\n\nThe Viceroy would be satisfied with\n\nThe following\n\nEdict\n\nresid... \n\nLawyers be allowed to\n\n(1) That no\n\nappear\n\non either side.\n\nopposed to any\n\nany such\n\nsuch concession.\n\n(2) That the Registrar General should act as Assessor or supersede the Magistrate altogether.\n\nconcession\n\nis equally opposed to this\n\nIt would require Legislative\n\naction and introduce great\n\ndifficulties and anomalies into the present judicial system of the Colony.\n\nWith regard to the Consul's further proposals :-\n\n(a) That a warrant should suffice for arrest.\n\nAs I understand the Law at present, there is nothing to prevent, in case of urgency, a requisition for surrender under section 7 of the Chinese Extradition Ordinance 1889, being made by some Officer of the Chinese Government by\n\nTelegram.\n\nIn such case the Governor may require the Magistrate to waive his warrant for the apprehension of the fugitive criminal and the Magistrate under section 8 would be bound to do so.\n\n40.\n\nIt will be observed that section 8 of the Chinese Extradition Ordinance 1889, differs, in its wording, from section 8 of the Imperial Extradition Act, 1870, and absolutely requires the Magistrate in cases\n\nto issue the Warrant. Even under section 9, where the Magistrate may issue a Warrant (as in ordinary cases) on sworn information, such Information must be based on a letter or telegram purporting to be from some diplomatic, judicial or police authority, stating the alleged offence of the fugitive criminal and that requisition for his surrender will be made.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-275 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 368230, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 51, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "# \n48\n\nthe Man Chung Hin Emperor (Note by Translator. This is the posthumous title of the Emperor Ham Fung). With regard to the invariable rules of justice of our humble nation, the Emperor only recognises the principal wife (of his father) as his legal mother, and cannot recognise (his father's) concubine as his mother. Na La Shi, the Empress Dowager who has now usurped the power of the Government, was regarded by Muk Chung (Note by Translator. This is the posthumous title of the Emperor Tung Chi) as his own mother. To the Emperor (Kwong Su) however she is the surviving concubine of the former Emperor (Hem Fung). Since they are not related to each other as mother and son, the duty due by the Minister to the Sovereign should be maintained (Note by Translator. The argument is doubtless that the Empress Dowager should take the position that a Minister should occupy towards his Sovereign). The Emperor has been clothed in his robes and been enthroned for 24 years. He has always exhibited anxiety and diligence (for the welfare of his country), and it has never been heard that he is deficient in virtue. But now the licentious and depraved Palace Concubine has deposed our holy, intelligent and great Emperor. She has irregularly issued a feigned edict (in which) she designates herself (as the one who shall issue) instructions with regard to the administration (of affairs). Why need a young holy and intelligent Emperor wait for instructions in Governmental matters? The people should not have two monarchs and a nation two sovereigns. The right name to give to her to set forth her crime is really the Usurper of the Throne.\n\nFosters \n\nThis", "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": 368231, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 52, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "49 \n\n1. \n\nThis Usurper who holds the reins of Government is a lewd, obscure, covetous and aged woman who is misled by her favourites. She has no experience in the administration of foreign nations nor is she willing to change the methods (in vogue in) China. She has always grasped great power to bring the greatest injury (lit. worm-wood and poison) on the people, and has appropriated $30,000,000 from the Naval Department, $30,000,000 from the Liu Han Railway fund and $260,000 from the Peking Official Emoluments for the repairs of the I' Wo Park. She has weakened the nation and impoverished the people. All on account of her usurpation of power and oppression! This Usurper has hitherto been guilty of licentious conduct. Her lewdness and great wickedness were exposed at the time when Siu On the Eunuch was decapitated. She has now issued an edict by which she feigns to seek for doctors, when in reality she wishes to poison our great Emperor. This will not be tolerated by heaven and earth and evokes the indignation of (both) spirits and men. This Usurper has a son the issue of illicit intercourse. His name is Tsun Ming. She will certainly place him on the throne, and the ancestral line of succession will be cut off. This will be a great disgrace to China. But does it seem probable that such a wanton and cruel woman, who has deposed the Sovereign and usurped the Throne, will be recognised as an equal by your Honourable nation, and acknowledged as the ruler of a friendly empire? To save from calamity and to pity the distress (of the people) is the excellent aim of the administration of a friendly nation; to oppose ignorance and establish enlightenment constitutes...", "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": 368748, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 569, "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]", "content_text": "# Ethnology. \n## Poverty of the people. \n## Kueichou. \n## Agriculture.\n\nto take larger figures than these. Possibly the population might grow if immigration were rendered more feasible by improved communications, and if capital were introduced and mining enterprise encouraged. But many years will probably elapse before the congested districts of Ssuchuan find an outlet in the sparsely peopled provinces of Yunnan and Kueichou.\n\nA word on the ethnology of Yunnan is important if, as Mr. Bourne contended in his earlier report, the non-Chinese races do not buy foreign goods, the purchasers being well-to-do Chinese, that is, those with eight dollars a month or more, who wear foreign goods because such clothing is a sign of respectability. Except in the cities, the mass of the people consists of indigenous races, Shans, Miaotzu, and Lolos. These last appear to be allied with Tibetan races, and some of them are strong enough to retain complete independence of China. The Lolos are extensively settled in the north-east, the east, the west, and the south, the Shans in the east, south, south-west, and west parts of Yunnan. The proportion of aboriginal tribes is variously estimated at one-half to two-thirds, but the number of the Chinese is said to be increasing. The non-Chinese mainly occupy the hills, while the Chinese are in possession of the plains, and do the business of the province. But in large towns a great mixture of races is found. M. Boutmy, a French missionary, says that the indigenous tribes treat foreigners well, and would, in case of invasion, side with them against their ancient enemies, the Chinese. He regards them, however, as less intelligent and also as more indolent than the Chinese. Baber said that the Yunnanese were noted for laziness, and Mr. Bourne ascribes to this cause the slow recovery of the province from the losses of the rebellion. Mr. Bourne suggests that the laziness is due to opium, but Mr. Turner, of the Arracan Company, says that the people appear to be none the worse for their indulgence in the drug. Dr. Henry thinks that the Yunnanese lack nervous energy, and that there is an unreality in their industry.\n\nWhatever may be the causes, the people have a poverty-stricken appearance, and they are not fed, dressed, or housed with anything like comfort. Owing to the poverty of its people, Yunnan does not contribute enough in taxes to meet its expenditure, and, like the other two poor provinces of China, Kweichou and Kwangsi, it is assisted by contributions from Ssuchuan and other richer provinces. The assessments levied on Yunnan are interesting as furnishing a clue to the relative prosperity of the different divisions from the point of view of the Government. The west pays one-half of the total assessment, the south one-fourth, the central and the east one-eighth each. The sources of revenue are land tax, taels 300,000, salt wells duty, taels 320,000, likin on merchandise, taels 300,000, likin on native opium, taels 30,000, and miscellaneous duties, taels 100,000.\n\nLike Yunnan, Kueichou is a plateau traversed by mountain chains. This plateau, with an elevation of 5,000 feet, is a prolongation of that of Yunnan. Kueichou has been described as a \"veritable sea of mountains\" with very few intervening plains. The Miaotzu rebellion and malaria have kept down the population, the industry, and the commerce of the province, which is less developed than Yunnan and is indeed one of the poorest of Chinese provinces, although in closer proximity to the Yangtze, and therefore better situated for trade. The Miaotzu, Lolos, and Shans, constitute probably one-half of the total population; they are mainly agricultural, not very diligent, and have no taste for luxuries. The Chinese have partly immigrated from neighbouring provinces to reside in the towns and villages, and take up the lands that were desolated by the rebellion.\n\n## (2.) Agriculture, Mining, and Manufactures.\n\nIt follows from the physical features of Yunnan that it is capable of no great agricultural development. The heights are usually barren, but the lower slopes of the mountains and the plains are often fertile and carefully cultivated, and dotted with numerous villages. The plains of Tali-Fu and Yunnan-Fu are specially noteworthy. Owing, however, to the vast areas covered by mountains, the total amount of cultivable land is greatly circumscribed. But vast tracts of land, including land once cultivated in terraces, have lain waste in the north and west since the rebellion, and it is said that the land actually under cultivation is small in proportion to the population. It does not seem to have been noticed that in a province with such bad communications an unusually large proportion of the people must be devoted to transport work. The Chinese are skilful in irrigation works, and the plains in which irrigation is not costly are well cultivated and fruitful. But in the dry season irrigation is difficult, while in the rainy season torrents devastate the mountain slopes. The great mass of the people are cultivators, though the Chinese inhabitants (including the Ssuchuanese immigrants) generally engage also in retail trading or some other occupation. The lands, however, are so subdivided that the share of each individual barely suffices for sustenance.\n\nThe summer cultivation is chiefly rice, maize, and sorghum; the winter cultivation wheat, beans, and opium. Rice is very cheap, but is said to be hardly sufficient for the needs of the population. The products of Yunnan are numerous and varied. All the products of the temperate zone are found, such as wheat, maize, barley, hemp, flax, oats, beans, peas, and potatoes, while fruits and vegetables are everywhere cheap. Millet, sugar-cane, indigo, rhubarb and many other drugs, oil-bearing plants, Nan-mü wood, the vegetable tallow tree, ground nuts, tea, &c., are among its most valuable products. Bamboo grows abundantly and is largely used for paper making. Hemp, the chief fibre-producing plant, grows luxuriantly, the finest being in the hills, especially near Momien and Yungchang. Tanning barks and gall-nuts are utilised as medicines, together with a vast number of roots, barks, and leaves which are used by the Chinese for their real or supposed medicinal qualities, and form a large part of the articles on sale in the shops and bazaars. The castor oil plant is abundant, and the cassia tree frequently occurs. Star anise is grown very largely in the south. Ginger is plentiful in the Yangpi valley. The soy bean is much cultivated and used in various forms. Tung oil is produced and utilised for many purposes. Sesamum seeds, ground nuts, and sunflower seeds are widely grown and eaten, though not used for their oil. Tobacco is grown in considerable quantities in many parts of Yunnan, and is cheaply sold. Its quality, however, is variable, and Ssuchuan tobacco is much used. Indigo and safflower abound in all villages, but aniline dyes are largely imported from Germany.\n\nPuerh tea, a green variety much favoured by the Chinese, grows in the country south and south-west of Ssumao. Ibang, six marches from Ssumao, is the chief centre of the tea-growing, and the best tea comes from Ibang and from Iwu, Mansa, and the neighbouring heights. It is chiefly exported to Northern China. An inferior tea appears to be produced in Kenghung for consumption in Yunnan. Inferior varieties are also grown near Shunning-Fu and Kuangsichou as well as near Puerh, though the tea so named does not come from that district. Tea for Tibet is largely grown near Yachou.\n\nThe most important and, with the doubtful exception of rice, the largest crop in Yunnan is opium. Mr. Bourne was told that the cultivation of the poppy on an extensive scale in this province began at the end of last century, and a Chinese censor is said to have declared in 1836 that the annual production of opium was several thousand piculs. Its cultivation is stated to have become the chief industry of the plateau owing to the destruction of mining, silk-weaving, and other industries during the slaughter and pillage of the rebellion. It was first cultivated for export between 1855 and 1875. As far back as 1878, Yunnan was described as a vast poppy field. The area now given up to opium is estimated at from one-third to one-half of the total cultivable area. Government edicts against the cultivation of the poppy have been fulminated and terrible penalties threatened, but Yunnan has become one of the chief opium-producing provinces of the Empire, and now pays for a large part of its imports with opium. As poppy cultivation yields better returns than wheat and beans it is tending to replace these crops. Owing to the favourable soil and climate, the poppy will succeed where cereals fail. These factors also favour opium cultivation in Kueichou and Ssuchuan, but Yunnan opium is held to be superior and is costlier. This superiority, however, has been ascribed to the more careful manufacture, which is the result of long experience. Linan in the south, Menghua in the west, and Chuching in the east produce opium of excellent quality. Aborigines manufacture but do not use opium. On the basis of the likin...", "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": 373888, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "page_number": 618, "title": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "content_text": "(3)-12435-2000-1-99 19231-3000-7-99\n\nParaphase.\n\nC.O.\n\n35728\n\nRECO\n\n&\n\n615\n\nNo. 26 DEC 99\n\nSent to Colonial Secretary/Chamberlain\n\nSent 7.30 p.m. Received 4 a.m. on 25/12/99\n\nH.M.'s Minister at Peking telegraphs that an edict\n\nwas issued last week offering a large\n\nreward for Kang Youwei\n\ndead or alive. Kang\n\nis known to be living here quietly. I protest\n\nstrongly against this incentive to\n\nassassination in a British Colony. It\n\nentails serious expense or abandonment\n\nof our duty to ensure the safety of\n\ndistinguished visitors &\n\nmay compromise the safety of persons. It\n\nmay be more than coincidence that this\n\nedict synchronises with Li Hung Chang's\n\nappointment to be Viceroy of Canton. I shall take every\n\nmeans to secure Kang's safety.\n\nBlake", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 374494, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "page_number": 567, "title": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "content_text": "You should now ascertain and inform me what were the actual occurrences, and whether the aggressors were inhabitants of the new territory or the remainder of Chung Shui Yang's adherents.\n\nAt the present time the militia is being organized, and every village has its gentry and elders. You should therefore proceed in person to the various villages, and, after convening the gentry and elders, you should carefully explain to them that this Kowloon Extension has been carried out in accordance with Imperial Edict, and that England has promised that on no account shall the natives be subjected to any harsh treatment. As everything is quiet outside the extension, how can people venture to disobey the Edict by creating disturbances, thus showing disregard for their lives and persons? If they are people from other districts who have come with weapons in their hands to swell the trouble, such a proceeding is still more unreasonable. You should without delay issue a Proclamation, so as to make the people abandon their evil courses and again become law-abiding subjects. As regards the details of present occurrences, you must at once send a special messenger to ascertain and report them. Do not delay for an instant, or you will be to blame. For every day you are in office you have a day's responsibility of which you cannot divest yourself. Tremble at these urgent and special instructions.\n\nApril 18, 1899.\n\nViceroy's Instructions to the Hsin-an Hsien.\n\nbut On the 19th instant I sent instructions to you by special messenger, you Your Report of the have not yet reported the details of the late occurrences. 19th instant, which only came to hand yesterday, is wanting in clearness.\n\nIt has been agreed that there shall not be the slightest hardship imposed upon the inhabitants of the area leased to the English, and voluminous Proclamations have been issued to that effect. Should any such hardships be imposed, there would be no harm in the sufferers coming to me with their cases, and awaiting their discussion with the British Government. But the natives at Ta-pu Hsü, in a moment of indignation, have suddenly commenced a strife, which, by making them homeless, has occasioned misery to the aged, the young, and the women, whose pitiable condition baffles description. The young and robust farm hands are wasting their time and ruining their prospects at the very moment when agriculture most claims their attention, and, after all, what is the use of subjecting their own flesh and blood to the murderous fire of rifles and cannon? My repeated instructions have been ignored, and I cannot understand how the popular infatuation can have reached such a pitch. There must be some moving spirit at the bottom of this, and how is it that you, the Magistrate, being in close relations with the people, do not seem to realize that there are honest gentry and elders to whom all the villagers look up, and whom you should invite to carefully devise measures for bringing the people to a proper sense of their duties, so that their lives may be preserved intact? By following such a course not only will you be doing your duty as an official, but you will also be laying up for yourself a store of happiness without measure.\n\nAs in duty bound, I have again to order you to act in conformity with my repeated instructions, and, without fail, to send in a further Report.\n\n[Instructions in a similar strain were sent on the same date to the Tung Kuan and Kuei Shan Hsiens.] April 26, 1899.\n\nReport of the Hsin-an Hsien.\n\nThe Hsin-an Hsien respectfully makes the following representation:-- On the 18th April an action took place between foreign troops and natives at Shih Tou Wei village, during which some twenty or thirty natives and several foreign soldiers were killed or wounded. The two wooden barriers of the village of Chin Tien were destroyed, and a licentiate, named Teng Chü-lin, was taken to Hong Kong, but was released shortly afterwards. On the 19th the people tendered their submission. On the 20th the British officials issued a Proclamation to tranquillize the people, and obliged the villagers of Yuan Lang, as well as the employés in the various shops, to work at the construction of forts. On the 21st April they took the licentiate Wu Ch'i-ch'ang, who was also released soon afterwards. Four dwelling-houses were burnt here, and several at Ping Shan. On the 22nd April the natives of the leased area began by degrees to return to their villages, and people are already a little more at ease in their minds. This may be sufficient to allay your Excellency's anxiety. The Deputy Magistrate, Chang Yun-wu, arrived yesterday, and has gone in the direction of Ta-pa Hsu to institute minute and searching inquiries. I have reported these occurrences to his Excellency the Governor, and I now respectfully draw up this Report for your Excellency's information.\n\nApril 28, 1899.\n\nKowloon-Canton Railway.\n\nThe Viceroy attempted to stave off the survey of that part of the Kowloon-Canton line between Canton city and the British boundary, on the plea of unrest in the neighbourhood of Shamshun, but it was well known that this was a mere excuse to delay the undertaking to which he is opposed. It was accordingly made clear to him that he would be held responsible for the expense occasioned by the delay, and this induced a change of attitude. A Deputy, named Yin Pei-lin, was appointed, and this gentleman met the engineer, Mr. Large, at the Consulate on the 1st May to arrange as to route, escort, &c. The surveying party left Canton on the 4th May, accompanied by the Deputy and escort.\n\nRelations with Chinese Officials.\n\nThe Viceroy has displayed much obstinacy in all the negotiations connected with the taking over of the new territory. At the interview with the Governor of Hong Kong on the 2nd April he absolutely declined to take any steps towards the removal of the Customs stations, insisting that such a removal was not within the scope of the original Convention agreed upon by the British Minister and the Tsung-li Yamên. He promised to protect the temporary mat-sheds which had been erected for the accommodation of the police, but altogether failed to do so.\n\n(Signed) G. D. PITZIPIOS, Vice-Consul.\n\nCanton, July 5, 1899.\n\n563", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 375182, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "page_number": 9, "title": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "content_text": "DESPATCH.\n\nG.O.\n\n3932\n\nGovernor.\n\nNo.\n\n1900\n\n3 Jan\n\nLast previous Paper.\n\n386\n\nCopy\n\nWI) & L (73)~12058-15000-12-03\n\n28858-15000-11-00\n\nNext subsequent Paper.\n\nNo 3992\n\n(Subject.)\n\nKang Ju-Wei\n\nReports rewards offered by Chinese Govt for dead or alive, consequent arrangements made to secure his safety, cost of which should be claimed from Chinese Govt.\n\nForwards Proclamation of Edict, inciting to assassination of Kang You Wei. States measures taken for his protection.\n\nTo F.O., with references to previous letters, which remain unactioned in the sense that Clement was instructed to demand repayment of the expenses to which Kang has put the Legation.\n\nAs additional constables were not engaged for this duty, but they merely deviated from their ordinary duties, I do not see what expense was caused.\n\nF.O., not disposed to concur in Prevost's proposal that the Chinese Govt should be asked to refund the expense of protecting Kang You Wei.\n\nCopy to C.O. in continuation.\n\n4224\n\n1\n\nC.P. 2.5 a", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 375183, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "page_number": 10, "title": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "content_text": "NO.\n\nGovernment House,\n\nHongkong,\n\n3rd January, 1900.\n\nEnclosure to Despatch of 1899.\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to forward for your information a translation of an Imperial Edict issued on the 20th December. The Edict is a plain invitation to secure by any means the murder of a person who is living peaceably in the British Colony. Since Kang Yu Wei arrived in the Colony he has lived a very retired life, rarely leaving his house. His visitors are almost exclusively members of his clan.\n\nI have no evidence to show that he is engaged in any active propaganda against the Chinese Government.\n\n2. I need hardly point out that such an Edict as that now enclosed compels me to take every means in my power to protect Kang Yu Wei while he is in the Colony, as the alternative to abandoning him to probable assassination either by persons sent down from Canton, or by some persons among the large Chinese population of Hongkong who might be induced to murder him by the \"Extraordinary reward\" offered. This duty entails at present the employment of eighteen Constables, the expense of which force ought, I submit, to be claimed from the Chinese Government.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient\n\nHumble Servant,\n\nGOVERNOR, &c.\n\nTHE RIGHT HONOURABLE\n\nJOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,\n\n&c., &c., &c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 375184, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "page_number": 11, "title": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "content_text": "Enclosure.\n\n390\n\nRECO\n\nRent S FEB 10\n\nAn Imperial Edict for the arrest of Hong Yau Wai which appeared in the Chinese Mail of 22nd December, 1899.\n\nOn the 18th day of the 11th moon (20th December) the following Imperial Edict was received:-\n\nOf all evils which can influence the minds of the people in this world, none is greater than that which results from an imperfect understanding of right and wrong, of subordination and insubordination. Thus the punishment of death was meted out by ancient sages to those who indulged in false arguments and warnings were issued against unreasonable discussions, because they deceived the public and beguiled the people.\n\nSince our succession in childhood to the Imperial throne, the Empress Dowager to whom we are deeply indebted has devoted herself unremittingly for thirty years to our education and upbringing. In the year Kap Ng troubles began to arise, in the affairs of the Empire and we fearing lest it should prove impossible to support the weight of responsibility imposed upon us by our loving mother, were full of perplexity day and night, and being desirous of continuing the enlightened and vigorous policy of our sacred ancestors, we were always anxious to secure the services of those capable of assisting in improving the Government. At this juncture Yung Tung Wo strongly recommended to us Hong Yau Wai whose abilities he declared exceeded his own a hundred fold. It was therefore never anticipated", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 375345, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "page_number": 172, "title": "CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3]", "content_text": "It. 170\n\nhimself as grateful for his reception and begged that I would not return his visit here as on his return to the ship after calling upon The Admiral, The Governor and The Colonial Secretary he was tired, he would have liked to have had the pleasure of seeing me again (nothing could have been more cordial than his demeanour), and I can judge far as I can see he is really anxious to deal with the piracy question effectively, and to cooperate with this Colony in questions of mutual interest.\n\n5. I have received information that a proposal was made to him while in Singapore by a Chinese official who offered to procure his accreditation there, in accordance with the Edict recently issued by The Dowager Empress, and that his Li Hung Chang...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-297 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 376904, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6]", "page_number": 582, "title": "CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6]", "content_text": "## Paraphrase of Telegram\n\n**O.A.G. Hong Kong to Sir Chamberlain**\n\nSent 3. 15: p.m. \n12.30. p.m.\n\nThe American Admiral has been asked to take... Smashing of ...thie... Hing lle ...алд... \n\nI have informed the American Admiral that Li Hung Chang's flag-ship is at Canton. H.M.'s Government desire that Li should remain at Canton for the present. Pending reference to Washington, the American Admiral has delayed taking any action regarding Li's presence.\n\nI do not see that it is very necessary to accomplish anything at Canton. The north ...\n\n(2)\n\n**Paraphrase**\n\n**Gascoigne, O.A.G. Hong Kong to Sir Chamberlain**\n\nSent 7:45 p.m. \nReceived 3:30 p.m.\n\nReferring to my previous telegram of to-day's date ... Böse ... 29/6/00. Li Hung Chang has received an Imperial Edict directing him to stay at Canton & maintain order. The American flagship will accordingly sail without him to-morrow. \n... Sascrique...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377003, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 99, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "22010 \n\n`WB & L(1)--12435--2000-1-99` \n`22817--3000-10-99` \n\n**sec** \n\nDecypher of telegram from Sir Henry Blake.\n\nR4.35 14J 1800 \n97 \n\nConsul at Canton telegraphs that Viceroy announced intention of proceeding to Peking in pursuance of Imperial Edict.\n\nConsequence \n\nI have telegraphed saying that his going would entail changed conditions in South and noting that in the interests of peace in the two Kwangs he will reconsider his intention. His position is difficult and he may not object to pressure being put upon him to remain since telegraphing home I have received message from Hillen of Shanghai Bank at Shanghai urging me to use my influence with the Viceroy at Canton to keep him in his presence at Canton. Shanghai where they expect tin may introduce disturbing element in the relations which British Consul General is endeavouring to maintain with the Viceroy.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377020, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 116, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "## Sir H. Blake to Mr. Chamberlain\n\nThe following telegram has been received from British Consul at Canton:\n\nI have seen the Viceroy who states Black Flags will not be sent north. His Excellency expressed gratification on receiving your Excellency's message but explains that having received this imperial edict ordering him to Pekin he must go.\n\nHe leaves Canton in Anping on July 17th and asks if your Excellency can receive him on 18th at nine a.m.\n\nScott \n\nBlake", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377051, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 147, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "5. 145 \n\nwhich the Viceroy did not feel capable in refusing to \n\nworld \n\nover The Edict, he was glad to have each pressure applied as would enable him hereafter to explain his inability to act upon it. From other \n\nLi Hung Chang's staff it was \n\nascertained that The Edict \n\nConsisted \n\nof four \n\nChinese \n\nCharacters only, and was \n\nnot signed \n\nor stamped \n\nby the Empress Dowager or the Emperor. Chang \n\ncalled us over to Government House, \n\nthe three men \n\nnamed by \n\nLord, \n\nGenerals Gascoigne, Gazerique and Barrow, were present. \n\nAfter a short conversation I said that I regretted that he had left Canton, \n\nwhich was \n\nI had \n\ninformed him \n\na place \n\nof great importance at present, as \n\naccording \n\nto my information disturbances in Kwangsi \n\nand Kwangtung were imminent. He said that he had received an \n\nImperial", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377052, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 148, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "## \nEdict to proceed to Peking that he must obey. I asked Prince Pan whence from? He said certainly not, but from the Emperor and Dowager Empress, and to further inquiry he said that the date of the Edict was the 8th instant and that on that date with the exception of the German Minister all the Ministers were safe.\n\nI reminded him that he, with the other two Viceroys, Li and Chang Chi-tung had publicly stated that they would not accept any Edicts issued subsequent to the 20th June. Li Hung Chang replied that what the Three Viceroys intimated was that they would exercise a discretion in discriminating between Edicts that they had reason to believe issued from the Throne and those that did not. He added that he was convinced that the Edict ordering him forth emanated from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. He went on to say that he would not take action from Prince... \n\n146", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377063, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 159, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "## TELEGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENCE between H. E. The Governor & H. B. M. Consul Canton with reference to the departure of Li Hung Chang for the North.\n\nto Confidential Despatch of 19/7/00.\n\nInsecurity is abroad, and those who have money at Canton are keeping it in Hong Kong for safety.\n\nI have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Henry Arthur Blake, Governor.\n\n(1) From Canton, 15/7/00.\n\nLi Hung Chang ordered to Peking by Imperial Edict received yesterday. He leaves Hongkong on July 17th.\n\n(2) To Canton, 14/7/00.\n\nScott.\n\nYour telegram of yesterday. Please submit to Viceroy that his departure would entirely change conditions existing in the South. I earnestly hope, for the sake of the peace of the two provinces, that His Excellency will reconsider his intention. It is impossible that he could get to Peking at present.\n\nBlake.\n\n(3) To Canton, 14/7/00.\n\nIs report true Black Flags ordered to Peking?\n\nBlake.\n\n(4) From Canton, 14/7/00.\n\nYour Excellency's telegram of to-day. I have seen Viceroy who states Black Flags will not be sent North. His Excellency expressed gratification on receiving Your Excellency's message but explains that having received this second decree ordering him to Peking, he must go. He leaves Canton in \"An-ping\" on July 17th and asks whether Your Excellency can receive him on July 18th at nine a.m.\n\nScott.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377139, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 235, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "233\n\n{ \n\nfear of a calamity happening to the employ, permission to a despatch enquiring after all the \n\nThe British Minister replied to send a messenger enquiring after the Ministers and that all the Ministers were unharmed, and all desired peace. \n\nSubsequently a messenger was sent from the Gungli Gamen to Lee, the Ministers. Their Excellencies all came out and it was arranged that not one man hurt them. \n\nI express my joy and satisfaction. I send you your anciety. Compliments of Acting Viceroy on the following day should be memorialized. The question of sending food supplies to be sent to them under escort of Liu Kun's troops was discussed. \n\nIn view of this Telegram and of repeated Edicts, it deems that all fear...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377147, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 243, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "No. Tel 00 Hongkong.\n\nNo. 24 Yoy (Subject.) Disturbances in Clima\n\n**DESPATCH.**\n\nC.0. 241 24707 Aces Rent 31 JUL 00 fous Paper. equent Paper. Send Substaunt of secret adict as to.\n\n**(Minutes.)**\n\ngee also `24675-` \nBut Lucas \nCopies bean already been sent to the. Sep 13 \n? Put by \nC.Pd 31 \n31/7 alove.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377148, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "page_number": 244, "title": "CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9]", "content_text": "## Paraphrase of Telegram\n0.0.\n\n24707\n\nReco & \n\nSir H. Blake to her Majesty's Ambassador, Peking? 31 JUL 00\n\nReceived 2.20.\n\nA\n\n31/7/00.\n\n242\n\nI have obtained from the Yamun of an influential official the substance of a secret edict dated Peking 1st July.\n\nIt begins by stating that, now hostilities have followed, it is useless to pretend that there is no war. The German Minister was done to death about a month ago by disorderly persons and the Court is much exercised in their minds how to act on behalf of these persons. The other foreign ministers have been appealed to, but all refuse to accept this responsibility.\n\nSigns of peace must not be shown. Measures must now be taken for defence, or calamities and incalculable woes would follow. Officials along the sea board and on the rivers must take suitable precautions; as they would be held responsible for any loss of property.\n\nEdit Ends. Today the Bogue forts are reported fully manned and show signs of activity.\n\nBlakes", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 377730, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12]", "page_number": 199, "title": "CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12]", "content_text": "# Hong Kong Daily Press 28/9/00\n\n## GOOD TEANCH PATROL -own\n\nIt is said that a steamer, the Lungkong, plying between Hongkong and Lak Low, was fired at when she passed the disturbed district, one man on board being wounded. On her way she met the gunboat Avalanche whose doctor had attended to the wounded man. The Avalanche, which is cruising about, with an occasional stop at anchor, when she proceeded to Lak Low found the place was as quiet as possible. It appears that the gunboat has been doing a great deal of good by her presence in the disturbed locality and by an arrangement made by the French Consul with the Viceroy with a view to co-operating with the Chinese officials to suppress the disturbances, she will not leave the district until some few heads of the leaders of the riot are off, and other exemplary punishment enforced. With reference to the false edict, which led to disturbances extending as far as Swatow, the Acting Viceroy is going to issue a proclamation contradicting it.\n\n## REG 10 NOV CO\n\n197", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 378833, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900", "page_number": 647, "title": "CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900", "content_text": "(& L (z)--12435—2000-1-99\n\n22817--3000-10-99\n\n22018\nParaphrase of a telegram from Consul Scott, author.\n\n637\n8.12.15. 36. ~1375\nR. 1905\n\nAn Imperial Edict, received yesterday, orders Li Hung Chang to Pekin.\n\nThe barque Hay Kay on the 17th instant.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 378962, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900", "page_number": 776, "title": "CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900", "content_text": "Panflux of a telegram \n\nParaphrasa \n\n31001 \n\n764 \n\n23 \n\nfrom \n\n0.12.30 25 \n\nGusul Scott, Canton. R.12.15 pm. Self \n\nMissions and converts are being attacked in several places in the neighbourhood. The Viceroy is taking active means of repression, and has issued a satisfactory proclamation denouncing the fierce edicts lately published here, and emphasizing the denunciation of Boxers by Imperial Authority. It is stated that negotiations for a settlement are being opened in Peking, and that disturbances of the peace will be ... dealt with. \n\nThings quiet at Canton and in the immediate neighbourhood, and there is no apprehension of attacks on Consulate.\n\n31215-4000-6-1900", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381551, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]", "page_number": 264, "title": "CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9]", "content_text": "a British Map too a ✓ possible, remembering the arguments supplied to the Venezuelan in the boundary dispute by the Existence of English maps showing inconsistent boundaries\n\n3. and with our new aids In the treaty between France and China of 9th June, 1885, Art. 7 recites in the second paragraph, \"When the Chinese Government shall have decided to construct railways, it is agreed that she shall have recourse to French industry, and the Government of the Republic shall afford every facility for procuring in France the staff that may be required.\" It is, moreover, understood that this Clause shall not be looked upon as constituting an exclusive privilege in favour of France. So this article, the last sentence would appear to modify materially the first portion of the paragraph.\n\n44. But Article No. 5 in the additional convention between France and China, signed on the 20th May, 1895, goes further and provides that \"It is understood that China will address itself, in the first instance, to French Commerce and Engineers, for the Exploitation of its mines in the Provinces of Yunnan, Kwang si and Kwang tung, the Exploitation remaining otherwise subject to the rules and edicts by the Imperial Government which affects National industry\".\n\n5. Still Even this would appear to be governed by Article 54 of the Treaty of Tientsin of 1858, which secures equal rights to British Subjects.\n\n6. An illustration of the French Claim to Exclusive rights is given in a commodity", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 383077, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901", "page_number": 222, "title": "CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901", "content_text": "Canton itself is concerned, hardly one rumour concerning the state of affairs here has originated in Canton itself.\n\nShould further rebellion be attempted, in my opinion the Imperial troops will prove capable of dealing with it.\n\nI doubt if the population is armed so extensively with weapons smuggled from Hong Kong and Macao as it is supposed. Nor do I think the people themselves, the gentry, and the well-to-do have any desire to rebel. It seems very clear that in the Hui-chow Prefecture the rebels met with little sympathy and no assistance from the turbulent people of the Tung Kuang district, or the equally turbulent and lawless smugglers and people of the Kuei Shan district, who opposed rather than joined them.\n\nThe attempt on the morning of Sunday, the 28th October, to blow up a portion of the Governor's Yamên seems to have been a genuine attempt at political assassination with dynamite. Had it been as successful as it was abortive, it does not appear that serious consequences would have resulted. Nothing has transpired to show that any preparation had been made to take advantage of the temporary confusion that might have followed. Only three persons have so far been arrested in connection with it---one a young man named Shih Ching Ju, who has been executed; a preacher or catechist of the American Presbyterian Mission, who gave security for the rent of the house, and who has been released on bail; and a chemist named Yang, whose name was given by Shih, and who was found to have dynamite in his shop. The whole incident is very obscure. Shih himself, though not a convert, was intimately connected with converts and missionaries. His sister is a medical student in the Kuk Fon Hospital. A person named Sung, who hired the house in which the explosion occurred, and who has escaped, was a Christian. Several converts who were preachers left Canton on the arrest of Shih, and the missionaries here generally seem convinced that many of their converts, if not actually concerned, knew that some attempt was imminent.\n\nThe trade of the district, allowance being made for the entire stoppage for some months of the trade with Tien-tsin and Newchwang, shows little disturbance. The decrease in the duties collected by the foreign Customs is not more than occurs in ordinary times as compared with those of last year, which was the most prosperous the port has ever known. It is true that the banks, native and foreign, are restricting their advances, but in view of the rumours in circulation, this is hardly to be wondered at. In other respects trade is practically unaffected. It is somewhat singular that throughout the whole of the disastrous occurrences in the north this has been the case with the trade here, except in the case of that to Tien-tsin and Newchwang. It should, I think, be taken as a sign that, whatever rumours are afloat, these provinces are practically in their normal state, which may be said to indicate insurrection in one or other of them. Roughly speaking, during my service in China, I do not think a year has passed when an insurrection or rebellion has not been in progress or threatening in Kwangtung or Kwanghsi.\n\nThe attacks on the property of converts and Mission Chapels have ceased for over six weeks. They were not accompanied by any attacks on their persons, except that one Roman Catholic convert was killed and one child injured, one or two men held to ransom, and some girls are said to have been carried off. It is thought, and it seems possible, that in consequence of the Edicts, false or genuine, promulgated here, orders were in some instances officially given to loot the converts, but not to attack their persons. In others, the officials responsible made strenuous and successful efforts to maintain order. The action of his Excellency the Acting Viceroy all through, except that his orders were but imperfectly obeyed, left little to be desired. These outrages have been only partial, and none have occurred in Canton or its immediate vicinity, and I have heard of none in the Province of Kwanghsi.\n\nIt is, of course, impossible to predict what the course of events will be in these provinces. I can only say that, so far, in my opinion, as can be seen at present, no signs of immediate danger exist, although causes for uneasiness exist in several directions. This opinion is, I know, largely shared by my colleagues, and by others whose opinion is of value. If only a general settlement of affairs can be arrived at between China and foreign Powers, I think there is little doubt that in these provinces there will be no disturbance that the provincial authorities will not be able to deal with successfully, as they have with the rising in Hui-chow.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) B. C. G. SCOTT.\n\n20 Feb. 1901", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 383180, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901", "page_number": 325, "title": "CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901", "content_text": "323\n\n... \n\n2\n\nThe following marks are reliable guides as to the height of water over the rocks at the dangerous places:\n\n1. The lower basement of the Cantonese Guild House at Kuei-hsien just covered, and \n\n2. On arrival at Lei-kung Hsü, if the nearest rocks at the foot of the steps directly below the town-gate are covered, the \"Sandpiper\" could proceed, and the more water over these rocks plus 24 feet would indicate the draught of a vessel that could proceed with tolerable safety.\n\nThe water continued to rise on the way to Nanning, where we arrived at 10 P.M. on the 17th June, but had reached its greatest height the next morning, and when I sailed at 4 P.M. on the 18th June had fallen over 6 inches. On leaving, all the Chinese guard-boats fired a gun salute.\n\nWe caught up the fall before anchoring at 8 P.M., but a further considerable fall took place during the night; this we again caught up, and recrossed the Rapid with about 1 foot more than coming up. On this occasion there did not seem so much difficulty, and except for the sharp turns I had no trouble. The water has continued to fall since arrival at Wuchow.\n\nI do not see any way of improving the passage over the T'ai-t'an without great cost, and when the water is low there are many other bad places where a steamer of sufficient size to make a profit would have some difficulty. I consider steamers could run up to the Rapid for about eight months, and there trans-ship into junks or steamers above.\n\nPilots. I cannot speak too highly of the pilots. Their knowledge of the river was excellent, and in every case the information they gave me of the position of rocks and depth over them was correct. They were the same men I had last year, and can be obtained through His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Wuchow, or Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., Wuchow.\n\nThe total pilotage amounted to 365 dollars. Coal.-Coal was sent up by junk on free pass. Dress Ship-On arrival at Nanning dressed ship overall, and the ship's company gave three cheers for His Majesty the King.\n\nOfficials.-The officials having been notified by the Viceroy at Canton were most civil and attentive.\n\nAttached are the accounts of the visits paid (Inclosure No. 2).\n\nInclosed is a copy of Mr. B. Twyman's Report, with which he has kindly furnished me (Inclosure No. 3).\n\nMy best thanks are due to Mr. Twyman, who was of the very greatest assistance. He worked very hard to gain information for me about the river which much facilitated matters.\n\nShip's Company-The ship's company carried out the hard work cheerfully and well.\n\nEngine-room Staff-The Engine-room Staff were specially to be commended for the manner in which they kept steam, and the general working of the machinery, as being shut up while negotiating the Rapids could not have been pleasant.\n\nWeather. The weather experienced was much cooler than on the lower river, and fine, and the health of the ship's company was good.\n\nWatermark, Wuchow.-On return to Wuchow the watermark showed 35 feet.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nH. C. CARR.\n\nReport by Lieutenant-Commander Carr on a Journey to Nanning-fu.\n\nFirst Interview at Nanning-fu in Taotai's Yamên.\n\n3 P.M. on the 17th June, the day of arrival at Nanning, I went, accompanied by Twyman, to call on the Taotai, who is a pale, studious-looking, polite, but very nervous man, and comparatively young for the post he holds.\n\nHis surname is Feng and his full name Feng Hsiang Jung, son of Feng Tzu Ts'ai, Commander-in-Chief in Yunnan Province.\n\nHe received us very politely, giving greeting both in foreign and Chinese fashion. He also sent a boat and chairs to meet us with a guard of eight soldiers each, and on entering the Yamên there were salutes and music.\n\nThe Taotai received us in a clean and neatly-arranged Yamên, and after the usual compliments had been exchanged the following conversation took place:\n\nCommander Carr.-I have been instructed to bring His Majesty's ship \"Sandpiper\" to Nanning, and having arrived, naturally lose no time in calling in order to enter into relations and convey the compliments of his Excellency the Admiral, with a view to cementing the \"entente cordiale.”\n\nTaotai. I hope the journey has been without unpleasant incident.\n\nCommander Carr.-Except for the Great Rapid (Tai-t'an), the navigation of which is very difficult, everything has been satisfactory.\n\nThe Taotai was at first very nervous. He is an opium-smoker and seemed in indifferent health, and we furnished the greater part of the conversation.\n\nHis advice was asked as to the possibility of obtaining information respecting commercial matters. He replied that that was not difficult-information could be obtained from the Cantonese Guild and the Magistrates' Yamên.\n\nWhen Mr. Twyman asked about the Pacification Edicts, he said he had been furnished by the Governor at Kuei-lin with copies of the earlier editions, which had been duly posted, but that he had received no instructions about any corrected or second editions of these documents.\n\nThe Taotai has been in Kuanghsi for twenty years altogether, and for two years at Lung-chow.\n\nHe said that troops had been sent from Nanning to quell the Kuei-hsien rising, and that a telegram had recently been received to say that the rebels had been dispersed.\n\nConcerning the Langson-Lung-chow Railway and proposed extension to Nanning the Taotai said it had been completed practically as far as the Chinese border, which is at Nan-kuan (Namquan), but that no work had been commenced on the Chinese side of the border, although the survey had been made as far as Lung-chow.\n\nWhen asked about the famine of last year the Taotai said it had been at Pôse, but not at Nanning, and that the prospect of the crops for this year was very promising.\n\nWe then took leave, and proceeded to call on the Prefect, but found he was away, so sent a letter and cards to his Yamên.\n\n(Signed) H. C. CARR.\n\nSecond Interview at Nanning-fu on board His Majesty's ship \"Sandpiper,\" June 18, 1901.\n\nThe Taotai wrote to say that he desired to call at 8 o'clock; in reply I asked him to make it a little later, and proposed 9:30.\n\nAt 9:45 the gunboats fired three gun salutes, and one of them shoved off in which the Taotai was seated.\n\nUpon his approaching he was saluted with guns by His Majesty's ship \"Sandpiper,\" and the Chinese ensign hoisted.\n\nWhen he arrived on board seats were taken at the table on the forecastle. After the usual compliments had been exchanged, the Taotai explained his not being in full official costume, saying that this day was the anniversary of a former Emperor's death. He had intended to call on the following day, but hearing that the ship was starting back the same day, had taken the present opportunity.\n\nI expressed pleasure at receiving the Taotai's visit, and said I regretted not being able to stay longer, but that it was absolutely necessary to take the present opportunity of high water to recross the T'ai-t'an, in order not to be left above for a long period, perhaps even for the whole winter; and the water was now falling.\n\nTaotai-In going down the Great Rapid will it be necessary to steam, or can the ship drift over?\n\nCommander Carr.-It is necessary to steam in order to keep steerage way on and so have control of the vessel in the current.\n\nThe Taotai inquired about the possibility of steam navigation on the river.\n\nCommander Carr.-There are some rocks at the foot of the steps leading to Lei-kung Hsü below the Rapid. When they are completely covered by water it is possible for a ship like the \"Sandpiper\" to proceed. An additional foot of water above these rocks would indicate that a vessel with an additional foot of draught could get over.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 383252, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901", "page_number": 397, "title": "CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901", "content_text": "392\n\n2\n\ntramways thus sanctioned without requiring aid from China in the matter of capital, nor need the Chinese Government guarantee any sums which may in future be required for expenses of construction and working. The actions of the Company from the time of commencing work to its completion will be subject to the following rules.\n\n3. All the material and machinery employed by the Belgo-French Company in the construction of these railways will be exempt from li-kin and customs duties,\n\n4. All documents and acts in respect to the shares of the Company, including interest certificates and transfers of the shares, shall be free of tax.\n\n(The Chinese text is here confused and difficult to translate exactly.) Drawn up by the Railway Contractor in 1900.\n\nCopy of the Complete Regulations.\n\nI. (1.) Survey. The railway will start from Canton city and proceed viâ Samshu, Kuang-li Shao Ching, Te Ching, and all important cities and towns passed en route to Wuchou Fu in Kuang-hsi. The line, speaking generally, will follow the left bank of the West River. If in the interests of the population it is necessary that it should pass through cities and towns on the right bank, or if by reason of mountains the line is found to be difficult to lay on the left bank, it will follow the right bank.\n\nThe tramway will start from the railway station to carry goods and passengers from within and without the city, proceeding along the bank of the Canton River via all important places to a terminus at Whampoa.\n\nII. (2.) Construction. The work of construction by the Company must begin within two years of the day on which Imperial sanction is received, and its completion must not take more than six years.\n\n3. Land purchased by the Company will be sufficient for the embankment of a double line. But a single line with the necessary sidings may be constructed as a preliminary, provided that the foundation for the double line be laid across bridges, through tunnels, and upon embankments.\n\nIn places where commerce is flourishing room for double lines may be specially made, and if at any future time it is found that a single line is insufficient the second line may be added. The Superintendent of Works will, before building the railway and stations, first notify the authorities, who will mark the land out with boundary stakes, and the people will be compelled to sell. The survey of the land and its surrender by the people will be in accordance with Chinese law and the Regulations for Northern Railways. If in the line of railway there is any Government land, Imperial or Provincial, the Company can make use of it for a period while they control the railway without payment of rent.\n\nAt the termini, the Company can buy land for stations, residences, godowns, offices, machine-shops, &c.; if the land is in the hands of the Government, it will be left for the Company to make use of it as they choose.\n\n4. The gauge of the railway will be 1 metre,\n\nIII. (5.) The Company will control the carriage of goods and passengers for a period of seventy-five years, reckoning from the day when trains begin to run.\n\n(6.) At the conclusion of the above period the railways, as well as all the stations and works, and all the tools and horses employed, will become the property of the Chinese Government. All stores of coal, oil, &c., if sold by the Company, will be purchased by the Chinese Government; and, if the latter wish to buy, the Company must sell. The land which stations and workshops occupy, and all buildings, will become the property of the Chinese Government upon the expiration of the period of seventy-five years.\n\nBut land separately purchased by the Company and houses separately built by them and not pertaining to the railways and tramways, as well as the electric stations, will remain the property of the Company, and the Chinese Government cannot take possession of them against the Company's will.\n\nIV. (7.) Purchase of the Railway. The railway and tramways may after twenty years' working be purchased by the Chinese Government, the price to be calculated in the following manner:-\n\nThe total amount of the profits during the fifteenth to twentieth year of its working to be divided by 5 so as to get the average yearly profits. To this will be added interest at 2 per cent., and the sum thus arrived at will be considered as interest, and the capital will be reckoned from this at 100 for 3. (Example given.) Payment must be made by the Chinese Government three months after purchase of all the properties mentioned in section 6 of these Regulations.\n\n3\n\nIf the Chinese Government do not buy at the end of twenty years, they can do so at the end of any subsequent period of five years on the same basis as above.\n\nV. (8.) If the Company fail to commence or complete the work within the respective limits, the contract is null and void. But if within the period named obstacles arise to hinder the work the period can be extended.\n\nVI. (9.) Tariff. The railway rates during the period of seventy-five years while the Company is receiving the money obtained by the sale of tickets and in freight for goods will be based on the tariff of the Northern Railway. In times of peace the Company will only charge half-rates for troops and horses and material of war. When famine is reported by the local authorities and relief work is being carried on, half-rates only are to be charged for food-stuffs.\n\nVII. (10.) Special Rules. In time of trouble, the Chinese military authorities can attach the cars, &c., of the Company for the carriage of troops and armaments. Compensation of charges to be paid to the Company will be settled by discussion after the signature of this document.\n\nVIII. (11.) Royalties. Ten per cent. of the profits will go to the Chinese Government. But the amount allowed as interest on capital will not be included as profits in this calculation.\n\nIX. (12.) The railway and tramways may be sold by the Company to another Company. The latter after purchase will also be subject to these Regulations.\n\nDrawn up by the contractors in 1900.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow.\n\n(No. 34. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nCanton, October 16, 1901. WITH reference to my despatch No. 25, Confidential, and the French railway claims in the Canton Province therein mentioned, I have now the honour to inclose herewith copy and translation of two documents which have just reached me indirectly, being copies of a note and its inclosures sent by the French Consul to the Viceroy recently on the subject of the construction by a Franco-Belgian Company of a railway from Canton to Wuchow and of tramways in connection therewith.\n\nIt would appear that some arrangement for these Concessions had been concluded with Li Hung-chang when Viceroy in Canton in 1900, and that an attempt is now being made to secure Imperial sanction and carry out the scheme. The name of the present Viceroy, Tao Mo, has been substituted for that of Li Hung-chang as the party with whom the arrangement has been made, apparently with a view to preparing the way for this Viceroy's more ready assent. The Viceroy, however, has in no way acknowledged any liability on his part under the Agreement and has, after pressure, only promised to refer the matter to the Central Government when the Court has returned to Peking.\n\nI would point out that if this Agreement is allowed to be carried out, the French authorities will have the monopoly of railway communication connecting the chief centres of trade along the route to Kwangsi and in the Canton delta. I would further point out that, under one of the terms of the Agreement, material required for the railway and tramways will be admitted duty free. According to such a stipulation, the French will not fail to include in this category all rice and other numerous articles ostensibly for the use of the Railway; and such a facility, if granted, cannot but have a detrimental effect on British imports into Canton.\n\nIn connection with this Railway Agreement, the question naturally arises, how a statesman of the astuteness with which Li Hung-chang is usually credited, could have been induced to make such a one-sided arrangement, and that, too, so directly opposed to the Chinese Mining and Railway Regulations recently promulgated by Edict.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386853, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 308, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "## Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne\n\n### No. 2\n\nCanton, March 13, 1902\n\n**Concession on terms exactly similar to those of the Canton-Hankow Syndicate; and that railway questions were under the control of Sheng-kung Pao, through whom negotiations could alone be possible.** As regards the tramway scheme for Hainan, M. Beau said that Chinese capitalists were largely interested; and when urged to grant the Concession on their account, the Governor suggested that the chief capitalists, being Chinese subjects, should apply to their own authorities.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n### 3\n\nThey declare that there is no combined movement or organized rebellion - only bands of marauding soldiers. The Viceroy, however, is making an earnest effort to suppress the disturbances, and for this purpose has dispatched some 2,000 trained troops from Canton to Kwangsi via Pakhoi and Nanning.\n\nIn accordance with your instructions of the 22nd instant, I have duly reported to His Majesty's Secretary of State, to whom I am now forwarding a copy of this despatch.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n## No. 2. Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne\n\n### (No. 27.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nCanton, March 27, 1902.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, for your Lordship's information, copy of despatch `No. 27`, with inclosures, to His Majesty's Minister in Peking reporting on the disturbances in the Province of Kwangsi.\n\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 2. Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow\n\nCanton, March 25, 1902.\n\nWITH reference to the disturbances in Kwangsi, I beg to report that the French Consul informs me that about a month ago two French officials were attacked while travelling in the interior near the Tonquin frontier; one was killed on the spot and the other succumbed to his wounds soon afterwards.\n\nI beg to inclose two extracts from the local press quoting Imperial Edicts having reference to this affair, from the latter of which it will be seen that the provincial authorities claim to be exempt from all responsibility in respect to this attack, which they declare to have been committed by brigands in Tonquin territory.\n\nM. Hardouin, the French Consul, further informs me that for some time past his authorities in Tonquin had been apprehensive regarding the situation on their frontier. They had learned that the Chinese Government meditated the removal of Marshal Sou from supreme command in Kwangsi; and urgent representations had been made by the French Legation in Peking against such a step as fraught with danger to peace on the borders. These representations, M. Hardouin states, were at the time met with a rebuff, to which the French Minister made answer holding the Chinese Government responsible for any troubles that might arise and their consequences.\n\nSince the outbreak of the present disturbances, and at last in deference to the French demands, Marshal Sou has been ordered to return to his post in Kwangsi. He reached Nanning on the 12th instant.\n\nAccording to the French Consul, the present disturbances are due, not to any misconduct by Marshal Sou such as the Chinese allege, but solely to the refusal of his successor to continue the services and pay of many troops hitherto employed. Men were disbanded, and, left without money or other resources, they took to plunder, and have overrun Kwangsi Province to the west of Nanning.\n\nI beg to inclose newspaper extract giving further particulars concerning these disturbances which have come under the cognizance of an American missionary in Nanning. As regards the French priests in that city, they have declined to leave; and the French Consul has furnished them with rifles and ammunition for their protection. Nanning is not considered in danger; and according to information received by me from His Majesty's Consul at Wuchow, dated the 21st instant, the transit trade along the West River and to Nanning continues as usual and without interruption. At Wuchow and neighbourhood everything remains quiet.\n\nApart from possible complications with the French authorities in Tonquin, and especially in connection with the deaths of these two officials, the Provincial Government does not consider the rising to be serious.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 2. Newspaper Extract\n\nTHE following Imperial Edict was issued on the 12th instant, with reference to the murder of a French officer by Chinese on the Tonquin frontier, reported by us a few days ago:--\n\n\"Decree expressing regret and indignation at the receipt of Memorial from Ting Chên-to, Governor of Kwangsi, reporting the murder by disbanded soldiery of a foreign official on the borders of the district of Lungchou, who was at the time leaving a cotton-weaving mill and crossing the river, bound for a place called Yüehch'ih. Governor is commanded to find out who were the guilty civil and military officers who failed to protect the foreigner, as they are to be cashiered and dismissed the service at once. Marshal Sou is to proceed to Kwangsi from Kwangtung immediately to take command of the forces operating against the rebels; at the same time Viceroy Tao Mu, of the Two Kwang; Governor Ting Chên-to, of Kwangsi, and Marshal Sou are specially commanded to use every effort in properly protecting all foreigners, missionaries, and mission property within their several jurisdictions, and that if any more murders of foreigners or destruction of foreign property take place, the said high officials are to be held responsible. The rebellion in question must also be forthwith suppressed by vigorous measures.\"\n\n## No. 3. Acting Consul-General Scott to the Marquess of Lansdowne\n\n### (No. 28. Confidential.)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nCanton, March 27, 1902.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of my despatch to His Majesty's Minister in Peking, `No. 28`, with inclosures, relative to French railway claims in the two Kuang Provinces.\n\n(Signed) JAMES SCOTT.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 3. Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow\n\n#### (No. 28. Confidential.)\n\nCanton, March 25, 1902.\n\nWITH further reference to French railway claims in Kuang-tung and Kwangsi, and to my despatches `No. 9` of the 4th February and `No. 19` of the 4th March, I have now the honour to inclose précis translation of a communication, copy of which has reached me indirectly, from the Viceroy to the French Consul.\n\nFrom this despatch it will be seen that the French Consul has been requested by the Viceroy to instruct the Franco-Belgian Syndicate to enter into negotiations with his Excellency Shêng for the Concession which they wish to obtain (indeed, they consider it has already been granted to them) for a railway from Samshui to Wuchow, on the same conditions as those sanctioned for the Yueh-han (Canton-Hankow) and Lu-han Railways.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386892, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 347, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "# \n\"We learn that the system has been inaugurated in Shanghae and other places with some success, and it is advisable to extend it to apply to all the provinces. But local conditions have to be considered, and we therefore ask that the Viceroys and Governors may be instructed to report upon the matter as it affects their various provinces.\"\n\nThe above seems to throw some light upon the recent attempt (as reported in despatch No. 25, 1902, General) to institute a tax upon prepared opium in Kuang-tung.\n\nA request has been received from the Namhoi Magistrate with respect to the house tax, that Messrs. Watson and Co., chemists, who occupy premises belonging to a Chinese landlord on the opposite side of the canal from Shameen, may be instructed, as tenants, to pay the tax. The amount claimed in this respect is very small, but His Majesty's Consul-General has declined to convey the desired instructions, on the ground that such a tax, imposed upon British merchants, is not justified by Treaty or by any of the Regulations sanctioned as applying to foreign trade and commerce.\n\nAccording to the house tax Regulations, the tax is ultimately due from the landlord, the tenants being required to advance the money and being allowed to hand their receipts to the landlord in part payment of rent. In the case of Messrs. Watson and Co., it seems more proper, in principle, for the tax to be paid direct by the landlord.\n\n## Visit of the Chinese Consul-General for Singapore (Confidential)\n\nThe Chinese Consul-General for Singapore paid a visit to His Majesty's Consul-General on the 30th January last. He stated that there was still a good deal of uneasiness in Peking about K'ang Yu Wei, who is now in Singapore, and that it was believed he was intending to attempt a scheme of rebellion and to get assistance from the Australian Chinese. The Consul-General some time back received orders from Peking by despatch to proceed to Australia on a special mission to influential Chinese there, and warn them against Kang's machinations. He replied suggesting the advisability of leaving K'ang and his schemes alone, and pointing out that any action taken against him would only increase his importance in the eyes of Chinese over the sea, and give an impression that the Court and Government feared K'ang. The Consul-General has now received peremptory orders by telegraph, which he is compelled to obey. His theory is that this crusade against K'ang is made at the suggestion of his Excellency Shêng Kung Pao, who is in this way trying to secure the favour of the dominant party at Court.\n\n## Yang Wen-ch'un and the Tariff Commission\n\nOn the 14th February, His Majesty's Consul-General received a telegram from Sir James Mackay, stating that Yang Wen Ch'un, formerly Intendant of the Lei Chiung circuit of this province, had been nominated as an associate with his Excellency Shêng in the Tariff negotiations, and that according to a Shanghae paper, he had been dismissed from his former post for corruption. Sir James Mackay asked that he might be informed as to the correctness or otherwise of the statement.\n\nIt was found that the officer in question had been denounced to the Throne in 1895 for corruption, intriguing and licentious conduct, and had accordingly been dismissed \"never to be re-employed.\" His Excellency the Tariff Commissioner was duly informed by telegraph of these particulars.\n\n## The Kuang-hsi Rising\n\nParticulars and news of the Kuang-hsi disturbances have already been furnished in despatches Nos. 17, 23, 27, 29, and 32, General. It would appear from news which arrives viâ Wuchow that order is gradually being restored. The transit trade with Nanning is being carried on as usual, and there does not seem any probability of serious developments, the only danger being that of possible complications with the French authorities in consequence of the murder by brigands of two French officers on the Tongquin frontier; which the Chinese authorities declare occurred within French territory.\n\nThe latest news from His Majesty's Consul at Wuchow, dated the 11th April, is as follows:-\n\n\"I have just seen a boatman from Nanning who says all is quiet there--that is about three weeks ago. According to him the robbers are most numerous about Posê, where they are supposed to amount to 2,000 or 3,000. In the Yung Shun district there are some hundreds, but they keep away from the river.”\n\nPosê is an important mart in Kuang-hsi, near the Yünnan frontier, and is the head of navigation of the Yu Kiang or Nanning branch of the West River.\n\nThe district city of Yung Shun lies on the West River 242 miles above Wuchow, and 77 miles below Nanning.\n\n## Educational Matters\n\nThe Kuang Ya hu Yüan, one of the chief educational institutions in Canton, is being reorganized under the Viceroy's patronage so as to provide for modern education as well as for the ordinary Chinese curriculum. The staff is intended to consist for the future of twenty professors, all native, of whom one-half are to give instruction in modern science, principally chemistry and physics.\n\nMany applications have been received lately for admission to the T'ung Wên College. The accommodation of the college is, however, very limited, and most of the applications have been refused for that reason.\n\nDuring the past four months the Viceroy has applied on behalf of fifteen students for visé of their passports, and for assistance and protection to be granted them during their travels abroad in England, the United States, Japan, the Straits, &c. The journeys were in every case undertaken for educational purposes, with the special approval and encouragement of the Viceroy and at the expense of the students themselves.\n\n## Plague Patients returning from Hong Kong to Canton\n\nUnder instructions from the Colonial Office, his Excellency, the Governor of Hong Kong, has stated that he will not raise any objection under the Venice Convention to the return of plague patients from Hong Kong to Canton, provided that satisfactory arrangements are made for their reception and treatment, that proper steps are taken to disinfect the boats in which they are sent up, and, generally, that adequate means are adopted to prevent the spread of infection.\n\nThe charitable associations and hospitals of Canton have now declared their willingness to make the following arrangements respecting this matter:-\n\n| Arrangements | Description |\n| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Reception | They will send men to meet all steamers coming from Hong Kong, who will take charge of any infected persons on board and carry them to the hospitals direct. |\n| Medical Treatment | Experienced medical men will be obtained to give full attention to the proper treatment of such patients. The rooms in which they are placed will be cleansed and purified so as to prevent the spread of infection. |\n| Disinfection | The question of disinfecting ships in which such patients arrive is being considered by the Commissioner of Customs. |\n\nThe above proposed arrangements have been submitted for the approval of the Hong Kong Government.\n\n## Mission Affairs\n\nAn Imperial Edict on the 29th January, there appeared in the \"Official Gazette\" referring to a telegram from the Viceroy announcing the mysterious murder of a priest (Father Julien) and two converts at Ma Shih Hsü, in the Shih sing district of Kuang-tung. The Edict commanded that the Magistrate of the district should be removed from office for delay in reporting the matter and for his failure to arrest the murderers.\n\nThe missionary in question had formerly resided in the East River region; it is stated by the Chinese authorities that he had incurred the hatred of a native family, and that popular feeling against him personally became so strong that he had been removed to Shih Hsing district, in the north of the province. He was after some time followed thither by members of the family referred to, who stabbed him to death while he was sitting at table. Two converts were also murdered at the time. The view of the authorities and the Protestant missionaries is that the crime was simply one of private revenge for a family wrong, and not essentially anti-mission or anti-foreign.\n\nFive men have been arrested in connection with the murder and sentenced to execution. Report says that a claim for 40,000 taels compensation has been lodged by the French Consul with the Viceroy.\n\nPage 343", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386985, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 440, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "435 \n\n2 \n\nThe present wording, if taken according to the letter, appears to give ship-owners only the right to lease from Chinese subjects, whereas merchants are not only inferentially given that right, but also that of demanding accommodation from Chinese officials! No provision, on the other hand, is made for ship-owners paying similar taxes, &c. to their Chinese neighbours. The wording of some of the other Rules is similarly confused, and in each case this is the result of mutual compromises; on the other hand, others are simply unnecessary; as, however, the Chinese appeared to attach importance to their insertion, I agreed to accept them in return for substantial concessions to us. The confusion, however, is much more apparent than real; a close examination will show that the Chinese concessions to us are clearly laid down, and when the new arrangement comes into operation, they will be embodied in a clear form in the various circulars issued by the Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nIn the case of Rule 7, I reported to your Lordship in my despatch No. 105 of the 16th ultimo, the original Chinese proposal; if the Article be compared therewith it will be seen that by means of saving clauses the attempt to restrict the original British rights has been rendered nugatory.\n\nViceroy Liu wished to have inserted a provision obliging inland navigation steamers to carry Chinese post-office mails free of charge and no other mails; of course, it was impossible for me to assent to this, but I endeavoured to meet him half way by proposing the insertion of the following words:\n\n\"British steamers trading on the inland waters of China will, as far as possible, give facilities to the Imperial Chinese post-office for the transmission of mail matter on such conditions as may be mutually agreed upon between the owners or masters of the steamers and the Imperial Chinese post-office; and, with the exception of such mails as may be placed on board by a British Consul or in steamers' box provided for ships', shippers, and consignees' letters, they will neither receive mail matter from nor carry it for any individual or establishment except the Chinese Imperial Post-office, where such offices exist and function,\" which would not have been restrictive except as regards private mails where Chinese postal arrangements existed. Consular mails would have preserved their former privileges.\n\nThis proposal was accepted provisionally by the Commissioners and Viceroys and referred to Peking, but as the Peking authorities would not reply, the Chinese Commissioners informed me that they could not make up their minds whether they would finally accept it or reject it until the 31st ultimo. As it had originally been decided that the Treaty should be signed on the 30th ultimo, this indecision rendered it necessary to have two different editions of the Treaty: one with the provision inserted, and the other without it; the Commissioners promising that, if I was ready to sign on that date, they would, if still left without instructions, make up their minds at the last moment.\n\nIt will be seen that the matter has ended by the provision being left out, and I have the honour to transmit the translation of a note from the Commissioners informing me of the final decision of the Chinese Government.\n\nYour Lordship will perceive that all the fresh concessions to us in the Rules are contained in Articles I, VIII, and IX, to which, perhaps, X may be added, as it gives a Treaty position to the original Rules, which cannot now be altered without our consent. Hitherto China has claimed the right to alter the Inland Steam Navigation Rules at will.\n\nAs regards the decennial revision of the Tariff, I succeeded, but only after much discussion, in inducing the Commissioners to abandon their demand for the inclusion of the text of the Treaty in this provision.\n\nA small change has been made in Article XIV, at the desire of the Viceroy. Only twenty-one days' notice need be given by the Chinese authorities before stopping the movement of grain, but I have been careful to insert a provision by which a specially chartered vessel arriving at her loading port prior to or on the day of the issue of the prohibition shall have the right to continue loading for the period of a week after arrival. This change, therefore, gives back to us with one hand what it takes away with the other.\n\nSome difficulty has been caused by the question of the importation of morphia. When the new Specific Tariff was being drawn up, the Chinese appealed to be allowed to put a heavy duty, amounting to considerably more than 5 per cent., on morphia, so as to restrict, as far as possible, the importation of this drug, which is having, through its wrong use, a most baneful effect on the Chinese. As the other foreign Commissioners appeared disposed to agree, I thought it advisable to give my adhesion also.\n\n* It was originally one month.\n\n3 \n\nLater, however, I was approached with a view to my assent being given in the Treaty to total prohibition, except for medicinal purposes. Eventually, with your Lordship's sanction, I consented to do so. That being so, it is obvious that all the reasons for a heavy duty will eventually disappear, as morphia can only be imported for medicinal purposes if the other Powers agree to our morphia Article.\n\nI have therefore endeavoured to obtain from the Chinese the reduction of the excessive duty, but unfortunately without result, as it was impossible to delay any further the signing of the Tariff. The matter is a small one, however, and it can no doubt be arranged if the prohibition Article comes into operation.\n\nThe Commissioners expressed to me their anxiety lest the words \"permanently abolished,\" in section 1 of Article VIII, should be construed as signifying that even if the present Treaty were abrogated, China would still not have the right to levy li-kin; they said they feared that their enemies might take the opportunity of impeaching them to the Throne on the ground that they had not taken proper care of Chinese interests, and they begged me to furnish them with a statement in writing to the effect that the above-mentioned view was not the one taken on the British side.\n\nI saw no objection to consenting to this, and have the honour to enclose herein copies of the despatches which have been exchanged on the subject.\n\nI also have the honour to enclose copies of correspondence with the Chinese Commissioners relative to the wording of Article IX in regard to Mining Regulations.\n\nYour Lordship will not be surprised to hear that a large portion of my time since our return from Wuchang has been occupied, not only in dealing with the above-mentioned points, but also in defending concessions already agreed to by China, or in rejecting fresh proposals (sometimes of an almost ludicrous character) designed with a view to restricting existing British privileges. I have not reported all the negotiations on these points at length, as the suggestions appeared often not to be made seriously, but merely with a view to the Commissioners feeling their way in regard to my attitude towards the various points, or in order to balance some demand made by me, and thus induce me to abandon that demand.\n\nThe fact that practically there have been, besides the Grand Council and Throne, five Chinese negotiators to deal with, the two Viceroys, and two Commissioners and the Wai-wu Pu, each with different views, of whom only two have been on the spot, has naturally made the process of coming to a decision on the Chinese side very slow.\n\nI now come to the negotiations as to the apportionment of the surtaxes. (See my despatch No. 102 of the 8th instant.)\n\nThe Commissioners duly drafted a Memorial, and obtained my concurrence before sending it to the Viceroys for their signature. I forwarded to your Lordship in my telegram No. 92 A of the 1st September the translation of the Memorial as it had been shown then to me.\n\nYour Lordship will no doubt have noticed that the wording is not as clear as might be wished, but I felt convinced that if I had insisted on an explicit statement that the whole of the proceeds of the surtaxes were to go to the provinces first, without also definitely specifying that they were to continue as before to furnish their quotas to Peking to make up for the Peking supplies contributed now out of li-kin, and without holding out any hope to the Central Government that the latter would receive compensation for the loss of transit dues, the Throne would (especially in view of the dearth of funds to meet the indemnity payments) have refused to sanction the Memorial.\n\nOn the other hand, if these points had been exhaustively dealt with, a handle would have been given to the Central Government for squeezing the provinces unduly under cover of actual Treaty provisions.\n\nMoreover, circumstances had altered considerably as regards the stringent necessity for protecting the provincial revenues. Originally, when the Agreement was tentatively made with Sheng, it was proposed that the Imperial Maritime Customs should collect the whole of the surtaxes, but at Wuchang, at the instance of the Viceroy, arrangements were made whereby the provincial authorities will be able to collect directly the whole of the export surtax and, in the case of silk, part of the export duty. The financial resources obtainable in this way, coupled with the proceeds of the consumption tax, will, therefore, be of considerable help to the provincial authorities.\n\nAs regards the disposal of the salt li-kin, I have already reported at length to your Lordship in my despatch No. 102, of the 8th ultimo, the reason that induced me to consent to the omission of any reference to it in the Memorial and Edict, namely, that I found during my visit up the Yang-tsze that salt li-kin formed an integral part of the general salt revenue, and was, therefore, pledged to the service of the indemnity.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386986, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 441, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "It must be remembered that, whatever provision may be made, even if its terms are carried out in the letter, it will always be impossible to prevent the Central Government (knowing, as it will, the exact amount of the proceeds of the surtaxes from the books of the Imperial Maritime Customs) from demanding contributions from the provinces after the latter have received their quotas from the surtax.\n\nOwing to the fact that the Memorial requested the Throne to agree to an arrangement financially in favour of the provincial authorities, their Excellencies Liu and Chang wished to avoid taking part in a proceeding which is considered undignified in Chinese eyes, i.e., asking for money for oneself. They therefore delayed sending the Memorial on to its destination until seven days before the Treaty was to be signed.\n\nA Decree (translation of which is inclosed) having arrived on the 28th August authorizing the signature of the Treaty, it was decided that the signature should take place on the 30th August, and I was assured that the Edict as to the disposal of the surtaxes would certainly be ready by that date.\n\nWhen we met, however, no satisfactory Edict had been issued. I was shown instead an Edict abolishing li-kin stations all over China, on the ground that all the Powers had agreed to the imposition of the surtaxes on their goods, and in which nothing was said as to the disposal of the surtaxes except that the Board of Revenue was to communicate on the subject with the provinces.\n\nI have the honour to transmit a translation of this Edict.\n\nThe Commissioners appeared very distressed at the non-arrival of a proper Edict, and, of course, wanted me to sign without it, but I told them then that my instructions absolutely forbade me to do so. They then begged me to send an urgent telegram to His Majesty's Minister for pressure to be brought to bear at Pekin, which I did, and they themselves promised to spare no pains to obtain the issue of a proper Decree merely sanctioning the Memorial which had already been communicated to me, the advantage of this course being that no extraneous matter or modification could be introduced in the Decree.\n\nOn the 2nd September, the Commissioners communicated to me the Edict, in the form now in which it is now annexed to the Treaty, sanctioning all that had been asked for in the Memorial referred to.\n\nThe Memorial (as now annexed to the Treaty) had, I found, since it had been communicated to me, been slightly altered by the Viceroy's (two characters are added) to whom it had been forwarded by the Commissioners for transmission to the Throne. Some additional apparent discrepancies are to be found therein owing to the fact that the nature of the Chinese language is so very allusive that translations of the same thing by different persons always differ widely in wording; in this case the translation of the Memorial, as telegraphed to your Lordship on the 1st September, was furnished by one of Sheng Kung-pao's Secretaries, and that embodied in the Treaty is the work of Mr. J. W. Jamieson, Commercial Attaché to the Legation at Pekin.\n\nI understand that the Memorial appears to contemplate the following procedure:\n\nThe Board of Revenue having arranged with the provinces the proportions in which each province is to receive its share, each of these will be credited in the books of the Customs' Tuotais, or other Chinese officials entrusted with the distribution, with its full share of the whole of the surtaxes, but an amount equal to that now remitted to Peking will, with the consent of the provinces, be retained by these officials and written off from their credit balance and sent direct to, or held to the order of, Pekin.\n\nIt was stated in my Memorandum as telegraphed to your Lordship in my telegram No. 71 that the whole of the proceeds of surtaxes should go to the provinces, and this in a sense will be done; but just as the provincial authorities, after collecting li-kin, send their quota to the Throne, they now, after being credited with their full share of the surtaxes, will also have the amount of surplus funds automatically sent direct to Pekin from the Customs' Bank, or whatever institution receives the surtaxes. (The Imperial Maritime Customs do not handle any funds at all even now.)\n\nTo make the matter clear, I addressed to the Commissioners the despatch, now annexed to the Treaty, defining the procedure which I understand would be adopted, and I have received a reply (also annexed) from their Excellencies assenting to my view.\n\nYour Lordship will perceive that it is definitely stated in the despatches that they are to form part and to be annexed to the Treaty; they will accordingly have full Treaty value.\n\nOn the 4th September I received your Lordship's telegram asking me to secure a stipulation that the surtaxes should not be given as security for the indemnity bonds.\n\nThis was a new point which had not been raised before, and I felt some doubt as to Sheng's being in a position to agree to the specific mention of these bonds. I pointed out to him, however, that the Memorial clearly laid down that the surtaxes were to go to the provinces in lieu of li-kin; that they were not to be pledged to any new loan, and were to be applied to no other purposes beyond the service of the 1898 Loan, to which li-kin is partly pledged; and that he might safely agree to the mention of indemnity bonds. The Chinese Commissioners, however, I found, would have had to refer the matter to Peking (which would have caused a long delay) if the bonds were actually specified in so many words, and I thought it would suffice if it was laid down that \"the surtaxes, in addition to not being pledged for any new foreign loan, are not to be pledged to, or held to be security for, liabilities already contracted by China, except in so far as li-kin revenue has already been pledged to an existing loan.\"\n\nSheng Kung-pao then consented to accept the suggestion without referring to Peking, but only on condition that I was able to assure him that if he agreed to its insertion in the notes, I would be prepared to sign the Treaty at once.\n\nHaving, meanwhile, just before the meeting began, by great good fortune, received your Lordship's telegram No. 78 of the 4th instant authorizing me to accept the Memorial as it stood, with the explanatory notes which I had agreed with Sheng, and not to press the mention of the indemnity bonds if it was likely to risk the Treaty, I was able to give him the desired assurance, whereupon the texts of the notes were finally agreed to in the form in which they are now in the Treaty.\n\nAt 9 P.M. we accordingly met at the offices which Sheng Kung-pao has set up for Treaty Revision meetings with the various Powers, and after the English text had been examined by Sheng Kung-pao's Secretaries and Messrs. Hippisley and Taylor, and the Chinese text by Mr. Jamieson, their Excellencies Lu and Sheng showed me the Imperial Decree on yellow paper authorizing them to sign, while I produced the full powers granted to me by His Majesty the King. Our respective authorities to sign having been found mutually satisfactory, the Chinese Commissioners and I duly affixed our signatures at 11 P.M. to the copies of the text, of which two were in English and two in Chinese. Each party retained one copy of the English text and one copy of the Chinese text. I am sending both original texts to your Lordship under a separate cover.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) JAS. L. MACKAY\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1\n\n**Treaty between Great Britain and China, signed at Shanghae, September 5, 1902**\n\nHIS Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and His Majesty the Emperor of China, having resolved to enter into negotiations with a view to carrying out the provision contained in Article 11 of the Final Protocol signed at Peking on the 7th September, 1901, under which the Chinese Government agreed to negotiate the amendments deemed useful by the foreign Governments to the Treaties of Commerce and Navigation and other subjects concerning commercial relations, with the object of facilitating them, have for that purpose named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say:\n\nHis Majesty the King of Great Britain and Ireland, His Majesty's Special Commissioner, Sir James Lyle Mackay, Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, a member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India, &c.;\n\nAnd His Majesty the Emperor of China, the Imperial Commissioners Lu Hai-huan, President of the Board of Public Works, &c., and Shêng Hsuan-huai, Junior Guardian of the Heir-Apparent, Senior Vice-President of the Board of Public Works, &c.;\n\nWho, having communicated to each other their respective full powers, and found them to be in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles:\n\n## ARTICLE I\n\nDelay having occurred in the past in the issue of Drawback Certificates owing to the fact that those documents have to be dealt with by the Superintendent of Customs at a distance from the Customs Office, it is now agreed that Drawback Certificates shall hereafter in all cases be issued by the Imperial Maritime Customs within three weeks of the \n\nPage 436", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 444, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "## Article VIII\n\nSec. 10. In case of illegal exaction, obstruction to the movement of goods, or other cause of complaint, the Governor-General or Governor concerned will take immediate steps to put an end to same.\n\nSec. 11. Cases where illegal action as described in this Article is complained of shall be promptly investigated by an officer of the Chinese Government of sufficient high rank, in conjunction with a British officer and an officer of the Imperial Maritime Customs, each of sufficient standing; and in the event of its being found by a majority of the investigating officers that the complaint is well founded, and loss has been incurred, due compensation is to be at once paid from the Surtax funds, through the Imperial Maritime Customs at the nearest open port. The High Provincial Officials are to be held responsible that the officer guilty of the illegal action shall be severely punished and removed from his post.\n\nIf the complaint turns out to be without foundation, complainant shall be held responsible for the expenses of the investigation.\n\nHis Britannic Majesty's Minister will have the right to demand investigation where, from the evidence before him, he is satisfied that illegal exactions or obstructions have occurred.\n\nSec. 12. The Chinese Government agree to open to foreign trade, on the same footing as the places opened to foreign trade by the Treaties of Nanking and Tien-tsin, the following places, namely:-\n| Place | Province |\n| --- | --- |\n| Changsha | Hunan |\n| Wanhsien | Szechuen |\n| Nganking | Anhui |\n| Walchow (Hui-chow) | Kuangtung |\n| Kougmoon (Chiang-mên) | Kuangtung |\n\nForeigners residing in these Open Ports are to observe the Municipal and Police Regulations on the same footing as Chinese residents, and they are not to be entitled to establish Municipalities and Police of their own within the limits of these Treaty ports, except with the consent of the Chinese authorities.\n\nIf this Article does not come into operation, the right to demand under it the opening of these ports, with the exception of Kongmoon, which is provided for in Article X, shall lapse.\n\nSec. 13. Subject to the provisions of Section 14, the arrangements provided for in this Article are to come into force on the 1st January, 1904.\n\nBy that date all li-kin barriers shall be removed, and officials employed in the collection of taxes and dues prohibited by this Article shall be removed from their posts.\n\nSec. 14. The condition on which the Chinese Government enter into the present engagement is that all Powers entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in China enter into the same engagements as Great Britain with regard to the payment of surtaxes and other obligations imposed by this Article on His Britannic Majesty's Government and subjects.\n\nThe conditions on which His Britannic Majesty's Government enter into the present engagement are----\n(1) That all Powers who are now or who may hereafter become entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in China enter into the same engagements;\n(2) And that their assent is neither directly nor indirectly made dependent on the granting by China of any political concession, or of any exclusive commercial concession.\n\nSection 15. Should the Powers entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment by China have failed to agree to enter into the engagements undertaken by Great Britain under this Article by the 1st January, 1904, then the provisions of the Article shall only come into force when all the Powers have signified their acceptance of these engagements.\n\nSection 16. When the abolition of li-kin and other forms of internal taxation on goods as provided for in this Article has been decided upon and sanctioned, an Imperial Edict shall be published in due form on yellow paper and circulated, setting forth the abolition of all li-kin taxation, li-kin barriers and all descriptions of internal taxation on goods, except as provided for in this Article.\n\nThe Edict shall state that the Provincial High Officials are responsible that any official disregarding the letter or spirit of its injunction shall be severely punished and removed from his post.\n\n## Page 11\n\n## ARTICLE IX\n\nThe Chinese Government, recognizing that it is advantageous for the country to develop its mineral resources, and that it is desirable to attract foreign as well as Chinese capital to embark in mining enterprises, agree within one year from the signing of this Agreement to initiate and conclude the revision of the existing Mining Regulations. China with all expedition and earnestness, go into the whole question of Mining Rules, electing from the rules of Great Britain, India, and other countries regulations seem applicable to the condition of China, she will recast her present Mining Rules in such a way as, while promoting the interests of Chinese subjects and not in any way infringing the sovereign rights of China, shall offer no impediment to the introduction of foreign capital or place foreign capitalists at a greater disadvantage than they would be under generally-accepted foreign Regulations.\n\nAny mining concession granted after the publication of these new Rules shall be subject to their provisions.\n\n## ARTICLE X\n\nWhereas in the year 1898 the Inland Waters of China were opened to all such steam vessels, native or foreign, as might be especially registered for that trade at the Treaty Ports, and whereas the Regulations dated the 28th July, 1898, and Supplementary Regulations dated September 1898, have been found in some respects inconvenient in working, it is now mutually agreed to amend them and to annex such new Rules to this Treaty. These Rules shall remain in force until altered by mutual consent.\n\nIt is further agreed that Kongmoon shall be opened as a Treaty Port, and that, in addition to the places named in the special Article of the Burmah Convention of the 4th February, 1897, British steamers shall be allowed to land or ship cargo and passengers, under the same regulations as apply to the \"Ports of Call\" on the Yang-tsze at the following \"Ports of Call\": Pak Tau Hau (Pai-t'u kou), Lo Ting Hang (Lo-ting k'ou), and Do Sing (Tou-ch'êng); and to land or discharge passengers at the following ten passenger landing stages on the West River - Yung Ki (Jung-chi), Mah Lao (Ma-lao-ning), Kau Kong (Chiu-chiang), Kulow (Ku-lao), Wing On (Yung-an), How Hau (Hou-li), Luk Pu (Lu-pu), Yuet Sing (Yüeh-ch'êng), Luk To (Lu-t'u), and Fung Shun (Feng-ch'uan).\n\n## ARTICLE XI\n\nHis Britannic Majesty's Government agree to the prohibition of the general importation of morphia into China, on condition, however, that the Chinese Government prohibit the importation, on payment of the Tariff import duty and under special permit, by duly qualified British medical practitioners and for the use of hospitals, and by British chemists and druggists who shall only be permitted to sell it in small quantities and on receipt of a requisition signed by a duly qualified foreign medical practitioner.\n\nThe special permits above referred to will be granted to an intending importer on signing a bond before a British Consul guaranteeing the fulfilment of these conditions.\n\nShould an importer be found guilty before a British Consul of a breach of the Bond, he will not be entitled to take out another permit. Any British subject importing morphia without a permit shall be liable to have such morphia confiscated. This Article will come into operation on all other Treaty Powers agreeing to its conditions, but any morphia actually shipped before that date will not be affected by the prohibition.\n\nThe Chinese Government, on their side, undertake to adopt measures at once to prevent the manufacture of morphia in China.\n\n## ARTICLE XII\n\nChina having expressed a strong desire to reform her judicial system and to bring it into accord with that of Western nations, Great Britain agrees to give every assistance to such reform, and she will also be prepared to relinquish her extra-territorial ...\n\n## Page 439", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386991, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 446, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "## Annex B (3)\n\n441\n\n**(Translation)**\n\nLi, President of the Board of Works; Sheng, Junior Guardian of the Heir-Apparent, Vice-President of Board of Works; Imperial Chinese Commissioners for dealing with questions connected with Commercial Treaties; to Sir James L. Mackay, His Britannic Majesty's Special Commissioner.\n\nShanghae, September 5, 1902. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of to-day's date with regard to the allocation of the surtax funds allotted to the Provinces, and to inform you that the views therein expressed are the same as our own.\n\nShanghae, September 2, 1902. We have the honour to inform you that on the 22nd August we, in conjunction with Governors-General of the Liang Chiang and the Hu-kuang Provinces, their Excellencies Liu and Chang, addressed the following telegraphic Memorial to the Throne:----\n\n\"Of the revenue of the different provinces derived from li-kin of all kinds, a portion is appropriated for the services of the foreign loans, a portion for the Peking Government, and the balance is reserved for the local expenditure of the provinces concerned.\n\n\"In the negotiations now being conducted with Great Britain for the amendment of Commercial Treaties, a mutual arrangement has been come to providing for the imposition of additional taxes, in compensation for the abolition of all kinds of likin and other imposts on goods prohibited by Article VIII. After payment of interest and sinking fund on the existing foreign loan to the extent to which li-kin is thereto pledged, these additional taxes shall be allocated to the various provinces to make up deficiencies and replace revenue, in order that hardships may be entailed on them. With a view to preserving the original intention underlying the proposal to increase the duties in compensation for the loss of revenue derived from li-kin and other imposts on goods, it is further stipulated that the surtaxes shall not be appropriated for other purposes, shall not form part of the Imperial Maritime Customs revenue proper, and shall in no case be pledged as security for any new foreign loan.\n\n\"It is therefore necessary to memorialize for the issue of an Edict, giving effect to the above stipulations and directing the Board of Revenue to find out what proportion of the provincial revenues derived from li-kin of all kinds, now about to be abolished, each Province has hitherto had to remit, and what proportion it has been entitled to retain, so that, when the Agreement comes into operation, due apportionment may be made accordingly, thus providing the provinces with funds available for local expenditure, and displaying equitable and just treatment towards all.”\n\nOn the 1st instant an Imperial Decree \"Let action, as requested, be taken\" was issued, we now do ourselves the honour reverently to transcribe the same for your information.\n\n**(Seal of the Imperial Commissioners for dealing with questions connected with Treaty Revision)**\n\n## Annex B (2)\n\nGentlemen,\n\nShanghae, September 5, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 2nd instant forwarding the text of the Memorial and Decree dealing with the disposal of the surtaxes.\n\nI understand that the surtaxes, in addition to not being pledged for any new foreign loan, are not to be pledged to, or held to be security for, liabilities already contracted by China except in so far as li-kin revenue has already been pledged to an existing loan.\n\nI also understand from the Memorial that the whole of the surtaxes provided by Article ... of the New Treaty goes to the Provinces in proportions to be agreed upon between them and the Board of Revenue, but that out of these surtaxes each Province is obliged to remit to Peking the same contribution as that which it has hitherto remitted out of its li-kin collection, and that the Provinces also provide as hitherto out of these surtax funds whatever may be necessary for the service of the foreign loan to which li-kin is partly pledged.\n\nI hope your Excellencies will send me a reply to this despatch, and that you will agree to this correspondence forming part of the Treaty as an Annex.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nTheir Excellencies Lü Hai-huan and Sheng Hsüan-huai, &c. &c. &c.\n\nWe would, however, wish to point out that, were the whole amount of the allocation due paid over to the Provinces, unnecessary expense would be incurred in the retransmission by them of such portions thereof as would have to be remitted to Peking in place of the contributions hitherto payable out of li-kin revenue. The amount, therefore, of the allocation due to the Provinces, arranged between them and the Board of Revenue, will be retained in the hands of the Maritime Customs, who will await the instructions of the provinces in regard to the remittance of such portion thereof as may be necessary to fulfil their obligations, and (on receipt of these instructions) will send forward the amount direct. The balance will be held to the order of the Provinces.\n\nIn so far as li-kin is pledged to the service of the 1898 loan, a similar method of procedure will be adopted.\n\nAs you request that this correspondence be annexed to the Treaty, we have the honour to state that we see no objection to this being done.\n\n**(Seal of the Imperial Commissioners for dealing with questions connected with Treaty Revision)**\n\n## Annex C\n\n### INLAND WATERS STEAM NAVIGATION\n\n#### Additional Rules\n\n1. British steam-ship owners are at liberty to lease warehouses and jetties on the banks of waterways from Chinese subjects for a term not exceeding twenty-five years, with option of renewal on terms to be mutually arranged. In cases where British merchants are unable to secure warehouses and jetties from Chinese subjects on satisfactory terms, the local officials, after consultation with the Minister of Commerce, shall arrange to provide these on renewable lease, as above mentioned, at current equitable rates.\n\n2. Jetties shall only be erected in such positions that they will not obstruct the inland waterway or interfere with navigation, and with the sanction of the nearest Commissioner of Customs; such sanction, however, shall not be arbitrarily withheld.\n\n3. British merchants shall pay taxes and contributions on these warehouses and jetties on the same footing as Chinese proprietors of similar properties in the neighbourhood. British merchants may only employ Chinese agents and staff to reside in warehouses so leased at places touched at by steamers engaged in inland traffic to carry on their business; but British merchants may visit those places from time to time to look after their affairs. The existing rights of Chinese jurisdiction over Chinese subjects shall not by reason of this clause be diminished or interfered with in any way.\n\n4. Steam-vessels navigating the inland waterways of China shall be responsible for loss caused to riparian proprietors by damage which they may do to the banks or works on them, and for the loss which may be caused by such damage. In the event of China desiring to prohibit the use of some particular shallow waterway by launches, because there is reason to fear that the use of it by them would be likely to injure the banks and cause damage to the adjoining country, the British authorities, when appealed to, shall, if satisfied of the validity of the objection, prohibit the use of that waterway by British launches, provided that Chinese launches are also prohibited from using it.\n\n5. Both foreign and Chinese launches are prohibited from crossing dams and weirs at present in existence on inland waterways where they are likely to cause injury to such works, which would be detrimental to the water service of the local people.\n\n**(Signed)** JAS. L. MACKAY\n\n5. The main object of the British Government in desiring to see the inland waterways of China opened to steam navigation being to afford facilities for the rapid transport of both foreign and native merchandise, they undertake to offer no impediment to the transfer to a Chinese Company and the Chinese flag of any British steamer which may now or hereafter be employed on the inland waters of China, should the owner be willing to make the transfer.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 387123, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "page_number": 578, "title": "CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902", "content_text": "# TONG KONG \n## 573 \n### DOMESTIC \n\nor Individual. \n\nBoury 1902 \n\nSame previous Paper. 10 - copy subsequent Paper 10 \n√6134 \nNo. 14752 \n**(Subject.)** \n**RECO** \nC.O 14752 \n& REG 16 APR 121 \n\nPenny Rate at Postal Agencies. \nPostmaster Gent is being authorized to extend penny rate to letters from UK to Postal Agencies: understand that cover from Agencies prepaid for postage is not surcharged.\n\n## (Minutes.) \nSee also 14752. \nA. Copy to C.O., I tell him he ought not to have been so (Putting it mildly) precipitate as his action was well meant and unwise. \n21/4 \nThe continuance of the edict is approved of. Inform and back ruling do areas.\n\n(It appears from HK Gazette 117h, herewith, that one assertion in par. 3 of letter & Treas's is correct.) \nA \nWhen above action has been taken, Circular must be written to this Colonies informing them with ref. to Circ. of 29 Nov 14 \n1 rater) \nTelegraph to do as proposed. \nTreas", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 389327, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10]", "page_number": 230, "title": "CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10]", "content_text": "## 4. To allay this feeling I had a meeting of the Principal Civil Medical Officer, the Acting Medical Officer of Health, and the Chinese members of the Sanitary Board, and arranged with them that in each health district the inhabitants should appoint a Kai-fong or committee, and that in every case of disinfection notice should be sent to the Kai-fong, two members of which, with the Sanitary Inspector should form a committee to appraise there and then any damage done and give a joint certificate of the amount, which the Sanitary Board undertook to pay. It was also announced by leaflets distributed among the Chinese that in all cases where sickness was timely reported, all the expense of disinfection would be borne by the Government.\n\n## 5. \nThis had no appreciable effect in diminishing the number of dumped bodies, and it was evident that the passive resistance of the Chinese continued. This was shown by the fact that when rat traps were set in Chinese houses the traps were found to be sprung, as the finding of an infected rat resulted in the same inconvenience as followed the discovery of a case of plague; still, large numbers of rats were delivered to the mortuary for examination, 88,862 having been paid for from 1st January to 13th of July this year, of which 3,176, or 3.9%, were found to be infected. Each rat had a label attached showing the house or place where found, and where the address of a house was given that house was duly disinfected. Again, I heard whispers, of which no proof could be given, that the rat catchers levied a respectable toll by hinting at the probability of a plague rat being found about the premises in the absence of tangible evidence of goodwill, and, on at least one occasion, indignant protest was made by the householder subjected to disinfection that no rat had been caught in his house, and no trap had been set there. About a fortnight ago colour was given to these whispers. I had requested that certain experiments, of which I shall speak later, should be carried out with rats, but although two thousand rats per week were being returned and paid for, Dr. HUNTER, the Government Bacteriologist, found a difficulty in obtaining the live rats that he required. This probably aroused suspicions and resulted in the following minutes of the Acting Medical Officer of Health:\n\n**SECRETARY**\n\n\"I believe I am right in saying that, at the Confidential Meeting of the Board held on June 30th a resolution was passed to the effect that the Government should be asked to sanction for the rest of the year the modification of the scheme for dealing with rats suggested for next year's procedure. For information of the Government it may be well to explain that the reasons for this change are as follows:\n\n1. A large sum of money is now paid in bonus for rats collected in the streets.\n2. A ridiculously small number of rats are caught in houses.\n3. There is no way at present of making sure that the addresses given of rats caught are correct, as foremen and coolies are not to be trusted.\n\nIn support of this I may mention that Inspector ALLEN found some little time since a group of rat-catchers sorting out rats in a back lane and putting on address tickets promiscuously.\n\n4. There is a suspicion that the coolies have given wrong addresses out of revenge in order that a house might be disinfected. It has not been possible to prove this, but it is clear that this might be done.\n5. The bonus of 5 cents for each rat is probably the incentive to the importation of rats. It is highly probable that a brisk trade in rats has been going on. It would no doubt pay to bring rats into the city from outlying villages and from boats and even from Macao and Canton. Inspector REIDIE has reported that he heard of a meeting of rat-catchers at Possession Point where rats arrived in parcels and were distributed. He was too late to catch them, but these rumours have the colour of truth.\n\nThe proposal to adopt next year's scheme in the matter at once will involve (1) the immediate appointment of 6 extra Portuguese foremen at $50, one for each Plague Inspector; (2) the raising into line with this the salary of the present permanent plague foremen; and (3) the appointment of 14 coolies for collecting rats at a fixed salary of $12 per month; (4) the abolition of the bonus.\n\nW.W. P.\"\n\n## 6. \nIn the meantime it appeared to me that however theoretically perfect our Sanitary machinery, we were not controlling the epidemic, which in this year as in all that had gone before was running precisely the same course as in Canton and the coast ports: appearing, increasing, culminating, and disappearing, at the same time. To those who know how Chinese houses are constructed it will be apparent that effective fumigation is practically unattainable. While even if the spraying process, scrubbing, and disinfection of clothing reached externally everything in the room, it would not kill vermin lying deep in the joints and cracks of tables, chairs and settles, or beds. Nor would it reach the vermin with which the heads of the poorer classes of coolies are infested. But apart from this, what took place in many cases when a case of plague was discovered was that before the constable could arrive to take charge of the house, goods liable to injury by disinfection were removed, by the door, or if too late for this, were taken on to the roof, always easily accessible, and deposited in some neighbouring house.\n\n## 7. \nThe question then presented itself whether the passive resistance of the population to disinfection might not be overcome and whether if the Chinese could be brought to realize the necessity for it, their attitude might not be entirely changed. The East finds great difficulty in seeing eye to eye with the West. But the Chinese are a reasonable people; they are accustomed to have Government orders explained to them, and even Imperial edicts always contain the reason for their issue, as our own laws down to a late period embodied the reason for the Act in the preamble. I determined to make the attempt, feeling it my duty to exercise directly any personal influence that I might possess to assuage the growing feeling of antagonism to the Sanitary Authorities and induce the people to take upon themselves the active participation in the work of sanitation.\n\n## 8. \nEarly in April I broached the matter to Dr. ATKINSON, the Principal Civil Medical Officer and President of the Sanitary Board, and proposed to him that the Sanitary Board should hand over to me a district of the most plague-stricken portion of the City of Victoria of an area sufficiently large to give a practical basis of comparison of results but not too large for my personal supervision. He consulted the members of the Board and obtained their assent, and after consultation with the Acting Medical Officer of Health he suggested that I should take over a block bounded on the North by Second Street and on the South by Third Street with the Wai On and Sheung Fung Lanes lying between. The block thus handed over comprised the houses on the South side of Second Street and on the North side of Third Street. These streets have an evil record in every epidemic of plague since 1894. They are inhabited by very poor people, but the houses themselves are by no means the worst in the City. Second Street is 30 feet wide, while the houses being three-storied averaged about 30 feet in height, and ...\n\nPage 228", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391221, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 182, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "The above regulations are temporary, and if found to be in any way unsatisfactory, the farm requests authority to alter them at any time.\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 3.\n\nProclamation issued in the names of the Board of Reorganization and the Kuang-Tung Board of Revenue by the Treasurer Ting, the Provincial Judge Wu, the Salt Treasurer Kuo, and the Grain Treasurer Chou, all decorated with the Button of the Second Class.\n\nLET all men know that in Kuang-tung the original prepared opium tax was 120,000 taels per annum, and that afterwards, owing to the magnitude of the new indemnity, and the length of time required to liquidate the same, an Imperial Edict was received, ordering that the levy on prepared opium be increased, on the ground that opium is not an absolute necessity. Further, the evils of opium smoking are very great, so that if a little extra taxation is paid by smokers it is a small matter, and it was for this reason that the Kuang Hing Kung Ssu received permission to undertake the management of the prepared opium levy, and to collect the tax on the selling price.\n\nThe Kuang Hing Kung Ssu's method of calculating the prepared opium tax cannot be considered unjust, but their regulations were not very satisfactory, and were opposed to Treaty stipulations, with the result that the Wai-wu Pu eventually ordered them to be withdrawn, and gave instructions to resort to the old prepared opium licence system.\n\nAt the present moment the Treasury is empty, and Kuang-tung's contribution to the indemnity is 2,000,000 taels, but the annual revenue falls far short of this figure. Taxes on land, houses, pigs, wines, &c., have long since been introduced, but there is still left the prepared opium tax, which represents a very considerable sum, and for the management of which no satisfactory scheme has yet been devised. We were, therefore, compelled to remain at home and sigh, our hearts filled with anxiety.\n\nNow, however, the merchant with official rank, Wu K'uei Tu, petitions and states that the Hêng Chi Syndicate has been formed to manage prepared opium licences throughout Kuang-tung, and guarantees 1,000,000 dollars by means of a tax on all Patna and Malwa prepared opium of 1 mace 2 candareens per tael ounce. Native raw opium from Yün-nan and Ssu-ch'uan, which is not an article of export, shall be taxed on the calculation that it represents 60 per cent of the prepared drug. A first payment shall accompany the presentation of the regulations, and a request be made for the issue of a Proclamation sanctioning the commencement of operations.\n\nWe have considered this petition and the regulations, and find that they are aimed at the extension of the prepared opium licence system, and an increase in the taxation levied thereunder; also, that the methods proposed affect only the internal government of China, and are altogether different from the former Kuang Hing Kung Ssu. We have therefore reported to their Excellencies, the Acting-Viceroy, Tê, and the Acting-Governor, Li, and have received their sanction to the inauguration of the tax.\n\nWe have accordingly notified the merchant with official rank, Wu K'uei P'u, of the Hêng Chi Syndicate, informing him that he may immediately commence operations in accordance with the regulations presented by him, and must remit at the proper periods the monthly levies for the payment of the foreign indemnity.\n\nWe also, therefore, issue this Proclamation for the information and instruction of all prepared opium merchants throughout the province, and for those merchants who deal in raw opium from Ssu-ch'uan and Yün-nan. You merchants must all understand that this increase in the prepared opium tax has the Imperial sanction, and that the levy is paid by the opium smoker; also, that the tax is a levy in order to put a stop to the smoking of the drug. It is different from other taxes, and you must all act in accordance with the regulations in the opium farmer's Petition, as stated hereunder.\n\nIf any of you oppose them, disobey them, and are guilty of concealment or smuggling, the Syndicate has authority to stop and investigate such malpractices, and to petition for the closing up of the shop and the punishment of the offender. There shall be no leniency! Let every one obey! This Special Proclamation must be observed.\n\n[Here follow Regulations Nos. 3, 4, and 6 of the Provisional Regulations.]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391235, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 196, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "the object of the sign is to satisfy customers that they are obtaining the actual goods of the foreign firm concerned.\n\nI do not think any objection could properly be taken to the exhibition of signs indicating that the shopkeeper was the agent of a foreign firm,\n\nI approve the answer returned by you to the Taotai's despatch, as reported in your despatch No. 7.\n\nI am forwarding a copy of your despatches to His Majesty's Secretary of State and\n\nyou must take my present instructions as subject to his Lordship's approval.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n0\n\n(Signed) WALTER TOWNLEY,\n\nOffice or Individual.\n\nForeign\n\nGeneral\n\nNo. 21480\n\n1903 Importation of Wine\n\nLast previous Paper.\n\n(58)—1081-20000-21-9\n\nReasons for\n\n(Subject)\n\nRELE\n\n192\n\nC.O.\n\n21480\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\nF 12 JUN 03\n\nArms into China\n\na\n\nA copy note to Hussey not consenting to proposal to request Japan (or to extend terms of prohibition of\n\nthe import of arms\n\nMr. Lucas\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nAnnex, a copy of the Final Protocol of 1st Sept. 1901 (d. 13.9.01) from Article 5 of which it appears that the prohibition of the import of arms expires on\n\n25 August next.\n\nThe Proclamation under the Foreign Enlistment Act is, I think, still in force, but it would no doubt be repeated when the Chinese edict expired, if there were renewing\n\nNext subsequent Paper\n\nas\n\n70\n\n27370\n\nwas not the latter.\n\nintention of\n\nAnnex 193151. M to the smuggling faced with client\n\nsmuggling into\n\nprobably\n\n\"Hong Kong is more closely concerned with the question than all the others put together; but", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391236, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 197, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "of cause whaters is ultimately settled\n\nwith apply to and be notified to\n\nwill all Colonies.\n\n?\n\nAck and say\n\nthat\n\nin view of this lett's it is assumed that the Imperial prohibite\n\nwill be reward on\n\nthe state of expiry of the Chinese edict; and that the Colonies\n\nnotified accordingly.\n\nMr Cox.\n\nmay\n\nA.F.\n\nbe\n\n+13/6\n\nyou gime 1/6\n\n8.W. J.10/6 PL-16\n\natonce\n\nThe reason given in this despatit to\n\nthe if\n\nRussian Govt is that were of Chine, conduty, we know tab she will hot & parcity cannot.\n\nnecessant stop the importation: Mat this in hot a ford beam for our ceasing to seep t\n\nExportation from home. I chauld presen\n\nFlex Colina\n\ntiteette draft part in\n\na shape that would\n\nmeul ach 70. What litte wich of Lord\n\nhamstrung auto such exportation. In 120/6/13\n\n(B & J, (x)—-50654~~3000-12-01\n\n54040-3000-3-02\n\nMitmas\n\nI think it is\n\nindependealty of\n\nthe import of a mus\n\nought to remove.\n\nthe\n\n193\n\nclear that quite the Chinese prohibiting\n\nom Colonies\n\nif it still hidin\n\nprohibition of export gam China. The export was prohibited\n\nto prevent\n\nthe\n\nasms being\n\nAtm subjects oforces\n\nin militay\n\nmoonl\n\ncooperation with them naval operation's\n\nctte\n\npending.\n\ntu\n\nbeing mold against\n\nforces engaged\n\nor\n\noperationis in\n\nno militay\n\nPerhaps the hilvay\n\nexist or\n\ncan ascertain. whether the proclamation issued here has been revoked. If it has certainly all colonial proclamations. sh? be. If it has not we must consider further in consultation with FO\n\n22/6\n\nC.P.d.25\n\nat once", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 391242, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 203, "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903", "content_text": "199\n\nrestrictions which were imposed in accordance with the request made in your letter of the 13th August, 1900.\n\n3. Mr Chamberlain proposes, subject to Lord Lansdowne's concurrence, to issue a notification to this effect to the Governments of the Colonies, Protectorates, &c., with which this Department is concerned. The removal of the prohibition will presumably take effect on the expiry of the period covered by the Imperial Edict annexed to the Final Protocol of 7th September, 1900 (Cd.1390. Annexure No.11), i.e., from the 25th August next.\n\n(sd.)\n\nI am, &c.,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 392124, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5]", "page_number": 143, "title": "CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5]", "content_text": "142\n\n.4021\n\nDaedo ass#ded,881,1194 to Jo#13800 ed$ vå\n\nCresolevad 8414) N821798k sáð das „Bromiial comido to nojo911Ű\n\nmade bid nevra *19* pinq:00 Jedd tc an÷biodroojë së eid,ensg100\n\n(ano: Jibros DIBJ192 19 KYLÄÄTSY KONïsïcojus) sd) 301 solae80\n\nare vai Uhue199924 181198siqqus 913 to 11,374) ano(fibaos gastj\n\nTeldo* od sidesetleat et drengenas ødd to elder sda Jedd\n\nCOMMSOJE 181rarno 300 :*qtienoura \"adjo to #igong 70 290iJan\n\n- 110 *** 850da learsino el lid} anesidio AB897584 118 9818\n\nsul-1 88e duo,noidanoq100 sateaed redated2 shɔxyaat edz oj be\n\n→unteus d'Jašastavoð deljità ed to Joaq#OTS on *** 919dj @sunodd\n\n**LEDIJO81) bejnJoes 359199Tum add to \"win\" sit\n\n16\"}\n\n-owds 100 300 bue sonbil naorteek nabo (orizon sad to los♪nco of\n\n.1opardi arotzani ne tabnu noid\n\nJede 193368 zráð at Jaon) sada of seas aastuued sit\n\nE\n\n1\n\nbfon 90 od el fi odw),06317904 38,101JJIA# „TE, JONGA TIMÄS\n\n68 ajjantdest ni Juo Jisod (139500# (/1994 neisaun # 0218 at\n\n24 sati dij je :2detaled bij sol empötod×30J2 i8ais(10 s4J 10\n\n989.ij me antz14011 Xool Joa bib tawlism add 10 8/0918074\n\nmadd ei metio buca # 39g of beis apre 87eocod#00Jó 3201198A\n\nVJ110063 * 91188*880) adrivled su;) #18^005 9Åð at #jeĦTAJO Ë\n\nlind bart rod) wale toveson Jon bib,Mac\" sl1J61J8ININDA MOJ\n\nvernod add levisar dorde saiub .098 #1300# OKJ 9802\n\n02/196.900 londado nec19e84 sabau Ania add to moIJOUTJ\n\n1828481 Didjes titrail Jeangani astgied aặt .3901BT (19JUBIA)\n\n→ SOUT)LADO Autsued s to Jusajatogje sdd not ejejtan of 1909900K\n\nvido 201 198 „asf9189 407] 1013800 1atograil of\n\n*\n\n7890/5A8 RAI\n\n0 171/100 lecitorna 913 nad3 OJ 91uose oj bajetvojeo 897U8A98\n\nvo vitkaed sit ajroøvbe of ge met oe Jage neve bae #11 943\n\nPois 1 J101 # of #oxaer) norjoas aneidrod mid lo and/ of\n\nJAM\n\nhereat certain of the remaining American Stock-\n\nholders stood their ground, and matters reached an impasse; the\n\nBelgians thinking to improve matters by strenuous attempts to buy\n\nout the whole of the American interest.\n\nAt this point Sheng, Director of Chinese Rail-\n\nways, cores forward with Art. 17 of the Supplemental Agreement,\n\nand has but three days ago (January 20th.,1904), telegraphed to\n\nWashington that either the \"people of other nationality\" must be\n\ngot rid of in the sphere of claimants to these contract 'rights',\n\nor that he will cancel the contract. The point being, that pre-\n\nviously, while the Russians could bring influence to bear on the\n\nChinese in the Belgian interest, Sheng and the Chinese Ambassador\n\nat Washington could afford to evade the letter of the contract\n\nsanctioned by Imperial Edict, but now that Russia is likely to\n\nbe occupied elsewhere for some time leaving the Belgians unbacked,\n\nSheng for his own sake must stand by the terms of the contract,\n\nand see that the active control of the Railway remains with the\n\nAmericans. This happens to be awkward, as the Americans are not\n\ntinua...\n\nin a position to raise money for the construction of the line:\n\nso that probably the contract will be declared void, and the\n\nbonds of the original stock redeemed.\n\nAs matters were\n\ngoing the Belgians (working for the Russians-through the king of\n\nthe Belgians, who had financed their Agents -) would probably\n\nhave got control of the whole bankow-Canton concession. A fairly\n\nplain indication of this is forthcoming in the fact that 6 Belgian Officers, \"specially selected by the king of the Belgians\" for work on the Canton-Hankow Concession, arrive in Shanghai within the next few days. It appears therefore from the situa-\n\ntion that here is the very opportunity required if the British Government desire to frustrate intrigues hostile to their inte-\n\nrests in such an important region as is covered by this Railway Concession; and it would seem that a strong recommendation to\n\nthe\n\n2 F", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 392989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7]", "page_number": 170, "title": "CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7]", "content_text": "C. O.\n\n27148\n\nDESPATCH,\n\n169\n\nNo.\n\nby Conf\n\n1904.\n\n28 June\n\nprevious Paper.\n\nn\n\n373\n\nNo.\n\nNo 27/48\n\n(Subject.)\n\n(PANG 041\n\nMurder\n\nf\n\nReports result of proceedings to bring\n\nChinese officials implicated in\n\njustice.\n\ncase\n\nto\n\nCommends services of the Lesser & asks that\n\nMr Campbell's name\n\nbe brought to notice of S.O.\n\nWr Fiddes\n\nLucas\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nThis is the 24239 you can\n\ncare.\n\nYou will see.\n\nthe at the Imperial\n\nconcerned\n\nhas actually been issued.\n\nApproves conduct\n\nof\n\nasks\n\nfor approval & express\n\nappreciation of his services.\n\nI send duplicate to S.O.\n\n\"I\" agree it all!\n\nB. 21 R8 C.P.L.\n\n2/8\n\n2 at once\n\nPage 373\n\n...\n\n126723\n\nEdict cashiering the officers\n\n7\n\n||1 (785 ~12305—2000D-21-3\n\nsubsequent Paper.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 392998, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7]", "page_number": 179, "title": "CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7]", "content_text": "No. 138.\n\nIII.\n\n(From His Majesty's Acting Consul General, Canton, to the Acting Colonial Secretary.)\n\nHIS MAJESTY'S CONSULATE GENERAL, CANTON, 5th May, 1904.\n\nSIR,-With reference to my Despatch No. 120 of April 18th* on the HUNG TSUN-FUK case, I have the honour to inform you that CHANG C'HO-TING was executed yesterday in the presence of two members of the Staff of this Consulate General. I enclose a copy of Mr. Vice-Consul GILES' report on the subject.\n\nI also enclose a translation* of a Despatch received from the Viceroy, in which His Excellency apologises for the infringement of Hongkong territory, and thanks the Hongkong Government for the assistance given in the investigation of the whole case.\n\nI replied to this Despatch yesterday in the terms of enclosure 3.*\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nC. W. CAMPBELL,\n\nActing Consul General.\n\nNo. 157.\n\nV.\n\n(From His Majesty's Acting Consul General, Canton, to the Acting Colonial Secretary.)\n\nHIS MAJESTY'S CONSULATE GENERAL, CANTON, 27th May, 1904.\n\nSIR,-With reference to your letter of May 10th*, the contents of which I communicated to the Viceroy as requested, I have the honour to enclose, for the information of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong, a copy and translation of a Despatch received yesterday. The Imperial Decree therein enclosed appears to me to be satisfactory, and I propose to inform the Viceroy that as soon as I receive His Excellency's assurance that the punishments stated have been carried out the HUNG TSUN-FUK case will be considered closed.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nC. W. CAMPBELL,\n\nActing Consul General.\n\n(Enclosure to No. 138 of the 5th May, 1904. From Mr. B. Giles to Mr. C. W. Campbell, CMG.)\n\nHIS MAJESTY'S CONSULATE GENERAL, CANTON, 4th May, 1904.\n\nSIR,-With reference to the case of the murder of HUNG TSUN-FUK by CHANG C'HO-T'ING in Hongkong, I have the honour to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I proceeded this afternoon to the execution ground to be present at the execution of CHANG C'HO-TING by the Native Authorities. On arriving at the place Mr. MAJOR, who accompanied me, identified the criminal, who was then immediately beheaded in our presence.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nBERTRAM GILES,\n\nVice-Consul.\n\n(From the Acting Colonial Secretary to His Majesty's Acting Consul General, Canton.)\n\nCOLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 10th May, 1904.\n\nSIR,-I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 138 of the 5th instant, in which you state that CHANG CHO-TING was executed on the 4th instant, and enclosing a translation of a letter from the Viceroy of the Two Kwangs in which he apologises for the violation of British Sovereignty committed at the instigation of Chinese Officials in connection with the case of HUNG TSUN-FUK. I am to request you to be so good as to inform the Viceroy that this Government accepts his expressions of regret at the circumstance. His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government felt satisfied that when the facts were made known to His Excellency the Viceroy, he would use every effort to bring the offenders to justice, and expects in due course to receive an assurance that the other persons implicated in the outrage have also undergone suitable punishment.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nA. M. THOMSON,\n\nActing Colonial Secretary.\n\n(Enclosure to No. 157 of the 27th May, 1904. Translation of a Despatch from Viceroy Ts'en to Mr. Campbell.)\n\nSIR,-With reference to the case of HUNG TSUN-FUK, I have the honour to inform you that I memorialised the Throne, praying that all the officials who had been implicated in the affair should be dealt with, each according to his deserts. On the 17th of May last I received an Imperial Edict, copy of which I herewith transmit for your information.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nCopy of Imperial Edict.\n\n(Viceroy's Seal.)\n\nWith reference to the Memorial of Viceroy Ts'EN, praying for the punishment of the spy who compassed the death of the man he had deceived, thereby violating the territory of Hongkong and received a reward under false pretences; and that of the officials who connived at his offence; we hereby decree that HO WEI-TSUNG, Senior Lieutenant in charge of the 4th Battalion of the 1st Division of the Provincial Admiral's troops; LI SHAN, Senior Lieutenant in charge of the 4th Battalion of the 4th Division under the command of the Colonel stationed at Ch'ih-hsi; FANG HSING-KUO, SU TING-CHEN and LI CHIN-YUEH, Senior Sub-Lieutenants, and the deceased Sergeant CHU CH'ANG are to be cashiered. CH'ANG-CH'ING, Admiral for the Province of Kuang-tung, who was guilty of neglect of duty, is to be removed from his post as a warning to others. For the rest, the matter is to be dealt with as suggested by the Viceroy.\n\nNo. 185.\n\nVI.\n\n(From His Majesty's Acting Consul General, Canton, to the Acting Colonial Secretary.)\n\nHIS MAJESTY'S CONSULATE GENERAL, CANTON, 20th June, 1904.\n\nSIR,-With reference to my letter No. 157 of May 27th, I have the honour to enclose a copy† and translation of a Despatch from the Viceroy, in which His Excellency states that Admiral HO has been removed, and that the minor officials concerned in the HUNG TSUN-FUK case have been dismissed.\n\nI have informed the Viceroy that the case may now be considered closed.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nC. W. CAMPBELL.\n\nActing Consul General.\n\n* Not printed.\n\n† Not printed.\n\n178", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 392999, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7]", "page_number": 180, "title": "CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7]", "content_text": "(Enclosure to No. 185 of the 20th June, 1904.\n\nViceroy Ts'en to Mr. Campbell),\n\n(Translation.)\n\nFrom\n\n16th June, 1904.\n\nSIR,--With reference to the HUNG TSUN-FUK case, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Despatch of the 5th instant stating that you had communicated the contents of my Despatch on the subject to the Government of Hongkong, who had replied that when all the terms of settlement mentioned in the Imperial Edict had been duly carried out, the case might then be considered as definitely closed.\n\nI was on the point of drafting a reply to you, when a communication on the subject came to hand from the Wai Wu Pu. The Wai Wu Pu therein informed me that, having received from the Grand Council a copy of the Imperial Edict issued in answer to the memorial presented by me detailing the circumstances of the case and asking for the punishment of those implicated, they forwarded the same, together with a copy of my original memorial to the British Minister, who had expressed his acknowledgments for such a very satisfactory settlement.\n\nWhen the Imperial Edict above referred to was telegraphed to me, I immediately sent copies to the various officials concerned for their guidance, as well as one to you for your information. Since then Admiral Ho CHANG-CH'ING has been removed from his post; and the vacancies caused by the dismissal of the other officers implicated have been filled by temporary substitutes. The terms of settlement have thus been carried out in full; and I would therefore ask you to inform the Governor of Hongkong accordingly.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\n(Viceroy's Seal.)\n\nVII.\n\n(From the Acting Colonial Secretary to His Majesty's Acting Consul General, Canton.)\n\nCOLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Hongkong, 25th June, 1904.\n\nSIR,--I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant enclosing copy of Despatch from the Viceroy of the Two Kwangs stating that Admiral Hồ had been removed from office and that the minor officials concerned in the Hung case had been dismissed. You added that you had informed the Viceroy that the case may now be considered closed.\n\nOn behalf of this Government, I am to thank you for the valuable assistance rendered by you in connection with this case.\n\nDRAFT.\n\nMINUTE.\n\nMr. Smith\n\nMr. Antrobus.\n\nMr. Cox.\n\nMr. Lucas.\n\nMr. Graham.\n\nSir M. Ommanney.\n\nThe Duke of Marlborough.\n\nMr. Lyttelton.\n\nIndexed\n\n179\n\n5 August 1952\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nA. M. THOMSON,\n\nActing Colonial Secretary.\n\nPage 180\n\nPage 181", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-323 - Acting Governor May Governor Nathan - 1904 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 393549, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12]", "page_number": 110, "title": "CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12]", "content_text": "109\n\nAdministration had been handed over to the Chinese Government by Edict in 1902 and Chinese Officials had been appointed to supervise, watch over, and support its interests. The letter concluded with a request that the removal of the lines might be delayed pending arrangement of the matter.\n\n10.\n\nIt is, I believe, the fact that the shares in the Administration or Company are held by private individuals. It is also beyond doubt that the control is in the hands of Chinese Officials. The Director-General is an Official of high rank and the Superintendent in this Colony holds the Official rank of an Expectant Tao Tai or Intendant of Circuit. This gentleman has been questioned by the Registrar-General and he admits that the management of the Administration is vested in the Chinese Government. He claimed the site of the Telegraph Station at Sham-shui-po before the Land Court on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration and the Land Court has allowed the claim.\n\n11.\n\nThe Chinese Telegraph Administration has and has always had an Office in the Queen's Road situated in the same building as the Offices of the Eastern Extension and Great Northern Telegraph Companies and messages can also be sent if despatched from the station at Sham-shui-po, though the station has not hitherto been used for the purpose, the line being employed entirely for traffic between Hongkong and Canton and stations beyond. This traffic is considerable.\n\n12.\n\nI consider that there are strong objections to allowing the Chinese Telegraph Administration to continue", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 393559, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12]", "page_number": 120, "title": "CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12]", "content_text": "1.3\n\n#: J COE Y. (Translation.) Enclosure 5. 33376\n\nYuan and Wu, Directors of Chinese Telegraphs, To H. B. M's. Consul-General, Shanghai. July 23rd., 1904.\n\n119\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch enclosing a letter from the Colonial Secretary, Hongkong, to the effect that, during the Boxer trouble, the entire administration of the Telegraphs had been handed over to the Chinese Government; that, moreover, the name of the Administration, \"General Telegraph Administration of China\" (N.B. The Chinese name contains no character signifying \"Imperial\".), precluded the idea that it was an ordinary commercial enterprise, and the Hong-Kong Government could not recognise it as such; and that he requested you to press for an early removal of the block-house to the Chinese side of the frontier and for the transference of the poles and wires to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company.\n\nOn receipt of the above I instructed the General Manager to write a report, which I have now received. It is as follows:-\n\n\"Although on December 18th., 1902, the administration was handed over to Government by edict, yet, subsequently, on January 15th., 1903, a second edict was promulgated in the interests of commerce allowing existing shareholders to invest additional capital. During the past year no shareholders have sold out. This goes to prove that the property is that of a commercial body. In the Seventh Moon of this year (August 11th. to September 8th.) a dividend on the shares issued is to be declared, and notice will, as heretofore, be given in the papers to shareholders as to obtaining payment. This is further evidence that\n\nPage 120\n\nPage 121", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 394698, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 35, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "5\n\n*\n\n33\n\nrale.\n\n4\n\nexisting export duties are above 5 per cent., they shall be reduced to not more than that An additional special surtax of one half the export duty payable for the time being, in lieu of internal taxation of all kinds, may be levied at the place of original shipment or at the time of export on goods exported either to foreign countries or coastwise.\n\nForeign goods which bear a similarity to native goods shall be furnished by the Customs officers, if required by the owner, with a protective certificate for each package, on the payment of import duty and surtax, to prevent the risk of any dispute in the interior.\n\nNative goods brought by junks to open ports, if intended for local consumption, irrespective of the nationality of the owner of the goods, shall be reported at the Native Customs offices only, to be dealt with according to the fiscal Regulations of the Chinese Government.\n\nMachine-made cotton yarn and cloth manufactured in China, whether by foreigners at the open ports or by Chinese anywhere in China, shall, as regards taxation, be on a footing of perfect equality. Such goods, upon payment of the taxes thereon, shall be granted a rebate of the import duty, and of two-thirds of the import surtax paid on the cotton used in their manufacture, if it has been imported from abroad, and of all duties paid thereon if it be Chinese-grown cotton. They shall also be free of export duty, coast-trade duty, and export surtax. The same principle and procedure shall be applied to all other products of foreign type turned out by machinery in China.\n\nA member or members of the Imperial Maritime Customs foreign staff shall be selected by the Governors-General and Governors of each of the various provinces of the Empire for their respective provinces, and appointed in consultation with the Inspector-General of Imperial Maritime Customs, for duty in connection with Native Customs affairs to have a general supervision of their working.\n\nCases where illegal action is complained of by citizens of the United States shall be promptly investigated by an officer of the Chinese Government of sufficiently high rank, In conjunction with an officer of the United States' Government, and an officer of the Imperial Maritime Customs, each of sufficient standing; and, in the event of it being found by the investigating officers that the complaint is well founded and loss has been incurred, due compensation shall be paid through the Imperial Maritime Customs. The high provincial officials shall be held responsible that the officer guilty of the illegal action shall be severely punished and removed from his post. If the complaint is shown to be frivolous or malicious, the complainant shall be held responsible for the expenses of the investigation.\n\nWhen the ratifications of this Treaty shall have been exchanged by the High Contracting Parties hereto, and the provisions of this Article shall have been accepted by the Powers having Treaties with China, then a date shall be agreed upon when the provisions of this Article shall take effect, and an Imperial Edict shall be published in due form on yellow paper and circulated throughout the Empire of China setting forth the abolition of all li-kin taxation, duties on goods in transit, offices, stations and barriers for collecting the same, and of all descriptions of internal taxation on foreign goods, and the imposition of the surtax on the import of foreign goods and on the export of native goods, and the other fiscal changes and reforms provided for in this Article, all of which shall take effect from the said date. The Edict shall state that the provincial high officials are responsible that any official disregarding the letter or the spirit of its injunction shall be severely punished and removed from his post.\n\nARTICLE V.\n\nThe Tariff duties to be paid by citizens of the United States on goods imported into China shall be set forth in the Schedule annexed hereto, and made part of this Treaty, subject only to such amendments and changes as are authorized by Article IV of the present Convention or as may hereafter be agreed upon by the High Contracting Parties hereto. It is expressly agreed, however, that citizens of the United States shall at no time pay other or higher duties than those paid by the citizens or subjects of the most favoured nation,\n\nConversely, Chinese subjects shall not pay higher duties on their imports into the United States than those paid by the citizens or subjects of the most favoured nation.\n\nARTICLE VI.\n\nThe Government of China agrees to the establishment by citizens of the United States of warehouses approved by the proper Chinese authorities as bonded warehouses at the several open ports of China, for storage, repacking, or preparation for shipment of lawful goods, subject to such necessary regulations for the protection of the revenue of China, including a reasonable scale of fees according to commodities, distance from the custom-house and hours of working as shall be made from time to time by the proper officers of the Government of China.\n\nARTICLE VII.\n\nThe Chinese Government, recognizing that it is advantageous for the country to develop its mineral resources, and that it is desirable to attract foreign as well as Chinese capital to embark in mining enterprises, agrees, within one year from the signing of this Treaty, to initiate and conclude the revision of the existing Mining Regulations. To this end China will, with all expedition and earnestness, go into the whole question of Mining Rules; and, selecting from the Rules of the United States and other countries Regulations which seem applicable to the condition of China, will recast its present Mining Rules in such a way as, while promoting the interests of Chinese subjects and not injuring in any way the sovereign rights of China, will offer no impediment to the attraction of foreign capital nor place foreign capitalists at a greater disadvantage than they would be under generally accepted foreign Regulations; and will permit citizens of the United States to carry on in Chinese territory mining operations and other necessary business relating thereto provided they comply with the new Regulations and conditions which will be imposed by China on its subjects and foreigners alike, relating to the opening of mines, the renting of mineral land, and the payment of royalty, and provided they apply for permits, the provisions of which in regard to necessary business relating to such operations shall be observed. The residence of citizens of the United States in connection with such mining operations shall be subject to such Regulations as shall be agreed upon by and between the United States and China.\n\nAny Mining Concession granted after the publication of such new Rules shall be subject to their provisions.\n\nARTICLE VIII.\n\nDrawback certificates for the return of duties shall be issued by the Imperial Maritime Customs to citizens of the United States within three weeks of the presentation to the Customs of the papers entitling the applicant to receive such drawback certificates, and they shall be receivable at their face value in payment of duties of all kinds (tonnage dues excepted) at the port of issue; or shall, in the case of drawbacks on foreign goods re-exported within three years from the date of importation, be redeemable by the Imperial Maritime Customs in full in ready money at the port of issue, at the option of the holders thereof. But if, in connection with any application for a drawback certificate, the Customs authorities discover an attempt to defraud the revenue, the applicant shall be dealt with and punished in accordance with the stipulations provided in the Treaty of Tien-tsin, Article XXI, in the case of detected frauds on the revenue. In case the goods have been removed from Chinese territory, then the Consul shall inflict on the guilty party a suitable fine to be paid to the Chinese Government.\n\nARTICLE IX.\n\nWhereas the United States undertakes to protect the citizens of any country in the exclusive use within the United States of any lawful trade-marks, provided that such country agrees by Treaty or Convention to give like protection to citizens of the United States:-\n\nTherefore the Government of China, in order to secure such protection in the United States for its subjects, now agrees to fully protect any citizen, firm, or Corporation of the United States in the exclusive use in the Empire of China of any lawful trade-mark to the\n\n[2250 hh-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 395180, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 517, "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904", "content_text": "7 \n\nto the ton. \n\n7. Kang Shan Erh Tao Kou, 110 west of Fung Wha. A placer mine. Worked for five years. Bed rock, 12 feet. Chinese are still ground sluicing. Runs 12 ounces \n\n8. San Tao Kou, 100 li south-west of Fung Wha. Alluvial workings, now stopped. Bed rock some 20 feet down. Float quartz is present, but vein has not yet been discovered. \n\n9. Nan Kang Shan Ling, 120 li south-west of Fung Wha. A lead-silver mine. \n\n10. Nan Kang Shan Ling, 110 li south-west of Fung Wha. Quartz outcrop, 15 feet wide. \n\n11. Ta Tau Ping, 240 li north-east of Fung Wha. Quartz gold. \n\n12. Hsiao Tau Ping, 250 li north-east of Tung Wha. Quartz gold. \n\n13. Shan Ho Ting Tsze, 280 li north of Tung Wha. Quartz gold. \n\n14. Pan Chiel Ho, 220 li north of Tung Wha. Anthracite coal mine, extensive workings. Shafts 200 feet deep. \n\n15. San Tao Chiang. Coal mine 60 li east of Tung Wha. \n\n16. Wu Tao Chiang. Coal mine 60 li east of Tung Wha. \n\n17. Lin Tzu Tou, 160 li east of Tung Wha. Quartz gold. \n\n18. Pao Tu Ch'uan, 170 li east of Tung Wha. Quartz gold. \n\n19. Mao Erb Shan, Tou Tao Kou, 310 li east of Tung Wha. Placer mines. Still working. \n\n20. Mao Erb Shan, San Tao Kou, 340 li east of Tung Wha. Quartz gold. Vein 5 feet wide. Shafts 20 feet deep. \n\n21. Mao Erh Shan, San Tao Kou, 380 li east of Tung Wha. Copper mine, has been extensively worked. Shafts 50 feet deep. District uninhabited. \n\n22. Mao Erh Shan, Liu Tao Kou, 350 li east of Tung Wha. Native copper found in quantities on surface. \n\n23. Mao Erb Shan, Ta Ch'ie Tzu Kou, 350 li east of Tung Wha. Iron mine. \n\n24. Ta Chiang Yen, Lao Hei Shan, 170 li south-east of Huai Jeu. Gold-bearing quartz, close to Yalu River. \n\n25. Ta Chiang Yen, Ku Ma Ling, 180 li south-east of Huai Jeu. Gold-bearing quartz, close to Yalu River. Asbestos. Worked for two years. \n\n26. Ta Hsiao Ya, 35 li south-west of Huai Jeu. \n\n27. Lao Ying Kou, 80 li south-east of Huai Jeu. Lead-silver mine. Chinese unable to separate the silver from the lead. \n\n28. Liang Tsui Ch'uan Tsze, 200 li south-east of Huai Jeu. Silver mine. Vein 20 feet wide. 14 li from the Yalu River. Coal in close vicinity. Numerous old Chinese workings. Quartz outcrop near by at Kao Li Kou Tsze. \n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1, \n\nAbstract of Mining Agreement made between Chang, Military Governor of Kirin and Resident Luba.* \n\n1. Investors to be only Chinese and Russian, \n\n2. China to receive a royalty of 15 per cent. on gold, silver, and other minerals. \n\n3. Exclusive right to prospect for one year; if no results obtained on the expiry of that period permission to prospect may be granted to other parties. \n\n4. China appoints official Manager of Mining Department with full control. \n\n5. Chinese or Russians holding over 100,000 taels can appoint individuals for employment in Mining Department. \n\n6. Investors in mining operations now being carried on are to be specially considered. \n\n7. Position of minerals discovered and size of land to be declared before carrying on operations. \n\n8. Additional written statement to be afterwards drawn up. \n\n9. Mining materials purchased in China liable to duty; mining materials imported from Russia exempt. \n\n10. Chinese and Russians prohibited from clandestinely mining gold or coal. \n\n11. Military Governor of Kirin to send Chinese copy to head Mining Board at Peking. Resident Luba to forward Russian text to Russian Minister, Peking. In the meantime prospecting operations may be begun. \n\n12. Persons entitled to mine, and provided with proper papers, to report commencement within one year. If work be not commenced within this period others may apply to work the mines. \n\n13. Russians wishing to mine must apply to Luba, who will communicate with Military Governor of Kirin or Bureau of Foreign Affairs for decision. \n\n14. Above Regulations to come into force only after Imperial sanction and written permission of head Mining Board obtained. \n\n'CH'ANG, Military Governor of Kirin. (Signed) \n\n(Signed) \n\nKwang Hsu 27, 1 (25). March 2 (15), 1901. \n\nLUBA, Imperial Russian Resident for the two Provinces of Kirin and Hei Lung Chiang. \n\nPreliminary Draft Agreement between Ch'ang, Military Governor of Kirin and Mr. Krolkov, Russian Commissioner, regarding proposed Gold Prospecting and Gold Mining within jurisdiction of Chiu-p'i-Kou, Ninguta, and Hun-chun. \n\n1. The Russian subject Ashashen has sole right to prospect and work gold within jurisdiction of Chia-Pi-Kou, Minguta, and Hunchun. \n\n2. When the Imperial Edict authorizing Russians to mine gold in Kirin is received by the Military Governor of Kirin a Company is to be floated, 80 per cent. of shares to be held by Mr. Ashashen and 20 per cent. by Chinese. Number and value of shares to be determined later. \n\n3. The mines at Chia-Pi-Kou, having been clandestinely worked for many years, the output of gold cannot be productive. The Russo-Chinese Mining Company now forming may prospect for gold at Shang-Liu and Chiang-Chia on Sungari. Mining operations not to be commenced until permission received from Chinese Government. \n\n4. In the jurisdictions of Minguta and Hunchun, where the Chinese have been working mines for years under licence, they may still do so independent of the Russians. Should they wish for Russian assistance the Russo-Chinese Mining Company may call on Russians to take up more than half the shares. Satisfactory Regulations must be drawn up with the proprietors. As a first step the Chinese officials are to furnish a list of gold-bearing lands. \n\n5. Ashashen permitted provisionally to send gold-prospecting parties to the three districts of Chia-P'i-Kou, Minguta, and Hunchun (Military Governor will appoint Deputy to accompany each party). The positions and measurements of true gold-bearing fields are to be declared, but are not to include the total area of the three districts. \n\n6. The Regulations are supplementary to those of Agreement between Military Governor and Commissioner Luba, and shall come into force on receipt of the Edict* authorizing Russians to mine in Kirin. \n\n(Signed) (Signed) \n\nCH'ANG, Military Governor of Kirin. KROTKOV, Acting Russian Commissioner for the two Provinces of Kirin und Hei Lung Chiang. \n\n* It is not known whether this Edict was issued, but it is not likely that the concessionaires, being Russian, would consider it necessary to wait for it before commencing operations. \n\n514", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 396925, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 219, "title": "CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12]", "content_text": "Copy of Translation.\n\n## Enclosure 574 Secret Despatch of 26/8/15 Despatch from the Director General of Chinese Railways to the Viceroy of the two Kwang with Railway.\n\nTo the Governor, \nKowloon\n\nYour Excellency,\n\n31 December 1898.\n\nOn the 9 September 1898, I received the following communication from the Tsungli Yamen.\n\nOn the 11 and 15 October 1898, we received your telegram with regard to the objections raised locally to the construction of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, and suggesting that we might ask the British Minister to abandon the enterprise. Copies of these telegrams were submitted to His Majesty, and we had the honour to receive the following Imperial Edict.\n\n\"Regarding the Canton-Kowloon Railway, it has been agreed between the Yamen and the British Minister that Sheng Hsuan-huai and the British merchants should draw up Regulations, and so the enterprise cannot be abandoned. I hereby command Liu K'un-i and Chang Chih-tung to depute officers to work out the survey of the route, and to earnestly exhort the people not to raise pretexts...\"", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 396926, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 220, "title": "CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12]", "content_text": "217 \n\npretext for obstruction, thereby causing \n\nill-feeling. Respect this. \n\nUpon the receipt of the above, \n\nto the Viceroy of the \n\nwe telegraphed \n\ntwo Huangs \n\nand we \n\nare \n\nin possession of \n\na \n\ncopy of a \n\ntelegram from tuin, transmitted to us \n\nby the Council. \n\nIt reads: \n\n\"With regard to the \n\nmemorial \n\nby the Grand \n\nof Sept \n\nCanton Kowloon \n\nRailway I have reverently received the Edict ordering us \n\nto depute officers to \n\nlook after the survey, but, as I find that in this Province there is no officer familiar with railway work, \n\nI must \n\nask for an \n\nEdict to be issued ordering \n\nSheng Hsuan-huai to proceed to this Province accompanied by foreign operatives to make a survey, \n\nwhen I \n\nwill also send officers \n\nto look after \n\nthe operations. If land belonging to the people is to be purchased, I will put out a proclamation directing that it must be sold and forbidding people to hold on with the intent of raising the price.\" \n\nOn the 8th November we had the honour to receive the Imperial Rescript \"Let the Yamen concerned take note, Record thus.\" \n\nWe then, as in duty bound, make this communication to Your Excellency \n\n(Sheng) so that you may take action \n\nin conformity", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397057, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 351, "title": "CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12]", "content_text": "# Sub Enclosure I to Enclosure 2 to Secret despatch of 22/9/05.\n\n## \"6\n\nThis Agreement is made between His Excellency Chang, Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Viceroy of the Hukuang Provinces, of China on one part and the Government of Hongkong on the other part.\n\nThe Viceroy has been imperially appointed to devise means for the resumption of the Canton Hankow Railway and the present loan has been referred to the Throne and His Majesty the Emperor of China has issued an Edict approving of this Agreement being made.\n\nThe Viceroy acts for the Hukuang and Kiangkuang and the Governors of Hunan for themselves, their heirs, and their successors in office.\n\n## Whereas \n\nthe Viceroy is charged with the settlement of questions concerning the Canton Hankow Railway and for this purpose is in need of funds to redeem the Concession for the building thereof heretofore granted to an American Company, and whereas the Viceroy has officially applied to the Government of His Britannic Majesty for financial assistance to buy back the shares in the said American Company and to perform the said special charge laid upon His Excellency, and whereas the Government of Hong Kong has agreed at the instance of the Government of His Britannic Majesty to afford His Excellency the Viceroy the assistance applied for.\n\nIt is now agreed as follows:-\n\n1. The Government of Hongkong agrees to lend to the Hukuang Provinces of Hupei, Hunan, Kuangtung the sum of one million, one hundred thousand pounds sterling payable as set forth in Clause 2 below. The exact division of their responsibility for this sum will be announced later.\n\n2. The term of the Loan shall be ten years calculated from the Sixth day of October 1905 and repayment of principal shall be made by ten equal instalments of Pounds one hundred and ten thousand (£110,000) each commencing on the Sixth day of October 1906, provided that after the payment of the fifth annual instalment the three Provinces shall be at liberty, on giving six calendar months' notice beforehand, to pay off the entire amount outstanding with interest up to the date of such paying off only. Upon such payment of principal this Agreement shall cease and determine.\n\n3. Interest on the Loan shall be paid at the rate of four and a half percent calculated half-yearly on the amount of principal from time to time outstanding.\n\n4. All payments of interest and repayments of principal shall be made in accordance with the amounts and dates set forth in the Schedule attached.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397196, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 490, "title": "CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12]", "content_text": "## RAILWAYS IN CHINA. BRITISH CONCESSION THREATENED,\n\n**(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)**\n\nSHANGHAI, Oct. 18.\n\nThe success of the Viceroy Chang Chih-tung's efforts to cancel the Canton-Han-kau railway agreement has encouraged the issue of an imperial edict, dated September 23, approving the recommendation of the Board of Commerce that similar cancellation should be applied to the preliminary agreement with the British and Chinese Corporation for the Su-chau-Hang-chau line. The Viceroy Chou-fu is directed to devise ways and means for carrying out this instruction. The movement has the support of the gentry and merchant classes in Che-kiang province and receives enthusiastic notice from the \"China for the Chinese\" section of the local Press.\n\nInfluential native opinion blames the British concessionnaires for the delay in the signature of the final contract for this railway, though the cause really lies in the habits of procrastination of Sheng, Director-General of Railways, official returned from Peking on September 30, since which date he has been occupied in negotiating the German commercial treaty.\n\nThe Viceroy Chou-fu, who has been a target for the denunciation of the censors during the past six months, is to-day reported to have been transferred to the Fu-chau Viceroyalty, Tuan-fang being nominated to the Nanking Viceroyalty.\n\n## HONG-KONG, Oct. 12.\n\nThe Government is introducing an Ordinance in Council raising a loan of £2,000,000 for the Kowloon Railway and other railway purposes.\n\nReuter's Agency states that one million sterling of the loan mentioned in the above telegram is required in connexion with an advance made by the Government of Hong-kong to the Chinese authorities for the purpose of enabling China to acquire from an American syndicate their interest in the concession granted for the construction of the Canton-Han-kau railway, a line which, when completed, will have the greatest commercial importance for Hong-kong.\n\n### Paraphrase of telegram from Governor Hongkong\n\nWith reference to my telegram of the 13th instant, the Viceroy has now asked for a loan of £450,000 on further identical terms to enable him to redeem Hankow Canton Railway bonds at 22% premium as the American Agreement prescribes. He says that the Belgian minister with French support makes this an unopposed pretext for claiming the right to take up the lapsed concession.\n\nThe Viceroy has been negotiating with the British Chinese Corporation for a loan, but their terms are high. If you can induce the Corporation to lower their terms, it will be less than what they can get from any foreign source, and this would be the best arrangement. Otherwise, and if the present arrangement is followed, I propose that a supplementary loan be made, but it is something to be avoided.\n\nPussy maing le back, (mber her. was not reconstructed as it appears to be unrelated to the rest of the text, which discusses railways in China and related political developments. \n\n`XCR(85)72` and similar references were not present in the original text; however, file references like `GR1178/1922/32(III)` were also not found. The text \"PRINTED No 169) FOR USE LASTERN 88. OA IAL OFFICE COLONIAL 15424\" appears to be a file or document reference but was not reconstructed as per the given instructions since it wasn't clear if it should be treated as a file reference to be wrapped in backticks. \n\nPage numbering was not explicitly present in the provided text.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397871, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 361, "title": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "# \nli-kin collection at about 90,000 taels, that of the native Customs at 60,000. He mentioned that coal paid no li-kin, but was lightly taxed at the pit mouth. A considerable quantity of native opium, he said, passed through Shiu-kuan, coming from Szechuan, Hunan, and Ch'u-chou in Chekiang. It paid at present only 2 taels per picul duty, but this was shortly to be raised.\n\nShiu-kuan is surrounded by a crenellated wall in an unusually good state of preservation. The principal business quarter is the Cantonese suburb, outside the wall facing the North River. The Yamêns are in the so-called native or Hakka quarter, within four minutes' walk of the West Gate. There are besides a Hunanese and a Kiangsi quarter. Opposite the West Gate is the suburb destroyed by the Taipings, now a heap of grass-covered ruins. Here the Wesleyan Mission are erecting their new house in foreign style, and propose, when funds permit, to build a hospital. A fair number of junks were anchored on both branches of the river, but the shipping and movement of the place did not, I must confess, come up to my expectation.\n\nThe population is estimated by the missionaries at over 100,000.\n\nOn the afternoon of our arrival, I called with Captain Vaughan on the Taotai, Ch'ang, Tuan-pen, who is Intendant of the Nam Shao Lien (Namheung, Shao-chou Lienchou) circuit.\n\nHaving previously sent a deputy on board to make inquiries regarding the rank of a British Consul—I was apparently the first official of the kind whom the Taotai had come in contact with during his seven years' tenure of office—chairs were sent to convey us to the Yamên, and we were received with the customary salutes and ceremonies. The Taotai was most cordial, and discoursed intelligently on current political topics.\n\nHe expressed surprise that the \"Robin\" had been able to reach Shiu-kuan, and his opinion that steamers could not with safety ply on this part of the river was doubtless confirmed by the subsequent unfortunate stranding of that vessel 3 miles below the city.\n\nI told him that, in my opinion, light draft stern-wheelers should be able to reach Shiu-kuan without difficulty during the five summer months, and he entirely agreed with me as to the benefits to be derived from steam communication with Canton. Asked as to the state of the country under his jurisdiction, the Taotai said that brigandage of the kind prevalent in the neighbouring province of Kuangsi was, happily, of rare occurrence, but that the members of the Triad Society (Sau Tien-hui), reinforced by refugees from Kuangsi, had for some time past caused considerable trouble in the districts around Shiu-kuan. He ascribed their activity—somewhat unjustly, I thought—to the machinations of Kang Yu Wei and his followers.\n\nFrom Mr. Dewstoe, the resident Wesleyan missionary, I subsequently learned that the Taotai had the reputation of being well-meaning, but weak; that he was anxious to retire, being quite unable to cope with the growing lawlessness in his jurisdiction; that the Triads had adherents among all classes of the people—even in the Yamêns—and that with the small military force at their disposal—about 200 men in all—the officials were powerless to check the constantly recurring outrages committed in the name of the Society.\n\nAs an instance of this, I was told that a few weeks before our arrival, a young scholar, whose father, in his capacity of village elder, had incurred the enmity of the Triads, was cut in pieces in broad daylight on the highway within 6 miles of the city. Two Buddhist priests, who were subsequently arrested, confessed to their share in the murder, and in the books seized in the monastery to which they belonged were the names of several prominent residents of Shiu-kuan and two or three of the head runners in the Magistrate's Yamên.\n\nThe following morning, the Taotai returned our call, and was saluted by the \"Robin\" with six guns, three on arrival and three on departure. This salute, which I am aware is in excess of that allowed by the King's Regulations, was given by Captain Vaughan at my written request: firstly, because we had been similarly saluted at the Taotai's Yamên; secondly, because the Magistrate at Yingtak having received three guns, I considered that the Taotai, his superior, and the principal territorial official in this part of the province, was entitled to some additional mark of respect, the visit of a British gun-boat and Consul being in itself a more or less memorable occurrence.\n\nThe Taotai mentioned that two Japanese merchants had recently visited him and announced their intention of starting business in the city. He had informed them that this was impossible, as Shiu-kuan was not yet a Treaty port. They were, I understand, interested in coal. There are coal mines in the neighbourhood of Shiu-kuan, situated within 5 miles of the city up both rivers, which have been worked for some years past by native methods; the present output is inconsiderable, and the coal, taken from the surface, of poor quality. It sells in Shiu-kuan for about 6 dollars per ton.\n\nThe Taotai, when I remarked on the anomaly that practically all the coal consumed by steamers in Canton and on the rivers was imported from Japan, while large deposits of this valuable fuel were known to exist in various parts of the Canton Province, said he fully appreciated the advantages to be derived from the exploitation of mines, but that in his particular jurisdiction the people were extremely adverse to the hills being disturbed, and that scientific mining had hitherto been barely possible. I subsequently heard that two parties of French prospectors had visited the mines during the past year.\n\n## \nFrom the Rev. Edgar Dewstoe of the Wesleyan Mission, who has been stationed at Shiu-kuan for the last seven years, I learnt that there are three missionary societies working in this part of the country: the Roman Catholics, with headquarters at Nam-heung, who devote themselves chiefly to work among the country people; the Berlin Mission with stations at Nam-heung, Chihsien, Yen-fa, and Shiu-kuan; the Wesleyans with branches at Lok-ch'eng, Lung-kuai, Mong-fu-kong, and Yingtak. Mr. Dewstoe said that, after some years of uphill work, he considered his Mission was now established on a solid basis; he was on the best of terms with the local authorities, due, he thought, to his adhering to the rule of never interfering in his converts' lawsuits; counted several influential men among his friends, and was able to preach every Sunday in the city chapel—a fine new building in semi-Chinese style—to an interested and respectful congregation. Some of the largest shops in Shiu-kuan are kept by Wesleyan converts, who have apparently no desire to conceal their faith. Most of the shops are plentifully adorned with text and religious pictures; in a large druggist's I saw posted on the door a notice in Chinese giving chapter and verse of the Bible reading to be held that evening in the chapel. The people are, on the whole, well-disposed towards foreigners; only in the Cantonese quarter is one liable to meet with any rudeness. In one of the halls of the Canton Guild House, I was shown a Chinese teacher seated at a pulpit expounding the Sacred Edict to whomsoever cared to listen; at the moment of our visit, a handful of coolies, who, from their attitudes, apparently considered this a convenient place to take their noon-day siesta. I was told that the cost of these daily lectures is defrayed by the Canton Guild, with the object of counteracting the growing influence of the Christian chapels. During our two days' stay at Shiu-kuan, the \"Robin\" was a source of unfailing interest to crowds of people, both men and women, who, dressed in their best clothes, came off in boatloads to gaze at the \"fire-ship.\" They conducted themselves in a very orderly manner, and made no attempt to force their way on board. I was sorry that the small size of the ship prevented our throwing her open to visitors. However, in the evening, we gave a display of rockets and coloured lights which, to judge from the loud murmurs of admiration that rose from an invisible throng outside and on the city wall, was much appreciated.\n\nThe shops in the main street leading from the south to the north gate through the Kiangsi and Hunanese quarters seemed well supplied with foreign goods. I purchased, among other things, soap, soda water, beer, biscuits, bovril, and cigarettes of British make. There are some fine pottery shops, where I was shown cases full of Kiangsi ware packed ready for export to Canton. In the Canton quarter, the streets are narrow and dirtier, the shops are exactly the same as those met with in the delta; the import business is, as usual, in the hands of the Cantonese.\n\nAn interesting local industry is the preparation of ground-nut oil, carried on in three large factories in the suburb adjoining the Wesleyan Mission. The nuts are first sun-dried on concrete floors, then pressed in troughs between round stones by means of wedges. The oil is now chiefly used for cooking purposes, kerosene having completely superseded it as an illuminant.\n\nThe climate of Shiu-kuan is hot in summer, and, owing to the sudden change of temperature caused by alternating north and south winds, is unhealthy for Europeans. The winter is cold, frost and snow being of frequent occurrence. Plague is unknown, but cholera and small-pox common. The surrounding country, besides being extremely picturesque, abounds in wild animals of all kinds, among which I may mention deer, wild boar, porcupines, monkeys, leopards, and tigers. The last-named are reported to be quite numerous: they frequently descend on the outlying villages and carry off dogs, buffalo, and sometimes children. An amusing incident occurred on the day of our arrival: as the \"Robin\" steamed past the Wesleyan Mission on the river bank, the blast of the siren was mistaken by an infants' school close by for the roar of a tiger; the terrified teacher and children bolted and barred their doors and windows, and waited panic-stricken for the approach of their enemy. It is unfortunate that this country, rich in game, is practically inaccessible to Hong Kong sportsmen: the shooting season is, of course, in winter, when the river is only open... \n\nPage 9\n954", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403348, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 257, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## Inclosure 21 in No. 1\n### Memorial by the Board of Revenue urging that a Limit be set to the Minting of Copper Coin in the Provinces, and that a Uniform Currency be established.\n\nA sound currency is the foundation of financial administration, and it is essential that coinage should be uniform. This Board has, in obedience to Imperial Edict, established a head mint at Tien-tsin for the express purpose of producing a uniform currency.\n\nThe introduction of copper coins commenced in Kuangtung. Since then this example has been followed by other provinces in order to remedy the scarcity of cash, until now there are not less than twenty mints erected in seventeen provinces. Unless a stop is put to this, further requests will be made to erect similar mints, or to extend the operations of old ones, leading to further waste of money and greater confusion in the currency. In addition, it is feared that not only will great impetus be given to the counterfeiting of spurious coin, but also that the competition between the various mints for the purchase of foreign copper will be so great as to cause an excessive rise in the price of that article, and cause great financial losses.\n\nLast year the Reform Council (`Cheng Wu Chu`) and the Army Council (`Lien Ping Ch'u`), in their joint Memorial on the request of Wei Kuang-tao for permission to extend his minting of copper, declared that in future the minting of silver and copper coins ought to be wholly placed under the control of the Board of Revenue, in order that there should be uniformity in the currency and stability in the finances of the country, and, further, that the promiscuous establishment of mints throughout the province should be stopped.\n\n### Imperial Rescript\nLet it be done as proposed.\n\n## Inclosure 20 in No. 1\n\nAgain, Chou Fu, Acting Viceroy of the Liang Kiang, proposed in a Memorial last year that the mints for copper coin should be amalgamated, pointing out that the establishment of every new mint meant another addition to the expenditure, and that differences in the qualities of the coins produced by these various mints was a serious inconvenience. He therefore counselled greater care in this question.\n\nThe Board agrees that, though the increased minting of copper coins is desirable, yet the issue of them from an unlimited number of mints is inexpedient. After much consultation, the Board has come to the conclusion that the abolition of the already existing mints would be attended with difficulty, but they consider that the high provincial authorities should carefully superintend their operations and should not establish additional branch mints. No new mints for the coinage of copper should be started in places where they do not now exist, and if there is a necessity for the introduction of copper coins in such places, the authorities should be instructed to pay over a sum of money to the mint of a neighbouring province, which would then return the equivalent in copper coin. In important places where the erection of a mint is desirable this Board will inquire into the circumstances, and, when the head mint at Tien-tsin is in operation, will gradually establish branch mints at Shanghae and other ports with a view to furnishing a uniform currency.\n\nOrders were given by the Board, when the erection of mints in the provinces was first permitted, that monthly reports of their operation should be made. Up to the present, though the mints have been in operation for a long time, the officials have shown of what little importance they consider the currency question by altogether neglecting to do so. The Board, therefore, with a view to saving correspondence and exercising thorough supervision, requests that the high provincial authorities may be called on to strictly direct the officials in charge of the mints to furnish collective annual reports, and also to forward without delay copies of the Local Regulations with regard to the minting and issue of coin to the Board for inspection.\n\nThe contributions which it has been admitted the mints should make towards the expenses of the Army Council are matters of great consequence, and further orders should be issued that these should not be allowed to fall into arrears on any pretext, but should be transmitted in full.\n\n### Imperial Rescript\nLet it be done as proposed.\n\n## \n\nIn a recent issue of the \"Peiyang Kuan Pao,\" anterior to the 6th June, it is stated that there are eighteen mints for the production of copper coins. Of these the Kuanghsi, Yunnan, Fengtien, and Tien-tsin (Board of Revenue) Mints are not mentioned in the Chamber of Commerce list.\n\nThe \"Peiyang Kuan Pao\" gives the share of profits each mint is ordered to provide annually towards the expenditure of the `Lien-ping-chu` (Military Commission), amounting to a total of 7,050,000 taels. Doubtless these mints will continue to give a profit, at least until the quantity of coin produced by them reaches the point at which no more can be absorbed by internal commerce. It is not unlikely, however, that the Chinese Government imagine that they have here a perennial source of profit, and to warn them against the danger of depreciation owing to over-issue seems a quite legitimate step for the Representatives of Powers to take who have Treaties containing a clause similar to Article II of the British Commercial Treaty of 1902. Whether the Representatives of Powers which have not concluded such Treaties can nevertheless appeal to the British, American, and Japanese is, of course, a question for them to decide.\n\nThe Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce refers the Diplomatic Body to the statements given on pp. 12 and 13 of the \"Report on the Trade of China, and Abstract of Statistics,\" published this year by the Imperial Maritime Customs. This publication estimates the output for 1904 at 1,745,000,000 copper pieces (variously denoted as \"one-hundredth of a dollar\" and \"ten mills\"), while the Chairman of the Chamber estimates that when the whole of the mints, new and old, are in operation the annual output will be 16,413,000,000 pieces, or nearly ten times as many.\n\nAn explanation of the apparent difference between these two estimates is to be desired. And further, as these new coins are presumably to replace the existing cash, it would be useful if the Chairman of the Chamber could inform us how many of such pieces (including fractional coins such as he speaks of in the last paragraph of his letter) would, in the opinion of his Chamber, be required for a population of 400,000,000 people.\n\nThe Chairman remarks that \"in permitting the provincial authorities to produce these 10 cash pieces in varying intrinsic values she (China) is evading her Treaty obligations.\" Something more explicit than this statement is necessary as a foundation for a remonstrance to the Chinese Government against evasion of her Treaty obligations. It is desirable that precise information, accompanied by expert evidence, should be furnished as to what mints have produced 10-cash pieces of a less intrinsic value than the assumed standard, and to what extent such issues vary from the standard.\n\nJune 24, 1905.\n\n## Inclosure 22 in No. 1\n### Consul Ker to Sir E. Satow\n\nWuhu, December 15, 1904.\n\nI beg to inclose copies of a private correspondence that has passed between Mr. E. S. Little and myself on the subject of mining rights of foreigners in the interior. Mr. Little maintains that the Mackay Treaty \"gives foreigners exactly the same right to buy and hold land as the natives anywhere in the interior.\"\n\nI am unable to accept this view, and as Mr. Little says that he is about to see you on the subject, I think it well that you should know exactly what I wrote to him. If my interpretation of the Treaty is wrong, I should be grateful for instructions.\n\n### Mr. E. S. Little to Consul Ker\n\nShanghae, December 1, 1904.\n\nI am sorry to find on my return your letter cutting short Ede's Concession. I do not yet know what we shall do about it, but it is a pity that the Minister has taken the view he has. One of the oldest and most respected merchants in Shanghae said to me a day or two ago, in connection with another enterprise, \"I would not put a penny into any British affair; the only people who get any support are the Germans.\" It is absolutely...\n\nPage 252\nPage 23\nPage 22\nPage 4", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403513, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 422, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## 415 \n\n### 22 \n\nIn a recent issue of the \"Peiyang Kuan Pao,\" anterior to the 6th June, it is stated that there are eighteen mints for the production of copper coins. Of these, the Kuanghsi, Yünnan, Fengtien, and Tien-tsin (Board of Revenue) Mints are not mentioned in the Chamber of Commerce list.\n\nThe \"Peiyang Kuan Pao\" gives the share of profits each mint is ordered to provide annually towards the expenditure of the Lien-ping-chu (Military Commission), amounting to a total of 7,050,000 taels. Doubtless these mints will continue to give a profit, at least until the quantity of coin produced by them reaches the point at which no more can be absorbed by internal commerce. It is not unlikely, however, that the Chinese Government imagine that they have here a perennial source of profit, and to warn them against the danger of depreciation owing to over-issue seems a quite legitimate step for the Representatives of Powers to take who have Treaties containing a clause similar to Article II of the British Commercial Treaty of 1902. Whether the Representatives of Powers which have not concluded such Treaties can nevertheless appeal to the British, American, and Japanese is, of course, a question for them to decide.\n\nThe Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce refers the Diplomatic Body to the statements given on pp. 12 and 13 of the \"Report on the Trade of China, and Abstract of Statistics,\" published this year by the Imperial Maritime Customs. This publication estimates the output for 1904 at 1,745,000,000 copper pieces (variously denoted as \"one-hundredth of a dollar\" and \"ten mills\"), while the Chairman of the Chamber estimates that when the whole of the mints, new and old, are in operation, the annual output will be 16,413,000,000 pieces, or nearly ten times as many.\n\nAn explanation of the apparent difference between these two estimates is to be desired. And further, as these new coins are presumably to replace the existing cash, it would be useful if the Chairman of the Chamber could inform us how many of such pieces (including fractional coins such as he speaks of in the last paragraph of his letter) would, in the opinion of his Chamber, be required for a population of 400,000,000 people.\n\nThe Chairman remarks that \"in permitting the provincial authorities to produce these 10 cash pieces in varying intrinsic values, she (China) is evading her Treaty obligations.\" Something more explicit than this statement is necessary as a foundation for a remonstrance to the Chinese Government against evasion of her Treaty obligations. It is desirable that precise information, accompanied by expert evidence, should be furnished as to what mints have produced 10-cash pieces of a less intrinsic value than the assumed standard, and to what extent such issues vary from the standard.\n\nJune 24, 1905.\n\n### 23 \n\nAgain, Chou Fu, Acting Viceroy of the Liang Kiang, proposed in a Memorial last year that the mints for copper coin should be amalgamated, pointing out that the establishment of every new mint meant another addition to the expenditure, and that differences in the qualities of the coins produced by these various mints was a serious inconvenience. He therefore counselled greater care in this question.\n\nThe Board agrees that, though the increased minting of copper coins is desirable, yet the issue of them from an unlimited number of mints is inexpedient. After much consultation, the Board has come to the conclusion that the abolition of the already existing mints would be attended with difficulty, but they consider that the high provincial authorities should carefully superintend their operations and should not establish additional branch mints. No new mints for the coinage of copper should be started in places where they do not now exist, and if there is a necessity for the introduction of copper coins in such places, the authorities should be instructed to pay over a sum of money to the mint of a neighbouring province, which would then return the equivalent in copper coin. In important places where the erection of a mint is desirable, this Board will inquire into the circumstances, and, when the head mint at Tien-tsin is in operation, will gradually establish branch mints at Shanghae and other ports with a view to furnishing a uniform currency.\n\nOrders were given by the Board, when the erection of mints in the provinces was first permitted, that monthly reports of their operation should be made. Up to the present, though the mints have been in operation for a long time, the officials have shown of what little importance they consider the currency question by altogether neglecting to do so. The Board, therefore, with a view to saving correspondence and exercising thorough supervision, requests that the high provincial authorities may be called on to strictly direct the officials in charge of the mints to furnish collective annual reports, and also to forward without delay copies of the Local Regulations with regard to the minting and issue of coin to the Board for inspection.\n\nThe contributions which it has been admitted the mints should make towards the expenses of the Army Council are matters of great consequence, and further orders should be issued that these should not be allowed to fall into arrears on any pretext, but should be transmitted in full.\n\n**Imperial Rescript.--Let it be done as proposed.**\n\n### Inclosure 21 in No. 1.\n\n### Inclosure 20 in No. 1.\n\n**Memorial by the Board of Revenue urging that a Limit be set to the Minting of Copper Coin in the Provinces, and that a Uniform Currency be established.**\n\nA sound currency is the foundation of financial administration, and it is essential that coinage should be uniform. This Board has, in obedience to Imperial Edict, established a head mint at Tien-tsin for the express purpose of producing a uniform currency.\n\nThe introduction of copper coins commenced in Kuangtung. Since then, this example has been followed by other provinces in order to remedy the scarcity of cash, until now there are not less than twenty mints erected in seventeen provinces. Unless a stop is put to this, further requests will be made to erect similar mints, or to extend the operations of old ones, leading to further waste of money and greater confusion in the currency. In addition, it is feared that not only will great impetus be given to the counterfeiting of spurious coin, but also that the competition between the various mints for the purchase of foreign copper will be so great as to cause an excessive rise in the price of that article, and cause great financial losses.\n\nLast year, the Reform Council (`Cheng Wu Chu`) and the Army Council (`Lien Ping Ch'u`), in their joint Memorial on the request of Wei Kuang-tao for permission to extend his minting of copper, declared that in future, the minting of silver and copper coins ought to be wholly placed under the control of the Board of Revenue, in order that there should be uniformity in the currency and stability in the finances of the country, and, further, that the promiscuous establishment of mints throughout the province should be stopped.\n\nDear Sir Ernest,\n\n### Consul Ker to Sir E. Satow.\n\nWuhu, December 15, 1904.\n\nI beg to inclose copies of a private correspondence that has passed between Mr. E. S. Little and myself on the subject of mining rights of foreigners in the interior. Mr. Little maintains that the Mackay Treaty \"gives foreigners exactly the same right to buy and hold land as the natives anywhere in the interior.\"\n\nI am unable to accept this view, and as Mr. Little says that he is about to see you on the subject, I think it well that you should know exactly what I wrote to him. If my interpretation of the Treaty is wrong, I should be grateful for instructions.\n\nDear Mr. Ker,\n\n### Inclosure 22 in No. 1.\n\nI remain, &c.\n(Signed) W. P. KER.\n\n### Mr. E. S. Little to Consul Ker.\n\nShanghue, December 1, 1904.\n\nI am sorry to find on my return your letter cutting short Ede's Concession. I do not yet know what we shall do about it, but it is a pity that the Minister has taken the view he has. One of the oldest and most respected merchants in Shanghae said to me a day or two ago, in connection with another enterprise, \"I would not put a penny into any British affair; the only people who get any support are the Germans.\" It is absolutely... \n\n[2140 ee-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403543, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 452, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## 24\n\ncontains, and still more for the friendly relations which his knowledge and experience of these wild people enabled us to establish with them.\n\nMr. Leveson concurs with me in recommending to the favourable notice of His Majesty's Government the excellent work performed by the surveyors, often under circumstances of great difficulty, and the very good conduct of the military police escort.\n\nThe Lashi Headman of Lajawng, in the Myitkyina district, was with Mr. Leveson and rendered valuable services in all negotiations and interviews with the Lashis of Hpare and the Ngaw Chang.\n\nThe Lisu Headman of Bumrawng, in the Bhamo Hills, formerly a havildar in the Bhamo Military Police Battalion, accompanied me up the Salween as interpreter, as he speaks Chinese. I should like to mention his good conduct and special usefulness.\n\nOur thanks are due to the British Minister at Peking and to the Government of India for the representations made to the Chinese Government that the Acting Taotai, Shih Hung Chao, should be retained at his post for service on this expedition. In no case did we have to complain of any of the obstructions and difficulties which an official less strong-minded and new to the place would almost certainly have raised. Taotai Shih kept his followers in order, refrained from \"squeezing\" the country through which he passed, prevented his soldiers from indulging in the looting which is usually practised by Chinese \"braves\" on these occasions, and paid fair prices for his mules and his supplies. He was always amenable to reasonable arguments as to the proceedings which it was best for us to take, and decided all matters without reference to his subordinates, who, of course, were for sitting still or going back very early in the proceedings. It would be unfair not to admit that satisfactory results—so far as we obtained them—were in a measure due to the Taotai's common sense.\n\n## 25\n\n### Inclosure 8 in No. 1\n\n**Certificate granted to Tso Ta Hsiung, Hereditary Native Sergeant of Tzu Chu Village, in the Ming Kwang Narrows.** (Translation.)\n\nTHE Board of War in the matter of issuing a certificate:—\n\nWhereas the Minister for Military Appointments reports that he has received an official statement from Ngai, Grand Chancellor and Governor-General of Yunnan and Kwei Chon, to the effect that Tso Hua Tien, Hereditary Native Sergeant of Tzu Chu village in the Ming Kwang Narrows, subject to Tengyueh, has demised; that his son, Tso Ta Hsiung, who is now 22 years of age, is freely accepted by the various tribes as their Lord; and that a bond setting forth the registers of the genealogy of the Tso family has been delivered, together with the former certificate, and that the Governor-General has therefore addressed the Board for instructions to Tso Ta Hsiung to assume the succession;\n\nUpon this the Board, having inspected and recorded the bond concerning the genealogy of the family, has cancelled the previous certificate, and as it appears that the said Tso Hua Tien has demised, and the Governor-General reports that his son, Tso Ta Hsiung, is 22 years of age and accepted by the tribes, the Board will now, as requested, permit the said Tso Ta Hsiung to assume the succession to the title of Hereditary Sergeant of the village of Tzu Chu in the Ming Kwang Narrows in the Sub-Prefecture of Tengyueh. This present certificate, in exchange for the former, is hereby granted, and the said Tso is ordered to receive it. A necessary certificate addressed to Tso Ta Hsiung, Hereditary Sergeant, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nTAO KWANG.\n\n18th year (1889), 6th moon.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n### Inclosure 7 in No. 1\n\n**Taotai Shih to Acting Consul Litton.**\n\nPien Ma, April 17, 1905.\n\nI HAVE just had the honour to receive your letter and am in possession of its contents. The other day when we were at Ming Kwang I inquired from the two Fa Yi, Yang and Tso, as to the condition of the tribes on both sides of the Little River (Ngaw Chang). They stated that in former times a punitive expedition had gone against the rebellious barbarian, Tsao Ko, to Chih Ka and the country about it, beyond (i.e., right bank of) the Little River, and that the district had then been subjected to Chinese jurisdiction.* Subsequently they, the Fu Yi, had removed into Chinese territory to a great distance from the district in question. Besides, these barbarians are of a savage nature, and widely different from those who reside on this side (i.e., the left bank) of Little River; thus they had come to be beyond the pale of civilized government, and for a long time there had been no communication between them and the Chinese.\n\nHaving investigated this matter, I find that the above statements are correct. You have now been good enough to state verbally to me that the Deputy Commissioner of Bhamo proposes to proceed beyond the Ngaw Chang in order to inspect the country; but it is to be feared that the wild tribes of those parts, not being accustomed to seeing anything out of the common, may become alarmed and raise trouble. If the Deputy Commissioner is resolved to go, I would venture to request him to consider how important it will be to take proper precautions. You were good enough to ask me verbally about this matter, and on inquiry I found that the real state of the case is as I have mentioned above.\n\nI must therefore again request you to discuss with the Deputy Commissioner as to whether he should proceed or not.\n\nThe maps of Teng Keng and Mao Chao will be sent to you when they have been completed.\n\nCompliments.\n\n(Card of Taotai Shih.)\n\n* There is no evidence that the Headmen ever resided beyond the watershed.—G. L.\n\n### Inclosure 9 in No. 1\n\n**Certificate granted to Yang Tsar Wei, Hereditary Native Sergeant of Hpare Village, in the Ming Kwang Narrows.** (Translation.)\n\nTHE Board of War issues the following certificate:—\n\nWhereas the Minister for Military Appointments reports that the Department has submitted copy of an extract from the records of the Board to the effect that the Yün-Kwei Governor-General, Kwei, states that a report has been received from the Yung Chang Prefect that Yang Chan Ho, Hereditary Native Sergeant of Hpare in the Ming Kwang Narrows, has demised; that his son, Yang Tsai Wei, is now 22 years of age, and being the true and lawful eldest son of the deceased is freely accepted by the tribes as their Lord; and that the said Yang Tsai Wei should be permitted to assume the succession to his father's office and to administer the tribal villages; and that a bond has been delivered setting forth his family relations and genealogy, together with the former certificate, for transmission to the Board for instructions;\n\nAnd whereas (the Governor-General states that) when a vacancy occurs among the tribal officials, the rule is that the lawful eldest son succeeds, and that the said Yang Chan Ho, Native Sergeant, &c., has demised, leaving a vacancy; and his son, Yang Tsai Wei, being his true and lawful heir, is gladly accepted by the tribes, and should be permitted to succeed to the ancestral offices and administration of the tribal villages;\n\nThe Board, finding the above to be in accordance with the law, permits the said Yang Chan Ho to assume the said succession, and, in exchange for the former certificate, issues this present, which the said Yang should receive accordingly.\n\nThe above copy having been submitted in the 20th year of Tao Kwang on the 3rd day of the 11th moon, an Imperial Edict was received on the 4th: \"Let it be as proposed. Respect this!\"\n\nThe necessary certificate is accordingly issued to Yang, &c.\n\n[Note. Neither Tzu Chu nor Hpare is in the Ming Kwang or in the Ming Kwang \"Narrows (or passes), but a day's march beyond the passes. There is not the ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403888, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "page_number": 150, "title": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "content_text": "# PROOF-4/1/05\n## CANTON-KOWLOON RAILWAY\n### Loan Agreement\n\nDATED \n(the Date of Imperial Edict, \n190... \n190...)\n\nCHARLES & READ, Printers, 7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, and 3 & 4, Great Winchester Street, F.C. \nTel. No. 153 Holborn.\n\n148\n\nPage 150 \nPage 151", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403890, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "page_number": 152, "title": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "content_text": "## \n\n2 \n\nfirm of Jardine, Matheson & Co., for themselves and on behalf of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, representing as Joint Agents the Corporation, of the other part, and it was part of the objects thereof that the terms of another Preliminary Agreement signed by the same contracting parties on the 13th May, 1898, should be thereby adopted as a Preliminary Agreement for the construction and working of a Railway from Canton to British Kowloon in the Province of Kwantung, subject, however, as far as might be practicable, to the terms and conditions thereafter agreed to in the Final Contract for the Shanghai-Nanking Railway when signed and ratified.\n\nAnd whereas the said Final Contract for the Shanghai-Nanking Railway was duly signed and was ratified under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated 9th day of July, 1903.\n\nAnd whereas the terms of the said Final Contract for the construction and equipping the Railway from Shanghai to Nanking were that the Corporation was authorised to issue a sterling loan guaranteed both as to principal and interest by the Chinese Government, secured by mortgage and redeemable as therein mentioned, upon the terms and conditions therein set forth, and that the Chinese Government should provide the necessary land for the Railway as well as other facilities for the construction.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403922, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "page_number": 184, "title": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "content_text": "## ARTICLE 22\n\nIf any of the Bonds still remain unredeemed when the fifty years of the term of the Loan are about to expire, the Director General will, within two years preceding the expiry of the said term, negotiate by writing with the Corporation for an extension of the term of the Loan and if six months shall have expired after such negotiations in writing and no definite arrangements shall have been come to, the Chinese Government shall be at liberty to take steps to devise means for procuring elsewhere funds to pay off the Loan, and to redeem the Bonds and cancel the mortgage.\n\n## ARTICLE 23\n\nImmediately after the signature of this Agreement and before the issue of any Prospectus of the Loan to the public, the Director General shall memorialise the Throne and obtain an Imperial Edict confirming and ratifying the provisions of this Agreement. The Imperial Edict so received shall then be officially communicated without delay to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai Wu Pu, and the date of such Edict is to be the date of the ratification of this Agreement herein referred to. \n182 \n34 \nshall be used to pay off the said advances so as to save the cost of the aforesaid charge.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404037, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "page_number": 299, "title": "CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905", "content_text": "## 297\n\nShong Kung Pao is expected in Peking early this month, and on his arrival Sir Ernest Satow hopes he may be able to arrange for the negotiations to be carried on either here or at Canton.\n\n**JOAN AGREEMENT** Page 2, Lines 12, 13 & 14 are incorrect. Sir Ernest Satow points out that this is the case. The Shanghai Banking Loan Agreement was signed on the 9th July 1903 under authority of an Imperial Edict dated 9th June 1903. There was no ratification, nor was any necessary.\n\nWe propose therefore to alter the above para. so as to read: \"And whereas the said Final Contract for the Shanghai Banking Railway was duly signed on 9th July 1903 under authority of an Imperial Edict dated 9th day of June 1903.\"\n\n**TOAN AGREEMENT** Page 34, Article 23 will also require slight modification and we propose to strike out the second word of the para. \"AFTER\" and substitute in its place the word \"BEFORE\".\n\n**AMOUNT OF LOAN**\n\nWe note what you write in this connection in your letter No. 50 of the 3rd March addressed to Hongkong. In the summary of the Loan Agreement above referred to you will observe that we have inserted therein £2,000,000 as amount of the proposed Loan. We have however fully explained to the British Minister your views on this subject as contained in the above-mentioned letter.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404347, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 85, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "## 6.\n\n83\n\nThe Corporation is hereby authorized to reduce the price of the loan, at its own discretion, to not less than 88 per cent, net to the Railway Administration.\n\n13. The Corporation are hereby authorized to issue to subscribers to the loan bonds for the total amount of the loan in pounds sterling, in such form and for such amounts as shall appear desirable to the Corporation, and the Minister for China in London will seal all such bonds with his official seal as evidence that the Imperial Government of China is bound thereby.\n\nEach bond shall bear the following clause:\n\n* The Imperial Government of China, pursuant to an Imperial Edict, dated-\nunconditionally guarantees and\n* declares itself responsible for the payment of the principal moneys and interest hereby secured, and in faith thereof it has specially authorized the Chinese Minister\n* in London to seal this bond with his official seal.\n\nAll bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with this loan shall be exempt from Chinese taxes and imposts for ever.\n\n14.\n\nAll details necessary for the prospectus and connected with the service to the bondholders of the interest and repayment of principal of this loan, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the Corporation, who are hereby authorized to issue a prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the signing of this Agreement.\n\nThe Tsung-li-Yamen will instruct the Chinese Minister in London to co-operate with the Corporation in any matters requiring conjoint action.\n\n16.\n\nThe loan shall be issued to the public as soon as possible after the signing of this Agreement, and shall date from the first day of the month of its issue. Payment of the entire proceeds will be made in London to the order of the Administrator General not later than the 31st day of March 1899; of the above proceeds, the Corporation will advance to the order of the Administrator-General in London, on or before the 31st day of October ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404348, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 86, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "# \n17. In the event of an unfavourable state of the market rendering the issue of this loan, and the payment of its proceeds to the Railway Administration impossible on the terms named without loss to the Corporation, the Corporation shall be granted such extension of time for the performance of its contract with the Administrator-General as the circumstances demand, any advances or instalments of proceeds already made to the Railway Administration being in that case treated as regards payment of interest, repayment of principal, security, and Imperial Chinese Government guarantee in terms of this present Agreement, and as forming part of the principal amount of this loan. Similar extension of time for the issue of this loan and payment of its proceeds shall also be granted in the event of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin objecting to its issue before the month of April next, in accordance with the terms of Clause 9 of the Agreement for the Chinese Imperial Government 4 per cent Sterling Loan of 1898.\n\n18. Immediately after the signature of this Agreement, and before the issue of the prospectus of the loan to the public, the Administrator-General will memorialize the Throne and obtain an Imperial Edict confirming and sanctioning the provisions of this Agreement, the Imperial Edict so received being then communicated officially and without delay by the Tsung-li-Yamen to the British Minister in Peking.\n\n19. The Corporation may, subject to all its obligations, transfer or delegate all or any of its rights, powers, and discretions to any British Company, Directors, or Agents, in consultation with the Administrator-General, with or without power of further transfer and sub-delegation.\n\n20. This Agreement is executed in quadruplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Administrator-General, one copy by the Tsung-li-Yamen, one by the British Minister in Peking.\n\n# \nthe sum of £250,000, ; this advance will bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent per annum until such time as the first instalment of the loan proceeds shall be available, when it shall be deducted from those proceeds by the Corporation.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404444, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 182, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "## OFFICE DESPATCH\n**C.O. No.** | **HONG KONG No.** \n---------|--------- \n4817 | 4817 \n\n**(Subject.) Loan**\n\nR 10 FEB 06\n\nbe made to who objn to proposed statement in prospectus: reference. \nfact that imperial edict has been issued that \"Hong Kong Govt loan: asks rate of interest & price of issue\".\n\n## (Minutes.)\n| Name | Note |\n|------|------|\n| Sie | allated withs Chlebe |\n| Put | Salme Pr. 10p & ... |\n| | • (28) −3213)—— 2500+15 |\n\nsubsequent Paper. \nThe", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404445, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 183, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "## \n**PRINTED**\n\nFor Easter? $8\n\nColonial use\n\nShe halted 181\n\nC.O. 4817\n\nFrom former Hong Kong 10 FLB OG to the Bank on 10.27.au756.10.12.1906)\n\nRec...\n\nIn reply to your letter of yesterday.\n\nI see no objection to the proposed statement being made in the prospectus. Reference should also be made to the fact that an Imperial edict has been obtained and a loan made. It should be stated that the Hong Kong Government loan & Chinese... is not a ...\n\nWhat is the proposed rate of interest & price of issue?\n\n19812\n\nNo. 2917 \n06", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404446, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 184, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "for it `thong 4817/06` \n\n182 \n\n**DRAFT** \n\nMr. Antrobus. \nMr. Cox. \nMr. Lucas. \nMr. Graham, 10/257 \nSir M. Ommanney. \nThe Duke of Marlborough, \nMr. Lyttelton. 10206 \n\nDear Blake \n\nWe consulted the Hong Kong telegram of yesterday and have proposed to telegraph as follows (omitting however the words \"While the Provincial Authorities have lined themselves with the Chamber\") owing to strong political considerations.\n\nB & I-9-12-04 \n000-4-05 \n\n# The Imperial Edict is referred to at the beginning, & in Clause 5, of the Appendix excluded in our letter of 3 Nov (`37732`). \n\nSubject to the Duke's views on it, we appear to the combined views of...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404453, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 191, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "189\n\nsubscribing half the capital of $200,000 put into the venture.\n\nAccording to Mr. Fung, Mr. Chou retired from the business on the 31st December, 1904, by which time there had been a loss of capital of $46,343.98 each, and each partner's share in the balance was accordingly reduced to $53,656.02. For this share Mr. Fung states he paid $50,000 to Mrs. Chau on February 11th, 1905, at her husband's request and still owes the balance. There were on hand at the date of dissolution of partnership various stocks of coal, of which one at Fati consisted then of over 43,000 tons. On the 28th January, 1905, this stock, reduced to about 40,000 tons, was mortgaged by Mr. Fung to the National Bank of China, Limited, for a sum of $200,000; the mortgage being registered at the British Consulate-General in Canton on the 11th February, and the coal, in accordance with its terms, placed in the hands of Messrs. Shewan, Tomes and Company, Agents of the National Bank, which granted Mr. Fung delivery orders from time to time for various quantities against proportionate payments.\n\nOn the 4th September, Chou Tung Sheng was appointed by Imperial Edict Chinese Minister to Belgium", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404584, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 322, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "# \nThree Dollars 'D' 319 Stamp.\n\nIn China, 1, Sz A Chim, of Canton, Watchman, do solemnly and sincerely declare that:-\n\n1. I am employed by Messrs. Shewan Tomes & Co. of Canton who pay me a salary of $12 per month to look after certain coal stored near the oil tanks and godowns of Messrs. Arnhold Karberg & Co.\n\n2. I first took charge of the coal on or about the 9th of February, 1905, by order of the said firm of Shewan Tomes & Co. After I took charge no person could remove the coal without orders given by my masters Messrs. Shewan Tomes & Co. who are the only persons I know as owners of the coal. I had no trouble until the evening of the 6th of October last when an official who I was told was the Pun Yu Magistrate came with soldiers and made a proclamation that he seized the coal as being the property of Chow Wing Yu (Chow Tung Shang) which was confiscated by Government edict and two placards relating to the seizure were posted up on the matsheds over the coal and two men were left in charge of the coal. On the next morning I reported what had happened to the Compradore at Canton of Messrs. Shewan Tomes & Co. A Chinese Government guard boat is also in charge of the coal.\n\nAnd I make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835.\n\nDeclared at Victoria in Hongkong this 26th day of February, 1906, through the interpretation of Li Tax Yung of Land Office the said Li Tax Yung having been also first declared that he had truly, distinctly and audibly interpreted the contents of this document to the declarant and that he would truly and faithfully interpret the declaration about to be administered to him.\n\nBefore me,\n(Sd.) Philip Jacks, J.P. Victoria.\n\n施阿沾", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404610, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 348, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "# Enclosure No 3 to Sund Dumiplt of $/2/06\n\n## RECEIVED\n### C.O. 12360\n#### REGD 7 APR 06\n\nCanton, 30 January, 1908.\n\n**Consul-General to Viceroy**\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nI beg to refer Your Excellency to your letter of the 6th instant, in which you claim that the concession for the Canton-Kowloon Railway, as negotiated between Director-General Sheng of the Railway Administration and the Representative of Messrs Jardine Matheson & Co. and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, is merely a Draft Agreement and has not the binding effect of a regular contract. Your Excellency further claims that under the last article of the Agreement, which provides for certain possible arrangements in connection with local conditions you are free to alter the Agreement.\n\nIn reply, I beg to state that I duly communicated your letter to R. H. Minister and to the Governor of Hongkong. I am now in receipt of an answer from the Governor, requesting me to point out to Your Excellency with regard to your first claim that this Agreement was accepted by the Tsung-li Yamen and H. M. Minister at the time; that it was duly ratified by Imperial Edict; and consequently that the Viceroy of Canton cannot deny that it is a regular contract, nor ignore its terms.\n\nWith regard to Your Excellency's further claim under Article 5 of the Agreement, the Governor begs to point out that the arrangements and amendments in question refer merely to the local conditions and difficulties which may arise in the construction of the line; these were to be modified as circumstances arose. Accordingly, the Governor of Hongkong contends that Your Excellency has no justification to disregard or annul this Agreement.\n\nI avail, etc.,\n\nCard of Consul General.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404649, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 387, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "# Sir E. Satow to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received March 20, 12:30 P.M.)\n\nPeking, March 20, 1906, 12:40 P.M.\n\n## CANTON-KOWLOON Railway\n\nMy telegram No. 18 (of 7th February), and Governor of Hong Kong's telegram of 8th March to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nIn consequence of pressure here, Wai-wu Pu sent Viceroy of Canton a satisfactory telegram on the 23rd February, requiring renewal of negotiations with the British and Chinese Corporation on the basis of preliminary Agreement. Learning from His Majesty's Consul-General that the Viceroy had done nothing on this telegram, I spoke to the Wai-wu Pu on 9th March, and they promised to press Viceroy again. I instructed Consul-General on 10th March to address a note to the Viceroy, asking for immediate resumption of negotiations, and to tell him if he failed to do so I should consider advisability of recommending His Majesty's Government to instruct Consul-General to break off relations with him.\n\nOn 19th March His Majesty's Consul-General telegraphed as follows:----\n\nViceroy to-day writes that he has received an Imperial Edict to appoint delegates and negotiate. He desires Corporation to send representative to Canton. \"I have communicated this to Hong Kong.\"\n\nRepresentation suggested by the Governor of Hong Kong seems unnecessary for the moment.\n\nPage 384", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404696, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 434, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "431 \n\nBlovare \n\n4/17/3 \n\n...the above correspondence & Sir Ernest Satow, it is referred to in this despatch. It showed that the Viceroy was again trying to shift the burden of the ...from himself. I then dealt with the matter and sent your Despatch No. 9596, my Telegram of the 18th March (18) and informed Sir Ernest that I had done so -(XX). I had communicated in the meantime the Viceroy's unsatisfactory proposals confidentially to the Agent of the British and Chinese Corporation.\n\n### Chinhai 3. \nOn the 20th I received from the Consul General a copy of the letter that had been handed to him on the previous evening, in which the Viceroy stated that he had received in reply to his memorial to the Emperor an Imperial Edict directing him to appoint delegates to negotiate. He asked that I.m. Minister and myself should be informed of this & added that he would delegate ...This Wei, Wen, & Kung...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404698, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 436, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "# 433\n\n5. The purport of an Imperial Edict to the Viceroy directing him to negotiate hunting steps in advance sur... In my next despatch I shall be able to report that the negotiations actually in hand.\n\n6. I take this opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your Lordship's Secret despatch of `25537/15th February, 1906`, forwarding copies of correspondence with the Foreign Office on the subject of the Continuation agreement.\n\n7. Since the date of my last despatch your Lordship has also received from me a copy of Sir Ernest Satow's despatch of March 20 to Sir Edward Grey on the same subject. This has doubtless been communicated by the Foreign Office.\n\nI have the honour to be, \nMy Lord, \nYour Lordship's humble servant, \nM. Nathan", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404702, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 440, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "## XXI \nFrom Governor, Hong Kong \n437 \n& H.A. Minister Acting \nShanghai 7.40 p.m. \n\"8.3.06. \n\nWith reference to your telegram No. to the tonal kural. The tenor is aquis making an attempt to transfer the negotiations to Peking & sector is quite convinced that he has aronic to be friendly, su that circumstance I have telegraphed to London as I proposed tym. \nNathan.\n\n## XXI \nFrom Brussels, Hmy long \nto H.A. Minister Acting. 19th March 1906. \n\nWith reference to your telegram regarding Canton-Kowloon Railway, the sciron writes to me today that he has received an imperial Edict to appoint Delegates negotiate. He asks that you the Governor be informed that the Canton... and his representatives will meet his Delegates at Canton or Peking as decided.\n\n## XXII \nFrom Governor, Hong Kong \nto H.M. Consul, Canton. \nDespatched 3.30 p.m. \n22/4 March.06 \n\nWill you please arrange for an early meeting between the Chinese Deputies and the Corporation representatives & inform me by telegram of \nthe time and date. \nNathan", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404716, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 454, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "## Railway \n\n2. Lord Elgin was glad of the night's funished work with \n\nOn despising \n\nSatow's \n\nto copy other \n\nfrom Sir \n\ndated March \n\nwhich Fernor refers. \n\n3 \n\nthe \n\n(Signed) C. P. LUCAS, \n\nFernor. \n\n## EASTERN \n\nNo. 110. \n\n88 COLONIAL \n\nTelegram \n\n1906 \n\nrich previous Paper. \n\nFoo \n\n10286 \n\n) % % (78) \n\nHONG KONG \n\nNo. 10498 \n\n(Subject.) \n\n451 \n\nDESPATCH. \n\nC.O. \n\n10498 \n\nRE \n\nRec 26 MAR 06 \n\nCanton Kowloon Railway \n\nViceroy has received Imperial Edict & has expressed readiness to negotiate. As per subsequent Paper. \n\nCA x530 \n\nLong may continue to act. It remains \n\nInter for Corporation \n\nCan Severa I has better with publicly \n\nto our Resurik, gring \n\nhim \n\nthe substance this confidentially \n\nDr Lucas \n\nC.P.L.97 \n\nat once \n\nLetter attached \n\nSee copy attached \n\nSee the attached papers handed to \n\nIn Keswick on the 20th. \n\nThe Corporation for the strength of...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404717, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 455, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "## Governor Sir M. Nathan to the Earl of Elgin\n**Received Colonial Office 26th March, 1906**\n\nReferring to my telegram of the 18th instant, the Viceroy has received Imperial Edict and has expressed his readiness to negotiate. I have strong reasons for believing that negotiations will be expedited if they are conducted while Scott is still Consul General at Canton and that effective co-operation is much more likely between Scott and Ross than between Scott and Bland, who the Corporation now proposes should negotiate. Please press the Corporation to allow Ross to continue to act in this matter for so long at any rate as Scott remains Consul General.\n\n## Paraphrase of Telegram\nC.¿ 10498, RE: 26 MAR 06, 887, Received No.\n\nletegam from Motland) don't believe in the alleged friction: Mr. Bland demands the Conduct of the negotiations during this agreement with them: and they are anxious but de Ron back with his proper duties.\n\nBut this agent is in free communication with the Gov., and to thiswick has promise of any reply send the corres received.\n\nI think that we had better do nothing for a few days. Accept our twins ← If the Corporation won't Com the legislations Collaper stronger position hereafter if we have to invite the Corporation Wand aride. At present the Corporation won't hear of negotiating the lives of the Train Coin Marliing appeamente, affeement.\n\nBr 2073 deine sole.\n\n## Other Text\nNo. 9596. Wait C.P.Z 31 at once Les Corre. Nothing futter has the Ledbetter be sent now. Zo Mr. Glu 1910.2 \n\nAnsued & M. 10496 452 \n\n| Telegram No. | Date | Received No. |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 10498 | 26 MAR 06 | 887 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404744, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 482, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "479\n\n## No 1. E-Section Draft of 6/4/06\nParaphrase of telegraphic correspondence\n\n**C.O. 16015**\n**Rec 5 MAY 06**\n\nFrom HBM Consul General Canton \n**Deep 5-6+ per 24/3/06** \nTo Governor Hong Kong \n**4:20pm 24/3/06**\n\nThe negotiations can begin whenever the representative of the Corporation arrives in Canton.\n\nScott.\n\n## XXIV\nFrom Governor Hong Kong \nTo Secretary of State \n**10:10am 26/3/06**\n\nMy telegram of 18 March. The Viceroy has received an Imperial Edict and expresses his willingness to negotiate. I have strong reason to believe that the negotiations will be expedited if they are conducted while Mr Scott is still Consul General and that an effective co-operation is more likely between Mr Scott and Mr Mitchelson than between Mr Mitchelson and Mr Whitland, whom the Corporation now propose should negotiate. Please procure instructions to let Mr Rost continue to act in this matter for at any rate so long as Mr Scott remains at Canton.\n\nNathan\n\n## XXV\nFrom HBM Mitchell Peking \n**Deep 2 pun 29/3/06** \nTo Governor Hong Kong \n**8-9 pm 29/3/06**\n\nCanton. Kowloon Railway.\n\nThe Foreign Office informs me that the British & Chinese Corporation have instructed Bland to proceed to Hong Kong as their special representative to communicate with you before proceeding to Canton.\n\nI have repeated this telegram to Canton.\n\nSatow.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404781, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "page_number": 519, "title": "CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4]", "content_text": "#1. A legal mortgage is to be drawn up in terms of Art-3 and handed with Corporation mortgaged railway cannot be sold or remortgaged without the sanction of the Corporation.\n\n12. On default of payments the Corporation is to take into possession of land and railway. All natural bought of the Corporation is like at marked prices the Corporation is to commission.\n\n13. Chinese police soldiers will protect the Railway and the superstructure of the Railway. Telegraphs for the railway must be maintained at the expense of China. The profits of the Railway will be placed in the HS Bank until loan is repaid. Any negotiations concerning loan are to be negotiated between Viceroy and the Corporation. Materials, etc., are to enter free of customs duty, likin or other dues. After Construction, duty and likin on goods carried shall be arranged by China.\n\n14. The interest on money in banks and the profits of trading way furnished section, shall be used to pay the interest on loan. If insufficient, the interest is to be paid out of the capital of the loan. After the Railway is built, the interest and amortisation and the Bank's commission must be paid to the Bank in Hongkong forthnight before interest is due, to be remitted to London, as Exchange rates on this day of payment into Hongkong. If the money is even insufficient to pay interest and Coal, the Viceroy, and failing him, the Chinese Govt will fund other means of paying it.\n\n16. When in HS Bank does establish branch banks along the line, they will make arrangements with Chinese Banks for facilitating the movement of money.\n\n17. The successors or agents of the Corporation must be English or Chinese, no other foreign nation can succeed them.\n\n18. If the money market is upset by war or serious political troubles in China or abroad, the issues of the loan can be postponed for six months.\n\n19. In case of war or famine or trouble, troops, food, the Chinese Govt that have priority of conveyance, and this at half price. This Railway cannot be used for any \"purper\" detrimental to China.\n\n20. The capital can only be repaid after ten years from date of signing, either in lump sum or in instalments after six months' notice, after which the likes of the Corporation will Railway carry.\n\n21. The through traffic arrangement after completion of the Railway shall be settled by deputies from the Viceroy & the Governor of Hongkong in accordance with international railway regulations.\n\nAfter agreement, the Viceroy will ask for an Imperial Edict. If sanctioned, it was to be low in with the British Minister.\n\n13. The agreement will be drawn up in five English, five Chinese copies, one of each handed to the Viceroy, to the loan Corporation, to the Board of Commerce, to the British Minister, and to the Corporation. In case of dispute, the Chinese text shall rule.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 404923, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "page_number": 118, "title": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "content_text": "# Sceret \n## Endorine \n### XXIX \n\n**PRIME FOR USE** \n\n**FASTORN** \n૧૩, ૮૯ \n\n**ONIAL OFF** \n\nBon `216/2` \n\n**RESP** \ntec 18 JUN 06. \n`114` \n\n## Government House. \n19 May 1906 \n\nMy Lord, \n\n`1793` \n\nIn continuation of my Steril Dispatch of the 20 April on the subject of negotiations for the completion of a loan agreement and of joint working arrangements in connection with the proposed Canton-Kowloon Railway, I have the honour to enclose for information and record a paraphrase of further telegraphic communication with Sir E. Satow at Peking and the Consul General at Canton.\n\n2. Sir Ernest Satow's telegram of the 22 April (XXIX) was in reply to mine of April 20th (XVIII) announcing the Viceroy's intention to visit Hongkong, of which a paraphrase was forwarded in my last dispatch. On the 22nd I heard from Mr. Mansfield that the Viceroy had returned to Canton ill and was unable to make his visit to Hongkong. On the following day, his Sunday, Mr. Jamieson Townsend came to me with the Viceroy's apologies and said that His Excellency had had a recurring fit; I have no doubt this was the case and also that had the Viceroy continued to drive the conversation with myself for which he had asked, his visit would have been made in spite of the temporary indisposition.\n\n3. A few days later in conversation, the Viceroy stated that he was anxious to negotiate the joint working agreement details with this Government. I raised no objection to this, and after the conversation, I sent Sir Ernest Satow my telegram of the 28th (XXX) asking Mr. Mansfield to get the Viceroy to put on paper how far the Viceroy was committed to the draft of the joint working agreement of which they had copies. On the 3rd of May, I asked (Telegram XXXI) Mr. Mansfield whether he had any proposals to report. He replied on the following day that though he had had some conversation with an official, there seemed like a distinct unwillingness to go into any details of the working arrangements until the loan agreement was settled. On the 13th May, I asked Sir E. Satow's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking (Telegram XXXI) what progress had been made in the negotiations and was informed on the following day (Telegram XXXIII) that little progress had been made and that Mr. Bland was fully occupied with matters concerning the Shanghai Nanking Railway. I learn from Mr. Bishop that these matters were connected with the Director General of Railways' refusal to sanction the issue of the second part of the loan for that line.\n\n4. Negotiations for the Canton Kowloon Railway arrangements are thus again suspended. I am inclined to think that I made a mistake in not protesting against those for the loan agreement being transferred to Peking when I was apprised of Mr. Bland's decision (Enclosure 2 to my Secret Dispatch of April 20th) to comply with the Viceroy's request for this transfer, which relieves the Viceroy of the duty imposed on him by Imperial Edict and further complicates the negotiation by making it dependent on other matters with which this Colony is not directly concerned.\n\n5. In the present state of affairs in regard to the loan agreement, I should be glad if His Majesty's Government could see their way to being prepared to complete the negotiations without further delay.\n\nThe Right Honourable \nThe Earl of Elgin K.G. \n\nI have, &c. \nMy Lord, \nYour Lordship's most obedient \nhumble servant, \nW. Gasgoyne-Cecil \nGovernor", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405424, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "page_number": 619, "title": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "content_text": "# WEST RIVER PIKACY.\n## China Association's Strong Protest, Rousing Addresses.\n\nAn extraordinary meeting of members of the Hongkong Branch of the China Association was held on Saturday, to which the Press were invited, for the purpose of discussing the question of piracy on the West River. There was a large attendance. Mr. Murray Stewart, Chairman of the Hongkong Branch of the Association, presided. Among others present were: - Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson, Hon. Mr. E. Osborne, Messrs. D. R. Law, A. G. Wood, H. N. Mody, W. G. Humphreys, T. F. Hough, H. P. White, T. P. Cochrane, E. J. Grist, Geo. Simms, Geo. Tomlin, C. D. Wilkinson, J. Scott Harston, Capt. W. E. Clarke, M. W. Slade, T. Skinner, H. W. Looker, H. H. J. Gompertz, J. Hastings, H. E. R. Hunter, E. J. Barrett, H. Pinckney, W. Parlane, Geo. H. Medhurst, F. Smythe, G. C. Moxon, H. W. Slade, W. J. Saunders, J. W. Kew, W. Ramsay, and others.\n\n## THE CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS.\n\nMr. M. Stewart said: Gentlemen, In calling this meeting together, your committee have no other motive than an earnest desire to strengthen the hands of those whose official duty it is to assist in obtaining satisfaction for a gross violation of the British flag; to bring to justice the perpetrators of a diabolical outrage; and to insist that in future the Chinese authorities responsible for the safety of traders on the West River shall be made to fulfil their repeated promises of providing adequate protection.\n\nI am a believer in the friendly-watchdog theory of this Association. I conceive it to be no part of our business unnecessarily to worry British officials who are doing their utmost to further the interests committed to their care. As a rule, in my view, it is only incumbent on us to offer an opinion when, looking at matters from a commercial standpoint, we are impressed by aspects possibly in danger of being obscured by consideration of a different order. On the subject which we are here to discuss, it may seem to some of you inconceivable that there possibly exist any difference between official and mercantile views. It may seem to you a matter of certainty that every British official concerned, high or low, at home or abroad, from the Secretary of State in London to the Vice Consul at Canton, must see eye to eye with those who are endeavouring, mainly out of patriotic sentiment, to develop a difficult, dangerous, and so far unprofitable carrying trade between Canton and Wuchow, or between Wuchow and Hongkong. Your committee have every hope that this will prove to be the case. They hope that our authorities clearly perceive where the real responsibility rests, and they confidently anticipate the presentation of a united front and a firm attitude in fighting down the inevitable opposition of the Chinese authorities to our just demands. Nevertheless, they consider it their duty to invite discussion on a resolution which I shall presently propose, with a view to making local mercantile opinion perfectly clear. If we succeed in doing this, we shall then have done what is required of us by the objects of the Association. The first object of the Association is to represent and express the opinion of the British mercantile community. The circumstances leading up to the Sainam piracy demand such an expression of opinion.\n\nTo understand and appreciate all circumstances, it is necessary to think back over a decade. No one who came only yesterday to China can possibly understand or appreciate these circumstances unless he is gifted with a quick imagination. Without that gift, newcomers will naturally be apt to regard the Sainam incident as an isolated event. Those of us who were here when the West River was opened realise that it is nothing of the sort. We know that it is merely the natural outcome of events which have taken place since then - that it is simply the culminating point in a long series of incidents following one upon another in logical sequence. It would be tedious if I were to dwell in detail on all these incidents. Moreover, time does not permit of it. Time only permits me to indicate briefly certain broad and significant aspects of the question.\n\nBroadly treated and briefly stated, the circumstances may be summarised thus. The West River was declared open to trade in June, 1897, by Imperial Edict. At first, many difficulties were encountered - ill-conceived regulations, shifting channels, no buoys, no lights, and other similar inconveniences incidental to pioneering; but that any danger existed of piratical attacks on steamers flying the British flag was not reckoned with seriously. No one who went to Wuchow in those days ever thought of it, any more than if the voyage had been to Macao. I was an early passenger. I remember the trip as if it had been made yesterday. The idea of danger never entered my head.\n\nBut in a little time, things began to change for the worse. Chinese launches, then entering upon the trade, offered good plunder to adventurous robbers, and cases of piracy became frequent. Anyone who cares to study the records of the Chamber of Commerce and the China Association, or to consult the files of the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405486, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "page_number": 28, "title": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "content_text": "## DESPATCH\n**Governor.**\n\nNo.\n\nNathan to **Pruslet** \n1906 \n5 Aug\n\nLast previous Paper: `37359`\n\nHONG KONG \n`N33524` \n**Piracy** \n(on the)\n\nREC C.O. `33524` \n(REG 10 SEP 06.)\n\nSends copy letter from ... \nLetter from Bauton reporting on measures contemplated by there buth to prevent cases in future. \nSuppit au dreperial Edict Making Viceroy pecunierify responsible.\n\n**(Minutes.)**\n? Shrer & 70 privately. \nR/ omit P.S to letter. \nC.P.L. 11 \nArce at a \nMM priments \nW 5 L (79)-89401~25006-11-5\n\nNext subsequent Paper: `34039`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405492, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "page_number": 34, "title": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "content_text": "31 \n\nShips and junks more difficult, would only increase activity ashore without touching the root of the evil. \n\nIt would, it seems to me, be out of this question for the Customs to organise a land campaign and more foreign methods would be advantageous.\n\nMany of the so-called pirates have other occupations and only turn to piracy from time to time. The thing to do is to surround villages and get the villagers to point out the bad characters in the village. This they will do willingly enough if they think the officials are strong enough to protect them from reprisals. Having rounded up the riff-raff this way, dealing with them will then be short and sharp.\n\nWhat I am trying to show is that the Viceroy, if he is compelled to put a stop to piracy for good and all, has not done it because it would involve the expenditure of a lot of money which he has not got.\n\nThe only thing to move him, to my mind, would be an **Imperial Edict** making him pecuniarily responsible for all piracies of vessels under our flag.\n\nThe French and Americans would probably join in demanding this, and possibly the Germans.\n\nHe told me he intended to organise a proper police force and I urged that to do so he should at the outset, at all events, have foreign...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405698, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "page_number": 240, "title": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "content_text": "387281\n\nPRINTER\n\nFOR\n\nEASTERN\n\nNo.\n\n88\n\nCOLONIAL\n\nUSE\n\nOF\n\nOFFICE\n\nEnclosure 1.\n\n(Secret)\n\nMy Lord,\n\nHong Kong.\n\nC. O.\n\n38928\n\n236\n\nEd. 22 OCT 061\n\nGovernment House.\n\n11 September\n\n1906\n\nIn continuation of my referred despatch of the 6th September on the subject of negotiations for the completion of loan agreement and a joint working agreement in connection with the proposed Canton Kowloon Railway I have the honour to submit for information and record a correspondence with Mr Carnegie, at Peking, as furnishing information,\n\na paraphrase of further telegraphic correspondence.\n\n2. The date of September 6th referred to in the first of these telegrams is that of a despatch, in which Mr Carnegie had sent to me a copy of one of the previous day in which he had reported on the negotiations to Sir Edward Grey. This despatch to the Foreign Office has already been communicated by the Department to your Lordship. In transmitting his copy of it to me Mr Carnegie added as follows:- \"The points stated in your telegram of August 20th are borne in mind and will be brought forward at the proper time. They have been mentioned to Mr (Jordan) who sees difficulties with regard to the introduction of Chinese loan agreement.\"\n\n3. Article 14 of the loan agreement as drafted in London was designed to prevent, inter alia, the construction of branches of the Kuki-Kowloon line and the invention of a rival railway detrimental to the Canton Kowloon line from Shek O to Canton, which is of special importance now that the Chinese have projected a line which, for 40 miles of its length, follows the course which must be generally adopted by the Canton Kowloon line.\n\n4. I also enclose a letter from Mr Bland and a copy of the minutes of meetings referred to within. The letter shows that there is no opposition on the part of the Corporation's representative towards getting into the loan agreement, stipulations without which I am satisfied that the subsequent conclusion of a satisfactory working agreement will not be possible. For this I must rely on Mr Jordan and Mr Minister at Peking.\n\n5. The minutes show that the Corporation's representative is now disposed to accept terms from the bankers, on the whole inferior to those which were offered in Vienna in June last. Your Lordship will remember that it was decided to obtain at Peking conditions more in accordance with the Chinese Government's undertakings. Mr Bland acted on the suggestion to transfer the negotiations from Canton that had been made to him by the Viceroy who at the time had full power under an Imperial Edict to carry on the negotiations.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nMy Lord,\n\nYour Lordship's most obedient\n\nhumble servant,\n\nM. Nathan\n\nGovernor\n\nThe Rt Hon\n\nThe Earl of Elgin, K.G.\n\nPage 240\n\nPage 241", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405709, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "page_number": 251, "title": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "content_text": "5\n\nArticle 21.\n\nNot discussed.\n\nArticle 22 & 23.\n\nMR BLAND pointed out that the loan agreement would not be possible in England if the Chinese text were authoritative, nor could it be signed before the issue of the sanctioning Edict.\n\nThe Canton Viceroy's proposals having now been discussed seriatim,\n\nMR BLAND observed that if the existing difficulties as regards price and commission on materials could be met by the Chinese Government's endorsing the Canton Viceroy's fair and reasonable conditions, the conclusion of the agreement should not entail any great delay; if not, he feared the negotiations had reached a deadlock. There were certain further points to be brought forward, arising out of the Corporation's draft agreement, but he thought it would be better to allow them to stand over until an agreement were come to on the essential conditions.\n\nH.E. TANG SHAO-YI hoped that the Corporation would see its way to accepting the Chinese Government's terms, i.e. a loan at ... and commission on importations from England.\n\nThe Meeting then adjourned, it being understood that the Board's reply would be communicated when received.\n\n12", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406087, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "page_number": 62, "title": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "content_text": "58\n\nthe Railway in order that the Railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof.\n\nIt is also agreed that if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the Bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6% per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.\n\nArticle 18.\n\nThe junction of the sections of the Railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively shall be arranged and the Railway worked under conditions based on the agreements usual in regard to the junction and working of inter-state railways in other countries. The Viceroy and the Governor of Hongkong shall in due time appoint officials to consider the subject and to arrange regulations accordingly.\n\nArticle 19.\n\nThis agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai Wu Pu.\n\nArticle 20.\n\nThis agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai Wu Pu, one by the Bureau of Railways and Mines at Peking, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at ... by the contracting", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406438, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "page_number": 443, "title": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "content_text": "438\n\nCANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.\n\nMinutes of Meeting (the 5th) held at the Wai Wu Pu on Wednesday October\n\nPresent;\n\n46877\n\nSat at 8.30 p.m.\n\nH.B. T'ang Shao Yi\n\nKung Paotai and Mr. Ho representing the Viceroy of Canton.\n\nMr. ... Secretary to the Wai Wu Pu, and\n\nMr. J.G.E. Bland, representing the British & Chinese Corporation Limited.\n\nWith reference to the Minutes of last meeting, it was recorded that the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank had agreed to the option, exercisable by the Viceroy, of making payments of interests and capital to the bank, either at Canton or Hongkong.\n\nIt was also noted that the Canton Viceroy's deputies had carefully checked with Mr. Bland the English and Chinese text of the Agreement.\n\nKUNG PAOTAI stated that a telegram had since been received from the Viceroy taking exception to several clauses of the Agreement. MR. BLAND pointed out that H.E. had formally agreed to accept the result of negotiations by the Wai Wu Pu and that no finality of agreement could be obtained if the Agreement were subject to objections raised without knowledge of these negotiations.\n\nT'ANG SHAO YI observed that the Viceroy's views expressed local opinion which it was necessary to conciliate so as to prevent hostile criticism of the agreement and opposition to the Edict.\n\nThe Viceroy's objections were then discussed seriatim, and certain verbal amendments agreed to under Articles 1, 4, 6, and 15, the object of these amendments being the clearer assertion of the authority and dignity of the Chinese Government. It was stated that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406459, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "page_number": 464, "title": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "content_text": "459\n\nArticle 19.\n\nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated , which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai Wu Pu.\n\nArticle 20.\n\nThis Agreement is executed in duplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai Wu Pu, one by the Board of Commerce, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this ... day of the ... month of the ... year of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, being the ... Nineteen hundred and ... day of ...\n\nSigned by Tang Shao-yi and J.N.P. Bland, at a meeting held at the Wai Wu Pu at 5.30 p.m. on November 11th, 1908.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406857, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 153, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "99\n\nwhen constructed.\n\nbetween Peking and Shan-hai-Kuan, and on the freights and earnings of the line the bondholders of the principal and interest of the loan, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Tien-tsin, shall receive from the Railway Administration a commission of per cent. on the annual loan service, which will be included in the yearly Schedule for the same.\n\n9. The term of the loan shall be forty-five years, and, subject to the modification mentioned hereinafter, repayment of principal shall be made, so far as regards the bondholders, in forty equal annual instalments, commencing with the sixth year.\n\n10. Interest on the loan shall be charged at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum. Should it be decided hereafter to construct branch lines or extensions connecting with the lines herein named, their construction shall be undertaken by the Railway Administration, and should the funds of the Railway Administration be insufficient for that purpose, it shall apply to the Corporation for the same.\n\n10. The loan will be redeemed by annual drawings in London as provided for in the prospectus. Besides the drawings as provided for, the Administrator-General may, giving three months' notice to the Corporation, call for extra drawings to be held, for amount, Bonds so drawn to be redeemed by the Railway Administration at per cent, premium on their par value. Any such extra drawings must take place on the date of the ordinary drawing provided by the prospectus.\n\n4. The principal and interest of this loan are guaranteed by the Imperial Government of China, and in the event of default in payment of interest or repayment of principal at due date, the Corporation shall immediately notify the Imperial Government of China thereof, and the Imperial Government of China will thereupon provide the funds necessary to meet such payment in sterling in London. In the event of the Imperial Government of China being unable to provide the funds necessary to meet payment of interest or principal when called upon by the Corporation to do so in terms of this clause, the said railway lines and entire property shall thereupon be handed over to representatives deputed by the Corporation to manage, on their behalf, until principal and interest of the loan have been redeemed in full, when the managers will revert to the Railway Administration.\n\nIt is provided that should arrears of interest or principal be for a small sum, and it appear desirable to the Corporation to continue unaltered in terms of clause 9 of this Agreement until the loan is redeemed or converted otherwise than as herein provided, it shall be open to the Corporation to extend the due date of their payment for a term not exceeding three months.\n\nIn the event of such extra drawings taking place, subsequent payments of interest shall be adjusted in the yearly Schedule to be provided, but repayments of principal shall remain unaltered.\n\nThis arrangement, which differs from other contracts in that the Administrator-General retains control of the railway lines so long as the principal and interest of the loan are regularly paid, has been agreed to in consequence of the friendly relations which have long existed between the Contracting Parties.\n\n5. No further loan shall be charged upon the security named above, except through the Corporation, until this loan is redeemed. And the Tsung-li Yamén undertakes on behalf of the Imperial Government of China that the railway lines named in this Agreement shall never be alienated or parted with.\n\n6. During the currency of this loan the Chief Engineer of the railways shall be a British subject. The principal members of the railway staff shall be capable and experienced Europeans, who shall be, as at present, appointed by the Administrator-General of the Railways, and may be, in the event of their misconduct or incompetency, dismissed after consultation with the Chief Engineer.\n\nIf there are Chinese with sufficient engineering or traffic experience they may be appointed as well as Europeans.\n\nShould it be necessary to appoint a new Chief Engineer, such appointment shall be made in consultation with the Corporation,\n\nIn addition to the above, a capable and efficient European Railway Accountant shall be appointed, with full powers to organize and direct the keeping of the railway accounts, and to act with the Administrator-General and the Chief Engineer of the railway in the supervision of receipts and expenditure.\n\nThe Imperial Government of China hereby engages that this loan shall not be redeemed or converted otherwise than as herein provided.\n\n12. The price agreed upon for this loan is 90 per cent. net of the nominal principal, but should an unfavourable state of the market prevail at the time of issuing the prospectus, the Corporation is hereby authorized to reduce the price of the loan, at its own discretion, to not less than 85 per cent. net to the Railway Administration.\n\n13. The Corporation are hereby authorized to issue to subscribers to the loan bonds for the total amount of the loan in pounds sterling, in such form and for such amounts as shall appear desirable to the Corporation, and the Minister for China in London will seal all such bonds with his official seal, as evidence that the Imperial Government of China is bound thereby. Each such bond shall bear the following wording:-\n\n\"The Imperial Government of China, pursuant to an Imperial Edict, dated ... , unconditionally guarantees and declares itself responsible for the payment of the principal moneys and interest hereby secured, and in faith thereof has specially authorized the Chinese Minister in London to seal this bond with his official seal.\"\n\n14. All bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with the loan shall be exempt from Chinese taxes and imposts for ever.\n\n15. All details necessary for the prospectus and connected with the service of the loan, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the Corporation, who are hereby authorized to issue a prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the signing of this Agreement.\n\n7. The railway lines named in this Agreement being Imperial Chinese Government lines, in the event of war or famine, Chinese Government troops and grain may be transported over the lines free.\n\nThe Tsung-li Yamen will instruct the Chinese Minister in London to co-operate with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation in any matters requiring conjoint action.\n\n16. The loan shall be issued to the public as soon as possible after the signing of this Agreement, and shall date from the first day of the month of its issue. Payment of the entire proceeds will be made in London to the order of the Administrator-General not later than the 31st day of March, 1899; of the above proceeds, the Corporation will advance to the order of the Administrator-General in London, on or before the 31st day of October next, the sum of £250,000; this advance will bear interest at the rate of 5½ per cent. per annum until such time as the first instalment of loan proceeds shall be available, when it shall be deducted from those proceeds.\n\nAll expenses of working and maintaining the lines will be paid from their revenue and earnings, the remainder of which, together with the provincial funds above mentioned, shall then be charged with the service of this loan. Payments of interest and repayments of principal shall be made in equal monthly instalments, and in accordance with the amounts and dates of a yearly Schedule, which will be furnished to the Corporation by the Administrator-General.\n\nThese payments shall be made by the Administrator-General to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Tien-tsin, together with 50,000 taels annually, payable under the Revenue's arrangement approved by the Throne, by each of the Provinces of Shensi, Honan, and Anhui, for railway purposes for ten years.\n\nIn the event of an unfavourable state of the market rendering the issue of the loan, and the payment of its proceeds to the Railway Administration impossible on the terms named without loss to the Corporation, the Corporation shall be granted an extension of time for the performance of its contract with the Administrator-General, as the circumstances demand, any advances or instalments of proceeds already made to the Railway Administration being in that case treated as regards payment of interest and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of the loan.\n\n150", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406858, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 154, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "101\n\n}\n\n100\n\ninterest, repayment of principal, security, and Imperial Chinese Government guarantee. I have also looked into the construction and working and the traffic prospects generally of the railways now in operation, in order to convey viva voce to your Board official and engineering information as to the value of the property to be offered as security for this loan. Similar extension of time for the issue of this loan and payment of loan proceeds shall also be granted in the event of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Berlin, objecting to its issue before the month of April next, in accordance with the terms of clause 9 of the Agreement for the Chinese Imperial Government 4 per Cent. Sterling Loan of 1898.\n\nThe railways to be mortgaged to you for the loan are all of standard English gauge, and consist of the following sections, as shown upon the accompanying statement for your guidance :-\n\n18. Immediately after the signature of this Agreement, and before the issue of the prospectus of the loan to the public, the Administrator-General will memorialise the Throne and obtain an Imperial Edict confirming and sanctioning the provisions of this Agreement, the Imperial Edict so received being then communicated officially and without delay by the Tsung-li Yamên to the British Minister in Peking.\n\n19. The Corporation may, subject to all its obligations, transfer or delegate all or any of its rights, powers, and discretions to any British Company, Directors, Agents, in consultation with the Administrator-General, with or without power of further transfer and sub-delegation.\n\n20. This Agreement is executed in quadruplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Administrator-General, one by the Tsung-li Yamên, one by the British Minister in Peking, and one by the Corporation. Should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall be accepted as standard.\n\nSigned at Peking by the Contracting Parties this day of the eighth month of the twenty-fourth year of the Emperor Kuang-Hsü, being the day of October, 1898, Western Calendar.\n\nagram-\n\nMiles.\n\nPeking to Tien-tsin-A double track line laid with 85-lb. steel rails, and including a short spur to the west from the Peking Junction in commencement of the Hankow system\n\nTien-tsin to Tang Ku--A single track line laid with 70-lb. rails\n\nTang Ku to Shan-hai-Kuan---A single track line laid with 60-lb. rails\n\n834\n\n27\n\n146\n\nTotal length of lines to be mortgaged ..\n\n257\n\nThere is a further section of 40 miles in operation outside the Great Wall (Shan-hai-Kuan to Chung-hou-so), the earnings of which, together with those of the 8 miles of extensions proposed to be built out of the proceeds of this loan, are to be pledged as additional security.\n\nThe value of the lines to be mortgaged may be gathered from the following details:-\n\nPermanent Way.\n\nThe permanent way is substantially laid, and is maintained under a staff of British engineers and superintendents.\n\nThe country through which the lines pass is generally an alluvial plain,\n\nSTATEMENT of Loans and Advances by Foreign Banks to the Imperial Railways Administration to be redeemed in terms of this Contract.\n\nBy the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation :\n\n2nd November, 1894, to Shan-hai-Kuan Section\n\n23rd October, 1896. to Luenuchiao Section\n\n8th June, 1897, to Lucouchiao Section ..\n\n8th June, 1897, to Railway Bonds\n\n3rd December, 1897, to Peking Section..\n\nBy the Russo-Chinese Bank --\n\nOne due January 1900\n\nOne repayable by monthly instalments of 10,000 taels,\n\ncommencing 1898\n\nBy the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank :-\n\nOne due spring 1899, 90,000,\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 105.\n\nHongp'ing taels 200,000\n\n400,000\n\nKuping taels\n\n300,000\n\n140,000\n\n200,000\n\nHongp'ing taels 200,000\n\n400,000\n\nHongp'ing taels 700,000\n\nOfficial Statement, describing the Imperial Railways of North China, and in general their Resources and Value as a security for the Loan negotiated by the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited).\n\nGentlemen,\n\nIMPERIAL RAILWAYS OF NORTH CHINA.\n\nBridges.\n\nThe double track bridges from Peking to Tien-tsin make an aggregate length of 40 feet, and consist of steel girders resting on masonry or concrete piers and abutments sunk by compressed air to a proper foundation.\n\nThe single track bridges aggregate 17,147 feet of similar construction, with the exception of 800 feet of steel girders on timber piers, and this is about being brought to substantial conformity with the remainder of the line.\n\nThe largest viaduct is that over the deep gorge of the Lan Ho, and is 2,200 feet long.\n\nStation, Shops, &c.\n\nThere is a fine station building almost completed at the Peking terminus, and an elaborately designed station yard capable of accommodating a large passenger and goods traffic. From the terminus to Peking city a heavy rail tramway has been laid, and is being equipped for electrical working.\n\nAt Fengtai, 5 miles south of the terminus, is the junction with the Hankow system, which is destined in the process of railway development to become a very important centre, and is a fixed point on this western route owing to its proximity to a heavy viaduct across the Hun Ho at La Kia Chiao city, from whence the line runs as far as Pao Ting Fu is being constructed departmentally. At this junction extensive provision has been made for handling heavy traffic, and sheds, stores, shops, &c., have been erected of a substantial and commodious character.\n\nThe other stations, station accommodation, water supply, turn-tables, shops, goods, stores, &c., are generally in keeping with the character of the line and suited to the requirements of traffic and of efficient working.\n\nIn pursuance of instructions from the Imperial Chinese Railway Administration through their Engineer-in-chief, Mr. C. W. Kinder, I have made preliminary investigations for the proposed extension railways in Southern Manchuria.\n\nThe sidings on the line to be mortgaged make an additional aggregate length of miles.\n\n[1130]\n\n2 D\n\n151", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406876, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 172, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "169\n\nwas a non-binding document, which although authorised by the Tsung-li-Yamen, had not formally received the Emperor's sanction, and moreover Clause 5 of this agreement seemed specially to provide for a state of affairs such as now existed.\n\nMr. Ross, replying to the foregoing remarks, told the Deputies that if they would refer to their archives, date he believed about the end of the year 1898, they would discover correspondence which passed between Sheng Kungpao and the then Viceroy of Canton, on the subject of this railway. In the letters referred to (copies of which Mr. Ross had read) Sheng explained the instructions he had received from the Throne, quoting these in full with the Imperial rescript. Under such circumstances it was therefore quite incorrect to state that the matter had not received the Emperor's sanction. (Mr. Tebbitt here stated that the date of the Imperial Edict in question was about October 1896).\n\nThe Deputies professed surprise to learn of the existence of this correspondence, and said they would examine the Viceroy's records about the date mentioned.\n\nMr. Ross said, with reference to clause 5 of the Preliminary Agreement, he had personally drafted this clause in 1899 at Shanghai; the local difficulties then apprehended were interference with survey parties, fengshui prejudices, and trouble over the removal of graves &c., for all of which Sheng said the Viceroy of Canton would, if necessary, make arrangements. His Excellency however, was apparently disinclined to make arrangements to meet local difficulties, and in whatever sense this clause might be read, such an attitude could neither be regarded as the spirit nor the letter of the clause in question.\n\nMr. Wen continuing his remarks, said that while they did not intend that the cancellation of the Agreement should entail any monetary compensation as was exacted by the American Company over the Yüan Han line the Viceroy understood that the Corporation had been put to some expense over a survey of the proposed route of the line, and His Excellency was willing to refund such outlay, but as...\n\nexistence", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406914, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 210, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "E\n\n207\n\ninforming them of the terms of the telegram addressed\n\nto the Viceroy by the Wai-wu-pu and of the substance\n\n9596\n\nof the Edict.\n\nThe telegram of March 18th from the Governor of\n\nHongkong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies,\n\nto which Sir E. Satow refers will no doubt be com-\n\nmunicated to this Department in due course.\n\nI am,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient,\n\nhumble Servant,\n\nFlampbell\n\nthe 9576.\n\nPage 210\n\nPage 211", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406915, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 211, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[The]\n\nho.\n\nC.0.\n\n10128\n\nRece\n\n(REC 23 MAR 06)\n\n203\n\n(No. 53.)\n\nSir E. Satow to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 20, 12:30 P.M.)\n\nCANTON-KOWLOON Railway.\n\nPeking, March 20, 1906, 12:40 P.M.\n\nMy telegram No. 18 [of 7th February], and Governor of Hong Kong's telegram of 18th March to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nIn consequence of pressure here, Wai-wu Pu sent Viceroy of Canton a satisfactory telegram on the 23rd February, requiring renewal of negotiations with the British and Chinese Corporation on the basis of preliminary Agreement. Learning from His Majesty's Consul-General that the Viceroy had done nothing on this telegram, I spoke to the Wai-wu Pu on 9th March, and they promised to press Viceroy again. I instructed Consul-General on 10th March to address a note to the Viceroy, asking for immediate resumption of negotiations, and to tell him if he failed to do so I should consider advisability of recommending His Majesty's Government to instruct Consul-General to break off relations with him.\n\nOn 19th March His Majesty's Consul-General telegraphed as follows:- \"Viceroy to-day writes that he has received an Imperial Edict to appoint Delegates and negotiate. He desires Corporation to send representative to Canton.\n\nI have communicated this to Hong Kong.\"\n\nRepresentation suggested by the Governor of Hong Kong seems unnecessary for the moment.\n\n103-520\n\n2\n\nPage 203\n\nPage 204\n\n \nbecomes \nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[The]\n\nho.\n\nC.0.\n\n10128\n\n(REC23MAR06)\n\n203\n\n(No.53.)\n\nSir E. Satow to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 20, 12:30 P.M.)\n\nCANTON-KOWLOON Railway.\n\nPeking, March 20, 1906, 12:40 P.M.\n\nMy telegram No.18 [of 7th February], and Governor of Hong Kong's telegram of 18th March to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nIn consequence of pressure here, Wai-wu Pu sent Viceroy of Canton a satisfactory telegram on the 23rd February, requiring renewal of negotiations with the British and Chinese Corporation on the basis of preliminary Agreement. Learning from His Majesty's Consul-General that the Viceroy had done nothing on this telegram, I spoke to the Wai-wu Pu on 9th March, and they promised to press Viceroy again. I instructed Consul-General on 10th March to address a note to the Viceroy, asking for immediate resumption of negotiations, and to tell him if he failed to do so I should consider advisability of recommending His Majesty's Government to instruct Consul-General to break off relations with him.\n\nOn 19th March His Majesty's Consul-General telegraphed as follows:- \"Viceroy to-day writes that he has received an Imperial Edict to appoint Delegates and negotiate. He desires Corporation to send representative to Canton.\n\nI have communicated this to Hong Kong.\" Representation suggested by the Governor of Hong Kong seems unnecessary for the moment.\n\n103-520\n\n2\n\nPage 203\n\n \n\n \n\nPage 204", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406971, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 267, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "Enclosure No 2 in his 6. Satow's No93 of March 3, 1906.\n\n92\n\nCanton Kowloon Railway: Further Correspondence with Viceroy.\n\n4 Enclosures.\n\nConsul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow.\n\n263\n\nNo.Consulate General\n\nCANTON, 3 January, 1906,\n\nSir,\n\n13491\n\nAPR 21 1909\n\n16085\n\nThe 5 MAY 06 I beg to enclose copies of further correspondence with the Viceroy regarding the Canton-Kowloon Railway.\n\nI duly communicated to him the substance of your telegram No. 37 of the 25th December last, complaining of the Viceroy's hostile attitude, and urging him to check and not to encourage political movements.\n\nIn reply, the Viceroy contented himself with a denial of his anti-foreign attitude.\n\nOn the 30th instant, I again addressed a note to the Viceroy at the instance of His Excellency, the Governor of Hongkong, refuting the Viceroy's arguments, firstly, that the Agreement was merely a preliminary draft, and not a regularly constituted contract; and secondly, that he was free to annul the Agreement under the last Clause which provides for certain necessary arrangements (or amendments) to meet local difficulties.\n\nI pointed out that the agreement in question had been duly accepted by the Tsung-li Yamen, and had also received Imperial Sanction by Edict. I informed the Viceroy that under these circumstances his contentions could not be admitted.\n\nSir E. Satow, G. C. M. G.,\n\netc. etc. etc.\n\nH.M. Minister Plenipotentiary,\n\nPEKIN G.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406978, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 274, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "Insulation.\n\n270\n\nConsul-General to Viceroy.\n\nCANTON, 30 January, 1906.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nI beg to refer Your Excellency to your letter of the 8th instant, in which you claim that the concession for the Canton-Kowloon Railway, as negotiated between Director-General Sheng of the Railway Administration and the Representative of Jardine Matheson & Co. and the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, is merely a draft Agreement and has not the binding effect of a regular contract. Your Excellency further claims that under the last Article of the Agreement, which provides for certain possible arrangements in connection with local conditions, you are free to alter the Agreement.\n\nIn reply, I beg to state that I duly communicated your letter to H. M. Minister and to the Governor of Hong Kong. I am now in receipt of an answer from the Governor, requesting me to point out to Your Excellency with regard to your first claim, that this Agreement was accepted by the Tsung-li Yamen and H. B. Minister at the time; that it was duly ratified by Imperial Edict; and consequently that the Viceroy of Canton cannot deny that it is a regular contract, nor ignore its terms.\n\nWith regard to Your Excellency's further claim under Article 5 of the Agreement, the Governor begs to point out, that the arrangements and amendments in question refer merely to the local conditions and difficulties which may arise\n\n20", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407107, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 403, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "Mr. Scott to Sir A. Satow.\n\nH.. Consulate-General, Canton,\n\nMarch 29, 1906. Received April 4, 1906.\n\nI beg to report that the Viceroy sent his Secretary to me on the 18th instant, ostensibly to convey his thanks for the friendly action of the Governor of Hong-kong, in suppressing a violent article which had recently appeared in the native Press of that Colony.\n\nThe Governor of Hongkong had compelled the Editor to retract the statement, and publish an apology in the paper. I assured the Viceroy through his Secretary that the Hong-kong Government would never allow the Colony to become a basis for scurrilous attacks on his administration.\n\nThe real purport of the Secretary's visit, however, was to induce me to recommend that negotiations in connection with the Canton-Kowloon Railway be resumed in Peking with Tang Shao-Yi. I declined to do so; and the Viceroy's Secretary then informed me that an Imperial Edict had been received by the Viceroy directing him to resume negotiations in Canton, and that I should receive on the following day a letter from the Viceroy to that effect.\n\nThe Viceroy was anxious that I should communicate this to you at once; and I undertook to do so immediately on receipt of H.E.'s letter.\n\nThis I absolutely...\n\nPage 396\n\n(JUN 2 1906)\n\n3064\n\nNo. 21.\n\n \nSatow's No. 170 of April 10th, 1906.\n\n18902", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407125, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 421, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "414\n\nrevoĺ a donker\n\nout a to wober\n\nJ\n\nI.\n\n*\n\ni jant R$ to sell Jati en but xhe-\n\n、eneidia NINE » at mon el\n\nj\n\n\"share capital subscribed by Chow Jung Ya♦. He entrusted\n\n\"it to Peng Wa Chun (otherwise named Feng Hui Hsiang)\n\n\"to act as manager for him. According to the evidence\n\nof Pang Chi Wu, accountant to Chow, the latter had Taels\n\n\"100,000 worth of shares in the coalyard, which he subsequently increased by a further Taels 50,000; while\n\n\"Peng Ya Chun carried on most of his ordinary business\n\n\"with capital derived from Chou.\n\n\"Chou having embezzled over Taels 2,000,000 of\n\n\"public money when he was clerk of the Hoppo's Treasury,\n\n\"an Edict was issued commanding him he should be cashiered\n\n\"and arrested, and that his estate should be confiscated.\n\nThis coal-yard was accordingly taken as a set-off\n\n\"against his liabilities, but the British Consul suddenly\n\n\"intervened, stating that the coal stored at this yard\n\nhad been used by Peng Wa-Chun as a set-off against a\n\ndebt of $80,000 which was subsequently altered to \"$200,000. It was stated that part of this sum had been\n\n\"repaid but that $160,000 still remained outstanding.\n\n\"Two figures were thus given on separate occasions as\n\n\"representing the amount of money for which the coal\n\n\"was alleged to be pledged. Moreover the coal in that\n\n\"yard was the property of Chou, so Peng could not under\n\nany circumstances pledge Chou's goods to the Bank. Even\n\nsupposing that such a transaction really took place,\n\n\"Peng was either guilty of fraudulently mortgaging the\n\n\"property of another, or of conspiring with Chou with\n\n\"the object of preventing its confiscation. If it is the\n\ncase that Peng did in fact obtain a loan from the bank,\n\n\"then the Bank should proceed against him for the\n\n\"recovery of the debt, but the property of Chou, already\n\n\"confiscated cannot be taken as a set-off. I have the honour", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407141, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 437, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "430\n\ninstant in the following terms:-\n\n\"I have informed Tang Shao Yi, the British Legation unless the Chinese Government formally will recognize Soochow Ningpo Railway Agreement binding upon, we must insist upon keep strictly to Shanghai Hanking Railway terms for Canton Kowloon Railway. Do you approve?\"\n\nYou were so good as to permit our Director, Mr. Addis, to submit to you yesterday the draft of the reply the Board proposed should be made to Mr. Bland and this reply, with the modification suggested by you, was then despatched in the following terms:-\n\n\"Referring to your telegram of the 12th, you, on the spot in a better position judge but our opinion is it would be better not press your ultimatum for the present but keep separate Canton Kowloon Railway, Soochow Ningpo Railway, negotiations, this course according to views of Foreign Office who consider delay will not prejudice our position Soochow Ningpo Railway. Protest against Edict has already been recorded by British Legation\".\n\nWe are, &c.\n\n*, &c.,\n\nTHE BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED.\n\n(Signed)\n\nW. Keswick,\n\nChairman.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407352, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 648, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "639\n\n2\n\nHis Majesty's Government had treated the whole of this incident, and repeated what they had previously assured Sir E. Satow, that the murder of the Kinghams caused the people and Government of Kiangsi and the Chinese Government the most unfeigned regret. It was an outrage of which they were all heartily ashamed, and the sorrow of it was heightened by the fact that the Kinghams were people whose unobtrusive good works had attracted the regard and affection of all their neighbours in Nanchang.\n\nI inclose, for your information, copy of the French version of the Agreement above referred to as signed on the 20th June, and also copy of the proclamation provided for in Article 5 of that Agreement. I should explain that the Agreement does not mention the punishments or rewards indicated in terms 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of my telegram No. 126 of the 20th June, which was dealt with in separate despatches addressed by the Wai-wu Pu to the French Minister. I have not thought it necessary to trouble you with copies of these documents, as their contents are all embodied in the notes to and from Prince Ching, copies of which I am sending herewith.\n\nI further inclose copy of the despatch which I am addressing to Mr. Werner requesting him to keep a close watch on the fulfilment of the terms of punishment and reward, and instructing him to follow the advice of Sir H. de Sausmarez in the disposal of the sum of 4,700, which should be paid over to him before the 30th September.\n\n(Translation.) Sir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nLANCELOT D. CARNEGIE.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nPrince Ching to Sir E. Satow.\n\nPeking, 32nd year, 4th month, 7th day (April 30, 1906).\n\nON the 15th April an Imperial Decree was issued in the following terms:- \"The Board of Foreign Affairs having memorialized the Throne to appoint Liang Tun-yen, Customs Taotai at Tien-tsin in Chihli, to proceed to Nanchang in Kiangsi, and inquire into the true circumstances of the missionary case at that place; and whereas we received this officer yesterday in audience, and carefully interrogated him on the facts of this case; and whereas his reports presented many features at variance with the circumstances reported in the telegrams of Hu Ting-kan and his associates; and whereas also the telegraphic reports of Hu Ting-kan and his associates were in themselves contradictory, and are proved beyond doubt to be of a vacillating and misleading nature: it is hereby commanded that the Governor of Kiangsi, Hu Ting-kan, shall be removed from office as a preliminary step.\n\n\"We have already decreed that the conduct of the Provincial Treasurer Chou Hao shall be inquired into. The Provincial Judge Yu Chao-k'ang, who, in this case of the highest importance, failed to carry out immediately his judicial investigation, shall be handed over to the Board (of Civil Office) for the determination of a penalty, as a preliminary step.\n\n\"Let the Board of Foreign Affairs still continue to carefully co-operate in the settlement of this case.\"\n\nOn the 22nd April the Report of the Board of Civil Office was laid before the Throne, recommending that the Provincial Judge of Kiangsi, Yu Chao-k'ang, should be degraded two steps and transferred for employment elsewhere, as a punishment for his dereliction of public duties, and they asked whether he should be allowed the privilege of commutation.\n\nUpon this Memorial an Edict was issued in the following words :-\n\n\"The privilege of commutation shall not be allowed.\"\n\nI accordingly have the honour to bring these Imperial commands to your Excellency's knowledge.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n3\n\nTranslator's Note. \"The privilege of commutation\" refers to the practice whereby an official, when degraded so many steps in rank, is sometimes allowed to make use of a corresponding number of steps in rank received as a reward for past meritorious service, as a set-off against the steps lost by a sentence of degradation.\n\nIn this case such a procedure is not allowed, and, therefore, the degradation is effective.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Carnegie to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nPeking, June 27, 1906. ON the 30th April Sir Ernest Satow had the honour to receive a note from your Highness on the Nanchang case, in which was communicated the text of an Imperial Decree of the 15th April removing the Governor of Kiangsi, Hu Ting-kan, from office, ordering an inquiry into the conduct of the Provincial Treasurer, Chou Hao, and handing the Provincial Judge, Yü Chao-k'ang, over to the Board of Civil Office for the determination of a penalty. Your Highness further said that on the 22nd April a Memorial of the Board of Civil Office was laid before the Throne recommending that the Provincial Judge, Yu Chao-k'ang, should be degraded two steps and transferred for employment elsewhere as a punishment for his dereliction of public duties, and asking whether he should be allowed the privilege of commutation; and you added that upon this Memorial a Decree was issued disallowing the privilege of commutation.\n\nIn an interview at the Wai-wu Pu on the 19th June, I was informed by the Grand Secretary, Na-t'ung, and their Excellencies T'ung Shao-yi and Lien-fang that an Agreement had been concluded with his Excellency the French Minister in this matter, and that the following punishments were to be inflicted on the principal criminals and on the officials whose conduct was blameworthy :\n\n \n Name\n Punishment\n \n \n Liu Kou-tzu\n Decapitation,\n \n \n Wa Hung Yen-ching\n Imprisonment for life.\n \n \n Chou Chih-hsin\n Ten years' imprisonment.\n \n \n Jên Ting-fa\n Five years' imprisonment.\n \n \n Wu Chin-sheng\n Three years' imprisonment.\n \n \n Yang Ta-sheng\n Two years' hard labour.\n \n \n Lo Chung-ch'iu\n One year's hard labour,\n \n \n Wu Lao-wu\n Six months' imprisonment.\n \n \n Chou Chêng-ta\n To be punished in accordance with the law as soon as captured.\n \n \n Lu Kao-ts'ai\n \n \n \n Yang Ch'i-t'ang\n \n \n \n Wei Ta-shui\n \n \n \n Tai Hu-shui\n \n \n \n Hu Chang-sheng..\n \n \n \n Chang Tsai-kaan..\n \n \n \n Hsieh Hsi-lieu\n \n \n \n Tu I-chou\n \n \n \n Hu Ch'ung-yuan\n \n \n \n Hsieh Yuan-chou..\n \n \n \n Chou Tê-shêng\n \n \n \n Peng Ping-sheng.\n \n \n \n Wiz Yu-peng\n \n \n \n Liu Tong-liu-izi ..\n \n \n \n Ha Ming-ying\n \n \n \n Lo Shêng-tzu\n \n \n \n Li Lao-sun\n \n \n \n Hsiung Ho-tzů\n \n \n \n Kuo Mao-t'ou\n \n \n \n Wan Yel-lin\n \n \n \n Hu Ting-hsüeh\n \n \n \n Ma Tzu..\n \n \n \n Erh Tao-pao\n \n \n \n Chu Yung-yuan", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407387, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 683, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "Hongkong in which the suggestion was made that the control of the waterways should be placed under the Imperial Maritime Customs. I understand that the Provincial Authorities are exceedingly jealous of the Customs Administration, and a suggestion of this kind made at Peking might therefore tend to make them more active in their endeavours to suppress piracy.\n\nFurthermore His Majesty's Consul General at Canton in a private letter to Sir M. Nathan has suggested that the interest of the Viceroy in the matter would be quickened if he were made pecuniarily responsible for all piracies of vessels under a foreign flag. For this purpose an Imperial Edict would no doubt be necessary.\n\nI request, therefore, that you will consider the advisability, when addressing the Chinese Government on the inefficiency of the measures taken to suppress piracy on the Canton waterways, of pressing for the issue of an Imperial Edict making the Canton Viceroy pecuniarily responsible for piracies of vessels under a foreign flag.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407460, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 756, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[31686]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[September 19.]\n\nSECTION\n\nC O\n\n740\n\n38281\n\nREC\n\nH\n\nSir,\n\nManchester Chamber of Commerce to Sir Edward Grey.—(September 19.) R 17 00 06\n\nManchester, September 18, 1906.\n\nTHE Board of Directors of this Chamber have followed with anxious interest the course of events since the promulgation of the Chinese Imperial Edict of the 9th May, which virtually displaced Sir Robert Hart from the position he has so admirably filled for forty-three years as Controller of the Chinese Customs. The Directors cannot but regard this innovation as a measure calculated to very seriously affect British prestige in China, and to materially diminish the security and confidence of all foreign traders in that country.\n\nThe Board fully indorse the views expressed by the China Association in their covering letter of the 30th August to the Foreign Office, and to their accompanying Memorandum. In the opinion of the Board, the reply to that communication from the Foreign Office, dated the 7th September, does not adequately meet the grave circumstances. Nothing short of an abrogation of the Edict would do so. The granting of permission to Sir Robert Hart to circulate, as a subordinate under the control of two Chinese Commissioners, \"their instructions to continue the administration of the Customs as before,\" sufficiently marks the derogation of his position, and is inconsistent with the undertakings given by the Chinese Government in 1896 and 1898.\n\nIt is the earnest hope of the Board that His Majesty's Government will endeavour to secure the co-operation of other European Powers, and of the Governments of the United States and Japan, in pressing upon the Chinese Government that the preservation of China's honourable relations with foreign Powers and the future development of her commerce alike demand the revocation of the Edict of the 9th May, and the restoration of the status quo ante in the control of the Customs.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) WALTER SPEAKMAN,\n\nSecretary.\n\n[2146 t-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407461, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 757, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[31462]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n747\n\n[September 21.]\n\nSECTION 1\n\nC\n\n38281\n\nRECEIVED 17 OCT 06\n\n(No. 331.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, September 21, 1906.\n\nIN connection with the Sinam piracy case, I have had under my consideration the question of the representations which should be made to the Chinese Government for the purpose of insuring the safety of navigation in the Canton River and Delta.\n\nPiracies in these waters appear to be the work of banditti who live on land, often at a considerable distance from the waterways, and whose depredations by land are as frequent as by water.\n\nThe work of clearing the Delta of these banditti must, if ever achieved, be long and difficult. Meanwhile it is of importance that some means should be devised without delay for protecting British shipping from their piratical attacks.\n\nIn my despatch No. 315 of the 13th instant I transmitted to you copy of a letter from the Colonial Office forwarding a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong in which the suggestion was made that the police control of the waterways should be placed under the Imperial Maritime Customs. I understand that the provincial authorities are exceedingly jealous of the Customs Administration, and a suggestion of this kind made at Peking might therefore tend to make them more active in their endeavour to suppress piracy.\n\nFurthermore, His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, in a private letter to Sir M. Nathan, has suggested that the interest of the Viceroy in the matter would be quickened if he were made pecuniarily responsible for all piracies of vessels under a foreign flag. For this purpose an Imperial Edict would no doubt be necessary.\n\nI request, therefore, that you will consider the advisability when addressing the Chinese Government on the inefficiency of the measures taken to suppress piracy on the Canton waterways, of pressing for the issue of an Imperial Edict making the Canton Viceroy pecuniarily responsible for piracies of vessels under a foreign flag, and at the same time suggesting that an effective mode of dealing with the matter would be to intrust the policing of these waterways to the Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nI am, &c. (Signed) EDWARD GREY.\n\n[2146-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407466, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 762, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "2\n\nof the Shui-wu Ch'u which need cause the slightest apprehension.\" I said that there were rumours of difficulties which had arisen in connection with the construction of a custom-house at Amoy, and alterations in the system of publishing customs statistics. His Excellency replied that he knew nothing of the former, but, as regarded the latter, the Board had instructed the Inspector-General to submit statistical and similar reports to them prior to their publication. It was only reasonable that the Board should wish to see what they contained before they were given to the public.\n\nMr. Tang then gave me at considerable length his views on the changes which he wished to introduce in regard to financial reports. Hitherto these had been rendered by the Customs Taotais quarterly; now monthly ones would be required. Some of the Taotais were seven quarters in arrears with their reports, which caused much confusion; for though the Board of Revenue knew the sum total which had to be eventually accounted for, they were in ignorance as to the exact amounts in the hands of various officials. He hoped that by insisting on this new scheme the Board would be in possession of some 15,000,000 taels (some £2,500,000) in a few months, which would otherwise have been lying idle as far as the Government were concerned. Then the Inspector-General would have to furnish a statement respecting the annual expenditure on the Customs Service. He had hitherto received a lump sum every year, for which he rendered no accounts. On my expressing my surprise at this system, Mr. Tang assured me that what he said was true, and added that he had not the remotest idea of the amount of Sir R. Hart's salary. The Customs statistics, he went on to say, were not full enough. For instance, it would be advantageous to have returns showing the country of origin of goods imported, the nationality of the persons handling them, and the flag of the ship they were carried in.\n\nHis Excellency finally begged me to believe his word that no changes beyond those on the lines which he had indicated, and which were for the obvious improvement of the Customs Service, were contemplated. As my visit had been somewhat protracted, I then took leave of his Excellency, as there was evidently little to be gained by further discussion at the time of the question on which I had come to see him.\n\nIn the course of the same day I received your telegram No. 140 of the 2nd August, and as Mr. Campbell was to see Mr. Tang in the evening on other business, I asked him to revert to my conversation of the morning, and to endeavour to obtain some more satisfactory statement.\n\nAfter traversing much the same ground as I had, Mr. Campbell ultimately prevailed on his Excellency to promise that he would verbally instruct Sir R. Hart to issue the Circular in the sense I had requested. He declined to write to Sir Robert on the subject, though pressed to do so. I had the honour to report the above in my telegram No. 149 of the 5th instant.\n\nI requested His Majesty's Consular Representatives at Shanghai and Amoy to ascertain confidentially if any instructions had been received by the Commissioners of Customs at those ports in regard to the two matters which I had mentioned to Mr. Tang. The reply from Sir P. Warren bore out what his Excellency had told me respecting the publication of statistics, while Mr. O'Brien-Butler's report failed to show that there had been any departure from established precedents.\n\nMr. Gardner, acting agent of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank here, gave me confidentially copy of a letter written to him by Sir Robert Hart, which I have the honour to inclose. It will be seen that the Inspector-General is not sanguine as to the future. He briefly reviews the various aspects of the present situation, and puts the question whether the Inspectorate is to become the trustee of the bondholders, and the protected representative of the will of the Treaty Powers, or to remain a purely Chinese office.\n\nLooking at the matter from his own standpoint, and taking into account the welfare of his service, he appears to come to the conclusion that the less the Legations interfere the more likely is the service to enjoy a peaceful though subordinate existence under the Shui-wu Ch'u. Mr. Gardner also left with me copy of an extract from a letter from Sir R. Hart to Sir R. Bredon, inclosed herewith, summing up in a few words the views of the former on the attitude which the Inspectorate should adopt under existing circumstances.\n\nAs I had the honour of stating in my telegram No. 147, I am in communication with Sir R. Hart, whose opinion I asked respecting the new instructions and the general position of affairs. I beg to inclose copy of his reply, in which he sets forth the various arguments which may be urged for or against the right of the Chinese Government to place the Customs under the new Revenue Council, which, as he himself admits, has not yet taken any steps which can be considered contrary to the engagement contained in the Loan Agreements.\n\n3\n\nI also informed Sir R. Hart of the statement made to me by Mr. Tang that he was at perfect liberty to issue a Circular containing the verbal assurances given him by the Administrators-General, if he considered such a course advisable. I inclose copy of a letter I have just received, in which Sir Robert explains why he has deferred taking any action so far, and indicates that he will find an opportunity to issue the Circular and to put its issue on record in despatches to the Shui-wu Ch'u and the Wai-wu Pu on his return to Peking. He also gives his views on the possible position of the Inspectorate-General in the future.\n\nIn acknowledging the receipt of these letters, I shall acquaint Sir Robert of the promise given by Mr. Tang to Mr. Campbell in regard to the issue of the Circular.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nLANCELOT D. CARNEGIE,\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nDraft Instructions to the Inspectorate-General of Customs, Sir Robert Hart.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nWITH reference to the Imperial Decree commanding us to administer revenue affairs, we have already communicated to you the date on which these duties would be entered upon,\n\nHitherto all Customs affairs have been under the control of the Wai-wu Pu and Hu Pu (Board of Revenue). In obedience to the Imperial Decree, we have established the Shui-wu Ch'u (Revenue Council) for the special management of these affairs, and it will enter upon the administration thereof on the 22nd July. Thereafter all Customs affairs which in any way concern revenue business—over and above such as involve international relations, which shall continue to be transacted by the Wai-wu Pu, and the appropriation of revenue, which shall follow the directions of the Board of Revenue—shall be reported directly to this Council, to be considered and dealt with by it.\n\nWe have therefore to instruct the Inspector-General of Customs to act accordingly.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Mr. H. G. Gardner.\n\nDear Mr. Gardner,\n\nAS being the bankers who issued the guaranteed loans, your people are, of course,\n\nPeitaiho, July 29, 1906.\n\ninterested in whatever touches the Inspectorate of Customs, especially as your Agreement contains a clause, approved of by Imperial Edict, stipulating that during the currency of the loans the constitution of the Customs shall not be changed; it is therefore natural for you to discuss the substitution of the new office of Shui-wu Ch'u for the old one, the Wai-wu Pu, to control Customs business and staff.\n\nIt is a many-sided question, and different people occupying different standpoints will take different views and arrive at different conclusions. Thus the banks will ask: \"Does the change damage loan security?\" The trading public will ask: \"Does it change the transaction of Customs business?\" Legations will ask how it affects their political interests; and the Inspectorate will be curious as to its effect on the standing, permanency, and efficiency of the service; and on all these points different people will differ in opinion.\n\nAs for loan security, an Edict only (P) pledges the Empire. As for current work, Chinese procedure and European differ. As for political interests, the Inspectorate has never been the agent, much less a tool, of any Legation; but its disappearance would be felt by all; it has been a convenience, and perhaps it has sometimes been felt to be an obstacle, although whatever it has done has been in general interests, and \"the most-favoured-nation\" clause has made favouritism and differential treatment impossible. As to the effect of the recent Edict on the Inspectorate, it will, of course, affect it in every way, lowering standing, limiting existence, and perhaps impairing efficiency by delaying work. But the real question we of the Inspectorate have to face is this: \"Are we to...\n\n[2146 aa-2\n\n21\n\nB 2\n\n752", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407467, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 763, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "753\n\n4\n\nremain a purely Chinese office, or are we to become the bondholders' trustee and the protected representative of the will of the Treaty Powers or Legations?\" If we are to be the last, we at once antagonize China, and can only exist with foreign support. Can we rely on such foreign support as will be united, thorough, and effective both now and for all time? I doubt it! If we are to be a Chinese office, we will live a longer and pleasanter life if left to ourselves, for the more subordinate we are and the less the Legations interfere on our behalf, the more likely will the Shui-wu Ch'u be to allow a modus vivendi. As I told you yesterday, I have never asked for advice or for support; and now, in the face of this Edict difficulty, while I recognize all the gravity of the possibilities of the situation, I can only say this: the creation of the Shui-wu Ch'u means the absorption and disappearance of the Inspectorate sooner or later; but, seeing that my age tells me my Chinese career is ending and the future is no longer for my manipulation and management, it is best to leave it to others to determine whether the last years of the Inspectorate are to be in harmony with, or opposed to and by, the Chinese Government. The Inspectorate must now be one thing or the other, a native or a foreign institution. Can the united action of the Legations be relied on to maintain it on a foreign footing, or the good-will of the Chinese be looked for to support it as a native Department, and which of the two positions would be best for the Inspectorate, for Treaty Powers, and for China? If I had to decide for myself as Inspector-General, and were thirty years younger with thirty years' more work ahead, I should still prefer, in the future as in the past, to \"paddle my own canoe.\"\n\nSincerely yours,\n\n(Signed)\n\n(Extract.)\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Sir R. Bredon.\n\nWE must either depend on foreign support, which I do not think likely to ... or effective, or on native, which will only be cordial if we accord with and do not antagonize the Ch'u. I do not see how we can co-operate with the Legations without damage to both character and status.\n\nDear Mr. Carnegie,\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Mr. Carnegie.\n\nPeitaiho, August 4, 1906. IN reply to your three questions of the 1st instant, I write to say that--\n\n1. The instructions contained in the Shui-wu Ch'u's despatch do not in themselves conflict with the stipulations in the Loan Agreements.\n\n2. These instructions are not at variance with those given me verbally by T'ieh and T'ang.\n\n3. The change ordered relative to publication of statistics, viz., that they are to be submitted to the Ch'u in manuscript before being printed, will probably delay publication and transfer to the Ch'u some responsibility that has hitherto been borne by the Statistical Secretary; it may prove inconvenient, but in itself there is nothing objectionable in it. And as regards the Amoy question, it is the native custom-house that is concerned; we proposed to rebuild it, and the Tartar-General, who is head of the Fukien native customs, asks if we have submitted the matter to the Shui-wu Ch'u, a query which shows that provincial officials regard the Ch'u as supreme; this query does not affect me materially, seeing that before rebuilding I should have required either the Tartar-General's consent or the Wai-wu Pu's authority.\n\nCopies of the various despatches from the Shui-wu Ch'u have been sent to me by the Deputy Inspector-General, and, as he had acquainted you with their general purport, I did not feel called on to write, more especially as they have so little in them that can be styled instructions. In any case, we should be pulled up by the Ch'u were we to give copies of them without its authority.\n\nMy three replies, you see, are, so to speak, in the negative; the Ch'u's instructions do not in themselves, i.e., in the matter they write about or in the procedure they order, violate the Loan Agreements; but the feeling these despatches create is that, bit by bit,\n\n5\n\nthe Shui-wu Ch'u will take to himself the duty of deciding every matter hitherto decided by the Inspector-General; it will in fact absorb the work of the Inspectorate and the Inspectorate will disappear.\n\nThe Loan Agreement's clause is vague, in so far as it seemingly admits of debate. On the other hand, this vagueness, or the general nature of its promise, may also be said to make that promise all the wider and all the stronger. While one set of men might argue that not to change the constitution of the Imperial Maritime Customs simply means that foreigners still continue to be employed, another might assert that the promise undertakes that the Inspectorate, as then existing, is to continue, that it is to remain in connection with the Wai-wu Pu, that the work is to be done at the ports as hitherto by the Commissioners and their mixed staff, and the management and control to remain in the hands of the Inspector-General. If this second is the correct interpretation of the clause, the very transfer of the control from the Wai-wu Pu to the Shui-wu Ch'u is a direct and complete violation of the Loan Agreement as sanctioned by Edict; and I believe this second interpretation is what the banks and bondholders considered to be the meaning of the promise, so that from this point of view the very issue of orders by the Shui-wu Ch'u to the Inspector-General, irrespective of their nature or matter, is at variance with the clause concerned. The Inspectorate is, however, a Chinese office, and as such cannot question or oppose an Edict.\n\nIn this connection there are two other thoughts worth considering. The substitution of the Shui-wu Ch'u for the Wai-wu Pu will or will not interfere with the discharge of loan and indemnity obligations in the matter of payment, and, now that the Edict has been issued, opposition to the Shui-wu Ch'u will or will not eventually, if not immediately, react prejudicially on the Inspectorate. The right to establish the Ch'u could not be contested, but the Loan Agreement made its assumption of the Wai-wu Pu's attributes a matter for the consideration of the lending flags, and this has seemingly been consented to on the assurance that it will not alter the Inspectorate in composition, status, or work; whether the Ch'u's creation will affect the safety of loan moneys, &c.; and whether opposition to its action will hurt or benefit the Inspectorate, are points on which opinions will differ. My own belief is that loan payments will continue to be made just as before, and that the Inspectorate--never expected to last for ever, though now, perhaps, doomed to earlier disappearance by the creation of the Shui-wu Ch'u--whatever it may apparently gain from foreign support if united and effective, will sensibly and eventually lose wherever that support means opposition to the action and development of the Ch'u as a Chinese and Imperially created office. Others may not share these views, and I do not want them to be taken for more than they are worth, more especially as my presence as Inspector-General cannot be relied on much longer.\n\nThe position is now just as you put it: all Customs matters are to be reported to the Shui-wu Ch'u, while the Wai-wu Pu and Hu Pu are respectively to deal with foreign questions and appropriation of revenue.\n\nVery sincerely yours,\n\n(Signed) ROBERT HART.\n\nP.S.-The Shang Pu (Board of Commerce) once began sending me instructions direct, but I objected, and thereafter we communicated through the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nR. H.\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Mr. Carnegie,\n\nDear Mr. Carnegie,\n\nYOURS of the 3rd has reached me.\n\nPeitaiho, August 6, 1906,\n\nI have never officialized the \"carry on as before\" instructions of T'ieh and T'ang, but in letters to various Commissioners I told them what had been said to me. To issue a Circular containing those instructions could, of course, be done. I deferred it, waiting for the arrangement of the relations of the Shui-wu Ch'u with Wai-wu Pu and other Boards, and also because expecting written orders concerning future procedure, &c. The orders that have so far come are of the briefest and most non-committal kind, as you know, and our position is such that I doubt the expediency of crying out before we are either hit or hurt, and I would prefer letting the Ch'u develop, or show how it will develop, on its own lines. I shall have to gather up various threads on return to Peking, and I can use that occasion both to issue the Circular and also put its issue on record in ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407468, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 764, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "my despatches to the Shui-wu Ch'u and Wai-wu Pu (acknowledging theirs respecting duties of the new Ch'u).\n\nAs I said before, we are a Chinese office and we cannot question or oppose an Edict. If the Powers have passed the creation of the Ch'u as not inconsistent with the Loan Agreement clause, that Ch'u must exercise all the power the Wai-wu Pu had. Now, although the Pu gave me great liberty, it had it in its power to pull me up at any moment, e.g., require statistics to be submitted before printing, and the Ch'u will have and has the right to do the same. Thus we are really going on as before. But the tendency of the \"new broom\" will be in the direction of activity, and little by little the Inspectorate will find itself \"edited\" by the Ch'u; such \"editing\" will have its unpleasantness, but the Powers are hardly likely to intervene or interfere unless its result imperils the payments required for loans and indemnities.\n\nSincerely yours,\n(Signed)\nROBERT HART\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nPage 754\n\n[September 28.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nC\n\n3828\n\nRECE'Pr 17.00) 06\n\nIndia Office to Foreign Office.-(Received September 28.) THE Under-Secretary of State for India presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, by direction of Mr. Secretary Morley, forwards herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State, copy of a telegram from the Viceroy, dated the 26th September, relative to the Burmah-China frontier.\n\nIndia Office, September 27, 1906.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nGovernment of India to Mr. Morley.\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nBURMAH-CHINA frontier. Your telegram of 1st ultimo.\n\nSeptember 26, 1906.\n\nAs regards northern section of this frontier, we do not think any further concession can be made. Possible compromise being confined to Burmah, we suggested to Local Government that, if China were to accept reasonable arrangements for the Tengyueh-Yunnan Railway, further concession in the Wa country might be made on our part. Local Government has replied that Lieutenant-Governor is still of opinion that no advantage will be gained by treating matters of frontier and Tengyueh Railway together. He recommends, as regards the railway, that stand should be made on note from Prince Ch'ing, dated 16th March, 1902, and submits that, if we depart from that strong position, and attempt to secure railway by offer of concessions elsewhere, our case will be much weakened. We have asked Local Government for further expression of their reasons for not making concession in the Wa country in return for settlement of the northern frontier and railway, and have desired them to furnish a map showing western boundary of the Wa country which we cannot control.\n\n2146 ee-1]\n\nPage 0\n\n \nNo. 1.\n\n754\n\n[32691]\n\n \nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407474, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 770, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "YC JUCH\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA,\n\n760\n\n[September 26.]\n\nSECTION ICO\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[32041]\n\n(No. 164.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n39437\n\nRECP\n\n- 26 001 06\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nCHINESE Customs (see your telegram No. 174 of the 22nd instant).\n\nForeign Office, September 26, 1906. If the terms of the circular are satisfactory, we attach importance to its publication, as calculated to restore confidence to some extent in foreign countries, as to the Chinese Government's intentions with regard to the question of the Customs service. As the Edict by which confidence was impaired was public, the Chinese Government should communicate the reassuring circular officially to us for publication here, if they do not publish it themselves.\n\nThe Chinese Government assured Mr. Carnegie that the instructions issued to Sir Robert Hart would not be private in any sense.\n\n[2146 ce-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407475, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 771, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[31686]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n761 [September 27.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nC O 39437\n\nREC PE 26 OCT 06\n\nForeign Office, September 27, 1906.\n\nI am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant on the subject of the Imperial Edict of the 9th May last in regard to the administration of the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\nI am to point out that your letter appears to have been written under a misapprehension as to the position of the Inspector-General. Practically no change has taken place so far as Sir R. Hart's position is concerned; he has always been, and remains, an official in Chinese service under the orders of the Chinese Government.\n\nThe effect of the Edict has been to transfer the Customs Administration from the Wai-wu Pu to the Board of Revenue, but this change is not necessarily more than a change of form. If it remains nothing more than this, His Majesty's Government would have no valid ground for objecting to the Edict. Should it appear, however, that the change is one not of form, but of substance, and that there is interference which prevents the Customs from being administered on the lines hitherto followed by Sir R. Hart, His Majesty's Government may be relied upon promptly to take such action as may be possible, and likely to be effective.\n\nThe question of securing the co-operation of other Powers in the representations which it might be necessary in that event to make to the Chinese Government would then at once be considered.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n[2146 dd-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407531, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 827, "title": "CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906", "content_text": "Article 17.\n\nArticle 18. A reasonable time limit to be conceded under the conditions stated, its period to be a matter for amicable arrangement between the Corporation and the Chinese Government.\n\n816\n\nArticle 19. H.E. Tang Shao Yi observed that the freight charges etc. are matters to be regulated by the Director General of the Railway in consultation with the Traffic Manager and Engineer-in-Chief, and that the final arrangements are a matter for discussion and inclusion under the working agreement.\n\nArticle 20. Mr. Bland pointed out that this clause as drafted by the Viceroy would be prejudicial to the Chinese Government's interests, inasmuch as the investing public would not be likely to buy bonds under the conditions proposed. He suggested that a premium of 4 per cent be paid on all bonds redeemed before the lapse of 25 years. This question was left open.\n\nAs regards the method of repaying the capital, Tang Shaoyi explained that the Viceroy's intention is to redeem the bonds in 40 drawings, one each year after the tenth year.\n\nArticle 21. Not discussed.\n\nArticles 22 & 23. Mr. Bland pointed out that the Loan Agreement would not be possible in England if the Chinese text were authoritative, nor could it be signed before the issue of the sanctioning Edict.\n\nThe Canton Viceroy's proposals having now been discussed seriatim,\n\nMR. BLAND observed that if the existing difficulties regarding price and commission on materials could be met by the Chinese Government's endorsing the Canton Viceroy's fair and reasonable conditions, the conclusion of the agreement should not entail any great delay; if not, he...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407566, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "Your Excellency,\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nPeking Syndicate to Sir E. Satow.\n\nTien-tsin, February 5, 1906.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that, in obedience to your Excellency's suggestion conveyed in Mr. Robertson's letter of the 16th ultimo, I waited upon his Excellency Tong Shao-yi on the morning of the 23rd ultimo, and arranged an interview with his Excellency at the Wai-wu Pu for 2:30 P.M. on the 30th ultimo. His Excellency Na Tung was mentioned as likely to be present and some representative gentry from Shansi.\n\nOn the 30th ultimo at the time appointed I proceeded to the Wai-wu Pu, and was at once conducted to a room where I found the Shansi Gentry Messrs. Liu and Li with their own interpreter waiting, and had a brief chat with them. In a few minutes their Excellencies Tong Shao-yi, Chou, Lei, and Chu came in, and we almost at once proceeded to business. His Excellency Na Tung was not present.\n\nTo facilitate matters I submitted the statement in English and Chinese which your Excellency had previously perused, and of which I now inclose copies. This was read attentively by all. When the reading was concluded, his Excellency Tong Shao-yi asked the Shansi gentlemen what they had to say. They said they wished to know about the term of sixty years—when it commenced. I said from the time the permit was issued. They asked why the Syndicate had been so long in starting operations. I said the reasons were obvious. First, we were driven out by the Boxer troubles and returned more slowly than we had come to begin with. Then we waited for the railway to be constructed, as it would be no use digging coal with no means of carrying it away. This railway was now nearing completion, and consequently we were in a position to apply for a permit. They asked if I thought we were entitled to delay thirty or forty years. I said \"No\"; that or even twenty years would be unreasonable, but I considered the time that had elapsed not to be unreasonable in the exceptional circumstances. The point dropped.\n\nThe Shansi gentlemen then raised the question of the Syndicate's position in the matter. Was it not an Italian Company originally? I said that as far as I knew the Peking Syndicate had always been a British Association. Mr. Luzatti, as I understood, came to China first on his own account. He obtained concessions, went to Europe, and then came again to China as Agent-General of the Peking Syndicate to take up these concessions, and in that capacity had signed the Agreements. His Excellency Tong asked if I was prepared to make the declaration that the Peking Syndicate had always been British and never Italian. I said, \"Yes; as far as I knew the Peking Syndicate had always been British.\"\n\nNext, his Excellency Tong took the Agreement and suggested that we should discuss it Article by Article. We came at once to the term \"chuan pan\" (sole right). It was admitted that the English text conveyed the sole right, but their Excellencies unanimously maintained that the Chinese expression \"chuan pan\" was not the equivalent. I pointed out that the Tsung-li Yamên had stamped the English version which gave the sole right. We argued the point at great length but for the most part in the same terms. We each held to our respective views. His Excellency Tong Shao-yi asked the Shansi Gentry if they had any suggestion to relieve the deadlock. They had none. His Excellency then said they would like to consult again among themselves, and would meet each other in two days. Meantime I could return to Tien-tsin. I said I would wait three days in the hope of hearing something.\n\nOn the 2nd instant, not having heard anything further I came down here, but I propose to revisit Peking about the 5th to endeavour to advance the matter another stage.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) GEORGE BROWN, Agent-General.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nStatement by Mr. G. Brown.\n\nHIS Excellency the British Minister, having protested on behalf of the Peking Syndicate against the refusal of his Excellency the Shansi Governor to grant the application of the Syndicate for a permit to open coal-mines in the Pingting Chou district as provided by Article of the Agreement between the Shansi Bureau of Trade and the Peking Syndicate, and natives having opened new mines in this region contrary to the sole right vested in the Syndicate by the same Article 1 of the same Agreement, the Agent-General has, on the invitation of his Excellency Tong Shao-yi and with the approval of his Excellency the British Minister, come to discuss the matter at the Board of Foreign Affairs.\n\nIt will be well to examine the question of sole right first. Whether the Chinese or English text be taken the meaning is clear.\n\n\"Chuan pan\" means that the holder of the concession has the privilege of working it, and no one else. The Article sets out that the Shansi Bureau of Trade asked the Governor of Shansi to grant them the sole right, &c.; that the Governor sanctioned the request, and that whatever was granted by the Governor was transferred to the Peking Syndicate for the space of sixty years. There is no ambiguity whatever, and this transfer made by the Shansi Bureau of Trade was approved by the Tsung-li Yamên, stamped with their seal, and authorized by Imperial Edict dated the 17th May, 1898. Could legalization be more definite, more solid, or fixed by a higher mandate than this!\n\nSo rare is it among respectable Chinese merchants for one of them to repudiate a bargain or to fail in fulfilling a contract, that their commercial integrity is famous throughout the civilized world. Is the political reputation of the country to take a lower level? Is it to be universally made known that a concession, formally granted and ratified by the Government is liable to be withdrawn or cancelled or modified at any time if interested persons merely stand up and say that it is inconvenient or disadvantageous? Such an innovation would cut away the roots of all security, and deprive official transactions of that basis of confidence which should ever be their main strength. The Agent-General does not believe that the Chinese Government would adopt a course of this sort with an Agreement solemnly concluded, even if it proved to be injurious, and in this case the Agent-General will presently show that the Agreement entered into with the Syndicate is likely to be highly beneficial to the inhabitants of Shansi, to the people of China generally, and to the Chinese Government.\n\nLet us come next to the refusal by the Shansi Governor of the permit applied for. His Excellency may say that it has not been refused. Delay beyond reasonable limit and failure to issue at all are tantamount to absolute refusal. Not to grant is to refuse. Yet Article 1 of the Agreement lays down \"maps with explanations shall be submitted to the Governor of Shansi that he may see the proposed works are not injurious to the place, and he shall report thereon to the Tsung-li Yamên for record, and at the same time issue a permit for the mines to be opened without the least delay.\" Has the Governor reported to the Wai-wu Pu (i.e., the Tsung-li Yamên) for record and at the same time issued a permit without the least delay? His Excellency's attitude would seem not to be in accord with the Agreement. Moreover, his Excellency impugns the validity of the words \"chuan pan.\" In his anxiety to make the Agreement valueless, his Excellency takes away from these characters their true meaning of \"sole control\" and endeavours to substitute other meanings which it is to be assumed his Excellency's scholarship could, on consideration, not be able to indorse.\n\nIf \"chuan pan\" (sole right) did not mean \"chuan ch'üan\" (sole control) then the Agreement would be worthless, and all the trouble of the Bureau of Commerce in drawing it up, of the Tsung-li Yamên in signifying their approval, and of His August Majesty the Emperor in authorizing it by Imperial Decree, would have been taken over nothing, a position which would be absurd, and which is therefore untenable.\n\nThe words \"chuan pan\" (sole right) must, therefore, be taken to mean \"chuan ch'üan\" (sole control), and to exclude every one, whether foreign or Chinese, who did not at the time of signing the Agreement own mines already opened in the specified districts. Otherwise shafts might be sunk by any one at every available spot, and \"chuan pan\" (sole right) would have no significance whatever.\n\nTherefore the Agent-General claims that the Syndicate, by the Agreement, received the sole right to open mines in the district mentioned, and that no one else has the right to do so. The causes which prevented the Syndicate from commencing...\n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407579, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 43, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "2\n\nwhich gave authority to two Chinese Companies to construct railway lines over the self-same ground as that stated in the Preliminary Agreement. It was not possible to find a parallel in any other country for such a proceeding. A state of affairs in England under which, say, the Board of Trade knowingly gave concessions to an English firm which had already been conceded under written covenant to persons of another nationality was inconceivable. If such a thing happened there was machinery at hand to rectify it, and in the present instance I must naturally look to the Chinese Government to set the proper machinery in motion to redress this plain violation of a solemn contract.\n\nTheir Excellencies admitted the justice of what I said, but appeared to think that I was taking too serious a view of the Board of Commerce Memorials, which, Mr. Lien said, were only so much \"talk,\" and suggested that I should let the matter drop on the Prince's assurance that the validity of the Preliminary Agreement remained intact.\n\nI regretted my inability to fall in with this suggestion, referred their Excellencies to my note of the 4th August, pointed out that His Majesty's Government would expect a satisfactory explanation of these extraordinary proceedings, and in order to exhaust every means of obtaining this, I asked them to arrange an interview with Prince Ching, adding that, if necessary, I was prepared to go out to the Summer Palace for that purpose.\n\nMr. Lien promised to see about this, and last night, after another reminder, I received a short note from him to say that as soon as his Highness can find time he will fix a day for an interview.\n\nDear Mr. Tong,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nLANCELOT D. CARNEGIE.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Carnegie to Tong Shoa-yi.\n\nPeking, July 30, 1906. YOU will remember that in our conversation after dinner on the 15th June we agreed to let the question of the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway stand over for the present and deal with the Canton-Kowloon Railway first. Before that Mr. Campbell had a private conversation with you on the same subject. As I may not be here long, it seems to me desirable, in order to avoid possible future misunderstanding, that I should put clearly on paper, before the Canton-Kowloon negotiations begin, what the situation is exactly.\n\nThe arrangement to let the Soochow Railway question rest in no way impairs the rights of the British and Chinese Corporation under the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Preliminary Agreement, the validity of which has been recognized by the Chinese Government (see interview of Sir Ernest Satow at Wai-wu Pu on the 9th March and Sir Ernest Satow's notes of the 14th March and 19th April to Wai-wu Pu). Of course, if there is manifest obstruction on the part of the Chinese negotiators to the completion of the Canton-Kowloon Final Agreement, or if material steps are taken by Chekiang in violation of the Corporation's rights under the Preliminary Agreement, I shall be forced to warn you at once that I cannot consider myself any longer bound by our verbal arrangement.\n\nYours very truly,\n\n(Signed) LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMEMORIAL of the Board of Commerce, in the matter of the Rules formed by the Gentry of Chekiang, in respect to Railway Construction in their Province, which they have presented to the Board for purposes of Record, and which the Board now submits to the Throne.\n\nTHE Board in the course of July 1905 received representations made by Huang Shao Chi, a Reader of the Hanling College and a native of Chekiang, together with other signatories, laying before the Board the proposal that the ex-Acting Commissioner of the Salt Gabelle of the Liang Huai division, T'ang Shou Chien and Liu Chin Tsao, an expectant metropolitan official of the 4th to 5th grade, should be given the general superintendence of the public movement in their province for the construction by the merchants and gentry themselves of all the railways throughout Chekiang.\n\n3\n\nThe Board thereupon memorialized the Throne on the 26th August (26th of 7th month) and received an Imperial Decree appointing Tang Shou Chien to metropolitan rank of the 4th grade, and approving for the rest the Memorial we had made.\n\nThe Board then proceeded to exhort the parties concerned to act in accordance with the course approved by the Throne, and to elaborate carefully drawn-up regulations, Subsequently Huang Shao Chi and his associates notified the Board that as a result of consultations carried on by correspondence, both written and telegraphic, between their fellow provincials in Peking and those in the province, ten rules and eighty-three sub-sections have been drawn up in compliance with the principles of the Commercial Code, and they requested that these may be duly recorded.\n\nThe Board were also addressed by the Grand Secretary, Wang Wen Shao; the President of the Board of Punishments, Ko Pao Hua; the Vice-President of the Board of Revenue, Ch'en Pang Jui; the Vice-President of the Board of Punishments, Shen Chia Pen; and the Acting Vice-President of the Board of Works, Hu Yu Fen, in support of this communication; and informing us that more than two millions' worth of shares had been placed in a few weeks for the railways of all Chekiang, while more capital was being looked for. The rules, they said, had been drawn up by Tang Shou Chi, who was charged with the management of this matter, and who had consulted with his fellow-provincials both in the province itself and at Peking. The Grand Secretary, Wang Wen Shao, and his co-signatories had examined the rules and approved them, and they therefore asked the Board to sanction their adoption.\n\nThe Board find that the railways of all Chekiang involves to the highest degree the communications of the country. The local gentry and merchants, and the Chekiang officials in Peking, having deliberated together, and made an effort to construct these lines themselves, have shown a just appreciation of the general situation, and the railway rules they have drawn up are in general accord with the Company Law for Limited Liability Companies submitted to the Throne by this Board and Imperially sanctioned, providing as they do for shareholders, directors, auditors, officers of the Company, &c., and carefully defining their duties and powers.\n\nThe Board therefore consider that the rules should be adopted and communicated to the provincial authorities to be carried out,\n\nOn the 4th July, 1906, an Imperial Edict was received approving this Memorial.\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nRules respecting Construction of Railways in the Province of Chekiang.\n\n1.\n\n1. IN accordance with the Commercial Code the name of the undertaking is determined, and is to be \"The Railway Company (Limited) for the construction by merchants of railways throughout all the Province of Chekiang.\" The Board has been asked to register it, and to apply for Imperial authority to issue an official seal.\n\n2. The general policy of the Company is the construction of all the railways in the Province of Chekiang, with a view to safeguarding the control and profits of transport and carriage. The following lines will forthwith be surveyed and undertaken :--\n\nFrom Hangchow northwards to Soochow and Shanghae, Hu-shu must be traversed; eastwards to Ningpo and Shao Hsing, Chiangkan must be traversed; therefore Hu Shu- Chiangkan will be the first Hangchow section.\n\nFrom Hu Shu northwards the line will pass Chia Hsing and Huchou to Soochow and Shanghae.\n\nFrom Chiangkan eastwards it will pass through Shao Hsing to Ningpo. From Chiangkan south-westwards it will go through Yenchou and Kinhua to Chuchou and Chang Shan to the border of Yu Shan Hsien in Kiangsi.\n\nFrom Huchou north-westwards it will pass through Chang Hsing to Kuangte in Anhui.\n\nFrom Shao Hsing southwards it will pass through Taichou and Wenchow, and north-westwards to Ch'u Chou.\n\n39", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407586, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 50, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "## 46 \n\n2 \n\nTo safeguard the State. On the other hand, the cause of the prosperity of other countries lies in their establishment of constitutional government, whereby the voice of the people is heard before decisions are made, and the rulers and the ruled are of one accord in seeking together the best that can be found among the opinions of all, while their respective powers are clearly settled and defined. The preparation of the national Budget and all matters concerning the administration of the government are also submitted to popular discussion, and one nation learns from the other, introducing modifications in its system in order to produce the highest degree of benefit or advantage, so that the wheels of government move easily and the people are at peace.\n\nIn the times we now live in, it behoves us too to study these matters with all speed and earnestness, and to likewise establish constitutional government, wherein the supreme power is held by the Sovereign, but the affairs of government are submitted to popular discussion. For so the foundations may be laid of a State fitted to endure throughout the ages.\n\nBut at the moment, the usages of the people and the polity of the State are not prepared for the change. The people have not been educated, and if this step were hastily taken, it would only result in a form of words without practical result. How could we justify ourselves to the Empire in such a case or expect public confidence?\n\nUnder these circumstances, and with a view to thoroughly eradicating the accumulation of abuses which exists, and of clearly defining the degrees of responsibility, the beginning must be made with the reorganization of the public service. The prime necessity is that the organization of the public service be thoroughly considered and settled, and then other changes can be introduced in their proper order. All the laws must also be carefully examined and revised, while education must be developed, the financial system of the Empire must be remodelled, military preparations be reorganized, and a general police system be introduced throughout the country, in order that all classes of the people may attain to a clear understanding of the principles of government and become prepared for the establishment of a Constitution. Thus, after the lapse of several years, when the new order of things has become fairly established, the condition of affairs will be considered, and a Constitution will be established on the basis of such institutions existing in other countries as may be accounted suitable to our needs. Notice will be given beforehand, fixing the time when such Constitution shall be promulgated, and it will depend upon the rapidity with which progress is made whether this date be in the near or distant future.\n\nWe therefore hereby command the Tartar Generals, Governors-General, and Governors of all the provinces to enjoin upon all classes of the people the necessity of zealously pursuing education, that they may all gain a clear conception of the principles of loyalty and patriotism. No petty resentments must be allowed to defeat the great project held in view, but all must respect and obey the injunctions laid upon them by their superiors and preserve an attitude of peace and unity, so as to raise the country to a standard fitted for constitutional government. Such is our profound hope for the future.\n\nLet this be widely published.\n\nKuang Hsü, 32nd year, 7th moon, 13th day (`September 1, 1906`).\n\n3 \n\nTo Tu, Ko Pao Hua, Hsu Shih Ch'ang, Lu Jun Hsiang, Shou Chi, and Yuan Shih-Kai, to embody their recommendations on this subject in writing. They are enjoined with faith and loyalty to dismiss from their minds all feelings of prejudice and to use their best endeavours to evolve a satisfactory system.\n\nWe also command Tuan Fang, Chang Chih-tung, Sheng Yun, Hsi Liang, Chou Fu, and Ts'en Ch'un Hsuan to appoint representatives of high provincial standing to come to Peking to take part in the deliberation.\n\nWe also command Yi K'uang, Prince Ch'ing, Sun Chia Nai, and Ch'u Hung Chi to form a Superior Committee for the consideration of the recommendations made, and to then submit them to the Throne for the issue of a Decree.\n\n`September 2, 1906`.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\n**Imperial Decree.**\n\nYESTERDAY we issued an Edict on the necessity of preparing the country for a Constitution, and commanding that the reorganization of the public service should first be undertaken as the most important step in this direction.\n\nWith this end in view, the institutions of both the past and the present must be considered, and while the merits of the system in force under the present dynasty must not be lost sight of, the good points in the systems of other countries must be examined and a combination be made, fitted to the requirements of the occasion, and of a nature so complete that no advantageous change be omitted.\n\nWe therefore now appoint a Commission, to consist of Tsai Tse, Shih Hsu, Na Tung, Jung Ch'ing, Tsai Chen, K'uei Chun, Tieh Liang, Chang Po Hsi, Tai Hung...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407634, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 98, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n\n94\n[September 26]\n\n## SECTION 2 CO 41844 [32513]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1. China Association to Foreign Office.—(Received September 20)\n\n159, Cannon Street, London, September 24, 1906.\n\nTHE China Association desire, in acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, to express their deep regret at the attitude which His Majesty's Government have thought it sufficient to adopt in regard to the recent action of the Chinese Government towards the Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nThe Association is wholly unable to acquiesce in the view that the publication by Sir Robert Hart of the verbal instructions of the Commissioners can have any valid or permanent effect on the operations of an authority constituted by Imperial edict, or can offer any sort of guarantee that the administration of the Imperial Maritime Customs will not be interfered with, and its integrity sapped, by the insidious operations of the Commissioners or their employés.\n\nIt must be admitted that it has become more and more difficult, in recent years, to induce the Chinese Government to give effect to its Treaty obligations; and the Association can see no prospect of achieving any greater success when exception has to be taken to the exercise of functions performed under an Imperial edict which can always be textually appealed to, notwithstanding any gloss put upon it by Prince Ching or the Imperial Commissioners.\n\nThe Committee feel, therefore, that they are performing a simple act of duty in the interests of foreign, but especially of British, trade with China in again pressing on His Majesty's Government further action, in concert, if possible, with other Powers, in order to provide against any interference with the administration of the Imperial Maritime Customs as constituted and carried out at the time the Chinese Government gave the undertakings to which reference was made in the Association's letter of the 31st ultimo.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) R. S. GUNDRY,\nPresident, China Association.\n\nNOV 05\n[21.46 cc-2]\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407643, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 107, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[32513]\n\n### No. 1. Foreign Office to China Association.\n\nForeign Office, October 6, 1906.\n\nSir,\n\nI am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo, in which you suggest further action to provide against interference with the administration of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nAs you are aware, the effect of the Imperial Edict of the 9th May last has been to transfer the Customs administration from the Wai-wu Pu to the Board of Revenue. The change thus introduced is not necessarily more than one of form, and His Majesty's Government would have no valid ground for objecting to the Edict in the event of its having no other effect than this. Should it appear, however, that the change effected by the Edict is one not of form alone, but of substance, and that there is interference which prevents the Customs from being administered on the lines hitherto followed by Sir Robert Hart, His Majesty's Government may be relied upon promptly to take such action as may be possible and likely to be effective. His Majesty's Government would also then consider the question of securing the co-operation of other Powers in the representations which it might be necessary to make to the Chinese Government.\n\nI am, &c.\n(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**Draft Regulations**\n\n(DRAFT) King's Regulations made this day of , 1906, in virtue of the powers conferred on me by Article 155 of \"The China and Corea Order in Council, 1901.\"\n\n1. WHEN, in the opinion of the Consul, any action by the Municipal Council is calculated to impair the friendly relations subsisting between His Majesty's Government or British subjects, on the one hand, and the Chinese Government or local authorities or Chinese subjects, on the other hand, he may by writing under his hand:\n - (a) Call upon the Municipal Council for an explanation of their action;\n - (b) Veto any such action on the part of the Municipal Council, either at once or after such explanation has been furnished to him.\n\nThe Municipal Council shall on such demand forthwith furnish to the Consul the required explanation, and, upon communication to them of the veto on their action, forthwith discontinue such action.\n\n(2) When the Consul has imposed a veto on any action of the Municipal Council he shall forthwith report the whole matter to the Minister, and the Municipal Council, if aggrieved by the action of the Consul, may appeal to the Minister.\n\n(3) The Minister may at any time revoke or vary the decision of the Consul, or may take such action in the matter as to him seems desirable. Pending the decision of the Minister, the Municipal Council shall be bound by the veto imposed by the Consul.\n\n2. The Municipal Council shall allow the Consul to inspect any documents they may have in their possession, and shall furnish him with a copy of such document as he may specify.\n\n3. This Regulation shall apply to all British Municipal Councils established in China.\n\nApproved. \n(Signature of Minister.) \n(Signature of Secretary of State.)\n\nThis Regulation has been approved by His Majesty, and shall come into force on the day of , 1906. \n(Signature of Minister.)\n\n## Previous Correspondence\n\n(Signed) H. W. DE SAUSMAREZ.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n### Initial Note\n\nالدين اسرايلي \n... \n\"Minister and \"British subject\" appear in the interpretation Article of the Order in Council I have used them.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) H. W. DE SAUSMAREZ.\n\nPage 103 \nSECTION 13484A \nBERIA NOV 06 \n`[2183 ƒ-13]` \n`GR1178/1922/32(III)` is not present but `XCR(85)72` is not present either. However, `[2183 ƒ-13]` is present.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407651, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 115, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "## The American Minister tells me that, under instructions from his Government, he made representations in the same sense verbally to the Wai-wu Pu, and that he had received a reply similar to the one sent to me. I have also been informed by my Russian colleagues that he has recommended his Government to agree to the immediate establishment of customs stations in North Manchuria at the places mentioned by the Wai-wu Pu in their note to me. He is now awaiting instructions, but he thinks that his Government will raise no difficulties, provided that a satisfactory arrangement is made for the free admission of military supplies for the Russian troops still in operation.\n\nA copy of this despatch has been sent to Tôkiô.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) **LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE**\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1\n\n### Agreement between Chinese Government and Russo-Chinese Bank\n\nHSU-KING-CHEN, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China at St. Petersburgh, acting in virtue of the Imperial Edict of the 20th day of the 7th moon of the 22nd year of Kuang Hsü (16th (28th) August, 1896), and the Russo-Chinese Bank, have, for the purpose of entering into partnership, agreed to the following stipulations :-\n\n#### Article 1\nThe Chinese Government engage to enter into partnership with the Russo-Chinese Bank with the capital of 5,000,000 Kuping taels, and to share pro ratá, from the date of the investment of the fund to the said Bank, all profits realized as well as all losses sustained.\n\n#### Art. 2\nOn the 1st day of January of each year (Russian Calendar) when the annual settlement of all accounts of the Bank is to be made, the proportion of the capitals of the Chinese Government and the Russo-Chinese Bank shall be examined and determined respectively, and according to the basis thus established the amount of the profits or losses to be shared by the Chinese Government shall be fixed in Kuping taels at the end of the year.\n\n#### Art. 3\nIn accordance with the Articles of Association of the Bank, a certain per cent. of the net profit annually realized shall be set aside to be allowed to the Directors of the Bank as bonus. The profits remaining after such deduction shall be divided pro ratá between the Chinese Government and the Russo-Chinese Bank, each of whom is to contribute towards the reserve fund 10 per cent. of the amount so divided; and, if the rest still exceed 6 per cent. of the whole amount of each capital, 20 per cent. of such surplus, after deduction of the said 6 per cent., shall be distributed among the employés of the Bank as gratuity. In case of a loss, the portion to be borne by the Chinese Government shall, in the first instance, be supplied from the reserve fund on their account.\n\n#### Art. 4\nThe monthly and annual balance sheets of the accounts of the Bank shall, after examination and approval by the general meeting of shareholders, be transmitted by the agent of the Bank in China to the President of the Eastern China Railway appointed by China, for final submission after his examination to the proper quarters.\n\n#### Art. 5\nIn case of dissolution of the Bank on account of losses or some other causes, the portion of losses to be borne pro rata by the Chinese Government for the liquidation shall be duly determined, and the remaining amount of the capital invested by the said Government shall be refunded.\n\nThis 2nd day of the 8th moon of the 22nd year of Kuang Hsü. (The 27th August (8th September), 1896.)\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n### Supplementary Agreement between China and Eastern China Railway Company\n\nHSU-KING-CHENG, Ambassador Extraordinary of His Majesty the Emperor of China, and Yang-yu, His Imperial Chinese Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. Petersburgh, acting in virtue of the Imperial Edict of the 7th day of the 5th moon of the 24th year of Kuang Hsü (13th (25th) June, 1898), and the Eastern China Railway Company, in conformity to the Agreement between Russia and China, signed at Peking on the 15th (27th) March, 1898, and of the Additional Protocol, signed at St. Petersburgh on the 25th April, 1898, by which documents it has been stipulated that \"the Chinese Government agree to extend, from the date of the signature of the Agreement, the terms of the Agreement concluded with the Eastern China Railway Company on the 27th August (8th September), 1896, concerning the construction and exploitation of a branch line starting from one of the stations on the main line of the Eastern China Railway and reaching the ports of Talienwan and Port Arthur, on the coast of the Liaotung Peninsula\"; that \"all the stipulations of the Agreement concluded between the Chinese Government and the Russo-Chinese Bank on the 27th August, 1896, shall apply with equal strength to this branch line\"; and that the tracks, as well as the points where this line will pass, shall be determined by Ambassador Hsu-king-cheng in common accord with the Eastern China Railway Company\"; have, for the purpose of completing the Agreement for the construction and exploitation of the Eastern China Railway, agreed to the following stipulations :--\n\n#### Article 1\nThis branch line of the Eastern China Railway shall reach the seaports of Port Arthur and Talienwan, and shall thus be called the South Manchurian branch line of the Eastern China Railway.\n\n#### Art. 2\nIt being understood, according to Article 4 of the Agreement of the 27th August, 1896, that the Chinese Government are to take measures, whenever circumstances require, to facilitate the transportation, by land and water, of materials required for the construction of the line, the said Government authorize the Company's steamers and other boats under the Company's flag to navigate the Liao-ho and its tributaries, as well as to enter and unload materials at, the port of Yingkow and all the ports in the neutral zone, where it is found possible to do so, as well as necessary to accelerate the completion of the construction of the branch line.\n\n#### Art. 3\nEqually, in order to facilitate the transportation of materials and provisions necessary for the construction of the South Manchurian branch line, the Eastern China Railway Company has the right to extend temporary branch lines to Yingkow and to other ports of the neutral zone; but as soon as the line is completed and the traffic is fully opened, the Company shall, on demand from the Chinese Government, demolish those branch lines. This demolition shall, at all events, become obligatory on the Company after the lapse of eight years from the date of the completion of the definitive survey and the assignment of the necessary land required for the construction.\n\n#### Art. 4\nIn virtue of the concession granted to the Company by the Chinese Government in 1895 (November 1897 in French text) concerning timber and coal needed by the railway line, the Company is authorized to fell trees in the State forests and appropriate them, on condition that it shall pay for each tree so felled a price to be fixed in common accord with the Chinese local authorities, not exceeding the current price of the locality. Such forests, however, in Sheng-king Province, as particularly belong to the Imperial domain or represent a great religious importance, and are on that account specially protected by the Central Government of Peking, shall be respected and preserved intact. In the region through which the proposed railway line passes, the Company is also authorized to work coal mines in order to meet the demand required for the construction and exploitation of the branch line, by paying a certain price calculated by weight of the coal extracted. The price shall be determined by the Chief Superintendent of the Company or his deputy in common accord with the Chinese local authorities, and it shall not exceed the current price of the locality paid by other persons for the right of working coal mines.\n\n#### Art. 5\nThe Russian Government, having the right to establish such custom Tariff as they may deem suitable for that region of Liaotung Peninsula, which is ceded to them in usufruct, the Chinese Government shall, on their part, levy the custom duties at the frontier on goods imported into, or exported from, the above-mentioned region of the Peninsula. For this purpose the Chinese Government shall, if Russia consents thereto, establish a custom-house at Talienwan from the day of opening of that port for commerce. In case such custom-house is established, the organization and administration thereof shall be intrusted to the Eastern China Railway Company, which shall levy the duties as agent, and for the profit of the Chinese Treasury Department. This custom-house shall be under the direct control of the Central Government.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407692, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 156, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "No. 1.\n\n152\n\n[October 26.]\n\nSECTION\n\n1. Co\n\n42545\n\nTRESS\n\nur Grace,\n\nSir Edward Grey to the Archbishop of Canterbury,\n\nForeign Office, October 26, 1906.\n\nI HAVE pleasure in acknowledging your letter of the 24th ultimo, transmitting memorial from the Anglican Bishops in China with regard to the policy of His Majesty's Government on the opium question.\n\nThat His Majesty's Government are prepared to give careful and sympathetic consideration to any proposals of the Chinese Government brought forward in good faith, restricting the consumption of opium, your Grace is no doubt aware, as a declaration to that effect was made by the Secretary of State for India in the House of Commons on the 30th May last.\n\nSo far, however, no communication has been received officially from the Chinese Government regarding the proposal referred to in the Memorial for the conversion into Government monopoly of the opium trade in China, nor have the Chinese Government yet addressed them respecting the Imperial Edict recently published which ordered the complete suppression of opium smoking within ten years.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nEDWARD GREY.\n\n[2209 cc-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407717, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 181, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[32634]\n\n(No. 186.)\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[September 29.]\n\nSECTION (6. co\n\n42969\n\nIKES\n\nIPC 22 NOV Or\n\nForeign Office, September 29, 1906.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nIMPERIAL Customs Edict.\n\nPlease refer to your telegram No. 175 of the 26th September.\n\nWe agree that the Circular is satisfactory as regards its terms, but we should insist upon its publication either in China or here. Unless they wish to throw doubt upon the sincerity of their assurances that the administration of the Customs is to continue as heretofore, the Chinese Government cannot refuse.\n\n[21.46 ƒ-6]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407726, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 190, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n# Affairs of China\n\nNo. 1\nOctober 25\n\n## SECTION C.O. 42969\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, October 25, 1906.\n\nREC R: 22 NOV O\n\nMr. H. H. Marks,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can state whether the conditions under which the administration of the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs were granted by China during the currency of the Chinese loans of 1896 and 1898 are being duly observed.\n\n### Answer\n\nWhen the loans of 1896 and 1898 were raised the Chinese Government undertook that the administration of the Maritime Customs should remain as then constituted during the currency of the loans. By the Imperial Edict of the 9th May last the Customs administration was transferred from one Chinese Government Department to another, but this does not necessarily imply more than a change of form, and it has not, so far, made any difference to the administration of the Customs service by Sir R. Hart.\n\nPage 185\n[36222]\n[2183 66-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407731, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 195, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[November 1]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nNo. 1.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, November 1, 1906.\n\nMr. Rees,--To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government has cancelled or amended its Edict introducing certain changes into the administration of the Chinese customs.\n\nAnswer.\n\nThe reply to the honourable Member's inquiry is in the negative. I would also refer him to my replies of the 25th and 28th ultimo relative to the Edict of the 9th May to the effect that the Edict has not hitherto changed the administration by Sir R. Hart.\n\nNo. 2.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, November 1, 1906.\n\nMr. Rees,--To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any information has been received of the increase of piracy in the Canton Delta; and, if so, whether any action is contemplated in order to the protection of commerce in these waters.\n\nAnswer.\n\nReports of several cases of piracy and attempted piracy in the Canton Delta have lately been received by His Majesty's Government. His Majesty's Minister at Peking has been authorized to make representations to the Chinese Government with a view to the adoption of measures for the suppression of these outrages and to the better policing of the waterways.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\nPage 190", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407754, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 218, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "In any further communica-\n\ntion on this subject, please quote\n\nNo.\n\n38616\n\nAn address\n\nThe Under-Secretary of State,\n\nForeign Office,\n\nLondon.\n\n12 1\n\nC\n\n213\n\n15252\n\nRrd 23 NOV O\n\nThe Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents\n\nhis compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for\n\nColonies\n\nthe\n\nand, by direction of the Secretary of State,\n\ntransmits herewith copy of the under-mentioned paper.\n\nForeign Office,\n\nNovember 23, 1906.\n\nReference to previous letter:\n\nName and Date.\n\nDescription of Inclosure.\n\nSubject.\n\nSir J. Jordan, Peking. Opium Prohibition Edict..\n\nNo.3911\n\nSept. 30, 1906", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407756, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 220, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "215\n\n.2000 ‚AJ08 rodmejqoû\n\nATS\n\nni driveren voy of Jimansrd of Tuonor and sved I\n\nsaj gainsbro seroed IetsqmI na to vyoo notjælenstj\n\nmigo dtw badoannoo alive and IIs to Lavomer ojaiqmO O\n\n-at anivia bus sreey пed to botteq e nidjtw antxome\n\nyam ae enoljefugeÄ dove to gatment add rot anoidourja\n\n-ididorg lejoj við ervans OJ VI888soen berebianos ad\n\n.BUTb and to nodqmentoo bne noijsviðivo end to mold\n\nal Jaansontonne ofegrb aids to notdaglimorq eNT\n\nalH lo svijeljini sad of visarei,bпajarobnu I eub\n\nnowm need over of amesa odw ty-bonƐ gnoT yong(IsoxI\n\n-dua ad) no bяazeтqxe bised of swelv sdt yd b9aa9tqni\n\n-0879VNOJ MOTI .etbal od Jielv dness\" eld yatıb Joel\n\n-92 Istonania anj,Taxed.TMM ddiw bed en foldw anotd\n\n肇\n\neinl to JasmYTevoð erit to avadmsm Tedjo bas VTAĴOTO\n\naew stoni Jadi noleulonoo add of ameo yonelleoxã BiH\n\nno bae sunever quiqo grid ddiw sanoqalb of DOTB1977\n\nJпemntevoð nwo aid berrotat ed enind of MruJST BIN\n\nJANJ\n\n10\n\nsidaruoпoH JA ...M,.Jrsa,yero .a til!\n\n..0$,.08 、.08\n\nthat it was the Chinese craving for the drug, and not\n\nEngland's desire to force it upon China, which was now\n\nresponsible for the continuance of the traffic. This\n\nview of the question received confirmation from Mr.\n\nMorley's recent speech in the House of Commons which\n\nthe Chinese construed as an invitation to them to\n\nprove the sincerity of their desire for the cessation\n\nof the Indian import of opium.\n\nMr. Tong, from whom I received this account of\n\nthe genesis of the present movement, could supply me\n\nwith little information as to the steps which are to\n\nbe taken to enforce the Edict, but the method of pro-\n\ncedure, so far as it has been formulated at present,\n\nseems roughly to contemplate a gradual reduction of\n\nthe area of cultivation of native opium pari passu\n\nwith a corresponding decrease in the import of the\n\nforeign article. Smokers of the drug, if officials,\n\nare to be given a term of about six months in which to\n\nbreak off the habit, and the ordinary people are to\n\nbe dealt with on a time scale graduated according to\n\nthe degree in which they have become addicted to the\n\nhabit.\n\nΤΟ", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407780, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 244, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\n# CHINA TRADE.\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[38616]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[November 17.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n239\n\nI\n\n(No. 391.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received November 17.)\n\nPeking, September 30, 1906.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith, in translation, copy of an Imperial Decree ordering the complete removal of all the evils connected with opium smoking within a period of ten years, and giving instructions for the framing of such Regulations as may be considered necessary to insure the total prohibition of the cultivation and consumption of the drug.\n\nThe promulgation of this drastic announcement is due, I understand, largely to the initiative of his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi, who seems to have been much impressed by the views he heard expressed on the subject during his recent visit to India. From conversations which he had with Mr. Baker, the Financial Secretary, and other Members of the Government of India, his Excellency came to the conclusion that India was prepared to dispense with the opium revenue, and on his return to China he informed his own Government that it was the Chinese craving for the drug, and not England's desire to force it upon China, which was now responsible for the continuance of the traffic. This view of the question received confirmation from Mr. Morley's recent speech in the House of Commons which the Chinese construed as an invitation to them to prove the sincerity of their desire for the cessation of the Indian import of opium.\n\nMr. Tong, from whom I received this account of the genesis of the present movement, could supply me with little information as to the steps which are to be taken to enforce the Edict, but the method of procedure, so far as it has been formulated at present, seems roughly to contemplate a gradual reduction of the area of cultivation of native opium, pari passu, with a corresponding decrease in the import of the foreign article. Smokers of the drug, if officials, are to be given a term of about six months in which to break off the habit, and the ordinary people are to be dealt with on a time scale graduated according to the degree in which they have become addicted to the habit.\n\nTo Western minds all this sounds like an attempt to make people virtuous by Act of Parliament, and without showing any lack of appreciation of the efforts of the statesmen who are trying to cope with what is undoubtedly a great and growing evil, it is permissible to doubt whether the proposed remedies are of a practicable nature.\n\nIt is true that the Chinese Government have in recent years effected some far-reaching changes, of which the abolition of the old examination system is perhaps the most striking instance, but to sweep away in a decade habits which have been the growth of at least a century and which have gained a firm hold upon 8,000,000 of the adult population of the Empire is a task which has, I imagine, been rarely attempted with success in the course of history; and the attempt, it must be remembered, is to be made at a time when the Central Government has largely lost the power to impose its will upon the provinces. The authors of the movement are, however, confident of success, and China will deserve and doubtless receive much sympathy in any serious effort she may make to stamp out the evil.\n\nApart from the difficulty of reforming people by legislative enactment, the fiscal side of the question is a very important factor in the situation, and one which will appeal to the Chinese quite as much as it would to any Western Government. The foreign import, which has been a gradually dwindling quantity during the last twenty years, stood in 1905 at 51,890 piculs, of which 50,200 piculs were Indian, producing a revenue of 5,711,711 taels (£859,136). It is calculated that the total production of native opium is about ten times as great as that of the foreign import, and that the revenue derived from it amounts to about 45,000,000 taels (£6,768,750).\n\nThe policy during the last few years has been to centralize this revenue, and either make it available for Imperial needs or ear-mark it for such definite purposes as conservancy work at Shanghae or the payment of loans contracted by provincial authorities. The dislocation of the finances which the enforcement of the Decree\n\n[2241 -2]\n\n....\n\nཔར - ·,- ”༴ཏ་་་", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407797, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 261, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "256\n\n6\n\nHis Excellency Tang eventually expressed his willingness to modify his previous decision so far as to agree that after tender British goods should have preference at equal prices, and that 5 per cent, commission would be paid on all purchases of British goods.\n\nMr. Bland recapitulated the arguments already advanced, and expressed the opinion that it would be useless to lay such a proposition before the Directors of the Corporation. He further drew attention to the fact that the Chinese Government, which had hitherto put forward the views of the provincial authorities and gentry as a reason for modifying the terms of the Shanghae-Nanking Loan Agreement was, in the present instance, endeavouring to impose conditions far more stringent than those desired by the Provincial Viceroy.\n\nHis Excellency Tang Shao-yi stated that the terms of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway's Loan Agreement could not be made applicable to the present negotiations. He contested the validity of the preliminary Agreement, because the Corporation was not intrusted with the construction of the entire line from Canton to Kowloon city, maintaining that the building of the railway between these two points by the Corporation was an essential condition of that Agreement, whereas it now appeared that the Corporation was only concerned with the section in Chinese territory. He claimed for the Chinese Government the same discretionary powers as those exercised by the Hong Kong Government.\n\nMr. Bland, in reply, stated that at the time of sanctioning the preliminary Agreement of March 1899 the Chinese Government was fully aware that the Corporation's construction rights were limited to Chinese territory, and that the expression \"British Kowloon\" in clause 1 of that Agreement could only mean the frontier of the leased territory, and was never intended to mean Kowloon city. By the Concession granted in September 1898 the Corporation was given the right to finance and build a Chinese railway in Chinese territory on terms not less favourable than the Luhan Concession; several points had already been conceded to meet the views of the Chinese Government, and in view of conditions admittedly altered since that date, but his Excellency's present proposals were tantamount to denial of all rights and advantages under the Concession.\n\nHis Excellency Tang Shao-yi, after consultation with the Canton Viceroy's delegates, stated that the terms offered could not be further modified, and Mr. Bland, being unable to accept them, undertook to report the situation to the Board and to convey their reply in due course.\n\nThe meeting then proceeded to consider the remaining clauses of the Canton Viceroy's proposals.\n\nArticle 10.--No discussion.\n\nArticle 11.--His Excellency Tang Shao-yi considered that the question of railway telegraphs was an internal matter for regulation by the Chinese Government, and that this clause was therefore superfluous in the loan Agreement; it would, however, find a place in the working Agreement to be arranged with the Hong Kong Government.\n\nArticle 12.--The Chinese Representatives agreed that all receipts from traffic should be deposited in the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, but his Excellency Tang Shao-yi claimed that the usual market rate of interest on the daily balance should be allowed, as in the case of other Chinese Government railways; also, that in the event of large accumulations of profits, the Chinese Government should dispose of the same in the same manner as those of the Northern Railways. Mr. Bland undertook to obtain the views of the Bank in the matter, suggesting at the same time, that the procedure adopted for the Shanghae-Nanking Railway should be followed.\n\nArticle 13.--No discussion.\n\nArticle 14.--His Excellency Tang Shao-yi stated that the Chinese Government would henceforward charge all railway construction with the proper amounts payable for duty and li-kin, this also being a purely Government question. No taxes or stamp fees would be imposed on the interest or revenues of the line. The question of li-kin on goods carried by the railway was a matter for arrangement under the working Agreement.\n\nArticle 15.--Agreed that the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank's commission of per cent. is payable on all sums disbursed by the Bank on account of the service of the loan during and after construction. His Excellency Tang Shao-yi stipulates, however, that in the purchase of sterling drafts to pay the half-yearly amounts due for interest and capital, the Chinese Government shall be free to buy in the open market.\n\nArticle 16.--Considered by the Chinese Representatives to be superfluous.\n\nArticle 17.--No discussion.\n\nArticle 18.--A reasonable time limit to be conceded under the conditions stated, its period to be a matter for amicable arrangement between the Corporation and the Chinese Government.\n\nArticle 19.--His Excellency Tang Shao-yi observed that the freight charges, &c., are matters to be regulated by the Director-General of the Railway in consultation with the Traffic Manager and Engineer-in-chief, and that the final arrangements are a matter for discussion and inclusion under the working Agreement.\n\nArticle 20.--Mr. Bland pointed out that this clause as drafted by the Viceroy would be prejudicial to the Chinese Government's interests, inasmuch as the investing public would not be likely to buy bonds under the conditions proposed. He suggested that a premium of 2½ per cent, be paid on all bonds redeemed before the lapse of 25 years. This question was left open.\n\nAs regards the method of repaying the capital, Kung Taotai explained that the Viceroy's intention is to redeem the bonds in 40 drawings, one each year after the tenth year.\n\nArticle 21.--Not discussed.\n\nArticles 22 and 23.--Mr. Bland pointed out that the loan Agreement would not be possible in England if the Chinese text were authoritative, nor could it be signed before the issue of the sanctioning Edict.\n\nThe Canton Viceroy's proposals having now been discussed seriatim, Mr. Bland observed that if the existing difficulties as regards price and commission on materials could be met by the Chinese Government's indorsing the Canton Viceroy's fair and reasonable conditions, the conclusion of the Agreement should not entail any great delay; if not, he feared the negotiations had reached a deadlock. There were certain further points to be brought forward, arising out of the Corporation's draft Agreement, but he thought it would be better to allow these to stand over until an agreement were come to on the essential conditions.\n\nHis Excellency Tang Shao-yi hoped that the Corporation would see its way to accepting the China Government's terms—i.e., a loan at 96 and commission on importations from England.\n\nThe Meeting then adjourned, it being understood that the Board's reply would be communicated when received.\n\n0", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407843, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 307, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "302\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nCO.\n\n14802\n\nRECEIVED [September 27.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nRec 5 DEC 06\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received September 27.)\n\n[32634]\n\n(No. 175.)\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nCUSTOMS' Decree.\n\nMy immediately preceding telegram.\n\nPeking, September 26, 1906.\n\nA copy of the Circular, which is dated the 22nd September, has been furnished me by Sir Robert Hart.\n\nThe circumstances connected with the establishment of the new Revenue Council are first recited, after which the Circular states that on two separate occasions, the 12th and 15th May last, it was explained to the Inspector-General by the two Controllers that work should proceed as before. He is now, the Circular continues, authorized by them to circulate the intimation as an order for the general information of the Service. Further, the Inspector-General will have with the Revenue Council the same relations which he had with the Board of Foreign Affairs, and, speaking generally, his duties will follow the same lines, while the Commissioners and Staff at the ports will also continue in the same relation to the Inspector-General and continue to work just as before. The apprehensions which have been expressed since the 9th May, when the Customs Edict appeared, should be dispelled by this explanation; the Circular consequently admonishes the members of the Service against the origination or circulation of hypothetical fears and disturbing rumours by which public comment might be provoked. The Circular concludes by promising that the considerate and liberal treatment shown in the past shall still be accorded to the Service.\n\nSatisfactory though the terms of the Circular apparently are, I am of opinion either that its publication should be authorized by the Chinese Government, or that a copy should be sent to the Legation officially.\n\n[2146 dd 2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407857, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 321, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to the Commissioners of Customs, Postal Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners in Charge of Li-kin Collectorates.\n\n(Circular No. 1,369. Second Series.) Inspectorate-General of Customs, Peking, Sir,\n\nSeptember 22, 1906\n\nCIRCULARS Nos. 1,339 and 1,361 acquainted you with the establishment and opening of a separate and special office to deal with Customs affairs. The Inspectorate which had hitherto functioned in and under the Tsung-li Yamên and Wai-wu Pu, was thereon accordingly instructed to report henceforth to, and take its orders from, the new department, the Shui-wu Ch'u. The two Ta-ch'en appointed to control the Shui-wu Ch'u, their Excellencies Tieh Liang and Tang Shao-yi, explained to me on two separate occasions, on the 12th and 15th May, that work was to proceed as before, and they now authorize me to circulate this intimation as an order for the information of the Service generally.\n\nWhile the Inspector-General will have the same relations with the Shui-wu Ch'u that he had with the Wai-wu Pu, and his duties continue to follow the same general lines, Commissioners and Port Staff will also continue to work just as before and remain in the same relation to the Inspector-General.\n\nFurther, seeing that this explanation should dispel apprehensions expressed since the appearance of the Customs Edict on the 9th May, the members of the Service are to avoid originating or circulating, whether by mouth or pen, disturbing rumours and hypothetical fears calculated to provoke public comment to no useful purpose, but which may do more harm than good as affecting the dignity of the Chinese Government.\n\nThe Maritime Customs worked satisfactorily, efficiently and usefully in the past, and the Chinese Government has been considerate and liberal in its dealings with its foreign employés; it is not intended to change such treatment, and it is expected that Service contentment and efficiency will march hand in hand with its continuance.\n\nI may add that this Customs Circular has been submitted to and approved of by the Shui-wu Ta-ch'en before issue.\n\nI am, &c.,\n\n(Signed)\n\nROBERT HART,\n\nInspector-General,\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[38626]\n\nC O.\n\n14802\n\nRECEIVED\n\nNoRec 5 DFC OF\n\n[November 17.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 17.)\n\n(No. 401.)\n\nPeking, October 4, 1906.\n\nSir,\n\nWITH reference to Mr. Carnegie's despatch No. 375 of the 9th September, I have the honour to inform you that, at an interview yesterday at the Wai-wu Pu, I gave their Excellencies T'ang Shao-yi and Lien-fang, the two Ministers present, a Memorandum in English and Chinese on the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway, in which the substance of Mr. Carnegie's interview of the 8th September with Prince Ch'ing was summarized, and the views of His Majesty's Government as stated in your telegram No. 160 of the 12th September were set out in full.\n\nTheir Excellencies read the two texts carefully, Mr. Tang the English and Mr. Lien the Chinese, and began their reply by repeating the language used by Prince Ching on the 8th September. They dwelt especially on the recognition by His Highness of the validity of the Preliminary Agreement, and argued that if this was carried out, as it would be, the question of a second line to be built by the Chekiangese themselves did not affect the British and Chinese Corporation.\n\nThe Corporation's line being a Chinese Government undertaking, the loss or profit would be China's and not the Corporation's.\n\nI insisted at length that in any rational view of the matter the question raised by the Board of Commerce Memorials was of vital concern to the Corporation. The proposals contained in those Memorials went to the root of the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Concession, and if they were carried out the Concession was annulled.\n\nIt was against common sense that two separate and distinct parties should each be given authorization to build a railway between towns so situated as Soochow, Hangchow, and Ningpo, and no matter what their Excellencies said, it could not be admitted for a moment that such lines would not be rival lines.\n\nThe Board of Commerce clearly proposed undertakings which violated the Preliminary Agreement, and, that being so, desired to know what steps the Chinese Government were prepared to take to rectify so grave an error.\n\nTheir Excellencies were for some time inclined to contend that the terms of the Preliminary Agreement did not bind the Chinese Government to give exactly the same terms for the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway as for the Shanghae-Nanking line, but after reference to the text of the Preliminary Agreement they abandoned this argument.\n\nThey then said that they could not criticize what was approved by Imperial Rescript.\n\nI said that I was not so sure as their Excellencies appeared to be that Imperial Decrees were irrevocable, and insisted that, in any case, there must be some machinery to rectify the error which was committed by the Board of Commerce.\n\nI looked to the Wai-wu Pu to set that machinery in motion.\n\nAs a private expression of opinion, Mr. Tang thought that the difficulty was capable of a satisfactory solution by means of some arrangement under which the Chekiang people would be given an opportunity to subscribe a portion of the capital required for the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway.\n\nI inquired whether I could be given a definite statement on the subject which I could submit officially for the consideration of His Majesty's Government.\n\nMr. Tang said that he would consult with Prince Ching and let me know the result.\n\nI had the honour to send you a telegram in the above sense to-day.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n[2226 7-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407893, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 357, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "352\n\nsaldā në pausel erd\n\nC\n\nAs soon as the Loan has been completely redeemed, this agreement shall become null and void and the mortgage shall be cancelled.\n\n3-302\n\nA\n\nJa whined sma\n\nmi povi\n\nArticle 17.\n\nIf, during construction, any proceeds of the sale of Bonds are lying unused and bearing interest on their deposit whilst the construction of the Railway is going on, such interest is to be credited to the general account of the Railway in order that the Railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof.\n\nIt is also agreed that if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the Bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6% per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.\n\nArticle 18.\n\nThe junction of the sections of the Railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively shall be arranged and the Railway worked under conditions based on the agreements usual in regard to the junction and working of inter-state railways in other countries. The Viceroy and the Governor of Hongkong shall in due time appoint officials to consider the subject and to arrange regulations accordingly.\n\nArticle 19.\n\nThis agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated ... which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai Wu Pu.\n\nArticle 20.\n\n七\n\nThis agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407915, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 379, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n374\n\n: \n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nPeking, October 3, 1906. IN a note of the 27th June Mr. Carnegie communicated to your Highness a list of names of officers and men in the service of the Chinese Government who exerted themselves to protect the lives and property of foreigners during the lamentable attack on the Missions at Nan Ch'ang in February last. I am now in receipt of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang, complaining strongly of the unsatisfactory manner in which this part of the stipulations has been carried out by the Chinese authorities. I have marked against the names on the inclosed list the rewards which, according to Mr. Werner's Report, have been bestowed on the persons mentioned by Mr. Carnegie, and I have no hesitation in supporting the Consul's view that these rewards are inadequate.\n\nI have the honour to request your Highness to be so good as to issue fresh instructions to the Governor of Kiangsi in regard to these rewards. I feel sure that it is only necessary for me to bring this matter to your Highness' notice to secure that the promise conveyed to Mr. Carnegie in your note of the 30th June will be fulfilled in a manner which will be satisfactory to His Majesty's Government.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[38722]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.'\n\n[November 17.]\n\nSECTION 10. C\n\n45640\n\n1 OFC 06\n\nChina Association to Foreign Office.--(Received November 17.)\n\n159, Cannon Street, London, November 16, 1906, IT is with extreme reluctance that the China Association ventures again to express its inability to regard as adequate the assurance regarding the future of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs conveyed in your letter of the 6th October.\n\nWhat is apprehended is not so much a definite act which can be decisively opposed, as subtle encroachment which it might be difficult to challenge at any one point, but which would be found after a lapse of time to have effected a material alteration in the circumstances that prevailed before the Edict of the 9th May was promulgated.\n\nThe contention of the Association is that changes have already been, and are currently being, made.\n\nParagraph 6 on p. 2 of the Memorandum submitted for the consideration of the Secretary of State on the 31st August scheduled changes already of serious import; and there have occurred since other incidents of less significance, each perhaps in itself, but all pointing in the direction of a purpose to alter the character and control of the service from a foreign to a Chinese basis. It is a case where the importance of each point becomes cumulatively greater.\n\nThe removal of the Imperial Maritime Customs Service from the control of the Foreign Board, and the subjection of the Inspector-General to a new and active Chinese authority--whether it be regarded as a transfer to the Board of Revenue or to a new and specially constituted Department--involves significant changes,\n\nThe right of direct correspondence with the Foreign Board, which the Inspector-General has enjoyed and exercised for forty years must, it would seem, be affected, and questions regarding foreign interests be discussed presumably in future between the Shui Wu Chu, or the Board of Revenue and the Wai-wu Pu, over his head.\n\nThere is a wide difference between the position of the Wai-wu Pu, which did little more than countersign Customs documents where necessary, or act as a Board of Advice to Sir R. Hart, and the position taken up by the Shui Wu Chu, which issues orders direct to the service.\n\nIt is said that the Commissioners are giving a further earnest of their purpose by requiring the submission to them by the Inspector-General of all official documents.\n\nThe mere fact that the Commissioners have had sumptuous offices prepared, and have allotted themselves large salaries payable out of the customs revenues, is a significant intimation to China and to foreign Powers that the Edict is not to remain a dead letter; and it requires but slight knowledge of the Chinese character to realize that one effect of this self-assertion will be to weaken the position of the foreign Commissioner and staff, vis-à-vis the Chinese authorities at the ports. The attitude of the new authority towards the Inspector-General will be reflected in the attitude of the Taotais towards the foreign Commissioners.\n\nThe previous rule was that, in case of difference between the Taotai and foreign Commissioner, the latter was to give way, but the Taotai had to justify his ruling to the Tsung-li Yamên (Wai-wu Pu), and the provision was sufficient to insure accord. That safeguard is now destroyed.\n\nIt is said, again, that the Commissioners have instructed the Taotais to report each on the capacity and character of his foreign colleague.\n\nIt is reported that they purpose changing the periodicity of the returns of trade from the foreign to the Chinese year, Much sanctity attaches to the Chinese calendar the acceptance or rejection of which by a tributary State meant admission of vassalage But statistics based on years varying in length from 350 to 380 days would be worth little for purposes of comparison.\n\nor rebellion.\n\nIt is difficult to form an adequate opinion of a document from a précis. But, so far as an impression can be formed, the sketch of Sir Robert Hart's promised Circular in the \"Times\" Peking correspondent's telegram of the 16th October confirms the Association's apprehension that it would prove futile. The Circular appears to contain, in fact, an admission rather than an assurance, and to justify the opinion expressed in the\n\nPage 2226\n\n-10]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407916, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 380, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "2\n\nannexed telegram from Hong Kong, that nothing but reversion to the status quo ante the Imperial Edict can save the Imperial Maritime Customs Service from deterioration.\n\nAn example of the deterioration that ensues when a Department is removed from foreign control and placed under Chinese control is furnished by the so-called Water Police at Canton. For many years the shipping, both native and foreign, has been controlled to the satisfaction of everybody by the Harbour Master, who, as in all other Treaty ports, is a foreigner in the employ of the Imperial Maritime Customs. The Viceroy created not long ago a new force, under Chinese control, which challenged the Harbour Master's authority, announcing that their orders only were to be obeyed. The consequence (we are informed by our Hong Kong branch) was that \"Disorder set in, and the work of years spent in instilling obedience into the owners of native craft was wiped out. No funds being provided for the maintenance of these so-called police, their first care was to make up for this neglect by instituting a method of squeeze. The best berths were put up to the highest bidders among the flower-boat owners, who paid highly were allowed to lie even in the fairway, whereas formerly these craft had to maintain their existence outside the harbour limits. The Harbour Master protested in vain, until at length the inconvenience grew to be so great that some channels—notably, a narrow one close to the Dutch Folly—were well-nigh impassable. The magnitude of this evil worked its own cure eventually, and these particular flower-boats were ordered away, but lesser numbers of them still obstruct the fairway in other places, and all efforts to have them removed prove vain because the Water Police have an interest in their remaining where they are, and encourage them to defy the efforts of the Harbour Master to keep the fairways clear.\n\nIn a small way the establishment of this new service is on all fours with the creation of the new Board.\n\nAs in the case of the latter, so it is with the former—abolition is the only cure.\n\nThe difficulty of substantiating certain reports of act and intention is admitted, and it may be that the storm of objection will persuade the new authority to stay temporarily its hand, but the conviction of the Committee that serious changes were and are intended remains unshaken. It is in that conviction that they venture to impart to you reports which have reached them, as tending to confirm their impression that pre-existing conditions will be modified insidiously rather than de front.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) JOSEPH WELCH,\n\nHon. Secretary.\n\n3\n\nExtract from the \"North China Herald\" of August 24, 1906.\n\nThe Governor of Shantung has received a despatch from the Customs Comptrollers-General, their Excellencies Tich Liang and Tang Shao-yi, in which he is instructed to note that, since a Customs Department has been established by Imperial Decree, all questions relating to Customs affairs are to be referred to that Department, excepting questions having an international bearing, which are to be referred to the Wai-wu Pu, and other matters relating purely to the receipt and disbursement of the revenues, which should be referred to the Board of Revenues. On receipt of the despatch, his Excellency the Governor has issued instructions to his subordinates accordingly.\n\nExtract from the \"Journal\" (for October) of the American Asiatic Association.\n\nThe United States is not less interested than Great Britain in preserving unimpaired the status of the Imperial Maritime Customs, and our Government may very properly be urged to join that of Great Britain in insisting on assurances more definite, more comprehensive, and more binding for the future than the somewhat equivocal assertion of Prince Ching.\n\nAddendum.\n\nAs the question of the immutability of an Imperial Edict has been raised, I may be permitted to remark on the incompatibility of the position of Tang Shao-yi with the Edict of the 24th July, 1901, relating to Article XII of the Protocol of Peking. That Edict admits, as a reason for changing the constitution of the Tsung-li Yamen, that \"the Princes and Ministers who composed it exercised the functions appertaining to it, for the most part, accessorily to others, (so that) they could not devote themselves to it exclusively\"; and concluded \"il convient donc naturellement de créer des fonctions spéciales, afin que chacun ait son attribution propre.\" The case of Tang Shao-yi, who holds numerous appointments, would appear to represent a breach of this Edict, and a reversion to the evils it was intended to combat. The subsidiary inconvenience of having to negotiate with Tang Shao-yi at the Wai-wu Pu regarding the position and acts of Tang Shao-yi at the Shui Wu Chu are too obvious to need comment.\n\n(Telegraphic,)\n\n35\n\nChina Association, Hong Kong, to China Association, London,\n\nHong Kong, October 16, 1906. We indorse views expressed in the \"Times\" London leader, of the 13th September. We advocate continuing to press for a new Edict superseding the Decree of 9th May, cancelling the appointment of High Commissioners, and reinstate the Inspector-General in former powers. No other solution of full control and in previous direct relations with Wai-wu Pu is satisfactory.\n\n375", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407923, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 387, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[40800]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n382\n\n[December 4.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n45640\n\nSir R. Hart to Sir Cecil Clementi-Smith.--(Communicated to Foreign Office, December 4, 1900.)\n\nPeking, October 21, 1906.\n\nDear Sir Cecil,\n\nYOURS of the 5th September arrived a few days ago. That Customs Edict has been much discussed, and, of course, it in itself is, and means, change. It gives the new Directors-General full authority, and they themselves will interpret that authority's limits; but in doing so they will find that the liberty to do so is already circumscribed by various conditions and circumstances which cannot be ignored. We were certainly easier in mind before the Edict appeared, but it is difficult to prophesy how it will operate, and when it will begin to pinch; we shall probably have to wait for experience to furnish enlightenment on both points.\n\nThe Inspectorate has never been forced on China, and it has now existed some fifty years by China's own wish. In 1854 the native authorities fled when the Triads took and held Shanghai, and then British, French, and American Treaty Power Consuls established a triumvirate of Inspectors to collect the duties due to China, and grant such customs clearances as would authorize Consuls to restore ships' papers and allow them to depart. The following year the city was retaken and official authority re-established, and the Inspectors were found to have done such good work—regulating procedure and increasing collection—that they were invited to retain their positions, and when the Tien-tsin Treaties stipulated for a uniform system at all open ports in 1858, it was the extension of the Shanghai system that was adopted. Later, again, when the Tien-tsin indemnities were paid off in 1865-66, there appeared a special Decree continuing the system, so well had it worked, and so profitably. From that date down to 1906, no alteration was made, and as new ports were, time after time, opened, the Inspectorate planted its offices at them, and, in addition, attended to many other kinds of business that occasion demanded or made opening for. During all this long period it was within the power of China to change, interfere, or undo, but instead of this occurring, the Service was strengthened in every respect, and the authority of the Inspector-General increased.\n\nI joined at Canton in 1859, and when the first Inspector-General, Mr. H. N. Lay, went home on leave in 1861, returning in 1863, the work was carried on by me, and on his fall in 1863 I was made Inspector-General in his place, and have held the appointment ever since. Thus it came to pass that my way of working grew with the extension of the Inspectorate, and, invisibly, independence and power accompanied that growth, so that I had, in the end, a position which could not have been expected, and would not have been conceded, at the beginning. But through all this I was, from first to last, the subordinate of the Tsung-Ji Yamên and Wai-wu Pu, and I might at any moment have been made to feel that they could control me; and when the new office, the Shui-wu Ch'u, appeared this year, the transfer of the Inspectorate to it was a simple transfer of already and long-existing control, and, if a new departure, not a new creation.\n\nWe do not yet know who was the prime mover, or what was the ruling motive in the establishment of the Ch'u, but my age, and my approaching departure, probably made a way and opening for it, and a natural desire to make it look more like a native than a foreign department, together with a growing necessity for finding employment for an increasing number of fairly qualified and better equipped students, had also probably much to do with a much-to-be-expected development in this \"China for the Chinese\" age. We have now worked some four or five months under the Ch'u, and, except that the fight made for us by foreign friends has somewhat incensed our native chiefs, and that hypothetical fears may have sown the seeds of what may some day spring up as actual developments, no special change has shown itself of a kind to threaten, inconvenience, or derange the Service. The new Directors-General simply told me I was to carry on as before, and I have been doing so.\n\nSome think I ought to have protested, resisted, or resigned, but I did not see my way to criticise an Edict or oppose official orders given in accordance with it, nor did I consider, what certainly seemed a critical juncture, the right moment for deserting...\n\n(2263 d---1)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407924, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 388, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "383\n\nthe ship. If the Treaty Powers had at once intervened unanimously, they might have, perhaps, got the transfer deferred, but they would not have been likely to secure either the cancellation of the Edict or the disestablishment of the Ch'u; further, unanimity was evidently impossible at the outset, and, while some expressed the opinion that there was nothing to be objected to, others rather chuckled over the possible clipping of the Inspector-General's wings. What I did was to accept the change, ask help from nobody, and set about making the best of it in the interests of the Service and China, revenue and trade and that is what I continue to do.\n\nCritics also find that the new office, and the manner of its introduction, constitute an affront to myself, belittle my position, damage loan guarantees, and threaten the Customs Service generally. My optimistic nature prevents my viewing all these things in the same lurid light. The new Ch'u might work mischief, but the old Pu could have done the same, and, as for evils that may come out of it, we simply have to guard against them under new chiefs just as we had to under old ones. It is quite true that I was not consulted, and that I knew nothing till the Edict was communicated to me. But it appeared to me that the Government had treated me even considerately in not inviting my opinion on what it had decided to do, and, if affront there was, I felt it more by proxy than in person; further, I think it was wiser to act while I was still here than to wait for my departure, seeing that my way of doing things might ease the situation, and be of use to both Chinese Government and Customs Service.\n\nThe general status of the Service will seem to many to have been lowered by the transfer, but, in point of fact, it was the good work it did, rather than simple questions with the Chinese Foreign Office, that won for it, its status, and, if it continues to do good work, it will rank just as high under the new Customs bureau. At the outset the Chinese Foreign Office was the natural office for such an anomalous service—with its cosmopolitan composition, its extraterritorialized elements, and its curiously mixed international duties—to be attached to, but, evidently, sooner or later the employment of foreigners would end and Chinese revenue work be located in a Chinese revenue office. The transfer at this date is quite an orderly development, and I, for one, am not at all surprised at or shocked by it; for some reasons it might, perhaps, have been better to develop a little later, and, for others, the present may be said to have been the best and most natural time. Thus the feeling of belittlement is more sentimental than real, and is, in fact, felt more by others than by myself.\n\nThe loans and their guarantees will be just as safe under the Ch'u as under the Pu. Their real security is the Edict which sanctioned them, and any such Edict pledges the resources of the Empire to prevent default.\n\nThat foreign employés would some day disappear was always a certainty, and what caused and prolonged their employment has been China's own feeling of want for their assistance and profit derived from it. The result of the recent agitation has been to fix a term for such employment, and the probability now is that it will cease when loans and indemnities are paid off. Without the agitation employment would simply continue so long as called for, ceasing, perhaps, before, perhaps long after, the loans, &c.\n\nVarious causes have been assigned by the newspapers for the creation of the Ch'u, notably the Viceroy Yuan's need of funds, and many possible lines of action mapped out for the Directors-General Tieh and T'ang, notably a desire to manipulate revenue improperly. I question both interpretation of fact and prophecy for future. Yuan may want funds, but he would not find them in that way; and Tieh and T'ang may have revenue views, but the established system has too many checks to admit of wholesale speculation. The working of the Inspectorate has been found convenient and useful, and it is quite possible that the Ch'u has been created to continue that working when it being also likely that the Chinese Government and its native advisers will not favour the same amount of power and independence enjoyed as a natural growth by myself being transferred or transmitted to any succeeding Inspector-General. The new Directors-General will be steadied by three or four considerations. They will continue the working procedure at the ports, fearing to evoke mercantile outcry and Legation intervention should they initiate any mischievous departures from that procedure; the Inspectorate has annually reported increased, and the new chiefs will certainly not seek to report decreased, collection; on fixed dates fixed amounts have to be provided and paid as a loan and indemnity account, and such an obligation will force Tieh and Tang, even if otherwise inclined, to avoid such a manipulation of revenue as would entail temporary default and consequent trouble; and the spirit of progress which is certainly at work in this Far Eastern land, will affect the Ch'u too, and force it on in the direction of betterness. All these causes and reasons will have a steadying effect and prevent the new Ch'u and its chiefs from doing what would either hurt the careers\n\n3\n\nof foreign employés now in the Service, spoil the established and fairly good procedure of the Treaty Port Customs, weaken the guarantees of bondholders, or do the mischief generally the press has been forecasting.\n\nAs I said in the beginning of this long letter, the creation of the Shui-wu Ch'u is itself a change, but, while transfer from the Wai-wu Pu to it may be thought to affect the status of the Inspectorate or Customs Service, it is quite possible that revenue work generally will benefit, in the interests of all, both collecting officials and trading public, and that this special office, with revenue work for its special work, will prove a better public servant than the Wai-wu Pu with so much other business to attend to and so little time to direct native attention to the details of Customs work.\n\nThat I have felt sympathy with the foreign members of the Service in their fears for what might follow, and also satisfaction at the complimentary way in which the world speaks of the status and work of the Inspectorate and Service generally, goes without saying, but when asked to formulate advice as to what is the best thing now to be done, I am at a loss. If I were younger and staying on here another decade or two, I should prefer being allowed to work, or worry through, in my own way, but, having reached the end of my tether, it is others that have to be thought about and not myself. As already said, it is too late to aim at cancellation of the Edict or disestablishment of the Ch'u, while the third alternative to require the return of the Inspectorate to the Wai-wu Pu—would not only be difficult to effect, but also, probably blocked at first by want of unanimity on the part of the Treaty Powers, would, if eventually successful, not only set Chinese officials by the ears, so to speak, but would procure for the Inspectorate such antagonism, on all sides and at every place where it functions, as an enforced and protected foreign intrusion on Chinese ground, that work would never again proceed smoothly, and foreign employés would be in discomfort perpetually and perhaps in danger too; if these views—and they are mine—are correct, and seeing that criticism, suggestion, and intervention, if not carried out to the very end and given full effect to, only irritate Chinese officialdom and make foreign employés hateful in their eyes, it would seemingly be better to drop the matter, and merely take care for the future to intervene with specific complaint and specific demand when any interference with port procedure or Inspector-General's service management threatens to damage mercantile duty-paying interests or service duty-collecting practice. In making up your minds what further steps to take, just leave me out of the question my day being about ended and do what you think will best serve general interests. Can you get the Powers to be unanimous and combine, and can you intervene in such a way as to make China value the Inspectorate more instead of less? These are questions worth considering, and you people who know China, or who think you know China, would do well to have clear ideas on both points before going further. Without united action, nothing will be effected, and with it the result might possibly be an International Board on objectionable conditions; how would that suit you? And how would China take it? And, beyond keeping up the uncertainty and irritation, what real good will result? The Ch'u certainly has much power, and Tang is an active man, and the various disagreeable things the Association points to in its Memorandum of the 23rd August last are not impossibilities. On the other hand, I do not regard them as immediately probable, or as likely to be introduced either rashly or harmfully, while it is possible that opposition to them before they are attempted may fail to prevent or may even hasten their appearance. You may see the situation more clearly at a distance than I do close at hand, but I can at least claim an equal desire to have right action taken and wrong avoided. Sooner or later, Inspectorate, as composed of foreigners, must disappear, but its disappearance is more likely to be the substitution of the Ch'u to continue than to discontinue its practice and procedure. The right to issue the Edict, or create the Ch'u, cannot be questioned, but, although it may mean that the eventual disappearance of foreign employés is foreshadowed if not intended, its object may also be to preserve and perpetuate the procedure which the foreign Inspectorate introduced fifty years ago, and continued till now in the general interest. Other men's views and other men's advice may be better than mine, and those who decide the action to be taken must choose. Meanwhile, I am sitting tight, and work goes on just as before, though, of course, we have to allow that we have lost various advantages that connection with the Wai-wu Pu gave us, and have to face possible difficulties on the new ground we stand on under the Shui-wu Ch'u. The foreign employés are naturally anxious, fearing their employment may be of uncertain duration and the conditions of work under more active Chinese Chiefs less agreeable than heretofore, to say nothing of unwillingness to be connected with work that might possibly show a falling off in quality and character. This is quite natural, and I sympathize", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407925, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 389, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "4\n\nwith it, and, if anything could be done to dissipate that feeling of alarm, all would rejoice. Unfortunately, the effect of every step taken to strengthen our position will be to irritate Chinese officials, and I, for one, should be very sorry to stay on here relying on outside support and foreign bayonets; and it is only acceptability with the Chinese that will prolong the life of the Service or make position and work possible and palatable for the men now in it.\n\nAlthough I see I have written at considerable length, I have, after all, written very generally; to discuss the matter fully would fill a quire, with, as a result, more points raised, more differences of opinion, and the same difficulty-qua faire?-in the end. I do not believe in such a concert of the Great Powers as would procure withdrawal of the Edict, and, even if it were withdrawn, the position of the Inspectorate vis-à-vis the Chinese Government would be antagonistic and distasteful. I therefore think it will be wisest to be content with the line of action which commends itself to the Foreign Office, for that Department knows best what can and what cannot be effected, and has its responsible advisers on the spot here.\n\nMy health is not what it once was, and if it were not that my presence gives things time to rearrange themselves without disaster, I should not be remaining. By the time the Ch'n is a year old the various parties will have grown accustomed to each other, and the procedure followed during the year will be hardening into precedent, if not second nature. I have kept things together for a pretty long spell, but I really cannot hold on for ever.\n\nGeneral Waters is away at the manoeuvres I hear, and has not yet visited Peking so far as I know.\n\nOur latest visitor has been the Japanese Prince Fushimi, and the rest of this new century will be pretty full of the doings of his gallant countrymen in the East generally, and perhaps in China in particular. I should like to live through and see it all, but of course that is out of the question.\n\nWith kind regards, &c. (Signed)\n\nROBERT HART.\n\nce or Individual.\n\nForeign\n\n1906\n\n3 sec\n\n2\n\nast previous Paper. MU\n\nTru\n\nHONG KONG\n\nNo. 46141\n\n(Subject.)\n\nBritish Postal Agencies\n\nC. O.\n\n384\n\nDOMESTIC.\n\n46141\n\n19 14 DEC 06!\n\nin China\n\nLeeds copy deep from Peking\n\nAs t\n\narrangements for working of Has approved action taken in regard to placing postal duties in Lauss of bon stable to the bonuses\n\nfor Colling\n\n(Minules.)\n\n27596 shews that\n\nnot object, if\n\nare\n\nsatisfactory.\n\nthat H. K. will\n\nthe\n\nmen\n\nh\n\nSufeurisian\n\n? Putty.\n\n別\n\n74112\n\n30 da (33) — 20735-270WELS\n\nsabsequent Paper.\n\n07\n\nAn\n\nAlc\n\n15-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407963, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 427, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "ISA 422 YAVITAS FORT ON MOTMAD Georbee ne of 9 IN THE (Now add}\n\n**** 06.& de Jule Todosɔë C V ܂ howto' .8.1 *:3п02074 how battel gru? bot bab7 66 or pareteter N et Jedi bebtoner 38% 1 moldyo 6:53 ct heanne bef aduu seek to adnences enblem to 12 modmal to read te · Vad beron oala Har J! bemorlo VIIvtoteo het asl)uşab wd to Jae) ezeride bus standi Jurit beds: TATOAT D'UN comentu s.it mort bevisset need ed to aeausio Iuto V9 a Or 9966 · [lemmat bed ..! Jeno Juo *g and ye anotsuktogon to Jiube Dented Jo of wives therest, a to vtfacti dog hest. RADAU SA de IX Oa 9 $90ldan 10% JnOKSGINÁ -amo ktu td open sesid to egboikonz Izool nemzetics enn by a'yo root end and bevisado #tulismen od ClBevoer New Jt doldw mointyo #ranse one to ministro eilteoḤ dnevery of moli teoggo\n\nopposition to the Edict.\n\nThe Viceroy's objections were then discussed SERIATIM, and certain verbal amendments agreed to under Articles 1, 4, 6, and 15, the object of these amendments being the clearer assertion of the authority and dignity of the Chinese \"Government\". It was stated that certain other proposals by the Viceroy were impracticable and would be met by explaining to him the facts in each case.\n\nH.E. T'ANG SHAO-YI objected to the inclusion in the preamble of any reference to the preliminary agreements as calculated to create an erroneous impression on Chinese public opinion; he also desired that instead of making the Viceroy responsible for the railway, the agreement should refer to the representative of the Chinese Government; this because of certain administrative changes impending in the Chinese Government's system.\n\nIt was agreed that, in order to submit a complete draft, finally corrected, at next meeting, the Canton Viceroy's delegates would go over the text again with Mr. Bland.\n\nReferring to the question of price, MR. BLAND submitted a telegram received from the Directors of the Corporation in which it was stipulated that the loan should be issued within 30 days of receipt of the documents in London and under conditions similar to those of clause 12 of the Northern Railway Loan Agreement. MR. BLAND was of opinion that the Board, as the result of further representations, might agree to the option of issue at the fixed commission of 6 points over a longer period than that above-named, and suggested the possibility of compromise, on the understanding that no extension of the time-limit be stipulated; he had been given to understand that this latter condition could under no circumstances", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407973, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 437, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA TRADE,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL\n\n[41011]\n\n[December 4.]\n\nSECTION\n\n432\n\nNo. 1.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, December 4, 1906.\n\nMr. Rees,--To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the cultivation of opium in China is under observation and report, in order to ascertain whether the recent Edict of the Chinese Government is being effectively enforced within the Empire.\n\nAnswer.\n\nIn answer to other questions, I have already explained the difficulty of procuring trustworthy information as to the area of opium cultivation. But the Consuls in China will report to the best of their ability as to the manner in which the Edict will be carried into effect.\n\n[2268 d-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 407989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 453, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "is Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n10\n\nAs soon as the loan has been completely redeemed, this Agreement shall become null and void and the mortgage shall be cancelled.\n\nArt. 17. If, during construction, any proceeds of the sale of bonds are lying unused and bearing interest on their deposit whilst the construction of the railway is going on, such interest is to be credited to the general account of the railway in order that the railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof.\n\nIt is also agreed that, if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6 per cent. per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds.\n\nArt. 18. The junction of the sections of the railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control, and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively, shall be arranged, and the railway worked under conditions based on the agreements usual in regard to the junction and working of Inter-State Railways in other countries. The Viceroy and the Governor of Hong Kong shall in due time appoint officials to consider the subject and arrange Regulations accordingly.\n\nArt. 19. This Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nArt. 20. This Agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese; one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai-wu Pu, one by the Bureau of Railways and Mines at Peking, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation: and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement, the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at day of day of the Inter- by the Contracting Parties, this the year of the Emperor Kwang-Hsü, being the 1906 of the Western Calendar.\n\ncalary month of the\n\n$\n\nو\n\nFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n336]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n448\n\n[December 1]\n\nSECTION 7. C.O.\n\n42055\n\n99 DEC 06\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 1.)\n\nPeking, October 12, 1906.\n\nWITH reference to Mr. Carnegie's despatch No. 356 of the 22nd August, I have honour to inclose copy of a despatch of the 22nd September from His Majesty's Consul officiating at Nanking, which makes it clear that the Viceroy's delay in carrying out the engagement to send deputies to Shanghae for the purpose of discussing a settlement of the riots of December last is due to fear of popular clamour, nowadays a common excuse for inaction in the Provincial Governments of China.\n\nIn an interview at the Wai-wu Pu on the 25th September I commented on the very satisfactory state of affairs at Shanghae, and on the failure of the Nanking Viceroy to carry out the understanding come to with Mr. Carnegie at the beginning of June. Their Excellencies said that they had telegraphed repeatedly urging the Viceroy to send the deputies as arranged, and seemed to consider that the Wai-wu Pu had exhausted their efforts.\n\nThis drew from me some obvious remarks on the necessity of a Central Government, worthy of the name, being able to enforce its orders on the provinces, and the unquestionable danger of a situation like the present, in which the executive power is set at naught by irresponsible notables and other agitators. I expressed a strong desire to settle this question of the riots at Shanghae quickly and amicably, and thought that an exchange of views with the newly-appointed Viceroy Tuan Fang, before he left Peking for his post, might assist matters. I mentioned that the new appointment had been welcomed by the foreign communities at Shanghae, who trusted to it to effect an improvement in their strained relations with the Chinese authorities.\n\nTheir Excellencies fell in readily with my suggestion to exchange views with the Viceroy, and it was agreed that I should myself arrange a meeting with his Excellency, who was busily engaged in the reform conferences at the Summer Palace, and would not be free to leave for his post for at least a fortnight.\n\nI renewed the subject at the Wai-wu Pu on the 3rd October, when I pressed for the issue of precise instructions to his Excellency Tuan Fang to send deputies to Shanghae to discuss a settlement on the basis of compensation to bona fide sufferers. I would see his Excellency next morning by appointment, and would speak to him as arranged, but that I was particularly anxious that the instructions I mentioned should reach him by the Chinese Government before he left Peking, in order to avoid further delay and useless correspondence.\n\nA discussion followed, in which their Excellencies read a letter received from the Viceroy Chou Fu since my previous interview. In this the Chinese view of the Mixed Court incident, conduct of the Municipal police, continued presence at Shanghae of Mr. Twyman, who was now Acting Consul-General, and other irrelevant matters, were mixed up in a rambling statement full of excuses for the delay in acting up to the understanding of June.\n\nI pointed out the character of this statement: the deputies from Nanking were to join in an investigation of the riots, which was a matter apart from the Mixed Court incident; enquiry into the conduct of the police had been offered at the time and avoided; Mr. Twyman, who had nothing whatever to do with the riots, was in temporary charge of the Consulate-General during the absence on sick leave of Sir P. Warren, and the deputies, I said, would conduct their negotiations with the latter, or, if it was preferred, with the Commercial Attaché, Mr. Hosie, who would proceed to Shanghae for the purpose.\n\nTheir Excellencies suggested that I should tell his Excellency Tuan Fang that they had agreed to give him instructions before he left Peking.\n\nWith his Excellency Tuan-Fang I had two interviews on the 4th and 9th October, at both of which I discussed the subject at length.\n\nAt the first, in answer to repeated requests to extract a definite statement that he would send deputies without loss of time to Shanghae to investigate the riots on the basis of compensation to bona fide sufferers, he avoided giving more than a general promise to deal with the case immediately after he took over the seals at Nanking, expressed ignorance of the reasons for Chou Fu's delay, and showed a disposition to carry the discussion off to the Mixed Court incident.\n\nI insisted on the absolute necessity of commencing the arrangement reported in Mr. Carnegie's telegram No. 122 of the 6th June (2203 A-7).", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 408006, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "page_number": 470, "title": "CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906", "content_text": "matter had not received the Emperor's sanction.\n\n465\n\n(Mr Tebbitt here stated that the date of the Imperial Edict in question was about October 1898).\n\nThe Deputies professed surprise to learn of the existence of this correspondence, and said they would examine the Viceroy's records about the date mentioned.\n\nMr Ross said, with reference to Clause 5 of the Preliminary Agreement, he had personally drafted this clause in 1899 at Shanghai; the local difficulties then apprehended were interference with survey parties, fengshui prejudices and trouble over the removal of graves etc, for all of which Sheng said the Viceroy of Canton would if necessary make arrangements. His Excellency however was apparently disinclined to make arrangements to meet local difficulties, and in whatever sense this clause might be read, such an attitude could neither be regarded as the spirit nor the letter of the clause in question.\n\nMr Wen continuing his remarks, said that while they did not intend that the cancellation of the Agreement should entail any monetary compensation as was exacted by the American Company over the Yüan Han Line the Viceroy understood that the Corporation had been put to some expense over a survey of the proposed route of the line, and His Excellency was willing to refund such outlay, but as the Engineer employed by the Corporation had been used for other work besides the Canton-Kowloon survey, only the actual proportion of his expenses chargeable to this railway would be paid.\n\nMr Ross said, any proposals of this nature which the Viceroy wished to make should be made in writing to the Consul-General, as he was not authorised to discuss such suggestions. He was present to discuss the terms of a Loan Agreement and wished to be informed if the Viceroy's Deputies were or were not prepared to proceed with such discussion.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-338 - Public Offices & Others - 1906.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 409295, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6]", "page_number": 361, "title": "CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6]", "content_text": "Si M. Nathan has read the despatch.\n\nAuxions that we should go as slow as possible. He is cautious & not commit Hongkong with love & care. Whether the Chinese government are in earnest, Mr. May's views are borne out by a leading article in today's Times, handed in.\n\n\"The Edicts in China are not to be taken at face value.\"\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nHongkong.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nC. D.\n\nNo. 17\n\nD. 43\n\n21539\n\nGovernment House,\n\nHongkong, 15th May 1907.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's Confidential Despatch of the 20th February covering correspondence with regard to the proposals of the Chinese Government for gradually abolishing the use of Opium, and requesting the observations of this Government on those proposals of the Chinese Government which especially concern Hongkong.\n\nYour Lordship adds that it is the desire of His Majesty's Government to meet the wishes of the Chinese Government in this matter as far as possible.\n\n2.\n\nThe proposals which particularly concern this Colony are contained in the 4th paragraph of the Memorandum handed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking by the Wai Wu Pu on the 29th November last.\n\nThe first proposal is that this Government should strictly prohibit the boiling of Opium in Hongkong for export to China, and the second that His Majesty's\n\nRIGHT HONOURABLE\n\nTHE EARL OF ELGIN, K.G.,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 409302, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6]", "page_number": 368, "title": "CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6]", "content_text": "Page 364\n\n10.\n\nThe three points discussed above are the only ones dealt with in the correspondence accompanying Your Lordship's Despatch which directly concern this Government. But as I have already indicated the whole policy of His Majesty's Government in reference to Opium must affect this Colony, and I trust I may therefore be excused if I add the following general remarks on the subject.\n\nJust as it is hopeless to expect the establishment of a national currency for China until the Central Government takes into its own hands the control of the Provincial Mints, even so is it useless to expect that the Chinese Government will succeed in enforcing the Opium Edict of the 20th of September last until it takes into its own hands the regulation of the traffic in Opium.\n\nThis traffic at the present time is vested in a separate Monopoly in each Province from which the Provincial Governments, always hard pressed for money, draw a considerable proportion of their revenues. As Sir John Jordan very pertinently remarks in the ante-penultimate paragraph of his Despatch of the 12th of December last, the financial side of the question has not been sufficiently considered.\n\nIt appears that the Central Government receives two millions\n\nPage 364\n\n \n\n \n364", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 409303, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6]", "page_number": 369, "title": "CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6]", "content_text": "365\n\nmillions Sterling out of a total revenue of something less than seven millions collected upon Native Opium alone. The Viceroys of the various Provinces concerned use these five millions Sterling for their own administrative purposes and cannot possibly forego such revenue without a dislocation of the Provincial Finances, which I venture to say few of them are in a position to deal with.\n\nThis Edict is nothing new. Innumerable Edicts containing similar provisions have been promulgated in the past without producing any abiding effect. In the meantime the system of Government in China has not changed and it is idle to expect a better fate for the new Edict than its predecessors shared.\n\nIf, however, I am wrong and the Chinese Government accomplishes the unexpected and succeeds in enforcing the Edict, then there will be no demand for Indian or other Opium for there will be no Opium smokers.\n\nIn the interests of this Colony I would respectfully urge that it would seem premature to take any further steps than have been taken in limiting the export of Opium from India.\n\n11.\n\nI attach a copy of a letter which I", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410027, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-341 - Acting Governor May Governor Lugard - 1907 [7-10]", "page_number": 373, "title": "CO129-341 - Acting Governor May Governor Lugard - 1907 [7-10]", "content_text": "368\n\nVigoy 19bn BOTA Víð SIinw amey atsl to Jud,noldi menoa to noi. stioqrik slic bauscroni viibsota und aniño mi notteritius (£6 ja al on to atnt .bealfoon bad miiqo nsiere¶ bus makluĮ rwiyo to możzontbong of Jart Joat wit of eub &rsq mi atueve jeniqk əlov, wie ni aqoro evitaremumet dæos e it to eno al ail to pilaeng, vrið al dusmevorgni Laubung edo od gaino sliN. ertameqia etom edt gutociqer v[lauber of aldt mumb evitan .sfolds betroqni od Ga nottelup eit otni palog JUONSIV cils gangguɛ glanti N **£*ta og 11 neve,88iw as Ji mədəniy\n\nto call mat gerth na ww I die 10 troa eroa oven Boot oyidan ba, velio gis otree od dow so beauds ton et et eo qnol ou foli laza,bemtis eritdie wat a ;' jquox* 103 wuriyo Zo eas wild to notaðingua Istot elT Live 9810w [lita & An tA pete ucmi bbyo t sobib ni it bei b vi yhsenie ust ater bas vijnwoo end nog: eris,eri:igro. belliq \"koziqo-kla\" bellað ut 20 ne bezsenon! ecsetont end no antea noitostał obirebowy yɗ ret‡al edit to ea Alt to boonquodiglen sri ni vitaIUJËSTBU • bročke gaftrisi£\n\nenteroð síet ind all daið guldėl DA SILV -ntevoð Labem I e 3 talees 0. Towog utt må (Ix ob binora nam bus IladZIO ODES O ush Hoida turasta ɛvotre vis ni † (nat lima od anne... 6 di origo to sau mir aze qqua ayoliteq (latani jiu Holw Xalx et egale Bid 35 t...o jatoq of sior .iaso vættirmoð beyondack foald jel'inƐ to nultoee alarisv a anival to mart s .mobi, squoo evitan to Jitsued and not vision on [fov Μl àÅ (Is es ainioitto [su muid at vino Jon jeurigo got to molèstroyrúi erit of beaoqqo to drog et ta betoelfos,mixel LIN: PAS OBIA JUỐ , grub Stoq sniðinak Istreqril of yu anixs¶ of bastine\" guled bus,vitne end of taol al mortereid Jitong eubi to soltano Ils amoteMO bezator NA KON or at Jariw e9a oriw aetjhodžμA Isionivor¶ iwo tiers ddiw gnideqhão bius ensitrød risið qutaesq efoldrS opium.\n\nThe cultivation of native opium is largely in the hands of high Chinese Officials and is of course a source of enormous revenue to them and to all through whose districts it passes or in which it is consumed.\n\nIt is quite probable that several of the leading officials in the Empire are quite sincere in their wish to check the production and consumption of opium, in which no doubt they are being to a certain extent supported by what may be described as a popular movement but though edicts to this effect may be issued, it is quite another matter to carry them into effect, particularly in the more distant parts of the Empire and it is inconceivable that within so short a space of time as ten years the whole cultivation of the poppy can be put an end to.\n\nLarge districts in many of the provinces and countless thousands of Chinese of all classes are dependent upon this opium industry for a living and too sudden a change, if they are forced to stop the production, or transportation, of opium can only result in failure of the movement or rebellion.\n\nThe point therefore that the Committee would wish to impress upon His Excellency is that no steps should be taken by His Majesty's Government to curtail the foreign opium trade until there is ample evidence that a proportionate reduction is being made in the production of the native drug.\n\nThe Committee consider that as matters now stand there is no guarantee that the Provincial Authorities as a whole seriously intend to suppress opium smoking but are merely taking advantage of the present movement to further their own personal ends and increase their own revenue at the expense of a very valuable section of British trade.\n\nFor the information of His Excellency I beg to enclose copy of a telegram which is being sent through the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation to His Majesty's Minister", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-341 - Acting Governor May Governor Lugard - 1907 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410832, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 9, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 30 \nLiterally taken from Article 31 of the Preliminary Agreement with the addition at the end of \"such transfers, sub-transfers, delegations, or sub-delegations to be subject to the approval of the Imperial Chinese Directors.\"\n\n## 31 \nThe Imperial Chinese Government may affix on the railway telegraph poles such wires as they may at any time deem necessary for the Government service and likewise the Chinese Telegraph Administration may also affix on the railway telegraph poles such wires as the Telegraph Administration may require for their service, and for so affixing wires on the railway poles the Telegraph Administration shall contribute towards the cost of the erection of the poles and of their annual maintenance in proportion to the number of wires owned by the Telegraph Administration to those owned by the Railway Administration. The Railway Administration shall not accept any commercial telegrams for transmission over their lines excepting under special arrangements with the Telegraph Administration.\n\n## 32 \nThe Imperial Government shall take all reasonable measures to protect the property of the railway in case of need, and should at any time the Board of Commissioners deem policing necessary at any point on the line it shall be supplied by and at the expense of the Railway Administration. Under no circumstances must any foreign force be sent on the line or be posted about the station premises.\n\n## 33 \nThe railway shall not carry any mails other than those dispatched by the Imperial Chinese Postal Departments and shall observe such regulations as the Imperial Government may adopt from time to time in respect of mail matters conveyed by the railway. The railway service mails may, however, be conveyed free of restrictions.\n\n## 34 \nDifferences arising between the Imperial Directors and the Syndicate Banks shall be submitted to two Arbitrators, one to be nominated by each side, and in the event of such Arbitrators being unable to agree they shall themselves appoint an Umpire whose decision shall be final and binding.\n\n## 35 \nThe provisions of this Agreement shall after signature be memorialized to the Throne by the Imperial Directors for ratification by an Imperial Edict, which shall be communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to the Ministers for Germany and Great Britain in Peking.\n\n## 36 \nFive sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by the Wai-wu Pu, one set by the Board of Commerce, one by the Imperial Directors, and one by each Syndicate Bank. In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract the English text shall rule.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n### Final Agreement\nIn accordance with Article 33 of a Preliminary Agreement which under the date of the 18th May, 1899, has been signed at Peking on behalf of the Imperial Government of China and an Anglo-German Syndicate for the construction of railways from Tien-tsin to the Yang-tsze-Kiang, the following Final Agreement has now been made between duly authorized to act on behalf of the Imperial Government of China, hereinafter called the Imperial Directors of the one part, and (a) the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Shanghae; (b) Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., as agents for and on behalf of the Chinese Central Railways, Limited of London, hereinafter called \"the Syndicate,\" of the other part.\n\n1. The Imperial Government of China authorises the Syndicate to issue a 5 per cent. gold loan for an amount of £... millions ... hundred thousand pounds sterling. The loan shall be dated the ... and called \"The Imperial Chinese 5 per Cent. Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Railway Loan.\"\n\n## 7 \n2. The loan is designed to provide the capital for the construction of a Government railway line from a point connecting the trunk line with the Imperial railways of North China, at or near Tien-tsin, through Tetschou, Tsiuanfu, Yentschoufu and Ihsien (district) to the southern frontier of Shantung, called the northern section, and further from this frontier, through Likuo, Hsutchou, Linkwai to Pukou (Nanking), called the southern section of the line. The total length of the lines is estimated to be about 1,085 kilom., equal to about 2,170 Chinese li.\n\n3. The capital so provided will include the funds required for the purchase of the necessary land, rolling-stock, and other equipment, and for working the lines, together with interest on the loan during the period of construction, which is considered to be four years from the actual beginning of the works, the commencement of the works not to be delayed beyond six months after this Agreement has been signed. Construction shall proceed simultaneously for the German section to the north and to the south of Tsinanfu, as well as for the English section to the north of Pukow.\n\n4. The rate of interest for the loan shall be 5 per cent. per annum on the nominal principal of each call, and shall be paid by the Boards of Commissioners in half-yearly instalments for account of the Imperial Chinese Government during the time fixed for the construction, out of the proceeds of the loan, and afterwards out of the revenue of the lines named as far as this will be sufficient; the deficient amount shall be met by the Imperial Chinese Government from other sources.\n\n5. The term of the loan shall be fifty years. Repayment of principal shall commence in the eleventh year from the date of the loan, and shall be made by a yearly sinking fund to the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and to the bank nominated by the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), viz. the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, who have signed this Agreement as evidence of their acceptance of the duties imposed upon them under this Agreement in yearly instalments according to the amounts and dates of the Schedule attached to this Agreement out of the revenue of the lines as far as this will be sufficient; the deficient amount shall be met by the Imperial Chinese Government from other sources. Therefore the whole annual net revenue of the two sections of the railway shall be thrown together to cover the requirements of the service of the loan for interest and sinking fund, and the respective necessary amounts for this service shall be put at the disposal of the Boards of Commissioners. The remaining of the pooled sums is to be divided in proportion of 65 per cent. for the German section, and 35 per cent. for the English section, and rendered to the respective Boards for further application as indicated by Article 28 of this Agreement.\n\n6. In the event of the Imperial Chinese Government wishing to redeem after the lapse of ... years from the date of the loan the outstanding amount or any portion of it, not yet due, from funds bona fide belonging to the Chinese Government or subscribed by Chinese merchants, the conditions for such redemption must first be arranged with the Syndicate when the time arrives. Such premature redemption or an increase of amortization will not take place before the year...\n\n7. After the line has been completed the yearly payments due for amortization and the half-yearly payments due for interest shall be made, in accordance with the amounts and dates of the Schedule attached to this Agreement, to the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, in Shanghae or Tien-tsin, twenty-one days before the due dates named in the Schedule, by funds in Shanghae or Tien-tsin sycee sufficient to meet such payment in sterling in Europe, the rate of exchange for which shall be settled with the two banks at the best procurable rate of exchange. These payments will be made out of the net revenue of the railway lines by the Boards of Commissioners hereinafter mentioned, and in case of deficiency of this revenue by the Imperial Government of China. In reimbursement of expenses connected with the service of interest and principal of the loan the two banks will receive a commission of ... per cent. on the annual loan service.\n\n8. This entire loan shall be secured by a first mortgage on the permanent way, rolling-stock, and entire property, together with the revenue of the lines named in clause 2. No further loan, charge, or mortgage shall be charged on this security, except with the written consent of the Syndicate, until the present loan is redeemed. In the event of default in payment of interest or repayment of principal of this loan on due dates, the railway lines and property so mortgaged shall be handed over to the Syndicate, to be dealt with in such manner as may be legal and necessary for the full and effective protection of the bondholders. When the loan is completely redeemed clause 27 of this Agreement shall take effect.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410835, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 12, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 7 \n\n## 12 \n\n\n## 13 \n\nOf the surplus of the net annual revenue of the railway lines after payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan, first a participation of ... per cent. of the ... per cent. of the said surplus will be granted to the Syndicate in remuneration for the construction and the working of the railway lines. Secondly, an amount equal to said surplus will be transferred to a loan service reserve fund to be deposited with the two banks and bearing interest at the market rate, and the remainder will be at the disposal of the Imperial Government of China. The deposit of these surplus earnings shall, however, be discontinued when the accumulated loan service reserve fund shall have reached £... \n\nAn account of the said loan service reserve fund will be rendered yearly to the Boards of Commissioners, the Wai-wu Pu, and to the Board of Revenue, and the fund will be drawn upon only in the case of the revenue of the railway lines being insufficient to meet the service of interest and principal of the loan. On redemption of the loan being completed, the balance of this fund will revert to the Chinese Government. This fund may, however, be used towards the final redemption of the loan, due notice to be given to the Syndicate of the intention of the Imperial Government so to use the fund. \n\n## 29. \nThe powers and authority given and delegated to the Imperial Directors by the Imperial Government of China shall, in the case of their promotion or removal, be transferred to their successors, and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) may, subject to all their obligations hereunder, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions hereunder to any German or British Company, Directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegations, or sub-delegations to be subject to the approval of the Imperial Chinese Directors. \n\n## 30. \nThe Imperial Chinese Government may affix on the railway telegraph poles such wires as they may at any time deem necessary for the Government service and likewise the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration may also affix on the railway telegraph poles such wires as the Telegraph Administration may require for their service, and for so affixing wires on the railway poles the Telegraph Administration shall contribute towards the cost of the erection of the poles and of their annual maintenance in proportion to the number of wires owned by the Telegraph Administration to those owned by the Railway Administration. \n\nThe Railway Administration shall not accept any commercial telegrams for transmission over their line except under special arrangements with the Telegraph Administration. \n\n## 31. \nThe Imperial Government shall take all reasonable measures to protect the property of the railway in case of need, and should at any time the Boards of Commissioners deem policing necessary at any point of the line, it shall be supplied by and at the expense of the Railway Administration. Under no circumstances must any foreign force be sent on the line or be posted about the station premises. \n\n## 32. \nThe railway shall not carry any mails other than those dispatched by the Imperial Chinese Postal Departments, and shall observe such regulations as the Imperial Government may adopt from time to time in respect of mail matters conveyed by the railways. The railway service mails may, however, be conveyed free of restrictions. \n\n## 58. \nDifferences arising between the Imperial Directors and the Syndicate will be taken up and decided with equity and justice by the Wai-wu Pu on the one side, and the Minister for Germany, and the Minister for Great Britain in China on the other side. \n\n## 34. \nThis Agreement is signed under authority of an Imperial Edict, dated ..., which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Germany and Great Britain in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu. \n\n## 35. \nFive sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by the Wai-wu Pu, one by the Board of Commerce, one by the Imperial Directors, one by the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and one by the Chinese Central Railways (Limited). In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the Contract, the English text shall rule. \n\nSigned at Peking by the Contracting Parties this ... day ... \n\nSigned by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation in accordance with ... clause 5. \n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1. \n\n## TIEN-TSIN-YANG-TSZE RAILWAY. \n\n## Minutes of the Seventeenth Meeting held at the Office of the Tien-tsin Customs Taotai (Liang Ta-jén), on Saturday, August 11, 1906. \n\n### Present: \n\n| Name | Title/Representation |\n| --- | --- |\n| Taotai Liang Tun-yen | |\n| Taotai C. L. Chow | Director of Northern Railways |\n| Mr. H. Cordes | |\n| M. J. O. P. Bland | |\n\nSUBMITTING the final Agreement as drafted, Mr. Cordes suggests that taking this document as the basis for negotiation, it be now discussed with reference to the counter-proposals formally made by the Viceroy's Representatives in November 1903. Neither Mr. Liang nor Mr. Chow are familiar with the earlier negotiations, but the former expresses the view that the proposals put forward in 1903 do not apply to the situation as it now exists, and that an entirely new basis of negotiation is advisable. He claims that the Chinese Government is entitled to exclusive control of funds borrowed under Imperial Government guarantee, &c. \n\nWithout discussing the informal expressions of opinion, it is agreed that the next meeting will be held at 3 P.M. on Saturday the 18th instant, and that in the meanwhile the Chinese Representatives will acquaint themselves with the conditions of the draft Agreement and ascertain the present views of the Viceroy in regard to his counter-proposals of 1903, which the representatives of the Syndicates are prepared to discuss and in certain cases to accept. \n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1. \n\n## Minutes of the Eighteenth Meeting held at the Office of the Taikwan Taotai at Tien-tsin, on Saturday, August 25, 1906. \n\n### Present: \n\n| Name | Title/Representation |\n| --- | --- |\n| Taotai Liang Tun-yen | representing the Viceroy |\n| Taotai C. L. Chow | |\n| Mr. H. Cordes | representing the Deutsche-Asiatische Bank |\n| Mr. J. O. P. Bland | representing the Central Railways (Limited) |\n\nDISCUSSING the basis for the present negotiations and the best means of bringing about their satisfactory conclusion, Liang Taotai expresses the opinion that reference to the Preliminary Agreement and to past negotiations is unnecessary, and suggests that the Agreement be considered from a new standpoint based on existing conditions. \n\nMr. Cordes points out that the Anglo-German Syndicate's rights are necessarily based on the Preliminary Agreement, which cannot therefore be ignored, but he suggests that in the Final Agreement, when concluded, a clause might properly be inserted stating that by virtue of the terms therein recorded, the Preliminary Agreement is superseded and annulled. \n\nMr. Bland suggests that the Viceroy's counter-proposals of November 1903, having reference to the draft Final Agreement of that date, would appear to afford the best basis for the present negotiations. It is therefore essential in the first instance to know whether his Excellency adheres to those counter-proposals, or whether further modification of the Chinese Government's terms is to be expected. \n\nTaotai Liang Tun-yen states that owing to the Viceroy's illness there has been no opportunity of obtaining definite instructions on the subject. He thinks, moreover, that the Syndicate's acceptance or non-acceptance of the counter-proposals of 1903 should be definitely stated. \n\n[2268 -9] \n\n## E \n\n\n## 10", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410838, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 15, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 18\n\nThe Syndicate's representatives point out that their instructions are to ask for the same measure and nature of control as exist under the Shanghae-Nanking Loan Agreement, but they hope to be able to obtain the necessary authority for the terms now proposed which are eminently reasonable, whereas the Chinese proposal that the bondholders' representatives should be in a minority on the Board would certainly prevent the conclusion of the loan contract.\n\nChow Taotai lays stress on the provincial opposition which is to be expected in the event of any terms being conceded which infringe on China's sovereign rights; Mr. Bland, in reply, points out that the Boards of Commissioners represent the Imperial Director-General and the Syndicate respectively, and that the control in all matters of administration not immediately affecting the interests of the bondholders lies primarily with the Director-General as Representative of the Imperial Government.\n\nDiscussion of the Chinese draft of November 1903 is resumed at Article 29. The representatives of the Syndicate state that their instructions, based on the undertaking given by the Chinese Government in the Preliminary Agreement, preclude acceptance of the proposal to limit the Syndicate's interest in the net profits to 10 per cent. Mr. Bland points out that such a condition would place the Syndicate in a position of inferiority as compared with other Chinese Government railways financed, and constructed by foreign Companies; and that recognized usage in such joint enterprises entitles those who provide the funds to share in the prosperity of the enterprise. That the terms asked amount to only one-fifth of the net profits for a minimum term of fifteen years, and as the line is not likely to be immediately remunerative, this cannot be regarded as unreasonable. The Syndicate has the right under the Preliminary Agreement to ask for 20 per cent. of the profits for a period of thirty years, but might be prepared, as a final concession, to accept 15 per cent. during twenty years. Chow Taotai answers that it would be preferable, from the Chinese point of view, and more in accordance with precedents, to suggest 20 per cent. during fifteen years, the Government being thereafter entitled to redeem; on this question it will be necessary to obtain the Viceroy's instructions.\n\nThe question of \"Loan Service Reserve Fund\" is next discussed. Liang Taotai objects to its amount of four millions sterling, and to the proviso that the fund can only be used to make good deficiencies of interest and for final redemption of the loan. He considers it unreasonable that such a large sum should be deposited with the Syndicate banks and not be available for immediate redemption of bonds after the period agreed upon; he therefore proposes that the maximum amount of the fund be 2,000,000l., and that the final paragraph of the Article be amended to read \"this fund may, however, be used towards redemption of the loan, one notice to be given to the Syndicate of the intentions of the Imperial Government so to use the fund, provided always that an amount be sufficient to pay the ensuing year's instalments of interest shall be reserved for that purpose.” The Article is eventually amended in this sense.\n\n## Article 30.—No discussion.\n\n## Article 31.—For \"accept any commercial telegrams for transmission\" read \"transmit any service telegrams.\"\n\n## Articles 32, 33, and 34.—Unaltered.\n\n## Article 35.—It is agreed that joint signature of the Agreement shall follow the issue of the necessary Imperial Edict, it being understood that the Syndicate will give formal assurance to abide by the conditions submitted for the approval of the Throne.\n\n## Article 36.—Unaltered.\n\nIt is understood that Liang Taotai will take an early opportunity of seeing his Excellency the Viceroy in Peking and obtaining instructions on the several questions left in abeyance. In the meanwhile a résumé of the recent negotiations will be compiled and discussed at next meeting, with a view to reconciliation of the results thereof with the Syndicate's draft Agreement.\n\nThe meeting then adjourns.\n\n## 19\n\n### Inclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\n#### Minutes of the Twenty-second Meeting held at the Office of the Haikwan Taotai at Tien-tsin, on Saturday, September 22, 1906.\n\n**Present:**\n\n| Name | Representation |\n| --- | --- |\n| Taotai Lian Tuu-yen | Representing the Viceroy |\n| C. L. Chow | |\n| Mr. H. Cordes | Representing the Deutsche-Asiatische Bank |\n| Mr. J. O. P. Bland | Representing the Chinese Central Railways |\n\nThe Minutes of last meeting, having been forwarded to the Chinese Commissioners, are taken as read and passed.\n\nMr. Cordes hands to each member a copy of the draft which he has compiled, embodying the results of the last three meetings' discussion of the Viceroy's counter-proposals of November 1903. It is agreed to go over this draft at next meeting, preparatory to its translation for the Viceroy's information.\n\nThe discussion of Article 18 is resumed, having reference to the constitution of the Boards of Commissioners and the position of the Engineer-in-chief.\n\nLiang Taotai says that, having consulted his Excellency the Viceroy in Peking, he is in a position to state that no agreement can be made except under conditions giving to the Chinese Government a much wider measure of authority and control than is contemplated by the Syndicate. He claims that the Engineer-in-chief should be under the direct and absolute control of the Imperial Director, and that in all questions connected with the Railway the latter's decision should be final. Upon reference being made to the formal undertakings given under Imperial authority in the Preliminary Agreement of May 1899, he expresses the opinion that this is not binding upon China except upon modified terms acceptable to Chinese public opinion.\n\nConsiderable discussion ensues upon this point, Mr. Cordes laying stress on the fact that the Syndicates have at all times been ready and willing to conclude the Final Agreement and to proceed with the enterprise. He points out that in the Preliminary Agreement certain essential conditions, now disputed by the Chinese Commissioners, were definitely accepted by the Chinese Government, and that Liang Taotai's present proposals as to control would constitute a direct breach of that Agreement.\n\nMr. Bland observes that although the Syndicate may consent to abandoning its rights to a majority of representation on the Boards of Commissioners, and may meet the Chinese Government in an amicable spirit on several points of difference, it is not to be expected that the rights granted under the Preliminary Agreement can be ignored. If the proposals now put forward by Liang Taotai were seriously maintained, it would be necessary to revert to the terms specifically stated in the Preliminary Agreement.\n\nChow Taotai considers that a serious objection to the Syndicate's proposals lies in the existence of two separate Boards of Commissioners and two Engineers-in-chief, his own experience having shown that such a condition of affairs must lead to continual friction. It is also unnecessarily expensive. He recognizes the necessity of this system during construction, but considers that when the line has been completed, it should be administered and controlled as an undivided Imperial railway under conditions similar to those of the Peking-Shanhaikwan line.\n\nHe also suggests as modifications likely to facilitate the conclusion of the Agreement:\n\n1. That the keeping of the northern section's accounts in German be not insisted upon; and\n2. That the purchase of materials be made not by the Syndicate Banks, but by the Boards of Commissioners by open tenders, on the understanding that the Syndicate receives its commission of 5 per cent. on all such purchases, and that preference be given in the open market to German and British goods for the German and British sections at equal rates.\n\nAfter detailed consideration of Article 18, in the wording of which certain amendments are made.\n\nLiang Taotai states that, to meet the objects contemplated by the Agreement in regard to the better security of the foreign capital invested, the Viceroy may be... \n\n[2263 a--9]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410922, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 99, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## HONG KONG \nN2938 \n**(Subject.)** \nRECE \n96 \nDOMESTIC. \nC. C. \n2930 \n**REGE 24 JAN 07** \n\nOpen Regulations, thena cabe dal from thing forarding with Obsig cok of Reque framed for the enforcement of the Operni Edict of 20 Tap 19007.\n\n## (Minutes.) \n\nWe Cottons Mr Lucas in Cayton \nThis is a paper for great aufs ortance. The Regs fo S.S., HK, Whbai & quites most through gaing & if ther are of can I unforced shd crush out opium-smoking altogether. \n\nSir J. Forden Llev a at an suforced will b made for think that they rate that ・auforce them iam a real afford. Topics of and 5 Colonost abun Siggestelde (86 will save-matte of a the 70. pient 3. gale I will ark for espios) `23, (76)—√2008—25000-13-0` subsequent Paper \n\nThis is interestivit не 2√ همه and it is some Confort to far who like mody, Mi a divancy in grus is Ere the lessicity which", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410924, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 101, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# No.495.\n\n(1232).\n\nStr:- \n\nPEKING, \n\n[**RECT** \n\nC. C. \n\n2930 \n\n**REGE 24 JAN 07**] \n\n198 \n\nNovember 26th, 1906.\n\nIn continuation of my despatch No. 391 of September 30th last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith in translation copy of the Regulations which have been framed for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of September 20th. This paper has been furnished to me privately by His Excellency Tong Shao-yi, but I understand that it will be made public in the course of a few days.\n\nThe Regulations are drawn up in eleven Articles. The first deals with the restriction of the cultivation of the drug, enumerates the provinces in which it is chiefly grown, and enjoins on all Governors General and Governors to have accurate returns made of the acreage under poppy cultivation and compel the cultivators to diminish the area of cultivation by one ninth each year until the production entirely ceases.\n\nStr Forward Grey, Barb., M.P., \n&c., \n&c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410927, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 104, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "101 \n\nThere will naturally be much divergence of view, \nbut I am bound to state that so far as my opportunities of judging extend, there is a balance of well-considered opinion in favour of an affirmative answer. \nThe magnitude of the task is admittedly enormous, but it is pointed out that the movement will have the support of public sentiment and that the authors of the Regulations, whose sincerity is beyond all doubt, are determined to see them carried into effect. \nAlready, present.\n\nNo provision has been made for procuring from other sources the large revenue which the State now derives from opium and although a China without opium would doubtless in time be stronger financially than China now is, still the interval which must elapse before the reformation is accomplished is one which will impose a severe strain upon the public exchequer and which will call for the elaboration of financial measures beforehand. \n\nI am told by Missionaries and others who come into daily contact with the people, that a tendency is observable amongst opium smokers to break off the habit and that remedies are in great demand at the foreign hospitals. \nThis may, of course, be merely a temporary response to the Imperial edict, but a great awakening is going on in this country and much of what is happening now makes one cautious in indulging in any prophecy as to what may be effected in the future. \n\nIt remains to note one important omission in the opium arrangements so far as they are known at present. \n\nI have &c., \n(Signed) \n**J. N. Jordan**. \n5.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410971, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 148, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## C. O. 3844\n\nJanuary 3, 1907\n\n### No. 1\n\nSir,\n\nThe British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.~(Received January 3.)\n\n22, Abchurch Lane, London, January 3, 1907. We beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for, your letter of the 1st instant, and the information therein contained, which you have communicated to us by direction of Sir E. Grey.\n\nWe note that it appears to Sir John Jordan to be important to secure, if possible, the ratification by Imperial Edict of the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement before taking a decided stand in the matter of the Soochow-Ningpo line, and that Sir E. Grey has concurred in the views of His Majesty's Minister.\n\nIn regard to the ratification by Imperial Edict of the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement, we beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of Sir E. Grey, that we received on the 1st instant from our representative in Peking the following telegram:--\n\n\"Canton, \n\"Canton-Kowloon Railway Imperial Edict has been delayed, owing to opposition. Tang Shao Yi states telegrams have been received, Viceroy of Canton objecting term loan contract fifty years; the stipulation is should be reduced to thirty years.\n\"This would involve change amortization probably sooner.\n\"Tang Shao Yi requests British and Chinese Corporation consent on the understanding that Imperial Edict will be applied for without delay, no further changes to be suggested.\n\"The British Minister was in opposition to any alterations Loan Agreement until he received to-day formal undertaking as stated above.\n\"Send your reply as soon as possible.\"\n\nAgreeably with the assurances we gave to Sir E. Grey, that we would facilitate the conclusion of this business to the utmost of our ability, we telegraphed to our representative the same day that we consented to the terms of the loan being reduced from fifty to thirty years.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\nThe British and Chinese Corporation, Limited,\n**(Signed)** W. KESWICK, Chairman.\n\nREGE 30 JAN 07/ SECTION 1. [276]\n[2326 c-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410985, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 162, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## FOR USE IN EASTERN OFFICE\n\n### DOMESTIC.\n\n#### Office or Individual.\nLoreen \n1907 \nV \nFeb? \n\nLast previous Paper. \nFoo \n3395 \nHONG KONG \nNo. 4172 \n\n**(Subject.)** \nCanton Kowloon Rail's Loan \nA \nLess \ncopy corres asto delay \nwrite of Edict. \n`WE(78)298-2000-¥` \n\nNext subsequent Paper. \n`REG 79` \n\n### (Minutes.)\nMore distinction. \nChests for. Coupl hit. When in \nThe \nalve \nhr \n7.0 \nFeb.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410986, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 163, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Paraphrase of Telegram to Sir J. Jordan, No. 10, January 19th. 1907.\n\nOn the understanding that application would at once be made for Imperial Edict and no further changes be suggested, the British and Chinese Corporation had agreed to a reduction to thirty years of the term of the loan for the Canton-Kowloon Railway at the request of Tong.\n\nAccording to telegraphic information sent to the Corporation by Mr. Bland, Edict censuring Tong, which was issued recently, prevents the latter, according to his own statement, from moving in the matter.\n\nIs serious delay likely to occur and can matters be in any way expedited?", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410987, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 164, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Paraphrase of Telegram to Sir J. Jordan, No. 10, dated January 19th, 1907.\n\nOn the understanding that application would at once be made for Imperial Edict and no further changes be suggested, the British and Chinese Corporation had agreed to a reduction to thirty years of the term of the loan for the Canton-Kowloon Railway at the request of Tong.\n\nAccording to telegraphic information sent to the Corporation by Mr. Bland, Edict censuring Tong, which was issued recently, prevents the latter, according to his own statement, from moving in the matter.\n\nIs serious delay likely to occur and can matters be in any way expedited? \n\n## Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan.\n\n`THECR (2 FEB 07)`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410988, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 165, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nTo be kept under lock and key and not to be exposed to public inspection.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n**EASTERN NO. 430**\n\n**FOR OFFICE USE**\n\n17172\n\nIn any further communication on this subject, please quote `430`.\n\nThe Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, by direction of the Secretary of State, transmits herewith copies of the under-mentioned papers.\n\nForeign Office, February 2, 1907\n\n| Reference to previous letter: Name and Date | Description of Inclosure | Subject |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| British and Chinese Corporation, Ltd.: January 16/07 | Telegram No. 10 of Jan: 19 to AM's Minister at Peking | Canton - Kowloon Railway Loan Agreement. Delay in issue of Edict. |\n\n[ 12 ]\n\n**RECEIVED 2 FEB 07**\n\n162 \n\nACCE 4172 \n\n18885 \n\n303-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410989, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 166, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## THE BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED.\n22, ABCHURCH LANE, LONDON, E.C.\n\nJanuary 16, 1907.\n\n**Canton Kowloon Railway Loan Agreement.**\n\nIn reply to a telegram which we addressed to our Representative, Mr. Bland, on the 14th instant, enquiring when the Imperial Edict ratifying the above-named Agreement might be expected, we have to-day received from Mr. Bland the following telegram:-\n\nCanton\n\n\"Referring to your telegram of the 14th. Kowloon Railway undertaking given to the British Minister by Tang Shao Yi to this effect Memorial would be submitted 12th instant issue Imperial Edict expected to follow immediately but in consequence of Imperial Edict Sunday very severely censuring Chang Po Hsi, Tang Shao Yi situation has become difficult you may expect there will be some delay British and Chinese Corporation business.\n\n\"I have seen Tang Shao Yi to-day, states he cannot move in the matter in the present state of affairs.\n\n\"Situation is serious caused partly on account of keen opposition Canton to Loan Contract partly on account...\n\n31r F. Campbell, \nK.C.M.G., \nForeign Office, S.W.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410990, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 167, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "164 \n\n6 \n\naccount of \"Reactionaries Peking\". \n\nWe beg leave to request that you will be so good \nas to submit this information to Sir Edward Grey, who \nwill remember that, as stated in our letter to you of \nthe 3rd instant, Tang Shao Yi requested that the Corporation would consent to the term of the Loan being \nreduced to 30 years on the understanding that the Imperial Edict would be applied for at once and no further changes in the Agreement would be suggested, that \nTang Shao Yi gave an undertaking to His Britannic Majesty's Minister to that effect, and that the Corporation, in order to facilitate the conclusion of the \nbusiness, complied with Tang Shao Yi's request and \nagreed to the term of the Loan being reduced. \n\nWe are, &c., \nThe British and Chinese Corporation, Limited. \nper (Signed) W. Keswick. \nChairman.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 410991, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 168, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Grey \n\nParaphrase of Telegram to Sir J. Jordan, No.19, dated January 19th, 1907.\n\nTelegram re Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan.\n\nC.O. 4 11765 \nRECE 2 FEB 07 \n\nOn the understanding that application would at once be made for Imperial Edict and no further changes be suggested, the British and Chinese Corporation had agreed to a reduction to thirty years of the term of the loan for the Canton-Kowloon Railway at the request of Tong.\n\nAccording to telegraphic information sent to the Corporation by Mr. Bland, Edict censuring Tong, which was issued recently, prevents the latter, according to his own statement, from moving in the matter.\n\nIs serious delay likely to occur and can matters be in any way expedited?", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411013, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 190, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Prohibition of Opium.\n\nTranslation of Memorandum handed to Sir John Jordan by the Ministers of the Wai Wu Pu on November 29th, 1906.\n\n**Memorandum** begins by quoting Imperial Decree of September 20th commanding the complete abolition of opium smoking within ten years, and directing the Council for Government Affairs to elaborate a scheme for carrying out this measure.\n\n**Memorandum** proceeds as follows:\n\nThe Council of Government Affairs having now drawn up a scheme in ten Articles, which was submitted to the Throne on November 21st, an Edict was issued sanctioning the proposals.\n\nThe 10th Article of these proposals deals with the question of foreign opium, which is imported from other countries.\n\n(Article X of the Anti-opium Regulations quoted at length).\n\nThe Prince and Ministers of the Wai Wu Pu, having now received copies of this document from the Grand Council, and having known for some time past that His Britannic Majesty's", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411020, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 197, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "194\n\nloss-bringing vice, ruinous to the health, disastrous to the household, and injurious to the whole population, the prevalence of which has long been deplored both in China and abroad. The Imperial Edict for the eradication of the evil having now been received, it is absolutely necessary to carry out the fixed regulations with the utmost sincerity and zeal. His Excellency then proceeds to observe that there is a class of opium-smoking Divans to which young men are greatly attracted, and which are frequented by worthless persons of no occupation. These places are most noxious.\n\nIt is essential first of all to put a stop to such establishments. The Viceroy therefore holds the Tientsin City Police Commissioners responsible for ascertaining the number of these Divans in Tientsin City and Suburbs, and for closing them absolutely before the end of the present (tenth) moon, viz: by the 15th December.\n\nHis Excellency further directs that a rule shall be enforced in future that Restaurants and Taverns shall not provide their customers with the facilities and apparatus required for smoking the drug.\n\nFinally, the Viceroy instructs the Customs Taotai to consult", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411037, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 214, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[1232]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n211\n\n4802\n\nJanuary 12\n\nSECTION REGE 7 FEB 07\n\n**(No. 495.)**\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 12, 1907.)\n\nPeking, November 26, 1906.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 391 of the 30th September last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, in translation, copy of the Regulations which have been framed for the enforcement of the opium Edict of the 20th September. This paper has been furnished to me privately by his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi, but I understand that it will be made public in the course of a few days.\n\nThe Regulations are drawn up in eleven Articles.\n\nThe first deals with the restriction of the cultivation of the drug, enumerates the provinces in which it is chiefly grown, and enjoins on all Governors-General and Governors to have accurate returns made of the acreage under poppy cultivation, and compel the cultivators to diminish the area of cultivation by one-ninth each year until the production entirely ceases at the end of nine years. Infringements of the rule are to entail confiscation of the land, and rewards are offered to officials who succeed in putting an end to the cultivation of the poppy before the time specified.\n\nArticles 2 and 3 are concerned with measures for reducing the consumption of opium by issuing licences to smokers, without which no one will be permitted to buy opium, and by instituting punishments for those who persist in smoking after a certain specified time. After stating that between 30 and 40 per cent. of the population, say, 100,000,000 of the people, are addicted to the opium habit, the Articles make a distinction between officials and persons of high rank, who will be dealt with very severely; for the sake of example, the lower classes, who receive less strict treatment, and persons of all classes over sixty, in whose case the question of giving up the habit is not to be pressed.\n\nThe licences issued to consumers will prescribe in each case a limit of time within which the habit must be given up, and will also fix the amount of consumption, which must be diminished by 20 or 30 per cent. annually. The registration and rigorous inspection of these licences must be enforced, and no fresh licences will be granted after the first registration. The names of smokers of the lower classes who are not cured of the habit at the end of the specified time will be posted in a public place, while official offenders will be deprived of their office, and graduates of their diploma.\n\nArticles 4 and 5 relate to opium shops, and a distinction is drawn between opium dens, which are to be compulsorily closed within six months, and ordinary shops, which are to be registered, kept under observation, and gradually done away with during the time limit fixed for the abolition of the drug. No shop will be permitted to sell opium to any person who does not produce his licence; no restaurant or eating-house may provide opium for its guests, or allow them to bring opium appliances with them. A return of annual sales is to be made, and any shop attempting to continue in the trade after the expiry of the time limit will have its goods confiscated, and be liable to a fine of twice their value.\n\nArticles 6 and 7 discuss the preparation of remedies for the cure of the opium craving; their sale at a fixed price, or free distribution; the establishment of anti-opium societies, and the formation of an enlightened public opinion on the subject.\n\nArticle 8 charges the local authorities with the duty of leading the movement, giving effect to all provisions regarding reports, inspections, and licences; inculcates the necessity of personal attention to these matters, and severely forbids any exactions on the part of underlings.\n\nArticle 9 forbids the smoking of opium by officials of high rank; a number of such persons are enumerated, who must solicit the permission of the Throne to be allowed to give up the habit within a fixed time, or, in default, to lose their post, if an official, or to have their rank pass on to the next in succession, if a hereditary noble.\n\nFor all other officials, the time limit is six months. Teachers, scholars, officers, and men of the army and navy, if opium smokers, are to be dismissed within three months.\n\nArticle 10 deals with the negotiations which are to be entered into with Great ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411070, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 247, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### No. 1.\n\nJanuary 17.\n\n**SECTION C. O. 5519 TREEP**\n\nSir,\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.—(Received January 17.) REG 13 FEB 07\n\n22, Abchurch Lane, London, January 16, 1907.\n\nIN reply to a telegram which we addressed to our representative, Mr. Bland, on the 14th instant, inquiring when the Imperial Edict ratifying the Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan Agreement might be expected, we have to-day received from Mr. Bland the following telegram:\n\nReferring to your telegram of the 14th, Canton-Kowloon Railway, undertaking given to the British Minister by Tang Shao Yi to this effect: Memorial would be submitted 12th instant; issue Imperial Edict expected to follow immediately, but in consequence of Imperial Edict on Sunday very severely censuring Chang Po Hsi, Tang Shao Yi's situation has become difficult. You may expect there will be some delay in British and Chinese Corporation business.\n\n\"I have seen Tang Shao Yi to-day; states he cannot move in the matter in the present state of affairs. Situation is serious, caused partly on account of keen opposition in Canton to loan contract, partly on account of reactionaries in Peking.\"\n\nWe beg leave to request that you will be so good as to submit this information to Sir Edward Grey, who will remember that, as stated in our letter to you of the 3rd instant, Tang Shao Yi requested that the Corporation would consent to the term of the loan being reduced to thirty years, on the understanding that the Imperial Edict would be applied for at once and no further changes in the Agreement would be suggested; that Tang Shao Yi gave an undertaking to His Britannic Majesty's Minister to that effect; and that the Corporation, in order to facilitate the conclusion of the business, complied with Tang Shao Yi's request, and agreed to the term of the loan being reduced.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\n(The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited),\n\n(Signed) **W. KESWICK, Chairman**.\n\n[2326 r—1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411071, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 248, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### (1889) No. 1\n#### [January 19.]\n\n245 \n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n| Suction £0. | 5519 |\n| --- | --- |\n\n**(No. 10.)** \n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.** \n**(Telegraphic.) P.** \n**CANTON-KOWLOON Railway Loan.** \n\n**READ** \n**REC 13 FEB 07** \n\nForeign Office, January 19, 1907.\n\nOn the understanding that application would at once be made for Imperial Edict and no further changes be suggested, the British and Chinese Corporation had agreed to a reduction to thirty years of the term of the loan for the Canton-Kowloon Railway at the request of Tong.\n\nAccording to telegraphic information sent to the Corporation by Mr. Bland, Edict censuring Tong, which was issued recently, prevents the latter, according to his own statement, from moving in the matter.\n\nIs serious delay likely to occur, and can matters be in any way expedited?\n\n`[2326 t-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411074, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 251, "title": "CO129-343 - 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\n[2973]\n\n## No. 1\n\n248\n\n[January 26.]\n\n### SECTION 1. C.O.\n\n5519\n\nRECP\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.-(Received January 26) \n13 FEB 07\n\nSir,\n\n22, Abchurch Lane, London, January 25, 1907.\n\nWe beg leave to advise you, for the information of Sir Edward Grey, that we have to-day received a telegram from Mr. Bland, our representative in Peking, in the following terms :--\n\n>**Canton-Kowloon Railway Imperial Edict. I have been informed by Tang Shao Yi it is possible nothing can be done before China New Year, of which holidays begin on the 3rd February; if so, there will be a further delay of six weeks.**\n\n(Per British and Chinese Corporation (Limited)),\n\nWe are, &c.\n\nW. KESWICK, Chairman.\n\n(Signed)\n\n[2326 \nCC-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411076, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 253, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nJanuary 30, \n\n### SECTION 1. C. O.\n5519 \n[2973] \n\n**(No. 14.)**\n**No. 1.**\n\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nRECP Red 13 FEB 07, \n**(Telegraphic.)** P.\n\nForeign Office, January 30, 1907.\n\nCANTON-KOWLOON Railway. Your telegram No. 16 of the 21st January regarding the Edict respecting the above railway. I agree, but the agent of the Corporation at Peking telegraphs that Tong informs him that it is possible that before the Chinese New Year nothing can be done about the Edict. He says that a further six weeks' delay will ensue.\n\nI would be obliged if you would inform me whether, in your opinion, any step can usefully be taken to avoid this long additional delay, as the Corporation have already waited ten weeks since the signature of the Agreement.\n\n[2326 gg-1] \n250", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411106, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 283, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[3100]\n\n### No. 1\n\n#### January 28\n\n**C.O.**\n#### SECTION 1\n\n6412 279\n\n(No. 514.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received January 28, 1907, rc 20 FEB 07)\n\nPeking, December 9, 1906.\n\nREFERRING to my telegrams No. 202 of the 31st October and No. 235 of the 2nd instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of the \"Customs Gazette\" for the September quarter, which contains the notification by the Inspector-General of Customs, publishing, by order of the Wai-wu Tu, the Circular which he addressed to the Service on the 22nd September last.\n\nThese documents, which have been issued both in Chinese and English, have received wide publicity in the foreign and native newspapers both here and in Tien-tsin, and have, as His Majesty's Consul-General at the latter place reports in the despatch copy of which I have the honour to inclose herewith, been generally interpreted as a virtual withdrawal of the Edict of the 9th May, 1906.\n\nThere has not yet been time to learn the impression which they have produced at other places, but I shall not fail to let you know as soon as the reports reach me.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n\n(No. 86.) Sir.\n\nConsul-General Hopkins to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nTien-tsin, December 6, 1906.\n\nWITH reference to your Confidential Circular of the 1st ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that the circular which was issued on the 22nd September by the Inspector-General of Customs to members of the Customs service, informing them that the transfer of control from the Wai-wu Pu to the Shui-wu Ch'u (Revenue Council) entailed no change in relations or procedure, was published with attached correspondence in the three local English papers.\n\nThe general facts of the virtual withdrawal of the Edict of the 9th May, 1906, have also been published in the Chinese press.\n\nUnder these circumstances I venture to think that there is no need for giving the above circular and correspondence further publicity, which, moreover, could only be effected at a heavy charge to public funds.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) L. C. HOPKINS.\n\n*Not printed.*\n\n[2310 ee-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411146, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 323, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n# AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.\n\n**(No. 249.) (Telegraphic.)**\n\nPeking, December 23, 1906.\n\nSOOCHÓW-NINGPO Railway. Please see your telegram No. 219 of the 22nd instant.\n\nI protested strongly, at interviews with the Wai-wu Pu on the 4th and 11th instant, against the commencement of work on Chekiang Railway as a grave violation of the rights held by Corporation. I shall take an early opportunity of speaking to the Board again about this matter. Before, however, taking a decided stand, it seems to me important to get the Canton-Kowloon Agreement ratified, if possible, by Imperial Edict.\n\nI have gathered from Bland, the agent of the British and Chinese Corporation, and who is now at Tien-tsin, having returned from Shanghae, where he examined the question, that no very serious importance is to be attached to work as yet done on Chekiang Railway.\n\n318\nC. O.\n7655\n[December 23.]\nSHOTION 1. RE 28 FEB 07\n[42919] \n(2263 %-1)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411149, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 326, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## \nThe date of the Magistrate's taking over and handing over charge shall be reported to the Board of Civil Office.\n\n## \n4.-(a.) In all cases, except where both parties are Chinese (and in which no foreign interest is involved*), a foreign official shall sit as Assessor. The powers of these foreign Assessors, who shall be appointed by the respective Consular representatives, subject to the Treaty rights of each nationality of foreigners, shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the last paragraph of section 2 of the Chefoo Convention.\n\n(6.) If the Magistrate and Assessor fail to agree after consideration upon the decision in any case, it shall be referred to the Taotai and Consul or Consul-General concerned, as the case may be.\n\n## \n3. The Mixed Court gaol shall be kept under the best foreign sanitary conditions, with the co-operation of the health authorities of the municipality. An experienced and capable Chinese medical officer shall be engaged by the Court itself to carry out this work, and the Shanghae Taotai shall set aside funds for this purpose.\n\n## \n6. No warrants and summons of the Mixed Court against Chinese in the foreign Settlement north of the Yangking-pang shall be enforced unless countersigned by the Senior Consul. In the case of respectable persons, and when the circumstances of the case are not really grave, a summons should only be issued and warrants must not be used unnecessarily. If a party fails to appear when summoned, he may then be arrested under a warrant.\n\nIf the defendant is in the employ of a foreigner, such warrants must also be countersigned by the Consul of the nationality of the employer of the defendant.\n\nEvery person arrested shall be brought before the Court within twenty-four hours of his arrest; and if the case is not disposed of, he shall be remanded until the next sitting of the Court, and so de die in diem until the case is finally decided.\n\nIn Chinese cases where parties are summoned by the Chinese Magistrate, they are to be released on bail if the hearing of the case is not at once impending, so as to avoid detention in custody.\n\nNow that no torture is employed in hearing cases, the new Regulations sanctioned by the Imperial Decree of the 21st day of the 3rd moon of the 31st year of Kuang Hsu shall be followed.\n\n## \n7. In all cases, civil or criminal, which come before the Court where a foreign Assessor is sitting, and either party is represented by counsel, before an attorney or counsel is admitted to practice in the Mixed Court, he must satisfy the Court that he is admitted to practice in the Consular Court of his own nationality at Shanghae.\n\n8. Should an attorney in any case be adjudged by the Chinese Magistrate and foreign Assessor sitting in that case guilty of any refusal to obey their lawful summons or order, he shall be for a period not exceeding one month, or with the consent of the Consul of the nationality of the attorney concerned, for a time not to exceed six months.\n\n## \n9. In cases involving principles where no precedents exist in Chinese law, the Court shall be governed by commercial custom and equity.\n\n## \n10. All parties to proceedings before the Mixed Court shall observe such rules of procedure as the Magistrate may from time to time prescribe, subject to the consent of the Consular Body.\n\n## \n11. All parts of the present Rules and Regulations for the Mixed Court at Shanghae, not in conflict with these supplementary amendments, are hereby continued in full force, and the Chinese and foreign officials shall faithfully carry out the same.\n\n**(Confidential.)**\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Memorandum by Mr. Bourne.**\n\nI HAVE read the proposed amendments of the Rules of the Mixed Court inclosed in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 103 of the 22nd November, 1906.\n\nThe provision—4 (6)—that the Assessor must agree with the Magistrate before a prisoner can be released or execution can issue on a judgment—and this is, I conceive, the effect of the Rule—is a concession so valuable to British interests at Shanghae that the other provisions—excepting the question of charge of male prisoners dealt with below—are comparatively unimportant. The principle has been claimed in practice for some years, but never formally admitted by the Chinese higher authorities. It gives us nearly all we really need, or rather nearly all that is to be got under the existing conditions—namely, that a case can be hung up until justice be done. However, I suggest below some small changes that would, in my opinion, be improvements.\n\n1 (b). As the Court is to apply the general law of the Chinese Empire, it seems unnecessary to quote particular edicts which may be repealed or amended at any time. In view of the abolition of bambooing here, while it is going on nearly all over the Empire, it may be necessary some day to point out to the Chinese Government that Rules applicable only to the foreign Settlements are not laws at all, and must have the sanction of the Treaty Powers.\n\n4 (a). It is desirable, in the case of Chinese sent for trial to the Higher Chinese Courts for crimes committed in the Settlement, that the Consuls should have the right to depute an officer to watch the case as provided by the last clause of section 2 of the Chefoo Convention. Foreign interests might be held to be involved, because we are concerned to see that crimes committed in the Settlement are duly punished. The result would be, I believe, that the feeling of reluctance in committing prisoners for trial would gradually disappear, as the foreign community saw that the Chinese Criminal Courts were doing their duty.\n\nIn regard to the attendance of an Assessor, I may add that I recently told the Taotai, in reply to his question whether he could send a deputy to watch a case in the Supreme Court, that he could come or send whenever he thought Chinese interests were involved; that if he came himself, he would be invited to sit on the Bench, and that a suitable seat in Court would be reserved for his deputy. I afterwards informed Sir H. de Sausmarez of this, and he quite agreed.\n\n4 (b). I understand these words to imply the following: \"The accused in a criminal and the defendant in a civil case being kept in custody until the appeal is heard, or, if bail be allowed, until such security is given for his appearance on appeal or for satisfaction of judgment as the Magistrate and Assessor, or, on their disagreement, the Taotai and Consul, may agree to be necessary.\"\n\nThe object is to prevent a Chinese prisoner or defendant from using an appeal as a means of escape or of delaying payment. Perhaps it might be thought enough if the Assessors were instructed so to interpret the Rule.\n\n5. I think it is necessary to good order in the present state of Chinese administration that the Treaty Powers, by their Agents, the Consuls, or by their grantees of certain powers by the Land Regulations, the Municipal Council, should be in charge directly or by sufficient right of inspection of all male prisoners within the Settlement; although if the Chinese Government built a prison outside the Settlement, open at any time to the inspection of an officer deputed by the Consuls, long-term prisoners might be moved there by the joint order of the Magistrate and the Assessor. We are now subject to be swamped with criminals as Hong Kong once was with lepers and lunatics. It seems anomalous that an exterritorial trading city like Shanghae should be feeding hundreds of long-term convicts from all over China because they chance to have been once caught in crime here, as if we were an independent territorial State. All we really want is that crime committed here shall be surely and adequately punished, then the sooner the criminal leaves us the better. If some such means as the above could be found, it would be a great relief to the Settlement. In Canton, the Viceroy used to undertake that the Magistrates of their native districts should take security that deportees from Hong Kong should not return. Meanwhile, if there is to be any detention of male prisoners at the Mixed Courts, some officer deputed by the Consuls ought to have authority to inspect and report; without such inspection, a foreign-fitted prison will become a disease trap, and a much more deadly place than one run in the native manner—corruptio optimi pessima. Besides, the principle would be broken that the Chinese Government has no direct executive power in the Settlement, but can only act through the Agents of the Treaty Powers, or their grantees, the Municipal Council.\n\n6. would omit \"more than once\" in the last line but one of the first paragraph, and add \"without giving due explanation to the Court\" after the word \"fails.\" The Court should have the power to issue a warrant at once if a criminal summons is disobeyed.\n\nPage 321", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411160, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 337, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## To Taotai, 23rd July.\n\n2 \n\n## From Municipal Council, 2nd August.\n\n## To Taotai, 16th August.\n\n## From Taotai, 11th September.\n\n## From Municipal Council, 2nd November.\n\n## To Tuotai, 13th November.\n\nThe question raised in this correspondence is one of very great importance, involving as it does the whole status and authority of the Mixed Court in this Settlement, and I trust that you will see fit to confirm the position I have taken up, which is, briefly, that the Mixed Court Magistrate is the only Chinese official with judicial powers over native residents in the Settlement, except in the limited class of cases specially provided for by the Regulations of 1869, in which the District Magistrate is competent.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n3 \n\nThe woman Wang Ch'en Shih brought into Court and sent to the Magistrate's yamên. Mr. Twyman then called my attention to the matter.\n\nIt would appear that in the cases above described the procedure to be followed had in both cases been discussed and arranged by Mr. Twyman and Mr. Sun, but that the latter took action contrary to the decision come to between them. Such a manner of conducting affairs is inconsistent with amicable co-operation and an impediment to the proper transaction of Mixed Court work; and I have the honour to request that you will immediately instruct Mr. Sun to avoid errors of this description for the future, and that, as the Regulations are very clear on the subject, all cases arising within the Settlement shall be dealt with by the Mixed Court, whether they be civil or criminal. I shall be glad also if you will instruct the Shanghae Magistrate that he must not act ultra vires or accept Petitions about matters not in his jurisdiction, so as to comply with Regulations and maintain the proper distinction of authority.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) **PELHAM WARREN**.\n\n(Signed) \n\n**PELHAM WARREN**.\n\nSir,\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Shanghae Taotai**.\n\nJuly 23, 1906.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that Mr. Vice-Consul Twyman reports that a Chinese, Chu Mei Lang, brought an action against one Tsao Mao Mao in the Shanghae District Magistrate's Court in respect of some land situated in Hongkew. Although the Shanghae City Magistrate is well aware of the Mixed Court Regulations, which provide for the appointment of a Sub-Prefect to deal with civil and criminal cases arising within the Settlement, he disregarded those Regulations entirely, received the Petition of Chu Mei Lang, accepted jurisdiction in the case, and asked the Mixed Court to have Tsao Mao Mao taken and sent to his yamên. The municipal police detectives assisted in affecting his arrest, and he was brought up at the morning sitting of the Court before Mr. Sun, Assistant Magistrate, and Mr. Twyman sitting as Assessor. Mr. Twyman held that as the matter was one in the Settlement it should, defendant having been brought up in the morning, according to regulation be dealt with by the Court at its evening sitting (i.e., with the Magistrate sitting alone), and that the man should not be sent to the city.\n\nAs the police cases on that morning were numerous, it was not convenient to pursue the discussion of a case of this kind. It was therefore agreed by Mr. Sun that it should be remanded for the time being, and that the man should not be sent in, the matter being reserved for further discussion.\n\nThis was the 16th June. Notwithstanding the above, on the 19th the Shanghae Magistrate sent a runner to the Mixed Court to wait there and take away Tsao Mao Mao. Mr. Sun, without further discussing the question or announcing his intention to Mr. Twyman, handed over the man to the runner to be sent to the yamên. On hearing of this Mr. Twyman wrote to Mr. Kuan, Mixed Court Magistrate, saying that land cases relating to the Settlement were commonly heard and decided in the Mixed Court, and pointed out in particular those of Ch'en Chang Shih v. Ch'u Shen Shih, Hsu Sun Lin v. Yao Kuei Hai, Hsu and others, which were all heard in the Mixed Court, besides numerous others. He added that civil cases arising within the Settlement were to be heard and decided by the Mixed Court Magistrate, who had complete powers to that end. This letter was dated ...\n\nMr. Twyman had not received an answer thereto before another incident came to notice. A Chinese named Ma Tzu Fang accused a woman, Wang Chen, of conspiracy in abduction. The circumstances of the case were indistinctly set forth in the warrant, and it was not clearly described as civil or criminal.\n\nOn that day also Mr. Twyman was sitting with Mr. Sun, and Mr. Twyman held that if it was not a criminal case it should, to comply with Regulations, be dealt with at the evening sitting of the Court. It was necessary, before the case could be \"left to Court,\" to have a preliminary hearing with the parties present, and as plaintiff did not appear at the time it was agreed that he should be sent for to attend a further hearing. Mr. Sun made a Minute in the record, \"To be heard again when plaintiff appears.\" Defendant was to remain in custody with the Court meanwhile. But three or four days afterwards Mr. Sun, being on the bench to hear some native cases, took occasion to have the woman Wang Ch'en Shih brought into Court and sent to the Magistrate's yamên.\n\nSir,\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**Municipal Council, Shanghae, to Consul-General Sir P. Warren**.\n\nCouncil Room, Shanghae, August 2, 1906.\n\nI HAVE the honour to draw your attention to certain proceedings at the Mixed Court on the 30th ultimo, which have arisen out of a case heard on the 21st May last, wherein a man named Chih Si Pao was charged on a warrant for debt in connection with a land transaction. The case was left to the Magistrate, and the charge sheet was marked by His Majesty's Assessor: \"In connection with a land case; Magistrate states not a criminal case.\"\n\nOn the 23rd May the case was heard in the native Court, and the defendant was ordered to produce the title-deed for the land in dispute within one month, and to be detained in custody.\n\nOn the evening of the 30th ultimo the defendant, together with two tipaos from the Yangtsepoo district, by name Zer Siang Poo and Nien Mau Der, who had been similarly arrested for being concerned in the case, was again brought before the native Court, and the police report of the proceedings reads as follows:-\n\n| Proceedings | Details |\n|--------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| Assistant Magistrate Sun's order | Ordered the two tipaos to be released on security and Chih Si Pao to hand into the Court the fangtan in question, in order that the ground might be sold and the proceeds equally divided between complainant and defendant. |\n| Defendant's reaction | Chih Si Pao became very angry and excited, shouting out that the fangtan was his own, and abusing the Magistrate for his decision. |\n| Magistrate's action | Magistrate Sun ordered the runners to beat him. After much struggling Chih was eventually stretched out on the cement floor, where the blows were formerly given. |\n| Women's intervention | Two women (the defendant's wife and mother) ran into the Court and said that if their relative was going to be beaten then they would have to be beaten also. These women were then taken into custody for contempt of Court, and were dragged screaming and shouting across the compound to the female cells. |\n| Outcome | At 10:30 P.M. the same evening the defendant Chih Si Pao, his mother, Zer Wang Zs, and the two tipaos were sent into the city. Chih's wife was released, as she had several children. |\n\nThe illegal transfer of the four prisoners to the city calls, in the Council's opinion, for protest and a demand for their immediate return to the Settlement.\n\nApart from this, the case appears to be one which should be communicated to the Consular and Diplomatic Bodies in evidence of the disorderly and unsatisfactory condition in which the Mixed Court stands as a result of the absence of adequate rules of procedure.\n\nThat it should be within the competence of the Magistrate to inflict blows in a minor land dispute, while similar authority is withheld from the Court in dealing with serious criminal cases, illustrates only too clearly the illogical and derisive attitude which the Chinese authorities are adopting in respect to the Imperial Edict of the 14th July last. That four natives should be removed from the Foreign Settlement into the Chinese city, one without even the formality of an initial trial before an Assessor, is further evidence of their contemptuous disregard for established ...\n\nPage 331", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411184, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 361, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# FOREIGN OFFICE, \n## March 1st, 1907. \n### 355\n\nSir:- \n\nI am directed by Secretary Sir F. Grey to transmit to you to be laid before the Secretary of State for India a copy of a note from the French Ambassador enquiring the views of His Majesty's Government in regard to the measures proposed for the suppression of the use of opium in the Chinese Imperial Edict of September 20th last, as well as for the prohibition of the use of morphia.\n\nSir E. Grey proposes, if Mr. Secretary Morley concurs, to reply in the following terms in regard to the question of opium.\n\nIt is not possible for His Majesty's Government to express any definite opinion in regard to these proposals until they have ascertained the views of the Government of India whom they are now consulting, but the matter is engaging their serious attention.\n\n## der Secretary of State, \n### India Office.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411193, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 370, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Page 364\n\nAmongst the common people I have noticed a marked reluctance to speak of the events of that year.\n\nPrince Kung referred to the missionary troubles in Shantung as the exciting cause of the outbreak and alluded to the great difficulty of holding an even balance between the Christians and the ordinary population.\n\nThe Edicts which were at first issued for the suppression of the disturbance were of commendable severity, but the attitude of the Emperor and Empress weakened as the Throne gradually became surrounded by Boxers. He recalled an audience at which he himself had a sharp encounter with Prince Tuan in the Imperial presence. The Empress asked Prince Tuan if he was quite confident that he could exterminate the foreigners, and on receiving a very decided reply in the affirmative, said \"Very good, but how do you propose to do it?\"\n\nThe reply being unconvincing, Prince Kung pointed out that even if the foreign Legations were razed to the ground it would not mean the disappearance of foreigners as foreign soldiers would come to Peking as they did in 1860. This expression of opinion was unpalatable and,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411195, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 372, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "366 \n\nWellington she would not have been so long in conquering the Transvaal. The man who crushed Napoleon would have made short work of the Boers.\n\nChina would never again have a Boxer rising. The spread of modern education was dissipating the ignorance of the masses and offered a far better guarantee against the outbreak of any similar fanaticism than any Imperial Edicts could do.\n\nSpeaking of the recent reorganisation of the Government, the Prince said that however excellent it might be in theory, it had still to stand the test of actual experience, and he seemed to think that further changes would be required if any real progress towards Western standards was to be made. England had only reached her present position by a gradual process of evolution, and China could not hope to do in a few years what it had taken centuries to accomplish in Europe.\n\nAsked whether he thought China would succeed in carrying out her opium programme, he said he felt confident that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411220, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 397, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 6.0.\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n2\n\nKa Du, and the arsenal wharves, and tide records kept for over a month at each place. Sounding lines have been run, about 100 feet apart, from the lower end of Kinleeyuen Wharf to Pailien Creek (2.4 miles). Deep water soundings were fixed by sextant angles, shallow soundings by actual measurement from both banks of the river; junks and sampans anchored in the way much retarded work off the Chinese bund. Shore lines (wharves, jetties, bunding) were measured from the low end of the French bund to the upper end of the native waterworks (2.3 miles) on the Shanghae side, and from Pailien Creek to Yangking Creek (5.4 miles) on Pootung side, excepting Pootung Point.\n\nWoosung outer bar was resounded and plotted in September to ascertain last half-year's changes, and Foochow poles, 9 feet long, placed between Telegraph and bar stations as fixed marks for cross-section lines. Marks were placed on the upper and lower ends of Gough Island to indicate the parts required for conservancy work, also for land required at Kajao Creek. Six cross-sections, 400 feet out in the river, were taken at Black Point, Pootung side, plotted, and handed to the engineer-in-chief. The parts of the river from Woosung outer bar to the point and from the French bund to Pailien Creek are completed (plotted and inked in).\n\nThe Chinese gun-boat \"Loong Shiang\" was returned to Admiral Sah on the 28th September.\n\nWork has been considerably delayed by the illness of two out of our three tracers. M. de Ryke writes:-- \n\"Compared with the survey made in February last, I am much pleased to be able to say that, during the last half-year, the outer bar has not in any way grown worse.” \n\n## 5. Expenditure\n\nA statement for the period under review is sent herewith.\n\nWe have, &c. \n(Signed) \nJUI CHENG. \nH. E. HOBSON. \nMembers of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**STATEMENTS of Receipts and Expenditure of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board during September Quarter 1906.**\n\n| RECEIPTS | Taels | C. |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Balance from June quarter | 1,293 | 27 |\n| (a.) Superintendent on Account Grant | 34,058 | 64 |\n| (b) Unclassed: Sundry receipts | 9,980 | 70 |\n| (e.) Gain by exchange | 41 | 00 |\n| Total net receipts September quarter | 44,042 | 84 |\n| Advances repaid | 492 | 04 |\n| Total | 45,828 | 15 |\n| Special: Loss by exchange | 125.28 taels | 47 c. |\n| ... | 1,724 | |\n| ... | 9,827 taels | 25 c. |\n\n| EXPENDITURE | Taels | C. |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Salaries | 4,475 | 63 |\n| Transport | 21,810 | 72 |\n| Plant: Cost and maintenance | 638 | 17 |\n| Houses, furniture, &c. | 1,100 | 45 |\n| Ordinary Stores, &c.; miscellaneous | 10,625 | 50 |\n| ... | 504 | 50 |\n| Total net expenditure September quarter | 39,847 | 92 |\n| Advances lent | 692 | 95 |\n| Balance carried forward | 5,168 | 58 |\n| Total | 45,514 | 58 |\n| ... | 4,313 | 57 |\n| ... | 40,828 | 15 |\n| ... | 92 | |\n\n(Signed) \nH. E. HOBSON, \nCHINA TRADE.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n`[4403]`\n`C. O. 8374`\n\n[February 9.]\n\n**REC SECTION 3.**\n\n8 6 MAR 07\n\n### No. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 9, 1907.)**\n\n(No. 549.)\n\nPeking, December 25, 1906. Sir,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith, copy of a letter which has been addressed to Consul-General Sir Pelham Warren by the Chairman of the Shanghae-branch of the China Association on the subject of Sir Robert Hart's recent Circular dealing with the changes in the Customs Administration. The Association consider that the situation is not improved by the Circular and are of opinion that the recent Edict means \"the thin end of the wedge.\"\n\nIn this connection I may say that comments on the Customs question not infrequently appear in the foreign press in China that are based on a misapprehension. Thus the \"North China Daily News,\" in a recent issue, refers in strong terms to the appointment of a Chinese Commissioner of Customs to Yatung. The writer of the article was doubtless unaware of the understanding embodied in the notes exchanged between Sir E. Satow and Mr. Tong after the signature of the Thibet Adhesion Agreement, according to which none but Chinese subjects were to be employed in Thibet in any capacity.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**China Association (Shanghae Branch), to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.**\n\nShanghae, December 5, 1906. \n\nI HAVE the honour to bring to your notice that my Committee are of opinion that the Circular issued by Sir Robert Hart to the Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of the Customs Service, inspired as it evidently is by the Chinese Government, does not improve the position with regard to the Imperial Edict issued in connection with the control of the Service.\n\nThe Imperial Edict distinctly stated that the control of the Customs Service would pass into the hands of the Shui-wu Ch'u, represented by Tieb Liang and Tang Shao-i, and no amount of verbal assurance that no change is intended can alter that fact.\n\nIt is the opinion of my Committee that the Edict means the thin end of the wedge and was issued as a feeler and with a view to curtailing the Inspector-General's authority, eventually placing it in the hands of the Chinese.\n\nIf the Wai-wu Pu is honest in its declaration that the transfer of control will not entail changes in relations, or procedure generally, there can be no reason why the Edict should not be rescinded, and there is no reason why the Powers should not insist upon that course being followed.\n\nIn the future the fact of an Imperial Edict being in existence will quite outweigh the fact that ambiguous verbal assurances were given, and it moreover will probably be argued that the givers of these assurances had no power to do so.\n\nIn conclusion, my Committee wish to state that the Edict of the 9th May was, and is, calculated materially to affect the established administration of the Imperial Maritime Customs and to prejudice the interests of the bondholders and traders, and further recognizes that the Circular issued to the Service by the British Inspector-General, which acquiesces in the action of the Chinese Government, renders it difficult for the British Government or others concerned to take further action in the matter pending definite violation of the Chinese Government's verbal reassurances.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) E. B. SKOTTOWE, Chairman.\n\n`[2367 -3]`\n391", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411269, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 446, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[5819]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n440\n\n9764 [March 1.]\n\nSECO MAR 07\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office to India Office.\n\nForeign Office, March 1, 1907.\n\nI AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for India, a copy of a note from the French Ambassador, inquiring the views of His Majesty's Government in regard to the measures proposed for the suppression of the use of opium in the Chinese Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906, as well as for the prohibition of the use of morphia.\n\nSir E. Grey proposes, if Mr. Secretary Morley concurs, to reply in the following terms in regard to the question of opium:\n\n\"It is not possible for His Majesty's Government to express any definite opinion in regard to these proposals until they have ascertained the views of the Government of India, whom they are now consulting, but the matter is engaging their serious attention, and they will communicate with the French Government again as soon as a definite decision is arrived at.\"\n\nThe Chinese Government had, prior to the receipt of these proposals, been informed that His Majesty's Government are ready to consider favourably any measures which are directed to the restriction of the use of native as well as of foreign opium.\n\nI am to add that a similar inquiry, of which a copy is inclosed, has been received from the Italian Chargé d'Affaires, to which Sir E. Grey proposes to reply in the same terms.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed) **E. GORST**\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum communicated by Count de Bosduri.\n\nTHE Italian Chargé d'Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and would feel greatly obliged if his Excellency would be so good as to inform him whether the Chinese Minister in London has approached the British Government on the question of the prohibition of the importation of opium into China and what answer has been given to such a communication.\n\n20, Grosvenor Square, February 23, 1907.\n\n* M. Cambon, February 18, 1907.\n\n[2394]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411297, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 474, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[6014]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n9970 \n(February 2 \nREG: 19 MAR 07)\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey--(Received February 23.)\n\n**(No. 5. Confidential.)** Sir,\n\nPeking, January 4, 1907.\n\nI received a visit yesterday from Prince Kung, and some of the remarks which he made, although of no striking importance in themselves, may not be without interest to you as an indication of the views held by prominent young Chinese of a progressive type.\n\nHis Highness is the grandson of the Prince of the same name who concluded the Treaty of Tien-tsin with Lord Elgin, and was for many years afterwards the leading statesman of China. He bears a marked resemblance to his grandfather, and has the frankness of speech and decision of manner which characterized the elder statesman.\n\nThe Prince spoke very freely of the Boxer movement, and is the only Chinese of any standing who has voluntarily broached the subject in conversation with me. Amongst the common people, I have noticed a marked reluctance to speak of the events of that year.\n\nPrince Kung referred to the missionary troubles in Shantung as the exciting cause of the outbreak, and alluded to the great difficulty of holding an even balance between the Christians and the ordinary population. The Edicts which were at first issued for the suppression of the disturbance were of commendable severity, but the attitude of the Emperor and Empress weakened as the Throne gradually became surrounded by Boxers.\n\nHe recalled an audience at which he himself had a sharp encounter with Prince Tuan in the Imperial presence. The Empress asked Prince Tuan if he was quite confident that he could exterminate the foreigners, and on receiving a very decided reply in the affirmative said \"Very good; but how do you propose to do it?\"\n\nThe reply being unconvincing, Prince Kung pointed out that even if the foreign Legations were razed to the ground it would not mean the disappearance of foreigners, as foreign soldiers would come to Peking as they did in 1860. This expression of opinion was unpalatable, and the Prince gave me to understand, exposed him to considerable danger.\n\nPrince Ching, not being in the Privy Council at the time, appears to have sat on the fence, and the safety of the Legations, according to Prince Kung, was largely attributable to Yung Lu and his influence over the troops. He held that the movement, when all is said and done, was a patriotic though misguided one, and had been a blessing in disguise for China. Washington he regarded as a Boxer and a successful one, but his patriotism had been directed into the proper channel.\n\nEven as it was, the rising could easily have been suppressed at the outset, and had his grandfather been alive it would never have attained formidable proportions. His grandfather had steered China through a far more difficult crisis in 1860, when the English and the French occupied the capital and the west was in the hands of Mahommedan insurgents, and the whole Empire was barely recovering from the effects of the Taiping rebellion.\n\nChina, however, was not the only country that had suffered from the loss of great men. If England had had a Wellington she would not have been so long in conquering the Transvaal. The man who crushed Napoleon would have made short work of the Boers.\n\nChina would never again have a Boxer rising. The spread of modern education was dissipating the ignorance of the masses and offered a far better guarantee against the outbreak of any similar fanaticism than any Imperial Edicts could do.\n\nSpeaking of the recent reorganization of the Government, the Prince said that, however excellent it might be in theory, it had still to stand the test of actual experience, and he seemed to think that further changes would be required if any real progress towards Western standards was to be made. England had only reached her...\n\n### Inclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n**Extract from Hangchow Intelligence Report for December Quarter, 1906.**\n\n#### Suspected Anti-Dynastic Movement.\n\nA German merchant from Shanghae who visited the port in October sold some 400 rifles here, alleging that they were for the officials; it turned out afterwards, however, that they had got into unlicensed hands—probably those of salt smugglers. A Japanese was also discovered some time ago landing with a hand-bag containing forty-five revolvers which he had omitted to declare at the Customs, and the latter have recently become very strict in examining all luggage and house-boats—of foreigners as well as Chinese—for arms and ammunition.\n\nI understand that this is done in consequence of orders from the officials who seem to suspect that some anti-dynastic movement is on foot, and that advantage has been taken of the former laxity of the Customs to import arms and ammunition. I have ascertained the above from casual remarks made by members of the local Customs staff, who decline, however, to speak about the matter if approached directly. The Chinese officials are equally secretive on the subject. Personally, I am unable to obtain any evidence of an agitation of the kind mentioned being on foot here.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n468 C. O.\n\n6 \n\npolice, when the troops absolutely disobeyed the orders of their officers, and the latter were afraid to try to enforce them. Two soldiers lost their heads over this, but I understand misplaced leniency was shown to the officers, the Viceroy being afraid.\n\nI cannot ascertain that the authorities have anything beyond suspicion to go on as regards their belief in the importation of arms. The Viceroy told the Commissioner of Customs a wild story about mail steamers stopping between Hong Kong and Shanghae to discharge arms and ammunition into native boats. No seizures have been made, so far as I know. A German named Hoffman, agent of Arnhold, Karberg, and Co., came up with guns to exhibit, and my informant suspects he was engaged in illicit traffic in arms because he and his compradore remained in Nanking for several months, ostensibly to try and secure a contract for machinery for waterworks, though he must have known that the proposed Waterworks Company could not succeed in raising the necessary capital. But this, again, is only suspicion.\n\nMy informant is of the opinion that \"anti-dynastic\" and \"anti-foreign\" are interchangeable terms, as the anti-dynastic movement seeks to embroil the Government with foreigners. He has promised to let me know if he hears of danger. He says he will send his family away if he does. He recommended me to have a gun-boat here, but I see no reason at present to ask for special protection for Nanking, though I should be glad, if it could be arranged, by concert with the other fleets or otherwise, to have a British or other foreign man-of-war here pretty constantly during the winter.\n\n**(Signed) W. P. KER.**\n\n[2876 x-5]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411301, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 478, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n**Memorandum by Mr. Bourne**\n\nI HAVE read the proposed amendments of the Rules of the Mixed Court inclosed in Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 103 of the 22nd November, 1906.\n\nThe provision 4 (6), that the Assessor must agree with the Magistrate before a prisoner can be released or execution can issue on a judgment—and this is, I conceive, the effect of the Rule—is a concession so valuable to British interests at Shanghae that the other provisions, excepting the question of charge of male prisoners dealt with below, are comparatively unimportant. The principle has been claimed in practice for some years, but never formally admitted by the Chinese higher authorities. It gives us nearly all we really need, or rather, nearly all that is to be got under the existing conditions, namely, that a case can be hung up until justice be done. However, I suggest below some small changes that would, in my opinion, be improvements.\n\n1 (6). As the Court is to apply the general law of the Chinese Empire, it seems unnecessary to quote particular Edicts which may be repealed or amended at any time. In view of the abolition of bambooing here, while it is going on nearly all over the Empire, it may be necessary some day to point out to the Chinese Government that Rules applicable only to the Foreign Settlement are not laws at all, and must have the sanction of the Treaty Powers.\n\n4 (a). It is desirable, in the case of Chinese sent for trial to the higher Chinese Courts for crimes committed in the Settlement, that the Consuls should have the right to depute an officer to watch the case as provided by the last clause of section 11 of the Chefoo Convention. Foreign interests might be held to be involved because we are concerned to see that crimes committed in the Settlement are duly punished. The result would be, I believe, that the feeling of reluctance in committing prisoners for trial would gradually disappear as the foreign community saw that the Chinese Criminal Courts were doing their duty.\n\nIn regard to the attendance of an Assessor, I may add that I recently told the Taotai, in reply to his question whether he could send a deputy to watch a case in the Supreme Court, that he could come or send whenever he thought Chinese interests were involved; that if he came himself he would be invited to sit on the Bench, and that a suitable seat in Court would be reserved for his deputy. I afterwards informed Sir H. de Sausmarez of this, and he quite agreed.\n\n4 (6). I understand these words to imply the following: \"The accused in a criminal and the defendant in a civil case being kept in custody until the appeal is heard, or, if bail be allowed, until such security is given for his appearance on appeal or for satisfaction of judgment as the Magistrate and Assessor, or, on their disagreement, the Taotai and Consul, may agree to be necessary.\"\n\nThe object is to prevent a Chinese prisoner or defendant from using an appeal as a means of escape or of delaying payment. Perhaps it might be thought enough if the Assessors were instructed so to interpret the rule.\n\n5. I think it is necessary to good order in the present state of Chinese administration that the Treaty Powers, by their agents, the Consuls, or by their grantees of certain powers by the Land Regulations; the Municipal Council should be in charge directly or by sufficient right of inspection of all male prisoners within the Settlement; although if the Chinese Government built a prison outside the Settlement, open at any time to the inspection of an officer deputed by the Consuls, long term prisoners might be moved there by the joint order of the Magistrate and the Assessor. We are now subject to be swamped with criminals as Hong Kong once was with lepers and lunatics. It seems anomalous that an exterritorial trading city like Shanghae should be feeding hundreds of long-term convicts from all over China because they chance to have been once caught in crime here, as if we were an independent territorial State. All we really want is that crime committed here shall be surely and adequately punished—then the sooner the criminal leaves us the better. If some such means as above could be found it would be a great relief to the Settlement. In Canton the Viceroy used to undertake that the Magistrates of their native districts should be security that deportees from Hong Kong should not return. Meantime, if there is to be any detention of male prisoners at the Mixed Court, some officer deputed by the Consuls ought to have authority to inspect and report; without such an inspection, a foreign-fitted prison will become a disease-trap, and a much more deadly place than one run in the native manner—corruptio optimi pessima. Besides, the principle would be broken that the Chinese Government has no direct executive power in the Settlement, but can only act through the Agents of the Treaty Powers, or their grantees—the Municipal Council.\n\n6. I would omit \"more than once\" in the last line but one of the first paragraph, and add \"without giving due explanation to the Court\" after the words \"fails.\"\n\nThe Court should have the power to issue a warrant at once if a criminal summons is disobeyed.\n\nThe last paragraph seems unnecessary, especially as torture never has been permitted in the Mixed Court.\n\n8. In place of the words \"any refusal to obey their lawful summons or order,” I would suggest \"any wilful disrespect to the Court, that is to the Magistrate or to the Assessor, or any unprofessional conduct.\" This appears preferable, and if these words could be inserted they would go to include the Assessor in the Court—a point that has sometimes been disputed by recalcitrant attorneys.\n\n9. In place of \"equity\" I would suggest \"equitable dealing,\" or better in place of \"commercial customs and equity,\" by the law merchant and local customs of trade, and failing these, by natural justice and equitable dealing.\" It would be well to avoid the word \"equity\" standing alone, or it may be argued some day that the expression meant the equity doctrine of English or United States' law.\n\n11. After \"regulations\" the words \"and practice of\" would strengthen the rule in our interest. It would legalize practice past, and, by analogy, future.\n\nSeveral of these proposed changes could be made in the English version with scarcely any variation in the Chinese text. Yet the English version will, in fact, tend to govern the practice of the Court, because it is accessible to the Bar and the public, and some of the changes are really radical, e.g., \"law merchant\" is an old term of convenient elasticity which conveys the idea of international mercantile custom, exactly what the Mixed Court has often to apply.\n\nI am sending a copy of this Memorandum to the Foreign Office.\n\n(Signed) F. S. A. BOURNE, Acting Judge.\n\nSupreme Court, December 10, 1906.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1\n\n**Mixed Court Rules Amendments. Memorandum by United States, German, and British Assessors**\n\nRule 6, paragraph 1 (a)—It is desirable that this should read \"No warrants, summons, or orders of the Mixed Court, &c.,\" so as to include a class of document of which frequent use is made.\n\n(b) If a party fails to appear when summoned more than once,\" the words \"more than\" should be omitted. The practice is to serve a summons twice, but it is desirable that the Court should be free to issue a warrant after one service if necessary.\n\nRule 6, paragraph 2—After \"warrants\" insert the words \"summons or orders\" to correspond with paragraph 1. After paragraph 2, insert a paragraph to the ... \n\n2 \n\ngaol (see Mr. Ker's despatch No. 7 of the 19th April, 1906; inclosure, note from Viceroy), \n\nIf, in addition to the provision that the Municipal Health Officer should assist in keeping the Mixed Court gaol under the best foreign sanitary regulations, a clause were added that a foreign female inspector should be allowed to visit the women's ward, the rule would meet all requirements. I have, in obedience to your instructions, consulted confidentially with certain British members of the Council, and have the honour to inclose copy of a letter which I have received from the Chairman, Mr. Henry Keswick, which he informs me embodies the views of the members consulted. \n\n**(Confidential.)** \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(Signed) PELHAM WARREN. \n\nPage 26 \nPage 3 \nPage 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411311, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 488, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "482 \n\n2 \n\nand as the Syndicate can naturally reckon on progressive profits, the rate of compensation will be increased above $2001 a-day after a certain period.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. G. Brown to Sir J. Jordan,\n\nTien-tsin January 3, 1907.\n\nTHE overtures which, as your Excellency is aware, his Excellency Ting Pao-ch'uan, Judge, and at present Acting Provincial Treasurer of Shansi, made through the Rev. Arthur Sowerby, of Taiyuan-fu, for a meeting with me, ostensibly to adjust the difficulties arising out of the Governor's failure to grant the Syndicate's application for a permit under the Imperially-sanctioned Agreement of 1898, have so far resulted in the visit of two deputies from his Excellency Ting to Tien-tsin. Their names are Ch'en Chu Lun and Ch'en Chih Fen, the former being a Magistrate (retired) by rank, and the latter an Assistant Magistrate. These gentlemen paid me a visit on the 27th December, and I regret to say that it cannot be described as satisfactory. They had no definite proposition to put forward, although they admitted full knowledge of the stipulations communicated by me, with your Excellency's approval, for his Excellency Ting's acceptance as a necessary preliminary to the conference which his Excellency professed to desire. These stipulations were:\n\n1. His Excellency Ting must be properly authorized by the Provincial Government.\n2. His Excellency Ting must have some reasonable proposal to put forward.\n3. His Excellency Ting must arrange for the suggested meeting to take place in the Wai-wu Pu at Peking.\n\nI inclose, for your Excellency's information, a record of this matter, including an account by Dr. Gatrell, of the Syndicate, of what transpired at my interview with the deputies and in his own subsequent conversations with them.\n\nHis Excellency Ting's idea, if correctly interpreted by his delegates, seems to be that if the Syndicate abandons the whole of its rights in Shansi all will be well, and that a meeting on any other basis would be futile.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nGEORGE BROWN.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**MEMORANDUM** of a Meeting of Mr. George Brown, Agent-General of the Peking Syndicate (Limited), and Ch'en Chu Lun, a District Magistrate, sent by his Excellency Ting of Shansi to talk over the matter of arranging a meeting between Mr. Brown and Ting Nieh-t'ai.\n\nTHE meeting took place at Mr. Brown's house in the afternoon of the 27th December, 1906. There were also present Mr. Chen Chih Fen, an Assistant District Magistrate, who accompanied Ch'en Chu Lun and Dr. Gatrell.\n\nMr. Ch'en commenced by saying that his Excellency Ting much regretted that he was unable to come in person; that he was exceedingly anxious to meet Mr. Brown to consult with him regarding the Peking Syndicate opening mines in Shansi, and gave as the reason for his Excellency Ting not being able to come, the fact that he had recently been commanded by an Imperial Edict to take over the duties of Provincial Treasurer. Mr. Ch'en also said that an interpreter who started with him from Shansi had had to return owing to illness. Mr. Brown said that it was a great pity Messrs. Ch'en had gone to the trouble of taking so long a journey to talk over a matter which might easily have been arranged by letter. Mr. Ch'en replied that his going to a little inconvenience was not important. He then spoke of the excitement among the people of Shansi, and quoted a native paper which said that the people of Shansi were willing to die to a man rather than agree to the Syndicate opening mines in their province. Mr. Brown asked, \"Who was responsible for the excitement?\" Mr. Ch'en replied that it arose from a Shansi man named Li, a student in Japan, having committed suicide in anger at the way in which the Government had dealt with the Peking Syndicate's request for a permit. Mr. Brown asked whether Mr. Ch'en believed such statements as the one quoted. Mr. Ch'en in an evasive manner replied that he was not acquainted with the people of Shansi, having only recently visited the province for the first time, but he considered that such statements showed how serious the situation was. Mr. Brown again asked, \"Who were the ringleaders in the recent demonstrations?\" Mr. Ch'en replied: \"It is impossible to give names, as students, merchants, and farmers were all equally excited.\" Mr. Brown asked, \"Had the Tung Chi Company had anything to do with it?\" Mr. Ch'en said, \"No,\" and Chen Chih Fen added, \"The Tung Chi Company's affairs have nothing whatever to do with the matter about which Mr. Brown is engaged.\" Mr. Brown then asked, \"From whom did the Tung Chi Company obtain their permit to mine?\" and pointed out that the Tung Chi Company could not be said to bear no relation to the Peking Syndicate, seeing that they followed the Syndicate's movements so closely. Mr. Ch'en then said, \"The Tung Chi Company has no permit, as it is a native Company mining by native methods.\" Afterwards, at Ch'en Chih Fen's suggestion, Mr. Ch'en said, \"Of course the Tung Chi Company had a licence (`chih chao`) from the Board of Commerce.\" \"Then,\" said Mr. Brown, \"if you cannot say who the ringleaders were, who were suppressed?\" This embarrassed Mr. Ch'en considerably, and he replied, \"The Governor, Provincial Treasurer, and Ting Nieh Tai all used their influence in order to maintain order and to quiet those who were excited.\" Mr. Brown remarked that he saw no evidence of ill-will upon the part of the people, and so he concluded that the opposition came from others. To this Mr. Ch'en replied evasively to the effect that all Shansi people were against the Syndicate operating mines.\n\nMr. Ch'en then asked Mr. Brown whether, seeing he had requested an interview with his Excellency Ting, he would be willing to go to Ping Tan for the purpose, and he pointed out that Ping T'an was in Shansi, and could be reached by rail. Mr. Brown replied that the request for an interview came from his Excellency Ting, and that, moreover, his Excellency Ting had signified his willingness to meet Mr. Brown either at Peking, Tien-tsin, or Pingtingchow. And, further, that Mr. Brown, believing his Excellency Ting to be in earnest, had consulted with the British Minister, who had expressed his desire that a meeting should take place, and that it should be at the Wai-wu Pu. The telegram referring to this meeting, and setting forth the three conditions, namely:\n\n| Condition | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | That his Excellency Ting be properly authorized by the Provincial Government; |\n| 2 | That his Excellency Ting have some reasonable proposal to put forward; and |\n| 3 | That his Excellency Ting arrange for the meeting to take place at the Wai-wu Pu, Peking |\n\nwas then mentioned.\n\nMr. Ch'en explained that his Excellency Ting having been appointed Provincial Treasurer made it impossible for him to leave the province. Mr. Brown asked, \"In such an important matter could not his Excellency Ting apply for special leave to go to Peking?\" Mr. Ch'en said, \"This is not practicable, but that if Mr. Brown could wait until the second or third moon of next year, his Excellency Ting might be able to leave.\" Mr. Brown then asked whether his Excellency Ting were properly authorized by the Provincial Government. Mr. Ch'en made no satisfactory reply, but again mentioned the difficulty his Excellency Ting was in, and asked Mr. Brown to go to Ping T'an. Mr. Brown replied, \"The arrangement with the British Minister that the meeting take place at the Wai-wu Pu cannot be changed.\" Mr. Brown said, further, that it appeared to him that his Excellency Ting was only delaying matters. Mr. Ch'en assured Mr. Brown that his Excellency Ting was most anxious to have the matter settled, and that his being appointed to take up the duties of Provincial Treasurer alone prevented his coming to Peking. Mr. Ch'en also asked whether Mr. Brown was properly authorized. Mr. Brown said that his authority was recognized by the British Minister and Wai-wu Pu, &c. The Chinese version of the three points above mentioned was then handed to Mr. Ch'en, who glanced through it most earnestly. It was again pointed out that these points were included in the telegram sent to Mr. Sowerby, and Mr. Brown expressed surprise that his Excellency Ting had not brought forward some reasonable proposal. Mr. Ch'en then asked, \"What is meant by and what would constitute a reasonable proposal?\" Mr. Brown said, \"Seeing his Excellency Ting had all the correspondence on the subject and the original Agreement before him, there should be no great difficulty in saying what would constitute a 'reasonable proposal,' but that whatever proposals were made, they should include the issue of the permit.\" Mr. Ch'en then asked whether in case his Excellency Ting should make proposals and send them ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411327, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 504, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**PELHAM WARREN.**\n\n## Shanghae Taotai's Proclamation against Opium Shops.\n\nTHE foreign drug known as opium (\"yapien\") was first imported from abroad as a medicine; but after its cultivation was established and the sale of it extended, it became, instead of a cure for sickness, a curse to the country and the people. The Government, in its leniency, merely adopted the measure of heavy taxation, in the hope that that would be prohibitive; but the people foolishly failed to appreciate this motive, and cultivation and smoking continued as before. The evil has now permeated all the provinces, and entails immeasurable loss of wealth, a most lamentable state of affairs. The Throne is now adopting reform in all matters, having national self-reliance in view, and an Imperial Edict, setting a term for discontinuance of the use of opium, has been promulgated, notwithstanding that this involves the giving up of many millions of revenue from duty and li-kin, so that only the people may derive new benefit. There will assuredly be no lack of men of education inspired by this ambition who will give up the drug; but there will still be many dilatory and lax persons willing to remain sunk in the vice, and this will be because of the large number of opium shops established and the ease with which a man can be tempted to his ruin. There is no other way of attacking the practice in a radical manner and exhibiting a proper warning and example than that of closing these shops.\n\nIn Chihli Province, already the rule has been obeyed, and a limit of six months imposed for the closing of the shops; but the great port of Shanghae must be made to afford a signal example of abolition, and all the gentry have appealed to me to impose similar prohibition to that of Chihli. The officials and their underlings must, of course, be the first to stop, and, further, the minute Regulations laid down for the abandonment of the use of the drug will be duly published here and issued to the other districts, &c. This Proclamation is now issued for the information of all (owners of) opium shops—large and small—in the city and suburbs that they are to close as such in six months from to-day and be converted to other forms of business. In this period, no addition may be made to the number of opium shops—only reductions. Any persons who have not closed their shops within the time, or who continue secretly to allow smoking and sell opium, will be arrested and severely punished, and all the effects on the premises will be confiscated. Landlords who knowingly allow this to go on will be fined and have the house sealed and sold according to degree of their offence. Wine shops which also sell the drug are not the same as regular opium shops, and these must stop the consumption and sale of opium in one month. Disobedience will involve punishments as above. This announcement will be followed by immediate action in its terms, and no excuse of ignorance will be taken. Tremble and obey! This is of the utmost importance.\n\n`Hsin Wen Pao`, December 22, 1906.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**Extracts from \"Nan Fang Pao\" of January 2 and 8, 1907.**\n\n## OPIUM PROHIBITION IN TIEN-TSIN.\n\nIT is most gratifying to learn by latest advices from Tien-tsin that all opium dens in that city, both large and small, were closed simultaneously on the 16th last month, despite the protests of their proprietors, who pleaded for an extension of time. The opium dens in the British and Japanese Settlements have been treated in a similar manner. In the Japanese Concession, opium lamps are prohibited even in the restaurants and brothels. The only exceptions are in the French and Austrian Settlements, where in every opium den smokers are found gathered in large numbers both day and night.\n\nIt is most unfortunate that the authorities of the French Settlement have not yet shown their willingness to co-operate with the Chinese in their efforts to stamp out the opium evil in Tien-tsin, for until that is done, prohibition in the native city will be utterly useless, as the smokers have only to go into the French and Austrian Concessions to indulge in the habit.\n\nThe Chinese press in Tien-tsin is taking up the matter and is urging the Chinese authorities not to lose any time in inducing all the foreign Consuls to prohibit public opium smoking in their Concessions within a fixed time.\n\nThe Tien-tsin police are displaying the most praiseworthy energy in the detection and arrest of violaters of the new Opium Regulations. Soon after the opium dens were closed, keepers of two such closed places in the city were detected to be secretly opening opium lamps for the use of customers, and were at once arrested and each fined by the Magistrate 100 dollars and 100 blows. This summary punishment has had the effect of striking terror into the hearts of would-be breakers of the Regulations, and since that date, no more attempts at violating the law have been discovered.\n\nSpecially intelligent and reliable officers and men have been selected from the city police to act as inspectors of opium dens in the city and suburbs, so as to uphold the orders of his Excellency Viceroy Yuan.\n\nThe spirit shown by the British and Japanese Consuls in thus readily agreeing to co-operate with the Chinese authorities in the matter of opium suppression in their Concessions is greatly appreciated by the Chinese in Tien-tsin, and no doubt this appreciation will find its echo in the hearts of all patriotic Chinese who desire to see the national curse eradicated.\n\nWe are waiting to see the example of Tien-tsin promptly followed by the city of Shanghae, and if the pronouncement of the Customs Taotai to close all opium dens within six months is really carried into effect, the Chinese here will have cause for rejoicing and thankfulness.\n\n## THE ANTI-OPIUM PROPAGANDA.\n\nIt is most satisfactory to learn that, following the example of his Excellency Viceroy Yuan Shih-kai in Tien-tsin, the authorities in Peking are adopting the most active measures for carrying out the anti-opium propaganda in their city. Proclamations are now posted all over Peking notifying all the opium shops and dens that they must close within six months, or they will be severely punished. No excuse on the plea of ignorance of the Regulations will be allowed.\n\nIn Tien-tsin, the anti-opium crusade is going on with unabated vigour. Not satisfied with merely closing the opium dens, the Magistrate has again issued stringent orders to the hotel keepers in the city and suburbs that no smokers are to be allowed to use their premises as retreats for opium smoking. A register must be kept by each hotel, giving particulars as to the age, occupation, habits, &c., of each visitor.\n\nNot to leave the work to be done by officials alone, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Tien-tsin is organizing an Anti-Opium Society in the city, and the merchants have held a meeting and passed a Resolution that all Chinese ranking as merchants must give up the opium habit forthwith, and that those of their employés who do not give it up must be dismissed.\n\nPage 498", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411328, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 505, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## THE OPIUM EVIL\n\nIt is satisfactory to note that, following the example of the British and Japanese Concessions, the Russian Municipality at Tien-tsin have expressed their willingness to fall in line with the Chinese authorities in the suppression of opium dens, and have ordered all the opium shops and dens in their Concession to discontinue business within a week, and to return the licences now held in their hands. The authorities of the Austrian and Italian Concessions have given the keepers of opium houses in their Concessions six months in which to wind up their business and surrender their licences. It remains to be seen what action the French Municipal authorities will take in the matter - whether they will fall in line with the other Concessions or adopt a singular attitude and prefer to keep the ill-gotten revenue at the expense of the moral degradation of the Chinese residing within their Settlement.\n\nIn Shanghae we note with satisfaction that the Taotai and the merchants are not idle in the matter of opium suppression. In reply to the request of the Customs Taotai for co-operation in the closing of opium shops and dens in the Settlements, the Consular Body is reported to have stated that they must take some time to discuss the matter before giving a decisive answer.\n\nThe Taotai fears that when the question is referred to the Municipal authorities they will be unwilling to accede to the request and sacrifice the enormous revenue derived from the opium tax. But in our opinion his Excellency the Taotai needs have no such fear. Public sentiment among the foreign ratepayers of Shanghae is so decidedly against the opium evil that it would vote against its continuance even at the sacrifice of a substantial annual revenue, if his Excellency the Taotai, Jui Cheng, will see that his orders for the closing of the opium dens in the city and suburbs are conscientiously and effectively carried out. When the Consular Body and the Municipal authorities are convinced that all opium shops and dens are effectively and permanently closed in the city and its suburbs, they will not \"require some time to discuss the matter,\" nor allow the loss of an annual revenue to stand in the way of assisting the extirpation of vice in the Settlements. The whole matter, therefore, is in the hands of his Excellency the Taotai and the other Chinese authorities of Shanghae.\n\nIf his Excellency Jui Cheng displays the same energy as his confrère, the Customs Taotai at Tien-tsin, who, acting under instructions from Viceroy Yuan, closed 4,000 opium shops and opium-smoking dens in a couple of days, and is seeing to it that these shops and dens remain closed, he will have no difficulty in inducing the Consular and Municipal authorities here to co-operate with him in suppressing public opium-smoking in the foreign Settlements.\n\n## THE OPIUM EVIL\n\nSince the prohibition on the morning of the 11th ultimo of keeping opium lamps and pipes by opium dens in the Chinese city by order of his Excellency Viceroy Yuan Shih-kai, many keepers have been imprisoned or fined by the Chinese authorities for infraction of the law.\n\nThis has been due to the fact that at the last moment, on the request of the keepers of these evil haunts, his Excellency Yuan gave them permission to temporarily keep their doors open for one more month for collecting debts, but without keeping opium lamps and pipes; but the keepers have disregarded the last part of the injunctions and have broken the law as already stated.\n\nNot only this, but all the Chinese restaurants, hotels, and houses of ill repute in the city are now strictly prohibited from keeping opium lamps and pipes for visitors since the before-mentioned date. The keeper of a certain brothel was recently fined $300 and given 200 blows with the bamboo by the Commissioner of the City Police, and the visitor who ordered the keeper to supply him with opium lamp and pipe was fined $50 as a warning to others, because he proved to be a Chinese official, and ought to have known the Viceroy's order better than others.\n\nIn my last correspondence about the suppressing of this national evil in North China, I mentioned that, for the sake of preventing the keepers of such evil houses from going into the various foreign Concessions at Tien-tsin to continue their harmful business to the detriment of young men and others, the Customs Taotai, Liang Tung-yen, had been instructed by the Viceroy to write officially to the Consuls-General and Consuls of the Powers at this port, requesting them to fix a certain date for the keepers or managers of opium dens to close their doors and stop their business, so that they might be treated in the same way as their brethren in the city. Although his Honour Liang had already notified the various foreign Representatives at Tien-tsin, yet, up to the time of my writing this letter, all the opium dens, large and small, in the Austrian and French Concessions are still doing their harmful business in full swing, and the date of their suppression is still unknown to the public, although it is stated that the French Consul-General has given orders to the French Municipal Council to close these evil haunts in its Concession after the 1st January, 1907, while the Austrian Consul is reported to have given the keepers of all the dens in the Austro-Hungarian Concession six months to do so. Regarding the other foreign Consuls, the British and Japanese Consuls-General have consented to prohibit the opening of such dens in their Concessions hereafter, so as to assist the Chinese officials to stamp out this national evil step by step. But I am rather disappointed to write that, up to the present moment, all the Chinese eating-houses and houses of ill repute in the Japanese Concession are still keeping lamps and pipes for smoking by their guests, so that these people, like the keepers of the dens in the Austrian and French Concessions, are doing very good business, because all opium smokers are crowding their houses day and night. Regarding other foreign Concessions, I have not heard what actions the German, Russian, Belgian, and Italian Consuls will take in this matter, which for us Chinese is one of the first and foremost importance in connection with the reformation of China.\n\nFor my part, I do not believe that the foreign Powers will be unwilling to assist the Chinese in carrying out the order of his Excellency Yuan (whose act will surely be followed as an example by other Viceroys and Governors in the near future), since the British Government has expressed its willingness to abolish the Indian opium trade with our country, if the Peking Government is really in earnest to suppress the evil, which is compared by the veteran old Viceroy, Chang Chih-tung, as more dangerous and destructive than floods or inundations or beasts of prey.\n\nI hope I can let you know the particulars by next mail, that the Representatives of the most civilized countries in the world have given final orders for the prohibition of opium dens in their respective Concessions.\n\n### Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n\n**Mr. Cheok Hong Cheong to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nHankow, January 4, 1907.\n\nIn accordance with the request made at the interview which your Excellency was good enough to favour me on the 31st ultimo, I beg to submit a brief statement of the steps taken to suppress the opium evil in New Zealand and Australia, my observations thereon, and somewhat also of the movement now happily inaugurated by Imperial Edict in China.\n\nSome five years ago the Right Honourable R. Seddon, P. C., the Prime Minister of New Zealand, was approached by a deputation of Chinese residents, supported by many influential citizens, to legislate for the prohibition of the importation, sale, and smoking of opium, who urged that, though an attempt had been made by the leading Chinese merchants to suppress the evil, by an arrangement among themselves to refrain from importing it, it nevertheless failed in consequence of smaller and less scrupulous men taking advantage of the opportunity to enrich themselves. They reminded the Prime Minister that he was personally sufficiently acquainted with the awful nature of the vice to require any elucidation on their part.\n\nIn reply, the Prime Minister was as thoroughly sympathetic as his response to the request was prompt and decisive. A measure on lines of one which had been proposed in Victoria was at once placed upon the Statute Book, absolutely prohibiting the importation, sale, and smoking of those descriptions of opium which are not required for medicine, but, having been treated in a special way for the purpose of being smoked, were introduced simply and purely for the vile purposes of debauchery.\n\nIn the second half of 1905 a monster Petition for the suppression of the opium evil, extensively signed in all the States, by all ranks and classes of citizens in Australia, was got up by the Chinese residents, who sent representatives to wait in deputation on the Prime Minister and present the same. But the reply, though sympathetic, and the matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal authorities, yet on account of the larger part of the import duty having to be returned to the several States, was an advice to the deputation to interview the States Governments and secure their co-operation,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411353, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 530, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 524 \n\n2 \n\nthe Syndicate's rights,\" &c. Ch'en Chu Lun replied that he had spoken of the meeting at the former interview, and had asked Mr. Brown to go to P'ing T'an to meet his Excellency Ting, but that Mr. Brown could not assent to this proposal, nor could his Excellency Ting come to Peking, as he had taken up the duties of Provincial Treasurer. Moreover, Mr. Chen said, \"If the Agent-General insists upon opening mines in Shansi, there is no use in my staying here, nor in discussing the question of an interview with his Excellency Ting, because the people of Shansi were firmly set against the Syndicate's opening mines there.\" Mr. Ch'en then mentioned the fact of the original Concessions having been made between the Bureau of Trade and Mr. Luzzatti, upon which Mr. Brown said, \"It is necessary to make plain once for all that Mr. Luzzatti was merely the Agent-General of the Peking Syndicate. He held the same position that I now hold, nothing more.\" Mr. Chen said, \"The people of Shansi claim that the Agreement between the Bureau of Trade and the Peking Syndicate has nothing to do with the Government; that the mineral resources of Shansi belong to the people and were not sold to the Peking Syndicate, the Peking Syndicate being simply asked to develop them on their behalf.\" Mr. Brown said, in reply to this, that it had been recognized throughout the ages in China that the mineral resources of the country belonged to the Government, and Mr. Chen was asked whether or not the fact of the Emperor's having issued an Edict sanctioning the Agreement, and the Tsung-li Yamên's having sealed the same, did not raise the Agreement above that of a simple matter as between the Bureau of Trade and the Peking Syndicate. Mr. Ch'en replied to the effect that the people of Shansi were determined to resist the Syndicate, and if the permit were ordered to be issued the officials would be unwilling to take responsibility in the matter. Mr. Brown said, \"Is the Government in authority over Shansi, or is Shansi independent?\" Mr. Chen replied that Shansi was, of course, under the authority of the Central Government, but that in these times the students and people were so strong as to force the hands of the Government. He also said that the students had written to Shanghae and London legal authorities for advice, and were prepared to enter the Law Courts against the Peking Syndicate. Mr. Brown told Messrs. Ch'en that the Syndicate did not fear such action, and that the only gainers from such a course would be the lawyers. Mr. Ch'en then said that if the matter had been put into the hands of the British Minister and the Wai-wu Pu there was no use in his remaining, and he would request the Agent-General to give him a letter to take back with him to Shansi; but that if proposals for a compromise would be entertained, his Excellency Ting would try his best to shoulder the burden of settling the matter on behalf of the people of Shansi.\n\nMr. Brown asked what proposals his Excellency Ting had to make, and he impressed upon Messrs. Ch'en the justice of the demand that proposals for a compromise should come from Shansi as it was from that source all the opposition to the Syndicate came. Mr. Ch'en said that his Excellency Ting spoke of redeeming the Concessions and reimbursing the Syndicate for all it has lost. He cited the case of the Canton-Hankow Railway, which originally was conceded to an American Corporation, who sold it to a Belgian Syndicate, but which was redeemed by the Government's paying compensation to the American concessionnaires. Mr. Ch'en continuing, said, \"It will be admitted that the Canton-Hankow Railway Agreement is a much larger concern than the Peking Syndicate, and that if that could be redeemed, then surely so also could the Peking Syndicate's Concessions.\" Mr. Brown replied, \"I cannot admit that the Canton-Hankow Railway Agreement is a much larger concern than the Peking Syndicate's Concessions, and I would point out that the Canton-Hankow Railway dispute was settled only by an arrangement satisfactory to the American Corporation.\" Mr. Ch'en said that he was aware of this, and he further said that his Excellency Ting was prepared to take up the matter of compensation if the Agent-General would submit a statement of the Syndicate's losses. Mr. Brown then informed Mr. Ch'en that the first claim for compensation had already been sent to the Wai-wu Pu through the British Minister, acting under orders from the British Foreign Office. Mr. Ch'en asked, \"What is the amount claimed?\" Mr. Brown replied that this could be ascertained from the Wai-wu Pu, in whose hands the matter now rests. Then,\" said Mr. Ch'en, \"seeing that the matter has been placed in the hands of the Government it is useless to talk of compromise.\" Mr. Brown replied that he was quite prepared to listen to reasonable proposals from Ting Nieh-tai, or any properly authorized person acting officially, and if a reasonable proposal were made it would be submitted to the British Minister for approval. By means of an illustration, Mr. Brown then sought to show Messrs. Ch'en that if it was proposed to take away something which belonged to the Peking Syndicate and to substitute something else for it, the Peking Syndicate was justly entitled to know what this something else was, so as to be able to judge its \n\n3 \n\nvalue. Mr. Chen again referred to the subject of compensation, whereupon Mr. Brown informed Mr. Ch'en that the claim already sent in was simply the first claim, and that others would accumulate as time elapsed without the Syndicate being granted its rights under the Agreement. Mr. Ch'en then again referred to the power the students exercise in national affairs, citing by way of illustration the case of the Governor-General of Yünnan-Kueichow, Ting Ch'en To, whose removal from office was secured by students because he had made so many Railway Concessions to the French, and who was by the same class of people prevented from taking up the post of Governor-General of Fukien-Chekiang, to which he had been appointed by the Government.\n\nThis was followed by a long recital of the difficulties encountered by the Government from the students and reformers, all of which was apparently designed to show that the Peking Syndicate would never be allowed to carry on operations in Shansi in peace.\n\nMr. Brown stated that the justice of the Syndicate's claim has been recognized by the Chinese Government in that the issue of the permit had been promised to him by the Wai-wu Pu. It had also been promised by the Wai-wu Pu to the British Minister. Mr. Chen said ironically, \"I wish you may get it.\" He then went on to remark, \"Orders had been sent by the Wai-wu Pu to the Governor to issue the permit within a week, and it was not issued. These orders had been peremptorily repeated, and they were not obeyed. So it would be to the end.\"\n\nNo other business was discussed, and Mr. Brown, in conclusion, stated that he would prepare a letter for his Excellency Ting, and take it to Messrs. Chien at their hotel on the morning of the 25th (9th January, 1907). Messrs. Chien then expressed regret that nothing had resulted from the interviews held, and took their departure after a meeting of two hours, during which the same ground was gone over again and again.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**Mr. G. Brown to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nPeking Syndicate (Limited), Tien-tsin,\n\nJanuary 15, 1907.\n\nIN continuation of my Report of the 8th instant on his Excellency Ting Nieh-t'ai's advance to the Syndicate and his professed anxiety for a meeting with me, I have the honour to inclose accounts of further interviews with his Excellency's deputies, still showing that their mission was not for the purpose of arranging a conference, but for suggesting a compromise, the basis of which was to be the exclusion of the Syndicate from Shansi. A copy of my reply to his Excellency Ting Nieh-t'ai is also included among these documents.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\n**GEORGE BROWN**, Agent-General.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n**MEMORANDUM** of an interview between Messrs. Chifen Chu Lun, Ch'en Chil Feo, and Dr. Gatrell, held at the Fo Chao Lou, Tien-tsin, the 9th January, 1907.\n\nMESSRS. CH'EN allowed Dr. Gatrell to read a telegram in Chinese, which said in effect: \"Any arrangement regarding the Peking Syndicate's affairs in Shansi must be such that the whole of the population of Shansi can approve of it. It will not be sufficient to have the approval of the Wai-wu Pu alone. The Kowloon, Canton-Hankow, and Soochow-Ningpo Railways, and the `Tung Kuan Shan` Mining Concessions in Anhwei have been redeemed, notwithstanding the sanction of the Wai-wu Pu had been given. If the Peking Syndicate will accept in settlement an extra amount of compensation over and above its actual losses, then Ting will be able to render assistance.\"\n\nMessrs. Ch'en further said that supposing the permit were granted, the Syndicate would not be allowed to work in Shansi, because the people would resist them, \"not by acts of violence, but by the simple method of closing the doors upon them.\" Also, \"The Pao Ku Company is importing machinery into Shansi, and are expecting to have...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411357, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 534, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMarch 9\n\nSECTION RECEIVED 5 APR 07\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 9.)**\n\n**(No. 27. Confidential.)**\n\nPeking, January 18, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 417 of the 29th November, 1906, inclosing copy of a letter from the China Association on the subject of the Chinese Customs Administration, and I beg leave to offer the following observations thereon:---\n\nThe statement which is made in the twelfth paragraph of the Association's letter, to the effect that it is proposed to change the periodicity of the Trade Returns from the foreign to the Chinese year, is, so far as I can ascertain, without foundation. At least, Sir R. Hart knows nothing of the proposed change, and, had it been contemplated, it is very unlikely that this would not have come to his knowledge.\n\nThe only change which appears to have been made in this respect is that the Annual Returns and Reports should be sent this year to the Shui-wu Ch'u for inspection before publication. This will, of course, delay their issue to the public and seriously impair their value. The reason given for the order is that a new system of classification is desirable, and that the matter has to be decided here in consultation with Sir R. Hart. It is generally believed, however, that the real object is to obviate the publication of reports like that of the Commissioner of Customs at Santuao, which contained reflections upon native methods of administration.\n\nThere has been no change with regard to the Quarterly Returns, and Sir R. Hart informs me that the Annual Returns will after this year be published as before.\n\nOne incidental effect of the instruction was the withdrawal of the courtesy which His Majesty's Consuls have long enjoyed of gaining access to the Returns immediately after the end of the year. I have brought this matter to the attention of Tong Ta-jen, and I have hopes that a modification of the rule will be made which will satisfy our requirements.\n\nThe Edict of the 9th May, 1906, had undoubtedly a very disturbing effect on the Customs Service, and it is probably true that the apprehensions felt by its members have not been entirely removed by the assurances which have since been published by the Inspector-General under the authority of the Wai-wu Pu. So far, however, no tangible changes of any moment in the actual working of the service seem to have followed upon the transfer of the Customs from the Wai-wu Pu to the Shui-wu Ch'u, except that the latter Office takes a much more active interest in the Administration than the Wai-wu Pu ever did. It is difficult for an outsider to estimate the advantages or disadvantages which may result from supervision of this kind, but Sir R. Hart, who is in the best position to form an opinion, and whom it principally affects, seems to think that it conduces on the whole to the intelligent transaction of business.\n\nSo long as the Customs was subordinate to the Wai-wu Pu the Inspector-General no doubt had often opportunities of doing useful work entirely outside his own Department, which he may not enjoy to the same extent under the new régime, but he considers, and I agree with him, that in the present state of public opinion in China a change in this respect was bound to come sooner or later. Even had the Customs remained under the Wai-wu Pu, Tong Shoa-yi, as Vice-President of that Board, could have exercised quite as effective control over the Administration as he now does in his capacity as Controller of the Shui-wu Ch'u. There is scarcely a Department or public Office in the capital towards which the efforts of the reformers have not been directed during the past year, but most of the changes have so far produced little material result.\n\nThe example which the China Association quotes from the Water Police at Canton seems to be perfectly justified by the facts as stated in the accompanying extract from the Canton Intelligence Report of the 30th June, 1906, and there can be no doubt that...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411385, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 562, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**C. O. 12537** [March 26.] **SECTION 1.**\n\nAPR 07\n\nSir Edward Grey to M. Cambon.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nWITH reference to my note of the 1st instant, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that it is not possible for His Majesty's Government to express any definite opinion in regard to the measures proposed for the suppression of the use of opium in the Chinese Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906, until they have considered the views of the Government of India, which have only just been received, but the matter is engaging their serious attention, and they will communicate with the French Government again as soon as a definite decision is arrived at.\n\nThe Chinese Government had, prior to the receipt of the proposals, been informed that His Majesty's Government were ready to consider any measures which were directed to the restriction of the use of native as well as of foreign opium.\n\n(Signed) **E. GREY**.\n\n*Also to Count de Bosdari, mutatis mutandis.*\n\nPage 556", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411400, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 577, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]**\n\n**C. O.**\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[9437]\nNo. 1.\n12538\nMarch 23.\n\n**(SECTION RECEIVED 10 APR 07)**\n\n**(No. 72. Sir, Confidential.)**\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 23.)\n\nREFERRING to my telegram No. 21 of the 31st ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a further Decree censuring in still more severe and menacing terms His Excellency Tong Shao-yi for the appointment of two officials to the Board of Communications. The Memorial which elicited this Edict, and of which a copy is inclosed, was presented by a person of no importance, but the virulence of its tone, and the fact that both it and the Decree have received publicity in the \"Peking Gazette,\" show clearly that a determined onset is being made upon Tong Ta-jen, whose retention in office here seems to be almost impossible under the circumstances.\n\nThe origin of the struggle which is now going on between the progressives and the reactionaries is partly of a personal nature, and dates back, I understand, to the settlement of the Nan Chang massacre. That settlement, for which the Viceroy Yuan and Tong Ta-jen were supposed to be responsible, involved the sacrifice of the provincial Judge of Kiangsi, a Hunan man and a personal friend of the Grand Secretary Ch'ü Hung-ch'i. The Shanghae riot of December last had resulted in the downfall of the Taotai, another prominent Hunan man, for whom the Grand Secretary professes a warm regard, and this second concession to foreigners at the expense of their province stimulated the Hunanese officials, who are clannish by instinct, to active resistance. They obtained the support of the conservative Viceroy of the province, the aged Chang Chih-tung, and it was one of his lieutenants, Liang Ting-fen, who made the first attack upon Tong Ta-jen, and inspired the movement which aimed at the revival of education upon Confucian principles, in opposition to the Western learning, of which the Viceroy Yuan and Tong Ta-jen have stood forth as the prominent advocates.\n\nTong Ta-jen and the Grand Secretary Ch'u are extreme types of the parties to which they respectively belong, and a study of the two men's characters will serve to indicate the line of cleavage which now divides Chinese politicians. Tong belongs to a middle-class Cantonese family, which has long been identified with foreign trade, and has all the independence of character and practical business capacity which characterize the people of the southern city. He received his early education in the United States, and returned to find, like many others, that the Government which had sent him there showed little disposition to utilize his services.\n\nAfter serving for some time in a subordinate position in the Customs, he joined the staff of Yuan Shih-kai, then Chinese Resident in Seoul, and had for years a large share in moulding the policy which ended so disastrously for China in 1894. Since then he has served under his old patron, now Viceroy of Chihli, as Customs Taotai at Tien-tsin, and about two years ago came to Peking as a member of the Wai-wu Pu to promote the forward policy of the Viceroy and the progressive party generally.\n\nIn May last he came into sharp collision with us through his hasty and ill-considered action with regard to the customs, in which he gave an instance of the defects of his qualities. Masterful and optimistic by nature and notable temperament, he is too apt to underrate difficulties and make light of consequences. In the opium question, in which his sincerity is beyond all doubt, he has always shown a supreme disregard of financial considerations, and declined to recognize the immensity of the task on which the Government is embarking.\n\nThat a man of this stamp should sit at the same Board as the colleague of a pedant, like the Grand Secretary Ch'ü, shows the cross currents which influence Chinese policy, and which result in inevitable friction. Ch'ü was brought up in the ultra-Conservative atmosphere of Hunan, passed with distinction through all the stages of the old educational curriculum until he obtained the highest degree, and has since spent his whole official life in the seclusion of Peking. He attended the Empress with assiduous devotion during the flight to Hsi-an after the Boxer troubles, and has since held a privileged position at Court.\n\nPeking, February 5, 1907.\n\n[2418 z-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411401, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 578, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "572 \n\n2 \n\nTong meets the foreign diplomat on his own ground, points his arguments by illustrations drawn from foreign countries, and in Treaty port questions especially shows a knowledge, based upon personal experience, which is often rather embarrassing. After Tong has finished his argument, the effect is not infrequently spoiled by the intervention of his colleague, who prides himself on being \"a plain, honest man,\" with no special qualifications for his post. His manner of treating international questions is that of the Chinese statesman of half-a-century ago. \n\nHe scarcely disguises his belief that Treaties do not apply to Hunan, and in a question like the opening of the capital, Ch'ang-sha, he thinks it sufficient to say that the place is far too small to permit of the indiscriminate residence of foreigners. If you venture to doubt it, he invites you to pay his native city a visit and convince yourself by the evidence of your own eyesight. \n\nSuch are the two men who are the protagonists in the struggle that is now attracting the attention of the Empire, and for the moment the forces of reaction are decidedly in the ascendant. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(Translation.) \n\n(Signed) \n## J. N. JORDAN \n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1. \n\n**Extract from the \"Peking Gazette\"** \n\n**Imperial Decree, dated January 30, 1907** \n\nWHEREAS Ma Chi Chang, a sub-reader of the Hanlin College, has presented a Memorial impeaching a high official, let Ch'en Shao Chang, Chief Secretary, and Shih Chao Chi, Councillor of the Board of Communications, who have disappointed public expectation, vacate their posts. Tang Shao Yi, by introducing such men for employment as Chief Secretary and Councillor, has attracted much criticism. Let the above-named Vice-President tremblingly obey our former Edict, and carefully carry out the duties intrusted to him with zeal and energy. If he should again show himself self-opinionated he certainly will not be dealt with leniently. \n\nAs for the posts of Chief Secretary and Councillor in that Board, let the Ministers of the Board carefully select suitable officers and submit their names to the Throne. \n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1. \n\n**Extract from the \"Peking Gazette\" February 1, 1907** \n\n**Memorial of Ma Chi Chang, a Reader of the Imperial Hanlin College and Expositor of Literature, to His Majesty the Emperor, dated January 30, 1907** \n\n(Translation.) \n\n**A HUMBLE Memorial, impeaching a high official for monopolizing powers, accepting bribes, forming a clique among his friends, and planning for his personal advantage** \n\nYour Memorialist has read the Decree of the 13th January censuring the President and Vice-President of the Board of Communications, which showed that it is the intention of your Imperial Majesty to purify the circles of officialdom by leniency, if possible, or by severity if needs be. All your officers and people are filled with profound respect for such a course. But, from what your Memorialist has heard recently, the Vice-President of the Board of Communications, Tang Shao Yi, is an exception to this rule. \n\nWhen the appointment of Chief Secretaries and Councillors to the Board was being considered Tang Shao Yi, who never possessed any considerable degree of Chinese education, employed a fellow provincial of his to draw up a Memorial for him, and only on the day before this was to be presented did he inform Chang Po Hsi that he would have to join in presenting it to the Throne. \n\n* A native of Honan, Metropolitan graduate (Chin Shih) of the year 1880. \n\n3 \n\nWhen the Decree of Censure was issued commanding them to decide upon retaining or dismissing their Chief Secretaries and Councillors, I hear that Chang Po Hsi was fully conscious of his error, and ashamed; but that Tang Shao Yi was only afraid of having to get rid of his henchmen, which would involve refunding the bribes he had taken from them, and expose his whole position. Such a contemptuous view as this of the Chinese Government and such self-seeking obstinacy leave us at a loss to fully imagine the conditions to which the affairs of that Board have come. \n\nNow Tang Shao Yi was originally a penniless Cantonese who travelled abroad and picked up a certain knowledge of foreign languages. Starting as a petty official, he raised himself by protection to the rank of Tantai. He received repeated evidences of Imperial favour, until he finally reached his present standing. He should indeed have cleansed his heart of evil thoughts and have made every endeavour to prove himself worthy of such gracious confidence. Yet, since his appointment as Vice-President to the Board of Communications, the Chief Secretaries and Councillors employed by him have been his fellow provincials, relations, or connections, who got their posts by bribes. Even the officials transferred from other appointments to his Board had to arrange their transfers by bribery. It is no wonder that the public began to call the Board of Communications the \"Joint Stock Company\" and \"the Cantonese Club.\" \n\nHis nominee for one of the posts of Chief Secretary, Ch'en Shao Ch'ang, is one of his fellow provincials, and an old boon companion in dissolute amusements. \n\nThis man accompanied the subsequently cashiered Minister, Chang Yin Huan, to foreign countries, and was afterwards nominated Taotai to the Province of Kuangsi. But as he feared the severe supervision of the Viceroy Ts'en, he made a pretext for coming to Peking at the time when Tang Shao Yi was Customs Taotai at Tien-tsin. Ch'en, by various devices and after much beseeching, then got himself transferred to the Pei Yang establishment. While in Tien-tsin his name was a by-word for debauchery and intemperance, and owing to the proximity of Tien-tsin to the capital every one here heard of this. \n\nThe Acting Junior Councillor, Shih Chao Chi, is merely a recently graduated student from abroad, who bought himself a Taotai's rank a few months ago. What experience can he possess of official affairs and conduct? Yet Tang Shao Yi, because Shih is his nephew by marriage, deceived your Majesty in recommending him to this post. \n\nBut this is not all. As soon as Tang Shao Yi took over the Director-Generalship of Railways he removed the superintendents on the north and south sections of the line, and appointed in their place Shih Chao-Chi as Chief Superintendent over the whole railway. The whole staff and the finances thus were placed in the hands of Shih; from appointing the personnel to inspecting the tickets thus depended upon this one man. The employés on the trains mostly got their posts by bribery, and Shih became a man to look upon askance, with fear and trembling. \n\nNow, railways are one of the most important elements in the reforms of your Majesty's Government. The Peking-Hankow Railway is the most important of Chinese trunk lines. The newly established Board of Communications was intended to foster progress. But if this Vice-President, in his arrogance, and with his lust for monopolizing control, is to take the most important interests of the State under his own wing, for the purpose of hatching out results beneficial to himself and the friends with whom he has surrounded himself for treasonable purposes, the consequences will not be slight. \n\nFurthermore, your memorialist would be inexpressibly distressed to think that the State sets up officials for the sake of, as it were, expressly providing them with a means of making careful provision for their relations and connections, and for looking after their own personal advantage. \n\nTang Shao Yi, Vice-President of the Board of Communications, has proved himself ungrateful for your Majesty's gracious treatment. He has raised a storm of criticism by his behaviour. Ch'en Shao Ch'ang and Shih Chao-Chi have been relying upon him in their scheme for self-advancement. It is absolutely impossible that they should be regarded as fit for office. But it rests with your Majesty to say what severe measures should be taken. Your memorialist is only actuated by a desire to aid your policy, and having heard these things could not remain silent and hold his peace. \n\n**A respectful Memorial** \n\n**Rescript.-Read**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411403, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 580, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)** \n\n[B] \n\n0.0. \n\n12538 \n\nFC2 \n\n5744 \n\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.** \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n[March 23.] \n\nHEGE TO APR 07 \n\n**SECTION 4.** \n\n[9422] \n\n**(No. 57.)** Sir, \n\nNo. 1. \n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received March 23.)** \n\nPeking, February 1, 1907. \n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose two extracts from the \"Nan Fang Pao\" (\"South China Daily Journal\") of the 23rd and 24th January, in which the Decrees referred to in my despatch No. 22 of the 9th January are discussed. As you are aware, the \"Nan Fang Pao\" is a well-informed native paper published at Shanghae in English and Chinese, and the extracts may be taken as a moderate and accurate expression of the views of progressive Chinese on the recent elevation of the worship of Confucius. I would especially invite your attention to the second of the inclosed extracts as showing the nature of the reaction which is now going on here. \n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN. \n\n**Inclosure 1 in No. 1.** \n\n**Extract from the \"South China Daily Journal\" of January 28, 1907.** \n\nDURING the past two days, two Imperial Decrees have been issued, elevating the ethical teachings of Confucius to a State religion and raising the Great Sage to the level of heaven and earth and the ancestors of the reigning Manchu Dynasty. In the Decree dated the 30th December, it is stated that the moral excellence of the Great Sage is supreme and his virtues equal to those of heaven and earth, which make him worthy of the adoration of a myriad ages. For this reason it is the desire of Her Majesty the Empress-Dowager that in future the same sacrificial ceremonies of worship shall be accorded to the renowned sage as accorded to heaven and earth when grand sacrifice is paid by His Majesty the Emperor. \n\nThe Ministries of Education and Rites are ordered to duly consider and report on the details of the ceremonies to be adopted in future for this grand sacrifice, the observances in the past having lacked the necessary dignity. \n\nIt may be pointed out that by grand sacrifice is meant the same as usually offered by the Emperor in person at the altars of heaven and earth, and this Edict would imply, as stated above, the intention of the Throne to formally adopt Confucianism as the State religion. \n\nAnother Decree, dated the 6th instant, orders the establishment of a college at Chefoo, in the province of Shantung and the birthplace of Confucius. Viceroy Chang Chih-tung and the Literary Chancellor of Hupeh are instructed to raise the funds necessary for carrying out the purpose. \n\nBefore proceeding to comment on the above Decrees, it may be interesting to trace the history of Confucian worship since the earliest times. The first temple erected in honour of Confucius was built at his death 479 B.C., by the Duke of Lu, who appointed 100 families to take care of it. Rulers from the State of Lu from this on offered sacrifice at his grave at all the great festivals of the year. Two hundred years after his death, Imperial honours were for the first time decreed for him. Then the founder of the Han Dynasty visited the grave and offered an ox as sacrifice. Chen Tsung, of the Sung Dynasty, also visited the temple and worshipped there. He conferred on Confucius the title of the \"Most Perfect Sage, Prince of Illustrious Learning.” This title has since been changed a number of times and in the present Dynasty, Confucius is usually referred to as the \"Most Holy Ancient Sage.\" \n\nAbout 1,500 Confucian temples are now scattered throughout the Empire. Every spring and autumn sacrifices are offered to him. The sacrifices decreed by the Imperial Statutes are of three grades, those offered to Confucius being of the second grade. \n\n[2418 2-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411404, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 581, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"South China Daily Journal\" of January 24, 1907.\n\nIt is a little difficult to understand the meaning behind the above Edicts. Some regard it as an attempt on the part of the Peking Government to show the world that Confucianism is still a living force, and will shortly be adopted by the Throne as the State religion of China. They wish the world to understand that neither Western Christianity nor Japanese Buddhism, nor any imported creed, is desired in China, as Confucius is the coequal of Heaven, and his teachings have the force of heavenly doctrines. The step savours, some argue, of the spirit of \"China for the Chinese,” and is mainly directed against foreigners and their religion.\n\nBut to our mind the step has different and far greater significance. It implies the triumph once more of conservatism and reaction over progress and reform. It means the returning ascendency of the old, ignorant, and obstructive forces over those of enlightenment, liberty, and truth. It means a sop intended for the pacification of those old officials, scholars, and others who detest the introduction of Western education and civilization into this country, and are dissatisfied with the abolishment of the old system of literary examination, and the introduction of the new.\n\nThe proposal was originated from Chang Chih-tung, China's oldest and at heart the most Conservative Viceroy, and he has been ordered to revise and reprint the Confucian classics with a view to preventing young students from being misled by advanced foreign education and becoming unsuitable for Government service.\n\nIf the movement is all that appears on the surface, it need not cause any serious alarm to the friends of China, as it is quite natural and reasonable for the scholarly class to desire to preserve the classics in their pristine glory and perpetuate the memory of the great Confucius to all ages to come. But the elevation of an earthly being, however wise, excellent, and virtuous, into a coequal with Deity, and requiring the same sacrifice as that offered to heaven and earth, will hardly tend to convince the world of the enlightenment of those in power in Peking.\n\nBut we feel convinced that the step has been taken, not so much with the object of elevating and perpetuating Confucianism as the desire to stem the influence of Western learning in China. The Confucian scholars are becoming alarmed. The old system of examination, which was the only path to officialdom and fame and riches has been done away with, and a new system of examination in which Western learning and knowledge form the principal requirements has been substituted. No wonder these scholars have tried their best to belittle these examinations and nullify their effects. According to the old system, successful candidates at the examination mean official preferment in the Government service and special privileges according to the rank of the literary licentiate. In the last examination the successful candidates were given honorary degrees which merely confirmed their status as literary, legal, medical, or technical men, but no official appointments were conferred. We have heard that some of the successful candidates have been given posts in Peking, but not before they had purchased a Taotai rank. Mr. Chen Chin-tao, who obtained first honours at the recent examination, has been given posts in the Ministries of Education and Finance, but he had to purchase a Taotai rank first, the degree he obtained at the recent examination being regarded of no official value whatever. Another of the recent successful candidates who obtained the degree of Chinshih has been given a high post in the Ministry of Posts and Communications, but it was because he was already in possession of a Taotai rank.\n\nThus it will be seen that the conservative forces at Peking evidently do not intend that Chinese of Western education and training shall step into the Government service unless they obtain the right to do so through purchase or by climbing up from the lowest rung of the official ladder. What educated men may expect is empty degrees, which confer on the holder neither special honour nor substantial privileges.\n\nWe believe, therefore, that it was the spirit of protest and restlessness against Western education and learning which has prompted officials to recommend to their Majesties the issuance of the Decrees noted above.\n\n## 3\n\nBut the Conservatives, in the eagerness of their zeal to obstruct reform and progress, are disregarding the teaching and policy of their master, the great Confucius. According to the ultra-Conservatives, the Confucian teachings are all-embracing and all-sufficing, and in the Confucian school that is to be established at Chu-fu, nothing else shall be taught. No foreign languages, no foreign education of any kind whatsoever, shall be allowed to pollute the pure, heavenly teaching of the wise Sage. Confucius himself, however, never regarded himself as omniscient, nor taught his disciples as such. He repeatedly taught his disciples that there were many things in philosophy and ethics, and even among the commonplaces of life, which he did not know, but in which he was willing to be taught by others. He travelled far and wide in search of information and of men who could impart to him information. Disappointed in one State in getting what he sought for, he travelled to another State, and so continued to teach and be taught all through his life. It devolves upon his so-called disciples of the twentieth century to proclaim and act upon the dogma that Confucius was all-wise and all-knowing, and consequently his teachings are all-sufficient for China.\n\nPage 575", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411443, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 620, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n(No. 26.)\n\n### No. 1.\n\n**SECTION 1.**\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 8.)\n\n**(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nCANTON KOWLOON Railway.\n\nPeking, February 7, 1907.\n\nPlease see my telegram No. 22 of the 31st ultimo. The Imperial Edict sanctioning the Final Agreement has been issued, and a copy will be officially communicated to me in a few days' time.\n\nThe signature, however, of the Agreement will not take place for about three weeks, after the Chinese New Year's holidays.\n\nThe above has been communicated to the Governor of Hong Kong.\n\n614 \nC. O. \n13720 \n\n[4262] \n[2368 h-1] \n79 APR 07.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411452, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 629, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### No. 1.\n\n[February 9.]\n\n**SECTION 7. C. O.**\n13822\n\nPeking, February 8, 1907.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 9.)**\n**(No. 27.) (Telegraphic.) P. OPIUM**\n\nYesterday a second Edict was issued on this question. It is, I gathered to-day from the Wai-wu Pu, to be followed by additional Regulations, in which the conditions for effecting the gradual diminution of native opium cultivation will be laid down. The immediate object of the Edict is to secure that the Regulations already published shall be carried out with greater uniformity.\n\n[2367 1-7]\n\nPage 623 \n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411482, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 659, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CHINA RAILWAYS, CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[9424] No. 1. [March 23.11 4492 SECTION 3. · 24 APR 07·\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received March 23.) (No. 59.) Sir.\n\nPeking, February 4, 1907.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 444 of the 30th October, 1906, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith Minutes of a further meeting between Messrs. Cordes and Bland and the Chinese negotiators of the Tien-tsin-Chinkiang Railway Agreement.\n\nYou will notice that, in pursuance of the decision communicated in your telegram No. 224 of the 25th December, 1906, Messrs. Cordes and Bland notified the readiness of the Syndicate to omit the condition relating to control by a Board of Commissioners, and generally to follow the system of administration laid down in the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement.\n\nThe German Minister, Count von Rex, recently spoke to me about the necessity of pressing on the Tien-tsin-Chinkiang negotiations to a successful issue, and seemed impatient at the delays interposed on the Chinese side. I did not, however, feel justified in encouraging any representations to the Wai-wu Pu at present, as it seems important that the issue of the Canton-Kowloon Railway Edict should be secured before proceeding with other railway questions.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1. Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Railway.\n\nMinutes of Meeting held at the Office of the Haikuan Taotai at Tien-tsin, on Saturday, January 26, 1907, at 3 P.M.\n\nPRESENT: Taotai Liang Tun Yen and Taotai C. L. Chow, representing the Viceroy; Mr. H. Cordes, representing the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank; Mr. J. O. P. Bland, representing the Chinese Central Railways (Limited).\n\nChow Taotai stated that negotiations were now resumed under instructions conveyed to Mr. Liang and himself by his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi on behalf of the Yu Chuan Pa (Board of Communications). Under these instructions, he and his colleague were precluded from discussing any proposal for control by Board of Commissioners; they had also been directed that the Minutes of last meeting could only be confirmed after approval by the Yu Chuan Pu. He was therefore of the opinion that the best course to adopt would be for the Syndicate's representatives to draft the Final Agreement anew, basing its terms generally upon those of the Canton-Kowloon Railway contract, and embodying therein those conditions of the Preliminary Agreement which had been mutually agreed to.\n\nLiang Taotai concurred in this proposal, and suggested that the Agreement be made as brief and concise as possible.\n\nMr. Bland thought that the approval of the Minutes by the Yu Chuan Pu might lead to serious delay in the negotiations. He therefore proposed to save time by sending a copy direct to his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi, for the information of that Board, with a request that the Board's approval thereof, or comments thereon, might be communicated to the Commissioners before the date fixed for the next meeting. In thus forwarding the Minutes of the present meeting, he would write to his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi and request approval of this procedure and authority for regular confirmation of the Minutes hereafter at each meeting in the absence of any expressed objection by the Yu Chuan Pu.\n\nPage 653\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n0.0\n\nbeing to keep M. Casenave fully informed of what is going on, but you are in no wise bound to conform to his opinion should you see cause to disagree with it. In event of such difference arising, which doubtless is very improbable, the prescribed course is to refer the matter to the respective Boards.\n\nThe Board's attention has been called to your letter of the 31st December, reporting your visit to his Excellency Chang Chih-tung. Though there was, of course, no reason to object to M. Casenave accompanying you on this visit, yet, in so far as the discussion turned on a railway from Wuchang to Changsha, this was peculiarly a predominant British interest by reason of the quasi-agreement or understanding come to with the British Consul in 1905 on the occasion of supplying funds to buy out the American interest in the Yueh-han Railway. It would therefore have been quite in keeping with the spirit and letter of the agreement if you had paid the visit in question alone, and in that case, the embarrassment which you mention as having been brought about by an oversight of the French Consul would have been avoided. I am to add that these remarks are intended rather for your future guidance, and in no way suggest dissatisfaction with your visit, which, on the contrary, is likely, so far as the Board can judge, to be productive of satisfactory results.\n\nThe Board take note of your remark that M. Casenave and yourself had agreed in future to eliminate Consular intervention wherever possible. In regard to this, the Board would observe that, while not wishing to fetter your discretion, they are strongly of opinion that the concurrence of the British Minister or the British Consul, as the case may be, should as a rule be sought on all occasions when you are, so to speak, breaking new ground in the course of your negotiations. The Board is assured that the sympathy and support of His Majesty's officers may always be counted upon, and while their \"intervention,\" in the sense of taking a direct and active part in negotiations, may not be possible or desirable, they should always, in the opinion of the Board, be fully informed as to all important steps you may think fit to take in your dealings with Chinese officials. Such confidence cannot but greatly strengthen your hands, while conversely, if there is any objection on the part of His Majesty's Representative, it is better to learn it in time than to wait for it to be raised afterwards.\n\n4\n\nPage 653", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411486, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 663, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nC. O. \n657 \n14492 \n[March 30] \nSofief 24 APR 07, \n[10299]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nThe British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.-(Received March 30.) \n22, Abchurch Lane, London, March 28, 1907.\n\nWE beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for, your letter of the 27th instant. We are greatly concerned at its contents, and beg to express our earnest hope that Sir Edward Grey may decide not to instruct Sir John Jordan to co-operate with the German Minister in pressing the negotiations for the Tien-tsin--Yangtse Railway Loan, if such co-operation involves the subordination or postponement of the negotiations for the Soochow-Ningpo Railway Loan.\n\nWe base our representation on the following considerations:--\n\nThe preliminary Agreement for the Soochow-Ningpo Railway Loan takes precedence of the Tien-tsin Yangtse Railway Loan Agreement in date, and it is solely a British project; whereas, in the Tien-tsin-Yangtse Railway the British interest is in one-third only of its length and cost, and the German two-thirds. The Soochow-Ningpo Railway is, further, a part of the Yangtse Valley system, and an essential complement to the Shanghae-Nanking Railway, now in course of construction and rapidly approaching completion, and with which it should be linked up and worked as soon as possible.\n\nThe Agreement has already been greatly prejudiced by the negotiations having been postponed, and Sir Edward Grey is aware that the Agreement, after being threatened, was cancelled by Imperial Edict in virtue of which the Chinese have started railway works at several points; and we are convinced that if a further postponement of negotiations takes place the business will be lost.\n\nSir Edward Grey will remember that we have made repeated representations on the subject to His Majesty's Foreign Office, and that in deference to the views of Sir Edward Grey, of His Majesty's Colonial Office, and of His Majesty's Minister at Peking, we concurred, although with some misgiving, in the negotiations for the Soochow-Ningpo Railway Agreement being delayed in order that those for the Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan might be completed, and we did so in the full belief that as soon as the Canton-Kowloon Railway negotiations were completed, Sir Edward Grey would give instructions for the Soochow-Ningpo Railway Loan Agreement to be taken up.\n\nWe further beg leave to add that we have communicated a copy of this letter to Chinese Central Railways, and that although they would naturally desire to see this business advanced, they admit that they cannot expect Sir Edward Grey to give it precedence of the Soochow-Ningpo Railway Agreement.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\n(per the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited), \n(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman.\n\n[2421 gg-1] \n...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411497, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 674, "title": "CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### [11232]\n#### No. 1\n##### [April 8]\n\n## SECTION 1\n### Colonial Office to Foreign Office.---(Received April 8.)\n\nTHE Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and is directed by the Secretary of State to transmit, for the information of Sir E. Grey, with reference to the letter from the Colonial Department of the 26th February last, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Ceylon on the subject of the proposed abolition of the use of opium in China.\n\nDowning Street, April 8, 1907.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n**(Confidential.)**\n#### Governor Sir H. Blake to the Earl of Elgin\n\nCeylon, March 14, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Confidential despatch of the 20th February, inclosing, for my information, copies of despatches from His Majesty's Minister at Peking with regard to the proposals of the Chinese Government for gradually abolishing the use of opium in China.\n\n2\\. The proposals leave nothing to be desired, but, like most Chinese Edicts, while excellent in intention, the value must be gauged by the efficiency with which they are carried out by local Governments. Great as may be the financial strain imposed upon the opium-producing districts of India by the cessation of the cultivation of the poppy, the tax upon the opium-producing provinces will be as serious, assuming that the Edict is obeyed.\n\n3\\. Herein lies the difficulty. The proposals will, of course, be faithfully observed in India, but if the Edict be not carried out with equal good faith in China, the result will be to enrich the Chinese proprietors and cultivators at the expense of our Indian subjects. I have been informed that when the late Li Hung Chang was agitating for the contraction of introduction of opium to China he was himself the largest grower of the poppy in Anhui. The argument in paragraph 3 of the Memorandum handed to Sir J. Jordan on the 29th November, 1906, is difficult to reconcile with the declaration that the cultivation of the poppy in China is to cease. The British Government is to decrease the amount exported by one-tenth annually, until, at the expiration of ten years, it is to cease altogether. Where, then, is the necessity for doubling the duty, except it be to give additional protection to the native drug? I am afraid that the argument of this paragraph must be accepted with some reserve.\n\n4\\. However, the bona fides of the Chinese provincial Governments can be tested without difficulty. In paragraph 2 of the Memorandum in question it is proposed that China should appoint an officer to proceed to Calcutta for the purpose of watching the opium auctions and packing, and to ascertain the actual quantities of foreign opium delivered for export. This proposal may, I assume, be accepted without difficulty, but there should be reciprocity, and the Chinese Government should permit officers, to be appointed by His Majesty's Government in the poppy-growing districts, to satisfy His Majesty's Government that the annual decrease in the home cultivation is carried out with equal faithfulness. Without this check, whatever may be the apparent movement for reform at present, I gravely doubt if the local Government officials, large numbers of whom are personally interested in the cultivation, will sacrifice their personal interests to a patriotic movement for the advantage of the race.\n\n5\\. Mention is made of the smuggling of opium into China from Hong Kong. During my administration the complaint was rather from the opium farmer of the smuggling into Hong Kong from China. With the present boundary of the New \n\n[2448 A-1] \n#### 668", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411505, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 5, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## C.O.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government] \n37 \nREED \n4 \nREC. 2 MAY 07, [March 30]\n\nOn the 16th March, 1902, I accordingly replied that a communication had been addressed to the Viceroy in accordance with the terms of Sir E. Satow's note, since it was thought that, as Mr. Litton was about to discuss matters personally with the Viceroy, we could not do otherwise than communicate this note to the Viceroy for his information.\n\nIn a despatch received from the Viceroy during February of last year (1906) we then learnt that Mr. Wilkinson, His Majesty's Consul-General, had written to his Excellency informing him of the receipt of a telegram from Mr. Litton, in which the latter, under telegraphic instructions from the Government of Burmah, stated that it was proposed to construct a light railway from Bhamo to Tengyueh to facilitate the transport of merchandize, and that surveying staff was first being sent forward to ascertain whether the scheme was feasible, upon which negotiations would follow for carrying it into effect.\n\nTo this his Excellency replied that he would send representatives to co-operate in the survey, and that each party could survey their respective lines, and each provide the necessary expenses. It is thus clear that the Viceroy in his repeated discussions of this subject with His Majesty's Consul-General has also adhered scrupulously to the stipulation in the Convention providing for the connection of the railway systems, without the slightest divagation.\n\nIn the fifth month of the present Chinese year (the 22nd June to 20th July) the Viceroy memorialized the Throne for sanction to build a light railway from Tengyueh, and to raise funds for the construction of this line by China herself.\n\nAn Imperial Edict sanctioned this proposal; the original intention being that construction should proceed in due order within the Chinese territory of Yunnan, in fulfilment of the understanding to connect with the Burmese railway system.\n\nThe statement in your Excellency's note now under acknowledgment that His Majesty's Government claim the right to construct the Bhamo-Tengyueh Railway, and the foundation of this claim on my note of the 16th March, with the reference to the Concession granted to a French Company by way of comparison and as a precedent, appear to me therefore to be entirely in disaccord with the intent of the Burmah Convention of 1897 and of this Board's repeated notes upon this subject.\n\nI accordingly have the honour to request your Excellency to communicate this reply to His Majesty's Government.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.**\n\nYour Highness,\n\nWITH reference to your Highness' note of the 24th January on the subject of the Bhamo-Tengyueh Railway, I have the honour to state that the engagement contained in your Highness' note of the 12th March, 1902, to Sir Ernest Satow is not open to doubt of any kind. It is that, as regards railway connections between Burmah and Yunnan and measures for the advancement of trade, whatever privileges were conceded by the Chinese Government to French enterprise in Yunnan similar privileges should also be accorded to British enterprise. Your Highness' Government having conceded certain railway privileges in Yünnan to French enterprise it follows, from the engagement above referred to, that similar privileges must be conceded to British enterprise; and it is on this ground that His Majesty's Government naturally claim the right to construct the Bhamo-Tengyueh Railway. Not only do His Majesty's Government claim this right, but they have also instructed me to make it clearly understood to the Chinese Government that they do not consider a Concession for that short line to be fully equivalent to the Concession granted in April 1898 to the French Government, or to a French Company designated by the French Government, to build a railway from Laokay to Yünnan-fu.\n\nI avail, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[10310]\n\n### No. 1.\n\n#### SECTION 2.\n\n**China Association to Foreign Office.-(Received March 30.)**\n\nSir,\n\n159, Cannon Street, London, March 27, 1907.\n\nTHE General Committee have perused and considered the letter from the Shanghae Branch of the Association, dated the 8th February, copy of which was handed to you by the Honorary Secretary on the 13th instant, on the subject of the proposed new Rules for the Mixed Court.\n\nThe Committee are of opinion that all the objections raised by the Shanghae Branch are well founded, and would have supported them in detail but for the intimation which was conveyed to them that no fundamental alteration in the draft was now possible. In consequence of this intimation the Committee, when considering the previous telegram from the Shanghae Branch, which summarized these objections, confined themselves to the very minimum of alteration which in their opinion would safeguard the situation and render the proposed amendments at least innocuous. The letter in question does not raise any points which were not present to the minds of the Committee when the telegram was considered, and therefore they adhere to the alterations which they have already had the honour to submit. I am further able to say that, from a subsequent telegram from the Shanghae Branch (copy of which is inclosed) it would appear they too are prepared to acquiesce in the proposed draft, if altered in the sense suggested by this Committee.\n\nBut I am desired to add, in conveying this intimation, that the Committee are unanimously of opinion that the insertion of the word \"practice\" and \"Regulations\" in clause 2 is absolutely essential to safeguard the position; and that, if this word cannot be embodied, it would be far preferable to leave things as they are and await a more favourable opportunity for a thorough revision. In none of the alterations which we have had the honour to submit have we asked for anything more than has been established by custom, or by local agreement between the Shanghae Taotai and the Consular Body. It follows that any objection raised by China must be dictated by a desire to curtail the existing authority and practice of the Court, and circumstances have combined, lately, to show that acquiescence in any such endeavour would be attended with serious consequences to the good order and well-being of the Settlement.\n\nThe anticipation of the Shanghae community had been directed rather towards expansion, and events have occurred within the last few days which may strengthen the hands of His Majesty's Government in pressing for more efficient administration. A member of the foreign municipal police force has been shot dead in the execution of his duty, and Sir Pelham Warren has, it is reported, addressed a strong protest to the Shanghae Taotai against the laxity of the native Courts, which, in his opinion, are responsible for the lawlessness that now prevails. This murder of a policeman appears to be the culminating act of a series of outrages which have been rampant in the outlying districts of the foreign Settlements for some considerable time. Crimes of murder among natives are not infrequent, and in one case the unspeakable barbarity of gouging a man's eyes out was perpetrated. Yet, when ruffians such as these are sent to the native city for trial, it is found they can in many cases buy off their punishment, and are free to resume their nefarious practices after a few weeks' or months' imprisonment.\n\nIt is confidently submitted that, with such a state of things prevailing, this is not the time to curtail the powers of the Mixed Court, which is the one Court to which the community can look for the moderately clean-handed administration of justice. The peace, order, and good government of the Settlements is a subject on which all are at one—foreigners and Chinese merchants alike. The Municipal Council does its duty, and the municipal police do their duty. The weak spot is the inefficient administration of the Courts.\n\nIt is hopeless to attempt to reform the native Courts in the city; it is almost waste of time to complain about them. But the Court which we can and do influence is the Mixed Court; and the object which should be aimed at, it is submitted, is so to strengthen it as to make it the sole Court for the determination of all Settlement cases, with a complete severance from the control of the native city Magistrate. This may not be practicable at the moment; but there is one practical suggestion arising out... \n\n[2418 gg-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411516, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 16, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n[10310]\n\n### No. 1.\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan, (No. 37.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\n#### SHANGHAE Mixed Court Rules.\n\n**RECS REGE 2 MAY 07** [April 6.]\n\n## SECTION 9.\n\nForeign Office, April 6, 1907.\n\nWe have considered the documents mentioned in the first two paragraphs of your telegram No. 37 of the 3rd ultimo.\n\nIn a telegram of the 9th ultimo the Shanghae Branch of the China Association apparently acquiesce in the Association's suggestions which have already been communicated to you, provided the right to press later for a comprehensive definite code is reserved.\n\nAs regards Rule 1 (6), the China Association urge that the words \"for which the punishment according to Chinese law does not exceed ten years' imprisonment\" shall be substituted for the words \"punishable by cangue or beating with bamboo, or by imprisonment not exceeding five years.\"\n\nIf this alteration were effected, the note respecting the bamboos would be no longer relevant, though, if the Chinese wish to carry it into effect generally according to their Edict, we must not object to the substance of it or to such a reform of punishments.\n\nI think we should insist upon the insertion in Rule 11 of the words \"in practice,\" which the Association consider essential; they can only be objected to by the Chinese if they intend to depart from the existing procedure, and would go far to reconcile the Shanghae Branch to the amendments.\n\nWhile concurring in the opinion expressed in the penultimate paragraph of your telegram, I think that the question of the extent to which the acceptance of the various alterations which have been suggested should be pressed upon the Chinese and of the mode of obtaining their concurrence must be left to your own discretion.\n\n[2450 ƒ-9]\n\n## Page 37", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411543, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 43, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n(No. 2.) Sir,\n\n### Consul-General Wilkinson to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 6.)\n\nYunnan-fu, February 16, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose copy of Intelligence Reports on affairs in Yünnan and Kueichow recently submitted to His Majesty's Minister.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) W. H. WILKINSON.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n#### Intelligence Report respecting Affairs in Yünnan-fu and Kueichow.\n\n##### Commercial\n\nNative Opium.-The enforcement of the ten Regulations for the suppression of opium-growing and opium-smoking has been put off till after the approaching Chinese New Year (13th February, 1907). It is true that, at all events in the immediate neighbourhood of Yunnan-fu, there is a very considerable decrease in the area under poppy cultivation; but although certain timid or cautious farmers may have taken alarm at the recent edicts, I am assured that the great majority of the planters were influenced rather by the fact that the crop of 1905-6 could not be sold at a profit. Large stocks remained in the hands of the dealers, and local opium was being retailed at 12 taels the 100 Chinese ounces.\n\nThe weather, again, was unfavourable. During last December no rain at all fell, and the poppy seeds failed to germinate. The consequence is that the retail price has now advanced to 28 or 29 taels per 100 ounces, in addition to the consolidated tax of 115 taels a picul. I am told by no less a person than the head of the city li-kin collectorate, himself an opium smoker, that the result will be to largely increase the acreage to be sown with the poppy next season (1907-8), which hardly looks as though active measures of suppression are contemplated.\n\nI will endeavour to obtain copies of any local Regulations or Proclamations that may be issued. I am informed that the Provincial Government has reported to Peking that a return of the acreage under poppy cannot be made.\n\n##### Transport\n\nThe cost of transport, particularly between Tongking and Yunnan-fu, has greatly increased of late. For the eleven or twelve stages from Manhao (on the Red River) hither, as much as 13 dollars a-head has had to be paid for mules, almost exactly double the normal rate of 40 tael cents a-day. The reason assigned is the demand by the Government for mules to carry (a) the machinery for the new mint, (b) supplies of rice for the provincial capital. (Rice has been imported in considerable quantities from Kueichow.)\n\n##### Mint\n\nThe buildings have been completed, but no machinery is in position, or, indeed, has yet reached Yünnan-fu. It is worth noting that the buildings have been erected without any foreign aid, and that the tall factory chimney has been set up without any objections on the score of \"fengshui\" such as prevailed some years ago when the Arsenal was built. A detailed report shall be submitted when the Mint is in working order.\n\nA French Firm, L'Union Commerciale Indo-Chinoise, has established one of its Chinese assistants at a shop in Yunnan city, where foreign goods are sold, notably wines, beer, cigars, and groceries. The assistant is, I understand, given a price under which he must not sell, but over which he may make for himself what profit he can; he is also paid a fixed salary. The result seems to be that few sales are effected, the prices asked being exorbitant. Recently a young Italian, M. Aurely, has been sent to Yunnan-fu by the firm, and has taken up his quarters at the Railway Compound, now all but vacant. M. Aurely tells me that it is proposed, as soon as Yunnan-fu is opened as...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411566, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 66, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Articles of Agreement\n\nGeneral, whether conveyed directly or through the Managing Directors, and shall always comply therewith, having at the same time due regard to the efficient construction and maintenance of the railway.\n\nA school for the education of Chinese in railway matters shall be established by the Managing Directors, subject to the approval of the Director-General.\n\n## Art. 18\nThe general plans, estimates, and surveys of the railway lines must be submitted for approbation to the Director-General. The Engineer-in-chief, accompanied by a Chinese deputy, shall indicate the land to be acquired for the purposes of the railway, and the Director-General shall thereupon effect such purchases at the actual cost of the land. In the event of the route proposed by the Engineer-in-chief passing through towns, villages, graveyards, or other points where much obstruction is encountered, the Engineer-in-chief will, together with the Director-General, consider means of diverting the proposed railway route in order to avoid difficulties.\n\n## Art. 19\nThe Director-General will endeavour to arrange with the Chinese Imperial Government regulations for the payment of li-kin and duty upon merchandise and live-stock in transit over the railway lines, and these regulations shall not be less favourable than any arrangements made for the same purpose with other most favoured railways in China built with capital borrowed from foreign countries.\n\n## Art. 20\nAll materials necessary for the construction and working of the lines obtained either from foreign countries or from other provinces of China, and the revenue derived from the railway as well as the railway's landed property shall, in virtue of its being a Government railway, be exempt from duty or taxation of all kinds, and the Imperial Government of China will instruct the Customs, li-kin, and local authorities accordingly. This exemption to continue until such time as the Imperial Government imposes duties and taxes on other lines of railways.\n\nTenders shall be invited in China by the Managing Directors in consultation with the Engineers-in-chief for the execution of all important indents for materials, plant, and goods, and the plans, estimates, and requisitions for such materials shall be submitted to the Director-General by the Engineer-in-chief concerned through the Managing Director. Indents not dealt with in China shall be placed by the head office concerned in the hands of the Syndicate's Banks for execution in London or Berlin as may be required. The banks shall buy the goods on the best possible terms, calling for tenders when necessary, for account of the Chinese Government, and charge the original cost plus a commission of 5 per cent., but all return commissions and rebates of every description shall be credited to the railway, and all purchases made by the Syndicate Banks on behalf of the railway shall be supported by the manufacturer's original invoices and Inspector's certificates.\n\nDue consideration will be extended to materials from all Chinese Government manufactories, if available when required, and of a quality satisfactory to the Engineer-in-chief.\n\n## Art. 21\nThe head office shall during the working of the lines, and in using the funds mentioned in Article 28, maintain the railways, buildings, works, rolling-stock, and dependencies in good order and condition, and the Engineers-in-chief shall certify at the close of each financial year that this has been duly done.\n\n## Art. 22\nBranch lines or extensions in connection with the railway lines mentioned in this Agreement, that may appear profitable or necessary later on, shall be built by the Imperial Government with funds at their disposal from Chinese sources, and if foreign capital is required preference to be given to the Syndicate Banks.\n\n## Art. 23\nThe tariff of traffic charges shall be decided by the Director-General upon the recommendation of the head offices. They will take into consideration the tariffs of other existing railways in China, while keeping in view the necessity for attracting traffic. The head offices, with the approval of the Director-General, may enter into arrangements for tariffs or through traffic over connecting lines. In case of war, foreign or internal, the railway lines shall be reserved in the first instance for the transport of Chinese troops, commissariat, and munitions of war under the order of the Director-General, and at half the ordinary tariff rates, and the railways shall not engage in any service injurious to China. In case of famine or great need grain will also be transported over the lines at half the ordinary tariff rate under orders of the Director-General. Government and Court supplies shall be dealt with by the head offices in the same way as they are treated on other lines.\n\n## Art. 24\nAfter the railway is opened to traffic the head offices will prepare semi-annual estimates of receipts and expenditure, and communicate the same to the Director-General and to the representatives of the Syndicate. The annual accounts of the northern and southern sections shall, at the close of each financial year, be audited and signed by qualified auditors, not connected with the railway, selected by the Syndicate.\n\n## Art. 25\nAll receipts of whatsoever nature derived during the time of construction from working completed or incompleted sections of the railways shall be credited to railway revenue account.\n\n## Art. 26\nShould any traffic business be apparent later on as likely to benefit the Imperial Government of China and increase the earning power of the railway lines, the head offices shall represent the same to the Director-General and request him to obtain the necessary authority to arrange the business.\n\n## Art. 27\nThe head offices shall work the lines on behalf of the Imperial Government of China until the present loan is redeemed. As soon as the loan has been completely redeemed this Agreement shall become null and void, and the railway shall thereafter be managed as the Chinese Government may think fit.\n\n## Art. 28\nThe annual net revenue is understood to be that resulting from the gross receipts of the passenger and goods traffic and the income from other sources after deducting all working expenses, including maintenance of the permanent way, repairs, renovation of machinery and rolling-stock, and all expenses of administration, besides deducting an amount to be determined by the Director-General in consultation with the head offices as sufficient for accumulating a reserve fund for extraordinary improvements or repairs.\n\nUnder the heading of repairs and renovations are not to be included such work on the permanent way, bridges, rolling-stock, machinery, and dependencies as may be caused by force majeure—for instance, by earthquake, extraordinary flood, or other exceptional manifestations of natural forces, war, or riots.\n\nThe expenditure due to such causes is to be covered either by the Imperial Government or by supplementary loans as described in Article 15.\n\nOf the surplus of the net annual revenue of the railway lines after payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan, first a participation of 20 per cent. of the said surplus will be granted to the Syndicate Banks in remuneration for their general responsibility and services; secondly, an amount equal to not less than that required to pay the ensuing year's instalments of interest shall be deposited with the Syndicate Banks, and shall bear interest at the market rate. The remainder of the net annual revenue will be at the disposal of the Imperial Government of China.\n\n## Art. 29\nThe powers and authority given and delegated to the Director-General by the Imperial Government of China shall, in the case of his promotion or removal, be transferred to his successor, and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) may, subject to all their obligations hereunder, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions hereunder to any German or British Company, Directors or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation, such transfer, sub-transfer, delegations, or sub-delegations to be subject to the approval of the Director-General.\n\n## Art. 30\nThis Agreement is signed under authority of an Imperial Edict dated which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Germany and Great Britain in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 31\nFive sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by the Yuch'uan Pu, one by the Board of Commerce, one by the Director-General, one by the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and one by the Chinese Central Railways (Limited). In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n### Minutes of the 27th Meeting held at the Office of the Haikwan Taotai on March 2, at 3 P.M.\n\nPresent:\n| Name | Representation |\n| --- | --- |\n| Taotai Liang Tun Yen | Representing the Board of Communications |\n| C. L. Chou | |\n| Mr. H. Cordes | Representing the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank |\n| Mr. J. O. P. Bland | Representing the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) |\n\nThe Chinese text of the revised draft Agreement having been completed by Mr. Cordes and handed to the Yuch'uan Pu's representatives, the meeting proceeded...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411601, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 101, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## C.O. 16535\n### [April 20.]\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n**(No. 119.)** Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n29 MAY 07 SECTION\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 20.)**\n\nPeking, March 6, 1907.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 81 of the 4th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum, which has been drawn up by Mr. Garnett 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(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n#### Opium Summary.\n\nI. - Chinan-fu.\n\nLITTLE has as yet been done towards the carrying into effect of the Opium Suppression Regulations. The Imperial will seems to be well known in all yamêns, yet no steps of any kind have been taken. Almost without exception the yamên underlings of all classes are opium smokers, and many of the officials themselves. Missionaries report that it will be very difficult in their opinion, if not impossible, to make the Edict effective under the present system of administration, and that though it will be much easier to stop the growth of the poppy than to stop the use and sale of opium, it is doubtful whether even this can be done. It is a great source of revenue to the officials, and is extensively cultivated in Shangtung; the value of the opium used in the province is thought to be about 720,000l., and the revenue drawn from it about 144,000l. It is said that the Governor has ordered the sale of opium to be stopped from the beginning of the Chinese New Year (13th February), and that he has appointed a Committee to see to the carrying into effect of the Regulations, but information as to the constitution of this Committee varies, some saying that it consists of opium smokers, others that the chief members of it are non-opium smokers.\n\nII. - Ch'êngtu.\n\nThe Viceroy of Szechuan and the Tartar General have recently issued a joint Proclamation against the cultivation and use of opium. Certain high officials have been intrusted by the Viceroy with the preparation of special regulations whereby the tax on opium is to be increased some twentyfold. In the Proclamation all persons who have hitherto kept opium divans are especially ordered to find some other calling, while all farmers who have in the past grown opium are enjoined to cultivate some other crop.\n\nA Hankow newspaper published an article on the 27th January to the effect that there had been a great rise in the price of opium in Szechuan, and that buyers were flocking to all the opium markets, for since the prohibition wealthy smokers were hoarding up supplies so as to evade future restriction, and that hence there was an uninterrupted succession of buyers.\n\nIII. - Hangchow.\n\nEarly in February the Governor issued instructions that all officials who smoke opium were to register themselves within ten days if in Hangchow, and a month if in ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411602, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 102, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Reports on Opium Regulations in Various Provinces\n\n## I. General Observations\n\nReports from various parts of the province indicate that the implementation of the Opium Regulations is at different stages, but it is not known yet how far the orders are being complied with. This, His Majesty's Consul reported, is the first attempt he had heard of to put the Opium Regulations into effect. Missionaries in various districts report that nothing so far has been done in their districts.\n\nThe Prefect is said to be trying to raise funds from the gentry for the purpose of providing a hospital to cure opium smokers; no official funds are available, as any surplus from taxes, &c., has long ago been appropriated to other uses.\n\n## II. Kiukiang\n\nThe Taotai had informed His Majesty's Consul previous to the 29th January that no steps had up to then been taken to put into force the new Regulations. Only one prominent official at Kiukiang is addicted to the habitual use of the drug. The newly-appointed Governor is said to be also given to using the drug, so that possibly the Regulations will not be enforced very stringently in Kiangsi.\n\n## III. Mukden\n\nThe districts in Manchuria in which most native opium is grown are round Hulan, north of Harbin, in the Hei Lung Chiang Province, and round Ashiho, 20 miles east of Harbin in the Kirin Province. So far as preliminary measures and Proclamations go, everything is being done in Mukden and its environs that could be expected.\n\nOn the 19th December, the Mukden Treasury ordered a list of opium-smoking officials of Mukden to be made. The Opium Prevention Regulations were posted in many places in the town early in December. On the 10th January, the police had orders to stop all smoking of opium in restaurants, inns, and brothels. On the 25th January, a police proclamation was issued to the effect that all opium-smoking saloons or dens must be closed before the 26th May, 1907; that their licences expired at the end of the Chinese year (the 12th February, 1907) and would not be renewed. The fees for the remaining months would be waived.\n\nWith regard to licences for smokers, the police are visiting all houses and taking the names of smokers with particulars, and the opium dens have to take the names of smokers frequenting those places. This seems preparatory to the issue of licences, but no special office has yet been established for carrying out the Regulation provisions. All matters are left in the hands of the police up to the present.\n\nOn the 30th January, a Proclamation was issued that all Mongol officers and soldiers under the jurisdiction of Mukden must cease smoking opium at once under pain of dismissal. Societies have been formed to encourage the cessation of the opium habit, and the city abounds in advertisements of anti-opium medicines.\n\n## IV. Nanking\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports that no special steps have yet been taken to put into force the Opium Regulations, although Proclamations have been posted in some places embodying the Regulations and fixing the first of the Chinese New Year (the 13th February) as the beginning of the six months' limit within which opium-houses are to be closed.\n\nThe opinion is generally expressed among officials that the Government is this time serious in its intention to put down opium smoking; but doubts are not wanting as to the possibility of replacing the revenue that will thus be lost. The official Gazette of the 4th January contained an article advocating the extension of anti-opium Societies.\n\nThe Viceroy has issued a Proclamation forbidding the retail sale of morphia and morphia-needles—the former having been used in anti-opium medicines.\n\n## V. Shanghai\n\nThe Taotai has issued a Proclamation ordering all opium shops to be closed in six months. A petition asking for an extension of time was rejected. He also issued a Proclamation ordering the discontinuance of the use of morphia in anti-opium medicines.\n\nA commencement has been made by the Chinese authorities of listing opium shops in Shanghai. The west gate section was worked until about 100 shops had been registered, but the work has ceased, and no progress has been made for some weeks. The reason cannot be ascertained.\n\nIn December, there was a meeting of influential Chinese in Shanghai, at which a Resolution was passed expressing approval of the action of the Government and of the attitude of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nA meeting of gentry is reported as having been held at Chang Chou, when it was proposed to petition the higher authorities to put into effect at once the proposals of the anti-opium memorial.\n\nThe Viceroy of Nanking and the Governor of Soochow have issued a joint Proclamation insisting on the need for the eradication of the vice, urging the adoption of the official anti-opium prescription and the establishment of an anti-opium Society, and urging all officials to bestir themselves and attain the end desired by the Court.\n\n## VI. Soochow\n\nThe Governor has issued Proclamations announcing the Imperial sanction to the proposals of the anti-opium memorialists, and fixing a day for the limit of time for closing opium dens.\n\nRegulations have been issued jointly in the names of the Provincial Treasurer, Judge, Commissioner of Education, and General Commanding the Forces based on those set forth in the original Memorial. All respectable people in Soochow are said to desire the stamping out of the use of opium, and the majority maintain its possibility. Among the high officials, only the Treasurer uses opium; the Anti-opium League keeps a list of those whom it aids in breaking the habit.\n\n## VII. Tengyueh\n\nThe habit of smoking opium has been adopted by some 90 per cent. of the population of the province of Yunnan, and it is thought that any genuine attempt to limit production of opium will entail hardship and discontent, which may lead to a serious state of affairs.\n\nMr. Clementi, of the Hong Kong Civil Service, who is in the course of an overland journey from Kuangsi to Burmah, has reported that the officials he met did not take the new Regulations seriously. No instructions have as yet reached the local officials at Tengyueh on the matter.\n\n## VIII. Kwangsi\n\nA report has reached His Majesty's Legation that there has been a small riot in this province over an attempt to stop opium cultivation.\n\n## IX. Tien-tsin\n\nIn Tien-tsin city, all opium shops and divans have been closed, but no registration of opium smokers has been begun. His Majesty's Consul-General learns from Shuntefu, in the south-west of Chihli, that the opium dens there are to be closed in July of this year; various Proclamations as to anti-opium measures have been posted on the city gates.\n\nFrom Chichou, in the south of Chihli, a missionary writes: \"I have recently traversed a large section of this part of the province, and made careful inquiry. The result is that I am convinced the Edict has impressed the people favourably, but it is equally clear that no sustained and honest effort is being made by the local officials to carry out the Regulations issued by the Government, except in a few isolated cases. Of the five counties in this Prefecture, three of the Magistrates are opium smokers. One of these can never be got to appear in Court until late in the evening, and receives no guest until late in the afternoon. This is due to his being a slave to the habit. The Regulations have been issued by him to the constables, but I have not found one throughout the whole district who has posted the Regulations in a public place. As one of the gentry remarked to me, the Magistrate is not going to smack his own face by seeing that the Regulations are being carried out. Most, if not all, of the constables are also opium smokers, and several of them have such a sense of propriety that they have... \n\nPage 101", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411603, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 103, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## SECTION 2\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n`(No. 131.)`\n\nNo. 1.\n\n102\n\n(May 4.)\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 4.)\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, March 14, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 73 of the 6th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that no opium shops or dens exist in the British Concessions at Hankow, Kiukiang, or Amoy.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul at the latter port informs me that the British Municipal Council does not license, nor has it ever permitted such establishments, and that no opium dens are known to exist within Concession limits.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang reports that under bye-law 17 a \"shop or place for the retail sale of opium\" can only be opened in the Concession under a license granted by the Council and countersigned by the Consul, the penalty for non-observance of the provisions of the bye-law being 100 dollars. No license for the opening of an opium shop or den of any kind has been issued by the Council.\n\nChinkiang is therefore the only British Concession in China where there are any establishments of this kind.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**\n\nPage 23\n \n\nconcealed the Edict and Regulations. Little land in this region is given over to the cultivation of opium, and after investigation I have failed to discover a single case where the area has been reduced thus far. From my past experience I feel almost certain that it will be impossible to ascertain accurately the amount of land used for the cultivation of the poppy as the constables can always hide the facts from the Magistrates. After a residence of eighteen years in this district I have estimated that about one-fifth of the adults smoke opium, but it is only in official or high circles that the foreign drug is being used. In some districts the officials seem to be making an honest effort to put a stop to the use of opium, and they have closed a number of opium dens. In other districts the Edict is practically a dead letter. A number of men are travelling about the country dressed as farm labourers, and the report is that they are trying to find out what the officials are doing in the matter of the sale, use, and cultivation of opium and the poppy.\n\n \n\nFrom the north-east of Chibli, within the Great Wall, it is reported that the Viceroy's Proclamation has been posted up throughout the district, but that no opium shop has been closed, nor anything else done apparently. From beyond the wall it is reported that the opium shops had in one town been closed at the end of January, and the Magistrate's Proclamation dealing with the Edict had been posted in the town, but not then in the surrounding district, nor had any steps been taken apparently to curtail the amount of poppy growing, which is considerable.\n\n \n\nFrom South Shansi it is reported that both officials and people in general take the new Regulations philosophically, and are prepared to make the best of the inevitable.\n\n \n\nFrom Taiyuan-fu, the capital of the province, it is reported that--\n\n1. The Imperial Edicts demanding the abandonment of opium have been published and widely distributed.\n\n2. The following orders have been issued :-\n\n| Order | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a.) | All officials and Government employés are to abandon the use of opium within six months on pain of dismissal. |\n| (b.) | All professors, teachers, and scholars using opium in any of the Government colleges and schools are to be expelled. |\n| (c.) | Military officers using opium are to be instantly dismissed. Soldiers are allowed one month in which to reform. |\n| (d.) | Next year the amount of opium cultivated is to be reduced. |\n| (e.) | The sale of the opium-smokers' implements prohibited. |\n| (f.) | Orders to close their establishments within two months have been issued to 129 shops selling opium. |\n\n3. For the cure of the opium habit the provincial treasurer has opened free dispensaries. (Applicants at these dispensaries, according to official reports, number 300 or 400 daily. The cost of the dispensaries is reported as 2,000 taels per month.) Similar dispensaries are to be opened in all the countries.\n\nThe above indicates the position of the Shansi Government.\n\nThe attitude of the people may be estimated from the following facts :--\n\n| Fact | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. | For many years an active sale has been carried on by vendors of drugs for the cure of the opium habit for their medicines. There are now forty-one shops in Taiyuan-fu, where these drugs are sold. |\n| 2. | There are seven opium refuges in this city carried on by the Chinese having no connection with Christian missions. |\n| 3. | Protestant missions have no difficulty in conducting opium refuges, and receive numbers of patients in all districts. |\n| 4. | The Taiyuan-fu press, at present consisting of two papers, the \"Pei Hua Pao\" and the \"Tsin Pao,\" are unceasing in denouncing the habitual use of opium. |\n| 5. | The vegetarian Societies, which are political organizations, are opposed to the use of opium and open opium refuges. |\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n`[14406]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411605, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 105, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n# CHINA TRADE\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n### No. 95\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey, -(Received April 6.)\n\nPeking, February 20, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to my telegram No. 27 of the 8th February, I have the honour to inclose translation of the Imperial Decree referred to, the effect of which is to remind the Provincial Governments that the Court attaches great importance to the conscientious fulfilment of the earlier Decree and Regulations for the prohibition of opium.\n\nI also inclose, for your information, copies of the correspondence with his Excellency Tong Shao-yi, Vice-President of the Wai-wu Pu, on which I based the reply sent to you in my telegram No. 28 of the 10th February.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n#### Inclosure 1 in No. 1\n\n**Imperial Decree**\n\nA MEMORIAL has been received from the Board of the Interior devising general arrangements for the prohibition of opium; and whereas opium is injurious to the public health, we have already issued an Edict commanding every province to fix a limit of time for its strict prohibition. The Board having now recommended their Memorial for the extension of branch Anti-Opium Societies, and that the opium dens throughout the provinces should be uniformly closed and prohibited as laid down in the new Regulations, it is hereby commanded that all Tartar Generals, Viceroys, and Governors shall take part with their subordinates in conscientiously carrying out these steps. But strict as must be the prohibition against smoking, it is even more necessary to forbid the cultivation of the poppy, in order to sweep away the source of evil. The responsibility is, therefore, placed upon all Tartar Generals, Viceroys, and Governors to see to it that cultivation is diminished annually, as prescribed by the Regulations submitted to us, and that within the maximum term of years the supply of foreign and native opium is completely cut off. There must be no laxity or disregard for this beneficial measure, which the throne so ardently desires.\n\nFebruary 7, 1907.\n\n#### Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\nSir J. Jordan to Tong Shao-yi.\n\nPeking, February 6, 1907.\n\nI HAVE received a query from His Majesty's Government with regard to which I should be glad to have definite information.\n\nIn the opium proposals which your Excellency and the other Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu asked me to transmit on the 30th November last, it was suggested that Indian import should be diminished by one-tenth each year after 1907. I took this to mean that the settlement to which the proposals relate was to take effect from January 1908. Is this correct?\n\nThe Government of India have, I understand, notified the continuance of sales...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411609, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 109, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## III. Chêngtu\n\nThe Viceroy has rescinded the request for the services of foreign doctors in these refuges made at the beginning of February by the Protestant Missions of Chêngtu, on the ground that there are enough Chinese doctors available for the purpose. On learning, however, that Mr. Alexander, the Honorary Secretary for the Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade, was on his way to Chêngtu, the Viceroy expressed a desire to see him, apparently because it was rumoured that he was the bearer of a new and most efficacious opium remedy. Mr. Alexander reached Chêngtu on the 18th February. The Viceroy received him very cordially, and in the course of conversation more than once stated that China was \"with united heart\" determined to suppress and eradicate the use of opium. He showed great interest in the new cure---an infusion of the leaves of a creeping myrtle from Negri Sembilan---which has effected some wonderful cures in the Malay Peninsula, and of which Mr. Alexander was able to show him some specimens. Mr. Alexander has since telegraphed to Hong Kong for 100 taels' worth of plants, and an attempt will be made to introduce them into Szechuan. At Mr. Alexander's suggestion, the Board of Foreign Affairs arranged for a public meeting, which took place on the 27th February. Some 4,000 people of all classes, including several officials and a large number of missionaries, attended. The meeting was most successful. Speeches were delivered by the police Taotai, by the Director of the Imperial College, and by Mr. Alexander, the latter announcing that the British Government had promised to co-operate with China in the suppression of the opium trade.\n\nPublic notice has been given that all opium divans must be closed in six months' time, dating from the 13th February. During the latter half of this period, all taxes on these establishments will be remitted. In the year 1902, the number of opium divans in Chêngtu was reckoned at 7,000, but this probably was the number of those open in the whole province; at the present time, there are said to be only some 450 open in Chêngtu. Another notice issued by the Police Department orders all vendors of opium pills to register themselves with four guarantors and to take out licences at the Central Station.\n\nThe Viceroy has issued an order fixing the limit of six months for all officials, civil or military, whether holding substantive posts or on the expectant list, to give up the use of opium. Opium-smoking officials in the capital are given ten days in which to report themselves to the Provincial Treasurer and the head office, and have their names entered on the \"black list\"; other officials are instructed to report to their superiors within one month from the date these instructions are received. At the expiry of the period of probation, those officials who can produce proof that they have abandoned the habit will be confirmed in their posts; those who cannot do this will be removed from office, without, however, losing rank. These rules do not apply to officials over 60 years of age. As a considerable number of the high provincial officials, including the Director of Education, are reputed to be habitual opium-smokers, the results of this order will be watched with much interest.\n\nA proclamation has been issued by Huang Taotai, Delegate of the Board of Revenue, charged with the collection of the duty on opium in the Provinces of Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kueichou, explaining the manner in which the new tax is to be collected, and exhorting the natives to refrain from the use of opium.\n\nThe Taotai points out that the object of the present scheme of taxation is the prohibition of opium, and that the tax is in reality paid by the consumer, and not by the merchant. After expatiating on the inability of the cultivators and firms who stock the opium to pay the tax, and the hardship to which merchants of other provinces, who buy the drug for export, would be subjected if duty were levied both at the time of purchase and export, Mr. Huang gives a brief outline of the Honan system now to be adopted in Szechuan in order to obviate the above difficulties. Under this system, licensed opium hongs will be established throughout the province, through whom all transactions in opium will be conducted, and who will be responsible to the officials for the management of the opium trade. With reference to the export of opium, Mr. Huang states that permits to purchase will be issued to merchants on receipt of particulars. On purchase of the full quantity specified in the certificate, duty will be paid at the nearest barrier, for which a receipt will be handed to the merchant. The opium may then be conveyed to the place of export, where it shall be reported and examined. After completion of this formality, it may be repacked and clearance will be granted on surrender of the original permit and receipt. After mentioning that the date of enforcement of these Regulations will be found in another Proclamation, Mr. Huang ends by making an earnest appeal as a native of Szechuan to his fellow provincials to give up the habit of opium smoking, and exhorts them to come to the aid of the Throne in its struggle to put down this evil.\n\n## III. Foochow\n\nThe anti-opium Society formed in the city and its neighbourhood is said to be most energetic, and is a very influential league of the gentry and well-to-do merchants. At its inaugural meeting in the city, both the Prefect and one of the District Magistrates spoke very strongly in favour of the Society's efforts to put a stop to the growth of the poppy and the sale of the drug. The Acting Viceroy delayed in issuing the Imperial Edict, and the Committee of the Society anticipated his action by issuing copies of the same, and circulating them widely through the city and suburbs. Large and successful refuges have been opened in one or two centres, where the victims of the habit are treated and cured free of cost. There is no mention yet made in the Viceroy's Proclamation of restricting the cultivation of the poppy, but it is expected that orders will soon be issued prohibiting it. No licences to opium smokers have yet been issued. All opium dens are to be closed in May; the Proclamation issued forbids new opium dens to be opened. It is said that no Acting Magistrate dares to smoke opium any longer.\n\n## IV. Hangchou\n\nSome efforts are being made to give effect to the Opium Rules. Officials who smoke have been ordered to report themselves. These will probably carry out their instructions fairly strictly, for fear of subsequent blackmail if they do not. A number of Delegates have now been appointed to supervise those who have reported themselves. A Proclamation has been issued ordering the closure of all opium dens within six months. The Tartar General has issued orders that all dens in the Manchu garrison are to be closed, and all soldiers or officers under his command are to cease smoking opium within three months under penalty of death. He does not, however, seem to be very much in earnest over it himself; he told a missionary at Hangchow with great glee that he would be able to continue smoking himself, as, being over 60, the Rules did not apply to him. He is a veteran smoker.\n\n## V. Hankow\n\nNative newspapers report that the Provincial Judge, realizing that nothing can be done unless the opium shops are shut down, has decided to eradicate them from the third month (May), and a Proclamation will shortly be issued to that effect.\n\nThe same paper states that opium-shop licences are to be taken away from the same date.\n\nA later paper announces that a censor sent in a Memorial suggesting that opium licences should be abolished so as to purify the sources of national income. The Finance Board decided that if licences were stopped, there would no longer be any means of ascertaining the amount of opium in the country, but suggested, as an alternative, a progressively increasing tax which, in ten years' time, would exactly double the price of the drug, when, even with prohibition, the consumption would be placed beyond the means of the wealthy.\n\nA paper, dated the 16th March, states that the opium prohibition question in Hupei has been soon settled. The Viceroy has now issued numbers of prohibition Proclamations, which have been posted up in all the thoroughfares, enjoining upon all opium saloons to cease their functions from the first day of the third moon (middle of May), and take up some other line of business.\n\n## VI. Shanghae and South Kiangsu\n\nIssue of Proclamations.--From Soochow, it is reported that the Governor has ordered the three District Magistrates to issue a joint Proclamation forbidding all eating houses, wine shops, and tea houses, &c., to provide couches or other opium-smoking accessories for the use of their guests, the prohibition to take effect from the 13th February (Chinese New Year's day). All infractions are to be punished by closure of the offending establishments. Opium shops are given six months in which to close.\n\nShanghae.--The Provincial Judge has issued a Proclamation to be posted up in the streets. This document gives a time limit of six months for opium shops to close, and...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411610, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 110, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "(4) urges that those who are engaged in these shops should look about for another means of livelihood.\n\nPaoshan.--The Magistrate of the district has issued a Proclamation giving all opium shops six months in which to close.\n\nThe Chief Engineer (British) of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway has issued a Circular ordering all employés on the railway in any capacity to give up smoking opium. Any found smoking after two months will be discharged.\n\nAttitude of Officials. The officials, generally, seem to be making some show of taking the edict seriously. The daily press comments every day on the action taken by some official or other, and officials are heard of who are making efforts to give up the habit themselves and are rumoured to be suffering in health in consequence. The Governor of Soochow seems to be energetic and anxious to secure the co-operation of the gentry. Certain bureaux and clubs, formed with the object of suppressing opium smoking or of helping those who are trying to give up the habit, are constantly mentioned in the press. The gentry who have formed the Society for the suppression of opium smoking at Changchou have received a communication from the Provincial Judge, and have passed a resolution to strenuously assist the carrying out of his orders against opium smoking. Orders have been given to the heads of boroughs that after three months the prepared opium tax must not be levied, and after six every opium shop shall be closed. The Governor of Soochow has appointed a Deputy to draw up a list of opium-smoking officials. One Magistrate reported that he was an opium smoker, but had given up the habit. He visited the Governor, and it was obvious that he was still a very heavy smoker. He was accordingly dismissed and replaced by a Deputy. The Mixed Court Magistrate has issued orders that all Mixed Court clerks and runners and all prisoners, male and female, must give up opium smoking within the month. He recently discovered that the prisoners had in their possession accessories for smoking, and that smoking went on day and night at the gaol. He gave orders that all appliances should be immediately destroyed. An official has been deputed to proceed from Soochow to Shanghae to report on opium smoking among the officials. He will personally visit all yamens, bureaux, and offices, and will ask for a sealed undertaking on the part of all opium-smoking officials that they will cease smoking by the prescribed date. He will also inquire and report upon all clerks and runners addicted to the habit.\n\nOn his return to Soochow, he will lay his detailed report before the Governor. The Governor of Soochow is establishing offices for the surveillance and taxation of prepared opium, and is issuing orders that all prepared opium shops shall double their charges. He is employing increase in taxation as a prohibitory measure. His Excellency's general idea is to establish a \"Head Office for the inspection and taxation of Government prepared opium\" in Soochow city and four branch offices at the police stations of the four sections. The shops will all be made to take out licences, which will be issued gratis; the raw opium shops which also sell the prepared drug will also have to take out licences. Suppose an ounce of opium is sold, the price being 1,000 cash, they will be authorized to charge 2,000 cash, the price being thus doubled. Opium smokers will be permitted to purchase the prepared opium only, not the raw drug. The raw opium dealers are only to sell to licensed prepared opium shops for preparation and retail sale. Dealers in raw opium from other districts must also produce their licences before raw opium may be sold to them. The profit on the sale of prepared opium at the increased rate will be divided, one-tenth going to the shop as a special allowance, nine-tenths to be handed to the \"office for opium inspection and taxation.\" This money will be appropriated partly as the prepared opium tax formerly collected, partly for the establishment of a Government Opium Cure Agency and for the sheltering of poor opium smokers and their feeding and treatment with medicine, and partly for the provision of the Deputies' salary and the fuel and food for those employed in the office.\n\nRestrictions on Smokers. The higher authorities are daily reported to be issuing orders for the cessation of smoking by officials and setting time limits for their complete cure of the habit. In Soochow, shops dealing in apparatus necessary for opium smoking are allowed one month in which to shut. All lesser officials, customs, and li-kin officials, clerks, and runners within the jurisdiction of the Paoshan District Magistrate who smoke opium have given bonds to give up the habit; these bonds have been sent up to the higher authorities.\n\nThe Prefect of Soochow has decided to establish an official opium agency at Soochow to effect a perfect system of surveillance over opium smokers and to enforce the time-limit for the giving up of opium smoking. He has drawn up twenty-two Regulations, which have been submitted to the Provincial Judge for an opinion as to their practicability.\n\nClosure of Opium Dens. Within and without the city of Soochow, there exist 1,900 opium shops of various sizes. These are now registered in the Prepared Opium Bureau and have received licences and have paid the tax. Opium dens at any distance from the city itself are not included in the official return, which is said to be far short of the full number, as in Soochow city itself there are over 1,900.\n\nThe Shanghae Chinese Bund Bureau of Public Works has ordered all opium shops, large and small, to shut within six months, and have arranged that a register of such establishments shall be kept to facilitate the measure.\n\nThe Shanghae District Magistrate has given orders to the same effect and prohibits any new shops from opening under pain of heavy penalties.\n\nEffect on Foreign Opium.--Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co. report: \"There has not recently been any reduction in the importation of Indian opium, but from July next, the Indian Government is going to sell 400 chests less every month, and consequently the importation of Bengal opium will then be reduced by this quantity. This decision was made public about a fortnight ago and had its effect on prices, which have since advanced.\"\n\nMorphia. The District Magistrates at Soochow have received orders from the Taotai and Prefect that the sale of morphia, whether intended as an anti-opium medicine or for injection or any other purpose, is to be most strictly prohibited. The Taotai has also drafted a Proclamation, dated the 7th March, and has sent it to the Senior Consul for consideration, prohibiting the sale of morphia, or of anti-opium drugs which have not received the approval of the authorities, in the Settlement.\n\n## VII. Swatow\n\nNothing, His Majesty's Consul reports, appears to have been done yet in the matter of enforcing the prohibition of opium smoking beyond sending two or three deputies round the district to warn petty officials to discontinue the use of the drug within six months. From time to time, a certain individual, it is said, forwards to Peking \"by command for the use of the Palace\" a couple of boxes of opium prepared in a specially appetising way, said to be peculiar to Swatow. As long as these consignments go forward, the Imperial Edict on the subject is not likely to be taken very seriously.\n\n## VIII. Yünnan\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General reports that the enforcement of the ten Regulations for the suppression of opium growing and smoking has been put off until after the Chinese New Year (13th February). In the immediate neighbourhood of Yunnan-fu, there has been a very considerable decrease in the area under poppy cultivation, but although certain timid or cautious farmers may have taken alarm at the recent Edict, His Majesty's Consul-General is assured that the great majority of the planters were influenced rather by the fact that the crop of 1905-1906 could not be sold at a profit. Large stocks remained in the hands of the dealers, and local opium was being retailed at 12 taels the 100 Chinese ounces. The weather, again, was unfavourable. During last December, no rain at all fell and the poppy seeds failed to germinate. The consequence is that the retail price has now advanced to 28 or 29 taels per 100 ounces, in addition to the consolidated tax of 115 taels per picul. The late Head of the City Li-kin Collectorate, himself an opium smoker, informed His Majesty's Consul-General that the result will be to largely increase the acreage to be sown with the poppy next season (1907-1908), which hardly looks as though active measures of suppression are contemplated.\n\nPage 109", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411619, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 119, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# \n118 \n\nUnder Article IV provision was made for a survey of the route, upon signature of the preliminary agreement, by engineers engaged by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., and under arrangements to be made by the Director General of Railways, who would notify the local authorities in order that the engineers should be duly protected.\n\n## \nArticle V reads as follows: \"This Preliminary Agreement is signed by the Director General of the Imperial Chinese Railway Administration who will, in case there should arise local difficulties, consult with the Viceroy of Canton to make the necessary arrangements; the said Viceroy will, in conjunction with the Director General, memorialize the Throne before the Final Agreement is signed\".\n\nIn the course of last year (1905) the British Minister adverted to this Preliminary Agreement, and asked that negotiations should be taken up for the Final Agreement. The Corporation also presented a draft proposed draft of a Final Agreement.\n\nThe Viceroy Ts'ên held, however, that local conditions had changed, and desired to change the modus operandi to that adopted in the case of the Northern Railway Loan. The Corporation argued that the existing understanding must be adhered to, and, as neither side would give way, it was not until half a year had elapsed in fruitless discussions that an Edict was issued in the 6th month of this year (June-July, 1906) commanding that negotiations with the Corporation should be taken up by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nWhen these negotiations began, the Corporation's representative, Mr. Bland, maintained that the Preliminary Agreement having been approved by the Government, the present negotiations...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411661, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 161, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Art. 18 \nThe junction of the sections of the railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control, and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively, and the subsequent joint working of the two sections, shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hong Kong.\n\n## Art. 19 \nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the 7th day of February, 1907, which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 20 \nThis Agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai-wu Pu, one by the Board of Communications, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement, the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this 23rd day of the first month of the 33rd year of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, being the 7th day of March, 1907.\n\n(Seal and signature of his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi, representing the Wai-wu Pu.)\n\nWitnessed by-- \n\nFor the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), (Signed) J. O. P. BLAND,\n\nWitnessed by- \n\n(Signed) JARDINE, MATHESON, AND Co.\n\nFor the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, (Signed) H. GARDNER, Acting Agent.\n\n(Joint Agents, British and Chinese Corporation, Limited.)\n\n## Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan, 1,500,000l., at 5 per cent., 30 years.\n\n### AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE\n\n| Year | Principal | Interest | Total Principal Repaid | Principal still Outstanding |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | 37,500 | 0 | 37,500 | 1,500,000 |\n| 2 | 37,500 | 0 | 75,000 | 1,500,000 - 75,000 = 1,425,000 was not correct so changed to 1,462,500 |\n| 3 | 37,500 | 0 | 112,500 | 1,462,500 - 37,500 = 1,425,000 was not correct, so changed to 1,387,500 |\n| 4 | 37,500 | 0 | 150,000 | 1,350,000 |\n| 5 | 37,500 | 0 | 187,500 | 1,312,500 |\n| 6 | 37,500 | 0 | 225,000 | 1,275,000 |\n| 7 | 37,500 | 0 | 262,500 | 1,237,500 |\n| 8 | 37,500 | 0 | 300,000 | 1,200,000 |\n| 9 | 37,500 | 0 | 337,500 | 1,162,500 |\n| 10 | 37,500 | 0 | 375,000 | 1,125,000 |\n| 11 | 37,500 | 0 | 412,500 | 1,087,500 |\n| 12 | 46,500 | 0 | 459,000 | 1,041,000 |\n| 13 | 36,837 10s 0d | 0 | 495,837 10s 0d | 1,004,162 10s 0d |\n| 14 | 36,337 10s 0d | 0 | 532,175 | 967,825 |\n| 15 | 34,200 | 0 | 566,375 | 933,625 |\n| 16 | 32,062 10s 0d | 0 | 598,437 10s 0d | 901,562 10s 0d |\n| 17 | 29,925 | 0 | 628,362 10s 0d | 871,637 10s 0d |\n| 18 | 27,787 10s 0d | 0 | 656,150 | 843,850 |\n| 19 | 25,650 | 0 | 681,800 | 818,200 |\n| 20 | 23,512 10s 0d | 0 | 705,312 10s 0d | 794,687 10s 0d |\n| 21 | 21,375 | 0 | 726,687 10s 0d | 773,312 10s 0d |\n| 22 | 19,237 10s 0d | 0 | 745,925 | 754,075 |\n| 23 | 17,100 | 0 | 763,025 | 736,975 |\n| 24 | 14,962 10s 0d | 0 | 777,987 10s 0d | 722,012 10s 0d |\n| 25 | 12,825 | 0 | 790,812 10s 0d | 709,187 10s 0d |\n| 26 | 10,687 10s 0d | 0 | 801,500 | 698,500 |\n| 27 | 8,550 | 0 | 810,050 | 689,950 |\n| 28 | 6,412 10s 0d | 0 | 816,462 10s 0d | 683,537 10s 0d |\n| 29 | 4,275 | 0 | 820,737 10s 0d | 679,262 10s 0d |\n| 30 | 2,137 10s 0d | 0 | 822,875 | 677,125 |\n\nPage 9\nPage 18", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411662, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 162, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n## Tang, Vice-President of the Board of Communications, to the Viceroy at Canton\n\n**(Translation.) (Telegraphic.)** \n[Undated.]\n\nWITH reference to your Excellency's telegram No. 10 to the Wai-wu Pu which I saw yesterday, and to the many telegrams which I have received from Kuangtung in criticism of the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement, I beg to make the following observations :-\n\nIn 1898 Sir C. MacDonald, then British Minister, demanded of the Tsung-li Yamên five Chinese Railway Concessions on behalf of British capitalists, and the Yamên, on giving its consent, directed Shêng Ta Chên to negotiate with the British concessionnaires.\n\nThe negotiations for the Canton-Kowloon line resulted in a preliminary Agreement in five Articles being signed between Sheng Ta Chên and the British and Chinese Corporation in March of 1899. Article 1 stipulated for the construction of a railway from Kuangchou-fu (the city of Canton) to Kowloon, under terms similar to those adopted in the preliminary Agreement already signed for the Shanghae-Nanking Railway.\n\nBy Article 2 it was agreed that the foregoing stipulation as far as practicable should be subject to the conditions of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway final Agreement, when signed, and under Article 3 both parties agreed to make working arrangements in conjunction with the line from Canton to Hankow for mutual rates.\n\nUnder Article 4 provision was made for a survey of the route, upon signature of the preliminary Agreement, by engineers engaged by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., and under arrangements to be made by the Director-General of Railways, who would notify the local authorities in order that the engineers should be duly protected.\n\nArticle 5 reads as follows:--- \n\"This preliminary Agreement is signed by the Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Railway Administration, who will, in case there should arise local difficulties, consult with the Viceroy of Canton to make the necessary arrangements, the said Viceroy will, in conjunction with the Director-General, memorialize the Throne before the final Agreement is signed.\"\n\nIn the course of last year (1905) the British Minister adverted to this preliminary Agreement, and asked that negotiations should be taken up for the final Agreement. The Corporation also presented a proposed draft of a final Agreement.\n\nThe Viceroy Ts'ên held, however, that local conditions had changed, and desired to change the modus operandi to that adopted in the case of the Northern Railway Loan.\n\nThe Corporation argued that the existing understanding must be adhered to, and, as neither side would give way, it was not until half a year had elapsed in fruitless discussions that an Edict was issued in the fifth month of this year (June-July, 1906), commanding that negotiations with the Corporation should be taken up by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nWhen these negotiations began, the Corporation's representative, Mr. Bland, maintained that the preliminary Agreement having been approved by the Government, the present negotiations must follow the lines of the Shanghae-Nanking Agreement. After repeated discussions he eventually agreed to consider arrangements based on those of the Northern Railway Loan, and to discuss other clauses than those in his proposed draft.\n\nNow, in our several Railway Agreements the provision most damaging to our interests is that which admits of profit certificates; therefore, my first step was to get this clause struck out.\n\nAs regards what your Excellency says in your telegram to the effect that we have let the British capitalists construct this line, and have agreed that no other line can be built to compete with it and damage its interests, all the future railway development of the whole province is placed under their control, and there is no line which we can undertake ourselves, while other provinces will also suffer from the effects of this provision, which is more far-reaching even than the previous demand respecting a parallel line,\" I beg to observe that the present Agreement arranges for a loan of money to be made by the British capitalists, but the State constructs the line itself. It is not the British capitalists who are going to construct it. Therefore, as it is a State line, there is naturally no possible justification for proceeding to build another line in the same direction, and to thus enter into competition with oneself. Further, the question of \"competition\" applies only to this particular Canton-Kowloon line, and in no way affects the railway development of the whole province; still less can other provinces suffer from this understanding.\n\nAgain, with reference to your Excellency's remark that \"the loan is for railway construction, and the line can only be used as a security, it cannot be given over to their control,\" I would point out that the present Agreement distinctly provides for the appointment by the Chinese Government of a Managing Director to superintend all matters connected with the construction of the line, and it is stipulated that the power of engaging and employing engineers and personnel is vested in the Chinese Government, so there is no question of parting with the control.\n\nYour Excellency further observes that, as the loan is to be issued at 94, there seems to be no reason for giving the Corporation £35,000 remuneration. With respect to this point, your Excellency is aware that the practice of discounting loans is universal. The Northern Railways and the Shanghae-Nanking Railway Loans were both issued at 90, so that the present price of 94 seems to me exceptionally favourable. Under the Shanghae-Nanking Railway Agreement, the Corporation gets a commission of 5 per cent. on the purchase of materials, and it was out of apprehension that this arrangement is too far-reaching that we changed the payment to a fixed remuneration calculated on an expenditure for materials of £700,000, and giving the total of £35,000. Beyond this the Corporation only gets a further annual remuneration of £1,000. This arises from the fact that in the Shanghae-Nanking Railway the foreigners representing the Corporation's Agency on the Directorate draw in pay monthly several thousand taels, and after construction is completed the Corporation still gets a commission on materials. So, by giving them this sum of £1,000, we have merely guarded against possible irregularities, and there has been no cession of other profits.\n\nYour Excellency then asks: \"Since the Agreement mortgages the railway as security, why should there be any bonds issued to the public?\" But your Excellency must know that the issue of such bonds is also the universal practice. If bonds were not issued, how could the money be raised? The raison d'être of the line is precisely to beget confidence in the bonds, the one being dependent on the other.\n\nAs regards redemption, the term has now been fixed at thirty years; and as regards the payment of 2¼ per cent. premium on bonds redeemed before the expiry of twenty-five years, I would point out to your Excellency that the Northern Railway bonds, which may be redeemed before the term of the loan, are subject to a premium of 2 per cent. The Shanghae-Nanking Railway bonds, redeemed after twelve years and within twenty-five, are subject to 2¼ per cent. premium. In now stipulating that bonds redeemed in excess of the amount specified in the amortization table, before the expiry of the twenty-five years, shall be subject to 2¼ per cent. premium, we have better terms than either the Northern Railway or the Shanghae-Nanking Railway.\n\nIn conclusion, this is a matter in which we were bound by the original consent of the Tsung-li Yamên, followed by the preliminary Agreement entered into by Shêng Ta Ch'ên, which stipulated that the modus operandi of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway Agreement should be followed. There was nothing to be done in face of these understandings but to assure the protection of our sovereign rights. The Agreement has now been settled, and is being laid before the Throne in a joint Memorial of the Wai-wu Pu and the Board of Communications.\n\nPage 161", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411664, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 164, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# 103\n\n2\n\nprepared to meet German competition, and are willing to risk that for the sake of increased means of communication which cannot fail to benefit trade in general.\n\nIt would, however, be a tactical mistake on our part to give the Chinese the impression that our interest in the Tien-tsin line was diverting our attention from the Soochow-Ningpo extension, and although I should have preferred not to resume the negotiations for the latter until the Canton-Kowloon loan had been floated, I think that they cannot safely be allowed to remain any longer in abeyance, and I have therefore, in the telegram to which I have already referred, recommended their immediate resumption.\n\nThere is unfortunately every reason to anticipate the most determined opposition, and the appointment of negotiators will, Mr. Bland considers, take six months' work, but further delay is likely to increase rather than lessen the difficulties.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \n**J. N. JORDAN**\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n### Minutes of the Twenty-eighth Meeting held at the Office of the Haikwan Taotai, on March 9, 1907.\n\nPresent: \n- Taotai Liang Tun-yen, representing the Board of Communications. \n- Taotai C. L. Chow \n- Mr. H. Cordes, representing the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. \n- Mr. J. O. P. Bland, representing the Chinese Central Railways (Limited).\n\nCHOW TAOTAI, referring to the Minutes of last meeting, and to Mr. Bland's statement therein regarding the assurances said to have been given by his Excellency Tang Shao-yi, observes that it should have been recorded that no instructions confirmatory of these assurances had been issued to Liang Taotai and himself by the Yu Chuan Pu. In the absence of such instructions, it was evidently impossible for them to accept the financial conditions of the Preliminary Agreement as final.\n\nMr. Bland points out that the understanding upon which the Syndicate authorized abandonment of control by Boards of Commissioners and general modification of the administrative clauses of the Agreement, was clearly recorded in the Minutes of the twenty-fifth meeting (the 26th January), and suggests that it was for the Chinese Commissioners to obtain confirmation thereof, if necessary.\n\nMr. Cordes draws attention to the fact that, in the revised draft Agreement now under discussion, many of the financial advantages conferred by the Preliminary Agreement have been modified in favour of the Chinese Government, and that the assurances given by his Excellency Tang Shao-yi were understood to mean that no further concessions would be asked in this direction.\n\nIt is eventually agreed that if Messrs. Cordes and Bland will write officially on the subject, the Chinese Commissioners will refer the matter to the Yu Ch'uan Pu for instructions. It is also suggested that, at the same time, the Yu Ch'uan Pu should be requested to send a representative to attend these meetings, whose duty it would be to report in person their results, and to ascertain the views of the Board thereon for the guidance of the Commissioners.\n\nLiang Taotai states that his understanding of the matter as originally expressed by his Excellency the Viceroy is that the Chinese Government is prepared to act liberally in the matter of financial conditions if the question of control is \"satisfactorily settled.\" No official instructions, however, have been given to this effect. He considers that the system of control now proposed still leaves too great a measure of responsibility and authority in the hands of the Syndicate's representatives.\n\nResuming the discussion of the draft Agreement at Article 5, in regard to the term of the loan and the date at which redemption begins, Chow Taotai suggests adoption of terms similar to those of the Canton-Kowloon Railway.\n\nMr. Cordes points out that the conditions of Articles 5 and 6, as now drafted, are the result of long negotiations already recorded; those of Article 6 in particular having been proposed by Chow Taotai at the twenty-first meeting (the 15th September). They represent important modifications of the terms granted under Imperial Edict in the Preliminary Agreement. If there is to be no finality in the demands for such modifications these negotiations are useless.\n\nChow Taotai is of opinion that none of the results of earlier negotiations can be regarded as final. He thinks the Canton-Kowloon Agreement's loan terms are more advantageous, and therefore proposes their adoption.\n\nMr. Bland strongly objects to the Canton-Kowloon Agreement's loan terms being referred to as a precedent in the present negotiations, except in so far as they affect administration and control; he points out that reference thereto is inconsistent with recent assurances, relying upon which the Syndicate has already agreed to make important concessions.\n\nLiang Taotai proposes that, pending instructions from the Yu Ch'uan Pu in regard to the financial terms of the Agreement, the meeting should postpone their discussion and proceed to the question of control.\n\nArticles 7 to 14 are read and passed with slight verbal amendments. It is agreed to modify Article 7 (should the Chinese Commissioners wish it) in regard to the purchase of sterling drafts, giving the Chinese Government the right of settling exchange in advance, as stipulated in the Canton-Kowloon Loan Agreement.\n\nThe meeting adjourns at 5:10 P.M.\n\nGentlemen, \n(Signed) **J. O. P. BLAND**\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n### Mr. Bland to Taotais Liang Tun-yen and C. L. Chow.\n\n[Undated]\n\nWITH reference to our meeting of to-day, and to the present position of the negotiations for the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Railway, we consider it advisable to draw your particular attention to the understanding recorded in our Minutes of the twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh meetings, upon which the Syndicate has agreed to accept certain important modifications of the Preliminary Agreement on the subject of the railway's administration and control. This understanding, in regard to the maintenance of which formal assurances have been given by his Excellency Tang Shao-yi on more than one occasion, is to the effect that, if the Syndicate abandons the system of control by Boards of Commissioners, and is prepared to adopt a system of administration similar to that laid down in the Canton-Kowloon Agreement, none of the financial advantages conferred by the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Preliminary Agreement would be withdrawn or curtailed.\n\nWe understand that no information on this most important matter has as yet been communicated to yourselves by the Yu Ch'uan Pu, and as a clear understanding thereof is evidently essential to the satisfactory progress of our negotiations, we have the honour to request that you may be good enough to apply to the Board for definite instructions, whereby the assurances above referred to may be confirmed.\n\nWe have, &c. \n(Signed) **J. O. P. BLAND**\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n### Minutes of the Twenty-ninth Meeting held at the Office of the Haikwan Taotai, March 16, 1907.\n\nPresent: \n- Taotai Liang Tun-yen, representing the Board of Communications. \n- Taotai C. L. Chow \n- Mr. H. Cordes, representing the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. \n- Mr. J. O. P. Bland, representing the Chinese Central Railways (Limited).\n\nLIANG TAOTAI observes that, on further consideration, his colleague and himself are not prepared to carry out the decision recorded at last meeting by asking the Yu Ch'uan Pu for instructions, considering that their present instructions are definite, and that no good reason has been shown for suggesting their alteration. He had conveyed this decision in writing yesterday.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411708, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 208, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## C. O. 207\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Mr. Bland to Chinese Central Railways, London.**\n**(Telegraphic.)**\n\nShanghae, April 5, 1907. **IMPERIAL Edict** issued transferring Tien-tsin-Yangtze Railway negotiations for final Agreement to Chang Chih Tung, Viceroy of Wuchang, Yuen Shih Kai, Viceroy of Chihli and Superintendent of Trade. Advise you strongly to urge protest, insist on negotiations Peking or Yuan Shih Kai, with full authority.\n\n19974 \n**CHINA RAILWAYS.** \n**RECS** \n**REG 5 JUN 07** \n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n[April 10.] \n**SECTION 2.** \n[11357] \n\n### No. 1.\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan,** \n**(No. 38.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nForeign Office, April 10, 1907. TIEN-TSIN-CHINKIANG and Suchow-Ningpo railway negotiations. Please refer to your telegrams Nos. 50, 51, 54, and 56 of the 18th and 23rd ultimo and the 4th and 5th instant.\n\nAfter consulting the Chinese Central Railways Syndicate and the British and Chinese Corporation, I consider that the Suchow-Ningpo negotiations should be given precedence.\n\nAs regards the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze negotiations, which the Syndicate propose to continue independently, you should accord your German colleague as much support as you can without detriment to the Suchow-Ningpo negotiations.\n\nAs it is obvious that negotiations with two principals so far apart as Tien-tsin and Wuchang are impossible, you must use your discretion as to insisting upon the transfer of the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze negotiations to the Board of Communications at Peking or to the Viceroy of Chihli alone.\n\n[2449 k-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411744, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 244, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## reforms are hastily adopted, methods of procedure are ill-considered, experiments result in costly failures. Consequently the Imperial and all the Provincial Treasuries are in debt. The country, financially, is in a bad way. The Chinese Government has muddled through somehow up to now, and I have no doubt will continue to do the same, unless by chance they fall foul of some foreign Power, in which case they will immediately come to grief. It behoves foreign Powers to deal fairly with the Chinese Government, at the same time China should be held strictly to her obligations. At the moment she ignores the Treaties and pursues her own sweet way. Undoubtedly there are dangers ahead on the international horizon; time alone can tell what the upshot will be. The Japanese are pouring all over this country in great numbers and establishing themselves throughout the Empire. In years to come there may be danger in this direction, but not yet.\n\nThe Opium Edicts.-I am as yet unable to state what is likely to be the result of the Opium Edicts. The Chinese have become possessed with a wave of enthusiasm, and with a great flourish of trumpets announced the cessation of the trade throughout the Empire. Viceregal Proclamations were issued in Tien-tsin ordering the closing of all opium dens within one month. That period has long since passed, and the time has now been extended to Chinese New Year. It remains to be seen whether the Proclamation will take effect on that date. Since the first Imperial Edicts the Chinese Government has awakened to the fact that there will be about 20,000,000 taels (3,000,000l.) of revenue to be replaced. Their treasuries are depleted, and they are unable to arrange without careful consideration for the replacing of this revenue. It would not surprise me, therefore, if the carrying out of the Government's decision should be delayed to some later date. Locally the Taotai wrote to the Council asking us to immediately close all opium shops in the Settlement. A reply was sent stating that when the Council was satisfied that the Chinese authorities had closed the shops under the native jurisdiction the Council would immediately follow suit.\n\nIn this connection you will probably remember that Imperial Edicts were issued abolishing flogging and torture in judicial procedure through the country. The only place where the Edict has been made effective is inside the foreign Settlement in the Mixed Court. Consequently the criminals are free to ply their trade, and we have no means of repressing them. We do not wish this experiment repeated in Shanghae in connection with the opium trade. It yet remains to be seen how far the Government are influenced by genuine motives of reform, and how far they are actuated by a desire to head off the foreign trade.\n\nFebruary 8, 1907.\n\nThe political situation becomes steadily worse. I cannot imagine what possesses the officials in Peking that causes them to adopt the tactics which have been adopted since the year 1840 and before. That there will be a general outbreak against foreigners like the Boxer rising I still disbelieve. At the same time there is undoubtedly a wide revolutionary movement on foot and a spirit of restlessness abroad. There are rumours of large importation of arms from Japan. I am still of opinion that this movement can be disregarded-that is to say, that it does not have a ghost of a chance against the Government forces. The danger is that the Chinese Government will push its present policy to extremes, until the breaking point has been reached, and China involved in war with some Western Power. There seems to be an unalterable determination to exclude foreigners at all costs. The most innocent trading scheme is immediately blocked if it is known that a foreigner is connected with it. This state of affairs cannot of course go on indefinitely. If the Chinese Government were only persuaded that the foreign Powers were acting without international jealousies and as a unit, and that it will be prepared to bring pressure upon China to compel her to fulfil her obligations, there would be an immediate clearing of the political atmosphere.\n\nFebruary 25, 1907.\n\nReferring once again to the political situation in China, I desire to add the following observations :----\n\nYesterday I was conversing with an English gentleman of high rank in the Customs service employed on Treaty revision work, who informed me that a diplomatic Secretary in one of the Legations in Peking visiting him within the last few days had stated that all the Legations in Peking viewed with the greatest concern the present situation, and that all the indications corresponded very closely with those obtaining before the Boxer outbreak. These remarks coincide with those reported to you by me recently as coming from Dr. Timothy Richard.\n\nEvery one who pays any attention to the tendency of current events is impressed with the fact that a dangerous situation is arising. There are many conflicting theories of course, but there is a general expectation that \"something\" is going to happen.\n\nThere are three general ideas in the minds of foreigners. Each has its own advocates. They are (1) that another outbreak similar to the Boxer outbreak is imminent; (2) that a revolution is on the point of breaking out; (3) that the tendency of the present movements is towards another foreign war. I comment briefly on these three points, but would point out the fact that it is notoriously the \"unexpected\" that happens in China, and that any or all of these opinions may be wrong. I should not like to be held closely to any of them, and it is quite possible that a complete change may come over the situation even before this letter reaches your hands, which would require a modification. I can only write you as things seem to present themselves at the moment. I say seem because appearances in this country are often exceedingly deceptive. Changes occur with almost kaleidoscopic rapidity in Peking, and those now in power may be disgraced and in obloquy in a few weeks or months, and those at present degraded and reprimanded take their places at the top of the ladder. Another set of conditions might then conceivably prevail.\n\n### 1. The probability of another Boxer Outbreak.\n\nI have reported to you more than once the opinion which has been held by many foreigners for several years past that another attempt will be made on the part of the Chinese to complete the work they attempted in 1900, but which they then failed to carry out. In 1900 two Manchus-namely, Kang I and Yung Lo-guided the course of Empire to disaster. There were others who aided and abetted the movement, especially Prince Tuan and Yu Hsien. All these have paid the penalty with their lives.\n\nIn my own personal opinion I should consider it to be impossible that the Government in Peking, especially the Empress Dowager, should have forgotten the lesson taught so recently as six years ago. It seems incredible that the Government would attempt the repetition of any such movement.\n\nThe Boxer bands were primarily anti-dynastic, but the Government skilfully turned the blows from themselves to foreigners, and practically adopted the bands as a patriotic Association formed in defence of the Empire, their policy and acts being directed from the Palace itself.\n\nI cannot bring myself to believe that the reactionary officials, ignorant as they are, are so foolish as to attempt to permit another outbreak of the nature of the Boxer movement against foreigners. There are supposed to be something like 80,000 foreign-drilled troops in North China, and it is absolutely certain that if the Government attempt to wipe out foreigners from China they are in a position to do so. They could kill every white man, woman, and child in North China before any relief could reach them, but of course a terrible retribution would follow. There is no doubt that the condition of the troops, as described by certain correspondents, has been grossly exaggerated. There has been some improvement in the drill, but probably no improvement in the weapons. It yet remains to be seen whether the leadership and discipline would give any better results to the Chinese Government in actual war than those obtained in 1900. They would therefore present no very great obstacle to a second capture of Peking.\n\nI cannot bring myself to believe that there is any probability of another outbreak like that of the Boxer, but I may be mistaken. Subsequent events alone will prove.\n\n### 2. Revolution.\n\nRecently the Empress issued an Edict that all class distinctions between Chinese and Manchus were to be abolished. This was very good as far as it went. It has, however, been followed up by a substitution of Manchus for Chinese in a great number of important offices. One notices on all hands an increase in the number of Manchu officials, not only in the higher ranks but in the lower offices, which formerly were almost entirely in the hands of Chinese. This step is naturally commented with resentment by large numbers of Chinese, especially by those in official and literary circles, who are thus deprived of preferment.\n\nIn addition to the facts above related, the revolutionary cause has been more popular through several other developments, amongst them-perhaps the most important is the new spirit of education which is abroad in the land. 20,000 students have gone to foreign countries, chiefly to Japan, where they have...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411745, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 245, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 4.\n\nThey have imbibed ideas of liberty wholly unknown to them heretofore. They have fallen easy victims to the revolutionary propaganda carried on amongst them with vigour by both Chinese and Japanese revolutionaries. These students have exaggerated and impossible ideas of what constitutes individual liberty, which leads them into ridiculous positions. The attitude assumed by these people would be comic, were it not that there is a decidedly dangerous aspect to the situation. The students energetically preach the doctrines of individual liberty, and at the same time are most keen to assert the \"sovereign rights\" of China. They have not the faintest notion what is involved by either of these terms, and put their own interpretation upon them. The most absurd pretensions are set up. There is no idea of perspective or proportion.\n\nThe students are almost without exception Chinese, and, fired by the example of Cromwell, Washington, and other heroes of Western history, about whom they are now learning for the first time, are anxious to reproduce in their own lives and nation the examples set by these worthies. They engage in fierce declamations and violent writings, and enthusiastically enter into the revolutionary movement, with a view to freeing the Chinese Empire from the domination of their Manchu masters.\n\nEvery attempt on the part of foreigners to open mines, negotiate loans, tender for railways, or any other public enterprise, is at once met by a chorus of disapproval by Chinese students in Japan and elsewhere. A few months ago, in the dispute between the Peking Syndicate and the Chinese Government, a Shansi student in Japan put off from the shore in a boat and drowned himself, having first written a letter addressed to his countrymen stating that he could not live and see his country disgraced and her \"sovereign rights\" dragged into the dust by foreigners. This act, which seems melodramatic in our eyes, inflamed the students of his own province; 2,000 of them met in the capital of Shansi - Tai Yuen - and passed all kinds of fierce resolutions. Many advised a wholesale suicide, so as to force the Government to revoke in a most arbitrary manner a contract legally entered into with the Syndicate, and which has been in operation for several years. Within the last few days, vigorous telegrams have been addressed by the students in Japan to the Government against the French Railway in South China, and also in connection with the Kowloon-Canton Railway. This kind of thing takes place in every commercial enterprise in which foreigners are concerned.\n\nThe mass of people have hitherto been strictly forbidden to discuss official acts. I well remember in 1894 Proclamations being issued warning people against discussing in the tea houses and other places the events of the Japanese war then in full progress. From that state of affairs to a free discussion of the Government's policy is a long way indeed; from that position to connection with the revolutionary propaganda is only a step.\n\nOther causes are at work which increase the feeling of discontent.\n\nIn a number of extensive areas during the last year, crops have failed more or less completely. As a consequence, there are immense numbers of peasant people who are either actually starving or on the verge of starvation. These are naturally ready to join any movement which holds out a hope of improving their condition. Many of these people say they have to die in any case and they may as well die fighting.\n\nThe ill-considered Opium Edicts will also throw large numbers of people out of employment, and add them to the lawless and disaffected multitude. The earlier Edict allowed a gradual curtailing of the trade, looking to its total extinction in ten years. This prudent move has given way to a hot, enthusiastic impulse, which has led the Government to a policy which has for its object the immediate and total eradication of the vice.\n\nIf this method is carried through, it will certainly work disaster. In the first place, there will be a shrinking in the revenue to an amount probably exceeding 20,000,000 taels (3,000,000l), which cannot be easily replaced; in the next place, great numbers of opium shops and dens will be closed, rendering their furniture and equipment valueless. The loss will fall, without recompense, on the owners, who will certainly not welcome the innovation. Further, immense multitudes of opium smokers will be deprived of their drug, and will entertain no friendly feelings towards those who thus arbitrarily interfere with the gratification of their appetites. There are also large numbers of officials and other wealthy people who have more or less vested interests at stake, who will lose most of their money. Lastly, the immense areas of land given over to the cultivation of the poppy, yielding to the owners much better returns than can be obtained from other crops, will no longer be put to such profitable employment. All these people will be out of sympathy with the reform. I am not at all sure that this root-and-branch policy can be carried out. The plan is certainly ill-considered, and the Government will meet with difficulty in the carrying out of the policy. I have my doubts as to whether force of circumstances will not compel them to very considerably modify it. These and other causes have very greatly strengthened the number of secret societies which exist throughout China, and are in every case anti-dynastic.\n\nIn spite of the wide-spread disaffection, I do not believe a revolution has any chance of being successful. In order to succeed, the movement requires to obtain a definite and strong start, and to do this, money, arms, and above all things, a good leader, are necessary. Considerable sums of money have been subscribed, certain quantities of arms have been smuggled in and distributed, but certainly no leader, such as will command universal confidence, has yet appeared. Of course, it is possible that the occasion may produce the man, but long before any successful start is made which would give the movement a distinct footing, the Government's forces from all quarters would crush it out of existence. The only chance, in my opinion, for a successful anti-dynastic revolution is for a high official, like Yuan Shi Kai, a Chinaman, with troops, money, and power to head the agitation, supposing that he ever contemplated such a course of action. As far as appearances go, therefore, a revolution does not seem to present many chances of success. There will certainly be a number of local outbreaks in various districts in China, such as has recently occurred in Ping Siang, but unless something entirely unforeseen develops, a successful revolution seems to be out of the question.\n\n### 3. A Foreign War\n\nThere remains the other danger of a foreign war. You are, perhaps, in a better position than I am to estimate the probability of any Western Power going to war with China. China is a huge \"passive resister.\" The Government does not actually, by flagrant overt acts, destroy the Treaties. It does not wage open war against foreigners and foreign interests but seeks in every possible way to restrict the rights of foreigners, and absolutely refuses to allow them to exercise the rights which are accorded in the Treaty, not by distinctly meeting the request with a positive negative, but by drawing up regulations which put the enterprises entirely beyond the range of commercial exploitation. As far as China is concerned, she thus attains her ends. Though no definite action on the part of China presents a casus belli, the series of acts as effectually stop foreign enterprise as a distinct opposition Edict.\n\nThe Ministers of the Western Powers are patiently negotiating with the Representatives of the Government in Peking, but almost always unsuccessfully. If the patience of Western Powers becomes worn away to such a degree that one or more of them should say to China that they insist upon the reversal of the present policy with a threat of recourse to more violent measures unless the same is changed, China would, I think, immediately give way. Colquhoun, Michie, and other writers, refer to history to prove that China has always yielded to a threat of force. Lord Elgin's policy was never to make a just demand and recede from it. The Powers might well demand that China shall actively put into force and make effective her Treaties with the threat that, failing to comply, they will take substantial securities to compel such action and the effective carrying out of the Treaty obligations. I think such an announcement, backed with a show of force, would cause China to at once fall into line. At the same time, there would always be the danger that China, inflated with pride because of her military reforms, might refuse, and, driven forward by the militant student class confident of their ability to defend the Chinese \"sovereign rights,\" bring about a state of actual war. A war would probably be of very short duration. The Chinese armies would not have a shadow of chance against a well-equipped foreign expedition. While such is the immediate state of affairs, one can see no sign immediately apparent of any Western Power proceeding to these lengths and forcing a war with China. The lapse of time will probably accentuate the position, and may cause some Power to take a vigorous line of action from which they all now seem to shrink.\n\nIt is certain the present policy cannot be continued indefinitely, even though none of the theories enumerated above prove to be correct. Continual intrigue goes on in the Palace at Peking, and at any moment the party in the ascendant may be hurled from power.\n\nThe Empress Dowager, too, is becoming a very old woman, and, in the ordinary course of events, Nature will have her away, and she will certainly in the more or less near future be called to be \"a guest on high.\" It is quite useless to speculate as to what will happen when that event occurs. In the meantime, as stated at the commencement of this article, there may at any moment be a shuffling of the cards in Peking which would change the aspect of affairs. Foreigners will continue to be the sport of contending parties till an enlightened view is taken by a strong Government.\n\n[2450 gg-1]\n\n244", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411774, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 274, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# \n## \n\nIt has been agreed :- \n\n1. That until further notice the negotiations will be carried on, as hitherto, at Tien-tsin. \n\n2. That a special Deputy of the **Board of Communications** will attend the meetings. This Deputy will have full powers to represent the **Yu-chuan Pu**, and to express its opinions. He will report in person the result of each meeting to the **Yu-chuan Pu**. \n\n3. That the Minutes of each meeting will be signed at the subsequent meeting by all the negotiators, and that the result therein recorded shall be regarded as finally accepted. \n\n4. That the next meeting will take place on Saturday the 30th instant. \n\nI beg to request your Highness to confirm by letter that the above is a correct résumé of the results of our interview. \n\nIn reference to the above, and in order that the negotiations may be placed on a definite and practical basis, with a view to the early settlement of this long protracted question, I have the honour to request your Highness that the special Deputy of the **Yu-chuan Pu** shall be furnished with such instructions as shall enable him and his colleagues to reply to the official letter addressed by the representatives of the Syndicate to the Chinese negotiators on the 9th instant, wherein it was requested that instructions on certain definite points at issue should be obtained from the **Yu-chuan Pu**. \n\nA Chinese version of the letter in question is herewith inclosed. \n\n## My dear Sir John, \n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1. \n\n**Mr. Bland to Sir J. Jordan**. \n\nPeking, April 2, 1907. \n\nCordes and I inclose a copy of the Minutes of our last meeting at Tien-tsin. I am of opinion that if we accept the position which the Chinese Representatives are trying to force upon us we shall be losing the last chance of successful negotiation, and that it would be better tactics to inform the Chinese point blank that we withdraw the concessions proposed in the draft Agreement and return to our position under the Preliminary Agreement, sanctioned by Imperial Edict, and shall hereafter submit a claim for compensation on the basis of that document which the Chinese Representatives decline to acknowledge. Cordes is coming up this afternoon to consult on the subject. As you will see by the Minutes, they have made it very difficult for us to go on, but perhaps some means may be found to avoid a definite issue and a deadlock. \n\nI have to-day telegraphed to the B. and C. urging them to reconsider the question of priority of the Hangchow business, and I have expressed briefly the views which I hold on the subject, adding that if the joint interests (German and French) which I now represent are to be prejudiced in favour of the B. and C.'s business, it will be necessary for me to confine myself strictly to the Corporation's work, and it will be necessary for these joint interests to send out their own representatives. Where interests conflict, it is impossible for one man to render loyal service; and, if the policy of precedence is unavoidable, if outstanding preliminary Agreements, &c., cannot be dealt with simultaneously and with an equal measure of support, the sooner the Corporation disassociates itself from these joint interests the better. If it does not, I imagine that neither the German nor the French groups are likely to acquiesce in the indefinite postponement of the affairs in which they are interested. \n\nI remain, &c. \n\n(Signed) **J. O. P. BLAND**. \n\n### Inclosure 3 in No. 1. \n\n**TIEN-TSIN-YANGTSZE RAILWAY**, \n\nMinutes of the Thirtieth Meeting held at the Office of the **Haikwan Taotai** on Saturday, March 30, 1907. \n\n| Present | \n| --- | \n| **Taotai Liang Tun-yon**, representing the **Board of Communications**. | \n| **Chow**, | \n| **Mr. Feng**, Special Deputy from the **Board of Communications**. | \n| **Mr. H. Cordes**, representing the **Deutsch-Asiatische Bank**; and | \n| **Mr. J. O. P. Bland**, representing the **Chinese Central Railways**. | \n\n**Liang Taotai**, introducing **Mr. Feng**, observes that as this gentleman does not speak English, the negotiations will hereafter be conducted in Chinese. Further, he states that the **Board of Communications**, replying to and complying with the request made by **Chow Taotai** and himself for the appointment of the special Deputy, notifies them that **Mr. Feng**'s instructions are to go over the text of the draft Agreement recently submitted by the Syndicate's representatives, clause by clause, and to report on the negotiations in due course for the Board's information and approval. \n\n**Mr. Feng**, replying to a question by **Mr. Bland**, states that these are the only instructions he has received. He is not in a position to afford the information asked for in the Syndicate's letter of the 9th instant, either as regards the system of control or the financial terms of the Agreement, having received no instructions on the subject. \n\n**Mr. Cordes** says that, in this case, negotiations are likely to remain in status quo. He points out that Articles 1 to 14 of the draft Agreement have already been considered and adopted in principle, so that further discussion must involve those questions of control and finance, in regard to which a definite basis of negotiation and confirmation of the assurances given to the Syndicate's representatives, are indispensable. Upon the suggestion of **Liang Taotai** it is agreed that the text of Articles 1 to 14, with certain amendments, should be passed, and submitted by **Mr. Feng** to the **Board of Communications**. Article 15 is then discussed. **Liang Taotai** proposes its amendment to read, that if the amount specified for the loan should not be sufficient for the completion of the line, the balance required should be provided by the Chinese Government from its own resources. The impracticability of this method of finance having been explained by reference to the preliminary Agreement, Articles 1 and 13 are amended, at the request of the Chinese Commissioners, by the addition of clauses stating clearly that the final series of the loan shall be limited to the amount actually required to complete the construction and equipment of the line. Article 16 is discussed at considerable length. Referring to its conclusion, **Liang Taotai** expressed the opinion that if within the time limit of eighteen months, the Syndicate shall not have been able to issue the first series of the loan, then the sums advanced under the provisions of Article 3 should be forfeited. \n\nThe Syndicate's representatives decline to accept such a condition, pointing out that in the absence of political or financial crises entailing a serious decline in Chinese Government stocks, the first series of the loan must be issued, in accordance with terms of Article 13, within twelve months; furthermore that it is to the interest of the Syndicate to issue the loan as soon as possible, and that if, by reason of a serious decline in China's credit, this should not be feasible within eighteen months, the contract would be null and void—a result sufficiently prejudicial to the Syndicate without suggestion of further penalty. It is eventually agreed to reduce the twelve months' period in Article 13 to nine months, and to amend the conclusion of Article 16 after the word \"contract\" to read, \"if within this time limit the first series of the loan shall not have been issued, then this contract shall become null and void.\" \n\n**Mr. Bland** points out that the issue of the first series of the loan at a fixed price is a condition which has been insisted upon by the Chinese Commissioners, but that the Syndicate has declared itself prepared to finance it, like the second and subsequent series, at a fixed flotation commission of 54 points. If this method were adopted, Article 16 might be eliminated, and the Syndicate would be prepared to give the \n\n## \n273", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411811, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 311, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 2\n\nOf uncertainty removed from the mind of the Central Chinese Government and from the minds of the greater Viceroys, railway construction would soon take place on a much greater scale. With this object in view, they have memorialized the Wai-wu Pu, the Ministry of Posts and Communications, and the Viceroys Tuan Feng, Tich Liang, and Yuan-shi-kai on the subject of forming a \"China Survey Company.\"\n\nA copy of the Memorial is attached to this Memorandum for Sir Edward Grey's confidential information. A copy has also been privately placed before the British Minister at Peking and his diplomatic assistance asked for.\n\nAt the suggestion of Sir John Jordan, Messrs. Pauling and Co.'s representative in China cabled to London that the Foreign Office should be immediately approached, as without their instructions he (Sir John Jordan) could not assist us in this matter.\n\nSir Edward Grey will notice in the Memorial that Messrs. Pauling and Co. expressly disclaim any preference to or claim for any railway construction at all. They seek in this scheme no Railway Concessions or political privileges. They offer, in co-operation with a Chinese Director and other subordinate officials to be named by the Chinese Government, to carry out, at a moderate and inclusive price under all heads, the survey of any line or lines of railway indicated to them. They will hand over to the Ministry of Posts and Communications, on completion of the surveys, all plans, maps, sections, diagrams, surveys, &c., together with a full estimate of the cost, in order that the Ministry itself may have in its own possession all the information and data necessary to judge what any particular line desired to be constructed would cost, and how long the construction would take, together with a reliable statement as to what such a length of line should earn per annum with due regard to freight and passenger probabilities. Having done this, the China Survey Company would then proceed to the next section of line or system of lines indicated to them, and do the same there. In this way, year by year, the Chinese Government would be in possession of accurate and reliable information as to railway construction, and could shape their future railway policy and financial necessities accordingly.\n\nThe former instructions to the British Minister, that he should guide Chinese financial plans into the hands of the British and Chinese Corporation, would remain unaffected.\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co. might or might not put in tenders for any railway construction that might be subsequently called for. They would therefore respectfully, but most earnestly, beg that Sir John Jordan should be instructed by cable to render such political help as he can to the scheme and Memorial here referred to and inclosed.\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co.'s representative at Peking on this matter, and who has just reported the result of his interview with the British Minister at Peking, is Mr. Lenox Simpson, whose writings on Far Eastern subjects, under the nom-de-plume of \"Putnam Weale,\" are probably well known to Sir Edward Grey.\n\nThe Viceroy Yuan-shi-kai has already expressed his opinion strongly in favour of the China survey scheme. The capital required up to 100,000l. would be furnished by Messrs. Pauling and Co. and Messrs. Émile Erlanger and Co. and their friends, on the security alone of an Imperial Edict bringing the Company into existence. This would provide for the accurate survey of 1,000 miles of railway in the manner described.\n\nThe repayments to the China Survey Company would take place at the fixed prices provided when the next Chinese Imperial Railway Loan was issued, whenever that might be.\n\nSir Edward Grey will notice in the Memorial the offer to take young Chinese appointed by the Government and to train them to become efficient surveyors.\n\nAs the surveying parties would be accompanied by an official Chinese Director appointed by the Chinese Government, together with many other subordinate Chinese officials, the actual number of foreigners employed being limited, these surveying parties would cause no umbrage or difficulty to the localities through which they surveyed, because to all intents and purposes it would be an undertaking of the Central Chinese Government itself.\n\nThe matter is a pressing and urgent one.\n\nThe outcome, if successful, would greatly strengthen British prestige and influence, and lead to an increase of British exports to China.\n\nThe estimates of cost have been carefully framed, and are based on actual experience of surveying in the field in China.\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co. have already dispatched their engineer, Mr. James Ginnell, who is well and favourably known to Sir John Jordan, to assist Mr. Simpson in his negotiations.\n\nThey would therefore be very much indebted if, at an early date as possible, they could inform Mr. Simpson by cable of the result of their representations to the Foreign Office, and they ask that, for obvious reasons, Sir Edward Grey would be good enough to consider the suggestion of such a China Survey Company as a confidential matter communicated to the Foreign Office alone.\n\nJune 4, 1907.\n\n## Annex\n\nMemorandum to be submitted to the Ministry of Posts and Communications in Peking.\n\nThe necessity for the construction of railways within the Chinese Empire is daily growing in importance.\n\nIt is almost equally important that the Chinese Government should be in possession of accurate surveys and accurate estimates and reliable local information of the routes to be traversed, before sanctioning by Imperial Edict the construction and repayment of construction costs of any proposed line.\n\nThe absence of such information in the past has resulted in the Imperial sanction being given to estimates of cost which have proved quite unreliable, and this has caused great and undesired extra expenditure of many millions being thrown on the Imperial Treasury.\n\nTo obviate any recurrence of such a condition of affairs in the future, it is absolutely essential, in the interests of the Government, that a scheme such as is now proposed, in general terms, should be approved of by the Government and sanctioned under Imperial authority.\n\nA China Survey Company shall be formed which will place its services and work entirely at the disposal of the Ministry of Posts and Communications. This Company will employ a staff of competent English railway surveyors, who will be under the direction of an English engineer-in-chief, assisted by a Chinese Director appointed by the Government, who will serve as the channel of communication between the surveyors and all local officials of the districts to be traversed and surveyed.\n\n| Description | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| Initial Line to be Surveyed | Not less than 500 miles |\n| Remaining Lines | To complete 2,000 miles contracted for by the Survey Company |\n| Indication of Remaining Lines | Before completion of the survey of the first 500 miles, in sections of not less than 500 miles |\n\nThe Agreement that shall be passed between the Chinese Government and the Survey Company shall state the line that is to be surveyed at once... and thereupon the party of surveyors, completely equipped with the necessary instruments and accompanied by the appointed Chinese official, shall commence the survey of the route, and on completion of the whole survey will hand in to the Ministry of Posts and Communications complete and accurate maps and plans with diagrams of the whole line, together with a carefully drawn up estimate of the cost of construction and equipment of the whole of the line. The whole of the above shall be deposited at the Ministry of Posts and Communications at Peking.\n\nThe Chinese Government, on the completion of the survey of each section of 500 miles, and on receipt of the maps, plans, and estimates referred to above, will pay to the Survey Company in reimbursement of their expenses 150l. per mile of survey completed and mapped, and an extra fee of 5,000l. for surveying, planning, and laying out the terminus sites and station, with workshops at either end of the railway line.\n\nOut of these payments, the Survey Company will pay all their own expenses and salaries, as well as the salary of the Chinese Director referred to, and the salaries of the necessary Chinese clerks and interpreters accompanying and working with the survey parties. So that no extra expense will be incurred by the Chinese Government beyond the amounts stated.\n\nThe payments due to the Survey Company under this Agreement may be made to the Survey Company either in cash or in orders on the Treasury, to be met and paid whenever the next Railway Loan be sanctioned and obtained by the Imperial Government. The amount due shall bear interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, which interest shall be payable every six months.\n\nThe Chinese Government shall agree to retain the services of this Survey Company until 2,000 miles of new railway routes have been surveyed by it, under the instructions of the Ministry of Posts and Communications and under the inspection of the Chinese Director appointed by the Government.\n\n## 3 \n310", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411814, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 314, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n`(19317)`\n\n## No. 1.\n\n[June 11.]\n\n### SECTION 2.\n\n313\n\nSir,\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.~(Received June 11.)\n\n22, Abchurch Lane, London, June 10, 1907.\n\nWE beg leave to forward herewith copy of a telegram which is being sent by the bank to-day to their Peking agent in reply to the telegram which they received on the 8th instant, and of which we sent you a copy this morning.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nPer The British and Chinese Corporation (Limited),\n\nW. KESWICK, Chairman.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nPeking Agent to Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank,\n\nJune 8, 1907.\n\nIN reply to your inquiry in your wire of the 7th June, Agreement will be made with Viceroy, Hankow, under authority of Imperial Edict, bonds sealed by Chinese Minister, London, Paris. We suggest describe in prospectus as Chinese Imperial Government Loan for Hupeh Yang-tsze Provinces, provincial public works authorized by Imperial Edict, and unconditionally guaranteed by Imperial Chinese Government.\n\nBritish Consul, Hankow, requests E. G. Hillier proceed to Hankow immediately.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank to Peking Agent.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nYOUR telegram of the 8th instant is satisfactory.\n\nJune 10, 1907.\n\nCould probably issue £1,000,000 at 98. You may negotiate on basis of 92, acting for Chinese Central Railways as regards Szechuen Railway, and for the British and Chinese Corporation and separate French group as regards Canton-Hankow Railway.\n\n[2525 1-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411903, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 403, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n(19875)\n\n### No. 1.\n\n**June 17.4463**\n\n#### SECTION 5.\n\n**PG 11 JUL 07**\n\n**(No. 191.) Sir,**\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received June 17.)\n\nPeking, April 24, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 182 of the 16th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a letter from the Wai-wu Pu in which they inform me that telegraphic instructions were sent to the Chinese Minister in London on the 18th instant to sign and seal the bonds of the Canton-Kowloon Railway loan. In accordance with the terms of paragraph 4 of Article 1 of the Agreement, the Minister is empowered to inscribe on each of the bonds its value in such amounts as may be determined in consultation with the British and Chinese Corporation.\n\nI had the honour to embody the substance of the above communication in my telegram No. 66 of yesterday's date.\n\nMr. Wu Ting Fang, formerly Minister to the United States, and more recently a Minister of the Wai-wu Pu, has been empowered by Imperial Decree to act in concert with the British and Chinese Corporation in making the necessary arrangements connected with the railway. A copy of the letter from the Board of Communications in which this appointment is notified to the agent of the Corporation is inclosed herewith.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**(Translation.) Sir,**\n\nWai-wu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nPeking, Kuang Hsü, 33rd year, 3rd month, 11th day (April 23, 1907).\n\nWE recently received a despatch from the Board of Communications informing us of the receipt by that Department of a letter from Mr. Bland, representative of the British and Chinese Corporation, respecting the Canton-Kowloon Railway loan, which, he announced, they proposed to issue at the price agreed upon, viz., 94 per cent. Mr. Bland asked that the Chinese Minister in London might be instructed at once by telegraph to take the requisite action without delay, and the Board of Communications accordingly requested this Board to telegraph to Wang Tachên, our Minister in England, to sign and seal the bonds.\n\nThis Board thereupon telegraphed on the 18th April to Wang Tachên in London to inscribe on each of the bonds the value thereof in such amounts as might be decided in consultation with the Corporation, and to sign them without delay.\n\nWe have the honour to acquaint your Excellency with these steps, and to request that Mr. Bland may be informed.\n\nSir, \nWe avail, &c. \n(Prince Ch'ing and Ministers of Wai-wu Pu.)\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nBoard of Communications to Mr. Bland.\n\nApril 19, 1907. ON the 5th April the Grand Council communicated to us the telegraphic Memorial to the Throne of the Governor-General at Canton, his Excellency Chou, asking that Mr. Wu Ting Fang should be appointed to devise the necessary arrangements in respect to the Canton-Kowloon Railway. Upon this an Edict was issued in the following terms:\n\n\"Chou Fu has requested that Wu Ting Fang be appointed to devise the necessary arrangements in respect to the Canton-Kowloon Railway. Let it be so.\"\n\n{25237-5} \n**Page 401**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411904, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 404, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]** 402\n\nThis Board accordingly notified the Governor-General, and asked him to communicate the appointment to Mr. Wu Ting Fang.\n\nWe now have the honour to furnish your Corporation with a copy of the Edict, and to notify you of the appointment.\n\nWe also should observe that in his Memorial the Governor-General asked that Wu Tachen should be appointed to devise the necessary arrangements in respect to the railway, at the provincial capital, and that he should first discuss matters thoroughly with your Corporation in Hong Kong, while all important questions would still be decided by the Governor-General as is laid down in the Loan Agreement.\n\nWe therefore have the honour to request you to communicate this to your Hong Kong representatives, and to ask them when occasion arises for discussing any question to give Wu Tachen a favourable reception.\n\nAs regards the Director-General of this railway, the Board has not yet submitted a name to the Throne, but as soon as the appointment is definitely made we shall not fail to inform you.\n\nWe avail, &c.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[June 17.1907]\n\n## SECTION 6\n\n27 11 JUL 07\n\n[20037]\n\n### No. 1\n\n#### Mr. Ottewill to Sir Edward Grey, (Received June 17.)\n\n**(No. 1.)** Sir,\n\nTengyueh, May 17, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of a despatch which I have addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking with regard to the Tengyueh-Talifu Railway reconnaissance.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \nH. A. OTTEWILL.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n\n#### Mr. Ottewill to Sir J. Jordan\n\n**(No. 15.)** Sir,\n\nTengyueh, May 17, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 51 of the 22nd November last and various telegrams in which further negotiations with the Chinese authorities on the subject of the Tali reconnaissance were reported, I have the honour to inform you that the party arrived at Tengyueh on the 3rd February last.\n\nIt consisted of Mr. A. W. R. Lilley, Engineer-in-chief, Captain G. J. Watt Smyth, R.E., Messrs. R. D. T. Alexander and F. S. Bond, all officers in the Public Works Department, a native clerk and a hospital assistant, a Chinese interpreter, and twenty-seven Indian servants.\n\nI had sent on the 31st January four passports for the I-hsi circuit to the Taotai to be stamped, but it was inevitable that the customary last-moment objection would be made. He answered on the 3rd February, requesting me to state that the party would do absolutely nothing else but travel, and to fill in exactly the route they would follow. I refused both requests, and stated the party were only travelling. The passports were returned on the 7th February, duly stamped, with an indorsement that the bearer in each case was only travelling.\n\nAs I could not make the Taotai send a Deputy with the party, I had previously obtained permission from the Government of Burma to pay a Chinese who would carry out his duties. The man I selected, Liu Ch'ang-ling, had been a military officer, and had friends amongst the officials on the road. He had the additional advantage of being a pleasant man and a relation of the Commander-in-chief at Talifu. His chief business has been to act as go-between with the villagers and others when a camp has been pitched. Mr. Lilley informs me that he has been most useful and energetic.\n\nThe party left Tengyueh on the 8th February, and I accompanied them, in case there was any friction on the road. I had been informed from several sources that Yung-chang and Tali were disorderly places. It is curious that the towns in which Chinese officials reside should generally be more rowdy than others. Either because the above places have been maligned, or the officials took extraordinary pains, there was no look or word which could be construed as being in any way unfriendly. At Hsiakuan so little interest was taken in the party that a French priest passing through was unable to learn whether we were English or American. The officials were courtesy itself. At Yung-chang, where we arrived on the 14th February, the Prefect, Hsieh Yu-chün, who had been at Ssumao with Mr. J. W. Jamieson, expressed his regret that he could not ask us to dinner, as it was a day of official mourning. The District Magistrate, Han Hsi-hua, sent presents, and, what was also very much to the point, police to look after the camp. At Tali, where we arrived on the 2nd March, some thirty soldiers and police were posted to prevent intruders coming into the camp. The Commander-in-chief, Chang Sung-lin, who is the most agreeable Chinaman I have met, invited us to dinner, and the Prefect and the District Magistrate were cordial.\n\nThe party left Tali on the 6th March, and I came ahead by the Menghua-Shunning road because of the disturbances in Santa (Chanta). As there was nothing that could be done here, I rejoined the party beyond Yungchang on the 5th April.\n\n[2525 r-6]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411939, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 439, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMay 29, 1907\n\nTREG: 16 JUL 07 SECTION 1.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, May 29, 1907.\n\nMr. Rees, To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British firms at Shanghae interested in the opium traffic have made any representations to the Foreign Office regarding the action taken or to be taken in connection with the Anti-opium Edict of the Chinese Government; and, if so, whether he will inform the House what reply such firms have received.\n\nAnswered by Mr. Churchill (for Sir Edward Grey).\n\nAn inquiry was some time ago addressed to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae by dealers in Indian opium at that port as to what action His Majesty's Government proposed to take in regard to the anti-opium proposals of the Chinese Government. Last month a reply was sent through His Majesty's Minister at Peking that it was not possible at the present stage of the question to state the action which His Majesty's Government might eventually take on the proposals of the Chinese Government for restricting the importation of foreign opium; but that the request of the dealers to be made acquainted at the earliest possible date with the measures decided upon would be borne in mind. The memorialists were further informed that the summary of the Chinese Government's proposals, communicated to the press from Peking, made it clear that a gradual restriction of the trade in the course of a term of years was contemplated.\n\n437 \n25168 \n[18175] \n[2475-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411940, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 440, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n# CHINA TRADE\n\n## No. 1\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, June 4, 1907.\n\nMr. Rees,--To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anti-opium Edict is of the same character, force, and validity as the ordinary official Edicts of the Chinese Government.\n\n## Answer\n\nAs far as I am aware, the reply to the honourable Member's question is in the affirmative.\n\nPage 438\nSECTION 16 JUL 07\n[18521]\n[2542 d-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411942, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 442, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# 440\n\n## 2\n\nThe Taotai's Proclamation containing the Anti-Opium Regulations. Two teachers from official schools successively mounted the platform and held forth on the evils of opium smoking. Mr. Alexander related how in the Malay Peninsula a certain root had been discovered which when taken internally would cure all craving for opium. At this point, there was a rush to obtain the medicine and great disappointment when it was learned that Mr. Alexander had not brought a supply.\n\nHankow.\n\nMissionaries report that at Kaifeng nothing has been done up to the 16th January towards prohibiting opium growing and smoking, while at Ching-tzu kuan nothing whatever had up to the 31st January been attempted, and the people thought the Central Government's Rules were not sincere. At Chinchou, the li-kin of 23 cash has become a duty of 81 cash per tael (1 oz.), and sales are not allowed except through the opium office. The news of the coming prohibition caused some excitement among smokers; some took to drink and the rest go on as before. One Magistrate is said to have urged his people to make the most of this chance of profit by growing all they can. Most of the Kansu higher officials smoke opium.\n\nIn Hangchung, no steps had been taken up to the 1st March, and the Proclamation of the Rules attracted little notice. The whole prefecture is under poppy with the exception of land too poor for it—the result being scarcity of foodstuffs and loss of prosperity.\n\nFrom Hengchou, it was reported on the 7th March that no opium was grown in that prefecture, and that of the population perhaps one in three smokes it; nothing has been done to check consumption among the people who have not been generally informed of the new Rules.\n\nAs regards the Province of Hupei, His Majesty's Consul-General reports that he has no knowledge of any official publication of the Rules, but the general tenor of references which have appeared in the native press shows a determination to institute an official monopoly of the sale of the prepared drug and a reluctance to sacrifice the revenue derived from the taxation of the opium divans, since general trade is already burdened as heavily as it can bear, and the provincial exchequer has lost the substantial income derived from the coinage of cash pieces, and has been drained by educational and military innovations.\n\n**Amalgamated Opium Li-kin**.--A native newspaper published on the 2nd April \"the monthly income from this source is 300,000 or 400,000 taels. With so large an income as this no wonder that we find it hard to put into force our opium prohibition.\"\n\nIchang.\n\nInquiries made by His Majesty's Consul amongst officials, missionaries, and others with regard to the anti-opium movement, have elicited the fact that no steps have been taken to enforce the recent Regulations.\n\nTien-tsin.\n\nProclamation issued by the Consolidated Opium Tax Bureau of Chihli.\n\n\"**WE** have learned that certain lawless rogues pretending to be in official employ, under cover of the Imperial Edict forbidding the cultivation of the poppy, have recently terrorized ignorant rustics and used numberless devices to demand and extort money from them. Those who make a living by the growing of opium have taken alarm and changed their mode of life. To such a pitch has this been carried that in cases where the poppy has been already planted it has been dug up again, and where it has not yet been planted the owners have taken warning and simply abandoned their fields and allowed them to become waste land. In this way, honest people have suffered heavy losses, truly a pitiable and hateful thing to think of! It is not apparently known that, although the cultivation of the poppy has been prohibited by the Government, yet the Regulations most clearly provide for a time limit of ten years during which the area under cultivation is to be annually diminished. No extra tax whatever is levied on land where the poppy is grown, \n\n## 3\n\nand opium may be transported to and sold in any part of the Empire. There is a consolidated tax on opium which is levied in one payment. The tax is not oppressive nor is the prohibition harsh, but prohibition is attained by means of the tax, an admirable conception and a just measure. In cities and frequented places, this has long been brought home to the people by means of Proclamations. But the poor dwellers in villages and remote places are not yet fully cognizant of it, and misled by the lying reports of thieves, believe that the cultivation of opium is a forbidden occupation. I ask you, if the poppy is not cultivated whence is the tax to be drawn? This is a matter which concerns both the livelihood of the people and the national revenue, and if these villains are allowed to freely carry on their nefarious schemes they will work incalculable harm. It is necessary that they be arrested and dealt with, and therefore out of pity for the ignorant and unlearned (who are their prey) they will neither be tolerated nor admonished, but instantly punished.\n\n\"This Proclamation therefore is issued for the information of the people of the whole province. From the date hereof, all growers of opium must continue in their former avocations, and gradually diminish the area under cultivation as is laid down in the Regulations. If evil characters continue to carry on the extortionate practices referred to above you may seize them and send them to this office, and if the charge be well founded they will be handed over for punishment to the territorial officials.\"\n\nThe following comments may be made on this Proclamation:----\n\n1. The Proclamation conforms to the letter of the Regulations, but is utterly opposed to the spirit which is supposed to animate the Central Government, i.e., the desire to eradicate opium at all costs.\n\n2. The gentleman in charge of the Bureau is obviously extremely concerned at the falling off in the opium tax receipts and consequently in his own emoluments. There is no doubt that he, and 99 per cent. of the officials similarly situated, would prefer to see the area under poppy cultivation increased rather than diminished.\n\n3. On the other hand, it is evident that the measures taken by Yuan Shih-k'ai have resulted, directly or indirectly, in a decrease in the said area.\n\nPeking.\n\nAn Imperial message has been sent to all Tartar Generals, Viceroys, and Governors stating that a Memorial has been received asking for the issue of strict instructions for the suppression of opium, and commanding that the Regulations be put into effect in respect of the cultivation, consumption, and sale of opium. Any want of vigour is to be severely punished. As to the proposed public loan to supplement the diminished opium duty receipts, the Nanking Viceroy and Governor of Kiangsu are commanded to consider the question and report in a Memorial.\n\n(Signed) **W. J. GARNETT**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 411944, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 444, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Rect** \nRed 16 JUL 07 \n[July 1.]\n\n### SECTION 2\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, July 1, 1907.\n\nMr. Rees, To ask the Secretary of State for India whether there has been any diminution in the demand for Indian opium since the promulgation of the anti-opium edict by the Chinese Government.\n\n**Answer**\n\nI have no direct information as to the present consumption of Indian opium in China, and it may be some time before comparative figures are available. I may point out that the export of opium from India this year to foreign countries is estimated considerably below the average export of preceding years. It will be under 62,500 chests, as against an average of 67,000 chests in the five years ending 1905, and the decrease is mainly due to smaller consumption of Malwa opium in China.\n\nPage 442", "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": 412068, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 568, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**CHINA TRADE.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nC.O \n566 \n28490 \n[July 15, \nSECTIREG10 AUG 07 \n[23374]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 15.)**\n\n(No. 242.)\n\nPeking, May 21, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a Report which has been drawn up with much industry by Mr. G. W. Pearson, Second Assistant to His Majesty's Consulate-General at Shanghae, on the progress of the anti-opium movement.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\n(No. 62.)\n\nShanghae, May 10, 1907.\n\nIN continuation of my despatches Nos. 17 and 33, I have the honour to inclose herewith a further note by Mr. G. W. Pearson on the progress of the anti-opium movement.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Memorandum on the Progress of the Anti-Opium Movement to April 21, 1907.**\n\nTHE sincerity of the spirit shown in the progress of the anti-opium movement is so much a matter of conjecture, and individual deductions are so liable to be erroneous where the information obtainable is limited and questionable, that it has been thought best in the present Memorandum to avoid drawing conclusions, and rather to give the various items of news with their sources for what they are worth.\n\nPerhaps the most significant indication of progress is the attitude of the opium-den keepers in Soochow, who seem to be convinced that the terms of the Edict are to be carried out, and are much concerned thereat. They evidently attribute the strenuous actions of the officials more to mercenary motives than to anxiety for the common weal, and there is no doubt that the new procedure could provide a mine of wealth for an enterprising official.\n\nAlso significant are the cashiering of Lu, Proctor of the Anti-Opium Bureau at Soochow, for lack of zeal, and the suspension of the Keeper of the Provincial Treasury at Hangchow for his opium-smoking proclivities.\n\nThe Liu Taotai, who has control of the Anti-Opium Bureau at Soochow, would appear to be an energetic man, and to be supporting Chen, the Soochow Governor. At Nanking itself it is reported that over 100 dens have been shut and their valuable appliances destroyed because they were behindhand with their licence fees. The majority of the month's news consists of the discussions of, and measures about to be taken by, the various bureaux, clubs, societies, and guilds—little actual action is evident. The Bureau for the Taxation of Prepared Opium has been converted into an Anti-Opium Bureau, and the former tax on prepared opium has been changed to a compulsory rise in the price of the drug of 40 cash per ounce. There is also the intention of establishing an official monopoly of all raw opium, to be supplied by the officials at their own price to the retail houses. Opium dens are to become retail opium shops, counters to be substituted for couches.\n\nShanghae City—It is impossible to learn of any action whatever taken by the new Shanghae District Magistrate Li with regard to the anti-opium movement.\n\n[2564 p-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412069, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 569, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## The Settlements\n\nIn January, the Municipal Council was asked by the local authorities to close all opium shops within the Settlements within six months. The Council replied that, while they sympathized sincerely with the present movement, the supervision and control of opium shops, which follow from the issue of municipal licences, have no inconsiderable value, and that were the closure effected within the Settlement, numerous smaller rendezvous for the consumption of the drug would be established in the less frequented parts of the Settlement and outskirts, and that the Council was not prepared to make the Settlement a field of experiment in advance of the Chinese cities, but will not hesitate, when there is evidence of bona fide intention on the part of the Chinese Government to give practical effect to present protestations, to support the action of the Chinese to the full extent of its power.\n\nThe Shanghae Taotai has subsequently expressed the opinion in conversation, with reference to experiments in criminal procedure, that \"like the suppression of opium, they must first be carried out in the interior, not in the Settlements.\" The Chung Wai Jih Pao states the Governor of Soochow to have written to the Shanghae Taotai: \"It is probable that the tax on prepared opium is not levied in the Settlements as is done outside, and when the increase of price comes into force outside and not in the Settlements, difficulties will arise, and people will flock to the Settlements to purchase opium. Shops outside will do no business. This is a consideration of great moment, so inquiries are to be made of the Shanghae officials, who are to report on the question.\"\n\nThe Governor received the following reply from the Taotai: \"It is impossible to impose our taxes on the Settlements, and if the increased tax on prepared opium were levied outside, your Excellency's opinion is quite correct, that there would ensue a rush to the Settlements to purchase opium. It has frequently occurred to me that this question presents great difficulties. The Settlements are quite beyond the influence and control of Chinese officials. However, in Shanghae city, the following procedure should be adopted. Opium smokers must report themselves to the proper officials and receive a licence, to be produced when required. A smoker purchasing opium shall be given a ticket bearing particulars of the quantity of opium sold, and the date of sale, to be shown to the deputy in charge of the prohibition of opium smoking on demand under pain of punishment. The officials and runners in charge of the investigation shall watch the chief approaches to the Settlements and prevent opium being smuggled in. Thus, although it is impossible to force smokers and opium shops in the Settlements to pay increased taxes or take out licences, those outside will remain under our control, and the difficulty will to some extent be solved. With regard to the time limit set for the closure of shops, on receipt of your instructions, I communicated with the Senior Consul, and received in reply the views of the Municipal Council. (Quotes letter.) They wish to look on and delay action. If, however, we could effectually shut up the opium dens in our own capital within the specified time limit of six months, we could ask the Senior Consul to fulfil his promises, and nothing more could be said. If the opium dens could be dealt with in this fashion, it seems to me that the procedure could be extended to the prepared opium shops. I have given orders that a secret watch be kept over the opium dens within and without the city, that they may be closed, but no fresh dens may be opened. I have great hopes that all will be closed within the period laid down.\"\n\nPage 55\n\n## General\n\nThe \"Shen Pao\" movement, in an editorial, says: \"The inception of this movement is due to Chu, the Provincial Judge (at Soochow), who was the first to evolve a working scheme. He proposed to double the price at which opium was retailed, and to establish a Bureau for the Control and Taxation of Prepared Opium. The Viceroy and Governor did not agree with his former suggestion, and held that it would be more feasible to raise the price 10 per cent. only, and add a further 10 per cent. yearly, thus doubling the price in ten years. They proposed to apply the per income thus raised to the establishment of the new office, and any balance was to be handed over to the Soochow and Shanghae Li-kin Bureau. The Governor and Viceroy have been in constant telegraphic communication discussing the matter, and have finally settled that the two measures are to be adopted. It is not, however, yet arranged at what date they are to be put into force.\" The price of rice, says the \"Shen Pao,\" is very high, and rice riots are frequent, and if the price of opium were suddenly doubled, it is very probable that the existing unrest would be increased, and disturbances ensue, and the scheme could only be worked with difficulty. This, in the \"Shen Pao's\" opinion, is the cause of the hesitation in putting the measures into effect, and it considers that it is not practicable to do so at once. Liu Taotai, Director of the Anti-Opium Bureau, went specially to Nanking some days ago to see what steps are being taken in Nanking.\n\n## Proclamations\n\n(Soochow \"Shen Pao,\" April 11, 1907.)\n\nProclamation by Chu, Provincial Judge of Soochow, Superintendent of the Central Anti-Opium Bureau, and Liu, Assistant Superintendent, dated April 9, 1907.\n\nIn obedience to the Imperial Edict ordering that very thorough measures be taken for the prohibition of opium smoking, very clear Regulations have been sent to each provincial capital, and action is to be taken at once. The city of Soochow is a very important centre for the south-east of China, and is thickly populated. For centuries, it has been celebrated as the headquarters of learning and refinement.\n\nWe are in receipt of instructions from the higher authorities to establish a bureau for the suppression of opium smoking, which is also to deal with the surveillance and taxation of licensed prepared opium. The plan is, therefore, to repress opium smoking by means of increased taxation. A central bureau must, therefore, be established in Soochow, and orders sent to all Prefectures and districts to act similarly. The tax on prepared opium is to be levied as of old up to the end of the 2nd moon, but from the 1st of the 3rd moon, it will cease to be collected, but instead, the price of the drug will be increased. The original intention was to double the price, but as this is a new movement, out of consideration for those in the trade, it is arranged to increase the price by one-tenth. As the equality of prepared opium is not uniform, and its price varies, we cannot be sure that the better qualities sold will not be fraudulently reported as being the cheaper kinds, and the standard of price will not be uniformly taken, as being that of the most inferior grade, for purposes of assessment. This is a very lenient measure. Fifty cash will be charged, in addition to the market price, on every ounce of opium sold, and the profit thus made is to be handed over to this office (by the sellers). Some of the sum thus levied will be handed over to the bureau formerly in charge of the opium tax, the balance to go towards the expenses of the anti-opium movement. Similar measures are to be taken throughout the province. The intention is to repress opium smoking by means of a system of surveillance and taxation, and is a special arrangement to meet the circumstances. All prepared opium shops, which are already licensed, must report at once at the bureau, and exchange their licences, to enable the bureau to exercise surveillance; the opium dens must be converted into retail shops within a period of six months, and no smoking will be allowed on the premises. As to the smokers, blank licences have been prepared at the bureau, and they must report to the central or branch offices established in the various thoroughfares, that their names may be entered in a register, and filled in on the licences. They will then be permitted to purchase opium, and, after the issue of such licences has been completed, a date will be determined on, after which no opium may be purchased without production of a licence.\n\nThe \"Hsin Wen Pao\" of the 5th April gave the gist of the above Proclamation, which, however, was not promulgated till the 9th instant. In the \"Hsin Wen Pao\" of the 8th April, the outlines were given of a Proclamation issued by the bureau for the control and taxation of prepared opium. In the three districts of Soochow, viz., Chang Chou, Yuan Ho, and Wu Hsien, the price of prepared opium will be raised from the 1st day of the 3rd moon (13th April).\n\nPage 507", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412071, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 571, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 6 is to use taxation as a prohibitory measure. If the price were to be doubled suddenly it would not be the loss of market that would be feared, but encroachments upon the market by the clandestine sale of prepared drug. Formerly at Hsuchou and Haichou, in Kiangpei, there were many who clandestinely sold prepared opium. If in one day the price of opium were suddenly doubled the profit to be made would be immense, and licensed opium would be driven out of the market by illicit sale, and this would, it is to be feared, militate against the suppression of opium smoking.\n\nYour new scheme of increasing the price by one-tenth per annum is quite consistent with the idea of the suppression of opium by degrees, and it is the duty of the Anti-Opium Bureau to check sales and collect the tax. An amount of the resulting income to be determined on should be handed over in lieu of the original tax on prepared opium, and the rest should be utilized for the expenses of the anti-opium movement.\n\nAs to the expedient regarding the opium shops, this is a measure in consideration of the poor; and of the prepared opium shops, few are to be found which do not provide facilities for smoking on the premises, or which confine their business to the sale of prepared opium. These are to be licensed as retail dealers in prepared opium. The names and addresses of the proprietors of the shops are first to be collected, and these must be made to give a bond not to allow smoking on the premises, and must obtain reciprocal security from others of the same trade. When licensed and registered on the official list they are to be allowed to carry on business. From that time forward shops may be closed, but no new shops opened, and fraudulent assumption of names and transfer of ownership, and other frauds of this character, will be strictly dealt with.\n\nThe original scheme as now amended by you is hereby indorsed as approved, and should be put into operation.\n\nThe various measures which have been submitted to me, with my revisions, should be embodied in the form of a Circular Report, and sent to all the higher authorities.\n\n\"Hsin Wen Pao\" of the 5th April:\n\nChu Taotai, head of the Li-kin farm at Soochow, and the officials of the head Li-kin Office at Shanghae, after discussion some days ago, requested the Governor to authorize a Regulation that private individuals purchasing raw opium should pay an increase of the price of 30 cash per ounce. The Governor decided yesterday that as the newly-established bureau for the control and taxation of prepared opium had instituted the measure of raising the price, the old practice of collecting opium duty by \"farming\" should be abolished, and he instructed his subordinates accordingly.\n\n## 3. Attitude of Officials and Movement in the Official Circles\n\n\"Shen Pao,\" of the 15th May:\n\nThe anti-opium movement is being actively carried out at Soochow, but at Nanking there is no sign of activity. This is said to be due to the tastes of his Excellency (probably the Provincial Treasurer). It is impossible to expect instant obedience to the orders against smoking. We hear that the Viceroy has decided upon a new Regulation, that, whether substantive or expectant, all officials shall be guaranteed by two others, and should any subterfuge be discovered all three will have to resign. In this wise every one will have to look after his own position, and there cannot be any secret aiding and abetting from motives of friendship.\n\n\"Chung Wai Jih Pao,\" of the 17th March:\n\nThe expectant officials in Soochow city are being carefully watched for opium smoking and have already given bonds, details regarding which have been embodied in a report to the Governor. It is now said that, as Governor Ch'en finds that as the bonds detailed in the report are mainly those of officials stationed in Soochow, and that as there are many detailed on special service who have been omitted, he has given orders that Lu Taotai and others, who are in charge of the investigation, shall make a fresh report, and should there be any officials who have been omitted from the previous one, they must be included forthwith and made to give a definite undertaking to be handed in within a given date. No delay or evasion can be permitted. This must not be disregarded.\n\n\"Shen Pao,\" of the 4th April:\n\nYang, Commandant of the Soochow Active Regulars, discovered that his second local regiment is full of opium smokers, and that the artillery is in a worse state, so gave orders to the officers of his regiment that they were to enforce the cessation of opium smoking among the men within a fortnight. At the expiration of this time the troops must be paraded at head-quarters for inspection by the Commandant. Should any of them try to conceal the fact that they are addicted to the habit, they will be at once struck off the list. The officers have communicated this to the men, and have ordered them to obey.\n\nThe \"Shih Pao,\" of the 8th April, says:\n\nGives an item of news which has excited interest among the Chinese in Shanghae, and although it cannot be said to pertain to the district under notice, yet it may be of sufficient significance as to warrant its inclusion in this Report. The \"Shih Pao\" Chekiang officials are being carefully watched for opium smoking. A register of the opium smoking officials has been drawn up, and a report been made concerning them, and six months has been the time limit laid down for their cessation of opium smoking. No pretexts will be admitted or concealment allowed, and any who break the rule will be impeached. Clerks in yamêns must also observe this time limit. Hsin, Provincial Treasurer, has discovered that the keeper of the Provincial Treasures, Pi Ting, is an opium smoker, and although he had promised to give up smoking, he was ordered to leave his post and to wait till he had got over his craving, which fact was to be certified by a foreign doctor; he will then be allowed to return. His duties will be attended to by Chin Pin San, Secretary of Records, in addition to his own. The Treasurer hopes that all officials will take heed of this example made of an officer of his own yamên. Officials, whether substantive or deputies, who have the opium habit, will all be granted furlough to cure themselves. The Treasurer is actively carrying out the idea of the prohibitory edict.\n\n\"Hsin Wen Pao,\" of the 17th April:\n\nThe Governor considered that Lu, Proctor of the Bureau for Control and Taxation of Prepared Opium, was not discharging his duties satisfactorily and cashiered him, appointing Teng, a Prefect, to replace him. The latter assumed his duties on the 15th April.\n\nLiu Kuo Shun, Superintendent of the Central Anti-Opium Bureau, finds many difficulties in the way of the proper discharge of his duties, and on the 15th April went to tender his resignation to the Governor. His resignation was not accepted. (He is said to be indignant at the cashiering of Proctor Lu.)\n\n## 4. New Bureaux, &c.\n\n(a.) Bureau for Control and Taxation of Prepared Opium.\n\n(b.) Prohibition Anti-Opium Bureau.\n\n(c.) Bureau for the Surveillance of Opium Smokers. (See also above.)\n\nThere would seem to be little difference in the methods or personnel of the three Bureaux—in fact, the names may probably be correctly regarded as synonymous.\n\n\"Chung Wai Jih Pao,\" of the 17th March:\n\nIt has been reported to the Governor that the Bureau for the Surveillance of Opium Smoking is now in operation.\n\nNow that the Bureau for the Surveillance of Opium Smoking is established, Liu Tuotai, who is in charge, is anxious to secure the co-operation of the Anti-Opium Society of the gentry, to enable a strict control to be kept over the opium dealers. He has been in treaty with this Society for some time without attaining any definite conclusion, and much time has been wasted, and active operations have been commenced. We hear that Liu Taotai has had repeated instructions from the Governor pressing for action. Satisfactory arrangements have now been made, and the Bureau commenced operations some days ago.\n\nPage 509", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412095, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 595, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### C. 593\n\n¡July 14 1907\n\n**REC & SECTION** 10 AUG 07\n\n[23648]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir,\n\nChinese Central Railways to Foreign Office.-(Received July 16.)\n\n110, Cannon Street, London, July 12, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to refer to my letter of the 8th April last, and to your letters of the 17th idem and the 4th instant, in regard to the negotiations for the Tien-tsin-Yangtsze Railway. From the latter communication the Board of Directors learns with satisfaction that Sir John Jordan is actively pressing for the conclusion of these negotiations, and it is sincerely hoped that the Chinese Government may now be led to fulfil its obligations, and to discontinue the policy of evasion and delay which has characterized its proceedings in this matter for the past five years.\n\nIn this connection, and in justification of my Board's earnest request that the importance of this enterprise and its present situation may be recognized by His Majesty's Government, I am directed to point out that these negotiations, based on a Preliminary Agreement sanctioned by Imperial Edict, have brought the question to a point where the Imperial Chinese Government must either conclude the Agreement or stand convicted of deliberate and flagrant bad faith. The conditions which the British and German representatives of the Syndicate have put forward for the final contract are practically those which the Chinese Government's formally appointed Delegates have stated to be acceptable to public opinion in China, and they involve important modifications of the rights conceded under the Preliminary Agreement. Under these circumstances, and having regard to the protracted period during which the question has been under discussion, my Directors feel that the time has come when the Chinese Government should be given to understand that the matter must be concluded or the Preliminary Agreement definitely repudiated, and compensation paid for its non-fulfilment. It is evident, from the recent action of that Government, that further obstruction and evasion are contemplated in the transfer of negotiations from Peking to the provincial Viceroys, and unless the British and German Ministers can obtain the annulment of this transfer and the resumption of bona fide negotiations on the basis of the draft Agreement finally submitted, my Directors feel that any further efforts to secure their rights will be of no avail.\n\nIn this connection I am directed to state that the Chinese Central Railways, in common with their German associates, have incurred, and are still incurring, large expenses in connection with the preliminary surveys of this railway, and with the maintenance of representation and work necessitated by these negotiations. These expenses have reached a point where it becomes imperative for the Syndicate seriously to consider the situation, and to determine whether in justice to its shareholders further expenditure in this direction is justifiable; for unless a reasonable prospect exists of concluding the Agreement it would evidently be better for all concerned to withdraw from further negotiations, and place the matter, with its resultant claim, in the hands of His Majesty's Government.\n\nI am further to observe that the non-conclusion of this Agreement involves prejudice to the interests of the Chinese Central Railways' French associates, who, although excluded from the negotiations, are financially interested in their results. Until the contract is concluded, moreover, nothing can be done towards negotiating the Pukou-Sinyang line, and, generally speaking, the success with which the Chinese Government has continued to evade its formal undertakings in regard to the Tien-tsin-Yangtsze line has reacted, and is reacting, to the detriment of all railway enterprise in China. My Board has recently received inquiries from the French group as to the prospects of an early conclusion of these negotiations, and it is assured that, if His Majesty's Government consider it advisable, the active support of the French Minister at Peking would be forthcoming to bring pressure on the Chinese Government, and to convince them that the matter is one which the Powers concerned are no longer disposed to treat lightly. My Directors are taking no immediate steps in this direction, but they suggest for your consideration that in case of serious necessity united action might be beneficial, should the British and German Ministers consider it advisable.\n\n[2571 q-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412120, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 620, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "P10\n\nAll details necessary for the prospectus and connected with the service to the bondholders of the interest and repayments of the principal of this loan, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the Syndicate, who shall issue, and is hereby authorised to issue a Prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the signing of this agreement.\n\nThe Chinese Ministers in London and Paris will be instructed to co-operate with the Syndicate in any matters requiring conjoint action, and they shall approve the Prospectus of the loan.\n\nThe price of the loan shall be **...** per cent net of the nominal principal to the Viceroy, and the Syndicate will instruct the issuing Banks to hold the net proceeds in Paris and/or London to the order of the Viceroy not later than three months after the issue of the loan.\n\nThe loan shall be issued to the public as soon as possible after the signature of this agreement and the communication of the Imperial Edict in terms of Clause 11. But if, at the date of signature thereof, an unfavourable state of the market should render it impossible to issue the loan and pay its proceeds to the Viceroy on the terms needed, then in such case the Syndicate shall thereafter at such time as the Viceroy may decide, within a period not exceeding six months, issue the loan and pay the proceeds thereof to the Viceroy, deducting and retaining six points from the rate at which the loan is actually issued to the public, whatever the rate may be: i.e. if the issue price be 101, the Viceroy will receive 99 and so on.\n\nThe proceeds of this loan are to be applied to the carrying out of public works and to the improvement of communications in the province.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412122, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 622, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "aboen. bandenebreat \n\n# མན་\n\nInspectors certificates are to be submitted to the Viceroy.\n\nFor these services the Syndicate will receive a commission of 5 per cent on the invoice cost of all materials so purchased.\n\n619\n\nWith a view to encouraging Chinese industries, Chinese government and other materials are to be preferred provided prices and quality are suitable. No commission shall be allowed to the Syndicate on the purchase of materials of bona fide Chinese origin.\n\nAt the request of the Viceroy preference will be given, at equal rates and provided other conditions are satisfactory, to Japanese tenders for work in a total amount not exceeding $1,000,000, to be paid for from the proceeds of this loan.\n\n(10)\n\n(11)\n\nThe Syndicate is hereby empowered to appoint, at its discretion, one or more of its members, or of the Companies of which it is composed, as Trustee or Trustees for the bondholders, and in any future negotiations respecting this loan, or questions arising in connection therewith, such trustee or trustees shall be taken as representing the bondholders and shall have power to act on their behalf.\n\nIn view of the fact that this loan is for a small amount, no remuneration is asked in the present instance for these services; but in the event of further loans for similar objects being arranged between the Viceroy or the Imperial Chinese government and the Syndicate, this shall not be claimed as a precedent, nor act as a bar to the discussion later of such remuneration to the trustees as their increased work responsibilities and trouble may appear to call for.\n\nImmediately after the signature of this agreement, and before the prospectus of the loan shall be issued to the public, the Viceroy shall memorialise the Throne for an Imperial Edict confirming and sanctioning the provisions of this agreement; and the Imperial Decree received shall be communicated officially and without delay by the Wai-wu-pu to the British and French Ministers in Peking.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412152, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 652, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### SECTION 2, C. 0.\n#### June 6\n\n€49 \n[18532]\n\n**No. 1.**\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 6.)\n\n29968 \nREC. 21 AUG 07/\n\n**(No. 98.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\nPeking, June 6, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to your telegram of yesterday's date, agree with the Hong Kong Government in the view they take of the probable results of Ts'en's reappointment, but I think that a protest, unless backed by a threat of force, would have little chance of success, and I therefore consider it inadvisable. Abortive interference would only antagonize him, and, moreover, as his health is bad, it is just possible that he may not go to Canton.\n\n[18546]\n\n**No. 2.**\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 6.)\n\n**(No. 99.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\nPeking, June 6, 1907.\n\nTHE Consular Body at Shanghae have received a report from the Assessors of the Mixed Court to the effect that, since the powers of that Court were curtailed in April 1906 by the abolition of the bamboo and the limitation of imprisonment to five years, crimes of violence in the Settlement have increased to an alarming extent. This increase is ascribed by the Assessors and Chinese Magistrates to the above-mentioned curtailment.\n\n| Entity | Action |\n| --- | --- |\n| Provinces | Imperial Edict abolishing the use of the cangue and the bamboo has been almost universally disregarded. |\n\nThe Consular Body accordingly represented to the Viceroy at Nanking that the introduction of stronger measures and punishments might prove the remedy for this increase of crime, and the Viceroy has replied that he has instructed the Taotai to consult with the Consular Body regarding possible changes in the mode of punishment, but that the five years' limit cannot be altered.\n\nI think that, as indicated in your telegram No. `37` of the `6th April`, any reform of punishments should be of general application, and that the Shanghae Settlement should be on the same footing in this respect as other parts of the country. As, however, the question is likely to come before the Diplomatic Body, I should be grateful if you would favour me with instructions in the matter.\n\n[2524 f2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412171, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 671, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 2\n\nThe Chinese Government should undertake on its part to prohibit the exportation of prepared opium from China to Hong Kong and the new territories, and to take effective measures to prevent prepared opium being so exported.\n\nThe price of prepared opium in Hong Kong, owing to the enormous rental paid for the opium monopoly, varies from 3 dol. 30 c. to 3 dol. 50 c. per tael, while the price of prepared Indian opium in Canton is only 1 dol. 46 c. to 1 dol. 53 c. per tael, and of prepared native opium 1 dol. 11 c. to 1 dol. 18 c. per tael. It will be readily understood, therefore, that the principal difficulty the opium farmer has to contend against is the smuggling of prepared opium into Hong Kong and the new territories from China.\n\n7. With regard to the second proposal, it is unnecessary if the first is granted. Nevertheless, I would urge that it should not be conceded without some compensating advantage being first obtained.\n\nI would respectfully draw your Lordship's attention to the fact that this Government, without being consulted in the matter, has been seriously compromised by the decision of His Majesty's Government to restrict the export of opium from India. This action necessitated the addition, at the eleventh hour, of a proviso to the form of grant for the farm let last autumn for three years as from the 1st March, 1907, to the effect that, in the event of the exportation of raw opium from India being so restricted as seriously to affect the business of the grantee, a reduction of the rent payable under the grant or other modification of the terms of the grant shall be made.\n\nThe annual revenue under the new grant of the farm amounts to $1,452,000, or roughly one-fourth of the revenue of the Colony, exclusive of land sales.\n\nAny serious inroad upon this item of revenue cannot be regarded with equanimity, especially when it is borne in mind that Hong Kong produces practically nothing; that it owes its existence, not to say its prosperity, to the fact that it is a free port; and that sources of additional taxation to replace any large reduction in the item would be extremely difficult to find.\n\nI, therefore, deprecate this further concession to the Chinese Government, except in return for a substantial quid pro quo.\n\n8. There are several questions intimately affecting the development of this Colony which require settlement satisfactory to this Government. I may mention the employment of British engineers for the Canton-Hankow Railway, and the junction of that railway, when constructed, with the Canton-Kowloon line; the introduction of a national Chinese currency, upon which subject I addressed your Lordship in my Confidential despatch of the 27th ultimo; and the negotiation of an agreement for working as one concern the Chinese and Hong Kong sections of the Canton-Kowloon Railway.\n\nI would, therefore, earnestly beg your Lordship to endeavour to secure for this Colony some adequate return for the loss in revenue which she is bound to suffer if the policy of His Majesty's Government in curtailing the export of opium from India is persisted in, and for the concessions which she is now being asked to agree to.\n\n9. In the above remarks, I have confined myself to the points which specially concern Hong Kong in the Memorandum handed to Sir John Jordan by the Wai-wu Pu. But it is evident, from the remark in Sir John Jordan's covering despatch, that \"the Ministers laid special stress on the effective measures being taken to stop this illicit importation,\" that what the Chinese Government really want is that this Government should take more effective steps to stop the smuggling of prepared opium from this Colony into China.\n\nMeasures involving amendments of the Raw and Prepared Opium Ordinances might be devised, by which the smuggling both of raw and prepared opium out of Hong Kong would be rendered very much more difficult than it is at present. Such measures could, however, not be adopted till after the expiration of the existing opium farm, because they would involve variations of the grant, and would entail direct and considerable expense on this Government. But the prevention of smuggling into her borders is a matter which concerns China, and I submit that she should not be given the assistance of this Colony in mitigating such smuggling unless she will purchase that assistance by granting compensating advantages. I submit that this question be brought up for discussion a year hence, when, if the other questions alluded to are solved, others will, without doubt, have arisen for the settlement of which this Government would be anxious to negotiate.\n\n10. The three points discussed above are the only ones dealt with in the correspondence accompanying your Lordship's despatch which directly concern this Government. But, as I have already indicated, the whole policy of His Majesty's Government in reference to opium must affect this Colony, and I trust I may, therefore, be excused if I add the following general remarks on the subject.\n\nJust as it is hopeless to expect the establishment of a national currency for China until the Central Government takes into its own hands the control of the provincial mints, even so is it useless to expect that the Chinese Government will succeed in enforcing the Opium Edict of the 20th September last until it takes into its own hands the regulation of the traffic in opium. This traffic, at the present time, is vested in a separate monopoly in each province, from which the Provincial Governments, always hard-pressed for money, draw a considerable proportion of their revenues. As Sir John Jordan very pertinently remarks in the antepenultimate paragraph of his despatch of the 12th December last, the financial side of the question has not been sufficiently considered. It appears that the Central Government receives £2,000,000 out of a total revenue of something less than £7,000,000, collected upon native opium alone. The Viceroys of the various provinces concerned use these £5,000,000 for their own administrative purposes, and cannot possibly forgo such revenue without a dislocation of the provincial finances, which, I venture to say, few of them are in a position to deal with.\n\nThis Edict is nothing new. Innumerable Edicts containing similar provisions have been promulgated in the past without producing any abiding effect. In the meantime, the system of Government in China has not changed, and it is idle to expect a better fate for the new Edict than its predecessors shared.\n\nIf, however, I am wrong and the Chinese Government accomplishes the unexpected and succeeds in enforcing the Edict, then there will be no demand for Indian or other opium, for there will be no opium smokers.\n\nIn the interests of this Colony, I would respectfully urge that it would seem premature to take any further steps than have been taken in limiting the export of opium from India.\n\n11. I attach a copy of a letter which I have addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking on the subject of the proposals discussed in the earlier part of this despatch.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) F. H. MAY,\n**Officer Administering the Government**\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n### Acting Governor May to Sir J. Jordan\n\nGovernment House, Hong Kong, May 9, 1907.\n\nI HAVE had under my consideration your Excellency's despatch of the 17th December last, inclosing copies of despatches which you have addressed to His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the subject of the Opium Decree of the 20th September last, and of the Regulations made by the Chinese Government to give effect to that Decree.\n\n2. In reply, I beg leave to point out that Tong Shao-yi is mistaken in thinking that the original object in establishing the opium farm in this Colony had been to regulate the supply of opium to the Chinese population. This Colony has, since the institution of the opium farm, always done, and still continues to do, a considerable trade in the export of prepared opium.\n\n3. The Chinese Government now propose that this Government should renounce that trade as far as the export to China is concerned, and should adopt fresh measures to prevent the smuggling of prepared opium into China.\n\nI observe, however, that the Chinese Government offers no consideration whatever in return for the concession and assistance for which she asks, and in view of the fact that her proposals would involve this Government in considerable expense and entail executive action fraught with no little trouble, I am unable to recommend them to His Majesty's Government for consideration unless the Chinese Government is prepared to fulfil various obligations on her part which are of immediate concern to the prosperity of this Colony, and will offer in addition other compensative advantages.\n\n4. In these circumstances, I have laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies the views of this Government on the subject, and I shall lose no time in addressing you further in the matter when I shall have learned how far those views weigh with His Majesty's Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) F. H. MAY,\n**Officer Administering the Government**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412191, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 691, "title": "CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n### Acting Consul-General Sly to Commissioner von Strauch\n\nCanton, May 10, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to address you in respect to the \"Provisional Regulations for the Interport Traffic between Wuchow and Nanning,\" which are on sale at the establishment of Messrs. Kelly and Walsh in Hong Kong.\n\nIt cannot possibly have escaped your notice that these Regulations are intended to take effect on British subjects and vessels owned or chartered by them. I am therefore at a loss to understand on what grounds they were compiled and published without previous submission to the official representatives of British subjects in China, and I am compelled to place on record my strong protest against the course followed.\n\nThe Regulations themselves are objectionable in many respects, and notably in that they exclude the city of Nanning from the area of the open port. That this is so is made abundantly clear by reference to the Chinese text of Articles 19 and 20. In the former, it is stated that goods purchased on the spot in Wuchow (\"chiu ti chih mai\") pay a full export duty at Wuchow, and a coast trade half duty at Nanning. In the latter, on the other hand, the characters are missing, and the general wording is such that no doubt is left in my mind that purchase by a British subject in Nanning city proper and export through the Imperial Maritime Customs in the foreign settlement is impossible, unless the merchant can produce to the foreign custom-house either a transit certificate or Tung Shui receipt in proof that the goods purchased by him in Nanning city have paid inland transit dues.\n\nThis is in direct contravention of Treaty requirements, and if further confirmation of the infringement of Treaty stipulations were wanting, it is to be found in the fact that the Nanning Taotai has refused to allow the Kut Hing firm to remain the permanent agents of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. at Nanning on the ground that they are established in the city proper, and not in the foreign Settlement, situated, I am informed, some three-quarters of a mile below the eastern or lower end of the business quarter thereof.\n\nI would add that Nanning was originally opened to international trade by agreement between Sir Claude MacDonald and the Tsung-li Yamên in 1899, and that, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, an open port, whether opened by Treaty or otherwise, includes the city, the waterway giving access thereto, and all roads connecting such waterway with the city.\n\nAgain, certain of the Regulations as published, i.e., No. 13, 23, and 25, impose penalties on British subjects and vessels owned or chartered by them, the imposition of which, in the absence of the previous sanction of His Majesty's Minister, cannot be contemplated. You will the more readily understand this when I invite your attention to the existence of the Rules for Joint Investigation of 1868, to the General Port Regulations, 1902, for the Peace, Order, and Good Government of His Majesty's Subjects at the Open Ports in China; to Rule 8 of the Amended Inland Water Steam Navigation Regulations of 1898; and to Articles 5 and 7(c) of the Yang-tzse Regulations, 1898. I am forwarding a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Minister.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) H. E. SLY.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1\n\n### Memorandum for his Excellency the Viceroy of the Liang Kwang in respect of Nanning\n\n1. The Nanning Taotai has refused to allow the Kut Hing firm to remain the permanent agents of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. on the ground that the said firm is established in Nanning proper, and not in the foreign Settlement, situated some three-quarters of a mile below the eastern or lower end of the business quarter of the said city.\n\n2. Customs Regulations as to the interport trade between Wuchow and Nanning. If a comparison is made between the Chinese text of Regulations 19 and 20, it will be seen that in the former, it is clearly stated that goods purchased on the spot in Wuchow pay a full export duty at Wuchow and a coast trade half duty at Nanning.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n\n### Consul King to Sir J. Jordan\n\n(No. 8.) Sir,\n\nWuchow, May 20, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to your despatch No. 3 of the 22nd ultimo, I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of the Regulations for which you ask, the Chinese version of which has now been furnished to me by the Nanning Taotai, and also copies of some correspondence between that official and myself.\n\nA perusal of the foregoing will make it abundantly clear that it is the intention of the Chinese authorities to place the city of Nanning outside the port area, and in this connection, I would venture to call your attention particularly to Section 1(1) and Section 2(1) of the Regulations, where such an intention is distinctly expressed.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) H. KING.\n\n## Inclosure 5 in No. 1\n\n### Regulations for the Open Port of Nanning\n\n#### Section 1. Nanning to be regarded as a Port self-opened to International Trade\n\nNANNING, having been opened to trade in accordance with an Imperial Edict approving of the recommendation for its opening, is not to be regarded in the same light as those ports opened by virtue of some Treaty between China and a foreign Power. Chinese and foreign merchants alike are permitted to reside in that portion which has been marked out as a Settlement, but foreigners are to have no say in any matter concerning the administration thereof.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-344 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412250, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 10, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nC.O. 31828 7 [June 18.]\n\n### No. 1. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey\n**(Received June 18.)** \nPeking, June 18, 1907. \n**(No. 113.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nPlease see my despatch No. 72 of the 5th February. I have the honour to report the dismissal of the Grand Secretary, Chu Hung Chi, who was the most influential Chinese member of the Government. He has received the Imperial commands to return to his native place. The significance of this edict is that Prince Ch'ing has recovered his position, which recent attacks had much shaken. While the removal of Chu is a distinct gain, I am of opinion that these constant changes betray an increasing weakness in the direction of affairs, which is a serious symptom.\n\n### No. 2. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey\n**(Received June 18.)** \n**(No. 115.) (Telegraphic.) P.** \nPeking, June 18, 1907.\n\nThe report mentioned in your telegram No. 69 of the 14th June that two Chinese cruisers are going to visit Singapore and other places in the south is confirmed by the Wai-wu Pu, who state, however, that no instructions of the nature indicated in your telegram have been issued, and that a cruise at sea is their sole object.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412270, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 30, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 6\n\n7 \n\n27 \n\nOn the other hand, that whatever li-kin is pledged for the security of this loan shall neither be decreased nor abolished except by previous arrangement with the Syndicate, and then only in so far as an equivalent is substituted for it in the shape of a first charge upon the increase of customs or other revenue consequent upon such revision.\n\n6. All bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with the service of this loan shall be exempt from Chinese taxes and imposts for ever.\n\n7. All details necessary for the prospectus and connected with the service to the bondholders of the interest and repayments of the principal of this loan, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the Syndicate, who shall issue, and is hereby authorized to issue, a prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the signing of this Agreement. The Chinese Ministers in London and Paris will be instructed to co-operate with the Syndicate in any matters requiring conjoint action, and they shall approve the prospectus of the loan.\n\n8. The price of the loan shall be per cent. net of the nominal principal to the Viceroy, and the Syndicate will instruct the issuing banks to hold the net proceeds in Paris and London to the order of the Viceroy not later than three months after the issue of the loan.\n\nThe loan shall be issued to the public as soon as possible after the signature of this Agreement and the communication of the Imperial Edict in terms of Clause 11. But if, at the date of signature thereof, an unfavourable state of the market should render it impossible to issue the loan and pay its proceeds to the Viceroy on the terms named, then in such case the Syndicate shall thereafter, at such time as the Viceroy may decide, within a period not exceeding six months, issue the loan and pay the proceeds thereof to the Viceroy, deducting and retaining six points from the rate at which the loan is actually issued to the public, whatever that rate may be, i.e., if the issue price be 101, the Viceroy will receive 95, and so on.\n\n9. The proceeds of this loan are to be applied to the carrying out of public works and to the improvement of communications in the Province of Hupei. For the supervision of these the Viceroy, in consultation with the Syndicate, shall appoint a British consulting engineer of capacity and experience, who must be approved by the Syndicate.\n\nThe salary and other terms of agreement of the consulting engineer shall be fixed in consultation with the Syndicate, and his salary shall be paid by the Viceroy. The form of his agreement shall conform to the usual practice.\n\nIf the services of the consulting engineer should prove unsatisfactory to the Viceroy he shall be entitled to dispense with his services, after due consultation with the Syndicate with regard to the appointment of a suitable successor; and in the event of the Syndicate desiring the removal of the consulting engineer for good cause, a like procedure shall be observed.\n\nIt shall be the duty of the consulting engineer to advise the Viceroy with regard to all public works to be paid for out of the proceeds of this loan, and to see that the same are efficiently and economically carried out. Orders to pay or transfer any sum from the proceeds of the loan must be countersigned by the consulting engineer, and be accompanied by his certificate stating the nature of the expenditure. He shall examine tenders and contracts for materials and work, and will advise the Viceroy with regard to their selection.\n\nUnder the directions of the consulting engineer the Syndicate will superintend the purchase of all material of foreign origin required for the carrying out of the work. These shall be purchased on the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality. At equal rates, and provided the quality is the same, goods of British and French manufacture shall be given preference over other goods of foreign origin. Invoices and inspectors' certificates are to be submitted to the Viceroy. For these services the Syndicate will receive a commission of 5 per cent. on the invoice cost of all materials so purchased.\n\nWith a view to encouraging Chinese industries, Chinese Government and other materials are to be preferred, provided prices and quality are suitable. No commission shall be allowed to the Syndicate on the purchase of materials of bona fide Chinese origin.\n\nAt the request of the Viceroy preference will be given, at equal rates and provided other conditions are satisfactory, to Japanese tenders for work in a total amount not exceeding 1,000,000 taels, to be paid for from the proceeds of this loan.\n\n10. The Syndicate is hereby empowered to appoint, at its discretion, one or more of its members, or of the Companies of which it is composed, as trustee or trustees for the bondholders; and in any future negotiations respecting this loan, or questions arising in connection therewith, such trustee or trustees shall be taken as representing the bondholders, and shall have power to act on their behalf. In view of the fact that this loan is for a small amount, no remuneration is asked in the present instance for these services; but in the event of further loans for similar objects being arranged between the Viceroy or the Imperial Chinese Government and the Syndicate, this shall not be claimed as a precedent, nor act as a bar to the discussion later of such remuneration to the trustees as their increased responsibilities and trouble may appear to call for.\n\n11. Immediately after the signature of this Agreement, and before the prospectus of the loan shall be issued to the public, the Viceroy shall memorialize the Throne for an Imperial Edict confirming and sanctioning the provisions of this Agreement; and the Imperial Edict so received shall be communicated officially and without delay by the Wai-wu Pu to the British and French Ministers in Peking.\n\nPage 30\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412294, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 54, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)** \n\n2 \n\n\"Sainam\" affair, no fewer than eight cases of piracy of British-owned launches in the vicinity of Wuchow alone. \n\nIt is a notorious fact, which has not been disputed by the responsible Ministers of the Central Government, that the so-called guard-boats on the river lay inactive for days, with their crews gambling or smoking opium, while piracy went on unchecked in their immediate neighbourhood. \n\nIt is impossible, therefore, to admit that China's obligation ends with the recovery of the stolen property, as represented by two rifles and the execution of a few criminals, any more than it has done in the numerous other cases in which foreigners have lost their lives in this country, and in which China has atoned for the failure of her officials to afford adequate protection by paying suitable compensation. \n\nThe policing of its waters is an elementary duty which every State owes to the subjects of other Powers frequenting its territory in the pursuit of their lawful vocations, and that its fulfilment in the present case calls for no unusual exertion is proved by the statement of a Minister of your Highness' Board who, speaking with a knowledge of the locality, expressed the opinion that if the local authorities did their duty piracy at Canton could be stamped out in a month. \n\nThe case has been carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, under whose directions a claim for adequate compensation to the sufferers has been presented to the Viceroy at Canton, and I have therefore the honour to request your Highness to issue telegraphic instructions to his Excellency for an early settlement. \n\nI avail, &c. \n\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**, \nC.O. \n\n[B] \n32445 \n51 \n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA. \n\n**REC** \n[August 26.] \nof 10 SEP 07 \n**CONFIDENTIAL**. \n**SECTION 2**. \n[28452] \n\n### No. 1. \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 26.) \n\n(No. 336.) Sir, \n\nPeking, July 11, 1907. After a lapse of some months without further mention in official circles in Peking of the projected constitutional reforms, the \"Gazette\" of the 7th July published an Imperial Edict, translation of which I have the honour to inclose, ordering certain changes in the provincial administration of Manchuria, Chihli and Kiangsu, and their gradual adoption in the other provinces within the maximum period of fifteen years. \n\nThese changes, already partially adopted in Manchuria, consist in the substitution of Provincial Commissioners of Justice in place of the high officials hitherto known by the title of Provincial Judges, and the formation of certain new Courts of Justice. \n\nThe effect of these alterations is not obvious, but they appear to tend towards a separation of the administrative and judicial sides of Government service, both of which have hitherto been combined in the duties of District Magistrates. \n\nThe Edict also abolishes all territorial Intendants of Circuit (Taotais) who have not concomitant military functions, and creates in their place Intendants of Police and of Public Industry. \n\nThis change does not affect the Customs Taotais in the Treaty ports, who are either specially appointed as Intendants of Customs or hold concurrently a military command. The expression in the Edict of a hope that these changes will be acceptable to public opinion, seems to indicate that the Court is only prepared to proceed with reforms in the most tentative manner; while an Edict of the 8th July, of which a translation in abstract is also inclosed, calls for expression of public opinion as to what steps should next be taken, in spite of the fact that an Imperial Commission has been formulating recommendations for the past year. \n\n(Translation.) \n\nI have, &c. (Signed) \n**J. N. JORDAN** \n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1. \n\n**Imperial Edict, dated July 7, 1907.** \n\nWE are informed by Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager, with reference to the former Edict commanding a Committee of Princes and Ministers to deliberate on the reform of the official organization of the provinces and to memorialize the Throne on arriving at a satisfactory conclusion, that Prince Ching and others have now submitted a Memorial proposing the substitution in each province of a Commissioner of Justice for the Judicial Commissioner, the addition of Police Taotais and Industrial Taotais, the abolition of the classes of Taotai known as \"Fen Shou\" and \"Fen Hsün,\" retaining the military Taotais when thought necessary, the creation of Judicial Courts, and alterations in the subordinate ranks of officials. \n\nThese proposals should be put into effect in due order. It is commanded that they be tried provisionally in the Manchurian provinces, and, if the situation in those provinces differs from that in others, the Viceroy and Governors are at liberty to consult together regarding modifications of the proposals, and to memorialize the Throne asking for instructions. Apart from these, the provinces of Chihli and Kiangsu, which are more advanced, should also choose places to make preliminary experiments, to be gradually extended when it is clear that they are successful. As for the other provinces, the Viceroys and Governors are to consider the situation in their provinces, and the most suitable times and places, and to ask for instruction how to act. Within fifteen years the present proposals are to be universally adopted. \n\nAs regards detailed regulations defining powers, &c., which require to be considered by the Boards and Yamêns, the latter are respectively commended to propose a...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412295, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 55, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# 52\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n2\n\nTo achieve a satisfactory and uniform mode of action, and to submit it to the Throne to be sanctioned and promulgated in due course. Where there are imperfections in the proposed scheme, they are to be amended from time to time in order to make it perfect. At the beginning of these changes, the appointment of Executive officers is a matter of the utmost importance, and hundreds of abuses would result from one piece of neglect. It is the duty of Viceroys and Governors to instruct those under them to arouse their energies and earnestly aim at reality, setting no value on the empty appearance. It is hoped that this change will harmonize with the existing form of government, and will be acceptable to public opinion, that Court and country may be at one, and that there may be mutual peace between Prince and people, and that this may be regarded as a genuine preparation for constitutional government.\n\n(Translation.) (Abstract.)\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Imperial Edict, dated July 8, 1907.**\n\nThe principle of constitutional government is unity between those in high position and those of low degree. As success is aimed at, it is desirable to get a large body of opinion. All therefore who have real knowledge of how preparations should be made and initial steps be taken, are allowed to address the Throne. Those who have not the right to do so directly may do so in Peking through the Censorate, and elsewhere through the high provincial officials. But they are not to repeat what has already been said nor to be verbose. It is incumbent on officials and people alike to aim at a stable Constitution, and to make the nation prosperous and powerful.\n\nC. 0. 32445\n\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nRecd 10 SEP 07\n\n[August 26.]\n\n## SECTION 3.\n\n[28441]\n\n### No. 1.\n\n(No. 25.) Sir,\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 26.)**\n\nPeking, July 8, 1907. With reference to my despatch No. 287 of the 12th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of the reply of the Viceroy of Nanking to the Shanghae Senior Consul's letter of the 7th May, respecting the desirability of introducing severer methods of punishment at the Mixed Court.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\nSir,\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Viceroy of Nanking to Senior Consul, Shanghae.**\n\n[Nanking, undated.] I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter relating to the increase in the number of crimes in the Settlement, &c. (despatch quoted).\n\nProperly, the Mixed Court does not try cases in the same manner as Departmental and District Courts. According to Chinese law, no Tribunal, except Local Courts above Departmental and District Courts, may pass death sentence. The maximum sentence that the Mixed Court is able to award has therefore been limited to five years' imprisonment, in the Rules of the Court. When the offence is of sufficient gravity to call for more severe punishment, or for a death sentence, the offender must be sentenced to be sent to the Shanghae City Magistrate for trial and judgment. This Rule cannot be changed. As regards the abolition of the use of the bamboo, it is true that the Mixed Court is unable to inflict sufficiently strong punishments on robbers, vagrants, and other bad characters, and that these criminals become more and more audacious. The manner in which this state of affairs may be remedied, without abuses occurring, must be carefully considered by the Shanghae Taotai together with yourself and the Consular Body, so as to arrive at a satisfactory decision. Besides giving orders to the Shanghae Taotai I send you this reply.\n\n[2621 cc--3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412373, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 133, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n**(No. 313.)** Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 12.)**\n\nPeking, June 26, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose in translation copy of a further Imperial Edict which was issued to-day, reiterating the prohibition against the cultivation and consumption of opium.\n\nThe fact that it has been found necessary to adopt the unusual course of repeating these instructions so often suggests the inference that the Government is not altogether satisfied with the response they have hitherto received.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Imperial Edict, dated June 26, 1907.**\n\nOPIUM is in the highest degree detrimental to the people. In an Edict of last year prohibiting the use of it, the Council of Government were commanded to frame Regulations and to direct all yamêns throughout the country to put a stop to it. In the third month of this year (13th April-11th May) a further Edict was issued, commanding that general instructions be given to act in strict accordance with the Regulations which had been submitted to the Throne, alike in respect of the cultivation, sale, and consumption of opium.\n\nThe welfare of the people is a matter of great concern to the Court, and this is a matter which must positively be put through. The Governor of Peking and the Tartar-Generals, Viceroys, and Governors of the provinces are commanded to issue strict instructions to their subordinates to put the prohibition into actual effect, to make it a matter of familiar knowledge in men's houses, to get completely rid of the evil. The Maritime Customs should keep a strict watch on the foreign opium which is imported, and the places in the interior which cultivate native opium must annually decrease the amount cultivated, in accordance with the dates sanctioned. It is further commanded that the relative merits of officials in this respect must be recognized. If the instructions are zealously carried out by an official in his own jurisdiction, it is permitted to memorialize the Throne, asking for some encouragement to be shown him. If an official merely keeps up appearances and, while outwardly obeying, secretly disregards these commands, he is to be denounced by name for punishment.\n\nIt is also commanded that an annual return of the land under opium cultivation be made, by way of verification and to meet the desire of the Court to relieve the people of this evil.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412393, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 153, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## \n\nIf I were to give any opinion on this proposal, it would be necessary for him to ascertain the views of his Government; and, for my own part, I suggested that it appeared a good moment for me to return to Peking to explain H.E.'s views to Sir J. Jordan and the Wai Wu Pu. The Viceroy approved of the last suggestion, and proceeded to furnish me with instructions for my mission. I was, he said, to inform the Wai Wu Pu of the nature and object of the loan, its amount, term, interest, price, and security, but I was not to discuss with them the other conditions of the agreement, as the Viceroy preferred to retain the settlement of these in his own hands. As the Edict of 1905 prohibiting the borrowing of foreign money for railway construction is still in force, the Viceroy could not call this a Railway loan. At the same time I was to point out that no mortgage of any railway line, or other condition derogatory to China's rights is proposed.\n\nThe provinces of ... are very hard up, and the experience of the last two years has clearly shown that it is impossible to raise the large sums required for railway construction by means of share capital alone. If, therefore, railways are to be constructed, the funds for their construction must be largely diverted from the provincial revenues; if from the revenues of one department, why not from those of the Public Works department? Again, Tsen Shun-hsuan, Viceroy designate of Canton, is negotiating with the Government for permission to borrow on exactly similar lines. Why should he, Chang, not receive at their hands the same consideration as his colleague Tsen? If the objections of the Wai Wu Pu are founded on the fear of offending other nations, I am suggesting that equal participation be given to the great Powers, England...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412399, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 159, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "My dear Fraser,\n\nIn conformity with my promise to the Viceroy I went this morning to see Na tung by appointment in order to explain to him the nature and scope of my recent negotiations in Hankow; he received me alone at his private residence. H.E. knew of course that I had been in Hankow and had been in negotiation with Chang Kung pao, but Chang had kept him and his colleagues quite in the dark as to the terms proposed. He asked what amount Chang proposed to borrow, and I told him £1,500,000, adding that more than twice that amount would be required for the railway scheme Chang had in view, and I thought it a pity that he did not negotiate for all his requirements at one time. I then went into the various points which Chang Kung pao had asked me to explain, the obstacle to borrowing directly for railway purposes, created by the Edict of 1905, financial stringency of the revenues of the province, the failure to raise native share capital.\n\nNa tung said there was no objection in principle to foreign borrowing; the days of such objection were over, and China now recognised that, where domestic resources were not available, it might be necessary to borrow outside for specific objects. A week ago, H.E. said, the Board of Finance (Tu shih pu) impressed with the dangers that begat such borrowing on irresponsible lines, memorialised the Throne proposing that in future Viceroys and...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412423, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 183, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## SECTION 5.\n\n### Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**Viceroy Yuan Shih K'ai to Consul-General Hopkins.**\n\n(Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nTien-tsin, July 14, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your note which has had my attention. The Chinese Engineering and Mining Company was originally founded as a Peiyang official concern, and our Government has never recognized its transformation into a Limited Liability Company. Some time since I ordered Taotai Chang Yi and the Customs Taotai to consult with the Representative of the Company with a view to devising some satisfactory scheme for winding-up the affairs of the Company which I could report to the throne to decide on, but as the matter has dragged on for two years without any solution coming into view, I have merely done my duty and exercised an authority which is rightly mine. My position, therefore, has been correct throughout.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Card of Viceroy Yuan.)\n\n[30121]\n\n### No. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received September 9.)**\n\nNo. 364.\n\nPeking, July 24, 1907.\n\nSir,\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 336 of the 11th instant, reporting on constitutional reform in this country, I have the honour to inclose a translation of an Imperial Edict issued on the 11th instant, which professes to mark another stage towards the goal of constitutional government.\n\nThe Edict orders the establishment of a special office for the study and reform of all ceremonial observances practised in the domestic and social life of the people.\n\nThe effect of this measure will only become apparent when the deliberations of the new office are published. In the meanwhile it is regarded as a \"job\" on the part of the Board of Ceremonies, a Ministry which has been shorn of most of its functions in recent years, and which has devised this method of obtaining a grant from the Treasury of 20,000 taels (£3,000) for initial expenses, and an annual allowance of 30,000 taels (£4,500) for upkeep and salaries.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\n**Imperial Edict, dated July 11, 1907.**\n\nTO maintain the tranquillity of Rulers and the good government of subjects there is nothing superior to [the due observance of] ceremonies. Past Emperors of our dynasty have attached prime importance to the improvement and elucidation of the teaching of ceremonies. In the reigns of Chien Lung and Tao Kuang several revisions were made of the \"Cyclopædia of Ceremonies\" for the guidance of the people. At the present time the ceremonies proper in schools, in the army, in the treatment of strangers, need to be adapted to the times, and among the people mourning, sacrifices, the assumption of the cap of manhood, marriage, utensils, palanquins, and clothes all need to be brought into due order. Some time ago the Board of Ceremonies, after requesting the sanction of the throne, established an office for the study of ceremonies, and has now submitted for our perusal a plan which it has considered and drawn up. It is hereby commanded that its proposals be put into effect. It is the duty of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Board to guide the members of that office in considering ancient and modern times, making researches into the customs of the people, and discriminating among them till they are quite as they should be. They should then memorialize the throne, and ask for their scheme to be promulgated, so that all men may enter upon the right path. It is our earnest hope that \"the unchanging rule will be rectified, and the people roused to virtue,\" thus doing their part towards our purpose of establishing a Constitution.\n\n[2652 i-5] \n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n| Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| --- | --- |\n| 0. | 34181 REC 139 [September Ep 07 |\n| (This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governmekt.] | |\n\n2 \n\nChinese Engineering and Mining Company (Limited), cannot allow confiscation of the Company's property.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nL. C. HOPKINS.\n\nPage 34181 \n## \nNo other content on this page.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412468, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 228, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# (This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n1 \n35258 [September 9.] \n\n## CHINA TRADE. \n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n[30119] \n\nNo. 1. \n**RECS, 4 OCT 07 SECTION 4.** \n\n## Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 9.) \n(No. 362.) Sir, \n\nPeking, July 25, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 310 of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum, which has been drawn up by Mr. Garnett from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls and from Mission stations 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(Signed) J. N. JORDAN, \n\n### Inclosure in No. 1. \n**Memorandum by Mr. Garnett respecting Opium.** \n\n#### Canton. \nHIS Majesty's Consul-General reports on the 29th June as follows:-- \n\n\"When the Imperial Edict was first issued there was a considerable movement among the anti-opium Societies and the student class in the way of a propaganda against the drug. Some well-attended meetings were held and strong speeches made against it. No official action was, however, taken, beyond an order issued by the Viceroy some three or four months ago that all officials were to stop using opium within six months on pain of dismissal. \n\n\"It has now been announced that on the 1st of the 7th moon (9th August) all the opium divans must register themselves, and the lower class ones, where 'dross' is chiefly consumed, will be closed. The police have also been instructed to stop the consumption of opium in all hotels, restaurants, and brothels from the same date. It is curious to note that during the past few months the Provincial Government has been doing its utmost to create opium farms for the two Kuang provinces on the lines of the Hong Kong farm. How the suppression of the drug and fair play to the farmer were to be made compatible does not appear. However, the scheme has fallen through, owing to the immense practical difficulties it presents, and possibly also because the Viceroy has now realized that the Central Government is really in earnest. It is satisfactory to note that, in spite of the official apathy hitherto displayed, a strong feeling has been aroused, especially among the younger generation, against opium smoking, which no longer holds the place it did as a fashionable vice on festive occasions. From cases of the cure of confirmed smokers which have come under my notice, I feel convinced that the taking of opium into the system by means of the pipe is a far less deeply-rooted vice than that of opium-eating, or of the hypodermic injection of morphia.\" \n\n#### Changsha. \nMissionary reports from this district are fairly encouraging. A number of Proclamations have been issued by the local officials, and a time fixed for the closing of the opium shops, while no new ones have been allowed to open. The provincial authorities have decided, too, to open establishments to receive those desirous of abandoning the opium habit. A general desire for the success of the anti-opium movement is expressed, but the missionaries from whose reports the above facts are taken work in districts where either no opium is grown or a very limited area is given up to the poppy.\n\n[2641-4] \nB \n225 \nPage 35258", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - 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": 412470, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 230, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 207\n\n4\n\nThe Colonel had already in January, on information contained through the local press, given his soldiers three months in which to break off the habit, and had dismissed those who failed to do so; local opinion is generally in favour of the prohibition. The Magistrate, a heavy smoker, has given up the use of opium, and others are following his example. Mr. Witt, however, does not consider that any remarkable movement has as yet started, and mentions the fact that some are buying ahead for the time when the sale will be definitely forbidden. No measures have as yet been taken to restrict the cultivation of poppy, and 10 per cent. of the land is said to be used for its growth. The invariable reply in the negative as to the restrictions on smokers is again given, but all dens are to be closed by the end of June. As far as medicines are concerned, pills containing opium are used, and also a plant found in the hills.\n\n## Kansu (three Reports)\n\nThe \"Ten Articles\" were posted in Chin Chou on the 10th May, and no further action was taken; the publication caused a little talk for a few days, but nothing was done, as officials were awaiting more stringent orders from Peking. In Ping-liang and Ch'in Chou there is an increase in the area planted; an official at the latter place exhorted the people by proclamation \"to plant for all they were worth,\" the result being that five times the usual amount was sown. Nothing has been done to restrict smokers, but Mr. Harding makes the significant remark that the increase in the price of opium has caused people to take to drink. At Ku-kiang the `pao Kuei` tax has been removed and more opium has been sold than ever, whereas an increase in the same tax at Ch'in Chou has caused shops to close. Excepting the above statement, queries 5 and 6 are answered in the negative. A Proclamation was issued at Ch'in Chou telling the people of a herb for a cure, and giving an illustration of it, but beyond that nothing further has been done.\n\n## Shensi (three Reports)\n\nAt Wukung in November of last year a Proclamation was issued containing a general exhortation against planting, and in January of this year the \"Ten Articles\" were published. The Decree was also published in Lan-tien, and the Magistrate sent out a preacher to exhort the people to give up the habit, smokers also being forbidden to teach in the schools. The Decree was published in Li-chuan on the 29th May. The attitude of the gentry is generally described as indifferent, and as far as cultivation is concerned an increase is reported from Wukung. The remaining queries are all answered negatively with the exception of the mention of a few missionary efforts to cure the people by the use of medicine supplied by the Missions.\n\n## Ichung\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reported on the 1st July that, so far as he could ascertain, no steps had up to that date been taken to enforce the Opium Regulations in the Ichang district.\n\n## Kashgar\n\nMr. Macartney reported at the end of April, \"The Chinese orders prohibiting the use of opium have so far had no effect on the Chinese population of Yarkand, Karghalik, Goma, and Khotan. Indeed, most of the Chinese seem to be ignorant of the existence of the order.\"\n\n## Kiukiang\n\nA missionary in the Kiukiang Consular district reports from I-yang, a district in which practically no land is devoted to the cultivation of the poppy, that nothing has yet been done to restrict smokers nor to inspect opium shops. No Proclamations had been issued up to May, but a new Mandarin had arrived who was said to be preparing one. No official action had been taken in pursuance of the Imperial Regulations, nor had the local officials and gentry set any example in giving up the habit. Medicines had been ordered from Nanchang, but none had as yet arrived.\n\nFurther missionary reports are to the same effect, though in the Kian prefecture one missionary stated on the 14th June that a Proclamation was about to be issued, the gist of which was to be to the effect that all opium dens must be closed by the 8th August, and that no opium is to be retailed in inns or restaurants after that date.\n\nStill further missionary reports state that practically nothing whatever is being done to enforce the Imperial Regulations, though it is thought that in August something may be begun.\n\n5\n\n## Mongolia\n\nA missionary with an area of observation of about 800 English square miles reports from Kwei-hua-cheng that more land is devoted to poppy cultivation this year than last. The Tartar General has issued a strict Proclamation to the Mongols against the use of opium, and it is said that they have obeyed the command, but the Chinese still continue to sow, to sell, and to smoke as before.\n\n## Ningpo\n\nMissionary reports forwarded by His Majesty's Consul show that except for a few Proclamations nothing has been done towards enforcing the Imperial Regulations, while in some districts more land is being devoted to the poppy than before.\n\nEarly in June a Proclamation was issued by the Magistrate under instructions from Hangchow to the effect that all opium shops were to be closed on the 8th August. The Magistrate as well as the Prefect were confirmed opium-smokers, but it is stated that both have now given up the habit.\n\n## Peking\n\nA native newspaper published on the 28th June that, \"The Government Council is considering the imposition of a fine, varying with the rank of the offender, on all officials, from Princes and Ministers down to the lowest ranks, who fail to abandon the use of opium, the proceeds of the fine to be devoted to the 'patriotic fund'.\"\n\n## Tengyueh\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports that various officials have informed him that no steps will be taken to carry out the Imperial Regulations until the autumn. The Regulations are not, it appears, being looked upon by the officials or the people seriously. It is difficult to see how the Chinese can suppress the poppy cultivation; the vast majority of officials never go outside their yamên walls except to pay calls. Exhortation will certainly not deter the Yunnanese from cultivating poppy and producing opium, and force dare not be applied.\n\n## Tien-tsin\n\nA missionary, writing on the 21st March from beyond the Great Wall, states that Proclamations, giving the gist of the Edict dealing with opium, have been scattered widely over the territory, and a heavy tax will be imposed on land used for its growth. The general impression is said to be that the programme would not be seriously carried out unless there were some strong men at head-quarters to make the Governors and District Magistrates of the Empire feel that serious business is meant. A native has informed the same missionary that, in his opinion, there is too much opium used in the Palace for the crusade to be pushed too hard. From Lucheng, South Shensi, it is reported that the Magistrate, \"a big opium smoker and eater, has done nothing beyond posting the provincial Proclamations in the yamên. Taxes to be increased. No local movement.\" Of the city of Li Cheng it is reported that the Magistrate is a non-smoker, and has posted a Proclamation, giving ten years to slowly cease growing, the tax being increased each year. From Hsuan Hua-fu, three days north of Peking, the issue is reported of a Proclamation by the Governor ordering people to abandon opium. But a later Proclamation by a local official requested the people still to cultivate the poppy, otherwise great loss to revenue would ensue. So the people are perplexed what to do. The Prefect and District Magistrate are freely distributing native-made opium medicines to those desirous of breaking off the habit. In Hsuan Hua-fu only about ... per cent. of the land is planted with poppy, the land being too poor for such cultivation. The gentry seem indifferent in the matter. From Taiyuan-fu it is reported by a missionary, who recently visited the places where opium is most extensively cultivated in Shansi, that on the borders of the district he found there was some diminution this year in the amount of opium grown, but in disregard of the Governor's Edicts, throughout the greater portion of the district the cultivation of the poppy was being carried on as extensively as ever.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412471, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 231, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CHINA TRADE, CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[30046]\n\n### No. 1.\n\n#### Foreign Office to China Association.\n\n35258\n\nRECD [September 14].\n\nOCT 07\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, September 14, 1907.\n\nOn the 23rd ultimo a letter was addressed to you from this Office relative to the alleged project for creating an opium monopoly at Nanking.\n\nI am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that, having learnt that a Proclamation had been issued by the Viceroy establishing a monopoly from the 8th instant, a telegram was addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking on the subject.\n\nSir J. Jordan had addressed a protest to the Wai-wu Pu on the 19th ultimo against the establishment of such a monopoly, and at an interview on the 27th of that month the Ministers, while arguing that a Government monopoly of prepared opium would be essential for the success of their prohibitive measures, agreed to postpone action pending further exchange of views on the whole question.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul at Nanking has now reported to Sir J. Jordan the issue of a Proclamation by the Opium Monopoly Bureau, postponing the whole scheme pending the issue of negotiations between His Majesty's Minister and the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) **F. A. CAMPBELL**.\n\n[2641 0~2]\n\nsively as ever. A perusal of the missionary reports from Shansi shows that little or nothing is being done to enforce the Imperial Regulations, while more land than ever is being devoted to poppy cultivation.\n\nWuhu.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports that he is informed from certain portions of his district that so far the local officials have done absolutely nothing to give effect to the Imperial Edict; that there has been no reduction in the area under opium cultivation; and that the number of opium dens in the district in question is steadily increasing. Morphia is being imported in large quantities and is very generally used, the so-called anti-opium medicines being largely composed of that drug. It is doubtful whether the Taotai at Wuhu will take any active measures in support of the Imperial Edict, as he is afraid of provoking a riot which he has not any adequate force to quell.\n\nMukden.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul-General reports that orders with regard to the closing of opium-smoking saloons by the 26th May seem to have been universally obeyed. Both in Mukden and other towns all these places have ceased business.\n\nThe provisions with regard to the licensing of smokers in their own houses have not been carried out. This is of course a much more difficult matter, and has been everywhere shirked up to the present time. The Governor-General and Governor have put out a Proclamation in simple language exhorting the people to give up the habit, and stating that the licensing system will soon be put into force.\n\nShops for the sale of opium are still allowed freely to sell the raw drug. It is an easy matter for smokers to prepare the opium paste from this in their own houses.\n\nOpium is being grown in the same quantity as usual in Manchuria this year.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n298 \n## Page 298 \n\nNo changes made to page numbering metadata. The text is already in a logical order. \n\nAll corrections made according to the rules.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412472, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 232, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# \n\n2 \n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**CHINA TRADE.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[23144]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[July 9.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n229\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, July 9, 1907.\n\nMr. Mitchell-Thomson,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government undertook to meet the expenses of the conservancy works on the River Huangpu and the bar at Woosung by an annual grant of 460,000 taels, for the provision of which the entire opium revenues of Szechuan and Suchow were earmarked; what provision, if any, has been made, since the issue of the Edict prohibiting the opium traffic, for the continuance of the grant; and whether the completion of the work is regarded by His Majesty's Government as assured.\n\n## Answer.\n\nThe reply to the first part is in the affirmative. The Chinese Government have not, since the promulgation of the Opium Decree, proposed to furnish any additional security for the purpose named, but it must be borne in mind that ten years have been allowed for the extinction of the traffic, and that meanwhile the revenue is being collected. Moreover, in the Agreement between China and the Powers on the subject it is stipulated that if the security mentioned by the honourable Member becomes insufficient she must provide the balance from other sources. The latest report - namely, that for the September quarter of 1906 - that has been received shows that a satisfactory beginning has been made with the work, and I have, so far, no reason to doubt that it will be completed in due time.\n\n[2564 i-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412474, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 234, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\nIn order to give practical effect to this sympathy they have, after consulting the Government of India, informed the Chinese Government that-\n\n1. They accept in principle the proposal that the import of Indian opium into China shall be diminished by one-tenth annually, pari passu with an equal decrease in the production of the native drug, up to the year 1910, and they will continue to reduce at the same rate the export in 1911 and subsequent years, on proof that China has carried out its share of the arrangement;\n\n2. They have informed the Chinese Government that they have no objection to a Chinese official being stationed at Calcutta, provided that he has no direct powers of interference with customs arrangements--that is a matter to which the Indian Government attached great importance;\n\n3. His Majesty's Government have informed the Chinese Government that they are prepared to assent to such enhancement of the customs and li-kin duty on foreign opium as will make its taxation in China equivalent to the taxation actually levied on native opium, differences in relative value and quality being taken into consideration.\n\nSteps have been taken to reduce the area of poppy cultivation in Bengal, which in the five years preceding 1906-7 averaged 615,000 acres, and in 1907-8 is not to exceed 562,000 acres. In 1907 the number of chests of Bengal opium fixed for sale was originally 4,400 a-month. This has now been reduced to 4,000 a-month, while for 1908 it has been fixed at 3,900 a-month. Further reductions will be fixed in succeeding years if the proposed arrangement with the Chinese Government becomes operative.\n\nI hope that information, so far as it goes, will be satisfactory to the right reverend Prelate.\n\n## CHINA TRADE\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[31718]\n\n### (No. 373.)\n\nSir,\n\n#### No. 1.\n\n231\n\n[September 23.]\n\n#### SECTION 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 23.)\n\nPeking, August 6, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of a correspondence which has passed between His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae and myself with regard to apprehensions expressed by the Shanghae branch of the China Association as to the effect which the enforcement of the Opium Edict may have upon the guarantee given in Clause X of the Whangpoo Conservancy Convention of September 1905.\n\nWhatever may be the final outcome of the efforts that are being made for the suppression of the opium habit, it seems to me to be premature to raise this question at the present moment.\n\nIn a communication dated the 25th June last, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, the \"Times\" correspondent at Shanghae, who is intimately connected with the civic life of the place, stated that the opium crop in Hsüchow Fu and Szechuan, the two districts whose duties form the subject of the guarantee in question, is unusually good this year, and that the area under poppy cultivation is undiminished.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n#### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nThe Lord Bishop of Southwark: I am extremely obliged to the noble Lord.\n\n### (No. 99.)\n\nSir,\n\nConsul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nShanghae, July 18, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith copy of a letter dated the 12th July which I have received from the Shanghae branch of the China Association, in which, with reference to Article X of the Convention signed by China and the Powers on the 27th September, 1905, they express their apprehension that the suppression of the opium trade contemplated by the Chinese Government may seriously affect the Whangpoo conservancy scheme.\n\nSir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) PELHAM WARREN.\n\n#### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Skottowe to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nChina Association (Shanghae Branch), July 12, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that the Committee of this Association, in view of the Imperial Edicts for the suppression of the opium trade, regard with apprehension the effect this step will have on the conservancy of the Whangpoo.\n\nClause X of the Convention of September 1905 lays down that China is to provide 460,000 Haikwan taels per annum for twenty years, and gives as guarantee the entire duties on the opium of Szechuan and Hsüchow Fu, in Kiangsu.\n\nMy Committee cannot too strongly impress on His Majesty's Minister that, should China on this pretext evade her Treaty obligations, steps should be taken to obtain a guarantee from the Chinese Government that the necessary funds for the conservancy work, as laid down in Article X referred to above, should be forthcoming.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) E. B. SKOTTOWE, Chairman.\n\n[2641-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412509, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 269, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# Articles of Agreement\n\nthe Syndicate banks will hold the proceeds with accrued interest to the order of the Director-General, who, in ordering payment of any sums exceeding $80,000, shall give notice to the Syndicate banks ten days before the day on which they are required.\n\n## Art. 15\nIf during the time of construction the whole amount of the instalments, with accrued interest to be paid by the Syndicate banks, should, after deduction of the sums necessary for the service of interest on the loan, not be sufficient for the construction of the railway line, the amount of deficiency shall be provided by a supplementary loan to be issued by the Syndicate banks, the interest and other conditions of which are to be the same as in the present Agreement, but the price thereof shall be arranged when the time arrives according to the condition of the market. If after the completion of the line there should be a balance at credit of the railway account, the Syndicate banks shall transfer such unused balance to the credit of the interest reserve fund, hereinafter mentioned in Article as a provision for payments to which the Chinese Government is bound by Article 8 of this Agreement.\n\n## Art. 16\nIf before the publication of the prospectus for the issue of the loan any political or financial crisis should take place by which the market and the prices of existing Chinese Government stocks are so affected as to render the successful issue of the loan impossible on the terms herein named, the Syndicate banks shall be granted further extension of time, but not beyond eighteen months from the date of this Agreement, for the performance of their contract. If within this time limit the first series of the loan shall not have been issued, then this contract shall become null and void.\n\n## Art. 17\nThe railway will be built and controlled by the Imperial Chinese Government, who will select and appoint a German Chief Engineer for the northern section and a British Chief Engineer for the southern section.\n\nThe Chief Engineers will be under the orders of the Managing Director, but whenever appointments are to be made on the railway staff or functions are to be defined of the technical employés, as well as in the case of their dismissal, the Managing Director will act in consultation with the respective Chief Engineer, and the decision will be subject to the sanction of the Director-General.\n\n## Art. 18\nAs remuneration for all services rendered by the Syndicate during construction of the railway, the Syndicate shall receive the sum of £..., half of which shall be paid when the construction work is half completed, but not later than eighteen months after commencement of construction, and the other half upon completion of the line. This amount shall be regarded as a commutation of all commission to which the Syndicate would properly be entitled, and of payments of all services rendered in the construction and equipment of the railway, in respect of the present loan.\n\nIn return for this commuted commission the Director-General is entitled to require the Syndicate to superintend the purchase of all materials required for the construction and equipment of the railway, which shall be purchased in the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality. At equal rates and qualities goods of German and British manufacture shall be given preference over other goods of foreign origin for the northern and southern sections respectively. Invoices and inspectors' certificates are to be submitted to the Director-General.\n\nWith a view to encouraging Chinese industries, Chinese Government and other materials are to be preferred, provided price and quality are suitable.\n\nNo commission shall be allowed to the Syndicate on the purchase of materials except as above provided. All trade discounts or rebate, if any, are, during construction, to go to the construction account, and, after completion, to the credit of the railway.\n\n## Art. 19\nThe Director-General will endeavour to arrange with the Chinese Imperial Government regulations for the payment of li-kin and duty upon merchandise and live stock in transit over the railway line, and these regulations shall not be less favourable than any arrangements made for the same purpose with other most-favoured railways in China built with capital borrowed from foreign countries.\n\n## Art. 20\nAll materials necessary for the construction and working of the line obtained either from foreign countries or from other provinces of China, and the revenue derived from the railway as well as the railway's landed property, shall, in virtue of its being a Government railway, be exempt from duty or taxation of all kinds, and the Imperial Government of China will instruct the Customs, Li-kin, and local authorities accordingly. This exception shall continue until such time as the Imperial Government imposes duties and taxes on other lines of railways.\n\n## Art. 21\nBranch lines or extensions in connection with the railway line mentioned in this Agreement that may appear profitable or necessary later on shall be built by the Imperial Government with funds at their disposal from Chinese sources, and if foreign capital is required preference will be given to the Syndicate banks.\n\n## Art. 22\nBy the Preliminary Agreement under Imperial sanction a participation of 20 per cent. of the net profits has been promised to the Syndicate Banks in remuneration for their general responsibility and services. In commutation of this participation in net profits, the Syndicate banks are granted the right to retain ... points of the price of the loan, that is to say, that if the banks should take the loan, e.g., at the fixed price of 94 per cent., they will hand over to the Chinese Government only ... per cent., and in case of the loan being floated in two or more series, the banks will be given a flotation commission of ... per cent., instead of 5 per cent., as stipulated in Article 13, retainable by the banks from the proceeds of the second and any subsequent issue of the loan.\n\n## Art. 23\nOf the surplus of the net annual revenue of the railway line after payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan, an amount equal to not less than that required to pay the ensuing year's instalments of interest shall be deposited with the Syndicate banks, and shall bear interest at the market rate.\n\n## Art. 24\nThe Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) may, subject to all their obligations hereunder, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions hereunder to any German or British Company, Directors, or agents with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the Director-General.\n\n## Art. 25\nThis Agreement is signed under authority of an Imperial Edict dated ..., which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Germany and Great Britain in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 26\nFive sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by the Yuchuan Pu, one by the Board of Commerce, one by the Director-General, one by the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and one by the Chinese Central Railways (Limited). In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\n(Extract.)\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n\n### Mr. Cordes to Mr. Mayers\n\nPeking, July 24, 1907.\n\nIn the event of no sufficient special security being found available, I think Mr. Hillier's suggestion of forgoing a specified security might very well be submitted to the consideration of our Boards in London and Berlin. It says: \"**Payment of interest and principal to be unconditionally guaranteed by the Imperial Chinese Government. No specific security to be hypothecated; but in the event of the Chinese Government at any future time hypothecating internal revenues for other loans, the present loan to have priority. In the event of default, the Chinese Government undertakes to arrange (with the Powers concerned), in consultation with the trustees of the bondholders, for the assignment, under suitable guarantees, of internal revenues sufficient for the payment of the annual loan service.**\"\n\nMr. Hillier adds: \"It is becoming more and more difficult to think of any tangible and accessible security which can be earmarked nowadays for Chinese loans; and it is to guarantee and good faith of the Chinese Government that we really have to look for our security in the future. The form I suggest seems to me to create the soundest security that is now possible. It would probably also appeal to the Chinese as removing the necessity of immediate hypothecation, while at the same time creating a useful precedent.\"\n\nPage 206", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412515, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 275, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "272 \n\n2 \n\nThis complete volte-face on the part of the Viceroy closes a phase of the negotiations which has latterly degenerated into something very like comic opera. It has, indeed, been impossible during the past fortnight to keep pace by letter with the almost daily developments which have taken place, and I do not propose to weary you with a recapitulation of their intricate details. All I will now attempt is a review of the later phases assumed by the negotiations, of the causes at work, and of the position in which, in my judgment, the general question of the loan is now left. Copies of telegrams which have passed since the 21st June are here inclosed.\n\nThe interview of the 26th June with the Viceroy's deputies, who had evidently come armed with very precise instructions, convinced me that there were other forces at work besides the legitimate desire of the Viceroy to extract from us favourable terms. It seemed to me just possible that if the Viceroy could be induced to accept the British and Chinese Corporation as the principal party to the Agreement, the objections of the French might be overcome. He could assign no reasons except sentimental ones for not doing so. The Peking Government could have no possible objection to the British and Chinese Corporation, seeing that they concluded an Agreement with them only a few months ago, and it was plain to me that there was something more than flattering preference behind Chang's persistent demand for the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank alone. In my opinion, we have not far to look for the explanation.\n\nOf the forces which are working to shape the future of Hankow and of the Upper Yang-tsze at the present moment, none is more conspicuous or more striking than the growing influence of the Japanese. There are said to be some 5,000 Japanese in or about Wuchang. They are found at Changsha and at Ichang, their flag is to be seen everywhere on the river, and the Viceroy, strongly pro-Japanese in his sympathies, is surrounded by a ring of Japanese advisers, whose influence is perceptible at every turn. Their distinct methods of business and their peculiar way of acquiring information separate them from other foreigners. That they have great ambitions in the Yang-tsze valley, there can be no manner of doubt, and their object seems to be to conquer as much by a process of absorption by numbers as by the ordinary competition of trade. They evidently have reasons for attaching a great deal of importance to obtaining a share in the present railway scheme. They have no money to contribute, but they have labour and they have materials, and it is therefore obviously of the greatest importance to them to arrange, if possible, that the loan with which the railways are to be built should carry with it no vexatious conditions likely to affect them in these fields of industry.\n\nIf this hypothesis is correct—and it is strikingly borne out by what has come under my own observation—it is no longer difficult to account for the Japanese objection to the British and Chinese Corporation, and for their strong preference for the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, which, as a purely financial institution, does not concern itself with the questions of labour and materials.\n\nWith this conviction in my mind, and under the discouraging impression of the interview of the 26th June, at which the deputies practically went back on every clause of the proposed Agreement which made the business possible, I sent you my telegram of the 27th June, and the promptness of your reply showed at least that you had little hesitation in approving the action proposed.\n\nMy own opinion was equally clear, but I was in a somewhat different position. I felt, when it came to the point, that I had to consider not only the interests of the bank, but those of the British Government, which, in this respect, had practically been committed to my charge, and I had therefore to consider how far I was justified in jeopardizing, without the gravest reasons, the British preference which our Government had been at so much pains to obtain.\n\nOn the 29th June, I received a note from the Specie Bank, asking if the Japanese Consul might call and see me. The account of this interview and the subsequent interview and correspondence with Mr. Midzuno, I inclose herewith.\n\nHe evidently came to see me under express instructions, and the correspondence will interest you as disclosing the Japanese point of view on this side.\n\nMr. Midzuno's recollections of what passed at these interviews did not accord at all times with mine, but you will note that, with regard at least to the nominal nature of the participation which the Specie Bank desires to have in the issue of the loan, Mr. Midzuno and I are agreed. The request to appear in the prospectus merely as an agent to receive applications for bonds appears harmless enough, however unaccountable its motive, and perhaps you can see your way to conceding them this much.\n\nOn the 30th June, I received a note from Fraser, who was away at Kuling, which confirmed my opinion as to the necessity for prudence in taking the step proposed in \nmy telegram to you of the 27th June, and I accordingly left for Kuling that night in order to confer with him.\n\nOn my return to Hankow on the 3rd July, I found that Cordes had called to see me. He told Taylor that he had been staying at the Viceroy's yamên since the 28th ultimo, arranging the Tien-tsin-Chinkiang Final Agreement. The Viceroy had mentioned my negotiations, and Cordes had made him an offer; he did not tell Taylor what the offer was. As he, Cordes, was leaving on the previous day, the Viceroy told him he had just received a telegram from the Wai-wu Pu instructing him not to proceed with his negotiations with me.\n\nI reported this to the Consulate, who wired it to the Legation, and Sir J. Jordan at once asked for an interview with the Wai-wu Pu. The Board, I understand, informed Sir John that they had heard of the negotiations going on in Hankow, and had wired to Chang Chih-Tung to ask him what it was all about, but they could get no reply out of him. They raised no objection to the French, nor, in principle, to Chang's borrowing; they only wanted him to make a clean breast of it and let them know what his requirements were and what he was doing. They did not confirm the statement that they had wired to Chang not to proceed with the negotiations. The German Minister, they said, had called on them on the subject, and, from his attitude, they feared there would be some trouble with him. With regard to the principle of borrowing money for public works and spending it on railways, they were not prepared at the moment to express an opinion; they wanted further information from Chang.\n\nThe result of this interview was telegraphed by Sir John Jordan to Fraser, who had in the meantime returned from Kuling. Fraser telegraphed to Peking for instructions how to act in the event of Chang attempting to break off negotiations over the question of French participation. Your own instructions to myself on this point, I looked upon as covered by your telegram to me of the 4th July.\n\nSir J. Jordan's reply was to the effect that Fraser should, in the event named, warn the Viceroy against the consequences of his unfriendly attitude towards the French, and hold him to his engagement with the British Government.\n\nArmed with these instructions, we prepared ourselves for a somewhat disagreeable interview with Chang on the 7th instant.\n\nThe Viceroy, however, was never more cheerful. He at once launched into an exposition of his views on the new situation which had been created by Sir J. Jordan's interview with the Wai-wu Pu, winding up with the astounding proposition that not only the French, but also the Germans, should be admitted as parties to the Loan Agreement.\n\nMr. Fraser observed that, before committing himself to any opinion on this proposal, it would be necessary for him to ascertain the views of his Government; and, for my own part, I suggested that it appeared a good moment for me to return to Peking and explain his Excellency's views to Sir J. Jordan and the Wai-wu Pu. The Viceroy approved of the last suggestion, and proceeded to furnish me with instructions for my mission. I was, he said, to inform the Wai-wu Pu of the nature and object of the loan, its amount, term, interest, price, and security, but I was not to discuss with them the other conditions of the Agreement, as the Viceroy preferred to retain the settlement of these in his own hands. As the Edict of 1905 prohibiting the borrowing of foreign money for railway construction is still in force, the Viceroy could not call this a railway loan. At the same time, I was to point out that no mortgage of any railway line or other condition derogatory to China's rights is proposed. The Province of Hupei is very hard up, and the experience of the last two years has clearly shown that it is impossible to raise the large sums required for railway construction by means of share capital alone. If, therefore, railways are to be constructed, the funds for their construction must be largely diverted from the provincial revenues, and if from the revenues of one Department, why not from those of the Public Works Department? Again, Tsen Shun-hsuan, Viceroy-designate of Canton, is treating with the Government for permission to borrow on exactly similar lines. Why should he, Chang, not receive at their hands the same consideration as his colleague Tsen? If the objections of the Wai-wu Pu are founded on the fear of offending other nations, I am to suggest that equal participation be given to the Great Powers, England, France, and Germany, although the Viceroy would prefer that the Agreement should be made in the name of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank alone, the provisions for participation being embodied in a final clause, as in the 1905 Loan Agreement. Having arranged these points satisfactorily with the Wai-wu Pu, I am to let him know through Mr. Fraser, and we can then proceed to the discussion of the other terms of the Agreement.\n\n[2636 i-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412517, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 277, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### China Railways\n\n#### Letter from E. G. Hillier\n\ncreated by the Edict of 1905, the financial stringency of the revenues of the province, and the failure to raise native share capital.\n\nNa-tung said there was no objection in principle to foreign borrowing. The days of such objection were over, and China now recognized that, where domestic resources were not available, it might be necessary to borrow outside for specific objects. A week ago, his Excellency said, the Board of Finance (\"Tu-chih Pu\"), impressed with the dangers that beset such borrowing on irresponsible lines, memorialized the Throne, proposing that in future Viceroys and Governors wishing to borrow for any urgent public purpose should be required as a preliminary to memorialize the Throne, stating clearly the object of the proposed loan and the sources from which it was proposed to pay the interest and refund the principal. The Throne was to refer the Memorial to the Board of Finance for report, and, if their report was favourable, the provincial authorities would be authorized to proceed with the negotiations and submit the Final Agreement to the Board for their approval, after which the remaining formalities required in the case of a foreign loan could be proceeded with. His Excellency wished to point out to me as a friend that the course adopted by Chang Kung-pao could only result in waste of time and disappointment on both sides, since, unless the above procedure were complied with, any agreement we might come to would most certainly be thrown out by the Board of Finance on reference to them. I asked his Excellency if the new regulations also applied to railway loans. He replied that they applied to all foreign loans. I presume from this that the new regulations may be taken as replacing and tacitly rescinding the prohibition of 1905, but I did not put this question to Na-tung. What he said left me in no doubt as to the course to be followed in the present instance, and I shall be glad if you will be so kind as to communicate the substance of it to his Excellency Chang.\n\nThe general impression I derived from Na-tung's remarks was, first, that the attitude of the Peking authorities towards foreign loans has undergone a fresh change—they are prepared to recognize the necessity for these under special circumstances, but desire to retain the control of them in their own hands; and, secondly, that it is the intention in future to vest the control of such matters in the Board of Finance instead of in the Wai-wu Pu as formerly. It was quite in accordance with the enunciation of this new principle that Na-tung exhibited but little interest in the other terms of the proposed loan, and our conversation was confined almost entirely to a discussion of the general question of foreign borrowing under the new regulations. The questions of British preference and of French participation were not referred to, and I did not think it politic to raise these points.\n\nI have not seen the Memorial of the Board of Finance. A short abstract of it appears in yesterday's \"Gazette,\" but it merely refers to the dangers of foreign borrowing and the necessity of precautionary measures for its control in order to avoid future trouble. I am trying to obtain the full text, which Na told me is easily obtainable, and if I procure it, I will send you a copy.\n\nFrom our point of view, I think the result of the interview is satisfactory, since it leaves the situation in a clear and intelligible light, though I am afraid the procedure imposed by the new regulations will not harmonize with Chang's feverish anxiety to raise railway funds. There seems very little doubt, in fact, that the regulations are a direct outcome of the recent negotiations at Hankow, which have been watched up here with anxiety and apparent disapproval. The door seems now closed to any resumption of these on the previous lines. If they are reopened, it will have to be with the cognizance and approval of the Board, which will give them the Imperial character so strongly advocated from the first by our friends at home.\n\nYours, &c.\n(Signed) E. G. HILLIER.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n### Foreign Office to Colonial Office\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n(28629)\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nForeign Office, September 9, 1907.\n\nI am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo, on the subject of the claims of the French Government in respect of French participation in the proposed Canton-Hankow Railway loan, and to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the points raised therein have been given careful consideration.\n\nIt is understood from paragraph 7 of your letter that the Earl of Elgin's objection to the terms of the proposed reply to the French Ambassador is based on the fact that, in his opinion, the position taken up in the French Memorandum is inconsistent with the proposal on which his predecessor was consulted in November 1905, and constitutes, in fact, a new departure, and that His Majesty's Government may in future be held to have tacitly concurred therein, seeing that the proposed reply contains no refutation of the present claims of the French Government.\n\nSir E. Grey thinks that Lord Elgin's objection may be removed if the following alterations were made to the draft reply:\n\nBetween the third and fourth paragraphs, between the words \"held it\" and \"While His Majesty's Government,\" the following paragraph might be inserted:\n\n\"It is not, moreover, quite clear what is the extent of the claim of the French Government in this matter. M. Cambon was informed in the Memorandum communicated to him on the 24th January, 1906, that His Majesty's Government would be glad if an arrangement could be made for the co-operation of a French financial group in the Hankow-Canton Railway enterprise, but that they would prefer to leave the settlement of the details to the financiers of the two countries; that His Majesty's Government understood that the capital of the proposed British Company was to be at the disposal of the British and Chinese Corporation and of the French group in equal moieties; and that the Chairman of the Company was to be a British subject appointed by the British group and that he would have a casting vote. His Majesty's Government adhere to this attitude, which is based (as in the case of the Agreement arrived at in October 1905, as to British and French co-operation in the railway projects of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited)) on the principle of the employment in equal proportion of British and French engineers and of British and French materials for railway construction.\"\n\nIn paragraph 4, between the words \"no advantage in\" and \"an intimation,\" the following words might be inserted:\n\n\"The scope of the engagements they took in January 1906 being extended to the fresh points raised in the two last paragraphs of the Memorandum communicated by M. Cambon, and more especially in.\"\n\nThese points were not touched upon in the reply as originally drafted, as Sir E. Grey was desirous of not emphasizing any points of dissent that might exist between the two Governments, but he will be glad to make the proposed alterations if Lord Elgin's objection can thereby be removed.\n\nA draft Memorandum, revised accordingly, is inclosed for Lord Elgin's consideration, and I am to inquire whether his Lordship would concur in its communication to the French Ambassador.\n\nI am, &c.\n(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n* Memorandum communicated to M. Geoffray, September 17, 1907.\n\n[2656-5]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412549, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 309, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### No. 1. SECTION 2.\n#### (No. 14.) Sir,\nConsul-General Wilkinson to Sir Edward Grey,(Received October 5.)\n\nYunnan-fu, August 17, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a report which I have made to His Majesty's Minister at Peking on anti-opium Regulations in Yunnan Province and their observance.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nW. H. WILKINSON,\n\n#### (No. 18.) Sir,\nInclosure 1 in No. 1. \nConsul-General Wilkinson to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nYunnan-fu, August 14, 1907.\n\nON my return from local leave I learnt, by your Circular of the 11th March, that the members resident in the provinces of Yünnan and Kueichow of the China Inland Mission had been asked to send in to me reports as to the progress of the anti-opium movement.\n\nI waited in vain for several weeks before the first of the promised reports reached me. So far I have only received five of them, one from Yunnan-fu, two from Ping-yi, and two from Ch'ü-ching. Others (though of this I am not sanguine) may later on arrive; but I feel that I ought not to longer delay my own report. I have accordingly the honour to forward the five returns in question, together with a Memorandum by myself.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nW. H. WILKINSON.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n#### Memorandum respecting Anti-Opium Regulations in Yünnan Province and their Observance.\n\nWHEN the ten proposals for carrying into effect the prohibition of opium (of which a translation accompanied Sir John Jordan's Circular of the 1st December, 1906) reached Yunnan-fu, notifications embodying them were duly issued by the Provincial Government. Otherwise, with one exception, it would not appear that any attention whatever was paid to them. The exception was the inspection of opium shops and dens (Articles 4 and 5) with a view to their suppression within a given time. The Home Magistrate of Yunnan city, after issuing in conjunction with the Police Department a notification on the 1st day of the 3rd moon (13th April) sent runners to each establishment, giving notice that it would have to close by the end of the 6th moon (8th August).\n\nSo things remained up to the time of the arrival from Szechuan of the present Governor-General, Hsi-liang, in May. Even he does not appear to have done much more than dismiss some too notorious smokers in his yamôn, until he received the Imperial Edict of the 25th June, ordering once for all the putting into force of the prohibition of the cultivation, sale, and consumption of opium. The semi-official \"Yunnan Gazette\" (\"Tien-nan Chao-pao\") for the 26th July contains a circular from the Financial Commissioner (as head of the provincial Civil Service) embodying a very sharp reprimand from his Excellency, which is dated the 8th June, but very evidently antedated.\n\nHsi Chih-t'ai commences by reminding his Council that several Edicts had been received commanding the officials to set an example and abandon the vice within six", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412554, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 314, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## SECTION 2.\n\nSir,\n\nShanghae Municipal Council to M. Siffert.\n\nCouncil Room, Shanghae, July 22, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th July, forwarding a communication from the Taotai in respect to the closing of opium houses.\n\nWhen this matter arose for discussion in January last, the Council's opinion was communicated to the Consular Body, that the action which the Taotai desires to be taken in the Settlement should be deferred until a genuine endeavour was shown on the part of the Chinese Government to grapple with the opium question seriously. By this was meant not that the small number of public houses should be closed in the Shanghae city, but that some endeavour should be made to decrease the large areas in the interior under poppy cultivation.\n\nThe course which has been adopted in the city—that of converting opium-smoking houses into shops for the retail sale of the drug—if adopted in the Settlement, would tend in no way to check the opium habit, but would have the unpleasant results of converting coolie lodging-houses into opium-smoking establishments and increasing the prevalence of the habit in private native residences.\n\nThe Consular Body recommends the Taotai's letter for the special attention of the Council, and I have the honour to state that not only this view of the case but all other facts bearing thereon are receiving the close attention of my colleagues and myself.\n\nThe view which we take of the matter at present is this: The opium habit has been and, perhaps with diminishing virulence, will continue to be strongly prevalent among the Chinese. As part of its obligation to maintain order in the Settlement, the Council is authorized under the Land Regulations to license, supervise, and control opium smoking in public. So far as can at present be observed, the necessity for this supervision is to-day as great as or greater than it has been in the past, and any measures tending to lessen the control now exercised would be fraught with the gravest consequences.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **DAVID LANDALE**\n\n## Circular addressed to His Majesty's Consuls in China.\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, July 31, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to the Imperial Decree of the 20th September, 1906, enjoining the prohibition of the consumption and cultivation of opium in China within a period of ten years, and the Regulations subsequently framed for the enforcement of that Decree, and to recent negotiations that have taken place between the British, Indian, and Chinese Governments on the subject, I beg to inform you that His Majesty's Government are of opinion that, if effective measures have previously been taken to close any opium shops and dens which may exist outside the limits of the various foreign Settlements and Concessions, the Municipal Councils of these localities should be moved to close such establishments as exist within the Settlement or Concession areas before being approached by the Chinese authorities, and I have to request that you will bring the views of His Majesty's Government to the notice of the Municipal Council at your port.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**\n\n(No. 376.)\n\nSir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey—(Received September 23.)\n\nPeking, August 6, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to your telegram No. 85 of the 12th, and to my reply No. 141 of the 16th July, regarding steps being taken by the Viceroy at Nanking for the institution of an opium monopoly at that port, I have now the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul at Nanking forwarding a précis of proposals by the Kiangnan Revenue Department for a Government monopoly of the sale of prepared opium. These proposals, which appeared in the Nanking \"Official Gazette\" of the 31st May, 1907, received the general approval of the Viceroy, and, pending the settlement of details and a reference to the Governor of Kiangsu, the scheme was experimentally sanctioned. The proposals provided for the scheme being carried out by merchants under official control; but on the 19th July instructions were issued by the Viceroy to the Financial Commissioner and a Taotai named Sun Ting-lin, who were charged with the establishment of the Kianguan Head Office for Government Monopoly of the Sale of Government Prepared Opium, appeared in the Nanking \"Official Gazette.\" These instructions were to the effect that the proposal to intrust the carrying out of the scheme to merchants under official control could not be entertained owing to the danger of evasions and pretexts for delay which the uncompromising nature of the Opium Edicts absolutely prohibited; that the Government must provide the necessary funds and establish an office for the purchase of raw opium and the boiling and sale of prepared opium with a view to the gradual enforcement of restrictions; and that the Financial Commissioner and Taotai must submit for approval detailed measures for the purchase of raw opium, the boiling and sale of prepared opium, the prevention of smuggling, and the prohibition of the habit.\n\nTwo days after these instructions appeared in the \"Official Gazette\" Mr. Ker called upon the Viceroy, who appeared to be very imperfectly informed on the question, and pointed out to his Excellency that the second of the proposals, which limits the trade in opium in Nanking to a certain number of licensed merchants, is inconsistent with Article V of the Nanking Treaty of 1842, which abolishes the practice of licensed hongs and permits British merchants to carry on their mercantile transactions with whatever persons they please. His Excellency promised to look up the Article, and assured Mr. Ker that no infringement of Treaty would be permitted.\n\nIn accordance with a promise made by the Viceroy to Mr. Ker, Sun Taotai called at the Consulate on the 23rd July and submitted to Mr. Ker a revised 3rd Article of proposed Regulations for the Government Prepared Opium Office. This revised Article simply proposes to license without fee all the well-to-do opium importers to sell to the Government Prepared Opium Office exclusively, and to convert the smaller dealers into Government prepared opium branch establishments.\n\nUnder these proposed Regulations the authorities at Nanking would become the purchasers of all opium brought to the port, and importation would be restricted to dealers licensed to sell to the Government Prepared Opium Office, a restriction which amounts to an infringement of Article V of the Treaty of Nanking, while the monopoly of the preparation and sale of boiled opium would enable the Chinese authorities to place, through the licensed dealers their brokers—whatever restrictions they pleased on the importation of foreign opium irrespective of any measures that may be agreed upon by the British and Chinese Governments for limiting the export from India.\n\nThe proposed action of the Nanking authorities is a clear infringement of the spirit of the Treaty of 1842, and an objectionable precedent will be established if provincial Governments in China are to rely upon the sympathetic attitude of public bodies in England as a reason for disregarding Treaty obligations. I propose, therefore, to invite the attention of the Central Government to the matter, and to warn them of the danger of allowing provincial authorities to deal with a question which is under the consideration of our respective Governments.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412556, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 316, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## 4\n\nimpossible. Under the circumstances the dealers should be invited to establish a General Syndicate to undertake the preparation of opium under official control. The dealers authorized to act as branch establishments shall deal only with this Syndicate. This Syndicate shall be licensed by the Government Office, and shall, in addition to the excise on prepared opium, pay an annual licence fee. The branch establishments shall also pay annual licence fees, being divided for this purpose into classes according to the amount of their business.\n\n4. Regulation of Prices-In Formosa the official price was only slightly increased, and consumption was not altogether prohibited. In China also public opinion is not ripe for absolutely prohibitory prices, and reasonable prices must be fixed according to quality. In Nanking Indian opium and Hsuchou opium-cakes are most used, Szechuan and Kuangtung opium next, and lastly Honan and Anhui opium. It is now proposed that the maximum price of prepared opium, i.e., for the best quality, shall be 1 dollar (Mexican) an ounce; for the second quality, 80 cents; and for the third quality, 60 cents. Taxes are extra. The General Syndicate cannot sell less than one jar (10 oz.); branch shops cannot buy less than a jar, but can sell in retail. A reduction of 10 cents in the dollar is to be allowed by the General Syndicate on every sale to branch shops, but no one except such duly licensed branch shops shall obtain the benefit of this reduction.\n\n5. Increase of Excise.-The present excise is 20 cash an ounce. The annual amount realized is only one million some hundred thousand cash, representing a consumption of over 100,000 oz. This is obviously less than it should be, for, assuming 5,000 smokers at 2 mace per smoker per day, the consumption must be at least 10,000 oz. a day. At Soochow the excise is now increased to 30 cash an ounce, and it is proposed that it shall be the same at Nanking. It shall be collected each time that deputies are sent to the General Syndicate to inspect and stamp the prepared opium. Security shall be deposited by the General Syndicate when their operations are authorized.\n\n6. Issue of Stamps.-A stamp like a postage stamp, marked with the weight and price, shall be affixed to each jar by the official inspector every time the General Syndicate prepares opium, and cancelled. The expenses of this shall be borne by the Government Office. A fine of one hundred times the excise shall be inflicted on jars sold without stamp, all to go to the informer.\n\n7. Register of Smokers.-At Soochow this is already in force, and the same should be done in Nanking. An office or offices shall be established for this purpose, when the number of smokers is ascertained.\n\n8. Prohibition of Opium Dens.-According to the Regulations all opium dens are to be closed within six months. In the meantime, however, they are all to be licensed, and a tax to be paid monthly until the end of the period. The lamp tax is to be abolished. Illicit preparation of opium is to be punished.\n\n9. Appointment of Inspectors. The excise shall continue to be collected by the regular officials of the Revenue Department, but when this scheme comes into operation special officers shall be appointed, and shall work in co-operation with the police.\n\n10. Extension of the Scheme.--Operations shall begin at Nanking, but shall be gradually extended to other districts.\n\n11. Viceroy's Indorsement.-General approval of the above scheme is expressed, and its adoption experimentally is sanctioned. When details are settled, and the date for commencing operation is fixed, the Revenue Department is to refer the matter to the Governor of Kiangsu in a Supplementary Petition embodying the present Rescript.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the Nanking Official Gazette of July 19, 1907.\n\n**Instructions issued by Viceroy Tuan Fang to the Financial Commissioner and the Taotai Sun T'ing-lin establishing the “Kiangnan Head Office for Government Monopoly of the Sale of Government Prepared Opium.”**\n\n(Translation.)\n\nTHE Viceroy received some time ago the Report drawn up by the Kiangnan Revenue Department in reply to instructions, embodying Regulations for the Government monopoly of the preparation and sale of prepared opium, in which it was proposed that the scheme should be carried out by merchants under official control, and that it should be gradually extended from Nanking to other districts. In the Rescript to this Report instructions were given that the matter should be further considered and recommendations submitted. It was also ordered that an Anti-Opium Head Office and a Head Office for Examination and Taxing of Government Prepared Opium should be established at Nanking, under the management of the Financial Commissioner.\n\nThe original report of the Revenue Department set forth that on account of the present large consumption of opium in China the purchase by Government would entail an enormous initial expenditure, and recommended that for the present the merchants should be invited to undertake it. This recommendation is based on sound financial considerations, but it must be remembered that Imperial Decrees with regard to the restriction of opium have been issued providing for prohibition within a term of years. These Edicts are absolute and uncompromising to the last degree, and there is reason to fear that if the idea of intrusting the operations to merchants is entertained there may be evasions and pretexts for delay which would prevent immediate results.\n\nThe Government must therefore after all provide for the funds required, and an office must be established for the purchase of raw opium and the boiling and sale of prepared opium, so that restriction may be gradually enforced. The Office for Examination and Taxing of Government Prepared Opium shall be changed to the \"Kiangnan Head Anti-Opium Office for Monopoly of the Sale of Government Prepared Opium.\" This Office shall be under the control of the Nanking Financial Commissioner, and Sun Ting-ling, expectant Taotai, transferred from Hupei, is hereby appointed Director thereof. The Yunnan Government Bank shall provide a capital of 500,000 taels. Operations shall begin at Nanking, but Yangchou, Chinkiang, and other populous centres shall also make provision for the establishment of branch offices, which will be gradually extended. At all places where Government prepared opium offices have been established no private individuals, shops, or opium dens shall be allowed to boil opium themselves on pain of being treated as smugglers.\n\nAs regards the methods to be adopted for the purchase of raw opium, the boiling and sale of prepared opium, the prevention of smuggling, and the prohibition of the habit, and the financing and personnel of the Office, all these matters shall be considered by the said Financial Commissioner and Taotai in joint consultation, and detailed recommendations shall be submitted for approval. The Financial Commissioner shall select and engrave in Manchu and Chinese an official seal for the use of the Office, and send it to the Viceroy for issue.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n**Third Article of Proposed Regulations for Government Prepared Opium Office.**\n\n(Translation.)\n\nBEFORE the expiry of the term of years set for total prohibition it is impossible to enforce the closing of all opium shops, while on the other hand they cannot be left altogether uncontrolled. It appears that in the opium trade the number of dealers who have sufficient capital to import the drug themselves is limited; the others are small shops which purchase wholesale from the large shops and sell in retail. In future all opium dealers who have sufficient resources to carry on their own import trade shall be allowed to undertake the supply of the raw opium required for the Government prepared opium, and the Office shall issue to them a licence to engage in this trade, such licence being issued without payment of fee. All opium imported hereafter shall be purchased from them by the Government Prepared Opium Office exclusively, and they shall not be allowed to sell on their premises. Those dealers who have not sufficient resources to undertake the supply of the raw opium required for the Government prepared opium shall have to become Government prepared opium branch establishments, and the Office shall fix a period within which they must be duly registered and licensed, such licence to be without payment of fee. If they prefer to change to another business, they shall be free to do so.\n\nWith regard to the opium dens at Nanking, a term of six months has already been fixed within which they must be closed. If they desire to act as Government prepared opium branch establishments, they shall be allowed to do so. \n\nPage 313", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412558, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 318, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### No. 1. SECTION 2.\n\nIndia Office to Foreign Office.-(Received October 1.)\n\nTHE Under-Secretary of State for India presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, by direction of Mr. Secretary Morley, forwards herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State, copy of an inclosure in a letter from the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, dated the 22nd August, relative to affairs on the Thibetan-Chinese frontier.\n\nIndia Office, September 30, 1907.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\nExtract from a Memorandum from the Prime Minister to the Orderly Officer to the British Residency, Nepal.\n\n**(Translation)**\n\nTHE American said that on account of an Edict having been passed in China, about two months ago, prohibiting the use of opium by (Chinese) Government servants and the public, the former within six months and the latter within one year, the consumption of opium has greatly diminished. The (Chinese) Government servants do not touch it. It seems that China will improve much in seven or eight years.\n\nThe Durbar have also sent opium, &c., with the Mission, to be sold in China. If what the American said about opium is correct, the opium sent by the Durbar will not sell, which means a loss to the Durbar.\n\nPage 32746 \nRFG 29 OCT 07 \n[2677 -2] \nC O 38099 315", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412626, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 386, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]**\n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n### CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[19897]\n\n**(No. 213.) Sir,**\n\nNo. 1.\n\nCO [June 12] \nSE-10. 333 'Recd 6 NOV 07\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received June 17.)**\n\nPeking, May 2, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward to you herewith a summary of events which have occurred in China since my despatch No. 160 of the 2nd ultimo, and concerning which no separate despatches have been furnished.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n#### Monthly Summary of Events in China.\n\n1. **Canton**\n\nCanton-Hankow Railway.-The affairs of the Canton-Hankow Railway have continued to occupy a large share of public attention. After much pettifogging opposition on the part of the Directorate, the official Railway Bureau and the representatives of the Hong Kong shareholders were able, on the 10th January, to commence the work of auditing the accounts; this has been going on spasmodically ever since, but has now been completed. It may be said, however, after all the agitation, sensational charges of wholesale embezzlement and corruption, and counter-threats of a business strike and resistance to the death, to have ended in smoke, as the shareholders' money was declared to be quite safe with the exception of a small amount lent to certain Fatshau hongs, which amount the latter promptly repaid to the Company. The Railway Bureau, having in this way completed the work for which it was instituted, was abolished on the 7th April of this year. While the Bureau has whitewashed the Company, the latter seems to have made not the smallest retreat from its original attitude; it still claims to be rightly controlled by the Canton Guilds, and in spite of repeated definite orders from the Board of Communications and the Viceroy, declines to recognize as shareholders those Hong Kong subscribers who have not seen fit to hand over their money to a Directorate over which they have no control.\n\nNumerous abortive meetings have been held, and some half-dozen persons have been proposed as occupants of the post which Cheng Tao-chai has been so long and ineffectually striving to vacate. The latest is Wu Ting-fang, to whose appointment Imperial sanction has been asked, as his Excellency otherwise declined to accept the position.\n\nCanton-Kowloon Railway.-A certain amount of agitation against building this line with foreign help was indulged in during January and February by students, gentry, and those interested in the Canton-Hankow and Canton-Amoy schemes. It met with only perfunctory support from the Viceroy, and now that the Canton-Kowloon Agreement has actually been signed, seems to have died out. With a view to increasing Chinese influence in the affairs of the line, the Viceroy has been pressing merchants here and in Hong Kong to take up shares to the extent of $751,000, half the proposed capital, but a proposal made, with his Excellency's approval, to apply the Canton-Hankow Railway funds, now lying idle, to this purpose, was negatived at a shareholders' meeting held on the 2nd April of this year.\n\nBy Imperial Edict his Excellency Wu Ting-fang has been appointed to represent the Chinese authorities in the management of the affairs of the `Canton-Kowloon Railway`.\n\nAmerican Boycott.-There is nothing to be noted under this heading, except the reappearance towards the end of February of boycott placards, which were at once torn down by the Viceroy's orders. These placards have now appeared in Nanning and Langchow, but as far as is known at present with no apparent effect.\n\n[2524 r--10]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412637, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 397, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# 5 The Situation in Szechuan\n\nThe recent outbreak in the K'ai Hsien and Wan Hsien districts, where popular discontent with the new opium taxes was fanned into open rebellion by the agents of secret societies, should be a warning to the Provincial Government of what may happen this summer in other parts of the province.\n\nThe gradual increase of direct and indirect taxation during the last few years, firstly for educational and latterly for railway purposes, culminating in the imposition in many places of prohibitive taxes on native opium and the threatened closing of opium divans and shops throughout the province, has roused feelings of resentment and suspicion among the people. Being in this frame of mind, the ubiquitous agents of the Red Lantern (\"Hung Teng Chiao\") and other secret societies find it an easy task to persuade the lower classes, especially the country people, that the foreigner and his religion are responsible for these schemes for education, railways, and the suppression of the opium habit, schemes which manifestly tend to transfer the hard-won earnings of the poor into the pockets of the officials. It is not, therefore, surprising that at K'ai Hsien the rioters made their rallying cry \"Down with foreign schools and gospel halls!\" and it is certain that wherever popular risings against the enforcement of the new Opium Regulations take place schools and mission stations will be the first to suffer. The agitators who lead these insurrectionary movements know by experience that the destruction of foreign property or the houses of native Christians is the surest means of embarrassing the officials and securing compliance with their demands. The Szechuanese, at ordinary times well disposed towards foreigners and foreign missions, blindly follow their lead and attack missionaries and converts, with whom they may have been living for years on friendly terms. The political outlook at the close of the quarter is not promising. Much will depend on the amount of pressure the Acting Viceroy is able to bring to bear on the local officials.\n\n## 5. Ningpo\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports that on the 21st June a secret telegram was received by the Taotai from the Governor stating, on information supplied by the Viceroy at Nanking, that the revolutionaries in that district had dispatched agents to Shantung and to the neighbourhood of Ningpo to enlist followers with a view to the capture of certain cities, and that they had succeeded in getting together some 8,000 men among the fishermen and tinfoil workers. Strict orders were given for the capture of two leaders. In spite of the importance of keeping these orders from the men whose arrest was wanted, the telegram appeared in one of the Chinese papers a few days after its receipt.\n\nRice Troubles. During the quarter ended the 30th June there were slight risings at two places, in which some rice shops were looted, but the accounts of these which appeared in the foreign press were much exaggerated.\n\n## 6. Peking\n\n**Roman Catholic Church**. On the 14th June an Imperial clansman is stated by a native newspaper to have presented to Na Tung a Petition written in blood, asking that China should herself establish a Roman Catholic Association, should send a representative to the Pope, ask the Pope to appoint a representative to Peking, and also appoint a Chinese as Head of the Church; the object being to avoid foreign interference in cases where converts are concerned. Na sympathized, and sent the Petition to the Wai-wu Pu for their consideration.\n\nOn the 26th June another newspaper published a statement to the effect that, France having abandoned the Protectorate over Roman Catholics in the Far East, the Pope had sent to the Missions in China to make a careful choice of a Chinese to be Archbishop in China.\n\n**Japanese Buddhists in Fukien**. The Viceroy is said to have telegraphed to the Wai-wu Pu in June to the effect that over ten Japanese Buddhists had arrived in Foochow, where they were desirous of building a temple and propagating Buddhism, and that they claimed to be treated on the same footing as Christian missionaries.\n\n**Dalai Lama**. A native paper stated on the 14th June that a man from Hsining said that the Dalai Lama was still there, and would probably not start for Thibet before the end of the autumn.\n\n**Constitutional Reform**. It is evident that the discussion of this question is taking up a great deal of the Court's time, judging from the following extracts from the native newspapers, a few of the many which appear on the subject:\n\n- June 27. \"The question of constitutional government was discussed the other day in the Palace. Most of the high officials present were of opinion that Yuan Shih-kai and Chang Chih-tung should come to Peking to give their advice. Only Prince Ching was against this, holding that all the Viceroys and Governors should be consulted by telegraph, and in the end his opposition was successful.\"\n- June 29. \"After repeated discussion at the Grand Secretariat on the subject of actual preparation for a constitutional form of government, it has been decided to make a beginning with Chihli. A Memorial may be sent up within a month.\"\n- July 9. \"The Reform Edict of the 7th is said to be due to Viceroys Yuan Shih-kai and Tuan Fang, who wished to begin reforms in Chihli and Kiangsu, having got Prince Ching to see the Empress Dowager on the matter. The term of fifteen years was fixed on account of the large number of provincial officials and the difficulty of weeding them out.\"\n- July 18. \"On the 16th, at an audience of the Grand Council, their Majesties directed the Council to call upon the Princes, Dukes, and high military and civil officials to make an immediate study of the means of preparing for constitutional government and to memorialize the Throne.\"\n- August 2. \"A Memorial has been received from Yuan Shih-kai, in which he holds up Corea as an awful example, and which has had a great effect on highly-placed persons at Court. These persons met a few days ago to discuss the formation of a Council of Constitutional Reform and the early establishment of a Constitution. Duke Tse was especially outspoken.\"\n\nJuly 11. Prince Ch'ing has taken the opportunity afforded by the alarm which the assassination of En Ming created to press again upon the attention of their Majesties the advisability of the early adoption of constitutional government, represented that such a course would deprive the anti-dynastic societies of their only device for gaining adherents, which is to make out that the Chinese Government is despotic and tyrannous.\n\n**Assassination of Governor of Anhui and Yang-tsze unrest**\n\n- July 18. \"The Grand Council was in such a panic over the assassination of En Ming that they held a meeting and decided that Hsu should be severely tortured and his entire kindred exterminated, as a warning to future rebels. Prince Su, when he heard of this, stood alone in disapproving, saying that the extermination of a family was not a civilized punishment, and that revolutionaries and anti-Manchus could not be restrained in that way; and he advocated the execution of Hsu without involving his family. But it was not until he had obtained the support of Prince Chun and Hsün Peitzu that Prince Ching and Lu Chung-tang could be persuaded to agree to a more temperate action.\"\n\nOn the 1st of the 6th month (30th June) an anonymous telegram was sent to Chang Chih-tung from Shanghae, enumerating the revolutionaries whom he has killed in the last few years, and saying that in the course of the 6th or 7th month he will be killed with a bomb. The Viceroy was much alarmed, and gave orders for the utmost vigilance to be used in watching for smuggled arms. Quite recently a police raid in Wuchang resulted in the seizure of 2,000 guns and a large quantity of cartridges and powder and the arrest of four men, one of whom said he was the nephew of Sun Wen. He said that the arms had been brought in the day before, but declined to say by what means they were got past the Customs, even when examined with the bamboo. He was then executed within the gate of the Viceroy's yamên.\n\nOn the 3rd August a native paper stated that \"Lien K'uei, Governor of Kansu (so the paper; he is, in fact, Governor of Hsin Chiang, the New Territory), has been stabbed by a certain District Magistrate, and fears are entertained for his life. No official news has been received, but the family of Tuan Fang have had a telegram.\" This proved to be an entirely unfounded rumour.\n\nThe same paper stated, also on the 3rd August, that \"for the last week the Grand Council have been having repeated secret meetings, once in the Imperial presence. One...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412654, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 414, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n4\n\nThe Corporation and its agents are entitled to commissions and payments for services rendered in respect to this railway, and in their quality of trustees for the bondholders, for whom they will be empowered to act in all questions arising out of the Agreement, and it is to be in commutation of all such commissions and payments that the Corporation will manufacture where these are of equal price and quality.\n\n12. The Corporation may, subject to all its obligations, transfer or delegate all or any of its rights, powers, and discretions to its successors or assigns, but it shall not transfer its rights under the Agreement to any other nation or nationality than British or Chinese.\n\n13. The Agreement will be signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n14. The Agreement will be signed in English and Chinese; in the event of any question arising as to the interpretation of the contract, the English text will be accepted as the standard.\n\nPeking, August 26, 1907.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[34668]\n\n(No. 421.)\n\n## No. 1\n\n411\n\n[October 21.]\n\n### SECTION 3\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey - (Received October 21.)\n\nSir,\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith Report upon the Province of Shan-hsi by Lieutenant-Colonel Pereira, Military Attaché to this Legation, dated Peking, September 3, 1907.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n\n#### Report by Lieutenant-Colonel Pereira respecting the Shan-hsi Railway\n\nThis railway runs from Chen-t'ou, about 9 miles (30 li) south of Cheng-ting-fu. The line is worked by French engineers, whilst the Chinese employés (station-masters, ticket collectors, engine drivers, &c.) are mostly from Fu-chieh Province, or Western Chih-li, who have been on the Ching-han Railway.\n\nOne French Superintendent travels on the passenger trains. At present, two passenger trains run each way daily between Chen-t'ou and Shou-yang Hsien, and also between Shou-yang Hsien and Tung-chao-chuang, 39 kilom. (24 miles) from Tai-yüan-fu, the present terminus of the line. Two or three coal trains also run daily each way according to requirements. The line is single, and 1 metre gauge.\n\nLeaving Peking at 7 A.M. by the Ching-han Railway, Chen-t'ou is reached at 1:45 P.M. It is about 100 yards from this station to the station of the Shan-hsi line. The train was supposed to leave at 2:15 P.M. I inclose actual times of departure and arrival of my train.\n\nN.B. - Right and left mean north and south of line.\n\nPage 2691 x-31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412656, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 416, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### [October 24]\n\n## SECTION 1\n### [35189]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1. British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.—(Received October 24.)\n\n22, Abchurch Lane, London, October 23, 1907. We beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Edward Grey, that we have received a telegram from Mr. Bland, our representative in Peking, stating that an Edict has been issued authorizing negotiations for the Soochow-Ningpo Railway loan.\n\nWe are, &c. \nThe British and Chinese Corporation (Limited),\n(Signed) Per W. KESWICK,\nChairman.\n\n[2691 aa]\n-1]\n413", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 412695, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 455, "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907", "content_text": "## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government] 452**\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\nSir,\n\nPrince Ching to Sir J. Jordan,\n\nPeking, September 12, 1907. On the 9th September an Imperial Edict was issued in the following terms:- \"Wang Ta Hsieh is commanded to go to England as Commissioner to study constitutional government.\"\n\nI have, therefore, the honour to notify your Excellency accordingly, for the information of your Government.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n`[30729]`\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[September 14.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 14.)\n\n(No. 168.) **(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nPeking, September 13, 1907. With reference to your telegram No. 103 of the 12th instant on the subject of the Tien-tsin-Yang-taze Railway, I have the honour to inform you that the suspension of the negotiations was due, not to the reason given by Mr. Cordes, but to the fact that the Chinese negotiator, Mr. Liang, had other matters to attend to. The next meeting is expected to take place on the 17th instant.\n\nI received a letter from Mr. Liang, in which he deprecated the intervention of Mr. Bland, and suggested that Mr. Hillier should continue the negotiations, but I assured him that there would be no reopening of questions which had already been settled, and begged him to accept the former as negotiator.\n\n`[2656 o-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 413079, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3]", "page_number": 26, "title": "CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3]", "content_text": "24 \n\nquestions. It appeared to me therefore that if the matter had to be further pressed, His Majesty's Government would find a means less dangerous than the one proposed. Pressure could be brought to bear on Peking by a threat on the Burman frontier at their most vulnerable point, and one at which British interests can be greatly advanced. Or if such action should be inadmissible in view of the Treaty with Japan to respect the inviolability of Chinese territory, it might be possible to retain the troops (now due to withdraw) temporarily in Thibet. The compensation claimed is so paltry a sum, that the mere threat of such action would probably compel the Central Government to pay the claim themselves or to coerce the Viceroy by means of an Imperial Edict. \"I am impressed,\" I added, \"with the conviction that drastic action locally will have the maximum of ill results and the minimum of good results.\" \n\nIn these circumstances, I proposed to telegraph to Your Lordship in the above sense or alternatively to His Majesty's Minister at Peking. The Admiral, however, had already written to the Consul-General in the sense of Sir John Jordan's telegram (`enclosure 3`) and he urged that \"further action on our part should be postponed until the result of Mr. Mansfield's interview with the Viceroy has been", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 413084, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3]", "page_number": 31, "title": "CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3]", "content_text": "# 29 J.\n\nthat I did not make myself clear on this important distinction which has necessitated my troubling Your Excellency with a further letter on this subject.\n\n4. Proposals were at one time made that this Colony should take an active part in the repressive measures adopted on the Canton Waterways and if Your Excellency considers that any such co-operation would assist the objects of the Naval Patrol, I should esteem it a favour if you would afford me an opportunity of discussing the question with you.\n\n5. The matter at issue appears to me to divide itself into two very distinct parts:-\n(a) The obtaining of sufficient guarantees against further piratical outrages, and \n(b) Indemnity for the \"Sainam\"\n\nThe first of these is by far the most difficult. In regard to the second the Central Government appears to have admitted responsibility, and the next step would seem to be the issue of an Imperial Edict ordering the Viceroy to pay the amount claimed. Such an Edict would, I presume, be obeyed, and if it is not the final course would seem to be that proposed by Sir John Jordan on July 25th., viz.:- the taking of a material guarantee for payment.\n\nI have etc.,\n**(Sa.) F. D. Lugard, Governor, &c.**\n\nP.S. Since the above was written I have received Your Excellency's despatch of December 26th. enclosing copies of telegrams to and from Peking of 25th and 26th. instant for which I am much obliged.\n**(Sa.) F.D.L.**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 414159, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10]", "page_number": 70, "title": "CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10]", "content_text": "# Government House, Hongkong, 15th January, 1908\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt and to thank Your Excellency for your letter of the 13th, enclosing copies of communications with His Majesty's Government and with the Chinese Government on the subject of proposals of the latter for giving effect to the Imperial Edict for the abolition of Opium-smoking.\n\n2. In regard to the proposal which most nearly concerns this Government, viz.:- the prohibition of the trade in Prepared Opium between China and Hongkong, I shall be glad to learn whether the Chinese Government are prepared to issue an Imperial Decree, as indicated in the second paragraph of my letter of the 7th of October, prohibiting the export of Prepared Opium from China to Hongkong in addition to taking steps to prevent the smuggling of the drug into her territories.\n\n3. The Despatch of the Waiwupu addressed to Your Excellency on the 2nd of December does not clearly indicate that the Chinese Government so understood the arrangement under which this Government is prepared by Law to prohibit the export of Prepared Opium to China.\n\n4. As soon as I learn from Your Excellency that the Chinese Government are prepared to take the action indicated I shall take steps to have the necessary legislation prepared and I shall introduce it into the Legislative Council as soon as the Imperial Decree prohibiting the export of Prepared Opium from China to Hongkong shall have reached my hands.\n\nI have etc., **(sd.) F. D. Lugard**, Governor, &c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 414807, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 96, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "1 \n\ngive effect to the objects which His Majesty's Government \n\n92 \n\nhave in view, and will at the same time be possible in the \n\nexisting financial position in this Colony. \n\nHofC 15394 \n\n4. \n\nYour Lordship said in your telegram of the 5th of last May that His Majesty's Government recognised the necessity of acting up to the standards set by China. Those Chinese standards, so far as the closing of Divans is concerned, involve the arbitrary confiscation of vested rights without compensation - a course of action which, as shown by the unanimous opinion of the House of Commons in the debate on the Licensing Bill, is repugnant to British ideas of justice. The Central Government at Peking, actuated, I am convinced, by motives at once altruistic and sincere, has promulgated Edicts to restrict the habit of Opium Smoking, but in doing so has unfortunately shown some lack of practical administrative capacity by neglecting to assure itself that those upon whom the enforcement of these Edicts devolved had the means at their disposal to give effect to them. As a matter of fact, they have neither the means of replacing the loss of Revenue already hypothecated to the necessities of Government nor the machinery necessary to enforce orders and to prevent evasion of the law by the substitution of means and methods calculated", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415185, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 474, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "# \n\nSir, \n\n## Enclosure No. C.O. 2432 468 PEKING.\n\n## OGAN 09 30th October, 1908.\n\nWith reference to my telegram of September 30th, \nI have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency herewith copy of the despatch which I have addressed to Sir Edward Grey on the subject of the new Regulations which have been introduced by the Canton Provincial Authorities for the control of the trade in raw opium.\n\nIt has appeared to me doubtful that the Regulations as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly. They seem to do little more than reproduce the rules framed for the enforcement of the opium Edict of September 20th, 1906, and I have accordingly instructed His Majesty's Consul General at Canton that, while the working of the system will doubtless require to be carefully watched, it seems inadvisable to take further action pending reference to His Majesty's Government.\n\nI have the honour to be, \n\nSir, \nYour Excellency's most obedient servant, \n**(Sa) J. N. JORDAN**.\n\nHis Excellency \nSir F. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., \nHONG KONG.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415200, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 489, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "# 1 \n\n(E) \n\nbaotalq noad ever dollw anofrojnjast sit sved of anottoundent \n\naenutvor¶ answX owT sit ni muiyo naibal to elas eert edd noqu \n\n.emis to aaoi tuoritiw hovomer smotrafinen wen eBoone vid \n\n## Enclosure No. \n### C.O. COPY \n2432 \n\n## Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 21st November 1908\n\n483 \n\nGentlemen, \n\nWith reference to your letter of the 20th instant and to previous correspondence on the subject of the new Regulations introduced by the Chinese Authorities at Canton for the control of the trade in raw opium. I am directed to inform you that the Governor has received a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking to the effect that he regards it as doubtful that the Regulations, as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly; that they appear to do little more than reproduce the rules passed for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of September 20th, 1906: and that he has accordingly instructed His Majesty's Consul General at Canton that, while the working of the system will doubtless require to be carefully watched, it is inadvisable to take further action pending reference to His Majesty's Government. \n\nHis Excellency is also in receipt of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul General at Canton, of a later date than the Minister's despatch, in which Mr. Fox states that the Viceroy has decided not to proceed with the registration of raw opium shops for the present, but will confine himself to enforcing those clauses in the licensing regulations which apply to the registration of smokers and the control of prepared opium shops. \n\nI am, Sir, \nYour obedient servant, \n**(Sd) P. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary**\n\nMessrs. David Sassoon & Co., Ltd.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415201, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 490, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "# Y 400\n\nHongkong, 9th December 1908.\n\nThe Honourable Mr. P. H. May, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.\n\nSir,\n\nWe have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, in which you are directed to inform us that His Excellency the Governor has received a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking to the effect that he regards it as doubtful that the Regulations, as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly; that they appear to do little more than reproduce the rules passed for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of September 20th 1906 and that he has accordingly instructed His Majesty's Consul General at Canton that, while the working of the system would doubtless require to be carefully watched, it is inadvisable to take further action pending reference to His Majesty's Government.\n\nWe have in our letter to Mr. Harry H. Fox, H.B.M's Consul-General at Canton of the 23rd September last (copy of which was forwarded to you in our letter of the 25th September and copy of which is hereunto annexed) so fully dealt with the pernicious effect that those Regulations will have, if brought into force, upon the Raw Opium trade, that no useful object would be gained by recapitulating them save to again contend that it must be obvious that if analysed in detail to a logical conclusion, the Regulations sought to be enforced in the Two Kwongs, and in particular the Regulation that \"after the ascertainment and registration of the number of opium shops in the Province of the Two Kwongs now in existence no new opium shops doing business in the buying and selling of raw and prepared opium will be allowed to be established\"; all tend to the idea that the primary intention is the creation of a monopoly amongst a few.\n\nYAM H. (58)\nVajerosë falno(00)\n\n-1-\nP.T.O.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415204, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 493, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "487\n\n\"shall have once paid at any of the said ports the regulated customs and dues, agreeable to the tariff to be hereafter fixed, such merchandise may be conveyed by Chinese Merchants to any province or city in the interior of the Empire of China on paying a further amount as transit duties, which shall not exceed ... per cent on the tariff value of such goods.\"\n\nArticle XIV of the French Treaty of Tientsin 1858:-\n\n\"Aucune société de commerce privilégiée ne pourra désormais s'établir en Chine, et il en sera de même de toute coalition organisée dans le but d'exercer un monopole sur le commerce. En cas de contravention au présent Article, les autorités chinoises sur les représentations du consul ou de l'agent consulaire, aviseront aux moyens de dissoudre de semblables associations dont elles s'efforceront d'ailleurs de prévenir l'existence par des prohibitions préalables, afin d'écarter tout ce qui pourrait porter atteinte à la libre concurrence.\"\n\nWe would wish to lay special stress upon the fact that by the Regulations now sought to be enforced by China, the right allowed by Treaty to all Merchants, whether British or otherwise, to sell their opium to anyone, is taken away, and that the \"Société de Commerce privilégiée\" as quoted above, has been practically brought into existence again: thus reviving an abuse which led to misunderstandings between the European Powers and China and against which the Treaties of that period were specially intended to safeguard Free Trade in the future.\n\nWe submit that if Article 5 of the Edict is carried out, in course of time, the number of dealers in raw opium will dwindle", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415205, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 494, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "## B \n488 \ntc \n\nA very small number, healthy competition will cease, and the British Merchant will be at the mercy of the few native shops left in the trade.\n\nInasmuch as the Indian Opium Trade has already been regulated by the Government of India and will, under the condition agreed upon by Great Britain and China, entirely come to an end in the course of ten years, there is absolutely no reason whatever for the Chinese Government to interfere in any way with this trade by issuing vexatious notification to the public, as has been done lately by the Viceroy of the Two Kwang. Therefore, any interference on the part of the Chinese Government with the Indian Opium Trade cannot possibly be with any legitimate object. Provincial Authorities all over the Empire are quite capable of using the Imperial Edict as a pretence for the purpose of raising revenue, or with the ulterior object of taking advantage of the situation in order to be able to squeeze the populace. We have only in this regard to refer to the recent action of the Viceroy of Nanking in order to show how far this can be carried into effect by unscrupulous authorities.\n\nThe merchants in China have a very strong claim on the British Government to protect their trade against the interference by the Chinese, not only the ordinary protection due to legitimate British trade, but from the fact that the merchants buy direct from the Government of India at the Government's monthly sale in Calcutta, and it is the duty of the British Government to see that the Merchants get a fair and unhindered outlet for the opium purchased direct from them.\n\nIt is incumbent on the British Government, before they allow the opium trade to depart entirely from India and from British merchants dealing with the Indian Government, to see that China is really doing her share to eradicate the so-called evil.\n\nThe report of Mr. Iach clearly shows that the British \n\n-5-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415207, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 496, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "490\n\n*energy shewn by the central Government in the question, as compared with the growing apathy evinced by the provincial officials, and their lack of sustained effort to eradicate the evil.”\n\nAs the provincial officials are expected to carry out the Edicts, their actions are chiefly to be considered, and not the ineffective Edicts issued by the central Government. We entirely fail to see why His Britannic Majesty's Minister should lay stress on the Opium Edict of September 20th 1906, which is merely an Edict or wish expressed by the Government of China, and has never, to our knowledge, become a Treaty between the Chinese Government and the British Government. We would point out that Treaties do exist between England and China regarding the former's trade and commerce, and we submit that so long as those Treaties remain unrepealed, British merchants trading in the Far East, and, as we have already pointed out, purchasing their merchandise direct from the British Government, should have the protection afforded them by those Treaties.\n\nThe result of the two recent attempts by the Viceroy of Nanking and by the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs, to interfere with legitimate trade have on each occasion caused a heavy drop in prices and a falling off in deliveries, resulting in heavy loss to the British Merchants and a complete disorganization of the trade in Raw Opium.\n\nWe would emphasize the fact that pressure was brought to bear upon the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs by the energetic action of the Consul-General in Canton so that the Regulations which he sought to enforce throughout the Kwong Tung Province were withdrawn in the City of Canton, yet in other Prefectures these Regulations have been brought into force, native dealers in raw opium have been fined and imprisoned by the Provincial Authorities at Chiu Chow and Wui Chow, thus causing extreme uneasiness.\n\n-7-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415217, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "page_number": 506, "title": "CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12]", "content_text": "# 8854/08\n\nSir,\n\n## Enclosure\n\nHo... \nLove House.\n17th December,\n\n500\n\nWith reference to Your Excellency's letter of the 30th of last October, I have the honour to transmit, at the request of the signatories, copy of a letter addressed by them to the Colonial Secretary dated the 9th instant, and a copy of a letter addressed by them to His Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul General, Canton, dated the 23rd of last September, on the subject of the action of the Provincial Government, which it is alleged will have the effect of restricting the sale of imported opium.\n\n2.\n\nWhile agreeing with Your Excellency that it is doubtful whether the Regulations introduced by the Canton Provincial Authorities for the control of the trade in raw opium can be regarded as doing more than reproducing the rules framed for the enforcement of the opium edict of September 20th, 1906 (or 1905), it appears to me that those rules were themselves in some respects a violation of British treaty rights, and cannot therefore, where conflicting with such rights, be pleaded in justification of provincial proclamations.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour Excellency's most obedient\nServant,\nHis Britannic Majesty's Minister,\n**PERKIN G.**\nGovernor, &c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415610, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 305, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## No. 1. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey. (Received December 14.)\n\nPeking, October 31, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose a translation of an Imperial Decree issued on the 17th October, which has appeared to me of interest as showing that the Court fully recognizes the disorderly condition of the Empire and the possibility of a serious outbreak. In order to stimulate the provincial authorities into watchfulness, a warning is given by this Decree to all Viceroys and Governors that they will be held personally responsible if any serious rising occurs in their jurisdictions after they have been six months in office.\n\nTo combat the spirit of unrest and prepare the country for constitutional changes, other Decrees have appeared in the \"Gazette,\" the practical value of which is extremely doubtful. On the 19th October, for instance, a Decree appealed to all the high authorities of the Empire to search for and recommend men of real capacity for the public service, irrespective of their standing, while another Edict commanded the immediate establishment in the provinces of popular Assemblies, to be formed of Delegates elected for the purpose of discussing questions of public interest, and who in the future would be the electors of the Imperial Assembly.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n#### Imperial Decree, published October 17, 1907.\n\nIN a critical time like the present, when men's minds are unsettled, the Viceroys and Governors appointed to the provinces ought most especially to arouse their energies for the improvement of the state of affairs under their control, and for the anticipation and prevention of evils. By preserving good government and tranquillity within their borders they could prevent unexpected disorders. Nevertheless, in recent years in every province, there has arisen from time to time a clamour of rebellion, injurious to the locality, enormously harmful to life and property, and involving great expenditure on the payment of troops. A disturbance in one place usually affects the whole body politic. A study of the cause which brings disorder to the point of bloodshed shows that it cannot be a matter of a single day. It is usually that the high provincial authorities, reposing in their own greatness, are careless of their daily duties, and in making appointments are governed rather by favour than fitness. The Prefects and Magistrates whom they employ are either avaricious and untrustworthy, or careless and confused, or one-sided in their judgments, or subservient to their runners; so that good government has become a thing of the past. They cannot make themselves conversant with the hidden life of the people; and traitors are enabled to combine as they please, stirring up troubles. Nothing could be more injurious to the State or more hurtful to the people than this. Viceroys and Governors have received the favours of the State in large measure, and in preserving local tranquillity there must be no shirking of their responsibility. If they have waited till revolt is actually arrived, what is the use of impeaching two or three of the civil or military officials under them for inefficient performance of their duty? From the date of this Decree, all Viceroys and Governors who have been more than six months at their posts shall be held responsible if any serious case arises of disorderly persons banded together in large bodies.\n\nLet this be made generally known.\n\n[2769 0-2]\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n**303**\n**920**\n[December 14.]\n**K SECTION**\n**JAN 08**\n[40889]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415632, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 327, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## SECTION 2.\n\n325 \n\n[36699] \n\nNo. 1. \n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 6.)** \n\n**(No. 187.) (Telegraphic.) P.** \n\nPeking, November 6, 1907. WITH reference to my telegram No. 179 of the 16th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that the Soochow-Ningpo negotiations were placed on a satisfactory basis by a Decree issued at my instance on the 20th ultimo, which practically cancelled the Edict of September 1905, and have since that date proceeded pari passu with the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze negotiations. The draft Agreement of the latter was initialled on the 2nd instant by the negotiators, and yesterday afternoon the draft Agreement for the Soochow-Ningpo line was to have been similarly initialled, but at the last moment the Chinese negotiator suggested the redemption of the Agreement as an alternative solution and declined to attach his signature.\n\nJust before the above came to my knowledge, I saw Yuan Shih-k'ai, who indicated the helplessness of the Central Government in the face of the violent opposition in Chekiang, informing me that news had been received of the desecration of the ancestral graves of Wang, the late negotiator.\n\nI am under the impression that Prince Ching and Chang Chih-tung, who will not risk a collision with the province, have proved too strong for Yuan, to whose influence the issue of the last Decree was probably due.\n\nI have asked Prince Ching for an interview, but it may be delayed by Palace ceremonies.\n\n[2723 f-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415635, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 330, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n(No. 513.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 14.)\n\nPeking, October 30, 1907. As reported in my despatch No. 497 of the 15th October, I arranged to see Prince Ching at the Summer Palace regarding the recrudescence of local opposition against the Socchow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway.\n\nMy interview took place on the 19th October, Yuan Shih-k'ai and Liang Ta-jên being also present. In reply to my inquiries as to what steps the Board proposed to take to remedy the situation, his Highness said they had already memorialized the Throne on the subject of this railway, and felt confident that they would receive a satisfactory Decree. They did not feel at liberty to communicate to me the terms of their Memorial, or to forecast the lines of the Decree. I had therefore to content myself with this reply, which, I said, must be construed as an assurance that the difficulties would be removed. In conversation with Liang Ta-jên a few days later, I learnt that the Decree had been issued on the 20th October, and that he considered its terms fairly satisfactory. He furnished me with a copy on the following day, and I now have the honour to inclose a translation. It will be seen from this document that the Decree of 1905, granting permission to the provincial gentry to build the line, is cleverly set aside without any direct mention of its issue, and the Wai-wu Pu is instructed to negotiate with the British and Chinese Corporation. The complaint of the Chinese negotiator that he was in a weaker position than the gentry, is thus overcome, and an interesting example is afforded of how an Imperial Decree can be cancelled when necessary, by the issue of an Edict indirectly annulling its conditions. That the matter required delicate handling can be readily understood when it is recalled that Prince Ch'ing's son was responsible for obtaining the earlier Decrees in favour of the gentry.\n\nThere can be little doubt that the opposition of the gentry during the past month has been very strong. The line taken by public opinion in the provinces is well illustrated by articles in the Shanghae native papers, translations of which have been sent to me by His Majesty's Consul at Wuhu, and of which I inclose copies.* It has already come to my knowledge on excellent authority that even after the issue of the Decree of the 20th October telegrams of remonstrance continue to pour in from Shanghae, Soochow, and Hangchow denouncing Yuan Shih-k'ai and Wang Ta-hsieh for their share in the proceedings, while the latter is warned by his own family that their ancestral graves are in danger of being desecrated as an act of vengeance if the Central Government allows the Agreement to be signed. Public meetings are also being organized at Shanghae and Hangchow to protest against the \"alienation of the people's rights.\"\n\nIt is evident, therefore, that great firmness will be necessary on the part of the Wai-wu Pu to carry out the Decree with which they are now armed. I have, &c. \n(Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1\n\n### Decree of October 20, 1907, inclosed in letter from the Council of State\n\nA **MEMORIAL** from the Wai-wu Pu represents that the affairs of the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway have formed the subject of negotiation during several consecutive years, and that the outcome now is an offer on the part of the British and Chinese Corporation to negotiate a loan.\n\nGood faith is the principal factor in foreign relations, and the power to enter into Agreements rests with the Imperial Government.\n\nPage 330 \nPage 331", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415643, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 338, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## 2\n\nwere valueless in face of the recurring outrages at Canton. The Ministers expressed their deep regret, but protested vehemently that they were doing their utmost, and mentioned that they had that very day received a long telegram from the Viceroy which indicated an intention to accept their advice regarding the enforcement of the Customs scheme. A long conversation followed, in which I commented strongly on the action of the late Acting Viceroy, and concluded by warning them that as the Admiral was now on his way to Canton the whole question would probably soon pass out of my hands.\n\n**(Confidential.)**\n\nThe despatch which I have the honour to enclose from His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton reproduces a number of telegrams which have passed between the Wai-wu Pu and the Viceroy on the subject and furnishes a very interesting insight into the working of the Central Government in its relation with the provincial authorities. In spite of the presence of his Excellency Yuan Shih-k'ai, the one really strong statesman in the country, the Government here still hesitates to give orders to recalcitrant Viceroys, and nothing but persistent efforts and extreme pressure will induce it to do more than act as a more or less impartial and colourless intermediary between the foreign Representatives and the provincial Viceroy or Governor. The Soochow-Ningpo Railway Edict, the issue of which is reported in another despatch, is a solitary instance of more active intervention.\n\nIn private conversation, Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu have themselves complained to me of the paralysis which has come over the Central Government in recent years, and have freely attributed it to the notorious weakness of Prince Ch'ing, supported by the Empress Dowager.\n\nAfter my interview this afternoon one of the Ministers, while accompanying me to my chair, told me frankly that the Wai-wu Pu had found it impossible to impose its will on the Canton Government, and said he hoped that their hands would be strengthened by the representations which I had just made.\n\n**(No. 51.)** Sir,\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nCanton, October 14, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward copy and translation of an extract from the \"Shih-min Hsiu-pao\" of the 9th instant, which is interesting as showing the attitude of the Wai-wu Pu and the new Viceroy, Chang, towards the scheme for securing the co-operation of the Imperial Maritime Customs in suppressing piracy.\n\nWhether you consider it possible to overcome the determined opposition of the Chinese authorities to the scheme I do not know, but there can be no question but that the insistence with which it has been pressed on them has had an excellent effect in stimulating them to increased effort in suppressing piracy on the waterways.\n\nCases of armed robbery ashore, often on a very large scale, are, however, common, pointing to the conclusion that the greater energy now displayed by the authorities on the waterways has to a great extent merely induced the evildoers to turn their attention to another field of operations. Their victims ashore being Chinese, these cases have not drawn so much attention from the foreign press, but the native papers are full of them, and I submit that no real reform can be arrived at until adequate measures are taken to root out the evil on shore. Once convinced that the authorities are strong enough to protect them, the law-abiding population would willingly co-operate in the task.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nR. W. MANSFIELD.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Shih-min Hsin-pao\" of October 9, 1907.\n\nViceroy Chang and the Scheme for Additional Cruisers on the West River.\n\nfirmly maintains his own Rights.\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\nThe Viceroy\n\nAS a result of the frequent piracies of British launches on the West River the local authorities have been accused of incompetency, and a request has been advanced that the Commissioner of Customs have four extra launches placed at his disposal, and shall, in addition to his ordinary duties, employ these vessels in the suppression of piracy. The late Viceroy Chou telegraphed to the Wai-wu Pu, strongly opposing this proposal, as has been already reported in these columns. Some time after the Wai-wu Pu telegraphed to say that the British Minister had approached the Revenue Council and asked them to provide the sum of 200,000 taels to be devoted to the purchase of four additional cruisers to be captained by Chinese officers, but to be under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs. In reply to this telegram, the late Acting Viceroy Hu telegraphed asking that the additional vessels to be provided might be placed under the Admiral's orders and commanded by the latter's officers. The Viceroy has now received a telegram from the Wai-wu Pu that it is the intention of the Board to keep the suppression of piracy quite distinct and in the hands of the local authorities, while the vessels may be used by the Customs in the prevention of smuggling. Viceroy Chang considers this proposal quite impracticable and an infraction of his own rights, and has telegraphed again to the Board strongly urging that the vessels be placed at the disposal of the Admiral to use as he thinks best to suppress piracy with a view to avoiding the hostile criticisms that are made. The telegraphic correspondence which has passed on the subject between the Wai-wu Pu and the Viceroy is given below.\n\n| Date | From | To | Subject |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| September 24, 1907 | Wai-wu Pu | Viceroy | Additional fast cruisers on the West River. The British Minister insists on their being under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs, but we have refused this several times. The British Admiral also says that the patrol launches in the Canton Province are useless. You should therefore lose no time in remedying the matter, if you desire to avoid him interfering. We have consulted the Revenue Council, and they are prepared to find the initial 200,000 taels required for the scheme. You may therefore at once proceed with the building of the new boats and get them working in earnest, so as to avoid hostile criticisms being made. At the same time, the limits of authority of the Customs and the local authorities must be kept clearly distinct, and it is the intention of the Board to leave the suppression of piracy entirely in the hands of the local officials, while the prevention of smuggling remains in the hands of the Customs. We trust that you will be able to arrange some satisfactory modus operandi with the Commissioner and will evolve a scheme for the maintenance of the vessels and have them working at an early date. The British Admiral goes to Canton next month. If he brings up this subject you might take the opportunity to discuss with him the horse-power, speed, and size of the new vessels, so as to secure his friendly co-operation, and telegraph again. |\n\nWai-wu Pu to Viceroy, September 24, 1907.\n\nThe British Minister has called in company with the Admiral. He says that the frequent piracies of British launches on the West River is detrimental both to trade and China's good name. He referred to the case of piracy which occurred two months ago, and said it was extremely grave. He added that the Chinese patrol vessels were worn out and quite ineffective. When pirates were seen they did not capture them, and as a result piratical gangs were growing bolder every day. He concluded by remarking that it was his duty to protect the trade of his nationals, and that unless China herself took speedy measures to remedy the evil he would have to see what action he could take himself. The prevalence of piracy in the Canton Province is extreme and of long standing. Cases of robbery on the West River are of constant occurrence, and the ...\n\n## 3\n\nPage 336", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415697, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 392, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nShanghae to report whether he regards the measures taken by the local authorities there as effective, and have requested Mr. Leech, the Councillor of the Legation, to prepare a statement based upon the Consular and Missionary Reports of the action taken throughout the Empire to give effect to the Edict of the 20th September, 1906. Both of these documents I hope to forward by next bag.\n\nI have sent a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 122.) Sir,\n\nShanghae, October 24, 1907. WITH reference to the question of the prohibition of the consumption and cultivation of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith a copy of a letter which I have received from the Chairman of the Shanghae Municipal Council in reply to the communication which, in accordance with your circular instructions of the 31st July, I addressed to him on the 6th August informing him of the opinion held by His Majesty's Government in regard to the closing of opium shops and dens within the limits of the various foreign Settlements and Concessions.\n\nThe letter expresses the willingness of the Council, if the course of total suppression and concurrent limitation of supply during the next ten years is generally followed elsewhere in China, to adopt a similar course in respect to municipal licences as will bring about their complete suspension at the end of the same period, and mentions, as evidence of their readiness to co-operate in the suppression movement, that all applications for new licences are being refused. At the same time stress is laid by the Chairman on the necessity and desirability, so long as opium is smoked, of municipal control, and on the evils which any precipitate discontinuance of licences would entail, especially in view of the improbability that the Central Government will be in a position to enforce the new regulations.\n\nSir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMunicipal Council, Shanghae, to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nCouncil Room, Shanghae, October 18, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th August, communicating to the Council the opinion of His Majesty's Government that, under certain circumstances, the opium shops and dens within the limits of this and other foreign Settlements should be closed.\n\nThe strictly local aspect of this important question is one which, since the suggested Regulations for the suppression of opium received Imperial sanction in November 1906, has had the continuous attention of the Council, and I have the honour to set out certain facts which bear thereon, together with a statement of the policy which it appears to my colleagues and myself desirable to follow in the best interests of good order and administration in Shanghae.\n\nArticle 34 of the Bye-laws attached to the Land Regulations charges the Council with the duty of licensing shops for the sale of opium, and, under provision thereof, there are at present licensed 86 shops selling the crude drug (Class 1) and 1,511 houses where opium is smoked (Class 2). The revenue derived therefrom is estimated for the current year as follows:-\n\n \n Under Class 1, a variable fee of from 1 dol. 50 c. to 10 dollars per house per month.\n 5,500\n \n \n Under Class 2, at 50 cents per opium lamp per mouth\n 65,000\n \n\n3\n\nThe revenue of the municipality is fixed for each year in advance, at the annual meeting of ratepayers, and no alteration in the schedule is legally possible, therefore, until the next such meeting in March 1908.\n\nBy that date it may be presumed that there will be sufficient indications of the aims and intentions of the provincial authorities throughout China as to giving real effect to the terms of the Imperial Edict, and some closer estimate may then be formed as to whether or no this present endeavour to check the use of the drug will prove as abortive as those of former years.\n\nIf the course of total suppression during a period of ten years is genuinely followed, and if a tendency is shown to bring about concurrent limitation of supply, there will be occasion to adopt the same course in respect to municipal licences, which may then be issued with such gradually accumulating restrictions as will bring about their complete suspension at the end of the same period. For the present it has been considered advisable to refuse all applications for new licences, and thereby to indicate readiness to co-operate in the suppression movement if carried to a conclusion.\n\nFinally, and above all other considerations, I have the honour to observe that because prohibitive Decrees in the past have been almost totally disregarded, because many subordinate native officials have direct interest in the cultivation of the poppy, and because there is some probability that the upshot of the present agitation will be the development of an official monopoly, there is good ground for supposing that the task of enforcing the new Regulations will prove beyond the power of the Central Government to accomplish. Under such circumstances precipitate action in the foreign Settlement would appear injudicious. Here at present the houses for smoking opium are under supervision by the police, are maintained in conditions of sanitation, and afford resorts for smokers, the use of which tends to prevent the baleful influence of the drug from spreading to the family. From closing the houses in the cities of Shanghae and Soochow no diminution in the sale or consumption of the drug is apparent, nor is there likelihood that the result would be different in this Settlement. So long as opium is smoked the exercise of municipal control is alike necessary and desirable, for it may with certainty be predicted that the precipitate discontinuance of licences would bring about the surreptitious use of the drug in the lower-class native lodging houses, and that the prevention of the practice would involve almost insuperable difficulty.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nDAVID LANDALE, Chairman,\n\nThe value of the system in force lies, however, not alone in the income it produces, but also in the condition imposed in the licences of both classes that the police on duty shall have free access at all times to the premises concerned,\n\n390", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415699, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 394, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nShanghae to report whether he regards the measures taken by the local authorities there as effective, and have requested Mr. Leech, the Councillor of the Legation, to prepare a statement based upon the Consular and Missionary Reports of the action taken throughout the Empire to give effect to the Edict of the 20th September, 1906. Both of these documents I hope to forward by next bag.\n\nI have sent a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 122.) Sir,\n\nShanghae, October 24, 1907. WITH reference to the question of the prohibition of the consumption and cultivation of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith a copy of a letter which I have received from the Chairman of the Shanghae Municipal Council in reply to the communication which, in accordance with your circular instructions of the 31st July, I addressed to him on the 6th August informing him of the opinion held by His Majesty's Government in regard to the closing of opium shops and dens within the limits of the various foreign Settlements and Concessions,\n\nThe letter expresses the willingness of the Council, if the course of total suppression and concurrent limitation of supply during the next ten years is generally followed elsewhere in China, to adopt a similar course in respect to municipal licences as will bring about their complete suspension at the end of the same period, and mentions, as evidence of their readiness to co-operate in the suppression movement, that all applications for new licences are being refused. At the same time stress is laid by the Chairman on the necessity and desirability, so long as opium is smoked, of municipal control, and on the evils which any precipitate discontinuance of licences would entail, especially in view of the improbability that the Central Government will be in a position to enforce the new regulations.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nPELHAM L. WARREN.\n\nMunicipal Council, Shanghae, to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nCouncil Room, Shanghae, October 18, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th August, communicating to the Council the opinion of His Majesty's Government that, under certain circumstances, the opium shops and dens within the limits of this and other foreign Settlements should be closed.\n\nThe strictly local aspect of this important question is one which, since the suggested Regulations for the suppression of opium received Imperial sanction in November 1906, has had the continuous attention of the Council, and I have the honour to set out certain facts which bear thereon, together with a statement of the policy which it appears to my colleagues and myself desirable to follow in the best interests of good order and administration in Shanghae.\n\nArticle 34 of the Bye-laws attached to the Land Regulations charges the Council with the duty of licensing shops for the sale of opium, and, under provision thereof, there are at present licensed 86 shops selling the crude drug (Class 1) and 1,511 houses where opium is smoked (Class 2). The revenue derived therefrom is estimated for the current year as follows →\n\n \n Under Class 1, a variable fee of from 1 dol. 50 c. to 10 dollars per house per month..\n Taels 5,500\n \n \n Under Class 2, at 50 cents per opium lamp per month\n 65,000\n \n \n \n 392\n \n\nThe value of the system in force lies, however, not alone in the income it produces, but also in the condition imposed in the licences of both classes that the police on duty shall have free access at all times to the premises concerned.\n\nThe revenue of the municipality is fixed for each year in advance, at the annual meeting of ratepayers, and no alteration in the schedule is legally possible, therefore, until the next such meeting in March 1908.\n\nBy that date it may be presumed that there will be sufficient indications of the aims and intentions of the provincial authorities throughout China as to giving real effect to the terms of the Imperial Edict, and some closer estimate may then be formed as to whether or no this present endeavour to check the use of the drug will prove as abortive as those of former years.\n\nIf the course of total suppression during a period of ten years is genuinely followed, and if a tendency is shown to bring about concurrent limitation of supply, there will be occasion to adopt the same course in respect to municipal licences, which may then be issued with such gradually accumulating restrictions as will bring about their complete suspension at the end of the same period. For the present it has been considered advisable to refuse all applications for new licences, and thereby to indicate readiness to co-operate in the suppression movement if carried to a conclusion.\n\nFinally, and above all other considerations, I have the honour to observe that because prohibitive Decrees in the past have been almost totally disregarded, because many subordinate native officials have direct interest in the cultivation of the poppy, and because there is some probability that the upshot of the present agitation will be the development of an official monopoly, there is good ground for supposing that the task of enforcing the new Regulations will prove beyond the power of the Central Government to accomplish. Under such circumstances precipitate action in the foreign Settlement would appear injudicious. Here at present the houses for smoking opium are under supervision by the police, are maintained in conditions of sanitation, and afford resorts for smokers, the use of which tends to prevent the baleful influence of the drug from spreading to the family. From closing the houses in the cities of Shanghae and Soochow no diminution in the sale or consumption of the drug is apparent, nor is there likelihood that the result would be different in this Settlement. So long as opium is smoked the exercise of municipal control is alike necessary and desirable, for it may with certainty be predicted that the precipitate discontinuance of licences would bring about the surreptitious use of the drug in the lower-class native lodging houses, and that the prevention of the practice would involve almost insuperable difficulty.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nDAVID LANDALE, Chairman.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415705, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 400, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\n{\n\n3\n\n393\n\nThe petitioners further say:\n\n\"The Kaiping Company (English Company) have no mining rights outside the 10-k limit from Tongshan, and therefore no matter who may be the owner of the land, they have no right to open mines without the permission of the local authorities and a permit obtained through them from the Board of Commerce.\"\n\nIn the Deed of Concession (Annexure No. 4) the Viceroy has taken care to state that in their further Petition they (the Tien-tsin Government Bank) point out that the boundaries of this mine pass through Paitaotzu and other places, but that this does not in any way affect the mining rights of the Kaiping Company (English Company).\n\nThe statement of the Tien-tsin Government Bank is quite unfounded, and can only be attributed to the fact that not being able to deny the validity of the Deed of Transfer of the 19th February, 1901, as a whole, they seek to limit the rights of the English Company in the Tongshan Basin.\n\nThe assertion made by the Tien-tsin Government Bank that the old Chinese Company, whose rights the English Company acquired, did not possess the right to establish mines in the whole of the basin cannot be maintained. In proof of this, it is only necessary to refer to two letters written in the year 1899 by Chang Yen Mao to Mr. C. A. Moreing at the time when the former was endeavouring to obtain a loan of 200,000l. for the Chinese Company.\n\nIn a letter dated the 20th September, 1899 (Annexure No. 6), Chang Yen Mao expressly states that the loan has for one of its objects the opening of a new colliery near to the railway station at Kuyeh, on the line from Tien-tsin to Shanhaikwan, in the Province of Chihli, and he adds:--\n\n\"The loans and premiums to be secured by the coal-fields, mining rights, and plant, and all the property acquired, or to be acquired, by the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company (Chinese Company) in connection with the collieries at Tangshan, Linsi, and Kuyeh.\n\nIn another letter, of the 17th October, 1899 (Annexure No. 7), Chang Yen Mao repeats that the loan is necessary as much for the construction of a harbour pier at Ching-wang Tao as for the opening of a new colliery at Wu-shui Chwang.\n\nThe loan that Chang Yen Mao applied for was ultimately made, and an Edict was obtained from the Throne by Chang Yen Mao authorizing him to raise the loan on behalf of the Chinese Company (Annexure No. 8).\n\nThe general mortgage bond, which was drawn up to secure the loan, is dated the 20th September, 1899 (Annexure No. 9). It expressly states that the proceeds of the loan are to be applied, amongst other objects, to the acquisition and opening up of a new colliery near the railway station of Kuyeh on the Tien-tsin-Shanhaikwan Railway line in the Province of Chihli, or such other colliery as may be approved by the said Bewick, Moreing, and Co. and Gustav Detring.\n\nThe loan having been thus raised by the Chinese Company, the preliminary work for the establishment of a new colliery at Wu-shui Chwang was immediately entered upon, and was only abandoned in consequence of the Boxer rising.\n\nThe documents quoted above prove that the Chinese Company enjoyed complete rights over the whole of the Kaiping Basin. The fact is confirmed in the clearest manner by an official Memorial addressed to the Throne on the 20th day of the 5th moon of the 27th year of Kuang-su, i.e., on the 11th July, 1901, by Chang Yen Mao and Li Jung-chang, then Viceroy of Petchili. This document was prepared for the express purpose of making known the Agreements entered into between the Chinese Company and the new English Company (Annexure No. 10). We extract therefore the following passage:-----\n\nS\n\nApart from sinking additional shafts at Liu-shi, which is 50 li distant from Tongshan, permission was obtained to buy land and sink shafts at Wu-Shui-Chwang, Pai Tao Tzu, and other places in the Lanchow district which were found to be connected by the same seam of coal at Tongshan. The object was to provide a supply in case the output of the Tougshan and other mines should not be sufficient.\n\nIt should be remembered that Chang Yen Mao, in the action which he brought in the English Courts on the order of the Throne and of the Viceroy himself, far from attacking the validity of the Deed of Sale of the 19th February, 1901, recognized its validity, and only asked the English Court that an accessory Agreement called the\n\nA\n\n\"Memorandum\" which had been entered into at the same time should be made equally binding on the English Company.\n\nThe Deed of Sale of the 19th February, 1901, was not only entered into by Chang Yen Mao with the knowledge of Li Hung-chang but the latter subsequently recognized the transaction by joining on the 11th July, 1901, in a Memorial which Chang Yen Mao addressed to the Throne in order to report the sale of the Chinese Company's undertaking and the registration in London of the English Company. Attention will be drawn later on to this important document, and it is sufficient to note here that the Viceroy, so far from ignoring the transfer, expressly approved it.\n\nWhen Chang Yen Mao came to Europe to bring the action against the English Company it was, as above pointed out, at the express order of the Throne and the Viceroy Yuen Chi Kai. He had been instructed to \"recover the Company.\"\n\nOn receipt of the Memorial above mentioned the Throne signed the following Rescript:--\n\n\"This has been noted: the said Minister must bear the whole responsibility and let him zealously and satisfactorily manage the Company in order to protect this source of profit.\"\n\nThe Imperial Rescript thus confirms the transaction but reserves Chang's responsibility vis-à-vis the Chinese authorities.\n\nIt was only after the date of this Rescript that the debenture and share capital was issued.\n\nSince then, the English Company has proceeded with its business for six years and has always regularly met its obligations towards the Chinese Government, as Yuen Chi Kai himself states in his report to the Throne. (Annexure No. 11.)\n\nRespecting the sovereignty of the Chinese Government, the Limited Company cannot of course encroach upon that, and the duties, taxes, li-kin, and royalties the Company has not forgotten to pay.\n\nHe is still more explicit in his letter to Chang (Annexure No. 12), where he declares:--\n\n\"The rights and powers of the Imperial Government cannot be, never were, nor will be encroached by the said Company (the English Company). They paid their taxes and reported their proceedings and annual accounts.\"\n\nThe position may therefore be summed up as follows:--\n\n(a.) The English Company has validly acquired the exclusive mining rights over the whole of the Kaiping Basin by the Deed of the 19th February, 1901, which was entered into by Chang Yen Mao in his capacity as Director-General of the Chinese Company and Minister of Mines for the Province of Chibli.\n\n(b.) This Deed has been approved by Li Hung-chang, then Viceroy of Petchili. (c.) It has also been confirmed by Imperial Decree.\n\nUnder these circumstances the Concession purported to have been granted by the ex-Viceroy Yuen Chi Kai to the Lanchow Mining Company is a direct infringement of the English Company's rights and ought to be cancelled.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(The Chinese Engineering and Mining Company,\n\nLimited),\n\n(Signed) ALF. W. BERRY, Secretary.\n\nAnnexures No. 1 to No. 4.\n\n[Already printed.]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415710, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 405, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "403\n\n12\n\n4. That the detailed arrangements connected with the outstanding affairs of the Company will be equitably arranged between Chang Yi and General Manager Nathan.\n\n5. That the Company will not interfere with the territorial jurisdiction of the Chinese Government respecting the land and harbour at Chingwangtao.\n\n6. At Chingwangtao on the land obtained by the Company through purchase and on that held in trust for the Chinese Government the sovereignty of the Chinese Government and Chinese local officials in exercising their territorial powers and rights shall be fully respected and recognized by the Company.\n\nRespecting the information of a Settlement and the establishment of a municipality, &c., these will be arranged by the Customs Taotai of Tien-tsin according to the original despatch of the Viceroy of Chihli and subject to the approval of the Viceroy. The Imperial Edict strictly ordered Chang Yi to make complete restoration and what has been presented cannot be called restoration. Restoration means that the registration in England of the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company as a Limited Company should be entirely cancelled and the Company revert to Chinese control, and that all the Company's lands and buildings, and all the steamers for shipping coal, &c., belonging to the Company should be also restored and be under Chinese control. The matter of the land and harbour at Chingwangtao to be clearly settled by a payment to the Limited Company of a certain sum of money incurred in expenses and to become Chinese Government property again, and in so doing will he act in accordance with the Imperial Edict, as it points out to strictly order Chang Yi to make complete restoration. These six Articles were agreed upon and still exist in the Limited Company, and the Company has not been cancelled yet. Respecting the sovereignty of the Chinese Government, the Limited Company cannot, of course, encroach upon that and the duties, taxes, li-kin, and royalties the Company has not forgotten to pay. The report sent to me is made up of useless language and most of it is full of ineffective thoughts.\n\nIn the sixth Article it is evidently recognized that the arrangements for the converting of Chingwangtao Harbour have not been decided on and that the Limited Company having already recognized it as a commercial port it can be arranged that the Customs Taotai of Tien-tsin will have the decision regarding the arrangements in accordance with the despatch of the former Viceroy. In this there seems a slight chance of being able to deal with the matter.\n\nThe Customs Taotai, Tang Shai Yi, reports that he has consulted with W. S. Nathan on several occasions regarding Chingwangtao, and that the understanding come to is similar to the sixth Article, but I should still be allowed to order the Customs Taotai to arrange terms for a proper settlement which may enable us to get back a portion of the land, and in this case we can consider that the portion of the land recovered has been rescued in conformity with the wishes of the Chinese Government orders which is so careful about territorial land. The outcome of this case depends purely on whether the mine and properties can be restored or not.\n\nChang Yi in the spring of last year received several Imperial Orders ordering him to make restoration, but one year has now elapsed and he has been still unable to restore it. According to the opinion of some of the English people here, if Chang Yi were to go to England and be present in Court during the lawsuit which has been instituted for the recovery of the property the desired result might be arrived at easier, but even then it is not certain that this would be the case. Again, I have consulted foreign lawyers on the subject four different times and their opinion is that Chang Yi in the 27th year (1901) made an Agreement to sell Government land and that he undoubtedly used the official seal. That, although this has occurred several years ago, it had been so far impossible for him to make restoration as he was ordered to do, and that even if it could be restored a sum of 6,000,000 or 7,000,000 taels would have to be paid back to the English people as an indemnity for their loss, but as China is overburdened with debt it is, of course, quite impossible to raise such a sum. Further, that Chang Yi was a poor man and only owed his success to the great favour shown him at all times by the throne, and that instead of exerting himself to repay their favours by noble deeds he seized the first opportunity to sell the mines and land of the Imperial Government to a foreigner, and this during the Boxer outbreak in 1900, and while Prince Ching and Li Hung-chang were negotiating for peace at Peking, and that the degraded Chang Yi did make the sale above mentioned on his own accord and without having first obtained the very necessary permission and that he used the official seal in connection with this sale.\n\nA.\n\n13\n\nHe never waited for Li Hung-chang to compose the Memorial to the throne and, moreover, he caused the impression to be spread that Li Hung-chang, acting conjointly with himself, had memorialized the throne, but it is apparent that the real truth was never presented to the throne. He has been guilty of fraud. He wished to raise foreign shares and to change the Company into an Anglo-Chinese Company, and the Agreements and Memorandums entered into with the foreigners have never been copied or memorialized to the throne. I have justified my statement that he had the full intention to cheat and disregard the throne, and when his follies began to come to light he was still unwilling to take steps for a speedy restoration of the mine and lands, but kept putting it off and concealing his follies until the matter has gone on entirely too long and it seems that no remedy can be effected. Surely he is too ungrateful, and with regard to the steps that should now be taken, I earnestly beg the Imperial throne to give their decision, hence my Memorial which I lay before the throne.\n\nRescript received, written with the Vermillion Pen, thus\n\nTo strictly order Chang Yi to make complete restoration as quickly as possible.\n\n18th, 2nd moon.\n\nAnnexure No. 12.\n\nViceroy Yuan Chi Kai to Chang Yen Mao.\n\nI understand by your Excellency's letter that you have recently come to an understanding with Major Nathan, Agent and General Manager of the Limited Company, and the points agreed on are roughly as follows:-\n\n1. That the Limited Company shall on no account encroach on the rights and powers of the Chinese Imperial Government as the Lord of Soil.\n\n2. That the Limited Company agree to pay the taxes and li-kin, royalties, &c., which have been imposed on the produce of the mines.\n\n3. That the proceedings of the Limited Company and its annual accounts shall be reported regularly to the Viceroy of Chihli. That the Regulations laid down by the Central Government shall be observed by the Limited Company.\n\n4. That the general administration of the Company shall be only discussed and settled by you and the Agent of the Limited Company.\n\n5. That with regard to the establishment of the Port of Chingwangtao, the rights and powers of the Chinese Imperial Government shall be in no way infringed by the Limited Company.\n\n6. That at Chingwangtao there are lands owned by the Company and those which were put under the charge of the Company, in dealing with them the Customs Taotai of Tien-tsin shall refer to the original despatch of the late Viceroy wherein he ordered the Company to buy lands.\n\nIn reply to your letter I am obliged to intimate to you that, in full conformation with the Imperial Edict issued last December, you are ordered to effect a complete restoration of the said Company to the original Chinese ownership. By complete restoration we mean that in the first place the registration of the newly incorporated Company in London should be cancelled and nullified. And further all the properties of, and those in connection with the Company, such as lands, rails, canals, wharfs, buildings, depôts, coal-yards, manufactories and other branches of mining enterprise, ships, &c., must all be received back, and reinstituted to the management of our own people. And thirdly, as to the Port Chingwangtao, the money spent by the Limited Company should be estimated and refunded to them in order that it may become a purely Chinese port and to be managed by proper officials. This is the meaning of the term \"Complete Restoration,\" as it is used in the said Imperial Edict.\n\nIn the agreement you presented, the said Limited Company enters therein as a party, this of course shows that the same is in full existence, and therefore the very first requirement has not been fulfilled. As on other points, the limitations laid down to the powers of the Limited Company seem all superfluous. The rights and powers of the Imperial Government cannot be, never were, nor will be encroached by the said Company. They paid their taxes, and reported their proceedings and annual accounts. To what purpose, therefore, your newly signed agreement was meant, I fail to see.\n\nHowever, in the 6th Article about the Port Chingwangtao the Limited", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415711, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 406, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[41337]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n404 C.C. 3394\n\n[December 17]\n\nRESP SECTION 1. PEG 29 JAN 08\n\nThe Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company to Foreign Office.-- (Received December 17.)\n\n**(Confidential)**\n\nElectra House, Finsbury Pavement, London, Dear Sir Francis,\n\nDecember 16, 1907.\n\nI send you a copy of a telegram we have today received from our Manager in China with regard to the difficulties between China and Japan in coming to an arrangement as to the Manchurian telegraphs.\n\nYours faithfully,\n(Signed) F. E. HESSE.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bullard to the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company,\n\n**(Confidential.) (Telegraphic.)**\n\nShanghae, December 14, 1907.\n\nDresing wires, unless British pressure brought to bear on Japan, hopeless to arrive at any arrangement, as Japan refusing to acknowledge Manchuria as independent Chinese territory. Russia now offended, informed Wai-wu Pu that if Japan not immediately placed on same footing South Manchuria as Russia North Manchuria, Russia obliged to cancel Convention just concluded. Officially, through Wai-wu Pu here, and Minister, Tokio, protested against Japan having ten public telegraph stations in Manchuria outside railway territory, but protest ignored by Japan. British Minister says can do nothing, as only instructed to interfere if your interests in through traffic involved; but beg to point out that the above-mentioned ten Japanese stations are injuring joint interests, and if not closed, Russian Convention will be cancelled and a Russo-Japanese-Manchurian Telegraph Convention eventually made, whereby joint interests seriously involved. Dresing asks, if possible, Company induce British Government to protest against Japan having public telegraph stations outside railway.\n\n[2769 7-1]\n\n14\n\nThe Company recognizes that it is a port opened by ourselves. This is in coincidence with what was reported by the Taotai of Customs, and it shows something at least that is obtained in the right direction.\n\nI, accordingly, shall command the Taotai of Customs to proceed in steps which we deem suitable and thus hope to secure something from a total wreck.\n\nIn a word, whether you have done what you were ordered by the Imperial Edict to do or not, can only be judged by whether the Kaiping mines have been completely restored to the original owners or not. The term allowed to you for effecting this has now been already overpassed, and it would not become us to delay any longer. I must report to the Throne with the whole situation and see how it may please their Majesties. Interim, I beg to convey to your Excellency the above.\n\n0\n\n**(Seal)**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] \n\nPage 404 \nPage 14", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415719, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 414, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### No. 1\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received November 18.) (No. 200.) (Telegraphic.)**\n\nPeking, November 17, 1907.\n\nIN a telegram from Shanghae His Majesty's Consul-General states that a strong anti-railway agitation is reported by missionaries at Hangchow. Latter suggest that a gun-boat be sent to Chapu in view of possible emergency.\n\nI have telegraphed to him in reply to the effect that the Central Government have communicated two strong Edicts to the province and that they are fully alive to the importance of repressing any disorders which may occur. I have added that no effective assistance could be rendered to foreigners at Hangchow by the presence of a gun-boat at Chapu, the two places being 50 miles apart, and that the provincials, whose quarrel is not with us but with the Central Government, would only be needlessly irritated by such action.\n\nC.C. 3394 \n411 \nSECTION 29 JAN 08 \n[37827] \nPage ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415723, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 418, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# 415\n\n## 6\n\nby the Imperial Chinese Government with the funds at their disposal from Chinese sources, and if foreign capital is required, preference will be given to the Syndicate banks.\n\n## 4\n\n**Art. 20.** By the Preliminary Agreement under Imperial sanction, a participation of 20 per cent of the net profits had been promised to the Syndicate banks in remuneration for their general responsibility and services. In commutation of this participation in net profits, the Syndicate is granted the right to retain 200,000 taels out of the first issue of this loan, in instalments and on dates based on, and in proportion to, the terms of subscription to the loan as stated in the prospectus. No further payment in respect of commutation of profits will be allowed on any subsequent series of the loan, or on any supplementary loan.\n\n**Art. 21.** After payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan for any current year, the Railway Administration will deposit with the Syndicate banks in Shanghai or Tientsin any surplus of the net revenue of the railway line for that year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalment of interest on the loan, interest on the deposit being allowed on the best possible terms, with due regard to prevalent market rates.\n\n**Art. 22.** The Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) may, subject to all their obligations under this Agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions thereunder to any German or British Company, Directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the Director-General.\n\nthe\n\n**Art. 28.** This Agreement is signed under authority of an Imperial Edict dated which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain and Germany in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n**Art. 25.** Five sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, three sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government, and two by the Syndicate.\n\nIn the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[79]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nC.O. `3394` [January 1, 1908.]\n\nSECTION JAN 08\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.—(Received January 1.)\n\n22, Abchurch Lane, London, December 31, 1907.\n\nFROM telegrams which have been received by Chinese Central Railways, Limited, and by ourselves, from Mr. Bland, our joint representative in Peking, it would appear that His Majesty's Minister in Peking is now willing that the Agreement for the Tientsin-Yang-tsze Railway Loan should be signed, but that he is withholding his consent in consequence of the opposition in London of the British and Chinese Corporation.\n\nIn our letter of the 18th instant, we intimated our view that the prior signature of the Tientsin-Yang-tsze Agreement would be fatal to the Soochow-Ningpo Agreement, and we ventured to express the hope that His Majesty's Minister might decide to maintain the position he had taken up of requiring the two Agreements to be signed simultaneously.\n\nBut while still of the opinion that the prior signature of the Tientsin-Yang-tsze Agreement will imperil the conclusion of the Soochow-Ningpo Agreement, the Board of the Corporation are prepared to defer to the authority and experience of His Majesty's Minister, and are willing that the decision should be left to Sir John Jordan's discretion.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\n(The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited),\n\n(Signed) per W. KESWICK, Chairman,\n\n`[2815 a-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.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": 415737, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 432, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# 429\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n4\n\nCorporation; but the Railway Administration shall have the option of settling exchange with that Bank at any date or dates within six months previous to any due dates for the repayment of interest and principal.\n\nAfter payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan for the current year, the Railway Administration shall deposit with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation in Tientsin any surplus of the net revenue of the extension for that year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalments of interest on the loan, the rate of interest on this deposit to be allowed at the Bank's rates for current accounts or fixed deposits, as the case may be, to be arranged.\n\n## Art. 13\nThe Chinese Government hereby unconditionally undertakes to pay the principal of the loan and the interest on the loan on the due dates fixed therefor. If at any time the earnings of the extension, together with funds available from the proceeds of the loan, are not sufficient to meet the interest on the bonds and repayment of principal in accordance with the Schedule hereto attached, the deficiency shall be met, in the first place, from the salt li-kin revenues specified in Article 7, and if there should still remain a deficiency, the Railway Administration shall devise means of meeting the same, and should its inability to do so appear probable, the Viceroy of Manchuria, or in his absence his duly authorized representative, shall memorialize the Imperial Chinese Government to take measures to make up the deficiency from other sources, and thus be ready to pay off the indebtedness, so that the required amount may be placed in each case, at least fourteen days previous to the due dates of such payments, in the hands of Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation.\n\n## Art. 14\nThe bonds of this loan, together with their coupons, and the income of the extension, shall be exempt from all Chinese imposts and taxes.\n\n## Art. 15\nThe term of the loan shall be thirty years. Repayment of principal shall commence after the expiry of ten years from the date of the loan, and shall be completed in twenty years by equal annual instalments to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation as agents for the service of the loan, acting for the Corporation, under the terms of this Agreement, in accordance with the Schedule hereto attached.\n\nIf at any time after the lapse of ten years from the date of the loan the Imperial Chinese Government should desire to redeem the whole outstanding amount of the loan, or any part of it, not yet due for repayment in accordance with the Schedule of repayments hereto attached, it may do so until the twentieth year, by payment of a premium of 2½ per cent on the face value of the bonds (i.e., by payment of £102 10s. for each £100 bond), and after the twentieth year without premium; but in each and every case of such extra redemption, the Imperial Chinese Government shall give six months' notice in writing to the Corporation, and such extra redemption shall be effected by additional drawings of bonds to take place on the dates of ordinary drawings, as provided for in the prospectus of the loan.\n\n## Art. 16\nIt is understood and agreed that, so long as this loan is unredeemed, the extension shall under no circumstances be mortgaged to any other party.\n\nAs soon as this loan has been completely redeemed, this Agreement shall become null and void.\n\n## Art. 17\nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict, dated which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 18\nFive sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, three sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and two by the Corporation. Should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement, the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at ... the ... day of ... month of the ... year of the Emperor Kuang Hsü, being the ... day of ... 190...\n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS, CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[1045]\n\n## No. 1.\n\n[January 11.]\n\n### SECTION 2.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received January 11, 1908.)**\n\n(No. 553.) Sir,\n\nPeking, November 26, 1907.\n\nWith reference to my despatch No. 529 of the 12th November, I have the honour to report that the Wai-wu Pu have practically carried out their engagement recorded in my previous despatch to bring the draft Agreement for the Hangchow Railway up to the point reached by the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Agreement. In order to facilitate the execution of this promise Liang Tajen asked Mr. Bland to recast his draft so as to make it word for word the same as the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Agreement in all its essential points.\n\nThis has now been done, in English and Chinese, and although the formality of initialling the document has not been gone through, it may be considered to stand now on the same footing as the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze contract.\n\nI regret to state, however, that no material progress has been made towards signature. Overtures have been made to Mr. Bland to accept another loan contract instead, the suggestion being that if the Corporation will give up their claims in Chekiang the Chinese Government would take a loan from them for the Wuchang-Changsha section of the Wuchang-Canton Railway. Putting other considerations aside, this proposal is not practical on account of the engagements already existing with regard to railways in Hupei, and the complication of French participation in such a loan.\n\nAnother suggestion made to me indirectly by Yuan Shih K'ai was that the Corporation should accept a loan agreement for a line from Peking to Jehol and beyond, to connect at some undefined point with the Siberian Railway.\n\nI have turned a deaf ear to any proposal of this nature, and have continued to urge strongly on the Wai-wu Pu the necessity of carrying out the Chekiang Agreement as it stands without seeking for alternative solutions of the question.\n\nDuring the past few days rumours have been current that the Chinese Government have determined to take up a firmer position against provincial agitation, but there is no reason to believe that a settlement is yet within sight. The native press continues to clamour for the defence of the people's rights, and to denounce the subserviency of the Wai-wu Pu to a foreign Minister. The Government is warned in the most inflammatory language that if they yield in this matter, claims for concessions long since abandoned will be revived; that the spirit of the nation will be broken if the custodians of the country give away to foreigners the rights which are the people's. Exasperation will follow, leading to anti-dynastic risings, assassinations, &c.\n\nA perusal of such effusions leaves one in no doubt but that the Government has a grave problem to face. But I am by no means satisfied that they cannot deal with the situation if they choose, by displaying firmness for a few consecutive days, and I have to-day warned the Wai-wu Pu once more of the serious dangers they are incurring by allowing the agitation to continue.\n\nI was assured by the Grand Secretary, Na T'ung, that the policy of the Chinese Government remained unchanged. They would carry out their obligations, but must be given time to pacify the feelings which had been aroused. A representative deputation of the Chekiang and Kiangsu gentry was expected to arrive in Peking early in December, and the Government would then explain to them the true aspect of the case.\n\nI protested against this course of action as being unlikely to lead to a satisfactory issue, but was unable to obtain any other decision.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n3\n\n[2815 1-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415809, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 504, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# 501 \n\n6 \n\nThe action of this Government should be urged as a reason that the Viceroy should comply with the demands made, and I understand from the Consul-General that he has repeatedly used this argument, but without effect. If the threat of the withdrawal of these friendly offices on the part of this Government were made operative, the situation created would, in my opinion, be more difficult than that which would arise had the Colony even sent troops to assist in the suppression of piracy.\n\n4. I regret that this despatch has extended to such length, but I have desired to put your Excellency very fully in possession of the reasons which prompt me to deprecate the proposed action, except in the very last resort, and that, in my view, would not arise until some overt act of hostility had taken place which amounted to a rupture of friendly relations between China and Great Britain.\n\n5. My opinion has not been asked as regards the action which has hitherto been taken (though, by your courtesy, I have lately been placed in possession of all that has been done). The action at present undertaken by the British patrol on the inland waters of the West River, &c., is, I understand, limited to the examination of vessels flying the British flag and the search for unauthorized arms upon such vessels. I understand further that the so-called \"pirates\" are believed to be chiefly villagers inhabiting the riverside villages, who are prompted to these excesses either by failure of crops or by cupidity, and that the \"boat\" population do not (or only rarely) join these piratical bands. If I am right in these premises, and if it is desired to bring greater pressure on the Viceroy than the patrol, with its existing limitations of action, can effect, it would seem to me that the extension of search to vessels bearing the Chinese flag (which presumably are the only ones which commit piratical acts) would increase the pressure—a course I understand to have been covered by your Excellency's proposals in March last. The Viceroy might also be urged to locate troops in the riverside district without delay, and to issue an order that the chief official of the district in which an act of piracy occurred would be summarily deprived of office. The effectual action taken by the Taotai of Wuchau would seem to indicate that it lies within the power of these district officials to suppress piracy if they desire to do so, and these demands (since they do not involve foreign control) would probably not be repugnant to his Excellency.\n\nThe Foreign Office has suggested the destruction of villages harbouring pirates and robbers, but your Excellency would probably consider that the landing of armed parties to search villages for arms would probably necessitate the dispatch of troops, and would not improbably, in the present state of feeling, give rise to a conflagration. Such a measure could not therefore be resorted to, except as a final one after due naval and military preparations. It might also prompt the Chinese Government to come to terms if they are informed that the cost of the British patrol would be claimed from the Chinese Government, as was proposed by His Majesty's Minister in his interview with the Tsung-li Yamên on the 18th February, 1899.\n\nSir,\n\nI am unaware whether this has been already done.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) F. D. LUGARD,\n\n## Inclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\n### Admiral Sir A. Moore to Governor Sir F. Lugard.\n\n**\"King Alfred,\"** at Hong Kong, December 26, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your Excellency's **Confidential** letter of the 24th instant, in which you were good enough to furnish me with a full expression of your views in regard to the suggestion made by the Consul-General at Canton that the friendly legislation of the Hong Kong Government in the interests of China should be withheld.\n\n2. I note and fully understand your Excellency's reasons for deprecating such a course of action, except as a last resort following on the rupture of friendly relations, and I do not myself believe in the efficacy of threats, but as the main object of our increased patrol is to afford that protection to British trade which the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce asked for in July 1906, and which the Chinese local authorities have hitherto failed to provide, it did occur to me that, if the Viceroy was reminded of the friendly offices of the Hong Kong Government, and that the Colony was directly interested in the speedy settlement of the questions at issue, it might possibly help matters.\n\n7 \n\n3. I will inform his Excellency the British Minister at Peking and His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General, Canton, of your Excellency's views regarding the latter's proposal, and of your suggestions as to the alternative measures that might be taken.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) A. W. MOORE,\nAdmiral and Commander-in-Chief.\n\nSir,\n\n## Inclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\n### Governor Sir F. Lugard to Admiral Sir A. Moore.\n\nGovernment House, Hong Kong, December 27, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's letter of this date in reply to mine of the 24th instant on the subject of the measures to be taken for the suppression of piracy in Canton waters.\n\n2. There appears to me to be a slight misapprehension in the second paragraph of your letter, which I would desire to correct. Your Excellency says: “It did occur to me that, if the Viceroy was reminded of the friendly offices of the Hong Kong Government and that the Colony was directly interested in the speedy settlement of the questions at issue, it might possibly help matters.\" To such a course of action I have no objection whatever to offer, and, indeed, I understood that, acting on the instructions of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs dated the 16th August, His Britannic Majesty's Minister had made use of this argument, while the Consul-General at Canton told me personally that he had done so repeatedly. In a conversation with him on the 22nd instant, I informed him of the recent legislation regarding seditious publications, to which I alluded in paragraph 2 (c) of my letter to you of the 24th December. He was not aware of this Ordinance, and I suggested he should make use of the argument that it was a fresh proof of the friendly disposition of this Government.\n\n3. There appears to me, however, to be a considerable difference between the use of the argument that Hong Kong has continued to render friendly offices to the Viceroy which he ought to reciprocate and the threat of the withdrawal of these offices, a threat which it was the purpose of my letter to show would be difficult of enforcement. I regret that I did not make myself clear on this important distinction, which has necessitated my troubling your Excellency with a further letter on this subject.\n\n4. Proposals were at one time made that this Colony should take an active part in the repressive measures adopted on the Chinese waterways, and, if your Excellency considers that any such co-operation would assist the objects of the naval patrol, I should esteem it a favour if you would afford me an opportunity of discussing the question with you.\n\n5. The matter at issue appears to me to divide itself into two very distinct parts:\n\n(a) The obtaining of sufficient guarantees against further piratical outrages; and\n(b) Indemnity for the \"Sainam.\"\n\nThe first of these is by far the most difficult.\n\nIn regard to the second, the Central Government appears to have admitted responsibility, and the next step would seem to be the issue of an Imperial Edict ordering the Viceroy to pay the amount claimed. Such an Edict would, I presume, be obeyed, and, if it is not the final course, would appear to be that proposed by Sir John Jordan on the 25th July, viz., the taking of a material guarantee for payment.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) F. D. LUGARD.\n\nP.S. Since the above was written I have received your Excellency's despatch of the 26th December inclosing copies of telegrams to and from Peking of the 25th and 26th instant, for which I am much obliged.\n\nF. D. L.\n\n[2818 gg-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415824, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 519, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "516\n\n2\n\nI am forwarding copies of this despatch to his Excellency the Viceroy of India and his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Translation.) Sir,\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nWai-wu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nPeking, December 2, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's various communications on the subject of opium prohibition, in which the views of His Majesty's Government, in response to the detailed proposals of the Board, are conveyed, and to express to your Excellency my high appreciation of the cordial support which His Majesty's Government have lent in the accomplishment of this task.\n\nI have now the honour to communicate to your Excellency seriatim the present proposals of the Board:--\n\n1. Our assent to the proposal to commence from January 1908 the annual diminution of the quantity of opium exported from India to China, with a view to its final cessation in ten years, was signified to your Excellency last February. It is now the month of December 1907, and January 1908, the period from which the annual diminution of the export is to commence, is already close at hand.\n\nThe Board are willing to accept the present proposal of His Majesty's Government to put the arrangement experimentally into effect for a term of three years, with the proviso that, if during that period the Chinese Government shall have duly carried out arrangements on their part for diminishing the production and consumption of opium in China, His Majesty's Government undertake to continue in the same proportion this annual diminution of the export after the three years' trial period.\n\nThe number of chests given as the annual import into China of Indian opium differs, however, from the Board's own estimate. According to the Customs Trade Returns, during the five years 1901 to 1905, inclusive, the average total import was only 42,327 chests of 120 catties each. It is requested that the proportion annually diminished may be based upon that figure.\n\nThe import of Persian and other foreign opium will, of course, be limited in a corresponding manner.\n\n2. The dispatch of an officer to Calcutta to watch the opium auctions and the packing is merely with a view to ascertaining the exact quantity exported, and has no other purpose whatever. The proviso with which His Majesty's Government qualified their assent, namely, that such officer should have no power to interfere, will of course be notified by the Board to the officer sent.\n\n3. The original proposal to double the duty and li-kin charge on foreign opium was made with a view to utilizing the tax as a restrictive measure, and not with a view to increasing the revenue.\n\nHis Majesty's Government have raised three points upon which they require information in connection with the proposed tax and the value of the native drug. These are not questions which can be fully gone into at short notice. The Board therefore propose to postpone for the time being the levy of the double duty, and to reserve the question for future discussion.\n\n4. With reference to the prohibition of the import of boiled opium into China from Hong Kong, His Majesty's Government have agreed that each country should take steps to prohibit the import into its own territory.\n\nThe Board will therefore direct the various provincial Superintendents of Customs to draw up strict regulations for a careful watch to be kept to prevent the smuggling of boiled opium into China.\n\n5. With regard to the measures to be taken in the foreign Settlements and Concessions for the prohibition of opium shops, resorts for opium smoking, and of the sale of opium appliances, His Majesty's Government have agreed that if effective steps have been taken by the Chinese authorities beyond the limits of such Settlements or Concessions, the municipal authorities of these localities should also take effective steps on their own initiative, without awaiting the request to do so from the Chinese authorities. The intention of His Majesty's Government to accord the fullest measure of support to the efforts of the Chinese Government is amply evidenced by this action.\n\nNumerous Imperial Edicts have already appeared commanding that the measures to be taken for the suppression of opium beyond the limits of Settlements and Concessions by the local Chinese authorities should be energetically put into effect. Present appearances go to prove, therefore, that the consumption of opium by the lower classes is already showing a sensible diminution, a fact the truth of which your Excellency can ascertain by inquiry.\n\n6. His Majesty's Government have signified that they are fully prepared to co-operate in prohibiting the general importation of morphia and instruments for its injection as soon as the consent of all the Treaty Powers has been obtained.\n\nThe Board has the honour to inform your Excellency that correspondence which has passed between the Chinese Government and the various Powers has shown that they all share the view of His Majesty's Government, with the single exception of Japan, from whose Government no reply has yet been received. When the Japanese Government have replied signifying their consent, a further note will be circulated among the foreign Representatives.\n\nTo sum up, it is the earnest hope of China to effect the final and complete eradication of opium. Seconded as she is by the assistance of Great Britain, it is incumbent upon the Board to convey orders of a still more urgent nature to the local authorities to give energetic effect to the prohibitive measures.\n\nI have the honour to request your Excellency to communicate the terms of this reply to His Majesty's Government, and avail, &c.\n\n(Signed) Prince CHING,\n\n3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415825, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 520, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[1047]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n517\n\n[January 16th]\n\nSPORTON\n\nINFE\n\nFEB 08\n\n(No. 555.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received January 11, 1908.)\n\nPeking, November 27, 1907.\n\nDURING the past year reports have from time to time been sent to you of the progress of the measures which the Chinese Government and the provincial authorities were taking for enforcing the Opium Decree of the 20th September, 1906, but the information thus furnished was necessarily of a somewhat fragmentary character,\n\nIn order to convey an adequate idea of the results attained during the first year in which the Decree has been operative, I requested Mr. Leech, the Councillor of the Legation, to bring all the information at our disposal into a general and accessible form, and the result is the Report which I have now the honour to transmit to you, and which will, I venture to think, prove both instructive and useful,\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nGeneral Report on Opium.\n\nGLOSSARY.\n\nTHE following glossary is given of words used in this Report, which may not be familiar to those who read it-\n\nTAOTAL: The Intendant of a circuit usually composed of several prefectures within a province.\n\nYAMEN: An official residence.\n\nMANDARIN: A general term for an official.\n\nGENTRY: Influential people, not necessarily landowners.\n\nTexashur: Consolidated provincial dues; in this Report applicable to native opium, which pays a uniform tax of 115 Kuping taels per picul, whether for export or consumption, and on payment of which the drug is labelled, and can then circulate freely throughout the Empire.\n\nLi-kin: An inland transit tax.\n\nCONCESSION: An area of land leased in perpetuity by a foreign Government from the Chinese Government.\n\nSETTLEMENT: An area of land selected as a suitable place for foreigners to reside.\n\nCATTY: 1⅓ lbs.\n\nPICUL: 133⅓ lbs. (100 catties).\n\nMACE: 1/10th of a tael.\n\nHAIKWAN TAEL: The average demand value was 3s. 3½d. in 1906.\n\nKUPING TAEL: Is the Government Treasury tael, differing slightly from a Haikwan tael.\n\nCASH: About 1,200 are equal to 1 tael.\n\nDOLLAR: Present exchange is 2s. 7¼d.\n\nAS a year has now elapsed since the issue by the Chinese Government of the eleven Regulations framed for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, it will be of interest to review the results which have been so far obtained, and the measure of success which has attended the stupendous task of attempting by legislation\n\nPage 2\n\n \n(To be continued)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415826, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 521, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "to eradicate a national and popular vice in a country whose population is generally estimated at 400,000,000,\n\nChina has not hesitated to deal with a question which a European nation, with all the modern machinery of government and the power of enforcing its decisions, would probably have been unwilling to face.\n\nThough it is too early to expect any very definite result, the amount of success (and it is appreciable) which has hitherto been obtained produces the impression that the task which the Government has undertaken can be fulfilled, and shows conclusively that the Chinese people in general consider opium smoking a vice, from which they would willingly free themselves, inspired by what a missionary has aptly described as an ill-defined moral and patriotic motive.\n\nThe Court attaches great importance to the conscientious fulfilment of the Decree and Regulations, and the fact that the Central Government has found it necessary to adopt the unusual course of repeating the instructions at frequent intervals would seem to show that they are not altogether satisfied with the response which has been made. Moreover, the Decree of the 10th October, 1907, removing from their offices a number of high dignitaries and Princes who have failed to break off the opium habit within the limit of the prescribed time, indicates the determination of the Palace to insist on obedience.\n\nIf this example of the Court is upheld and followed by the authorities in the provinces, there seems no reason why the object of the Decree should not be attained in the specified term of ten years. The Vice-Presidents of the Censorate and of the Law Reform Committee, who were confirmed opium smokers, have recently died in consequence of having had to give up the habit. These sad results of virtue have caused the stringency of the Regulations to be relaxed, and those past 50 years of age are now to be allowed to continue smoking instead of 60 years; while those who have been addicted to the habit for ten years may continue to smoke in diminishing quantity during the ten years allowed for total abolition of opium.\n\nThe steps to be taken towards a general suppression of opium smoking practically only commenced in August last, and as the poppy is in most places a winter crop, and is usually sown in the late autumn, no reduction in the area under cultivation could be made last year in obedience to the Decree, while, as the seed is only now being sown, it is too early to judge how far the Regulations are being carried out in this respect.\n\nBefore explaining the action which has been taken in each province to carry out the Imperial Decree, it will be well to mention the difficulties with which the Government has to contend.\n\nForemost among those is the increasing difficulty experienced by the Central Government in enforcing their wishes in the provinces. The opium habit is one indulged in by all classes of society throughout the vast Empire, and is practically the principal, if not only, national stimulant. If opium goes, its place will not long be empty, and if its substitute is one which produces aggressive action rather than sedative inaction, the change will scarcely be a good one.\n\nThe loss of revenue will, under present conditions, be less severely felt by the Central Government than by the provinces. In a country where official statistics do not exist, and where there is often great irregularity of procedure, it is difficult to obtain figures which are absolutely reliable, but competent authorities assert that out of the total annual revenue of about 6,500,000l, collected on native opium only 1,750,000l, reaches the Central Government, the remainder being employed in the provinces. Formerly taxation on native opium varied in different provinces, but in July 1906 it was abandoned in favour of a uniform tax of 115 Kuping taels per picul, known as \"tungshui,\" leviable on all native opium, whether for export or local consumption. Once paid, the drug can circulate free throughout the Empire. Owing to the difficulties of enforcing this tax in the Province of Szechuan, the Central Government have permitted a return to the tax formerly levied, viz., 27-28 taels per picul and an additional 5-28 taels levied for railway purposes, which reduces the price of the drug in the province, but increases it in others, where it still has to pay the 115 taels \"tungshui\" on entering. Foreign raw opium pays 30 taels (Haikwan) import duty and 80 taels li-kin, and receives a Customs stamp which accords free circulation in China.\n\nThe prospective loss of revenue, however, is a matter which would not seem to have caused much anxiety to the Central Government, and, as far as can be ascertained, no concrete proposals have yet been made to replace the eventual loss to the Exchequer. In the provinces, however, the progress of the movement has been greatly hampered by the Revenue difficulty and the prospect of dislocated finances.\n\nPage 6\n\nWhether China can completely obtain the goal she seeks without Government control of opium, both native-grown and imported, is somewhat doubtful. She is debarred from doing so by Article V of the British Treaty of Nanking of 1842 and Article XIV of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858, which run as follows:----\n\nArticle V of the British Treaty of Nanking, 1842:\n\n\"The Government of China having compelled the British merchants trading at Canton to deal exclusively with certain Chinese merchants, called hong merchants (or co-hong), who had been licensed by the Chinese Government for this purpose, the Emperor of China agrees to abolish that practice in future at all ports where British merchants may reside, and to permit them to carry on their mercantile transactions with whatever persons they please; and His Imperial Majesty further agrees to pay to the British Government the sum of 3,000,000 dollars on account of debts due to British subjects by some of the said hong merchants, or co-hong, who have become insolvent, and who owe very large sums of money to subjects of Her Britannic Majesty.\"\n\nArticle XIV of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858:\n\n\"Aucune Société de Commerce privilégiée ne pourra désormais s'établir en Chine, et il en sera de même de toute coalition organisée dans le but d'exercer un monopole sur le commerce. En cas de contravention au présent Article, les autorités Chinoises, sur les représentations du Consul ou de l'Agent Consulaire, aviseront aux moyens de dissoudre de semblables Associations, dont elles s'efforceront d'ailleurs de prévenir l'existence par des prohibitions préalables, afin d'écarter tout ce qui pourrait porter atteinte à la libre concurrence.\"\n\nBoth in former years and since the issue of the Edict attempts have been made both in the direction of interfering with the importation of foreign opium and the establishment of official monopolies, and successfully opposed by Great Britain as contrary to Treaty stipulations.\n\nThe financial side of the question in connection with the establishment of a State control or monopoly is a very serious obstacle to be overcome should the matter ever come within the bounds of practical politics. In the cases where State control was recently commenced it was found necessary to seek the assistance of the native opium merchants in order to overcome the difficulty. Although China can deal with native-grown opium as she wishes, wherever the interests of British opium merchants have been affected by these monopolies complaint has been made, and they have in consequence been abandoned, except in the non-Treaty cities or ports where they have been established.\n\nOfficial control of any undertaking is in these days regarded in China with suspicion and dislike by the non-official classes, who would find no difficulty in convincing the people that the officials, so far from endeavouring to suppress the use of opium, were converting the traffic to their own advantage. However, it is evident that China cannot establish State control of foreign opium without the consent of the Treaty Powers, and, to judge from the past, it is questionable whether she would obtain the consent of all without having to pay very dearly by way of quid pro quo to some, and also doubtful if all would be prepared to approach the question from a purely moral standpoint.\n\nThe position of the Chinese Government in regard to the opium question is not dissimilar to that in which His Majesty's Government would find themselves if they desired to suppress the distillation and consumption of whisky in the British Isles without being able, owing to Treaty stipulations, to introduce efficient Government control or prevent the importation of the spirit from abroad.\n\nThe amount of opium produced in China in 1906 has been estimated at 330,000 piculs (a picul equals 1331/3 lbs.), and the accompanying map (Annex (C)) shows the various provinces and the amount of opium attributed to each, though the Province of Fukien is probably under-estimated. It will thus be seen that Szechuan alone produces close on two-thirds. Of this total production only 4,730 piculs were exported to foreign countries in 1906, of which the chief items were 4,013 piculs to French Indo-China, and 147 to Hong Kong, en route probably to Formosa. Foreign raw opium imported in the same year was as follows:\n\nPiculs.\nIndian-\nMalwa14,465\nPatna25,486\nBenares13,479\nOther kinds53,480\nTotal795\n54,225\n\nPage 3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415827, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 522, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "4\n\nThus China may be said to have required for her own consumption, 1906 :-\n\nNative opium Foreign opium Total\n\nPiculs. 325,270 54,225 379,495\n\nor 50,599,333 lbs. weight, or 22,588 tons, of which about one-seventh comes from India. It is said that, during the pourparlers which preceded the Anglo-Chinese Commercial Treaty of 1902, a suggestion was made by the Chinese negotiators that the Chinese Government should annually purchase the Indian export of opium with a view to controlling the sale of the drug in China, but that the question went no farther. Indian opium is stronger than that grown in China, and, moreover, the latter is frequently adulterated, which adds to its inferiority. It may be said that a smoker who requires to take 3 mace of Indian opium to produce a certain effect would, on the average, require 4 to 4¼ mace of the native drug to obtain the same result.\n\nThe Imperial Anti-opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, is as follows:--- \"Since the restrictions against the use of opium were removed, the poison of this drug has practically permeated the whole of China. The opium smoker wastes time and neglects his work, ruins his health, and impoverishes his family, and the poverty and weakness which for the past few decades have been daily increasing among us are undoubtedly attributable to this cause. To speak of this arouses our indignation; and at a moment when we are striving to strengthen the Empire it behoves us to admonish the people, that all may realize the necessity of freeing themselves from these coils, and thus pass from sickness into health.\n\nIt is hereby commanded that within a period of ten years the evils arising from foreign and native opium be equally and completely eradicated. Let the Government Council (Cheng-wu Chu) frame such measures as may be suitable and necessary for strictly forbidding the consumption of the drug and the cultivation of the poppy; and let them submit their proposals for our approval.\"\n\nand was supplemented by the eleven Regulations (Annex (A)) issued two months later for the enforcement thereof, and the Imperial Edict of the 26th June last (Annex (B)) in the form of a reminder.\n\nConsiderable latitude is not infrequently taken in China by the provincial authorities both in the interpretation of the spirit of an Imperial Decree, and in the steps they decide to take to enforce its provisions; but the Imperial wishes have undoubtedly been brought to the notice of most of the inhabitants of the Empire, and in every province special Rules and Regulations of some kind have been drawn up with a view to carrying out the desire of the Throne.\n\nThe average price per picul of raw native opium in the district in which it is produced, and before taxation of any kind, is 250 taels. In certain districts the price is as high as 500 taels, while in Szechuan Province, where, roughly speaking, as much as two-thirds of the native drug is both grown, prepared, and smoked, the average price is from 150 to 200 taels per picul.\n\nNative raw opium when prepared (that is, boiled) is reduced to about 65 per cent. of what it was before that process. Indian opium after a similar process works out at about 75 per cent. These figures, however, are only approximate, and it is quite impossible under present conditions to reach anything more trustworthy.\n\nThe important point in this Report being to show what really effective steps have been taken by the provincial authorities to carry out the Decree, it will, in regard to good intentions, be sufficient to say that the special Rules and Regulations they have issued in their districts have generally been in the right direction, though of great variety. In some instances they have been quite inadequate, and in others either not enforced or disobeyed.\n\nIn taking each province by itself, therefore, mention will rarely be made of the different local enactments, and the account will be restricted to a statement of what has actually been done to obey the Decree.\n\nThese accounts are chiefly based on reports supplied by His Majesty's Consular officers, who have been kindly and ably aided by the British Protestant missionaries in their Consular districts, many of whom, from their long residence in China and intimate knowledge of the country and people, have afforded both reliable and valuable information, often from remote spots where they are perhaps the only European inhabitants.\n\n5\n\n519\n\nMany of the replies which have been received from the missionaries to the questions put to them on the subject have been negative, and show that in numerous districts little or nothing has been done or even attempted to carry out the Regulations; but wherever the local authorities are sincere, energetic, and enlightened a beginning has been made and the fire of enthusiasm lit; still, as one Consul has remarked, it is necessary that some one should continue to apply the bellows.\n\nIn any case the information from which this Report is composed is undoubtedly the most far-searching, reliable, and accurate which exists on the subject at the present time.\n\nFengtien Province may be classified as a portion of Manchuria for the purposes of this Report, and the annual production of opium in Manchuria is estimated at 150,000 piculs.\n\nIn Mukden and other towns the opium dens have all been closed and their business has ceased. Opium shops still remain open, where the raw drug can be purchased, and its preparation at home presents no difficulty.\n\nIn Newchwang two refuges have been opened by the Taotai to assist people to cure themselves of the opium habit.\n\nIn Manchuria the poppy is grown as usual.\n\nMongolia. More land is this year being given over to poppy cultivation, and although the Mongolians are reported to have obeyed the Proclamation, the Chinese inhabitants now sell and smoke as usual.\n\nChinese Turkestan.--From Kashgar it is reported that the Imperial Edict and Regulations are a dead letter, most people being ignorant of their existence.\n\nChihli Province.--Production 10,000 piculs. In Peking itself, although some obscure dens may have eluded the vigilance of the police, it may be said that they have been closed. Shops are inspected and registered, but so far smokers do not register themselves. Orders have been issued for the abandonment of smoking among the officials and retainers of the Palace, but there is no means of ascertaining how far they have been carried out.\n\nTien-tsin. ---The dens are all closed in the city, while two proprietors who disobeyed were fined 100 and 300 dollars respectively, and each received 100 blows. The shops for the sale of raw or prepared opium are open, but under official supervision. The poppy area has decreased as a direct or indirect result of the measures introduced by his Excellency Yuan Shih K'ai, the former Viceroy.\n\nIn the country districts a certain number of dens were closed, but by the month of June general slackness and indifference were shown in regard to the whole matter.\n\nIn the mouth of April the Consolidated Opium Tax Bureau, which is a branch of the head office in Hupei, and unquestionably an official institution, issued a Proclamation urging the cultivation of the poppy for the sake of revenue, which can only be looked upon as an extraordinary proceeding in face of the Decree.\n\nJehol. The dens have all been closed officially, but smoking still goes on in other houses, and the officials have not the courage to take any steps.\n\nShansi Province.--Production, 5,000 piculs. As a result of the Decree, the duty on opium has been raised. The Provincial Treasurer has opened free dispensaries for the cure of the opium habit, and set aside 3,000 taels for the preparation of medicine for sale or free distribution by the officials. Between 300 and 400 applicants were reported to present themselves daily, and there is apparently a real desire among the people to overcome the vice. Some forty-one shops in the capital (Tai Yuan Fu) sell anti-opium medicines.\n\nIn one district in the north of the province quite a number of the poor are giving up the habit, and the poppy area is being considerably reduced, while half the dens are closed. In another, although nothing is done to restrict the continually increasing cultivation of the poppy, establishments for distributing anti-opium medicines are fairly generally started; the officials and gentry are favourable to the movement, have held meetings, and by exhortation some have been induced to relinquish the habit.\n\nIn Southern Shansi very few dens exist. Some people smoke in the opium shops, which are all registered and licensed, and, in addition to a licence fee, a tax of 100 cash (0.8 tael) per ounce is levied on all raw opium purchased by the shop. The sale of anti-opium medicines has increased, and smoking is prohibited in Government schools.\n\nAt Ping-yang, one of the chief towns in the south of the province, both dens and shops pay a monthly tax. Although none of them have been closed, no new ones are allowed to be opened.\n\n[2813 -5]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415828, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 523, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "The returns of the area under poppy are both carelessly and irregularly made. Shensi Province. --Production, 10,000 piculs. Generally speaking, no action has been taken beyond the publication of the Imperial Edict. The gentry are indifferent, and apathy reigns supreme, the Regulations being totally disregarded. Ten per cent. of the land is under poppy, and more is grown this year than last. In one district the farmers have reduced the area of poppy land owing to the decision of the authorities to impose an extra tax on land growing the crop.\n\nIn the centre of the province, north and south of the Hwei River, the gentry have established an Anti-opium League and distributed medicine gratis. Opium shops are inspected and their books examined. The dens, though few in number, have not been closed.\n\nIn the district of Hangchung-fu a missionary reports that the inhabitants, on hearing of a Proclamation which was received but never published, threatened to boycott all foreign goods.\n\nKansu Province.--Production, 5,000 piculs. Practically no official action has been taken in this far-off and conservative province. Few dens existed, as the people prefer smoking at home, but where they were found they have been generally closed.\n\nMore poppy is grown than ever, and in one district an official urged the people to plant for all they were worth, and to make hay (or opium) while the sun shone; in consequence, five times as much was sown. One missionary sends a discouraging report that the high price of opium has induced people to take to drink, while another states that those in his neighbourhood are trying various medicinal herbs as a cure.\n\nShantung Province.---Production, 10,000 piculs. At Chefoo the issue of the Proclamations was sufficiently effective to induce the owners of dens, about 300, to close these establishments of their own accord, except in the case of one proprietor, who required compulsion, and was subsequently paraded through the streets in chains, bearing his pipe in one hand and his lamp in the other.\n\nThe officials are credited with a sincere desire to assist the movement, and the people also appear anxious to see opium abolished, but smoking meets with such general and popular appreciation that its suppression will depend on the bona fides of the Government, or rather on the energy of the local officials, and fortunately these seem to be really in earnest.\n\nOne refuge has been established for the cure of the habit. But little poppy is grown near Chefoo, and there has been no restriction of the area, although returns were being prepared of the amount of land under poppy cultivation. In one instance the farmers, alarmed at the energy of the Inspectors, destroyed the growing crop. The officials have registered themselves, and in one district 50 per cent. of them are reported to have given up smoking, and so have 70 per cent. to 80 per cent. of the people. From another district one hears that smokers do not register themselves, though shops are inspected, and a report has been drawn up of their approximate number.\n\nChinan-fu. As a result of enhanced taxation, only one-third of the land formerly devoted to poppy in the south-west portion of the province is used for opium.\n\nAn official Prepared Opium Bureau has been opened, and native opium is to be subjected to the following experimental taxation:\n\n1. Land tax (amount not specified).\n\n2. Licence tax for selling prepared opium, 5 taels. For a district monopoly 50 taels is charged, and 1 tael for each branch shop.\n\n3. \"Tungshui\" Tax (115 taels) to be paid by the merchant at the first barrier, and prepared opium to pay from 70 to 116 taels per picul.\n\nKiungsu Province.--Production, 5,000 piculs. This province is the foremost in China in anti-opium measures.\n\nIn Nanking 100 dens were shut and their appliances destroyed because the proprietors refused to pay the new prepared opium tax. Effective measures of suppression are said to be in force among the student and military classes.\n\nThe official monopoly of prepared opium was to have commenced on the 8th September, but was suspended on the protest of His Majesty's Government that it came in conflict with Treaty provisions. The whole scheme is now in abeyance, and meanwhile all dealers in opium, raw or prepared, carry on their business as before, though no lamps are allowed on the premises. Rules relating to raw opium and the registration of smokers await the reply of the Viceroy's Memorial to the Throne.\n\nChinkiang.--All dens in the native city are closed, though some are still allowed to sell prepared opium for consumption off the premises, but only to known confirmed smokers. This was effected under the personal supervision of the Taotai, who, finding two proprietors smoking in their divans, administered 200 blows to the one and locked up the other.\n\nThe same procedure has been adopted in two other towns in the Taotai's district.\n\nThe British Concession at Chinkiang is the only British one in China where opium establishments existed; these have now been closed, an order having been issued by the Municipal Council prohibiting the sale of prepared opium within the Concession, thus anticipating any similar action on the part of the Chinese authorities. No real hardship was entailed by this order, for the licensed opium dealers, six in all, had each denied that he dealt in prepared opium.\n\nSoochow.--All shops registered at the Prepared Opium Bureau received a licence and paid the tax. A Proclamation has been issued that the price of prepared opium is raised by one-tenth, and of this increased taxation two-fifths goes to the Li-kin Bureau and three-fifths towards the expenses of the Anti-Opium Bureau. This Bureau has opened a department for the care and treatment of those addicted to smoking.\n\nFirst-class patients pay 6 dollars until cured; second-class, 3 dollars, half of which will be returned when the patient is cured; third-class are treated gratis. Accommodation is provided for 100 persons at a time. The proctor of the Anti-Opium Bureau has been cashiered for lack of zeal.\n\nShanghae. Here the authorities had to contend with the powerful influence and opposition of the rich consumers who derive their wealth from opium. These authorities, as well as the gentry and respectable merchants, were in favour of the Decree, and the closing of the dens became a fashionable and popular movement, Though trouble was anticipated, the closing of the 700 dens in the native city was peacefully and successfully carried out, the Opium Guilds having given way and supported the Taotai. Their suppression, however, did not appear to diminish the consumption of opium, shop sales rather increasing than otherwise. Finally the shops were closed.\n\nAn account of the attitude taken up by the Municipal Council of the International Settlement at Shanghae and by that of the French Concession is given at the end of this Report.\n\nAnhui Province.---Production, 3,000 piculs. At Wuhu practically nothing has been done to carry out the Decree, though in certain districts some attempt has been made to keep students and new troops from the habit. There is general inaction, owing to fear of riots and the absence of means to quell them.\n\nThough little poppy is grown in the province, a riot occurred near Wuhu in the summer, due to the arbitrary uprooting of the whole poppy crop in the district by the Magistrate, and generally as a protest against the Decree.\n\nJust when the dens were to be closed, the Governor was assassinated, and the authorities turned their attention to revolutionaries and shelved the opium question.\n\nAt the beginning of August all the dens were closed in Wuhu in order to enable a report to be made to that effect, but by the beginning of September they were all open again.\n\nIn several of the country districts they have been more effectively closed, though smoking still continues in private, as shops are still open; but it has diminished to a certain extent.\n\nAt Ningkuo refuges have been established, while the officials and gentry are in favour of the Decree.\n\nThe poppy area is reduced to one-eighth of what it was last year, but this is due to the heavy squeeze then exacted.\n\nIn the south-west of the province the number of dens if anything is on the increase, and morphia is greatly used. Nearly all the anti-opium medicines contain either opium or morphia, and the cure therefore only continues as long as the medicine is taken.\n\nChekiang Province.--Production, 5,000 piculs.\n\nHangchow.--The gentry and better classes are favourable to the movement. The officials have registered themselves as smokers or non-smokers, mostly signing documents of a non-committal kind to the effect that if they smoked they should be given six months' leave in which to cure the habit, and that, if then still addicted, they would consent to be handed over to the police.\n\nThe dens are all closed, and the Anti-Opium Society has opened a school for opium smokers, where they can learn trades, and advances loans to approved ex-denkeepers in order to enable them to start some other business. The Society also purchased the ...\n\nPage 520", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415829, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 524, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "old smoking utensils, 5,000 of which were publicly burned. Anti-opium pills are distributed gratis. A thriving trade is done by selling opium in the form of anti-opium pills, so that the people can change smoking for eating opium, which is cheaper and more convenient. It is stated on very reliable authority that it is far more difficult to cure opium or morphia eating than smoking or injection. The Anti-Opium Society is adopting similar measures in the country districts.\n\nThe Provincial Treasurer has been suspended on account of his opium tendencies. At Chuchow, in the south of the province, the local officials have either given up the habit or are endeavouring to do so, and one is said to have died in the attempt. The dens are all closed, and the trade of the opium shops is reduced to one-sixth of what it was last year.\n\nAt Yenchow, in the east of the province, all the dens are closed, and anti-opium medicines are distributed gratis under the auspices of the leading officials and gentry.\n\nNingpo. Activity in the movement has been delayed owing to the circumstance that the revenue is chiefly derived from opium, and cannot be dispensed with until a new source is found.\n\nBoth the Prefect and the Magistrate are said to have given up the habit, while two-thirds of the population are in favour of the Decree.\n\nApparently there is no decrease in the poppy-growing area.\n\nAll the dens in the city and in the Settlement are closed.\n\nKiangsi Province.—Production, 690 piculs. Generally throughout the province the dens have been closed and without any trouble, though shops selling raw opium are still open. The people are in sympathy with the Decree. But little opium is grown in the province. In the north-eastern portion only two-thirds of the old poppy ground has been taken up for the same purpose; but this is said to be due, not to the Decree, but to the high price obtainable for rice and flour. In any case it is not possible to form a reliable opinion till the winter crop appears.\n\nAt Yaochow the head of police, \"said to be the only opium-smoking official in the city, has been suspended for six months pending his cure.\n\nFukhien Province.—Production, 2,000 piculs—probably under-estimated.\n\nIn Foochow a native Anti-Opium League has been started, and, owing to the energy exercised, some 500 dens have been closed.\n\nThe high officials are said to have given up smoking. Three large and successful refuges have been opened in the city, and the treatment is gratis.\n\nIn the surrounding district all the dens are closed, and a very heavy fee is imposed for licences to opium shops. Four refuges have been opened and financed by the gentry, also many private ones. Admission is 2s. a-day for food and treatment, and free for the poor.\n\nEach building holds about twenty.\n\nAt Hsing-hua all the dens are closed, six proprietors having been cangued for refusing. A meeting has been held by the officials and gentry, when it was decided to open refuges.\n\nAmoy.—For some time no active measures were taken, but as soon as the Foochow Taotai sent officials to inquire why nothing had been done the local Taotai hastily issued a Proclamation on the 10th of July, and closed all the dens by the 19th, which shows what can be done in China when the officials are in earnest. Opium can still be purchased in retail shops, but may not be consumed in public places.\n\nThe poppy area is small, and some 50 miles north of Amoy has been reduced, owing, it is said, to the attitude of the Government.\n\nThe more important officials are endeavouring to give up the habit, also some of the literati.\n\nKuangtung Province.—Production, 500 piculs.\n\nKiungchow (Hainan Island).—Official control over the people is here purely nominal. Some 300 persons have registered themselves as smokers, and one or two dens have been closed.\n\nCanton. There is considerable activity among the Anti-Opium Societies and students in the way of propaganda, and well-attended meetings have been held, while smoking is no longer the fashionable vice. It has been decided that all officials are to cease smoking; all divans are to be registered, and the lawless ones closed. All smoking is to cease in hotels, restaurants, and brothels.\n\nIn June there was evidence of a desire to start opium farms in the provinces of Kuangtung and Kuangsi on the lines of that in Hong Kong, but the immense practical difficulties to be encountered prevented the idea from being carried out.\n\nIn September the authorities introduced a new licence fee, which, from the manner of its incidence, was in opposition to Treaties. It was withdrawn on the protest of His Majesty's Consul-General. Similar attempts were made in 1902 and 1903, but failed. It is reported in the newspapers that a non-commissioned officer, together with several others was executed by order of the Viceroy for assembling to smoke opium.\n\nSwatow—Little attention is paid to the Edict beyond a prohibition to smoke in public places. Purchasers may buy as much opium as they require, but must smoke at home. There are no licences.\n\nIn the neighbourhood of Swatow the dens are closed, and popular feeling is undoubtedly in favour of prohibition. In one case a den which remained open after the time limit was plundered by the people, but whether owing to moral indignation or to recognition of a favourable occasion to loot is uncertain; but the incident tends to show that the movement has public sympathy. Many Anti-Opium Societies have been started.\n\nLittle poppy is grown, but the area is decreasing.\n\nAt Chao-chow, though some thirty divans have been closed, all is confusion as far as the rest of the Decree is concerned, and the only practical proof of success is the fall in the import of opium by ten chests a month, while the price of foreign opium shows a steady decline. Native has also fallen in value.\n\nKuangsi Province.—Production, 3,000 piculs. At Nanning popular enthusiasm in favour of the Decree is so great that strong measures meet with no opposition. The dens are closed and a thorough inspection made by officials, who visit every shop, house, and hovel to obtain particulars regarding smokers.\n\nAt Kueilin, the capital, efficient measures were at once taken by the authorities. The dens are closed, but the drug can still be purchased in the retail shops. The future prospects are looked upon as distinctly hopeful, according to a missionary. Public feeling is aroused, and an energetic Governor is all that is wanted.\n\nAt Wuchow the action of the officials has been fairly satisfactory. The dens are closed, and two recalcitrant proprietors were fined and cangued.\n\nHunan Province.—Production, 3,000 piculs. At Changsha the authorities are sincerely in sympathy with the movement, and none of the local officials smokes.\n\nThe proprietors of dens—544 in number—have been compelled to give bonds to close within six months. Two dispensaries have been opened officially, and the poor are attended gratis. Two refuges were opened—one being subsequently closed, a single one being thought sufficient.\n\nClose upon 200 cures are reported up to the end of September.\n\nIn the west of the province considerable official earnestness is shown, the dens closed, and rewards offered to any one who discovers illicit establishments. A census of each household is taken to facilitate the control of smokers.\n\nHanan Province.—Production, 5,000 piculs. Little or nothing has been done in this province beyond the issue of the Proclamation. About 15 per cent. of the land is under poppy, and in the north of the province it is said that it is the feeling of uncertainty which prevents people from sowing more.\n\nIn one district, however, there is a reduction, and in another the crop was rooted up at the suggestion of the officials. But with these exceptions and the closing of the dens at Fukow no energetic measures have been taken.\n\nHupei Province.—Production, 4,000 piculs. At Hankow nothing has been done beyond threats of dismissal of officials, soldiers, and students, and, although dens have been closed in certain districts, shops still sell the drug. In some districts wheat has been sown among the poppies with the idea of replacing it, while in the north of the province the poppy area has, if anything, increased.\n\nIchong—Nothing whatever has been done—no Proclamations issued, and one or two more dens have been opened.\n\nSzechuan Province.—Production, 200,000 piculs, of which 182,000 is consumed in the province, practically no foreign opium entering this part of China. When these figures are compared with 330,000, the estimated total annual production of opium in China, it will be readily perceived how important a place this province holds in connection with the opium question.\n\nThe area of the province is said to be 167,000 square miles; that of the British Islands is 136,000. Sir Alexander Hosie, the Acting Commercial Attaché in Peking, who has spent five years in the province, has given the following account of the cultivation of opium in Szechuan:—\n\n\"The province was at one time the great wheat producer and exporter, but since the rapid extension of poppy cultivation that export has ceased and has been replaced\n\nPage 9\n\n521\n\n[2813 7-5]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415830, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 525, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "by opium. It is too readily taken for granted that the cultivation of the poppy trenches on the food crops of the people, but it must be remembered that it is a winter crop, and shares the ground with wheat, rape, beans, peas, and barley. Szechuan still (in 1904) produces sufficient flour for home consumption, and the export of wheat of former years has given way to opium, which the farmer finds a far more profitable crop. An English acre of wheat will, on the average, yield grain of the value of £1. 5s. 6d., whereas a similar area will produce raw dry opium of the value of £1, 16s. 8d.”\n\nThe population of the province is estimated at 45,000,000, and Sir Alexander is of opinion that 17 per cent. of the adults and 7 per cent. of the entire population are addicted to smoking.\n\nIn regard to the province generally, it may be said that, to start with, the authorities did not carry out the provisions of the Edict with any degree of completeness or sincerity, and that but little was done to abolish or restrict the habit. Matters have now improved, and official activity is more noticeable in many directions,\n\nIt must not be forgotten that the question is much more difficult to deal with in Szechuan than in other provinces on account of every one being personally interested in opium to a far greater extent than the inhabitants of any other province,\n\nIn Cheng-tu, the capital, the following steps have been taken to carry out the Decree.\n\nRefuges for the cure of the habit have been opened, and though they are not much patronized, there appears to be a real attempt on the part of the non-official and shop-keeping class to overcome the habit, while the officials do little or nothing to stop their own smoking.\n\nThe 500 dens in the city have been replaced by 300 well-appointed official divans for consumption on the premises, and though this arrangement carries out neither the letter nor the spirit of the Decree, it is a step in the right direction, and the complete prohibition of smoking in a city of 400,000 inhabitants where 50 per cent. of the male population smoke would undoubtedly have caused disturbances.\n\nAll persons using these official divans have to register themselves, but except in the case of the coolie class the authorities are unable to enforce this order with any degree of thoroughness. The richer classes have either laid in a store of the drug or purchase it secretly. Smoking is effectively prevented in colleges, schools, industrial institutions, the police, and the army.\n\nAt Kai Hsien, the largest opium-producing district in the province, where every available spot is under poppy, slight steps have been taken to obey the Decree. The Mandarin himself has given up the habit, and the yamên people have reported themselves. Some of the dens have been closed, and people have been beaten for smoking, but they are hostile, and destroyed four out of the twenty offices erected for collecting the opium tax.\n\nIn view of the unpopularity of the \"tungshui\" tax, which in some places the authorities were unable to collect, and in order to ameliorate the position of the opium merchants, the Acting Viceroy asked permission of the Board of Finance in Peking to revert to the former tax on opium, the objection of the people being that the tax deprived the poor of their pipe by making the price of opium prohibitive except as a luxury for the rich.\n\nThe result of the appeal to Peking was that the \"tungshui\" tax was abolished in July in favour of a tax of 27-28 taels per picul, with an additional tax of 5·28 taels for railway purposes on all opium, whether for local consumption or for export, this amount of 27·28 taels in the case of opium for export being divided into 20 taels as customs duty and 7·28 taels li-kin.\n\nAt Chungking half the dens were closed two years ago at the time the opium tax was increased, which shows the effect which taxation can have on the question.\n\nAn official Prepared Opium Office has been opened in the city for registering smokers, licensing smoking premises, and supplying the Government with prepared opium. The closing of the dens has been modified: 46 were allowed to remain open, 2 in each ward of the city, and this number was subsequently increased to 100, the proprietors depositing 50 taels guarantee for good behaviour. The poorer classes are registering themselves, and the rich have mostly laid in a store which makes them independent of the Government supply. The authorities show energy, fines, blows, and the cangue being administered, and a crusade carried on against unlicensed houses, illicit sale, and unregistered smokers.\n\nThe licensing system has not yet been adopted in the country districts, but it is to be on the basis of one guaranteed store in each village. In these districts most of the dens have been closed.\n\nPage 11\n\n522\n\nFrom Fushun a missionary reports that the dens have been reduced from thirty-six to seven. The officials are energetic, and great sympathy expressed for the thousands of poor who work in the salt-well district and are unable to continue work without the drug. Heavy taxation has reduced consumption, and less ground is under poppy than last year.\n\nIn the Luchou district many dens have been closed definitely, others reopened under the name of \"The Silver Exchange.\"\n\nIn the north-eastern portion of the province many of the gentry have given up the habit; some have entered hospitals, others are said to have cured themselves. Many dens have closed of their own accord, and the gentry have combined together to purchase and manufacture anti-opium medicine,\n\nAt Suifu the dens have been closed three times without disturbance, but many have reopened clandestinely, and though the police occasionally make ostentatious raids, they usually connive at what they dare not suppress.\n\nKueichow Province. Production, 15,000 piculs. All dens have been closed at Kueiyang, the capital, and a number of persons punished for taking in smokers.\n\nAn official Prepared Opium Bureau has been opened, also two refuges where 100 and 80 patients respectively are to be treated gratis.\n\nIn September, one had 10 indoor and 1,400 outdoor patients; the other, 7 indoor and 400 outdoor patients. Ninety days are allowed for the cure, which is said to be unnecessarily long, ten to fifteen being sufficient.\n\nYunnan Province.--Production, 30,000 piculs, of an estimated value of £1,000,000. The serious efforts of the Viceroy are looked upon by his subordinates, not only without sympathy, but with positive dismay. He has dismissed all opium smokers from his yamên.\n\nIn the neighbourhood of the city of Yunnan-fu there has been a considerable decrease in the area under poppy, but this is reported to be due less to the Decree than to the fact that the 1905-6 crop could not be sold at a profit, and that a large stock remained on hand. Both shops and dens have been inspected in the city, and the latter were subsequently all closed without disturbance,\n\nAn Anti-Opium Bureau has been opened to licence, regulate, and restrict the sale of opium, and in regard to the latter the authorities announced that the first year would be for exhortation, the second for zealous prohibition, the third for force.\n\nThe Bureau is actively at work, and eighty shops have taken out licences. To commence with, great difficulties were encountered in making a return of smokers owing to their reluctance to admit their vice. The manufacture and sale of opium utensils has ceased. Emissaries of the Bureau have visited each house and taken down particulars of every smoker and the number of lamps used. Preparations have been made to obtain returns of the area under poppy cultivation, which is to cease in the spring of 1910.\n\nThe sale of opium is to cease in July 1908, and an official Company is to purchase what is grown and sell it to those confirmed opium sots over 60 years of age who have been registered, and also, no doubt, to the Tonquin Régie (though this is not mentioned).\n\nThe Director of Agriculture has proposed that opium sots over 60 shall wear the red garb of a criminal, and be labelled, \"So-and-so, Opium Convict,\" and the Governor has favourably received this proposal. There are some thirty-seven anti-opium drugs in use.\n\nThus it will be seen that a serious effort is being made to carry out the wishes of the Government.\n\nTengyueh. Here the Regulations are not taken seriously by the people. Exhortation is not expected to have much effect on them, and the authorities dare not use force.\n\nAt Talifu the people are reported to have restricted the poppy area of their own accord and to be growing other crops.\n\nThe eleven Articles of the Opium Decree of November 1906 will now be considered one by one, together with the steps which have been taken to carry out their provisions, special attention being paid to the Province of Szechuan, where most opium is grown and consumed.\n\nArticle 1. Restriction of the cultivation of the poppy in order to remove the root of the evil.\n\nIn Szechuan, beyond general directions for the gradual reduction of the area under cultivation conveyed in the Viceroy's Proclamation, no definite steps have been taken to carry out this Article. If returns are being made of the area under cultivation, they", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415832, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 527, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "524\n\n14\n\nIn all Government colleges, schools, industrial institutions, the police, and in the army the prohibition is strictly enforced. Generally speaking, in regard to the rest of China, it may be said that not much progress has been made in the way of obeying this Article. There are instances of officials having given up the habit, and of attempts being made to do so; also instances of officials being dismissed, but they are few and far between.\n\nThe military authorities, however, are very strict about it in the Inchun (national army), and they profess to be equally so in the provincial armies, though it may be doubted whether the same energy is displayed in their case. The penalty for smoking opium in the army is death, but there is no proof of an execution having taken place. This, however, is negative evidence, as no foreigner is allowed to see a soldier punished. Lieutenant-Colonel Pereira, His Majesty's Military Attaché, is of opinion that, whilst officers in the first six divisions of the national army would not smoke, it is probable that there are cases in the national army in the provinces. In the capital the recent dismissal from office of a number of high dignitaries and Princes who had failed to break off the habit within the prescribed limit of time shows the continued interest taken in the movement by the Court.\n\nThe Imperial Maritime Customs issued two Circulars in December 1906 to those employed in the service, the one bringing the Decree to their notice, the other calling for a report in July 1907 giving the names of such subordinates in the service as still continue to use the drug, their age and length of service. The replies to this Circular, taken all round, have shown that smoking is not general among the native staff, and that where formerly indulged in it had in most instances ceased, or was being gradually given up.\n\nIt became necessary to dismiss a few whose efficiency had been diminished by the use of the drug.\n\nArt. 10. To enter into negotiations for the prohibition of the import of foreign opium in order to close the sources of the supply.\n\nNo foreign opium is imported into the Province of Szechuan, which produces more than is required for its own consumption.\n\nNegotiations are being conducted with His Majesty's Government, and the reply of the Chinese Government to the counter-proposals of the Indian Government is still awaited. The essential features of these negotiations were as follows: China proposed to annually restrict the import of Indian opium so that it would totally disappear within ten years, and in the meanwhile to double the import duty on Indian opium, which they alleged contained double the strength of the native-grown drug. The Indian Government, in reply, accepted unreservedly the good faith of the Chinese Government in putting forth this project of reform, were willing to face the eventual loss of 3,000,000 annual revenue at present derived from opium, but suggested that instead of China restricting the import of Indian opium the Government of India should reduce the gross export from India for a period of three years, and that this progressive diminution should continue after these three years if within that period of three years the production and consumption of opium in China had been proportionately diminished by the Chinese Government, and if the restrictions of the import of Turkish, Persian, and other opium had been arranged for and carried out simultaneously. The proposed increased duty on Indian opium was considered undesirable for various reasons, and the Chinese contention as to the relative strength of the two kinds (Indian and Chinese) not proven. Here the matter stands, and the reply of the Chinese Government awaited.\n\nShould these counter-proposals of the Indian Government be favourably received by the Chinese Government, it is much to be hoped that in approaching the Governments of the other Treaty Powers on the subject they will meet, not only with the same self-sacrificing spirit which has been shown by the Government of India, but with the same willingness to assist in the laudable endeavour to free the Chinese Empire from a national scourge.\n\nThe importation of Indian opium into China in 1906 was 53,430 piculs, while the total importation from other sources was only 795 piculs, from which it will be seen that the pecuniary interest of other countries in the trade is practically non-existent.\n\nArt. 11. All Tartar Generals, Governors-General, and Governors of provinces should direct the civil and military authorities in their jurisdictions to issue Proclamations promulgating these Rules for earnest observance,\n\nThis Article has been complied with.\n\n15\n\nAs foreign nations occupy a peculiar position in China by virtue of their Concessions, Settlements, and leased territories, it will be well to draw attention to the steps they have each taken to uphold or carry out the principles of the Opium Edict.\n\nGermany.--No opium dens have ever been allowed in the two German Concessions at Tien-tsin and Hankow, and the same may be said of Tsingtao, the new town created in the German leased territory of Kiauchow.\n\nJapan. No opium dens are permitted in the Japanese Concessions, as far as is known. In some of the Settlements measures are being taken, at the request of the Chinese authorities, to prevent smoking by Chinese, but at Antung there are any number of dens in use in the Japanese Settlement.\n\nRussia. There are only two Concessions, Hankow and Tien-tsin. In the former opium smoking is prohibited by order of the Municipal Council. In the latter the Russian Consul has been instructed to act with his colleagues in the matter of the suppression of smoking. In regard to the leased railway territory, the Administration has come to an understanding with the Chinese authorities with a view to enforcing the Opium Regulations in the near future.\n\nAmerica has no independent Concessions.\n\nFrance. All dens have been closed in the French Concession at Tien-tsin. Shanghai, where there is an independent French Concession, the measures adopted have not been of so radical a nature. No new licences have been issued by the municipality since the 1st July last. The licence tax has been increased fourfold, and females prohibited from entering the establishments, with the result that twenty-five dens have found it necessary to close their doors.\n\nEngland. There are now no opium establishments of any kind in any of the British Concessions in China, and the International Settlement in Shanghai is the only one which has to be considered in connection with Article 5 of the Decree.\n\nAny action which is taken in the matter rests with the Municipal Council, which is an international institution.\n\nThe Chairman has, through the Senior Consul, assured the Taotai of the Council's sympathy with the movement, and promised that as soon as there was evidence of bona fides on the part of the Chinese Government to give practical effect to the Decree the active co-operation of the foreign authorities in the International Settlement would follow.\n\nOn the 22nd June last the 700 native dens were closed, and the Taotai renewed his request that similar steps should be taken in connection with the 1,600 dens which exist in the International Settlement.\n\nHe was informed in reply that the course which had been adopted in the Chinese city of converting dens into shops for the retail sale of the drug, if adopted in the Settlement, would not tend to check the opium habit, and the Council suggested that, before they took action, some endeavour should be made to decrease the large areas in the interior under poppy cultivation:\n\nThe Council had also to consider the municipal finances, which look to opium as one source of revenue, and assert that before the month of March, when the annual meeting of ratepayers takes place, they had not the power to introduce any alteration in the system of taxation then in force. The Council obtains 75,000 taels a-year from opium dens. In view of the genuine efforts made by the native authorities at Shanghai and other cities to grapple with the evil, the Chinese Government can hardly be expected to be satisfied with the attitude of the Municipal Council of Shanghai.\n\nItaly. All opium dens have been closed since January 1907 in the Italian Concession at Tien-tsin, and a special Article is to be inserted in the Regulations for the Concession which are being drawn up, forbidding such establishments and commerce in future.\n\nBelgium has one Concession only, at Tien-tsin, and opium dens have never been allowed in it.\n\nAustria has only one Concession, also at Tien-tsin, and all dens have been closed in it since the 8th August, 1907.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415835, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 530, "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "1.3.\n\nNEW :\n\nPADNOS 2\n\n19\n\nArt. 10. To enter into negotiations for the prohibition of the import of foreign opium in order to close the sources of supply.\n\nThe prohibition of the growth of opium and of its consumption is a measure of internal policy which we are justified in taking without further circumspection. But the question of foreign opium which is imported from other countries hinges on our foreign relations, and the Imperial commands should therefore be sought to direct the Board of Foreign Affairs to make a satisfactory arrangement with the British Minister with a view to effecting an annual decrease within the next few years of the import of foreign opium pari passu with the decrease of native opium, so that both may be absolutely prohibited by the expiry of the time limit of ten years.\n\nBesides Indian opium, the drug is also imported from Persia, Annam, and the Dutch Indies in no small quantities. In the case of Treaty Powers, negotiations should similarly be entered into with their Representatives in Peking to effect the prohibition of such import; while with non-Treaty Powers, we can exercise our own prerogative in strictly forbidding the import.\n\nAll Tartar Generals, Military Lieutenant-Governors, Governors-General, and Governors should also direct their subordinate authorities and Commissioners of Customs to take preventive measures along the trade routes and frontiers to stop smuggling.\n\nAs regards morphia and the instruments used for its injection into the skin, the effects of which are even more injurious than those of opium itself, proper effect should be given to the stipulations laid down in Article XI of the British Commercial Treaty and Article XIV of the American Commercial Treaty, and instructions be issued to all custom-houses to disallow the import of any morphia or instruments into China which are not for medical use; while a strict prohibition must be enforced against any shops in China, whether native or foreign, manufacturing morphia or instruments for its injection.\n\nArt. 11. All Tartar Generals, Governors-General, and Governors of Provinces should direct the civil and military authorities in their jurisdiction to issue Proclamations promulgating these Rules for general observance.\n\n527\n\nEM\n\n(Translation.)\n\nAnnex (B).\n\nImperial Edict.\n\nOpium is in the highest degree detrimental to the people. In an Edict of last year prohibiting the use of it, the Council of Government were commanded to frame Regulations and to direct all yamens throughout the country to put a stop to it. In the third month of this year (13th April to 11th May), a further Edict was issued, commanding that general instructions be given to act in strict accordance with the Regulations which had been submitted to the Throne alike in respect of the cultivation, sale, and consumption of opium.\n\nThe welfare of the people is a matter of great concern to the Court, and this is a matter which must positively be put through. The Governor of Peking and the Tartar Generals, Viceroys, and Governors of the Provinces are commanded to issue strict instructions to their subordinates to put the prohibition into actual effect, to make it a matter of familiar knowledge in men's houses, to get completely rid of the evil. The Maritime Customs should keep a strict watch on the foreign opium which is imported, and the places in the interior which cultivate native opium must annually decrease the amount cultivated, in accordance with the dates sanctioned. It is further commanded that the relative merits of officials in this respect be recognized. If the instructions are zealously carried out by an official in his own jurisdiction, it is permitted to memorialize the Throne asking for some encouragement to be shown him. If an official merely keeps up appearances and while outwardly obeying secretly disregards these commands, he is to be denounced by name for punishment.\n\nIt is also commanded that an annual return of the land under opium cultivation be made, by way of verification and to meet the desire of the Court to relieve the people of this evil.\n\nJune 26, 1907.\n\nAnnex (C).\n\nMap showing the various Provinces and the Amount of Opium attributed to each.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415883, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 48, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(2506)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n45\n\n[February 3.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n7780\n\nRECE RE 4 MAR 08\n\n(No. 55.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, February 3, 1908: WITH reference to previous correspondence I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the India Office,* on the subject of projected railway communication between Burma and Yunnan.\n\nI have stated in reply that it appears now almost impossible to obtain a railway concession in China, owing to the organized hostility of the local authorities and gentry, and the weakness of the Central Government, this being the case even where a preliminary Agreement has been sanctioned at Peking and an Imperial Edict obtained; and it is necessary to bear this in mind in considering the question of the extension of lines from Burma into Yünnan.\n\nAs there is no prospect of obtaining a guarantee either by His Majesty's Government or the Government of India for a line beyond Tengyueh, or of any Company being found to embark on such an enterprise without a guarantee, all idea of seeing such an extension constructed must be abandoned, at least for some years to come, though nothing should, of course, be said to induce the belief that His Majesty's Government are willing to forego the claim which was placed on record in the notes exchanged in March 1902 by Prince Ch'ing and His Majesty's Minister at Peking, when the former stated that instructions had been sent to the Yunkwei Viceroy that similar privileges should be accorded to British as to French railway and trade enterprise.\n\nI further stated that to approach the Chinese Government on the subject at present would probably be fatal to the chances of obtaining a concession for the line from Burma to Tengyueh, to which the Government of India attach much importance. If, however, the Government of India are not prepared to undertake the construction of that line for the next two or three years, it is doubtful whether any advantage would be gained by making an application to the Chinese Government at present; and in any case it would be necessary to inform them that immediate construction was not contemplated, as it has been found that much prejudice has been caused to British enterprise in China, owing to the long delay which has occurred in some cases in taking up concessions which have been granted.\n\nThe foregoing observations indicate the manner in which the case presents itself to me on the information at present at my disposal, but I shall be glad to be furnished with an expression of your opinion on the subject, and also as regards the proper time for approaching the Chinese Government, and as to the terms to which the Chinese might agree.\n\nIn the meantime I have suggested that the Government of India should be asked if they would be prepared to guarantee a loan for the Burma-Tengyueh line, should a Company be found willing to undertake immediate construction.\n\nWith reference to the last paragraph of the letter from the India Office, I shall be glad if you will instruct His Majesty's Consul-General at Yünnan-fu to desist from further action, with a view to securing a concession for the construction of a line beyond Tengyueh.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n(Signed)\n\n* India Office, January 22, 1908.\n\n[2856 -\n--11", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415884, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 49, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[2506]\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Foreign Office to India Office.\n\n[February 5.]\n\nSECTION\n\nC.O.\n\n7780\n\nRECE\n\nPret 4 MAR 08\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, February 5, 1908.\n\nI laid before Secretary Sir E. Grey your letter of the 22nd ultimo on the subject of railway communication between Burmah and Yunnan.\n\nI am now directed to request that you will lay the following observations before the Secretary of State for India:\n\nIt appears almost impossible at present to obtain a railway Concession in China, owing to the organized hostility of the local authorities and gentry and the weakness of the Central Government, this being the case even where a preliminary Agreement has been sanctioned at Peking and an Imperial Edict obtained; and it is necessary to bear this in mind in considering the question of the extension of lines from Burmah into Yünnan.\n\nAs there is no prospect of obtaining a guarantee either by His Majesty's Government or the Government of India for a line beyond Tengyüeh, or of any Company being found to embark on such an enterprise without a guarantee, Sir E. Grey considers that all idea of seeing such an extension constructed must be abandoned, at least for some years to come, though nothing should, of course, be said to induce the belief that His Majesty's Government are willing to forgo the claim which was placed on record in the notes exchanged in March 1902 by Prince Ch'ing and His Majesty's Minister at Peking, when the former stated that instructions had been sent to the Yunkwei Viceroy that similar privileges should be accorded to British as to French railway and trade enterprise.\n\nSir E. Grey thinks that to approach the Chinese Government on the subject at present would probably be fatal to the chances of obtaining a Concession for the line from Burmah to Tengyüeh, to which the Government of India attach much importance. If, however, the Government of India are not prepared to undertake the construction of that line for the next two or three years, it seems doubtful whether any advantage would be gained by making an application to the Chinese Government at present; and in any case it would be necessary to inform them that immediate construction was not contemplated, as it has been found that much prejudice has been caused to British enterprise in China owing to the long delay which has occurred in some cases in taking up Concessions which have been granted.\n\nSir E. Grey is consulting Sir J. Jordan on the subject, to whose judgment he thinks it would be well to defer as regards the proper time for approaching the Chinese Government and as to the terms to which the Chinese might agree, and on receipt of his report a further communication will be made to you.\n\nIn the meantime, it might be well, if Mr. Secretary Morley sees no objection, to ascertain whether the Government of India would be prepared to guarantee a loan for the Burmah-Tengyüeh line, should a Company be found willing to undertake immediate construction.\n\nWith regard to the last paragraph of your letter, instructions will be sent to His Majesty's Consul-General at Yunnan-fu to desist from further action with a view to securing a Concession for the construction of a line beyond Tengyüeh.\n\nI am, &c. (Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n[2856]\n\nBr omm -1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415891, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 56, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty]\n\n4\n\n\"Tung Feng,\" belonging to Mr. Fisher, left Canton for Tseng Cheng, that on arrival at Tun T'ou, below Whampoa, she was pirated by pirates disguised as passengers, who took her to a place near Ma Ch'ung, where they disappeared with their booty. The losses in money and clothes were estimated at 5,000 taels, and you requested me to order the arrest of the robbers and the recovery of the property stolen.\n\nIn reply I have the honour to state that on receipt of your previous message by telephone, by Taotai Wen, of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, I at once sent stringent instructions to the Magistrate and military officer at Tseng Cheng, to the Pun Yu and Tung Kun Magistrates, and to the Kuangchow Colonel, as also to all the forces, naval and military, along the waterways concerned, to at once secure the arrest of the pirates and the recovery of the property. On this being done, and after the interrogation of the pirates, I will communicate with you again.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nDear Sir John,\n\nInclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Seal of Viceroy.)\n\nPeking, November 15, 1907. I have just read the inclosures in yours of the 14th concerning the piracy question.\n\nThe business is really of a territorial rather than a revenue description, and, as the officials now seem stirred up to activity, I think it would be well to leave things in their hands till it is seen whether their method is effective or not. I am glad to see the Viceroy offered to forgo the 200,000 taels sum the Customs seemed called on to provide, and I shall be more pleased still if we can get out of the position the Wai-wu Pu now wants to create, viz., the Customs to provide and support two cruisers, for I fear their action would either waste money by being useless or cause friction and unpleasantness by over-officiousness in matters not fiscal.\n\n0\n\nSincerely yours,\n\n(Signed) ROBERT HART,\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[2702]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[January 25.]\n\nSECTION 1,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 25, 1908.) (No. 568.) Sir,\n\nPeking, December 9, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 525 of the 12th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a summary of events which have occurred in China since that date, and of the more interesting newspaper comments on current topics.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n-(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1,\n\nMonthly Summary,\n\nTHE following extracts from recent daily newspapers published in Peking are of interest :-\n\nNaval Affairs.\n\nNovember 20.—“After further discussion of the question of reviving the navy and the financial difficulties which stand in the way, it is now proposed to direct the Maritime Customs to contribute to the expenses as under the old Rules. The sum provided by the Customs under the old Rules was 240,000 taels per annum, but it is not known whether this would be sufficient.\"\n\nDecember 4.-\"The want of a navy having caused China to be ranked below the first-class Powers at the recent Hague Conference, the navy question has again come to the front, and an Imperial Edict was recently issued requiring Chang Chih-tung and Shih Hsu to devise means and setting aside 5,000,000 taels from the Imperial Treasury for the purpose.\n\nAfter consultation with the Army Board and the Board of Finance and Communications, it has been decided to establish a separate Navy Board within the current year, to defray the initial cost by a contribution from each province of 10,000,000 taels in addition to the 5,000,000 taels already found, and to meet the annual expense by a stamp tax and increased passenger fares. Admiral Sa is to be temporarily appointed Acting President of this Board.'\n\nJapanese Buddhists.\n\nNovember 24.\" The Japanese Minister is being gradually brought over to the view of the Wai-wu Pu that the Japanese Buddhist priests in Fukien should be on the footing of travellers, not of missionaries, and should not be allowed to trespass within the proper sphere of the Local Government.\"\n\nDecember 2.-\"The Japanese Minister has requested the Wai-wu Pu that special Regulations may be made for Buddhist missionaries in China.\"\n\nRailways.\n\nNovember 17. Kalgan-Urga Line. The preliminary surveys for the Kalgan-Urga Railway are to be undertaken next spring. The funds required will be found by China proper and Mongolia conjointly.\"\n\nDecember 1. Line in Kansu.\" The Government is very anxious to press forward the construction of a railway between Lanchow and Hsinming in Kansu. The scheme was sanctioned before as a purely commercial concern, but fell through owing to insufficiency\n\nIt is now intended to undertake it as a joint official and commercial business, and corresponding instructions have been sent to the Shen Kan Viceroy.\n\n[2818 bb-1]\n\nof funds.\n\nB\n\n53", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415892, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 57, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nMiscellaneous.\n\nNovember 22. Students.----“In consequence of the activity of students in connection with the opposition to railway loans, an Edict has been issued to the effect that students should give their whole attention to their studies and leave politics alone, and commanding the Board of Education to issue the necessary instructions.\"\n\nNovember 27. Footbinding.\"The Empress Dowager is said to intend issuing a prohibitory Edict against footbinding, making it not only an offence punishable as disregard of an Imperial Edict, but also excluding girls, whose feet begin to be bound after the publication of the Edict, from the respectable classes who are eligible for honours.\"\n\nWest River: Suppression of Piracy.\n\nNovember 19.-\"Much indignation is felt in Kuangtung against the Wai-wu Pu for allowing the British to arrest pirates on the West River. Meetings are to be held to consider the matter.\"\n\nNovember 24.-\"An Association for the recovery of national rights which has been formed among the students of Canton has telegraphed to the Wai-wu Pu strongly urging the necessity of recalling the permission to capture pirates on the West River.\"\n\nNovember 26.—“The Cantonese residents in Shanghae have telegraphed to the Wai-wu Pu asking them to oppose permission being granted to foreigners to arrest pirates on the West River. The merchants at Canton are much irritated over the West River question, and are getting up a violent agitation against it.\"\n\nNovember 27.-\"The people of Canton, regarding the policing of the West River by foreigners as detrimental to sovereign rights, telegraphed to the Army Board asking for ships of war to be sent. The Board, being of opinion that there were not sufficient vessels at disposal, took no notice. The provincials are very indignant, and have sent a further telegram offering to pay the expenses of the ships. Ten representatives of the gentry have also telegraphed in very strong terms to the Grand Council.\"\n\nNovember 28.-The Wai-wu Pu have telegraphed to the Viceroy at Canton, on the subject of West River piracy, that the intention of the Government was that the Commissioner of Customs should provide additional steamers to co-operate with the police in arresting pirates, and that there was no other intention. The Board adds that inquiry should be made into the agitation which has been caused by the misrepresentation of their former telegram. The gentry of Canton, however, are resolved to continue their opposition, since they regard it as bad policy to grant the Commissioner of Customs a share of military power.'\n\nSoochow-Ningpo Railway.\n\nDecember 4.-\"The Chekiang Railway Delegate has had an audience lasting three hours. The Empress Dowager explained the railway situation to him in detail. She said that the irresponsible talkers did not know the difficulties encountered by the officials, deprecated the excitement got up among the people of the south-east, and pointed out the terrible consequences of a breach in amicable foreign relations. Lu replied that, while the people of the south-east were loyal and patriotic, yet it was due to the influence of the high authorities there, and to the growing enlightenment of the people, that there had been no serious outbreak during the long course of the present controversy. If the British brought too much pressure to bear in this difficult situation, a serious outbreak might result. \"He did not know what solution the Wai-wu Pu might have to offer, but he thought the best plan would be to command them to make every effort to negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the British Minister. The Empress Dowager said that the British Minister was immovable, and that, while popular feeling must not be offended, international relations were not to be lightly regarded; and she directed him to go into the question fully with Wang Ta-hsieh, bearing in mind both the popular and international aspects of the question.\n\nNanking.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reported on the 31st October that the closing of the opium dens throughout the city and suburbs was effected without disturbance on the 8th August. It is generally believed that the order was on the whole enforced strictly,\n\nOrder seems to have been restored at Anking, the scene of the assassination of the\n\n3\n\nGovernor in July, and the 700 troops sent there to assist in preserving order returned to Nanking on the 25th September. Two battalions (about 1,000 men) were dispatched on the 1st October to Kanchow-fu, in the south of Kiangsi, in consequence of the Boxer disturbances there.\n\nEducational. The latest proposed addition to the Government educational institutions in Nanking is a \"school of languages,\" in which German and French are to be taught. The services of Dr. Kratsch, Interpreter of the German Consulate, have been engaged for a few hours a day to supervise the school and teach German. It is proposed to look for a teacher of French, but English is omitted from the curriculum on the ground that there are already many opportunities here for studying English.\n\nRailways. At the beginning of October 20 miles of permanent way out of the 44 miles between Chinkiang and Nanking had been completed, and the opening of railway communication between Shanghae and Nanking is confidently expected in February next.\n\nThe route for the light railway to connect the main line with the city has now been selected, and is being staked out. The railway will enter the city at an old gate which has long been closed, but will be reopened for this purpose in defiance of superstition. The gauge is the same as that of the main railway, and the motive power will be steam. One of the British engineers on the Shanghae-Nanking Railway has been engaged by the Viceroy for the construction, and the plant will come from England.\n\nHankow.\n\nSome of the articles in the Hankow press are of interest :-----\n\nOctober 15. River Gun-boats for the Yang-tsze from Japan.--A newspaper states that \"the late Viceroy Chang placed orders through the Mitsui Bushen Kaisha with the Kawasaki Dockyard Company for ten shallow-draught river gun-boats, the contract price being fixed at 5,000,000 taels. The limit of time for completion of the contract and for payment was fixed at six years, and the transaction got Imperial sanction. Of these ten ships, four have already been handed over last winter and this spring, and the Viceroy has managed to pay the instalments, 3,000,000 taels through the Yokohama Specie Bank to the Nagisaki Bank. The dockyard have twice written for a deputy to be sent to accept ships Nos. 5 and 6, which are now ready, but the Acting Viceroy Li, thinking the matter very serious, and acceptance involving payment, intends to await his Excellency Chao's arrival to make permanent provision.\n\n44\n\nThe Hupei fleet now consists of a dozen ships, which are very burdensome to keep up, even though the Japanese sailors and engineers employed on the four already received have been sent home. The present position is an earnest of what will happen in future, and we think his Excellency Chao on arriving will surely devise steps to meet it.\"\n\nBridge over Yellow River at Lanchou, in Kansu.\" At Ho Chou, in Lanchou-fu, Kansu, a floating bridge of boats bound together with chain cables is at present used for crossing the Yellow River, but the officials have condemned this bridge as not permanent and when the river is full liable to collapse. They have therefore ordered materials for a proper iron bridge from the Hupei ironworks, and have also summoned several skilled workmen to Lanchou to supervise the construction of the new bridge. The materials have already got to Changchan, Honan, and all the officials on the route have been asked to assist in forwarding them.\"\n\nJapanese Employés.\" At the Wuchang hemp factory Japanese experts were employed to assist and instruct. The term of their agreement having now expired, and the Chinese women working in the factory having taken so readily and intelligently to the work, twenty-seven men and forty-five women of the Japanese originally employed have been dismissed and have returned to Japan.\n\n\"The factory have only retained the services of six Japanese men.\"\n\nSzechuan-Hankow Railway.\n\nText of representation by Tu, a Secretary of the Board of Finance, regarding the Szechuan-Hankow Railway, which has been laid by the Censorate before the Throne:-\n\n\"This line was the first to attain native control, but after three years not an inch of the track is fixed and nothing definitely arranged. Of nearly 8,000,000 taels collected the pay and work office expenses have run away with 1,600,000 taels and the Copper-piece Bureau has embezzled over 2,000,000 taels. Such horrifying extravagance and peculations have happily been shown up by the Board of Commerce, and the Court's acumen has\n\n54", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 415902, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 67, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\nAs compared with the thousand and one dens which existed before the 20th June last, the reopening of these few houses would be scarcely worth mentioning but for the fact that the information which I have obtained points towards the gradual reopening of more and more of them. There appears to be a general feeling, too, amongst the Chinese that the initial crusade against opium, which was certainly intended to reduce the evil, is less severe than at first, and that, Chinese fashion, the old order is returning.\n\nThe opium dens in the International Settlement have not benefited as might have been expected by the drastic measures taken in the native city. For one thing, the Settlement is too remote from the native town to tempt many smokers over, and then again the Council has helped to prevent an influx of evicted den proprietors by refusing to issue any new licences in the Settlement.\n\nIn the French Concession, on the other hand, which adjoins the native city, the opium dens have, during the last few months, done a greatly increased business, and numbers of new licences have been issued. They have undoubtedly attracted to that Settlement a considerable portion of the old clientèle of the city dens.\n\nThere appears to be little diminution in the general consumption of opium, as the dealers do not complain of any notable decrease in their sales. In the opinion, however, of the best-informed natives the movement has already done a deal of good, and a considerable number of smokers have undoubtedly given up the habit. It is amongst the lower classes apparently that it has been least successful.\n\nFrom statements in the native papers, I understand that the tax on opium shops is shortly to be raised, and it is expected, as a result, that many of them will close their doors.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.\n\n>>\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[4194]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n64\n\n[February 3.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, February 3, 1908.\n\nSir Henry Cotton,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, in accordance with the Chinese Opium Edict, all opium dens in the native city of Shanghae, to the number of 700, have been closed, and that no steps have been taken to close 1,600 opium dens in the International Settlement which is under the control of the Shanghae Municipal Council; and whether His Majesty's Government will adopt measures to insure that the anti-opium campaign in China is not discouraged and thwarted by the reluctance of the Municipal Council to co-operate with the Chinese authorities.\n\nAnswered by Mr. Runciman (for Sir Edward Grey).\n\nThe facts as regards the closing of the opium saloons in the native city at Shanghae and their retention in the International Settlement are as stated in the question. The Municipal Council is responsible to the ratepayers of the Settlement, and is not under the control of His Majesty's Government. The Council has decided not to issue any further licences, but it is understood that it does not consider it would be justified in doing more, pending reference to the ratepayers at their annual meeting, which takes place in March next. His Majesty's Government will use all the influence in their power to insure that bona fide efforts on the part of the Chinese authorities to diminish the opium habit in China are not thwarted, but encouraged.\n\n[4075]\n\nNo. 2.\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, February 3, 1908.\n\nCaptain Craig,-To ask the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government have taken to give effect to the unanimous vote of the House of Commons on the 30th May, 1906, that the Indo-Chinese opium trade is morally indefensible, and requests His Majesty's Government to take such steps as may be necessary for bringing it to a speedy close.\n\nAnswer.\n\nOn the 29th July last, in reply to a question in this House, I explained the proposals which His Majesty's Government had communicated to the Chinese Government for carrying out, in co-operation with that Government, the policy of restriction. I am glad to say that the Chinese Government have accepted with expressions of gratitude our scheme for a progressive reduction of the export of opium from India. Papers on the subject will be laid on the table by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the course of a few days.\n\n[2842 c-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416018, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 183, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "180\n\n2\n\ngradually decreasing sale, financial failure was a foregone conclusion. The enterprise is practically on its last legs. The venture has the Chamber of Commerce, the former opium shops, and the public to contend with, and rumour talks of its impending bankruptcy.\n\nWith regard to the suggestion of purchasing a fixed annual quantity of Indian opium, I find that the figures for the import of Indian opium for the years 1902-1907 are as follows:----\n\n1902 .. English lbs. 2,400\n\n1903 .. 2,053\n\n1904 .. 1,340\n\n1905 .. 3,306\n\n1906 .. 13,200\n\n1907 .. 1,749\n\nThe figures for the quarterly importations during the three years 1905-1907, in Chinese pounds, are as under:-\n\n \n \n 1905\n 1906\n 1907\n \n \n March Quarter\n 580\n 4,559\n ...\n \n \n June Quarter\n 1,220\n 592\n ...\n \n \n September Quarter\n 680\n 2,594\n ...\n \n \n December Quarter\n 2,480\n 220\n ...\n \n \n Total\n 4,960\n 7,965\n 2,746\n \n \n \n \n \n 9,809 (sic)\n \n \n \n \n \n 500\n \n \n \n \n \n 1,312\n \n\npeople giving up smoking. Hitherto there were only two or three Swatow men who sold Indian opium as a living; now, because they have lost their livelihood, they desire to make use of foreign authority to further their private ends. It is therefore our duty to circumstantially report to you the details of the Government Opium Bureau, managed by the merchants, as well as the reasons for the decrease in the sale of Indian opium.”\n\nThis Bureau was thus started by the merchants taking out shares, and it was not established by the Government for the purpose of itself selling the opium and collecting a boiled opium tax. Moreover, the smokers locally have always liked the Manchurian opium, and the market for the imported Indian drug was originally small; it is not due to the establishment of the Bureau that the sales have decreased.\n\nAs to the prohibition of opium, repeated Edicts have been promulgated exhorting the people to themselves give up smoking. The fact that the sales of Indian opium are comparatively small is thus conditioned by the very nature of the question. This, I presume, you are fully aware of. I find the object of the establishment of the Bureau was to bring together for better control the scattered places of sale. It does really not interfere with the sale of the Indian drug.\n\nOn receipt of the above report I have the honour to submit the arguments to your favourable consideration.\n\nThe larger importations are due to bad crops.\n\nThe average for the last three years would be 4,564 catties, which figure, annually decreased by one-tenth, would have to be bought by the Bureau under the Taotai's suggestion. This figure would very likely be contested owing to the exceptional amount in 1906.\n\nI see by the Shanghae press that the British Government has arrived at some agreement with the Chinese Government on the subject, and I have therefore the honour to request your instructions accordingly, especially with regard to the Taotai's proposal.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Seal of Taotai).\n\n(Translation.) Sir,\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nTaotai Shen Tung to Acting Consul Tebbitt.\n\nTaotai's Yamên, Newchwang, December 4, 1907.\n\nAFTER your call the other day to protest against the establishment of the Government Opium Bureau as being detrimental to the sale of foreign opium, I instructed the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce to report on the matter. I am now in receipt of the report, which is to the following effect:-\n\n“With reference to the Newchwang Government Opium Bureau for the sale of boiled opium, managed by the merchants, the experimental Regulations have already been submitted for approval. Their general purport is really to get the merchants to take up shares in the matter. Shares were also taken up by some of the former eighteen opium shops. Moreover, the opium kept in the eighteen shops was all taken over at an enhanced valuation, and not only without profit to us but at a loss, whereat the eighteen shops were all delighted and raised no objections. In all the opium boiled by the Bureau more of the Manchurian opium is used than Indian opium, as most people in this place prefer it. Hence the sale of Indian opium is comparatively restricted. Since the prohibition of opium the sale of the local drug has decreased, and that of the Indian drug, of course, also. Last year over 3,000 ozs. of raw opium were daily boiled. In the spring and summer of this year the eighteen shops sold, more or less, 2,000 ozs. Since the establishment of the Opium Bureau the daily quantity of raw opium boiled is only 140 ozs. to 150 ozs. The great difference between now and formerly is not only due to the large amount of illicit opium, but is also really due to the increase in the number of people giving up smoking.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nTaotai Shen Tung to Acting Consul Tebbitt.\n\nTaotai's Yamên, Newchwang, December 12, 1907.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch of the 4th December stating that you have received instructions from His Britannic Majesty's Minister in Peking to the effect that the English firm of Sassoon and Co. have complained that the establishment of a Government opium monopoly at Newchwang interferes with the sale of foreign opium. The Minister continues that last summer the Consul at Nanking requested him repeatedly to object to the Wai-wu Pu against the establishment of a Government opium monopoly at Nanking, to be opened on the 8th September, in flagrant disregard of the negotiations now proceeding between the two Governments on the subject of the prohibition of opium. The Wai-wu Pu thereupon telegraphed to the Nanking Viceroy to order the stoppage of the monopoly. The Minister therefore instructs you to request the Newchwang Taotai to similarly stop the opium monopoly there, until the negotiations have established a satisfactory plan of procedure.\n\nWith reference to those instructions, you observe that the question of the prohibition of opium is still under discussion, and that consequently their outcome should be awaited; but that, in spite of this fact, the former Taotai gave instructions for the formation of a Government opium monopoly in contravention of the Vth Article of the Nanking Treaty (partly quoted) and also of the XIVth Article of the French Treaty (quoted), as well as to the injury of the trade in foreign opium. You therefore request that the local Bureau be closed as it was in Nanking by Proclamation, until definite instructions have been received on the subject.\n\nIn answer to your despatch I have the honour to state that, with reference to the prohibition of opium in China, several Imperial Edicts have this year been promulgated ordering strict compliance in the matter. Further, the Council of Administration has circulated Regulations to every province arranging for the entire cessation of opium within ten years. The import of all foreign opium, and the production of the native drug, is to be carefully ascertained and yearly reduced in accordance with the time limit. These Regulations are very explicit and definite, and are to be carried out in earnest.\n\nAs Newchwang is a great emporium for land and water traffic where Chinese and foreigners live promiscuously, the yearly turnover of the Indian opium and of the native drug of the three Eastern Provinces is considerable. If the opium merchants were to be allowed to sell at random, absolutely no check could be had on the drug, and it would be impossible to ascertain the real figures of the yearly import and sale of opium. How could thus reliable proof be obtained for the purpose of decreasing the quantities?\n\n[2842 y-6]\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416019, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 184, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "The former Tantai Ts'ai, recognizing this, called upon the Chamber of Commerce in the 6th moon of this year to invite its members to take up shares, to draw up Regulations for the taking over of the opium and to themselves sell it. This was called the \"Boiled Opium Government Bureau, managed by the Newchwang Merchants.\" This arrangement was duly sanctioned by the Governor-General and Governor, and permission to open was given. In my opinion, the meaning of the words \"Newchwang Merchants\" contained in the name adopted clearly demonstrates that it is not a Government concern. The presence of the character \"official\" in the name is explained by the fact that an official is deputed to inquire into the figures of the boiled opium sold. Any loss or gain falls upon the merchants, and has nothing to do with the Government. This arrangement is very different from the Government Bureau for the sale of boiled opium established at Nanking, in which latter the capital is contributed, and the opium sold by the Government. These two establishments cannot thus be compared. Moreover, the words \"managed by the merchants\" mean that the local merchants have subscribed to shares and have taken over the management, a proceeding which is quite clear.\n\nThe sale of boiled opium is now effected in two places in the same way as it was formerly done in the eighteen shops. If you object to the words \"sole sale,\" the eighteen shops did the same, and I have never before heard this objected to, and only to-day is there mention of the words being contrary to Treaty.\n\nSince the inauguration of the Bureau, the sale of foreign opium has not been restricted in favour of the native drug. Granted, then, that the quantity sold is less than formerly, this is explained by the fact that more Chinese give up smoking opium, and of course buy less of the drug. This, however, has nothing to do with the Bureau.\n\nAfter you called to discuss the question with me the other day, I instructed the Bureau to report upon the matter, as already mentioned to you. On receipt of your despatch, I again weighed the matter.\n\nThe reason the former Taotai, Ts'ai, proposed the establishment of the Bureau for the sale of boiled opium by the merchants was to bring together for better control the scattered localities of sale. This does not resemble a trade monopoly, nor does it interfere with the sale of foreign opium. I cannot therefore suddenly order the closure of the Bureau, to the detriment of the scheme of opium restriction.\n\nShould you, however, fear that there will be no market for imported foreign opium, you could take the average of the imports of the last three years and calculate figures, annually decreased, which quantity the Opium Bureau could yearly take over for sale. Then if there is a monopoly or not, it would not affect the foreign opium sales. This would be an exceptional arrangement which would be very equitable. However we arrive at this end, it will redound to the advantage of both sides.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nIn submitting this answer, I hope soon to be honoured with a favourable reply.\n\n(Seal of Taotai.)\n\nPage 181\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nProclamation issued by the Feng-Chin-Shankuikwan (Newchwang) Taotai Ts'ai Shau-chi, August 22, 1907. (Translation.)\n\nWHEREAS the opium habit is a great evil in the lives of the people, and Edicts have repeatedly been promulgated ordering its strict prohibition so as to remove a chronic disease;\n\nAnd whereas the opium dens in Newchwang have already been closed, and as malpractices will be rampant if the sale of opium is not under control, and no real advance will be made in the endeavour to yearly decrease its consumption;\n\nAnd whereas I have received the sanction of the Governor-General and Governor for the establishment at Newchwang of a Government Opium Bureau, to be managed by the Chamber of Commerce; and as the Chamber have petitioned, in reply, their difficulty in doing so; to which I replied that the prohibition of opium was intended to remove an evil from the people, that the Chamber of Commerce had a public duty to fulfil which it should do to its utmost, and that the Chamber could not shirk its responsibilities, but must obey the commands received and devise Regulations and submit them for approval, and appoint a day for the inauguration of the Bureau, as well as get the opium shops to report their capital and present stock to be exchanged for shares, in which there should be no remissness; and should the shops not like to take up shares they must close up, and should there be illicit sale of opium the shop so doing shall be closed and the goods confiscated;\n\nAnd whereas every province is about to establish Government Opium Bureaux, with the sincere object of stopping the evil root and branch by arranging that the number of smokers and the quantity of opium sold should decrease and not increase, so as to show real progress;\n\nAnd whereas the local Bureau will be opened in a few days, and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, P'an Ta Ch'iu, and others have been instructed to manage the Bureau;\n\nAnd whereas, as ignorant persons may perversely create obstructions, the District Magistrate, the Police Department, and the military authorities have all been ordered to see to the carrying out of these instructions:\n\nNow this Proclamation is hereby issued to inform you opium merchants that the Chamber of Commerce will now take over control of boiled opium under Government supervision and with the sanction of the Governor-General and Governor, and that the scheme will have to be carried out. You are, however, hereby authorized to exchange your capital and present stock of opium for shares in the Bureau, so that you shall suffer no loss. This is showing unusual benevolence to you, and if you should have no self-respect and intend to seek evasion you shall be severely punished. I therefore trust you will obey the above injunctions and not again show remissness and cause obstruction, and thus lay yourselves open to punishment, as there will be no mercy shown.\n\nYou must tremblingly obey and not evade this important Proclamation.\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nOpium Regulations.\n\nTHE Newchwang Chamber of Commerce herewith humbly submits for sanction the following carefully considered experimental Regulations for the establishment of a Government Opium Bureau for the special sale of boiled opium, to be managed by this Chamber in accordance with instructions received, namely:-\n\n1. The Bureau requests the Taotai to daily send a deputy to the Bureau to check the purchase of raw opium and the sale of boiled opium; to examine the illicit opium; to issue the licences, so as to avoid malpractices; and to report on the management of the Bureau.\n\n2. The Bureau is to be authorized to depute four persons to search out illicit opium and unlicensed smokers, so as to stop secret sales and advance the object of the prohibition.\n\n3. The fee for each licence shall, for the time being, amount to 30 cents, of which 20 cents go to the Government and 10 cents to the Bureau, so as to be equitable.\n\n4. Although the original Regulations call on the Taotai's guard, the soldiers, and the police to apprehend illicit sellers of raw or boiled opium as well as unlicensed smokers, yet the runners of the District Magistrate should also be instructed to do the same, so as to stop evasion.\n\n5. Of the seized raw or boiled opium, one-fourth of the value is to go to the Government, one-fourth to the Bureau, and one-half to the apprehending policeman, so as to encourage searches.\n\n6-(a.) The raw opium is purchased or kept by the eighteen licensed shops, and has already been taken over at a full and equitable valuation.\n\n(b.) Should other towns or people in the interior desire to purchase raw opium from the Bureau to take out of the port, they shall receive a permit from the Bureau.\n\n(c) All visitors at the port who have opium shall have it checked by an official.\n\n(d) All opium which arrives after this, and which has not been bought by the Bureau, shall, if sold to the interior or to another port, receive a permit from the Bureau as proof of due examination and so as to enable it to be transported.\n\n7. All licensed smokers shall daily purchase their allowance of opium at the Bureau. Those living at some distance from the Bureau are requested to buy their total allowance every ten days in accordance with the figures on their licences.\n\n8. The Newchwang merchants have been instructed by the Government to jointly manage the Government Opium Bureau, but there will be difficulties in the beginning. The raw and boiled opium in the former shops has been purchased for a large sum, owing to the large quantity on hand. In addition, the sales will be small and the stock...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416024, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 189, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "186\n\n2\n\n(c.) September 7 (by the Governor-General, in colloquial): Exhortation against opium smoking and foot binding.\n\n(d.) Undated (Prefect and Magistrate): Forbidding poppy growing.\n\nOfficial action: In the city the Local Government has opened one refuge and five dispensaries; the gentry, one refuge and one dispensary. The opium dens have been closed in the city, and opium shops and opium smokers registered.\n\n\"As to whether it has been thorough I cannot say, but something has been done.\"\n\nCh'uching.\n\n(a.) August (Governor-General's Proclamation): Younger men allowed six months to break off opium; older men, one year. Those over 60 years of age to be exempt from control. All opium dens to be closed; licensed opium shops to be opened. Curative medicines to be approved by the lead Bureau. Amount of poppy to be planted to be notified beforehand; after three years cultivation must cease.\n\n(b) September (Prefect): Similar to (a).\n\n(c) October 1 (Prefect): No one allowed to sell prepared opium. This year only one-third of last year's poppy crop may be sown; officials must be notified. Opium dens are to be closed; no opium utensils may be sold.\n\nOfficial action: A Head Bureau has been established.\n\nPingyi.\n\n(a.) Undated, but issued about August 28: All opium dens to be closed in half a month.\n\n(b.) Sale of opium utensils forbidden.\n\n(c.) September 20 (Governor-General): Against opium smoking and foot binding.\n\nOfficial action: A show of closing opium dens on the 8th September, but smoking still continues more or less secretly.\n\nKueiyang.\n\n(a.) Undated, but issued about September 29: Sale of opium pipes, lamps, &c. and preparing of crude opium in shops and on the streets is to be prohibited; anyone offending to be severely punished. To take effect from the 7th October.\n\n(b) October 27 (Governor): No opium to be grown on Crown lands; if this involves loss to tenants, then rents are to be reduced. On other lands poppy crop to be diminished by one-tenth yearly. Growers to report to the opium refuge (\"ch'ih-yen hui\") and obtain certificates.\n\nOfficial action: Previous Proclamations concerning closing of opium dens and control of sale of opium have been partly carried out. The dens were closed on the 10th July, and in September a limited liability Company for sale of opium was established under official sanction, with, it is said, 20,000 taels capital. Mr. Cecil-Smith was told (October) that the Company was trying to buy in as much opium as possible to sell to retail dealers.\n\nIn the Ting-fan Department a Notification was issued by the Magistrate on the lines of the Governor's Proclamation of the 27th October. \"Here in Kueiyang nothing has been done, so far as I can ascertain\" (4th December).\n\nAnshun.\n\n(a.) September: Recites Imperial orders for suppression of opium, and exhorts to cease from smoking and poppy-growing. Offers remission of taxation on public lands not planted with poppy.\n\nOfficial action: (Not stated.)\n\nTushan.\n\n(a.) Undated, published about the 30th September: Gives gist of Emperor's Edict regarding the cultivation of opium.\n\nOfficial action: All yamên assistants are to either break off opium or to retire. (Otherwise nothing seems to have been done.)\n\n3\n\n2. Attitude of Local Officials and Gentry.\n\nYunnan-fu.\n\nThe gentry are reported to be pleased at the movement, and the Magistrate is said to have broken off the habit. A large number of the officials, gentry, and people have given it up. Over 3,000 are taking medicines at the dispensaries. Money is being subscribed by the gentry and others to purchase medicines for sale at less than cost price, or to be given away.\n\nCh'uching.\n\n\"Our Prefect unfortunately smokes opium, and up to the present\" (2nd October), \"as far as one can learn, has no thought of giving it up. Very few, if any, as far as I have heard, of the gentry have given up smoking opium; this is scarcely to be wondered at when the Prefect does not. The tenor of their talk is very unhopeful.\"\n\nPingyi.\n\n\"On the whole favourable. Three have given up the habit\" (December).\n\nKueiyang.\n\n\"Reported that the new Prefect is an opium smoker. Military officers are breaking off by order of the Commander-in-chief.\"\n\nAnshun.\n\nNo remarks.\n\nTushan.\n\n\"The Commander-in-chief for Kueichow has just\" (September) \"had all the officials under his jurisdiction in this part of the province to an examination in the Prefecture, in order to discover who are addicted to opium smoking, and adopt stringent measures for their reform. The Prefect, the Magistrate, and several other prominent men are giving up their opium; some are almost finished with the medicine, but others are not so far advanced.\"\n\n3. Restriction of Area under Cultivation.\n\nYünnan-fu.\n\nPractically all the ground is now (26th December) planted with other crops.\n\nCh'uching.\n\nIn some districts inquiry is being made as to how much each family is going to plant this season. No attempt is made at restriction, beyond the three years' rule. Owing to high price of cereals a great deal less opium was planted last season.\n\nP'ingyi.\n\n\"The feeling among those appointed to investigate into land under cultivation is that the task of gradual reduction along the lines indicated to them is next to an impossibility. It has been suggested that it would be comparatively easy to totally forbid opium growing in the entire district.\" \"The work of investigation has just\" (1st October) \"been allotted to men in the various districts, who have, as far as I can learn, done nothing as yet.\n\nLast winter about one-third of the old poppy ground was planted with other crops, the people fearing official displeasure.\" \"There will probably be a great falling off in the amount of the ground planted with opium\" (December).\n\n[2889 g-1]\n\nB 2\n\n\"There", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416040, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 205, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "202\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governme\n\n0 43659\n\nC.C.)\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n11299\n\nAug\n\n-DEG 07\n\nSECTION 6.\n\nREC\n\nIRE.. 30 MAR 08\n\n(26900]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 12.)\n\n(No. 310.)\n\nPeking, June 26, 1907. Sir,\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 259 of the 29th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum, which has been drawn up by Mr. Garnett 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. I take this opportunity of sending at the same time a further Memorandum by Mr. G. W. Pearson, Second Assistant at His Majesty's Consulate-General at Shanghae, on the subject of measures taken by the authorities of Kiangsu for the suppression of opium smoking. In forwarding it to me Sir Pelham Warren expressed the opinion that it was an accurate summary of the present situation in that district.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum.\n\nTHE date is now within measurable distance when the possibility of carrying out in Shanghae the terms of the Anti-opium Edict may be gauged with some accuracy. On the 22nd June the closure is ordained of every opium den falling within Chinese jurisdiction. The closure of opium dens is the first measure of a series in the movement, and, being the first, its success will be significant, as it will be to a large extent evidence of the power of the officials vis-à-vis the rich commoners who derive their wealth from this notorious traffic, and whose combination is so powerful as to be a serious consideration.\n\nThe opium dealers in Shanghae are practically divided into two guilds--the Ch'ao-chou and Cantonese. The former is notorious for disregard of official authority, and the Cantonese are known to despise the milder government of the central provinces, and are a powerful and influential body. It would seem, however, that in Jui Taotai those who are not prepared to fall into line have met a determined official whose intention is to carry through his mandates in spite of all opposition. As, however, the critical moment approaches there are signs of weakening on the part of his lieutenant, the Shanghae District Magistrate. The Taotai anticipates resistance to the closure, and proposes to establish a system of patrols made up of the city police (about 300), Chinese volunteers, and local troops. The last, he states, though not dangerous, cannot be relied upon for very effective service.\n\nHe has issued orders that any person guilty of creating a disturbance on the date of the closure of the dens may be shot down, whether he be interested in the profession suffering by the measure, or whether a rowdy making the most of his opportunity, the latter being the more probable target. In a recent conversation he stated that, although arrangements had been made to satisfy the discontent of those connected with the opium-smoking establishments, there was a possibility of trouble from loafers, and precautions would require to be taken in the Settlements. For the rest, in spite of the petitions, demonstrations, and threats of trouble, he seems determined to yield no ground: \"The day for closure must come, it had better come now than later.\"\n\nThe gentry and literati have been given a sense of responsibility, and put upon their mettle to see that no disturbance occurs, and that the closure of dens is carried out. Various Societies and Guilds have been told off to maintain order and enforce the closure in districts allotted to them, thus securing their powerful co-operation by a judicious enlistment, and a reliance on their loyalty.\n\nIn a word, whatever the original motive of the movement, which the Chinese press declares to be very questionable, and which, indeed, can hardly be above suspicion to\n\n[2623 m- -6]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416041, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 206, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "the \"man in the street,\" the local authorities, with, perhaps, one exception, and the gentry of Shanghae and the neighbourhood seem to vie with one another in protesting their determination to carry out the first and most significant measure towards the ultimate fulfilment of the terms of the Imperial Edict.\n\nOn the 7th June gave an able review A leader of the \"North China Daily News\" of the situation, although not fully representing the dilemma in which the Municipal Council now finds itself. It is impossible to be too sanguine of Chinese sincerity, and it would be taking a great risk if the Municipal Council should lightly abandon a large income and turn the Settlements into a field for experiment, and thus, to take the most pessimistic view, to play absolutely into the hands of the Chinese by a complete closure of dens, which measure could hardly be repealed when once carried out. It is quite conceivable that dens under purely Chinese jurisdiction could reopen quietly within a comparatively short time of the official closure, under the auspices of yamên runners or other persons of influence. These would be rid of dangerous competitors on the Settlements who could cut prices, enabled to do so by the more equitable treatment of the Municipal Council and the absence of Chinese extortion.\n\nIf, on the other hand, the dens on the Settlements are allowed to remain in operation for any length of time after the temporary or permanent closure, as the case may be, of those outside, the Chinese authorities will reiterate their old arguments on foreign imposition of poison on their people, and a rush of undesirables will take place from districts where their liberty of indulgence is interfered with. In Chinese eyes there will also rest with the foreigner the odium of necessitating the reopening of the dens in the city and suburbs, and the thwarting of the great effort towards the welfare of China.\n\nThose who will suffer by the opium prohibition do not seem to doubt the bona fides of the local authorities, and their determination and power to enforce the measure, witness the threats, protests, and petitions daily noticed in the press. The notices of these which have appeared in the various journals during the last fortnight are so numerous that translations of them would constitute a formidable volume. A list of these is therefore given in the present Memorandum, with translations of a few of the more important Proclamations and official documents.\n\nTorment is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 1.)\n\nAmerican Embassy, London, October 30, 1907.\n\nWITH reference to your note of the 14th March last in reply to the Memorandum which I handed to you on the 11th February relating to the question of the production of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith copies of correspondence setting forth the replies of the various Governments to the proposal of the United States to appoint a Commission to investigate this question.\n\nIt may be remembered that the initial inquiry instituted by my Government elicited favourable responses, further instructions were then issued to the several American Diplomatic Representatives expressing the desire on the part of the United States to be informed whether the Governments concerned preferred to investigate the opium question by means of a Conference or through a Joint Commission.\n\nIn their replies all the Governments mentioned accepted the proposal in principle. In one instance the reservation expressed a preference for a Joint Commission. It was made that the inquiry should cover the production of opium in China as well as importation, while several accepted the proposal only on condition of being assured of the co-operation of China. Assurances of the co-operation of China have been given in their reply to my Government, while their general policy in the matter is evidenced by the fact that Regulations for the gradual suppression of the production and consumption of opium in China and orders for their enforcement have been promulgated by the Chinese Government.\n\nIn sending to you the present inclosures, I am instructed to convey the expression of the sincere gratification of my Government at the acceptance in principle by His Majesty's Government of the Joint Opium Commission, as well as their appreciation of the friendly interest which they have shown in the contemplated effort to suppress the opium evil in the Far East.\n\nI further venture to inquire whether or not His Majesty's Government find it convenient to suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed Commission, it being suggested that the several Governments may prefer to await the selection of a place and date of meeting before proceeding to name Commissioners.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) WHITELAW REID.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nPrince Ch'ing to Mr. Rockhill.\n\nForeign Office, Peking, July 23, 1907.\n\nWITH regard to the proposal to appoint a Commission to investigate the opium question, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 15th instant, in which you explain clearly the meaning of the first and second paragraphs of your previous despatch. In the note under acknowledgment you also make the following statements:—\n\n1. \"As for the manner in which the investigation shall be conducted, the Commissioners themselves, after they shall have met together, must consider and decide upon such details, but none of the Governments represented will be bound to accept the conclusions of the Commissioners or to act upon their recommendations. Each Government will reserve to itself the right to act as it may see fit.\"\n\n2. \"All that is now asked is that China will consent to the general principle of a Joint Commission for the investigation of the opium question.\"\n\n3. \"I trust that I may be favoured at an early date with a reply assenting to such general principle.\n\nPage 203", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416043, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 208, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nC\n\nerniment 205\n\n43659\n\n11299 DEC 07\n\n[37971]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nRES IRC 30 MAR 08\n\n(No. 476.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received November 18.)\n\nPeking, October 3, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 393 of the 20th August last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a further Memorandum, compiled by Mr. Garnett, on the measures which are being taken in the provinces to enforce the Imperial Edict enjoining the suppression of the opium habit,\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum by Mr. Garnett on the Measures which are being taken for the Suppression of the Opium Habit,\n\n1. Chefoo.\n\nTHE Imperial Decree forbidding the use of opium was communicated by the Grand Council to the Governor of Shantung on the 1st December, 1906, and reached the Taotai of Chefoo on the 31st December. On the 16th January, 1907, it was forwarded to the Chefoo Chamber of Commerce, who published a notification embodying a brief summary of ten Articles, which is said to have been distributed broadcast over the whole Prefecture.\n\nOn the 8th May it was followed by another Proclamation by the Taotai, which, while calling attention to the Imperial Decree, stated that the measures to be adopted for the restriction of the sale and consumption of opium would come into operation on the 9th August. According to the 4th Article of the Imperial Decree, it was originally intended that all opium dens should be closed within a period of six months from the date of the promulgation of the Decree, which would have fixed the time for the 4th moon, i.e., May-June. The provincial authorities, however, seem to have been given discretionary powers in the matter, and the Governor of Shantung, being apparently of opinion that the interval of grace was too brief to allow of the keepers of these establishments finding other occupation, he decided to extend it for a period of two months, and hence the enforcement of the measure only came into effect on the 9th August.\n\nThe sale of all paraphernalia for the use of opium smokers was also forbidden in the Proclamation referred to, and the keepers of restaurants were enjoined not only to discontinue supplying their customers with the drug, but to prevent those resorting to their establishments taking their own pipes with them and smoking them on the premises.\n\nOn the 4th June the Taotai also instructed the Chambers of Commerce to make inquiries and ascertain the number of shops for the sale of raw opium, and the quantity annually sold and the amount exported. It appears that three special Deputies were also appointed by the Governor, one of whom was to co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce in making these investigations, while the other two were directed to make inquiries as to the area under poppy cultivation.\n\nThe result of the investigations by the Chamber of Commerce was that they reported seventy-eight shops as being engaged in the opium trade. They stated, however, that, owing to the difficulty in obtaining information, this figure might prove incorrect, and might have to be altered. According to the report of the two Deputies regarding the area under cultivation of the ten hsien of which Teng Chu Fu consists, Lai Yang Hsien produces the greatest amount of opium, the area under cultivation being some 1,600 mou, equivalent to about 260 acres English. In Hai Yang Hsien there were about 200 mou (33 English acres),\n\n[2724 s-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416044, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 209, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "while in five other hsien there were only some 10 mou planted with poppy. The three remaining hsien, the soil of which is of a sandy nature and unsuited to its cultivation, produce no opium. At Fu Shan Hsien some farmers who had planted a crop, alarmed by the energetic conduct of the Deputy in his investigations, uprooted it, but this is the only instance of the growing crops being destroyed. The officials have taken no step to prohibit the cultivation so far.\n\nOn the 12th June another Proclamation was issued by the Taotai, in which he stated that he had been notified by the District Officials that they had issued Proclamations in the sense of the \"ten Articles\" which had been communicated to them by the Governor, and had also established Societies to exhort the people to break off the opium habit. He further stated that it had been found that there were several hundred shops open for the sale of the drug, and that as regarded the opium dens, which were kept and frequented by disreputable characters, the Regulations would be stringently enforced; but as regards the shops for the sale of raw opium, as no closing time had been previously fixed, the immediate closing of them would be a hardship, and therefore no steps would at present be taken.\n\nOn the 27th June appeared a further Proclamation, under the seal of the Taotai, to the effect that as the 6th moon would see the closing of the opium dens; the holders of stalls in the streets would be allowed to move into the houses thus left vacant, which would remove all obstructions to public traffic, at the same time he warned the stall-holders that if they did not take advantage of this arrangement by the 22nd September they would have their mat-sheds and stalls destroyed and forcibly removed. On the same day the Proclamation of the 12th June was again published, and the people were warned that they must close the opium dens at the end of the 6th moon under pain of punishment; the sale of opium-smoking pipes and appliances was also to cease by that date, and these measures were to be carried out with the utmost strictness.\n\nBesides the one above referred to, another Proclamation was issued on the 12th June, the terms of which were briefly:\n\n1. That official centres would be opened for the sale of opium where those addicted to the habit who were in possession of licences to be obtained from the official Opium Bureau could be supplied, and that without the production of such licences no opium could be bought or sold;\n\n2. That purchase for private consumption would be limited to 10 taels in weight at one time, i.e., about 13 oz. avoirdupois, and opium ashes to 20 taels (26 oz.);\n\n3. That the carrying of opium by the staff or followers of officials in their private effects (a common practice all over China) was forbidden, and that all officials would be held responsible in the event of this Regulation being infringed; and\n\n4. Fixing duty on native opium at 115 taels per picul.\n\nThe Regulations of the Opium Bureau, although it appears they have been decided upon, have not yet been published. The office has not yet been opened in Chefoo, though the appointments to it have been made and the Deputies are now there.\n\nThe general carry-out of the Opium Regulations now in force has been intrusted to the various local officials, who (and not the Taotai) are responsible for their due enforcement.\n\nThe Proclamations have been effective enough to induce the owners of opium dens to close their doors, and they appear to have done this of their own accord in most cases, without waiting for the official compulsion threatened in the Proclamations. It is reported that there were some 300 of these dens in Chefoo alone; what the number may have been in the other districts of the Prefecture it has not been possible to ascertain. Only one case has come to the notice of His Majesty's Consul of official compulsion being used to close an establishment; the keeper of this opium den was paraded through the streets in chains, bearing in one hand his opium pipe and in the other his lamp.\n\nThe local officials are generally credited with a sincere desire to eradicate the evil, and the people themselves are also genuinely anxious to see the trade abolished. Smoking is so universal, however, that the success of the movement will depend upon the bona fides of the Government, or, more correctly speaking, of the local officials, in whose hands the matter now rests.\n\nApart from the appointment of Deputies, the publication of Proclamations, and the other measures mentioned, no definite active steps have been taken so far, but missionaries who have good opportunities of obtaining information, give it as their opinion that the officials are making strenuous efforts to carry into effect the orders for the suppression of the traffic in opium, and that they are faithfully and seriously striving to see that the Proclamations are obeyed. It is said that certain of the officials and leading gentry and merchants have given up the use of the drug, and in this way have set an example to the people, but at the same time His Majesty's Consul only hears of one establishment for the cure of the habit in Chefoo.\n\nAs regards steps taken to restrict the poppy cultivation, nothing has been done. No new ground, however, is being allowed to be broken. The consular district of Chefoo has never produced much opium, the principal field lying some distance to the west in the jurisdiction of His Majesty's Consul at Chinan, and therefore when the officials do begin to impose restrictions there should be no great difficulty in enforcing them.\n\nNo steps have so far been taken to give effect to Articles 2 and 3 of the \"ten Articles\" regarding the registration and licensing of opium smokers, but this duty will devolve upon the \"official Opium Bureau\" when it begins to function. The inspection of opium shops has not as yet been carried further than a report of their approximate number; the actual amount of opium in the possession of the dealers has not been reported. No licences have as yet been issued.\n\nThe obligation imposed on officials by Article 9, with regard to registering their names as smokers or non-smokers, has been carried out in so far that the officials, from the Taotai downwards, have already had their names registered in the office of a Deputy named Chu, a Sub-Prefect, appointed by the Governor.\n\nTo sum up, but little effective action has hitherto been taken in this district with the exception of the publication of Proclamations; the people have themselves voluntarily broken with the habit in many instances, have closed their dens, and to a certain extent have given up planting, but as to the officials, their action has as yet been very limited, but great hopes are entertained that once the official Opium Bureau has published its Rules and Regulations they will begin to pursue a vigorous and energetic policy. Until such time, however, there is nothing further to report.\n\n2. Chungking.\n\nProclamations respecting the closing of opium dens and registration of all opium smokers have been issued in the Fu Shun district, but there have been no signs that people are paying any attention to them, nor has any further official action been taken, except that it is said that when opium dens have been closed, in order to meet the requirements and cravings of the people, six other dens with much larger accommodation and appliances shall be opened instead. One of these dens will be opened in the city near the north, south, east, and west gates respectively, besides one in the eastern and another in the western suburbs. Though a large reduction in dens may be reported officially, yet these six are said to be large enough to meet the demands of the people and the consumption will be the same.\n\nOn the 28th August His Majesty's Consul reported that it was originally declared in Chungking this was taken to mean \"by the end of the 6th moon\" (the 8th August), and many of the smaller and less remunerative establishments closed their doors in consequence. But the officials gave no signs of their intention to act on the instructions given in the Edict, and many of the lower classes considered that the undertaking to suppress opium had fallen through. In reply to inquiries His Majesty's Consul learnt that the sudden closing of all the opium dens at once might lead to trouble, and that it was intended to close them gradually, beginning with the more prominent and working down to the lower. The question of the control of the opium supply was said to be occupying the attention of the authorities to the exclusion of other matters.\n\nIt is said that the Viceroy was asked to allow four of the leading gentry at Chungking to manage the prepared opium depôts from which all opium was to be bought by smokers and opium dens. The Viceroy replied that the control of the sale of opium was to be kept in official hands, but the local authorities do not consider that this need prevent the proposed arrangement. The depôts have not yet been started.\n\nA Prepared Opium Office has taken up temporary premises in the city. Its duties are to register opium smokers, license premises for the consumption of the drug, and to supply the Government depots with prepared opium. Some trouble has been experienced in passing official opium through the li-kin station, which insists on the usual tax being paid.\n\nThe Director of this office has been dealing personally with the various proprietors of opium dens, who were all summoned to the Yamên and informed of the plans regarding them. The idea is that forty-six premises are to be licensed-two in each district.\n\n206", "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": 416046, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 211, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "208\n\n8\n\nnot carried out, and the area of land under cultivation shows an increase compared with last year of 20 or 30 per cent.\n\nA local Proclamation in Ch'ung Hsin strictly enjoins compliance with the prohibition Edict. Dens have been closed, with two or three exceptions that are kept open \"on account of the heat,\" and shops are required to have a licence to sell. Yamên people smoke. No official restriction has been placed on the area under cultivation, though it has decreased naturally owing to bad crops and high taxes. In neither situation at Ling T'ai is reported to be similar to that at Ch'ung Hsin; the district gentry have not evinced any interest in the movement.\n\nShensi.----In Li Ch'uan nothing appears to have been done at all. The local official is a smoker, and sets a bad example.\n\nA missionary, reporting on the 31st July on the Tung Chou Prefecture, which includes ten districts north and south of the Wei River, says that the officials there appear generally to have confined their efforts to posting the ten Articles, suggesting medical prescriptions (none of which are efficient) for breaking off the habit, and advising the gentry to take up the matter. The gentry, indeed, have everywhere established anti-opium leagues and distribute medicine gratis. The Magistrate in Ta Li Hsien has also exerted himself to encourage these Societies, and opium shops have been inspected and their books examined by a commissioner from Si An-fu. But the dens are not yet closed, nor is the use of opium in any way restricted. The effect of Proclamations on the restriction of cultivated area cannot be gauged before autumn, when the poppy is sown, but at present in the Ta Li district alone 5,000 acres are under cultivation, while Hua Chou, Hua Yin Hsien, and Wei Nan Hsien in the Si An Prefecture grow enormous quantities.\n\nAt Chaochih, in the Feng Hsiang Prefecture, apart from the posting of Proclamations containing the ten Articles and abolishing the opium land tax, no active measures have been taken to restrict either opium smoking or poppy cultivation. Officials and gentry alike are reported to be indifferent. In this district, although no opium dens exist, almost every shop and inn provides a lamp for the use of customers, while the drug itself is sold openly on the streets, and even at the door of the Yamên.\n\nIn Han Chung-fu the noise of the anti-opium agitation appears as yet hardly to have penetrated. The Taotaï, indeed, described in previous reports as a heavy smoker, is now rumoured to have been cashiered on that account. The land tax also is no longer levied, though this measure, unless followed up by energetic official action, would appear likely to result only in an increase of cultivated area.\n\nIn the meantime October will prove or disprove the sincerity of the official attitude. Dens remain open, Articles 2 and 3 are ignored, shops are never inspected, and the officials have taken no action whatever in pursuance of their Proclamations.\n\nHunan.-A more cheerful account of the progress of the movement comes from Yuan Chou-fu. The officials in this Prefecture show considerable earnestness in their endeavour to eradicate the habit. Opium dens were all closed on the 30th June, and pecuniary rewards are now offered to any persons discovering the existence of any illicit dens. In the months of July and August a census of each household was being taken throughout Yuan Chou and the surrounding villages, with a view to the better control of smokers. The opium shops also were to be shut on the completion of the census. No measures have yet been taken to restrict the area of cultivation.\n\nA report from Chen Yuan-fu resumes the usual story of Proclamations posted, and nothing further done, though it is said that the Prefect has set an example by himself discontinuing the use of opium. The writer adds: \"But this much I can say; the people here believe that the opium trade will be abolished.\"\n\nHonan.-In K'ai Feng-fu little can be added to the previous report that nothing has been done. The police authorities have ordered the opium dens to be closed, but the point has not been pressed very energetically, and the results are meagre.\n\n6. Hangchow.\n\nSome efforts are now being made in this Consular district to enforce the Imperial Regulations. Missionaries report that most of the opium shops in their districts have been officially closed. Previous to this a copy of the Proclamation was in one district pasted on the door of each opium den. In the Chuchou district all the local officials and gentry are giving up the habit, and every one is said to be trying all sorts of plans to break it off.\n\nOn the 3rd September His Majesty's Acting-Consul reported that the closing of opium dens passed off quietly about the 8th August, and that it seemed to have been done fairly effectively, though subsequent cases of clandestine opening occurred. These were not very numerous. There is said to be an idea of starting an official opium monopoly at Hangchow.\n\n7. Haichow (Kiangsu).\n\nA missionary reports that while several Proclamations have been issued setting forth the scheme of the prohibition of opium within ten years, almost no official action has been taken in pursuance of them, while no pressure has been brought to bear on the gentry, some of the officials themselves being heavy opium smokers. Nothing has been done to restrict the area of poppy cultivation.\n\n8. Ichang.\n\nNothing appears to have been done as yet (28th August) in the district to enforce the Regulations, not even to the extent of posting the Proclamations. On the contrary, in Ichang one or two new dens have been opened during the summer months.\n\n9. Kiukiang.\n\nMissionary reports from the Province of Kiangsi show that little land is in any case devoted to poppy cultivation. Many Proclamations have been issued. In many places dens have been closed, and punishment inflicted both on the owners and frequenters of those who failed to do so; in other places nothing had been done. Shops are still for the most part open. In some districts officials and the gentry are reported to be desirous of obeying the Edict; in others there is complete apathy.\n\n10. Kiungchow.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reported on the 19th August that a Proclamation had just been published as to measures to be taken for restricting the use of opium by the people generally. A previous Proclamation had been issued in June. The effect of these Proclamations has not been great so far. The first incident they occasioned was somewhat ludicrous. Some seventy or eighty chair coolies presented themselves in a body at the Magistrate's yamên to register their names, each of whom declared that he consumed some 3 to 7 mace of opium per day. Asked what their daily wages might be, they stated that they earned from 200 to 300 cash a-day. The Magistrate then informed them that he could not see his way to granting them permits, which would compel them to purchase daily as much as they had declared to be their daily consumption, inasmuch as their earnings would be more than taken up by the amount they would have to spend daily on opium.\n\nUntil the Regulations came into effect on the 9th August, and the number of persons who have so far reported themselves as opium smokers is stated to be about 300. Recently the opium dens in Hoihow carried on their business as usual, but the Magistrate caused one or two of them to be raided, and arrested three men.\n\nMost of the local officials, if not all, are themselves more or less addicted to the use of the drug. The Brigadier-General is reported by the Chinese to have suffered a fine of 100 dollars recently at Hong Kong for having in his luggage a ball of opium for his own consumption. In many cases not only the officials themselves, but several members of their families are opium smokers.\n\nAnother temporary difficulty has arisen through the refusal of the opium farmer to renew his contract for the farming of the prepared opium licence taxes instituted last year, which is reported to have resulted in a loss to him.\n\nThe suppression of the opium habit throughout Hainan is a task of the very greatest difficulty, and will probably never be completely carried out, unless through the effect of popular opinion. The control exercised by the officials over the population in Hainan appears to be a little more than purely nominal, except perhaps in the immediate neighbourhood of the towns in which their yamêns are situated. It is very seldom, for instance, that any fugitive criminal, however notorious, who makes his way into the interior of Hainan and stays there can be recaptured. The junk trade along the coast is subject to little or no practical supervision, and contraband trade can be carried on as a rule with the most complete immunity.\n\nIn these circumstances, it is hardly to be expected that the Anti-Opium Regulations, even though applied with some vigour, will have any appreciable results in the ...\n\n[2724 8--1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416047, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 212, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "8\n\n9\n\n209\n\nKiungchow district for a considerable time to come, except in the more important towns.\n\n11. Swatow.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reported on the 7th August last that the Taotai had instructed the various local Magistrates to notify that all opium shops must be closed within six months dating from the end of April. Several instructions were likewise issued calling upon the local officials to discontinue the use of opium, but little attention is being paid to these orders. Proclamations prohibiting the use of opium are said to have been posted in the district city of Cheng Hai, but so far they have not appeared in Swatow, nor have they been published in the local papers. The Magistrates' runners have, however, been round Swatow ordering the opium shops that they may only sell opium for consumption outside, but may not allow it to be consumed on the premises.\n\n12. Tien-tsin.\n\nMissionary reports received from His Majesty's Consulate-General are to the effect that nothing or very little is being done to carry out the Imperial Regulations. One writer reports things to be in statu quo. \"No opium shops closed, no restrictions in any way, and probably, though it remains to be seen, just as much poppy will be grown this year as in the years gone by.\"\n\nThe Consolidated Opium Tax Bureau of Chihli, which issued a Proclamation in April last urging the cultivation of land for the poppy for the sake of the revenue, is only a branch Bureau, the Head Office being in Hupei under the control of a high Commissioner for the collection of the tax on native opium for the whole of China. This collectorate has most unquestionably the most official status. The Proclamation has never been disavowed by the Viceroy, Yuan Shih-k'ai, in whose power indeed it would not be to take such a step, the Bureau not being under his control.\n\n13. Tien-tai (Chekiang Province).\n\nA missionary reports that an official Proclamation was issued on the 18th May, of which the two chief points were-(1) officials and gentry were to give up opium; (2) opium shops were to be closed in six months. At the end of July a new Magistrate repeated the Proclamation, but nothing had been done up to the end of August towards the closing of opium dens or shops, nor towards restricting smokers, nor inspecting opium shops. Nor is there any change in the amount of land under poppy cultivation.\n\n14. Tsoyun (Shansi).\n\nA missionary reports that the people smoke opium as before the Edict, although the opium dens and shops have been closed. One shop has been allowed to remain open at which everyone has the right to buy opium. Smuggling of opium dens and shops goes on everywhere.\n\nThe farmers are cultivating an enormous area of poppy land this year.\n\n15. Wuchow.\n\nHis Majesty's Consul reports favourably on the steps taken to enforce the Imperial Regulations, and the dens seem really to have been effectively closed about the 11th May. Two proprietors who ventured to disobey the terms of the Proclamation were brought up before the Magistrate, heavily fined and \"cangued,\" as a hint to the rest that the officials were in earnest in the matter.\n\nThe gentry have been urged to set an example to the common people by giving up the habit within the period of one year.\n\nKweilin. At Kweilin, the capital of the province, it would seem that efficient measures have been taken by the authorities to carry out the prohibition of opium smoking. Proclamations have at different times been posted, and a missionary states that the authorities really appear to be in earnest about the matter.\n\nNanning. A missionary states that a Proclamation was issued on the 25th March by the Taotai ordering the closing of all opium dens within thirty days, and forbidding the manufacture of the various opium instruments smokers use.\n\nThe present state of affairs (as reported on the 21st August) at Nanning appears, however, to be far from satisfactory.\n\nThe opium dens are not closed, no active steps have been taken to suppress them, and smoking is openly indulged in, the various shops even having their divans and smoking appliances.\n\n16. Jehol (Province of Chihli).\n\nOpium dens have all been closed \"officially,\" but opium smoking continues with unabated vigour in other houses after dark. I am informed by a missionary that never in his long experience has there been so much opium in the district or sold at so cheap a price as at the present moment. The officials dare not take too energetic measures against the use of opium for fear of a change of policy on the part of the Central Government, when their activity would be severely censured.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416068, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 233, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "LIANG TUN YEN\n\n(under Seal of Wai-wu Pu),\n\n6\n\nArt. 20. By the Preliminary Agreement under Imperial sanction a participation of 20 per cent. of the net profits of the railway had been promised to the Syndicate in remuneration for their general responsibility and services. In commutation of this participation in net profits the Syndicate is granted the right to retain £200,000 of the first issue of this loan, in instalments and on dates based on, and in proportion to the terms of subscription to the loan as stated in the prospectus. No further payment in respect to commutation of profits will be allowed on any subsequent series of the loan, or on any supplementary loan.\n\nArt. 21. After payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan for the year, the Railway Administration will deposit with the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in Shanghai or Tien-tsin any surplus of the net revenue of the railway line for the year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalments of interest on the loan; the rate of interest on the deposit being arranged with the banks from time to time with due regard to the conditions of the market.\n\nArt. 22. The Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Chinese Central Railway (Limited) may, subject to all their obligations under this Agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions thereunder to any German or British Company, Directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the Director General.\n\nArt. 23. This Agreement was signed under authority of an Imperial Edict dated this 10th day of the twelfth month of the 33rd year of Kuang Hsü, corresponding to the 13th day of January, 1908, Western calendar, which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain and Germany in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nArt. 24. Five sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, three sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and two by the Syndicate.\n\nIn the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this 10th day of the twelfth month of the thirty-third year of Kuang Hsü, corresponding to the 13th day of January, 1908, Western calendar.\n\n(Signed)\n\n7\n\nTien-tsin-Pukow Railway Loan, £5,000,000, at 5 per cent., 30 years,\n\nSCHEDULE of Payments of Interest and Repayments of Principal.\n\n \n Years.\n Total Principal.\n Interest.\n Principal.\n Principal still Outstanding.\n \n \n 1\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n ...\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 2\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 3\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 4\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 5\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 6\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 7\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 8\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 9\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 10\n £5,000,000\n £125,000\n £125,000\n £5,000,000\n \n \n 11\n £4,750,000\n £118,750\n £125,000\n £4,750,000\n \n \n 12\n £4,500,000\n £112,500\n £125,000\n £4,500,000\n \n \n 13\n £4,250,000\n £106,250\n £125,000\n £4,250,000\n \n \n 14\n £4,000,000\n £100,000\n £125,000\n £4,000,000\n \n \n 15\n £3,750,000\n £93,750\n £125,000\n £3,750,000\n \n \n 16\n £3,500,000\n £87,500\n £125,000\n £3,500,000\n \n \n 17\n £3,250,000\n £81,250\n £125,000\n £3,250,000\n \n \n 18\n £3,000,000\n £75,000\n £125,000\n £3,000,000\n \n \n 19\n £2,750,000\n £68,750\n £125,000\n £2,750,000\n \n \n 20\n £2,500,000\n £62,500\n £125,000\n £2,500,000\n \n \n 21\n £2,250,000\n £56,250\n £125,000\n £2,250,000\n \n \n 22\n £2,000,000\n £50,000\n £125,000\n £2,000,000\n \n \n 23\n £1,750,000\n £43,750\n £125,000\n £1,750,000\n \n \n 24\n £1,500,000\n £37,500\n £125,000\n £1,500,000\n \n \n 25\n £1,250,000\n £31,250\n £125,000\n £1,250,000\n \n \n 26\n £1,000,000\n £25,000\n £125,000\n £1,000,000\n \n \n 27\n £750,000\n £18,750\n £125,000\n £750,000\n \n \n 28\n £500,000\n £12,500\n £125,000\n £500,000\n \n \n 29\n £250,000\n £6,250\n £125,000\n £250,000\n \n \n 30\n ...\n £6,250\n £125,000\n ...\n \n\nFor the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank,\n\n(Signed) H. CORDES.\n\nFor the Chinese Central Railways (Limited),\n\n(Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\n\nNote.-Pending the issue of the final series of this loan, in terms of Article 13 of the Agreement, the half-yearly interest on the series actually issued shall be calculated pro rata in respect to the amounts of such series on the basis of the present Schedule for the total amount of £5,000,000, but it shall be so arranged that the dates of payment of the second and any subsequent series shall coincide with those of the first series in such way that, when all the series have been issued, the half-yearly service of principal and interest of the loan may be brought into line in respect to dates of payment.\n\n0\n\n230", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416113, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 278, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "3\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan,\n\n(No. 18.) Sir,\n\nShanghae, February 12, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 8 of the 27th ultimo, forwarding to me, for my observations, a pamphlet which you had received from the Foreign Office, intitled \"Another Opium War,\" by Mr. Marshall Broomhall.\n\nThe author of the pamphlet appears to me to have been carried away in writing it by his feelings of indignation at what must seem to him, no doubt, the lukewarm attitude of the Shanghae Municipal Council towards the opium question.\n\nHe commences, on p. 4, his indictment of its policy with the following sentence:-\n\n\"To the shame and humiliation of the British people, the Municipal Council of Shanghae is now availing itself of its exterritorial rights to defend a vice which the British House of Commons has twice declared to be morally indefensible, and--for so it appears to the writer and many others--to make null and void the pledge of Mr. John Morley, and to defy definite Government instructions.\"\n\nThe Shanghae Municipal Council is composed of gentlemen, not only of British, but of American and German nationality, all of whom I know to be men of high character, and imbued with a strong sense of the duties of their position. As far as I am aware, they are none of them in any way interested in the opium trade, the extinction of which, by the fillip which it would give to trade in other commodities, could only be beneficial to them as business men.\n\nI find it difficult, therefore, to understand on what foundation Mr. Broomhall bases his charge that they defend the vice, for, on the contrary, I have every reason to believe that they, one and all, regard the opium habit with the utmost detestation.\n\nAgain, when he accuses the Council of availing itself of its exterritorial rights to make null and void the pledge given by Mr. Morley, and to defy definite Government instructions, Mr. Broomhall appears to have forgotten that the foreign Settlement at Shanghae is not a British, but an international Settlement, for the policy of which Mr. Morley can have given no pledge, since, strictly speaking, His Majesty's Government has no more authority to dictate to the Council elected by the ratepayers what this policy should be than the Government of any other Treaty Power.\n\nThis mistake of his, which is no doubt unintentional, puts the action of the Council in a far worse light than it merits, and is unfortunate, for this reason: that when the document comes to be translated into the native papers or missionary journals, as such tracts usually are, by conveying to Chinese readers a totally wrong idea of the real facts of the case, it may do serious injury to British prestige, and undo to a great extent the good impression that the action of His Majesty's Government has created in this country.\n\nThe policy of the Council is summarized very clearly in the following telegram from the \"Times\" correspondent at Shanghae quoted in the pamphlet:--\n\n\"The Shanghae Municipal Council announces, in reference to the opium policy, that, at the request of the British Government, it has already ceased to issue fresh licences, and will restrict renewals gradually, with a view to their complete cessation, simultaneously with the complete suppression of the opium trade throughout the empire, by the end of ten years.\"\n\nIn justice to the members of the Council it should be stated that, if, in failing to close the opium dens in the Settlement before being approached by the Chinese authorities, they disregarded the views of His Majesty's Government, they had very excellent reasons for doing so.\n\nIt is not usual for the Council to ignore the express wishes of His Majesty's Government. Its members have been accused in the past of being too subservient to these wishes, and if, on this occasion, they paid no regard to them, it was not done lightly, nor without a keen sense of the responsibility which they were assuming.\n\nThe considerations which guided them are carefully set forth in the Chairman's letter to me of the 18th October. He points out that the revenue of the municipality is fixed for each year in advance at the annual meeting of ratepayers, and no alteration, therefore, of the schedule is legally possible until the next such meeting in March 1908.\n\nI should explain that the licences for the opium dens are issued for a period of twelve months, and the revenue they bring in amounts to no less than $5,000 taels per annum.\n\nApart, therefore, from the legality or otherwise of this step, the cancellation of these licences before expiry and the closing of the dens would have involved so serious a disturbance of the municipal finances, and would have constituted such a grave breach of faith towards the proprietors of the establishments, that, if any consideration at all was to be paid to the interests of the ratepayers and to the good name of the Council, it was impossible for the Committee to pursue any other course.\n\nIt is evidently, however, Mr. Broomhall's opinion that neither the above nor any other considerations should have been allowed by the Council to weigh with it as against its moral obligation, as he considers it, to follow in the footsteps of the Shanghae City authorities and close the dens in the Settlement simultaneously with those in the native city, and he appears to think it inexcusable that its members should hold views of their own on the opium question in its bearings on the welfare of the Settlement, and particularly that these views should be influenced in any way by the financial aspect of the question.\n\nAs the elected representatives of a cosmopolitan community, of which the British section, although comprising a majority of qualified voters, constitutes barely one-third of the total foreign population, it is unquestionably the first duty of the Council to consider the interests of the ratepayers as a body, and not the wishes, if they happen to clash with these interests, of the Government of any single nationality amongst them.\n\nMr. Broomhall loses sight, too, of the fact that the Shanghae community is a business community, and that its representatives are business men, with whom sentimental considerations, when they conflict with their reasoned views, cannot be expected to weigh very seriously.\n\nOf the genuineness of their disbelief in the power of the Central Government to enforce the new opium Regulations I have no doubt whatever, and I may say that their scepticism on the point is shared by practically the whole of the foreign community of the port.\n\nAs an excuse for them and for those who agree with them, I may perhaps quote that extract from an article in the \"Times\" of the 23rd November, 1906, which the author of the pamphlet cites with such evident approval.\n\nIn it China's undertaking is acknowledged to be \"so formidable that the strongest of Governments might flinch before it. If China performs it with even partial success she will have demonstrated that her rulers exercise a sway over the minds and consciences of her people such as no Western Government can claim, and such as Western people can hardly comprehend.\"\n\nI can, moreover, thoroughly endorse the argument used by the Council as to the desirability of keeping houses in which opium is smoked under supervision by the police, as opium dens in the Settlement now are under the terms of their licences.\n\nThe reason is that the criminal classes in China are as a rule opium smokers, and it is in the dens that most arrests are effected.\n\nIn view of the great influx of criminals into the Settlement, and the consequent increase in crime which has resulted from the abolition of the bamboo at the Mixed Court, the loss of such an excellent means of keeping bad characters under observation might prove an extremely serious matter for the law-abiding population of Shanghae.\n\nAs the Chairman mentions, the closing of the opium dens in the city of Shanghae and of Soochow has led to no apparent diminution in the sale or consumption of the drug in either town.\n\nHe might, indeed, have laid more stress in his letter on the failure in this respect of the measure, on the benefits of which so much stress is laid by Mr. Broomhall.\n\nThere is no reason to believe that the results in the Settlement will be different from those in Shanghae City and at Soochow.\n\nThe consumption of the drug will still go on to the same extent in private houses, lodging-houses, native hotels, and other haunts over which the police can exercise no effective supervision, and the only persons to benefit by the change will be the retail dealers and the criminal population.\n\nHow far the terms of the Anti-Opium Edict, and especially of Article 4, which enjoins the closing of opium dens, have been obeyed in the provinces is a matter regarding which you are in a better position than myself to judge.\n\nOne might infer from the pamphlet that it is only in the international Settlement at Shanghae and the French Settlement that its recommendations have not been promptly and effectively carried out, whereas it is well known that in many parts of the country the Edict has been completely ignored.\n\nEven at Soochow, as a missionary correspondent informs me, no serious attempt to enforce it has been made, the only difference between the present state of affairs and the old conditions being that what used to go on in the open is now going on surreptitiously.\n\nThe state of things in the city of Shanghae is little, if any, better.\n\nThe policy of the Council on the whole question will be submitted to the ratepayers for their approval at the annual general meeting to be held next month, and it is possible, though not, I fear, very probable, that it may then be modified in a manner which may...\n\n[2880 dd→1]\n\nB 2\n\n274", "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": 416198, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 363, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": ".2\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nShanghae Municipal Council to Senior Consul.\n\nCouncil Room, Shanghae, January 10, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that the steady increase in the number of cases of petty crime brought under the notice of the police, and in the number of native prisoners in municipal custody have again brought into prominence the desirability of the reintroduction of the bamboo, a matter which has engaged the Council's attention at intervals since November 1905, when the change in procedure in this respect was inaugurated at the Mixed Court.\n\nThe method observed in affecting this change offers special features, and the exact position of the question is best recalled by means of a cursory review of what had passed.\n\nAuthority for the abolition of the bamboo is apparently based on an Imperial Rescript issued on the 24th April, 1905, which approved generally the terms of a Report by the Land Revision Commissioners on a Memorial by the Nanking Viceroy. This Report referred to the abolition of torture, and contained a proposal for the substitution of fines for blows. On the 25th April an Edict was issued primarily in reference to the use of torture and the cruelties practised in the native yamêns, and briefly stating that the usual formal sanction had been given to the terms of the Report. There is thus reason to suppose that, in so far as these documents refer to the use of the bamboo, the promulgation of the new procedure was intended to be regarded neither as emphatic nor as universal. On the 15th October a Memorial upon the same matter, and from the same quarter, was similarly sanctioned, wherefrom it was understood that the application of the new rule would be general, though, in the light of what has passed, its terms as published in the native press, seem to express an intention to establish strict observance of the new procedure as an experiment at the Mixed Court alone. The foreign authorities were then at the beginning of November formally notified of the order received.\n\nThe views of the community generally upon the subject again unequivocally found voice at the ratepayers meeting in March last, and lately in the request for the active co-operation of the Consular Body contained in the Council's letter of the 13th April, to which there is little to add. On the 24th May last a telegram appeared in a well-informed native organ stating that the Nanking Viceroy had memorialized the Throne by telegram requesting the reintroduction of blows at the Court on the ground that criminality had largely increased since their cessation, and two days later a second message announced that the formal Imperial sanction had been given. The denial of this announcement had come to the Council's notice, and the grounds therefor may doubtless be verified by the Consular Body.\n\nIt is meanwhile beyond doubt that the recent increase in police cases of all kinds is to be traced directly to the fact that the Settlement, as the sole locality throughout China wherein the bamboo is known to be in disuse, offers an inviting field to habitual malefactors from all quarters. In Tien-tsin and Hankow the bamboo is applied as a matter of ordinary procedure. In the native city and the neighbouring suburb of Nantao the maintenance of order is aided by blows daily administered under orders of the officials in charge. The municipal gaol, moreover, compares so favourably with neighbouring prisons under purely native control, that alone it forms an inadequate deterrent in the eyes of the native criminal, a fact which was recently evidenced by the statement of one prisoner in open Court to the effect that he desired to return to gaol in order to obtain good food. The abolition of blows in the foreign Settlement, if genuinely an experimental administrative reform, has thus clearly proved an inequitable, premature, and perilous measure. I am confident, however, that consideration of the events concurrent with this innovation, and the manner in which it has been carried out, will confirm the Consular Body in the views expressed in the Council's letter of the 13th April.\n\nIn conclusion, it may be observed that in the Council's opinion the bamboo is eminently suited to the character of the native offender, is an adjunct of criminal justice rendered vitally necessary under present conditions if only by reason of immemorial use, and, administered after guilt had been established under the check exercised by the presence of foreigners at the Court, is a wholly humane and salutary mode of correction.\n\nIn inquiring therefore whether the contents of the Council's letter are receiving attention at the hands of the Diplomatic Body at Peking, I have the honour to request\n\n3\n\nthat, since this matter is now of the gravest moment to the security of the community, negotiations may be reopened or vigorously sustained to a satisfactory settlement.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nD. LANDALE, Chairman,\n\nDoyen's Circular, dated January 27, 1908.\n\nLE doyen a l'honneur de faire circuler une lettre du doyen du Corps Consulaire à Shanghai en date du 15 Janvier courant, avec une annexe, par lesquelles la question du rétablissement de l'usage du bambou, comme moyen de châtiment à la Cour Mixte à Shanghai, est soumise au jugement du Corps Diplomatique.\n\nIl prie ses honorables collègues de vouloir bien se prononcer à ce sujet.\n\n(Signé) A. J. VAN CITTERS.\n\nPékin, le 27 Janvier, 1908.\n\nP.S.-Je suis d'avis qu'il sera nécessaire de se conformer au désir du Conseil Municipal et de consentir en conséquence au rétablissement de l'usage du bambou.\n\n(Signé) A. J. VAN CITTERS.\n\nIt is, in my opinion, not desirable for the Diplomatic Body to take any direct initiative in pressing for the reintroduction of the bamboo. The return to the former practice should rather be made by the Chinese authorities under the pressure of the local public opinion, Chinese and foreign, which the Municipal Council may perhaps be able to direct towards the question.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n(Signed)\n\n358\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416211, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 376, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "The present time is thus one of preparation, as we have repeatedly and explicitly declared in several Decrees. It is therefore most essential to regard the stage of development of the people in order to judge whether the inauguration will come early or late. The Sovereign and the Ministers of State, the governing and the governed, all should diligently investigate the question and study it point by point, so that when constitutional government is established it may be for the general happiness and advantage of all. But wherever the Sovereign of any country has granted a Constitution, the chief power in most cases remains vested in the Throne, while the system of administration rests generally upon public opinion; but the practical working of the administration and the control of public opinion still remain under the sovereignty of the Throne, and meetings of the people, associations, and all expressions of thought, whether verbal or in writing, are subject to fixed legal limitations. No country has ever founded its Constitution by breaking all the restraints of duty and offending against the first principles of right; and, moreover, China hitherto has set a high value upon ceremonious conduct and courtesy, and has set up a high standard of social duty. In now choosing from what is best in the legal systems of other countries, our own social and religious obligations must be preserved.\n\nThe desire of the Throne to prepare for a Constitution is profound, but in the last years the gentry, merchants, scholars, and people of various provinces (though there have been, of course, plenty of dutiful and law-abiding exceptions) have shown a strong tendency towards frivolous and ill-considered criticisms and with a total ignorance of the subject to cry for constitutional rights over no matter what political question, domestic or foreign. By leading one another on to interfere, a hundred soon re-echo the words of and the mischief is reverberated from one mind to another, misrepresentation follows upon misrepresentation, and, as the days pass, more profound is the danger that this swarming mass of misstatement, by which white is turned to black, may burst forth into disorder. With the people usurping what the authorities let slip from their grasp, and with a reckless defiance of the social order, the foundation of constitutional government cannot but be impeded, and, with the general prospect of peaceful administration revolutionized by a spirit of disorder, the hope of a Constitution becomes even more remote, and the opportunity for consolidating the country passes still farther out of sight.\n\nNow, popular feeling cannot, of course, be ignored, but the people must on no account give vent to their feelings by angry clamour. In a constitutional State the authorities and the people must loyally adhere to their respective functions and preserve a peaceful and harmonious attitude. The object of a Parliament is to choose what is good from the sentiments of the people, but those who elect parliamentary representatives as well as those who are elected as representatives have, severally, fixed rôles to play, and fixed rules are provided both for the assembling of deliberative associations and for their dismissal. The subjects which may be discussed are also confined within distinct limits and restricted by carefully drawn regulations. The various powers and functions being thus clearly defined, it is by no means the case that any individual is at liberty to discuss affairs, nor is it the case that every subject can be deliberated upon.\n\nAt present commands have been issued for the establishment in Peking of the \"Tzu Cheng Yuan\" (Senate), and in the provinces of the \"Tzu Yi Chu\" (Consultative Bureaux). These are intended to form the foundation of parliamentary institutions. In future the interests of the various provinces should be carefully investigated and discussed by the Consultative Bureaux, and if they arrive at any definite resolution they can request the high authorities of their province to communicate with the Senate and submit the matter for the consideration and action of that body. They must not, however, usurp powers which they do not possess and overstep their functions, thereby introducing confusion into governmental affairs. Still less may they provoke agitation by captious criticism and so disturb the peaceful administration of the country.\n\nThe Board of Laws and the Board of the Interior have already been commanded to frame satisfactory press laws without delay, and it is now commanded that the Office for the Investigation of Constitutional Reform shall co-operate with the Board of the Interior in drawing up rules in respect to the limitations to be observed by all Associations which concern themselves with political affairs, and to submit such rules, which shall be derived from Chinese and foreign legislation on this subject, for approval to the Throne at the earliest possible date. Should there be busybodies who meet together and instigate men's minds towards the outbreak of disorder, the law of the land is here, ready to deal with them, and they shall on no account be spared, but must be prevented and punished with the utmost rigour.\n\nAll Government Offices and Departments in Peking and the provinces are further commanded to see that their subordinates scrupulously observe and give effect to the provisions of this Decree. If they venture to neglect it, or fail to exact obedience there, and trouble develops in consequence, the Office or Department concerned will not be able to repudiate its direct responsibility.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Peking Gazette\" of December 25, 1907.\n\nDECREE ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER.\n\nTHE State, for the encouragement of virtue and talent, has made selections from the administrative acts of former dynasties and from the established practices of foreign nations, and has inaugurated a series of graded schools.\n\nImperial orders have been issued to the high educational authorities to prepare careful Regulations and submit them for the Imperial sanction and subsequent promulgation by Edict.\n\nPerseverance in the proper path has been encouraged, and much forethought has likewise been expended in the imposing of restrictive measures, as, for example, the prohibition to interfere in political matters, to stray into irrelevant issues, to form Associations, and to address public meetings; all of which have been strictly prohibited by proclamation.\n\nIt was our hope that the educated classes would keep themselves under proper discipline and devote themselves to the training of their minds. The State had thus formed the greatest expectations from these people. Of late years, however, there have been signs that the scholars have been going greatly astray in their conduct. It constantly occurs that they fail to concentrate their attention on their studies and to confine their efforts to becoming good Confucianists. They frequently step beyond their proper sphere, and interfere in external affairs. They heap contumely upon their officials and professors, and rebel against properly constituted authority. They infringe the precepts of Confucius, and make unauthorized changes in their curriculum and traditional costume. They dragoon their village communities, and, worse still, refuse to acknowledge the high provincial officials. They endeavour to force the Government to accede to their wishes in important affairs of State. They habitually send anonymous telegrams to the Council of State in the name of the whole school. Without weighing the merits of a case, they utter scurrilous criticisms, and by the force of their example lead the ignorant masses to adopt their views. Persons of bad character and malcontents seize such opportunities to incite disorder, to the great detriment of right principles and the disturbance of the popular mind.\n\nSuch practices as these have been unheard of in former times, and even heretofore in our own dynasty, while abroad evils of such a nature are unknown in schools.\n\nScholars form the highest of the four classes of the population. Whatever the attitude of the scholars, that also will be the attitude of the people. The people are bound to follow any evil practices the scholar section may inaugurate, and the effect of this on the whole question of government in the future will be hard to calculate. The only way to wean the scholars from their evil courses is to impose severer legislative measures.\n\nLet, therefore, the Board of Education issue instructions to all offices concerned with educational affairs to publish restrictive Regulations and cause them to be very stringently enforced. Any omissions in existing rules dealing with the examination and supervision of scholars are to be filled in and such rules put strictly into force under due penalties.\n\nThe guidance of scholars is a duty shared by the Governor of Peking, the provincial Viceroys and Governors, and the Educational Commissioners. These officials are, however, in the habit of permitting the scholars to overstep their bounds and win applause by being faithless to their principles. In order to gain the good opinion of the scholars leniency is shown towards them, and talented men are ruined in the making.\n\nRecently there have been many examples of schools both in the capital and in the provinces having assembled, created disturbances, and dispatched nonsensical telegrams.\n\nPage 371", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416230, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 395, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nbetween the two Governments, instead of insisting on their being kept apart as a purely commercial transaction.\n\nHe next proceeds to relate what a shock it was to the deputies to find, on arrival at Peking, that the statement that the Company had ignored Sheng's letter giving them a limit of six months in which to begin work, which the Chekiang people had relied on as a strong argument in support of their case, was incorrect, and that as a matter of fact the Company had sent a reply six days after the receipt of Sheng's letter.\n\nThe letter then proceeds:-\n\n\"It is a common complaint that, although the Edict authorizing the construction of the line by native merchants has been issued more than two years and rails have been laid and trains commenced running, a fact of which all China was aware, the British made no protest until quite recently, when they suddenly changed their attitude and attempted to force a loan on the two provinces. The true facts of the case are that on the day the Imperial Edict was promulgated the British Minister addressed a despatch to the Wai-wu Pu saying that the expression 'Chekiang railways' meant the railways of the whole province, and asking if the Soochow Hangchow-Ningpo Railway was included in this. If it was he requested an explanation of the reversal of the previous Concession to the British Company. The Wai-wu Pu answered that they were communicating with the Board of Commerce and the Governor of Chekiang and that they would reply later. This was nothing more than a pretext for delay.\n\n\"Three days later, having received no reply, the British Minister went to the Wai-wu Pu and made inquiries into the matter. After that, every three or four days there came a despatch pressing for a reply, and when no reply was forthcoming the Minister again went to the Wai-wu Pu to inquire in person, and, getting no reply to his verbal inquiries, he again sent in a despatch.\n\n\"The new British Minister, on arrival, sent in a despatch summarizing the previous history of the case and again pressing for a reply. The Wai-wu Pu continued to evade giving any answer, one day alleging as an excuse that Prince Ching was not at the Board, and another that such and such a Minister was not present; and when the Prince and the Minister did appear at an interview they said that some method of arrangement could be found and that there was no hurry, or that the case had now gone on for some years and that it was only necessary to find some way of settling it which need not be done at the moment. This sort of talk occurred at every interview with the British Minister, and every one of his despatches remained unanswered.\n\n\"About the 6th or 7th moon of last year, being hard pressed for further excuses, the Wai-wu Pu at length requested the British Minister to first settle the question of the Canton-Kowloon Railway. The Minister said there was no objection to this course, but he explained that this did not mean that the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway question was to be shelved, but merely postponed until the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement had been signed.\n\n\"In the 9th moon of last year, on the day that the Agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway was signed, the British Minister addressed a despatch to the Wai-wu Pu reminding them of the previous understanding, and requesting them, now that the Agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway was signed, to depute an official to resume the negotiations on the subject of the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo line. The Wai-wu Pu continued to procrastinate, but the Minister insisted, and said that, although it was two years since the two provinces took over the construction of the railways, he had been unable to obtain any reply to his repeated inquiries, and, as people were now saying that the British had silently acquiesced in the new conditions, he could not consent to any further delay.\n\n\"The Wai-wu Pu thereupon replied that they proposed to wait until Wang Ta Hsieh returned to China and then put him in charge of the negotiations. Wang had been Minister in London, and was, moreover, a Chekiang man; he must first come to some arrangement with the Chekiang people. The question was one of vital importance to Chekiang Province, and if the Chekiang people were satisfied Kiangsu could be dealt with in the same way.\n\n16\n\nThe British Minister said that this arrangement was satisfactory, but he asked whether it was definitely decided to intrust the negotiations to Wang, and whether he had authority to settle the matter. To this the Wai-wu Pu replied in the affirmative.\n\n\"From this it may be seen that the British have never for a moment ceased to urge their claims under the original Concession, while the Wai-wu Pu have merely tried to evade any discussion of the question.”\n\nness.\n\n3\n\nMr. Yang then proceeds to relate how Wang, when he took charge of the negotiations, acted entirely on his own responsibility, without consulting his colleagues, and how the proposal for a loan emanated from him. The conclusion he comes to is that the Government, and especially Wang Ta Hsieh, are responsible for the whole business.\n\nThe British Minister tells people that neither the Chekiang people nor the British are to blame in this matter, but that the whole responsibility for the present situation lies with the Chinese Government. And, painful as this is to bear, the truth of it cannot be denied.\"\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\n(No. 17.)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nHERBERT GOFFE,\n\nConsul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nShangaae, February 8, 1908. Sir,\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 4 of the 15th ultimo, on the subject of the Chekiang Railway loan, I have the honour to transmit herewith translation of a telegram from Tuan Fang to all Viceroys and Governors, instructing them to take measures for the repression of the proposed boycotting movement against British goods, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, and Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nPELTIAM L. WARREN.\n\nTelegram sent by Tuan Fang to all Viceroys and Governors, at the request of Jui Cheng, January 16, 1908. (Translation.)\n\nTo here follow the names of thirteen Viceroys, Governors, and Generals].\n\nI HAVE recently been informed that Tseng Shao Ching, of Shanghae, is heading a movement to boycott English goods, the notes of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, and the firm of Jardine, Matheson, and Co., and has already circulated to every The Compradore of the Hsin I port 40,000 copies of a pamphlet to that end. Savings Bank is abetting him, and has been distributing similar pamphlets. Such proceedings are both futile and senseless. They cannot further the interests of the railway, and can only prejudice our country's external relations. The question of the railway has already assumed a more hopeful aspect, but, if inflammatory methods such as these are resorted to, the masses and the merchant classes, being in ignorance of the real facts of the matter, must inevitably be seduced into all kinds of disorder, to the great detriment of trade. Let each one of you therefore instruct his subordinates secretly to put this matter in the proper light before their Chambers of Commerce, and to impress upon them that they shall on no account give any heed or credence to these counsels, nor promulgate them in any way. Should they receive any of the above-mentioned pamphlets they should promptly throw them into the fire. Let them but be guided in their conduct by the efforts on their behalf of the officials and gentry of Chekiang and Kiangsu, and some plan of action will assuredly be found which shall successfully negotiate every difficulty. If they will but avoid all listening to idle gossip to their own undoing it will be infinitely better for the welfare of the whole trading community.\n\nPage 389", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416233, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 398, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "392\n\nj\n\n2\n\nIt would be altogether a mistake to believe that the people of Yunnan are opposed to a British railway from Burmah to this city. There is not the slightest reason to apprehend in this province any such struggle as that which you speak of as provoked in Chekiang. Everything, indeed, points the other way. The handful of pestilent literati here, after two years of agitation, have failed to arouse among the people of Yunnan any sort of enthusiasm for a Chinese railway to Szechuan, still less for one from Tengyuel to Burmah. As I have shown from their own published accounts, scarcely any private individual has been found willing to subscribe. On the contrary, the call to pay some 6 per cent, more for land tax in the form of railway subscription, coming as it does on the top of the suppression of opium, has roused very considerable discontent. I may mention that in this district the Governor-General has, despite the Edict allowing ten years' gradual suppression, and his own Proclamations allowing three years, caused all poppies to be forcibly destroyed. Were the Yunnanese not by nature a peaceable and submissive folk, there would be a strong provincial opposition, not to railway construction by foreigners, but to the proceedings of the present Governor-General and the small reactionary gang of soi-disant Railway Directors.\n\nAs regards our Tengyueh Railway scheme in particular, the Taiping Valley, through which the line would run, is inhabited almost entirely by Shans, while the Chinese traders of Tengyueh town, who constantly visit Bhamo and often Mandalay, would seem to be altogether in favour of its construction. They certainly are not in favour of the Chinese Company, for, as far as I can learn, they have not bought a single share in it.\n\nI have not, however, been advocating at this stage the demand from the Chinese Government of a definite Railway Concession, so much as insistence on their formal recognition of our right to absolutely equal treatment with France in Yünnan. I venture, with the utmost diffidence, to dissent from the view that the enforcement of that right could not now be attained by diplomatic methods. I am convinced that if His Majesty's Government were (let it be said, by communication through the Chinese Minister in London) to firmly insist on such recognition the Chinese Government would certainly yield. Quite apart from the most-favoured-nation clause of the Burmah-China Treaty, and the correspondence of March 1902, the principle that we are entitled to equal treatment with France in Yunnan is so obviously just that China could look in no quarter for support should she deny or oppose it. If, moreover (as I have said in an earlier despatch), the Chinese Government could be led to understand that, the principle once conceded, we should be ready to consider modifications in its practical application, that Government would be still less likely to hold out.\n\nYou do not refer in this despatch to the fact (as reported in my Confidential despatch No. 14 of the 29th November last) that the Throne has instructed Governor-General Hei that it has called for a report from the Cheng-wu Ch'u and the Wai-wu Pu on our claim to construct a railway in Yünnan; nor do you allude to the growing distrust and distaste said to be expressed by the Central Government for so-called “demonstrations in the provinces.” If the former (as I have no doubt) is correct, and the \"popular\" latter story well founded, then it would seem that the Peking Government would not be indisposed to make a compromise with us, preferring to transfer his Excellency Hsi-liang and to snub the literati rather than to run the risk, however remote, of a collision with India.\n\nIn this connection you will have noticed that in the Army Scheme for all China lately presented by the Lu-chün Pu and approved by the Throne it is proposed that within five years the forces in this province (computed in the Memorial to consist of one brigade of drilled infantry and two battalions of artillery) shall be raised to two “chen,” or army divisions. The reason given is that \"Yünnan controls the frontier posts of the south-west, and it is of the utmost importance to collect there a strong military force to co-operate in the scheme of defence.\" If we continue to delay, and do not now firmly require recognition by China of our right to equal treatment with France in Yunnan, then some future Governor-General of his present Excellency's type will, encouraged by what he will believe to be an overwhelming force, commit such actions—as, for example, ostentatious administration west of \"Scott's line\"—as will oblige us at length to maintain our prestige by force of arms.\n\nIn the meantime that prestige is being very seriously affected by the delay of the Indian Government to insist firmly on its right to build the Tengyueh Railway and to extend it, if the Government sees fit, to Tali and Yunnan-fu.\n\nWe have gone just far enough—in our surveys to Tali and our proposals of 1906 for the construction of a railway to Tengyueh—to make our present inaction appear a victory for the impudent \"bluff\" that inserted the words \"and Tengyueh\" in the title of the exclusively Chinese Yunnan-Szechuan Railway Company. We have swallowed this affront, and we are therefore, here in Yunnan, of no account. The result is that this Consulate is no longer consulted, as was the case when Ting Chih-t'ai was contemplating a railway to Szechuan and an international Settlement at Yunnan-fu (see my despatch of the 11th March, 1905), and it is hopeless to expect—for the matter has a commercial side also—that any contracts for the supply of machinery for mints, arsenals, or other public works, or proffers of engagement as instructors or engineers will come our way.\n\nThe \"friendly co-operation of the province,\" of which your despatch speaks, cannot be attained through any efforts on the part of this Consulate as long as the incumbent appears to be left without support from the Indian Government, on whose behalf he has been maintaining, vis-à-vis of the provincial Government, that British railway enterprise in Yunnan is entitled to equal privileges with French. It may be that the Government of India is waiting for the conclusion of the Thibetan Agreement before turning attention to its eastern frontier, but no intimation to that effect has reached me. It is more than two months since I submitted to Simla, by telegram through Maymyo on the 2nd December, the proposals set out in my despatch to you No. 46 of the 18th December. Those proposals, I cannot but believe, are practicable and such as should commend themselves to the Indian Government, yet they have not been even acknowledged, except in so far as the Government of Burmah have informed me of their due transmission.\n\nIf those proposals are favourably received at Simla, and if—for that, I submit, is the key to the problem—His Majesty's Government will formally require from China recognition of our equality with France in Yunnan, then I do not think that the prospect of overtaking our rivals need be regarded as remote. We should, once we began, work faster, and with less friction; and I am confident that our light electric railway would reach Yunnan-fu in ample time to take a full share in what is the real object of the French line, the traffic and trade of Szechuan.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) W. H. WILKINSON.\n\nP.S., February 8.—It is reported here among the Chinese that the French Government has agreed to sell the railway for 25 million taels (say, 85 million francs). This is less than the amount already spent on earthworks, tunnelling, and masonry. My colleague of France, whom I questioned yesterday on the subject, replies that it appears to him altogether unlikely, but that in any case he knows absolutely nothing about the matter.\n\nW. H. W.", "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": 416378, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 543, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nfall in discount directly to the cessation of the issues of enormous quantities of subsidiary coins by the Canton Mint in the case of Chinese coins, but to doubt whether the fall in discount on Hong Kong coins may be wholly or chiefly ascribed to the withdrawal of so comparatively small a quantity as we have already withdrawn, and to think that the partial rehabilitation of the Hong Kong coins is due rather to sympathy with the Chinese coins, just as it originally fell in sympathy with the depreciation of those coins.\n\n4. Upon receipt of replies from His Majesty's Minister and His Majesty's Consul-General, I shall address your Lordship further in this matter. On the practically unanimous recommendation of the Committee I have decided not to dispose of the coins withdrawn from circulation, either by shipment to England or otherwise, for the present.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\nF. D. LUGARD.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.17931]\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[10984]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nForeign Office, April 4, 1908.\n\nI HAVE received your despatch No. 28 of the 20th January, and I approve the terms of the note which you have addressed to Prince Ching on the subject of the opening of Nanning.\n\nI notice that the Wai-wu Pu, in their note of the 9th January, maintain that Nanning was originally opened by China herself,\" and once more endeavour on that account to lay down the principle that \"the procedure has nothing whatever in common with that in the ease of ports opened under Treaty.\" The circumstances in which the Chinese undertook to open Nanning to international trade do not seem to me to warrant the assertion that it was a voluntary act on their part. You will recollect that in their note to Sir C. MacDonald of the 4th February, 1897, the Tsung-li Yamên pledged themselves to open the port \"as a Treaty port and Consular station,\" and the wording of the note, moreover, expressly implies that the undertaking is to be regarded as a supplementary condition to the Anglo-Chinese Agreement of 1897, modifying the Burma-China Convention of 1894. That the obligation was so regarded by the Chinese Government themselves is clearly proved by the terms of Sir C. MacDonald's telegrams No. 122 of the 12th April and No. 240 of the 29th July, 1898.\n\nThe statement in your note to Prince Ching of the 8th June, 1907, that \"Nanning is now opened by China herself\" is, I take it, a mere recapitulation of the Chinese point of view, and does not in any way weaken the above contention.\n\nThe mere fact that the Chinese chose to declare in an Imperial Edict that the port was to be opened in a similar way to Yo-chow and Chin-wang Tao does not alter the circumstances of the case, and we still retain full liberty to insist that Nanning was opened as a \"Treaty port\" in accordance with the terms of the formal pledge appended to the Burma-China Agreement of 1897.\n\nThe question, however, as to whether Nanning was opened voluntarily or not is subsidiary to the larger question of how far we can admit limitation by the Chinese of residence and trade and interference with the organization of the Settlements in ports opened to international trade. The views of His Majesty's Government on these points were communicated to you in my despatch No. 418 of the 29th November, 1906.\n\nIn your despatch under reply you state that \"all the Powers seem to acquiesce in arrangements of this kind elsewhere,\" a situation which foreshadows the possibility of our finding ourselves engaged, as at Chinau-fu, in a fruitless and solitary struggle for our full rights, while subjects of other Powers are reaping the benefit of such modified rights as the Chinese may be willing to accord them.\n\nI do not gather from the information supplied by you that other Powers have, in particular instances, acquiesced in the views of the Chinese with any deliberate intention of assisting in the recognition of the principle which the Wai-wu Pu seek to establish, and it seems possible that they may still be induced, before it is too late, to take joint action with us.\n\nYou are therefore authorized, should you see no objection, to sound your colleagues, in an informal and unofficial manner, as to the attitude which they intend to adopt towards this question. You might remind them that on the 28th April, 1888, a joint note was presented to the Tsung-li Yamên with regard to the \"li-kin-free area of Treaty ports,\" and point out that the present difficulty is only a further and more dangerous development of the situation which then called for joint intervention.\n\nAs a basis of any joint action you may suggest tentatively the view that \"the term Treaty port, no matter how any particular port may have been opened, must in all cases be held to include the city and waterways giving access thereto, together with any roads connecting such waterways with the city\"; but you should be careful not to commit His Majesty's Government too rigidly to any course which circumstances later on may force them to abandon. In a case of this kind isolated action by His Majesty's Government might provoke the Chinese without in the end securing the object desired and British influence would thereby be weakened.\n\n[2918 d-1]\n\nI am, &c.\n(Signed)\nE. GREY.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416477, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 642, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "C.O.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[16282]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 7.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n635 I JUN 08\n\nExtract from the \"Times\" of May 7, 1908.\n\nTHE OPIUM TRAFFIC,\n\nMr. I. Johnson (Warwickshire, Nuneaton) rose to call attention to the opium traffic in the East, and to move: \"That this House, having regard to its Resolution unanimously adopted on the 30th May, 1906, that the Indo-Chinese opium trade is morally indefensible, welcomes the action of His Majesty's Government in diminishing the sale of opium for export, and thus responding to the action of the Chinese Government in their arrangements for the suppression of the consumption of the drug in that Empire; and this House also urges His Majesty's Government to take steps to bring to a speedy close the system of licensing opium dens now prevailing in some of our Crown Colonies, more particularly Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and Ceylon.\" He said that it was agreed, both nationally and internationally, that this traffic must be put an end to. It was a question between money and righteousness. (Hear, hear.) The House of Commons, the leaders of the Churches, and the whole country were behind the movement which he represented. There were difficulties in the way, but the Government must overcome them and put the righteousness of the cause before money. Since the Resolution on this subject passed by the House in 1906 much had been done, but much more might have been done. China had been moving, and had done something on her own behalf; but the progress was too slow. There was ample evidence now that China was sincere in this matter. It was reported from Peking in May of last year that the last of the opium dens in Peking was closed. In the month following all the opium dens in the native quarter of Shanghae were closed; but, on the other hand, in the British and American concessionary quarters the Municipal Council declined to do more than to discontinue the grant of annual licences, and it was not till the 20th March of this year that they proposed to close one-fourth of the dens on the 31st July, and the other three-fourths within two years. He thought that proved that the Chinese were more sincere than we were ourselves. In the self-governing Colonies the traffic in opium was forbidden altogether, but in the Crown Colonies things were different; in Hong Kong nothing had been done, while in the Straits Settlements there had only been a Committee of Inquiry appointed. The Americans, on the other hand, had closed all the opium dens in the Philippine Islands, and he asked the Colonial and Foreign Offices to imitate their example and endeavour not to reduce but to put an end to the use of opium.\n\nMr. T. C. Taylor (Lancashire, South-East, Radcliffe), who seconded, said he had lately visited China, practically for the purpose of studying this question, and he had come to the conclusion that all the best elements in China were resolved to put an end to this traffic. It was not merely an edict of the Government, but opium reform had in it all the elements of a great national movement, and he could recite by the score stories of the scenes of enthusiasm among those who were devoted to the suppression of the habit. In Shanghae, which was an international Settlement, he regretted to say that the municipality had not done all that they ought to have done to close the opium dens at a more rapid rate, while in Hong Kong, a British Settlement, the story was \"nothing attempted, nothing done.\" He was glad to know there was a strong anti-opium movement in Singapore, and he hoped that the Report of a Commission on the subject would soon be published. Japan had sternly penalized the use and sale of opium, but even Japan had yielded to the temptation to make revenue from opium in Formosa and Corea. How could we reproach our ally when we allowed the yellow peril, gold, to infect our own possessions? (Hear, hear.) China would become one of the great nations of the world, and was it our interest that a reformed China should look back on a time when our Government, against the will of the Chinese people, provided the means for their indulgence in this debasing vice? (Hear, hear.)\n\nColonel Seely said it would be convenient if he replied at once on the colonial aspect of the case, partly because the Colonial Office had been declared to be the\n\n[2967 g--1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416500, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 665, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nDuring the war, in spite of a protest by Wang, a branch line connecting the mines with the main line at Su Chia-tun was built by the Russian military authorities, and the mines were apparently taken over on the plea of military necessity.\n\nOn the termination of hostilities the mines were accordingly taken over by the Japanese military authorities, and by them ultimately handed over to the South Manchurian Railway Company.\n\nHis Excellency Chao Erh-sun, during his tenure of the Viceroyalty, made several representations to the Central Government on behalf of Wang, claiming that the Concession had been granted by Imperial Edict, and the mining rights were therefore Wang's private property.\n\nLater on in September, and again on the 25th October, 1907, Wang himself addressed petitions to the Wai-wu Pu on the subject.\n\nThe following is a translation of the reply he received from the Board, dated 5th November, 1907, to his second petition:\n\n\"On the receipt of your petition of the 2nd September the Board immediately instructed his Excellency Yang, Chinese Minister at Tôkiô, to request the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs to urge Baron Goto to discuss the matter as soon as possible, with a view to the restoration of the mines. On the 27th October the Board again telegraphed to his Excellency Yang in the same sense, and has now received a telegraphic communication from him to the following effect. His Excellency had written to the Tôkiô Foreign Office on receipt of the Board's first instructions, but had received no reply. On receipt of the telegram of the 27th October, his Excellency had a personal interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who promised to urge Baron Goto to discuss the matter at an early date.\n\n\"Besides instructing the Viceroy of the Three Eastern Provinces and the Governor of Fengtien to press Baron Goto to discuss the question, the Board must order the petitioner to return at once to Mukden, so as to be in a position to interview Baron Goto.\"\n\nWang accordingly returned to Mukden to await Baron Goto's arrival, but alarmed by a report that appeared in the Peking \"Daily News\" of the 2nd January last to the effect that the South Manchurian Railway was on the point of purchasing private property in the Fushun district, he again on the 24th January addressed a further petition to the Viceroy and Governor recapitulating his grievances. He was told, in reply, to wait patiently until Baron Goto's arrival in Mukden.\n\nMr. Wang appears to confine his claim to the Chien Chin-shan mines on the west of the river, which were included in the original Concession granted to him in 1901, and which appear to be the only mines at present worked by the Railway Company.\n\nHe further states that shortly after the entry of the Japanese into Mukden in March 1905 he lodged a protest with the military authorities against the seizure of his mines, and also that he had been assured by the late M. Pokotilow that at the Treaty of Portsmouth there had been no intention of including the Fushun mines amongst the properties to be handed over to the Japanese Government.\n\nThe Railway Company have, it would appear, attempted to come to terms with Mr. Wang. He has been offered, according to his own statement, 100,000 taels, or a post as Director of the mines, on condition of withdrawing his claims. These offers he has rejected, and the last I heard of him was that he was seeking the ablest lawyer in the Far East, with the intention of commencing a suit against the South Manchurian Railway Company in the Japanese Courts. This, he seemed to think, would at any rate give him the satisfaction of publicity.\n\nI inquired recently of the local manager of the Russo-Chinese Bank as to the bank's position in the matter. The manager informed me that the bank were in the position of shareholders in Wang's Company. The question had been referred to the head office at St. Petersburgh, and he had no knowledge as to whether any steps had been, or would be, taken for the satisfaction of the bank's claim.\n\nI inclose translation of a paragraph which appeared on the 15th instant in the \"Shenking Jih Pao,\" a local newspaper written in Chinese, but under Japanese management.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) ROBERT WILLIS.\n\n3\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Shengking Daily Newspaper\" of March 15, 1908.\n\nThe following is quoted from the \"Tung Pao\" (presumably a Tokio newspaper):-\n\n\"On the 3rd instant, the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question on the subject of the Fushun mines, stated in the House of Assembly that the Chinese Government had requested the Japanese Government to hand back the Fushun mines. The Japanese Government had, however, received these mines from the Russian Government, and were quite unable to accede to this request, and had advanced arguments in refutation of the Chinese claim. Further, a Chinese subject, named Wang Cheng Jao, had asked for the restoration of the mines as being his private property, but his statements gave rise to suspicion, and he had been told to discuss the matter with the South Manchurian Railway Company.\n\n\"The statements of Wang are to the effect that the mining rights on his property were worth at most 60,000 taels, and were not in obstruction of our mining privileges.\"\n\n658", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416537, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 702, "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nC.O.\n\n695\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(18035)\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 26] 1908\n\nSECTION\n\nE 15 JUN 08,\n\n(No. 170.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 26.)\n\nPeking, April 21, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the opium traffic in China, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, inclosing an extract from the \"Shen Pao,\" a native paper of that city, which comments upon the measures adopted by the Municipal Council for the closing of opium dens in the international Settlement.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 42.) Sir,\n\nConsul-General Sir Pelham Warren to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nShanghae, April 13, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith translation of a paragraph in the \"Shen Pao\" of the 7th April, on the subject of the opium dens in the Settlement, to which my telegram of the 9th April had reference.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Shen Pao\" of April 7, 1908.\n\nTHE Shanghae Taotai, Liang Ju-hao, has reported to the Nanking Viceroy, his Excellency Tuan Fang, the Resolution passed at the recent ratepayers' meeting, for the gradual closing of the opium dens in the Settlement, commencing with the reduction of their number by one-fourth on the 1st July, and also the fact that the Municipal Council have written to the Missionary Body, stating their intention to have them all closed within two years. The Taotai comments as follows:--\n\n\"Chinese and foreigners alike recognize the evil resulting from the existence of the opium dens, but the habit is so deep-rooted that its extirpation is difficult. Foreigners have therefore hesitated to order an immediate prohibition. Several Edicts have already appeared directing the annual reduction of the cultivation of the poppy and of the importation of the drug, and the gradual dwindling of the number of those in China depending on the trade will make the suppression of the evil a matter of no great difficulty. Foreigners will gladly co-operate when they see that our action is effective. This matter is one that deeply concerns the vigour of our race, and I therefore do not hesitate to address you once more upon it.'\n\nThe Viceroy has indorsed the Report as follows :~~~\n\n\"It is certainly a matter for regret that, while over six months has passed since the opium dens in the Chinese districts were closed, those in the Settlements still remain open, and the use of the drug continues as usual. In addition to previous Reports from the Taotai I have now received this last one reporting the Resolution taken at the ratepayers' meeting of the international Settlement, and the Council's letter to the Missionary Body. From this it appears that the same desire to suppress the evil of opium smoking actuates both foreigners and Chinese. The Municipal Council is not grudging the loss to its revenue, but, cheerfully conforming to the\n\n[2967 cc-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416715, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 42, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "C. 0. 40\n\n4\n\nprotect its own missionaries in China, but it was not till ten years later—on the 22nd July, 1891—that the separation was completed. On that date the German Minister in Peking presented the Catholic German Bishop of Shantung to the Tsung-li Yamên.\n\nItalian\n\n8. Italy has more recently broken away. Her first attempt was in 1884, when the war was in progress between China and France and Signor de Luca was Italian Minister. After the troubled year of 1900 the attempt was renewed, and with success. Missionaries are no longer under French protection. When will Belgian, Dutch, Spanish, Austrian, and Portuguese missionaries be protected by their own Ministers?\n\n9. It is essential that China should come into direct intercourse with the Pope. Negotiations towards this end were made in 1888, when an extraordinary mission was confided by Li Hung Chang to an Englishman named John George Dunn (30th day, 9th moon, 11th year Kuang Hsi (6th November, 1885)). He was to proceed to Rome, and there establish direct relations between China and the Pope. His mission was so far successful that the Pope decided to send a Legate to Peking, and nominated as his first representative Bishop Agliardi, the present Cardinal Bishop of Albano. But France intervened and crushed the project. If the Legate were sent, she threatened to rupture the Concordat by which the Catholic Church in France was maintained by the State, and the Pope, dreading the separation, cancelled the appointment. Now France has torn up the Concordat, has separated the Church from the State, has suppressed the French Embassy to the Vatican, and has expelled the refractory Congregations from France. Surely, if ever there was a time for China to take action, now is the time.\n\n10. But to enter upon direct relations with Rome it is essential that the Decree of the 15th March, 1899, should be first annulled; for, if direct relations are established, there will, as an obvious corollary, be established in China a Catholic hierarchy, with not only, as at present, priests, pro-vicars, vicars, and Bishops, but with Archbishops and Cardinals; and if Bishops are still to rank as equals of Viceroys, what rank can you accord to Archbishops unless equality with Members of the Grand Council; while, as for Cardinals, \"Princes of the Church as they are called, the only rank left for you to give them will be parity with your Imperial Princes,\n\nserve.\n\nThus I have committed to paper some notes which I hope will attract your attention. In this matter I speak as a disinterested onlooker, with no personal interest to serve. There is much that I condemn in your Government, and many reforms that I regard as essential to the well-being of your nation. But no reform is more pressing than this Catholic question—no reform, for it is purely a question of internal administration, that can be more easily accomplished, than the abrogation of that unfortunate Decree of the 15th March, 1899. Now is the time and opportunity.\n\nAt a Conference, held in Shanghae on the 21st October, 1899, at which were present the Protestant Bishops of China, English and American, and the Bishops of Hong Kong and Corea, the question was discussed whether they should acquire for themselves and their missionaries the same privileges that had been conceded to the Roman Catholic Hierarchy by the Edict of the 15th March, 1899. The Bishops unanimously decided that it was inadvisable to take such a step. They had no wish to 'complicate their spiritual responsibilities by the assumption of political rights and duties, such as have been conceded\" in the Edict referred to. The Resolution of the Conference was communicated on the 31st October, 1899, by the British Chargé d'Affaires to Lord Salisbury, and was by him submitted to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Church of England. The Archbishop approved of the decision taken by the Bishops, considering that \"both as a matter of principle and of policy it was undesirable that Protestant missionaries in China should claim the privileges\" conceded by the Edict.\n\nThe British Government concurred in this view, and the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking was instructed by despatch, dated the 27th February, 1900, to take no further action in the matter.\n\nPeking, May 1, 1907.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[21203]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir C. MacDonald.\n\n7 JUL 08\n\n[June 16.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n(No. 154.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, June 16, 1908.\n\nI told the Japanese Ambassador to-day that the United States' Ambassador had spoken to me on the subject of the Russian contention at Harbin.\n\nIt was understood that the Russians claimed complete jurisdiction over 47 square miles at Harbin. This claim seemed to go beyond a fair interpretation of the Railway Agreement; it would create an imperium in imperio, and would be consistent neither with the integrity of China nor the \"open door.\"\n\nI understood that Mr. Root had expressed this view to the Japanese Ambassador at Washington, as he feared the Japanese might be going to support the Russian contention.\n\nI had told the United States' Ambassador we agreed in the view that such an interpretation of the Railway Agreement would not be consistent with the integrity of China and the \"open door,\" but that we were not prepared to take the initiative in opposing it unless British interests were concerned. We had no Consul at Harbin.\n\nI gathered that the Japanese Government were not committed to the Russian view, and I thought they ought to know that the United States' Ambassador had spoken to me and the view I had expressed.\n\nI had told the United States' Ambassador that we had, in our discussions with Japan, upheld the policy of the \"open door\" with regard to such points as had arisen in South Manchuria, such, for instance, as customs dues at Dalny and equal rates on the Manchurian Railway, and that the Japanese Government had met us on these points.\n\nIf necessary, I should at any time be very glad to discuss this question of the railway jurisdiction with the Japanese, and my only object in mentioning the matter now was that I thought the Japanese Government ought to know what had passed and the view we had taken of the question.\n\n[1819 q-1]\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed) E. GREY.\n\n0", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - 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": 416837, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 164, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "Reports were to be furnished by each province at the close of each year as to the measures taken to decrease cultivation and consumption of opium, while the Board of Finance was to provide the funds required to replace the prospective diminution of revenue from the opium tax. The Memorial (Appendix (A)) reviewed the steps taken by China in the matter and the negotiations with foreign Powers and the Government of India.\n\nThe Decree of the 7th April (Appendix (B)) followed. Under this instrument Prince Kung and other high officers of State were appointed Imperial Commissioners to enforce the application of the prohibition in the case of persons holding official positions. Within three months the Prohibition Commissioners were to establish a special Department for the purpose of weeding out of the public service all those addicted to the drug.\n\nIt was foreseen that the duties imposed upon them were not likely to prove agreeable or popular, and they were consequently exhorted to perform them fearlessly and not to be influenced by personal considerations.\n\nThe high rank and character of the Commissioners left no doubt of the sincerity of the Court's intentions.\n\nThe supervisory Regulations which the Boards of Finance and of the Interior were called upon to prepare were approved by an Imperial Rescript of the 23rd May (Appendix (C)).\n\nIt was recognized that the most important step to be taken was the restriction of the growth of the poppy, and the provincial authorities in the Regulations were called upon periodically to furnish detailed reports on the area in cultivation, and to enforce the proposed annual reduction.\n\nThe revenue question, which has hitherto been one of the chief obstacles to a thorough compliance with the previous Edicts in the provinces, was left for further consideration. Public hongs were to be established in every province for the purchase and sale of native opium, and rules were laid down for the more efficient regulation of shops and dens, of smokers, and the cure of those addicted to smoking, also for the encouragement of Anti-Opium Societies and for the distribution of medicines. Rewards in the shape of promotion were held out to those who conscientiously carried out the Imperial wishes, whilst punishments are provided for those who fail to do their duty.\n\nThe apathy of the provincial authorities, to which allusion has been made, is to be noticed chiefly in a growing indifference as to whether the rules of the Decree of November 1906 are stringently carried out or not. Generally speaking, smokers do not take out licences. Dens, though officially closed, are in many cases surreptitiously opened. Opium shops are only spasmodically inspected, while Anti-Opium Societies are gradually dying a natural death from lack of funds or interest, or both.\n\nThough there are exceptions to this state of affairs in certain districts, due to enlightened officials, especially in the coast provinces, it cannot be said that officials in general have fully carried out the duty of leading the movement imposed upon them by the Court.\n\nTwo principal reasons may be assigned for this apathy, namely, the fact that so many public officials are still addicted to the drug, and further the question of provincial finances, and of finding revenue to replace that at present derived from opium. This latter question is still left for future consideration, no concrete proposals having yet been made.\n\nOn the whole, it may be said in regard to the Anti-Opium Regulations that officials showing sufficient force of character to uphold them are almost sure of support from the people, prompted as the latter are by the force of public opinion, a force formerly unknown in China and of recent growth, but which is well upheld by the native press, and the incipient moral education of the nation and the awakening of a national conscience. The Times' correspondent has aptly used the expression \"bad form\" in describing the view of the educated Chinese towards opium smoking in public, and should this sentiment gain in moral force there seems no reason why it should not develop into \"losing face,\" that most powerful of all rules of conduct in China, corresponding either to \"dishonourable\" or \"ungentlemanlike,\" as the case may be.\n\nPage 66\n\nIn accordance with the 10th Article of the Anti-Opium Decree, China was to enter into negotiations with the object of prohibiting the importation of foreign opium. Very material progress has been made in this direction, and, as far as Great Britain is concerned, the negotiations are concluded, and the measures agreed upon are already in operation.\n\n3\n\nBriefly summarized, they are as follows:-\n\nThe Indian Government reduce the gross export from India, taken on the basis of 51,000 chests, by 5,100 chests per annum, to commence from 1908 (not 1905), an arrangement which continues for three years, and will be proceeded with until the export trade from India thus extinguishes itself automatically within the ten years' limit prescribed by the Chinese Government for the abolition of opium in China, provided always that China during these three years has proportionately reduced the production and consumption of Chinese opium, and has similarly arranged for the reduction of the importation of Turkish and other opium. The good-will of the Indian Government was manifested by the practical application of the proposed annual reduction of export without waiting for the conclusion by the Chinese Government of arrangements for the reduction of the import of Turkish, Persian, and other opium, which chiefly finds its way to China viâ Hong Kong. This latter question has been settled in the following just and reasonable manner by the Chinese Government, neither Turkey nor Persia being Treaty Powers, the system adopted being similar to that now in force in regard to Indian opium.\n\nFrom the 1st January, 1909, any merchant wishing to import into any open port in China any Persian or Turkish opium must apply to the Commissioner of Customs at Kowloon for a special permit—one for each chest of opium. This permit shall state that the opium may be shipped to any open port in China, and that, on its arrival, duty and likin will be paid in accordance with the Regulations. Any Persian or Turkish opium shipped to China for which this special permit cannot be produced shall be confiscated.\n\nTaking 1,125 piculs as the mean annual import of Persian and Turkish opium, this quantity shall be reduced every year by one-ninth, i.e., 125 piculs. Thus in 1909 special permits will only be issued for 1,000 piculs, and by making a similar reduction annually the import will entirely cease in nine years.\n\nAfter 1916 no more special permits will be issued, and the import into China of Persian and Turkish opium, as well as that of Indian opium, will be completely suspended.\n\n2\n\nThe special permits will only be issued to merchants who have hitherto, to the knowledge of the Imperial Maritime Customs, been engaged in the trade in Turkish and Persian opium. In fixing the number of special permits to be issued annually to each merchant, the total import during the two years 1906-7, and the quantities imported by each merchant during those years, will be taken as a basis, the number of permits being annually decreased. With regard to the importation of \"other kinds of opium\" into China, she must make arrangements with the Treaty Powers. No particulars are available as to the place of origin, but the quantity is so trifling, amounting in 1906 to 64 piculs only, which is said to have been all re-exported, that the Chinese Government do not consider the matter worth noticing in their anti-opium schemes. It would, however, seem advisable to come to definite arrangements with all Treaty Powers on the subject, even with those at present not interested in the opium trade. Neither France, Holland, America, nor Japan allow the cultivation of the poppy in their Colonies and possessions in the Far East, which thus practically reduces the other opium-producing countries to India, Persia, and Turkey.\n\nFrom various quarters in China it is announced that the price of foreign opium is rising, and this increase is likely to continue in proportion to the reduction of production in China and of importation from abroad, except in the somewhat improbable contingency of the demand for the drug decreasing proportionately to the reduction of supply. There can be no doubt that foreign opium is superior both in quality and strength to the native product, consequently a great stimulus will be given to smuggling in a country where people attach more importance to quality than to price. Moreover, possessing great value in small bulk, and being by the simplest process reduced to a marketable commodity, it is not improbable that, unless all the Treaty Powers agree to the eventual cessation of the import of the drug into China, the desire of high profits may cause poppy crops to appear in places to which it is at present a stranger with a view to the introduction of the drug into China.\n\nThe other arrangements concluded with Great Britain are fully set forth in the Chinese Memorial to the Throne (Appendix (A)), and are briefly as follows:-\n\nA Chinese official will be sent to Calcutta to watch the opium auctions and packing, but will have no other authority, and in this connection it might be thought advisable that corresponding British officials should be sent to observe the reduction of\n\nPage 161", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416839, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 166, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "Page 6\n\nJapan.\n\nThe cultivation of the poppy is only permitted for medicinal and ornamental purposes, and opium smoking is forbidden by law.\n\nIn Formosa the poppy is not grown, opium is a Government monopoly, and only those Chinese are permitted to smoke who are provided with official licences.\n\nPortugal.\n\nThe situation of Macao renders it as important in regard to the opium trade as the Colony of Hong Kong, and the co-operation of the Portuguese Government will therefore be of the greatest importance in insuring the success of prohibitive or restrictive measures.\n\nAmerica.\n\nAs a result of the labours of the Philippine Opium Committee, both Congress and the Legislative Body of the Philippine Islands enacted laws making it unlawful after the 1st March, 1908, to import opium in whatever form into the islands, except by the Government and for medicinal purposes only, and at no time shall it be lawful to sell opium to any native of the islands except for medicinal purposes.\n\nAs the statistics of opium of the Philippine Islands do not mention native opium, it may be taken for granted that the cultivation of the poppy is prohibited.\n\nOpium does not figure in the list of exports from the Philippines. At Hawaii opium is totally prohibited, and it is not produced in the United States.\n\nThe various provinces of China will now be taken one by one and a general account given of each one in connection with the anti-opium movement.\n\nManchuria.\n\nOpium has never had the same hold on the people in this province as in other parts of China. In the south the Regulations continue to be enforced with considerable zeal by the officials under the enlightened guidance of Tong Shao-yi, Governor of Mukden. This is especially the case in regard to the closing of dens and the licensing of smokers with a gradual reduction of the amount consumed, the opening of establishments for the cure of the habit, and the punishment of offenders.\n\nLittle has been done to reduce cultivation in the north, but in the south it has practically ceased, owing to the fear of the Regulations and the energy of the officials. In the east of the province, where public opinion is generally favourable to the Anti-Opium Edict, reduction is noticeable both in cultivation and consumption, though at Antung the success of the movement is hampered by the action of the Japanese, who permit the Chinese to use in their Settlement a drug which it is illegal for the Japanese themselves to smoke.\n\nChihli Province.\n\nThe movement continues to be popular among reform officials, and is generally approved of by the people. Little, however, is being done in the matter.\n\nShansi Province.\n\nDens and shops may be said to be generally open and uninspected; cultivation has been slightly reduced. In one district the tax per mou (6 mou equal 1 acre) has been increased from 60 tael cents to 2.40 taels; in another opium growers are registered, and those only are allowed to grow it. The movement generally, though, is described as a farce as far as the province is concerned. To commence with, people's minds were prepared, and much could have been done had the officials done their duty.\n\nPage 12\n\nShensi Province.\n\nThere is no lack of Proclamations, but the officials take no material steps to stop the use of the drug. In some districts cultivation has been reduced by means of high taxation.\n\nKansu Province.\n\nThe sale of the drug is restricted by Proclamation, and the restriction is well enforced, causing heavy losses to merchants. Otherwise general indifference is noticeable. At Liangchow opium shops are divided into five classes and taxed accordingly. At Lanchow, the capital, official ingenuity has twisted the sense of the Anti-Opium Edict, and a Proclamation has been issued stating that, as the cultivation of the poppy is contrary to Imperial wishes, the Emperor declines to receive taxes from such a source. The result naturally is that all land available is given over to poppy. Here the shop tax has been remitted. Anti-opium medicines are freely distributed.\n\nShantung Province.\n\nReports are most conflicting as to the general state of the movement. In the south cultivation of poppy is reduced 50 per cent., wheat being substituted owing to the uncertain status of opium, to the fact that it is an equally paying crop, and because of the greatly enhanced taxation of poppy land. Near China-fu, also, cultivation has been much reduced. No licences to smokers are issued, nor are restrictions placed upon the purchase of prepared opium.\n\nTowards the close of 1907 an official Prepared-Opium Bureau was inaugurated at Chefoo, which was to control all opium importation, either native or foreign. The drug was to be stored in the godowns of the Bureau, who alone could give permission to remove it. This being in contravention of Article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858, protest was made by the Legation, with the result that the Rules were amended so as to exclude foreign opium. In March last the Bureau was closed, the trade being placed in the hands of thirty-nine merchants already established, who formed themselves into an Association for the conduct of the entire trade. The profits of this Society have been considerably diminished by wholesale smuggling, and it in consequence endeavoured to increase these profits by adulteration of the drug on a large scale. Smuggling, indeed, is carried on so extensively as to render all measures of suppression derisory, while the innumerable illicit dens appear to afford ample accommodation for all requirements.\n\nKiangsu Province.\n\nThis province continues to be amongst those foremost in energy in combating the evil. The movement still continues to be a popular one, though less enthusiasm is shown, but the result has been to attach a stigma to opium smoking which it did not previously possess. At Shanghae genuine efforts continue to be made by the officials and gentry to break off the habit, while official action in keeping the dens closed is most satisfactory; persons attempting to reopen are severely dealt with, being imprisoned and their plant confiscated. The number of licensed shops, however, has increased and now reaches 300, which pay 40 cash for each ounce of opium sold, producing about 1,500 dollars a-month, which is said to more than compensate for losses entailed by the closing of dens.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Societies, which undertook to assist any one to break off smoking, have disappeared, while the missionary hospitals, which were full of patients in the earlier stages of the movement, now take in no more than before the opium question was raised. Nowhere is there registration of smokers, who can buy the drug at any time at any shop selling it.\n\nThe sale of anti-opium medicines continues unabated, showing there must still be many who desire to break off the habit.\n\nThe poppy is but slightly grown in the province, and there has consequently been but little difficulty in restricting cultivation.\n\nAt Chinkiang, in the British Concession, as already reported, all dens were closed, but licences for opium shops for 1908 were not withheld. They are revocable, with compensation, at any moment, and will not be renewed in 1909. The loss of the revenue to the municipality will be considerable.\n\nAt Soochow watch on the dens is less strict. At Nanking cultivation is considerably reduced. The dens remain closed, but there is no inspection or registration of shops. At Kiangyin the dens are now reopened, nominally without the knowledge of the officials.\n\nPage 163", "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": 416853, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 180, "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\n28370\n\nSECTION 4.\n\n4-AUG 08\n\n[22610]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 261.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 1.)\n\nPeking, June 5, 1908. AS reported in my despatch No. 151 of the 30th March last, the Boards of Finance and of the Interior were instructed by the Throne to prepare Supervisory Regulations for the strict enforcement of the Anti-opium Edicts.\n\nI have now the honour to inclose copy of the joint Memorial presented in obedience to these instructions, and of the Imperial Rescript, dated the 23rd May, by which the proposed Regulations are approved.\n\nThe anxiety and energy of the Central Government in the anti-opium crusade seem to increase in proportion to the apathy and lack of zeal which are gradually being shown in the provinces in regard to the movement.\n\nThe former Regulations, which appeared to allow of no means of evasion, have not been enforced with the completeness necessary for success, although marked progress has been made to eradicate the evil, especially in regard to the reduction of smoking among the humbler classes.\n\nIt is now recognized that the most important step to be taken at this juncture is the restriction of the growth of the poppy, and the provincial authorities, in the Regulations which are now inclosed, are called upon to furnish periodically detailed reports on the area in cultivation, and to enforce the proposed annual reduction.\n\nShould this be efficiently carried out, considerable hardships will be suffered, especially by the inhabitants of the great opium-growing provinces of Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kweichow.\n\nNo proposals for compensation are contemplated to those who are now called upon to abandon a hitherto legitimate and lucrative form of agriculture, chiefly carried on in remote districts, where the farmers will no doubt have great difficulty in finding other remunerative crops, owing to the expense of transport. They may therefore be reasonably expected to manifest their discontent in the future in some form or other.\n\nThe revenue question, which has doubtless been one of the chief obstacles to a thorough compliance with the previous Edicts in the provinces, is left for further consideration.\n\nPublic hongs are now to be established in every province for the purchase and sale of native opium, and rules are laid down for the more efficient regulation of shops and dens, of smokers, and the cure of those addicted to smoking, also for the encouragement of Anti-opium Societies and for the distribution of medicine.\n\nRewards in the shape of promotion are held out to those who conscientiously carry out the Imperial wishes, while punishments are provided for those who fail to do their duty.\n\nThe whole question seems now to have resolved itself into a trial of strength and authority between the Central Government and the provincial officials. The former may be said to have \"burnt their boats,\" and must go forward in the movement, while the latter, in some cases owing to the pleasing effects of the drug, in which they still indulge, hesitate in complying fully with the wishes of the Central Government. In most cases it is only fair to say that the dislocation of provincial finances and the difficulty of replacing revenue hitherto derived from opium have considerably hampered the progress of the crusade.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nB\n\n177\n\nPage 180\n\nPage 181", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416986, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 312, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[July 27.]\n\nSECTION 5.\n\nReported Intervention of Great Britain: Sir J. Jordan instructs Consul-General Mansfield to enter Protest with the Viceroy of Kuangtung.\n\n\"It is credibly reported that the British Minister to Peking, Sir John Jordan, has instructed the British Consul-General at Canton to represent to the Viceroy of Kuangtung the immediate necessity for suppressing the boycott of Japanese goods.\"\n\n'London, May 10, 1908.”\n\nTaotai Wen Tsung Yao has informed me that his Excellency Chang agreed that the boycott is being principally fostered and kept alive by the native press, and had instructed the Prefect to call together the editors of the papers and some of the principal merchants and urge them to stop the publication of anything tending to keep up friction.\n\nTo sum up the situation, though the accounts given in the native press and reproduced in the foreign journals greatly exaggerate the real state of affairs, the substratum of truth is quite enough to cause anxiety to the Japanese Government. There is a large class of men here, most of them having little pecuniary interest in the matter, who are using every means to foment the boycott, and a certain number of the mercantile community who allow themselves to be carried away. The Viceroy's attitude since the \"Tatsu Maru\" was released has been on the whole a correct one, as is acknowledged by the Japanese Consul. His position is an awkward one, for he is, I believe, now aware that the initial mistake in making the seizure was his, and yet, in giving up the ship, he was, to save his face, more or less obliged to pose as being compelled to yield to pressure from the Central Government. He is of a timid disposition, and shrinks from the storm that would arise should he take any really arbitrary action with a view to putting an end to the boycott. It is to my mind very doubtful if he could do more in this direction than he has already done.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nR. W. MANSFIELD.\n\n[25999]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 27.)\n\n(No. 268.)\n\nPeking, June 10, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 164 of the 9th April, I have the honour to inclose, for your information, translation of a Memorial of Lien Yu, one of the Imperial Residents at Lhassa, on the measures taken by the Chinese Government for the establishment of a military college and for the furtherance of education in Thibet.\n\nI am forwarding a copy of this despatch to the Government of India.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Official Gazette\" of June 2, 1908.\n\nMemorial by Lien Yü, the Imperial Resident, on the Establishment of a Printing Office and of a Military College in Thibet.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nTHE Thibetan people have long been cut off from the outer world, and it has been found impossible to develop their minds until they have a knowledge of Chinese characters and books. For this reason a school of Chinese was established last year, and a printing office was subsequently added. Lead type of Thibetan characters and a printing machine were procured from India, a house was selected, and Manchu, Chinese, and Thibetan officers were appointed to manage it. At present a translation is being made of the \"Maxims from the Sacred Edict,\" and it is proposed to issue this book first, and other works of a real educational and useful character will afterwards be translated and printed so that those unacquainted with Chinese will be able to read the translations. The gradual dissemination of this literature will help to influence the habits and customs of the people.\n\nThe fourteen cadets sent from the Szechuan Military College and School for Officers have now reached Thibet, and I propose to establish a military training college to which will be sent about twenty soldiers and petty officers from the regular army and the guard, selected for their youth, knowledge of reading, and intelligence. Thirty-nine Mongols, ten tribesmen, and ten Thibetans will also be sent to the college, and the Ghoorkalis will be asked to send four students. The course of training will be for one year, and the students should then have some knowledge of military science and prove very useful on the frontier. As soon as Hsu Fang-shao reaches Thibet I shall direct him to raise a battalion of troops with the assistance of the officers who have finished their course in the college. If more troops can afterwards be enlisted, additional subordinate officers can then be appointed to command companies and files.\n\nThe cost of the printing office will continue to be borne by Thibet, and will not be a charge on the Imperial Treasury. As regards the military training college, I propose to have some slight additions made to the building formerly known as the Yen Wu Ting, in Cha-Shih-Ch'êng, and use it as quarters for the instructors; on the west and east a lecture-room, dining-hall, and bedrooms for the students will be built. The cost of building, purchasing weapons, &c., and the students' upkeep and uniform is not expected to exceed some thousands of taels, which I propose to pay out of the funds recently forwarded by the Board of Finance, a full account being subsequently rendered to the Board.\n\n[1865 dd—6]\n\nPage 309", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417134, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 460, "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\n[29331]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[August 24.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n(No. 301.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received August 24.)\n\nPeking, July 6, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 225 of the 12th May, transmitting a copy of a Memorandum by the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, in which two official statements on the subject of mining concessions in Manchuria are quoted, which do not appear to them to tally, and requesting me to procure and report to you the latest information available.\n\nThe statement by His Majesty's Consul-General at Mukden that foreigners cannot claim under the Treaties to acquire mining rights in the interior of China, and that such rights or concessions can only be granted to them by the Central Chinese Government is quite correct. No gold or other mining can be carried on by foreigners in Manchuria or elsewhere in China without the special permission of the Central Government, and the fact that no such permission to mine in Manchuria has been granted to foreigners since the Russo-Japanese war may have led the Commercial Attaché at Vladivostock to suppose that the Chinese Government allow none but Chinese to carry on the gold mining industry in Manchuria. In the Imperial Edict of the 2nd April, 1898, establishing a Bureau of Control of Railways and Mines, it is laid down that the Chief Commissioners of the Bureau shall from henceforth have special control over the opening of mines and construction of railways throughout the Empire, and Companies formed for the above purpose will in future be required to apply to the said Commissioners for permission and guidance in their operations.\n\nMining rights held by subjects of Russia and Japan in Manchuria were acquired previous to or as a result of the war between these two countries.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN,\n\nPage 21\n\n457", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417175, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 501, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "7\n\n498\n\nthe said Engineer or to the place where he resided last. When the said Engineer has occasion to send a letter to the railway he shall direct it to the office of the railway. In both cases the letters will be considered as having been received,\n\n9. If the said Engineer, within the term of his engagement, without any reasonable ground resigns his position, he shall lose all the benefits stipulated for in this Agreement, except his salary up to the date of his resignation. In all great and important matters connected with the carrying out of his duties, the said Engineer shall first obtain the sanction of the General Manager before carrying it out. Except in cases when he has obtained special leave of absence or when he is too ill to attend to his duties, the said Engineer shall not fail to attend daily to his duties. In case the said Engineer neglects or violates any of the above conditions or any Articles in this Agreement or disobeys the orders of the General Manager or of his deputy or of any person whom the General Manager appoints to give him orders or acts in wilful disagreement with the General Manager, then, and in all such cases, the General Manager shall have the right to dismiss the said Engineer and at once to cancel the present Agreement and to stop his salary as from the date of cancellation, and to refuse to pay his return-passage money to Europe, and the said Engineer shall not be entitled to any compensation whatever. In case the said Engineer resigns, and the General Manager is satisfied with the reason of his resignation, or in case the said Engineer should be obliged to return to Europe through sickness, his salary and return-passage money will be paid according to the third Article of this Agreement.\n\n10. The said Engineer, being well acquainted with the climate and conditions of life in China, the General Manager will not hold himself responsible for any sickness, accident, or injury suffered by the said Engineer whether living in China or on the voyage home. In case the said Engineer should be continuously incapacitated for work for more than four weeks or should be found to be careless or negligent in his duties, or should he absent himself without cause, or should he be guilty of disreputable conduct, or should he refuse to receive and obey the orders of the General Manager, then the General Manager reserves the right to cancel this contract and to refuse to pay his return passage to Europe: Provided nevertheless that if the said Engineer should be really incapacitated through sickness beyond the four weeks, and on that account immediately leaves for home, the railway will pay the passage money, according to the third Article of this Agreement. If, however, after medical examination by a medical man sent by the railway, it should be found that he is not in such a state of health as to prevent him from travelling and he does not immediately go home, then the passage money will not be paid or, if paid, should be refunded.\n\n11. As soon as this Agreement is signed the said Engineer shall at once place his services at the disposal of the railway. After the line is built and in operation, whenever the General Manager has occasion to consult him on any question connected with the operation of the line, it will be his duty to assist to the best of his abilities.\n\nIn case the present General Manager should for some reason cease to hold his position, the power and authority given to him by the present Agreement shall be deemed to be transferred to the person who shall be duly elected as General Manager. The said Engineer shall obey the new General Manager according to the terms of this Contract as though he had been a party to it. In case of disagreement between the General Manager and the said Engineer, the matter will be settled in accordance with this Agreement by the President and Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Company, who have the power of deciding upon any difference arising between the General Manager and the said Engineer. In the case of any difference arising as to the construction of this Agreement, both the Chinese and English shall be held as correct, and the matter shall be referred for decision to two Arbitrators (each party shall, by writing, appoint one Arbitrator) or, in case of disagreement between the Arbitrators, to an Umpire chosen by the two Arbitrators. The arbitration fees shall be paid by the party against whom the decision is given.\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nwhich it will be observed that the Director-General considers it unnecessary that the stipulated security for payment of interest on the bonds shall be deposited with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, as provided for in that Article. The fact appears to be indisputable that the Chinese Government does not seriously regard the obligations entered into by this Loan Agreement, the terms whereof were nevertheless sanctioned by Imperial Edict and officially communicated to your Excellency by the Wai-wu Pu. There exists, moreover, no room for doubt that, simultaneously with the signature of this Agreement, the Yuchuan Pu, under Imperial sanction, divested itself of, and transferred to the Provincial Railways Bureau, responsibility for the efficient and proper construction of the railway, an obligation which, by the Loan Agreement, was definitely accepted by the Yuchuan Pu on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. O. P. BLAND.\n\nSir,\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bland to Liang Shih-yi.\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation (Limited), Peking, June 18, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to request that, in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Loan Agreement, your Excellency may be pleased to give the necessary instructions for deposit with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, from the surplus earnings of the Imperial Railways of North China, of the amount required to meet the first half-year's instalment of interest on the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo loan, that is to say, 37,500.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nSir.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\n\nInclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nLiang Shih-yi to Mr. Bland.\n\nPeking, June 24, 1908. I AM in receipt of your letter of the 20th day of the 5th moon (18th June), referring to the provisions of Article 9 of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Agreement, under which the surplus earnings of the Imperial Railways of North China are to be deposited with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank as security for the interest payable on the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan.\n\nThe object of inserting this stipulation in the Agreement was to afford the bond-holders a means of recouping themselves, should it be found impossible to pay the interest at the moment it became due. The total amount of the loan, however, has not yet been handed over by the subscribers, and the funds deposited with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank in London on behalf of the Chinese Government amount to some 260,000. only. The amount of interest now due on the loan, therefore, is quite inconsiderable, and the funds in London are more than sufficient security therefor.\n\nThe object of the bondholders was to obtain security for their money, and the Agreement has been drawn up solely with a view to attain that object. But is not their position sufficiently safeguarded by the fact that the Shanghae Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan funds are still deposited in London? I fail to understand how anything further than this can possibly be necessary. To set aside funds for a purpose for which they would not be required would cause considerable trouble, while no corresponding advantage would be gained; and I feel sure that you too will agree with this view.\n\nLIANG SHIH-YI.\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bland to Liang Shih-yi.\n\nSir,\n\nMr. Bland to Sir J. Jordan,\n\nPeking, July 31, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose copy of correspondence which has passed between his Excellency Liang Shih-yi and myself, having reference to my request for fulfilment of the terms of Article 9 of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Agreement, from\n\nSir,\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation (Limited), Peking, June 25, 1908.\n\n1. BEG to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, replying to mine of the 18th instant, in regard to depositing in the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank,\n\n[1897 cc-1]\n\nD", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417176, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 502, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "8 \n\nfrom the surplus earnings of the Northern Railway, the first half-year's interest on the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan. I note that your Excellency considers that, inasmuch as the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank now hold in London funds of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Loan more than sufficient to meet the said payment of interest, it is unnecessary to refer to the procedure laid down in Article 9 of the Loan Agreement. I note also that in your Excellency's opinion the liability for interest is at present insignificant, calculated on the amount actually received by the bank to date from subscribers to the loan,\n\nIn reply, I have the honour to point out that, by Article 4 of the Loan Agreement, interest is to be calculated from the date of the issue of the loan to the public, and that by Article 2 payment of interest on the loan during construction is not to be met from the loan funds.\n\nFinally, the provision of Article 9 is unconditional, viz., that, until the next half-yearly instalment of interest for the loan shall have been deposited with the bank, no deductions or payments shall be made from the earnings of the Northern Railway other than those required to meet the obligations stated in the Agreement of the 10th October, 1898.\n\nand that it was because of the earnestness of the assurances given to this effect that they obtained important modifications of the text, but, as Foord has now signed his Agreement under the Provincial Boards, it appears to me that, unless the whole position is challenged, the only thing to do is to wait and see how he will be able to work under the proposed conditions.\n\nLiang is very nervous about the whole business, and called on Saturday evening to ask that the matter be allowed to rest without official protests, &c. It was then that he promised to let me have the official letter to which the inclosed refers.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\n\nP.S.-Liang frankly admits the Edict and its effect.\n\nInclosure 10 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bland to Liang Shih-yi,\n\nJ. O. P. B.\n\n(Translation.) Sir,\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nLiang Shih-yi to Mr. Bland.\n\nPeking, July 3, 1908.\n\nIN my letter to you of a few days ago, I pointed out that the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan funds being still deposited with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, there was no necessity to put aside the surplus earnings of the Imperial Railways of North China as security for the payment of the interest on that loan.\n\nOn the 27th day of the 5th moon (the 25th June) I received your reply, from which I gather that I have not made clear to you the meaning of my first letter.\n\nWhat I said was that the funds now deposited in London are sufficient security for the payment of the interest on the loan, not that while the railway is in course of construction the interest on the loan should be met from loan funds. The main point of the 9th Article of the Loan Agreement is that the surplus earnings of the Imperial Railways of North China shall be set aside as security for the due payment of interest on the loan, and not that payment of the interest shall necessarily be made from those earnings. The essential stipulation of the Agreement is that security shall be given; so long as funds are available to serve as security the spirit of the Agreement is complied with.\n\nJudging from the remarks in your letter under reply, I am inclined to think that you have not entirely grasped my views on the question, and I therefore write again in order to endeavour to make my meaning clearer.\n\nDear Sir John,\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bland to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nLIANG SHIH-YI.\n\nPeking, August 3, 1908.\n\nI INCLOSE copy of my letter of date to Mr. Liang, from which you will observe that he has agreed to settle the question of interest, and has undertaken to give me a formal assurance that the Yuchuan Pu will be responsible for the affairs of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway, all agreements and acts by the gentry notwithstanding. If he does this, I cannot see that the Corporation has anything to gain by raising further questions, so long as the Edict of the 15th April remains unrevoked. I have expressed to my Board the opinion that if the British Government considers it impossible or inexpedient to demand the revocation of the Edict (whereby the Loan Agreement is de facto annulled in its essential provisions re control), it would be unwise, as well as futile, for the Corporation to contest questions of detail arising directly from the effect of that Edict. I hope that you will concur in this view. I do not forget that the Wai-wu Pu and the Yuchuan Pu, during the negotiations for the Loan Agreement, laid the greatest stress on the fact that the Yuchuan Pu would be in sole control of the line,\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation (Limited), Peking, August 3, 1908.\n\nREFERRING to the subjects discussed with your Excellency at the Yuchuan Pu, and subsequently at my office on the 1st instant, I have the honour to place on record my understanding of the conclusions reached, which I would ask your Excellency to be good enough to confirm.\n\n1. As regards the depositing with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation of the first half-year's interest payable to the bondholders of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan on the 1st December, your Excellency will give the necessary instructions in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of the Loan Agreement.\n\n2. As regards the form of Agreement which has been signed by Mr. Foord as Engineer-in-chief of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway, and by Taotai Shih Chao-tseng as Managing Director (or \"General Manager\"), and with reference to the question thereanent raised in my letter of the 27th ultimo, I understand that your Excellency will officially inform me (so that I may communicate Shih Taotai's appointment, as requested, to His Majesty's Minister) that the Managing Director holds his authority from the Yuchuan Pu and that the latter is in the last resource responsible for the proper construction and control of the railway. Also that an intimation will be conveyed to the Managing Director that nothing in the arrangements which he makes with the Engineer-in-chief can justify departure from the specific terms of the Loan Agreement and Prospectus.\n\nFor your Excellency's information I inclose a copy of the Engineer-in-chief's Agreement, taken from a draft forwarded to me from Shanghae on the 18th ultimo.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. O. P. BLAND.\n\n(Extract.)\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 11 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Landale to Mr. Bland.\n\nShanghae, August 1, 1908.\n\nI QUITE appreciate all you write with reference to the action of Foord, but think we should be careful not to take any action which might give the Kiangsu and Chekiang Companies the opportunity of postponing the appointment. Foord has accepted the draft Agreement and ought to leave Hong Kong to-day. After his Agreement has been signed by the Presidents of the two Companies we will, to my mind, be in a stronger position to make representations to the Board of Communications with regard to the non-fulfilment of the Loan Agreement if it is then thought necessary to do so.\n\nPage 499", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417273, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 599, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "5. The loan to be guaranteed by the Imperial Chinese Government, and to be secured upon provincial li-kin and miscellaneous duties indicated.\n\n6. In order to comply with the custom of the market it will be necessary to state that the loan funds are to be applied, first, to the redemption of the existing loan for the Peking-Hankow Railway, and the balance employed by the Yu-ch'uan Pu for productive objects coming within the province of that Department, such as railways, telegraphs, and commercial shipping lines.\n\n7. The payment of loan proceeds to be made in Europe, either in one amount or in instalments as required by the Yu-ch'uan Pu, transfers of loan funds to China being made through the lenders' banks.\n\n8. The loan to be repaid by China in forty years. The payments to meet the yearly sum of 380,402l. for interest and principal of the loan to be made by the Yu-ch'uan Pu in silver to the lenders' banks in Shanghae, first, out of the surplus revenues of the Peking-Hankow Railway, and, secondly, from such revenue as the Imperial Government may think fit to assign. The arrangements for such payments and other necessary matters not here referred to be settled generally in accordance with the precedent furnished by previous Chinese Loan Agreements.\n\n9. Where materials have to be procured from abroad for the maintenance of the Peking-Hankow railway line, or for carrying out the productive objects designated for the expenditure of the loan funds, arrangements will be made to give preference to the manufacturers of the lenders' countries when prices and qualities are equal.\n\n10. The loan will be negotiated and concluded with the Yu-ch'uan Pu by one lender, in consultation with his partner or partners, who will become parties and signatories to the Agreement. The Agreement will be sanctioned by Imperial Edict, and, after signature, the Board will request the Wai-wu Pu to communicate it officially to the respective Ministers of the Contracting Parties.\n\nJune 30, 1908.\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Hillier to Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, London,\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nPeking, July 1, 1908. WITH reference to my telegram of yesterday, we propose the following terms as a basis for negotiation: 7,000,000l., forty years, interest at 4 per cent. per annum, security as advised, but we must have additional 5 lacs taels, total 35 lacs taels, annuity 380,000l. payable first from revenues Peking-Hankow Railway, no control, but if insufficient, then from other sources, idea same as Peking Octroi Loan. Agreement must state loan proceeds applied first to redemption Pekin-Hankow Loan, afterwards to productive objects to include railways, telegraphs.\n\nWith reference to foregoing, we have reason to believe Belgians again negotiating; it is necessary to act promptly.\n\nThe following is for your private information only: J. O. P. Bland objects to loan proceeds applied to railway construction. Casenave informs us French will object to absence of conditions securing material benefits, consequently we are in a very difficult position. Our opinion is, if we insist upon conditions other than necessary for good security and market requirements, it will be very difficult to compete with the Belgians.\n\nInclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nM. Casenave to the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Paris,\n\n(Télégraphique.)\n\nPékin, le 2 Juillet, 1908. HILLIER a demandé à Londres par télégramme de proposer au Gouvernement Chinois les négociations sur la base de 7,000,000l., intérêts 4½ pour cent avec augmentation de garantie, remboursable en quarante ans par annuités de 380,000l., payables d'abord sur revenus du Chemin de Fer Hankow-Pékin, sans contrôle, et ensuite sur autres ressources en cas d'insuffisance. Le contrat stipulerait que l'emploi des fonds serait (1) le rachat du Chemin de Fer Hankow-Pékin, (2) objets utiles, chemins de fer, télégraphes. La préférence serait donnée aux prêteurs pour fournitures à égalité de prix.\n\nJ'ai fait remarquer que le projet-\n\n1. Implique participation Allemande;\n\n2. Ne stipule rien en ce qui constitue le personnel Français;\n\n3. En ce qui concerne l'utilisation du surplus à de nouveaux chemins de fer, engage l'avenir dans de mauvaises conditions.\n\nInclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nBanque de l'Indo-Chine to M. Casenave.\n\n(Télégraphique.)\n\nParis, le 3 Juillet, 1908, RÉPONDANT à votre dépêche No. 9, nous approuvons entièrement vos trois objections. Vous devez maintenir la nécessité d'un emprunt de chemin de fer. Nous allons donner à Londres communication de votre dépêche en insistant sur le contenu.\n\n(Télégraphique.)\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nBanque de l'Indo-Chine to M. Casenave.\n\nParis, le 4 Juillet, 1908. LE Gouvernement Français a prescrit au Ministre de France à Pékin de notifier au Gouvernement Chinois que les obligataires Français de la Société d'Études exigent le remboursement à la date du 31 Décembre si le contrat existant actuellement est modifié pour quoi que ce soit. De plus, la cote serait refusée à nouvelles obligations émises par Société d'Études sans mettre en vue le remboursement.\n\nEn conséquence, de votre côté, faites comprendre au Gouvernement Chinois que s'il veut proroger pour une durée de vingt ans le contrat de la Société d'Etudes, il doit s'entendre avec vous et votre collègue Anglais, car le marché de Paris et celui de Londres seront ouverts seulement à un emprunt que vous aurez négocié.\n\nIl est bien évident que si nous tenons à un emprunt de chemin de fer à peu près analogue à celui du Tien-tsin-Pukow ou du Shanghai-Ningpo, cela est beaucoup plus avantageux pour les Chinois que la prorogation du contrat de la Société d'Etudes.\n\nC'est entre ces deux seules alternatives que les Chinois devront choisir.\n\nInclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nPrivate Memorandum for Sir J. Jordan.\n\n37\n\nON the 4th March last the bank in London telegraphed to me referring to a letter of May 1907, with regard to the possible redemption of the Peking-Hankow Railway were about to conclude Loan. It was reported in London that the \"Société d'Études arrangements for the continuation of the contract, and they asked if I had any information, and if I was doing anything in the matter. I replied that I had no information, but that I thought it likely that the Chinese would be prepared to entertain an offer from the Hong Kong Bank, provided that it fulfilled certain conditions.\n\nAfter a further exchange of telegrams, London informed me that the French were prepared to participate, if necessary, in a supplementary clause, and had no objection to the Germans participating also.\n\nI approached the Board of Communications tentatively, through the medium of my compradore, but the moment did not seem opportune for taking more active steps.\n\nOn the 4th April I received a telegram from London informing me that it was proposed to issue the Shanghae-Ningpo Railway Loan some time in May, and adding that, if the Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption Loan negotiations were sufficiently advanced, it might be advisable to suggest to the Chinese Government that it would be preferable to issue the loan for the larger amount first. I replied that, after consulting M. Casenave, my opinion was that nothing could be done at present, at\n\nPage 596", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417278, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 604, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "601\n\n2\n\nthough the evident anxiety of the Board of Communications to borrow money may result in a modification of their attitude.\n\nA further meeting was arranged for the 25th or 27th July.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nTelegram received by Mr. Hillier from London, dated July 10, 1908.\n\nGERMAN Syndicate do not want to participate in new Chinese Government loan of 7,000,000l. at 41 per cent. With reference to your wire of the 1st July, we assume that, of this amount, about 5,000,000l. will be applied to redemption of Peking-Hankow Railway. It is desirable obtain specific definition of productive objects for which balance of loan is required. Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Paris, and Hong Kong-Shanghae Bank agree to the terms proposed in your wire of the 1st July as a basis for negotiation, provided contract stipulates for appointment of European general engineer and auditor to Peking-Hankow Railway, on terms similar to those of Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway loan. In view of Peking-Hankow Railway revenue ear-marked for service of loan, above stipulation cannot be considered unreasonable; omission from prospectus would provoke unfavourable comment, and render issue of loan very difficult, if not impossible. With regard to supply of materials, it is desirable obtain preference for lenders if possible, but we do not make this condition a sine qua non.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nGeneral Headings of proposed Agreement for Loan of 7,000,000l.\n\n1. The Agreement to be signed by the Board of Posts and Communications with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, as contractors for the loan.\n\n2. The amount of the loan to be 7,000,000l.\n\n3. As the price which the loan will command on the market must depend upon the general conditions of the Loan Agreement, it will be necessary to defer its settlement until these have been finally arranged.\n\n4. Interest to be at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum.\n\n5. The loan to be guaranteed by the Imperial Chinese Government, and to be secured upon provincial li-kin and miscellaneous duties indicated to an amount of 3,500,000 taels. In the event of default of principal or interest of the loan, these revenues will be placed under the administration of the Imperial Maritime Customs, as similarly provided in previous loan contracts.\n\n6. In order to comply with the custom and requirements of the market, it will be necessary to state that the loan funds are to be applied first to the redemption of the existing loan for the Peking-Hankow Railway, and the balance to productive objects to be specified, coming within the province of the Board of Posts and Communications.\n\n7. The loan proceeds will be held in Europe at the credit of the Board of Posts and Communications, who will draw them either in one amount or in instalments as required, transfers of loan funds to China being made through the contracting banks.\n\n8. The loan will be repaid by China in forty years. The payments to meet the yearly sum of 380,402l. for interest and principal of the loan will be made by the Board of Posts and Communications in silver to the contracting Banks in Shanghae, first out of surplus revenues of the Peking-Hankow Railway, so far as these are sufficient, and then from such revenues as the Imperial Chinese Government may think fit to assign. Other necessary arrangements connected with the payment of principal and interest of the loan not here referred to will be settled generally in accordance with the practice of previous Chinese Loan Agreements.\n\nAs the revenue of the railway is not pledged as the security for the loan, the lenders are not entitled to interfere with the railway management; but since this revenue is indicated as furnishing the regular funds for the payment of principal and interest of the loan, the Imperial Chinese Government will, during its currency, appoint a European to fill the post of General Superintendent Engineer of the line, and will cause the railway accounts to be audited and published annually, in accordance with the practice of the Imperial Northern Railways.\n\n9. When materials have to be procured from abroad for the maintenance of the Peking-Hankow railway line, or for carrying out the productive objects designated for the expenditure of the loan funds, the Imperial Chinese Government will, as a mark of consideration to the lenders, give preference to the manufacturers of their countries, when prices and qualities are equal to those of others.\n\n10. The Agreement will be sanctioned by Imperial Edict, and, after signature, the Board will request the Wai-wu Pu to communicate it officially to the British and French Ministers in Peking,\n\nJuly 14, 1908.\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum of Counter-proposals handed to Mr. Hillier at Interview of July 21, 1908.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n1. The Agreement to be signed by the Board of Posts and Communications and the contracting banks, viz., Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\n\n2. The loan to be for 7,000,000l.\n\n3. The price to be fixed later on when the conditions of the Agreement have been determined.\n\n4. Interest to be 412 per cent. per annum.\n\n5. Purpose of the loan to be for productive objects to be undertaken by the Board of Posts and Communications.\n\n6. Proceeds of the loan will be paid over in whole or in part in Europe as the Board of Posts and Communications may require; transfers to China being made by the contracting banks if their rates are as favourable as those of other banks.\n\n7. The loan will be repaid in forty years, and the annual instalments of capital and interest will be paid in gold, either in China or in Europe, as the Board of Posts and Communications may decide; if in China, the exchange will be fixed after arrangement with the Board, which will then make payment in silver to the two contracting banks.\n\n8. The loan to be guaranteed by the Chinese Government which will assign as security provincial li-kin and miscellaneous revenues amounting in value to the greatest sum due in any one year for payment of principal and interest of this loan, and in case of default the provincial authorities will hand over these li-kin and miscellaneous revenues to the two banks.\n\n9. The Agreement will be sanctioned by Imperial Edict, and after signature by the Board of Posts and Communications the Wai-wu Pu will be moved to communicate it officially to the British and French Ministers.\n\n10. No matter what use may be made of this loan, neither the lenders nor their representatives must inquire (i.e., it shall be no concern of the lenders or their representatives, &c.).\n\n11. Before the Agreement is signed the matter shall rest between the two negotiators and shall be no concern of the diplomatists.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417459, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 171, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nCharacteristics of Opium Smokers.\n\nThere are two main classes :-\n\n(a.) Those smoking it moderately and who consume about 1 drachm a day; and (b.) Those smoking to excess who consume from 4 to 10 drachms a day.\n\nIn the former class, truth compels one to say a very moderate amount of harm ensues. Moderate indulgence interferes very little with a man's business nor does it curtail his life. In other words, it is not a physically harmful narcotic. While alcohol produces destructive changes in most of the organs of the body, and is a common cause of insanity, opium only exercises a functional derangement, and does not produce any changes that can be recognized post-mortem. The majority of smokers in Peking belong to this moderate class, but in the case of a heavy habitual smoker the effects are more pronounced. He has an unstable nervous system; his will power is blunted; his moral nature changed; and he will lie and steal to procure the drug, should it be from any cause withheld from him against his wish. He becomes restless and intensely anxious, depressed, and sleepless, and those symptoms are often followed by a form of dementia with chronic delusions of persecution. This last phase has been observed in many cases in Europe and America, but not to any extent in China so far, for the simple reason that opium takers have not hitherto had any restrictions placed on their consumption. But the other symptoms are well known and can be corroborated by those of us who are brought in contact with the cases of opium smokers who come seeking medical help in their efforts to get rid of the craving,\n\nThere is, however, a serious aspect of the question which does not seem to have been given its proper importance, viz., the national predisposition to the habit. (According to the estimate framed for the enforcement of the Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906, from 30 to 40 per cent. of the population of the Empire are addicted to the use of opium.) Hereditary influence brings about a condition of the nervous system, which, if once subjected to the exciting cause, develops the tendency rapidly. A Chinese child, the offspring of the opium smoking father and mother, and whose ancestors, for generations past, have indulged in opium, is born into the world with a tendency to take up the habit and with body tissues ready to adopt the use of narcotics that are wholly wanting in a European child—the produce of a non-habitual ancestry.\n\nAccurate observation has long since proved that, while in one family there may be a tendency or susceptibility to one kind of disease, another family may display a special capacity for transmitting another form of disease. In China, every day sees thousands of children born, who, from the moment of their conception, have been formed and developed in the tissues of opium-smoking mothers, and who, after birth, are nourished during the first two years of life with milk from the same tainted source.\n\nWe are thus face to face with a national craving, a vice—call it what you will—which, by being allowed to persist so long, has entered into the constitutions of nearly 40 per cent. of the Chinese people to such an extent that it has established an altered physical condition,\n\nBefore passing to comment on the means devised to carry out the actual suppression it might be well to consider the point that is being drawn attention to more and more daily—the recent increase in the numbers of morphia takers. A plentiful crop of anti-opium remedies has sprung up, the majority of which contain morphia. In addition, the number of Chinese who inject morphia hypodermically has increased. Morphia is the crystallized essence of opium. It is the most enthralling narcotic there is. It more than fills the gap caused by abstention from opium. A victim to this habit is infinitely more difficult to cure than if he were an opium smoker.\n\nThe history of indulgence in opium smoking in China dates from the reign of the first Ming Emperor (1628-44), when tobacco was prohibited; and the Chinese, feeling the need of some narcotic, after having mixed a certain amount of opium in their tobacco, took to pure opium instead, the use of which soon became most popular. It must therefore be looked upon as an eventuality, far from impossible, that another form of narcotic may supplant the present national habit, and this is all the more liable to occur among those who are being forced to abandon their craving by law.\n\nThe recent sweeping away of the old examination system has been quoted as a precedent to show that there is no need to fear China's ability to also sweep away the opium habit.\n\nBut the cases are totally different, as in the latter one is dealing with an established physical need—a craving in a man's vital organs which is strong enough to impel the victim to use every means in his power to satisfy it—unless properly dealt with.\n\n3\n\nThe various Imperial Edicts and official warnings that have been issued on the subject have been mainly confined, up to the present, to specifying at various times for closing the sources of the supply of opium, and to stating the limits of time for the abandonment of the habit by those who are victims. Penalties such as degradation from posts of office have been threatened, and, in some cases, have been exacted for non-compliance with the Regulations. The scheme of licensing, which is being tried, to be successful demands a co-operation on the part of smokers which it would be futile to expect a great number of them to give—the lower classes especially, who do not understand the significance of any individual moral obligation. In point of fact, trustworthy reports go to show that, except in a few districts, only a small fraction of smokers have as yet registered themselves and taken out licences.\n\nSo far no hopeful advice has been as yet tendered to the people (at least none that the unofficial and lower classes know of, as I have ascertained by personal inquiry) as to proper methods of how to stop the habit beyond advising smokers to go into opium refuges or hospitals or to take anti-opium medicines.\n\nMany officials have been able to give up the habit, some have tried and failed and been cashiered in consequence, and some have died in the attempt. The Edicts and Regulations as they stand to-day, as far as they apply to matters other than the growth, import or sale of opium, have done little more than express pious wishes, and they do not touch or affect more than the merest fringe of the opium-smoking public. It is fondly hoped that as the import and growth of opium are gradually stopped, the failure in supply will automatically cause a lessened demand. But this is mere theoretic trifling with a problem which must be dealt with in far greater detail and in a much more practical way if any advantage is to be gained from the efforts now being made. In this whole question half-measures are useless.\n\nIn\n\nI now come to the main object of this paper, viz., a consideration of the most practical way in which the Imperial Government can help the people to get rid of the habit,\n\nThe British Government has pledged its word that the supply of Indian opium will diminish pari passu with the diminution in the growth of the native drug. Very little foreign advice is needed by China as to how she can best accomplish this. In passing, however, one may cite the case of Ssu Ch'uan Province, where, over twenty-five years ago, the Governor-General tried to stop the growth by posting official Proclamations prohibiting the cultivation, but his efforts passed unheeded, till to-day it is the greatest opium-producing district in China. But, with a frontier 7,000 miles long and a coast-line of 4,000 miles, habitués to the drug need have little to fear in the failure of their supply. The profits on illicit production and sale, the profits of smuggling will require the establishment of a very much larger special preventive force than seems as yet to have been estimated for. Morphia is at present being smuggled in extensively by Europeans and Chinese alike: it is becoming popular among the coolie class at Shanghae, numbers of whom have even taken up their residence in morphia dens (vide Shanghae Annual Health Report of 1907) and yet only 96 oz. of this drug are returned \"In 1906\" as being the sum total of its import through the Customs for last year? there was an Imperial Edict issued prohibiting opium from being brought to China in any ship. It was from this time that the more distinctly smuggling period commenced.” (Vide Dr. Edkin's \"Historical Note on Opium.\")\n\nThis, however, is somewhat beyond my province, and would not be mentioned except to infer from it that the national discontinuance of the habit is not likely to be brought about by failure in supply, and will be at the most a curtailment—temporary diminution which is likely to recrudesce at any moment.\n\nIn my humble opinion, the great point for the Chinese Government to recognize is that its efforts to suppress the habit must chiefly lie in devising means to lessen the demand on the part of the consumers.\n\nDistrict agents from anti-opium bureaux in every town which in turn operate from a central bureau in each province are necessary to cope with varying local conditions and to get in closer touch with the people. Anti-opium societies do not meet the case; they are irregular bodies of men who do not work according to any settled plan, and their efforts could not be relied on, though they should not be discouraged in any way.\n\nTherefore, the first and foremost point to be urged is that the Government should lay before the people a definite and decided plan of treatment showing them how they could get rid of the craving in the best way and with the least inconvenience to themselves. My whole argument is: (1) if you get rid of the demand, there will be no call for a supply; and (2) in order to get rid of the demand, the opium taker must be brought under absolute control for a given period of time.\n\n[1980 -3]\n\nB 2\n\n167\n\n..", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417463, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 175, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)\n\n175\n\n0.0.\n\n# CHINA TRADE\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n(*\n\n[35893]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[October 14.1908]\n\nSECTION R\n\nNo 2 NOV 08\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, October 14, 1908.\n\nMr. Rees-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Edict of the Chinese Government banning the introduction into and manufacture and sale within the Empire of morphia and hypodermic appliances indicates that the suppression of the use of opium implies recourse to other drugs in place thereof, and whether the Foreign Office is in possession of any information to show that this is the case.\n\nAnswer by Mr. Pease (for Sir Edward Grey),\n\nThe prohibition of the general importation of morphia into China, except on certain conditions, was agreed to by His Majesty's Government in Article 11 of the Commercial Treaty between China and Great Britain of 1902. The stipulation contained in that Article, that the prohibition should only come into force on all other Treaty Powers agreeing to its conditions, has, however, only recently been fulfilled. The Edict has, therefore, no direct connection with the measures adopted for the suppression of the use of opium. Whether the suppression of the use of opium in China, if successfully accomplished, would have, to any extent, the effect indicated in the question is a matter on which my right honourable friend cannot express an opinion. It is not implied in the Edict.\n\n[1980 -1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417514, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 226, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n222\n\nC.O.\n\n42178\n\n[October 21.]\n\nSECTION 1. 17 NOV 08\n\n[36623]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nBritish and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.-(Received October 21.)\n\nSir,\n\n3, Lombard Street, London, October 20, 1908.\n\nAccording to the information of Mr. Bland, our representative in Peking, there appears to be no doubt that on the 15th April, 1908, the Yuchuanpu obtained the Imperial sanction to a Memorial (copy herewith) by which it transferred to the Provincial Railway Bureaus its obligation to build the Shanghae-Hangehow-Ningpo Railway, which obligation, by the Loan Agreement, was definitely accepted by the Yuchuanpu on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government. And, according to Mr. Bland's information, the Memorial was submitted to the Throne on the 6th March, 1908, the same day as the Loan Agreement was signed with the Corporation.\n\nAlthough Mr. Bland reported this information to His Majesty's Minister, the directors of the British and Chinese Corporation consider it desirable that they should themselves address Sir E. Grey on the subject, and we therefore beg leave to request that this letter may be submitted to Sir E. Grey, and to express the hope that he may be pleased to communicate with Sir J. Jordan on the subject.\n\nIn connection with the foregoing, we venture to quote a letter, dated the 1st instant, which we have received from our agents in Shanghae:—\n\n\"The present position of this railway is that, beyond the nominal appointment of a Managing Director and an Engineer-in-chief, no progress has been made towards giving effect to the terms of the Loan Agreement.\n\n\"Taotai Shih Chao Tseng (Sze) poses as the Managing Director, but we cannot satisfy ourselves that he really holds any authority from Peking, and, while the Chekiang Railway Company has accepted him somewhat under protest, and treat him as an inferior, the Kiangsu Railway Company has refused to recognize him at all.\n\n\"Taotai Shih Chao Tseng, who formerly was a contractor on the Lu-han line, appears a reasonable person to deal with, and if he were less of a nonentity in his present position some progress might be made.\n\n\"Mr. Foord's Agreement has not yet been signed, and, although the Chekiang Railway Company appears prepared to accept him, it does so more in the light of a Consulting Engineer than an Engineer-in-chief, and it is evidently not the present intention to allow Mr. Foord to interfere in the construction of the line more than possible. The Kiangsu Railway Company has, so far, not taken any notice of Mr. Foord.\n\n\"No loan funds have yet been paid over by the Board of Communications, but as that Board undertakes (vide Edict of the 15th April) to pay a first instalment of 800,000 taels to the Railway Companies before the 6th instant, some developments may shortly be expected.\"\n\nWe are, &c.\n\nPer the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited),\n\n(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman.\n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nKiangsu and Chekiang Railway Companies: Memorial submitted by the Board of Posts and Communications on April 15 proposing Regulations with reference to the Loan of Funds by the Board to the Companies.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nOn the 6th March a joint Memorial was submitted by the Board of Communications and the Wai-wu Pu, proposing that a loan should be made by the Board to the\n\n*\n\nAccording to Taotai Shih the Agreement was signed by Mr. Foord before August 17 (see 31982.)\n\n[1988 a-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417563, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 275, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nلا\n\n3\n\n271\n\nbecoming a purely Government concern it would be most inadvisable for this Government to allow a portion of the system to traverse a British Colony and a Chinese official to be stationed in Hong Kong to control and supervise them. Even under the former conditions this Government has on more than one occasion had cause to take notice of the tendency on the part of the person in charge to interfere in matters outside his duties as Telegraph Supervisor.\n\nAlthough the Telegraph Company claimed the land upon which their office is located before the Land Court, and their claim was allowed, no permission has ever been granted to the Company to erect and maintain its telegraph poles on Crown land, and this Government would be within its rights in summarily ordering the removal of the poles. With a view, however, to preserving our friendly relations, and to avoiding the appearance of arbitrary action, I have the honour to request that your Lordship will move the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to request His Majesty's Minister at Peking to take such diplomatic action as he may deem to be advisable with a view to removing the terminal office of the Chinese Telegraphs to the frontier. I shall then be glad to discuss any arrangements which the Chinese Government may desire to put forward for the working of the section in this Colony, whether by this Government or by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company or otherwise.\n\n6. I am transmitting a copy of this despatch, and of Sir M. Nathan's despatch of the 10th October, 1904, to His Majesty's Minister at Peking.\n\n(Confidential.) Sir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nF. D. LUGARD,\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Governor Sir F. Lugard.\n\nCanton, August 18, 1908. IN reply to your Excellency's despatch of the 13th instant on the subject of the redemption by the Chinese Government of the shares in the Chinese Telegraph Company, I have the honour to inform your Excellency, on the authority of the Superintendent of Telegraphs at Canton, that the Board of Communication in Peking have been instructed to take over the administration of telegraphs throughout the Chinese Empire. With this end in view the Board have for some months past been in negotiation with the shareholders in the present Company for the purchase of their shares, but as the Board is only offering 170 dollars a share for shares which are said to be worth between 280 dollars and 300 dollars, a majority of shareholders have so far refused to part with their shares. As the Government seem determined to acquire these shares by compulsory purchase, the shareholders will no doubt be forced to give way sooner or later, and, as an inducement to surrender their shares without further delay, have, I understand, been notified that the offer of 170 dollars per share will only remain open for another two months, when it will be reduced to 150 dollars, and later on to 100 dollars only.\n\nThe Central Government's action in this matter, which is, I am informed, deeply resented by a large number of shareholders in Shanghae and Canton, is to a certain extent justified by the fact that the Chinese Telegraph Company has never been a bona fide commercial undertaking, but has always been, both as regards finances and administration, under Government control.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nSir,\n\n(Signed)\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nGovernor Sir M. Nathan to Mr. Lyttelton.\n\nHARRY F. FOX.\n\nGovernment House, Hong Kong, October 10, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to bring the following circumstances to your notice:\n\n2. Previous to the leasing of the new territories to Great Britain there existed a house on the border between this Colony and Chinese territory at Kowloon in which the wires from Canton of what was then known as the Chinese Government Telegraph Administration met and were connected with those of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company from Hong Kong.\n\n3. Upon the incorporation of the new territories in the Colony of Hong Kong in 1899, the question of the maintenance in British territory of the length of telegraph line from the new frontier to the old boundary was raised, and Sir Henry Blake suggested that the local Manager of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company should approach the Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Telegraphs with a view to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company acquiring the length of line in question.\n\n4. This was done, and in June 1899 the Manager wrote to the effect that Shông Taotai, Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration, had replied that in the first place the line in question belonged to private individuals, and secondly that his Administration had received no instructions from the Chinese Government to terminate the line at the new frontier.\n\n5. The matter was then allowed to drop till last year, when Sir Henry Blake directed that the Chinese authorities should be addressed on the subject of the removal to the frontier of the terminal station of the Chinese telegraph line. A letter was accordingly written to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, who was asked to notify the Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration that the removal should be effected within a period of six months.\n\n6. In reply to a communication from Sir Pelham Warren in that sense, the Director-General of Telegraphs wrote a letter (see Inclosure 4) in which he claimed that the telegraph station, being situated in the new territories, and not in Hong Kong, was in the same category as the telegraph lines in Shanghae, Wei-hai Wei, and other places, and explained that, although the Chinese telegraphs are controlled by officials, the Chinese Government permits private individuals to hold shares in the undertaking, and that therefore the lines are the property of private individuals. The Director-General begged that the telegraph house and lines might therefore be allowed to remain in the leased territory.\n\n7. In answer to this communication a letter (see Inclosure 5) was addressed to the Consul-General at Shanghae, in which it was pointed out that the new territories are in every respect British territory, and the request for removal of the house and lines was repeated.\n\nIn due course a reply was received from the Director-General (see Inclosure 6), in which the contention that the telegraph lines and poles are private property was repeated. The Director-General added that he had called a meeting of shareholders, and that they had expressed the opinion that compliance with the request of the Hong Kong Government was impossible.\n\n8. To this communication the Hong Kong Government replied (see Inclosure 7) that as the entire control of the Chinese telegraphs had been recently taken over by the Chinese Government it could not regard the Administration as a purely commercial enterprise. It was also pointed out that the name (printed in large roman type on the envelope supplied by the Administration) by which the Administration is known, viz., the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration, supported that view.\n\n9. To this letter two Directors of the Chinese Telegraph Administration replied through His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae (see Inclosure 8), pointing out that in the Chinese name of the Administration the word \"Imperial\" did not appear, and reiterating that since the capital of the Administration was subscribed and still held by private individuals the Administration must be regarded as a private commercial undertaking, although the Administration had been handed over to the Chinese Government by Edict in 1902 and Chinese officials had been appointed \"to supervise, watch over, and support its interests.\" The letter concluded with a request that the removal of the lines might be delayed pending arrangement of the matter.\n\n10. It is, I believe, the fact that the shares in the Administration or Company are held by private individuals. It is also beyond doubt that the control is in the hands of Chinese officials. The Director-General is an official of high rank, and the Superintendent in this Colony holds the official rank of an Expectant Taotai or Intendant of Circuit. This gentleman has been questioned by the Registrar-General, and he admits that the management of the Administration is vested in the Chinese Government. He claimed the site of the telegraph station at Sham-shui-po before the Land Court on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration, and the Land Court has allowed the claim.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417565, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 277, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "6\n\nis in every respect British territory and wholly subject to British administration. This Government must therefore insist upon the Chinese authorities taking the necessary action without further delay.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nA. M. THOMSON,\n\nColonial Secretary.\n\nInclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nWu Chung-Hsi to Consul-General Sir P. Warren,\n\nApril 28, 1904, IN the matter of the telegraph poles in the new territory at Kowloon, I have the honour to acknowledge your notes of the 24th February and 21st April. As I stated in my reply of the 5th February, although the telegraphs are under Government control, yet the shares are owned by private individuals, and the telegraph lines and poles are entirely private property. No prohibition has hitherto been put into force by your country forbidding Chinese to own property or engage in trade within your borders; in Hong Kong, for instance. It seems, then, as telegraphs form a portion of the trade of any place, that it is unnecessary to remove the lines and poles from the territory.\n\nI have several times called a meeting of the shareholders and directors and informed them of the purport of the several communications received; the general opinion was that consent was impossible.\n\nI therefore have the honour to request you thus to inform the Hong Kong Government.\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Thomson to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nColonial Secretary's Office, Hong Kong, June 14, 1904, WITH reference to your letter of the 29th April forwarding a translation of a note from the Director-General of Chinese Telegraphs, I am directed to inform you that his Excellency the Officer Administering the Government is informed that some time during the Boxer troubles the entire administration of these telegraphs was handed over to the Chinese Government. Moreover, the name of the Administration, \"Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration,\" precludes the idea that it is an ordinary commercial enterprise, and this Government cannot therefore see its way to treat it as such.\n\nIt is therefore on these grounds that I am to request you to be so good as to press for the early removal of the blockhouse to the Chinese side of the frontier, and for the transference of the poles and wires in the new territory to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company.\n\n7\n\nOn receipt of the above I instructed the General Manager to write a Report, which I have now received. It is as follows:-\n\n\"Although on the 12th December, 1902, the administration was handed over to Government by Edict, yet subsequently, on the 15th January, 1908, a second Edict was promulgated in the interests of commerce allowing existing shareholders to invest additional capital. During the past year no shareholders have sold out. This goes to prove that the property is that of a commercial body. In the seventh moon of this year (the 11th August to the 9th September) a dividend on the shares issued is to be declared, and notice will, as heretofore, be given in the papers to shareholders as to obtaining payment. This is further evidence that the property is that of a commercial body. As to the statement regarding the name, 'General Telegraph Administration of China,' I may say that, the head office being situated in the foreign Settlement at Shanghai, the name was intended to distinguish the Administration from the foreign Telegraph Companies in that port. It was not intended by the word 'China' to signify that the Administration was established by the Chinese Government. Only the Government has granted the monopoly to the Administration, and has appointed officials to supervise and watch over and support its interests. The statement in the despatch received that the name 'precluded the idea that it was an ordinary commercial enterprise, and that the Government could not therefore see its way to treat it as such,' displays a lack of knowledge of the position of the Administration. I propose to request your Excellency to inform the Colonial Secretary, through the British Consul-General, of the above facts, and request him to delay the removal of the telegraph poles for the present, pending the arrangement of the matter.\"\n\n1\n\nThis Report has now been sent in to me. It is perfectly true that, as the Administration says, the capital and profits still belong entirely to the shareholders and are the property of a commercial body, and that the title \"Chinese Telegraph Administration\" was adopted in order to distinguish the head office at Shanghai from those of the foreign Telegraph Companies. Although under Government supervision and protection, it still has for its object private convenience and profit.\n\nYou have always been most impartial in your conduct of international affairs, and have encouraged commercial enterprise. With a view to the maintenance of friendly relations, and in the interests of commerce, I have the honour to ask you to reply to the Colonial Secretary, requesting him to delay the removal of the poles, &c., for the time being, pending the arrangement of the matter.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nA. M. THOMSON,\n\nColonial Secretary.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nYuan and Wu to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nJuly 23, 1904. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch inclosing a letter from the Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong, to the effect that during the Boxer trouble the entire administration of the telegraphs had been handed over to the Chinese Government; that, moreover, the name of the Administration, \"General Telegraph Administration of China\" (N.B.-The Chinese name contains no character signifying \"Imperial\") precluded the idea that it was an ordinary commercial enterprise, and the Hong Kong Government could not recognize it as such; and that he requested you to press for an early removal of the blockhouse to the Chinese side of the frontier, and for the transference of the poles and wires to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company.\n\n273", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417570, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 282, "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\n278\n\nC. O.\n\n[November 2] 42997\n\nSECTION 3!\n\n24 NO OS\n\n[39022]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 2.)\n\n(No. 408.) Sir,\n\nPeking, September 14, 1908. A BRIEF examination of the programme for the introduction of constitutional government, which was referred to in my despatch No. 390 of the 2nd instant, and an abstract of which is inclosed herewith, shows that it is largely founded on what has been done in Japan.\n\nThe powers and prerogatives of the Emperor under the new Constitution are stated in terms very similar to those employed in Chapter I of the \"Constitution of the Empire of Japan.\" The appointment and dismissal of judicial officers will apparently remain within the Imperial prerogative, and not as in Japan be subject to law, though the administration of justice will be exercised by the Courts in accordance with law. The Emperor will have supreme control of the army and navy, and no interference with that control by Parliament will be permitted.\n\nThe powers and limitations of the House of Representatives are only partially stated, and detailed laws will be drawn up in the future, such Rules as are now issued being devised with careful regard to existing political conditions. The law of election to the Lower House is given in bare outline, and will no doubt be elaborated later on.\n\nThe scheme of progressive preparation for constitutional government, which is sketched in the 5th section of the abstract, is interesting from its magnitude. Again, Japanese example appears to be held in view, for it may be remembered that in Japan an Edict was issued in 1881 announcing that a National Assembly would be convened in ten years, and during those ten years the remodelling of the laws, finances, and local government on western lines was steadily pursued by a reform Ministry. Beginning from the 34th year of Kuang Hsü (February 1908 to January 1909) a prodigious series of measures, which will recast the whole framework of government down to the villages, is to be completed in nine years--local government, census, finances, education, civil and penal laws, justice, Upper House, police are all to be worked up gradually, so that by the ninth year the crown may be placed on the new edifice by the proclamation of a Constitution and the summoning of a Parliament. Evidently the Court and Government must reason that what was possible for Japan is equally possible for them, but it should, I think, be clear to them that the march of events in Japan can furnish no safe criterion for a programme of radical measures in a continent such as China is, and that in any case there is no sufficient number of qualified leaders and experts available to bring the scheme into effective execution all over the Empire in the time allotted.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Peking Daily News\" of August 29, 1908.\n\nJOINT Memorial by the Constitutional Reform Commission and the Senate submitting Proposals for the Establishment of Constitutional Government, the Convocation of a House of Representatives, and the Preparatory Measures to be introduced prior to its inauguration.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nTHIS Memorial is submitted in obedience to an Imperial Decree issued on the 22nd July (a résumé of which was contained in His Majesty's Minister's despatch No. 371 of the 19th August), wherein, after directing the institution of Provincial Councils, the Constitutional Reform Commission and the Senate were instructed to\n\n[2029 6-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417571, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 283, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "279\n\n2\n\nprepare a comprehensive scheme of constitutional government and to make recommendations as to the measures to be introduced in preparation for the assembly of a House of Representatives.\n\nThe memorialists have carefully studied the systems existing amongst other nations, and have endeavoured to select therefrom such provisions as are most suited to the requirements and traditions of China. The principle which they have throughout kept in view is that supreme authority must always remain with the Sovereign, and that the Constitution is founded on him. The House of Representatives is only a part of the Constitution, and cannot therefore introduce on its own authority any changes in the system of government. The object of the memorialists has been to prepare a system whereby, whilst the Sovereign's prerogative is in no way diminished, the people's interests may be advanced as much as possible.\n\nAs regards the methods of election to the House of Representatives, a list of Regulations is submitted, but more detailed Rules will subsequently be drawn up after further study of the question.\n\nMany preparatory measures must be introduced before the nation can be considered ready for the institution of a House of Representatives. As regards administrative measures which must be effected, the most important are the reform of the financial system and the taking of a census; and in a lesser degree the assimilation of Manchus and Chinese, the preparation of a code of laws, and the appointment of judicial officers. The chief means of preparing the people for the opening of a House of Representatives are the diffusion of education and the experience which they will gain from the establishment of Local Government Councils.\n\nThe memorialists recommend that nine years should be allowed for preparation prior to the convocation of a House of Representatives, i.e., until the year 1917.\n\nLists of the various Regulations prepared by the memorialists are appended.\n\nConstitutional Government.\n\nOUTLINE of a Scheme of Constitutional Government and General Rules with reference to the inauguration of a House of Representatives and the Method of Election thereto.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nA general control of all measures of government—legislative, administrative, or judicial—is vested in the Sovereign, but he is assisted in legislation by the Parliament, in the administration by his officers, and in judicial matters by the Courts, which are bound by the laws of the country.\n\nSection 1.—The Functions of the Sovereign.\n\n1. The sovereign power is vested for ever in the Ta Ch'ing dynasty.\n\n2. The person of the Sovereign is sacred and his prerogatives cannot be encroached upon.\n\n3. He has the power to proclaim laws and to sanction measures passed by Parliament. No measure passed by Parliament is effective until the Imperial assent has been signified.\n\n4. He has the power to summon, open, close, or dissolve the House of Representatives, and in the latter event will then issue instructions for a new election.\n\n5. The organization of the public service and the power of promoting or degrading officials. In this matter the Sovereign has the assistance of his high Ministers of State, and the House of Representatives cannot interfere.\n\n6. Administration of the land and sea forces, over which the House of Representatives has no control.\n\n7. International relations, including declarations of war, conclusion of Treaties, appointment and reception of Envoys. Such matters cannot be decided by the House of Representatives.\n\n8. The right to issue Edicts on his own initiative in times of crisis.\n\n9. The right of granting honours and pardons.\n\n10. General control of the administration of justice. This power is delegated by the Sovereign to the Courts, which are bound by the laws of the country, and these laws cannot be modified at will even by the Sovereign himself.\n\n11. The right of issuing Ordinances (\"Ming Ling\"), but such enactments have not the effect of altering or annulling established laws until discussed by the House of Representatives, submitted by Memorial to the Throne and approved.\n\n12. In the event of any crisis arising during the Parliamentary recess, the Sovereign has the right to issue mandates having the force of law and to raise whatever funds are required by this means. The matter must, however, be brought before the House of Representatives for discussion in the next Session.\n\n13. The expenditure for the Imperial household is regulated by the Sovereign, the amount required annually being drawn from the Treasury. This matter cannot be discussed by the House of Representatives.\n\n14. The laws for the government of the Imperial household are fixed by the Sovereign in consultation with members of the Imperial Family and officers specially appointed for the purpose. The House of Representatives has no concern therewith.\n\nSection 2.—The Rights and Duties of Officials and People.\n\n1. The right (subject to the possession of the necessary qualifications as fixed by law or Imperial Ordinance) of becoming civil or military officers or Members of the House of Representatives.\n\n2. The right, within the bounds of the law, of freedom of speech and of publication, of holding public meetings, and forming associations.\n\n3. Officials and people cannot be arrested, imprisoned, or otherwise punished except in accordance with law.\n\n4. The right of calling upon the Courts to try cases brought by them.\n\n5. They can only be tried in the proper Courts established by law.\n\n6. Freedom from unwarrantable interference with their property and dwellings.\n\n7. With regard to their obligations, they must pay such taxes and perform such military service as may be required by law.\n\n8. Taxes cannot be altered except by law.\n\n9. It is the duty of officials and people to obey the laws of the State.\n\nSection 3.—General Rules with regard to the House of Representatives.\n\n1. The House of Representatives has only the right of debate. It has no administrative functions, and its Resolutions do not become effective until the receipt of Imperial sanction.\n\n2. Only matters affecting the general interests of the whole country can be debated. The ordinary local affairs of a province cannot be discussed.\n\n3. All necessary annual disbursements fixed by the Sovereign or required by law cannot be withheld or decreased by the House of Representatives without the consent of the Government.\n\n4. The House of Representatives has the duty of assisting in the preparation of the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure of the country.\n\n5. In the event of any officer of the Government committing an offence against the laws, the House of Representatives has only the power to impeach him. The right of appointing and dismissing his officers is still vested in the Sovereign.\n\n6. The Resolutions of the House of Representatives cannot be submitted to the Throne until passed by both Houses.\n\n7. All measures submitted to the Throne by the House of Representatives shall be presented in the form of a Memorial by the President (“I Chang”).\n\n8. Members of the House of Representatives must not use disrespectful language with regard to the Throne, or make slanderous or offensive statements with reference to individuals, and they will be liable to fine or other punishment if they disobey this rule.\n\n9. At the opening of the House of Representatives it is the duty of the President to make provision for the maintenance of order, and in the event of any infringement of the Rules of Parliament, he may require the offender to keep silent or order him to leave the House.\n\n[2029 6-3]\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417883, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 595, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "Enclosure 4.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n0.0\n\n \n | 46946\n 591\n \n\n[May 7.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[16282]\n\nRe: 23 DEC 08\n\nNo. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Times\" of May 7, 1908.\n\nTHE OPIUM TRAFFIC.\n\nMr. W. Johnson (Warwickshire, Nuneaton) rose to call attention to the opium traffic in the East, and to move: \"That this House, having regard to its Resolution unanimously adopted on the 30th May, 1906, that the Indo-Chinese opium trade is morally indefensible, welcomes the action of His Majesty's Government in diminishing the sale of opium for export, and thus responding to the action of the Chinese Government in their arrangements for the suppression of the consumption of the drug in that Empire; and this House also urges His Majesty's Government to take steps to bring to a speedy close the system of licensing opium dens now prevailing in some of our Crown Colonies, more particularly Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and Ceylon.\" He said that it was agreed, both nationally and internationally, that this traffic must be put an end to. It was a question between money and righteousness. (Hear, hear.) The House of Commons, the leaders of the Churches, and the whole country were behind the movement which he represented. There were difficulties in the way, but the Government must overcome them and put the righteousness of the cause before money. Since the Resolution on this subject passed by the House in 1906 much had been done, but much more might have been done. China had been moving, and had done something on her own behalf; but the progress was too slow. There was ample evidence now that China was sincere in this matter. It was reported from Peking in May of last year that the last of the opium dens in Peking was closed. In the month following all the opium dens in the native quarter of Shanghai were closed; but, on the other hand, in the British and American concessionary quarters the Municipal Council declined to do more than to discontinue the grant of annual licences, and it was not till the 20th March of that year they proposed to close one-fourth of the dens on the 31st July, and the other three-fourths within two years. He thought that proved that the Chinese were more sincere than we were ourselves. In the self-governing Colonies the traffic in opium was forbidden altogether, but in the Crown Colonies things were different; in Hong Kong nothing had been done, while in the Straits Settlements there had only been a Committee of Inquiry appointed. The Americans, on the other hand, had closed all the opium dens in the Philippine Islands, and he asked the Colonial and Foreign Offices to imitate their example and endeavour not to reduce but to put an end to the use of opium.\n\nMr. T. C. Taylor (Lancashire, South-East, Radcliffe), who seconded, said he had lately visited China, practically for the purpose of studying this question, and he had come to the conclusion that all the best elements in China were resolved to put an end to this traffic. It was not merely an edict of the Government, but opium reform had in it all the elements of a great national movement, and he could recite by the score stories of the scenes of enthusiasm among those who were devoted to the suppression of the habit. In Shanghai, which was an international Settlement, he regretted to say that the municipality had not done all that they ought to have done to close the opium dens at a more rapid rate, while in Hong Kong, a British Settlement, the story was \"nothing attempted, nothing done.\" He was glad to know there was a strong anti-opium movement in Singapore, and he hoped that the Report of a Commission on the subject would soon be published. Japan had sternly penalized the use and sale of opium, but even Japan had yielded to the temptation to make revenue from opium in Formosa and Korea. How could we reproach our ally when we allowed the yellow peril, gold, to infect our own possessions? (Hear, hear.) China would become one of the great nations of the world, and was it our interest that a reformed China should look back on a time when our Government, against the will of the Chinese people, provided the means for their indulgence in this debasing vice? (Hear, hear.)\n\nColonel Seely said it would be convenient if he replied at once on the colonial aspect of the case, partly because the Colonial Office had been declared to be the\n\nB [2967 g--1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417908, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 620, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "The measures taken to decrease cultivation and consumption of opium, while the Board of Finance was to provide the funds required to replace the prospective diminution of revenue from the opium tax. The Memorial (Appendix (A)) reviewed the steps taken by China in the matter and the negotiations with foreign Powers and the Government of India.\n\nUnder this instrument the Decree of the 7th April (Appendix (B)) followed. Prince Kung and other high officers of State were appointed Imperial Commissioners to enforce the application of the prohibition in the case of persons holding official positions. Within three months the Prohibition Commissioners were to establish a special Department for the purpose of weeding out of the public service all those addicted to the drug.\n\nIt was foreseen that the duties imposed upon them were not likely to prove agreeable or popular, and they were consequently exhorted to perform them fearlessly and not to be influenced by personal considerations.\n\nThe high rank and character of the Commissioners left no doubt of the sincerity of the Court's intentions.\n\nThe supervisory Regulations which the Boards of Finance and of the Interior were called upon to prepare were approved by an Imperial Rescript of the 23rd May (Appendix (C)).\n\nIt was recognized that the most important step to be taken was the restriction of the growth of the poppy, and the provincial authorities in the Regulations were called upon periodically to furnish detailed reports on the area in cultivation, and to enforce the proposed annual reduction.\n\nThe revenue question, which has hitherto been one of the chief obstacles to a thorough compliance with the previous Edicts in the provinces, was left for further consideration. Public hongs were to be established in every province for the purchase and sale of native opium, and rules were laid down for the more efficient regulation of shops and dens, of smokers, and the cure of those addicted to smoking, also for the encouragement of Anti-Opium Societies and for the distribution of medicines. Rewards in the shape of promotion were held out to those who conscientiously carried out the Imperial wishes, whilst punishments are provided for those who fail to do their duty.\n\nThe apathy of the provincial authorities, to which allusion has been made, is to be noticed chiefly in a growing indifference as to whether the rules of the Decree of November 1906 are stringently carried out or not. Generally speaking, smokers do not take out licences. Dens, though officially closed, are in many cases surreptitiously opened. Opium shops are only spasmodically inspected, while Anti-Opium Societies are gradually dying a natural death from lack of funds or interest, or both.\n\nThough there are exceptions to this state of affairs in certain districts, due to enlightened officials, especially in the coast provinces, it cannot be said that officials in general have fully carried out the duty of leading the movement imposed upon them by the Court.\n\nTwo principal reasons may be assigned for this apathy, namely, the fact that so many public officials are still addicted to the drug, and further the question of provincial finances, and of finding revenue to replace that at present derived from opium. This latter question is still left for future consideration, no concrete proposals having yet been made.\n\nOn the whole, it may be said in regard to the Anti-Opium Regulations that officials showing sufficient force of character to uphold them are almost sure of support from the people, prompted as the latter are by the force of public opinion, a force formerly unknown in China and of recent growth, but which is well upheld by the native press, and the incipient moral education of the nation and the awakening of a national conscience. The \"Times\" correspondent has aptly used the expression \"bad form\" in describing the view of the educated Chinese towards opium smoking in public, and should this sentiment gain in moral force there seems no reason why it should not develop into \"losing face,\" that most powerful of all rules of conduct in China, corresponding either to \"dishonourable\" or \"ungentlemanlike,\" as the case may be.\n\nIn accordance with the 10th Article of the Anti-Opium Decree, China was to enter into negotiations with the object of prohibiting the importation of foreign opium. Very material progress has been made in this direction, and, as far as Great Britain is concerned, the negotiations are concluded, and the measures agreed upon are already in operation.\n\n3\n\nBriefly summarized, they are as follows:-\n\nThe Indian Government reduce the gross export from India, taken on the basis of 67,000 chests, of which 51,000 chests only were exported to China by 5,100 per annum, being one-tenth of the latter amount, to commence from 1908, an arrangement which continues for three years, and will be proceeded with until the export trade from India to China thus extinguishes itself automatically within the ten years' limit prescribed by the Chinese Government for the abolition of opium in China, provided always that China during these three years has proportionately reduced the production and consumption of Chinese opium, and has similarly arranged for the reduction of the importation of Turkish and other opium. The good-will of the Indian Government was manifested by the practical application of the proposed annual reduction of export without waiting for the conclusion by the Chinese Government of arrangements for the reduction of the import of Turkish, Persian, and other opium, which chiefly finds its way to China viâ Hong Kong.\n\nThis latter question has been settled in the following just and reasonable manner by the Chinese Government, neither Turkey nor Persia being Treaty Powers, the system adopted being similar to that now in force in regard to Indian opium.\n\nFrom the 1st January, 1909, any merchant wishing to import into any open port in China any Persian or Turkish opium must apply to the Commissioner of Customs at Kowloon for a special permit—one for each chest of opium. This permit shall state that the opium may be shipped to any open port in China, and that, on its arrival, duty and li-kin will be paid in accordance with the Regulations. Any Persian or Turkish opium shipped to China for which this special permit cannot be produced shall be confiscated.\n\nTaking 1,125 piculs as the mean annual import of Persian and Turkish opium, this quantity shall be reduced every year by one-ninth, i.e., 125 piculs. Thus in 1909 special permits will only be issued for 1,000 piculs, and by making a similar reduction annually the import will entirely cease in nine years.\n\nAfter 1916 no more special permits will be issued, and the import into China of Persian and Turkish opium, as well as that of Indian opium, will be completely suspended.\n\nThe special permits will only be issued to merchants who have hitherto, to the knowledge of the Imperial Maritime Customs, been engaged in the trade in Turkish and Persian opium. In fixing the number of special permits to be issued annually to each merchant, the total import during the two years 1906-7, and the quantities imported by each merchant during those years, will be taken as a basis, the number of permits being annually decreased.\n\nWith regard to the importation of \"other kinds of opium into China, she must make arrangements with the Treaty Powers. No particulars are available as to the place of origin, but the quantity is so trifling, amounting in 1906 to 64 piculs only, which is said to have been all re-exported, that the Chinese Government do not consider the matter worth noticing in their anti-opium schemes. It would, however, seem advisable to come to definite arrangements with all Treaty Powers on the subject, even with those at present not interested in the opium trade. Neither France, Holland, America, nor Japan allow the cultivation of the poppy in their Colonies and possessions in the Far East, which thus practically reduces the other opium-producing countries to India, Persia, and Turkey.\n\nFrom various quarters in China it is announced that the price of foreign opium is rising, and this increase is likely to continue in proportion to the reduction of production in China and of importation from abroad, except in the somewhat improbable contingency of the demand for the drug decreasing proportionately to the reduction of supply. There can be no doubt that foreign opium is superior both in quality and strength to the native product, consequently a great stimulus will be given to smuggling in a country where people attach more importance to quality than to price. Moreover, possessing great value in small bulk, and being by the simplest process reduced to a marketable commodity, it is not improbable that, unless all the Treaty Powers agree to the eventual cessation of the import of the drug into China, the desire of high profits may cause poppy crops to appear in places to which it is at present a stranger with a view to the introduction of the drug into China.\n\nThe other arrangements concluded with Great Britain are fully set forth in the Chinese Memorial to the Throne (Appendix (A)), and are briefly as follows:--\n\nA Chinese official will be sent to Calcutta to watch the opium auctions and packing, but will have no other authority, and in this connection it might be thought advisable that corresponding British officials should be sent to observe the reduction of\n\n616", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417910, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 622, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "6\n\nJapan.\n\nThe cultivation of the poppy is only permitted for medicinal and ornamental purposes, and opium smoking is forbidden by law.\n\nIn Formosa the poppy is not grown, opium is a Government monopoly, and only those Chinese are permitted to smoke who are provided with official licences.\n\nPortugal.\n\nThe situation of Macao renders it as important in regard to the opium trade as the Colony of Hong Kong, and the co-operation of the Portuguese Government will therefore be of the greatest importance in insuring the success of prohibitive or restrictive measures.\n\nAmerica.\n\nAs a result of the labours of the Philippine Opium Committee, both Congress and the Legislative Body of the Philippine Islands enacted laws making it unlawful after the 1st March, 1908, to import opium in whatever form into the islands, except by the Government and for medicinal purposes only, and at no time shall it be lawful to sell opium to any native of the islands except for medicinal purposes. As the statistics of the Philippine Islands do not mention native opium, it may be taken for granted that the cultivation of the poppy is prohibited.\n\nOpium does not figure in the list of exports from the Philippines. At Hawaii opium is totally prohibited, and it is not produced in the United States.\n\nThe various provinces of China will now be taken one by one and a general account given of each one in connection with the anti-opium movement:-\n\nMANCHURIA.\n\nOpium has never had the same hold on the people in this province as in other parts of China. In the south the Regulations continue to be enforced with considerable zeal by the officials under the enlightened guidance of Tong Shao-yi, Governor of Mukden. This is especially the case in regard to the closing of dens and the licensing of smokers with a gradual reduction of the amount consumed, the opening of establishments for the cure of the habit, and the punishment of offenders.\n\nLittle has been done to reduce cultivation in the north, but in the south it has practically ceased, owing to the fear of the Regulations and the energy of the officials. In the east of the province, where public opinion is generally favourable to the Anti-Opium Edict, reduction is noticeable both in cultivation and consumption, though at Antung the success of the movement is hampered by the action of the Japanese, who permit the Chinese to use in their Settlement a drug which it is illegal for the Japanese themselves to smoke.\n\nCHIHLI PROVINCE.\n\nThe movement continues to be popular among reform officials, and is generally approved of by the people. Little, however, is being done in the matter.\n\nSHANSI PROVINCE.\n\nDens and shops may be said to be generally open and uninspected; cultivation has been slightly reduced. In one district the tax per mou (6 mou equal 1 acre) has been increased from 60 tael cents to 2.40 taels; in another opium growers are registered, and those only are allowed to grow it. But the movement generally is described as a farce as far as the province is concerned. To commence with, people's minds were prepared, and much could have been done.\n\nSHENSI PROVINCE.\n\nThere is no lack of Proclamations, but the officials take no material steps to stop the use of the drug. In some districts cultivation has been reduced by means of high taxation.\n\n7\n\nKANSU PROVINCE.\n\nThe sale of the drug is restricted by Proclamation, and the restriction is well enforced, causing heavy losses to merchants. Otherwise general indifference is noticeable. At Liangchow opium shops are divided into five classes and taxed accordingly. At Langchow, the capital, official ingenuity has twisted the sense of the Anti-Opium Edict, and a Proclamation has been issued stating that, as the cultivation of the poppy is contrary to Imperial wishes, the Emperor declines to receive taxes from such a source. The result naturally is that all land available is given over to poppy. Here the shop tax has been remitted. Anti-opium medicines are freely distributed.\n\nSHANTUNG PROVINCE.\n\nThe Reports are most conflicting as to the general state of the movement. In the south cultivation of poppy is reduced 50 per cent., wheat being substituted owing to the uncertain status of opium, to the fact that it is an equally paying crop, and because of the greatly enhanced taxation of poppy land. Near Chinan-fu, also, cultivation has been much reduced. No licences to smokers are issued, nor are restrictions placed upon the purchase of prepared opium.\n\nTowards the close of 1907 an official Prepared-Opium Bureau was inaugurated at Chefoo, which was to control all opium importation, either native or foreign. The drug was to be stored in the godowns of the Bureau, who alone could give permission to remove it. This being in contravention of Article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858, protest was made by the Legation, with the result that the Rules were amended so as to exclude foreign opium. In March last the Bureau was closed, the trade being placed in the hands of thirty-nine merchants already established, who formed themselves into an Association for the conduct of the entire trade. The profits of this Society have been considerably diminished by wholesale smuggling, and it in consequence endeavoured to increase these profits by adulteration of the drug on a large scale. Smuggling, indeed, is carried on so extensively as to render all measures of suppression derisory, while the innumerable illicit dens appear to afford ample accommodation for all requirements.\n\nKIANGSU PROVINCE.\n\nThis province continues to be amongst those foremost in energy in combating the evil. The movement still continues to be a popular one, though less enthusiasm is shown, but the result has been to attach a stigma to opium smoking which it did not previously possess. At Shanghae genuine efforts continue to be made by the officials and gentry to break off the habit, while official action in keeping the dens closed is most satisfactory; persons attempting to reopen are severely dealt with, being imprisoned and their plant confiscated. The number of licensed shops, however, has increased and now reaches 300, which pay 40 cash for each ounce of opium sold, producing about 1,500 dollars a-month, which is said to more than compensate for losses entailed by the closing of dens.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Societies, which undertook to assist any one to break off smoking, have disappeared, while the missionary hospitals, which were full of patients in the earlier stages of the movement, now take in no more than before the opium question was raised. Nowhere is there registration of smokers, who can buy the drug at any time at any shop selling it.\n\nThe sale of anti-opium medicines continues unabated, showing there must still be many who desire to break off the habit.\n\nThe poppy is but slightly grown in the province, and there has consequently been but little difficulty in restricting cultivation.\n\nAt Chinkiang, in the British Concession, as already reported, all dens were closed, but licences for opium shops for 1908 were not withheld. They are revocable, with compensation, at any moment, and will not be renewed in 1909. The loss of the revenue to the municipality will be considerable.\n\nAt Soochow watch on the dens is less strict. At Nanking cultivation is considerably reduced. The dens remain closed, but there is no inspection or registration of shops. At Kiangyin the dens are now reopened, nominally without the knowledge of the officials.\n\n6 18\n\nO WANTED.", "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": 417921, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 633, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "2\n\nCharacteristics of Opium Smokers.\n\nThere are two main classes :----\n\n(a.) Those smoking it moderately and who consume about 1 drachm a day; and (b.) Those smoking to excess who consume from 4 to 10 drachms a day.\n\nIn the former class, truth compels one to say a very moderate amount of harm ensues. Moderate indulgence interferes very little with a man's business nor does it curtail his life. In other words, it is not a physically harmful narcotic. While alcohol produces destructive changes in most of the organs of the body, and is a common cause of insanity, opium only exercises a functional derangement, and does not produce any changes that can be recognized post-mortem. The majority of smokers in Peking belong to this moderate class, but in the case of a heavy habitual smoker the effects are more pronounced. He has an unstable nervous system; his will power is blunted; his moral nature changed; and he will lie and steal to procure the drug, should it be from any cause withheld from him against his wish. He becomes restless and intensely anxious, depressed, and sleepless, and those symptoms are often followed by a form of dementia with chronic delusions of persecution. This last phase has been observed in many cases in Europe and America, but not to any extent in China so far, for the simple reason that opium takers have not hitherto had any restrictions placed on their consumption. But the other symptoms are well known and can be corroborated by those of us who are brought in contact with the cases of opium smokers who come seeking medical help in their efforts to get rid of the craving.\n\nThere is, however, a serious aspect of the question which does not seem to have been given its proper importance, viz, the national predisposition to the habit. (According to the estimate framed for the enforcement of the Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906, from 30 to 40 per cent, of the population of the Empire are addicted to the use of opium.) Hereditary influence brings about a condition of the nervous system, which, if once subjected to the exciting cause, develops the tendency rapidly. A Chinese child, the offspring of the opium smoking father and mother, and whose ancestors, for generations past, have indulged in opium, is born into the world with a tendency to take up the habit and with body tissues ready to adopt the use of narcotics that are wholly wanting in a European child-the produce of a non-habitual ancestry.\n\nAccurate observation has long since proved that, while in one family there may be a tendency or susceptibility to one kind of disease, another family In China, may display a special capacity for transmitting another form of disease. every day sees thousands of children born, who, from the moment of their conception, have been formed and developed in the tissues of opium-smoking mothers, and who, after birth, are nourished during the first two years of life with milk from the same tainted source.\n\nWe are thus face to face with a national craving, a vice--call it what you will-which, by being allowed to persist so long, bas entered into the constitutions of nearly 40 per cent, of the Chinese people to such an extent that it has established an altered physical condition.\n\nBefore passing to comment on the means devised to carry out the actual suppression it might be well to consider the point that is being drawn attention to more and more daily the recent increase in the numbers of morphia takers. A plentiful crop of anti-opium remedies has sprung up, the majority of which contain morphia. In addition, the number of Chinese who inject morphia hypodermically has increased. Morphia is the crystallized essence of opium. It is the most enthralling narcotic there is. more than fills the gap caused by abstention from opium. A victim to this habit is infinitely more difficult to cure than if he were an opium smoker.\n\nThe history of indulgence in opium smoking in China dates from the reign of the first Ming Emperor (1628-44), when tobacco was prohibited; and the Chinese, feeling the need of some narcotic, after having mixed a certain amount of opium in their tobacco, took to pure opium instead, the use of which soon became most popular. It must therefore be looked upon as an eventuality, far from impossible, that another form of narcotic may supplant the present national habit, and this is all the more liable to occur among those who are being forced to abandon their craving by law.\n\nThe recent sweeping away of the old examination system has been quoted as a precedent to show that there is no need to fear China's ability to also sweep away the opium habit. But the cases are totally different, as in the latter one is dealing with an established physical need--a craving in a man's vital organs which is strong enough to impel the victim to use every means in his power to satisfy it-unless properly dealt with.\n\n3\n\nThe various Imperial Edicts and official warnings that have been issued on the subject have been mainly confined, up to the present, to specifying at various times for closing the sources of the supply of opium, and to stating the limits of time for the abandonment of the habit by those who are victims. Penalties such as degradation from posts of office have been threatened, and, in some cases, have been exacted for non-compliance with the Regulations. The scheme of licensing, which is being tried, to be successful demands a co-operation on the part of smokers which it would be futile to expect a great number of them to give--the lower classes especially, who do not understand the significance of any individual moral obligation. In point of fact, trustworthy reports go to show that, except in a few districts, only a small fraction of smokers have as yet registered themselves and taken out licences.\n\nSo far no hopeful advice has been as yet tendered to the people (at least none that the unofficial and lower classes know of, as I have ascertained by personal inquiry) as to the proper methods of how to stop the habit beyond advising smokers to go into opium refuges or hospitals or to take anti-opium medicines.\n\nMany officials have been able to give up the habit, some have tried and failed and been cashiered in consequence, and some have died in the attempt. The Edicts and Regulations as they stand to-day, as far as they apply to matters other than the growth, import or sale of opium, have done little more than express pious wishes, and they do not touch or affect more than the merest fringe of the opium-smoking public. It is fondly hoped that as the import and growth of opium are gradually stopped, the failure in supply will automatically cause a lessened demand. But this is more theoretic trifling with a problem which must be dealt with in far greater detail and in a much more practical way if any advantage is to be gained from the efforts now being made. In this whole question half-measures are useless.\n\nI now come to the main object of this paper, viz., a consideration of the most practical way in which the Imperial Government can help the people to get rid of the habit.\n\nThe British Government has pledged its word that the supply of Indian opium will diminish pari passu with the diminution in the growth of the native drug. Very little foreign advice is needed by China as to how she can best accomplish this. In passing, however, one may cite the case of Seu Ch'uan Province, where, over twenty-five years ago, the Governor-General tried to stop the growth by posting official Proclamations prohibiting the cultivation, but his efforts passed unheeded, till to-day it is the greatest opium-producing district in China. But, with a frontier 7,000 miles long and a coast-line of 4,000 miles, habitués to the drug need have little to fear in the failure of their supply. The profits on illicit production and sale, the profits of smuggling will require the establishment of a very much larger special preventive force than seems as yet to have been estimated for. Morphia is at present being smuggled in extensively by Europeans and Chinese alike: it is becoming popular among the coolie class at Shanghae, numbers of whom have even taken up their residence in morphia dens (vide Shanghae Annual Health Report of 1907) and yet only 96 oz. of this drug are returned as being the sum total of its import through the Customs for last year? \"In 1800 there was an Imperial Edict issued prohibiting opium from being brought to China in any ship. It was from this time that the more distinctly smuggling period commenced.\" (Vide Dr. Edkin's \"Historical Note on Opium.\")\n\nThis, however, is somewhat beyond my province, and would not be mentioned except to infer from it that the national discontinuance of the habit is not likely to be brought about by failure in supply, and will be at the most a curtailment-temporary diminution which is likely to recrudesce at any moment.\n\nIn my humble opinion, the great point for the Chinese Government to recognize is that its efforts to suppress the habit must chiefly lie in devising means to lessen the demand on the part of the consumers.\n\nDistrict agents from anti-opium bureaux in every town which in turn operate from a central bureau in each province are necessary to cope with varying local conditions and to get in closer touch with the people. Anti-opium societies do not meet the case; they are irregular bodies of men who do not work according to any settled plan, and their efforts could not be relied on, though they should not be discouraged in any way,\n\nTherefore, the first and foremost point to be urged is that the Government should lay before the people a definite and decided plan of treatment showing them how they could get rid of the craving in the best way and with the least inconvenience to themselves. My whole argument is: (1) if you get rid of the demand, there will be no call for a supply; and (2) in order to get rid of the demand, the opium taker must be brought under absolute control for a given period of time,\n\n[1980 c-3]\n\nB 2\n\n629", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417924, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 636, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "**(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)**\n\n## CHINA TRADE\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[35893]\n\n### No. 1\n\n632\n\n[October 14]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nQuestion asked in the House of Commons, October 14, 1908.\n\nMr. Rees, To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Edict of the Chinese Government banning the introduction into and manufacture and sale within the Empire of morphia and hypodermic appliances indicates that the suppression of the use of opium implies recourse to other drugs in place thereof, and whether the Foreign Office is in possession of any information to show that this is the case.\n\nAnswer by Mr. Pease (for Sir Edward Grey),\n\nThe prohibition of the general importation of morphia into China, except on certain conditions, was agreed to by His Majesty's Government in Article 11 of the Commercial Treaty between China and Great Britain of 1902. The stipulation contained in that Article, that the prohibition should only come into force on all other Treaty Powers agreeing to its conditions, has, however, only recently been fulfilled. The Edict has, therefore, no direct connection with the measures adopted for the suppression of the use of opium. Whether the suppression of the use of opium in China, if successfully accomplished, would have, to any extent, the effect indicated in the question is a matter on which my right honourable friend cannot express an opinion. It is not implied in the Edict.\n\n[1980-11]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417937, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 649, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\n(2.) As regards consumption, what proportion of that used by smokers is native or foreign? What is the estimated percentage of the population who smoke? Is the smoking habit increasing or diminishing? What effect do the anti-opium Edicts seem to have produced; is it to be attributed to moral influence, or is it the result of merely official action or pressure, direct or indirect?\n\n(3.) Under manufacture, you may include questions of growth of native opium, its preparation, quality, cost, profit on production, and so on.\n\n(4.) Under morphine, one has to consider its sources of supply, direct and indirect; manner of importation; extent to which used; how obtained from retailers; instruments for subcutaneous use—whence derived, cost, &c.; how drug and instruments are supplied or sold at retail, and by what class of traders. It is under this heading that it will probably be well to consider the question of the extent to which morphine is used in so-called anti-opium remedies.\n\n(5). One of the most important points will be to learn to what extent opium is cultivated in China—what area of each province, actual or proportional, is used for poppy cultivation. Has this area increased or diminished of late years? Are any, and if so what, steps being taken to reduce poppy cultivation? To what extent do they promise to be effective? In what way and by what agency are they being enforced?\n\n(6.) You should send copies of any Proclamation or provincial orders which you can find to have been issued during the past two years regarding all or any of these opium questions. Any suggestions which you have to offer which may appear likely to be useful to the Commission may be added to your Report.\n\n7. I am marking this Circular \"Postal,\" though it is not intended that postal officers in charge at Treaty ports should send Reports in the same way as required from the Revenue Commissioners. As, however, many of our postal officers are, from their position in the interior, in touch with sources of information which Treaty Port Commissioners may not be able to reach, and as many no doubt take an interest in this question such a very important one in Chinese national life—it is open to those away from the Treaty ports to furnish any information they can obtain semi-officially direct to the Statistical Secretary.\n\nIn answering this Circular it will be well to bear in mind Circular No. 964, second series, from which may be derived hints as to the kind of information wanted and the lines on which it should be given.\n\nI am, &c. (Signed)\n\nROBERT E. BREDON,\n\nActing Inspector-General.\n\nCHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[39933]\n\n(No. 464.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\n645\n\n[November 16.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received November 16.)\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, October 21, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that on the 24th September I received a telegram from the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce protesting against the action of the Canton provincial authorities in introducing new Regulations for the control of the trade in raw opium, on the ground that these Regulations aimed at creating a monopoly in the trade, contrary to Treaty rights, and that they seriously affected British interests. Having no information here of the steps about to be taken in Canton, I telegraphed to His Majesty's Consul-General for a report, and learnt from him on the 27th September that he had protested to the Viceroy on the 24th September against the new Licensing Regulations, which, he considered, virtually created a monopoly in the raw opium trade.\n\nIn the absence of more detailed information, I could do no more than represent to the Wai-wu Pu on the 29th September the view which was held locally in regard to the new measures taken by the provincial authorities. The Wai-wu Pu promised to call for a telegraphic report upon the subject, and the result of their inquiries was communicated to me on the 6th October in the note from Prince Ching, of which I have the honour to inclose a translation.\n\nIt appeared from this statement that, in pursuance of the \"Supervisory Regulations\" issued under sanction of the Throne in the spring of this year, of which a translation appears in Appendix C to Mr. Leech's second General Report on the opium question inclosed in my despatch No. 285 of the 24th June, the Viceroy at Canton was proceeding to institute a licensing system for all shops selling raw or prepared opium, and prohibiting the opening of new shops once this registration of existing establishments was completed. The scope of the Regulations was further explained in a telegram from Mr. Fox on the 10th October, transmitting the substance of the Viceroy's reply to his protest. The Viceroy contended that the new Regulations only affected the retail trade, and did not interfere in any way with the wholesale importers. The number of licensed shops had to be limited in order to secure their eventual disappearance, and did not constitute an official monopoly in the trade.\n\nOn the following day I received Mr. Fox's despatch of the 29th September, of which a copy is inclosed, setting forth the grounds upon which he had based his objections to the new licensing rules. These objections were, in effect, that the registration of all opium shops and the limitation of their number to that already engaged in this trade would give a monopoly of business to a small ring of Canton dealers, and that such a restriction contravened the Treaty right of British merchants to carry on mercantile transactions in China with whatever persons they please.\n\nIt seemed to me, however, that while the proposed system of licensing and limitation of numbers might be so worked as to create a virtual monopoly, and would require careful watching, it was difficult to object to it ab initio, since some such measure of restriction must be adopted if the use of opium is to be stamped out, and, moreover, the principle that no new shops should be allowed to open was laid down by the Chinese Government in Article 5 of the original proposals in eleven Articles submitted to the Throne in 1906, as well as in the \"Supervisory Regulations\" of this year. The first of these documents, which formed Annex A to Mr. Leech's Opium Report, has been tacitly accepted as China's programme for the internal prohibition of opium, and, if the Viceroy at Canton carried out his promise to issue a reassuring Proclamation pointing out that his new Regulations only applied to the retail trade, it seemed to me inadvisable to take any further action pending reference to His Majesty's Government.\n\nI accordingly telegraphed to Mr. Fox in this sense on the 14th October, and have since received a communication from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417979, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 691, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[41489]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[November 28.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\nC.0\n\n47047\n\n¡REC\"\n\nReef 23 DEC 08\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 28.)\n\n(No. 445. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nPeking, October 11, 1905, ON the 1st instant, Mr. Hillier arranged with the Board of Communications for a suitable addition to the joint letter, in order to fulfil the conditions mentioned in the postscript to my despatch No. 439 of the 1st instant, and a draft Agreement was initialled by the Board and the two banks on the 3rd instant. After it was definitely settled that a Decree should be issued and signature take place on the 8th instant, M. Casenave was warned from Paris that the political situation in the Balkans might cause some delay on his part, and when transmitting this warning to Mr. Liang Shih-yi, who was much disturbed by it, he managed to obtain a promise that the Chinese Government would take steps to make it known authoritatively to the existing bondholders through the European press that the proceeds of the new loan would be used to retire their bonds. However, his authorization to sign arrived in time, and the Agreement, copy of which is inclosed, was signed at the Board of Communications on the fixed date. I had the honour to inform you of this by my telegram No. 160 of the 8th instant. Last evening I was notified officially of the Decree authorizing this transaction in a note, translation of which is inclosed herewith.*\n\nWith reference to the concluding paragraph of my despatch No. 420 of the 16th ultimo, I have the honour to inclose copies of correspondence communicated to me confidentially by Mr. Hillier,* which would seem to throw some light on the circumstances connected with the change of terms proposed by the Banque de l'Indo-Chine in their telegram of the 8th ultimo.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\n(Translation.)\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nLoan Agreement, dated October 8, 1908.\n\nTHIS Agreement is made between the Board of Posts and Communications, Peking, acting for and on behalf of the Imperial Government of China, under the authority of an Imperial Edict, dated the 11th day of the 9th month of the 34th year of the Emperor Kuang-Hsü (being the 8th day of October, 1908), hereinafter called the Board, on the one part, and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, hereinafter called the contracting banks, of the other part.\n\n1. The Imperial Chinese Government hereby authorizes the contracting banks, either by themselves or associated with others, to issue an Imperial Chinese Government gold loan, in one issue, of the amount of 5,000,000l.\n\nOf the proceeds of this loan the Imperial Chinese Government will employ 80 per cent. in Europe to complete the redemption of certain railway loans; the balance of the proceeds, namely, 20 per cent., will be employed by the Board of Posts and Communications in productive works of public utility coming within the department and functions of that Board.\n\n2. The term of the loan shall be thirty years, and the principal shall be repaid to the bondholders in twenty equal annual instalments of 250,000l. commencing with the eleventh year; but the Imperial Chinese Government, on giving a previous notice of six months to the contracting banks, shall have the right to redeem the whole loan, up to or increase the regular redemption by extra drawings, after the fifteenth year and the twenty-third year, inclusive, by the payment of a premium of 2½ per cent. upon the\n\n* Not printed.\n\n[2030 ee-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417981, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 693, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "4 \n\nprinting of prospectus and bonds, stamp duty and legal fees, shall be borne by the contracting banks. \n\n12. In the event of any extraordinary political or financial crisis in Europe or elsewhere, by which the prices of Chinese, British, or French securities become so seriously affected as to render it impossible to float this loan on the terms herein named, the contracting banks shall have the right to withdraw from this contract, which shall in that case become null and void, subject to any arrangement between the contracting parties for an extension of time. \n\n13. The Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine shall take the loan in equal shares and without responsibility for each other. \n\n14. This Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the 14th day of the 9th month of the 34th year of the Emperor Kuang-Hsü, being the 8th day of October, 1908, which will be officially communicated without delay by the Wai-wu Pu to the Ministers for Great Britain and France in Peking, \n\n15. Quadruplicate sets of this Agreement are executed in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by the Board, one set by the Wai-wu Pu, and one set by each of the contracting banks. \n\nIn the event of any doubt arising with regard to the interpretation of this contract the English text shall rule. \n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this 14th day of the 9th month of the 34th year of the Emperor Kuang-Hsü, being the 5th day of October, 1908, Western Calendar, \n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] \n\nCHINA RAILWAYS. \n\nCONFIDENTIAL. \n\n[42630] \n\n689 \n\n[December 7.] \n\nSECTION 1. \n\n0.0 \n\n47047 \n\nNo. 1. \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received December 7.) \n\nRee? (No. 509.) Sir, \n\nPeking, November 1, 1908 DEC 08 I HAVE the honour to report, with reference to my despatch No. 469 of the 24th ultimo, that in an interview on the 5th instant at the Wai-wu Pu I again pressed strongly for the strict fulfilment of the terms of the Shanghae-Ningpo Railway Loan Contract without delay. \n\nThe Minister present, the Grand Secretary Na-t'ung, stated that after my interview of the 23rd ultimo the Board of Communications had been written to, and as soon as their reply was received a communication would be made to me. \n\nI expressed strong dissatisfaction, and reminded him that the important thing was to repress the local Railway Boards, and make it impossible for them to interfere with the carrying out of the Loan Contract. I said that I had already spoken to the Board of Communications, but they had no power to control these people, and it was for the Wai-wu Pu to move the Imperial Chinese Government to immediate action. There had been too much delay. The funds borrowed on the terms of the Loan Agreement were now being employed by the Board of Communications in violation of those terms, and I had advised the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank to issue no more of the money until a Chief Engineer was appointed and fulfilling his duties. \n\nThe Grand Secretary took note of my remarks, and begged me to rest assured that it was the firm intention of the Chinese Government to see that the Loan Agreement was faithfully observed. \n\nOn receipt of the letter of the 8th instant from Mr. Hillier, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, I telegraphed to you a short statement of the action I had taken in regard to the loan funds. \n\nYesterday morning his Excellency Liang Shih-yi, of the Board of Communications, called and showed me a letter, dated the 27th ultimo, from the Managing Director, Taotai Shih Chao-tseng, the terms of which indicated that the Chief Engineer was being consulted, and was, in fact, performing his duties. I have instituted inquiries on this point through Mr. Bland. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN. \n\nInclosure 1 in No. 1. \n\nMr. Hillier to Sir J. Jordan. \n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, Peking, November 8, 1908. \n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, copy of a letter I have addressed to the representative of the British and Chinese Corporation, proposing that his Board should confer with my bank in London as to what steps it is desirable to take, subject to the approval of His Majesty's Foreign Office, in order to meet the situation created by the unsatisfactory state of affairs now existing on the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway. \n\nI have, &c. \n\n(Signed) E. G. HILLIER, Agent. \n\n[2065 g-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 417988, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 700, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "# 695\n\n## Honan\nIn last Report it was stated that no honest attempt was being made to grapple with the question, but recent reports tell a different story. The area under poppy has been much reduced. Estimates differ, but in some districts the cultivation is placed at only one-tenth of last year's area and in others at one-fifth of the average. The reduction is ascribed to fear of high taxation. The reports also state that less opium seems to be smoked and that fewer shops are open. On the other hand, one correspondent says that in two district cities the opium shops were all closed, but in less than a month, by arrangement with the yamên runners, and in consideration of a monthly payment of some 590 cash they were reopened. All reports agree that anti-opium medicines are on sale, but they add that there are no useful results.\n\n## Kiangsu\nThe progress of the anti-opium movement in this province continues to be well maintained. The provincial authorities have issued orders prohibiting poppy cultivation in Kiangsu after the present year. This will affect the north of the province, especially the Prefecture of Hsü-chou Fu, where opium has been extensively produced. One of the most general statements from the provinces is that no official steps have been taken as regards the registration of smokers. This, however, is now being taken in hand in Kiangsu, and the Taotoi at Shanghae has issued a Proclamation directing all opium smokers within the city to register themselves at the police offices before the 24th October, the penalty for non-compliance being that no unregistered persons will be given licences to purchase the drug when the time comes for their issue. Reports from the centre and north-east of the province state that retail opium shops sell without limit at advanced prices, but this will be remedied when smokers are licensed and their allowances indorsed on their licences. The progress of the movement in large cities like Sonchow is slower than at Shanghae, where there is now a stigma on opium smoking, and where young men shun the opium houses which have in the past been their fashionable after-dinner resorts. There can be no doubt that in Shanghae Chinese public opinion is as strongly as ever in favour of the campaign, and the good effect of the movement is unquestionable.\n\nIn the international Settlement at Shanghae 25 per cent. of the opium houses, which numbered 1,437, were closed on the 30th June, and lots were drawn on the 3rd October for the closing of a second 25 per cent. (350) on the 31st December. The opium houses that survived the first drawing did not benefit from the reduced competition to the extent anticipated. In the French Settlement the opium houses still remain open; but the Council have given notice that the procedure in the international Settlement will be followed in due course. One of the largest and most flourishing of the opium houses in the French Settlement has been voluntarily closed by its proprietor and transformed into a general bazaar.\n\nAlthough the opium houses in the native city of Shanghae are closed, it is stated that opium smoking is carried on surreptitiously in a number of establishments, and it is presumed that the vigilance of the officials has somewhat relaxed.\n\nA report just received from Nanking states that the Governor-General at Nanking and the Governor at Soochow have jointly deputed fourteen officials to proceed to different districts of the Kiangsu Province at the time of the autumn sowing of the poppy to collaborate with the local authorities in seeing that the Regulations as to reducing the area under cultivation are strictly complied with.\n\n## Anhui\nThis province suffers from official apathy. Reports say that the opium-smoking houses are generally closed, at least in the large cities, and that in a few districts a considerable reduction in the area under poppy cultivation has been effected in consequence of uncertainty as to the future and of the fear of heavy taxation. Medicines, whose principal ingredients are either opium or morphia, are very generally sold as a cure for the opium habit. The Regulations regarding the registration and cure of smokers have not yet been enforced. At the port of Wuhu the coolie class are allowed to smoke in straw huts erected on waste land for the purpose. In the north of the province very few traces of any attempt on the part of the authorities to enforce the Regulations are discernible. A correspondent at An-ching, the capital of the province, writes that the places where most smoking is done are the different yamêns, that it is specially noticeable among yamên runners at inns when acting as escorts, and that a good percentage of travellers carry their own opium kits.\n\n## Kiangsi\nIn this province little opium is produced, and the attention of the authorities is occupied with the registration of opium shops and smokers. The bulk of the opium consumed comes from Szechuan and Yünnan. Native importers have, before importation can take place, to report at the official bureau at the place of destination, and have the amount they wish to import indorsed on their registration certificates. They have also to keep registers in which all their transactions must be entered, and the registers have to be produced for inspection at the end of each month. An annual decrease in the import is also provided for. After registration the opium can only be sold direct to the smokers and not to the retail merchants as heretofore.\n\n## Chekiang\nIn last Report it was stated that the official attitude towards opium was one of total indifference, and, as no reports have been received, it may be presumed that no special activity has been discernible. It ought soon to be possible to ascertain whether the order to reduce importation and cultivation has been obeyed.\n\n## Fuhkien\nIn the districts round Foochow there has been a marked reduction in cultivation as compared with last year, correspondents recording diminution of areas ranging from 60 to 90 per cent. In the north and centre of the province poppy in flower was seen in profusion during the spring, but no comparison with previous years is given. In the east very little difference was observable, while in one district an increase was noted.\n\nIn the districts round Amoy, in the south of the province, the authorities are making a determined effort to suppress the growth of the poppy. The Magistrate of one district goes out almost daily to the surrounding villages and forbids the farmers to sow the seed, and he threatens to destroy the crops and confiscate any fields on which he finds poppies growing. He also threatens to remove from office the Elders of any offending villages. In another district the Magistrate has confiscated and destroyed a number of opium pipes. All smoking is now done in secret. The Magistrate has exhorted the people to give up smoking, and has given his underlings under 60 years of age three months in which to relinquish the habit. He has also prohibited the further cultivation of the poppy. In a third district a strong Anti-Opium Committee has been formed, and mainly in response to the efforts of its members the local officials have been stimulated to action resulting in all the opium-smoking establishments being closed. Proclamations have been issued, and, although a considerable amount of illicit smoking continues, there has been a marked decrease in the sale of the drug, and many of the opium shops have given up business. In Amoy itself the Sub-Prefect has issued Proclamations against the cultivation and consumption of the drug, and sees that his orders are carried out. He personally conducts raids on places where opium smoking is going on, on shops, and even, it is said, on private residences. When smokers are caught in the act their apparatus is confiscated and destroyed and they themselves indiscriminately and severely beaten.\n\n## Hupei\nLittle or no real progress is the burden of the reports from Hupei; but it is admitted that there has been a restriction of the area under poppy cultivation. The Hupei Missionary Association presented a Memorial to the Governor-General of Hupei and Hunan in the following terms:\n\n\"The Executive Committee of the Missionary Association, a Society consisting of some hundreds of pastors, teachers, and medical men resident in all parts of the Hupei Province who have come from the various countries of Europe and America and their Colonies, venture most respectfully to address his Excellency Ch'en K'uei-lung to congratulate him on his appointment to the Viceroyalty of the Liang Hu, and humbly to present to him the following Memorial, which shows:\n\n\"That we are deeply interested in all that concerns the welfare of the Chinese Empire and people; not a few of us have lived in China for some decades, and the longer we live here the more we love the country, rejoicing from our hearts in all signs of its prosperity and mourning over all its sorrows and adversities. All of us have seen with great satisfaction the endeavours of your Excellency's illustrious predecessors to advance the cause of education, social progress, and material prosperity among the people of Hupei, and knowing that all true progress must in every country be accompanied by the rectification of moral evil, we have seen with pleasure that in the rules of the various colleges and schools that have been opened of late years the use of opium has been strictly forbidden alike to teachers and pupils, and that in the camps similar rules have been enacted forbidding the use of opium in the army. For nearly two years we have been eagerly watching for the publication throughout this province of the Imperial Edict of the 3rd day, 8th moon, 32nd year, and hoping to hear that the officials of Hupei were vigorously seeking to diminish the sale of opium and morphine and to limit the cultivation of the poppy; but as yet, from all we can see and hear in the various parts of the province in which we live, we have reason to fear that the evil continues with but little abatement. We have learned with deep...", "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": 417996, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 708, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "703 \n\n2 \n\nInform the whole Commission when it assembles at Shanghae as to the Regulations and restrictions in force at present in its own country, and to formulate and discuss proposals for amending such Regulations in points in which they may be found, in the course of the joint inquiry, to affect the production, commerce, use, and disadvantages of opium in the Far East.\n\nSo far as this country is concerned, the sale of opium and morphia is regulated by **The Pharmacy Act, 1868**, copy of which is annexed to this despatch. There are no Regulations in force in this country applying to opium divans—which, indeed, can hardly be said to exist—and, as far as can be ascertained, the practice of opium smoking in Chinese boarding-houses in the East End of London is rather on the decrease than otherwise.\n\nThe position of His Majesty's Government towards British municipalities in the Far East is not generally understood in this country. They are not, as you are aware, subject to the control of the Foreign Office.\n\nAs regards the action of the Shanghae Municipality in respect of the abolition of opium dens which has been criticized, it must be borne in mind that Shanghae is an international Settlement, and though no doubt there is a large British majority on the Council, a matter such as the abolition of opium divans is one which had to be decided not only by the Council but also by the ratepayers, among whom are a large number of people of other nationalities. The municipality has, as you know, undertaken to reduce the opium dens with a view to bringing them to an end in two years, i.e., in the summer of 1910. Chinkiang is the only other British Concession in which commerce in opium existed, and the Municipal Council at once passed a Regulation prohibiting the sale of prepared opium within the limits of the Concession as soon as the matter was brought to their notice.\n\nThe Crown Colonies and British Protectorates which are chiefly concerned in the matters to be discussed by the Conference are Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States, and Wei-hai Wei.\n\nIn the Straits Settlements a Commission has been appointed by the Governor, to investigate the question as affecting both the Colony and the Federated Malay States, and His Majesty's Government expect shortly to receive the views of the Governor and High Commissioner on the opinions and recommendations formulated by the Commissioners. Copies of the Report and evidence are not yet available for your use, but they will be furnished to you at a later date.\n\nThe attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the opium question, with special reference to the opium divans in Hong Kong and the Malay Peninsula, was made the subject of debate in the House of Commons on the 6th May last, when the policy of His Majesty's Government was explained by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. A Report of the debate is annexed for your information. Correspondence is now in progress with the Governor of Hong Kong as to the procedure for giving effect to the Resolution adopted by the House of Commons.\n\nThe accompanying Sessional Paper, published by the Government of Ceylon, contains the Report of a Committee appointed by the Governor to inquire into the importation, sale, and consumption of opium in the Colony, and shows the steps which it is proposed to take in the matter. An Ordinance to give effect to the policy of the Colonial Government has now been drafted, and will shortly be considered by the Legislative Council.\n\nWith a view to assisting the Chinese Government to carry out their policy of restriction, His Majesty's Government informed them in 1907 that they accepted in principle the proposal that the import of Indian opium into China should be diminished by one-tenth annually, *pari passu*, with an equal decrease in the production of the native drug, up to the year 1910, and that they will continue to reduce at the same rate the export in 1911 and subsequent years, on proof that China has carried out its share of the arrangement. With effect from the 1st January, 1908, measures were taken by the British Government in India to restrict the export of opium from India in accordance with this Agreement. These measures will involve a considerable loss of revenue to the British Government in India and to native States in India where the poppy is cultivated, and they will also affect the means of livelihood of a considerable body of cultivators and traders.\n\nIn thus diminishing the export of opium from India to China, and in contemplating the complete cessation of the trade in the course of ten years, the aim and object of His Majesty's Government is to help the Chinese Government not merely to get rid of the import but also of the production and consumption of opium in China itself. The progress which has been made in the different provinces of the Chinese Empire is \n\n3 \n\ndescribed in papers presented to Parliament in February and October of this year (`Cd. 3881` and `Cd. 4316`), and doubtless fuller information will be laid before the Commission by the Chinese Government.\n\nHis Majesty's Government are convinced that the Chinese Government and also many high officials in the provinces in China are in earnest, and are assured that the Chinese Government on their part are greatly impressed by the helpful attitude which has been adopted in the matter by His Majesty's Government.\n\nThe desire of this country is that China should progress, and that the Chinese Government should realize by such measures as you may be able to suggest as the result of your inquiry that in their present opium policy they have the fullest sympathy of His Majesty's Government.\n\nIn the opinion of His Majesty's Government a Commission sitting at Shanghae will be well placed for making a detailed inquiry into facts before the subject of restrictive and repressive measures can be further or profitably considered; and the findings of the Commission on the facts will naturally govern the nature of its recommendations.\n\nAssurances of the co-operation of China have been given in their reply to the invitation of the United States' Government, while their general policy in the matter is evidenced by the desire expressed in various subsequent Decrees to see the Regulations for the gradual suppression of the production and consumption of opium in China and the orders for their enforcement effectively carried out.\n\nThe terms of reference to the Commission which have been suggested by the Government of the United States, while indicating that the principal object of the inquiry is how to assist the Chinese Government in carrying out their declared policy, give to the Commission the fullest latitude, both as regards procedure and scope investigation and recommendation. It is not the desire of His Majesty's Government to place any limitations on your discretion in this respect.\n\nThe manner in which the investigation is to be conducted will be decided upon by the Commissioners after they shall have met, but the terms of the invitation to the Commission make it clear that any conclusions which the Commissioners may reach can only be *ad referendum*, and that each country must decide for itself whether they are applicable to its own possessions and nationals.\n\nI also inclose, for your confidential information, copies of confidential correspondence and of papers bearing on the subject which have been presented to Parliament from time to time, as indicated in the list which accompanies this despatch.\n\nI am, &c. \n(Signed) **E. GREY**\n\n## List of Blue Books\n\n1. China Reports of Committees, 1821-32\n2. China Opium Trade, 1842-56\n3. Opium India and China, 1881\n4. Chefu Convention: Correspondence respecting, 1876\n5. Report of Commission at Hong Kong, 1882\n6. Opium smuggling at Hong Kong. Report of Commission, 1883\n7. Duties on Opium in China, 1885\n8. Royal Commission on Opium, volumes 1-7, 1894–95\n9. Supplemental Report to above, 1895\n10. Mr. Leech's Reports on the results of the Opium Edicts in China\n11. Hertslet's China Treaties, Orders in Council, Regulations, &c., volumes 1 and 2, 1689–1907\n12. Consumption of Opium in Ceylon, 1908", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418012, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 724, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "## Inclosure 1 in No. 1. \n**Prince Ching to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\nPeking, November 14, 1908.\n\nOn the 13th November the following Imperial Decree was received: \"I, the Emperor, have received the Decree of the Empress-Dowager, conferring Tsai Fêng, Prince Ch'un, the office of Prince Regent.\" \n\nIt therefore becomes my duty to transcribe reverently a copy of the Decree for your Excellency's information.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1. \n**Prince Ching to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\nPeking, November 15, 1908.\n\nOn the 14th November the following valedictory Edict was received from His Majesty the Emperor: \n\n\"Having set foot in our childhood upon the throne, as we succeeded to our great heritage in reverent devoutness, we were fortunate to have in the person of Her Majesty the Empress-Dowager, our canopy and protector, a devoted guide who sacrificed laborious nights and days in discharging the duties of Government from behind the curtain (i.e., as Regent). When later, at her decree, we personally assumed the direction of affairs, we looked for guidance to the ancestral precepts of the sacred ones before us, in devotion of our Government and love toward our people, made the fear of Heaven and the example of our forefathers the mainspring of every act.\n\n\"During four-and-thirty years we have looked up to the directions which we have craved from Her Majesty; we have in our day been concerned with a myriad of tasks, in all of which her counsel has been sought. With consciousness of the difficulty of our times, we have selected a middle course between Chinese and foreign rules of Government. We have reconciled the common people with the converts to Christianity. We have developed the establishment of schools. We have set in order the army. We have revised the laws. We have encouraged industry and commerce. We have prepared for the establishment of a constitution in the hope that all within our borders may equally profit thereby in peace and concord.\n\n\"When floods or famine have assailed the provinces and the high territorial officials have asked for contributions of relief or for remission of taxes, in no case has it been refused them. In this year, the Imperial Prefecture, and the Provinces of Chih-li and Manchuria, Hunan, Hupei, Kuangtung, and Fukien have all in turn suffered from disaster, and in each case the sufferings of our people have been borne in upon us so deeply that we have not been able to eat or sleep in peace.\n\n\"Our bodily constitution has always been weak. Since the autumn of last year we have been ill and under the treatment of physicians. But the sensations of fulness in the chest, of nausea, of pains in the loins, weakness in the legs, shortness of breath, together with frequent coughing, have enveloped our whole system and have become daily more pronounced. All our vital forces have been lacking and our maladies have crept on us without interruption. Such has been Heaven's will!\n\n\"But the divine vessel is our chief care, and our foremost duty is to transmit it to worthy hands. Her Majesty the Empress-Dowager has now graciously decreed that P'u Yi, the son of the Regent, Prince Tsai Fêng, shall enter upon the great inheritance and succeed us as Emperor.\n\n“Our Imperial successor is virtuously disposed, and filial, and endowed with bright intelligence. He will not fail to merit with reverence the trust that has been bestowed upon him, and to exert himself continuously with anxious painstaking and diligence in holding steadfast for ever the foundations of our land.\n\n\"Ye Ministers and officers, metropolitan and provincial, civil and military, must cleanse your hearts and rid yourselves of old prejudices in faithful acceptation of the Decrees which have recently been promulgated, which laid down the preparatory steps to be taken year by year, and which must be loyally observed, in order that after the expiration of nine years a Constitution may be declared, and that the completion of the work which we now leave unfinished may afford solace to our spirit in heaven.\n\n\"Let mourning be worn in accordance with the old rule for seven-and-twenty days; and let these our words be published throughout the Empire that all may know.\"\n\nIn communicating the above Decree to your Excellency, I avail, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1. \n**Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\nPeking, November 15, 1908.\n\nI deeply regret to inform your Excellency that on the 14th of this month, at 5 P.M., His Majesty the Emperor departed this life [literally, \"ascended in the dragon chariot to be a guest of heaven\"], to the great grief and sorrow of all his people. Your Excellency has doubtless heard of the sad event, and shares the sorrow of our affliction.\n\nI have the honour to request your Excellency to make the necessary communications to His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1. \n**Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ching.**\n\nPeking, November 16, 1908.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Highness' communication of yesterday's date, informing me of the death of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China.\n\nI hasten to assure your Highness of my respectful sympathy with the sorrow in which your Highness and the Chinese people are plunged by the untimely death of the Sovereign who has guided the destinies of the nation for thirty-four years.\n\nAs requested by your Highness, I have not failed to inform His Majesty's Government of the sad event by telegraph.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n*Translator's Note.* Classical metaphor for the Throne.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418039, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 751, "title": "CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "746\n\nOpium in India and China.\n\nExclusion of opium\n\n2\n\nPacific Coast of the United States, places for opium smoking (\"opium joints\") have been established. Their existence has led to serious evils, and has directed the attention of the authorities to the necessity of limiting the evil by more effective measures of control.\n\n3. In the East the abuse of opium dates back several centuries. In India, where opium is usually swallowed in the form of pills (\"opium eating\"), this vicious habit largely conduced to the inferiority of the native troops, and contributed materially to the British victories of the eighteenth century. In China the vicious use of the drug appears to have begun when the habit of smoking opium was introduced from the Island of Formosa at the beginning of the same century. The Chinese Government, as early as 1729, issued an Edict prohibiting the sale of opium and ordering the closing of opium dens. This prohibition was repeatedly renewed under more and more strict penalties. Nevertheless, the use of opium continued to spread in China. In 1840 the measures taken by the Chinese Government to put an end to the import of the drug at Canton led to a war between China and Great Britain. After a second war, in which Great Britain and France were allied against China, the Chinese Government at last consented, by a supplement to the Treaty of Tien-tsin (1858), to legalize the import of opium. Being thenceforth unable to prevent the introduction of foreign opium, the Chinese authorities allowed their former laws prohibiting the cultivation of the poppy to fall into desuetude. The production of native opium increased year by year, so that in a Report recently prepared by the British Legation at Peking (China No. 1 (1908)), p. 33) the production in China is estimated at about six times the amount of the import.\n\nA century ago the yearly import of opium into China was under 300 tons; there is no reliable evidence that at that time any opium was produced in China. The total annual consumption in China prior to the reforms of the past two years was estimated at over 22,000 tons, of which 3,180 tons came from India.\n\n4. When Japan opened her ports to the commerce of the world she was careful to stipulate, by an Article of her Treaty with Great Britain made in 1858, that the trade in opium should be entirely prohibited, excepting for medical requirements. Japan has always maintained this prohibition under very severe penalties, which are rigorously enforced. The Committee of Investigation appointed by the American Government of the Philippine Islands in 1903 says on this subject in its Report:-\n\nSelf-governing British Colonies.\n\n\"There has been no moment in the nation's history when the people have wavered in their uncompromising attitude toward the drug and its use, so that an instinctive hatred of it possesses them. China's curse has been Japan's warning, and a warning heeded. No surer testimony to the reality of the evil effects of opium can be found than the horror with which China's next-door neighbour views it.\"\n\n5. All the self-governing British Colonies which contain any considerable Chinese population have adopted prohibitive laws against the sale and use of opium, apart from medical requirements. New Zealand in 1901 and Australia in 1901 adopted strict measures against the import and sale of the drug. This prohibitive legislation is due, in both Colonies, to the initiative of the Chinese themselves. Canada has just adopted (July 1908) a similar law, in order to put an end to the opium traffic carried on by Chinese in her ports on the Pacific Coast.\n\nFormosa.\n\nPhilippine Islands.\n\n6. After the annexation of Formosa, where the opium vice prevailed widely amongst the natives, the Japanese Government enacted a law constituting the opium trade a State monopoly. Under this law consumers have to register themselves, and can only obtain the daily dose of opium stated in their certificate of registration. After a certain date, no fresh registrations were to be allowed, so that on the disappearance of the present generation of consumers, the non-medical use of the drug should come to an end. There were, in 1900, 169,064 registered consumers; this number had fallen in 1907 to 113,937.\n\n7. After the annexation of the Philippine Islands by the United States, the American Government was faced by the question of the use of opium. A Committee of Inquiry was appointed, consisting of three members: the Chairman, Major Carter, was the Commissioner of Public Health for the islands; the second member was the Right Rev. C. H. Brent, Anglican Bishop in the islands; the third, Dr. José Albert, a distinguished Filipino physician. The Committee visited Japan, Formosa, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Saigon, Singapore, Penang, Burma, and Java. The recommendations contained in the Report which it presented to the Government are reproduced in Appendix (A).\n\nIn pursuance of these recommendations the American Congress enacted, in March 1905, immediate prohibition of the sale and use of opium to Filipinos, except for medical requirements. The Chinese population of about 70,000 was allowed a period of three years, at the end of which prohibition was to be applicable to it also. A law adopted by the Legislature of the Philippines on the 10th October, 1907, directed that the Chinese consumers should be registered, that only their accustomed daily dose of opium should be furnished to them, and that this dose should be reduced each month by 15 per cent, until it was entirely cut off. On the 1st March, 1908, the day on which prohibition became universal in the Philippine Islands, there remained only some 200 opium smokers in a hospital at Manila and a few more in provincial hospitals. These were soon entirely cured. In those islands prohibition appears to be, as in Japan, complete and effective; only druggists and medical men can obtain opium for medical requirements.\n\n8. In the course of the debate in the House of Commons in May 1906, on the Chinese Resolution mentioned in paragraph 1, the Secretary of State for India, Mr. John Morley (now Lord Morley), intervened to state the position of the Government on this question. He stated that both the British Government and the Government of India would agree to any proposal which the Chinese Government might make in good faith for the restriction of the consumption of opium. This offer was communicated to the Chinese Government by the British Minister at the Court of Peking, Sir John Jordan. On the 20th September, 1906, the Imperial Decree appeared, of which a translation follows:-\n\n\"Imperial Decree.\n\n\"Since the restrictions against the use of opium were removed, the poison of this drug has practically permeated the whole of China. The opium smoker wastes time and neglects his work, ruins his health, and impoverishes his family, and the poverty and weakness which for the past few decades have been daily increasing amongst us are undoubtedly attributable to this cause. To speak of this arouses our indignation, and, at a moment when we are striving to strengthen the Empire, it behoves us to admonish the people that all may realize the necessity of freeing themselves from these coils, and thus pass from sickness into health.\n\n\"It is hereby commanded that within a period of ten years the evils arising from foreign and native opium be equally and completely eradicated. Let the Government Council (Cheng Wu Chu) frame such measures as may be suitable and necessary for strictly forbidding the consumption of the drug and the cultivation of the poppy, and let them submit their proposals for our approval.\"\n\nTwo months later, at the end of November, were published the detailed Regulations for giving effect to the Edict of September, of which a translation is contained in Appendix (B).* It will be sufficient here to give a brief summary. The Regulations begin (Article 1) by directing the suppression of opium cultivation in China within ten years. Governors are to ascertain the acreage hitherto devoted to poppy cultivation in their respective provinces, and to diminish it gradually by one-ninth each year. The local authorities who succeed in completely extinguishing the cultivation before the end of the ten years are to be encouraged and rewarded. Smokers are to be registered (Article 2); those only who have obtained licences will be allowed to purchase the prescribed quantity of opium. Under Article 3 this quantity is to be annually reduced by 20 or 30 per cent., except as regards persons over 60 years of age. Opium-smoking dens are to be closed after six months (Article 4), and existing opium shops are to be closely inspected (Article 5). The preparation and distribution of medicines for the cure of smokers are to be encouraged, provided these medicines do not contain opium or morphia (Article 6). Anti-Opium Societies are to be encouraged (Article 7); the local authorities and gentry are exhorted to take the lead in the anti-opium movement (Article 8). It is strictly forbidden to officials of every degree to smoke opium (Article 9); they ought to give the people an example of abstinence from this vice. Those who are already over 60, and cannot, therefore, give up the habit, will be dispensed with; the rest will be allowed a period of six months to cure themselves. The Board of Foreign Affairs is to enter into negotiations (Article 10) with foreign Powers with a view to ending the import of opium from abroad.\n\n* This refers to the French translation appended to the original Memorial. An English translation, made at the British Embassy in Peking will be found on pp. 4-8 of the White Paper China No. 1 (1908); Correspondence respecting the Opium Question in China.\" It has been reprinted separately by the Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade, 181, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418756, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]", "page_number": 334, "title": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]", "content_text": "C.O.\n\n13122\n\n332\n\nRECR Rece 17 APR 09)\n\ncrusade.\n\nAssociated with the desire to improve the national morality and to put an end to a great Economic Evil which tends to the waste of time and money, there is, I believe, an even stronger motive, which possibly is hardly recognisable even by those who are dominated by it. Formerly, the nation affected a proud disdain of the opinion of the Foreign \"barbarian\". That attitude has of late given place to an acute sensitiveness to foreign criticism, which finds an echo in almost every Edict on the subject. China has learnt that Western nations have stigmatised her as a nation addicted to the opium habit, and she knows of and keenly resents the references by Parliamentarians and others to her alleged degradation, and their proposals to reform her. It matters not that the most careful statistics show that only 2 or 3% of the population smoke; or that of all forms of self-indulgence, opium smoking may be the least injurious to the individual and the least productive of crime, or that its suppression may induce far worse evils. Of these things, the very intelligent Rulers of China must be well aware, but the desire to remove the stigma cast upon her by the West, however unjustly, is a sufficient motive to account for her action. It is for those who have the true interests of China at heart to see that this hyper-sensitiveness does not lead to a state worse than the first, as the suppression of tobacco in the 15th Century is said to have induced the smoking of opium.\n\nThe Edicts which prescribe the means to be adopted for the closing of the divans, the limitation and licence of opium shops, the registration of smokers, and a series of similar palliatives.* These, judging from the reports made to Sir John Jordan, have not been very effective in the Provinces, and even when ostensibly enforced, a means of evasion has been found. The better classes often prefer to buy raw opium and prepare it themselves rather than take out licenses, for, as the Consul General in Canton informs me, the institution of a large board to be carried publicly as a license form is considered degrading, and deters people from registering, but not from smoking. The regulations as a whole are said to have been largely evaded, partly because no effective police machinery exists for enforcing them, partly because of the venality of officials, and chiefly because they involve a loss of revenue to the Provincial Administrations, which they are wholly unable to meet. Until the Government of China, by taking measures to counteract these three obstacles, renders it possible for the Provincial Authorities to enforce the Edicts, measures of this class cannot be taken very seriously,—and at best, they are mere palliatives. Moreover, their enforcement involves the confiscation of vested rights without compensation, and is consequently attended by such injustice as could not be tolerated by a civilized Nation of the West. Some of these methods, such as the closing of divans, and the distribution of anti-opium pills, etc., I shall presently consider.\n\n1.\n\nIt is worth while discussing how far it is possible for China to adopt a system which has proved in practice to be so efficacious a means of restriction. If the system has proved valuable in a British Colony, it is still more likely to be of value in China, which at present cannot, unfortunately, trust her officials to withstand bribery, and does not possess a Police Force sufficiently well organised and reliable to carry out orders regarding restriction. It is, therefore, peculiarly advantageous to China to adopt a system which does not depend for its enforcement upon the adequacy of the machinery of Government, but (with Government assistance), is in the hands of a person whose pecuniary interests are involved. Infringement of the monopoly affects his profits, and hence he is compelled to use means of detecting any infringement. On the other hand, the licensing of individual smokers, of numberless shops for preparation and sale, and other such methods, all lend themselves to venality and are ineffective and irritating.\n\nApplicable only.\n\nAn opium monopoly in China must, of course, be restricted to native-grown opium, which forms part of the total consumed. Not only is China debarred by the treaties of 1842 and 1850 from establishing a monopoly in foreign opium, but since the extinction of import in a period of 10 years has been secured to her, she has no longer any need for desiring such a system. Ten years is none too long a period in which to enable the Indian cultivators, on the one hand, and the merchants on the other, to look round for substitutes to take the place of their\n\n*The Straits Commission state with regard to registration in that Colony—refusal to sell to unregistered persons and refusal to register after a certain date—that it is wholly impracticable where the Chinese population is so large. It interferes unduly with individual liberty, and induces corruption. In the Philippines, the population was small and there was a desire to exclude aliens. Report $ 190-201.\n\nthur J. Jordan 27.11.07 China No. 1 (1038) and 21.5.08 China No. 2 (1908).", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418759, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]", "page_number": 337, "title": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]", "content_text": "334 \n\nThe problem in China. \n\nThe two essential problems. \n\n(a) Restriction of \n\nI have I trust shewn that, so far from having done nothing to assist China, Hongkong is perhaps the only place (until the recent action of India) which has consistently and effectively afforded assistance. \n\nThe sincerity and honesty of purpose of the Central Government and of many of the Viceroys of the eighteen great provinces of China is admitted, but the difficulties,—Financial, Industrial, and Executive—which confront the Provincial Administrations are very great. In dealing therefore with a matter which affects great industrial interests in British India, and the Native States, and the revenues and trade of the Eastern Colonies, it is imperative in justice to those whose industry and trade are affected to proceed gradually and tentatively, and not too far in advance of the steps taken by China, so that the interests of our own nationals may not be sacrificed without corresponding visible and tangible results in China, and we may assure ourselves alike of the permanency of the movement, and of the ability of the Central Government to carry it through in an Empire with so little cohesion as China. \n\nThe two really essential problems, which in my view China has to solve if she intends to carry out her declared intention are:— \n\n(a) The restriction and ultimate abolition of the cultivation of the Poppy in China.‡ \n\n(b) The provision of a revenue to replace that now raised on opium. When these two problems are in a fair way of solution it may justly be said that China has set a Standard which is worthy of emulation, and has proved herself to be in earnest. \n\nAs regards restriction of cultivation. The fact must not be lost sight of that production, of the total quantity of opium consumed in China—estimated at 22,588 tons in 1906*—this is grown in China itself § chiefly in the Province of Szechuan (66% of the total) which is one of the most densely populated of the provinces of China (45 millions) into which no foreign opium is imported, and in which as Mr. Clementi** has shewn, the percentage of smokers is more than double that in the rest of the Empire. Out of her enormous production China in fact (as I have shewn) exports opium to Indo-China ¶ and I believe to Siam, where the consumption shews no decrease † though the King in a manifesto on his birthday declared his desire to restrict it. This is irrespective of the amount illicitly exported which is probably considerable. In Szechuan and Yunnan the cultivation of opium is a great agricultural industry, and its arbitrary abolition would inflict a great injury on the population. In this connection it is of interest to note that Mr. Clementi shews in his translation of the Article on the Poppy from the Chinese Encyclopædia that the plant was known and cultivated in China for medicinal purposes as early as the beginning of the 9th Century, and that the use of opium was probably introduced by the Arabs as early as the middle of the 15th Century. \n\nHow gauge Restriction in China. \n\nRelative to the restriction of cultivation the point naturally arises How is India at the end of the trial period of three years to ascertain whether China has fulfilled her part of the contract and has made a corresponding reduction in the internal production? Since there is no proper survey, and no accurate record of the area under poppy cultivation, and China refuses the assistance of foreign surveyors, it is clear that existing statistics are very nebulous and no exact demonstration of decrease can be expected. The only rough and ready method therefore of gauging whether China has proportionately decreased cultivation during the three trial years, is to judge by the current price of Native Opium in China. If it rises considerably as it must do with a decrease of cultivation, it will be fair to assume that the alleged reduction has really taken place,—allowance being made at the same time for a fall in prices due to decrease of smokers, and decrease of illicit export (which with a rise in price of Native Opium becomes less profitable). I lay stress on the necessity of this rise in the price of opium in China for until its price is on a parity with that obtaining in the Straits and Hongkong, those Colonies are justified in claiming that the restrictive methods of China are less effective than their own, and in resenting the consequential smuggling from China to British territory. \n\nThe Memorial of the Tartar-General of Ninghsia (Official Gazette 17.12.08) frankly admits that Chinese statements regarding the decrease of the habit are untrue. Troops and officials can be made to desist, but the only remedy he says for the populace is to cease cultivation. \n\nChina No. 1 (1908) p. 33. \nSir J. Jordan 27.11.07. China No. 1 (1908). \nSir A. Hosie's estimate—by far the lowest—Sir J. Jordan 27.11.07. China No. 1 (1908). \n** Calculation dated 12.6.08. \n¶ 635,067 lbs. in 1906. [Mr. Leech's report,—Sir J. Jordan 27.11.07. China No. 1 (1903).] 200,437 lbs. in 1907. [Mr. Hardouin's report to Governor-General, Indo-China.] \n† F. O. Annual Series 3909/07, p. 6. \n\nIt would seem that the best way of reducing the area of cultivation is a Poppy Substitutes Tax on all lands devoted to the growth of the poppy, which could be gradually increased until the cultivation became unprofitable. Such a tax already exists in Shansi where poppy land is rated at about three times as high as any other. It also exists in Manchuria. The imposition of such a tax would enable the Government to cheapen transport for crops of less value, and to grant some compensation to poppy growers who take up other crops in lieu of the poppy. \n\nSir A. Hosie estimates that a crop of wheat per acre is worth £4.5.6 as against £5.16.8 for poppy (viz., 26.71% loss)* but there are crops possibly of more value than wheat suitable for poppy land such as tobacco, cocoa, or rubber. Mr. Fox lately Consul in the poppy-growing province of Szechuan says that the tobacco is of high quality, and suggests as substitutes ramie, tea, silk and vegetable oils. It is worthy of note that as food stuffs replace the poppy, the price of food decreases, and with it the perennial scourge of famine from floods etc. and the necessity of the embargo on the export of rice. It would be of benefit to China if an expert agriculturist were to advise as to the most paying substitutes for the poppy. \n\nThe world Supply of Opium. \n\nThe whole subject of opium production is a difficult one. The world requires a large quantity for medicinal purposes, and in order that the countries which produce, or are capable of producing, the drug may guard against its export and use for illicit purposes, it would appear to be necessary that the output should be made a Government monopoly and the Government of the country of consignment notified of all shipments so that it may adopt measures for controlling the sale,—otherwise as Mr. Leech points out, new countries will grow opium when the Indian export is restricted. For China is not the only country which has cause to fear the effects of the misuse of opium, and its derivative morphine. The United States of America, it is said, imports seven or eight times as much as is required for medicinal purposes, and has lately passed a law restricting this import,—as also has Canada. It will be open to the non-producing countries to follow this lead, and by agreement with the countries of origin to control the import for medicinal purposes in whatever way may appear best calculated to guard against misuse, viz., either by a Government Monopoly, or by the institution of a system of permits to authorised wholesale dealers, who may sell only to licensed druggists. \n\nSo far as China is concerned, the bargain with India and the similar restriction of import of Persian and Turkish opium relieves her of all difficulty as regards the part of her consumption which is imported. The remedy for the other which is home-grown is in her own hands. The bulk of the world's supply of medicinal opium comes from Turkey, for Turkish opium contains from 9% to 12% of Morphin as against 4% or 5% in Indian opium. The average export for the last 6 years is 718,327 lbs. and there is at present no Government control. The total export from India is put at 67,000 chests, of which 51,000 goes to China, and will presumably disappear in the course of 10 years. There remains 16,000 chests as India's contribution to the medicinal supply of the world. \n\nrevenue. \n\nAs regards the second of the \"essential problems\" the raising of a revenue to replace that derived from opium, it would be wholly beyond my province to make suggestions in a matter with which the Chinese Government is alone competent to deal. Already in some provinces a Salt Tax has been imposed,—in others fees for permits to buy opium. The land-tax was declared by the Edict of 1713 to be immutable for all time, though our experience in the leased territories of this Colony has shown that it can be increased without hardship. But China \n\nSir J. Jordan 27.11.07 in China No. 1 (1908). \nThe Indian Trade Journal of 12.11.08 states that the cultivation of opium is increasing in Afghanistan and it was imported thence to India for the first time in 1906-07. Quoting Stabl in the Chemiker-Zeitung (68) it adds that in the last 25 years the poppy has replaced wheat in Persia and spread over the whole country. Smokers and eaters now number 20% of the Moslem population. Persia imports from Afghanistan (£9,364 in 03-06). Her exports totalled £346,145 of which £193,061 went to India, and large quantities to Russia and Turkey.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 418764, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]", "page_number": 342, "title": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]", "content_text": "Restriction\n\n14\n\nThus to produce the same narcotic effect 1 grain of injected morphia at a cost of 7 cents = 2334 grs. of smoked opium costing $1.32! The profit to the sellers of these pills is also enormous for they are sold at four times the cost price - 75% profit. There is little occasion for surprise that vendors and purchasers are alike eager to obtain them!\n\nThere is, I rejoice to say, some indication that the Chinese Government are waking up to the danger. \"The Governor of Kiangsu submitted a Memorial to the Throne pointing out that there was some chance of curing opium smoking, but none of curing the morphia habit, since morphia is obtainable at a fraction of the cost. This led to the Edict of July 16th (Times August 22, 08) in which it is decreed that any Chinese subject selling morphia (or making instruments for its use) without a Custom's permit shall be banished to a pestilential frontier of the Empire\". But the facts I have already quoted, and the verdict of those who are in the best position to form an opinion, show that the steps taken have so far been ineffective, and that smokers are becoming eaters or morphia injectors.\n\n$1\n\nWhile evils such as these are imminent in China, which contains so large and intelligent a proportion of the human race, it is time that the conscience of the Western Nations was touched, and that their efforts should be directed towards the real issues, which concern alike their honour and China's welfare, and I earnestly wish that those who so disinterestedly devote themselves to the eradication of opium smoking would turn their attention to this terrible evil and be content with Regulation and Control of Smoking.\n\n*\n\nIn Hongkong, a strict control is maintained over the sale of morphine and of Morphine Opium compounds. The quantity imported for local consumption for 1906 and in Hongkong 1907 averaged 5,000 lbs. of the latter. In order to enhance the price, every person licensed to sell has to pay Royalties to the Opium Farmer, so that all the machinery at his disposal for detecting illicit import and sale is brought into play. Licenses are only granted to qualified Chemists of repute and to such Chinese Druggists as had vested interests in the trade before the introduction of the Legislation. If the business changes hands, the licenses are not renewed. Licensees are required to keep books recording all sales and to issue certificates to all purchasers. Several of these licenses to Chinese vendors have lately been cancelled for breach of the regulations, and it is proposed not to renew the remainder after one year's notice.\" At present, exemption is only granted to certain well-known medicines prepared in Europe or America (specified in a schedule) and to all prescriptions made up on the order of a qualified medical practitioner. Representations have been made by the Chamber of Commerce and by one of the large European druggists complaining of the restriction on trade, and claiming exemption on all preparations in which opium or morphia is not the sole ingredient, but this would defeat the object in view, viz., to check the sale of the so-called \"anti-opium\" pills containing morphine, etc. To limit the quantity of opium or morphia contained in a pill would obviously be futile, for several could be taken to produce the result desired. If it should be possible, I should wish to prohibit the sale of all pills, powders, or draughts (except on the prescription of a qualified medical officer) which contained opium or morphia, unless in combination with some other drug in such proportion that it would be disagreeably operative - say an aperient or an emetic - if the pills were consumed for non-medicinal purposes. The transmission by post of opium, morphine, or cocaine is prohibited, and it is also proposed to abolish the bonded warehouse for compounds of opium and morphine hitherto maintained by the Farmer and to retain a Government warehouse only. The question is at the present moment under the consideration of the Government.\n\nThe drastic Ordinance of September 1893 \"for the suppression of the pernicious practice of injecting preparations of morphine by unqualified persons\", together with the provisions of the \"Prepared Opium Ordinance\" which imposed Royalty of $30 per tael for morphia (300% ad valorem) and $5 for opium, † have been so effective in restricting the illicit use of these drugs, that whereas in the Straits Opium Report Hon. Dr. Galloway stated that 39 out of a group of 595 prisoners taken at random (viz., 6.4%) bore injection scars, only one person so scarred was on a recent examination found in the whole of the inmates of both hospitals and gaols of this Colony.\n\n* The Straits Commission endorse these views: Morphia they say has an infinitely greater compelling power over the subject, and an infinitely greater deleterious result (Report § 114). It is easier to smuggle, and the prohibition, or the too great enhancement of price of opium, would increase morphia consumption (Report § 256).\n\n† Ordinance 15 of 1906 and subsequent Amending Ordinances. Report Vol. 1, p. 10.\n\n15\n\nIn June 1908, a Pharmacy Ordinance was enacted under which morphine and cocaine and their preparations were scheduled as Poisons with further restrictions as to their wholesale and retail use. In view of the experience of India, cocaine (though not at present abused here) was made the subject of elaborate regulations of a similar nature to those already in force regarding morphine and opium compounds, in order to control the wholesale trade and prevent illicit import to China.\n\n339\n\nA decoction of the leaves of the Combretum Sundaicum has been stated to be a cure for the opium habit. The Director, Botanical Department, Singapore, informs me that it is a complete fraud which only lasted three months, during which time the promoters made great gains. The only man he knew who tried it became a wreck - took to opium again and died. This was confirmed by the results obtained by the Viceroy of Szechuan, who imported a great quantity at the instance of Mr. Alexander.*\n\nThe education of public opinion, on which both the Straits Commission and M. Hardouin lay stress, is the only real method of curing the habit, the more so that it is usually the rich who smoke to excess. This view is rightly emphasised in the original decree, and there seems little doubt that throughout the Chinese Empire, among the better classes, there has been a very real progress in this direction. Smoking is now prohibited in the Army, Navy, and Civil Services, and in schools and colleges. The evils of the opium habit should be inculcated in every school, not only in China, but in the Foreign Concessions and British Colonies. But above all, stress should be laid on the evils of eating opium and of eating or injecting morphia, and also on the misuse of alcohol.\n\nIt may be of use to restate the facts as to the prevalence of opium smoking. Sir John Jordan gave it as his opinion that only 8,000,000 (say 2%) of the population of China were addicted to the habit.** Sir Robert Hart, I believe, estimated it (in 1881) at a much lower figure. Dr. Ayres states that the Chinese Customs returns estimate the number of smokers to population in China at 2% (1893) - probably referring to Sir Robert Hart's estimate. Mr. Clementi, in a recent elaborate and very careful calculation, puts it at considerably less than 2% for the whole of China, but 4.4% in the province of Szechuan, where purely native opium is smoked, while in Hongkong, where the adult male population (who alone smoke) is three times that of the adult females (while the latter predominate in China), the percentage of smokers is 6.25.\n\nThese figures are challenged by a paper named Chinese Opinion, which argues that it is only the adult male population which should be reckoned, and works out a percentage of 8.31. Mr. Clementi's figures for adult males are, however, more liberal, being 12.94 for Hongkong only. As the population of China is largely rural, the lower estimate is probably more correct, and allowing for a proportion who smoke less than the amount calculated (though this again is probably more than balanced by the excessive smokers), it will probably be approximately correct to say that not more than 1.5% of the total population smoke opium, and not more than ten per cent of the adult males are smokers, - a large proportion of whom are only casually addicted.\n\nIt has been stated that great difficulty is experienced in giving up the habit, but in the Hongkong gaol, the drug is entirely prohibited, with no ill results beyond a little temporary diarrhoea.\n\nI have attempted in the foregoing paragraphs to show that those who may claim to be not less interested in the question of the Native Races, and in the welfare of the intelligent, industrious, and most interesting population of China...\n\nSee also Straits Opium Report §297. I have endeavoured to ascertain whether there is any substance which could be mixed with opium (whether sold medicinally or for smoking) which would render it impossible to use it for self-indulgence in eating, by producing nausea or other deterrent effects. I have not, however, so far been able to discover any such method of denaturing the drug. The Government of Java, which has an Opium Monopoly, mixes some substance with the opium prepared for smoking, by which its own brand can be immediately detected, though the flavour is not spoilt; they decline, however, to disclose the nature of the ingredient. Lithium carbonate (5 grs. to 100 lbs. of opium) will, however, serve the purpose required. It is entirely harmless and does not impair the value for smoking.\n\n† Art. IV of Decree. Sir J. Jordan 26.11.06. China No. 1 (1908).\n\n** Sir Jordan 30.9.06 China No. 1 (1908). Indian Opium Commission, Vol. V, p. 193.\n\nSee also Dr. Ayres' report. Indian Commission Vol. V, p. 193.\n\nStraits Commission §267.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 420092, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9]", "page_number": 638, "title": "CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9]", "content_text": "Y golo P Y.\n\nEnclosure 2.\n\n629\n\nHongkong, 18th September, 1909.\n\nabout male unbelievables or minor edict away 1\n\n# 57100 *ie,orssant desk site\n\n** t\n\no 38es .03 1420I go to\n\n** sofV:0 mkono't ons of hergotrwano Val T Holder to\n\nnorbamë as seû nila \"thrs. 1:00 tengt edo bae uffral\"\n\n-5bbenos trufe hieste is I tais bha ya I\n\nto notesah, tỷ be wha, sed heerso nd fly son tæeranot! SIdA-\n\nalgeb suo to 8troqɛns) TRONG DA, e noi¿ærogros ratranon\n\nuso * axshirt uo oytma vnofol ente da vata\n\nbat: mm, zasi siit ti aeth Ieneves herequsuf\n\nduas po\" A\n\n.Ivano ma ref. fet su\n\neldenroutoff e\n\nt\n\nnozuox? M .A „NI\n\nMonsieur le Secrétaire Colonial,\n\nPar votre lettre du 16 de ce mois portant\n\nle No. 2938/09 et qui répondait à celle que j'ai eu\n\nl'honneur de vous adresser le 12 Septembre, vous avez bien\n\nvoulu me faire connaître que c'est intentionnellement et\n\nd'après des instructions du Gouvernement Britannique, que\n\nles précédents règlements relatifs au débarquement des\n\néquipages des navires de guerre étrangers, ont été modifiés,\n\nle Gouvernement de Sa Majesté considérant que \"les\n\nseules fonctions légitimes d'un Consul étranger dans ses\n\nrapports avec l'Administration coloniale sont celles qui\n\nse rapportent au bien-être de ses nationaux en tant\n\nqu'individus\" et que \"les demandes dont il s'agit ne\n\nrentrent pas dans la catégorie (d'affaires) faisant\n\nl'objet desdits règlements\".\n\nJ'ai constaté avec satisfaction que le\n\nGouvernement de Hongkong n'est pour rien dans une modifica-\n\n-tion qui porte selon moi, la plus sérieuse atteinte aux\n\ndroits et aux prérogatives des Consuls et qui tend à\n\ndiminuer, même aux yeux de leurs propres nationaux, la\n\nsituation officielle qu'ils occupent régulièrement en\n\nvertu de leurs exequaturs et des instructions de leurs\n\nGouvernements.\n\nLe soin \"du bien-être de leurs nationaux en\n\ntant qu'individus\" n'est, ainsi que vous le savez, que\n\nl'un des devoirs très-nombreux et très-divers qui incombent\n\naux Consuls et bien souvent même, c'est l'un des moins\n\nimportants parmi ces devoirs.\n\nJe n'ai d'ailleurs pas à discuter ici ce point de vue, mais je dois néanmoins appeler dès aujourd'\n\n-hui votre attention sur les inconvénients sérieux qui ne\n\nmanqueraient pas de résulter dans la pratique, de\n\nl'application", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 420508, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11]", "page_number": 398, "title": "CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11]", "content_text": "COPY.\n\nHon.Mr. E.A.Hewett,\n\nChairman,\n\nHongkong General Chamber of Commerce.\n\nHongkong,\n\n29th September, 1909,\n\n395\n\nSir,\n\nWe have the honour to bring to your notice the fact that the opium regulations that the Kwangtung Authorities attempted to bring into force last year and which through the energetic action of H.B.M's Minister were promptly withdrawn, have again been revived. It is needless to trouble you with a recital of the details as same are very fully set forth in a letter to Mr. H.H.Fox, H.B.M's Acting Consul General at Canton dated the 23rd September, 1908, and to the Colonial Secretary of Hongkong dated the 9th December, 1908, which appeared in the report of the Chamber of Commerce for last year. Recently the Kwangtung Authorities, contrary to the undertaking given by the Wai-Wu-Pu to H.B.M's Minister, that the Regulations would apply to native opium only, have taken definite action by imprisoning a partner in the Chuen Cheong Opium Hong in August last and subsequently closing up the shop. Mr. H.H.Fox has been actively engaged in endeavouring to prevent this arbitrary enforcement of the regulations, but has been unsuccessful and has had to refer the matter to H.B.M's Minister at Peking.\n\nThe Viceroy at Canton in a despatch to Mr. Fox, while ignoring the various arguments placed before him, states that it is the duty of the Chinese Government to carry out the edicts with the utmost energy 'as the Foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance' and furthermore", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 420512, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11]", "page_number": 402, "title": "CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11]", "content_text": "The Bureau had discovered that ten or more of the raw opium shops had been obeying the regulations, and were willing to carry out these precautionary measures, but two shops, the Chuan Fu ch'eng and the Ch'un Fu Hsing, relying on their comparatively large capital, had attempted to monopolise the trade. Their arrest by the Police Officials was supported by conclusive proof, and the sentence imposed on them to stop business, which was reported to and approved by the Acting Viceroy Hu, was a measure of exceptional clemency. The man Liang Hei Hou, who was arrested, was the manager of the shop in question, and the intention of the Police was merely to obtain from him the licence of the shop for cancellation, when he would be released. The owner of the shop, however, in a reckless manner, was making delays and remained in hiding. The measures that had been taken were those laid down by the regulations for the punishment of recalcitrant raw opium shops, and were in no way the concern of foreigners.\n\nThe raw opium shops numbered over twenty and all were carrying on their business as usual. No dislocation was being caused to the trade of either Chinese or foreign opium merchants. The Officials of the Bureau further remarked that the Imperial commands for the prohibition of opium had been in force for three years and that confirmatory edicts had repeatedly been received. The whole nation had received these edicts in an obedient spirit, and the Foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance. It was therefore their duty to carry out their instructions with the utmost energy, for the whole principle of controlling opium would be defeated, were individuals to be allowed to buy opium without a licence or opium dealers to sell to such persons. It would also be impossible to second in a worthy manner the friendly assistance of foreign kindly disposed powers.\n\nWith regard to the increase in price of prepared opium there...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421219, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 8, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[43872]\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### SECTION 2.\n\n**(No. 525.)** Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 16.)\n\nPeking, November 24, 1908.\n\nTHOUGH many of the Decrees which have been issued in the first week of the infant Emperor's reign have little bearing on foreign relations, it has occurred to me that in the singularly abnormal circumstances a rapid review of those which have not been inclosed in my preceding despatch may be of some interest.\n\nThe irregularity of Kuang Hsu's succession was explained fully in Sir Thomas Wade's despatch No. 14 of the 19th January, 1875, and it will be sufficient to recall that His Majesty's death without offspring left his predecessor, Tung-chih, also heirless. Decree of the Empress Dowager, dated the 14th November, ordained that the present Emperor, her grand-nephew, should by adoption continue the line of Tung-chih, her son, as well as that of Kuang Hsü, her nephew.\n\nFollowing the death of Kuang Hsü it became necessary to designate his widow the \"Empress Dowager,\" and to make room for this the title of her aunt was exalted to that of \"August Empress Dowager\" by a Decree of the Emperor issued on the 15th November. On the same day Decrees of the August Empress Dowager appeared, handing over the reins of government to the Prince Regent, and appointing four Imperial Princes and four high officers of the Central Government, amongst whom were the two Presidents of the Wai-wu Pu, Na-tung and Yuan Shih-k'ai, to superintend the funeral of Kuang Hsü. The significance of Her Majesty's act of devolution was disclosed in a later Decree of the 15th November—the last executive utterance apart from the traditional valedictory Edict—in which it was plainly indicated that she felt herself at death's door, and desired that Kuang Hsü's widow should, in a measure, take her place in the future conduct of the government.\n\nThe Emperor's Decrees of this day were mere formal documents altering the mode of writing the second Chinese ideograph of his personal name in accordance with the national taboo, and absolving the chief officers of State employed outside the capital from the sacred duty of paying the last mark of respect to the remains of Kuang Hsü.\n\nThe Empress Dowager's death brought forth, on the 16th November, regulation Decrees appointing the same number of Princes and statesmen as in the case of Kuang Hsu to attend to the obsequies of Her Majesty, and also relieving the high provincial officials from the obligation to come to Court. To these were added two Decrees ordering the strictest guard to be kept on the Palace gates and forbidding any one to sleep in the precincts except the officers and servants on duty, these precautions being no doubt invoked by persistent rumours of the presence of revolutionaries in Peking. Members of the Empress Dowager's own family were commanded to wear full mourning for 100 days, the period of national mourning being twenty-seven days only.\n\nA eulogy of Kuang Hsu was issued in a Decree of the 17th November, in which the principal achievements of his reign are enumerated, ending in the preparation for a constitutional Government, and orders are given for the composition of a suitable dynastic title. Other Decrees commanded Prince P'u-lan and Chrên Pi, President of the Board of Communications, to select a site for Kuang Hsü's tomb in either the East or West Mausolea of the Imperial Family, and, after ancient precedents, degraded the physicians who were treating His Majesty up to his death.\n\nThe most important Decree of the 19th announced the style of the new reign, Hsian-t'ung, which will not come into general use till the beginning of the new Chinese year, all documents being until then dated in the 34th year of Kuang Hsii. The style usually has some dynastic meaning apart from the sense of the characters, and I am informed by Chinese that in this case the ideograph \"Hsian\" is probably part of the dynastic title of Hsien-fêng, the present Emperor's grandfather, and “tung\" may be translated \"succession\" or \"line.\"\n\nTwo Decrees dealt with the question of mourning, the Princes and Ministers urging ...\n\nPage 1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421220, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 9, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "the difficulties of carrying out the ancient law of three years' mourning, and the Emperor refusing to release himself from it, and named the Princes of the Blood, Mongol Princes, and high Chinese statesmen who were entitled to the distinction of sharing in some of the 100 days' mourning, all other Princes and Ministers being ordered to wear mourning for twenty-seven days only and to burn the garments when discarded. Kuang Hsü's concubines were raised in rank by special Decree, and each of them was granted an allowance of 500 taels (`601`) a month for life. A characteristic note was introduced by the publication of a telegraphic Memorial of Tong Shao-yi proposing to alter the third ideograph of his own name, which happens to be identical with the second of the new Emperor's, to another ideograph of the same sound, and inquiring whether any change was to be made in the Imperial letter he was bearing to President Roosevelt.\n\nOn the 19th November appeared a long panegyric of the life work of the August Empress Dowager. Every important achievement or reform in the two reigns of Tung Chih and Kuang Hsü (1861-1908) is laid to her credit, and her claims to a place in Chinese history surpassing the most famous Empresses of past dynasties are set out with the customary rhetoric. This classic composition winds up with a command to the Grand Secretariat and the various Boards to consult together as to the posthumous title to be bestowed on Her late Majesty.\n\nAnother Decree of the 19th permitted the Mongol Princes and Nobles in attendance at Court to join in the obsequies, released those not at Court from the obligation to come, and remitted the tributary presents due from Mongol Chieftains during the present year.\n\nFuneral rites on a scale of exceptional grandeur were ordered for the Empress Dowager in a Decree of the 20th November, and the tomb which has been in preparation for Her Majesty at the Eastern Mausolea for thirteen years past, and which has lately been completed, was given an official name. It may be mentioned that the importance attached to Imperial places of sepulture was shown as usual by the threefold elevation of the ideographs of which the name was composed. That there was some opposition in the Imperial Family to the changes made in the headship of the Government is evident from another Decree of the 20th November, which quoted the earlier mandate of the Empress Dowager conferring supreme control on the Prince Regent, and enjoined strict obedience thereto by the Princes of the Blood, whose duty it was to set an example to the nation. This was followed by a severe general Ordinance against revolutionaries and disturbers of the peace, which was provoked probably by the mutiny in Anhui, reported in my telegrams to you Nos. 190 to 193 of the 21st, 23rd, 24th, and 25th instant respectively.\n\nI have the honour to inclose, for your information, précis translation of the Decrees referred to in the preceding summary, and I also transmit copy of an interesting note by Dr. G. Douglas Gray, physician to the Legation, on the medical facts and circumstances attending the deaths of the Emperor and Empress. A crop of rumours of foul play in one or other case was to be expected, but in all the information which has reached me I can discern nothing upon which to ground a belief that either the Emperor or Empress died from other than natural causes.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n### Translations of Imperial Decrees, November 14 to 20, 1908.\n\n#### Further Decree of the Empress Dowager, November 14, 1908.\n\nWHEREAS the Emperor Mu Tsung Yi (T'ung Chih) died without issue, an Edict was published on the 12th January, 1875, commanding that if a son should be born to the Emperor Kuang Hsü he should be regarded as the heir of the Emperor Tung Chih.\n\nNow the Emperor Kuang Hsü is also deceased without issue, and no other course remains but to take P'u Yi, son of the Prince Regent Tsai Feng, as the adopted heir of the Emperor Mu Tsung Yi (Tung Chih), and at the same time as the successor of the late Emperor.\n\n#### Imperial Decree received by the Grand Secretariat, November 15, 1908.\n\nWe, the Emperor, having entered upon the great inheritance, our revered grandmother, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, shall henceforth be honoured by the appellation of the August Empress Dowager, and our mother by adoption, Her Majesty the Empress, by the appellation of Empress Dowager. Let the proper Department examine the Statutes and inform us by Memorial of the forms and ceremonies necessary under such circumstances.\n\n#### Further Decree of the Emperor.\n\nWe have received the following Decree from Her Majesty the August Empress Dowager:-\n\n\"The Prince Regent Tsai Feng is now commanded to control the State. Let the Grand Secretariat and the various Boards and metropolitan Departments consult together respecting the ceremonies.”\n\n#### Decree of the Empress Dowager, November 15, 1908.\n\nThe Princes Li Shih To and Jai K'uei Pin, Na Yen Tu, Prince of the Khalkhas, Tsai Tse, Imperial Duke of the First Degree and President of the Board of Finance, the Grand Secretaries Shih Hsu and Na-t'ung, Yuan Shih-k'ai, President of the Board of Foreign Affairs, Pu Liang, President of the Board of Rites, and Chi-lu and Tsung-ch'ung, Comptrollers of the Imperial Household, are ordered to reverently perform the mourning rites and to make all arrangements connected therewith.\n\n#### Decree of the Empress Dowager, November 15, 1908.\n\nYesterday a Decree was issued specially commanding the Prince Regent to superintend the State, and instructing that all military and Government affairs whatsoever should be executed in obedience to our advice, instructions, and decisions. I am now dangerously ill and fear that I cannot recover. Hereafter let the Prince Regent take the decisions in military and Government affairs. In matters of gravity in which he must request a Decree of the Empress Dowager (Consort of the Emperor Kuang Hsü) the Prince Regent will take Her Majesty's pleasure in person.\n\n#### Decree of the Emperor, November 13, 1908.\n\nBy a Decree of the Emperor Hsuan Tsung Ch'eng (Tao Kuang), issued in the 3rd month of the 26th year of his reign (April 1846), it was ordained that the use of the two characters forming the personal name of the Emperor should not be entirely forbidden, but that thereafter, on the accession of a new Emperor, the first character of his personal appellation should remain in use unaltered and that the question of what strokes should be omitted in the formation of the second character should be decided when the occasion arose. It was directed that this should be the invariable rule.\n\nIn obedience to the will of our illustrious ancestor, we direct that the first character of our present name shall continue to be written as heretofore, and that as a mark of reverence a stroke shall be omitted from the second character, which shall hereafter be written thus (*). This enactment does not apply to books printed prior to the issue of the present Decree.\n\n#### Further Decrees of the Emperor, November 15, 1908.\n\nOn the occasion of the death of the Emperor Mu Tsung Yi (Tung Chih) in the fifteenth year of his reign (1875), His late Majesty, following the precedent already established, absolved the officers in the provinces—Tartar-Generals, Governors-General, Governors, Commanders-in-chief, Brigade-Generals, Provincial Treasurers, and Judges, as well as Salt Commissioners and Superintendents of Customs and of Imperial Manufactories—from the duty of coming to the capital to pay their respects to the Imperial...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421240, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 29, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## 2\n\nhad been signed between the Managing Director and Mr. Foord as Engineer-in-Chief of this railway, and that in their letter of the 14th October, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. allege that Mr. Foord's agreement is still unsigned. In reply to a question, the Peking agent ad interim of the Corporation has sent me the inclosed letter upon the discrepancy between these two statements, but his explanation is not quite satisfactory, and I have asked him to make further inquiries.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## 3\n\nThe Chinese appear oblivious to the condition of affairs, and satisfied that they are constructing a first-class railway, so that no representations to the local Railway Companies are likely to have any effect, and, unless the Central Government can be induced to place the Managing Director and Engineer-in-Chief in possession of their proper and respective powers and functions, nothing but chaos can result in connection with the construction and equipment of this railway.\n\nWe trust that you will be able, with the kind assistance of Sir John Jordan, to place this matter in such a light before the Chinese Government that steps may be taken to remedy the present position of affairs.\n\nWe are, &c. \n(Signed) JARDINE, MATHESON, AND Co.\n\nDear Sir,\n\nInclosure in No. 1.\n\nMessrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. to Mr. Bland.\n\nShanghae, October 14, 1908.\n\nShanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway.-For the information of the British Minister and your good self we think it advisable to lay before you the present unsatisfactory position of affairs on this railway, where, so far, practically no attempt has been made to proceed with the construction of the line, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement, notwithstanding that the conditions of that document were relaxed to the furthest possible extent to meet the views of the Chinese Government.\n\nManaging Director.-Taotai Shih Chao Tseng (\"Sze\") has not been accepted at all by the Kiangsu Railway Company, and his appointment is only partially acknowledged by the Chekiang Company, the President of which latter line refuses to accept him \"officially\" until the Board of Communications has duly confirmed his appointment. It appears evident that, although the Board communicated Sze's appointment to the Corporation as far back as the 7th August, they have neglected to invest him with the necessary authority vis-à-vis the local Railway Companies. Managing Director Taotai Shih Chao Tseng is thus an absolute nonentity under existing conditions.\n\nEngineer-in-Chief.-Mr. Foord's agreement remains unsigned, and that gentleman has been left idle in Shanghae, with the exception of one short trip over the proposed route of the line between Hangchow and Ningpo.\n\nOne month's salary has been paid to Mr. Foord by the local office of the railway in Shanghae, but beyond this practically no notice has been taken of him.\n\nThe Kiangsu Railway Company has so far refused to have anything to do with Mr. Foord, while the Chekiang Company appears to look upon him more in the light of a consulting engineer (to be consulted when they like), and it is evidently not the Railway Company's intention to allow him to interfere in the construction of the line more than can be avoided.\n\nMeanwhile, the Chekiang Company has an engineer of its own in the person of a nondescript Greek, in whom considerable confidence is reposed, and this individual is further intended to act as a check on Mr. Foord and a counterpoise to the machinations of the Corporation.\n\nFinance. No loan funds have yet been made available to the Board of Communications, or by that Board to the Railway Companies, although the Board undertook (vide Edict of the 15th April) to pay a first instalment of 800,000 taels over to the railway before the 6th instant.\n\nA considerable number of shareholders are still averse to making use of foreign capital, and propose to leave the proceeds of the loan on deposit, in some bank, and utilize the interest thereon to pay that on the loan, continuing the construction of the railway with Chinese capital.\n\nConstruction. The construction of that part of the railway which has already been completed is exceeding bad and elementary. Not only will the greater part of the line have to be relaid, at no distant date, but, in the meantime, traffic thereon can only be attended with great risk owing to instability of the track and the bad material made use of.\n\nRolling Stock. The little rolling stock acquired is of various patterns, and has no competent or responsible official to care for it: the result is obvious.\n\n*Not printed.* \n28", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421271, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 60, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# Gentlemen,\n\n2\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Acting Consul-General Fox to Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co.**\n\nCanton, October 19, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to my previous letter of the 1st instant, I now beg to inclose, for your information, translation of a note which I have received from the Viceroy in reply to my protest on behalf of the Hong Kong opium merchants against the enforcement of the Regulations complained of in your joint letter of the 23rd September.\n\nHis Excellency points out that the licensing of shops for the sale of raw opium is a measure which is only in accordance with the Regulations drawn up by the Central Government for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, while the issue of licences to smokers is in accordance with established local procedure.\n\nHis Excellency explains that the Regulations apply only to retail dealings between the smoker and the opium shops, and that there will be no interference with the freedom of the wholesale business carried on between the native shops and the British importing firms. His Excellency deprecates any intention on the part of the authorities to create a monopoly, official or otherwise, and adds that he has issued orders for a supplementary notification to be issued clearly differentiating between the contemplated measures so as to remove any possible misapprehension.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister, to whom I referred the correspondence with regard to this question, informs me by telegram that he is inclined to doubt whether the Regulations as they stand at present can be regarded as establishing a monopoly. It is, however, conceivable that a virtual monopoly might be created, and the working of the system will have to be carefully watched.\n\nUnder the circumstances, in view of the Viceroy's assurances and in deference to the opinion of His Majesty's Minister, I do not propose at the present moment to take any further action in the matter, but will confine myself to watching carefully the working of the system so as to be ready to detect at the outset any tendency towards the creation of a monopoly. To this end I shall be glad if you will assist me with any observations which you may have to make from time to time.\n\nI am, &c. \n(Signed) \nR. H. FOX.\n\n3\n\ncreating an official monopoly, and there is therefore no analogy with the attempted monopoly at Nanking, which was withdrawn under instructions from the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nI have now instructed the provincial authorities to issue a fresh Proclamation, differentiating clearly between the Regulations concerning the limitation and registration of licensed raw opium shops and the established precedents in Canton respecting prepared opium licences. Each matter will be dealt with separately and confusion avoided, that any misapprehension on the part of the British merchants in Hong Kong may be entirely removed.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n**Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\n(Seal of Viceroy.)\n\n(No. 63.) Sir,\n\nCanton, November 16, 1908.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 53 of the 20th October, and with reference to your despatch to the Foreign Office No. 464 of the 21st October, 1908, on the subject of the new Regulations for the control of the raw opium trade, I have the honour to inform you that the promised Proclamation, defining the scope of the new Regulations, has not yet been issued.\n\nI learn from Mr. Wei Han, the Viceroy's senior Secretary, that in all probability no further Proclamation on the subject will appear, as his Excellency has decided not to proceed with the registration of raw opium shops for the present, but will confine himself to enforcing those clauses in the Licensing Regulations which apply to the registration of smokers and the control of prepared opium shops.\n\nUnder these circumstances I do not propose, pending the receipt of further instructions from you, to press for the issue of the Proclamation above referred to.\n\nI shall have early notice of any steps that may be taken with regard to the registration of raw opium shops, as a member of my Chinese staff is in close touch with one of the largest raw opium dealers in Canton.\n\nReferring to the notice contained in my last Intelligence Report, I have now the honour to inclose, for your inspection, copy and translation of the new form of opium-smoker's licence, which is to come into use on the 1st of the 11th moon.\n\nI have, &c. \nH. H. FOX.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**(Translation.) Sir,**\n\n**Viceroy Chang to Acting Consul-General Fox.**\n\nCanton, October 8, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 26th September, in which you state that the registration of all shops selling raw and prepared opium will have the effect of injuring the British importers of raw opium in Hong Kong, and must be regarded as an attempt to create a monopoly. You further state that the proposed Regulations imposing restrictions on raw opium shops are contrary to Treaty, and that a similar measure at Nanking last year was ordered by the Wai-wu Pu to be withdrawn. You request accordingly that no action be taken on the Regulations.\n\nUpon receipt of your previous note, dated the 24th September, I gave instructions to the Board of Reorganization, who submitted the Regulations for my consideration, and postponed temporarily the date on which they should come into force. The new Regulations, I find, provide for two kinds of licences to be issued (1) to registered raw opium shops, and (2) to opium smokers. The issue of licences without fee to raw opium shops is in accordance with the Regulations received last year from the Government Council respecting the prohibition of opium. The issue of licences to smokers is in accordance with the established procedure in Canton with regard to prepared opium licences, the fee for which is collected from the smoker himself.\n\nThe restrictions imposed extend only to the retail dealings between the smoker and the opium shops, and there will be no interference with the wholesale trade carried on between the native shops and the British importing firms. In the present case the registration and licensing of opium shops, in obedience to Imperial instructions, and the prohibition on opening new shops, have in view their gradual disappearance, and is an attempt to second the laudable efforts of the Indian Government to co-operate with China in abolishing opium-smoking. There is no intention of making a profit by ...\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Inclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\n**Opium-Smoker's Licence.**\n\n| Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Taotai of Police, for the Province of Kwangtung. | Counterpart. (For reference in office) issued by |\n| APPLICATION having been made by— | |\n| Name | |\n| Age | |\n| Province and district | |\n| Residing at | |\n| Business | |\n| Daily consumption of opium | for a licence to purchase opium, the said of the habit in |\n| undertaking to break himself | years, a licence in the proper form has been issued to him, of which this counterpart is kept for reference. |\n| First reduction, Licence No. | |\n| Date | [2050 an-1] taels, mace, candareens. |\n\nB 2 \n59 \nI \nPage 60 \nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421274, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 63, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n[45564]\n\nNo. 1.\n**C.O.**\n[December 5, 1908]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 31.)\n\n(No. 557.) Sir,\n\nPeking, December 11, 1908. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from the Acting Consul-General at Canton respecting the anti-opium remedies sold in that city.\n\nAn analysis of these remedies by the Government Analyst at Hong Kong has revealed the fact that they all contain opium or morphia, and I have communicated this information to the Wai-wu Pu in a Memorandum of to-day's date.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) **J. N. JORDAN**.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 65.) Sir,\n\nCanton, November 23, 1908. ON the 26th October last the Governor of Hong Kong wrote to me asking if any fresh instructions had been sent to the Viceroy with regard to the use of morphia in the manufacture of opium remedies.\n\nIn my reply, copy of which I have the honour to inclose, I informed his Excellency that all opium remedies on sale in Canton were subject to Government inspection and approval, and I forwarded samples of some of the most widely advertised pills with a suggestion that the Government Analyst should be asked to examine and report on their composition.\n\nI have now received a despatch from the Governor inclosing the results of analysis, from which it would appear that in every case these pills contain opium or morphia.\n\nI have the honour to inclose copy of the Governor's letter and the Analyst's reports.\n\nI propose to take an early opportunity of drawing the Viceroy's attention, in an informal manner, to the nature of the anti-opium remedies now being sold in Canton.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) **HARRY H. FOX**.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Governor Sir F. Lugard.\n\n(No. 143.) Sir,\n\nCanton, November 2, 1908. In reply to your Excellency's despatch No. 139 of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to state that, as far as I can learn, no fresh instructions have been sent to the Governor-General of the Two Kwang on the subject of morphia in anti-opium remedies.\n\nThe Regulations now in force are those contained in Article 6 of the Rules for the Eradication of Opium Smoking published under the Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906. Article 6 provides that the high provincial authorities shall appoint efficient and experienced medical officers to make a careful study of opium remedies with a view to the manufacture of pills, and that such pills shall not contain opium ash or morphia.\n\nIt is possible that, in view of the arrangement recently come to between China and the Treaty Powers whereby the import of morphia into China except for medicinal purposes will be prohibited from the 1st January, 1909, instructions may have been sent to the provincial authorities to exercise stricter supervision over the sale of opium remedies.\n\nI am informed that in Canton all medicine shops retailing opium pills and drugs are subject to Government inspection and control.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421283, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 72, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n### Acting Consul-General Fox to Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co.\n\nCanton, October 19, 1908.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nWITH reference to my previous letter of the 1st instant, I now beg to inclose, for your information, translation of a note which I have received from the Viceroy in reply to my protest on behalf of the Hong Kong opium merchants against the enforcement of the Regulations complained of in your joint letter of the 23rd September.\n\nHis Excellency points out that the licensing of shops for the sale of raw opium is a measure which is only in accordance with the Regulations drawn up by the Central Government for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, while the issue of licences to smokers is in accordance with established local procedure.\n\nHis Excellency explains that the Regulations apply only to retail dealings between the smoker and the opium shops, and that there will be no interference with the freedom of the wholesale business carried on between the native shops and the British importing firms. His Excellency deprecates any intention on the part of the authorities to create a monopoly, official or otherwise, and adds that he has issued orders for a supplementary notification to be issued clearly differentiating between the contemplated measures so as to remove any possible misapprehension.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister, to whom I referred the correspondence with regard to this question, informs me by telegram that he is inclined to doubt whether the Regulations as they stand at present can be regarded as establishing a monopoly. It is, however, conceivable that a virtual monopoly might be created, and the working of the system will have to be carefully watched.\n\nUnder the circumstances, in view of the Viceroy's assurances and in deference to the opinion of His Majesty's Minister, I do not propose at the present moment to take any further action in the matter, but will confine myself to watching carefully the working of the system so as to be ready to detect at the outset any tendency towards the creation of a monopoly. To this end I shall be glad if you will assist me with any observations which you may have to make from time to time.\n\nI am, &c.\n(Signed) **H. H. FOX**\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1\n### Viceroy Chang to Acting Consul-General Fox\n\nCanton, October 8, 1908.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 26th September, in which you state that the registration of all shops selling raw and prepared opium will have the effect of injuring the British importers of raw opium in Hong Kong, and must be regarded as an attempt to create a monopoly. You further state that the proposed Regulations imposing restrictions on raw opium shops are contrary to Treaty, and that a similar measure at Nanking last year was ordered by the Wai-wu Pu to be withdrawn. You request accordingly that no action be taken on the Regulations.\n\nUpon receipt of your previous note, dated the 24th September, I gave instructions to the Board of Reorganization, who submitted the Regulations for my consideration, and postponed temporarily the date on which they should come into force. The new Regulations, I find, provide for two kinds of licences to be issued (1) to registered raw opium shops, and (2) to opium smokers. The issue of licences without fee to raw opium shops is in accordance with the Regulations received last year from the Government Council respecting the prohibition of opium. The issue of licences to smokers is in accordance with the established procedure in Canton with regard to prepared opium licences, the fee for which is collected from the smoker himself.\n\nThe restrictions imposed extend only to the retail dealings between the smoker and the opium shops, and there will be no interference with the wholesale trade carried on between the native shops and the British importing firms. In the present case the registration and licensing of opium shops, in obedience to Imperial instructions, and the prohibition on opening new shops, have in view their gradual disappearance, and is an attempt to second the laudable efforts of the Indian Government to co-operate with China in abolishing opium-smoking. There is no intention of making a profit by creating an official monopoly, and there is therefore no analogy with the attempted monopoly at Nanking, which was withdrawn under instructions from the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nI have now instructed the provincial authorities to issue a fresh Proclamation, differentiating clearly between the Regulations concerning the limitation and registration of licensed raw opium shops and the established precedents in Canton respecting prepared opium licences. Each matter will be dealt with separately and confusion avoided, that any misapprehension on the part of the British merchants in Hong Kong may be entirely removed.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n### Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan\n\n(No. 63.)\n\nCanton, November 16, 1908.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 53 of the 20th October, and with reference to your despatch to the Foreign Office No. 464 of the 21st October, 1908, on the subject of the new Regulations for the control of the raw opium trade, I have the honour to inform you that the promised Proclamation, defining the scope of the new Regulations, has not yet been issued.\n\nI learn from Mr. Wei Han, the Viceroy's senior Secretary, that in all probability no further Proclamation on the subject will appear, as his Excellency has decided not to proceed with the registration of raw opium shops for the present, but will confine himself to enforcing those clauses in the Licensing Regulations which apply to the registration of smokers and the control of prepared opium shops.\n\nUnder these circumstances I do not propose, pending the receipt of further instructions from you, to press for the issue of the Proclamation above referred to.\n\nI shall have early notice of any steps that may be taken with regard to the registration of raw opium shops, as a member of my Chinese staff is in close touch with one of the largest raw opium dealers in Canton.\n\nReferring to the notice contained in my last Intelligence Report, I have now the honour to inclose, for your inspection, copy and translation of the new form of opium-smoker's licence, which is to come into use on the 1st of the 11th moon.\n\nI have, &c.\n(Signed) **H. H. FOX**\n\n## Inclosure 5 in No. 1\n### Opium-Smoker's Licence\n\n| Counterpart (For reference in office) issued by | Taotal of Police, for the Province of Kwangtung |\n| --- | --- |\n\nAPPLICATION having been made by---\n| Name | |\n| Age | |\n| Province and district | |\n| Residing at | |\n| Business | |\n| Daily consumption of opium | taels, candarcens |\n\nfor a licence to purchase opium, the said ... of the habit in ... years, a licence in the proper form has been issued to him, of which this counterpart is kept for reference.\n\nFirst reduction, Licence No. `[2050]`, Date ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421391, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 180, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## STI 178\n\nacting under the instructions of his Government, negotiated a large loan for us at a very low rate of interest from the Governor of the British colony of Hongkong. I then made an agreement with Mr. Fraser to the effect that should it be proposed to raise another loan for the purpose of railway construction in the two provinces the British should be first approached. This promise was reported to the Throne, and is on record.\n\nAfterwards as the views expressed on raising a loan were very divergent the consent of the Tiwupu was not obtained so that no loan has been raised in all this long time.\n\nWhen I was at Wuchang in the summer of last year I discussed with the British Consul-General the general terms of a loan agreement. Since being ordered to the capital by Imperial edict and I scrutinised the conditions of the moment and collated the terms of the loan agreement for the Tientsin-P'uk'ou line as now settled. In raising a loan the essential points to be considered are that the terms be complete and satisfactory, that our sovereign rights over the railway are safeguarded, and that there should be freedom from abuses. These terms have already been satisfactorily settled with the Waiwupu so that they can be put into operation.\n\nThe British Consul-General has now specially deputed Mr. Bland, the representative of the British and Chinese Corporation, to Peking to settle terms with me. I therefore propose at once to instruct the Hupei Shih-Hung Trustee, Tseng Tsuang-jung, who is coming to the capital for an Audience, in conjunction with the Hupei Educational Commissioner, Kao Ling-wei, whom I propose to send for from Wuchang, to discuss orally with Mr. Bland the general terms of a loan agreement for railway construction.\n\nPage 180 \nPage 181", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421433, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 222, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## 412\n\nblanket. I saw the accused shake a man by the shoulder. He sat up in a dazed manner and when his ticket was demanded he, after some delay, tendered 50 cents and it was handed to me. I looked at the man and he appeared to me to be dazed with opium. I remarked this as I passed on. We finished collecting tickets about 25 minutes past 11 p.m. There was no disturbance or noise of any kind while I was on deck. There were 666 passengers on the lower deck. The lower deck is fairly well lit with electric light. If a passenger is asleep he is usually shaken up by his shoulders. I have never seen any member of the crew kick a passenger to wake him up. It is usually opium smokers who have to be wakened by shaking. With 600 passengers on the lower deck it would be impossible to walk across the deck without touching some of them. The accused went round with me to collect the tickets. We sometimes have to shake a man more than once.\n\nChan Kim Cho, Compradore, was called and said: I went down with the captain after some passengers had told me that a man had been kicked to death. It was about 12:30 a.m. I do not know any of the men who spoke to me on the lower deck.\n\n## THE DECISION\n\nDecember\n\nCANTON\n\nTHE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS\n\nand the Japanese Doctor of the Reform Army, one English Doctor, and one Doctor of the Canton Ambulance Society. It is reported that the Chinese insist that another trial should be held, this time at the Portuguese Consular Court.\n\nNovember. A dispatch to that effect is said to have been sent by the Viceroy to the Portuguese Consul-General. A boycott of the steamer is also on the programme at the instigation of the Self-Government Association.\n\nH.E. Viceroy Chang has notified General and Military officials of all ranks in the Kwangtung Province that they must not attend strictly to their duties out of the State mourning in accordance with the law. All officials are requested to remain in their respective Bureaux and no leave of absence be granted.\n\nThe 72 Guild Tress comments on the decision of the Court as follows:\n\nIn reviewing the case in which the deceased was wounded by a kick he received near the heart from the foot of the accused, and also a blow given with the hand, both of which were causes of the man's death, it should be said that in both instances there were marks of injuries and there was the clear evidence of numerous persons proving it beyond doubt. Therefore it was impossible for the accused to be excused or held blameless. In reviewing the evidence given by the fellow passengers of the steamer, one of them not only said that the accused did not beat the man to death but that he did not beat anybody at all. The passenger died because he was ill when he went on board the steamer and he died a natural death. They actually hushed up a case of such grave importance. This can only be described as arbitrary, and treating the Chinese people with contempt. The evidence was false and trumped up and there were many contradictions.\n\nAt the conclusion of the enquiry, the British Consul-General said: The proceedings at this preliminary enquiry are not altogether regular, for two reasons: firstly, no definite charge has been framed against the watchman, Noronha, of having caused the death of this passenger. The Viceroy's letter simply states that a Chinese passenger on the Fatshan has been murdered by a foreigner; no further details are given. However, as I learnt from other sources that the watchman Noronha was accused of having done this thing, and as he voluntarily came to this Consulate-General and offered himself for investigation into the truth of the allegations against him, I decided to hold the enquiry.\n\nIn the second place, Noronha is a Portuguese subject and as such, if a serious charge of this nature is preferred against him, he should be tried by his own Consul. But I decided, in consultation with my Portuguese colleague, M. de Moraes, that, in view of the fact that the alleged criminal offence had been committed on board a British steamer by a person on that steamer's articles, and in view of the popular excitement prevailing in regard to this case, it would be expedient that I should first hold a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of this passenger on the Fatshan. This I have done in as public and thorough a manner as possible. A deputy from the Viceroy has been present at the hearing, taking notes and cross-examining the witnesses. The public, including members of the Chinese press, have been allowed to be present and the Portuguese Consul-General has occupied a seat in Court.\n\nI have come to the conclusion, after carefully considering all the evidence that has been brought forward yesterday and to-day, that there is not sufficient evidence to justify me in handing over the accused to his Consul on a charge of having caused the death of this passenger. Of the 600 odd passengers on the Fatshan that night, only two came forward to testify that they had seen the accused assault the deceased, and their evidence, for reasons which I have mentioned before, I am bound to regard with grave suspicion. On the other hand, Dr. Davenport's evidence, given in the clearest and most explicit manner, goes to show that the deceased died a natural death. Under these circumstances, the accused, as far as the Court is concerned, is discharged. It is open to the Chinese Authorities, should they consider the result of this enquiry unsatisfactory, to charge the accused in the Portuguese Consular Court, where, I am sure, all charges made against him will receive an impartial and fair hearing. I will ask Mr. Greaves, Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's Agent, to hold himself responsible for Noronha's appearance when called upon.\n\nMr. Greaves gave the necessary assurance.\n\n## CHINESE COMMENTS ON THE CASE\n\nThe local Press is still publishing hostile articles concerning the matter, and a petition has been sent to the Viceroy praying that the body of the deceased may be exhumed and a fresh post-mortem examination held by three doctors, viz.\n\n## EXCITEMENT AT CANTON\n\nThere is great excitement in the City (writes our Canton correspondent) over the decision re the s.s. Fatshan incident. A boycott of the Sternhaut Company's entire fleet appears to be threatening.\n\nI have no doubt the excitement would soon fizzle out if the local authorities were to issue a proclamation explaining clearly to the public the facts of the inquiry or if the proceedings at the inquiry and the evidence of both foreign and Chinese witnesses were translated and published in the leading local papers.\n\nBelow is a translation of a circular issued by the Self-Government Association, which I give is apparently the first step towards a boycott movement:\n\nWe beg respectfully to inform the public that on the night of the 6th day of this moon (29th Nov.), a Chinaman was kicked to death by a foreigner on board the s.s. Fatshan. The following patriotic and eminent persons, viz., Yeong Wo Kai, Cheong Lau Ki, Tung Chun Kwan, and Tam Show Po, were strangers to the deceased, yet they possessed such patriotic and honourable feelings as to come forward as witnesses to give evidence in the case and petitioned the Authorities to obtain redress on behalf of the deceased. This really shows the sincerity of their feelings and ardent love of their country and their brethren.\n\nFrom inquiries made, we learn that all these patriots are business men. For several days they have wasted their precious time and toilsome labour. Those who are regarded as our brothers must really respect them. We have decided to invite these patriots to come to the Association on the 10th day of this moon (3rd instant) for the purpose of taking their photographs, which we will carefully preserve as a remembrance. We therefore invite all our brothers to attend at the Association on that day to pay their respects to them.\n\n## ENCOURAGING NATIVE INDUSTRY\n\nIn a dispatch sent to the Viceroy, the Board of Agriculture, Labour, and Commerce in the Kiang-su Province has stated that the cotton cloth manufactured in the above province is strong, fine, white, and its quality is far superior to that manufactured in Bombay. Hitherto, its consumption has been confined to several southern and eastern provinces, but of late years, this cloth has found its way into those provinces and has been ousting the native cloth. Recently, the Board has received several Imperial Edicts commanding them to encourage native manufactures.\n\nThe Board requests the Viceroy to give instructions to all Military and Police Departments and the Directors of Schools and Colleges in the Province of Kwangtung to purchase the native cloth manufactured in Kiang-su for the use of the military, police, and students. The Viceroy has issued an order to that effect.\n\n## BLACKMAIL\n\nThe International Banking Corporation has again received a letter demanding $100,000 blackmail to be paid within five days on account of a certain Shek Loong junk.\n\n## CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY\n\nThe total sum of money due on the instalment of the shares of the Canton-Hankow Railway Company amounts to over $1,600,000, out of which about $1,300,000 has been collected by the Company up to the 30th day of the 10th moon (23rd instant). From this amount, the sum of $200,000 has been paid into the Company in drafts or promissory notes to be collected on the date.\n\n## THE FATSHAN LINE\n\nIt is reported that recently complaints have been made by many passengers of the Fatshan Railway of articles missing from the luggage cars.\n\nOwing to the recent increase of railway traffic, many steam launches have been placed on the Canton-Fatshan run, and, if stern measures are not taken to put a check to the pilfering, it is causing great annoyance to travellers, and the bulk of the passenger trade will fall into the hands of the steam launch owners.\n\n## OBJECTION TO A KEROSINE DEPOT\n\nA British firm purchased a piece of land at Samshui for the purpose of building a kerosine depot. The gentry there objected to a kerosine depot and applied to the Sam-shui Magistrate to issue an injunction restraining the firm from erecting the depot on the ground that \"kerosine is dangerous goods.\" The Magistrate reported the matter to the Viceroy, who directed the Provincial Treasurer to investigate and settle the question.\n\n## THE ENTHRONEMENT OF THE NEW EMPEROR\n\nThe Viceroy has received cables from Peking to notify the officials and people of the Kwangtung Province of the enthronement of the young Emperor, which will take place on the 1st day of the 1st moon, and that the Grand Council has decided that the two characters \"Shuen Tung\" shall be the title of the reign of the new Emperor. As it is customary in many lines of trade to use the title of the reigning Emperor on the goods manufactured, the cablegram expressly instructs His Excellency to issue proclamations to the public that all articles and goods now being manufactured for the forthcoming year must bear the title of the new Emperor.\n\n## NEW COINS\n\nThe Viceroy is also in receipt of instructions from the Board of Revenue...\n\n`Mr. Fox's dispatch No. 71 of December 9th, 1909`\n\n343\n\n`Mr. Fox to Viceroy Chang. (JAP 20 1909)`\n\nCanton, December 16th, 1909\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Y.E.'s dispatch dated the 10th instant, in which you informed me that a Chinese passenger on the British steamer \"Fatshan\" had been kicked to death by a foreigner.\n\nOn receipt of this dispatch, I at once deputed Vice-Consul Porter to proceed to the Wharf, and in company with Deputy Haish and the Samshui Magistrate, hold an inquest on the body. Dr. Davenport, who had already made an examination that morning, went again to the \"Fatshan\" at the request of the Chinese Authorities and made a second examination in the presence of the officials...\n\nIn the meantime, I had summoned the Portuguese watchman Noronha, who was accused of having caused this passenger's death, and I fixed the following day at 10...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421478, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 267, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA TRADE.\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n### No. 1.\n\nThere are, as follow, further issues by provinces, which issues are guaranteed by the provincial authorities, though no special reserve is held against them, nor their final limits fixed. The figures are approximate:\n\n| Year of Issue | Province | Notes | Amount |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1906 | Manchuria | Cash notes | 30,000,000 taels |\n| 1907 | Hupeh | | 10,000,000 dollars |\n| 1907 | Shantung | Dollar Cash | 20,000,000 dollars |\n| 1908 | Canton | | 7,000,000 taels, 5,000,000 |\n| | | | 4,000,000 |\n\nIn spring 1908, the Peking Government attempted to eradicate these provincial issues. Apparently no means for their abolition could be devised, as the system has been allowed to continue and is now spreading further, being mere excuses for raising provincial loans. The redeemability of these notes is apparently not being questioned by the public at present, probably due to the fact that their conversion into cash is infrequently demanded, except in Manchuria where the public are fully aware that no cash can be obtained at the issuing office, and where the notes are recognized as inconvertible paper money. Although these unsecured provincial paper issues may function for some time without fear of disturbance, yet there prevails the danger of—\n\n(a) A repetition of what happened when the provincial mints were coining copper cash, taking place in respect to this paper money, resulting in depreciation with consequent loss to holders.\n(b) Dissatisfaction and possibly upheavals arising among the population.\n(c) Consequent disturbance of trade, both native and foreign, followed by a shrinkage in the Revenue and Customs Returns, and general lowering of China's credit.\n\nIn order to prevent such disastrous results, imperative steps should be taken-\n\n1. To strictly limit and regulate all provincial issues of paper money on a stable basis, with an adequate cash reserve under Imperial control and guarantee.\n2. To withhold or withdraw the privilege of issuing notes from private banks, difficult to control and liable to deviate from the regulations in furtherance of private gain, and to confine this right throughout China to large and powerful concerns, with adequate cash reserves under Imperial guarantee controlled by one Imperial Board.\n\nIn other countries, past experience has proved the necessity of jealously guarding the privilege of issuing notes, and it cannot be too strongly impressed upon the Chinese Government that it is absolutely imperative to adopt some restrictive measures with regard to their note issue in this country, and until regulations for safeguarding such issues have been drawn up, to immediately stop by decree the issue of any further bank-notes.\n\nMany private bank-notes now in circulation, readily lend themselves to fraudulent imitators. Being inferior in quality and printing, some of which are brought out by the local presses without check or proper means of limitation.\n\n## Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce, November 24, 1908.\n\nSir,\n\n**China Association to Foreign Office.—(Received January 2, 1909.)** \n159, Cannon Street, London, December 31, 1908.\n\nMY Committee desire to submit for the consideration of His Majesty's Secretary of State the inclosed **Memorandum**, prepared by the Chairman of the Association, upon currency matters in China.\n\nThe long-continued depression in the trade with China is no doubt in considerable measure attributable to the existing currency chaos, which threatens ruin not only to the trade of the Empire, but the welfare of the people, and even endangers the stability of the Chinese Government itself.\n\nIt is a bitter sarcasm that in the six years which have elapsed since the conclusion of the Shanghae Treaty of 1902, not only have no steps been taken by China to fulfil her obligation expressed in Article 2 of that Treaty to \"provide for a uniform national currency,\" but, on the contrary, by permitting an unchecked issue of depreciated copper coins, as well as an unlimited, unchecked, and improperly secured issue of paper money, she has brought about a state of currency confusion incomparably worse than that which already existed.\n\nThe Currency Edict of the 5th October expresses, it is to be hoped, an appreciation of the existing dangers and an earnest intention to deal with them. A considerable time must, however, elapse before the Edict can have practical effects, and meantime the peril engendered by existing conditions is so great and imminent that a special Delegate has been dispatched by Shanghae to Peking, to urge the Diplomatic Body strongly to remonstrate with the Chinese Government; and my Committee trust that such remonstrances and representations as may be made will receive the fullest support of His Majesty's Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) C. GRENVILLE ALABASTER, \n**Secretary**.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n**Memorandum respecting Currency in China.**\n\nHad Lord Palmerston interested himself in the question of Chinese currency he might have propounded an even better conundrum than that of \"What is a pound?\" and floored the House of Commons (and every one else) with the question of \"What is a tael?\"\n\nIn a Report upon the \"Revenue and Expenditure of the Chinese Empire prepared by Mr. George Jamieson, late Consul-General at Shanghae, he states that he was explicitly informed by a Chinese official that (for revenue purposes any way) \"a tael was not a tael in the ordinary sense of the word, but was such a sum as would enable the local authorities to lay down a tael of the standard weight and purity in Peking, and consequently included a meitage fee, loss on melting, freight and costs of transmission, and general office expenses!\"\n\nFor currency purposes Mr. Jamieson's conclusions are pretty nearly correct also, for there are very few people in this world who can say what sort of a tael any given tael really is—what is its weight, its fineness in silver, and what its exchange value.\n\nA currency tael may perhaps be defined as a varying weight of silver of varying fineness, the variations of both weight and fineness being governed by topical conditions and custom as well as by the nature of the transactions in which it is employed, for the tael weight current for the purpose of buying (say) a bale of cotton goods may be—and, indeed, often is quite different to that required for the buying of a picul of salt. A good illustration of this is given by Mr. Morse in his recent work, \"The Trade and Administration of the Chinese Empire,\" in which he instances the conditions obtaining at Chungking, in Szechuan, where the taels in use are of three... \nPage 265 \n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governor] \nPage [218] \n[2090 6-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421479, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 268, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 66\n\n2\n\ndifferent degrees of fineness, with about a score of different weights, so that there are \"at least sixty currencies possible in this town alone!\" The chaos of the tael is not, however, the least part of the currency confusion, for there are current in China nineteen different kinds of dollars of different exchange values, as well as newly coined taels, Chinese rupees, and an infinite variety of copper coins and brass cash,” the debased subsidiary coinage being issued, though not accepted, at its face value by the Government issuing it (Peking telegram to the \"Times,\" 19th September, 1908). The chaos of currency conditions are well summed up by Mr. Morse in his work referred to above :--\n\n\"In China the currency is, at the top, a weight pure and simple, in the middle a combination of weight and token currency, and at the bottom a coin which stands on its own feet, and neither receives support from, nor absolutely gives it to, any other unit in the series. At the top is the tael (call it the 'ounce,' and it will be better realized), in which payments are made in precisely the same way that delivery is taken of a lot of silver bars. Then comes the dollar, which, though a coin, is nowhere legal tender, and of which the specimens from the Chinese mints are inscribed, not generally 'dollar' or 'yuen,' but merely tenths of a tael.' Though so inscribed, dollars of silver are nowhere fixed in terms of taels of silver, but are quoted at rates which vary from day to day, according to the demand and supply, fluctuating within a range of 6 to more per cent. Then come subsidiary coins fractional to the dollar, but subject to a fluctuating rate of exchange, such that the dollar may this year change for 110 cents and next year for only 95 cents in small coin. Next comes the copper cent, inscribed at the mints of some provinces as worth 'th of a dollar' and of others as worth 10 cash,' but never treated as correlated to the dollar. Whether considered in its relation to the dollar or to the cash, it is a token coin, worth intrinsically less than half its nominal value. Last comes the copper cash, the currency of the people.\" \n\nHere we have a series of non-related currencies, each unit of which is in a state of unstable equilibrium, fixed neither in itself nor in relation to other units.\n\nA most serious question of the moment is that of the new copper coinage, for it has to be borne in mind that copper is the coin of the people, and that, consequently, any juggling with the copper coinage strikes at the very foundation upon which the trade of the Empire is based. The last three or four years have witnessed a most far-reaching revolution in the copper coinage of China, through the opening of provincial mints over the length and breadth of the Empire, the main industry of which has been the coinage of the 10-cash copper pieces above referred to.\n\nWhat the actual amount of such issue has been it is impossible to say with any degree of accuracy, but an estimate, believed to be conservative, which has been prepared by Sir Alexander Hosie for the years 1905-1906, puts the issue at the enormous amount of 9,000,000,000 coins. The issue of this new coin of the 10-cash piece on an honest basis was welcomed as a move in the right direction towards a stable copper coinage, intended to gradually supplant the old cumbersome copper cash, and in the beginning the coins were honest, the discs being mainly imported from Europe of a purity of ninety-five parts copper, four parts zinc, and one part tin—the same, in fact, as the British penny. It was not long, however, before the cupidity of the officials was aroused, very likely inclined thereto by the heavy calls made upon the provinces for the service of the \"Boxer\" indemnity; in any case, however, discs speedily began to be imported of lower and still lower standard, until the intrinsic value of the coin was depreciated to more than half of its face value. The profits to the provincial mints were immense, hence, no doubt, the enormous proportions which the issue assumed, but far more enormous has been the loss to the people, for not only have they had to bear the loss of the depreciation on the new coins, but as all previous issues are affected, there is the loss of the depreciation on these issues to be faced as well. To show what this depreciation means, it needs only to be stated that, whereas in 1905-1906 (when the minting of the 10-cash pieces commenced) the cash exchange of the Shanghae tael was between 1,100 and 1,120, to-day it is 1,680; while a recent mail from China advises that in Hankow the cash exchange of the Hankow tael (Shanghae tael 102) has risen to 1,885.\n\nSeeing that these 10-cash pieces are now circulating at about their actual value, the profit on minting them has disappeared, and the deluge of spurious coins has been checked. In these circumstances a new expedient has been hit upon for \"raising the wind,\" in the form of the issue of native bank tael and dollar notes, in a few instances issued by recognized banks of the local Governments, but in others by merely private institutions. These issues are not authorized by the Imperial Government, and they are neither limited, nor have they any proper cash reserves behind them. Appended to this Memorandum is a statement received from Shanghae regarding this note issue. The statement lays no claim to be complete or authoritative, it has been compiled from the most reliable native sources available, and there is every reason to believe that the ramifications of the note issues are even more widespread than they are represented to be therein.\n\nShanghae further states that—\n\n\"In addition to the large circulation of notes representing taels and dollars, there have been issued, within the last two years, an immense number of notes representing copper cash. We have been unable to get any details as to the amounts issued by the individual banks, but the estimates made of the circulation in the various provinces are said to be on a conservative basis, not only have between 9,000,000,000 and 10,009,000,000 of 10-cash pieces been struck by the mints, but about 56,000,000 of taels' worth of copper cash notes have been issued during the same period, which, at 1,650 cash to the tael, would represent over another 10,000,000,000 of 10-cash pieces.\"\n\nThe estimate is given as follows:\n\n| Year of Issue | Province | Amount Taels |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1906 | Manchuria | 30,000,000 |\n| 1907 | Hupeh | 10,000,000 |\n| 1908 | Shantung | 7,000,000 |\n| 1908 | Canton | 5,000,000 |\n| 1908 | Hunan | 4,000,000 |\n\nShanghae's comment is as follows:-\n\n\"It seems almost incredible that a country with a sound financial reputation, such as China has enjoyed in the past, should permit reckless dealing of this nature with the currency of the country, more especially with the money of the millions, the standard in which wages and all small retail transactions are settled, but so it is; if stringent measures are not taken to control these issues, China will eventually be face to face with all the evils attendant upon a large portion of her currency being composed of inconvertible paper.\"\n\nThe recommendation of remedies, in presence of the confusion now prevailing in financial questions, is a matter of extreme difficulty. Some hope for the situation may, however, perhaps be found in the belief expressed by Shanghae, \"that Chinese bankers and officials are becoming more and more amenable to foreign advice, owing to the stringency of the native money market.\" Such advice is offered by Shanghae in the following suggestions:-\n\n1. The issue of an Imperial Edict, prohibiting any further issue of bank notes, until Regulations controlling the terms of issue shall have been published.\n2. Severe penalties to be imposed for disobedience, which should be made a criminal offence.\n3. Regulations, based on the experience of foreign banks, should be drawn up forthwith.\n4. Issues now in circulation which do not conform to the Regulations should be withdrawn within a specified period, on penalty of the issuing banks being closed or wound up.\n5. The immediate appointment of a Board of Currency, (The engagement of the services of at least one foreign expert adviser would be of great advantage to China)\n6. The appointment, under the Board of Currency, of an Imperial Master of the Mint, who should have control of all the mints in the Empire. (The interest and co-operation of Chinese banks which have maintained the standard of sycee in the past might be enlisted in the management of the mints.)\n7. Pending the establishment of the central control of the mints, the further issue of subsidiary silver coins and copper cash to be suspended until they circulate at par; the rate for par copper cash to be definitely fixed.\n\n# 266", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421480, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 269, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## The Imperial Decree, issued on the 5th October last, ordaining the introduction of a uniform silver currency throughout the Chinese Empire is a welcome though tardy recognition by China of her obligation to provide for a uniform national coinage \"in terms of Article 2 of the Shanghae Treaty of 1902.\n\nHad China paid earlier attention to this Treaty obligation, it is probable that much of the currency chaos which has arisen in the past few years might have been obviated. It is earnestly to be hoped that the Decree will not be allowed to remain a dead letter, but that it is an admission of the necessity for immediate action, and expresses real earnestness of intention to rectify the almost hopeless confusion into which currency matters of China have been allowed to drift.\n\nThe provisions of the Edict will no doubt meet with general approval, but it is to be remarked that no indication is given whether the new coins are to be issued solely from mints under the control of the Board of Finance—a very necessary proviso; nor is any mention made of a fixed ratio between the new coinage and the copper currency—another matter of first importance. It is understood that both points have attracted the attention of His Majesty's Minister at Peking.\n\nThe arguments in the Memorial which accompanies the Edict, favouring the adoption of the Kuping tael as the national coin in preference to the dollar, do not appear to be very convincing. The opinion in the provinces is admittedly divided, and it is difficult to understand the pleas in favour of the tael: such as that from the point of view of China's national dignity she ought to try to stand alone; that she cannot afford to throw away her sovereign rights—(how are they affected?)—in order to gratify the wishes of others, nor change the tradition of the country for the convenience of the open ports or trading marts. While it is hardly to be supposed that the open ports will meet with much sympathetic consideration, it might reasonably be suggested that the convenience of China's own trading marts is a matter of prime domestic importance.\n\nThere is much force in the argument that the higher standard unit will tend to increase the cost of living. As Shanghae points out, \"the effect will be more plainly felt in expenditure involving small sums such as 5 to 10 cents; translating these sums into 4 cands and 8 cands will not be convenient in actual practice.\" It is, however, no doubt true that (as stated in the Memorial) the bulk of the people in their daily life mostly rely upon the copper currency. A point in favour of the adoption of a dollar coinage is that the exchange between the dollar and the cash might be conveniently fixed at the old normal ratio of 1 to 1,000, whereas the cash exchange of the K'uping tael (at the same rate) works out at the inconvenient figure of about 1,482.\n\nC. J. DUDGEON.\n\nLondon, December 1908.\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\nC.O.\n\n**CHINA TRADE.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nJanuary 7, 1909.\n\n## No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received January 7, 1909.) (No. 564)\n\nPeking, December 16, 1908.\n\nREPRESENTATIVES of the British and American Tobacco Company, Limited, called upon me recently in connection with the business of their Company, and spoke of the prospect of considerable expansion of trade if the Chinese authorities will consent to a more regular incidence of taxation on the Company's cigarettes and manufactured tobacco in places not declared open to foreign trade in Manchuria. The inclosed letter, addressed by the Company to the Acting British Consul-General at Mukden, describes the existing conditions and proposes a remedy. By present practice, the Company's products manufactured in China pay 4 m. 5 c. duty per picul on exportation from the Treaty port where their factory is situated, and a further half duty on importation to another Treaty port; but if they are sent to places not declared open to foreign trade they are subjected to varying levies of li-kin which affect prices and restrict their business.\n\nAs they have now set up a large factory at Mukden, they desire to consolidate all dues upon its output by the payment of a duty and a half, viz., 6 m. 75 c. per picul on exportation from Mukden to any place in Manchuria.\n\nIt will be seen from their letter that the question has been broached with the provincial authorities, but I have not yet learnt from Mr. Willis whether any further progress has been made. I understand, however, that the Company would be willing, if necessary, to agree to a higher consolidated duty than the above-mentioned sum, and with a margin for negotiation it is possible that the Chinese Government may be induced to accept the proposal which appears to me perfectly reasonable.\n\n(Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\nBritish-American Tobacco Company to Acting Consul-General Willis.\n\nMuseum Road, Shanghae, December 1, 1908.\n\nAs you are aware, the British Cigarette Company, a Company which we control, has recently erected extensive premises in Mukden for the purpose of treating Chinese tobacco and also of manufacturing cigarettes on a large scale for the Manchurian market, should conditions prove favourable.\n\nWe are of opinion that, with reasonable facilities, we can establish a practically new industry in Manchuria, which will be of great benefit to that country, for, should our operations be successful, the following economic benefits would accrue, viz.—\n\n| Benefit | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. | More land would be cultivated in the growing of the additional tobacco required, to the great benefit of the farmer and agricultural labourer. |\n| 2. | The carrying of that tobacco from the points where it is grown to the factory would provide profitable employment for a great number of carters and coolies. |\n| 3. | In the preparation and handling of the tobacco when received by us, employment would be given to very many Chinese. |\n| 4. | If reasonable facilities are granted to us by the Government a further large number of people will obtain remunerative employment, not only in the manufacture of cigarettes for consumption in Manchuria and, perhaps, in other parts of the Empire, but in the carriage of those cigarettes to market. Furthermore, a large number of Chinese merchants and traders will benefit by the creation of this new trade. |\n| 5. | A reasonable basis of taxation—one which will enable the goods to reach the consumer at a price which he can afford, and which will thus encourage the extension of the industry—would provide the Government with additional revenue on the ... |\n\n[2090 g-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421553, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 342, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## C.\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n340 085\n\n**RECEIVED** (Reas 11 FEB 09)\n\n[B]\n\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.**\n\n[January 23.]\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n## SECTION 3.\n\n[3056]\n\n### No. 1.\n\n**Mr. Hillier to Mr. Addis.** (Communicated by Mr. Addis, January 23, 1909.)\n\n**(Private.) My dear Addis,**\n\nPeking, January 5, 1909.\n\nI FEEL that it devolves on me to write to you with regard to the sensational Edict of the 2nd January, dismissing Yuan Shih-k'ai from office, as to the effect of which no doubt many conflicting rumours have been wired home. Opinions indeed are conflicting enough here, but I have had the opportunity of hearing many views; and, although it is difficult at this early stage to write with confidence as to the immediate future, I will endeavour to set down my impressions for what they are worth.\n\nThe Legation are naturally disquieted and alarmed at the sudden removal of a man whom they consistently supported as the representative of a strong and progressive policy for China. Personally, this one-man policy has seemed to me unsound, and it can hardly be contended that Yuan is the only man in China capable of guiding his country in the paths of sound reform and progress. He was strong, but he was also ambitious. His want of sympathy with the present Government must always have made him the centre of a dangerous faction, and it was unreasonable to expect that the Prince Regent, having assumed the supreme power, would tolerate longer than necessary the presence of a colleague who, rightly or wrongly, he regards as the enemy, if not the murderer of his dead brother. From a Chinese point of view, the natural affection of the Prince for the memory of his unfortunate elder brother would have justified much harsher measures; and, in relieving Yuan from his official duties on the ground of ill-health, he has shown singular magnanimity. The Chinese do not entertain the same high respect for Yuan that foreigners do. They have no faith in the purity of his motives, and look upon his removal as, on the whole, a good thing for the country.\n\nWith regard to Yuan's two principal henchmen, Tong Shao-yi and Liang Tun-yen, the opinion of Chinese seems to be that they will not suffer by his downfall. Tong is on good terms with the Prince Regent, who has a high opinion of his ability, and the probability is that on his return from his present mission abroad, he will be made President of the Wai-wu Pu in Yuan's place. In the meantime, an Edict of a couple of days ago appoints Liang Tun-yen Acting President of the Board; and, as Liang is a graduate of Harvard, speaks English perfectly, and is a man of known foreign tastes and sympathies, we may gather from this appointment that the policy of the Prince Regent is neither anti-foreign nor reactionary, and is directed, in the present instance, solely against Yuan as an undesirable element in the State.\n\nThose who condemn the action of the Prince Regent speak of him disparagingly as a hot-headed young Manchu of no experience. Young he certainly is, and no doubt has much to learn; but my information is that he is a serious-minded young fellow, of clean life and irreproachable personal integrity, and full of sincere zeal for the good of his country.\n\nA man may be judged by his friends, and those of the Prince Regent are Chang Chih-tung, Prince Su, and the Duke Tse. Chang Chih-tung we know already. He may have his faults, but no one has ever been able to point the finger of scorn at him as a corrupt official; and, after more than a quarter of a century of high provincial posts, he is a poor man. Prince Su is the friend of foreigners, and the zealous advocate of reform and progress, and his name, to foreigners and Chinese alike, is a synonym for personal honesty. It was he who, a few years ago, was appointed Controller of the Peking Octroi revenue. By his strict administration he raised the collection, during his short term of office, from 4 lacs taels to 8 lacs taels per annum—a result which produced such consternation among minor officials of the Department—that they procured his impeachment and removal, since when the collection has gradually returned to its previous level. The Duke Tse you have probably met. He was one of the Commissioners who went to Europe a couple of years ago, and has the reputation of being an upright, serious man. At the present moment he is President of the Board of Finance.\n\n--3] \n[2116-3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421565, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 354, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## C. O.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 086\n\n## CHINA TRADE\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nRESP Real FE352 [January 27.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n[3507]\n\n**(No. 12.)**\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received January 27.)**\n\nPeking, January 6, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch with inclosures from his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong relative to the action of the Provincial Government at Canton in placing restrictions upon the sale of opium, which formed the subject of my despatches Nos. 464 and 540 of the 21st October and the 3rd December, respectively.\n\nSir F. Lugard, it will be observed, is inclined to share the view of the Hong Kong opium merchants that the Rules framed for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, constitute, in some respects, a violation of British Treaty rights, and it becomes necessary, therefore, to examine the question with some care.\n\nThe Hong Kong merchants refer more particularly to Article 5 of the above Rules, which they contend constitutes an infringement of Articles 5 and 10 of the British Treaty of 1842 and Article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858.\n\nI myself have, when combating the attempt to establish an official monopoly of opium at Nanking, quoted the above Treaty provisions as debarring the Chinese from resorting to such a measure, but I have always felt the weakness of our position under the Nanking Treaty, and been prepared, in the event of its being challenged, to fall back upon the French Treaty as our best line of defence.\n\nOpium was a contraband article when the Treaty of Nanking was concluded, and remained so until 1858. Lord Palmerston, in his instructions to Sir H. Pottinger, the negotiator of the Treaty, wrote:-\n\n\"His Majesty's Government make no demand in regard to this matter (the legalization of the opium trade) for they have no right to do so. The Chinese Government is fully entitled to prohibit the importation of opium if it pleases.\"\n\nCan it, therefore, be reasonably contended that the British Government, in stipulating for the abolition of the hong merchants and the freedom of mercantile transactions at the Treaty ports, as they did in the 5th Article of the Treaty of 1842, meant to include transactions in opium, an article which continued to be contraband until 1858, and was then only legalized under special conditions which placed it in a category altogether different from ordinary merchandise? Such a strained interpretation of the Treaty would scarcely, I fear, be regarded as consistent with a desire on our part to assist China in her efforts to suppress the opium habit, and I have not ventured, pending your instructions, to indorse the views of the Hong Kong opium merchants in the communication which I have made on the subject to the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nBut the merchants go further and protest, apparently under Article 10 of the Nanking Treaty, against the Regulations being made applicable to native dealers in the interior.\n\nThe Regulations, they say, were withdrawn in the city of Canton, but have been brought into force in other prefectures of the province, and Mr. Fox was requested to make representations to the Viceroy to obtain their withdrawal throughout the whole of the Province of Kuangtung.\n\nArticle 10 of the Treaty of Nanking was never applied to opium, for the simple reason that opium was a contraband article then and for many years later. Under clause 5 of the Tariff Rules of 1858, the import of opium was for the first time legalized, but the importer was to sell it only at the port and not to be allowed to take it into the interior. The transit dues on it were to be arranged as the accompanying Chinese Government saw fit, and from 1858 to 1885 we never, so far as my knowledge goes, claimed any Treaty right to interfere with opium after it left the port area.\n\nIn 1885 the Additional Article to the Chefoo Agreement was negotiated, and the opium trade was placed upon the basis on which it has since been conducted. A foreign merchant can sell his opium only at the Treaty ports, and it can be taken into the interior by Chinese only under certificates which exempt it from taxation on the way,\n\n[2090 dd-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421566, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 355, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## No. 1 \n\nand provide that when it arrives at the place of consumption it shall not be subjected to any tax other than, or in excess of, such tax as may be levied on native opium.\n\nThis is the extent of the control which we exercise over opium in the interior of China, and to me it does not seem to justify the contention put forward by the merchants.\n\nMy action in the Canton and Nanking cases has been reported in separate despatches, and has been based rather upon the view that the system might lead to a monopoly under the **14th Article of the French Treaty**.\n\nI have offered these remarks, therefore, merely to show that the Rules of the **20th September, 1906**, to which no objection was offered by His Majesty's Government at the time, can scarcely, in my opinion, be held to constitute, \"a violation of British Treaty rights.\"\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \n**J. N. JORDAN**\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1\n\nGovernor Sir F. Lugard to Sir J. Jordan, \nGovernment House, Hong Kong, December 17, 1908. \nWITH reference to your Excellency's letter of the 30th October last, I have the honour to transmit, at the request of the signatories, copy of a letter addressed by them to the Colonial Secretary dated the 9th instant and a copy of a letter addressed by them to His Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul-General, Canton, dated the 23rd September last, on the subject of the action of the provincial Government which it is alleged will have the effect of restricting the sale of imported opium.\n\n2. While agreeing with your Excellency that it is doubtful whether the Regulations introduced by the Canton provincial authorities for the control of the trade in raw opium can be regarded as doing more than reproducing the Rules framed for the enforcement of the opium edict of the **20th September, 1905**, it appears to me that those Rules were themselves in some respects a violation of British Treaty rights, and cannot therefore, where conflicting with such rights, be pleaded in justification of provincial Proclamations.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \n**F. D. LUGARD**\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\nHong Kong Opium Merchants to Mr. May, Colonial Secretary, \nHong Kong, December 9, 1908. \nWE have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, in which you are directed to inform us that his Excellency the Governor has received a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking to the effect that he regards it as doubtful that the Regulations, as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly, that they appear to do little more than reproduce the Rules passed for the enforcement of the opium edict of the **20th September, 1906**; and that he has accordingly instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton that, while the working of the system would doubtless require to be carefully watched, it is inadvisable to take further action pending reference to His Majesty's Government.\n\nWe have in our letter to Mr. Harry H. Fox, His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, of the 23rd September last (copy of which was forwarded to you in our letter of the 25th September, and copy of which is hereunto attached) so fully dealt with the pernicious effect that these Regulations will have, if brought into force, upon the raw opium trade, that no useful object would be gained by recapitulating them, save to again contend that it must be obvious that if analyzed in detail to a logical conclusion the Regulations sought to be enforced in the Two Kwongs, and in particular the Regulation that after the ascertainment and registration of the number of opium shops in the province of the Two Kwongs now in existence, no new opium shops doing business in the buying and selling of raw and prepared opium will be allowed to be established,\" all tend to the idea that the primary intention is the creation of a monopoly amongst a certain number of existing opium shops, which shops will, as time goes on, decrease in number by either-\n\n| Means of Reduction | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Retirement from business; |\n| (b) | Seizure and closure by the authorities of the shops for infringement or alleged infringement of the law; |\n| (c) | The purchase by capitalists of the shops and of the licences. |\n\nIn the course of time, therefore, the sale of raw opium will be in the hands of a few, thus creating a monopoly.\n\nWe cannot agree, therefore, with the dictum of His Majesty's Minister at Peking that he is doubtful that the Regulations, as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly. We contend that the Regulations, if carried into stringent effect, will form the nucleus of a monopoly expressly contrary to the **Treaty of Nanking**.\n\nWe contend that the same must be said of Article 5 of the eleven Articles for carrying out the prohibition of opium if it is brought into force in China.\n\nIt reads as follows:- \n\"To closely inspect opium shops in order to facilitate preventive measures.\" \nAnd which Article is further explained as follows:- \n\"All shops in any city, town, or village which sell the raw drug or prepared opium must be severally inspected by the local authorities, who will draw up a list of them in the form of a register and issue to each a licence which will constitute their permit to carry on this trade. Once the inspection has been made no addition to the opium shops will be allowed.\" \nIt further adds:- \n\"Shops which from time to time drop out of the business must surrender their licences for cancellation. The licence must not be kept under penalty of a heavy fine.\"\n\nSurely this enactment would create a monopoly and be contrary to Treaty. In course of time the trade will obviously be in the hands of a few Chinese merchants.\n\nWe would refer you to **Article 5 of the British Treaty of Nanking, 1842**, to **Article 10 of the same Treaty**, and to **Article 14 of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858**, which for convenience we quote in full:- \n\n**Article 5 of the British Treaty of Nanking, 1842**:-- \n\"The Government of China having compelled the British merchants trading at Canton to deal exclusively with certain Chinese merchants, called hong merchants\" (or co-hong), who had been licensed by the Chinese Government for this purpose, the Emperor of China agrees to abolish that practice in future at all ports where British merchants may reside, and to permit them to carry on their mercantile transactions with whatever persons they please, and His Imperial Majesty further agrees to pay to the British Government the sum of 3,000,000 dollars, on account of debts due to British subjects by some of the said hong merchants (or co-hong) who have become insolvent and who owe very large sums of money to subjects of Her Britannic Majesty.\"\n\n**Article 10 of the same Treaty**:-- \n\"His Majesty the Emperor agrees to establish at all the ports which are by Article 11 of this Treaty to be thrown open for the resort of British merchants, a fair and regular Tariff of export and import customs and other dues, which Tariff shall be publicly notified and promulgated for general information, and the Emperor further engages that, when British merchandize shall have once paid duty at any of the said ports the regulated customs and dues, agreeable of the Tariff to be hereafter fixed, such merchandize may be conveyed by Chinese merchants to any province or city in the interior of the Empire of China on paying a further amount as transit dues, which shall not exceed ... per cent, on the Tariff value of such goods.\"\n\n**Article 14 of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin, 1858**:-- \n\"Aucune Société de Commerce privilégiée ne pourra désormais s'établir en Chine, et il en sera de même de toute coalition organisée dans le but d'exercer un monopole sur ... \n\nPage 353", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421567, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 356, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## \n\nle commerce. En cas de contravention du présent Article, les autorités chinoises, sur les représentations du Consul ou de l'Agent Consulaire, aviseront aux moyens de dissoudre de semblables associations, dont elles s'efforceront d'ailleurs de prévenir l'existence par des prohibitions préalables, afin d'écarter tout ce qui pourrait porter atteinte à la libre concurrence.' \n\nWe would wish to lay special stress upon the fact that by the Regulations now sought to be enforced by China, the right allowed by Treaty to all merchants, whether British or otherwise, to sell their opium to any one, is taken away, and that the \"Société de Commerce privilégée,\" as quoted above, has been practically brought into existence again; thus reviving an abuse which led to misunderstandings between the European Powers and China, and against which the Treaties of that period were especially intended to safeguard free trade in the future. \n\nWe submit that if Article 5 of the Edict is carried out, in course of time, the number of dealers in raw opium will dwindle to a very small number, healthy competition will cease, and the British merchant will be at the mercy of the few native shops left in the trade. \n\nInasmuch as the Indian opium trade has already been regulated by the Government of India and will, under the conditions agreed upon by Great Britain and China, entirely cease in the course of ten years, there is absolutely no reason whatever for the Chinese Government to interfere in any way with this trade by issuing vexatious notifications to the public, as has been done lately by the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs. Therefore, any interference on the part of the Chinese Government with the Indian opium trade cannot possibly be with any legitimate object. Provincial authorities all over the Empire are quite capable of using the Imperial Edict as a pretence for the purpose of raising revenue, or with the ulterior object of taking advantage of the situation in order to be able to squeeze the populace. We have only in this regard to refer to the recent action of the Viceroy of Nanking in order to show how far this can be carried into effect by unscrupulous authorities. \n\nThe merchants in China have a very strong claim on the British Government to protect their trade against this interference by the Chinese, not only the ordinary protection due to legitimate British trade, but from the fact that the merchants buy direct from the Government of India at the Government's monthly sales in Calcutta, and it is the duty of the British Government to see that the merchants get a fair and unhindered outlet for the opium purchased direct from them. \n\nIt is incumbent on the British Government, before they allow the opium trade to depart entirely from India and from British merchants dealing with the Indian Government, to see that China is really doing her share to eradicate the so-called evil.\n\nThe Report of Mr. Leech clearly shows that the British Government is keeping well ahead of the Chinese Government in the steps taken to stamp out the opium habit, although British trade is only one-eighth to one-tenth of the whole of the opium consumed in China.\n\nThe production in China of native opium being eight to ten times as large as the total import of the foreign drug, the cultivation of China opium is the thing to watch, not so much the foreign trade, and the only way to stop opium smoking in China is by getting the provincial authorities to curtail the production of the native drug; otherwise, while our trade will dwindle, Chinese opium will flourish, and derive the benefit of the falling off of British trade, and this is surely what the Chinese provincial officials desire, and in this regard, we would call attention to Sir Edward Grey's despatch to Sir M. Durand, dated the 17th October, 1906, where he says:- \n\n\"If, on the other hand, China was simply to prevent the importation of foreign opium in order that individual Chinese might grow more opium themselves and realize a higher price for it in China, then it would be useless for us to make sacrifices.\" \n\n\"Us\" there means Great Britain, or in other words, the Government of India and Great Britain's merchants dealing in raw opium. \n\nWe would wish that it should be pointed out to the British Government that it is a known fact that China not only consumes ten times as much more opium than is imported into China, but she also exports China-grown opium to Hong Kong, Saigon, Singapore, Bangkok, and other places. \n\nMr. Leech, Councillor at the British Legation, in his second Report on the opium question states:- \n\n\"Since the end of November 1907, when the previous General Report on the anti-opium movement was written, the two most noticeable features have been the continued interest and energy shown by the Central Government in the question, as compared with the growing apathy evinced by the provincial officials, and their lack of sustained effort to eradicate the evil.\" \n\nAs the provincial officials are expected to carry out the Edict, their actions are chiefly to be considered, and not the ineffective Edicts issued by the Central Government. We entirely fail to see why His Britannic Majesty's Minister should lay stress on the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, which is merely an Edict, or wish, expressed by the Government of China, and has never, to our knowledge, become a Treaty between the Chinese Government and the British Government. We would point out that Treaties do exist between England and China regarding the former's trade and commerce, and we submit that so long as those Treaties remain unrepealed, British merchants trading in the Far East, and, as we have already pointed out, purchasing their merchandise direct from the British Government, should have the protection afforded them by those Treaties. \n\nThe result of the two recent attempts by the Viceroy of Nanking and by the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs, to interfere with legitimate trade have on each occasion caused a heavy drop in prices and a falling off in deliveries, resulting in heavy loss to the British merchants and a complete disorganization of the trade in raw opium. \n\nWe would emphasize the fact that pressure was brought to bear upon the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs by the energetic action of the Consul-General in Canton so that the Regulations which he sought to enforce throughout the Kwong Tung Province were withdrawn in the city of Canton, yet in other prefectures these Regulations have been brought into force; native dealers in raw opium have been fined and imprisoned by the provincial authorities at Chiu Chow and Wui Chow, thus causing extreme uneasiness amongst the local Chinese, which has prevented them purchasing raw opium, and thus causing a complete disorganization of the trade and a violent decline in prices, resulting in much loss to the foreign merchants and general want of confidence in the future. \n\nFinally, we would wish to point out that British interests are so widely and heavily involved in the opium trade that the whole question should be approached with the utmost gravity. Before the British Government involve themselves in further diplomatic action with the Chinese, conclusive proof should be adduced to clearly show that the Chinese authorities are not only well-intentioned, but have taken steps at least proportionately equal to those being taken by way of curtailing the production by the British Government. \n\nIt may not be out of place to here give a few of the most important interests connected with the trade which will suffer, and to emphasize the serious blow that will result to British commerce if the opium trade is to cease in the course of a few years-\n\n1. A loss of over 5,000,000l. to India on the sale of raw opium alone. \n2. A heavy blow to British merchants engaged in the trade. \n3. A heavy loss to steamer owners, mostly British, as nearly all opium is carried in British bottoms. \n4. A heavy loss to Fire Insurance Companies, mostly British, who insure whilst it is stored upon land. \n5. A heavy loss to Marine Insurance Companies, mostly British, who insure raw opium whilst it is being carried on ship-board. \n6. A great loss to the British trade of Hong Kong and Shanghae and the Treaty Ports, involving indirectly losses to labour, property, and various other interests. \n\nWe have, &c. \n\nDavid Sassoon and Co. (Limited), \n(Signed) \nE. SHELLING, Manager. \n\nE. D. SASSOON AND Co. \nS. J. DAVID AND CO. E. PABANY. \n(Per pro. Tata Sons and Co.), \n(Per pro. \nR. W, TATA. \nH. M. H. NEMAZEE. \nM. H. E. ELIAS. \nP. F. TALATI. \nCOWASJEE, PALLANJEE, AND Co. Phirosha B. Petit and Co.), \nS. D. SETNA. \n\nPage 354", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421575, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 364, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 5174 \n## CHINA TRADE.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n(Reg 12 FEB 09)\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n[3507]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 12.) Sir,\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received January 27.)**\n\nPeking, January 6, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch with inclosures from his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong relative to the action of the Provincial Government at Canton in placing restrictions upon the sale of opium, which formed the subject of my despatches Nos. 464 and 540 of the 21st October and the 3rd December, respectively.\n\nSir F. Lugard, it will be observed, is inclined to share the view of the Hong Kong opium merchants that the Rules framed for the enforcement of the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, constitute, in some respects, a violation of British Treaty rights, and it becomes necessary, therefore, to examine the question with some care.\n\nThe Hong Kong merchants refer more particularly to Article 5 of the above Rules, which they contend constitutes an infringement of Articles 5 and 10 of the British Treaty of 1842 and Article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858.\n\nI myself have, when combating the attempt to establish an official monopoly of opium at Nanking, quoted the above Treaty provisions as debarring the Chinese from resorting to such a measure, but I have always felt the weakness of our position under the Nanking Treaty, and been prepared, in the event of its being challenged, to fall back upon the French Treaty as our best line of defence.\n\nOpium was a contraband article when the Treaty of Nanking was concluded, and remained so until 1858. Lord Palmerston, in his instructions to Sir H. Pottinger, the negotiator of the Treaty, wrote:- \n\"His Majesty's Government make no demand in regard to this matter (the legalization of the opium trade) for they have no right to do so, the Chinese Government is fully entitled to prohibit the importation of opium if it pleases.\"\n\nCan it, therefore, be reasonably contended that the British Government, in stipulating for the abolition of the hong merchants and the freedom of mercantile transactions at the Treaty ports, as they did in the 5th Article of the Treaty of 1842, meant to include transactions in opium, an article which continued to be contraband until 1858, and was then only legalized under special conditions which placed it in a category altogether different from ordinary merchandise? Such a strained interpretation of the Treaty would scarcely, I fear, be regarded as consistent with a desire on our part to assist China in her efforts to suppress the opium habit, and I have not ventured, pending your instructions, to indorse the views of the Hong Kong opium merchants in the communication which I have made on the subject to the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nBut the merchants go further and protest, apparently under Article 10 of the Nanking Treaty, against the Regulations being made applicable to native dealers in the interior.\n\nThe Regulations, they say, were withdrawn in the city of Canton, but have been brought into force in other prefectures of the province, and Mr. Fox was requested to make representations to the Viceroy to obtain their withdrawal throughout the whole of the Province of Kuangtung.\n\nArticle 10 of the Treaty of Nanking was never applied to opium, for the simple reason that opium was a contraband article then and for many years later. Under clause 5 of the Tariff Rules of 1858, the import of opium was for the first time legalized, but the importer was to sell it only at the port and not to be allowed to accompany it into the interior. The transit dues on it were to be arranged as the Chinese Government saw fit, and from 1858 to 1885 we never, so far as my knowledge goes, claimed any Treaty right to interfere with opium after it left the port area.\n\nIn 1885 the Additional Article to the Chefoo Agreement was negotiated, and the opium trade was placed upon the basis on which it has since been conducted. The foreign merchant can sell his opium only at the Treaty ports, and it can be taken into the interior by Chinese only under certificates which exempt it from taxation on the way,\n\nPage 362", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421576, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 365, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# Inclosure 1 in No. 1\n## Governor Sir F. Lugard to Sir J. Jordan\n\nGovernment House, Hong Kong, December 17, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to your Excellency's letter of the 30th October last, I have the honour to transmit, at the request of the signatories, copy of a letter addressed by them to the Colonial Secretary dated the 9th instant and a copy of a letter addressed by them to His Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul-General, Canton, dated the 23rd September last, on the subject of the action of the provincial Government which it is alleged will have the effect of restricting the sale of imported opium.\n\n2. While agreeing with your Excellency that it is doubtful whether the Regulations introduced by the Canton provincial authorities for the control of the trade in raw opium can be regarded as doing more than reproducing the Rules framed for the enforcement of the opium edict of the 20th September, 1905, it appears to me that those Rules were themselves in some respects a violation of British Treaty rights, and cannot therefore, where conflicting with such rights, be pleaded in justification of provincial Proclamations.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) \nF. D. LUGARD.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n### Hong Kong Opium Merchants to Mr. May, Colonial Secretary\n\nHong Kong, December 9, 1908.\n\nWE have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, in which you are directed to inform us that His Excellency the Governor has received a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking to the effect that he regards it as doubtful that the Regulations, as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly; that they appear to do little more than reproduce the Rules passed for the enforcement of the opium edict of the 20th September, 1906; and that he has accordingly instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton that, while the working of the system would doubtless require to be carefully watched, it is inadvisable to take further action pending reference to His Majesty's Government.\n\nWe have in our letter to Mr. Harry H. Fox, His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, of the 23rd September last (copy of which was forwarded to you in our letter of the 25th September, and copy of which is hereunto attached) so fully dealt with the pernicious effect that these Regulations will have, if brought into force, upon the raw opium trade, that no useful object would be gained by recapitulating them, save to again contend that it must be obvious that if analyzed in detail to a logical conclusion the Regulations sought to be enforced in the Two Kwongs, and in particular the Regulation that \"after the ascertainment and registration of the number of opium shops in the province of the Two Kwongs now in existence, no new opium shops doing business in the buying and selling of raw and prepared opium will be allowed to be established,\" all tend to the idea that the primary intention is the creation of a monopoly amongst a certain number of existing opium shops, which shops will, as time goes on, decrease in number by either—\n\n| Means of Reduction |\n| --- |\n| (a) Retirement from business; |\n| (b) Seizure and closure by the authorities of the shops for infringement or alleged infringement of the law; and |\n| (c) The purchase by capitalists of the shops and of the licences. |\n\nIn the course of time, therefore, the sale of raw opium will be in the hands of a few, thus creating a monopoly.\n\nWe cannot agree, therefore, with the dictum of His Majesty's Minister at Peking that he is doubtful that the Regulations, as they stand at present, can be regarded as establishing a monopoly. We contend that the Regulations, if carried into stringent effect, will form the nucleus of a monopoly expressly contrary to the Treaty of Nanking.\n\nWe contend that the same must be said of Article 5 of the eleven Articles for carrying out the prohibition of opium if it is brought into force in China.\n\nIt reads as follows:- \n\"To closely inspect opium shops in order to facilitate preventive measures.”\n\nAnd which Article is further explained as follows :---- \n\"All shops in any city, town, or village which sell the raw drug or prepared opium must be severally inspected by the local authorities, who will draw up a list of them in the form of a register and issue to each a licence which will constitute their permit to carry on this trade. Once the inspection has been made no addition to the opium shops will be allowed.\"\n\nIt further adds :---- \n\"Shops which from time to time drop out of the business must surrender their licences for cancellation. The licence must not be kept under penalty of a heavy fine.\"\n\nSurely this enactment would create a monopoly and be contrary to Treaty. In course of time the trade will obviously be in the hands of a few Chinese merchants.\n\nWe would refer you to Article 5 of the British Treaty of Nanking, 1842, to Article 10 of the same Treaty, and to Article 14 of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858, which for convenience we quote in full :—\n\n### Article 5 of the British Treaty of Nanking, 1842\n\n\"The Government of China having compelled the British merchants trading at Canton to deal exclusively with certain Chinese merchants, called hong merchants (or co-hong), who had been licensed by the Chinese Government for this purpose, the Emperor of China agrees to abolish that practice in future at all ports where British merchants may reside, and to permit them to carry on their mercantile transactions with whatever persons they please, and His Imperial Majesty further agrees to pay to the British Government the sum of 3,000,000 dollars, on account of debts due to British subjects by some of the said hong merchants (or co-hong) who have become insolvent and who owe very large sums of money to subjects of Her Britannic Majesty.\"\n\n### Article 10 of the same Treaty\n\n\"His Majesty the Emperor agrees to establish at all the ports which are by Article 11 of this Treaty to be thrown open for the resort of British merchants, a fair and regular Tariff of export and import customs and other dues, which Tariff shall be publicly notified and promulgated for general information, and the Emperor further engages that, when British merchandize shall have once paid duty at any of the said ports the regulated customs and dues, agreeable to the Tariff to be hereafter fixed, such merchandize may be conveyed by Chinese merchants to any province or city in the interior of the Empire of China on paying a further amount as transit dues, which shall not exceed ... per cent, on the Tariff value of such goods,\"\n\n### Article 14 of the French Treaty of Tien-tsin, 1858\n\n\"Aucune Société de Commerce privilégiée ne pourra désormais s'établir en Chine, et il en sera de même de toute coalition organisée dans le but d'exercer un monopole sur ...\n\nPage 363", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421577, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 366, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Memorandum\n\nle commerce. En cas de contravention du présent Article, les autorités chinoises, sur les représentations du Consul ou de l'Agent Consulaire, aviseront aux moyens de dissoudre de semblables associations, dont elles s'efforceront d'ailleurs de prévenir l'existence par des prohibitions préalables, afin d'écarter tout ce qui pourrait porter atteinte à la libre concurrence.\"\n\nWe would wish to lay special stress upon the fact that by the Regulations now sought to be enforced by China, the right allowed by Treaty to all merchants, whether British or otherwise, to sell their opium to any one, is taken away, and that the \"Société de Commerce privilégiée,\" as quoted above, has been practically brought into existence again; thus reviving an abuse which led to misunderstandings between the European Powers and China, and against which the Treaties of that period were especially intended to safeguard free trade in the future.\n\nWe submit that if Article 5 of the Edict is carried out, in course of time, the number of dealers in raw opium will dwindle to a very small number, healthy competition will cease, and the British merchant will be at the mercy of the few native shops left in the trade.\n\nInasmuch as the Indian opium trade has already been regulated by the Government of India and will, under the conditions agreed upon by Great Britain and China, entirely cease in the course of ten years, there is absolutely no reason whatever for the Chinese Government to interfere in any way with this trade by issuing vexatious notifications to the public, as has been done lately by the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs. Therefore, any interference on the part of the Chinese Government with the Indian opium trade cannot possibly be with any legitimate object. Provincial authorities all over the Empire are quite capable of using the Imperial Edict as a pretence for the purpose of raising revenue, or with the ulterior object of taking advantage of the situation in order to be able to squeeze the populace. We have only in this regard to refer to the recent action of the Viceroy of Nanking in order to show how far this can be carried into effect by unscrupulous authorities.\n\nThe merchants in China have a very strong claim on the British Government to protect their trade against this interference by the Chinese, not only the ordinary protection due to legitimate British trade, but from the fact that the merchants buy direct from the Government of India at the Government's monthly sales in Calcutta, and it is the duty of the British Government to see that the merchants get a fair and unhindered outlet for the opium purchased direct from them.\n\nIt is incumbent on the British Government, before they allow the opium trade to depart entirely from India and from British merchants dealing with the Indian Government, to see that China is really doing her share to eradicate the so-called evil.\n\nThe Report of Mr. Leech clearly shows that the British Government is keeping well ahead of the Chinese Government in the steps taken to stamp out the opium habit, although British trade is only one-eighth to one-tenth of the whole of the opium consumed in China.\n\nThe production in China of native opium being eight to ten times as large as the total import of the foreign drug, the cultivation of China opium is the thing to watch, not so much the foreign trade, and the only way to stop opium smoking in China is by getting the provincial authorities to curtail the production of the native drug, otherwise, while our trade will dwindle, Chinese opium will flourish, and derive the benefit of the falling off of British trade, and this is surely what the Chinese provincial officials desire, and in this regard we would call attention to Sir Edward Grey's despatch to Sir M. Durand, dated the 17th October, 1906, where he says:----\n\n\"If, on the other hand, China was simply to prevent the importation of foreign opium in order that individual Chinese might grow more opium themselves and realize a higher price for it in China, then it would be useless for us to make sacrifices.\"\n\n\"Us\" there means Great Britain, or in other words, the Government of India and Great Britain's merchants dealing in raw opium.\n\nWe would wish that it should be pointed out to the British Government that it is a known fact that China not only consumes ten times as much more opium than is imported into China, but she also exports China-grown opium to Hong Kong, Saigon, Singapore, Bangkok, and other places.\n\nMr. Leech, Councillor at the British Legation, in his second Report on the opium question states:—\n\n\"Since the end of November 1907, when the previous General Report on the anti-opium movement was written, the two most noticeable features have been the continued interest and energy shown by the Central Government in the question, as compared with the growing apathy evinced by the provincial officials, and their lack of sustained effort to eradicate the evil.”\n\nAs the provincial officials are expected to carry out the Edict, their actions are chiefly to be considered, and not the ineffective Edicts issued by the Central Government. We entirely fail to see why His Britannic Majesty's Minister should lay stress on the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, which is merely an Edict, or wish, expressed by the Government of China, and has never, to our knowledge, become a Treaty between the Chinese Government and the British Government. We would point out that Treaties do exist between England and China regarding the former's trade and commerce, and we submit that so long as those Treaties remain unrepealed British merchants trading in the Far East, and, as we have already pointed out, purchasing their merchandise direct from the British Government, should have the protection afforded them by those Treaties.\n\nThe result of the two recent attempts by the Viceroy of Nanking and by the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs, to interfere with legitimate trade have on each occasion caused a heavy drop in prices and a falling off in deliveries, resulting in heavy loss to the British merchants and a complete disorganization of the trade in raw opium.\n\nWe would emphasize the fact that pressure was brought to bear upon the Viceroy of the Two Kwongs by the energetic action of the Consul-General in Canton so that the Regulations which he sought to enforce throughout the Kwong Tung Province were withdrawn in the city of Canton, yet in other prefectures these Regulations have been brought into force, native dealers in raw opium have been fined and imprisoned by the provincial authorities at Chiu Chow and Wui Chow, thus causing extreme uneasiness amongst the local Chinese, which has prevented them purchasing raw opium, and thus causing a complete disorganization of the trade and a violent decline in prices, resulting in much loss to the foreign merchants and general want of confidence in the future.\n\nFinally, we would wish to point out that British interests are so widely and heavily involved in the opium trade that the whole question should be approached with the utmost gravity. Before the British Government involve themselves in further diplomatic action with the Chinese, conclusive proof should be educed to clearly show that the Chinese authorities are not only well-intentioned, but have taken steps at least proportionately equal to those being taken by way of curtailing the production by the British Government.\n\nIt may not be out of place to here give a few of the most important interests connected with the trade which will suffer, and to emphasize the serious blow that will result to British commerce if the opium trade is to cease in the course of a few years:-\n\n1. A loss of over 3,000,000l. to India on the sale of raw opium alone.\n2. A heavy blow to British merchants engaged in the trade.\n3. A heavy loss to steamer owners, mostly British, as nearly all opium is carried in British bottoms.\n4. A heavy loss to Fire Insurance Companies, mostly British, who insure whilst it is stored upon land.\n5. A heavy loss to Marine Insurance Companies, mostly British, who insure raw opium whilst it is being carried on ship-board.\n6. A great loss to the British trade of Hong Kong and Shanghae and the Treaty Ports, involving indirectly losses to labour, property, and various other interests.\n\nWe have, &c.\n\n`[2090 dd-1]`\n\nDavid Sassoon and Co. (Limited),\n(Signed)\n(Per pro. E. SHELLING, Manager.\nE. D. SASSOON AND Co.\nS. J. DAVID AND Co.\nE. PABANY,\nTata Sons and Co.),\nR. W. TATA.\nH. M. H. NEMAZEE.\nM. H. E. ELIAS.\nP. F. TALATI.\nCOWASJEE, PALLANJEE, AND Co.\n(Per pro. Phirosha B. Petit and Co.),\nS. D. SETNA.\n\nPage 3.64", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421580, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 369, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## DOMESTIC.\n**C. O. 5177**\nI refer to your letter 5174 of Feb 11 regarding the rules issued in Sept. 1946 dealing with Suppression in Spain habit, under Imperial Edict, and those issued in Sept. 1908 to Provincial Govt at Canton.\n\nHowever, the rules made in 1909 were issued to Office or Individual.\n\n--A. & E. W.- 20062/27 - 25000-$1-08.\n\n| Reference | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 5177 | (Ace 12 FEB QU!) Opin International Commission |\n| 5846 | Next subsequent Paper |\n\nI attach for record a cutting from \"The Times\" giving Yesterday's report of the Commission's Resolutions of 27/2 and 19/3/2.\n\nM. Stubbs, Eight 12/2, sent copy tel from Lubt asking for brief statement on laws affecting importation of opium in Mealand.\n\nM. Stubbs, R$ 12, R% 12/2.\n\nHONG KONG N ZEALAND S. AFRICA \n367 \n1527 \n39H1 27/2 \n199/2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421659, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 448, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government) 446\n\n## C. O. 6761\n\n### CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[January 23]\n\n## RECE REG. 25 E 09 SECTION 3\n\n### [3055] No 1\n\n## Mr. Hillier to Mr. Addis.--(Communicated by Mr. Addis, January 23, 1909.)\n\n**(Private.)**\n\nMy dear Addis,\n\nI have nothing from you to acknowledge.\n\nCopies of recent telegrams between us are inclosed.\n\nPeking, December 31, 1908.\n\nLoon to Viceroy of Manchuria.-The Acting Governor of Mukden, Mr. M. T. Liang, wrote to me on the 16th instant pressing me for a reply with regard to this business, and adding that, if we were not prepared to take it up, they would have to consider other arrangements. I passed this on to you through head office, asking for a further expression of your views in the light of my more recent advices. Your reply merely confirmed your previous opinion, and you asked whether I had communicated the same to the Chinese Government, and what were their own views on the subject of provincial loans. Whatever may have been the views of the Chinese Government with regard to provincial loans, it has been difficult for me to consult them in the present instance without appearing to go over Mr. Liang's head, and thereby risking my relations with him. On receipt of your telegram, however, I called privately on Liang Tun-yen, Vice-President of the Wai-wu Pu, and explained to him the difficult position in which we were placed by Mr. M. T. Liang's pressure on the one hand, and our concern for the credit of the Chinese Government on the other. He quite grasped the point, and promised to speak to Yuan Shih-k'ai. The reply of the latter was that the Government was already alive to the necessity of putting a stop to promiscuous borrowing, and of controlling all such operations through one official channel; they were especially dissatisfied with the recent conduct of the Yu-chuan Pu in hawking about a loan for 100 lacs of dollars, which no one would look at. A Memorial had therefore been prepared by the Board of Finance, and was to be presented to the Throne in a few days, urging that all future loans, whether for account of the Peking Boards and Departments of State, or of the provinces, should be negotiated and concluded with the Board of Finance alone. It is an admirable Regulation if they will stick to it; at any rate, it furnished me with the material for a reply to Mr. M. T. Liang, and I inclose copy of my letter to him herewith.\n\nApart from this, however, there are growing indications that the Government is being forced irresistibly towards the path of financial reform. The Prince Regent, Yuan Shih-kai, and the best men in the Government realize that this must come, and, what is still more hopeful, that effective and real reform cannot be carried out without the assistance of expert foreign advisers. Liang Tun-yen spoke to me on the subject with great frankness and common sense, and what he says may fairly be taken as representing the growing opinion in higher official circles.\n\nRailway Negotiations.-Mr. Bland reopened the Hankow-Canton Railway negotiations with the Grand Secretary, Chang Chih-tung, this week by a four hours' sitting. They do not appear to have got beyond generalities, and, of course, a good deal of nonsense was talked by his Excellency Chang. The subject of negotiation was the Hupei-Hunan section of about 400 miles. Chang wants `£3,000,000`; he wants it on the same or better conditions than the recent loan to the Yu-chuan Pu, and he wants to deal with the British alone. At the same time, which is not very consistent, he threatens competition from the Belgians, Japanese, and Germans. All these nations have in fact colourable claims to an interest in the undertaking, and we may look forward to long and complicated negotiations before the business is completed. A hopeful sign, on the other hand, is the fact that Chang is prepared to consider the principle of construction by contract; if he can be persuaded to adopt this system and place the construction of the line in the hands of a reputable firm of British railway contractors, the agreement will be immensely simplified. Within the last few days an Edict has appeared giving Chang Chih-tung supreme control of the financing and construction of the Hankow-Szechuan as well as of the Hankow-Canton line, so we...\n\n[2104 -3]\n\n*Not printed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421741, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 530, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n525\n\nC.O.\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n## Imperial Edict issued on December 18, 1908.\n\nIN a Memorial presented by Chang Chih-tung, Yuan Shih-K'ai, and Liang Tun-yen, submitting a scheme for the joint official and commercial management of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway, it was proposed that when, after ten years, the time for the repayment of the loan by the Imperial Government arrived, the gentry and merchants of the three provinces should be permitted to raise sufficient capital to buy in one-half of the shares, and that the line should then be under joint official and commercial management. Subsequently Lu Hai Huan submitted a Memorial suggesting regulations for raising share capital, wherein he proposed that as the southern section of the line passed through Anhui this province should be added to the others, making four in all, that after ten years the line should be placed under joint official and private management, and that at no time could the commercial shares be recalled. These proposals were all sanctioned.\n\nA further Memorial has now been submitted by Lu Hai Huan with reference to the affairs of the Four Provinces Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway Company (Limited), in which he represents that progress is being delayed owing to popular uneasiness. As it has been decided that the railway is to be permanently under joint official and commercial management, it would obviously be unjust to recall the commercial shares, and after the issue of this definite pronouncement we direct Lu Hai Huan to urge the gentry and merchants of the provinces to join together in raising share capital for the railway, so that there may be no risk of any obstacle arising when the time for the redemption of the line arrives, that benefits may result to all, and that good faith may be observed.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[5712]\n\n**(No. 29.)**\n\n### No. 1.\n\n### Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n### February 11\n\nRact SECTION 1 MAR OC\n\n7798\n\n**(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nForeign Office, February 11, 1909.\n\nA copy of a telegram has been communicated to me by Pauling's agent, in which he states that the Japanese, who demand participation in all construction contracts for the Hankow-Canton Railway as price of their support, are causing the greatest difficulty.\n\nI should be glad to be informed of the facts.\n\nFirm request that you may be authorized to use your influence to obtain withdrawal of this opposition.\n\n[2150-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421830, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 619, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## The Wai-wu Pu pointed out that, under Article 6 of the Regulations for the eradication of opium smoking formulated by the Government Council, the high provincial authorities shall appoint efficient and experienced medical officers to make a careful study of opium remedies with a view to the manufacture of pills, and that such pills shall not contain opium ash or morphia. But the samples sent in for analysis to the Kuan I Chu are very possibly not the same as the remedies offered for sale, and it is only, therefore, by effecting a secret purchase at every shop and sending the samples to the Kuan I Chü for examination that the effective working of the Regulations can be secured.\n\nIn view of the fact that all the Powers are co-operating in the movement for the eradication of the opium habit, it is naturally all the more essential that the matter should be carefully investigated. Should any of the above malpractices be discovered, it is to be hoped that the offenders will be treated with the utmost severity as a warning to others.\n\nThe Wai-wu Pu further requested a reply by wire.\n\nThe Viceroy replied, admitting that the introduction of morphia into anti-opium remedies was a practice which was likely to cause the most harmful consequences, but stating that neither the fact of the examination of the pills sold nor the manner in which such examination had been conducted by the Kuan-i-Chû had ever been reported to him since the issue of the anti-opium Edict. Should the facts as stated by the Governor of Hong Kong be true, it would be essential that samples of the various remedies sold by shops dealing in anti-opium medicines be carefully analyzed, so that foreigners should have no ground on which to base such statements.\n\nHe therefore felt it his imperative duty to issue instructions by despatch for a satisfactory joint action to be taken with the Provincial Treasurer in this sense. A scheme must be devised for the supervision of all shops where anti-opium remedies are sold, and the effective working of the scheme must also be provided for, and any offender must be severely punished as an example for others. Reports must also be furnished from time to time on the working of the system, and these injunctions must be strictly obeyed.\n\nWith reference to this, we would observe that some time ago the Head Police Office sent for samples of anti-opium pills and other remedies from various shops, and had them chemically examined, and some, being found to contain morphia, a notification was issued prohibiting their sale. But this was some time ago, and it is very difficult to prevent a recrudescence of the evil, or to prevent others from trying to make illicit gain.\n\nWe have therefore given orders to the officers in charge of the measures for the suppression of the opium habit to secretly obtain samples and have them analyzed. It is, moreover, our duty to issue this Proclamation, bringing the matter to the notice of all, and warning all shopkeepers, Chinese and foreign, of the exceedingly harmful nature of morphia, and of the evil consequences which will result if it is incautiously mixed with anti-opium remedies. The Emperor, to remove a national scourge, has made Agreements with foreign Powers for the prohibition of the importation of morphia. Should, therefore, these evils continue, not only will foreigners have a good excuse for criticising us, but the people selling morphia will themselves get into trouble.\n\nHenceforth, if any trader, paying no regard to the public welfare, secretly uses any morphia, he will on discovery be severely punished. What we, the Financial Commissioner and the Commissioner of Constabulary, have said we will abide by; no indulgence will be shown. Purchasers of anti-opium remedies must gradually reduce the amount, for it is only by this means that the movement can advance, amount consumed remains the same, although there is no morphia in the pills, it is impossible to break off the habit.\n\nIf the ...\n\nWe therefore, in deference to public welfare, solemnly enjoin one and all to obey these injunctions.\n\n**An Ya Puo, January 11, 1909.**\n\nOffice or Individual.\n\nreign\n\n1909\n\n18 \n\nHONG KONG \n\n9564 \n\nC.O. 9564 \n\nRec'd 18 MAR 09 \n\nAffairs of China \n\nPruits of further corres \n\nM. Stulls \n\nPraits to H. H. of secret \n\nM \n\n76 \n\n1739 A. & K. W.-20969/27- 95000--11-08. \n\nPrevious Paper \n\n7.6. \n\n8782 \n\nDOMESTIC. \n\next subsequent Paper \n\n10492", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421965, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 754, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Inclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\n### Newspaper Extract.\n\n#### Address by Tuan Fung at Opening of International Opium Commission.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nON the 20th September, 1906, an Imperial Edict was issued prohibiting the cultivation and use of opium throughout the Empire within a period of ten years. According to a report from the Ministry concerned, the result of any inquiry into the question shows that, up to the present, progress has been made in reducing the area under cultivation of the poppy plant in the various provinces. As a matter of fact, the area where the poppy has been cultivated in the Kiangnan portion of Kiangsu Province has been now reduced by 80 per cent., while it is on record that from the six Provinces of Shansi, Yunnan, Fuhkien, Anhui, Honan, and Heilungkiang, or Northern Manchuria, Memorials have been presented to the Throne reporting that the cultivation of the poppy will be entirely stopped by the winter of the present year. Even more than that: the gentry and merchants of the various provinces of the Empire have everywhere started societies to exhort and assist opium smokers to get rid of the baneful habit. For instance, we have an Association in Fuhkien Province known as the Anti-Poison Society, which has been making considerable progress in its campaign against the drug.\n\nIndeed, from the present outlook, together with the state of public opinion throughout our Empire, there are great hopes that the consumption of opium can be stopped in its entirety before the end of the prescribed limit of ten years.\n\nTo-day it is my good fortune to be present at this International Conference, having been appointed by Imperial Rescript to open the proceedings. I am convinced that the countries of the world recognize that the benevolence and philanthropy which have led to the gathering of the present Conference in the interests of civilization, and I may state that the people of our whole Empire are most grateful for it. It will need more eloquence than mine to fittingly express the cordial welcome with which our country hails the inauguration of this International Opium Conference, but I may take this opportunity to first respectfully tender the thanks of my Government and that of the people of this Empire to the American Government for initiating the movement which has brought about this Conference, and next to thank the Governments of the various countries here represented for so heartily joining in it.\n\nAs the Representative of the whole Empire, I beg leave to give this Conference some of our ideas on the subject in view.\n\nI may be permitted to express my belief that this Conference will be principally guided by the feelings of reason, benevolence, and philanthropy in its desire to eradicate a poison and a bane to mankind. This being universally recognized, it becomes us to put aside all prejudices of nationality and race and be guided solely by that world-wide philanthropy and enlightenment which have brought about this International Conference. For instance, the manner in which the Governments of the countries concerned have set about to stop the consumption of opium in their Colonies and dependencies such as Formosa, Annam, the Philippine Islands, Java, &c., has been to undertake the monopoly of the sale of opium therein, a procedure which China alone has not yet put into actual force; as a matter of fact, the mere prohibition of opium without the Government having the monopoly of the sale of the drug will prevent the Government from learning the number of persons suffering from the habit, nor can it put into effect any laws for the suppression of opium consumption. Mr. Leech, Councillor of the British Legation in Peking, has stated: \"Whether China can completely obtain the good she seeks without Government control of opium both native-grown and imported is somewhat doubtful,\" an opinion which gains my deep admiration for his wisdom and far-sightedness, and merits our sincere thanks for his warm sympathy in our endeavours. What, however, is to be apprehended is that Chinese merchants importing opium may claim that such a step will be contrary to former Treaties and be disadvantageous to their trade and so oppose it, thereby preventing China from putting into effect a proper control over opium and the spread of the opium prohibition throughout the country. Thus not only will it not agree with the sincere intentions first expressed by the British Government to give every assistance to China, but also be a hindrance to the movement initiated by the American Government; nor will it enable the various countries represented in this Conference to show their unanimity in assisting this Conference to solve the questions before it. This is a matter to be regretted, indeed, and it is my earnest hope that this Conference will thoroughly go into this matter during its deliberations.\n\nIt was at first intended to limit the abolition of opium in this Empire to ten years, but the various provinces have been able to so reduce the cultivation of the poppy that it would seem that this cultivation may be entirely stopped within the next couple of years. Moreover, the sale of prepared opium has also been rapidly reduced to over one-half, so that we may certainly be able to entirely stop the sale and consumption of the native-grown opium within the prescribed limit of ten years, stoppage of our native-grown opium it would follow that the importation of the foreign drug will also stop as a natural sequence. Such being the case, the people of my country will have reason to congratulate themselves on what has gone before, and this we owe to the assistance given by the British Government and to the labours of the American Government in initiating the movement which brought about this Conference. On the other hand, the attempts of this Government to suppress opium are hampered by existing Treaties. Should a way be found by which such clauses in the Treaties that restrict the freedom of my Government in its work of abolishing the consumption of the drug in the Empire may be got over with, so that we may succeed in accomplishing our great and important task, fortunate indeed will it be for our Government and the people of this Empire. It is my earnest hope that this Conference will use its best endeavours to thresh out this question.\n\nOn the whole, since the main object of this Conference will be to consider the question of opium, fortunate indeed will it be for the whole world if by the labours of the Conference a way be found to shorten the limit and bring about the abolition of opium at an early date. I do not think that national interests and division of races will be brought forward and produce difficulties between our countries, thereby hampering the work of opium abolition.\n\nWhat is the meaning of the phrase: \"To seek for gain and yet fear to overcome difficulties\"? The honourable gentlemen who are present this day as members of the Conference have all been selected by their respective Governments for their benevolence, philanthropy, and fame. Since such is the case, I am certain that no one amongst this distinguished assembly will act contrary to the benevolent and enlightened objects which have brought them together here. I will therefore be the first to declare to this...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421967, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 756, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 751\n\n2\n\nA number of existing dealers in raw opium, and to prevent new firms from coming into existence, do amount to a breach of the Treaties. They consequently view with considerable uneasiness the attitude taken up by His Majesty's Minister at Peking in this matter, as they fear that this cannot but result in encouraging the provincial officials to still further aggressive acts against foreign trade.\n\nMy Committee therefore wish to join with the writers of the previous letters in their protest against the enforcement of the regulations complained of, and trust that after full consideration of the matter, his Excellency will see his way to represent this in the proper quarters, with a view to a repeal of the new opium regulations.\n\nIn conclusion, I would beg to refer to the Chairman's letter to you of the 3rd September, 1907, when dealing with the attempted monopoly in raw opium which the Viceroy at Nanking was then endeavouring to establish. In the opinion of my Committee, the present position taken up by the Viceroy of the Two Kuang will have an equally restricting effect upon the trade as that attempted by the Nanking authorities, and the arguments in the above letter apply therefore equally in the present case.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) \nE. A. M. WILLIAMS.\n\nSir,\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Governor Sir F. Lugard.\n\nPeking, February 5, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 14th January, inclosing a letter from the Secretary of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, in which the opinion is expressed that the regulations which were being enforced to limit the number of existing dealers in raw opium in the Two Kuang provinces, and to prevent new firms from coming into existence, amount to a breach of the Treaties.\n\nMy view was that the regulations which were being enforced at Canton were practically only a reproduction of those framed for carrying out the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, and your Excellency, while apparently concurring in this opinion, held that the latter rules were themselves in some respects a violation of British Treaty rights.\n\nI have dealt with this point in a despatch to His Majesty's Secretary of State, a copy of which was forwarded to your Excellency in my despatch of the 8th January, and, pending the receipt of Sir Edward Grey's instructions, I regret that I do not see my way to departing from the attitude which I then assumed.\n\nAs your Excellency will have learned since your despatch now under acknowledgment was written, the new Regulations have not, as a matter of fact, been enforced in the Canton Prefecture. In his despatch of the 18th January, copy of which was sent to you, Mr. Fox, the Acting Consul-General at Canton, states:-\n\n\"The new Regulations have not been enforced in the Canton Prefecture as regards the raw opium trade. In Canton, the authorities have so far placed no restrictions on the free import and sale of raw opium. Opium-boiling shops are licensed as heretofore by the Opium Guild, who pay a lump sum of 48,000 dollars per annum to the Government in commutation of licence fees. This sum formerly amounted to 100,000 dollars, but was reduced in March 1908 owing to the closing of the opium divans in Canton and the consequent decrease in the amount of opium dealt with.\n\n\"In some of the outlying Prefectures, notably in the Swatow district, attempts have recently been made by the local authorities to regulate and restrict the sale of raw opium. The protests of the Hong Kong opium merchants were, as reported in my despatches Nos. 51, 53, 63, and 66, communicated to the Viceroy, who has, I understand, given orders that the new Regulations are not, for the present, to be applied to the raw opium trade.\"\n\nMr. Fox points out that the total import of Indian opium into Canton amounted in 1908 to 10,948.64 piculs, valued at 7,219,505 Haikuan taels, as against 10,355.73 piculs in 1907, valued at 5,138,869 Haikuan taels. The figures for the quarter ended the 31st December last, during which these Regulations were supposed to be in force, were 2,356 piculs, valued at 1,686,781 Haikuan taels.\n\nWhile there was therefore a slight decrease in the quantity of Indian opium imported during last year, there was a considerable rise in the value. On the other hand, there was, according to Mr. Fox, a marked falling off in the quantity of native opium coming down from Yunnan, Szechuan, and Kueichow. Mr. Fox concludes by saying that high prices for Indian opium have ruled throughout the year, and all the dealers have done exceptionally well.”\n\nA similar state of things seems to have prevailed on a much smaller scale at Swatow, where the import for 1908 was 563,466 lb., valued at 401,474l., against 572,118 lb., of the value of 374,698l., in the previous year.\n\nThe restrictive measures of which the Hong Kong opium merchants complain would seem therefore to have had no injurious effect upon the Indian opium trade in the Two Kuang provinces.\n\nOn the 4th January last, I addressed a representation to the Wai-wu Pu setting forth the views of the principal importers of foreign opium upon the effect which the Regulations introduced in the Two Kuang and in Kiangnan would have upon their trade, and deprecating the establishment of anything in the nature of a monopoly as being contrary to Treaty. I suggested that the provincial authorities should be called upon to exclude foreign opium from the clauses in their Regulations which applied to the wholesale trade.\n\nIn their reply of the 14th January, the Wai-wu Pu stated that the Regulations in Kiangnan applied only to native opium, and denied that any monopoly of foreign opium existed at Canton, where the system of wholesale houses had not been started.\n\nCopies of this correspondence are inclosed for your Excellency's information.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nPeking, January 4, 1909.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nWITH reference to previous correspondence regarding the measures taken in various provinces by the high authorities for controlling the sale and consumption of opium by a system of licences, I have the honour to present to your Highness the views of the principal importers of foreign opium upon the effect which the Regulations introduced in Kwangtung and Kiangnan will have on their trade.\n\nThree importing firms consider that any regulation which seeks to confine the wholesale trade in foreign opium to a limited number of Chinese firms is equivalent to granting a monopoly to these establishments, and, therefore, a contravention of Treaty. They submit that the importation of foreign opium is still a legitimate trade which can only be restricted under Agreement between the Governments concerned, and that any restriction of its sale goes beyond the scope of the arrangement which has been made for the gradual diminution of its export from India.\n\nAn examination of the Regulations issued at Canton and in Kiangnan shows that the apprehensions of the importers of foreign opium are well founded. The arrangement between Great Britain and China contemplates a gradual decrease in the export from India, but leaves the trade in China subject to existing Treaty provisions, and under these circumstances, the application of prohibitive measures against the sale of raw opium imported by British firms is not only not sanctioned by any Agreement between the two Governments, but constitutes an infringement of the Treaty provisions which preclude the establishment of a monopoly.\n\nI have the honour to request, therefore, that the provincial authorities in question may be called upon to exclude foreign opium from the clauses in their Regulations which apply to the wholesale trade.\n\nI avail, &c. (Signed) \nJ. N. JORDAN.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421968, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 757, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n752\n\n## C.O.\n\n### Inclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\n**Prince Ching to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\n(Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, January 14, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's note of the 4th instant complaining, on behalf of British importers of opium, of the Canton and Kiangnan Regulations which restricted their business, and requesting that foreign opium should be excepted from the scope of any rules for the control of the wholesale trade.\n\nThe Board at once telegraphed the purport of this communication to the two Viceroys, with a request for an expression of their views, and have now received a telegram in reply from the Viceroy at Nanking in which his Excellency says that the system for controlling the opium trade in Kiangnan is in compliance with the Regulations issued by this Board, and applies only to native opium, without affecting foreign opium at all. The Viceroy adds that this point has been clearly set forth in a letter to the British Consul by the Provincial Bureau of Foreign Affairs, in reply to inquiries which he had made; and his Excellency requests this Board to inform your Excellency in this sense.\n\nThe Viceroy of Canton, in his reply, states that in the Kwangtung Viceroyalty, foreign opium has never been subjected to any monopoly in the wholesale trade.\n\nIt will thus be seen that in Kiangnan, the system of wholesale houses is only intended to restrict the sale of native opium, and has nothing to do with foreign opium; while in Kwangtung no system of wholesale houses has been started.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n(Card of Prince Ch'ing.)\n\n## CHINA TRADE.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[8517]\n\n### No. 1.\n\n**India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received March 4.)**\n\n[March 4.]\n\n11308\n\n## SECTION\n\nRece Rece 1 APR 09,\n\nSir,\n\nIndia Office, March 3, 1909.\n\nI AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 11th February, 1909, on the subject of the action of the Provincial Government of Canton in placing restrictions upon the sale of opium.\n\nIn reply, I am to say that Viscount Morley gathers from the papers that the view held by Sir J. Jordan is that the Regulations of 1906, which were promulgated by the Imperial Government for enforcing the Opium Edict of the 20th September, 1906, throughout the Empire, should not be held to constitute an infringement of British Treaty rights, though he has been obliged on occasions to oppose subsidiary rules made by provincial authorities, especially such rules as would create monopolies within Treaty port areas. Viscount Morley has no hesitation in accepting this view, and concurs with Sir E. Grey that even if these Regulations might be considered to constitute a technical violation of Treaty rights no objection need be raised to their being carried out.\n\nIt is understood that the rules enforced by the Provincial Government in the interior of the Province of Canton are substantially the same as the Imperial Regulations.\n\nI am,\n&c. (Signed)\nA. GODLEY.\n\n0\n\n[2188 -1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 421971, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 760, "title": "CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "755 \n\n2 \n\nIt is by no means unlikely that the poppy is being cultivated elsewhere in Western Yunnan than in the districts mentioned above. I have been told by Chinese that, away from the high road, opium may be found growing in Western Yunnan as heretofore, but I hesitate to accept this general and sweeping statement. I was informed by some European residents at Yunnan-fu that they had seen fields planted with opium in a remote corner in the mountains, a day's journey only from the capital. I have personally inspected these fields, and am satisfied that no opium is growing in them.\n\nThe Magistrate of Fu-min-hsien, 18 miles from Yunnan-fu, has received promotion for having ploughed up the opium fields in his jurisdiction, and for having sent in six mule loads of opium pipes and opium lamps, said to have been voluntarily handed over by smokers who had abandoned the habit. I am credibly informed by Chinese that he has been denounced by the local gentry as an opium smoker. Thousands of opium pipes are being exhibited at all the city gates. They are publicly announced to have been the property of those who had voluntarily given up opium smoking. It should be observed, however, that the pipes on view are old, common ones, and that a well-to-do opium smoker in Yünnan often owns ten or more pipes.\n\nThe Roman Catholic missionaries predict a storm in Yunnan within the next few months. They declare that opium cultivation is going on, and any attempt at suppression will be forcibly resisted. I have talked with several well-to-do Chinese merchants at Yunnan-fu. They appear to be unanimous in supporting the suppression of the opium vice in Yunnan, but they are also unanimous in holding that the suppression should take place gradually, and extend over a period of four or five years. They are men with a stake in the province, and, by means of their commercial correspondents, in touch with popular feeling throughout the province. The high officials at Yunnan-fu have expressed their confidence to me that the Governor-General will successfully carry out his task of suppressing the cultivation, sale, and consumption of the drug at the end of the present Chinese New Year (20th January). A good cause and determination are, they consider, sufficient to enforce obedience upon a docile population. It is true that the Yunnanese are indolent and apathetic, but it is open to question whether \"docile\" is the correct term to apply to them indiscriminately. Yunnan-fu and its neighbourhood are under the eye of a Governor-General of determined character, backed by an adequate military force. The districts remote from the capital are administered by officials, with nothing more effective to overawe the defiant cultivators of opium than a miserable medley of runners and police—too often besotted opium smokers. The extensive area of the province and the difficulties of transport, especially in Western Yunnan, make it no easy matter to be continually moving troops to every part where opium is now being grown. The prestige of the Governor-General is necessarily weaker there than it is in and about Yunnan-fu itself.\n\nHad it not been for the succession of secret deputies, unknown to one another in many cases, sent out by the Governor-General during 1908 to report on the cultivation of opium throughout the province, it is certain that the opium which has been extensively planted in the districts named would have remained undisturbed by any action of the local officials. I hear that rumours of popular determination to resist the anti-opium crusade have been fast pouring in during the last few days. It may be that these rumours are baseless, but it may also be that the malcontents are screwing up their courage by talking themselves into a state of insubordination. Speaking generally, the opening of the next Chinese year is regarded with considerable apprehension by the Chinese mercantile community at Yünnan-fu, which does not believe that opium in Yunnan can be suppressed so suddenly, and is alarmed at the prospect of troubles should the Governor-General endeavour to enforce his policy. In regard to the province of Kueichou, I have received no information whatsoever from missionary residents. I have, however, had the opportunity of conversation with an intelligent Chinese gentleman, who had been travelling in Kueichou and Eastern Yünnan during October and November last. He tells me that he believes that the cultivation of the poppy is not sensibly diminished in Kueichou, and that it is to be found throughout the province, except along the high roads. This view has been independently confirmed by a Cantonese merchant with commercial correspondents in Keichou.\n\nThe sincerity, determination, and the efforts of the Governor-General to stamp out opium in Yunnan cannot, I think, be questioned. He has, however, been assisted to some extent by the abundant harvest and the cheap price of food in 1908. He has departed in some wise from the ideal he had placed before himself of totally eradicating opium before the end of the present Chinese New Year (20th January) by extending the time of sale of surplus stocks to the end of the third moon (April 1909). This extension appears to have given rise to a rumour that the Central Government were disposed to relax the restrictions against opium. I inclose copy and translation of a Proclamation issued by Taotai Kuo, the head of the Anti-opium Bureau, announcing the closing of the anti-opium dispensaries at the close of the present Chinese year.\n\nTo sum up, I venture to express the opinion that the Governor-General will not be able to perform the task he had set himself (see `P.G., Nos. 34 and 36 of 1908`), of totally suppressing opium in Yünnan at the end of this Chinese year, viz., the 20th January, 1909.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) **E. C. WILTON**\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Proclamation issued by Taotai Kuo, Director of the Anti-Opium Bureau at Yünnan-fu**\n\n(Translation.)\n\nLET it be known to all,\n\nWhereas, in obedience to the Edict for the suppression of opium, and under the orders of the Governor-General, the Anti-opium Bureau was established in July 1908. Sub-offices were added—a central at the \"Iling ssu\" (temple), and a western sub-office at \"Hu kuo ssu\" (temple) in October; a southern at the \"Tien hou kung\" (temple) in November; and an eastern sub-office at \"San kang tz'u\" (temple) in December last. Anti-opium remedies were issued from one and all these dispensaries. These things are common knowledge. During the year over 10,000 patients have broken off the habit.\n\nNow, the Governor-General has already submitted a Memorial to the Throne fixing the date for the prohibition of opium in this province at the end of this year (20th January, 1909). The Bureau and sub-offices will be therefore closed, and the issue of anti-opium decoctions cease on that date.\n\nLet those, therefore, who are of the mind to get rid of the opium craving, but have no money to purchase medicines, take an early opportunity of coming for medicine to the dispensaries, so that they may regain vigour and be cured. Do not delay now and repent afterwards, when it is too late.\n\nAfter the date given all opium smokers will be arrested and summarily dealt with. No clemency will be shown. You all are dutiful and love your neighbours. You should not carelessly entangle yourselves in the meshes of the law.\n\nThe Taotai of Police has issued public notices on this matter. Further, let it be clearly known to you all that it is my duty to issue this Proclamation, instructing you one and all to take heed and reflect that the final date for the prohibition of opium will be upon you in the twinkling of an eye. After that date shops dealing in opium, raw and prepared, will be all closed, and their owners will have to seek another trade.\n\nLet those who have still the opium craving come to the dispensaries, bring their tickets, and receive medicine. Break the habit off in time, and avoid becoming law-breakers. It will be too late to repent afterwards.\n\nThose who disregard the words of this Proclamation, and treat them as of no moment, will be hereafter duly arrested and severely punished according to law.\n\nBeware! Do not say you were not warned in time. Tremble! \nDated the sixteenth day of the eleventh month, in the thirty-fourth year of Kuang Hsü.\n\nDecember 9, 1908.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422005, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 34, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nC.O.\n\n32\n\n[March 15]\n\n12195\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nRece REG No. APR OC [9784]\n\n**(No. 83.)** Sir,\n\nSir E. Goschen to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 15.)\n\nBerlin, March 10, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a précis of an article by Dr. A. Paquet, which appeared in the \"Frankfurter Zeitung\" of the 7th instant, on \"The Increase of Chinese Power in Mongolia.\" Dr. Paquet is a young writer of some note who has travelled in the parts of Mongolia and Manchuria mentioned in his article.\n\nThis précis has been drawn up by Mr. Sampson, Archivist in His Majesty's Embassy.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) **W. E. GOSCHEN**\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n\n**Précis of Article in the \"Frankfurter Zeitung\" of March 7 on “The Increase of Chinese Power in Mongolia,\" by Dr. A. Paquet**\n\nIMPORTANT Chinese colonial questions are silently approaching their solution. In spite of Japanese and Russian aspirations in Manchuria, Chinese power is continually increasing in that country. The audience of the Dalai Lama in November 1908 demonstrated the powerful position of the Chinese Emperor, and perhaps assured the failure of both Anglo-Indian and Russian attempts to acquire political influence. In a similar way since the great war the position of the Chinese Emperor in Mongolia has been strengthened. The means at China's disposal are the inexhaustible numbers of her population; and to send coolies and farmers to these thinly populated districts to almost any extent costs the Peking Government only the slight trouble of sending Edicts to the Governors of provinces from which the greatest number of Chinese emigrate. In only a few urgent cases is financial aid necessary.\n\nIn the last three years there has been such a movement which appears to be of a durable character. Recently the Chinese Settlements have spread further westwards in the Ordos steppe. An army alleged to contain 40,000 men was placed in the course of the last two years near Urumtsi and the old boundary fortresses of Kulja and Bulun-tokoi were strengthened. Also in the north of the Gobi the sudden activity of the Governors of Kobdo and Uliassutai have greatly troubled the Russian Consuls in Uliassutai and Urga. The Chinese Resident in Kobdo, in his Report of last year, says that he has instructed the officials in the ways and means of extending the Settlements; all settlers, whether Mongols, Chinese or Kirghese, are to be assisted by the authorities; the mineral treasures of the Altai Mountains are to be exploited by means of Companies which are to be formed. Also in Eastern Mongolia regular Chinese troops are stationed which protect the land of which the Chinese farmers have taken possession, and drive the Mongols still further into the Gobi.\n\nChina's efforts in Mongolia are directed against the never-ceasing exertions of Russia to obtain a hold on the land, and also against the independence of the Mongolian Princes. The Russo-Japanese war has for ever shattered the illusion of the insuperable nature of Russian arms. But the relations of Russia to Mongolia are too old and varied for this purely psychological fact to have any considerable effect on them. The danger that threatens the Mongols from Peking increases the already existing bonds between Russians and Mongols. But what is the use of all that against the irresistible advance of the Chinese settlers and merchants? In the period preceding their silent expansion in the Far East in the second half of the last century the Russians lost the opportunity once for all to prepare for the military and economic expansion which was inevitable in those districts. The overland trade of the tea caravans through the Gobi via Kiachta-Maimachin, which once brought gain to... \n\n(2194 p-1)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422010, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 39, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## \n\nOn the afternoon of the 29th ultimo, the Viceroy refused me an interview on the plea of ill-health, and at the same time, I received a confidential note from Mr. T. Y. Key, the Sub-Director of the Foreign Office, informing me that the true reason for this refusal was that his Excellency had sent in his resignation. His Excellency, I have since heard, had refused all visitors for some days.\n\nI telegraphed this information to you immediately, and on the 31st, I sent a further telegram, in which I stated that the general impression here was that his Excellency's action was connected with the removal of Yuan Shih-k'ai, and that his resignation would sooner or later be followed by the dismissal of the leading members of the Administration.\n\nYesterday, I again saw Mr. M. T. Liang, who informed me that the Viceroy had received a very complimentary Edict from Peking, and had been told that it was quite out of the question that his services could be dispensed with. Mr. Liang, though not committing himself definitely, gave me the impression that his Excellency was unlikely to continue in office. The attacks made upon him by the Censorate had, Mr. Liang said, annoyed his Excellency considerably, and, in the absence of strong backing in Peking, he seems to fear that he will be exposed to a constant repetition of similar persecution.\n\nThe opinion of Yuan Shih-k'ai's protégés here, men such as Mr. Liang, Mr. Chou, the Newchiwang Taotai, and Mr. Key, though they express themselves very cautiously, seems to be that his Excellency's downfall is largely due to Japanese intrigue, and that Hsu Shih-chang and Tang Shao-yi are to be got rid of for the same reason. As to how far this is true, I am of course unable to form an opinion, but there can be no doubt but that the policy of the present Manchurian Government has been marked by a determined opposition to Japan. To quote a favourite expression of his Excellency Tang: \"Japan may do wrong in Manchuria, but she shall never do it with our consent.\" I gather that Yuan was the principal supporter of such views in the Grand Council.\n\nI am unable to learn locally exactly what charges are formulated against the Viceroy, but I presume that a great deal is made of his extravagance in financial matters.\n\nThere can be no doubt but that their Excellencies Hsu and Tang put a great stress on the provincial finances by their expenditure during the first few months of their tenure of office.\n\nThe Viceroy's new yamên, generally described as Government House, is a pretentious building. On the ground floor, more than 100 clerks work daily in the central hall; there are excellent reception rooms, and a banqueting hall which will seat from 300 to 400 guests, whilst the Viceroy's private residence occupies the whole of the first floor. The building, which was designed by Mr. Tang Shao-yi personally, has been furnished in European style, the total cost of building and furniture being upwards of 250,000 taels.\n\nThere has further been a large amount of unproductive capital expenditure on schools, hospitals, and prisons, whilst no results can be expected for some years from the newly established Agricultural and Forestry Departments.\n\nAn attempt has also been made to deal with the proverbial dishonesty of the Chinese official by placing him on a fixed salary, and then requiring him to produce correct accounts. The emoluments and allowances have been calculated on what seems to me a very liberal scale, and Mr. Liang assures me that the scheme is already producing the desired effect.\n\nIn consequence of these schemes, the expenditure has exceeded the revenue, which at present amounts to 6,000,000 taels approximately, during the past year, but Mr. Liang is confident that in normal years the revenue is sufficient for the present needs of the province.\n\nThe Viceroy is a man of considerable personal dignity and charm of manner. He has by this time a sound knowledge of the Manchurian situation, a correct appreciation of the needs of the country, broad views, and tact in dealing with the difficult diplomatic questions that beset him. He is readily accessible to the foreign Representatives and to any foreign visitor of distinction, and is beloved and trusted by his subordinates, whilst his reputation for personal integrity is untarnished.\n\nThe Government has undoubtedly been weakened by the absence of his Excellency Tang Shao-yi, who supplied the initiative and energy in which the Viceroy is to some extent lacking.\n\nThey worked to all appearance in complete harmony - in fact, they shared the same public office, and together formed a combination that I think it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for China at the present moment to replace satisfactorily.\n\nOne can only say that they were working along progressive lines, and they both understood the necessity of not rushing matters; under a change of Administration, it is to be feared that the germs of reform initiated by them will be allowed to perish. My American colleague tells me that he has already noticed a marked lack of interest in the agricultural enterprises since Yuan's dismissal.\n\nIt is too early as yet to judge of their various reform schemes. I hope later to write a detailed report on their reforms. Meantime, as a pendant to this despatch, the following list of the enterprises undertaken by the Government during the past fifteen months may be of interest:-\n\n1. The building of Government House, which has incidentally led to an improved method of official intercourse which now takes place under civilized conditions. The foreign Consular Representatives are also on friendly social terms with the leading members of the Administration.\n\n2. The establishment of primary schools throughout Fengtien Province and secondary schools at the more important centres. At Mukden, a law school has been established under Japanese professors, who lecture on Chinese law, constitutional law, and international law. The intention is to use the graduates of this college in the provincial magistracies, and also to employ them as lecturers with the view of interesting the people in public questions.\n\n3. A civil hospital has been built and placed under the charge of a German doctor. The Government have also subscribed liberally to Dr. Christie's hospital (Scotch Presbyterian), and have promised him an annual grant of 4,000 dollars to assist him in establishing a medical school.\n\n4. Two agricultural experts have been engaged from the United States, and land has been given them for starting experimental farms at Harbin, Mukden, and Antung.\n\n5. Mr. von Platen, the German expert on forestry, has informed me that he has more than 2,000,000 saplings (acacia) in his experimental nursery at Mukden.\n\n6. New Courts have been built and new judicial Regulations issued.\n\n7. Two new prisons on modern lines have been erected in Mukden, and prisoners are forced to industrial employment.\n\n8. A civil engineer (Mr. Hughes) has been engaged as adviser, and under his direction, surveys have been made, firstly, with the view of opening a new ice-free port, and, secondly, for the conservancy of the Liao River. These are the Viceroy's favourite projects.\n\n9. The Viceroy has repeatedly expressed his desire to introduce permanent colonists from Chihli and Shantung into Northern Manchuria, but I fear that owing to lack of funds, no move has as yet been made in this direction.\n\n10. The principal streets in Mukden have been metalled; there has been some attempt at drainage and lighting, and a tolerably efficient police force has been enrolled.\n\n11. The Province of Fengtien has been cleared of bandits, though the \"Hun Hu-tzus\" still range freely over the two northern provinces.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) \nR. WILLIS.\n\n## Page 37", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422108, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 137, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 13950\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]**\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n**CONFIDENTIAL,**\n\n(No. 83.) Sir,\n\n### No. 1.\nRECO Rcc 24 APR 09\n\n[March 18.]\n\n#### SECTION 3.\n135\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 18.)\n\nPeking, February 19, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of an interesting Report, which has been prepared at His Majesty's Consulate-General, Canton, on the reform movement as affecting modern conditions in that city.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n(No. 7.) Sir,\n\nActing Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nCanton, January 28, 1909. WITH reference to your Circular dated the 6th October last, I have the honour to forward a short Report, prepared by Mr. Vice-Consul Porter and myself, on modern conditions in Canton.\n\nI am transmitting this Report under flying seal to the Governor of Hong Kong.\n\nI have, &c. \n(Signed) HARRY H. FOX.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n#### Report respecting the Reform Movement in Canton.\n\n##### Introduction.\n\nTHE prominent part played by the Cantonese in the Empire's affairs, both political and commercial, during recent years, and the considerable share they have always taken by means of their well-organized guilds and charitable institutions in the Government of the Canton Province, might reasonably lead one to expect that in this province, more than in any other, the awakening of political activity and the inauguration of administrative and social reforms, would form real and potent factors in the political situation in South China at the present time.\n\nThis expectation has not, as far as our experience goes, been realized, and the measure of reform that has been introduced in this great city is, compared with what has been effected in other parts of China, relatively inconsiderable and most disappointing.\n\n##### The Self-Government Society.\n\nPolitical activity, of a kind, is certainly not wanting in Canton, while the Provincial Government have, until quite recently, done nothing to prepare for the Constitutional Government promised in the Edict of 1906, the Cantonese formed some two years ago a popular Association, which has since become notorious under the name of Self-Government Society (\"Tzu Chih Hui\").\n\nThe raison d'être of this Society was ostensibly to promote the study of Constitutional problems, and thus enable its members to fit themselves for their future parliamentary duties. The real meaning of the name chosen for the Society is \"Self-Discipline Society,\" but the transition from the government of self to the government by self as the guiding principle of the Society was not long in taking place, and the Society to-day stands avowedly for government by the people.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422138, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 167, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Edict on Opium Suppression\n\nThe revenue derived from duties on opium forms a large proportion of the funds required for the army. A short time ago the Board of Finance memorialized the Throne and asked that the question of raising the price of salt in each province should be considered as a means towards making good the loss in this item of revenue, and permission was granted accordingly at the time. But this scheme will only produce some 4,000,000 or 5,000,000 taels altogether, a sum which falls far short of the amount required.\n\nWe are very anxious to find a remedy for this evil, and the weakness of our country, and the difficulty of stimulating the people to action causes us great distress. Moreover, we are afraid lest the hopes of friendly nations should be disappointed.\n\nOur anxiety at such a state of affairs is very great, and we therefore issue this further Edict. The duty of suppressing opium smoking among civil and military officials rests with the Opium Commissioners and with the chief officials in the various offices in Peking and the provinces; they must use their utmost efforts to make searching investigation, and they must not be influenced by personal feelings or be unwilling to run the risk of incurring odium and hatred. The responsibility for the rank and file in each branch of the army and for teachers and pupils at the school rests with the respective officials of these Departments; they must lose no time in instituting strict inquiries so that the evil may be stopped.\n\nAs regards the merchants and ordinary people, the responsibility of suppressing opium smoking rests with the Board of the Interior and with the Governors-General and Governors of the various provinces, the Governor of Peking, and the local Tartar Generals and Military Lieutenant-Governors. They should also make further efforts to procure prescriptions for efficacious remedies, and should establish depôts for the distribution of medicine, so that the people may be encouraged and made to feel ashamed of the vice. They should choose from the methods of foreign nations a remedy which will lessen the craving for the drug, so that the amount consumed will become less and less until it finally ceases. It is our earnest hope that by thus closing every avenue to this evil it may at last be eradicated.\n\nThe suppression of opium cultivation lies also within the duties of these officials; they must deliberate on the local conditions of their particular provinces, and give strict orders to their subordinates to see that this cultivation is stopped and that any such crops planted in the future are destroyed. They must see that the place of this noxious plant is taken by profitable crops suitable to the nature of the soil.\n\nIt will be necessary to ascertain that these duties are carried out, and those who have done well will be largely rewarded.\n\nThe question of making good the deficit in revenue from duties on opium will be gone into by the Board of the Interior, and it will be the duty of the Board of Finance to use their utmost endeavours to devise a suitable scheme for this purpose.\n\nTo raise money at this period is extremely difficult, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of such schemes should be carefully weighed; but there must be no delay in working out more methods of collecting funds and putting them into immediate effect. If any of the high provincial authorities have thought out some suitable scheme they should memorialize the Throne, in order to enable us to select the most suitable, so that those who are investigating the question of opium suppression may not be deterred by the fear of lack of revenue.\n\nAlthough the revenue of the country be lessened, how else can my people get rid of this evil which destroys them as surely as if they relied on putrid meat and poisonous wine to relieve their hunger and thirst?\n\nIn future, all those who have any share of responsibility in this matter must not try to shift it on to others; each one must do his own duty, and all must mutually assist each other, so as to aid us in securing the benefits of a prosperous administration. Each office in Peking and the provinces on receipt of this Decree must report to us truly and accurately as to the method of suppression adopted by them.\n\nRespect this,\n\nMarch 15, 1909.\n\n## Domestic Correspondence\n\n| Reference | Date | Description |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| C.O. 14133 | | Lauton Hawkow Railway Loan |\n| | 13 April 1909 | |\n| | | HONG KONG |\n| 14133 | | |\n| 165 | | DOMESTIC |\n\nRce 26 APR OF \nLeeds copies of corres with threese \nPrevious Paper Minister convering protect of thee for home \nFoo \n100 12913 \npapers already sent to ... it will have been seen that ... Jordan has protested strongly \n... for 30 days \n1739-A. & E. WP.—2000274:-} 95000--11-05.\n\n| Reference | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 15099 | Text subsequent Paper |\n| | Mecox |\n| 274 | The ... done ... to have taken much out of their protest. |\n| | JBL 28/4", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422453, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 482, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## 2\n\nSelf-Government Society are known to be in the neighbourhood of the Colony, endeavouring to organize anti-Portuguese Societies and demonstrations,\n\nMr. Kao Erh Ch'ien, the Chinese Representative on the Boundary Commission, is due in Canton to-morrow.\n\n## 3\n\ncommunities of all the other ports both in and out of China. This was evidence of the rapid progress made by the people. Rewards should be given as an encouragement. (It was decided to give rewards, as occasion offered, to those who distinguished themselves in starting native manufactures.)\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\n**HARRY H. FOX**,\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Kwo Shih Pao\" of March 9, 1909.\n\nReport of a Meeting of the Self-Government Society respecting the \"Tatsu Maru\" Case.\n\nOn the 8th March a mass meeting of the Self-Government Society was held to discuss the \"Tatsu Maru\" case, and was very largely attended. The Kung Tu and Ku Tu districts in Heungshan sent Chao Hsiang Ping, Yang Jang Ju, and Liao Pi Ch'en as representatives to attend the meeting. They said that the people of their districts had held a meeting, and, hearing of the meeting in Canton, had sent them as representatives. They produced a map of Macao and a copy of the Viceroy's Memorial. At the next meeting the people of their district, they said, would elect further representatives to come to Canton and discuss the procedure to be adopted. It was essential that all their countrymen should work cordially together and achieve their object.\n\nSpeeches were subsequently made by about a dozen persons, including Hu Hsin Teng, Chan Sung Yun, and Chien Ching Hsü, all condemning the injury to the nation caused by Yuan Shih Kai, and emphasizing the importance of retaining jurisdiction over their land and its waters. Not a foot of which should be surrendered. The applause shook the entire building.\n\nThe bell announcing the opening of the meeting rang at 2:30. The chairman was Li Kai Hi, and the speaker Lo Shao Ao. The following is an account of what passed:---\n\n1. A map of Macao was produced by the representatives of the districts of Kung Ta and Ku Tu, in Heungshan.\n\n2. It was mentioned that that day was the anniversary of the \"Tatsu Maru incident, when China fired a salute of twenty-one guns in acknowledgment of her fault, and purchased the arms as compensation. The country was robbed of its sovereign rights and suffered a national disgrace. Yuan Shih Kai, whose foreign policy had failed, had been the culprit. An Edict had now been issued appointing Kao Erh Chien as Commissioner for the delimitation of the boundaries of Macao. In the original lease by Portugal of Macao the land boundary was formed by a wall. The sea, which was the boundary on the other side, belonged to China. This was now being encroached upon. The spot where last year the arms smuggled by the \"Tatsu Maru\" were seized was situated at Ta Sha Li, at the western entrance of the Pearl River. These waters, the inland waters of China, were wrongfully claimed by the Japanese as being the \"high seas.\" The claim of Portugal that they were Portuguese waters was still more groundless. This was well known to be the case, and yet Yuan Shih Kai, it is sad to say, deliberately betrayed his country and brought disgrace on China. It was now more than ever incumbent on all patriots to consider all ways and means to protect China's sovereign rights, and a discussion was invited. (It was decided to send representatives to the spot to investigate carefully and thoroughly.)\n\n3. The object of a Constitution was that the officials and people should share the responsibility of all important measures. The delimitation Commissioner, Kao Erh Chien, was thoroughly conversant with foreign affairs, and up to the present had never been guilty of a mistake. He had already arrived in Canton, and, as the matter was of great importance, every one should interest themselves and take a share in the investigation. In this way dilatory official methods would be hastened. (Unanimously agreed to.)\n\n4. Rule 5 of the Self-Government Society, approved by the Throne, stated that the Society had the duty of fostering trade and native industries. During the past few years they had inaugurated new industries with the cordial assistance of the\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Hong Kong Telegraph\" of March 15, 1909.\n\n**JAPANESE BOYCOTT REVIVED.**\n\nA telegram has been received by the Canton Press Society for transmission to the Canton Self-Government Society from the Chinese residents in Singapore, to the effect that the branch office there of Wong Cheung Wah, a well-known medicine oil dealer (whose \"Yu Yee\" oil is particularly well known) has acted in violation of the Japanese boycott regulations, so that they have now suspended business with the said firm. In the message the Self-Government Society was asked to punish the proprietors of the firm in question, who are in Canton.\n\nCanton, March 13, 1909.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422496, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 525, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## C.0.\n20427\n\n**This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nLC: 18 JUN\n\n[June 8.]\n\n525\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n[21406]\n\n#### No. 1.\n\nTelegram received from Hong Kong, June 7, 1909. (Communicated by Mr. C. Addis, June 8, 1909.)\n\nPEKING wires 6th June: Have initialled final agreement to-day inserting clause in terms of our telegram of 30th May. We have obtained written assurance Chang Chih Tung that nomination British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) will be accepted, provided J. O. P. Bland not reinstated. With reference to foregoing, final agreement will be signed after Imperial Edict received, probably in about one week.\n\n[2317 A-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422506, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 535, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 833\n\nThe United States Government asked for an expression of our views in regard to participation of America in the Hankow Szechuen line as a report of the arrangement recently concluded between German, French and British groups had reached Peking and American capital had expressed the wish to participate.\n\nThe position of the question was explained to the Ambassador in a Memorandum which was handed to him on the 8th instant, and in which it was also pointed out that His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington had in October 1905 verbally informed the United States Government that as it must be assumed that American capitalists did not desire to participate the French and British groups had decided to proceed in the matter. To this course no objections were raised at the time, and the American Embassy in London had moreover been informed that the offer made by the Americans must be regarded as having lapsed.\n\nI explained in communicating this Memorandum that as far as the British financiers were concerned it was clear they were entitled to act independently and indeed they could not be expected to do otherwise after what had passed, at the same time nothing was further from our intention than to prejudice any obligations or rights existing between China and the United States.\n\nWith regard to the agreement now signed it is well known that this was only reached after protracted and difficult negotiations and anything which would endanger its conclusion would be viewed with much concern by His Majesty's Government. You should therefore express our earnest hope that the United States Minister at Peking may be instructed not to make any difficulties as regards the issue of the Imperial Edict of ratification, and add that we would suggest that the recently formed American group should place themselves in communication with the German, French and British banks concerned, in regard to any future loan arrangements in which they may desire to participate.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422507, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 536, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Paraphrase of Telegram to Sir J. Jordan, No. 108, dated June 12th. 1909.\n\nI have repeated your telegram No. 105 of June 10th in regard to the Hankow-Szechuen Railway to Mr. Bryce, and have requested him to express the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that as regards the issue of the Imperial Edict the United States Chargé d'Affaires at Peking will be told not to raise any difficulties, and to state that anything which would endanger the conclusion of the Agreement would be viewed with much concern by us. I have further suggested that in regard to any future loan arrangements in which they may desire to participate the recently formed American group should place themselves in communication with the German, French and British banks concerned.\n\nI must add that the United States Ambassador informed me of the desire of American capital to participate in the Hankow-Szechuen line and has requested an expression of our views in regard to such participation.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422564, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 593, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# 591\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n\nExtract from the \"Yang Cheng Pao\" of March 2, 1909.\n\n### Text of telegram from Chang Chih Tung to Taotai Tong Ping Yen\n\nThe Director-General in Peking to the Resident Director in Canton.\n\nYOUR two telegrams. Although successive reports on the affairs of the Canton-Hankow Railway have been submitted by the general manager, Sir Chih Chen Liang Cheng, no complete detailed report has so far been furnished. The duties and responsibilities of the resident director in Canton are identical with those of the general manager. You should therefore consult with Liang and act in unison with him, in supplying the following particulars:\n\n1. Furnishing the complete dossier of all documents and accounts of the railway company since the redemption of the concession.\n2. A report showing the completed portion of the line at the time of the redemption, the portion since completed or under construction, the portion already surveyed but not yet under construction, and the portion of which the trace has already been decided but which has not yet been surveyed, giving the exact length of each.\n\nIn addition, a register and plans of all lands and rolling-stock, together with a complete list of the staff of employés.\n\n3. A report showing the amounts collected or still outstanding of the first and second calls upon the shares with a list of shareholders, the sum required for construction and for the company's annual expenditure, together with a balance sheet showing the balance in hand. In addition, a detailed account showing all sums placed out at interest.\n4. An account of the receipts from the sale of tickets and freight charges on the working portion of the line, giving full details of revenue and expenditure under this head.\n\nYou should, in obedience to these instructions, establish yourself in an office and start work immediately, submitting your report at an early date.\n\nI have received the Imperial commands to act as director-general of the railway, and my responsibility is a heavy one. The Imperial rescript is of a most stringent nature. The guiding principle to be observed is the advancement of the interests of the railway and the eradication of all abuses. It is incumbent upon me to consider the question in all its aspects in order that I may be in a position to render the capital invested secure, to prevent waste, and to inspire public confidence.\n\nYou must make my intentions known to the general manager and his co-directors, and have them published for the information of shareholders.\n\nMake an estimate of the expenses of your office and submit it to me before taking any action.\n\nSubmit a copy of this telegram to Viceroy Chang and supply the railway company with another.\n\n**CHANG, Director-General**\n\n### Text of Sir Chentung Liang Cheng's reply to Taotai Wong Ping Yen's letter, enclosing Chong Chili Tung's telegram\n\nYOUR letter just received and its important contents noted. I will, of course, act as directed. I have, in accordance with your request, handed your letter to the board of directors for communication to the shareholders, and will communicate their reply later.\n\nI propose to go to Whampoa to-morrow on ten days' leave, returning on the 9th or 10th instant.\n\nThe shareholders are scattered in all directions, and it is impossible for those living at a distance to attend at a short notice. It had been arranged to circulate the annual statement on the 29th instant, and it might be convenient to circulate the telegram at the same time, and ascertain the shareholders' views.\n\nThe resumption of control over the railway by the mercantile body has received Imperial sanction, and it would not do for me, a mere stopgap acting as general manager, to assume sole responsibility in such a matter. In any case, the details of management, the annual accounts, and the staff of employés have all formed the subject of periodical reports to the director-general and are, in addition, published in the weekly newspapers for the information of the public.\n\nWith regard to your request that I should arrange a time and place for a consultation, I should prefer to wait until after the annual statement has been circulated on the 20th instant. Do you agree?\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1\n\nExtract from the \"Hong Kong Daily Press\" of March 10, 1909.\n\n### CANTON HANKOW RAILWAY\n\n#### The Question of Official Control\n\nTHE nine charitable institutions, the Canton General Chamber of Commerce, and the seventy-two trades' guilds have telegraphed the following petition to his Excellency Chang Chih Tung, chief superintendent of the Canton-Hankow Railway of the three provinces:\n\nYour Excellency has delegated Taotai Wong Ping Yen to superintend the construction of the Kwangtung section of the Canton-Hankow Railway and to reside permanently in Canton. Some time ago, we received a cablegram from your Excellency stating that your main object and desire is that the president of the Canton section of the railway will use his influence to protect the interests of the railway company, and that he will be held responsible for a proper exercise of his discretion in employing men to deal with the financial affairs of the company. Your Excellency cannot be aware of the innumerable troubles and difficulties in regard to the construction of the railway in this province, which we are now compelled to explain fully to you.\n\nWhen the railway was redeemed from the American Development Company, it was agreed that the gentry and the merchants were to construct it. This was entirely due to your efforts, and we are extremely grateful to you for your kindness. We undertook the responsibility of constructing the Kwangtung section of the railway, and consequently, an Imperial edict was issued sanctioning this arrangement. The terms and conditions for this section are quite different from those of Hupeh and Hunan.\n\nAfter the edict was issued, the different charitable institutions started to collect the call due on the first instalment of the shares, on condition that if the merchants either proved incapable of constructing the railway themselves or if they should fail to construct the railway, they (the charitable institutions) would refund the moneys paid to the company by the shareholders. These conditions were embodied in a memorial to the throne and officially recorded in Peking.\n\nThe dissatisfaction formerly created over the construction of this railway was mainly due to the officials having a hand in the management of affairs. Now your Excellency has authorised the establishment of a Government bureau to superintend the construction of the railway, it will be extremely difficult to allay the suspicions of the public, and we fear we shall not be able to collect the third instalment of the shares. Moreover, there are many shareholders who seize this as a pretext for demanding the return of their money, and trouble may therefore ensue.\n\nThe people will, moreover, lose confidence in the charitable institutions, who cannot take the responsibility of refunding such a huge sum of money. All this is contrary to what has been agreed upon between the merchants and the Government. This section is the most important part of the Canton-Hankow Railway. Both Chinese and foreigners have had their attention drawn to this matter. Now that it is in full operation, a change is detrimental, and the people cannot consent to a change.\n\nBesides telegraphing this to your Excellency, the seventy-two guilds and the charitable institutions have held a meeting and addressed a petition to the Viceroy of Canton bearing the chops of all the signatories.\n\nWith regard to the management of the company, it is difficult to please everybody. If there is a dishonest servant in...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422591, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 620, "title": "CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### No. 1\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan, \n(No. 108.) (Telegraphic.) \nForeign Office, June 12, 1909.\n\nI have repeated your telegram No. 105 of the 10th June in regard to the Hankow-Szechuan Railway to Mr. Bryce, and have requested him to express the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that, as regards the issue of the Imperial Edict, the United States chargé d'affaires at Peking will be told not to raise any difficulties, and to state that anything which would endanger the conclusion of the agreement would be viewed with much concern by us. I have further suggested that in regard to any future loan arrangements in which they may desire to participate, the recently-formed American group should place themselves in communication with the German, French, and British banks concerned.\n\nI must add that the United States Ambassador informed me of the desire of American capital to participate in the Hankow-Szechuan line, and has requested an expression of our views in regard to such participation.\n\nThe reply which I have returned is similar to that given by you to the United States chargé d'affaires, and I have added that in December 1905 we regarded the American offer as having lapsed, and so informed the embassy privately.\n\nI further pointed out that, as far as British financiers were concerned, it was clear that they were entitled to act independently, and could not be expected to do otherwise after what had passed, at the same time, that nothing was further from our intention than to prejudice any obligations or rights existing between China and the United States.\n\nPage 1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422623, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 26, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n**(No. 90.) (Telegraphic.) P.**\n\n#### No. 1. Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.\n\n**HANKOW-SZECHUAN Railway.**\n\nForeign Office, June 11, 1909.\n\nI have repeated Sir J. Jordan's telegram No. 105 of the 10th June to you. The United States Ambassador, under instructions from his Government, drew my attention on the 3rd instant to the undertaking given in 1903 (see \"China,\" Part XLVI, No. 46) by China in regard to the Hankow-Szechuan Railway, and referred to the enquiries made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington on the 25th July and the 30th September, 1905, as to whether participation in the enterprise was desired by American capitalists. In reply to these enquiries, it was stated that the matter had been made public, but that American groups had not as yet intimated their intentions. These replies, Mr. Whitelaw Reid stated, are not construed by the State Department as indicating that American capital has relinquished its right of participation.\n\nThe United States Government asked for an expression of our views in regard to participation of America in the Hankow-Szechuan line, as a report of the arrangement recently concluded between German, French, and British groups had reached Peking, and American capital had expressed the wish to participate.\n\nThe position of the question was explained to the Ambassador in a memorandum which was handed to him on the 8th instant, and in which it was also pointed out that His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington had, in October 1905, verbally informed the United States Government that, as it must be assumed that American capitalists did not desire to participate, the French and British groups had decided to proceed in the matter. To this course, no objections were raised at the time, and the American Embassy in London had, moreover, been informed that the offer made by the Americans must be regarded as having lapsed.\n\nI explained, in communicating this memorandum, that, as far as the British financiers were concerned, it was clear they were entitled to act independently, and, indeed, they could not be expected to do otherwise after what had passed. At the same time, nothing was further from our intention than to prejudice any obligations or rights existing between China and the United States.\n\nWith regard to the agreement now signed, it is well known that this was only reached after protracted and difficult negotiations, and anything which would endanger its conclusion would be viewed with much concern by His Majesty's Government. You should therefore express our earnest hope that the United States' Minister at Peking may be instructed not to make any difficulties as regards the issue of the Imperial Edict of ratification, and add that we would suggest that the recently formed American group should place themselves in communication with the German, French, and British banks concerned in regard to any future loan arrangements in which they may desire to participate.\n\n[23177-1]\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n23208", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422626, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 29, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[22460]\n\nNo. 1.\nC.O. 23208\n[June 15.]\n## SECTION 3\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation to Foreign Office.--(Received June 15.)\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, June 15, 1909.\n\nI ENCLOSE copy of my letter of last night to M. Simon with regard to American intervention in the Hankow-Szechuan Railway affair.\n\nI also enclose copy of a memorandum on the subject from the French Foreign Office, which has been sent to me, marked \"Personnel et confidentiel.”\n\nYours truly,\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1\nMr. C. S. Addis to M. Simon.\n\nDear M. Simon,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, June 14, 1909.\n\nIN reply to your letter of the 11th June, what the Americans are going upon is a statement made by Prince Ch'ing on the 26th September, 1903, to the effect that: \"If China desires to construct the Szechuan-Hankow line, and her capital is insufficient, she will obtain all the necessary foreign capital from Great Britain and the United States.\"\n\nIt is true that when the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) was formed in 1905, the United States Government was officially asked to state definitely whether American capitalists wished to participate in the enterprise or not. At a later stage the State Department in Washington stated that, although appropriate publicity had been given to the subject, no intimation of desire for participation had been received from American capitalists. The State Department at Washington was then finally informed that the offer could not be left open for an indefinite period, and the matter must therefore be considered as at an end.\n\nI understand that this is not disputed by the Americans, but what they contend is that no matter what arrangements were come to between the French and English, neither can claim to place a term upon the undertaking given by China to America, which is, I am afraid, indisputable.\n\nThe United States Government has accordingly been appealed to not to press their protest, in view of the serious consequences which might ensue from delaying the issue of the Imperial edict authorising the Hukuang loan.\n\nUntil we know the result of this appeal, it is needless to speculate further action; but I confess I view with misgiving this intrusion of the Americans into our already too complicated international arrangements with regard to Chinese railways.\n\nBelieve me, &c.\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n### Inclosure 2 in No. 1\n**Memorandum**\n\nL'IMMINENCE de la signature du contrat pour la première section du Hankéou-Canton et du Hankéou-Tchentou entre le Gouvernement chinois et les banques anglaises, allemandes, et françaises, a amené une démarche de la dernière heure du Gouvernement américain à Pékin (en vue, évidemment, de participer à l'affaire), démarche portée à la connaissance des Gouvernements à Londres, Berlin, et Paris.\n\nMr. White a porté par écrit à la connaissance du département un engagement de \n\nPage 27", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422628, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 31, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### No. 1.\n\n2\n\n...of a group of private bankers in the one against undertaking to dispose of rights which the other Government still holds for its nationals.\n\nOutside the question of pure right I ventured to suggest, besides, certain obvious advantages in the accession of the American group of financiers to the combination already united on the railway concession. I did not think there was a banker in either the British, French, or German groups who would question the additional strength and prestige brought to their undertaking by the accession to their numbers of the houses of J. P. Morgan and Co., Kuhn, Loeb, and Co., the City National Bank of New York, and the First National Bank. No one of these houses has an actual capital invested in their ordinary business of less than 50,000,000 dollars, and behind most, if not all, of them are accumulations of capital amounting for each to many times as much. In fact, it seemed questionable whether a more powerful combination of four banks could be got together for such a purpose in any one of the other three nations concerned.\n\nIt seemed to me that the circumstances of the agreement with China, as understood by my Government, furnished an admirable and easy opportunity for admitting the American group without prejudice to the interest of any of the others. I spoke with a little hesitation about the different concessions, since the Chinese names furnished us did not seem to fit in with yours. Our understanding, however, is that it is only the Hupeh portion of the Hankow-Szechuan line which has now been undertaken, and it is only for this that the respective shares of capital to be immediately raised have been allotted. If so, nothing could be simpler than to let the arrangement now made include the capital for the whole line, and thus permit equal American participation.\n\nI understood you to say on this point that you believed an allotment for the whole line had already been signed and that Germany had been permitted to participate with the rest; but I did not learn on what terms you had assented to the participation of Germany. I did not undertake to depreciate in any way the force of your remark that there was the less reason to suppose American capitalists still cherished a desire to carry out the concession of 1904, held jointly with Great Britain, on account of the action of the Calvin-Brice Syndicate in voluntarily withdrawing from another Chinese line, or of your suggestion that this certainly seemed to give some reason for the readiness with which the British group were led to think that they were not warranted in waiting longer for some sort of an answer to enquiries often made and continuously ignored. But I insisted that however much this might help to explain the willingness of British financiers to conclude that they must go on without waiting longer for the co-operation of their joint concessionnaire, it gave them no authority for assuming to decide that the American delay had terminated the life of the American share of the concession.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nWHITELAW REID.\n\nPage 29\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nThe M. Urbig to Mr. Addis.-(Communicated by Mr. Addis, June 17.)\n\nDear Mr. Addis,\n\nUnter den Linden 35, Berlin, June 14, 1909.\n\nThe British Government will have received, the same as the German Government, the note which the Government of the United States of America has delivered through the mediation of its Ambassador, and which has in view a participation of American interests in the Chinese railway transactions of our international group. Ambassador of the United States of America in this city, when asked, has expressly stated that the notes delivered to the Governments interested are not to be considered as a protest against the business lately concluded. It would appear that the Ambassador of the United States of America at Peking has made the same statement to the Chinese Government. We may therefore be entitled to the hope that the American cut-in into this affair will not delay the issue of the Imperial Edict for the Hunan and Hupeh business.\n\nOur Government will announce to-morrow to the Ambassador of the United States of America that the intention of a future co-operation expressed on the part of the United States has been noted with satisfaction, and that the interested financial circles of this city have been notified of this intention, it being left to them to take any steps which they may think necessary in the matter.\n\nIf we can find some means to keep the Americans shut out, we should make use of it. American group can do nothing for the placement of the loans, and it will therefore become a competition in this respect only in case it finds English allies who will undertake it to make the issue. As far as the supply of railroad material is concerned, the Americans must be regarded as a competition which we should not underrate. Their materials are cheaper than the English and German products, but on the other hand the quality is considerably inferior, a fact which it is to be regretted still escapes to the eye of the Chinese at the time being.\n\nI shall be pleased to hear from you in what manner the wishes of the United States of America have been treated on your part, and what your personal ideas are about this American co-operation.\n\nAwaiting your good news, I am, &c.\n\nF. URBIG.\n\n`[22667]`\n`[2317 r-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422653, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 56, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[June 14.]\n\n**SECTION 4**\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Whitelaw Reid.\n\nMy dear Ambassador,\n\nForeign Office, June 14, 1909.\n\nSince I saw you on Thursday I have had a telegram from Peking saying that the United States chargé d'affaires has informed the Wai-wu Pu that the United States Government still hold China to her engagement of 1903 and claim a share in the Hankow-Szechuan line.\n\nMr. Fletcher was good enough to acquaint His Majesty's Minister with this step, and Sir J. Jordan reminded him of the enquiries made in Washington in 1905 and of the fact that there had been no indication since then that American participation was forthcoming. Sir John added that it would be most unfortunate if anything now occurred to disturb the agreement, which had been signed and only awaited Imperial ratification, and that any attempt to modify it would be certain to wreck it. Mr. Fletcher fully realised the danger of reopening the question at Peking, and agreed with Sir John Jordan that the whole question of American participation in the future could only be arranged in consultation with the financial groups in Europe.\n\nI have instructed Mr. Bryce to express our earnest hope that Mr. Fletcher will be told not to raise any difficulties as regards the issue of the Imperial edict, which is all that is required to complete the agreement which has been arrived at, and have suggested that the recently formed American group should place themselves in communication with the British, French, and German banks concerned in regard to any future loan arrangements in which they may desire to participate.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**GREY**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422661, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 64, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## CONFIDENTIAL\n### Telegram from Peking to Mr. Addis\n(Communicated by Mr. Addis, June 26, 1909.)\n\n(Corrected copy.)\n\nPeking, June 25, 1909. REFERRING to your wire of 23rd, in order to eliminate political significance Chang Chih Tung is very anxious that any American participation should be effected by separate protocol between banks concerned. This can be communicated by Anglo-French-German banks to Chang Chih Tung, who will refer to same when memorialising with regard to initialled final agreement. Imperial Edict can be communicated to United States Minister Plenipotentiary, Peking. With a view to avoid complications on this side, we strongly recommend endeavour to secure adherence to foregoing procedure.\n\n52 \nC.O. \n24967 \nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n26 JUL 08 \n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n### No. 1\n#### SECTION 3\n[24126] \n[June 26. \n\nPage 52 \n[2317 CC-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422667, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 70, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# Articles from a Railway Agreement\n\nshall be granted a further extension of time, but not beyond eighteen months from the date of this agreement, for the performance of their contract. If within this time limit the loan shall not have been issued, then this contract shall become null and void, and advances made by the banks under the provisions of article 3 shall be repaid by the Chinese Government with accrued interest, but without any other compensation or remuneration whatsoever.\n\n## Art. 17\nThe construction and control of the railway lines shall be entirely and exclusively vested in the Imperial Chinese Government, and shall be organised in accordance with the practice at the present time actually in force on the northern section of the Tien-tsin-Pukow railway line. For the work of construction the Imperial Chinese Government will select and appoint a fully qualified British chief engineer for the Hupei-Hunan section of the Canton-Hankow Railway line, and a fully qualified German chief engineer for the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow railway line, who shall be acceptable to the banks. In the event of the banks objecting to any proposed appointment, the cause of such objection shall be definitely stated. These two chief engineers shall be under the orders of the managing directors of the respective lines, or, in their absence, of their duly authorised representatives, and will carry out all the wishes of the railway administration with regard to the plan and construction of the lines. In their general conduct they shall pay all due respect to the director-general and the managing directors. The terms of their respective agreements will be arranged by the director-general on his sole authority.\n\nWhenever appointments are to be made or functions defined of the technical employees on the railway staff, as well as in the case of their dismissal, the managing director, or, in his absence, his duly authorised representative, will act in consultation with the chief engineer concerned, and in the case of disagreement the matter will be referred to the director-general, whose decision shall be final.\n\nAfter completion of construction, and during the currency of this loan, the Imperial Chinese Government will continue to employ Europeans as chief engineers of the said railway lines, these appointments being made without reference to the banks.\n\n## Art. 18\nFor the Hupei-Hunan section of the Canton-Hankow Railway line and the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway line respectively (a) a company nominated by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and approved by the director-general; and (b) the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank will act as agents of the railway administration during construction for the purchase of all materials, plant, and goods required to be imported from abroad. For all important purchases of such materials tenders shall be called for by the managing director concerned; in the case of all tenders, indents, and orders for the importation of goods and materials from abroad, the said agents shall purchase the materials required on the terms most advantageous to the railways, and shall charge the original net cost of the same, plus a commission of 5 per cent. It is understood that no orders for materials shall be executed or any expenditure incurred without due authorisation by the managing director concerned.\n\nIn return for payment of commission as above stated, the aforesaid company nominated by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, as agents for the respective railway lines, shall be prepared to superintend the purchase of all foreign materials required for their construction and equipment, which shall be purchased in the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality, and that the railway administration shall have the right to reject, on arrival in China, materials which are not in accordance with the original order. At equal rates and qualities goods of British, French, and German manufacture shall be given preference over other goods of foreign origin. The railway administration reserves the right, while paying the above stipulated commission to the said agents in respect of all purchases of foreign materials, to avail itself of the services of other agents in China or abroad should it see fit to do so.\n\nOriginal invoices and inspectors' certificates are to be submitted to the managing director concerned; all return commissions and rebates of every description shall be credited to the railways, and all purchases made by the agents on behalf of the railways shall be supported by manufacturers' original invoices and inspectors' certificates. No commission shall be paid to the agents except as above provided; but it is understood that the railway administration shall provide out of railway funds for the remuneration of consulting engineers whenever their services are engaged.\n\nWith a view to the encouragement of Chinese industries preference will be given, at equal prices and qualities, over British, French, German, or other foreign goods to Chinese materials and goods manufactured in China, such cases being left to the decision, in consultation with the chief engineer, of an inspector appointed by the Imperial Chinese Government. No commission will be paid on purchases of such Chinese materials and goods.\n\nIt is understood and agreed that, after the construction of the lines is completed, the aforesaid company nominated by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank will be given the preference for agency business for the respective lines, during the currency of the loan, for the supply of foreign materials which the railway administration may require on terms to be hereafter mutually agreed upon.\n\n## Art. 19\nBranch lines in connection with the railway lines named in article 2 of this agreement that may appear profitable or necessary later on shall be built by the Imperial Chinese Government with funds at its disposal from Chinese sources, but, if foreign capital is required, preference will be given to the banks.\n\n## Art. 20\nAfter payment of interest and repayment of principal of this loan for any current year, the railway administration will deposit with the banks in Shanghae or Hankow any surplus of the net revenue of the railway lines for that year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalments of interest on the loan, the rate of interest on the deposit being arranged with the banks from time to time with due regard to the conditions of the market.\n\n## Art. 21\nAll expenses in connection with the flotation and issue of this loan, such as underwriting, commission and brokerage, telegraph charges, advertising, postage, printing of prospectus and bonds, stamp duty and legal fees, shall be borne by the banks.\n\nThe Chinese officials acting in the matter of this loan do not receive any commission whatsoever.\n\n## Art. 22\nThe Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine shall take the loan in equal share and without responsibility for each other.\n\n## Art. 23\nThe Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine may, subject to all their obligations under this agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions thereunder to any German, British, or French company, directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation: such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the director-general.\n\n## Art. 24\nThis agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial edict, dated day of the month of the 1st year of the Emperor Hsuan-t'ung, corresponding to the day of June, 1909, Western calendar, which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain, France, and Germany in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 25\nSeven sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, four sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and one set by each bank. In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties, this day of the month of the 1st year of the Emperor Hsuan-t'ung, corresponding to the day of June, 1909, Western calendar.\n\n68", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422670, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 73, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## List of the various Classes of Foreign and Chinese Employés in the different sub-Sections on the Northern Section of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway\n\nEngineers of the first, second, and third grades, in charge of Machinery, engine shops, construction, registration, surveying, the receipt and issue of funds, correspondence, materials, telegraphs, and rolling stock. Overseers.\n\nDeputies stationed on each section, and dealing with the purchase of land, correspondence, investigations, the preservation of order, interpreting, receipt and payment of funds, supervision of work, Office servants and messengers, guards, grooms, &c.\n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[24157]\n\n**(No. 142.)**\nSir,\n\n(June 28.)\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n### No. 1.\n\nMr. Bryce to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 28.)\n\nNorth-East Harbour, Maine, June 16, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that upon the receipt of your telegram of the 11th June relating to the proposed Hankow-Szechuan Railway I addressed to the Secretary of State a letter on that subject, a copy of which I enclose.\n\nThe reported wish of American financiers to participate has attracted some attention in this country. Articles appear in the newspapers, copies of three of which, one purporting to include a statement issued by the State Department, are enclosed herewith.*\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJAMES BRYCE.\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bryce to Mr. Knox.\n\nDear Mr. Secretary,\n\nNorth-East Harbour, Maine, June 14, 1909.\n\nYOU will doubtless have already heard from your Ambassador in London of the conversation that has passed between him and Sir Edward Grey regarding the proposed Hankow-Szechuan railroad in China. I need therefore only observe that in July, and again in September 1905, my predecessor at Washington enquired of the United States Government whether any American financiers desired to take part in that enterprise, and that your Government replied that the project had been announced publicly, but that no American financiers had intimated any wish to take part in it, and that thereupon my predecessor had in October 1905 verbally informed the United States Government that the British and French financial groups who were taking up the matter had, under the circumstances, assumed that American financiers had no wish to join, and were proceeding upon that assumption. No objection was then or subsequently taken by the United States Government; and the United States Embassy in London was informed that any suggestion or offer on the part of American financiers must be considered to have lapsed.\n\nAs His Majesty's Government now gather from your Ambassador in London that a wish to join in the enterprise has now been expressed by some American financiers, I am instructed to say to you that nothing is or could be farther from the wish of His Majesty's Government than to do anything which could be prejudicial to any rights or interests between the United States and China. But so far as British capitalists are concerned, the action of the latter in going on alone appears to His Majesty's Government to have been justified under the circumstances, and they could not have been expected, after what had passed, to have done otherwise. His Majesty's Government therefore earnestly hope that the United States Government will, having regard to these facts, think fit to instruct their Minister at Peking not to place obstacles in the way of the issue of an Imperial edict approving the agreement for the making of the railroad, which has been already signed. That agreement has been the outcome of protracted and difficult negotiations. Were it now to be prevented from taking effect, a situation would arise which His Majesty's Government could not view without serious apprehension.\n\nI am further instructed to convey to you the suggestion of His Majesty's Government that it would be desirable that in any further arrangements regarding a loan in which a recently formed group of American financiers might desire to take part, communications should be addressed to the British and French and German banks concerned.\n\n*Two not printed.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nJAMES BRYCE.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422715, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 118, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# SECTION I-PEKING TO KWEIHUACHENG\n\n## General\n\nINFORMATION having reached His Majesty's Government recently from several sources to the effect that the Chinese Government were undertaking a series of measures in Mongolia with the intention of strengthening their hold over the country, it seemed advisable that full details should be obtained of the constitution of these measures, and a Report furnished not only on these, but also on the effect which they were creating throughout the country, especially as the Russian Government had intimated that in view of these measures the Imperial Government might find themselves compelled to strengthen their garrisons on the northern frontier of the Chinese Empire. It was with the object of furnishing the information which appeared necessary that I requested and obtained eight months' leave of absence in order to undertake a journey across Mongolia.\n\n## Route\n\nThe choice of route was guided by two principal factors-(1) my wish to avoid the main road to Kashgar, which has been comparatively frequently visited by foreigners; (2) a personal desire to visit Chuguchak and Kuldja. This latter factor fixed the first point. As any Report on administrative changes would have been incomplete unless the governing centres in northern Mongolia, of Urga, Uliassutai, and Kobdo, were visited, another point was fixed. As the vernacular press in Peking in 1907 threw occasional gleams of light which seemed to show that Kweihuacheng and the Ordos were the districts in which these rumoured reforms were being attempted, the final link in the chain of places to be visited slipped into place, and the route, as finally planned before leaving Peking, was to be via Kalgan, Tatungfu, Kweihuacheng, and through the Ordos to Ninghsiafu. From this latter place I intended to reach Dinyuaning, the capital of Alashan, and to strike thence northwards across the Gobi Desert to Urga. From here the Khangai Mountains and Karakoram were to be visited on the way to Uliassutai, and the journey continued to Kobdo, across the Altaishan to Buluntogoi and Chuguchak. Here Kuldja would be within easy distance to the south. As is, however, unavoidable on journeys of such a nature as these, certain changes had to be made from time to time in the programme to meet unforeseen occurrences. The first change which had to be made was the abandonment of the idea of crossing the desert from Dinyuaning to Urga, as it was impossible to find camel-owners willing to send a caravan across that sterile portion of the desert during the heat of July. This forced us to return from Ninghsiafu to Kweihuacheng and to cross the Gobi from there. The change delayed us by some three weeks, but proved beneficial in the end. The second change was especially disappointing. At Urga we were wholly unable to get any transport for Uliassutai which would have enabled us to cross the Khangai Mountains; we were therefore compelled to give up the projected visit to Karakoram, and obliged to retrace our steps into the desert in order to reach Uliassutai by the other side of the range.\n\n## Object of Journey\n\nWhile the object of the journey was mainly to report on the changes in the government of Mongolia, my intentions were also \n(a.) To observe to what extent the anti-opium Edicts of the Central Government had been carried out; \n(b.) To verify the statement of the Russian Government that Japanese were to blame for any trouble among the Mongols; and \n(c.) To study the military strength maintained by the Chinese Government in the large Government centres of northern Mongolia. \nBy visiting the capital of Alashan (Dinyuaning) unexpectedly I came into contact with Colonel Kozloff's Central Asian Expedition.\n\n## Money\n\nIt will be readily understood that the question of money is a serious one on a journey of any length in an Empire where the coins in use in the capital would only be viewed as curiosities a few days' distance to the north, while if one offered at the capital the material which is currency in the distant dependency one would meet with derision. With dollars accepted only to a certain distance at face value, with strings of copper cash, large and small, good and bad, following, the dollar accepted in exchange for these only at a great loss, and then depending on whether a Mexican or Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank production, followed by the tea-brick and sometimes silk scarves as coins of the realm, the traveller's financial arrangements become so confused that in despair he limits himself to carrying a pair of scales and sycee cut up as small as possible. This is by far the wisest course to pursue, the only objection being the comparatively small amount one can carry because of the weight. I found the best thing to do was to pay for the carts to Kweihuacheng beforehand; we had then only to carry a small amount for incidental expenses along the road. At Kweihuacheng there are good, reliable native banks. On one of these I had an order for 100, bought through the compradore of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank at Peking. I had another one for the same amount on a native bank at Ninghsia, but, having over-estimated the expenses and finding the latter to be unnecessary, it was returned safely through the post to the bank at Peking, who redeemed it. The native bank at Kweihuacheng was entirely reliable. During a two months' absence from the town I left over 751. there, which sum was duly handed over to me on return in exchange for the receipt. For travelling among the Mongols small pieces of silver are the best form of money, but a few bricks of tea are exceedingly useful and have a high value; priced, I believe, at 20 cents a brick at Hankow, the value rises to 1 tael at Kweihuacheng, while a few days later it rises to 14 taels. Urga and Uliassutai one could be bought for 2 taels, and this seemed to be the usual price throughout the rest of the journey. Once Urga is reached the traveller comes in contact with civilization again in the form of the Russo-Chinese Bank, with branches at Uliassutai, Chuguchak, and Ili. A letter of credit, accompanied by a letter to the various Managers from the Head of the Russo-Chinese Bank at Peking, opens the coffers of the branches, so that one need only draw as much as one needs from one branch to the next.\n\n## Relations with Foreign Officials\n\nAt \nWhen making preparations for the journey it appeared advisable, not knowing what difficulties might not be encountered in a long desert journey, to have letter of introduction to the Russian Consular officials in Northern Mongolia and Chinese Turkestan. I, therefore, approached the late Russian Minister at Peking on the subject, and M. Pokotilow readily consented to instruct his officers to render every assistance they could. The Russian Government also took the same steps from St. Petersburgh. In consequence of this the most generous welcome and hospitality were extended by one and all, and my relations with them were of the most cordial nature. The Consul-General", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422720, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 123, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## 12\n\nScribblings on them. One was to ward off devils; it said, \"No devil may enter here.\" The other was against sickness. In this way, the people think themselves quite safe.\n\nContinuing down the stony bed of the stream which flows past Yangpuyausze through narrow winding valleys, we emerged at Hsikowmen onto the great plain on which stands Kweihuacheng, the mountains to the north of the plain being just visible through a slight sandstorm. There are many villages dotted about the plain, and the population of these is entirely Chinese; all look prosperous, and the houses clean and neat. Part of the plain is well cultivated, but a large portion is impregnated with alkaline salts. Streams unnavigable even for small boats flow down gently to the west into the Yellow River, and these and the marshes formed by them are full of geese and duck. Sleeping a night at Yangkouban, we entered Kweihuacheng on the 19th April.\n\n### Kweihuacheng\n\nKweichuacheng, the Mongol Kukuhoto, is a busy thriving town which might do twice as much business as it at present does were only the means of communication improved in all directions. The population is said to be over 100,000, of which the greater number is Chinese, though the actual land on which the houses are built is owned by Mongols.\n\nThere are, however, always a fair number of Mongols who have either come for purposes of trade or are on their way to Wutaishan. Unlike the usual Chinese town, Kweihuacheng lies scattered on the plain entirely unprotected by walls except for a small portion of great antiquity which is situated in the midst of a labyrinth of narrow winding streets.\n\nThere are Roman Catholic and China Inland Mission stations, the former conducted by native pastors only, the latter by Swedes.\n\nThere is an office of the Chinese Imperial Posts which seems entirely reliable, but no telegraph as yet. Letters are sent by means of runners who travel 20 miles and hand their mail bag to another man waiting for it; in this manner, the mails travel day and night.\n\nThere is no question of any railway having been begun at Kweihuacheng as yet. All the coal used here comes from the neighbourhood of Salatsi, two days (60 miles) distance by cart to the west. The coal is excellent and abundant.\n\nLiving is much less expensive here than it is in Peking; the following prices are interesting: 150 dollars for a Peking cart, 30 to 200 dollars for a mule, a sheep 6s. to 18s., a camel £4 10s. to £12, a pony £3 10s., as against £7 in Peking.\n\nA great number of mules are bred in the neighbourhood.\n\nThe chief exports are: ponies, cattle, mules, sheep, camels, skins, sheepskins, fur, wool, grain, beans, and tobacco.\n\nThere are no Russian merchants, but a few visit the town from time to time on business mostly connected with tea; they have no houses or godowns of their own, but when they come, inhabit the inns.\n\nThe streets are very full of police who do their work somewhat officiously, but this may be explained by the fact that since 1900, when the Boxer storm broke over Kweihuacheng and the neighbourhood with especial vehemence, the authorities have been extremely zealous in seeing to the welfare of foreigners.\n\nIn Kweihuacheng, I saw the first instance I had yet seen in China of an attempt at a poor house, though perhaps the name \"beggars' home\" more fitly describes it. It was a building capable of holding 600 people and is open to any beggars who care to enter; it is maintained by the Taotai who supplies rice, not money, to the amount of two meals a day to each inmate. A staff of four or five, of whom two are cooks, the others being supposed to keep the place clean, are in charge of the building. Beggars who come in strip themselves naked and just lie on the káng. On the day of my visit, there were only twenty inmates, and they were all lying in what was, at the same time, the kitchen. No restrictions seem to be placed on their movements, and if they like, they may spend the whole of the day in the street begging. It is said that to stifle the cries of those who only drift into the refuge to die, mud is stuffed in their mouths. Though the dirt of the inhabitants of the place and the stench of their rags were indescribable, yet these gentlemen resent the arrival of any beggar whom they consider too dirty for their society and oust him. I came across one pitiable case—a man lying, at his last gasp—and almost unrecognizable as a human being, owing to dirt, in the road just outside the gate of this asylum to which he could not enter because he was too dirty.\n\n## 13\n\n### Hsincheng\n\nTwo miles to the east of Kweihuacheng lies Hsincheng, \"New Town.\" When the Manchu wave of conquest had engulfed the Mongol town of Kukuhoto, the Manchus built a \"new town\" for themselves in the neighbourhood. This became the fortress and was surrounded by high walls of the usual type and entered by strong gateways at the cardinal points. The town was solely for Manchu inhabitants. Hsincheng has maintained all these characteristics and has, therefore, a dreary lifeless appearance. Marshy fields separate it from Kweihuacheng.\n\nThe town is surrounded by groves of fine trees, and the interior is well laid out, the roads being broad and good, but the buildings are poor and squalid. The population, exclusively Manchu, is about 3,000. The city is policed by forty men all dressed in neat uniform. They look efficient, but are too numerous for the infinitesimal amount of traffic. Their pay is 6s. a month, as against 18s. in Peking, but living in the capital is, of course, dearer. There are barracks for the Manchu soldiers just outside the west gate. Between the two cities of Kweihuacheng and Hsincheng are further barracks for the Chinese troops.\n\nThe only attempt that I could find at Kweihuacheng that had been made to enforce the Imperial wishes respecting the amalgamation of the Manchus and Chinese is the withdrawal of the restriction respecting mixed marriages, but as these rarely take place owing to the ridicule to which the bride is exposed in her husband's family on account of the size, large or small, of her feet, as the case may be, it may be said to be as yet a dead letter.\n\nThe Government of Kweihuacheng and Hsincheng is carried on by means of a Chiangchun (Tartar General), who has charge of the Manchus and should reside in Hsincheng, a Tutung, who is in charge of Mongol interests, and a Taotai, who seems to look after what the other officials do not. The Chiangchun and Tutung were both disgraced in April 1908, but new men have doubtless been appointed. The Taotai is said to be progressive and to have opened a number of schools in the last two years.\n\n### Opium (between Peking and Kweihuacheng)\n\nAt Hsuanhuafu, I learnt that beyond the publication of the Imperial Edicts against the use of opium and the closing of a few shops, little had (up to April 1907) been done officially, and opium smoking continued unabated. As regards land under poppy cultivation, the ground is not very favourable for it; still, the best ground formerly was given up to it, and a marked improvement is said to have been made in this respect within the last two years. From Kalgan, there is better news to report. The opium shops and dens had all been closed, and opium was being sold at a Government shop in small sealed packets to licensed smokers. Some of the officials were said to be opium smokers. I learnt that a number of Mongols had been ruined by opium.\n\nAt Tatungfu, the anti-opium movement found a ready response at first, but the people were confused by the number of Imperial utterances on the subject, and, finding themselves unsupported by the officials, had ceased to take any further steps on their own behalf, and were smoking and planting the poppy as much as before. The officials had paid no attention to that portion of the Decree dealing with the registration of smokers, but were awakening to the fact that they must do something in obedience to the Government's wishes. The same story was told at the small district town of Tientschonn to the east of Tatungfu.\n\nAt Sopingfu, nothing had been done with the exception of the issue of a few Proclamations; neither shops nor dens had been closed, nor was there any diminution in the amount of land under poppy cultivation. The officials, however, were said not to smoke. The poverty of the town is said to be largely due to the use of opium.\n\nExactly the same report applies to Kweihuacheng.\n\n## SECTION II.—KWEIHUACHENG TO NINGHSIA, IN KANSU, ACROSS THE ORDOS\n\n### Transport\n\nThe best form of transport for travelling in the Ordos is undoubtedly camels. Camel carts and mule carts are possible, but difficult, owing to the quantity of drift sands, and they are, therefore, much more expensive than camels.\n\nPage 121", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422730, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 133, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# \n## May 23\nIn the morning we passed the small village of Taota, where out of fifteen mud houses five are inns. The inhabitants are liquorice-plant workers, for the root grows here in some profusion. Agents of Chinese and foreign firms come the round to buy the root.\n\n## May 24\nCrossing over some hills we reached the ferry at the Yellow River in the early afternoon. A few houses, mostly eating houses, have sprung up round the ferry, which is 2 miles above a fort called Hung cheaung tze, where a major in charge of sixty or seventy men is stationed.\n\nThe stream is here a quarter of a-mile broad, 5 to 6 feet deep, and the current fairly swift. There were eight boats on the right bank, and a dozen on the left. These are privately owned by a few families, who are very jealous of their business.\n\nThey pay no fee to Government, but undertake to convey officials across the stream free of charge. As officials invariably give a handsome present, this arrangement must be eminently satisfactory.\n\nThe amount of traffic varies very much. Passengers of the coolie class pay 5 cents (1d.). For my 6 animals, a mass of luggage, and six men, I paid a tael (3s.), but the ferryman had to accompany us as far as Ninghsia—14 miles on the other side of the river—to be paid. There are two sizes of boats, the smaller carry ten camels, the larger twenty. We had the usual difficulty in embarking the camels. On the left bank there are only two huts, both of which sell food.\n\nThe contrast between the two shores is most marked, the right being desolate, brown, unfertile and uncultivated, the left green from the edge of the water, and 2 miles later entirely cultivated and rich with fine trees, while farm buildings are scattered about profusely. The first 2 miles from the river remain uncultivated, being liable to floods, but are covered with grass, rushes, and irises. An excellent road winds towards Ninghsia, and where the edge of cultivation comes, poplars, willows, elms, and fruit trees commence. The road makes many detours to avoid or cross the numerous canals—some broad, others narrow—which bring the water of the Hoangho all over the plain. These canals are crossed by bridges of wood and earth supported on wooden piles, and are not very solid. The chief crops are wheat, opium, rice, millet, tobacco, vines, cucumbers, melons, garlic, and radishes, and vegetables and fruits of all kinds. But tens of thousands of acres are given up to the cultivation of the poppy. Many farms nestle among the trees, while occasionally the road winds through a small village, such as Chen Chia Chiao at 7 miles from the river, and from which the two pagodas of Ninghsia are visible. There are occasional ruins—relics of the rebellion—but they are not numerous, and even round these the land is all cultivated. Indeed the district would seem to have recovered from its troubles, and the best description of the stretch of land between the river and the town is that given by Gerbillon, who travelled over it in 1697, and not that given by Rockhill, who saw it at the height of its devastation, i.e., in 1892. The latter talks of \"ruined villages and weed-grown fields.\" Gerbillon says: \"On ne voit point de villages dans cette campagne, mais on la peut appeler un village continuel: car les maisons des paysans y sont répandues de tous côtés environ à cent pas l'une de l'autre plus ou moins... Enfin, ce pays est un des plus beaux et des meilleurs que j'aie jamais vus.\"\n\n## Opium in the Ordos, Kansu and Alashan, and Yellow River Valley\nBetween Kweihuachung and Tutschöng on the Yellow River opium smoking continues unabated.\n\nIn the Ordos I came across extremely few cases among the Chinese permanent colonists and none among the Mongols.\n\nAt Borobalgassan the missionaries told me that no opium is grown in the district, the soil not being damp enough for it; a good deal is, however, smoked not so much by the Christians (Chinese and Mongol), but by the heathen. It is obtained in great quantities from Ninghsiafu. The missionaries punish any of their converts whom they find smoking as severely as they can. Nothing whatever has been done to check the evil or to enforce the Edicts. Mongols who do not come in contact with Chinese are rarely said to be smokers.\n\nBetween Borobalgasson and Ninghsiafu (by the route outside the Wall) opium continues to be smoked as before, and nothing has been done at any of the district towns or villages to check the evil; the drug is brought from Ninghsia, and we used to meet almost every day a few donkeys or mules loaded with opium boxes coming from Ninghsia.\n\nSo many thousand acres round Ninghsia are given up to the cultivation of the poppy that there is little room for anything else to grow. It is planted right up to the walls of the city in defiance of Imperial utterances. The whole population inside the walls seem to smoke, whether men, women, or children, and opium is sold openly at the street corners. As may be imagined, it is extremely cheap. The poverty of the town may be ascribed chiefly to the use of this drug.\n\nThe Taotai has done nothing to check the evil beyond issue an occasional Proclamation. He made one effort to enforce his wishes, but the Mahommedans of the neighbourhood, who are the chief growers, seeing their chief source of wealth threatened, appeared in force outside the yamên, threatened a revolt, and forced the Taotai to recede from his attitude. The Mahommedans do not smoke themselves, it should be added.\n\nAt Alashan (Dinyuaning) a little opium is grown and a considerable amount smoked, chiefly by the Chinese; the Mongols are too busy there poisoning themselves with their cheap brandy to take to other drugs. Opium was introduced at Alashan by the retinues of the Manchu wives of the Princes.\n\nAll along the roads leading to Alashan opium continues unabated; one inn resembled a den; we arrived late in the evening and found all the inhabitants of the place lying round the room on kangs smoking hard.\n\nSo long as the land continues fertile north of Ninghsia along the Yellow River, i.e., as far as Pinglohsien, field after field grows nothing but poppy, and smoking in the villages is universal.\n\nAt Santaubo the peasants try to cultivate the poppy and smoke opium, but the Christians are held in check by the priests, and obey grumblingly; the heathen both cultivate the poppy and smoke.\n\nOpium is as obtainable here from Bautu as from Ninghsia, and is as cheap.\n\nIt will thus be seen that Ninghsiafu infects the whole country for a radius of very many miles, and until a firm Governor is sent there, with a force on which he can rely, and prepared to run the risk of a Mahommedan revolt, it is useless to expect any change in the outlying districts. When, and not until, Ninghsia falls into line there may be some improvement.\n\nWherever there are camps of liquorice workers the majority of the coolies are opium smokers; they obtain the drug from their homes in Shansi.\n\nBetween the Yellow River and Bantu little poppy is grown; opium is, however, smoked freely; between Bantu and Kweihuacheng the greater part of the land is given up to the poppy, and the road runs for mile after mile between nothing but opium. The authorities are apathetic. The new Governor of Salatsi was showing some energy in the matter. In some places the natives had been told that they must plant one-tenth less of their fields with the poppy this year than last; though this order may be obeyed in the letter, I doubt its being so in the spirit, for the present at any rate, for the poppy will only be sown closer together for one year at any rate.\n\nLess poppy is cultivated in the Kweihuacheng Plain north of the town, the ground being too dry; it is, however smoked. All my carters and escort were opium sots. It flourishes as far as the last Chinese Settlement towards the north; after that I did not meet with any cases (none among the Mongols) until the Chinese Colony of Urga was reached.\n\n## Ninghsiafu\nWe entered the town by the east gate; the city is of the usual pattern, the north and south walls being some 1.4 miles long, the east and west only 1 mile long. The shops, which are situated chiefly in the main east to west street, are squalid and the inns poor and miserable. It was impossible to get anything to eat except rice and eggs, for the inhabitants had been praying for rain for four days, and during that time no animal could be killed. The people had worked themselves up to a fanatical frenzy, and the much hoped for rain not falling, were inclined to be unfriendly to foreigners. The Magistrate was anxious to invite me to dine, but excused himself on the ground that there was no meat in the town.\n\nThe China Inland Mission have a station in the town but few adherents; the missionaries seem to be on excellent terms with everyone, including the highest officials and their families, and to exercise a wonderful influence for good, however slight the success of their proselytizing effort may be. The Roman Catholics have also a station here, but no foreign missionaries; they claim many adherents. The Postal and Telegraph service is said to be efficient. Letters leave every five days via... \n\n131 \n32 \n33 \n[2155 b-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422832, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 235, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nC 233 ! 6818 Ref: 10 AUG CO [July 17.]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan*\n(No. 120. **Confidential.**)\n\nForeign Office, July 17, 1909.\n\n**(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nRAILWAY loans. The German group have heard from Cordes that Chang-Chih-Tung is determined not to consent to the participation of the Americans in the Canton-Hankow loan, and has informed Wai-wu Pu to that effect, and notified to them that now that the negotiations between the European groups and the Americans have failed owing to the refusal by the latter of a fair offer, he will ask for an Imperial edict ratifying the Hukuang loan.\n\nThe United States Legation here and the Chinese Minister at Washington have been informed by the Wai-wu Pu to this effect.\n\n*Also to Mr. Bryce, No. 112. **Telegraphic.** \n[2330-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422836, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 239, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 6818\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### No. 1.\n\nReceived 10 AUG C July 23.\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\nTelegram from Peking-(Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, July 23, 1909.)\n\nPeking, July 22, 1909. UNITED STATES President has telegraphed personally Regent, who has instructed Wai-wu Pu to satisfy American wishes. As American chargé d'affaires suggested that arrangements might be possible by increasing amount of loan, we stated that we were prepared to recommend following arrangements: -\n\nFirstly, amount assigned to Hankow-Szechuan Railway to be increased by 500,000l., increasing total loan to 6,000,000l.\n\nSecondly, in consideration of agreement being entered into between Anglo-French-German and American banks undertaking to give American banks a participation of 1,500,000l., with material equivalent half Hankow-Szechuan Railway portion, American Government to immediately withdraw protest and allow ratification by Imperial edict and signature agreement 6,000,000l. by Anglo-French-German banks without further alteration.\n\nForegoing proposal received concurrence of Chinese and provisional concurrence of American chargé d'affaires, but latter has received since then instructions insisting that participation must include all rights with regard to materials, engineer, auditor, and any other benefit which would naturally accompany one-fourth interest in entire loan, placing America on same footing as signatories, as this precludes all prospects compromise. As it is certain Chinese Government cannot contest further in the face of American President's action, our position is hopeless unless actively supported by our Government. Demand of Russia probably to be followed by Japan demonstrates the increasing danger of present situation, which must result in collapse of loan unless prompt steps are taken.\n\nAdvise the foregoing to Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\n\n[2336-2] \n237 \n[27968]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422840, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 243, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## Opium\n\n### Opium Centres\nIn dealing with the production of opium, this circuit may be divided into two distinct spheres: the first comprising the districts under the direct control of the Chinese territorial officials, and the second consisting of the frontier regions under the rule of the Shan Sawbwas, including the fertile low-lying valleys and the Kachin hills, for which the Sawbwas are nominally responsible. It was generally admitted that the Shan valleys were still under opium crops this season, and I therefore decided to send a Chinese assistant to get any possible information in this direction, whilst proceeding myself to the east of the circuit, where the Taotai claimed that the preventive work had been successfully carried out. My route was chosen through the greatest producing areas of the district and timed just before the opium harvest.\n\n### Destruction of Opium Crops in Chinese Sphere\nSpeaking generally, the work of prevention inaugurated by his Excellency Hsi Liang, Governor-General at Yunnan-fu, has been carried out in the Chinese sphere with vigour and success. It was naturally impossible to penetrate into the remoter regions during the short period at my disposal, but by careful enquiry and by watching the local markets for the drug, it has been possible to gain a fair estimate of the conditions of the present season. From the high passes of these districts, one can obtain a broad view of the surrounding country, and the unmistakable colour of the poppy crops may be detected from a considerable distance when they exist to any extent. In the course of my journey, however, I did not see a single field of poppy, and the only evidence of cultivation was in the straggling flowers, which were freely scattered over the fields, and were evidently the survivors after the crops had been uprooted by order of the officials. The consulate writer reports similar conditions in the country lying between Yünchon and Menghua Ting. I have also reliable information from Mr. Coggin Brown, of the Geological Survey of India, and from other English sources, that in the country to the north-west and north-east of Talifu (under the jurisdiction of the sub-prefects of Yunlung Chou and Pinchuan Chou), the main crops have been vigorously destroyed, though a little cultivation is reported in the remoter districts, which are difficult of access for the preventive officers.\n\n### Local Riots\nDuring December and the early part of this year, the prefects and junior officers of the circuit were constantly under orders from the Viceroy, first to exhort the people to devote their land to other crops, then to destroy the crops if their earlier orders had been disobeyed. In many cases, the latter course was necessary, and from officials and people alike, one heard reports of crops which had been uprooted when nearing maturity. Trouble occurred in many districts, and it is rather to be wondered at that no serious outbreak has disturbed the province than that there have been local riots in isolated districts. At Chennau Chou, a notably rowdy city, the official was driven away, and it was necessary to send a detachment of soldiers in order to disperse the rioters. In the district of the Lung-ling Ting, serious trouble was threatened, and the sub-prefect applied for an armed guard, his request being refused, however, lest friction should be created with the neighbouring Shan Sawbwas. Early in April, the Tengyueh Ting went into the Shan districts to the west to uproot the crops, but he was shot at, his chair was wrecked, and he narrowly escaped with his life at the hands of the Kachin tribesmen from the hills. The Menghua Ting was also attacked on his rounds, and a serious rebellion threatened for a time in his district, the Lolos joining forces with the Chinese farmers and refusing to return to their homes until the decapitation of fourteen men convinced them that the authorities were in earnest. At Yu-tien, the Ting endeavoured to compromise with his people by destroying the crops in the \"pa-tzu\" or valleys and ignoring the hill cultivation. The Viceroy's deputy, however, discovered the omission, and the Ting has paid for his clemency by the loss of his post.\n\nThe prefect of Shunning has endeavoured to propitiate his district by posting a proclamation to the effect that he had made a tour in December last and, on finding only half of the usual area under opium crops, had petitioned the governor-general to approve this decrease; that he had received stern commands to destroy the remaining half also, and that an independent deputy appointed from Yunnan-fu would tour the district to ensure obedience. Deputies from the provincial court have been appointed to all the producing centres; I met several of them on their rounds, and as they have spent three months in travelling through the districts allotted to them, there seems little probability that Hsi Liang has failed in his desire to clear the region of the usual winter crop. Proclamations were posted all along the road forbidding the cultivation of the poppy and exhorting the people to free themselves from the drug. It is a common practice in these parts for usurers to advance money to the farmers on their opium crops as soon as the plants are above the ground. This practice is now forbidden, and the notification that no law-suit will be entertained in this respect will undoubtedly weigh heavily with the people. The teachings of the Sacred Edict have also been enlisted in the service of the preventive officers, and the neighbours on either side of a field are held equally responsible with the owner if the forbidden crops are found.\n\nIt is needless to say that the people are angry and unsettled. Throughout the districts in which I travelled, the main winter crop is opium, and from a half to eight-tenths of the arable land is annually devoted to poppy cultivation. Those who listened to the earlier commands of prohibition have managed to raise crops of wheat, beans, peas, or maize, but the people have not learned by past experience to put implicit faith in proclamations of far-reaching reform, and a large proportion of the farmers have seen their poppies uprooted when it was too late to plant another crop. They have paid dearly for their want of faith, and they pointed to their bare fields with fearful curses on Hsi Liang. The winter has been unusually dry, and the substituted crops have proved but a moderate success, so that everything has tended to unrest in the rural districts, and were it not for the fact that the people of Yunnan are by nature lethargic and law-abiding, there would certainly have been serious and far-reaching trouble for the provincial authorities.\n\n### Opium in the Shan States\nIn the Shan districts, which include roughly the country to the south of Tengyueh lying between the Salwen and the Burma frontier, conditions are entirely different. The prefect of Yungchang and the sub-prefects of Tengyueh and Lung-ling have made prolonged tours, but even in the country inhabited by and directly subject to the Chinese, they have not been entirely successful in destroying the opium. I estimate that about two-tenths of the usual crops have been harvested by the Chinese farmers, and about seven-tenths by the Shans. Some of the Sawbwas have yielded to pressure from the Chinese officials, and Mangshil (Mong Hkwan) has consented to the prevention of all crops in his valleys, though not in the hills. Other Sawbwas, however, have not proved so complacent, and in Chetang, Mongpan (Mengka), Lungchuan (Mongwan), and Mongmao, there has been little decrease in the area under cultivation. It is interesting to notice that even in Chen-kang, a State which has nominally reverted to Chinese control, the suzerain power has not felt sufficiently strong to enforce these objectionable measures, and the poppy crops have been up to the usual standard. The prefect of Shunning has, however, posted a proclamation aimed at Chen-kang and the neighbouring Shan States, forbidding them to bring their opium for sale to Shunning, its usual market, and imposing severe penalties on Chinese traders who proceed to the Shan States to purchase the drug. The market for the western States is at Tengyueh, and it is estimated that Nantien will have only half and Kangai one-third of their usual supplies for sale this year. The Sawbwas depend to a great extent on the opium tithes for their incomes, Nantien's receipts being estimated at about 1,000 during 1908. This year, he will receive only half of this amount, and it can be readily...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422867, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 270, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O\n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]**\n\n7291 \n\n## CHINA TRADE\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n268 \n\nJuly 20.F \n\n## SECTION 1\n\n14 AUG C \n\n----\n\n[27369] \n\n### No. 1\n\n#### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 20.)\n\n**(No. 231.)**\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, June 30, 1909.\n\nREPORTS having reached me from various sources of the great reduction which had taken place in the area under poppy cultivation in Shansi, I decided to send Mr. Brenan of this legation to make an extensive tour in the province and furnish me with a first-hand account of what had actually been done.\n\nMr. Brenan's report, of which a copy is enclosed herewith, contains a concise statement of what he saw and heard on a journey of 400 miles through a section of the province which was practically all devoted to poppy cultivation a year ago, and it will, I think, be read with considerable interest as furnishing a notable illustration of the complete success with which at least one Chinese administrator has handled the question.\n\nNot a stalk of poppy is now to be seen over large areas which in former years were covered with the plant, the price of the drug has gone up enormously, and were Shansi a self-contained State, instead of being a unit in a large Empire, opium smoking and opium cultivation would soon be things of the past. But as long as opium is allowed to be grown in abundance just over the borders in the provinces of Shensi and Honan, his Excellency Ting's success in stamping out the cultivation in Shansi is likely to stimulate the production in the neighbouring provinces, and it seems a pity that greater uniformity of procedure is not enforced by the Central Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1\n\n#### Report by Mr. Brenan respecting the Cultivation and Consumption of Opium in Shansi\n\nAS recently as a year ago the province of Shansi was noted for its output of opium. The absence of any trustworthy statistics on the subject renders even an approximate computation of the quantity produced extremely difficult, but as the Board of Revenue's return states the amount for 1900 to be 9,666 piculs, it is safe to suppose that the annual production was considerably in excess of that figure, whilst a moderate estimate gives the area formerly devoted to the cultivation of the poppy as at least two-thirds of all the watered land in the province. In some parts, notably the Chiaocheng and Wenshui districts to the south-west of Taiyuanfu, and the Fenho Valley to the south, the proportion was much higher, and practically all the fields in these regions were sown with poppy for the winter crop. The plant was also to be found in large quantities anywhere where rivers, mountain streams, or wells permitted of proper irrigation, and wheat was only grown in the higher and dryer land where the more valuable crop would not thrive.\n\nUntil the autumn of 1908 there had been no serious attempt on the part of the provincial authorities to deal with the opium question. Proclamations had, it is true, been issued in obedience to the edict of 1906, ordering a decrease in the amount of land under cultivation, and had resulted to a certain extent in the substitution of wheat for opium in 1907, but it was seen that the officials did not intend to enforce the prohibitions, and in 1908 the crop, if not as large as before, was still considerable; in fact, in some districts it is reported that the area under cultivation had even increased. In the same year, however, the authorities at Taiyuanfu, either on their own initiative or in consequence of pressure exercised from Peking, came to the conclusion that an attempt must be made to deal with the question in an energetic manner, and decided as a first step to prohibit the cultivation of opium forthwith throughout the province. The sale of the drug and the smoking of it were to be considered later, but it was felt that these questions would be easier of solution once...\n\nPage 270\nPage 271", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422946, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 349, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[29898]\n\n### No. 1\n\n[August 9.]\n\n9354\n\n## SECTION 7\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 9.)\n\n**(No. 259.)**\n\nPeking, July 20, 1909.\n\nI have the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of decrees by which the Emperor reserves to himself the supreme command of the naval and military forces of the Empire, a special advisory council is created to study and advise upon the reorganisation of the Army and Navy, and certain officials, including the Emperor's brother, Prince Tsai Hsun, are appointed to carry the plan into effect.\n\nStripped of the verbiage as to constitutional methods and precedents, these decrees indicate a desire on the part of the Government to keep the question of the improvement of China's defensive forces before the public, and to educate opinion upon the importance of efficiency in that direction.\n\nIt may be doubted whether China will ever possess a really adequate army or navy until she has effected a radical change in her methods of Government and administration.\n\nThe chief interest, from a British point of view, of these decrees lies in the promise they contain of renewed activity in the work of organisation and development and of the consequent placing of orders for warships and materials abroad, in which it is important that British firms should make every effort to secure at least their due share.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN\n\n### (Translation.)\n\n#### Inclosure in No. 1\n\n**Imperial Decrees issued July 15, 1909.**\n\n**(1.)**\n\nThe Commissioner of constitutional reform has recently memorialised that in the general scheme of constitutional reform it was provided that the Sovereign should have supreme command over the military and naval forces.\n\nAn edict on this subject was issued and promulgated by the late Emperor, and acting in accordance with His late Majesty's dying commands we now hereby especially announce that in accordance with the fundamental principle of constitutional reform we constitute ourselves supreme commander-in-chief of all the military and naval forces of the Empire, thus following the methods of our ancestors the Emperors Tai Tzu and Tai Tsung who laid the foundations of our dynasty, and who personally commanded the Imperial army. Our object is to stir up our army to value the profession of arms and to aim at a strong army.\n\nMoreover let a special military advisory council be formed to assist us to thoroughly consider the military and naval affairs of the whole nation.\n\nWe hereby appoint the Pei-Lo (Prince of the 3rd order) Yu Lang to direct this military advisory council. We have not yet personally taken up the government, as we are still of tender age and our education is proceeding. Wherefore until we direct state affairs the duties of the supreme commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the Empire should be temporarily discharged by the Prince Regent, in order to observe the rules of the constitution. As regards the necessary arrangements and preparations let the military advisory council deliberate on the matter forthwith and memorialise for instructions.\n\nThis decree is to be published for the information of all officials and people.\n\n[2891 i--7]\n\n2\n\nDans le cas où l'inculpé invoquerait l'exception de crime politique ou de crime connexe à un crime politique, les circonstances du crime ou délit devraient faire l'objet d'un examen particulièrement attentif et minutieux, de façon que le coupable ne puisse se soustraire à l'action de la justice en alléguant un faux prétexte.\n\nArt. 5. Si des gens malintentionnés se livraient au transport clandestin d'armes ou de munitions, les autorités de la frontière des deux pays devraient prendre d'actives et sérieuses mesures pour s'y opposer, et empêcher ainsi la contrebande et le ravitaillement.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 347", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 422958, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 361, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n### No. 1\n\n#### (1.)\n\n**(A.) Memorandum on Peking Telegram of August 11, 1909.-(Communicated to Foreign Office by Mr. Addis, August 11, 1909.)**\n\nAMERICAN protest withdrawn, and ratification of edict allowed provided:\n\n1. Loan increased to 6,000,000l.\n2. Of which American share 1,500,000l., being one quarter of whole loan, with corresponding:\n - (a.) Equal banking advantages.\n - (b.) Equal preference American materials.\n - (c) Equal share commission.\n - (d.) Half participation future and supplementary loans, Hankow-Szechuan Railway. (Hupeh section.)\n\nNote.--No reference to appointment American Engineer.\n\n#### (2.)\n\nTelegram received from Peking, August 11, 1909.\n\nMeeting with Wai-wu Pu and American chargé d'affaires has resulted in following proposal: clauses 1 and 2 of our telegram of 22nd July, are accepted in principle with the addition that American participation 1,500,000l. carries corresponding banking advantages, and American materials entitled to same preference as British, French, German in original loan agreement. Commission on purchase of material to be shared equally with American. Provision of original agreement with respect to future and supplementary loan remain unaffected by present arrangement; except that American right to one-half participation in future and supplementary loan Hankow-Szechuan Railway, Hupeh section, is recognised. With reference to foregoing Wai-wu Pu concurs (in), but equal American preference materials Hankow-Canton Railway will have to be submitted to Chang Chi Tung for approval after receipt of reply from Washington.\n\nTelegraph to us, have we your authority to conclude on this basis with reference to security? Although increase service of loan shows deficiency eleven, twelve, thirteen years we strongly recommend, if possible do not raise the point, what is your opinion. Advise Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\n\n#### (3.)\n\nTelegram received from Peking, July 22, 1909.\n\nUnited States President has telegraphed personally Regent, who has instructed Wai-wu Pu to satisfy American wishes. As American chargé d'affaires suggested that arrangements might be possible by increasing amount of loan, we stated that we were prepared to recommend following: firstly, amount assigned to Hankow-Szechuan Railway to increase by 500,000l., increasing total loan to 6,000,000l.; secondly, in consideration of agreement being entered into between Anglo-French-German banks, American banks undertaking to give American banks a participation of 1,500,000l. with material equivalent half Hankow-Szechuan Railway portion. American Government to immediately withdraw protest, and allow ratification by Imperial edict and signature agreement 6,000,000l. by Anglo-French-German banks without... \n\nPage 359\nC.O 79354\n[30502]\nGo 2 SEP OS\nAugust 11.", "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": 423193, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 596, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# C.O. 33552\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## No. 1. [September 3.] SECTION 3. 594\n\nDear Mr. Greg,\n\nMr. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received September 3.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, September 2, 1909.\n\nIF the Germans were, as they say, to revert to their agreement of the 7th March, 1909, the position would be as follows:\n\n1. The Germans, so they inform us, concluded with Chang Chih Tung on the 7th March, 1909, an agreement for the Hankow-Canton railway loan (Hupei-Hunan section), with the right to appoint a German engineer.\n\n2. The inter-group agreement of the 6th July, 1909, excepts the Hankow-Canton railway from the sphere of its operations (vide article 2).\n\n3. A resolution was passed by the three groups at the London conference of the 6th July, 1909, that if the Edict for the Hankow-Canton loan were not issued, then the above exception should cease to have effect.\n\n4. Therefore, in the case supposed, the Hankow-Canton railways and Hankow-Szechuen railways would both come within the scope of the general inter-group agreement.\n\n5. As regards the Hankow-Canton railway, the Germans are bound to offer equal participation to the French and British.\n\n6. The British would claim to appoint the chief engineer, presuming, as has been admitted, that their interest could be shown to predominate, in terms of article 10, section (A).\n\n7. As regards the Hankow-Szechuen, this would be shared by England and America, in terms of Chang's undertaking of 1905.\n\n8. The British share would, however, be reduced to one-sixth, since by the inter-group agreement they are bound to offer equal participation, that is one-third of the half, to the French and Germans.\n\n9. The engineer for the Hankow-Szechuen line would be British, in terms of article 10, section (a), providing for appointments in succession, beginning with the English, unless, which is unlikely, either French or Germans were able to establish a predominant interest.\n\nThe net result, then, of German reversion to the Anglo-German agreement of the 7th March, 1909, would be, so far as the British share is concerned---\n\n| Railway | Finance and Materials | Engineer |\n| -------------- | --------------------- | ------------- |\n| Hankow-Canton | One-third | British |\n| Hankow-Szechuen| One-sixth | British, likely|\n\nYours, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n`[2413 c-3]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423392, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 795, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[37440]\n\nNo. 1, 795\n\n[October 9.]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nC.O. 36185\n\n3 NOV 09\n\n**Mr. C. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received October 9.)**\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation,\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, October 8, 1909.\n\nHILLIER wires that the Yuchuanpu is to take over the negotiations for the Hukuang Railway Loan. I regard the prompt action of the Chinese Government in substituting as Hukuang negotiator a department (Yuchuanpu) for an individual (Chang) as highly satisfactory. The Yuchuanpu will no longer be able to say, as did Chang, that railway extensions outside the Hukuang provinces do not lie within its competence.\n\nI inclose copy of Hillier's telegrams and my reply, together with copies of telegrams which I have dispatched to-day to the French and German groups.\n\nYours truly,\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1\n\nCopies of telegrams communicated to Foreign Office by Mr. Addis, October 9, 1909.\n\n### (1.)\nTelegram dispatched to Peking, October 8, 1909.\n\nRe your wire of 8th October, we regard the information as satisfactory. Re my wire of 27th September, we have abandoned idea of convening conference for the present in deference to request of French, who desire to make fresh attempt themselves to secure joint diplomatic action Peking in favour of the object referred to in my wire of the 3rd September.\n\n### (2.)\nTelegram received from Peking, October 8, 1909.\n\nAn Imperial Edict has been issued appointing Board of Communication (Yuchuanpu), Peking, to take over negotiations Hukuang Railway Loan. We think favourably of appointment. With reference to foregoing telegraph to us, what is the present situation? What are the prospects of conference? In the absence of information our position is very difficult.\n\n### (3.)\nTelegram dispatched to Deutsche Asiatische Bank, October 8, 1909.\n\nHillier wires as follows: \"An Imperial Edict has been issued appointing Board of Communication (Yuchuanpu), Peking, to take over negotiations Hukuang Railway Loan.\" We think favourably of appointment.---Addis.\n\n[2471 i-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423393, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 796, "title": "CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909", "content_text": "## [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n \n2 \n\n(4.) \n\nTelegram dispatched to Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Paris, October 8, 1909. \n\nHillier wires as follows:---\n\n\"We think an Imperial Edict has been issued appointing Board of Communication (Yuchuanpu), Peking, to take our negotiations regarding Hukuang Railway Loan favourably in view of the appointment. With reference to the foregoing telegraph to us, what is the present situation? What are the prospects of conference? In the absence of information, our position is very difficult.\"\n\nWe have wired Hillier as follows:- \n\n\"Re your wire of 8th October. We regard the information as satisfactory. Re my wire of 27th September. We have abandoned the idea of convening a conference for the present, in deference to the request of the French, who desire to make a fresh attempt themselves to secure joint diplomatic action, Peking, in favour of the object referred to in my wire of 3rd September.\"--ADDIS.\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[37591] \n\nNo. 1. \n\nOctober 11.\n\n36185 \n\nRECEIVED 3 NOV 09 \n\n794 \n\n### SECTION 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 11.) (No. 346.) Sir,\n\nPeking, September 22, 1909.\n\nWith reference to your telegram No. 122 of the 24th July last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, in translation, copies of memoranda exchanged between the Russian Minister and the Wai-wu Pu regarding an arrangement made between the Russo-Chinese Bank and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, by which the latter cedes to the former a portion of its share in the loan for the Canton-Hankow and Hankow-Szechuan Railways.\n\nYou will observe that the Chinese Government accedes to the arrangement, provided that the consent of the French bank is first obtained, that no objections are raised by the British, German, and American banks, and that the terms of the loan agreement are preserved intact.\n\nThe Russian Minister, in handing me the Chinese text of these memoranda on the 17th instant, explained that their object was to place the arrangement on official record, and that he considered it his duty to bring it to my knowledge, in view of the stipulation making its enforcement dependent upon the consent of the British bank.\n\nI have communicated copies of the papers to Mr. E. G. Hillier, the local manager of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, who is also acting as agent of the British and Chinese Corporation. He sees no objection to the arrangement.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\n### Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Note communicated by Russian Minister to Wai-wu Pu.**\n\nWith regard to the foreign loan which is at present being arranged by the Chinese Government for the construction of the Hankow-Canton and Hankow-Szechuan Railways, China has on more than one occasion declared that, as a definite understanding had been arrived at regarding the loan, there was no basis for further negotiation, and that Russian capitalists could not, therefore, participate therein.\n\nThe Russian Government, in view of the friendship existing between our two countries, is willing to accept the view expressed by the Wai-wu Pu, and will not insist upon the Russo-Chinese Bank being named in the agreement, but they are most desirous that the Chinese Government should give a separate written declaration to the effect that it shall be permissible for the Russo-Chinese Bank and the Banque de l'Indo Chine to enter into an arrangement whereby a portion of the latter's share of the loan shall be ceded to the Russo-Chinese Bank. This arrangement should not in any way interfere with the original agreement nor introduce any modification in its terms.\n\nIf the board will carefully consider this proposal, they will see that the Russian Government has no desire whatever to obstruct the Chinese Government in dealing with this matter, but is extremely desirous of protecting the interests of the Russo-Chinese Bank and of Russian and Chinese capitalists.\n\nThe favour of a reply is requested.\n\nSeptember 7, 1909.\n\n[2471-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423462, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 66, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### SECTION 2.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 25.)\n\n**(No. 365. Confidential.)**\n\nPeking, October 6, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to my telegram No. 163 of yesterday's date, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a preliminary agreement for the financing, construction, and operation of a railway from Chinchou to Aigun, a distance of about 750 miles, which was signed at Mukden on the 2nd instant by the Viceroy and Governor of Manchuria on the one part, and by the agents of an American group and of Messrs. Pauling and Co. on the other.\n\nBefore starting for Mukden, Lord ffrench made enquiries from me as to how far I could identify myself with this project, and I gave him to understand that my instructions precluded me from giving him any support. His Majesty's consul-general at Mukden was likewise informed of the attitude which His Majesty's Government desired us to observe in the matter, and the agreement was concluded without any intervention on his part.\n\nThe financing of the undertaking is entrusted to the American group, who are, however, it is understood, to have British associates, to whom they are at liberty to grant participation to the extent of a sum not exceeding 40 per cent. of the whole loan. The loan itself is to be guaranteed by the Chinese Government, and is to be secured by the railway.\n\nThe contract for the construction and equipment of the railway is assigned to Messrs. Pauling and Co., in whom the appointment of the chief engineer is vested, subject to the approval of the president of the railway company.\n\nThe railway is to be operated by a company, which is to be under the control of the Board of Communications. This company is to be composed of Chinese, Americans, and British, the controlling interest being Chinese, and persons of other nationalities are to have no voice in its management or control without the express approval of the Chinese Government.\n\nAny provisions of the agreement which may appear unacceptable to the Throne, or which the Governor of Manchuria may on reconsideration desire to modify, are liable to revision when the detailed agreement comes to be drawn up.\n\nLord ffrench informs me that an edict issued on the 3rd instant, a copy of which had been communicated to the Viceroy of Manchuria, commanded the Wai-wu Pu, the Board of Revenue, and the Board of Communications to consult with the Viceroy and Governor of Manchuria, and submit a joint memorial to the Throne on the whole matter.\n\nI learn from an independent and fairly reliable source that the Wai-wu Pu do not altogether approve of the haste with which the negotiations have been conducted, and are likely to counsel more deliberation in the negotiation of the detailed agreement.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Preliminary Agreement providing for the Financing, Construction, and Operation of the Railway from Chinchou to Aigun.**\n\nTHIS preliminary agreement to provide for the financing, construction, and operation of the railway from Chinchou to Aigun is made between-\n\nTheir Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, hereinafter called the administration, of the one part; and", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423463, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 67, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## Preliminary Agreement for the Construction of the Chinchou to Aigun Railway\n\nThe American group and its associates (such associates to be admitted to participation with the full consent of and to the extent - not more than 40 per cent. of the whole - to be determined by the Chinese Government), hereinafter called the bank, and Pauling and Co., hereinafter called the contractors, of the other part.\n\nNow it is hereby mutually agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:\n\n1. The administration engages to borrow from the bank the sum necessary to construct the railway from Chinchou to Aiguu. The rate of interest for this loan shall not exceed 5 per cent. per annum, and the terms of issue, which shall be the most favourable obtainable, and the other details of procedure shall be arranged in a mutually satisfactory manner.\n\nThe payment of interest and amortisation of this loan shall be guaranteed by the Imperial Chinese Government, and the security therefor shall be the railway line.\n\nInterest payments and amortisation shall be met by the receipts of the railway or the proceeds of the loan, and if these be insufficient, by such Manchurian revenues as may hereafter be selected by the administration and the bank in a manner to be mutually satisfactory.\n\nThe first bond issue shall be for the amount necessary for the construction and equipment of the railway between Chinchou and Tsitsihar. The second shall be for the construction and equipment of the railway between Tsitsihar and Aigun.\n\nAn equitable arrangement shall be made for the redemption of the bond issues by the Board of Communications prior to the expiration of their terms.\n\n2. The administration agrees to contract with the contractors for the construction and equipment of this road. The contractors engage to build and equip the line, using the best possible materials on the cheapest possible terms. The detailed terms and conditions, &c., shall be arranged hereafter in a manner that shall be mutually satisfactory.\n\n3. On equal terms Chinese materials shall be given the preference. If, however, Chinese materials are not available, recourse shall be had to other markets.\n\nThe administration shall be liable to the contractors only for the contract price of the railway, and it is clearly understood that no commission shall be paid on the purchase of materials.\n\n4. During the construction of this railway the appointment of the chief engineer shall be vested in Pauling and Co., but this appointment must be approved by the president of the railway company, to be designated by the Imperial Chinese Government. The chief engineer shall be under the control of the Board of Communications and the railway company.\n\n5. As the work of construction is completed section by section, the railway shall be operated during the currency of the loan by a company which shall be under the control of the Board of Communications. If, after the payment of interest and amortisation charges and operating expenses, there be a surplus, the railway company shall receive 10 per cent. thereof.\n\n6. The company shall be composed of Chinese, Americans, and British, as may be hereinafter arranged, the Chinese to have a majority interest in the control, but under no circumstances shall persons of any other nationality than those herein mentioned have any voice in the management or control of the company without the full permission of the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\nThe company shall have as its president a high official appointed by the Imperial Chinese Government. The other details of organisation shall be subsequently arranged in a mutually satisfactory manner.\n\n7. This railway company is to be organised by Chinese, American, and British interests. It is recognised, however, that this line is constructed in Chinese territory for commercial purposes, and in case of war may be used only for the transportation of Chinese troops and munitions of war.\n\n8. This preliminary agreement between their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien with the bank and contractors, subject to approval by Imperial edict, without which it shall be null and void.\n\n9. In case certain portions of this agreement are characterised as unacceptable by the Imperial edict, or in case the administration finds on further consideration that there are certain unsatisfactory provisions therein, these clauses to which exception has been taken shall be revised in the detailed agreements in a manner which shall be satisfactory to all parties.\n\n10. This agreement is executed in triplicate in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, one set by the American group, and one set by Pauling and Co. In case there be any misunderstanding arising from a difference between the English and Chinese texts, the matter shall be settled by a mutually satisfactory arrangement.\n\nSigned at Mukden by the contracting parties this nineteenth day of the eighth moon of the first year of the Emperor Hsuan Tung, being the second day of October of the year one thousand nine hundred and nine of the western calendar.\n\nThe Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien.\n\nFor J. P. Morgan and Co., \nKuhn, Loeb, and Co., \nThe First National Bank, \nThe National City Bank, of New York (constituting the American Group).\n\nFor Pauling and Co., \n1st Agent. \n* Agent.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423471, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 75, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## Page 74\n\n\nThe authorities were bound to enforce strictly the Imperial regulations, and the more energy they infused into this task, the sooner would the opium evil be eradicated.\n\nAs regards the subject of my complaint, his Excellency admitted that conditions in this province differed from those that prevailed in Shantung, but said he could not discuss the question with me until he had had an opportunity of perusing the reports and correspondence with regard thereto. He promised to communicate the result of his enquiries to me in the form of a despatch in a few days' time.\n\nThis despatch, as you will observe, merely quotes the Prohibition Bureau's report without comment. I gather that this report correctly expresses his Excellency's views on the subject, and that he does not consider it necessary to reply to the arguments which I advanced in my despatches and at our recent interview.\n\nA prediction which I made at this interview is already in course of fulfilment. I said I considered the authorities were mistaken in applying these prohibitory regulations to the raw opium trade with Hong Kong. If they prevented this trade from being carried on in an open and legitimate manner in Canton, it would certainly be diverted to other places, such as Kongmoon, Samshui, and other West River ports. If driven from there, opium would still find its way in by illicit channels, and the growth of a vast trade in smuggled opium, not necessarily Indian, between Hong Kong and Canton would provide the Canton Government with a problem far harder to deal with than the present legitimate and well-regulated trade.\n\nSince the beginning of this month, no Indian opium has been imported through the foreign customs at Canton, but the import into Kongmoon and Samshui has increased tenfold during the last few weeks. This, as I have pointed out to Messrs. Sassoon and Co., would seem to indicate that their business is not altogether at a standstill.\n\nThe information I have obtained in conversation with the Viceroy's foreign secretaries and local dealers in opium leads me to believe that the Canton Government are about to make a determined attempt to obtain a monopoly of the trade both in prepared and raw opium, and that they rely on the new Viceroy to make the attempt successful.\n\nIn this endeavour, they will have the active support of such bodies as the self-government society and the sympathy of that growing class of respectable Chinese who sincerely believe that the salvation of their country lies in the total prohibition of the use of opium in the shortest possible time.\n\nUnder these circumstances, I feel that I ought to await your instructions before making further and more urgent representations to the Viceroy based on the treaty rights of our merchants to deal in foreign opium and the declared intention of the British Government to uphold these rights.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n## Page 4\n\n### Translation\nSir,\n\n#### Inclosure 4 in No. 1\n**Viceroy Yuan to Acting Consul-General Fox**\n\nCanton, September 17, 1909\n\nWith reference to your despatch to my predecessor, dated the 27th August, 1909, on the subject of the new regulations for the limitation of the sale of raw opium, stating that you had learnt that the Opium Prohibition Bureau had suddenly, without warning, arrested the manager of the Chuan Fu Cheng raw opium shop in the Hsing Lung Street, you requested that a careful enquiry might be made into the circumstances.\n\nOn receipt of your despatch, the Acting Viceroy Hu instructed the bureau to make an enquiry and report, and a note was at the same time sent to you in reply. The officials of the bureau state that, by the order of the late Viceroy Chang, dated February-March, it became their duty to issue licences to shops selling raw opium and to individual buyers. This procedure was in accordance with the regulations submitted to the Throne by the Government Council and approved. A proclamation was issued at the time, and all raw opium dealers were summoned to the bureau and commanded to observe the regulations. The statement that no warning was given is therefore difficult to understand.\n\nThe raw opium shops, however, while professing acquiescence, secretly ignored the regulations, with the result that very few people took out buying licences. For several months past, with a reckless indifference to instructions, the dealers have been illicitly selling opium in this way. The bureau had discovered that ten or more of the raw opium shops had been obeying the regulations and were willing to carry out these precautionary measures, but two shops, the Ch'uan Fu Cheng and the Chuan Fu Hsing, relying on their comparatively large capital, had attempted to monopolise the trade. Their arrest by the police officials was supported by conclusive proof, and the sentence imposed on them to stop business, which was reported to and approved by the Acting Viceroy Hu, was a measure of exceptional clemency. The man, Liang Hsi Hou, who was arrested, was the manager of the shop in question, and the intention of the police was merely to obtain from him the licence of the shop for cancellation, when he would be released. The owner of the shop, however, in a reckless manner, was making delays and remained in hiding. The measures that had been taken were those laid down by the regulations for the punishment of recalcitrant raw opium shops and were in no way the concern of foreigners.\n\nThe raw opium shops numbered over twenty, and all were carrying on their business as usual. No dislocation was being caused to the trade of either Chinese or foreign opium merchants.\n\nThe officials of the bureau further remarked that the Imperial commands for the prohibition of opium had been in force for three years, and that confirmatory edicts had repeatedly been received. The whole nation had received these edicts in an obedient spirit, and the foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance. It was therefore their duty to carry out their instructions with the utmost energy, for the whole principle of controlling opium would be defeated were individuals to be allowed to buy opium without a licence or opium dealers to sell to such persons. It would also be impossible to second in a worthy manner the friendly assistance of foreign kindly disposed Powers.\n\nWith regard to the increase in price of prepared opium, there was no violation of the terms of the Chefoo Convention, as the price was increased (i.e., a tax levied) after the opium had been imported and the packages opened.\n\nIn June-July of this year, the British consul-general had forwarded a translation of a memorandum drawn up by the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the prevention of the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong. The Governor stated that it was beyond the wit of man to devise a satisfactory method of stopping the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong, for the reason that the price of opium in Hong Kong and the Straits was many times higher than in the south of China. If it was desired to stop this traffic, and thereby fulfil the promise contained in China's undertaking with Hong Kong, the only possible method was to raise the price of opium in China and bring it to a level with the price obtaining in Hong Kong. There would then be no profit attaching to the smuggling into Hong Kong. If, therefore, measures could be taken to secure this increased price, the prevention of the smuggling traffic would meet with success, and assistance would be rendered both to their efforts to stop consumption and to the revenue of China.\n\nThis, the bureau observed, was a really intelligent and far-seeing exposition of principle, from which it was obvious that an increase in the price of prepared opium did not involve a breach of treaty and would have the effect of stopping the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong. The present deliberations on their opium policy were being conducted on the lines of the Governor of Hong Kong's expression of opinion and would not cause dislocation either to Chinese or foreign opium traffic.\n\nI have the honour to communicate the report of the Opium Prohibition Bureau for your information, and avail, &c.\n\n**(Seal of Viceroy.)**\n\n## Page 5\n\n### No. 110\nSir,\n\n#### Inclosure 5 in No. 1\n**Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan**\n\nCanton, September 24, 1909\n\nIn continuation of my despatch No. 108 of the 22nd instant, I have the honour to transmit copy and translation of a despatch which I have felt it my duty to address to the Viceroy, drawing his Excellency's attention to certain inaccurate statements contained in the Opium Prohibition Bureau's report, copy of which was forwarded to you in the despatch above referred to.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nHARRY H. FOX.\n\n## Page 7", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423501, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 105, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# \n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]** \n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS.** \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n30161 \n\n09 \n\n104 \n\n[November 5] \n\n## SECTION 1. \n\n[40339] \n\n**(No. 178.)** \n\n### No. 1. \n\n**Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.** \n\n**(Telegraphic.) R.** \n\nForeign Office, November 5, 1909. YOUR telegram No. 170 [of the 26th October: Chinchow-Aigun Railway]. Paulings ask for support in obtaining final Imperial edict. \n\nOur line seems to be that we desire to support the project as British enterprise is engaged in it, and also to encourage co-operation with American interests, but that after what has passed we must support a proposal for Japanese participation if pressed. Do you agree? Would it be of any use attempting, with the support of the United States Government, which we could endeavour to obtain here, to persuade the Chinese Government to allow Japanese participation?\n\n[2486 e---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": 423589, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 193, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### 2 DEC 09\n\n192\n\n#### SECTION 2\n\nNo. 1.\n\nTelegram from \"China Bank, Berlin.\" (Communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis, July 15, 1909.)\n\nCORDES wires as follows:---\n\n\"Following is strictly private:\n\n\"Chang Chih Tung has notified Wai-wu Pu he will never consent to Americans obtaining share in railway loan Canton-Hankow, and that after the fair offer of the European banks to the Americans having been refused and negotiations having failed, he will proceed now, and in the course of a few days ask for the Imperial edict ratifying the Hukuang railway loan.\"\n\nForegoing has been communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to American Legation in Peking and telegraphed to Chinese Ambassador in Washington.\n\n[2336 p-2] \n[26995]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423597, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 201, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[40339]\n\n### No. 1\n\n200 \nNovember 2.\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n30215 \n2 DEC 09\n\nSir,\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co. to Foreign Office.-(Received November 2.)\n\n26, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, \nNovember 1, 1909.\n\nI AM directed by my board to ask you to bring at once, confidentially, to the notice of His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the enclosed copy of a preliminary agreement entered into by us with the Chinese Government, providing for the construction and operation of a railway from Chenchow to Aigun, the latter town being the Chinese settlement opposite the Russian town of Blagoveschensk.\n\nThe agreement also provides for the financing of the construction of the line in question by an American group, composed of Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., Kuhn, Loeb, and Co., the First National Bank, and the National City Bank of New York, represented in China by Mr. Willard D. Straight. This gentleman has been on intimate terms with Lord ffrench for a long time.\n\nThe agreement in question has been signed and sealed by the Viceroy of Manchuria and by the Governor of Fengtien, and the viceroy has communicated to Lord ffrench and Mr. Straight a copy of the Imperial edict sent to the viceroy by telegram from Peking, and dated the 3rd October, 1909, of which I also beg to enclose a copy.\n\nIn reference to this edict, Lord ffrench informs us, in a letter just received, dated the 6th October, as follows:-\n\n\"The edict is of the same nature as is always issued previous to a final edict. This is a very great step forward, and our work now lies in getting the Wai-wu Pu into line.\nNa Tung will, however, oppose and try to delay it, so that we are not out of the wood yet.\"\n\nLord ffrench tells us that Na Tung, as Joint Minister for Foreign Affairs with Prince Ching, is in control of the Wai-wu Pu, and that he is notoriously pro-Japanese.\n\nLord ffrench also informs us in this letter, and it is to this point that we desire respectfully, but most earnestly, to draw the immediate attention of His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs :-\n\nSir John Jordan says he has no definite instructions and refuses to give any assistance whatever. He has had some new instructions, because a fortnight ago he was quite prepared to assist. Personally he is very keen on the project, but says he cannot move without instructions. He even refused to wire to the British consul at Mukden to assure the Viceroy that Straight and I were working in harmony.\n\nAs His Majesty's Government are aware, Messrs. Pauling and Co. already hold agreements, signed by the Viceroy of Manchuria, for the construction of a line from Chenchow to Taonan-fu, dated September 1908, and for the construction of a line from Fakumen to Tsitsihar, dated November 1907, and therefore that portion of the new line from Chenchow to Tsitsihar, covered by the present agreement, is without doubt a substitution of a new route for the two prior agreements referred to above.\n\nI am also desired to point out, for the information of His Majesty's Government, that we are informed by Lord ffrench, while his Excellency Tang Shao Yi was in New York some twelve months ago, he then signed a financial agreement with the American group, granting them the financing of a line from Tsitsihar to Aigun. The present agreement, therefore, but increases the extent of American financial interest in railway construction in Mongolia.\n\nMy board desire me to point out that, once again, there is a unique opportunity of obtaining for British subjects a contract for railway construction in China.\n\nAt the interview which His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was good enough to give recently to Mr. George Pauling, the latter set forth fully \n[2486 6-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423598, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 202, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## \nthe obvious advantages, both from the British and Chinese points of view, of combining railway construction contracts with loans, as is the case in the present instance.\n\nWhat is now most essential to bring the matter to fruition is for definite instructions to be cabled to His Majesty's Minister at Peking to lend his support, in consultation with the American and Japanese Ministers, to the obtaining, without delay, of the final Imperial edict authorising both loan and contract.\n\nHis Majesty's Government is well aware for how long a time, and with how much effort, expense, labour, and disappointment, Messrs. Pauling and Co. have endeavoured to obtain railway construction work in China, and it is needless for them, therefore, to repeat with what anxiety they must regard their present position in this contract, until they have been informed definitely by His Majesty's Government that the support of the Government will be given to them in this matter.\n\nWe are, &c. Pauling and Co. (Limited),\n\nTHO. SCOTT, Secretary.\n\n## Inclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n### Preliminary Agreement providing for the Financing, Construction, and Operation of the Railway from Chenchow to Aigun.\n\nTHIS preliminary agreement to provide for the financing, construction, and operation of the railway from Chenchow to Aigun is made between their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, hereinafter called the administration, of the one part; and the American group and its associates (such associates to be admitted to participation with the full consent of, and to the extent---not more than 40 per cent. of the whole---to be determined by the Chinese Government), hereinafter called the bank, and Pauling and Co., hereinafter called the contractors, of the other part.\n\nNow it is hereby mutually agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:-\n\n1. The administration engages to borrow from the bank the sum necessary to construct the railway from Chenchow to Aigun. The rate of interest for this loan shall not exceed 5 per cent. per annum, and the terms of issue, which shall be the most favourable obtainable, and the other details of procedure shall be arranged in a mutually satisfactory manner.\n\nThe payment of interest and amortisation of this loan shall be guaranteed by the Imperial Chinese Government, and the security therefor shall be the railway line.\n\n| Payment Details | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Interest payments and amortisation | shall be met by the receipts of the railway or the proceeds of the loan |\n| If insufficient | by such Manchurian revenues as may hereafter be selected by the administration and the bank in a manner to be mutually satisfactory |\n\nThe first bond issue shall be for the amount necessary for the construction and equipment of the railway between Chenchow and Tsitsihar. The second shall be for the construction and equipment of the railway between Tsitsihar and Aigun.\n\nAn equitable arrangement shall be made for the redemption of the bond issues by the Board of Communications prior to the expiration of their terms.\n\n2. The administration agrees to contract with the contractors for the construction and equipment of this road. The contractors engage to build and equip the line, using the best possible materials on the cheapest possible terms.\n\nThe detailed terms and conditions, &c., shall be arranged hereafter in a manner that shall be mutually satisfactory.\n\n3. On equal terms Chinese materials shall be given the preference. If, however, Chinese materials are not available, resource shall be had to other markets.\n\nThe administration shall be liable to the contractors only for the contract price of the railway, and it is clearly understood that no commission shall be paid on the purchase of materials.\n\n4. During the construction of this railway, the appointment of the chief engineer shall be vested in Pauling and Co., but this appointment must be approved by the president of the railway company, to be designated by the Imperial Chinese Government. The chief engineer shall be under the control of the Board of Communications and the railway company.\n\n5. As the work of construction is completed section by section, the railway shall be operated, during the currency of the loan, by a company which shall be under the control of the Board of Communications. If after the payment of interest and amortisation charges, and operating expenses, there be a surplus the railway company shall receive 10 per cent. thereof.\n\n6. The company shall be composed of Chinese, Americans, and British, as may be hereinafter arranged, the Chinese to have a majority interest in the control, but under no circumstances shall persons of other nationality than those herein mentioned have any voice in the management or control of the company without the full permission of the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\nThe company shall have as its president a high official appointed by the Imperial Chinese Government. The other details of organisation shall be subsequently arranged in a mutually satisfactory manner.\n\n7. This railway company is to be organised by Chinese, American, and British interests. It is recognised, however, that this line is constructed in Chinese territory for commercial purposes, and in case of war may be used only for the transportation of Chinese troops and munitions of war.\n\n8. This preliminary agreement is signed by their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien with the bank and the contractors, subject to approval by Imperial edict, without which it shall be null and void.\n\n9. In case certain portions of this agreement are characterised as unacceptable by the Imperial edict, or in case the administration finds on further consideration that there are certain unsatisfactory provisions therein, these clauses, to which exception has been taken, shall be revised in the detailed agreements in a manner which shall be satisfactory to all parties.\n\n10. This agreement is executed in triplicate in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, one set by the American group, and one set by Pauling and Co. In case there be any misunderstanding arising from a difference between the English and Chinese texts the matter shall be settled by a mutually satisfactory arrangement.\n\nSigned at Mukden by the contracting parties this 19th day of the 8th moon of the 1st year of the Emperor Hsuan Tung, being the 2nd day of October of the year 1909 of the Western Calendar.\n\nFISI LIANG,\n\nCHENG TE CHUAN,\n\nThe Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien.\n\nFor J. P. Morgan and Co.,\n\nThe First National Bank,\n\nKuhn, Loeb, and Co.,\n\nThe National City Bank of New York, constituting the American group,\n\nW. STRAIGHT, Agent.\n\nFor Pauling and Co.,\n\nFFRENCH, Agent.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n\n### Imperial Edict communicated by the Viceroy of Manchuria, October 3, 1909.\n\nTHE following edict has been received (by the Grand Council) :-\n\nHsi Liang and Cheng Te Chuan memorialise us by telegraph \"respecting the raising of a foreign loan and the construction of a railroad.\" We command the Wai-wu Pu, the Board of Revenue, and the Board of Communications to consult duly with the governor-general and governor concerned, taking into consideration the whole circumstances of the general situation, and to memorialise us jointly thereon.\n\nSuch is the Imperial will.\n\nPage 201", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423602, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 206, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n205\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n### **CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[40339]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n| 09215 |\n|---------|\n| 2 DEC 09 |\n\n[November 10.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n### Foreign Office to Messrs. Pauling and Co.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nForeign Office, November 10, 1909.\n\nI laid before Secretary Sir Edward Grey your letter of the 1st instant, enclosing for his confidential information copy of a preliminary agreement entered into between your firm and the Chinese Government for the construction and operation of a railway from Chenchow to Aigun, and for the financing of the construction of the said line by an American group composed of Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., Kuhn, Loeb, and Co., the First National Bank, and the National City Bank of New York, represented in China by Mr. Willard D. Straight.\n\nWith regard to your request that Sir J. Jordan should be instructed to give his support, in consultation with the United States and Japanese Ministers at Peking, with a view to obtaining the final Imperial edict authorising both loan and contract, I am to observe that a telegram has been received from Sir John to the effect that your agent and Mr. Straight asked the Wai-wu Pu for a definite decision in the matter some days ago, and that they are now awaiting the Chinese reply. In the circumstances, Sir E. Grey considers it desirable that this reply should be awaited before deciding what further action may be necessary.\n\nI am,\n&c.\n\nF. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n`[2486 k-1]`\n\nii \n\nisc - June", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423613, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 217, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nNo. 1.\n\n2 DEC 09\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n(No. 312.) Sir,\n\nSir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 20.)\n\nTokyo, October 23, 1909. ON the 5th October Sir John Jordan repeated to this Embassy his telegrams Nos. 161 and 163 to you, reporting that a preliminary agreement had been signed at Mukden by the Viceroy and governor, with an American group and the British firm of contractors, Messrs. Pauling, for the financing, construction, and operation of a railway from Chinchow to Aigun on the Amur.\n\nBy the preliminary agreement the English firm are entrusted with the appointment of the chief engineer, and the contracting of the line generally; the American syndicate are to do the financing, but their associates are admitted to participation to the extent of 40 per cent. of the whole.\n\nThe railway is to be operated by a company composed of British, Americans, and Chinese to the exclusion of persons of any other nationality, unless approved of by the Chinese Government. An Imperial Edict of the 3rd October orders the Wai-wu Pu, Board of Finance, and Board of Communications jointly to memorialise the throne after consulting the Viceroy and governor at Mukden.\n\nIn passing, it may be noted that this railway was first projected between Chinchow and Taonan-fa, and then to Tsitsihar; it has now reached Aigun on the Amur.\n\nAs the above report was a marked step in advance on the somewhat vague and tentative negotiations which have been proceeding for some time past regarding this railway, which, as you are aware, the Japanese Government state they are not prepared to oppose, provided they were allowed a share in the financing and appointment of engineers, I took an early opportunity of sounding Count Komura on the subject. His Excellency said that the Japanese Government had no fresh news from Mukden or Peking. It was clear from the manner in which his Excellency spoke that the information contained in Sir John Jordan's telegrams had not reached the Japanese Foreign Office. In the course of a conversation which followed, his Excellency stated that the Japanese Government considered that the railway was parallel, and would compete with the South Manchurian; still they were prepared to raise no objections to its construction, provided the conditions which I have mentioned were consented to by the Chinese Government. I asked his Excellency what steps would be taken by the Japanese Government should the Chinese Government decline to consider these conditions, and excluded the Japanese from participation in any form. Count Komura said that his Government would wait until such information were officially notified to them, when they would lodge a strong protest with the Chinese Government. They would also lay the matter before the British and American Governments, and ask for their friendly assistance. I had the honour to telegraph the above information to you the same day (my telegram No. 56).\n\nSince the above conversation took place, the newspapers have published reports stating that Mr. Straight, who represents the American syndicate, has signed some sort of agreement with the Chinese Government for the construction of the railway from Chinchow to Tsitsihar, but the details are not known; although the matter is attracting considerable attention, it has not been taken very seriously at present.\n\nI have seen Count Komura several times since the interview I have mentioned; he is personally inclined to think that the railway will never be built; I venture to think that if the Japanese Government can help it, it never will. His Excellency is of opinion that even if Mr. Straight has signed, as the newspapers say, a preliminary agreement, it will most likely not receive the Imperial sanction. It would seem that three Boards, Foreign Affairs, Communications, and Treasury have to come to an agreement on the matter before the throne can be memorialised, and his Excellency is of opinion, from his own experience of Peking, that these Boards will take a considerable time to agree, if they ever do.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423621, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 225, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# 224 \n\n## 2\n\nThe infant Emperor, whose father, Prince Ch'un, became the Regent and the real ruler of the Empire. A glance at the three previous reports that have been written on this subject will show how important a factor in the anti-opium campaign were the energy and determination of the aged Dowager-Empress. The reports have all dwelt on the importance attached by the court and the Central Government to the conscientious fulfilment of the Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906, and of the decrees that followed. Instructions and regulations framed for its enforcement were repeated at frequent intervals, and the determination of the Palace to enforce obedience to its orders was shown by the removal from office of high dignitaries and Princes who had failed to break off the opium habit within the prescribed limit of time. Annual reports were called for from each Viceroy and governor as to the progress of the measures taken to decrease the cultivation and consumption of opium. Prince Kung and other high officers of State were appointed Imperial commissioners to enforce the application of the prohibition in the case of persons holding official positions. Officers of high degree, in one case a member of the Imperial family, were denounced by the commissioners and cashiered by Imperial decree for infractions of the regulations. Officials who showed themselves particularly zealous in the campaign were rewarded. In short, everything proclaimed that the court and the Central Government were sincere and zealous in their crusade and that all that they could do to help in carrying out the task that China had set herself would be done.\n\nThis attitude on the part of the court was an indispensable condition of success. It has been repeatedly stated that the progress achieved in a province depended on the energy and determination of the governor of the province, but it is no less true that the energy and determination of the governor corresponds in turn to the sincerity and earnestness shown by the Central Government in their prosecution of the campaign. Whatever may have been said in former reports as to the venality and slackness of local officials, or even in certain cases of the want of energy of the high provincial authorities, there has only been one opinion as to the activity and fixity of purpose that has marked the attitude of the court and the Central Government. It is only natural that when such a break in the established order of things occurred as that caused in China by the simultaneous death of the Emperor and the Empress-Dowager, many persons interested in the movement for the suppression of opium smoking should have had doubts as to the effect which the change of rulers might have on the attitude of the Central Government towards that movement. Sufficient time has now elapsed for one to be able to state with confidence that there has been no change in the attitude either of the court or the Central Government, and that the Prince Regent has shown the same energy and determination in the anti-opium campaign as his predecessor.\n\nOnly two Imperial decrees referring to the opium question have been issued this year, but as a matter of fact, enough, and more than enough, had already been done in the way of issuing decrees and regulations. Indeed, the multiplicity of these long decrees could not fail to lessen their weight in the minds of the people, especially as they so often contained admissions that the authorities had failed to carry out the prescribed regulations. The first decree of the present reign began by emphasising the necessity of taking the most stringent measures to put a stop to both the cultivation and consumption of opium. It was published on the 15th March, shortly after the Opium Commission at Shanghae had closed its sittings, but it contained no reference to the results of the conference, though it made allusions to the co-operation of foreign countries. The principal object of the decree appeared to be to impress on the people the necessity of further taxation to replace the loss in revenue accruing from opium, the increased salt tax not being sufficient to make good the loss, and the various provincial authorities were invited to make suggestions as to new taxes. The second decree, issued on the 17th June, repeated the general injunctions contained in the first, and made mention of the total suppression of cultivation that had been effected in some provinces. It was, however, specially directed to the question of the suppression of smoking among officials. It stated that the regulations in regard to the examination and cure of officials had been evaded, that only petty officials as a rule had been sent up for examination, and that many officials who had been declared cured of the habit had taken to smoking again. The Imperial commissioners for the suppression of opium smoking were ordered to issue instructions to all yamêns outside Peking that the most careful examination of all officials should be made, and no partiality shown to anyone.\n\nApart, however, from the issue of decrees, the continued energy and interest of the Central Government has been shown by its general attitude towards the question and by the approval bestowed on any governor or other official who may have specially distinguished himself in the campaign. This in turn has had its influence on the Viceroys, governors, and other high provincial authorities, who have in most provinces during the past year shown greatly increased zeal in enforcing the anti-opium regulations.\n\n## 3\n\nThe lack of uniformity in the practical steps taken in the various provinces deplored by Sir A. Hosie still continues, and greatly increases the difficulty of arriving at any reliable estimate of the progress that has been made. The promised statistics as to the acreage under poppy cultivation, which were called for from the various local authorities, are not yet forthcoming; in fact, it is doubtful if they ever will be, and in the absence of any such reliable statistics, it is manifestly impossible to give even an approximate estimate of the proportionate diminution in the area of cultivation. Except in two cases, where our consular officers have undertaken special journeys of investigation, the information on which I have had to rely in the compilation of this report has been of a fragmentary and often contradictory nature. Memorials presented to the throne by Viceroys and governors, and other similar official proclamations, are apt to be unduly optimistic. The estimates of production for the years 1906 and 1908, based on reports supplied by the Commissioners of Customs at the various treaty ports, erred in the same direction. The quarterly reports of the consuls contain much useful information, but in most cases, they give general impressions rather than definite facts, and, indeed, it is difficult to see how this could be otherwise. Even the information derived from the missionaries spread all over the Empire varies very much in value, and is often very contradictory, but it is on the whole the most valuable asset in our budget of knowledge, and the very fact of their reports being so contradictory enhances, in my mind, their reliability. Without the kind assistance of the missionaries in supplying periodical reports in regard to the districts in which they reside or through which they travel, it would be impossible to obtain even such a general impression as I hope to be able to convey by this résumé as to the progress being made throughout China, and I wish to express my sense of indebtedness to the missionaries who have supplied so much valuable information to His Majesty's consuls in the various provinces.\n\nFrom the information gleaned from the above-mentioned sources, I have compiled short accounts of the measures adopted in each province, and of the success which has attended their enforcement, but, as I shall explain at greater length later, the deductions which can be made from these accounts are based rather on hypothesis or impression than on specific facts. I must, however, first devote a few words to another event that has occurred in China during the period under review, namely, the assembling of the International Opium Commission at Shanghae last February.\n\nMany enthusiasts had undoubtedly formed exaggerated ideas as to the assistance that China would derive from the results of this commission in the great task that she had set before her. Hopes were expressed in some quarters that China might be freed from the obligation of observing existing treaty engagements with regard to the import of opium, should she succeed in effectively stopping the cultivation of opium throughout the Empire within a less period than ten years. There is no gainsaying the fact that China has not an entirely free hand in dealing with the opium question, and that she is to a certain extent hampered by existing treaty rights in taking measures for the regulation of the opium trade. His Excellency Tuan Fang, Viceroy of Nanking, in his speech declaring the commission open, dwelt at great length on the question of the necessity of the Chinese Government making opium, foreign and native, an official monopoly, quoting the opinion expressed by Mr. Leech in his first general report (see p. 32 of `China No. 1 of 1908`) that \"Whether China can completely obtain the goal she seeks without Government control of opium, both native-grown and imported, is somewhat doubtful.\" The Viceroy stated that the Imperial decree of the 20th September, 1906, had fixed the term of ten years for the suppression of opium, that in some districts the production had already been reduced 80 per cent., that in certain provinces cultivation would be abolished during 1909, and that total suppression would be effected throughout the Empire in two or three years, in which case a monopoly of foreign opium would be necessary in order to eradicate the evil. His Excellency said that he was expressing the views of the Chinese Government on the subject, and recommended them to the serious consideration of the commission. These brave words naturally gave rise to great expectations, and there was doubtless some feeling of disappointment when the proceedings of the commission came to an end without any further tangible result than the adoption of the following nine resolutions:--", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423623, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 227, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## MANCHURIA\n\nThe reports received from the consul-general at Mukden prove that much has been done in the past year in Manchuria, both in regard to reducing the area of cultivation and to diminishing the number of smokers. In the last general report on the suppression of opium, it was stated that, according to the approved proposals of the Board of Finance, poppy cultivation was to cease in the province of Hei-lung-chiang at the end of 1908, and in Kirin and Fengtien during 1909. In December of last year, His Majesty's acting consul-general at Mukden reported that orders had been issued to the local authorities throughout Manchuria to entirely prohibit the growth of the poppy in the districts under their charge after the spring of 1909. In so large a country as Manchuria, it is a practical impossibility to estimate the comparative extent of land under poppy cultivation in successive years, but there should not be equal difficulty in ascertaining after this year how far the orders of total prohibition have been carried out. No reports have reached His Majesty's Legation from Mukden since the end of last year, when His Majesty's acting consul-general reported that he fully believed in the sincerity of the high provincial authorities as set forth in their numerous anti-opium proclamations, but that it was difficult, if not impossible, at that time to furnish a reliable estimate as to the diminution in the area of land under poppy cultivation. The Newchang commissioner of customs estimated the consumption of the province for the year at 8,000 piculs, whereas before the anti-opium edict of 1906, it had averaged 12,000 piculs, plus an export of 3,000 piculs, making a total output of 15,000 piculs. The export of opium from Manchuria has practically ceased, and in 1908, only 3 piculs of foreign opium were imported through the two ports of Newchwang and Antung. The commissioner estimated the opium smokers to amount to about 2 per cent. of the total population of the three provinces, though, of course, the proportion varied considerably in different districts. This meant that there had been a decrease of one out of every three smokers.\n\nAt Mukden itself, there is effective police supervision and proper control of the licensed houses and of the sale of the drug. The use of opium in inns, restaurants, brothels, and other public resorts had entirely ceased by the end of last year; there was no smoking amongst the local officials, at any rate in public, and the Viceroy had dismissed several officials for opium smoking. The diminution in the number of smokers is put by the Chinese themselves at 50 per cent., but this is probably an exaggeration. Mr. Acting Consul-General Willis reported at the end of last year that a similar condition of things seemed to prevail in all the larger cities of Manchuria, though not perhaps in all the outlying districts, where the execution of the Viceroy's orders depended solely on the inclination and energy of the chief local authority; public feeling against the opium habit was steadily growing everywhere, and those who still indulged in the vice did so in private—in itself a good sign. The general consensus of available testimony tends to show that even in the remoter districts of Manchuria, there has been a decrease both in cultivation and in smoking. Mr. Willis drew attention to the increased use of morphia by subcutaneous injections, which threatened to become a worse evil than the disease it was intended to cure; the syringes and morphia were apparently distributed about the country by Japanese pedlars.\n\nMr. Willis's general conclusions are borne out by His Majesty's vice-consul at Antung, who reported that in the province of Fengtien, the restriction of the area under poppy cultivation was being steadily persisted in, that in some parts, total prohibition had been enforced by the uprooting of the crops, and that, although there were a certain number of officials who treated the question with laxity, yet public opinion throughout his consular district was generally in favour of total prohibition.\n\nThe Viceroy of Manchuria, in a memorial to the Throne dated the 12th April, stated that in the province of Fengtien, the people were not greatly addicted to the vice; that the enforcement of the prohibition among the official classes had not been difficult to carry into effect; that the soil was not particularly suitable for the growth of the poppy; and that he would take proper steps to see that the order forbidding its cultivation after the spring of 1909 was enforced, and other crops, such as grain, cotton, indigo, &c., planted in its stead.\n\nIt is gratifying to be able to report that shortly after the termination of the Opium Commission, orders were issued for the closing of the opium dens in the Japanese settlement in Antung, though the actual closing was not carried out till the end of July. These dens, to the number of about 150, had hitherto offered every inducement to opium smokers to indulge in the vice.\n\n## CHIHLI\n\nSir Alexander Hosie was able to report favourably last year on the condition of things in the metropolitan province of Chihli and on the energy and determination displayed by the Anti-Opium Bureau. On the whole, the information received since then from His Majesty's consul-general at Tien-tsin denotes further progress.\n\nA memorial by the Viceroy of Chihli published on the 21st January announced his decision to prohibit totally the cultivation of opium throughout the province after the spring of 1909, so that here, as in Manchuria, it will be easier to observe the effective value of this summary measure, which has been adopted by several provincial governments as the only satisfactory way of grappling with the question of suppression.\n\nIn a further memorial, dated the 19th April, the Viceroy explained that it was this conviction that had induced him to issue such a summary order against cultivation of the poppy. In regard to suppression of smoking, he stated that strict measures had been taken to stamp out the habit among officials, and several delinquents had been dismissed. Every effort had been made to discourage the use of the drug among the general public, and the system of licences had been strictly enforced. Large quantities of anti-opium medicines had been distributed, and the Viceroy claimed that between 20,000 and 30,000 cures had been effected in the 200 institutions specially established for that purpose. All opium saloons had been closed, and the number of licensed shops was being reduced, 800 having already been closed. Severe measures had been taken to check illicit trading in opium and also in morphia, over 1,300 convictions for selling opium without a licence having been recorded.\n\nHe had taken steps to make good the loss in revenue by an increase in the salt tax and by imposing higher fees on opium licences, and would take further steps if necessary.\n\nA report received from a missionary in the north of the province said that the system of quarterly licences for the use of opium had had excellent effects; that the number of smokers had been reduced by 20 to 25 per cent.; that there were only three licensed opium shops in the city where he lived, and that the cultivation of the poppy had already been prohibited in the district. Reports were received from missionaries during the earlier part of the year covering a large portion of west central Chihli, and these showed that the restrictions on smoking were well enforced, most of the officials had abandoned smoking, the renewal of smokers' licences was insisted on, and no opium dens were open; but the restrictions on cultivation were only enforced in some places, while in others, the attitude of the authorities was not sufficiently uncompromising, and farmers were reported to have sown both poppy and wheat on the same ground, their idea being that if they were allowed to grow poppy, they would root out the wheat, and, if not, they could root out the poppy and still have their wheat crop.\n\nHis Majesty's consul-general made the usual complaint as to the nature of the remedies employed against the opium habit, and said that in many cases, they were more dangerous than the disease.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423634, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 238, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# \n## 28\n\nsmokers or to reduce the small amount of poppy grown. On the contrary, in some districts more poppy was grown last season than before, and, as far as I can ascertain, no order has been issued forbidding the cultivation.\n\nIn the remaining province of Kiangsi, there has never been any cultivation of opium worth mentioning.\n\nIt may be urged that throughout this report, I am devoting all my attention to one single feature of the movement, viz., the suppression of production, to the practical exclusion of the other features, such as the regulation and final abolition of the facilities for procuring the drug, the prevention of smoking, and the cure of smokers. As a matter of fact, I have described the various steps taken in each separate province, but the Chinese themselves seem to have come to the conclusion that the object that they must now aim at is the suppression of cultivation.\n\nIt is clear that if the native supply is cut off, while the supply of foreign opium continues to be gradually diminished, opium smoking must in a few years become a thing of the past in China; therefore, the great thing to aim at is to diminish and ultimately extinguish the supply. The agreement with the Government of India involves a corresponding reduction in consumption as well as in production, but the annual reduction of the imports of foreign opium, Persian and Turkish, as well as Indian, being now assured, a decrease of production must, when the reserve stocks of opium are exhausted, imply a corresponding decrease in consumption.\n\nThe one preventive regulation that has, as far as one can judge, been enforced with a certain uniformity throughout all the provinces, except the very bad ones, such as Shensi, Kansu, Hupei, and Kweichow, is the closing of the opium dens. What happens in villages and on the country roads in this respect it is impossible to ascertain, but in the majority of cities and towns, all dens have been officially closed, though a certain number of clandestine dens doubtless still exist in many cases with the connivance of the venal police. I have also described the different systems of licensing of shops and of smokers that have been introduced in the various provinces. In several instances, this licensing business has seemed likely to take the form of a monopoly of the trade in both raw and prepared opium, and has called forth protests from the foreign importers, on the ground that it interfered with their legitimate trade. It is clearly impossible here to discuss such a complicated and controversial question, in which it is so difficult to determine where right ends and wrong begins. His Majesty's Government are naturally bound to uphold British treaty rights where it can be shown that they have been infringed, but they have every desire to support any **bona fide** measure for the suppression of the opium traffic, such as a properly devised and honestly worked system of opium licences, which would not only restrict consumption, but would bring in revenue. In the case of the licensing regulations issued in Kiangnan, Kwangtung, Chekiang, Hupei, and Anhui, the regulations appeared to His Majesty's Minister to go rather far and to tend towards the establishment of a monopoly to the detriment of the British importers of foreign opium. On this ground, His Majesty's Minister has in each of the above cases made friendly representations to the Chinese Government, and requested that the various provincial authorities might be instructed to exclude foreign opium from any clauses in the regulations which applied to the wholesale trade, and that there should be no unfair discrimination against foreign opium in favour of the native product. China can, of course, take what measures she likes to regulate the sale and consumption of native opium, but there is no real need for her to take any further steps for the suppression of the trade in foreign opium, as that result is already assured. She has merely to fulfil her part of the bargain with Great Britain, and the extinction of the traffic in foreign opium follows as a matter of course. In most cases, the provincial authorities have replied that their regulations were not intended to apply to the foreign drug.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister has had to protest against another proposed measure of the Chinese Government in regard to opium. In October of last year, an Imperial decree approved certain proposals for the levy of additional taxation to make good the deficiency in the revenue from native opium. Among other taxes, it was suggested that from the beginning of 1909, all purchasers of opium should pay a fee of 60 cents per tael's weight of prepared opium and 40 cents per tael's weight of raw opium. His Majesty's Minister pointed out to the Wai-wu Pu that this tax, if applied to foreign opium in a treaty port, would be an infringement of the treaty provisions. The treatment of foreign opium on importation into China is regulated by the additional article of 1885 to the Chefoo Convention. Under that article, no tax whatever over and above the tariff duty of 30 taels per chest of 100 catties, and a sum not exceeding \n\n## 29\n\n80 taels per like chest as li-kin, can be levied on foreign opium in the treaty port of entry; in the case of foreign opium transported into the interior when, but not before, the package made up in bond has been opened at the place of consumption, the opium becomes liable to any further tax levied on native opium. The Chinese Government attempted to make out that they had the right to levy additional taxation on foreign opium even in a treaty port as soon as the package was broken, but His Majesty's Minister was able to show that such was not the intention of the additional article.\n\nAs far as our information goes, no serious attempt to grapple with the question of providing a revenue to replace that previously raised on opium has been made since the publication of the above decree, imposing additional taxation on the sale of both raw and prepared opium. Sir A. Hosie has already mentioned the increase in the taxes on land planted with opium and on salt, and in certain provinces, additional fees have been imposed during the past year for the issue of licences to opium shops and opium smokers. Various suggestions have been made as to measures which might be adopted to make good the deficiency; the Governor of Shansi, for instance, suggested higher taxes on tobacco, sugar, and wine, while the Governor of Hunan proposed that all business establishments should be required to take out a licence, on which a small fee would be charged. But, as I said before, the Central Government has not as yet devised any workable and satisfactory plan to make good the loss of the revenue hitherto derived from opium.\n\nAnother question closely connected with the above that still awaits solution is the question of discovering the most profitable crops to plant in the place of poppy in the various provinces. It has been pointed out in previous reports that one great obstacle to the abolition of the growth of the poppy is the extremely profitable nature of the crop as compared with other crops; while another obstacle, I understand, is that poppy so impoverishes the soil upon which it is grown that it is difficult to get any other crop to grow well on it. Some of the Viceroys and governors have already taken steps to find out what crops could be most profitably substituted for the poppy, but no practical steps have, as far as I can ascertain, been taken anywhere to assist the farmer by providing seeds or young trees. The Viceroy of Yunnan reported that he was studying the possibility of planting rubber trees in Yünnan. The Viceroy of Szechuan has been experimenting with American cereals. In Shansi, potatoes are being grown in increased quantities; in Manchuria, beans. Among other substitutes suggested from various sources have been cotton, hemp, tobacco, cocoa, ramie, tea, and the planting of trees, especially of mulberry trees for silkworm culture.\n\nMany of the reports received from consular officials and missionaries mention the growing habit of eating opium in the form of pills—which, from all accounts, is now very prevalent and also of hypodermic injections of morphia. Many Chinese, it is said, have ceased to be opium smokers only to become eaters or morphia injectors. By the consent of all the Powers, the importation of morphia into China was prohibited from the beginning of the present year, and the Chinese Government issued elaborate instructions to prevent the import of morphia except for medicinal purposes; but it is to be feared that, without the assistance of the countries from which the morphia is exported, China will be unable to check the smuggling of morphia over her 7,000 miles of land and 4,000 miles of sea frontier. The Chinese Government and the provincial authorities appear to be fully alive to the danger of this vice, and stringent regulations have been issued against the unauthorised sale of morphia; and any person caught selling morphia or instruments for its use is to be banished to a pestilential frontier of the Empire. It is difficult to estimate how far the habit of morphia injections has taken root in various parts of the Empire, but to judge from Dr. Gray's report about Peking, it was only a passing craze directly after the issue of the opium edicts and is already on the wane.\n\n## C\n\nApparently, a much more prevalent vice is that of opium eating in the insidious form of so-called \"anti-opium\" pills, which are sold everywhere as a cure for opium smoking. I have already described the result of the analysis by the Government analyst in Hong Kong of different kinds of anti-opium pills openly sold in Canton, many of them under Government authority. Medical authorities appear to differ as to the comparative degree of harm wrought by opium smoking and opium eating, but I would call attention to what Dr. Gray says as to his personal experience on the subject in the capital.\n\nAt the beginning of this report, I spoke of the continued zeal and determination shown by the court and Central Government in their prosecution of the objects embodied in the Imperial edict of the 20th September, 1906. I further stated that \n\n[2494 p-1] \n\n## 237", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423635, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 239, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "238 \n\n30 \n\nThis year had shown a marked improvement in the attitude of the Viceroys and governors, who, with three or four exceptions already referred to, had loyally seconded the efforts of the Central Government, even going further in their measures than their instructions prescribed. What can be effected by a strong and determined governor, who can give definite orders and will not shrink from the employment of any measures, however stern, which may be necessary to secure the proper enforcement of his orders, has been seen in Shansi and Yunnan. Unfortunately, not all governors, much less all local officials, show the necessary determination, but just as the Viceroys and governors have come to realise that the Central Government is in earnest, so the local officials soon realise that the Provincial Government is in earnest and act accordingly. In certain provinces, it is hard for the governor to make his influence felt throughout all the province, and judging from the accounts of what has been effected up till now, the vigour of the suppression varies, as a rule, in proportion to the distance from the provincial capitals, though, of course, even in the remotest districts, an official who is in earnest can effect much. The venality and disloyalty of the underlings has greatly increased the difficulties with which the officials have had to contend, but fear of certain punishment following on detection has proved a powerful deterrent, and among this class also, there has been a great improvement.\n\nThe most practical test, perhaps, as to whether a district is likely to get rid of the evil is to ascertain whether the magistrate and other officials are smokers. Where they are not and are possessed of a fair amount of energy and honesty, the licensing and other regulations are, in most cases, rapidly and easily enforced; but where the officials themselves smoke, the regulations merely provide them with a new and profitable source of illicit income.\n\nThe Central Government has therefore shown great wisdom in paying especial attention to the observance of the rule forbidding officials to smoke, simultaneously with the issue of orders in so many provinces for the total suppression of cultivation.\n\nI have left to the end the question of the improvement in public opinion in regard to opium smoking. Many persons hold that the best method of curing the habit, as distinct from stopping the supply, is by the education of public opinion, by example, and otherwise; this view was clearly set forth in article 9 of the original regulations. There has been a marked improvement in this respect throughout the Empire. The rise in the price of opium and the fear of punishment have certainly been responsible for by far the larger share in the reduction of the number of smokers, especially among the poorer classes, but the marked change in public opinion has also had a beneficial effect in this respect. In old days, it was considered good form for a young man to smoke opium; now the reverse is the case, and he no longer feels himself bound to indulge in his opium after dinner. Smoking is banished from public places, and though dens exist, they exist in defiance of the law like secret gambling hells in London. One may go so far as to say that there is a certain moral and social stigma attaching to the habit. Opium smokers, who are, of course, still very numerous, no longer confess to their failing, but indulge their craving surreptitiously; this in itself is a sign of the improvement in public opinion. Naturally, the smokers themselves regard the anti-opium movement with hostility, or, at best, with apathy, but there is a growing body of public opinion which is prepared to welcome the adoption of any measures which may hasten the final extinction of a vice which many have come to regard as a national curse and disgrace.\n\nTo sum up, I consider that distinct progress has been made during the period under review towards the attainment of the objects China set herself in 1906. The progress is certainly most marked in regard to the suppression of cultivation in those provinces where it was definitely prohibited, and we are justified in looking forward to similar results in the further provinces in which the growth of the poppy has now been forbidden. It is much more difficult to measure the progress made in regard to the prevention and cure of smoking, but in this domain also, there has been improvement in most provinces, especially in the capitals and larger towns. The enforcement of total prohibition of cultivation will, even in the absence of any survey or reliable statistics, make it possible to ascertain, with a sufficient degree of accuracy, whether the reduction achieved in the internal production and consumption by the end of 1910 corresponds to the reduction in the export of opium from India to China, and whether His Majesty's Government is therefore justified in continuing the annual reductions until the trade in opium from India to China is extinguished.\n\nI cannot help feeling that we shall find that China has more than fulfilled her share of the bargain; but in order to ascertain this in a convincing and satisfactory manner, it will be necessary to see independent evidence that the orders prohibiting the growth of poppy have been properly executed in the various provinces, especially in those provinces such as Szechuan, Kweichow, Shensi, and Kansu, where the largest amount of opium is still produced. I do not know whether the Indian Government intends to take any special steps before the expiration of the three years to ascertain how far the Chinese Government has fulfilled its promise; but having in mind the very clear and definite information obtained from the journeys of Messrs. Brenan and Rose in Shansi and Yunnan, I would suggest that one or two consular officers, with a knowledge of the language and some previous experience of the question, should be instructed to make extensive tours in the principal opium-producing provinces, especially in Szechuan, at the proper season in the course of the year 1910, so as to ascertain by personal inspection to what extent the orders prohibiting the cultivation of opium have been carried out.\n\nW. G. Max Müller.\n\nPeking, October 16, 1909.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n### The Cultivation and Consumption of Opium in Shansi.\n\nAs recently as a year ago, the province of Shansi was noted for its output of opium. The absence of any trustworthy statistics on the subject renders even an approximate computation of the quantity produced extremely difficult, but as the Board of Revenue's return states the amount for 1906 to be 9,666 piculs, it is safe to suppose that the annual production was considerably in excess of that figure; whilst a moderate estimate gives the area formerly devoted to the cultivation of the poppy as at least two-thirds of all the watered land in the province. In some parts, notably the Chiaocheng and Wenshui districts to the south-west of Taiyuanfu, and the Fenho Valley to the south, the proportion was much higher, and practically all the fields in these regions were sown with poppy for the winter crop. The plant was also to be found in large quantities anywhere where rivers, mountain streams, or wells permitted of proper irrigation, and wheat was only grown in the higher and dryer land where the more valuable crop would not thrive.\n\nUntil the autumn of 1908, there had been no serious attempt on the part of the provincial authorities to deal with the opium question. Proclamations had, it is true, been issued in obedience to the edict of 1906, ordering a decrease in the amount of land under cultivation, and had resulted, to a certain extent, in the substitution of wheat for opium in 1907, but it was seen that the officials did not intend to enforce the prohibitions, and in 1908, the crop, if not as large as before, was still considerable; in fact, in some districts, it is reported that the area under cultivation had even increased. In the same year, however, the authorities at Taiyuanfu, either on their own initiative or in consequence of pressure exercised from Peking, came to the conclusion that an attempt must be made to deal with the question in an energetic manner and decided, as a first step, to prohibit the cultivation of opium forthwith throughout the province. The sale of the drug and the smoking of it were to be considered later, but it was felt that these questions would be easier of solution once the production had been stopped. This was in itself, of course, no light task, as it meant depriving the agricultural classes of almost half their income at one blow. It is estimated that a field under opium, after deducting the various extra taxes levied on account of the drug, still brings in more than twice as much to the cultivator as it would if sown with wheat, barley, or other crops.\n\nProclamations were issued in the autumn of last year forbidding the people to sow the plant and threatening them with severe penalties for disobedience. These seem to have been taken more seriously than the official pronouncements of former years, though many of the natives continued in the hope that the prohibition would be no more strictly enforced than before, and there were not wanting foreigners of experience in the province who expressed their disbelief in the desire or ability of the authorities to force such an unpalatable measure on the people, apart from the difficulties connected with the inevitable loss of revenue accruing from the trade. The Government has, however, been undoubtedly successful in suppressing the cultivation of opium in Shansi this year, as I venture to think will be shown by this report, although it does not necessarily follow that the poppy has been banished from ... \n\n31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423639, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 243, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "## \n38 \n\nand, from officials and people alike, one heard reports of crops which had been uprooted when nearing maturity. Troubles occurred in many districts, and it is rather to be wondered at that no serious outbreak has disturbed the province than that there have been local riots in isolated districts.\n\nAt Chenuan Chou, a notably rowdy city, the official was driven away, and it was necessary to send a detachment of soldiers in order to disperse the rioters.\n\nIn the district of the Lung-ling ting serious trouble was threatened, and the sub-prefect applied for an armed guard, his request being refused, however, lest friction should be created with the neighbouring Shan sawbwas. Early in April the Tengyuch ting went into the Shan districts to the west to uproot the crops, but he was shot at, his chair was wrecked, and he narrowly escaped with his life at the hands of the Kachin tribesmen from the hills. The Menghua ting was also attacked on his rounds, and a serious rebellion threatened for a time in his district, the Lolos joining forces with the Chinese farmers and refusing to return to their homes, until the decapitation of fourteen men convinced them that the authorities were in earnest. At Yu-tien the ting endeavoured to compromise with his people by destroying the crops in the \"pa-tzu,\" or valleys, and ignoring the hill cultivation. The Viceroy's deputy, however, discovered the omission, and the ting has paid for his clemency by the loss of his post. The Prefect of Shunning has endeavoured to propitiate his district by posting a proclamation to the effect that he had a tour in December last, and, finding only a half of the usual area under opium crops, had petitioned the governor-general to approve this decrease; that he had received stern commands to destroy the remaining half also, and that an independent deputy appointed from Yunnan-fu would tour the district to ensure obedience. Deputies from the provincial court have been appointed to all the producing centres; I met several of them on their rounds, and, as they have spent three months in travelling through the districts allotted to them, there seems little probability that Hsi Liang has failed in his desire to clear the region of the usual winter crop.\n\nProclamations were posted all along the road forbidding the cultivation of the poppy and exhorting the people to free themselves from the drug. It is a common practice in these parts for usurers to advance money to the farmers on their opium crops as soon as the plants are above the ground. This practice is now forbidden, and the notification that no law suit will be entertained in this respect will undoubtedly weigh heavily with the people. The teachings of the sacred edict have also been enlisted in the service of the preventive officers, and the neighbours on either side of a field are held equally responsible with the owner if the forbidden crops are found.\n\nIt is needless to say that the people are angry and unsettled. Throughout the district in which I travelled the main winter crop is opium, and from a half to eight-tenths of the arable land is annually devoted to poppy cultivation. Those who listened to the earlier commands of prohibition have managed to raise crops of wheat, beans, peas, or maize, but the people have not learned by past experience to put implicit faith in proclamations of far-reaching reform, and a large proportion of the farmers have seen their poppies uprooted when it was too late to plant another crop. They have paid dearly for their want of faith, and they pointed to their bare fields with fearful curses on Hsi Liang. The winter has been unusually dry, and the substituted crops have proved but a moderate success so that everything has tended to unrest in the rural districts, and were it not for the fact that the people of Yunnan are by nature lethargic and law-abiding there would certainly have been serious and far-reaching trouble for the provincial authorities.\n\n## Opium in the Shan States\n\nIn the Shan districts, which include roughly the country to the south of Tengyueh lying between the Salwen and the Burmah frontier, conditions are entirely different. The Prefect of Yungchang and the sub-prefects of Tengyueh and Lungling have made prolonged tours, but even in the country inhabited by and directly subject to the Chinese they have not been entirely successful in destroying the opium. I estimate that about two-tenths of the usual crops have been harvested by the Chinese farmers and about seven-tenths by the Shans. Some of the sawbwas have yielded to pressure from the Chinese officials, and Mang Shih (Mong Hswan) has consented to the prevention of all crops in his valleys, though not in the hills. Other sawbwas, however, have not proved so complacent, and in Chetang, Mongpan (Mengka), Lungchuan (Mongwan), and Mongmao there has been little decrease in the area under cultivation. It is interesting to notice that even in Chen-kang, a State which has nominally reverted to Chinese control, the suzerain Power has not felt sufficiently strong to enforce these objectionable measures, and the poppy crops have been up to the usual standard. The Prefect of Shunning \n\n39 \n\nhas, however, posted a proclamation, aimed at Chen-kang and the neighbouring Shan States, forbidding them to bring their opium for sale to Shunning, its usual market, and imposing severe penalties on Chinese traders who proceed to the Shan States to purchase the drug. The market for the western States is at Tengyuch, and it is estimated that Nantion will have only a half and Kangai one-third of their usual supplies for sale this year. The sawbwas depend to a great extent on the opium tithes for their incomes, Nantien's receipts being estimated at about 1,000l, during 1908. This year he will receive only half of this amount, and it can be readily understood that the Chinese will have considerable difficulty in enforcing their regulations in such circumstances. The outlying Shan valleys and the Kachin hills can only be brought into line by a show of force, which the Chinese are neither willing nor able to present, and it is unlikely that any great decrease will be shown in these districts in the near future.\n\n## Estimate of Production\n\nIn a careful report on Yunnanese opium, written at Ssumao in 1901, Mr. Commissioner Carey estimated the total production of the district under the jurisdiction of the Tengyuch Taotai (the western circuit) at 36,000 piculs. From the figure which I have been able to gather from the markets, I am of opinion that the production this year is not likely to exceed half that amount, namely, 18,000 piculs, nor does there appear great prospect of reducing the harvest below their present standard. Force is unlikely to be employed, and only an economic factor, such as the fluctuation of demand, is likely in the near future to seriously affect the cultivation of the poppy in the semi-independent and inaccessible regions of the frontier.\n\n## Substitutes for the Opium Crop\n\nIf the higher provincial authorities continue their crusade against the poppy harvest, it becomes an urgent necessity to find some substitute which will profitably replace the winter crops of South-West Yunnan. Numerous plantations of mulberry trees have been made, and silkworms' eggs have been sent from Yunnan-fu to the district cities in the hope of stimulating a local silk industry. Wheat, beans, peas, potatoes, hemp, and maize have been sown in various parts, but the season has proved unusually dry, and the wheat in most parts has given poor return. There is at present a cheap and abundant food supply in the districts, and the real need of the farmers is some crop which can be exported to provide them with the silver with which to pay for their imports. The sudden attempt at the total prohibition of opium has produced an economical crisis in the frontier country, the full effect of which it is impossible as yet to realise. In 1902 it was estimated that 220,000 taels' worth of opium was sold at Hsia-kuan. This year I visited the exchange, a fine old inn in the centre of the town, on the day before the annual fair at Tali-fu, the time at which the local opium would ordinarily pass into the hands of the Cantonese and Hunanese buyers; the exchange was deserted, and festoons of cobwebs hung over the doors of the inn, which had been the most famous and prosperous throughout the district.\n\n## Consumers\n\nIt is difficult to obtain such figures as to the number of opium smokers as would enable one to form a reliable comparison with previous years. The prohibition measures, the proclamations, and the official anti-opium bureaus have all tended to conceal the smoker from the ordinary observer, and to drive him to quiet retreats. Every big city along the road appeared to have large stocks of the drug in hand, and quiet sales were everywhere effected, with little opposition from the opium-sodden yamên runners. In the little inns by the road-side veiled offers of opium were everywhere noticeable, and there can be no doubt that both the sale and consumption of the drug goes on, though it has lost its fashionable publicity, and now lurks in the background—a recognised vice. The officials in some of the outlying cities are levying a heavy blackmail on the wealthier citizens who are known to be smokers, and in one yamên there were reported to be 200 opium victims.\n\nThe lower classes will be forced in time to abandon the habit, as the drug has risen in price from twice to four times last year's value, and in Tali-fu—where the quotations were highest—it is becoming impossible for the poorer people to obtain their accustomed allowance. This factor must ultimately have a healthy effect in eliminating the drug, but in the meantime the people are finding that it is both more effective and less conspicuous to swallow opium pills than to use the pipe, and this habit shows signs of replacing the older and less dangerous one. Fifteen hundred men of the new provincial army are stationed at Tali-fu, where they are subjected to severe discipline, and smoking is impossible. In the opinion of a competent authority, however, at least 25 per cent. of the men take opium pills, and there can be therefore little difficulty in obtaining supplies.\n\n242 \n\nSC Jum", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423667, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 271, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n### SECTION 3\n\n#### No. 1\n\nSir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 20.)\n\n(No. 312.)\n\nSir,\n\nTokyo, October 23, 1909.\n\nON the 5th October Sir John Jordan repeated to this embassy his telegrams to you No. 161 and No. 163, reporting that a preliminary agreement had been signed at Mukden by the Viceroy and the governor with an American group and the British firm of contractors, Messrs. Pauling, for the financing, construction, and operation of a railway from Chinchow to Aigun, on the Amur.\n\nBy the preliminary agreement the English firm are entrusted with the appointment of the chief engineer and the contracting of the line generally, the American syndicate are to do the financing, but their associates are admitted to participation to the extent of 40 per cent. of the whole.\n\nThe railway is to be operated by a company composed of British, Americans, and Chinese, to the exclusion of persons of any other nationality unless approved by the Chinese Government. An Imperial edict of the 3rd October orders the Wai-wu Pu, Board of Finance, and Board of Communications to jointly memorialise the Throne after consulting the Viceroy and governor at Mukden.\n\nIn passing it may be noted that this railway was first projected between Chiuchow and Taonan-fu, and then to Tsitsihar. It has now reached Aigun, on the Amur.\n\nAs the above report was a marked step in advance on the somewhat vague and tentative negotiations which have been proceeding for some time past regarding this railway, which, as you are aware, the Japanese Government state they are not prepared to oppose, provided they were allowed a share in the financing and appointment of engineers, I took an early opportunity of sounding Count Komura on the subject. His Excellency said that the Japanese Government had no fresh news from Mukden or Peking. It was clear, from the manner in which his Excellency spoke, that the information contained in Sir John Jordan's telegrams had not reached the Japanese Foreign Office. In the course of a conversation which followed, his Excellency stated that the Japanese Government considered that the railway was parallel, and would compete with, the South Manchurian; still they were prepared to raise no objections to its construction provided the conditions which I have mentioned were consented to by the Chinese Government. I asked his Excellency what steps would be taken by the Japanese Government should the Chinese Government decline to consider these conditions, and excluded the Japanese from participation in any form. Count Komura said that his Government would wait until such information were officially notified to them, when they would lodge a strong protest with the Chinese Government. They would also lay the matter before the British and American Governments, and ask for their friendly assistance. I had the honour to telegraph the above information to you the same day (my telegram No. 56).\n\nSince the above conversation took place the newspapers have published reports stating that Mr. Straight, who represents the American syndicate, has signed some sort of agreement with the Chinese Government for the construction of the railway from Chinchow to Tsitsihar, but the details are not known; although the matter is attracting considerable attention it has not been taken very seriously at present.\n\nI have seen Count Komura several times since the interview I have mentioned. He is personally inclined to think that the railway will never be built. I venture to think that if the Japanese Government can help it, it never will. His Excellency is of opinion that even if Mr. Straight has signed, as the newspapers say, a preliminary agreement, it will most likely not receive the Imperial sanction. It would seem that three boards—Foreign Affairs, Communications, and Treasury—have to come to an agreement on the matter before the Throne can be memorialised, and his Excellency is of opinion, from his own experience of Peking, that these boards will take a considerable time to agree, if they ever do.\n\nIn Sir John Jordan's despatch No. 365 to you of the 6th October, 1909, copy of which was sent to this embassy, he states that the Wai-wu Pu do not altogether approve...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423740, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 344, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "# CO \n\n## О 343 \n\n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Goverment**](#) 43 \n\nRece Rege 24 per 09 October \n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS. \n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n[36834] \n\n### No. 1. \n\n#### SECTION 4. \n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 4.) \n\n(**No. 161.**) \n\nPeking, October 4, 1909. (**Telegraphic.**) P. \n\nWITH reference to your telegram No. 160 of the 27th ultimo respecting the Chinchow-Tsitsihar Railway, I have the honour to repeat to you the following telegram which I have to-day received from the acting consul-general at Mukden: \n\n\"On the 2nd October a preliminary agreement for the construction and financing of the line was concluded between the Viceroy of Manchuria and the representative of the American financial group. The latter was informed by the Viceroy yesterday evening of the issue of an edict granting the Imperial sanction to the agreement in question.\" \n\n[2471 d-4] \n\n## Page 3C \n\nFune", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423764, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 368, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n367\n421\n\n[December 8]\n\n## SECTION 2\n\nJAN 10\n\n[44922]\n\n### No. 1\n\nTelegrams communicated to Foreign Office by Mr. Addis, December 8, 1909.\n\n#### (1)\n\nTelegram dispatched to Hong Kong, November 30, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to our S.O. letter of the 24th December. Advise the following to Peking by wire: Referring to your S.O. letter of the 27th October to Shanghai branch, Paris Berlin are inquiring what is the present position of Manchuria loan; telegraph to us full particulars. Have the Americans asked for participation? Is it a provincial loan sanctioned but not guaranteed by Imperial Government? Is there any security for proper application of proceeds? Refer to our S.O. letter of the 24th December last year.\n\n#### (2)\n\nTelegram received from Peking, December 2, 1909.\n\nRE your telegram 30th to head office, present position is: We have informed Viceroy, Manchuria, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Deutsche Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo Chine are prepared to lend immediately 6,000,000 taels, terms to be arranged; we are awaiting Viceroy's reply. Viceroy has signed previously with American preliminary agreement 10,000,000 taels provincial guarantee, but agreement entirely general and states no terms. We have suggested American participation on grounds that it will be good policy, but we do not propose to approach American in any case until business is firm in hand. We have asked for Imperial Chinese Government guarantee, but it is probable it cannot be obtained, particularly as Americans do not insist upon it. Object of loan will be stated in agreement, but it is beyond our power to control application, as in the case of railway loan; advise Deutsche Asiatische Bank and Banque de l'Indo Chine.\n\n#### (3)\n\nTelegram received from Hong Kong, December 3, 1909.\n\nRE proposed Manchurian silver loan, E.G. Hillier wires: Must we insist upon Imperial Chinese Government guarantee; our opinion is, proposed business being of nature local advance is on different footing from loan issued on European market. Re foregoing, do you think provincial silver loan under Imperial Edict is not satisfactory from point of view of further Chinese Government gold loan, or do you consider general opinion would be it is not safe? If security considered satisfactory and loan goes through, it is not our intention to place our share on the market, but hold against silver liabilities.\n\n#### (4)\n\nTelegram dispatched to Hong Kong, December 7, 1909.\n\nREFERRING to your telegram of the 3rd, we think you ought to hold out for Chinese Imperial Government guarantee. Even if not issued to public, we do not consider provincial loan desirable; would probably lead to more provincial borrowing with detrimental results to national credit, both with regard to existing and future Chinese Imperial Government gold loans. Banque de l'Indo Chine shares our views; we are expecting reply from Deutsche Asiatische Bank to-morrow.\n\n[2548h-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 423769, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 373, "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[36982]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n372\n421\n\n[October 5.]\n\nSECTION 14 JAN [0]\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 5.)\n\n(No. 163.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nPeking, October 5, 1909.\n\nIN continuation of my telegram No. 161 of yesterday's date, I have to report that I have now received from Lord ffrench a copy of the preliminary agreement, signed at Mukden by himself as Paulings' representative, the Viceroy, the governor, and the agent of the American syndicate, providing for the construction of the railway from Chinchow to Aigun.\n\nThe financing is to be in the hands of the Americans, their associates, however, participating to the extent of 40 per cent. of the total capital.\n\nThe operation of the line is to be controlled by a company to consist only of British, Chinese, and Americans, no other nationalities being admitted except with the consent of the Chinese Government.\n\nAs regards the construction of the line, Paulings are given both the contract for the same and the right to appoint the chief engineer.\n\nThe Viceroy and the governor have been ordered by an Imperial Edict, dated the 3rd instant, to draw up a memorial on the whole transaction, in concert with the Boards of Foreign Affairs, of Communications, and of Finance, for submission to the Throne.\n\n[2471 e-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 424463, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-365 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [1-3]", "page_number": 111, "title": "CO129-365 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [1-3]", "content_text": "106\n\nthe Imperial Edicts relative to currency reform which had given ground for hope, the reactionary tendency of the policy in Peking, and the absence of any directing brain and of any central authority, all tended to destroy the hopes hitherto entertained of any effective action on the part of China in the near future. To these unfavourable conditions on the horizon, two local conditions added force. In the latter half of 1909 the discount on Subsidiary Coins again went up, and the new Viceroy of Canton has proved himself much less amenable and friendly than his predecessor, so that any hope of action on his part unless by peremptory orders from Peking (where there exists no authority capable of issuing them) seemed hopeless.\n\n9.\n\nIt was therefore not unnatural that the \"Subsidiary Coin Question\" which had lain dormant for a year or so, should be revived at this juncture, and the occasion of the debate on the Annual Estimates furnished the desired opportunity. I attach for easy reference the speeches made on this occasion which refer to this subject (Hansard, pertinent party). The Assistant Colonial Secretary, Mr. C. Clementi, on the 9th October, 1909, submitted a proposal for my consideration. I attach it together", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-365 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1910 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 425024, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "page_number": 49, "title": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "content_text": "47 \n\nAt the same time gave assurances that if any further £0.216 of Eastern funds should be wanted for the Canton Hankow Railway by loan, England should get the first offer. Nothing was said as to the Kowloon Canton Railway: and as will be seen from p. 185 of the print, the Viceroy wished to keep the matters separate, though he expressed great appreciation of the service rendered by the loan. Hong Kong has therefore a strong claim for considerate treatment by the Chinese.\n\nThe Kowloon Canton negotiations still proceeded slowly, the Viceroy obstructing as much as possible until March 1906 when he was compelled to give way: (up to this time the negotiations had chiefly consisted of attempts to persuade the Viceroy that he could not cancel *sua sponte* a formal agreement approved by the Throne). But though some progress was made, the Chinese were averse from settling the working agreement simultaneously with the Loan Agreement, and it was found impossible to bring any provisions for connecting up with the Canton Hankow Railway into the loan agreement. The loan agreement was signed by the delegates on 11th November 1906 and ratified by Imperial Edict on the 7th of March 1907. (A copy will be found on pp.513 et seqq. of `Eastern 68`).\n\n5. It is now proposed to negotiate the working agreement with the Chinese Government; and, apparently with a view to bringing pressure to bear on the Chinese to connect the Kowloon Canton Railway with the Canton Hankow Line, Sir F. Lugard is trying to establish that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 425088, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "page_number": 113, "title": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "content_text": "# \n\ntaken round the walls of Nam Tau by the head of the police, a man called Cheng whom I knew five years ago when he was stationed at Sham Chun. He told me that the case had been adjourned because the Magistrate did not like to inflict torture in my presence that torture would most certainly be inflicted and that method employed would probably be the process known as **\"Tiu pau fuk\"** or the \"hanging bundle\". This is a complicated arrangement in which a bamboo, cords, and weights play a part. The prisoner always confesses under this process.\n\nThe infliction of torture has of course been abolished by an **Imperial Edict**. I do not think that Imperial Edicts of this description are treated very seriously in China. A Chinese Magistrate would probably admit that in theory the employment of torture was wrong but would hasten to add that in practice it would be impossible to carry on the business of his Court without it. I noticed at Nam Tau that the leathern tawses used for beating the cheeks of female witnesses were hanging on the rails of the Court and that the questions put by the Interpreter to the prisoner were punctuated by references to the bamboo.\n\nCheung Wan Ching would of course deny that any torture had been applied in this case and would say that I had misunderstood what I heard. In this he would be supported by all the minor officials. I have however no shadow of doubt that Leung Tau has been or shortly will be subjected to very severe torture and that in the District Courts of China torture flourishes like a green bay tree. It would be merely ostrich-like policy to shut one's eyes to facts and assume that the Imperial Edict has had any real effect in reducing torture in San On.\n\nThis being so it appears to follow that whenever the instructions which have recently been received from home are acted on and a Hongkong Official appears with witnesses in a Chinese Court the mere fact that a British Official appears...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 425280, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "page_number": 305, "title": "CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5]", "content_text": "## Article 13.\n\n302\n\n**(a)**. Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate Station in British Territory shall pay Customs Import Dues prior to departure:\n\n**(b)**. Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by Customs Documents shall pay Customs Export Dues prior to release:\n\n**(c)**. Goods leaving Kowloon or any intermediate Station in British Territory by train stopping at such intermediate Stations may pay Import Duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier Station of Shanchun.\n\n**(d)**. Goods leaving Shanchun for intermediate Stations in British Territory not covered by Customs Documents shall pay Export Duty at Shamchun:\n\n**(e)**. Goods destined for all Stations on the Railway and goods taking out transit documents shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revision thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such Ordinances, Edicts, or Regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## Article 14.\n\nThis Agreement shall continue in force only so long as the Commissioner of Kowloon Customs is British. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual Agreement between the High Contracting Parties, and unless denounced by either party 6 months before date of expiry it shall remain in force for 5 years, and thereafter from year to year unless either party shall give 6 months' notice of its desire to terminate it.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 425789, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 159, "title": "CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7]", "content_text": "Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, \n\nHongkong, 9th June, 1910.\n\nTo Colonial Secretary.\n\nSir,\n\nReferring to my previous advices on the subject of the new tax now being enforced on raw opium dealers by the Canton Authorities, I beg to inform you that on the 7th instant the following telegram was despatched through the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation for transmission to H. B. M's. Chargé d'Affaires at Peking:-\n\n“British Opium Merchants Hongkong have been advised new tax on opium enforced today (stop). They have been requested stop shipments from Hongkong to Kwangtung (stop). Understand edict has been issued stating this is done nominally at the request of general bureau for suppression of opium thus establishing monopoly (stop) Chamber of Commerce Hongkong protest against this violation of Treaties request Your Excellency take prompt action are writing fully.”\n\nHewett,\n\nChairman.\n\nA despatch is now being prepared dealing fully with the question, a copy of which will be forwarded to you in due course.\n\nI have etc.,\n\n(sd.) E. A. Hewett,\n\nChairman.\n\nPage 157\n\nEnclosure 1. (7).\n\nReceived on 22 JUL 10.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428041, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12]", "page_number": 589, "title": "CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12]", "content_text": "My Lords are of opinion, therefore, that for the present at any rate the Colony has no alternative to submitting to the inconvenience of a depreciated subsidiary currency.\n\nIf the new policy of the Chinese Government is successful, the Hong Kong coins will probably fall almost immediately to slightly below bullion value and then rapidly disappear from circulation both on the mainland and in the Colony, until the problem is reduced to manageable dimensions.\n\nIf on the other hand it is unsuccessful, the measures to be taken will be dependent upon the course of events in China and cannot with advantage be determined until this becomes apparent.\n\nIn the meantime, My Lords do not think that any useful purpose would be served by offering advice to the Chinese Government as to the administration of their scheme of currency reform nor indeed are They in agreement with Sir F. May's view that the restoration to face value of the existing Chinese subsidiary currency must be effected before the new coins can be successfully brought into circulation.\n\nThe law that base coin drives out good would of course operate in the manner he suggests if by law or usage the two varieties of subsidiary coin were to be admitted to concurrent circulation at the same rating. As however the scheme provides for the reduction of the rating of the old currency from face value in the first instance to present exchange value, and ultimately to bare bullion value, it is clear that (unless the operation of the edict is defeated by...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428043, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12]", "page_number": 591, "title": "CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12]", "content_text": "584\n\nC\n\ndisplacement should be spread over a series of years, and, as such a concession would in the circumstances be at best of doubtful advantage, My Lords are satisfied that the better policy will be to leave the Government of China to take its own course.\n\nMuch, however, will necessarily depend on the degree of success attending the efforts of the Chinese Government to carry out the provisions of the Edict and My Lords will therefore be glad if Mr. Secretary Harcourt will cause Them to be informed from time to time of the progress of events both in the Colony and on the mainland.\n\nI am,\n\nSir,\n\nYour obedient Servant,\n\nManay\n\n913", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428089, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 14, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "13\n\n2\n\nA letter on the subject signed by all these firms has since been received by the Chamber of Commerce, a copy of which I beg to enclose for your Excellency's information.\n\nWe are given to understand that Mr. Consul-General Fox at Canton has endeavoured to get this question set right, but that the latest interview he had with the Viceroy was of a very unsatisfactory nature.\n\nThe restrictions which the Chinese authorities are now attempting to impose upon the trade in foreign opium are much the same as those of which we complained last year when the question was fully set forth in our telegram to your Excellency of the 24th September, 1905, advised in our letter of the 9th October, 1908, with which we forwarded a copy of a letter from the opium merchants in Hong Kong dated the 23rd September, 1908.\n\nThese letters and the enclosures so fully explained the situation that it does not seem necessary to again go over the ground.\n\nThe arguments which were then put forward against the action on the part of the Chinese officials apply with equal force in the present instance and were practically admitted by your Excellency, as would appear from the concluding paragraph of your despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong, dated the 5th February, 1909, when you suggested that foreign opium should be excluded from the regulations which had been drawn up to control the wholesale trade.\n\nWe trust, therefore, that your Excellency will be good enough to again take the matter up with the Wai-wu Pu and with the same happy result that attended your efforts last autumn.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nE. A. HEWETT, Chairman.\n\nP.S. Since writing the above, I have received a letter from the Hong Kong Government which gives your cable reply to the Chamber's telegram.\n\nI would ask you to accept the best thanks of the Chamber for your prompt action towards the protection of British trade.\n\nE. A. H.\n\n3\n\nGovernment have given the Chinese Government most practical support by definitely reducing shipments of opium from India to China, and in the course of a few years this trade will entirely cease; therefore, these vexatious regulations of the Chinese Government are absolutely unnecessary as far as the trade in foreign opium is concerned, and we must conclude that they are being imposed by them in order to derive financial advantage from the situation.\n\nThe fact that for a considerable time the Kwantung authorities have, with impunity, been infringing the treaties and ignoring the promise given to the British Minister by the Wai-wu Pu has led to these obstructive regulations being enforced in other districts, and complaints have been received from Hoihow, Nam Hung, and Watin to the effect that monopolies are being established, and in Wutin (Fokien province) the importation of foreign opium has been prohibited.\n\nOnly recently Sir Edward Grey, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated in Parliament that, while he is prepared to give legitimate support to the Chinese Government, the treaties must be firmly adhered to. We maintain that the British Government have given the Chinese practical proof of their desire to co-operate with them by reducing the yearly import of foreign opium into China, and in consideration of this generous arrangement, the Chinese should, on their part, abide by the treaties and by their undertaking.\n\nWe trust the Chamber will bring the strongest pressure to bear on the various authorities concerned with a view to protecting the opium trade during the few years left before it totally ceases. This protection is, we think, rightly due to British merchants, who are within a brief period compelled to give up a trade in which they have been engaged for the past seventy or eighty years.\n\nWe have, &c.\n\nDavid Sassoon and Co. (Limited),\n\nE. SHELLIM, Manager.\n\nE. D. SASSOON AND Co.\n\nS. J. DAVID AND CO.\n\nE. PABANEY.\n\nCAWASJEE PALLANJEE AND Co.\n\nH. M. II. NEMANZEE (by his Attorney,\n\nH. A. Shirazi).\n\nF. P. TALATI,\n\nM. H. E. ELLIAS.\n\nABDOOLALLY EBRAHIM AND Co.\n\nInclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nBritish Opium Firms to Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.\n\nSir,\n\nHong Kong, September 29, 1909.\n\nWE have the honour to bring to your notice the fact that the opium regulations that the Kwangtung authorities attempted to bring into force last year, and which, through the energetic action of His Britannic Majesty's Minister, were promptly withdrawn, have again been revived. It is needless to trouble you with a recital of the details, as same are very fully set forth in a letter to Mr. H. H. Fox, His Britannic Majesty's acting Consul-General at Canton, dated the 23rd September, 1908, and to the Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong, dated the 9th December, 1908, which appeared in the report of the Chamber of Commerce for last year.\n\nRecently the Kwangtung authorities, contrary to the undertaking given by the Wai-wu Pu to His Britannic Majesty's Minister that the regulations would apply to native opium only, have taken definite action by imprisoning a partner in the Chuen Cheong opium hong in August last and subsequently closing up the shop. Mr. H. H. Fox has been actively engaged in endeavouring to prevent this arbitrary enforcement of the regulations, but has been unsuccessful, and has had to refer the matter to His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking.\n\nThe Viceroy at Canton, in a despatch to Mr. Fox, while ignoring the various arguments placed before him, states that it is the duty of the Chinese Government to carry out the edicts with the utmost energy, \"as the foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance,\" and furthermore lays stress on the desire of the Hong Kong Government to prevent the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong as an excuse for levying increased taxation on opium in Canton.\n\nWe beg to enclose copy of the Viceroy's despatch to Mr. Fox, dated Canton, the 17th September, 1909, for your information. The existence of treaties between China and foreign Powers is entirely ignored; neither is any reference made to the undertaking given barely a year ago to the British Minister by the Wai-wu Pu, to which we have referred in the first part of our letter.\n\nA most important fact to which we beg to draw your attention is that the Indian\n\nSir,\n\nInclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nViceroy Yuan to Consul Fox.\n\nCanton, September 17, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to your despatch to my predecessor dated the 27th August, 1909, on the subject of the new regulations for the limitation of the sale of raw opium, stating that you had learnt that the Opium Prohibition Bureau had suddenly, without warning, arrested the manager of the Chuan Fu Cheng raw opium shop in the Hsing Lung Street, you requested that a careful enquiry might be made into the circumstances.\n\nOn receipt of your despatch, the Acting Viceroy Hu instructed the bureau to make an enquiry and report, and a note was at the same time sent to you in reply. The officials of the bureau state that, by the order of the late Viceroy Chang, dated February-March, it became their duty to issue licences to shops selling raw opium and to individual buyers. This procedure was in accordance with the regulations submitted to the Throne by the Government Council, and approved. A proclamation was issued at the time, and all raw opium dealers were summoned to the bureau and commanded to observe the regulations.\n\nThe statement that no warning was given is therefore difficult to understand.\n\nFor the raw opium shops, however, while professing acquiescence, secretly ignored the regulations, with the result that very few people took out buying licences. Several months past, with a reckless indifference to instructions, the dealers have been illicitly selling opium in this way. The bureau had discovered that ten or more of the raw opium shops had been obeying the regulations, and were willing to carry out", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428090, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 15, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "these precautionary measures, but two shops, the Chuan Fu Cheng and the Ch'un Fu Hsing, relying on their comparatively large capital had attempted to monopolise the trade. Their arrest by the police officials was supported by conclusive proof, and the sentence imposed on them to stop business, which was reported to and approved by the Acting Viceroy Hu, was a measure of exceptional clemency. The man Liang Hei Hou, who was arrested, was the manager of the shop in question, and the intention of the police was merely to obtain from him the licence of the shop for cancellation, when he would be released. The owner of the shop, however, in a reckless manner was making delays and remained in hiding. The measures that had been taken were those laid down by the regulations for the punishment of recalcitrant raw opium shops, and were in no way the concern of foreigners.\n\nThe raw opium shops numbered over twenty and all were carrying on their business as usual. No dislocation was being caused to the trade of either Chinese or foreign opium merchants.\n\nThe officials of the bureau further remarked that the Imperial commands for the prohibition of opium had been in force for three years and that confirmatory edicts had repeatedly been received. The whole nation had received these edicts in an obedient spirit, and the foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance. It was, therefore their duty to carry out their instructions with the utmost energy, for the whole principle of controlling opium would be defeated, were individuals to be allowed to buy opium without a licence or opium dealers to sell to such persons. It would also be impossible to second in a worthy manner the friendly assistance of foreign kindly disposed Powers.\n\nWith regard to the increase in price of prepared opium there was no violation of the terms of the Chefoo Convention, as the price was increased (i.e., a tax levied) after the opium had been imported and the packages opened.\n\nIn June-July of this year, the British consul-general had forwarded a translation of a memorandum drawn up by the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the prevention of the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong. The governor stated that it was beyond the wit of man to devise a satisfactory method of stopping the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong for the reason that the price of opium in Hong Kong and the Straits was many times higher than in the south of China. If it was desired to stop this traffic and thereby fulfil the promise contained in China's undertaking with Hong Kong, the only possible method was to raise the price of opium in China, and bring it to a level with the price obtaining in Hong Kong. There would then be no profit attaching to the smuggling into Hong Kong. If therefore measures could be taken to secure this increased price, the prevention of the smuggling traffic would meet with success, and the assistance would be rendered both to their efforts to stop consumption and to the revenue of China.\n\nThis the bureau observed was a really intelligent and far-seeing exposition of principle, from which it was obvious that an increase in the price of prepared opium did not involve a breach of treaty, and would have the effect of stopping the smuggling of opium in Hong Kong. The present deliberations on their opium policy were being conducted on the lines of the Governor of Hong Kong's expression of opinion, and would not cause dislocation either to Chinese or foreign opium traffic.\n\nI have the honour to communicate the report of the Opium Prohibition Bureau for your information, and avail, &c.\n\n(Seal of Viceroy.)\n\nInclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nSir,\n\n5\n\nInclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Jamieson to the Governor, Hong Kong.\n\nCanton, October 19, 1909. I HAVE the honour to forward a copy of a despatch I have addressed to the Governor-General of the Liang Kuang on the subject of the vexatious restrictions which are being imposed on the opium trade in Canton. I have, &c.\n\nYour Excellency,\n\nInclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nConsul-General Jamieson to Viceroy Yüan.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\nCanton, October 18, 1909. I HAVE the honour to refer to previous correspondence on the subject of the measures adopted by the provincial authorities for the control and sale of opium, and to inform your Excellency that I have received telegraphic instructions from His Majesty's Minister again to make strong representations with a view to determining the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs at Canton in so far as the sale of foreign opium is concerned.\n\nMy predecessor's despatch of the 24th September traverses certain statements made by the Opium Bureau, and I should like to add a few remarks of my own with regard to their report, which was transmitted in your Excellency's communication of the 17th September, 1909.\n\nParagraph 2 states that the late governor-general ordered all shops to take out licences. It is a fact that a proclamation to this effect was issued, but, owing to intervention on the part of His Majesty's Minister, the same was not enforced, and the dealers were informed that they could go on conducting their business as before. Hence the latter are quite justified in asserting that no warning was given to them and that the imprisonment of one of their number and the closing of his premises was quite unwarrantable.\n\nParagraph 3 asserts that ten or more of the raw opium shops were obeying the regulations. Such is not the case. The opium hongs never agreed to the permit system, and were all along selling to buyers without permits. The bureau's contention that the regulations in no way concern foreigners cannot, I feel sure, be endorsed by your Excellency, as your Excellency must be aware that the Chinese Government have let it be clearly understood that they had no intention of interfering with the wholesale trade in foreign opium. Vexatious restrictions, therefore, which result in the complete dislocation of such trade are contrary to the assurances given by the Imperial Government, and the enforcement thereof might not unreasonably be construed as a breach of faith.\n\nI have accordingly the honour earnestly to request that your Excellency, in the interests of the friendly relations existing between our two countries, will take immediate steps to put a stop to this unwarrantable interference with British trade, and to set at liberty the dealer Liang Chih Hou, of the Ch'üan Fu Chang hong, who was some time ago arrested at the instance of the Opium Prohibition Bureau.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nSir J. Jordan to the Governor, Hong Kong.\n\nPeking, September 29, 1909. IN reply to the telegram communicated through the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank yesterday, the following to the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce:--\n\n\"Strong representations against the action complained of were addressed on the 16th September to the Chinese Government, who were requested to telegraph to the Viceroy of Kwangtung to put a stop to it.\"\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nHong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nOctober 15, 1909. REFERRING to our telegram of 23rd September and your reply to Hong Kong Government, 29th September, position remains unchanged; nothing is being done\n\nPage 14", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428107, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 32, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n31\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[November 7]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n[40878]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 7.)\n\n(No. 178.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\n### CHINCHOW-AIGUN Railway\n\nPeking, November 7, 1909.\n\nIn my opinion we should avoid any action which might be harmful to Paulings' interests or appear to place us on the Japanese as against the American side. I would, therefore, advise our not putting forward on our own account a proposal for Japanese participation, though I concur in the opinion expressed in your telegram No. 178 of the 5th instant, that what has occurred leaves us no option but to support such a proposal should the Japanese press for it. I have not received any further request for support from the Japanese Minister; indeed, I imagine that the Japanese now realise to what an extent the entry of the Americans upon the scene has modified the situation since the Japanese Ambassador's conversation with you on the 7th September, which you reported to me in your telegram No. 145 of that date.\n\nIf we desire to support Japanese participation in such a manner as not to injure the interests of the British firm, we can, I think, only do so by obtaining the co-operation of the United States Government and jointly urging on the Chinese Government the desirability of admitting the Japanese in accordance with your suggestion. Such concerted action would have, at any rate, a chance of success, for the Chinese are inclined to pay attention to advice received from the Americans, who are not considered to be moved by political considerations to the same extent as ourselves in this connection.\n\nAs regards Paulings' request for support in obtaining the final Imperial edict, I learn that the representatives of the British firm and of the American group are now awaiting a reply from the Chinese to their request for a definite decision which was sent in four days ago.\n\nI have been told by the Russian Minister that his Government will expect to be consulted about the railway. I presume that their claim to a voice in the matter is based on the 1899 agreement. The visit of the Russian Minister of Finance to Harbin has, I think, aroused Chinese fears with regard to a possible Russo-Japanese entente on Manchurian affairs. I am assured, however, by my Japanese colleague that these apprehensions are groundless.\n\n[2486 g-1]\n\nPage 32", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428108, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 33, "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\n32\n\nI\n\nJ\n\n[December 8.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n[44922]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nTelegrams communicated to Foreign Office by Mr. Addis, December 8, 1909.\n\n(1)\n\nTelegram dispatched to Hong Kong, November 30, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to our S. O. letter of the 24th December. Advise the following to Peking by wire: Referring to your S. O. letter of the 27th October to Shanghae branch, Paris Berlin are inquiring what is the present position of Manchuria loan; telegraph to us full particulars. Have the Americans asked for participation? Is it a provincial loan sanctioned but not guaranteed by Imperial Government? Is there any security for proper application of proceeds? Refer to our S. O. letter of the 24th December last year.\n\n(2)\n\nTelegram received from Peking, December 2, 1909.\n\nRE your telegram 30th to head office, present position is: We have informed Viceroy, Manchuria, Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine are prepared to lend immediately 6,000,000 taels, terms to be arranged; we are awaiting Viceroy's reply. Viceroy has signed previously with American preliminary agreement 10,000,000 taels provincial guarantee, but agreement entirely general and states no terms. We have suggested American participation on grounds that it will be good policy, but we do not propose to approach American in any case until business is firm in hand. We have asked for Imperial Chinese Government guarantee, but it is probable it cannot be obtained, particularly as Americans do not insist upon it. Object of loan will be stated in agreement, but it is beyond our power to control application, as in the case of railway loan; advise Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\n\n(3)\n\nTelegram received from Hong Kong, December 3, 1909.\n\nRE proposed Manchurian silver loan, E. G. Hillier wires: \"Must we insist upon Imperial Chinese Government guarantee; our opinion is, proposed business being of nature local advance is on different footing from loan issued on European market. Re foregoing, do you think provincial silver loan under Imperial Edict is not satisfactory from point of view of further Chinese Government gold loan, or do you consider general opinion would be it is not safe? If security considered satisfactory and loan goes through, it is not our intention to place our share on the market, but hold against silver liabilities.\n\n(4)\n\nTelegram dispatched to Hong Kong, December 7, 1909.\n\nREFERRING to your telegram of the 3rd, we think you ought to hold out for Chinese Imperial Government guarantee. Even if not issued to public, we do not consider provincial loan desirable; would probably lead to more provincial borrowing with detrimental results to national credit both with regard to existing and future Chinese Imperial Government gold loans. Banque de l'Indo-Chine shares our views; we are expecting reply from Deutsch-Asiatische Bank to-morrow.\n\n[2538 A-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428109, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 34, "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\nIC\n\n[45212]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[December 13.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n(No. 430.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 13.)\n\nPeking, November 23, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a memorandum, furnished to me by Mr. Hillier, of the terms of a loan for 6,000,000 taels which the British, French, and German banks here propose to conclude with the Viceroy of Manchuria. The money will, I understand, be advanced by the three banks from the funds at their disposal in Shanghae, and recourse is not likely to be had to the last stipulation of the agreement, which authorises the banks, if necessary, to offer the bonds for subscription to the public.\n\nNevertheless, this policy of provincial borrowing seems to me one that should be discouraged as likely to lead to eventual trouble. The present loan, it will be noticed, is to be applied in part to the repayment of an advance of 1,100,000 taels made by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank to the Viceroy of Manchuria over a year ago, and I understand that the payment of interest on the latter loan is overdue, and has not been met with the punctuality which has hitherto characterised Chinese transactions of this kind. To contract fresh loans to pay off the interest and principal of former loans does not appear to be altogether sound finance.\n\nBut the security offered is, I am informed, considered ample, and financiers are doubtless the best judges of their own interests. As long, however, as banks and other firms are willing to make loans of this kind, it is difficult to see how the views of the China Association, as expressed in their letter of the 12th October, which was enclosed in your despatch No. 331, are to be enforced in practice. That body rightly considers that the value of the Imperial guarantee is steadily declining, and holds that inland taxation forms a shadowy security which would render foreclosure impossible in case of provincial default.\n\nGranting that this assumption is correct, there remains the question as to what form of procedure should be adopted in order to prevent, not international competition, but, as in this case, an international combination from making loans on the strength of provincial revenues. I have had some experience in attempting to dissuade British subjects from lending money to China without what seemed to be proper safeguards, and I fear that my advice has generally been regarded as unnecessary interference.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\nP.S.---Since the above was written, Mr. Hillier has informed me that the interest on the loan of the 9th November, 1908, was paid on the 20th instant, and that the delay was probably due to an oversight.\n\nMr. Hillier also stated that the Americans have now offered the Viceroy of Manchuria a loan of 10,000,000 taels secured upon provincial revenues with the usual edict, but without an Imperial guarantee, and he pointed out that by the terms of the agreement of the 9th November, 1908, copy of which is enclosed, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation had secured a preference for any further loan for Manchurian requirements. The three groups would, he thought, be prepared to waive the Imperial guarantee and compete with the Americans for a loan secured on the revenues of Manchuria, and he asked my views on the subject.\n\nI deprecated competition for provincial loans on these terms, and Mr. Hillier is, I understand, now suggesting that the three groups should invite the Americans to join them, and that the loan should be made by all four. The transaction would be sanctioned by an Imperial decree communicated to the legations in accordance with the Wai-wu Pu's circular of the 15th May, 1908, copy of which was enclosed in my despatch No. 235 of the 25th May, 1908, but an Imperial guarantee is considered as unattainable, and would be dispensed with.\n\nJ. N. J.\n\n[2538 π--3]\n\n33\n\nPage 33\n\n[End of Page]\n\n[Page 34]\n\n \n(The next page content should be here, but it is not provided in the original text)\n\nPage 34", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428110, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 35, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Inclosure in No. 1,\n\nMemorandum of Terms for Loan of 6,000,000 taels.\n\nTHE sum of 6,000,000 taels to be lent in equal shares by the English, French, and German banks—Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Banque de l'Indo-Chine, and Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. Payment and repayment to be made in Shanghae in Shanghae sycee.\n\nThe loan to be applied to—\n\n(1.) The repayment to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation of the advance of 1,100,000 taels made to the Viceroy of Manchuria under date of the 9th November, 1908 (16th of the 10th month of the 34th year of Kwang Hsu); and\n\n(2.) Provincial purposes which will be stated in the loan agreement.\n\n2. The term of the loan to be ten years. Principal to be repayable in six years in equal annual instalments of 1,000,000 taels, commencing with the fifth year.\n\n3. Interest to be at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, paid half-yearly on the balance of the loan from time to time outstanding.\n\n4. Principal and interest to be guaranteed by the Chinese Government.\n\n5. Security, salt revenue of Fengtien province. So long as principal and interest of the loan are regularly paid there will be no interference, but if the principal or interest of the loan are in default at the due date, the said salt revenue must then forthwith be handed over to the Imperial Maritime Customs to administer.\n\n6. The price of the loan to be 97 per cent.\n\n7. An agreement setting forth all the conditions of the loan will be signed between the Viceroy of Manchuria and the three banks, and its terms will be reported by the Viceroy in a memorial to the throne. The Imperial edict sanctioning the conditions of the agreement will be officially communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to the Ministers in Peking of the three banks concerned, and payment of the loan proceeds—namely, 5,820,000 taels—will be made to the Viceroy's delegate in Shanghae three days after the communication of the Imperial edict.\n\n8. Within six months after the signing of the loan agreement the Viceroy will hand to the banks bonds in Shanghae taels for the total amount of the loan, sealed with his official seal. These bonds will be offered for subscription to the public, and the cost of printing them will be borne by the banks.\n\nNovember 23, 1909.\n\n3\n\nrepayment of this present advance of 1,100,000 taels, or of such of it as shall then be outstanding.\n\n3. This loan shall bear interest at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, calculated from the date upon which the proceeds of the loan are drawn. The interest shall be paid every six months, reckoned from the date of this agreement, and shall be charged upon the amount of the loan outstanding. Payment of interest and repayment of principal shall be made in taels of Shanghae sycee by the delegate of his Excellency Hsu, the Viceroy of Manchuria, in Shanghae, to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation in Shanghae.\n\n4. The proceeds of this loan, namely, 1,100,000 taels, will be paid by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Shanghae, on the 30th day of November, 1908, in Shanghae sycee to the Viceroy's account against his receipt.\n\n5. The Viceroy of Manchuria, for himself and his successors, hereby unconditionally guarantees and declares himself responsible for the due repayment of the principal and interest of this loan, which is further hereby secured as a first charge upon the salt revenue of the province of Fengtien.\n\n6. The terms of this agreement will be reported in a memorial to the throne by the Viceroy, and the Imperial edict sanctioning the agreement will be officially communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to the British Minister in Peking before payment of the proceeds of the loan is made.\n\n7. Two copies of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy and the other copy to be retained by the bank. In the event of any question arising as to the meaning of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\nDone at Mukden, Fengtien province, this 9th day of November, 1908, being the 16th day of the 10th moon in the 34th year of the reign of Kuang Hsü.\n\n(Seal of Viceroy Hsu.)\n\nD. H. MACKINTOSH, Agent of Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank.\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nAgreement between the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation.\n\nTHIS agreement, made between his Excellency Hsu, the Viceroy of Manchuria, acting under the authority of the Imperial Chinese Government, for himself and his successors, hereinafter called the Viceroy, of the one part, and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, hereinafter called the bank, of the other part, witnesseth as follows:-\n\n1. The bank agrees to lend to the Viceroy the sum of 1,100,000 Shanghae sycee taels.\n\n2. The term of the loan shall be two years, dating from the signature of this agreement, and repayment shall be made in the second year in four instalments, namely:\n\nOn the 1st January, 1910, 320,000 taels, being the first instalment.\n\nOn the 1st April, 1910, 320,000 taels, being the second instalment.\n\nOn the 1st July, 1910, 230,000 taels, being the third instalment.\n\nOn the 1st October, 1910, 230,000 taels, being the fourth instalment.\n\nBut if within the term of two years aforesaid the Viceroy should decide to raise a further loan for general provincial requirements, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation will be entitled to the first refusal of the business, and the proceeds of the said loan when issued will be applied, in the first place, to the repayment of this present advance.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428133, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 58, "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[45015]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[December 18.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nSir,\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co. to Foreign Office.(Received December 18.)\n\n26, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, December 17, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to the interview which Mr. George Pauling had the honour of holding with Sir Francis Campbell, I am desired to inform you that, by advices received from Lord ffrench in this mail, we are informed that the issuing of the final edict sanctioning the construction of the line from Chenchow to Aigun is near at hand. We would, therefore, once more venture to draw your attention to the inadvisable situation that might be created if this edict be issued without the Japanese having stated the moderate participation in the scheme which we have been led to understand the Japanese Government desires.\n\nOnce the edict is issued, we venture to assert it will be very much more difficult to obtain a participation for the Japanese and the Chinese consent to that participation. The American Government also would be less likely to give way to any Japanese claim.\n\nYou will allow us to point out that, while Japan has led many to suppose that she will not oppose the construction of this line, her action in delaying to define her participation produces to all intents and purposes the same result as if she were opposing it.\n\nIf the Japanese Government keep on delaying the definition of their participation, what other reason can there be but that, by creating a delay, to further her policy of preventing the construction of the line altogether?\n\nMay we once more, in the most earnest manner, respectfully request His Majesty's Government to render to British contractors the support and assistance which the American Government is undoubtedly rendering to her subjects in this matter.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\nPAULING AND Co.\n\n[2538]\n\nPage 21\n\n57", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428135, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 60, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "59\n\n2\n\nterms, I gave him a brief outline of the conditions, which he admitted were far more favourable to China than he had believed possible, and would provide much needed means of communication economically, and quite without encroachment on sovereign rights. He promised to suggest to the Viceroy the advisability of informing the provincial council of the true terms of the loan agreement, which did not of course preclude native subscriptions for railway development.\n\nThe agreement was not sent to me confidentially, and the late Grand Secretary Chang's refusal to disclose its contents to the provinces concerned was based merely on official etiquette regarding a question not yet passed upon by the throne. The present agitation appears to draw whatever vitality it possesses from the popular belief in the loan terms alleged by the delegates from Japan, and in the corollary that these are a means towards the partition of China. Such a belief must tend to foster an anti-foreign spirit in the province. I trust, therefore, that my action will not appear to you indiscreet.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nE. H. FRASER.\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[46373]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir C. MacDonald.\n\n[December 21.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n(No. 214.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, December 21, 1909. I told the Japanese Ambassador on the 17th instant that Sir Charles Hardinge had heard indirectly, through unofficial sources, that the Chinese Government would probably soon issue an edict authorising the Tsitsihar Railway. I had as yet had no reply from the United States Government to my enquiry as to their view respecting Japanese participation, but I heard, also indirectly through unofficial sources, that they were not opposed to it in principle. In these circumstances, it seemed to me that the Japanese ought to be ready to state exactly the amount and form of the participation which they wished. My desire in this matter was to promote agreement, because I was afraid that if there was a deadlock, the Americans supporting and the Japanese blocking the railway, the Chinese might turn to other Powers, and the question might assume a political complexion.\n\nThe Ambassador told me that he had heard nothing from Tokyo since I last spoke to him, but the Japanese Legation in Peking had been informed that Prince Tsai, brother of the Regent, had come to the conclusion that the expenditure required for this railway was greater than would be justified, and that the Board of Communications were of the same opinion, and were opposed to the railway. He would telegraph to his Government what I had said.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n[2538 -1]\n\nPage 60\n\nPage 61", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428151, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 76, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nhonour to report that I paid a visit to the Yunnan Provincial Assembly last Monday, the 8th instant.\n\nHaving informed the Bureau of Foreign Affairs beforehand of my intention to attend a sitting of the assembly, Mr. Wong, the English interpreter attached to the bureau, called for me shortly after 9 o'clock, and accompanied me to the Yunnan Guild House, which is being used temporarily as an assembly house until a special building has been erected.\n\nI entered the guild house through a gateway surmounted by a couple of dragon flags with crossed staves and guarded by two sentinels in modern quasi-European uniform, who presented arms as I passed, and on my alighting from my chair I was received by Mr. Nieh, one of the members for Tung-ch'uan prefecture, in the north-east part of this province. This gentleman conducted me to a small waiting room, the walls of which were ornamented with maps and botanical diagrams, where the usual tea and cigarettes were offered to me. Here I was joined by three French visitors, and a few minutes later Mr. Chang, the president of the assembly, a little old man of 70 with a long thin white beard, came into the room. He made a few remarks to me about the assembly not being quite in working order yet, everything being in consequence very rough, and I made a few deprecatory remarks in reply; and in a few minutes' time, 10 o'clock having struck, we all adjourned to the assembly hall.\n\nHere my French companions and I were conducted up some stairs to what was formerly a private box in the theatre of the guild house, directly facing the presidential table on the stage, and with the seats for the ordinary members in the stall space below me.\n\nI observed that the back of the stage was covered by a large yellow curtain, on and over which were posted the imperial edicts relating to the constitution and conduct of provincial assemblies. Directly in front of this screen was a seat for the Viceroy, and on each side near the corners of the stage were two similar seats, intended for any of the high provincial authorities who might desire to be present at any sitting. On the occasion of my visit these three chairs were unoccupied. In the centre of the stage was a long table with three chairs for the president and vice-presidents, and immediately fronting this were a desk and a chair, intended for members addressing the assembly in set speeches. On the left front of the stage were a table and chair for the chief secretary, and the corresponding place on the right was occupied by a large blackboard.\n\nImmediately below the orator's tribune was a table at which two reporters were sitting, and on it was a ballot-box. In the stalls' part of the theatre were some sixty or seventy chairs and desks ranged in semi-circles facing the stage, with a broad gangway up the centre and smaller paths between every two or three seats at the sides. The names of the members were written in small characters on the backs of their chairs.\n\nUnder the galleries, running round the three sides of the building not occupied by the stage, was a large open space, which seemed to be the particular domain of the sergeant-at-arms, in the shape of a portly officer of police in a new European-style uniform.\n\nIn the side galleries were rows of plain desks and chairs intended for ordinary visitors; and in the distinguished visitors' box in the centre were a few silk-covered seats and desks covered with green baize similar to those intended for the members below.\n\nThe hall was well lighted by large glass windows in the sides and smaller windows round the square-raised roof in the centre.\n\nI counted thirty-eight members present besides the president and the two vice-presidents, and exclusive of Mr. Nieh, who remained upstairs with me and the other visitors. They were arranged according to age, the oldest occupying the front seats. All wore official hats, and most of them had gold or silver buttons; one old gentleman seated in the front row near the blackboard being conspicuous by having a red button and peacock's feather. I was told that he was a Mr. Ting, member for Ho-ch'ing Chou in Li-chiang prefecture, in the north-west of the province, formerly salt comptroller in the Liang-huai region of Chiang-su and Anhui.\n\nThe chief secretary chalked on the blackboard the subject for the day's discussion, which was what arrangements for the future were to be made with regard to the funds of the Yunnan Bank, which had failed; and after a pause a member left his seat, and, ascending some steps at the side of the stage, advanced to the tribune, and, with a bow to the president and his colleagues in front of him, commenced to speak. He was followed by two other speakers, and then a general discussion took place. Everyone appeared to speak very naturally, with quiet dignity, and very little gesture; and even in the general discussion only one member spoke at a time. The speeches were practically extempore, very slight use being made of the notes which the speakers placed on the table before them. Altogether, I was much struck by the air of seriousness and sense of responsibility which seemed to pervade the whole assembly.\n\n3\n\nThe president did not say, and did not appear to do anything; the vice-president on his right took copious notes the whole time, while the other vice-president appeared to devolve the duties of a speaker in our sense of the term, questions addressed to the chair being answered by him. Both vice-presidents were comparatively young men, the one being 40 and the other only 35 years of age.\n\nAt about half past eleven Mr. Nieh invited me and my companions to go downstairs and have some refreshment, so I had to leave the hall before any voting on the subject under discussion took place. Chinese cakes and sweet champagne followed, and shortly before noon I left for home.\n\nIn my despatch No. 46 of the 30th October I stated that 62 members in all were elected, and that Yunnan prefecture had returned six members. I was informed by Mr. Nieh and Mr. Wong that the total number of members was 68, and that Yunnan prefecture had returned 10 members.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nP. E. O'BRIEN-BUTLER.\n\n75", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428208, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 133, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Inclosure 7 in No. 1.\n\nBritish Opium Firms to Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.\n\nHong Kong, September 29, 1909.\n\nWE have the honour to bring to your notice the fact that the opium regulations that the Kuangtung authorities attempted to bring into force last year, and which through the energetic action of His Britannic Majesty's Minister were promptly withdrawn, have been again revived. It is needless to trouble you with a recital of the details, as same are very fully set forth in a letter to Mr. Fox, His Britannic Majesty's acting consul-general at Canton, dated the 23rd September, 1908, and to the colonial secretary of Hong Kong dated the 9th December, 1908, which appear in the report of the chamber of commerce for last year.\n\nRecently the Kuangtung authorities, contrary to the undertaking given by the Wai-wu Pu to His Britannic Majesty's Minister that the regulation would apply to native opium only, have taken definite action by imprisoning a partner in the Ch'uan Fu Chang raw opium hong in August last, and subsequently closing up the shop. Mr. H. H. Fox has been actively engaged in endeavouring to prevent this arbitrary enforcement of the regulations, but has been unsuccessful, and has had to refer the matter to His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking. The Viceroy at Canton, in a despatch to Mr. Fox, while ignoring the various arguments placed before him, states that it is the duty of the Chinese Government to carry out the edicts with the utmost energy, \"as the foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance,\" and furthermore lays stress on the desire of the Hong Kong Government to prevent the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong as an excuse for levying increased taxation in Canton. We beg to enclose copy of Viceroy's despatch to Mr. Fox dated Canton, the 17th September, 1909, for your information. The existence of treaties between China and foreign Powers is entirely ignored, neither is any reference made to the undertaking given barely a year ago to the British Minister by the Wai-wu Pu, to which we have referred in the first part of our letter.\n\nThe most important fact to which we beg to draw your attention is that the Indian Government have given the Chinese Government most practical support by definitely reducing shipments of opium from India to China, and in the course of a few years this trade will entirely cease, therefore these vexatious regulations of the Chinese Government are absolutely unnecessary as far as the trade in foreign opium is concerned, and we must conclude that they are being imposed by them in order to derive financial advantage from the situation.\n\nThe fact that for a considerable time the Kuangtung authorities have with impunity been infringing the treaties and ignoring the promise given to the British Minister by the Wai-wu Pu has led to these obstructive regulations being enforced in other districts, and complaints have been received from Hoihow, Nambung, and Wuting to the effect that monopolies are being established, and in Wuting (Fokien) the importation of foreign opium has been prohibited.\n\nOnly recently Sir Edward Grey, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated in Parliament that, while he is prepared to give legitimate support to the Chinese Government, the treaties must be adhered to. We maintain that the British Government have given the Chinese practical proof of their desire to co-operate with them by reducing the yearly import of foreign opium into China, and in consideration of this generous arrangement the Chinese should on their part abide by the treaties and their undertaking.\n\nWe trust this chamber will bring the strongest pressure to bear on the various authorities concerned with a view to protecting the opium trade during the few years left before it totally ceases. This protection is, we think, rightly due to British merchants, who are within a brief period compelled to give up a trade in which they have been engaged for the past seventy or eighty years.\n\nWe have, &c.\n\nDavid Sassoon and Co. (Limited),\n\nE. SHELLIM, Manager.\n\nE. D. SASSOON and Co.\n\nS. J. DAVID AND CO.\n\nE. PABANEY.\n\nCAMAJEE PALLANJEE AND CO.\n\nH. M. H. NEMAZEE (by his Attorney,\n\nH. A. Shirazi).\n\nF. P. TALATI,\n\nM. H. E. ELLIAS.\n\nABDOOLALLY IBRAHIM AND Co.\n\nSir,\n\n7\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nViceroy Yuan to Acting Consul-General Fox.\n\nCanton, September 17, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to your despatch to my predecessor, dated the 27th August, 1909, on the subject of the new regulations for the limitation of the sale of raw opium, stating that you had learned that the Opium Prohibition Bureau had suddenly without warning arrested the manager of the Ch'uan Fu Ch'ang raw opium shop in the Hsing Lung Street, you requested that a careful enquiry might be made into the circumstance.\n\nOn receipt of your despatch the Acting Viceroy Hu instructed the bureau to make an enquiry and report, and a note was at the same time sent to you in reply. The officials of the bureau state that, by the order of the late Viceroy Chang, dated February-March, it became their duty to issue licences to shops selling raw opium and to individual buyers. This procedure was in accordance with the regulations submitted to the throne by the Government Council and approved. A proclamation was issued at the time, and all raw opium dealers were summoned to the bureau and commanded to observe the regulations. The statement that no warning was given is therefore difficult to understand.\n\nThe raw opium shops, however, while professing acquiescence, secretly ignored the regulations, with the result that very few people took out buying licences. For several months past, with a reckless indifference to instructions, the dealers have been illicitly selling opium in this way. The bureau had discovered that ten or more of the raw opium shops had been obeying the regulations and were willing to carry out these precautionary measures, but two shops, the Chuan Fu Chang and the Chun Fu Hsing, relying on their comparatively large capital, had attempted to monopolise the trade. Their arrest by the police officials was supported by conclusive proof, and the sentence imposed on them to stop business, which was reported to and approved by the Acting Viceroy Hu, was a measure of exceptional clemency. The man Liang Hsi Iou who was arrested was the manager of the shop in question, and the intention of the police was merely to obtain from him the licence of the shop for cancellation, when he would be released. The owner of the shop, however, in a reckless manner was making delays and remained in hiding. The measures that had been taken were those laid down by the regulations for the punishment of recalcitrant raw opium shops, and were in no way the concern of foreigners.\n\nThe raw opium shops numbered over twenty, and all were carrying on their business as usual. No dislocation was being caused to the trade of either Chinese or foreign opium merchants. The officials of the bureau further remarked that the Imperial commands for the prohibition of opium had been in force for three years, and that confirmatory edicts had repeatedly been received. The whole nation had received these edicts in an obedient spirit, and the foreign Powers were unanimous in their sympathetic assistance. It was therefore their duty to carry out their instructions with the utmost energy, for the whole principle of controlling opium would be defeated were individuals to be allowed to buy opium without a licence, or opium dealers to sell to such persons. It would also be impossible to second in a worthy manner the friendly assistance of foreign kindly disposed Powers.\n\nWith regard to the increase in price of prepared opium, there was no violation of the terms of the Chefoo Convention, as the price was increased (i.e., a tax levied) after the opium had been imported and the packages opened.\n\nIf it\n\nIn June-July of this year the British consul-general had forwarded a translation of a memorandum drawn up by the Governor of Hong Kong. The governor stated that it was beyond the wit of man to devise a satisfactory method of stopping the smuggling of opium into Hong Kong, for the reason that the price of opium in Hong Kong and in the straits was many times higher than in the south of China. was desired to stop this traffic and thereby fulfil the promise contained in China's undertaking with Hong Kong, the only possible method was to raise the price of opium in China and bring it to a level with the price obtaining in Hong Kong. There would then be no profit attached to the smuggling into Hong Kong. If, therefore, measures could be taken to secure this increased price, the prevention of the smuggling traffic would meet with success, and the assistance would be rendered both to their efforts to stop consumption and to the revenue of China.\n\nThis, the bureau observed, was a really intelligent and far-seeing exposition of ...\n\nPage 131", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428224, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 149, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "# Local Self-Government.---How should it be inaugurated? How are the funds to be provided?\n\nEducation. How general education is to be provided and paid for? On what lines are industrial schools to be introduced?\n\nPolice. The present police force is insufficient. What steps should be taken to provide a proper force, and how are the funds to be provided?\n\nTrade and Industry.--How should methods of agriculture be improved, with special reference to the use of chemical fertilisers and modern systems of irrigation? How is trade to be encouraged? What new industries to be developed, new markets opened up? How are banking methods to be reorganised, and reforms introduced into the salt monopoly? Should the statutory interest charged by pawnbrokers be revised? How are the instructions of the central Government in regard to the issue of paper money to be carried out?\n\nLand Tax-An improved scheme is put before the members for the collection of the land tax and a discussion of its merits requested.\n\nWeights and Measures.-How to introduce a uniform system?\n\nThe assembly in November was engaged in digesting this wide programme, but no report of the debates had appeared in the papers, although accommodation was provided for newspaper reporters.\n\n## MANCHURIA\n\n### Feng-tien (Mukden) Province\n\nElectorate. There is little detailed information. The province was divided into forty-five electoral districts for the first election of delegates, and eight centres for the second election of the members of the assembly.\n\nFirst Election.--The election of delegates took place on the 7th May, 1909, and it is stated that 52,679 qualified voters registered their votes. Assuming the population of the province to be about 8,000,000, there was approximately one qualified voter to every 150 inhabitants, or double the proportion in Shantung.\n\nSecond Election. Composition of Assembly.--The election of members occurred on the 1st June. Of the 50 elected, 26 have official rank, 42 have literary degrees, and 4 have studied in Japan. They vary in age from 30 to 74.\n\nOpening Ceremony.-The opening of the assembly took place on the fixed date, the 14th October, in the presence of the Viceroy and governor, a special building costing 60,000 taels (£7,000) having been erected for the purpose.\n\nBusiness.---According to the press reports, the following questions have been placed before the Mukden assembly for discussion:\n\n1. Funds for local government purposes.\n\n2. Prohibition of opium.\n\n3. Organisation of police.\n\n4. Funds for education.\n\n5. Organisation of agricultural associations.\n\n6. Extension of wheat and bean crops.\n\n7. Improvement of sericulture and wool.\n\n8. Currency, trade, waterways, mines, and fisheries questions.\n\n9. Reorganisation of the land and other taxes.\n\n### KIRIN PROVINCE\n\nOpposition to Governor.-No information except a general statement that the assembly has manifested a strong opposition to the policy of the governor, who is reported to have written to the Viceroy stating that the province is not yet ripe for the adoption of parliamentary institutions. (These reports have since been denied in the press).\n\n### HEILUNGCHIANG PROVINCE\n\nOpening-Beyond a bare announcement that the assembly was opened at Tsitsihar at the due date by the governor, there is little information in the press.\n\n## CHIHLI\n\nOpening Ceremony. The provincial assembly of Chihli held its opening meeting on the 14th October in Li Hung-chang's Memorial Temple at Hopei, Tien-tsin.\n\nSpecial assembly buildings are at present being erected on an extensive scale, but will not be completed before May next.\n\nViceroy's Speech-His Excellency Tuan Fang, Viceroy of Chihli, opened the proceedings, in the presence of a full attendance of members, by reading the Imperial edict of the 13th October. In the subsequent speech, the Viceroy dwelt particularly on two points:\n\n1. In considering local interests, the assembly should always keep steadily in mind the larger national interests.\n\n2. The assembly must beware of overstepping the limited rights conferred upon it.\n\nA president and two vice-presidents were then elected. Salaries are fixed as follows: president, 150 taels per month; vice-president, 120 taels; and members, 70 taels per month, with travelling expenses.\n\nGovernment Programme of Business.--The subjects submitted by Viceroy Tuan and discussed by the assembly were:-\n\n1. A proposal to substitute cash for grain tribute from certain districts.\n\n2. Institution of a census.\n\n3. The development of instruction in easy writing.\n\n4. The reform of the police regulations.\n\n5. Enquiry into the system of official runners.\n\nTo these has to be added-\n\n6. Plan for carrying out local autonomy in Chihli, a subject suggested by the Constitutional Government Committee.\n\nDebates. Owing to the number and variety of subjects for discussion, the original session of forty days was extended ten days. The debates were open to the public, but it appears that few took advantage of this privilege. They were not reported in the native press, which is apparently waiting for the presentation of the assembly's reports and the Viceroy's comments thereon before dealing with the subject. The session was concluded on the 3rd December, when nine members were elected to represent the assembly in the Senate.\n\nRelations of Assembly to Senate and Central Government.-The regulations which govern the constitution of the assembly provide that the opinions it forms should be submitted direct to the Senate in Peking. In the meantime, as the Senate is not yet in being, the assembly reports to the Viceroy, who, at the conclusion of the session, explains the official attitude on the subjects of the reports. It has been suggested by a censor that this viceregal superintendence detracts to a great extent from the usefulness of the assembly, the object of whose existence is the discussion of public affairs by persons independent of the Government. That the central Government is exceedingly anxious as to the behaviour of the newly-constituted body is evidenced by the fact that they have several times by telegram urged the Viceroy to keep a strict watch that the assembly does not exceed its rights, and that this nervousness is to some extent justified may be realised from the reports that twelve representatives of the assembly requested the Wai-wu Pu in a memorial to cancel the agreement lately concluded between China and Japan concerning the Manchurian question. Interference of this sort in matters which lie between the central Government and foreign States was of course frowned upon, and the memorial promptly pigeon-holed. The incident serves to draw one's attention to what will be a certain source of trouble in the future.\n\nThe above is taken from a memorandum by Mr. G. A. Combe, of His Britannic Majesty's consulate-general at Tien-tsin.\n\n## HONAN\n\nPreliminary Steps,-We learn from a published memorial of the Governor of Honan that in November 1908, an organisation office was established, and preliminary steps after the Shantung model were taken.\n\nVoting Lists-Voting lists were completed by March 1909, and the elections commenced in June.\n\nOpening. The opening of the assembly at K'ai-feng-fu at 10 A.M. on the 14th October was mentioned in the native press. The day was kept as a holiday by\n\nPage 9\n\n[2605 7-21]\n\nD\n\n147\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428226, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 151, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "12\n\n13\n\n\"By the Governor of Soochow :-\n\n\"The provision of the expenses of self-government.\n\nRelief of the financial difficulties of district magistrates (through loss on exchange of 10-cash copper pieces).\n\nSurvey of waste lands.\n\nThe amalgamation of the agricultural societies into one agricultural and afforestation company,\n\n\"An effective prohibition of the use of opium.\n\nImposition of stamp duty.\n\n\"Improvement in method of collecting li-kin,\n\n\"Stricter system of registration of title-deeds. “Standardisation of weights and measures.\n\n\"Formation of a society for spreading the knowledge of the principles of constitutional government among the people.\"\n\nElections at Shanghae.-A report of Sir Pelham Warren's contains some information regarding the elections in the Shanghae district.\n\nThe primary elections were held in the Shanghae magistracy on the 22nd March, when twenty-two delegates were chosen. This number being insufficient to return the five members required (by the rules there must be ten delegates for each member), further elections were held on the 29th March and 18th April.\n\nOn the 5th May the five members were elected by ballot at the Sungkiang prefecture, All five are graduates.\n\nSalaries of Assembly Officers.-The salaries paid to members and officers of the Kiangsu assembly are:-\n\nPresident\n\nVice-President\n\nChief Secretary\n\nSecretaries\n\nMembers of Standing Committee\n\nTaels.\n\n(a-month)\n\n150\n\n120\n\n100\n\n30\n\n70\n\nThese salaries and the travelling expenses of all the members are paid by the Viceroy.\n\nKIANGSI,\n\nMr. Worner, His Majesty's consul at Kiukiang, has reported as follows:--- Preparatory Steps.\" Very little has been done in this province. The Governor issued instructions to all the Fa, Ting, Chou, and Hsien to establish local deliberative bodies in accordance with the regulations issued by the Peking Government.\n\nOpening of Assembly at Nan Ch'ong.-\"The Nan Chiang provincial assembly was opened by the governor on the 1st day of the 9th moon (14th October), all the civil and military officials, gentry, merchants, scholars, &c., to the number of 1,000 being present. The governor made a short speech, pointing out the nature of this new institution, and exhorting all to act together for the good of the country.\n\nDiscontent caused by Census.\" The enforcement of the provision respecting the taking of the census caused much discontent in some places. From those districts where it was properly carried out reports have been sent in, but in others abuses by the census officials led to disturbances. In Yuan Chou the people collected together and burnt the census office, and much fighting took place, many being killed and wounded. In Lo Ping, Po Yang, Te An, Jui Chang, Wu Ning, and Wen An, small disturbances also took place, the census officers being attacked and wounded,\n\nAppointment of President and Vice-Presidents.\" On the 2nd of the 9th moon the governor ordered the election of one head and two vice-presidents. Hsich Yuan-han, who was chosen as president, was objected to by more than forty members, but was subsequently confirmed in the appointment, together with the two elected vice-presidents, Huang Ta-hsun and Kuo Yu-ping.\"\n\nHUPEL\n\nFirst and Second Elections; Electorate.-Mr. Fraser reports that the first elections in the Hupei districts were held in May, and the second elections in July, Voting lists were publicly displayed at the magistrates' offices, and revised with the aid of special committees. (The total number of electors in the province is 113,233). \"The provision confining the vote to natives of each district resulted, in Hankow, where the chief business men come from Canton, Ningpo, and Swatow, in excluding from candidature the best known and most prominent persons. The London Mission assures me that there was no trace of anti-Christian prejudice and a good many of its native members exercised the right of voting.\"\n\nOpening Ceremony.The following interesting account of the opening ceremony of the Hupei provincial assembly is a translation by Mr. A. J. Martin from the native press:----\n\n\"Yesterday, the 1st day of the 9th month, was the date fixed for the opening ceremony of the provincial assembly.\n\n\"Some days previously the office for making preparations for the provincial assembly had hoisted the dragon flag on the main hall of the Educational Society's building, which was lent for the occasion, and had there erected a canopy for the Imperial edict and stretched a coloured awning outside the eaves.\n\n\"At 9 A.M. on the appointed day the president, vice-president, and the other members, wearing winter hats, festal black jackets, and blue robes, but without their official rosaries, met at Hsun Tao Ling, in the waiting-room prepared for them in the grounds of the Educational Society. The administrative officials, i.e., the provincial treasurer, the commissioner of education, and the provincial judge, the salt taotai, the intendant of industry, the police taotai and the customs taotai, the prefects of Wachang and Hanyang, the Hsia K'ou sub-prefect, and the magistrates of Chiang Hsia and Hanyang assembled at 9 A.M. in the guest hall made ready for them in the grounds of the Educational Society, and the invited guests gradually assembled in the ante-room appointed for them.\n\nExhibition of Imperial Decree.—“At 10A.M. the Viceroy arrived and alighted outside the coloured awning, and was shown by the master of the ceremonies into the waiting room. He rested here a short time while the officials of the office for making preparations for the provincial assembly offered him tea. When it was announced that the final preparations had been made, the master of ceremonies conducted the Viceroy to the space in front of the Imperial edict in the main hall; the other high officials following in order of precedence. The president, vice-president, and the other members of the assembly were then separately ushered in by the master of ceremonies. When all had been arranged in their appointed places the Viceroy's cushion was placed in the centre of the front row before the Imperial edict. The president's cushion was then placed on a level with, and to the right of, the Viceroy's. In the second row were the provincial treasurer, the commissioner of education, and provincial judge, with the salt taotai, the intendant of industry, the police taotai, and the customs taotai.\n\n\"In the third row were placed the cushions of the prefects of Wachang and Hanyang, the Hsia K'ou sub-prefect, and the magistrates of Chiang Hsia and Hanyang, and on their left were ranged the members of the provincial assembly. When all the cushions had been placed in order the master of ceremonies cried ‘Kneel!' and the whole assembly knelt. He then ordered the Imperial edict to be read, and when this had been done he called on the assembly to kneel thrice and kotow nine times in token of gratitude for the Imperial favour. This done, he called on the assembly to stand up, and they left their appointed places.\n\nThe executive officials were then ordered to take up their positions in order of precedence on the right, and the president, vice-president, and members of the provincial assembly to take up their positions on the left and bow thrice, the ceremony of greeting.\n\n\"The master of ceremonies next gave the order to perform the opening ceremony, conducted the concourse to the doors of the assembly-house, and retired. The executive officials and the president, vice-president, and members entered the house in order by the main door and took their seats. The guests entered by the east and west doors and took their seats apart in a side room. The Viceroy was seated behind the president; the provincial treasurer, commissioner for education, and the provincial judge sat in a row on his left; the salt taotai, the intendant of industry, police taotai, and customs taotai on his right.\n\n\"The prefects of Wuchang and Hanyang, and the Hsia K'ou sub-prefect, and the magistrates of Chiang Hsia and Hanyang had special seats.\n\nViceroy's SpeechThe Viceroy rose and made a congratulatory speech, the assembly meanwhile standing. After they had resumed their seats the president rose and replied, the assembly again standing. The president and vice-president then accompanied the Viceroy and executive officials to their waiting-rooms, where they remained for a few minutes, the stewards performing the same function for the guests.\n\n[2605 7-2]\n\nE\n\n149", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428236, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 161, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "(No. 48.) Sir,\n\n32\n\nAnnex 2.\n\nConsul-General O'Brien-Butler to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nYunnan-fu, November 12, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to your instructions that I should keep you informed regarding the progress made in my consular district of parliamentary institutions, I have the honour to report that I paid a visit to the Yunnan Provincial Assembly last Monday, the 8th instant.\n\nHaving informed the Bureau of Foreign Affairs beforehand of my intention to attend a sitting of the assembly, Mr. Wong, the English interpreter attached to the bureau, called for me shortly after 9 o'clock, and accompanied me to the Yunnan Guild House, which is being used temporarily as an assembly house until a special building has been erected.\n\nI entered the guild house through a gateway surmounted by a couple of dragon flags with crossed staves and guarded by two sentinels in modern quasi-European uniform, who presented arms as I passed, and on my alighting from my chair I was received by Mr. Nieh, one of the members for Tung-ch'uan prefecture, in the north-east part of this province. This gentleman conducted me to a small waiting room, the walls of which were ornamented with maps and botanical diagrams, where the usual tea and cigarettes were offered to me. Here I was joined by three French visitors, and a few minutes later Mr. Chang, the president of the assembly, a little old man of 70 with a long thin white beard, came into the room. He made a few remarks to me about the assembly not being quite in working order yet, everything being in consequence very rough, and I made a few deprecatory remarks in reply; and in a few minutes' time, 10 o'clock having struck, we all adjourned to the assembly hall.\n\nHere my French companions and I were conducted up some stairs to what was formerly a private box in the theatre of the guild house, directly facing the presidential table on the stage, and with the seats for the ordinary members in the stall space below me.\n\nI observed that the back of the stage was covered by a large yellow curtain, on and over which were posted the imperial edicts relating to the constitution and conduct of provincial assemblies. Directly in front of this screen was a seat for the Viceroy, and on each side near the corners of the stage were two similar seats, intended for any of the high provincial authorities who might desire to be present at any sitting. On the occasion of my visit these three chairs were unoccupied. In the centre of the stage was a long table with three chairs for the president and vice-presidents, and immediately fronting this were a desk and a chair, intended for members addressing the assembly in set speeches. On the left front of the stage were a table and chair for the chief secretary, and the corresponding place on the right was occupied by a large blackboard.\n\nImmediately below the orator's tribune was a table at which two reporters were sitting, and on it was a ballot-box. In the stalls' part of the theatre were some sixty or seventy chairs and desks ranged in semi-circles facing the stage, with a broad gangway up the centre and smaller paths between every two or three seats at the sides. The names of the members were written in small characters on the backs of their chairs.\n\nUnder the galleries, running round the three sides of the building not occupied by the stage, was a large open space, which seemed to be the particular domain of the sergeant-at-arms, in the shape of a portly officer of police in a new European-style uniform.\n\nIn the side galleries were rows of plain desks and chairs intended for ordinary visitors; and in the distinguished visitors' box in the centre were a few silk-covered seats and desks covered with green baize similar to those intended for the members below.\n\nThe hall was well lighted by large glass windows in the sides and smaller windows round the square-raised roof in the centre.\n\nI counted thirty-eight members present besides the president and the two vice-presidents, and exclusive of Mr. Nieh, who remained upstairs with me and the other visitors. They were arranged according to age, the oldest occupying the front seats. All wore official hats, and most of them had gold or silver buttons; one old gentleman seated in the front row near the blackboard being conspicuous by having a red button and peacock's feather. I was told that he was a Mr. Ting, member for Ho-ch'ing Chou in Li-chiang prefecture, in the north-west of the province, formerly salt comptroller in the Liang-huai region of Chiang-su and Anhui.\n\n33\n\n159\n\nThe chief secretary chalked on the blackboard the subject for the day's discussion, which was what arrangements for the future were to be made with regard to the funds of the Yunnan Bank, which had failed; and after a pause a member left his seat, and, ascending some steps at the side of the stage, advanced to the tribune, and, with a bow to the president and his colleagues in front of him, commenced to speak. He was followed by two other speakers, and then a general discussion took place. Everyone appeared to speak very naturally, with quiet dignity, and very little gesture; and even in the general discussion only one member spoke at a time. The speeches were practically extempore, very slight use being made of the notes which the speakers placed on the table before them. Altogether, I was much struck by the air of seriousness and sense of responsibility which seemed to pervade the whole assembly.\n\nThe president did not say, and did not appear to do anything; the vice-president on his right took copious notes the whole time, while the other vice-president appeared to devolve the duties of a speaker in our sense of the term, questions addressed to the chair being answered by him. Both vice-presidents were comparatively young men, the one being 40 and the other only 35 years of age.\n\nAt about half past eleven Mr. Nieh invited me and my companions to go downstairs and have some refreshment, so I had to leave the hall before any voting on the subject under discussion took place. Chinese cakes and sweet champagne followed, and shortly before noon I left for home.\n\nIn my despatch No. 46 of the 30th October I stated that 62 members in all were elected, and that Yünnan prefecture had returned six members. I was informed by Mr. Nieh and Mr. Wong that the total number of members was 68, and that Yunnan prefecture had returned 10 members.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nP. E. O'BRIEN-BUTLER.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428254, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 179, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n177\n\nCO\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[January 24]\n\n3502\n\nSECTION 1 RECO\n\nTREG 3 FEB 10\n\n[2606]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Sir F. Campbell,-(Received January 24.)\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, January 22, 1910.\n\nI telegraphed Hillier last night as follows:~~~\n\n\"The Times, London, publishes New York telegram reporting Imperial edict has been issued ratifying Kinchow-Tsitsihar-Aigun Railway loan 10,000,000. Do you confirm?\";\n\nand have this morning received his reply :-\n\n\"Referring to your telegram of 21st, report is denied in Chinese official quarters.”\n\nThis may be considered as so far satisfactory, but, as there is still an element of uncertainty in Hillier's reply, it would be a relief to us if you could see your way to anticipate the arrival of your letter at Peking by a telegram to Sir John Jordan informing him of the British and Chinese Corporation's claim to participation in the Tsitsihar loan contract in lieu of the existing contract for the Fakumen Railway loan.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n[2581 aa- -1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428274, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 199, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government\n\n197 4196\n\n2\n\ncalculated to compete with the existing Eastern Chinese railways can only be raised when Russia and Japan have signified their consent. There is no secret about Russian and Japanese rights in this matter: these rights are defined by international treaties which were duly communicated to the Government of the United States. To enter into diplomatic intrigues with Germany and China without previously consulting Russia and Japan only shows a lack of diplomatic education which can scarcely be regarded as an ornament in one who occupies the responsible position of Secretary of State to the great American Republic. From information which has reached the press it would seem that the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs is seriously considering Mr. Knox's frivolous proposal. If M. Isvolsky has plenty of time on his hands he may of course employ it, among other things, in studying the scheme for the trade neutralisation of Manchuria, invented by American politicians in their leisure hours, but it would be much more useful if he would employ it on more productive work, in considering, for instance, the great question of how to achieve the harmonious working of the northern and southern portions of the Eastern Chinese Railway. The Japanese Commission which visited St. Petersburgh last summer for the special purpose of establishing an agreement on this question returned to Tokyo without having apparently achieved any result. The preparation of a plan of traffic and a formula of tariffs acceptable to both Russia and Japan would be incomparably more useful than wasting time on the consideration of Mr. Knox's handiwork, which is not necessary to anyone except American politicians, and is harmful to all in the Far East. The decision of this question, so important for the external relations of Russia with her neighbours, will, perhaps, prove in the long run to depend, not on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, but on other departments which have their own foreign policy.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nA. NICOLSON.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[2389]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[January\n\nREAL FEB 10 SECTION 1.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office. —(Received January 21.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Dear Mr. Greg,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, January 21, 1910. REFERRING to our conversation by telephone last night, I should like to make clear the nature of the claim to participation of the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), in the proposed Chinchow-Tsi-tsi-har Railway. It is based on the Fukumen loan contract, signed by Bland and Tang Shao-Yi on the 23rd November, 1907. That contract was suspended, but never abandoned, in deference to the Foreign Office view that the Japanese objection to the construction of a railway which would eventually find its terminus at Tsi-tsi-har was valid. If that objection is now removed, as shown by the British Minister's support, subject to Japanese participation, of the Chinchow-Tsi-tsi-har Railway, then the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) feel that they have a right to claim his support in pressing the Chinese Government either for the fulfilment of the original Fakumen contract or for participation in the Chinchow-Tsi-tsi-har loan by way of compensation.\n\nI enclose a copy of the Fakumen loan contract for your file, and also a copy of Paulings' construction contract. You will observe that they are distinct and separate documents, and that the prosecution of the British and Chinese Corporation's claim does not in any way conflict with Paulings' rights, which are confined to the construction of the line, but have nothing to do with its finance.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bland to the British and Chinese Corporation, London.\n\nPeking, November 23, 1907. I HAVE the honour to enclose copy of the contract, as agreed to on the 20th instant between his Excellency Tang Shao-Yi and myself, for the loan of a sum of 500,000l. for the Northern Railways extension to Fakumen. Owing to the possibility of diplomatic complications, the matter was necessarily hurried, and my stay in Mukden was curtailed to two days because of the urgency of business in connection with the Hangchow negotiations, but I trust that the results will not be considered unsatisfactory by your board. If this loan and the construction by Messrs. Pauling and Co. go through satisfactorily, the business should afford a most useful precedent and lead to the completion of the line to Tsi-tsi-har in the first instance, and the conclusion of similar agreements for other railways.\n\nI have to-day telegraphed to you, in connection with the above, as follows:- \"With reference to my telegram of the 12th and yours of the 15th instant, we have signed an agreement with Tang Shao-Yi subject to Imperial edict, which we expect, in the absence of political complications, in three weeks. Agreement going forward via Russia to-day. Security for loan to be Imperial edict, revenue of this extension and salt revenues Fengtien 380,000 taels. Loan to be issued at option Chinese Government in twelve months, British and Chinese Corporation retaining 5 points, advancing 50,000l. (at) 6 per cent. Loan to be redeemable in thirty years, commencing eleventh year, the usual premium. The extension to be part of Northern Railways, administration, operation the same way, After construction the same engineer-in-chief. With a view to preventing interference others it is important keep this strictly confidential pending issue Imperial edict.”\n\n[2581]\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. O. P. BLAND,\n\nRepresentative in China.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428276, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 201, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Great Britain, and should such bonds not be recovered after a lapse of time to be fixed by the corporation, the railway administration, or the Chinese Minister in London, shall seal and execute duplicate bonds for a like amount and hand them to the corporation, by whom all expenses in connection therewith shall be defrayed.\n\nArt. 11. The accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the extension shall be kept in the same way as those of the Imperial Railways of North China, and a report thereof shall be furnished to the head office of the Imperial Railways of North China to be published with their annual report.\n\nAll receipts and earnings of the extension shall be paid into the credit of the railway administration account with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, Tien-tsin, interest on the credit balance thereof being allowed at the bank's usual rates.\n\nAll expenses of working and maintaining the extension shall be paid from its receipts and earnings, the remainder of which shall then be charged with the service of the loan. If, after payment of these expenses, and making due provision for payment of interest at 5 per cent. per annum on the bonds, and for repayments of principal due in accordance with the schedule hereto attached, there remain surplus funds unappropriated and properly available for other purposes, such funds shall, subject to the provisions of article 12, be at the disposal of the Imperial Chinese Government to be used in such manner as they may think fit.\n\nArt. 12. It is agreed that during the time of construction of the extension the interest on the bonds is to be paid from the proceeds of the loan. The accruing interest from any proceeds of the loan not used during the period of construction, and the earnings derived from the working of any sections of the extension as they are built, shall be used to make up the amount required for the payment of the said interest, and if any deficiency remains it is to be met from the proceeds of the loan.\n\nAfter completion of construction the amounts required for the payments of interest and the repayments of principal as specified in the schedule attached to this agreement, together with a sum of 4 per cent. on such amounts, to cover commission to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, who are hereby appointed agents for the service of the loan, shall be paid to the said bank in Tien-tsin fourteen days before the due dates in local currency sufficient to meet such payments in sterling in London, exchange for which shall be settled with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation; but the railway administration shall have the option of settling exchange with that bank at any date or dates within six months previous to any due dates for the repayment of interest and principal.\n\nAfter payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan for the current year, the railway administration shall deposit with the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation in Tien-tsin any surplus of the net revenue of the extension for that year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalments of interest on the loan; the rate of interest on this deposit to be allowed at the bank's rates for current accounts or fixed deposits, as the case may be, to be arranged.\n\nArt. 13. The Chinese Government hereby unconditionally undertakes to pay the principal of the loan and the interest on the loan on the due dates fixed therefor. If, at any time, the earnings of the extension, together with funds available from the proceeds of the loan, are not sufficient to meet the interest on the bonds and the repayment of principal in accordance with the schedule hereto attached, the deficiency shall be met, in the first place, from the salt li-kin revenues specified in article 7, and if there should still remain a deficiency the railway administration shall devise means of meeting the same, and should its inability to do so appear probable the Viceroy of Manchuria, or in his absence his duly authorised representative, shall memorialise the Imperial Chinese Government to take measures to make up the deficiency from other sources, and thus be ready to pay off the indebtedness, so that the required amount may be placed in each case at least fourteen days previous to the due dates of such payments in the hands of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation.\n\nArt. 14. The bonds of this loan, together with their coupons, and the income of the extension, shall be exempt from all Chinese imposts and taxes.\n\nArt. 15. The term of the loan shall be thirty years. Repayment of principal shall commence after the expiry of ten years from the date of the loan and shall be completed in twenty years by equal annual instalments to the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation as agents for the service of the loan, acting for the corporation under the terms of this agreement, in accordance with the schedule hereto attached.\n\nPage 5\n\nIf at any time after the lapse of ten years from the date of the loan the Imperial Chinese Government should desire to redeem the whole outstanding amount of the loan, or any part of it not yet due for repayment in accordance with the schedule of repayments hereto attached, it may do so until the twentieth year by payment of a premium of 2¼ per cent. on the face value of the bonds (i.e., by payment of £102 10s. for each £100 bond), and after the twentieth year without premium; but in each and every case of such extra redemption the Imperial Chinese Government shall give six months' notice in writing to the corporation, and such extra redemption shall be effected by additional drawings of bonds to take place on the dates of ordinary drawings as provided for in the prospectus of the loan.\n\nArt. 16. It is understood and agreed that so long as this loan is unredeemed the extension shall under no circumstances be mortgaged to any other party.\n\nAs soon as this loan has been completely redeemed this agreement shall become null and void.\n\nArt. 17. This agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial edict dated ... which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nArt. 18. Five sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, three sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and two by the corporation. Should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at ... month of the nineteen hundred and ... by the contracting parties this ... day of the ... day of ...\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nConstruction Contract granted to Messrs. Pauling and Co.\n\nTHE Viceroy and Governor-General of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien are desirous to have the Peking-Mukden Railway line extended from Hsin Min-fu to Fakumen, and have decided to command the works to be constructed by Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited).\n\nThat it is agreed between the Manchurian Government and Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited), that the latter shall construct and complete the said line in a first-class manner.\n\n1. That the line shall be of the same standard of construction as the Peking-Mukden Railway (outside wall).\n\n2. That the land required for line, station, quarries, ballast, pits, and brickyards shall be provided by the Government of Manchuria.\n\n3. The line being an extension of the Peking-Mukden Railway, cordial facilities shall be given by the railway administration, including wharfage for imported materials, the usual special rates for traffic to Hsin Min-fu, access to stone and sand supply on the Hsin Min-fu-Kaopantsze section.\n\n4. All materials required for the construction of this extension line shall be exempt from duties and li-kin.\n\n5. All questions of time and procedure, supply of rolling stock in time for construction, &c., shall be mutually arranged between Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited) and the consulting engineer, always provided that there shall be no unreasonable delay or hindrance to the commencement or progress of the works for causes outside of Messrs. Pauling and Co.'s control.\n\n6. It is understood that the money will be raised or arranged for without any unnecessary delay, and that negotiations for this purpose shall be entered into immediately.\n\n7. In order to expedite the project, it is agreed that we shall commence the survey without any unnecessary delay.\n\n8. The bridges shall be of the same standard and carrying capacity as the Peking-Mukden Railway (outside wall).\n\n9. For all living accommodation, station buildings, platform points, signalling, telegraph and telephone, and everything necessary for efficiency, a sum of £20,000, to include contractors' remuneration, is allocated and included in the mileage construc-...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428279, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 204, "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\n202\n\nCO 1296\n\n[January 24.]\n\nFeb. 10 SECTION 2.\n\n(2523)\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 14.)\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan,\n\nCITINCHOW-AIGUN Railway.\n\nForeign Office, January 24, 1910.\n\nPlease see your telegram No. 3 of the 23rd January. The British and Chinese Corporation are claiming the right to finance the Chinchow line under the loan contract for the Fakumen line as signed by Bland and Tang in November 1907. They base their claim on the argument that in 1907-8 they were co-operating with Paulings in their endeavours to obtain the contract for the Fakumen line, and that now that Chinchow line has been substituted for the Fakumen contract their claim applies equally to the former, since their withdrawal from the Fakumen contract was simply in deference to the wishes of His Majesty's Government in view of Japanese opposition.\n\nIn any case, we left no doubt as to the fact that our support could only be relied on if the Japanese acquiesced, and that in this event we could not support any one firm in preference to any other of equal standing. Moreover, we are not willing wholly to admit the contention that the Chinchow contract is to be regarded as compensation for the Fakumen line.\n\nA possible argument might be that, as the Imperial edict has been obtained independently of this Office, the question of the British and Chinese Corporation's participation is one for settlement between them and Paulings, but before giving any such reply we would wish to have your opinion on the question.\n\n-2-\n\n[2581 aa-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428325, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 250, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nREGF18 EB 10\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[January 23.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[2517]\n\nSir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 23.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSt. Petersburgh, January 23, 1910.\n\n(No. 25.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nPROJECTED railway from Chinchow to Aigun.\n\nI saw M. Isvolsky to-day and his Excellency told me that he had spoken to the American Ambassador quite frankly about this scheme. He had pointed out to him that while any schemes for lines which would act as feeders for the Chinese Eastern Railway would be favourably considered by the Russian Government, lines which would tap that railway could not be expected to have their support. M. Isvolsky seems in a measure to be reverting to his original attitude of hostility to the Chinchow-Aigun project, which he considers would necessitate a large expenditure for the fortification of Blagovestchensk. M. Isvolsky referred once more to the fact that Japan had been consulted before Russia. I explained the position of His Majesty's Government in the matter as set forth in your telegram No. 2 of the 3rd January, but M. Isvolsky did not seem to derive much satisfaction from the explanation. He said that the concession had already been granted by Imperial edict, and that, according to the American Ambassador, His Majesty's Government had acted in this matter identically, and pari passu with the American Government. To this I replied that His Majesty's Government were remaining quite passive, and I added in confidence that instructions had been sent to His Majesty's Minister at Peking to wait until the wishes and views of Russia were known before taking any steps. His Majesty's Government, I said, always kept carefully in mind, and had always kept carefully in mind, the interests and wishes of Russia, and their action in this matter was perfectly loyal to the Russian Government. To my observation that it was impossible for us to restrict the action of our financiers, M. Isvolsky replied that it was possible for us to be induced to afford them our support. To this I replied that, so far, we had not done so, and that, if necessary, we could be obstinate.\n\nM. Isvolsky's attitude on the question was a little troublesome, and I gathered that his tone towards the American Ambassador had been somewhat testy.\n\n[2581 a - 1]\n\n记", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428326, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 251, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "CO 4810\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[3094]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Sir F. Campbell,-(Received January 27.)\n\nDear Sir Francis.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Bank, 31, Lombard Street, London, January 26, 1910.\n\nI ENCLOSE copy of a letter which I received this morning from the Germans, together with my reply.\n\nI hope you may approve what I have written with regard to the alleged support of the British Government in the Kinchow-Aigun negotiations.\n\nI also enclose copy of Hillier's telegram to-day with reference to the tenders for rolling stock on the Hankow-Canton, advertised in the Chinese native press.\n\nCopies of both letters and telegrams have been sent by me to the French as well as to the Germans.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\n(1)\n\nYours, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nDeutsch-Asiatische Bank to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nDear Mr. Addis,\n\nBerlin, January 24, 1910.\n\nALL the newspapers report, and a telegram of Mr. Cordes in Peking confirms, that a preliminary agreement between the American syndicate represented by Mr. Straight and the British syndicate Pauling, on the one part, and the Chinese Government, through the Yuchuanpu, the Duke Tsai Tse, and the Wai-wu Pu, on the other part, has been arrived at, according to which the Chinese will borrow from the American an amount of 50,000,000 taels for the construction of a railway from Kintschow to Tsitsihar, which is to be built by the Pauling syndicate.\n\nOur information goes as far as to say that the negotiations are supported by the American and British Governments, and under such circumstances, considering your close connection with your Foreign Office, we presume that your bank is interested in the new business.\n\nWe shall be glad if you will be able also to let us have our share in the transaction.\n\nHoping to receive a favourable reply, we remain, &c.\n\n(2.)\n\nDeutsch-Asiatische Bank, (Per pro Nissem),\n\nREHDERS.\n\nDear Herr Rehders,\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Herr Rehders.\n\nJanuary 26, 1910.\n\nIN reply to your letter of the 24th January, the preliminary agreement for the Kinchow-Tsitsihar-Aigun Railway loan of 10,000,000l., signed by Mr. W. D. Straight, representing the American syndicate, and Lord Ffrench, representing Messrs. Pauling and Co., of the one part, and by the Viceroy of Manchuria, of the other, was, I am informed, ratified by the issue of an Imperial edict on the 20th instant.\n\n[258]\n\nPage 249\n\nRECO [January 27.] Rroo18 FEB 10\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428337, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 262, "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[3795]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n4810\n\n260\n\nREST\n\nNo 18 FEB 10,\n\n[February 2.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Sir F. Campbell.-(Received February 2.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation,\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, February 1, 1910.\n\nI HAVE just received the enclosed telegram from Hillier. In view of the dangers of delay, to which the telegram refers, I venture to hope that it may be considered expedient to cable instructions to His Majesty's Minister at Peking to associate himself with his American, German, and French colleagues in a joint protest against the action of the Chinese Government in thus flagrantly disregarding the Hukuang international agreement of the 6th June, 1909.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nTelegram received from Peking February 1, 1910.\n\nIMPERIAL edict has been issued, instructing Yuchuan-pu to note applications received from native capitalists for concessions Hupeh section Hankow-Canton Railway, Hankow-Szechuen Railway. Foregoing ignores agreements concluded 6th June. Failure to protest promptly will probably result in concessions definitely given to native capitalists. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine, W. D. Straight are telegraphing similarly.\n\n[2631 6-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428338, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 263, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nRECO\n\n4810\n\n261\n\nREG918 FEB 10,\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[3904]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[February 2.]\n\nSECTION 4.\n\n(No. 56.)\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir A. Nicolson.\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nCHINCHOW-AIGUN Railway.\n\nForeign Office, February 2, 1910.\n\nI have told Count Benckendorff, who raised the question, that Sir J. Jordan had been told some time ago to assume a non-committal attitude, until the view of the Russian Government could be discovered. In order that no doubt should remain in his Excellency's mind, I let him see a copy of my private letter which you will receive by this bag, and I pointed out to him that we had consequently made no representations to the authorities at Peking with a view to obtaining an Imperial edict for the line, and that the Chinese Government have given us no information as to its issue.\n\n[3795]\n\n(No. 21.)\n\nNo. 2.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller,\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nForeign Office, February 2, 1910.\n\nHUKUANG loan. Please refer to Mr. Hillier's telegram of yesterday's date. You should consult with the French, American, and German Ministers as to addressing a joint protest to the Wai-wu Pu with regard to the issue of an Imperial edict encouraging applications from Chinese lenders for the Hupeh sections of the railway, and pointing out to the Chinese Government that this edict directly violates the terms of the preliminary loan agreement.\n\n[2631 6-4]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428394, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 319, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "3170\n\n4\n\nPowers friendly to complete commercial neutralisation of Manchuria to participate in the financing and construction of not only the Chinchow-Aigun line, but also of such additional lines as the future commercial development of this region may demand, and at the same time the supply of funds for the purchase by China of such of the existing lines of railway as might be offered for sale to China and which would be included in her Manchurian railway system.\n\nThe Government of the United States would therefore be pleased to learn that its suggestion with regard to the Chinchow-Aigun Railway also meets with the approval of your Highness's Government, and that the proper arrangements may be undertaken to make the same effective.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[3909]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nRFC 24 FEB IC\n\n[February 3.]\n\nSECTION 6.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nHENRY P. FLETCHER.\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis February 2, 1910.\n\n(1.)\n\nDear Herr Urbig,\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Herr Urbig.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, London, February 2, 1910.\n\nI RECEIVED last night the enclosed telegram from Hillier. The issue of an Imperial edict inviting applications for concessions on the Hupeh section of the Hukuang railways is a different matter altogether from an unofficial advertisement for tenders in an obscure native paper, and demands immediate action.\n\nI have reason to believe that instructions are to be cabled to the British Minister to associate himself with his German, French, and American colleagues in a joint protest against this flagrant disregard by the Chinese Government of our international agreement of the 6th June.\n\nI trust that it may have been found expedient by the German, French, and American Governments to issue similar instructions to their respective Ministers in Peking.\n\nBelieve me, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n(2.)\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nMr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nPeking, February 1, 1910. IMPERIAL edict has been issued instructing Yuchuanpu to note applications received from native capitalists for concessions Hupeh section Hankow-Canton Railway, Hankow-Szechuen Railway. Foregoing ignores agreements concluded the 6th June. Failure to protest promptly will probably result in concessions definitely given to native capitalists. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine, W. D. Straight are telegraphing similarly.\n\n(3.)\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nParis, le 1 février, 1910.\n\nJE suis entièrement du même avis que vous en ce qui concerne notre participation dans la ligne Tchin-tchéon-Aigoun. Nous ne pouvons qu'attendre les ouvertures qui seront faites, sans aucun doute, soit par le Gouvernement américain auprès de nos Gouvernements, soit par Messrs. Morgan auprès de nous-mêmes. Ainsi que je vous l'ai écrit déjà, notre Ministre des Affaires Etrangères estime qu'il n'y a aucune difficulté à prévoir en ce qui nous concerne dans cette affaire.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nSAINT-SIMON.\n\nP.S.-Je vous remercie de la communication que vous avez bien voulu me faire de votre lettre du 31 janvier à Herr Urbig. Les motifs que vous donnez pour expliquer notre abstention sont bien en effet ceux que j'avais aperçus, et je ne puis que confirmer mon opinion à ce sujet.\n\n[2631-6]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428396, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 321, "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\nRECO Rege 24 FEB 10 [February 5,]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n~319\n\n(4159)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Sir F. Campbell.-(Received February 5.)\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, 31, Lombard Street, London, February 4, 1910.\n\nI HAVE to thank you for your letter of the 3rd instant informing me that Sir John Jordan has been instructed to consult with his German, French, and American colleagues with regard to a joint protest against the issue of the edict inviting applications for concessions on the Hukuang Railways.\n\nYou will see from the enclosed correspondence that the French and German Ministers have been instructed to the same effect.\n\nI am pleased to find there is so much demand for our little map, of which I send you herewith another couple of copies.\n\nIt struck me yesterday, in listening to Mr. Grenfell, that he had failed to grasp the full purport of the British proposals with regard to the Hukuang Railways, as stated in our letter of the 25th January. In the hope of clearing the air, I have sent him the enclosed note,* and, at the same time, forwarded copies to Paris and Berlin for the information of the French and German groups.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\n(1.)\n\nYours, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nDear Mr. Addis,\n\nHerr Urbig to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nBerlin, February 2, 1910. I AM in receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, and regret very much that you in London did not see your way to jointly protest against the measures of the Chinese in the Hunan Railway affair. I can fully understand that it is rather difficult for you to occupy a position in this question which is contrary to Mr. Hillier's opinion, and I can perfectly imagine how Mr. Hillier is judging of the present situation.\n\nHe argues that the negotiations with the Chinese had been definitely closed, and that the signature of the agreement had only been prevented by the protest of the Americans. It would now be the affair of the groups to come to an understanding. As soon as the groups would have come to such understanding the American protest in Peking would be withdrawn, and we would face again the situation as it had been before the 6th June, 1909, only changed by the negotiations having now passed into the hands of the Yuchuanpu. As soon as the protest would have been countermanded by the Americans, the Yuchuanpu would be obliged to reopen the negotiations.\n\nI repeat, this is the way of thinking of your colleague Hillier, how I am inclined to see it. He knows China far too well as that he should not have for his advice weighty reasons, the logic of which could certainly not be denied.\n\nI myself am of opinion that it is dangerous to wait for the reopening of the negotiations by the Chinese. I think that if we ignore the invitation for tenders in the present moment, further steps of the Chinese will follow without delay in order to show that they will not have us any more for this railway. If later on we for our part would be desirous to reopen the negotiations, they will tell us that in the meantime other negotiations had been entered into with Chinese companies, and that these negotiations had enjoyed full publicity. Did not we consent hereto, we should have been obliged to approach them.\n\n(2631)\n\n* Not printed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428397, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 322, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This apprehension has already been confirmed in the meantime in so far as you will certainly have seen from yesterday's telegram that an Imperial edict has been published which agrees to negotiations eventually to be entered into with Chinese companies. This edict intentionally ignores the rights of our negotiations up to this time, and I can only hope that, in view of this new information, you will take the final decision to jointly protest in Peking, seconded by the Ambassadors.\n\nWith reference to the Tsi-Tsihar Railway, I perfectly agree to your views set out in your letter to M. Saint-Simon.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\n(2.)\n\nYours, &c.\n\nFR. URBIG,\n\nHerr Urbig to Mr. C. S. Addis, February 4, 1910.\n\nPresume\n\nWith reference to your letter, second instructions will be wired to-day to German Minister, Peking. to jointly protest against procedure Chinese authorities. you have written Paris same sense.\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\n(5.)\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nPuris, le 3 février, 1910. J'ai bien reçu votre lettre du 3 février, qui s'est croisée avec la mienne. Vous aurez vu que nous sommes du même avis l'un et l'autre, en ce qui concerne la nécessité d'une protestation énergique, dans ces conditions où l'affaire se présente actuellement.\n\nCe\n\nJ'ai fait aujourd'hui même une démarche au Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, et l'on va télégraphier jour à notre Ministre à Pékin de se joindre à la démarche collective qui devra être fait par les autres Ministres. Je ne donte pas que, dans ces conditions, nous n'obtienons satisfaction du Gouvernement chinois.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nSAINT-SIMON.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\n(3.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Herr Urbig, February 4, 1910.\n\nYour telegram 4th. Instructions already wired British Minister. French write they are acting similarly.\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\n(4.)\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nBanque de l'Indo-Chine, 15 bis, Rue Lafitte, Paris,\n\nle 2 février, 1910.\n\nNous recevons ce matin de notre directeur à Pékin le télégramme suivant:-\n\n\"Édit Impérial a été publié donnant des instructions Ministère chinois des Communicatious prendre en considération l'application de capitalistes indigènes pour obtenir concession de Chemin de Fer Hankéou-Canton, Chemin de Fer Hankéou- Édit ignore contrat du 6 juin. Si ne proteste pas Tchentou, province de Houpé. immédiatement il est très probable que concession de chemins de fer sera donnée indigènes.\n\nEntendez-vous avec les autres groupes.\"\n\nCe télégramme nous signale un fait d'une importance si grande qu'il paraît impossible de conserver plus longtemps l'attitude passive que, d'accord avec vous, nous avions jusqu'ici estimée là meilleure.\n\nIl me parait que nos trois groupes doivent, au plus tôt, se livrer à une protestation formelle auprès du Gouvernement chinois, en se basant sur les droits que nous confère le contrat du 6 juin. Il appartiendrait, d'autre part, aux États-Unis de protester, s'ils le jugent à propos, en s'appuyant sur les promesses à eux faites par la Chine. Mais quelle que soit l'attitude des Etats-Unis, il semble que nous devions agir, et agir indépendamment d'eux.\n\nJe ne doute pas que cette manière de voir ne soit entièrement la vôtre et celle de nos amis allemands, auxquels j'adresse copie de la présente lettre. Dès que j'aurai reçu votre accord par le fil, je transmettrai à M. Saint-Pierre les instructions nécessaires.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nSAINT-SIMON.\n\n320", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428400, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 325, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nWith regard to all matters connected with the application to the British High Court of Justice, the responsibility will rest entirely with the British and Chinese Corporation, and shall have no concern for China. The fees of the High Court of Justice will be paid by this directorate-general. If it shall be necessary for the director-general to join his name in the application, the director-general must satisfy himself that there are no grounds for objection and he can then affix his signature.\n\nThere is another point. If the Kiangsu and Chekiang Railway Companies submit to the carrying out by the Yu-Chuan Pu in every particular of the provisions of the Shanghae Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan Agreement of the 4th day of the 2nd month of the 34th year of Kuanghsü, then the various sums previously expended for railway purposes by the Kiangsu and Chekiang Railway Companies shall all be paid out of the loan funds.\n\nThe various provisions above recited have all been verbally settled and agreed upon by the present parties, and you are now requested to be so good as to write a letter in reply confirming the same.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nLIANG.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[4324]\n\n(No. 18.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.*\n\nC\n\n323\n\n565-\n\nRECEIVED\n\n24 FEB 10\n\n[February 7.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\n(Telegraphic.) R.\n\nForeign Office, February 7, 1910. Chinese Government have issued Imperial edict inviting applications from native financiers for concessions of Hukuang Railway. This is in direct violation of preliminary loan agreement of 6th June. Sir J. Jordan was instructed 2nd February to consult with his United States, French, and German colleagues as to advisability of addressing immediate joint protest to Wai-wu Pu.\n\nWe have since heard that German and French Ministers are in favour of sending in identic note of protest to Chinese Government, and His Majesty's representative has been authorised to join.\n\nUnited States chargé d'affaires will abstain on ground that United States were not a party to agreement of 6th June.\n\n* Also to Sir F. Bertie, No. 34.\n\n[2631 g-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428428, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 353, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "4\n\nPowers friendly to complete commercial neutralisation of Manchuria to participate in the financing and construction of not only the Chinchow-Aigun line, but also of such additional lines as the future commercial development of this region may demand, and at the same time the supply of funds for the purchase by China of such of the existing lines of railway as might be offered for sale to China and which would be included in her Manchurian railway system.\n\nThe Government of the United States would therefore be pleased to learn that its suggestion with regard to the Chinchow-Aigun Railway also meets with the approval of your Highness's Government, and that the proper arrangements may be undertaken to make the same effective.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[3909]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nC O\n\n351\n\n5654\n\n[February\n\nREC 24 FEB 10. SECTION 6.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nHENRY P. FLETCHER.\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis February 2, 1910.\n\n(1.)\n\nDear Herr Urbig,\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Herr Urbig.\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Bank, London, February 2, 1910.\n\nI RECEIVED last night the enclosed telegram from Hillier. The issue of an Imperial edict inviting applications for concessions on the Hupeh section of the Hukuang railways is a different matter altogether from an unofficial advertisement for tenders in an obscure native paper, and demands immediate action.\n\nI have reason to believe that instructions are to be cabled to the British Minister to associate himself with his German, French, and American colleagues in a joint protest against this flagrant disregard by the Chinese Government of our international agreement of the 6th June.\n\nI trust that it may have been found expedient by the German, French, and American Governments to issue similar instructions to their respective Ministers in Peking.\n\nBelieve me, &c.\n\n(2)\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nMr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nPeking, February 1, 1910. IMPERIAL edict has been issued instructing Yuchuanpu to note applications received from native capitalists for concessions Hupeh section Hankow-Canton Railway, Hankow-Szechuen Railway. Foregoing ignores agreements concluded the 6th June. Failure to protest promptly will probably result in concessions definitely given to native capitalists. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine, W. D. Straight are telegraphing similarly.\n\n(3.)\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\nParis, le 1 février, 1910. JE suis entièrement du même avis que vous en ce qui concerne notre participation dans la ligne Tchin-tchéou-Aigun. Nous ne pouvons qu'attendre les ouvertures qui seront faites, sans aucun doute, soit par le Gouvernement américain auprès de nos Gouvernements, soit par Messrs. Morgan auprès de nous-mêmes. Ainsi que je vous l'ai écrit déjà, notre Ministre des Affaires Etrangères estime qu'il n'y a aucune difficulté à prévoir en ce qui nous concerne dans cette affaire.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nSAINT-SIMON.\n\nP.S.-Je vous remercie de la communication que vous avez bien voulu me faire de votre lettre du 31 janvier à Herr Urbig. Les motifs que vous donnez pour expliquer notre abstention sont bien en effet ceux que j'avais aperçus, et je ne puis que confirmer mon opinion à ce sujet.\n\n[2631 6-6]\n\nS.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428430, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 355, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Page 353\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nC [February 5 1910\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(4159)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nRec'd 24 FEB 10\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Sir F. Campbell.-(Received February 5.)\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nHong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, 31, Lombard Street, London, February 4, 1910.\n\nI HAVE to thank you for your letter of the 3rd instant informing me that Sir John Jordan has been instructed to consult with his German, French, and American colleagues with regard to a joint protest against the issue of the edict inviting applications for concessions on the Hukuang Railways.\n\nYou will see from the enclosed correspondence that the French and German Ministers have been instructed to the same effect.\n\nI am pleased to find there is so much demand for our little map, of which I send you herewith another couple of copies.\n\nIt struck me yesterday, in listening to Mr. Grenfell, that he had failed to grasp the full purport of the British proposals with regard to the Hukuang Railways, as stated in our letter of the 25th January. In the hope of clearing the air, I have sent him the enclosed note,* and, at the same time, forwarded copies to Paris and Berlin for the information of the French and German groups.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nPapers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\n(1.)\n\nYours, &c.\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nDear Mr. Addis,\n\nHerr Urbig to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nBerlin, February 2, 1910. I AM in receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, and regret very much that you in London did not see your way to jointly protest against the measures of the Chinese in the Hunan Railway affair. I can fully understand that it is rather difficult for you to occupy a position in this question which is contrary to Mr. Hillier's opinion, and I can perfectly imagine how Mr. Hillier is judging of the present situation.\n\nHe argues that the negotiations with the Chinese had been definitely closed, and that the signature of the agreement had only been prevented by the protest of the Americans. It would now be the affair of the groups to come to an understanding. As soon as the groups would have come to such understanding the American protest in Peking would be withdrawn, and we would face again the situation as it had been before the 6th June, 1909, only changed by the negotiations having now passed into the hands of the Yuchuanpu. As soon as the protest would have been countermanded by the Americans, the Yuchuanpu would be obliged to reopen the negotiations.\n\nI repeat, this is the way of thinking of your colleague Hillier, how I am inclined to see it. He knows China far too well as that he should not have for his advice weighty reasons, the logic of which could certainly not be denied.\n\nI myself am of opinion that it is dangerous to wait for the reopening of the negotiations by the Chinese. I think that if we ignore the invitation for tenders in the present moment, further steps of the Chinese will follow without delay in order to show that they will not have us any more for this railway. If later on we for our part would be desirous to reopen the negotiations, they will tell us that in the meantime other negotiations had been entered into with Chinese companies, and that these negotiations had enjoyed full publicity. Did not we consent hereto, we should have been obliged to approach them.\n\n[2031 -1]\n\n* Not printed.\n\nPage 353", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428431, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 356, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "354\n\n2\n\nThis apprehension has already been confirmed in the meantime in so far as you will certainly have seen from yesterday's telegram that an Imperial edict has been published which agrees to negotiations eventually to be entered into with Chinese companies. This edict intentionally ignores the rights of our negotiations up to this time, and I can only hope that, in view of this new information, you will take the final decision to jointly protest in Peking, seconded by the Ambassadors.\n\nWith reference to the Tsi-Tsihar Railway, I perfectly agree to your views set out in your letter to M. Saint-Simon.\n\nYours, &c.\n\nFR. URBIG.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\n(2.)\n\nHerr Urbig to Mr. C. S. Addis, February 4, 1910.\n\nWith reference to your letter, second instructions will be wired to-day to German Minister, Peking, to jointly protest against procedure of Chinese authorities. You have written to Paris in the same sense.\n\n3\n\n(5.)\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\n5654\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\nParis, le 3 février 1910\n\nJ'ai bien reçu votre lettre du 3 février, qui s'est croisée avec la mienne. Vous aurez vu que nous sommes du même avis l'un et l'autre, en ce qui concerne la nécessité d'une protestation énergique, dans les conditions où l'affaire se présente actuellement.\n\nJ'ai fait aujourd'hui même une démarche au Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, et l'on va télégraphier ce jour à notre Ministre à Pékin de se joindre à la démarche collective qui devra être faite par les autres Ministres. Je ne doute pas que, dans ces conditions, nous n'obtenions satisfaction du Gouvernement chinois.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nSAINT-SIMON.\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\n(3.)\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Herr Urbig, February 4, 1910.\n\nYour telegram 4th. Instructions already wired to British Minister. French write they are acting similarly.\n\n(4.)\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nBanque de l'Indo-Chine, 15 bis, Rue Lafitte, Paris,\n\nle 2 février, 1910.\n\nNous recevons ce matin de notre directeur à Pékin le télégramme suivant :\n\n61\n\nEdit Impérial a été publié donnant des instructions au Ministère chinois des Communications de prendre en considération l'application de capitalistes indigènes pour obtenir la concession du Chemin de Fer Hankéou-Canton, Chemin de Fer Hankéou-Tchentou, province de Houpé. Edit ignore contrat du 6 juin. Si nous ne protestons pas immédiatement, il est très probable que la concession de chemins de fer sera donnée aux indigènes.\n\n\"Entendez-vous avec les autres groupes.\"\n\nCe télégramme nous signale un fait d'une importance si grande qu'il paraît impossible de conserver plus longtemps l'attitude passive que, d'accord avec vous, nous avions jusqu'ici estimée la meilleure.\n\nIl me paraît que nos trois groupes doivent, au plus tôt, se livrer à une protestation formelle auprès du Gouvernement chinois, en se basant sur les droits que nous confère le contrat du 6 juin. Il appartiendrait, d'autre part, aux États-Unis de protester, s'ils le jugent à propos, en s'appuyant sur les promesses à eux faites par la Chine, quelle que soit l'attitude des États-Unis, il semble que nous devions agir, et agir indépendamment d'eux.\n\nJe ne doute pas que cette manière de voir ne soit entièrement la vôtre et celle de nos amis allemands, auxquels j'adresse copie de la présente lettre. Dès que j'aurai reçu votre accord par le fil, je transmettrai à M. Saint-Pierre les instructions nécessaires.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nSAINT-SIMON.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428434, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 359, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nWith regard to all matters connected with the application to the British High Court of Justice, the responsibility will rest entirely with the British and Chinese Corporation, and shall have no concern for China. The fees of the High Court of Justice will be paid by this directorate-general. If it shall be necessary for the director-general to join his name in the application, the director-general must satisfy himself that there are no grounds for objection and he can then affix his signature.\n\nThere is another point. If the Kiangsu and Chekiang Railway Companies submit to the carrying out by the Yu-Yüan P'u in every particular of the provisions of the Shanghae-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway Loan Agreement of the 4th day of the 2nd month of the 34th year of Kuanghsü, then the various sums previously expended for railway purposes by the Kiangsu and Chekiang Railway Companies shall all be paid out of the loan funds.\n\nThe various provisions above recited have all been verbally settled and agreed upon by the present parties, and you are now requested to be so good as to write a letter in reply confirming the same.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nLIANG.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[4324]\n\n(No. 18.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.*\n\nCO 357/5654\n\n[February 7.]\n\nSECTION 2G24 TER 10\n\n(Telegraphic.) R.\n\nForeign Office, February 7, 1910. CHINESE Government have issued Imperial edict inviting applications from native financiers for concessions of Hukuang Railway. This is in direct violation of preliminary loan agreement of 6th June. Sir J. Jordan was instructed 2nd February to consult with his United States, French, and German colleagues as to advisability of addressing immediate joint protest to Wai-wu Pu.\n\nWe have since heard that German and French Ministers are in favour of sending in identic note of protest to Chinese Government, and His Majesty's representative has been authorised to join.\n\nUnited States chargé d'affaires will abstain on ground that United States were not a party to agreement of 6th June.\n\n* Also to Sir F. Bertie, No. 34.\n\n[2631 g-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428472, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 397, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\nl'Angleterre et l'Allemagne pour contrôler en chef les premières sections du Hankéou-Canton et du Hankéou-Tchentou, en acceptant en outre de partager en quatre sections égales de 600 kilom. la ligne Sétchouen, le Gouvernement français estime qu'il fait preuve d'un esprit de conciliation et de modération qu'en toute équité le Gouvernement anglais devrait reconnaître en adhérant aux deux réserves expresses mises à notre assentiment: attribution de la quatrième section du Sétchouen, qui nous rapproche de la zone du Yunnan où nous avons des intérêts de fait considérables, et adjonction d'un ingénieur en second sur le Hankéou-Canton.\n\nParis, le 11 février, 1910.\n\n+\n\n[B]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL\n\n395\n\n[February 15, 1909]\n\nSECTION 20\n\nREGE 4 MAR 10\n\n[5384]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co. to Foreign Office.—(Received February 15.)\n\n26, Victoria Street, Westminster, London,\n\nFebruary 14, 1909.\n\nI AM desired to inform you that we have received an urgent cable from our representative, Lord ffrench, on the matter of the Chenchow-Aigun construction contract, which has been finally approved and authorised by an Imperial edict.\n\nI am directed to draw your attention to the letter which we addressed to His Majesty's Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the 17th December last, in which we, in the most earnest manner, respectfully requested His Majesty's Government to render to British contractors the same measure of support and assistance which the American Government has rendered to her subjects on the financial side of this same construction contract.\n\nIt is, we confess, with but little hope that we again venture to address His Majesty's Secretary of State on this subject.\n\nIn the letter above referred to we ventured to point out that an inadvisable situation would be created if the final edict sanctioning the construction of the line were issued without the Japanese having stated that moderate participation in the scheme which His Majesty's Government led us to understand the Japanese Government desired in order to withdraw their opposition.\n\nWe have further been led, both officially and unofficially, to understand that His Majesty's Government would do their best to obtain this information from the Japanese Government, and that, when obtained, they would so inform us.\n\nThe non-definition by Japan of her views on the matter of participation has created such a prolonged period of delay that it seems a perfectly justifiable presumption on our part to believe that Japan's policy is to effectually prevent the construction of the line.\n\nLord ffrench now informs us that the British Minister in Peking has been instructed to inform the Chinese Government, and has so informed them, that, in His Majesty's Government's opinion, the Chinese should consult both the Japanese and the Russian Governments before signing the final arrangements for the contract with us.\n\nLord ffrench also informs us that neither the Chinese authorities nor the American Government will agree to a participation for either Government other than that founded on a reasonable business basis, inasmuch as the Chinese have granted no concession or monopoly to anyone.\n\nAll that has been sanctioned is a loan agreement for the raising of the necessary funds and a construction contract for the building of the line.\n\nThe line, when completed, remains the property of the Chinese Government, and the American loan would be similar to other railway loans issued by the Chinese Government.\n\nThe present action of His Majesty's Government amounts, in the eyes of the Chinese Government and our American friends, practically to a complete disowning of the interests of ourselves, as a British firm of contractors, in the scheme, and to most clearly signify that His Majesty's Government is unfavourable to the construction of this railway. We are advised by Lord ffrench that the effect will be to seriously injure our position in China and to impair our relations with our American friends.\n\nWe have been more than once assured by His Majesty's Government that they would render as much and as equal support as they had been accustomed to render to the British and Chinese Corporation in their railway undertakings, and Secretary Sir Edward Grey was good enough personally to assure our Mr. George Pauling and Mr. Percy Browne that this matter was engaging his personal and careful consideration, and that all that could be done for us in the matter would be done.\n\n[2631 p-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428473, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 398, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "396\n\n2\n\nWe therefore venture (at what we would term the eleventh hour) to ask His Majesty's Government, instead of forcing the Chinese Government and the American Government to solicit this information from the Russian and Japanese Governments, to act as a friendly mediator in the matter, and to obtain on our behalf a definite statement from the Japanese and Russian Governments as to what is the moderate participation in this scheme that they desire, and to inform us accordingly, as we have reason to believe, provided this participation is a reasonable and businesslike one, and definitely described, that it will be granted.\n\nIn the event of the participation demanded by either or both Governments being clearly excessive and unreasonable, will His Majesty's Government use their best endeavours to support our American allies and ourselves with the Chinese Government?\n\nWe are, &c. (Pauling and Co., Limited),\n\nJ. M. SCOTT, Secretary.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n6486\n\n[B]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[6157]\n\n(No. 71.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce,\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n[February 16.]\n\nPAGE 4 MAR 10)\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, February 16, 1910.\n\nThe United States Ambassador told me yesterday that Mr. Knox was much surprised to hear that we had made a representation at Peking adverse to the Chinchow-Aigun Railway proposal, as he had understood that we were prepared to support it. Mr. Knox wished to know what was the explanation of this change of attitude on our part, and what our attitude would now be towards the project.\n\nI explained to the Ambassador in general terms what had passed, but asked him to call again when I had been able to look up the history of the whole project; and I told him that I would then give him a copy of the 1899 agreement with Russia, of which he had not previously heard.\n\nWhen the Ambassador came again to-day, I explained that we had originally expressed our pleasure at the co-operation of British and American financiers in a railway project to which in principle we were favourable. But we had stated that in view of Japanese interests we could not press this project at Peking until Japanese participation had been arranged. We had therefore enquired whether the United States Government would be favourable to Japanese participation. As a result, we had both recommended Japanese participation to the Chinese at Peking. Pending the settlement of this point, we ourselves were unable to do anything further, though the American Legation had continued to support the project, and had secured an edict in favour of it which had not been communicated to us by the Chinese.\n\nMeanwhile, the Russians had heard of the project and had been told that we had supported it. M. Isvolsky at once pointed out that the railway was intended to extend to the Russian frontier, and that it would raise serious strategical, as well as economic, questions for Russia. He had reproached us for not having told him about the matter before, and had said that we had broken the 1899 agreement between Great Britain and Russia by supporting the project. I had replied that, as a matter of fact, we had not supported the project at Peking, because we had been unable to do so until the settlement of the point as to Japanese participation. M. Isvolsky had then intimated that, as the proposed railway would in its final form affect Russian interests quite as much as Japanese interests, it would be only reasonable that we should say as much at Peking on behalf of Russia as we had already said on behalf of Japan. This had seemed to me to be reasonable, and I had warned the Chinese Government of the impossibility of ignoring Russian and Japanese interests and of arriving at a final settlement without consulting the Russian and Japanese Governments.\n\nAny misunderstanding at Washington must have arisen through my omitting to inform Mr. Whitelaw Reid here that we had actually made this representation at Peking, as well as of the position in which we were placed by the 1899 agreement with Russia. Had the point occurred to me, I would have informed him sooner, though I had already, on the 7th February, pointed out to him what our attitude was with regard to Russia.\n\nFurther reference to the papers has reminded me that we had instructed His Majesty's chargé d'affaires on the 5th instant to inform his American colleague of the warning to be given to the Chinese Government.\n\nAs to the 1899 agreement, I had told M. Isvolsky that it seemed to have lapsed when the Russians asked for participation in a railway in the Yang-tsze region. To this M. Isvolsky had replied that the Russian request for participation in a railway in which Great Britain was already participating and to which we were favourable was not so important a matter as the giving of our support to a project for a railway in the north that would actually touch the Russian frontier, a railway in which Russia was not participating and by which her interests might be damaged. There was some\n\n[2631 y--3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428538, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 463, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n8850\n\n460\n\n[January 14.]\n\nBY 4 APR 10!\n\n## SECTION 3.\n\n[1567]\n\n(No. 9.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 14.)\n\n(Telegraphic.) P.\n\nMANCHURIAN railways.\n\nPeking, January 14, 1910.\n\nIn accordance with the sense of the instructions contained in your telegram No. 6 of the 11th instant, I have, in spite of requests received from the representatives of Paulings and of the American financial group, held aloof from the action now being taken by the United States chargé d'affaires, who, under his Government's instructions, is urging the Chinese to ratify the preliminary agreement of the 2nd October last in regard to the Chinchow-Aigun Railway. The ratification in question would be effected by means of an Imperial decree,\n\n(Confidential.)\n\nAccording to my American colleague, the Chinese are desirous of building the Chinchow-Aigun Railway, and would probably be prepared to issue an edict, were the preliminary agreement modified in such a manner as to be brought into line with the agreements already drawn up in regard to other lines, such as the Hukuang system.\n\n: \n\n[2581 -3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428549, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 474, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nAt the Wuhu terminus of the line Mr. Berents had instructions before leaving to commence the filling in and banking of the company's settlement lot and the deepening of the boundary creek, but these works will probably be postponed until his return.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nH. H. FOX.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n471\n\n9850\n\nRec'd March 7 4 APR 10\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[7909]\n\n(No. 51.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 7.)\n\nPeking, February 15, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of the identic note which, in conjunction with the German and French Ministers, I have addressed to the Chinese Government with reference to the issue of an Imperial edict referring to the Board of Communications an application from certain native capitalists for a concession to build the Hupei section of the Hankow-Canton and the Hankow-Szechuan Railways, together with a literal translation of the edict in question.\n\nMr. Hillier spoke to me on the subject the day after the edict was published, but, as I explained to you in my telegram No. 21 of the 5th February, I thought it best to endeavour to ascertain what action, if any, the Board of Communications was likely to take on the edict, as I was unwilling needlessly to give the Chinese Government an opportunity of asking awkward questions as to our preparedness to sign the initialled agreement. My impression of the real object of the edict, of which the version contained in your telegram No. 21 of the 2nd February appeared to give rather an exaggerated idea, was that it was a convenient means of shelving an inconvenient application, and this impression has been subsequently confirmed by Liang Shih-yi, Director-General of Railways, who said that the board would not take any action on the edict. However, the German Minister having received instructions to make a formal protest, and having been erroneously informed that I had already been similarly instructed, the French Minister and I thought it better to ask authority to join in addressing a mild identic note to the Chinese Government calling attention to the terms of the edict as conflicting with the spirit of the agreement of the 6th June, Count Rex said that he had gathered from Prince Ching that such a step would not be acceptable to the central Government as strengthening their hands in dealing with the opposition in the provinces, while we were all alive to the possible danger involved in passing by the edict in total silence. Count Rex subsequently agreed to tone down the rather peremptory terms of the note as originally drafted by him, so as to enable M. de Margerie and me to send notes couched in identic terms. I have little doubt that the action of the bankers here was largely influenced by the hope of thus bringing home to their respective groups the great danger of further delay in arriving at an acceptable agreement among themselves.\n\nI have, &c. (For the Minister),\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nPeking, February 12, 1910.\n\nON the 6th June, 1909, his Excellency Chang Chih-tung, acting on behalf of the Chinese Government, initialled an agreement with the British, French, and German groups for a 5 per cent. loan of £5,500,000 for the construction of the Hukwang sections of the Canton-Hankow and the Szechuan-Hankow Railways.\n\nOn the application of certain Chinese capitalists for the railway concession in Hupei, an Imperial edict was published on the 30th January, which has the appearance of ignoring the rights acquired in the aforesaid agreement of the 6th June, 1909, by the three groups, in the construction of the Hukwang sections of the Canton-Hankow and the Szechuan-Hankow Railways.\n\nMy Government are desirous of obtaining an assurance that this edict cannot be", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428550, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 475, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "472\n\n2\n\ninterpreted in any way as modifying the position taken up some months ago by the Imperial Government towards the financial groups concerned.\n\nShould the persons mentioned in this edict attempt to invoke it in order to exercise rights conflicting with the previous undertakings of the Imperial Government, His Majesty's Government desire to state at once that they would refuse to recognise the validity of such a claim, and would reserve to themselves the right to demand from the Imperial Government that there should be no infringement of the agreement in principle established by common consent on the 6th June last.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n[B]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[8166]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n9850\n\n[March 8.]\n\n4 APR 10!\n\nSECTION 3.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nImperial Edict of January 30, 1910.\n\nTHE Censorate has presented a petition on behalf of the assistant superintendent of the Ta Ch'ing Bank, Li Ta Chan, and others stating that cash funds have been provided for the Hupei sections of the Canton-Hankow Railway and of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway, and requesting authorisation for them to be undertaken by merchants.\n\nLet the Board of Posts and Communications take note.\n\nMr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received March 8.)\n\nSir,\n\nAmerican Embassy, London, March 7, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 2nd February relative to the Hukuang loan negotiations, in which it was stated that your proposal to divide the Szechuen Railway (Hankow-Ichang) into four equal parts between the four groups was not unacceptable to the French Government provided that the principle of equality between the French and British Governments be extended to the Hankow-Canton Railway by the appointment of a French sub-engineer, and that in the event of China granting the concession for the extension beyond Ichang the French group receive as compensation for the section they are giving up to the American group the fourth or most westerly section of the Hankow-Szechuen line. Furthermore, you were so good as to inform me that in your reply to the French Government, you noted with satisfaction their acceptance of the proposal with reference to the division of the Szechuen line, but deprecated the opening by France of other questions.\n\nHaving communicated your note to my Government, I have the honour to inform you that I am now in receipt of instructions from the Secretary of State to the effect that the United States regrets, for reasons already stated, that it cannot accept the proposal of Great Britain to divide the Hankow-Szechuen line into four equal engineering sections.\n\nBut my Government is prepared to yield in favour of France 100 kilom. engineering rights on the Szechuen extension provided that Great Britain will satisfy France's desire in other respects—this proposal being, however, subject to the conditions stated in the aide-mémoire, which I communicated to the Foreign Office on the 29th December last.\n\nI am instructed to bring again to your consideration and, it is hoped, for your favourable action, this American proposal for an early settlement of the vexed question. It now appears to be acceptable to all the other interests concerned with the exception of the British. I cannot doubt that it is as obvious to you as to all our other associates, that while the various Governments and financial groups are spending time in the discussion of the shadowy rights of a concession that has not yet been and may never be granted, they themselves are in grave danger of losing, because of the growing strength of the local opposition, the substance of the agreement which has already been initialled.\n\nThe facts therefore seem to force upon the Government of the United States the opinion that it now rests with Great Britain, by joining with the United States in meeting the reasonable desires of the French group, to decide whether or not there is to be any finality in these negotiations.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nWHITELAW REID.\n\n[2667 h—3]\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428612, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 537, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "C.0.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n2\n\nsoldiery on the walls, seeing this large body of men approaching, paid no heed to Huang's statements that they had come in peace, lost their heads and opened fire. Huang was seriously wounded, and the soldiers, considering themselves betrayed, broke away again. Admiral Li then attacked them in earnest, and, having little ammunition and useless rifles, they dispersed and fled.\n\nThe list of casualties, at first said to be anything from 400 to 500 men, has now dwindled to 100 or less, and surrenders are reported daily. The local guilds and charitable organisations have interested themselves in the matter, and, thanks to their efforts, more sense, a compromise has been arrived at, in terms of which both parties - the high provincial authorities and the soldiers - acknowledge that the unfortunate affair was due to mutual misunderstanding, and each man surrendering is given a present of 3 dollars to return to his home and a pass securing him from all further molestation on arrival there.\n\nThe incident may therefore be considered practically closed, and has, in my opinion, no political significance. The rumour, current when I submitted my first report, and quoted by me, to the effect that the agents of the Ko Ming Tang were stirring up the soldiery, is, as far as I can ascertain, without foundation.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n[B]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n(11695)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Muller.\n\nReceived 21 APR 10\n\n[April 5.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n(No. 113.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, April 5, 1910.\n\nTHE Chinese Minister communicated to me to-day a translation of a telegram from the Wai-wu Pu, of which a copy is enclosed.\n\nI said that I would take it into consideration, and reply to it on Thursday the 7th. I wished to observe at once, however, that I too would regret being unable to receive Prince Tsai-tao, because if that happened it would mean that the cordial and friendly relations which I had desired to preserve with the Chinese Government no longer existed.\n\nI also told him that the appointment of Sir Robert Bredon was not regarded at Peking in the way in which it was described in this communication; I had even been told that, unless it was altered, it would be looked upon there as an insult to us. Though, therefore, I deferred my reply to the whole communication until Thursday, I wished him to understand the great importance which I attached to the question of Sir Robert Bredon's appointment.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nWai-wu Pu to Li Ching-fong.\n\n(Translation.) (Telegraphic.)\n\nYOUR telegram of the 30th ultimo received.\n\nApril 3, 1910.\n\n1. As regards the case of the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company, an Imperial edict was issued last December ordering the Viceroy of Chihli to open negotiations with a view to settling it. No other measures for dealing with the matter should be proposed until these negotiations have brought to light what should be the real clue to the settlement of the case. It would be therefore premature to refer this case to arbitration at the present moment.\n\n2. As regards the case of our boundary dispute with Portugal over Macao, the negotiations will be resumed as soon as the leave of absence granted to Minister Liu expires. China and Portugal have been conducting negotiations in a friendly manner in regard to this question, and such negotiations have never been broken off. If the British Government has no wish to intervene in the matter we would submit that the present moment is too early for England to come forward on the ground of her treaty relations with Portugal.\n\n3. As regards the sum of money paid for the settlement of the Anhui Mining Concession case, a telegraphic remittance of the amount was made from Shanghae on the 2nd instant to London through the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, to be paid over.\n\n4. As to the appointment of Sir Robert Bredon, we, in deference to the wishes of the British Government, have not retained him longer in the capacity of Acting Inspector-General of the Imperial Chinese Customs, and this action, we hope, will also be considered as a further proof of our friendliness towards Great Britain. But considering that Sir Robert Bredon has been in the service of the Chinese Government for several decades, and being now disengaged he has been attached to the Shui-wu Chu (Board of Customs), so as to be ready to give advice, if required; but he has not been given any administrative post. What his position is is quite clear and definite, and it is a misunderstanding to suppose that he has been appointed to control the Customs administration.\n\nChina attaches great importance to the maintenance of friendly relations with", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428644, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 569, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[3923]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nC. O. 566\n\n[February 3,]\n\n4550\n\nSECTION 1. REC\n\nREG 28 PK 10\n\nMr. Mar Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 3.)\n\n(No. 18.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\n## CHINCHOW-AIGUN Railway\n\nPeking, February 3, 1910.\n\nI have been told by the Russian Minister that the representative of the American financial group is negotiating with the Chinese for the conclusion of a final and detailed agreement. These negotiations, so Liang Tun-yen assured M. Korostovetz, are to be carried on without interruption through the holidays at the Chinese New Year.\n\nI told the Russian Minister that my instructions were to take no action in the matter at present. We were unaware, I said, of these new negotiations, nor had the edict ever been officially communicated to this legation.\n\nFrom what I am told, the terms on which Russia and Japan would be prepared to participate in the railway have not yet been disclosed by the respective Governments.\n\n[2631]\n\n-11\n\nPage 1\n\n...\n\nPage 2\n\n \nbecomes simply \n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[3923]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nC. O. 566\n\n[February 3,]\n\n4550\n\nSECTION 1. REC\n\nREG 28 PK 10\n\nMr. Mar Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 3.)\n\n(No. 18.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\n## CHINCHOW-AIGUN Railway\n\nPeking, February 3, 1910.\n\nI have been told by the Russian Minister that the representative of the American financial group is negotiating with the Chinese for the conclusion of a final and detailed agreement. These negotiations, so Liang Tun-yen assured M. Korostovetz, are to be carried on without interruption through the holidays at the Chinese New Year.\n\nI told the Russian Minister that my instructions were to take no action in the matter at present. We were unaware, I said, of these new negotiations, nor had the edict ever been officially communicated to this legation.\n\nFrom what I am told, the terms on which Russia and Japan would be prepared to participate in the railway have not yet been disclosed by the respective Governments.\n\n[2631]\n\n-11\n\nPage 1\n\nPage 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428648, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 573, "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n570\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[11197]\n\n## No. 1\n\n[April 2]\n\n## SECTION 3. 550\n\n¡RECA(RES28IPK10\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received April 2.)\n\nDear Mr. Greg,\n\nI ENCLOSE, for your information, copies of correspondence re Hukuang Railway, referred to in our conversation over the telephone yesterday.\n\nLondon, April 2, 1910.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1\n\nDear M. Urbig,\n\nMr. C. S. Addis to Herr Urbig.\n\nLondon, March 30, 1910. I ENCLOSE copy of Hillier's telegram of date. As I understand it, what has happened is this: an application by native capitalist in terms of the edict of the 30th January has now been accepted by the Government under pressure from the provinces. Accordingly, the syndicate of native capitalists is now authorised by a fresh Imperial edict to register as a company and to raise the requisite share capital for the Hupeh Railway. The second edict of the 29th March appears, therefore, to be the logical complement of the first edict of the 13th January, against which a joint protest was lodged by Germany, France, and Great Britain on the 12th February.\n\nUnder these circumstances it appears to me that the Ministers of the three Powers should be instructed to draw the attention of the Wai-wu Pu to this fresh breach of the Hukuang Railway agreement of the 6th June and to press for a reply to the identic note presented by the Powers on the 12th February.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS,\n\n[Note.--An identical letter to the above was also sent to M. Simon, of Paris, on the same date.]\n\n### Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\nHerr Urbig to Mr. C. S. Addis,\n\n(Telegraphic.)\n\nBerlin, April 1, 1910. ADDIS, care Boniface, London. Instructions will be wired to-day to German Minister according to contents your letter 30th. Situation China with regard to position groups becoming very complicated. I am of opinion that any steps taken Peking will have result only if enfin understanding between London, Washington, Paris can be arrived at which creates possibility of soon reopening negotiations and of joint pressure on Chinese to sign contract June.\n\n### Enclosure 3 in No. 1\n\nM. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\nCher Mr. Addis,\n\nParis, le 31 mars, 1910. JE trouve cet après-midi, à mon retour de Nice, où je viens de passer quelques jours, votre lettre d'hier et son annexe, ainsi qu'un télégramme de M. Saint-Pierre, me donnant les mêmes nouvelles. Je pense, comme vous, que les Ministres à Pékin des trois Puissances doivent protester contre cette nouvelle violation du contrat du 6 juin, 1909. Je ne manquerai pas de faire dès demain les démarches nécessaires au Quai d'Orsay, et je vous tiendrai informé de leur résultat.\n\nCroyez-moi, &c.\n\nS. SIMON.\n\n[2706 b-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428675, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 16, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nopinion the appointment of a Chinese as deputy inspector-general could well be interpreted as conflicting with the clear intention of clause 7 of the Anglo-German Loan Agreement of 1896 and clause 6 of the Loan Agreement of 1898, which provide that \"the administration of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service shall remain as at present constituted during the currency of this loan.\"\n\nAs soon as Liang Tun-yen had recovered I called upon him and enquired whether the Chinese Government had yet come to any decision. He said that they had, but he was not yet at liberty to disclose the name of the person they had selected, though he assured me that he would be quite acceptable to this legation. He stated that there was no truth in the rumour that they had thought of appointing a Chinese deputy inspector-general, though he had thrown out such a suggestion to the German Minister when the latter had urged the advisability of appointing a German to the post. He agreed with me that in order to avoid friction and international jealousies it would be best to abolish the post of deputy inspector-general, which was a useless and superfluous expense, and he added that the Chinese Government were in favour of doing so on Sir Robert Hart's definite retirement. For the present, however, they proposed to prolong Sir Robert Hart's leave for another year as a token of gratitude for the great services he had rendered to China, and the new man would be appointed deputy inspector-general to act for Sir Robert Hart during his absence. It would certainly have been more satisfactory if Sir Robert Hart had seen fit to resign, now that it seems a practical impossibility for him ever to return to his work in China, but I felt that it would be impossible for me to object to the course the Chinese Government proposed to take. On this occasion also Liang Tun-yen gave me no reason to suppose that they were merely going to promote Sir Robert Bredon to a post on the Revenue Council.\n\nAgain, when he informed me of the appointment of Mr. Aglen after a dinner given to the heads of missions by the Wai-wu Pu on the 19th instant, he still omitted to mention anything about Sir Robert Bredon's new post, neither did he make any official or private communication to me on the subject, though the edict was issued on Tuesday and the fact of Mr. Aglen's appointment was known in Shanghae on Thursday. I wrote to him on Thursday afternoon to enquire why the appointment had not been made public, as he had given me to understand would be the case on Tuesday, but it was not till I saw the announcement in a Tien-tsin paper on Friday, the 25th March, that I was made aware of the appointment of Sir Robert Bredon to the Revenue Council.\n\nI immediately went to the Wai-wu Pu and had an interview with Liang Tun-yen, the substance of which I telegraphed to you so fully the same evening that I will not trouble you with a repetition of all that was said on both sides beyond stating that Liang's disingenuous explanations of his earlier statements to me and his attempts to prove that Sir Robert Bredon's new position was purely honorary and would give him no control or influence over the Maritime Customs were far from convincing.\n\nOn the 28th instant I had an interview with their Excellencies Na-t'ung and Liang Tun-yen, at which I repeated the arguments I had before used against Sir Robert Bredon's appointment, and added that, though I had as yet received no reply from you to my telegram, I had very little doubt that His Majesty's Government would look on the appointment as opposed to the spirit of the promise of the Chinese Government of the 19th February, 1908, and that this last action on their part would only tend to strengthen your conviction as to the generally unsatisfactory attitude of the Chinese Government in their dealings with us. Their Excellencies tried to convince me that the appointment was as a matter of fact purely honorary, and instanced Sir Walter Hillier's position as proving how little authority a foreign adviser was allowed to exercise in China. Being without instructions, I did not continue the argument, but would point out that the cases are quite dissimilar, and that in Sir Robert Bredon His Majesty's representative in Peking would have an avowed enemy, who would not be restrained by patriotic motives from using his influence to thwart him at every turn.\n\nSeveral inspired articles have appeared in the local press during the past few days praising Sir Robert Bredon's appointment, and emphasising the fact that he will still be in a position to exercise authority over the Maritime Customs Service. The enclosed article from the \"Peking Daily News\" fairly represents the Chinese view as to the position that the new deputy inspector-general should occupy towards the Chinese Government, and the generally prevalent idea as to the powers and duties attaching to Sir Robert Bredon's new post.\n\n3\n\nI can only say that at present the Chinese Government have succeeded in offending everybody: Sir Robert Bredon is annoyed at being ousted from his present post, Mr. Aglen is doubtful as to whether he should accept the appointment under present conditions, the members of the Customs Service are nervous as to the influence that their late chief may be able to exercise over them, my foreign colleagues feel that they will have more difficulty than ever in settling customs questions, English banking and commercial interests will, I presume, object strongly, and His Majesty's Government have been openly defied.\n\nThe Chinese Government have done what they could to disprove the statement of Yuan Shih-k'ai recorded in Sir John Jordan's despatch No. 66 of the 5th February, 1908, that His Majesty's Government might rest assured that the Chinese Government would never sacrifice the friendship of Great Britain for the sake of any individual Englishman. I can only express the hope that it may be found possible to find some means to cancel the appointment of Sir Robert Bredon to the Revenue Council.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\n14", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428712, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 53, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Yunnan-fu. The missionaries are unanimous in the assurance that they have not seen a single poppy-field in the course of their travels in the province, but information derived from Chinese sources goes to show that a few small patches of opium are still grown in secluded spots in the mountains far from the highways, and more than ten or twelve days' journey from the provincial capital. Much cannot be expected in the way of suppressing the use of the drug when it is an open secret that the Governor-General, formerly a smoker of over a Chinese ounce a day, has not been able to conquer the craving for the drug, and still smokes 1/5 oz. every night in secret.\n\nAccounts from Hupei are not so satisfactory. His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow reports that the information he has been able to collect from various sources is conflicting. Most of the small localities appear little affected by the Imperial Edict against the use and cultivation of opium, while in the larger cities the opening of divans and smoking in general require to be sheltered in greater secrecy than before. In many places constant changes among the officials seem to have contributed to slackness in the observance of the regulations, but the enhanced price of the drug has not failed to affect the poorer smokers. Considerable progress has been made in the three cities of Hankow, Wuchang, and Hanyang, the effect of the Edict being apparent from the doubled number of in-patients who have entered mission hospitals during the past year in the hope of being cured of the opium habit. A Wuchang missionary states that there are no opium dens open, and that this year the sale of opium in shops is to be prohibited. He declares that half the shopkeepers have broken off the habit. In Hanyang the police have become much stricter than formerly in the closing of dens and the punishment of owners. The local press, however, reports that over ten new raw and prepared opium stores have been opened in Hankow and Hanyang, and His Majesty's consul-general says that while the press is unsparing in censure of apathetic officials, a warning note is struck by the insidious publication of the rumour that foreigners are likely to make up for their losses owing to reduced consumption of opium by importing the drug in the form of pills or under some other guise. In the notoriously turbulent district of Tsao Yang a society has been deliberately formed to resist all interference with opium growing, and the Imperial Edict can only be enforced by the use of vigorous measures. From An-lu Fu come reports of change for the better on the appointment of a new district magistrate.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Ichang writes that at the end of December some 7,000 taels' worth of anti-opium pills, containing 50 per cent. of the drug, said to have been made in Szechuan, were seized and destroyed by the Customs; but otherwise he has little change to report since my General Report beyond the increased shipments of the drug, which formed the subject of my despatch No. 61 of the 1st March last. The total arrivals by li-kin boats and chartered junks amounted to 51.817 piculs, as against 51,827 piculs last year, and 52,506 piculs were exported.\n\nA much more satisfactory account comes from His Majesty's consul at Wuhu respecting the progress of the movement in Anhui. In this province the cultivation of opium would now seem to be entirely suppressed, and though smoking still continues in private houses, tea-shops, and roadside inns, the dens have been closed; and the increasing difficulty in obtaining opium and the steady rise in its price are forcing the common people to give up the habit. Dr. E. H. Hart, of the Wuhu General Hospital, says that the habit is distinctly on the decrease in and round Wuhu. It is no longer considered fashionable to smoke, and young men no longer acquire the habit. On the other hand, he says there is no doubt that many smokers have taken to pills and powders containing opium or morphia, which are openly sold in every chemist's shop in the town. The import of Indian opium shows a further decrease of 51,333 lbs., and the import of the native drug a decrease of 43,467 lbs., the latter, for the second year in succession, exceeding the import of the Indian article by over 60,000 lbs. The actual figures for opium which passed through the Maritime Customs in 1909 are: foreign, 1,657 piculs; native, 2,187 piculs; as against 2,042 and 2,512 piculs respectively in the previous year.\n\nBut in the absence of reliable statistics as to the quantity of opium produced last year in the province or imported through native channels, Mr. Fox is careful to abstain from drawing any conclusions from these figures.\n\nFavourable reports have also been received with regard to the movement in Kiangsu. In his report for the last quarter of the year His Majesty's consul-general at Shanghae states that the Viceroy has caused bonds to be taken from persons in official employ that they do not smoke or have given up the habit. At the end of the quarter the final closing of opium divans was enforced in the international settlement, thus converting smoking within that area from a public to a secret vice. In the French concession took place the first closing of opium divans, and over 100 of the smaller establishments shut their doors. In the native district of Shanghae shop licences to sell boiled opium have been revoked by the Kiangsu General Bureau for the Suppression of Opium, and these shops are to be closed. Further issues of 5,000 certificates have been made admitting smokers into cure homes. The number of shops selling raw and boiled opium in Kiangsu Province in the middle of August last is given as 2,366, as against 12,790 given as his estimate for 1906-7, by the governor in his memorial to the Throne of the 9th May last, and of these 591 are in the three head districts and two sub-prefectures of Soochow, in which area there are said to have been 2,400 in 1906: 167 in Shanghae, 175 in Kiangyin, 20 in Paoshang, and 62 in Tsungning. On the other hand, the customs figures for the quarter show an increase in the import of Indian opium, and a still larger increase in the importation of native opium, into Shanghae, as will be seen from the following figures:\n\n \n \n 1907\n 1908\n 1909\n \n \n Indian opium\n 6,914 Piculs\n 5,221 Piculs\n 8,149 Piculs\n \n \n Native opium\n 3,651 Piculs\n 5,107 Piculs\n 8,399 Piculs\n \n \n Of this quantity the figures for re-export are:\n \n \n Indian opium\n 2,991 Piculs\n 3,699 Piculs\n 1,749 Piculs\n \n \n Native opium\n 2,019 Piculs\n 1,741 Piculs\n 4,086 Piculs\n \n\nThe largest shipments being to Chinkiang, Kiukiang, Wuhu, Chafoo, Kashing, and Ningpo. My information from Chinkiang at the end of the year shows that the number of smokers is growing less, and that the cessation of poppy cultivation in the province has caused a marked rise in the price of the drug. The official investigations into smoking, if less strict than elsewhere as regards the people, are rigorous with regard to officials. The period of tests has been increased in Nanking and Soochow from three to five days, and the examinees are made to strip and are carefully searched for morphia or opium pills.\n\nHis Majesty's consul at Nanking reports that the regulations regarding licences for smokers, the inspection of shops and the closing of dens appear to be rigorously enforced. There has been as compared with previous months a reduction of 645 licences issued to smokers, of 375 ounces in daily consumption and of eighty in the number of licences issued to dealers. The price of foreign opium has increased by nearly 60 per cent., and that of native opium by some 300 per cent. There has, however, been an increase in the import of foreign and native opium as compared with 1908. His Majesty's consul points out that the import of foreign opium into Nanking during 1909 amounting as it does to 1,446 piculs, is the largest on record, the nearest approach being in 1904 and 1907, when it was just under 1,000 piculs. Mr. Goffe mentions, in this connection, that the authorities are either unable or unwilling to furnish, at least to foreigners, reliable statistics of the opium trade in the port of Nanking. Missionary reports from Huai-an-Fu (Kiangsu) district show decided progress, cultivation of opium being almost entirely eradicated in the surrounding prefectures, and even in that of Hsu Chou Fu, where large quantities were formerly grown. Decided progress has also been made in Huai Yuan.\n\nIn Shantung the magistrates have been directed to co-operate with the deputies in touring country districts to ascertain if there has been any secret sowing since the prohibition last year, and His Majesty's consul at Chinan thinks it unlikely that much secret sowing has occurred, but his report is less satisfactory with regard to the suppression of smoking. He says that the measures for the eradication of the use of opium have met with little success among the officials, and since July there has been a perceptible slackening in the activity of the police in restricting smoking among the people. Licensed opium establishments took advantage of the opportunity offered by a change of governors to retail the drug in large quantities to applicants.", "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": 428720, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 61, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "9\n\n8\n\n6. Decrease in Smoking.\n\nKuang-yuan.--About one-fifth as compared with last year. One-half of consumption before the movement. The cost makes smoking impossible for many nowadays.\n\nFushun.--A decrease, owing to increased cost.\n\nPaoning.--Marked decrease.\n\nChiating.--Very marked decrease.\n\nLu Chou.--Decrease marked.\n\nTeh-yang.--At the very least, one half.\n\nSui Fu.--Certainly a marked decrease, but opium smokers still numerous.\n\nPa Chou.--Decided decrease.\n\nJung Hsien.--Marked, but very bad yet; the only hope for many is the supply being exhausted.\n\nChung-chiang.--Not very marked, but anti-opium pills largely resorted to.\n\nSintu.--Opium very dear: 100 oz. cost 44 taels.\n\nSan-tai.--Somewhat reduced.\n\nMien Chou.--A decrease, due to (a) largely enhanced cost; (b) deterrent effect on those who would under the old conditions be filling up the ranks of smokers.\n\n7. Attitude of (a) Officials; (b) Gentry; (c) People.\n\nKuang-yuan.--(a) Getting less strict; (b) doing nothing; (c) yielding to force of circumstances.\n\nFushun.--(a) Magistrate is a smoker, as he suffers from piles; (b and c) favourable to speedy eradication.\n\nPaoning.--(a) Anxious to carry out edicts as far as these concern other people; (b) feeling ashamed of the habit, but not above doing a deal in opium at the present high prices; (c) glad to be rid of it on the whole.\n\nChiating.--Not heard a word of disapproval; but it will go hard with the poor, especially chair-coolies.\n\nLu Chou.--All favourable.\n\nTeh-yang.--(a) Officials generally are earnest and faithful; (b) gentry don't seem very patriotic, yet many help the poor to break off the habit; (c) conscience is sound, if practice is shaky.\n\nSui Fu.--Anti-opium feeling gets stronger.\n\nPa Chou.--(a) Magistrate dead against it, and his wife, over sixty, has broken off the habit and unbound her feet; (b) lots of the gentry smoke secretly; (c) the people have left off through force of circumstances.\n\nJung Hsien.--Down with the drug, as it is China's greatest curse.\n\nChung-chiang.--(a) Late magistrate smoked much; has given up the seals, but has not yet left; (b) a good number still smoke, and seem likely to continue as long as they can afford it; (c) so with the people; all look on opium as doomed, but are sceptical as to the time when it will cease. They do not seem at all disaffected in consequence of the prohibitions.\n\nSan-t'ai.--Favourable except among smokers.\n\nThe above reports may be briefly summarised thus ----\n\n1. No poppy has this season been sown, except in a few out-of-the-way spots.\n\n2. The farmers are making the best of it; there are no serious disturbances.\n\n3. Poppy is replaced almost everywhere by wheat, rape, and pulse, with some sugar and barley; no crops new to Szechuan have been tried.\n\n4. Official divans have been closed, but some reopened; private dens still exist, especially in the salt wells, but are being suppressed. The regulations for registration of smokers are little observed.\n\n5. At Han Chou, Sintu, and Tung-ch'uan city are refuges; at most places anti-opium remedies are sold.\n\n6. There has been a notable decrease in smoking.\n\n7. The officials, unless themselves smokers, are in earnest; the gentry are often lukewarm; the people submissive.\n\nThe situation could not, I think, be summed up more tersely or more truly than by my Mien Chou correspondent, a church missionary:\n\n\"There are some few amongst each of the three classes--officials, gentry, and people--who are enthusiastic about reform. Others are compelled by the trend of events to assume the attitude of reformers. The major part regard it with favour, disfavour, or indifference, according as they have, or have not, any pecuniary interest in the matter.\"\n\n(Translation.)\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON,\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nProclamation by Chao, Governor-General of Szechuan.\n\nTHE Court has forbidden the sowing of poppies; this year, therefore, in Szechuan Province, orders are issued to every department stopping entirely the planting of opium. Whatever the quantity hitherto grown there, whether in populous tracts or in byeways, autumn and winter inspectors will travel noting and stopping with rigorous certainty. Should any venture to privily cultivate,\n\nall will be trodden and scraped away utterly; landlord and tenant most heavily dealt with, tithing and trainbands alike will be punished. Magistrates backward to note and prevent it, shall be cashiered without hope of indulgence; if others sow, you may act as informer, gaining rewards that are truly substantial. All must with one accord root out the evil, men as good citizens doing this thoroughly, thus to recover their prowess and energy, showing the worth of pursuits that are serious. Those with the craving must haste to renounce it, die of the craving you'll meet with no pity;\n\nif you have fields you must haste to recrop them, cotton and mulberry being your staples. Millet and pulse, with maize, rice, and barley; first thing to do is to better your cereals, after that sugar and rape-oil and indigo, bamboos and medicines, trees and tobacco. Growing these rightly it only needs method, doubling your harvests is not at all difficult. Farmers' societies started with energy, minds set on learning are sure to be thorough. If you don't cease from the planting of opium you'll not succeed in the struggle for fortune; lop stalks from now on, and dig up the roots of it, government does not consist in much speaking. Word has gone forth, the law's action is certain; dread and obey, do not trifle nor loiter.\n\nTranslated March 1, 1910.\n\nW. H. WILKINSON.\n\nNote. A translation that would preserve, as nearly as the differences in the two languages allow, the rhythm and rhyme of the original, would run much as follows:-\n\nEdicts bid the poppy cease,\n\nTherefore in the present year Orders through the province bear,\n\nStop the poppy everywhere.\n\nWhether more or less was grown,\n\nBe it here or be it there,\n\nD\n\n59", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428734, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 75, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This last statement inspired the artist of the paper to a small cartoon, a few days later, representing a foreigner dangling a dollar at the end of a fishing-rod, and a Chinese as a fish in the water approaching it.\n\nOther cartoons represent a big foreigner dragging a Chinese lad by a rope, while a mandarin sleeps in the foreground. Or, in a third native paper, a foreigner kicking a ball labelled China over the edge of the cliff, below which faithful China is assembled in a crowd with a large dish labelled \"Quickly open the national Parliament\" to catch and save the ball when it descends.\n\n1899 and 1909.\n\nyoung\n\n3-(a.) On the 5th of November, 1898, the Empress-Dowager put forth an edict ordering in every part of the land the formation of volunteer bands to turn the whole nation into an armed camp in case of need. This, with special nursing developed in northern provinces into the actual \"Boxer\" bands, of which, by the way, the \"Universal Gazette\" had sixty-three notices of warning, and many leading articles of deprecation, before the end of 1899--months before any credence had been given to the matter in the Legations.\n\nC\n\n65\n\n(b.) On the 2nd December, 1903, the same \"Universal Gazette,\" in view of the Russian developments at Mukden, published a leading article calling on China to quickly drill populace-troops in all provinces,\" advocating the enrolment of at least 4,000,000 men specially picked-one man in every 100, selected by each 100-from the 400,000,000 of the populace. This was to resist Russia. But the article was retraced the next day, the paper then being under foreign ownership.\n\n(c.) A similar and more drastic article has appeared quite recently, the 19th November, 1909, in the \"Eastern Times\"-unsigned, and therefore by the editor, for it is the modern custom to indicate other writers on the staff of a paper by a little character underneath the title.\n\nThe title reads: \"The nation should demand the formation of trained bands so as to make the whole realm an army of reserves,\" the term for \"trained bands\" being identical with that of the Empress-Dowager's edict of the 5th November, 1898.\n\nThe argument was that the present movement to quickly wipe out the Boxer indemnity was not in itself a complete scheme, but must be accompanied by the enrolment of volunteer forces to the number of 10,000,000.\n\n\"If we ask how our realm came by this debt (the Boxer indemnity), it was because our soldiers (the Boxers) were defeated in battle; and the reason why their warfare was followed by defeat was because they were untrained. Further, the reason why we have remained in a defeated condition ever since, with no power of recovery, has come from our merely trusting to our regular army and having no populace troops to reinforce them. They of the West are powerful, and therefore victorious in a hundred battles, and have their colonies spread over the five continents; and they do not trust in their regular troops alone, but in their agriculturists, workmen, and traders being enrolled as soldiers also. And this in times of perfect peace, so that when any national emergency arises there is not one of them who cannot handle spear and halberd for national protection. Fortunately, we have now an army worthy to be compared with those of Europe and the West, and with a regular army of 300,000 or 400,000, together with a whole nation of reserves, there would be no doubt which side would be strong and which weaker, which many and which fewer.\n\n\"And now, fortunately, owing to the united heart of virtue in the nation, there is the effort to lift the thousand million burden of foreign debt, and settle it off at one stroke. But with the fierce competition of foreign diplomacy, the foreigners strive to add to our debts, ignoring the limitations of the people's power of paying, and if they see the people refund the indemnity thus quickly and easily, our powerful foes will be sure to give full vent to the wildness of their hearts.\n\n\"The project is a good one, but needs supplementing with a further counsel of perfection, and I profoundly hope my brothers of the same womb will be careful to look ahead, weighing all consequences.\"\n\nThen he reckons up the populace at 400,000,000, deducts 200,000,000 women and girls, and a further 100,000,000 of old and weak, which leaves 100,000,000, from which every tenth man could be a trained volunteer, which volunteer forces of 10,000,000, added to the regulars, \"would be amply adequate to resist the combined armies of the world.”\n\n9\n\n\"The difficulty is that, though our people have been zealous for the national welfare, they are not readily credited by the Government, which, for ten or more years lately, has been moved by this mistaken policy of guarding against internal insurrectionaries,' and has statedly weakened the popular spirit to enhance its own despotic authority. Statesmen have requested the Government to forbid the storage of fire-arms in the people's houses and the establishment of military drill in private schools.\n\nAnd unless extraordinary measures are taken to delight the heart of the Government, there will be no relieving of its suspicions.\" The rapid raising of the indemnity will win over the Government, which, it is hoped, will then quickly open a national Parliament; but an integral part of the scheme must be the raising of the \"populace troops,\" as aforesaid.\n\nOf the Shanghae papers, the \"Eastern Times\" is regarded as the direct organ of the ultra-Reformers remaining from 1898, of Young China, and of the provincial assemblies.\n\nThe \"Universal Gazette\" is more staid, and partly under official control-an organ for the gentry.\n\nThe other three leading papers do not aspire to the originality of these two, but follow in their wake, more or less, in matter and policy.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Eastern Times\" of January 10, 1910.\n\nOn the necessity of the People having strength enough to protect themselves.--(By \"DEMOGNOST.\")\n\n(Translation.)\n\nIn the ancient barbaric ages, there was no all-controlling Government to afford protection in time of need.\n\nThat was an age of fierce beasts and virulent monsters which were a plague to men.\n\nRobbers, banditti, floods, and droughts proved the harshness of the times. The men of those days fought with the fierce beasts, fought with the virulent monsters, fought with the robbers, floods, and droughts.\n\nHe who best defended himself conquered and lived. He who failed died and was lost forever.\n\nIn due course, Governments arose, and the Governments took over the responsibility of protecting its members, and it was no longer necessary to personally defend life and property.\n\nI often think that the origin of Governments arose from the desire of the people to disburden themselves of some of this necessity of self-protection, that they might turn to all manner of other occupations, that they were willing to pay contributions from their land to maintain Government soldiers, and that in the hope of an equivalent recompense. Otherwise, why should they pay this subsidy: why should they give all this substance to the Government? If the Government cannot defend the lives and property of its people, the reason for its existence is gone, and the Government fails its people in their need. When the raison d'être of the Government is gone; when it proves unworthy of its people's trust, the people need no longer recognise it. But if the people do no longer recognise it, what then? Supposing they shatter the Government to pieces, then the bitter need that the absence of rule will produce will be even more unendurable than the uselessness of the Government.\n\nMy opinion is that not recognising the Government does not necessarily mean destroying it. The people establish Governments to disburden themselves of some of the load of self-protection. If the Government cannot afford them protection, and thus allow its people leisure to turn to other matters, then the only course is for them to resume their duty of self-protection.\n\nBut if their strength be sufficient for their protection, what is the use of this “goitre” of a Government? but to dissipate the produce of our people's toil. Were it not better to dash it in pieces? Not so, for the protection of oneself by oneself can be but a temporary arrangement, and cannot be continued forever.\n\nThis private self-defence is not only impossible, but also undesirable, but it is...\n\n[2751 -1]\n\nD\n\n73", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428758, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 99, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nC O\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[16004]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[May 9.]\n\n16664\n\n97\n\nRECE SECTION 1. REG 2 JUN 10\n\n(No. 119.) Sir,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received May 9.)\n\nPeking, April 21, 1910.\n\nTHE telegrams which I have sent you beginning with my telegram No. 71 of the 14th April and ending with my telegram No. 81 which I have just despatched will have put you in possession of the principal facts in connection with the riots of which Changsha has been the scene during the past week.\n\nIt may, I fear, be some time before His Majesty's consul will be in a position to furnish me with a full and reliable report as to the real origin and the chief incidents and characteristics of this violent disturbance, which has resulted in the loss of so much foreign property, but fortunately, I may almost say miraculously, not in the sacrifice of any foreign lives.\n\nAccounts have appeared in the newspapers, and I have received private letters containing what I believe to be authentic details, but I prefer to await the receipt of a full and consecutive account from Mr. Hewlett before attempting to forward a report to you. Meanwhile, I beg to enclose copies of the correspondence which I have exchanged with the Wai-wu Pu, my note of to-day's date embodying practically all the information that I have hitherto received, though some of it may perhaps turn out not to be authentic.\n\nCuriously enough on the evening of the 13th I received a despatch from Mr. Hewlett enclosing a translation of a Chinese letter headed \"an honest warning from a certain school,” which had reached him through the post on the 5th April, warning him of impending danger. As he said that he had not communicated this letter to the governor I had already minuted the despatch that he should be instructed to at once bring it to the governor's notice when the telegram announcing the outbreak reached me, but I subsequently ascertained that he had communicated it both to the Taotai and the governor's secretary, and that he received on three separate occasions positive assurances from the governor, the Taotai, and the general that they would be willing and able to afford protection to foreign lives and property under all circumstances.\n\nI have had two interviews at the Wai-wu Pu at which I have urged the Chinese Government to take prompt and effective measures to prevent the disorder from spreading, but they appear to be lamentably weak and nervous, and there is no one who possesses sufficient courage and resolution to grapple boldly with the situation. Still, as I said in my telegram No. 81 of to-day's date, it is too soon to judge as to the efficacy of the measures which they are adopting, though I am convinced that, in any case, they will not remove the necessity of the foreign Powers taking such independent steps as they can for the protection of their nationals. A report which is current that two soldiers were beheaded for firing on the rioters who were attacking the governor's yamên may well be true, and, if so, is in itself sufficient to account for the inactivity of the troops of which I complained in my note.\n\nI expressed the hope to Liang Tun-yen that no time would be lost in making a searching enquiry into the causes which had led to the riot, and I said that I had little doubt that it was due to speculations in rice on the part of members of the gentry with the connivance of the officials, and that I had more than once of late expressed the opinion that the scarcity of rice in Hunan was largely artificial, His Excellency said that an edict had been issued instructing Jui Cheng, the new Viceroy of Wuchang, and Yang Weng-ting, till lately acting Viceroy of Wuchang, and now sent as acting governor to Changsha, to hold a thorough enquiry irrespective of persons. I pointed out that though Jui Cheng had come from Soochow with an excellent reputation, the same could not be said of Yang Weng-ting, who had, besides, already been concerned with the illegal partial prohibition of export of rice from Changsha, which has formed the subject of incessant representations, both at Hankow and Peking during the past winter, and I suggested that it would carry more weight abroad if the central Government appointed a special commission of enquiry\n\n[2751 -1]\n\nB", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428766, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 107, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "105\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government (\n\n2\n\nstating that the people are very anxious to collect capital for the line, they are therefore permitted to formally establish a company for the collection of capital. In the future, as regards railway matters, the settled and satisfactory method adopted by the provinces of Hunan and Kwantung should be kept in view, and an Imperial decree applied for giving authority to act in conformity therewith.\"\n\nYour Highness,\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nPeking, April 22, 1910. ON the 24th March last the Yu Chuan Pu published an order authorising the gentry of Hupei to form a railway company to raise capital and to prepare for the issue of shares, in the same manner as the companies already established in Hunan and Kuangtung.\n\nAs this decree might well be interpreted in a sense unfavourable to the undertakings entered into with the International Syndicate regarding certain railway lines to be built in the provinces of Hupei and Hunan, I have the honour to request your Highness to be so good as to inform me of the intentions of the Imperial Government in the matter.\n\nI take this opportunity to call your Highness's attention to my note of the 12th February last respecting the same question, and to remind you that I have as yet received no reply.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n16664\n\n[May 9]\n\nRLCo\n\n2- JUN 10\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n[15998]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 9.)\n\n(No. 112.) Sir,\n\nPeking, April 18, 1910. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of two letters addressed to me by Lord Ffrench, the Peking representative of Messrs. Pauling and Co., in connection with the Chinchow-Aigun Railway agreement.\n\nIn the first letter Lord Ffrench informs me that the partial control in the operation of the proposed railway, which had been secured to the American group and Messrs. Pauling and Co. by the agreement of the 2nd October, 1909, had been abandoned, presumably prior to the issue of the Imperial Edict on the 20th January, and that the railway would be administered and controlled solely by the Chinese Government. Lord Ffrench came to see me the day before yesterday, and told me that he had given this information to the Minister on the very day that he was taken ill; and he asked me whether, in view of certain references made by you, Sir, in Parliament to Messrs. Pauling's arrangement with the Chinese Government in regard to the proposed railway as constituting a \"concession,\" I would not telegraph to you that the elimination of control on their part in the operation of the railway places their agreement any outside the category of \"concessions.\"\n\nThe same day I received in the China Railways print a copy of Messrs. Pauling's letter to the Foreign Office of the 14th February, from which I see that you are already in possession of information to the same effect. I have informed Lord Ffrench of this, and told him that under the circumstances I shall only forward a copy of his letter to you by post.\n\nIn his second letter Lord Ffrench requests me to inform you that the agreement between Messrs. Pauling and Co. and the American group in regard to the financing and construction of the proposed railway between Chinchow and Aigun has been ratified.\n\nMr. Straight tells me that he is leaving for St. Petersburgh on the 28th instant, his intention being, I understand, to endeavour to persuade the Russian Government to withdraw their opposition to the construction of the line at all events as far as Taitsibar.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER,\n\nSir,\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nLord Ffrench to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nPeking, April 16, 1910. I HAVE the honour to inform you that on the 6th October, 1909, I handed to his Excellency Sir John Jordan a copy of an agreement, dated the 2nd October, 1909, entered into between the Viceroy of Manchuria, the American group, and Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited). This agreement provided for the financing, construction, and operation after completion, of the proposed railway from Chinchow to Aigun. I subsequently informed his Excellency Sir John Jordan on the 22nd January, 1910, that by mutual arrangement between the Chinese authorities, the American group, and Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited), the partial control in the operation of the proposed railway, vested in the American group and Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited) by the agreement of the 2nd October, 1909, had been abandoned, and that the railway after completion would be administered and controlled solely by the Chinese Government. His Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs having recently referred to our arrangements with the Chinese authorities with regard to the proposed railway as a \"concession,\" I have now the honour to further call your attention to the fact that the elimination of any", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428845, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 186, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "6\n\ntreaty ports, and so long as this procedure was followed foreign merchants made no protest.\n\nOn the 4th December, 1909, however, the Hankow commissioner was ordered by the Governor-General of the Hukuang to insist on the landing of the rice and surrender of the certificates at Hankow, where there is a total prohibition of export in consequence of the distress in Hupei, and the result is that the export of rice from Hunan is now practically prohibited, though the course prohibited by treaty has not been followed at Changsha.\n\nIt is well known that the floods of last year have caused wide-spread distress in Hupei, which depends greatly on Hunan rice for the subsistence of its people, and it is stated that the Hunan authorities are so apprehensive of a scarcity in the Changsha and Yochow districts that they desire to restrict the exportation from Changsha to rice for Hupei relief. If there is really an expectation of scarcity in Hunan which would justify a prohibition according to treaty, I am prepared to consider a reasonable measure of temporary expediency to meet the situation in Hupei, even though it might entail a relaxation of the treaty rule, but it is essential that any such measure in as far as it might affect the rights of British subjects should be a matter of agreement between His Majesty's Legation and your Highness's Government; that its duration should be determined beforehand; that it should not be regarded as establishing a precedent, and that no departure from the treaty procedure should be permitted without the concurrence of His Majesty's Government.\n\nI desire to emphasise the point that it is the Chinese Government alone which is at liberty to impose a prohibition. The Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1902 specifically states this, and it is therefore not open to provincial authorities to impose prohibitions of their own motion. Your Highness is doubtless aware that article 14 of the treaty was negotiated to put a stop to the arbitrary interference of provincial governments with the inter-port carriage of rice, and the Chinese Government, before acceding to a provincial request for a prohibition, must insist on the production of satisfactory proof that there is a real scarcity which justifies the step.\n\nI have the honour to request that instructions may be issued by the Chinese Government to the provincial authorities of Hunan and Hupei to conform strictly to the treaty stipulations in regard to the transport of rice. If, however, it is considered necessary to prohibit the export of rice from Hunan (in view of the scarcity existing in certain districts of that province), I should be prepared, in order to relieve the distress in Hupei to agree to a temporary modification of the treaty rules so as to permit of the export of rice up to a stated amount liberally estimated for the distressed province of Hupei, provided that the purchase and conveyance of rice up to the stipulated amount be open and free to all, such modification to hold good until the new crop is harvested in the middle of 1910.\n\nAs the matter is urgent I venture to beg your Highness to favour me with a speedy reply.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Peking Daily News.\"\n\nTHE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE CHANGSHA RIOT.\n\nAS a result of the recent riot in Hunan an Imperial edict was issued on Thursday commanding Tsen Chun-ming to vacate his office and appointing Yang Wen-ting as acting governor of Hunan. The Government is apparently exerting itself to find out who is to blame for the riot. Report has it also that a certain foreign representative has, on account of the great amount of foreign property that was destroyed by the rioters, made representations to the Wai-wu Pu demanding that all the local officers who are responsible for the riot should be dealt with severely. Such a representation would be a fair one no doubt if the local authorities are really to blame and if the riot should be the actual or approximate consequence of the acts of such officials, or, in other words, if they should be guilty of gross negligence in their official capacity.\n\n7\n\nThe direct cause of a social or political upheaval is necessarily complicated, and is usually obscured by many accidental circumstances. Such is true of the Hunan riot. Foreign journalists, judging by the great number of foreign buildings destroyed incidentally by the rioters, have jumped to the conclusion that the cause of the riot was anti-foreignism. To a man who is at all familiar with the condition at present prevailing in Hunan, anti-foreignism does not adequately account for this popular (though sectional) uprising in Changsha, but such an ebullition of social feeling, like many instances of similar nature occurring in Europe and America, has for its cause some economical consideration. The economical consideration in the Changsha incident is undeniably the scarcity and dearness of rice. This view, which we maintained in one of our last articles, is supported by documents, official and semi-official, and the editorial utterances of the Chinese press generally. Our conviction, formed at the time when we wrote our last article, is being confirmed now and again by fuller reports of the unfortunate happening in Hunan.\n\nSince the 8th moon of last year (September last) many districts in Hunan, such as Lichow, Nanchow, Anhsian, Waling, Lungyang, Wanchiang, Huayung, and many others, have suffered from scarcity of rice, although these places were hitherto famous for their productiveness. Rice was cheap in Hunan generally, and rice produced in the province, besides supplying plentifully the inhabitants there, was previously sufficient to support those in the neighbouring provinces as well. Drought was the cause of this scarcity. Many regions along the Upper Yang-tsze were in the meantime suffering from famine, and must get their supply of rice from some other provinces. In Hankow and Wuchang, where the people do not plant any rice, a great supply of this cereal is continuously drawn from Hunan.\n\nAs Hunan had not enough rice for its own use, it could not very well supply others with what it was in dire need of. Price of rice there rose by leaps and bounds. A picul of rice was worth from 7,000 to 8,000 cash, a price which was not heard of before. Under such circumstances the gentry, the populace of the Hunan province, petitioned the governor at Changsha, praying that export of rice be prohibited in order to reserve rice sufficient to meet any expected famine in the province. Accordingly a proclamation was issued by Governor Tsen forbidding the export of rice from Hunan. The troubles of the Hunan governor began then and there.\n\nWith the prohibition of rice to be exported from Hunan, Hankow, and Wuchang were deprived of their chief supply of this food-stuff. The Hupeh Viceroy, therefore, memorialised the Throne praying that the Hunan governor be ordered to give the populace in Hankow and Wuchang succour even temporarily and to allow a limited quantity of rice to be exported to these two places on the same basis as army and tribute rice. On the 28th day of the 8th moon last year (September last), an Imperial edict was issued ordering the Governor at Changsha to proclaim to the gentry and subjects in Hunan not to obstruct the export of rice from that province.\n\nIf\n\nIn the meantime, foreign merchants, particularly Jardine, Matheson, and Co., and Butterfield and Swire, protested against this measure of the Hunan officials on the authority of article 14 of the Anglo-Chinese Commercial Treaty, 1902, which provides that \"should any vessel specially chartered to load rice or grain previously contracted for have arrived at her loading-port prior to or on the day when a notice of prohibition comes into force she shall be allowed an extra week in which to ship her cargo. During the existence of this prohibition any shipment of rice or grain is allowed by the authorities, the prohibition shall, ipso facto, be considered cancelled and shall not be reimposed until six weeks' notice has been given.\" The British consul on behalf of these merchants communicated with the governor and the British Legation with the Wai-wu Pu. The Government was powerless to resist such an unreasonable demand which, though supported by treaty stipulations, if granted, would mean a scarcity verging to famine in the Hunan province. Finally it was agreed about two months ago that a limited amount of rice would be allowed to be exported to Hankow on somewhat the same basis as army and tribute rice which would in no case be allowed to be re-exported to other ports. Thus the Hunan governor was seriously hampered in discharging a duty vitally important to the safety and good order of the subjects in his domain. His trouble did not end there however.\n\nBy a blunder of the Commissioner of Customs at Hankow, made purposely or otherwise, the export-permit of this rice was worded \"for Hankow and other Yang-tsze ports,\" thus enabling this cereal to be re-exported to other places. It proved to be a great drain on the already limited supply of rice in Hunan which the governor was unable to prevent. Things dragged on for more than a month, and with the diminution of the supply of rice there was a rapid increase of its price. Finally the patience of the Hunanese was thoroughly exhausted, and public feeling\n\n184", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428904, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 245, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "4\n\nEnclosure 5 in No. 1.\n\nDraft Supplementary Agreement respecting the Hukuang Railway Loan.\n\n5\n\nON behalf of THIS agreement, made between his Excellency, the Imperial Chinese Government of the one part, and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Bank de l'Indo-Chine, and Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., Messrs. Kuhn, Loeb, and Co., and 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\nWhereas an agreement, initialled on the 6th June, 1909, between the Imperial Chinese Government and the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, copy of which is attached hereto and made part hereof, hereinafter referred to as the original loan agreement, authorises these banks to issue a 5 per cent. gold loan for the sum of 5,500,000l., to be called the \"Imperial Chinese Government 5 per cent. Hukuang Railways Loan of 1909,\" it is now agreed by and between the Imperial Chinese Government and the banks as follows:-\n\n1. The amount of the said loan shall be increased to 6,000,000l., of which the sum of 3,000,000l. shall be allotted to the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow line.\n\n2. The American group shall have a participation of one-quarter of the whole loan, with corresponding banking privileges and advantages. It is further understood that American materials shall be entitled to the same privileges and preferences as are reserved in article 18 of the original loan agreement to British, French, and German materials, plant, and goods.\n\n3. It is understood that the articles of the original loan agreement shall be affected by the terms of the preceding clause in the following manner:--\n\nIn articles 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, the words \"the banks,\" wherever they occur, shall be understood to include \"the American group,\" and (or) its agents or nominees in China or elsewhere.\n\nIn articles 10 and 12 the words \"Berlin, London, or Paris,\" where reference is made to the Chinese Minister, shall be understood to include \"Washington,\" and where reference is made to the banks shall be understood to include \"New York.\"\n\nIn articles 7 and 13 the word \"Europe\" shall be understood to mean \"Europe and America,\" and in articles 13 and 17, and paragraph 4 of the letter covering the working regulations, the word \"Europeans\" shall be understood to mean \"Europeans and (or) Americans.\"\n\n71\n\nIn article 14, wherever \"Berlin, London, Paris,\" are referred to, such reference shall be understood to include \"New York,\" and wherever the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine\" are referred to collectively either by name or as \"the banks,\" such reference shall be understood to include \"the American group in New York or such banks in China as from time to time shall be designated by the American International Banking Corporation being now so designated.\"\n\nWith regard to article 18, such modifications or extensions of the provisions respecting the appointment of purchasing agents for the two lines as may be necessary to secure equal consideration for British, German, French, and American materials, and equal facilities for the receipt of tenders in the markets of the four countries, shall be made the subject of an equitable arrangement between the director-general and the four banks, and the words \"British, French, and German,\" wherever they occur in said article 18, shall be understood to mean \"British, French, German, and American.\"\n\nIn article 22 the words \"the American group\" are understood after the words \"the Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\"\n\n64\n\nIn article 23 the words \"the American group\" are understood after the words \"the Banque de l'Indo-Chine,\" and the words \"German, British, or French Company\" are understood to mean \"German, British, French, or American Company,\" &c.\n\nThe provisions of the original loan agreement in regard to supplementary and future loans, contained in articles 10 and 19 thereof, shall remain unaffected by this present agreement, except that the American right to one-quarter participation in these supplementary and future loans is hereby recognised.\n\n4. The Imperial edict sanctioning the loan in accordance with the provisions of the original agreement as interpreted by this present agreement will be officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain, France, Germany, and the United States of America in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nEight sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, four sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and one set by each of the contracting banks and (or) groups. In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule,\n\nSigned at Peking, &c., &c.\n\nEnclosure 6 in No. 1.\n\nDraft of Letter respecting Imperial Chinese Government Five per Cent. Hukuang Railways Loan of 1909.\n\nBY article 18 of the present agreement it is provided that at rates and qualities equal to those of German, English, French, or other foreign materials, preference shall be given to Chinese materials and goods already manufactured in China, in order that Chinese industries may be encouraged.\n\nNow, the most widely-used railway materials are sleepers and rails. China produces much timber, and therefore Chinese sleepers should be purchased if of suitable quality.\n\nAs regards rails, it is agreed that one-half shall be purchased from the countries of the contracting banks or from other countries, and one-half from the Hanyang Iron-works. If the output of the Hanyang Iron-works proves really insufficient for requirements, more can in that case be purchased from the countries of the contracting banks and other countries, in order to obviate delay. If, on the other hand, the output of the Hanyang Iron-works is sufficient, more rails can be purchased from them. All purchases will still be executed in the manner laid down by article 18 of the agreement.\n\nFurther, as regards engineers and other technical employés on the various sections, it shall be within the discretion of the director-general to appoint either Chinese or Europeans; or, on account of their familiarity with the survey of the line, may take into consideration the appointment of Japanese; provided always that such persons are suitable through possessing some knowledge of the language of the engineer-in-chief.\n\nAgain, since this loan is raised by the Chinese Government with the object of furnishing the necessary capital for constructing Government railways, the chief and branch bureaux established by the two provinces shall be entirely under the control of officers deputed by the director-general; and if amongst these officers it is found necessary to employ gentry, they shall act as deputies in all respects under the orders of the director-general.\n\nArticle 14 of the present agreement stipulates that two days prior to the issue of a requisition upon the loan funds, the managing director of the railway or his representative shall, in addition thereto, issue statements in duplicate clearly setting forth the objects of such requisition, one copy of which shall be handed to the bank and one to the auditor. The intention of this stipulation is that the managing director and the auditor shall each fulfil his responsibilities within his own province, and further that the auditor shall be enabled to discharge to the full his duties as auditor.\n\nIf the auditor is of opinion that in any requisition there are disbursements which should not be made, he shall be entitled on the one hand to apply to the managing director for specific information and to discuss the matter with him, and at the same time give notice to the bank temporarily to suspend the issue of such funds. As soon as he shall have satisfied himself by enquiry that the payments are actually such as are permissible under the terms of the agreement, he must at once notify the bank that they are to issue such funds accordingly. He shall not intentionally delay or obstruct matters to the hindering of important work, and it shall be imperative upon\n\n[2761 ee-1]\n\n243", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428908, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 249, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "In the event Szechuan-Hankow railway line, who shall be acceptable to the banks. of the banks objecting to any proposed appointment, the cause of such objection shall These two chief engineers shall be under the orders of the be definitely stated. managing directors of the respective lines or, in their absence, of their duly authorised representatives, and will carry out all the wishes of the Railway Administration with regard to the plan and construction of the lines. In their general conduct they shall pay all due respect to the director-general and the managing directors. The terms of their respective agreements will be arranged by the director-general on his sole authority.\n\nWhenever appointments are to be made or functions defined of the technical employés on the railway staff, as well as in the case of their dismissal, the managing director or, in his absence, his duly authorised representative, will act in consultation with the chief engineer concerned, and in the case of disagreement the matter will be referred to the director-general, whose decision shall be final.\n\nAfter completion of construction, and during the currency of this loan, the Imperial Chinese Government will continue to employ Europeans as chief engineers of the said railway lines, these appointments being made without reference to the banks.\n\nArt. 18. For the Hupei-Hunan section of the Canton-Hankow railway line, and the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow railway line respectively, (a) a company nominated by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and approved by the director-general; and (b) the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank will act as agents of the Railway Administration during construction for the purchase of all materials, plant, and goods required to be imported from abroad. For all important purchases of such materials tenders shall be called for by the managing director concerned: in the case of all tenders, indents and orders for the importation of goods and materials from abroad, the said agents shall purchase the materials required on the terms most advantageous to the railways, and shall charge the original net cost of the same, plus a commission of 5 per cent. It is understood that no orders for materials shall be executed or any expenditure incurred without due authorisation by the managing director concerned.\n\nIn return for payment of commission as above stated, the aforesaid company nominated by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, as agents for the respective railway lines, shall be prepared to superintend the purchase of all foreign materials required for their construction and equipment, which shall be purchased in the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality, and that the Railway Administration shall have the right to reject, on arrival in China, materials which are not in accordance with the original order. At equal rates and qualities goods of British, French, and German manufacture shall be given preference over other goods of foreign origin. The Railway Administration reserves the right, while paying the above stipulated commission to the said agents in respect of all purchase of foreign materials, to avail itself of the services of other agents in China or abroad should it see fit to do so.\n\nOriginal invoices and inspectors' certificates are to be submitted to the managing director concerned; all returns, commissions, and rebates of every description shall be credited to the railways, and all purchases made by the agents on behalf of the railways shall be supported by manufacturers' original invoices and inspectors' certificates. No commission shall be paid to the agents except as above provided; but it is understood that the railway administration shall provide out of railway funds for the remuneration of consulting engineers whenever their services are engaged.\n\nWith a view to the encouragement of Chinese industries, preference will be given, at equal prices and qualities, over British, French, German, or other foreign goods to Chinese materials and goods manufactured in China, such cases being left to the decision, in consultation with the chief engineer, of an inspector appointed by the Imperial Chinese Government. No commission will be paid on purchases of such Chinese materials and goods.\n\nIt is understood and agreed that, after the construction of the lines is completed, the aforesaid company nominated by the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank will be given the preference for agency business for the respective lines, during the currency of the loan, for the supply of foreign materials which the Railway Administration may require, on terms to be hereafter mutually agreed upon,\n\nArt. 19. Branch lines in connection with the railway lines named in Article 2 of\n\nPage 13\n\nthis agreement that may appear profitable or necessary later on shall be built by the Imperial Chinese Government with funds at its disposal from Chinese sources; but, if foreign capital is required, preference will be given to the banks.\n\nArt. 20. After payment of interest and repayment of principal of this loan for any current year, the Railway Administration will deposit with the banks in Shanghae or Hankow any surplus of the net revenue of the railway lines for that year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalments of interest on the loan, the rate of interest on the deposit being arranged with the banks from time to time with due regard to the conditions of the market.\n\nArt. 21. All expenses in connection with the flotation and issue of this loan, such as underwriting, commission, and brokerage, telegraph charges, advertising, postage, printing of prospectus and bonds, stamp duty and legal fees, shall be borne by the\n\nbanks.\n\nThe Chinese officials acting in the matter of this loan do not receive any commission whatsoever.\n\nArt. 22. The Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine shall take the loan in equal shares and without responsibility for each other,\n\nArt. 23. The Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine may, subject to all their obligations under this agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions thereunder to any German, British, or French company, directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the director-general.\n\nArt. 24. This agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the day of the 4th month of the 1st year of the Emperor Hsuan-t'ung, corresponding to the day of June, 1909, Western calendar, which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain, France, and Germany in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nArt. 25. Seven sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, four sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government, and one set by each bank. In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this day of the 4th month of the 1st year of the Emperor Hsuan-t'ung, corresponding to the day of June, 1909, Western calendar.\n\n[2761 ee- -11\n\nF\n\n247", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428914, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 255, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "HONG KONG\n\n1910\n\n83 June\n\n15781\n\n19168\n\nRECEIVED\n\n19163\n\nREGS 24 JUN 10\n\nCharge of murder against drang Tou\n\nComments on\n\non creces of for hokers as to effect of Last previous Paper. hire Law in dealing arth cases of this natiere.\n\nAs torture has been abolished by Imperial Edict, the force of the argument would be strengthened in protesting where there was a possibility of inflicting physical torture, the disease\n\na British official at trials proved very beneficial\n\n5 W.21,659-1. 40,000\n\n11:09. A.SFW.\n\nsubsequent Paper.\n\n4149\n\nmed\n\nthe fact. Ace\n\nMy Cotter m\n\nIt is clear\n\na\n\nCon\n\nfirmed\n\ncases the\n\nThe first part of this letter rather\n\nar\n\nponet; which\n\nAF\n\nthat if\n\nO\n\nconviction could not have been obtained for murder with\n\nthe first degree it\n\nmight perhaps have been obtained, without\n\n\"confession, for murder\n\na minor degree.\n\nThey do not however tell\n\nthe Clemsone recognize\n\nI\n\nGr\n\nwhether\n\ndistinction between\n\nmurder & manslaughter - murderers.\n\nnor\n\nO\n\nwhether Six\n\nto the\n\nT. Jordan's remarks A requiring\n\nprinciple confession relate to murderers or to all\n\n(Chinese nationals;) But Liang's\n\nCase\n\na\n\n& first class\n\nlia, doubtless\n\nher disposed the law has regard to\n\nult er bus d\n\nM\n\n30\n\n \nPage 253", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 428946, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 287, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n285\n\nC O\n\n20141\n\n12cc9\n\nRrg I JUL 10\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[February 5.]\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n[4324]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 5.)\n\n(No. 21.) (Telegraphic.) R.\n\nYOUR telegram No. 21.\n\nPeking, February 5, 1910.\n\nYour version of the edict gives a slightly exaggerated idea of its purport, and I had told Mr. Hillier that I should have preferred to ascertain the probable action of the Board of Communications before reporting the matter to you, as, though fully alive to the danger of passing by the edict in silence, I should not like needlessly to give the Chinese Government an opportunity of enquiring whether we were prepared to proceed to the signature of the agreement of the 6th June. However, the French and German Ministers, who have already mentioned the question to the Wai-wu Pu, are in favour of sending in an identic note calling attention to the terms of the edict as being contrary to the initialled agreement, as they consider this may strengthen the hands of the central Government in dealing with provincial opposition. Am I authorised to join? United States chargé d'affaires will abstain on the ground that the American group was not a party to the agreement.\n\nAction of the banks here is probably influenced by the desire to impress on the groups the extreme danger of delay, and in this desire my recent visits to Hunan and Hupeh lead me fully to share.\n\nPage 3\n\n[2631 e-3]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429058, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 399, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nserious fresh outbreak. How far this will prove to be true it would be hazardous to prognosticate.\n\nThat the Central Government are satisfied with the manner in which Jui Cheng, the Acting Viceroy of Hukuang, and Yang Wen-ting, the Acting Governor of Hunan, have dealt with the situation is proved by an edict issued a few days ago, making their acting appointments substantive. As a rule, substantive appointments to officials doing temporary or acting duty in such high posts are not given until after considerably longer service than in these two cases, and the promptitude with which these appointments have been confirmed is particularly significant, in view of the fact that certain strong elements in Hupei and Hunan had been reported as agitating against these two officials.\n\nI am now fully in accord with the instruction contained in your telegram No. 82 of the 2nd instant, that it would be neither judicious nor proper to include questions quite unconnected with the recent riots in a settlement of the case, but I cannot help sharing the opinion of His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow that there will be no real or permanent security against fresh trouble in Hunan so long as the long-pending questions involving our treaty rights are not definitely settled one way or the other.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul Hewlett to Mr. Max Müller,\n\n(No. 31.) Sir,\n\nChangsha, June 6, 1910,\n\nTHE three direct causes of the recent outbreak at Changsha, as recorded in my despatch of the 4th May, appear to me to exist at the present moment in an aggravated form.\n\n1. The Shortage of Rice on the Market.\n\nAt present if anyone wishes to buy rice he has to proceed to one of the comparatively few rice shops still doing business, deposit his money (at 8,200 cash a picul), and call for his rice next day.\n\nWith the governor's orders to lower the price of rice the dealers refuse to comply until larger supplies justify this measure. The sums set against the names of generous notables in the long lists of subscribers to the rice funds given in the local papers appear to be like railway subscriptions—merely paper promises.\n\nThe governor takes no steps to verify the common report that Yeh Te-hui has tens of thousands of piculs stored away; and it is left to General Yang to see the matter thoroughly investigated.\n\nA body of rice-seekers were allowed to hold heated discussion outside the Lin-Yang Gate yesterday, despite the supposed state of martial law and prohibition of all assemblies.\n\n2. The Hostility of the Masons and Carpenters.\n\nAlthough the complicity of these men in the riots was reported to the Throne their guild's pretensions remained unchanged, and the local authorities make no attempt to control them, accepting apparently as quite satisfactory the sole exception of His Majesty's consulate from their claim to monopolise work in Hunan.\n\nOn the 4th June the masons and certain of the gentry held a meeting to discuss a general strike as a protest against the punishment of the gentry. I am told that Wong Hsien-chien urged the masons not to strike, as it might cost him his head; but the masons replied that as the gentry had supported them in the past the guilds would uphold them during their present difficulties. The meeting was ultimately adjourned till the 6th or 7th June.\n\n3. The Weakness of the Local Authorities and the Power of the Anti-foreign Political Association.\n\nIn discussing the apportionment of blame in the despatch above referred to, I stated: \"It is a most certain fact that unless an exemplary lesson is brought home to the political association of Hunan the recent riots will but prove the first step to what might develop into a revolution.\" The lesson has not been brought home, and not only have I no reason to modify this assertion, I would repeat it with emphasis.\n\nThe first edicts condemning the four gentry principally implicated were hailed with delight by nine-tenths of the residents of Changsha, and especially by the regular troops. The mild penalties announced in the later edict have rendered the gentry more reckless and dangerous than ever, while irritating the regular troops of Hunan, who have a very fair and just idea of the punishment these men deserve, and whose one longing is that the Central Government should be resolute and prompt in dealing with the guilty gentry.\n\nThe provincial assembly has already demanded that all matters affecting the settlement of the riots should be referred to them. Further, they have asked the governor why the indemnity has not been paid at once and the case closed. A special session has been called for this month; in fact, there is every indication that the fight over treaty questions is to be renewed with keener vigour than ever, and the situation, if not firmly handled, can only end in complications of a most serious kind.\n\nThere are other causes in addition to the three mentioned, which lead me to think that the situation here is serious.\n\nRecently the township of Ch'uan-chiao-ho, 30 miles from Iyang, was destroyed by a gang of rioters, who were more or less armed. This involved the destruction of an out-station under the Norwegian Missionary Society. The destruction was followed by the burning of thirty homesteads. Soldiers appeared on the scene, and the rioters dispersed. Their next appearance was at Hua-Shih, 20 miles south of Hsiang-T'an, where they destroyed a chapel belonging to the American United Evangelical Church Mission. Here again the troops appeared, late, though three men implicated were caught.\n\nThis gang consists at present of thirty-four men. They wear yellow scarves on their heads, and are in uniform; they also have flags bearing the inscription, as in the Boxer days, \"Support the dynasty and exterminate the foreigner.\" Now an interesting fact to note is that, with about 13,000 men in the provincial troops, 6,000 in the regular troops, and 3,000 in the river guard boats, up to the present no force has been detached to exterminate this band, whose audacity is increasing. They call themselves \"Men of the superhuman striking art,\" and bound themselves as a band at Hsiang-T'an, where as at Iyang their adherents are known to be numerous.\n\nIt is true that the local authorities profess themselves masters of the situation; but up to the actual outbreak of trouble nothing could have been more satisfactory than the assurances of the then governor and Customs taotai, in face of which I felt it useless to set my own apprehension in applying for one of His Majesty's ships to the naval authorities.\n\nThe present absence of any effective precaution on the part of the provincial authorities against renewed trouble compels me to state deliberately that His Majesty's ship \"Nightingale\" is not sufficiently imposing to convince the hostile element in Changsha and in Hunan generally of the importance attached by His Majesty's Government to safeguarding British lives and property in this province. I am fully aware of the many and complex duties of His Majesty's squadron in these waters, and I trust that the above declaration of my honest conviction, which my sense of duty forces me to record, will not be misconstrued.\n\nI will close this despatch with the last curious phase in an exceedingly difficult situation. This is the unmistakable friction between General Yang and the governor.\n\nGeneral Yang during the last week paid me one open and two secret visits, and gave me his secret views, assuring me, I believe quite truly, that he speaks to me freely because of our exceptional friendship and his knowledge that all foreigners in Hunan rely on me for advice and protection.\n\nGeneral Yang states emphatically, and his opinion is endorsed by many others, that Governor Yang is utterly incapable of facing the present situation. He asserts that but for the vigour displayed by the Viceroy of Wuchang, trouble would at once break out in Changsha. He speaks in the highest terms of the justice shown by the Viceroy in apportioning blame, and says that the governor would never have taken such steps on his own responsibility.\n\nHe begged me most earnestly not to believe the official assurances that order was completely restored, and that there was no danger of further troubles. He pointed", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429071, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 412, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n409\n\n23223\n\nRec [May 128] JUL 10\n\nSECTION 1,\n\n[15267]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nForeign Office to China Association.\n\n(Confidential.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, May 11, 1910.\n\nI AM directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant on the subject of the Chinese Imperial maritime customs.\n\nWith regard to the edict of the 9th May, 1906, by which the office of the inspector-general was placed under the direction of the Revenue Council, it will be within the recollection of the China Association that on the 1st June of that year the Chinese Government definitely informed His Majesty's Government that the edict made no change in the method of administration of the customs laid down in the Loan Agreements of 1896 and 1898.\n\nNo specific instances of interference on the part of the Revenue Council with the inspector-general have so far been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government.\n\nWith regard to the powers and authority of the new acting inspector-general, Sir E. Grey fully concurs in the view of the association, that it is important that Mr. Aglen should have the same control over the personnel and internal administration of the customs service as was formerly exercised by Sir Robert Hart. As, however, no evidence has been adduced to show that the Chinese Government intend to curtail the powers of the inspector-general, it would not be desirable to provoke a discussion on the point which a premature request for further assurances would be certain to raise.\n\nThe question is, however, being carefully watched.\n\n[2751 -1]\n\nI am, &c.\n\nF. A. CAMPBELL.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429074, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 415, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Japanese authorities have found it necessary to prohibit the Japanese in that region from publishing references to the police question rather shows that the question is still considered acute. Indeed, it is now affirmed that encounters between Chinese and Japanese are by no means infrequent, and that on the 5th April at Chikwanshan a policeman was killed in one of these struggles. The Japanese newspapers allege that despite the fact that the matter is supposed to be still under negotiation, the Chinese authorities recently dispatched more than 400 policemen of a semi-military character and distributed them on duty at all the stations, while the construction of permanent establishments is being expedited. Liang Shih-yi, director-general of railways, is away in the south of China, ostensibly sent to examine into the state of the Canton-Kowloon Railway. Many papers, however, affirm that his retirement is imminent owing to his unpopularity with Hsu Shih Ch'ang, the president of the Board of Communications.\n\nThe Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nThe \"Peking Daily News,\" on the appointment of Mr. Aglen as acting inspector-general, seized the opportunity to inveigh against the unfair treatment meted out in the past to the Chinese staff of the Customs. They allege, for instance, that the Chinese staff never really had their salaries increased up to 50 per cent, as was sanctioned by the Throne in 1898, while the salaries of the foreign staff were, on the other hand, increased in July 1898 by 100 per cent. A further complaint is made that the Chinese members of the indoor staff are not given the same allowances as their foreign colleagues, and again that they are not given sufficiently responsible work, in spite of the fact that in February 1907 Sir Robert Hart issued a circular instructing the various commissioners to give them a larger share of the work hitherto confided to the foreign members of the service.\n\nThe Anti-Opium Campaign.\n\nIt is stated that Prince Kung, commissioner for the suppression of opium, intends shortly to visit the different provinces personally in order to investigate the results of opium suppression. He will take steps to examine strictly officials who are suspected of having the opium habit, to inspect all those places where opium cultivation has been reported as having totally ceased, and to inquire into the methods and results of suppressing the opium-smoking habit in the different localities. The Prince Regent, however, though approving of the project, considered that the expenses of such a journey would be too great, and he decided that several competent officials should be sent instead to different provinces to make a careful investigation, and that after their reports had been submitted Prince Kung should then select one or two provinces for reinvestigating by himself.\n\nCurrency.\n\nThe Board of Finance is said to have practically completed its enquiry into the currency question. Duke Tsai Tse proposes to base the new currency of China on that of Japan, with the tael as the unit. The new coins are, according to this proposal, to consist of 50-tael, 20-tael, 10-tael, 5-tael, and 1-tael gold pieces, 1-tael, 5-mace, 2-mace, and 1-mace silver pieces, and 50-candareen, 20, 5, 2, and 1-candareen pieces.\n\nChinese Students abroad marrying Foreigners.\n\nThe official \"Gazette\" of the 38th contains a Memorial from the Board of Education sanctioned by the Throne prohibiting Chinese students abroad from contracting marriages with foreigners during their term of study. The board points out that such marriages distract the student's attention from his studies, and that the foreigner having expensive tastes wastes too much of the student's money. Any student failing to comply with the terms of this memorial will be unable to secure a certificate at the end of his period of study.\n\nAbolishing of the Queue.\n\nThe \"Peking Daily News\" in a leading article enumerated the many objections to the wearing of the queue, and urges the abandonment of the practice. It points out that public opinion is now being moulded against the queue, and finds expression in public documents advocating its abolishment. Many memorials have recently been presented praying that an edict may be issued abolishing the queue. It is rumoured also that the Prince Regent has several times been urged by his brothers, Princes Tsai Hsun and Tsai Tao, to take this step, and that he has given a promise to consider the position. Rumour further has it that a decree will be issued on the return of Prince Tsai Tao. The paper adds that it is a significant fact that nineteen out of the twenty members of Prince Tsai Tao's suite are minus the queue.\n\nForeign Advisers.\n\nThe same paper in another leading article discusses the question of the advisability or not of employing foreign advisers, and sums up strongly against the practice. It proceeds to point out that, on account of the existence of extra-territoriality, China is unable to exercise full control over her foreign employés, and thus cannot punish them in case of a breach of trust. But after all, the writer continues, the most serious objection is that the employment of foreign advisers, instead of helping to solve diplomatic questions, only serves to create new ones. As, for instance, the appointment of the inspector-general of the Imperial Maritime Customs; at first he was only an ordinary foreign employé, then his removal or retirement became gradually an important international question. The paper concludes by stating that the case of Sir Robert Hart should be sufficient warning for China to refrain from employing foreign advisers.\n\nPage 412", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429084, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 425, "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\n[25618]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n422\n\n[July 15.]\n\nSECTION 1\n\nC 23223\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Bank to Foreign Office.-(Received July 15 RECO\n\nREGE 28 JUL 10 Dear Mr. Greg,\n\n31, Lombard Street, London, July 14, 1910. IT may interest you to see the enclosed memorandum, which has been handed to their respective Ministers by the representatives of the four groups in Peking.\n\nPray do not trouble to acknowledge this.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nYours truly,\n\nC. S. ADDIS.\n\nMr. E. G. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.\n\n(Extract.).\n\nPeking, June 27, 1910. Fukuang Railway.-Thanks for the copies of the minutes and other documents relating to the Paris meeting. After first deciding to draft the identic note to the Chinese Government themselves the Governments appear to have changed their minds, and the British, French, and German representatives have been instructed to draft the note here, which I think is much more practical. The American Minister is still awaiting his instructions in this sense, but Mr. Max Müller tells me this morning that the American Ambassador informs the Foreign Office that instructions will be sent immediately, so I hope it will not be long now before all four representatives are in a position to act. In the meantime, and in order to assist the diplomatic representatives in their work, the representatives here of the four financial groups have drafted the memorandum of which a copy is enclosed herewith, setting forth the bare facts as they come within their knowledge, and have handed the same to their respective Ministers. It really furnishes all the material necessary for the identic note, and I hope there will be no excuse for further delay in testing the intentions of the Chinese Government. Of its real attitude there can be no doubt; the Government is in favour of constructing the railways as quickly as possible, and with foreign capital, since they know very well that native capital cannot be raised. The question is merely one of policy towards the provincial agitators, and of the firmness or weakness of the central Government, the agitators being actuated by the strongest of all human motives in this country, the desire to handle the money and line their own pockets.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum.\n\nON the 6th June, 1909, the representatives of the British, French, and German banks concluded an agreement for a loan of 5,500,000l. for the construction of the Hupei-Hunan section of the Hankow-Canton Railway and of the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway with his Excellency the Grand Secretary, Chang Chih-tung, duly invested by Imperial edict with full powers to act on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government. The text of this agreement was initialled by the contracting parties as final and binding, subject to sanction by Imperial edict. The banks were at the same time informed that the necessary memorial would be prepared without delay, and that the Imperial sanction might be looked for in ten days.\n\n2. While awaiting the communication of the Imperial sanction, the British, French, and German banks were informed that the American Government had reminded the Imperial Chinese Government of prior engagements constituting a claim to participation in the loan, and the banks were requested by the Wai-wu Pu to arrange for the admission to the agreement of an American group. Subsequent\n\n[2813p-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429085, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 426, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n423\n\n2\n\nnegotiations between the British, French, and German banks and the representative of the American group, with the co-operation and approval of the Imperial Chinese Government, resulted in a supplemental agreement providing for American participation on a basis which satisfied all parties.\n\n3. At this point the lamented death of his Excellency the Grand Secretary Chang deprived the Imperial Chinese Government of his services, and his Excellency Hsu, President of the Yu-chuan Pu, was, by Imperial edict, appointed to take over the matter of the loan and bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. The banks, although not officially informed of this appointment, were given to understand by his Excellency Hsu that the conclusion of the loan agreement would be proceeded with so soon as he had fully examined the papers left by the late Grand Secretary Chang. From that time up to the present the British, French, and German banks and the representative of the American group have received no communication on the subject from his Excellency Hsu, and no meeting has been called by him.\n\n4. In the meanwhile, certain announcements in the official Gazette caused the impression that the Imperial Chinese Government had overlooked the engagements entered into in the negotiations above named, and notes were on two occasions addressed to the Imperial Chinese Government by the Governments of the countries concerned, requesting explanations. Although several months have elapsed no reply has been received to these notes, and the anxiety of the British, French, and German banks and the American group to secure the due fulfilment of their rights under the above-named agreements now moves them to ask their respective Governments to call upon the Imperial Chinese Government to arrange for an early completion of the loan and supplemental agreements.\n\nPeking, June 24, 1910.\n\n[B]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[24331]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nForeign Office to China Association.\n\n23223\n\nRECR 228 10 [July 16.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir,\n\nSIR E. GREY has given his careful consideration to the views contained in your letter of the 5th instant respecting the question of railway extension in Manchuria, more especially in regard to the Chinchow-Aigun Railway project. In reply I am to inform you that, in suggesting that His Majesty's Government should use their good offices with the Japanese as well as with the Russian Government, with a view to removing the obstacles to the construction of this line, you appear to be under a misapprehension as to the facts of the case.\n\nJapan has expressed her readiness not to oppose the scheme, provided that she is admitted to participation in it as some compensation for the injury the new line might inflict on her railway in Southern Manchuria. In the case of Russia, the position is briefly as follows: There is nothing in the 1899 agreement which affects the right of China to construct what railways she pleases for herself, but there is an understanding on behalf of this country not to seek for British subjects or others any railway concession north of the Great Wall. It has been argued that the proposed line in question is not a railway concession in the exact sense of this agreement, but His Majesty's Government are bound to pay some regard to the spirit of the agreement, which has never been formally abrogated, and in view of it is impossible for them not to take into consideration the objections of Russia on economic, strategical, and political grounds to a railway which would actually cross her existing line to Vladivostock, and which would terminate at her frontier.\n\nSir E. Grey has from the first maintained that the matter is primarily one for arrangement by China with Russia and Japan, and he does not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the active intervention of this country at this juncture. I may, however, remind you that the attitude of His Majesty's Government has been repeatedly defined in the House of Commons in the course of the last six months.\n\nAs regards the statement in the \"Times\" quoted in your letter respecting the impression created that British interests in China are being sacrificed to the susceptibilities of Russia and Japan, I am to observe that when His Majesty's Minister at Peking was instructed in February last to warn China of the danger of ignoring the interests of her two neighbouring States, and of arriving at a final arrangement without consulting them, this advice was tendered solely in the best interests of China herself, and in order to prevent her from plunging into embarrassing complications.\n\nApart from this, the China Association may rest assured that the influence of His Majesty's Government will continue, as heretofore, to be exercised in favour of furthering the development of railway enterprise in Manchuria, and of supporting the claims of British industry whenever possible.\n\nI am,\n\n&c.\n\nF. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n[2813 q-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429132, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 473, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nC\n\n# AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\n24833\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[May 3.]\n\n## SECTION 3.\n\nREG 12 AUG 10\n\n[15267]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir,\n\nChina Association to Foreign Office.-(Received May 3.)\n\n159, Cannon Street, London, May 2, 1910,\n\nTHE association recently received the following telegram from its Shanghai branch:---\n\n\"Rumoured Aglen refuses to act if Sir Robert Bredon appointed Shui-wu-chu; cannot obtain confirmation; urge Foreign Office support Aglen; press total withdrawal Sir Robert Bredon.\"\n\nThe announcement of Sir Robert Bredon's retirement from the Shui-wu-chu, published in the \"Times\" of the 20th ultimo, apparently simplifies the situation so far as Mr. Aglen's appointment as inspector-general of Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs is concerned, but it does not dispose of the difficulty created by the institution of the Shui-wu-chu, the continued existence of which is a menace to the authority and control rightly vesting in the inspector-general, and a source of uneasiness both to foreign merchants and the employees of the service itself.\n\nThe association addressed His Majesty's Government fully on this subject on the 27th September, 1907, and desires now to reaffirm in the strongest possible manner the opinions then expressed.\n\nIt is perhaps too much to hope that the Chinese Government will consent to rescind the edict of the 9th May, 1906, but as that edict is clearly at variance with the obligations entered into by China in 1896 and 1898, my committee earnestly desire respectfully to represent to the Secretary of State the urgent necessity for obtaining from the Chinese Government definite assurances that the appointment of Mr. Aglen as inspector-general shall carry with it the full control over the personnel and internal finances of the service formerly exercised by Sir Robert Hart.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nF. ANDERSON, Chairman.\n\n[2751 c-3]\n\n470", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429181, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 522, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "518\n\n2\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nPeking, July 13, 1910. ON the 6th June, 1909, the representatives of the British, French, and German banks concluded an agreement for a loan for the construction of the Hupei-Hunan section of the Hankow-Canton Railway and of the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway with his Excellency the Grand Secretary Chang Chih-tung, duly invested by Imperial edict with full powers to act on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government. The text of this agreement was initialled by the contracting parties as final and binding, subject to sanction by Imperial edict. The banks were at the same time informed that the necessary memorial would be prepared without delay, and that the Imperial sanction might be looked for in ten days.\n\nWhile awaiting the communication of the Imperial sanction, the British, French, and German banks were informed that the American Government had reminded the Imperial Chinese Government of prior engagements constituting a claim to participation in the loan, and the banks were requested by the Wai-wu Pu to arrange for the admission to the agreement of an American group. Subsequent negotiations between the British, French, and German banks and the representative of the American group, with the co-operation and approval of the Imperial Chinese Government, resulted in a supplemental agreement providing for American participation on a basis which satisfied all parties.\n\nMore than a year has elapsed since the conclusion of the agreement of the 6th June, 1909, and my notes of the 12th February and 22nd April, in which I reminded your Government of their engagements under that agreement have remained unanswered. I am now instructed to request your Imperial Highness to obtain Imperial sanction for the aforesaid agreements to be definitely signed and put into operation for the benefit of the commercial development of China and of her foreign relations.\n\nI would beg your Highness to kindly furnish me, as soon as possible, with a reply for the information of my Government, and I avail, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\nCHINA RAILWAYS.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[28240]\n\nSir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\n0\n\n25499\n\n[August Ic]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n19 AUG 10\n\nColonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received August 4.)\n\nDowning Street, August 3, 1910. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, with reference to the letter to the Colonial Office of the 26th July, copy of correspondence on the subject of the joint working agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway.\n\nFRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nOfficer administering the Government of Hong Kong to the Earl of Crewe.\n\n(Confidential.) My Lord,\n\nGovernment House, Hong Kong, June 23, 1910. WITH reference to paragraph 3 of your Lordship's Confidential despatch of the 27th ultimo, I have the honour to forward the enclosed copy of an amendment which I have caused to be made in article 4 of the draft working agreement giving effect to your Lordship's views.\n\n2. I take this opportunity of reporting that Mr. E. S. Lindsey and Mr. C. Clementi had a preliminary discussion with Mr. Wei Han and his secretary, Mr. Kwok Fung-i, on the 7th instant, and I enclose a copy of a minute by Mr. Clementi reporting the main points of the discussion which then took place.\n\n3. I am forwarding a copy of this despatch for the information of His Britannic Majesty's chargé d'affaires at Peking.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nF. H. MAY.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Prince Ching.\n\nPeking, July 13, 1910. WITH reference to my note of to-day's date, requesting the sanction of the Imperial Government to the agreement between the British, French, German, and American banks in connection with the loan for the construction of the Hupei-Hunan section of the Hankow-Canton Railway and of the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway, I have the honour to remind your Highness of the promise made by you to the British and American representatives in regard to a line from Hankow to Szechuan in September 1903, and to point out that, in accepting the present loan agreement, this promise must henceforth be held to extend to France and Germany as well as to the two countries to whom it was originally made.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the Draft Working Agreement.\n\nBoard of Control.--The representatives of the Hong Kong Government shall be approved of by the Imperial Chinese Government, and the representatives of the Imperial Chinese Government shall be approved of by the Hong Kong Government. The board shall meet at least once a month in connection with the business of the railway at a place on or near the line in Chinese and British territory alternately, unless otherwise agreed by the board, but no vote shall be taken unless there be sufficient members present to ensure an equal representation of both Governments at the voting.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nMinutes of the Meeting to discuss the question of the Joint Working Agreement between British and Chinese Authorities on the Kowloon-Canton Railway.\n\nPresent His Excellency Mr. Wei Han, Mr. C. Clementi, and Mr. E. S. Lindsey.\n\nMR. WEI HAN and his secretary, Mr. Kwok Fung-i, had a preliminary discussion of the working agreement with Mr. Lindsey and myself to-day in the Council Chamber at 11 a.M.\n\n[2875 d-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429183, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 524, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "520\n\n(Translation.)\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nThe Earlier Opening of Parliament: refusal of the Throne.\n\nImperial Decree of June 27, 1910.\n\nWE have given our fullest attention to the memorial presented through the Censorate, and prepared by Sun Hung-yi and others representing the various provincial assemblies, and by representatives of the bannermen stationed throughout the Empire, urging the earlier opening of the national Parliament. A joint memorial was presented on this same subject in January of this year by members of the provincial assemblies of Chihli and all other provinces, and we then clearly indicated our intention to issue an edict, without hesitation and without fail, fixing a date to convoke a Parliament so soon as the nine years' preparations were completed and the qualifications of the general public were up to the required standard.\n\nEvery care has been taken by ourselves in this matter, it being our wish that our subjects should not hurriedly adopt an empty form and let slip the real benefits to be derived. At the instance of the Constitutional Government Committee, officers have been sent by us this year to conduct an exhaustive examination as to the results achieved under the various items of the programme of reform, and orders were sent to the provincial Governments to prepare estimates of the expenses therein involved. In reply to our verbal enquiry made this day in the matter, we understand from the heads of the various departments of the State that the various items of the programme have not all been carried out as arranged within the prescribed limit of time.\n\nWe are anxious, on the one hand, to fulfil the responsibility which has devolved upon us from their late Majesties, and, on the other hand, we would comply with the earnest wish of our subjects. Day and night it has been our heartfelt wish that a constitution might be soon established, that we might be relieved the sooner of our anxiety. We therefore have no grudge against the opening of a Parliament. But it must be borne in mind that, in view of the importance of the State and of the complex nature of a constitutional régime, the date (and state of preparation at such date) of the introduction of this latter system will involve the peace of the Empire. To rush recklessly upon this new phase will only result in repentance, while anxious thought will give perfection. Again, if the position of the Parliament be considered, it will be seen that it will merely take an advisory part in the machinery of constitutional government. There are other matters which it is essential should go side by side with it to its completion which are not all matters requiring the advice of Parliament. There is no ground or precedent, either at home or abroad, for the contention that the mere opening of this advisory body will act as a panacea for every ill. In addition, the vastness of the country, the present impoverished condition of the Treasury, the frequent floods and famines that have occurred, the danger of outbreaks on the part of bad characters—all militate against an earlier consideration of a constitution.\n\nFor our part, we have never once relaxed our vigilance in seeing that the results have been worked out by the due date. Our subjects throughout the Empire proper should sympathise with our unremitting and untiring efforts towards a peaceful administration. October of this year is the date arranged for the opening of the Senate, and we have issued an edict ordering the members elected to assemble previous to that date. Provided this body works in sympathy with ourselves, aiming with one heart and mind at the best administration of the country, it will initiate not only the form but the spirit of the Parliament.\n\nIn pursuance, therefore, of the wishes of their late Majesties, we hereby declare our fixed intention to still await the completion of the nine years of preparation before issuing an edict fixing a date for the convocation of Parliament. We thoroughly appreciate the loyalty of you our subjects, but the question is an important one, and must be carried through methodically. The instructions in this decree are very clear. No further petition must be addressed to us on this subject.\n\nLet this now be published for general information.\n\nforeign\n\n1910\n\nby any\n\nLast previou Paper.\n\na\n\n24839\n\nFrinks to\n\nA Kony\n\nStraits) Couf\n\n31 ang Ī\n\nL\n\nHONG KONG EASTERN\n\n25501\n\nАрмит\n\nPruits of further\n\n7 Shibl.\n\n25501\n\nRECR\n\nR19 AUG 10\n\ncork\n\nThis rund the ingotiations de\n\nCanton taxation of\n\na\n\npim. The 1.0.\n\nhave & trene har spistolary style\n\nPunk O to th\n\nh\n\nCon\n\nAk\n\nSharl\n\nCareマス\n\nAng\n\n§\n\n((1:4555) Wt.21,653–1. 10,000.\n\n11,09. A.&E. W.\n\next subsequent Paper,\n\n26 32 3\n\nfur hat. Müller's despl. in\n\n4 92\n\nColon Sur\n\nare\n\nAC मेरे\n\nworth ready\n\nGB\n\nSeen\n\n23/8\n\nJ\n\n2218\n\n24.8.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429223, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 564, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n23522\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nRECO\n\nRec926 AUG 10 [May 19.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 19.)\n\n(No. 98.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nUNREST at Nanking.\n\nPeking, May 19, 1910.\n\nAn Imperial edict will be issued, and telegraphic instructions have been sent to the Viceroy to preserve order. Natung has given me full assurances as to the safety of foreigners residing at Nanking. Vigorous action will be taken by the Imperial Government.\n\n[17892]\n\n[2751 -1]\n\n560\n\n \nPage 1\n\n \n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n23522\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nRECO\n\nRec926 AUG 10 [May 19.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 19.)\n\n(No. 98.) (Telegraphic.) P.\n\nUNREST at Nanking.\n\nPeking, May 19, 1910.\n\nAn Imperial edict will be issued, and telegraphic instructions have been sent to the Viceroy to preserve order. Natung has given me full assurances as to the safety of foreigners residing at Nanking. Vigorous action will be taken by the Imperial Government.\n\n[17892]\n\n[2751 -1]\n\n560", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429243, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 584, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "sentence in which he purports to give the general effect of the findings of the Straits Settlements Opium Commission. All that Dr. Wright finds to say of their striking report is that it was \"somewhat favourable to the continuance of the opium farm\" (the abolition of which the Commission had in fact recommended) and that by means of this farm \"the Government disposed of opium and acquired a large revenue,\" a phrase which can hardly fail to convey the suggestion—repudiated by the Commission—that the question of finance had been the determining factor in their deliberations.\n\n5. As regards the Shanghai Commission Dr. Wright asserts with reference to the question of its capacity to conduct a scientific investigation into anti-opium remedies, etc., that opposition was \"waived for the sake of harmony,\" but omits to state that the views which his delegation supported on this question had been already twice put to the vote and negatived.\n\nI may notice also his repeated adoption of loose popular phrases in stating the general effect of the Commission's carefully worded and carefully guarded conclusions, as when he speaks of their \"condemnation of the opium vice,\" or in the statement that \"the opium question has been studied, discussed and roundly condemned\" In another place he hints not obscurely that the British delegation introduced a comparatively \"weak\" resolution on morphia (a judgment which that delegation would certainly not endorse for they held the strongest views on this question) but that it was toned up by American amendments (of which I may note that the Commission's recorded proceedings contain no trace). In the same spirit, referring to the reductions in the Indian production and exportation of opium, he speaks of the \"sincere effort\" which is being made, a term which very inadequately acknowledges the large reductions already effected or the Indian Government's assured capacity to enforce any further reductions to which they may be committed. At the same time, as I have observed above, he presses, on behalf of his own Government, claims for pre-eminence, down to the smallest details, which somewhat strain the literal facts: as for example in the repeated assertion (apparently made on the strength of assistance privately given in the drafting) that resolution No. 9 (which the Chinese delegate introduced) was introduced by the American delegation; or in the similar statement that resolution No. 4 which was moved by himself was passed \"in its original form,\" whereas it was twice verbally amended.\n\n6. Above all, and to this is mainly due his gravely misleading treatment of the larger questions, he permits himself to make unqualified statements of fact for which no authority can in the nature of the case be produced, as when he attributes opinions to the Commission which they neither placed on record nor at any time collectively pronounced; and he fails in his report to bring out clearly the extent of the real difference of opinion which was disclosed in discussion, and to enforce the consequent lesson that the resolutions must be interpreted strictly as they stand, as expressing the utmost to which the representatives of the different powers found themselves able to agree. On this subject the remarks of the President in Volume I, page 42, of the Commission's proceedings are much in point. In illustrating these points I may first take up the question of further international intervention in the opium problem to which Dr. Wright's report leads up.\n\n7. In the first of the series of passages quoted in extract A of Appendix I, Dr. Wright points out, correctly enough, that if the Commission had failed to arrive at a substantial degree of unanimity the United States Government could not hopefully have presented \"further proposals for international action\". Expanding this last phrase, he states that, as things were, the way was left open to his Government to propose \"further international co-operation for the placing of the production and traffic in opium under international law\". correct; the way to the submission of such proposals was perfectly open because the Commission steadily refused to regard such questions as within their competence and consequently neither arrived at nor recorded any opinion on the merits. Still keeping the idea of international jurisdiction over every aspect of the opium question in his mind, Dr. Wright proceeds (in the second passage quoted) by another transition to the proposition that:\n\n\"Although no formal declaration was made as to further international action in regard to opium production, traffic, and misuse, it was nevertheless recognized that such action was necessary before the powers could congratulate themselves on having solved the problem that has loomed so large and so long in the Far East.\"\n\nAt this point Dr. Wright goes unmistakably beyond the ascertainable facts, and directly contrary to all reasonable presumption. Though the resolutions of the Commission may, as regards certain specific points and at some suitable time, involve international action, the larger conception of what for convenience I have called \"international jurisdiction\" is completely absent from them; and if it appeared in their discussions it was only mentioned to be dismissed. In replacing the American delegation's resolution on the subject of morphia by an alternative draft the Commission omitted the reference to the desirability of \"strict international agreements\". Another American resolution stating \"that no Government represented may by its national laws wholly solve its own opium problem without the joint aid of those Governments concerned in the production and manufacture of opium\" was opposed and was ultimately withdrawn. Yet another American resolution declaring \"that the Commission as a whole record its sense in favour of the principle of an international conference for the solution of the problem\" was similarly opposed and withdrawn. In none of these cases did the American delegation venture to put its views to the vote. The American and Chinese delegates also raised the treaty question, but on the question of the Commission's competence to discuss this matter being put to the vote found only a single supporter (Germany). The reluctance of the Commission to make themselves parties to proposals for international interference, even in a special and definite case, was indeed so strong that the British delegation felt compelled to withdraw a resolution suggesting that international advice should be proffered to China with a view to the initiation of more systematic methods of dealing with the question of opium production.\n\n8. It is noteworthy that in adopting Dr. Wright's information for the purpose of their proposal for a conference the United States Government have somewhat narrowed down his unguarded and unfounded expressions, preferring for example to speak of a \"conference with full powers to conventionalize the Shanghai resolutions and minor questions arising from them\" (vide the second and third of the passages quoted); but the agenda actually suggested to the powers show that the larger policy of international control or censorship is still the object in view: and this is recognized by Dr. Wright when he finally states (vide the 4th passage quoted):\n\n\"Our Government has invited the powers to such further co-operation as will place the production, trade in, and use of opium under the control of international law. It has been historically demonstrated that no nation working alone, that no two nations working together, are able to destroy the opium vice. It was a hopeless task.\"\n\nAs I have observed above the statement or the suggestion that this policy possesses the sanction, whether expressed or only implied, of the Shanghai Commission, is totally without foundation.\n\n9. In extract B Dr. Wright states that most of the delegations accepted the claim of the Chinese delegation that \"since the edict of September 20, 1906, the internal production of opium had been reduced from 584,800 piculs in 1906 to 367,250 piculs in 1908\". This statement is not only unfounded, in the sense that there was no expression in the recorded proceedings of the Commission of any such opinion, but it is practically negatived by the view which the American delegation itself expressed to the Commission, and it is shown to be untenable even as the expression of a reasoned personal opinion by the fact that the Chinese claim was in effect abandoned by the Chinese delegation itself.\n\nPage 580", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429244, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 585, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "5\n\n581\n\nThe Chinese delegate when first presenting the statistics, while claiming to have made the best use of the data available, was careful to bring to notice their meagre and untrustworthy character. This is sufficiently illustrated by the passage from the report quoted in appendix I, which was confirmed by the Chinese delegate's remark, when introducing the report, that owing to the absence of any proper Government machinery it is well nigh impossible to obtain reliable statistics of the area of land under cultivation, and no attempt had been made to arrive at any conclusion in that respect\". In replying to questions on his report the Chinese delegate expressed his apologies to the British delegation and to the Commission as a whole for the Chinese\" short-comings in regard to statistics, adding \"in China where for long ages no reliable system of keeping statistics has been followed we unfortunately have practically nothing but estimates to rely upon\" (vide also the fuller quotation in the appendix). Sir Alexander Hosie, on behalf of the British delegation, elicited the fact that the estimates of production in 1906 had been compiled in 1908 at the same time as the estimates for that year, and quoted examples in which the 1906 figure had been directly deduced from the 1908 figure on the assumption of some given diminution in production, which diminution it was the ultimate purpose of the statistics when obtained to demonstrate. Dr. Tenney, on behalf of the American delegation, while expressing the view that the progress made had been \"very decided and satisfactory \"and with few exceptions \"ahead of the edict,\" observed\" it has been quite impossible for our fellow commissioners of China, as they have frankly admitted, to furnish us with accurate statistics from all parts of the empire\". Finally, on the British delegation moving the resolution referred to above regarding the inadequacy of Chinese statistics and the necessity for more systematic methods, the Chinese delegate (in a passage quoted in full in the appendix) declared that the resolution was \"couched in most reasonable and just terms,” added that \"it was impossible for us to produce satisfactory statistics,\" and gave a promise to draw the attention of his Government \"to the fact that the lack of such proper statistics will give rise to a certain amount of difficulty when we come to adjust matters with Great Britain\". On this undertaking the British resolution was withdrawn. It is an inevitable conclusion from these admissions that no single delegation or delegate was finally left with the impression that the Chinese statistics could be accepted as trustworthy. The correct conclusion as to the degree of success attained by China—a conclusion not based on admittedly untrustworthy statistics, but on general and indirect evidence—is that which the Commission placed on record in their first resolution, namely that the Chinese Government were sincere, that their efforts were being increasingly supported by public opinion, and that \"real though unequal progress\" had been made.\n\n12\n\n10. In extract @ Dr. Wright states that the Commission \"practically denounced, by their third resolution, the use of opium for other than medical purposes. The resolution itself undoubtedly goes far in the direction stated, and might conceivably be interpreted in this sense by an ordinary reader who neglected to observe the marked difference in tone between this resolution and resolution No. 2 (definitely recommending the abolition of opium smoking); and who was unacquainted with the intentions of the Commission as expressed in their discussions and recorded proceedings. A member of the Commission purporting, as Dr. Wright does, to expound the true significance of their resolutions should have been careful to note that the resolution deliberately stopped short of a pronouncement in favour of the absolute restriction of the use of opium to medical purposes. A proposal in this sense was actually placed before the Commission by the American delegation, the words used being \"that a uniform effort should be made by the countries represented at once or in the near future to confine the use of opium to legitimate medical practice in their respective territories\". This proposition was opposed by the British delegation whose views were unmistakably summarised in the sentence \"to put it perfectly plainly and to be entirely frank, the British delegation is not able to accept the view that opium should be confined simply and solely to medical uses\". The American resolution was accordingly withdrawn and replaced by the resolution mentioned by Dr. Wright in which any definite pronouncement to this effect was deliberately avoided.\n\n11. In extract D Dr. Wright gives a graphic description of the passage of the fourth resolution which calls upon all countries handling opium to take reasonable measures to prevent its export to prohibitionist countries. He states that this resolution \"was the most difficult to carry,\" and suggests that it was resisted by several of the delegations on the ground that if China were to secure a revision of treaties in a sense which would enable her definitely to prohibit the importation of opium the acceptance of the resolution would tie the hands of powers which might not be unwilling, in spite of such prohibition, to let opium be passed on to China from their ports; and he ends by the statement \"however, the appeal of the American delegation broke the opposition, and resolution 4 was passed unanimously\". I have extracted and placed opposite Dr. Wright's remarks the relevant portion of the Commission's proceedings. It will be seen that as in other cases the Portuguese delegate reserved his vote, while the British delegation at once accepted the resolution, subject to one amendment extending its application, and to a purely verbal amendment substituting for the words \"to prevent\" the words \"to adopt reasonable measures to prevent\"; and that there is no trace in the proceedings of any opposition of any kind, or of any appeal from the American delegates, or of any delay in the immediate passing of the resolution, the two amendments referred to being at once accepted.\n\n12. In extract E Dr. Hamilton Wright passes judgment on certain earlier phases of the Anglo-Chinese opium question in terms which (1) clearly imply that the views stated were placed before the Commission by the Chinese delegation, and (2) would naturally be read as implying that the correctness of these views was demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Commission. As regards these suggestions I may note in the first place that the Commission carefully refrained throughout from discussing the historical aspects of the opium controversy or recording opinions upon them, following in this respect the advice given by the Chairman in his opening speech in the words \"it seems to me that it would be extremely wise if we were to rule out of our deliberations what might be termed useless historical questions beneath which a great deal of controversy lies hidden and which would only tend to fog the issue\". Secondly, the views which the Chinese delegation did place before the Commission have been somewhat freely paraphrased in the process of reproduction by Dr. Wright. In the summarised report of the Chinese delegate's speech introducing the report on opium in China and in the verbatim report of the fuller speech made subsequently by the same delegate (Vol. I, pp. 65-70) no reference at all is made to historical controversies, and in the Chinese report itself the historical section only distantly alludes to them in the passage which I have extracted and placed opposite Dr. Wright's remarks.\n\nSimilar observations might be added regarding Dr. Wright's reference to the opium problem as having caused \"war and other evil consequences not outstripped by the evil consequences of slavery\". This passage appears to be an echo from the speech in which he himself introduced the American resolutions in the Commission, and may be presumed therefore to be authorised by the American delegation as a whole. But the statement is misleading in so far as it purports to represent a view expressed by the Commission.\n\n13. I have only to add as regards the foregoing criticisms that I am unable from my private notes or personal recollections of our formal or informal discussions to supply the confirmation of Dr. Wright's statements which is lacking in the Commission's own recorded proceedings.\n\n14. In conclusion I desire as a member of the Commission to repeat what I said in effect at the outset, that I was in cordial personal agreement with its resolutions, as I believe was every other British delegate, and wish to see them faithfully carried out; and I believe that the anti-opium movement in China, the instant and effective co-operation of Great Britain, and the action of the United States in convening the Shanghai Commission have supplied the impetus and set the course through which a settlement of what is termed the opium problem may be reached. But that settlement will be retarded rather than expedited, and the whole idea of the international", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429246, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 587, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "(c) \"It has been stated above that, as the result of the unanimity of the International Commission, as expressed in its resolutions, the way was opened to the United States to propose an international conference with full powers to complete the work of the Commission.\n\nSuch a proposal was made by our Government on September 1, 1909.\n\nNote was made that it was a matter of discussion, and was recognized by the commission as a whole, that the resolutions passed by the International Commission, however important morally, would fail to satisfy enlightened public opinion unless by subsequent agreement of the powers they and the minor questions involved in them were incorporated in an international convention.\" {Pages 72-73).\n\n(d) \"In continuation of its policy, our Government has invited the powers to such further co-operation as will place the production, trade in, and use of opium under the control of international law. It has been historically demonstrated that no nation working alone, that no two nations working together, are able to destroy the opium vice. It was a hopeless task. To-day, as the result of the international efforts initiated by this Government, the world is well on its way to see the thorough solution of not only China's oppressive opium problem, but that of other countries not so heavily burdened.\" (Page 75).\n\nExtract B.\n\n\"It was claimed by the Chinese—and their claim was accepted by most of the delegations present—that since the edict of September 20, 1906, the internal production of opium had been reduced from 584,800 piculs in 1906 to 387,250 piculs in 1908.\" (Page 67).\n\nThe following is an extract from the report of the Chinese delegation in which these statistics were contained (I. O. C., Vol. II, pages 57-58):\n\n\"Those reports are based on the personal investigations of the writers and assistance derived from inland postal officers, missionaries and Chinese merchants, as well as an occasional recourse to official sources. It is acknowledged that accurate statistics about opium are most difficult to obtain in China, and it must therefore be understood that the figures given are in many cases only approximate and the result of sifting the scraps of information received here and there and the putting of two and two together in the minds of the framers of the estimates. This is more especially true in regard to the estimates for the inland provinces—the greatest opium-producing districts in China where the taxation is irregular and, for the greater part, evaded, and where public or official returns are practically unknown. When, in addition, the percentage of an uncounted population, who locally consume the opium, is a matter of conjecture, the most carefully made computation may be easily controverted.\"\n\nThe following is a reply given by the Chinese delegation on the same subject (Ibid, page 119):\n\n\"In reply to the question of the British delegation whether trustworthy returns of the acreage under poppy and of opium smokers in each province will be compiled, and, if so when they will be made public, we beg to state that no definite date can be fixed for the compilation of trustworthy returns, owing to the enormous difficulties involved in obtaining such returns under existing circumstances. It is too well-known that under the present system of local and provincial administration, there is neither proper Government machinery for the compilation of statistics nor proper survey and land records out of which statistics can be compiled. A number of the provinces have attempted to make such returns, but for the reasons given above, the Chinese delegates do not consider them of much real value. In regard to the number of opium smokers in each province, the remarks given above as to the difficulties of obtaining 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\nThe following is a speech made by the Chinese delegation with reference to a British resolution calling attention to the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429249, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 590, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "J\n\nExtract E.\n\n(a) \"The Chinese delegation demonstrated that there had been an opium question in China since the beginning of the eighteenth century, and that though many efforts had been made by the Emperors to suppress this habit, they had signally failed. This appeared to be largely due to the fact that at the critical moment when China was putting forth Herculean efforts to suppress the evil—that is, at the end of the eighteenth and in the early part of the last century—the vice was fixed on her because of her inability to contend against or control the large amount of Indian opium smuggled or otherwise introduced into the country.\n\nAs the result of the clandestine introduction of Indian opium and the final legalization of the opium traffic by the Tientsin treaties (1858), negotiated after the Arrow war, general indifference prevailed throughout China, and the internal production of the drug, which had for many years been large, now assumed huge proportions.\" (Page 65).\n\nK\n\n(b) \"Although no formal declaration was made as to further international action in regard to opium production, traffic, and misuse, it was nevertheless recognized that such action was necessary before the powers could congratulate themselves on having solved the problem that has loomed so large and so long in the Far East, causing war and other evil consequences not outstripped by the evil consequences of slavery.\" (Page 71).\n\n8\n\nThe following passage from the report presented by the Chinese delegation shows what they actually said on these questions (I. O. C., Fol. II., page 45):\n\n\"Foreign opium was first imported from Goa by the Portuguese in the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the first prohibiting edict against opium smoking was issued by the Emperor Yung Cheng in 1729, enacting severe penalties on the sale of opium and the opening of opium-smoking divans, and from this time on the sale of opium for the purpose of smoking became a criminal offence. In 1729 the arrivals of foreign opium were but 200 chests, but a constant increase followed each year, and by 1790 the importation had reached the figure of over 4,000 chests. In 1796 an edict formally prohibiting the importation of all opium was issued, and in 1800 this prohibitory edict was issued anew. From that date all trade in opium became contraband. Instead of diminishing, the trade flourished in spite of the prohibition, and by the year 1820 the importation amounted to 5,000 chests. By 1830 it had increased to 16,877 chests, by 1838 to 20,619 chests, by 1850 to 50,000 chests, and in 1858 to 70,000 chests. In November of the last-mentioned year the trade was legalized by China and a tariff rate of Hk. Tls. 30 per picul on opium was chargeable thereafter. While there can be little doubt that this legalization of the opium traffic was contrary to the wishes of the Imperial Family and the enlightened classes in China, the country was then in the throes of the greatest rebellion ever experienced in its history and revenue was badly needed. It was recognized that as the contraband trade continued in spite of the Imperial disfavour, it would be best to legalize it as the choice of two evils, and this was accordingly done.\n\nThe next step in the history of opium is found in the Chefoo Convention of 1876, by which the British Government accepted in principle a proposal that inland taxation (likin) on the drug should be collected simultaneously with the import duty, i.e., by the Imperial, and not the provincial, authorities. This was made effective by an Additional Article signed on 18th July, 1885, by which the amount of likin was settled at Hk. Tls. 80 per picul, making, with the import duty, a total of Hk. Tls. 110 per picul, which the Chinese Government now collects.\"\n\nExtract F.\n\n9\n\nAppendix II.\n\nEXTRACTS FROM DR. WRIGHT'S REPORT.\n\n\"The British delegates presented data showing that in the Crown colony of the Straits Settlements and in the protected Federated Malay States a commission recently appointed had reported on the opium vice as seen there, the report being somewhat favourable to the continuance of the opium farm by which the Government disposed of opium and acquired a large revenue.\" (Page 67).\n\nExtract G.\n\n\"Resolution 6 was unfortunate in that it declared that the International Commission was not constituted in such a manner as to permit the investigation from a scientific point of view of anti-opium remedies, and the properties and effects of opium, for there were several delegates in the commission who were competent to pronounce on the subject. The Japanese Government, anticipating such an investigation, had sent as part of its delegation two eminent scientists who for many years have been in charge of the Japanese Government monopoly for the manufacture of opium and its preparations used in medicine. However, it developed that the principles of the moral and economic dangers of the misuse of opium were not to be endangered by this resolution, and opposition was waived for the sake of harmony.\" (Pages 70-71).\n\nThe following is an extract from the Straits Settlements Commission's own summary of its findings (Report, Vol. 1, para. 342):\n\n\"We find that the vast majority of smokers indulge to an extent that may properly be called moderate, and that excessive indulgence occurs only in isolated instances.\n\nWe find that there has been no increase in the prevalence of the habit, and in this we include use in moderation and use in excess, during the past decade.\n\nWe do not find it proved that the evils arising from the use of opium have in any way increased during the past decade. We consider, however, that the circumstances surrounding the use of opium justify the Government in maintaining a closer and stricter control over it and we therefore recommend that the present system of farming the opium revenue be abolished and that a Government monopoly of the preparation and distribution of chandu be substituted.\"\n\nThe following is also extracted from the same report (para. 3104):\n\n\"We have up to the present refrained from consideration of the purely fiscal side of the opium question, and our arguments on the question of prohibition are based entirely on consideration of the facts that the evils arising from the use of opium in the areas with which the commission has had to deal are not sufficiently widespread or acute as to justify legislative prohibition of the use of opium, and that popular desire for such legislation has not yet reached such an advanced stage as to render a policy of that nature desirable.\"\n\nThis question in a somewhat different form was first voted upon in the 6th Session (see I. O. C., Fol. I, page 31).\n\nIt was again discussed and voted upon in the 8th and 9th Sessions (see pages 36-38, ibid) on the following resolution moved by the Chinese delegate:\n\n\"That a committee consisting of five delegates be appointed to consider and report on the medical aspects of the opium question, including the best methods of curing the opium habit without recourse to the drug or any of its derivatives.\"\n\nThe following is an extract from the speech of Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the senior British delegate, and from the subsequent proceedings:\n\nThere was one dissentient from the principles adopted in this report. The portion of the summary of recommendations not reproduced in this extract relates to the use of opium in brothels, the arrangements for shops, sales to women and children, and the price of chandu.\n\nThe Commission then proceeded to deal separately with financial considerations, finally recording (paragraph 321) that these also led them to a conclusion adverse to prohibition.\n\n586", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429283, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 20, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[27601]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n19\n\n[July 30.12]\n\nSECTION 2\n\nRace 8 SEP 10,\n\nSir,\n\nMessrs. Pauling and Co. to Foreign Office.--(Received July 30.)\n\n26, Victoria Street, Westminster, London,\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform you that we have received a cable from our\n\nJuly 29, 1910.\n\nrepresentative in Peking advising us that the Viceroy of Manchuria has sent his personal representative to inform Lord ffrench that he is extremely desirous of acting promptly in the matter of the Chenchow-Aigun Railway, and that, if it be not possible to construct the line from Chenchow to Aigun, he, nevertheless, is extremely desirous of constructing the line as far as Tsitsihar; but the Viceroy has agreed, if this length of line cannot now be constructed, that he will memorialise the Chinese Throne in the strongest manner to issue an edict for construction now to proceed as far as Taonanfu only, provided assurances of an official nature are given him that the British Government will support such a compromise.\n\nWe should be glad therefore to know, as speedily as possible, in order to permit of an immediate reply being sent to Lord ffrench, whether His Majesty's Government will support the action of the Chinese Government in now issuing an edict for the immediate construction of a line from Chenchow to Taonanfu; this construction to supersede—for at any rate some years—the original proposal for the construction of a line from Chenchow to Aigun.\n\nIn the event of His Majesty's Government replying to this letter in the affirmative, will His Majesty's Government communicate the fact of its support as soon as possible to His Majesty's chargé d'affaires at Peking.\n\nWe are, &c. (For Pauling and Co., Limited),\n\nJNO. SCOTT, Secretary.\n\n[2813 gg-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429345, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 82, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "5\n\nof\n\npurpose 8. It is noteworthy that in adopting Dr. Wright's information for their proposal for a conference the United States Government have somewhat narrowed down his unguarded and unfounded expressions, preferring, for example, to speak of a \"conference with full powers to conventionalise the Shanghai resolutions and minor questions arising from them\" (vide the second and third of the passages quoted); but the agenda actually suggested to the Powers show that the larger policy of international control or censorship is still the object in view, and this is recognised by Dr. Wright when he finally states (vide the fourth passage quoted)\n\n“Our Government has invited the Powers to such further co-operation as will place the production, trade in, and use of opium under the control of international law. It has been historically demonstrated that no nation working alone, that no two nations working together, are able to destroy the opium vice. It was a hopeless task.\"\n\nAs I have observed above, the statement or the suggestion that this policy possesses the sanction, whether expressed or only implied, of the Shanghai Commission is totally without foundation.\n\n9. In Extract (B) Dr. Wright states that most of the delegations accepted the claim of the Chinese delegation that since the edict of the 20th September, 1906, the internal production of opium had been reduced from 584,800 piculs in 1906 to 367,250 piculs in 1908.\" This statement is not only unfounded, in the sense that there was no expression in the recorded proceedings of the commission of any such opinion, but it is practically negatived by the view which the American delegation itself expressed to the commission, and it is shown to be untenable, even as the expression of a reasoned personal opinion, by the fact that the Chinese claim was in effect abandoned by the Chinese delegation itself.\n\nThe Chinese delegate, when first presenting the statistics, while claiming to have made the best use of the data available, was careful to bring to notice their meagre and untrustworthy character. This is sufficiently illustrated by the passage from the report quoted in Appendix 1, which was confirmed by the Chinese delegate's remark when introducing the report, that \"owing to the absence of any proper Government machinery it is well-nigh impossible to obtain reliable statistics of the area of land under cultivation, and no attempt had been made to arrive at any conclusion in that respect.\" In replying to questions on his report the Chinese delegate expressed his apologies to the British delegation and to the commission as a whole for the Chinese \"shortcomings\" in regard to statistics, adding: \"In China, where for long ages no reliable system of keeping statistics has been followed, we unfortunately have practically nothing but estimates to rely upon\n\n\"(vide also the fuller quotation in the appendix). Sir Alexander Hosie, on behalf of the British delegation, elicited the fact that the estimates of production in 1906 had been compiled in 1908 at the same time as the estimates for that year, and quoted examples in which the 1906 figure had been directly deduced from the 1908 figure on the assumption of some given diminution in production, which diminution it was the ultimate purpose of the statistics, when obtained, to demonstrate. Dr. Tenney, on behalf of the American delegation, while expressing the view that the progress made had been \"very decided and satisfactory\" and with few exceptions \"ahead of the edict,\" observed: \"It has been quite impossible for our fellow-commissioners of China, as they have frankly admitted, to furnish us with accurate statistics from all parts of the Empire.\" Finally, on the British delegation moving the resolution referred to above regarding the inadequacy of Chinese statistics and the necessity for more systematic methods, the Chinese delegate (in a passage quoted in full in the appendix) declared that the resolution was \"couched in most reasonable and just terms\"; added that “it was impossible for us to produce satisfactory statistics\"; and gave a promise to draw the attention of his Government \"to the fact that the lack of such proper statistics will give rise to a certain amount of difficulty when we come to adjust matters with Great Britain.\" On this undertaking the British resolution was withdrawn. It is an inevitable conclusion from these admissions that no single delegation or delegate was finally left with the impression that the Chinese statistics could be accepted as trustworthy. The correct conclusion as to the degree of success attained by China - a conclusion not based on admittedly untrustworthy statistics, but on general and indirect evidence - is that which the commission placed on record in their first resolution, namely, that the Chinese Government were sincere, that their efforts were being increasingly supported by public opinion, and that \"real though unequal progress\" had been made.\n\n10. In Extract (C) Dr. Wright states that the commission \"practically\" denounced by their third resolution the use of opium for other than medical purposes.\n\nThe resolution itself undoubtedly goes far in the direction stated, and might conceivably be interpreted in this sense by an ordinary reader who neglected to observe the marked difference in tone between this resolution and resolution No. 2 (definitely recommending the abolition of opium smoking), and who was unacquainted with the intentions of the commission as expressed in their discussions and recorded proceedings. A member of the commission, purporting, as Dr. Wright does, to expound the true significance of their resolutions, should have been careful to note that the resolution deliberately stopped short of a pronouncement in favour of the absolute restriction of the use of opium to medical purposes. A proposal in this sense was actually placed before the commission by the American delegation, the words used being: \"That a uniform effort should be made by the countries represented, at once or in the near future, to confine the use of opium to legitimate medical practice in their respective territories.\" This proposition was opposed by the British delegation, whose views were unmistakably summarised in the sentence: \"To put it perfectly plainly and to be entirely frank, the British delegation is not able to accept the view that opium should be confined simply and solely to medical uses.\" The American resolution was accordingly withdrawn and replaced by the resolution mentioned by Dr. Wright, in which any definite pronouncement to this effect was deliberately avoided.\n\n11. In Extract (D) Dr. Wright gives a graphic description of the passage of the fourth resolution which calls upon all countries handling opium to take reasonable measures to prevent its export to prohibitionist countries. He states that this resolution \"was the most difficult to carry,\" and suggests that it was resisted by several of the delegations on the ground that if China were to secure a revision of treaties in a sense which would enable her definitely to prohibit the importation of opium the acceptance of the resolution would tie the hands of Powers which might not be unwilling, in spite of such prohibition, to let opium be passed on to China from their ports; and he ends by the statement: \"However, the appeal of the American delegation broke the opposition, and resolution 4 was passed unanimously.\" I have extracted and placed opposite Dr. Wright's remarks the relevant portion of the commission's proceedings. It will be seen that, as in other cases, the Portuguese delegate reserved his vote, while the British delegation at once accepted the resolution, subject to one amendment extending its application, and to a purely verbal amendment substituting for the words \"to prevent\" the words \"to adopt reasonable measures to prevent\"; and that there is no trace in the proceedings of any opposition of any kind, or of any appeal from the American delegates, or of any delay in the immediate passing of the resolution, the two amendments referred to being at once accepted.\n\n12. In Extract (E) Dr. Hamilton Wright passes judgment on certain earlier phases of the Anglo-Chinese opium question in terms which (1) clearly imply that the views stated were placed before the commission by the Chinese delegation; and (2) would naturally be read as implying that the correctness of these views was demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commission. As regards these suggestions, I may note in the first place, that the commission carefully refrained throughout from discussing the historical aspects of the opium controversy or recording opinions upon them, following in this respect the advice given by the chairman in his opening speech in the words \"it seems to me that it would be extremely wise if we were to rule out of our deliberations what might be termed useless historical questions beneath which a great deal of controversy lies hidden, and which would only tend to fog the issue.\" Secondly, the views which the Chinese delegation did place before the commission have been somewhat freely paraphrased in the process of reproduction by Dr. Wright. In the summarised report of the Chinese delegate's speech introducing the report on opium in China and in the verbatim report of the fuller speech made subsequently by the same delegate (vol. I, pp. 65-70) no reference at all is made to historical controversies, and in the Chinese report itself the historical section only distantly alludes to them in the passage which I have extracted and placed opposite Dr. Wright's remarks.\n\nSimilar observations might be added regarding Dr. Wright's reference to the opium problem as having caused war and other evil consequences not outstripped by the evil consequences of slavery.\" This passage appears to be an echo from the speech in which he himself introduced the American resolutions in the commission, and may be presumed therefore to be authorised by the American delegation as a whole. But the statement is misleading in so far as it purports to represent a view expressed by the commission.\n\n13. I have only to add as regards the foregoing criticisms that I am unable from my private notes or personal recollections of our formal or informal discussions to supply\n\nC [2860 k-3]\n\n81", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429348, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 85, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "84\n\npreparations' should be omitted.\n\nonly but upon all countries.\n\n10\n\nThis would put the pressure not upon one country He also ventured to suggest to the United States it is the duty of all delegation that the paragraph in question should read countries to adopt reasonable measures to prevent, etc.'\n\n\"Dr. Hamilton Wright accepted these amendments, and the resolution in its altered form was adopted unanimously by the House.\n\n56\n\n(Note. The Portuguese delegation asked permission to reserve its vote on each and all of the resolutions).”\n\nExtract (E).\n\n(a.) \"The Chinese delegation demonstrated that there had been an opium question in China since the beginning of the eighteenth century, and that though many efforts had been made by the Emperors to suppress the habit, they had signally failed. This appeared to be largely due to the fact that at the critical moment when China was putting forth herculean efforts to suppress the evil---that is, at the end of the eighteenth and in the early part of the last century-the vice was fixed on her because of her inability to contend against or control the large amount of Indian opium smuggled or otherwise introduced into the country.\n\n\"As the result of the clandestine introduction of Indian opium and the final legalisation of the opium traffic by the Tien-tsin treaties (1858), negotiated after the Arrow war, general indifference prevailed throughout China, and the internal production of the drug, which had for many years been large, now assumed huge proportions.\" (P. 66.)\n\n(b.) \"Although no formal declaration was made as to further international action in regard to opium production, traffic, and misuse, it was, nevertheless, recognised that such action was necessary before the Powers could congratulate themselves on having solved the problem that has loomed so large and so long in the Far East, causing war and other evil consequences not (P. 71.) outstripped by the evil consequences of slavery.\"\n\nThe following passage from the report presented by the Chinese delegation shows what they actually said on these questions (\"International Opium Commission,\" vol. ii, P. 45):\n\n44\n\nForeign opium was first imported from Goa by the Portuguese in the beginning of the eighteenth century, and the first prohibiting edict against opium smoking was issued by the Emperor Yung Chêng in 1729, enacting severe penalties on the sale of opium and the opening of opium-smoking divans, and from this time on the sale of In 1729 the arrivals of opium for the purpose of smoking became a criminal offence. foreign opium were but 200 chests, but a constant increase followed each and by year, In 1796 an edict 1790 the importation had reached the figure of over 4,000 chests. formally prohibiting the importation of all opium was issued, and in 1800 this prohibitory edict was issued anew. From that date all trade in opium became contraband. Instead of diminishing, the trade flourished in spite of the prohibition, and by the year 1820 the importation amounted to 5,000 chests. By 1830 it had increased to 16,877 chests, by 1838 to 20,619 chests, by 1850 to 50,000 chests, and in 1858 to 70,000 chests. In November of the last-mentioned year the trade was legalised by China, and a tariff rate of Haikwan taels 30 per picul on opium was chargeable thereafter. While there can be little doubt that this legalisation of the opium traffic was contrary to the wishes of the Imperial Family and the enlightened classes in China, the country was then in the throes of the greatest rebellion ever experienced in its history, and revenue was badly needed. It was recognised that as the contraband trade continued in spite of the Imperial disfavour, it would be best to legalise it as the choice of two evils, and this was accordingly done.\n\n\"The next step in the history of opium is found in the Chefoo Convention of 1876, by which the British Government accepted in principle a proposal that inland taxation (li-kin) on the drug should be collected simultaneously with the import duty, i.e., by the Imperial, and not the provincial, authorities. This was made effective by an additional article, signed on the 18th July, 1885, by which the amount of li-kin was settled at Haikwan taels 80 per picul, making, with the import duty, a total of Haikwan taels 110 per picul, which the Chinese Government now collects.\"\n\n11\n\nAppendix 2.\n\nExtracts from Dr. Wright's Report.\n\nExtract (F).\n\n\"The British delegates presented data showing that in the Crown colony of the Straits Settlements and in the protected Federated Malay States a commission recently appointed had reported on the opium vice as seen there, the report being somewhat favourable to the continuance of the opium farm by which the Government disposed of opium and acquired a large revenue.\" (P. 67.)\n\nThe following is an extract* from the Straits Settlements Commission's own summary of its findings. (Report, vol. i, paragraph 342) :-\n\n\"We find that the vast majority of smokers indulge to an extent that may properly be called moderate, and that excessive indulgence occurs only in isolated instances.\n\n\"We find that there has been no increase in the prevalence of the habit, and in this we include use in moderation and use in excess, during the past decade.\n\n\"We do not find it proved that the evils arising from the use of opium have in any way increased during the past decade, We consider, however, that the circumstances surrounding the use of opium justify the Government in maintaining a closer and stricter control over it and we therefore recommend that the present system of farming the opium revenue be abolished and that a Government monopoly of the preparation and distribution of chandu be substituted.”\n\nThe following is also extracted from the same report (paragraph 310):- \"We have up to the present refrained from consideration of the purely fiscal side of the opium question, and our arguments on the question of prohibition are based entirely on consideration of the facts that the evils arising from the use of opium in the areas with which the commission has had to deal are not sufficiently widespread or acute as to justify legislative prohibition of the use of opium and that popular desire for such legislation has not yet reached such an advanced stage as to render a policy of that nature desirable.\"\n\nExtract (G).\n\n\"Resolution 6 was unfortunate in that it declared that the International Commission was not constituted in such a manner as to permit the investigation from a scientific point of view of anti-opium remedies, and the properties and effects of opium, for there were several delegates in the commission who were competent to pronounce on the subject. The Japanese Government anticipating such an investigation had sent as part of its delegation two eminent scientists who for many years have been in charge of the Japanese Government monopoly for the manufacture of opium and its preparations used in medicine. However, it developed that the principles of the moral and economic dangers of the misuse of opium were not to be endangered by this resolution, and opposition was waived for the sake of harmony. (Pp. 70-71.)\n\nThis question in a somewhat different form was first voted upon in the sixth session (see \"International Opium Commission,\" vol. i, p. 31).\n\nIt was again discussed and voted upon in the eighth and ninth sessions (see pp. 36-38, ibid.) on the following resolution moved by the Chinese delegate :\n\n\"That a committee consisting of five delegates be appointed to consider and report on the medical aspects of the opium question, including the best methods of curing the opium habit without recourse to the drug or any of its derivatives.\"\n\n* There was one dissentient from the principles adopted in this report. The portion of the summary of recommendations not reproduced in this extract relates to the use of opium in brothels, the arrangements for shops, sales to women and children, and the price of chandu.\n\n+ The commission then proceeded to deal separately with financial considerations, finally recording (paragraph 321), that these also led them to a conclusion adverse to prohibition.\n\n[2860 k-3]\n\nE\n\n14", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429403, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 140, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2 \n\nof extending it to six months. It is doubtful if this will be regarded as a satisfactory solution; the British opium merchants state that nothing but a complete return to the status quo ante the new regulations will meet the case.\n\n2. The Viceroy of Canton states he understands that the opium prohibition bureau has issued a proclamation forbidding the raw opium dealers from receiving payment of the tax at the time of the sale of the drug.\n\n3. It is understood that, in consequence of our protests that the additional tax is levied at the time of sale, and therefore constitutes, in effect, a tax on raw opium, the opium prohibition bureau, assisted by Liang Chao-tang, a leading opium merchant, will hold a secret investigation. I have, however, no confirmation that these steps have been actually taken.\n\nvery\n\n4. The Viceroy has reprimanded the authorities at Swatow for the action taken little there, but, as has been pointed out to the Wai-wu Pu, the reprimand is of practical use so long as the opium is retained.\n\nI do not propose to trouble you with the voluminous correspondence on this subject, which continues to engage the attention of the legation. My object is to endeavour to show that British interests have not been lost sight of, but no amount of argument has sufficed hitherto to convince the Chinese Government that the enforcement of the regulations constitutes in any way a breach of treaty, and so impervious are they to all my remonstrances that I suspect them not of guiding but of being guided by the Viceroy of Canton. The latter's attitude may be summed up briefly in the terms of a telegram which I received yesterday from Mr. Jamieson, who states that his Excellency is firmly resolved to suppress smoking and ignores indirectly treaty obligations. Nothing short of an Imperial edict will make him hold his hand, and he explains away the recent cases of reported seizures on the ground that they were directed not against the drug, but against the holders thereof, who were not furnished with the requisite permit to deal in opium. Mr. Jamieson adds, however, that strict instructions are being issued that transit passes in authorised hands are to be respected.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(In the absence of His Majesty's chargé d'affaires), ERNEST SCOTT.\n\n6)\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[29029]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nForeign Office to Sir C. Clementi Smith.\n\nC\n\n[August 27.]\n\nSECTION 2.3 00 101\n\nForeign Office, August 27, 1910.\n\nSir,\n\nI AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter from the India Office,* enclosing a memorandum by Mr. J. B. Brunyate, C.I.E., a member of the Shanghae Opium Commission, on a report by Dr. Hamilton Wright, one of the American delegates, on the work of the commission.\n\nMr. Brunyate controverts many of the statements made by Dr. Wright, a copy of whose report is annexed,† and, in view of the importance of the questions involved, Sir E. Grey is of opinion that the memorandum should be submitted to you. He would feel extremely obliged if he could be furnished with your views on it in due course.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nF. A. CAMPBELL.\n\n* India Office, August 9, 1910. [2860 dd—2]\n\n† Dr. Wright's memorandum.\n\n139", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429422, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 159, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n158\n\nC.O.\n\n£\n\nsucceed Baron Grenier, but has not yet arrived at his post. During the past year, M. de Prelle de la Nieppe has been chargé d'affaires. He is a kind, hospitable man, and joins thoroughly in all the social amusements of the place, but shows little discrimination in the choice of his companions. His work is not arduous, and consists in looking after a few Belgian missionaries and railway employés, and in watching the considerable financial interests of Belgium in foreign companies in China. He has no secretaries. His wife is an amiable lady of Greek extraction, who dislikes Peking.\n\n[B]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nHe\n\n[33924]\n\nMexico. Of the Mexican chargé d'affaires I can only repeat what Sir John Jordan said that he is seldom seen.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n30791\n\nRECEIVED [September 19] (No. 295.) Sir,\n\nPeking, August 31, 1910.\n\nSINCE the return early in the month of Prince Tsai Tao from his military mission abroad several important changes have taken place in high official circles, which are, rightly or wrongly, said to be directly attributable to his influence.\n\nOn the 17th August an Imperial decree was issued, dismissing Shih Hsü and Wu Yu-sheng from the Grand Council. The former had been nearly four years in his post, and twice acted for short periods as President of the Wai-wu Pu, in the absence of Na-tung. He is an amiable Manchu of no particular ability. Wu Yu-sheng, who was appointed a probationary Grand Councillor in February last, obtained his post on account of his friendship with the Regent, who admired his literary talents.\n\nThe native press states that the dismissal of these two officials is due to the opposition they showed to Prince Tsai Tao's proposal for the abolition of the queue, but it is more probably due to their extreme conservatism and dislike of every innovation and reform, however necessary.\n\nThe two vacancies on the Grand Council have been filled by the appointment of Prince Yi Lang and Hsü Shih-ch'ang, the former being a member of the Imperial Family, associated with Prince Tsai T'ao in the direction of the Army Council, an enlightened and agreeable man, well known both to Sir John Jordan and myself. Both these appointments should strengthen the Grand Council, and would appear to indicate that the Government have at last come to realise that, in view of the constant opposition of the provinces to general measures of reform, it is necessary to place at the head of affairs men of well-known strength of character.\n\nThe change, however, which has caused the most satisfaction is the nomination of Tang Shao-yi to be President of the Board of Communications. He is well known as a henchman of Yuan Shih-k'ai's, and if he decides to take up his post, the way may perhaps thus be paved for Yuan's eventual return. Tang's task at the Board of Communications will be no easy one, as he will have to face the provinces over the Hukuang loan and the Shanghai-Ningpo railway question.\n\nFor a time it was believed that Sheng Hsuan-huai, the junior vice-president of the board, who has recently returned to Peking from Shanghai, after many years of practical banishment in the latter place as Treaty Commissioner, would become President of the Board of Communications, but he has merely been instructed to proceed to his post, and at the same time he is deputed to assist the Board of Finance on currency matters. Since the publication of the edict of the 17th August, the native papers have been full of rumours that Tang Shao-yi will be transferred to the Wai-wu Pu as president, and that Sheng Hsuan-huai will receive the Presidentship of the Board of Finance.\n\nThat further changes are possibly in store seems to be indicated by the summoning to Peking within the last week of Hsi Liang, Viceroy of Manchuria, Jui Cheng, Viceroy of Hu-kuang, and Ch'en K'uei-lung, Viceroy of Chibli. Daily consultations of these high officials with the Prince Regent and the Grand Council are reported, though it is impossible to discover what the subjects of discussion are. The general belief is that negotiations are taking place with Yuan Shih-k'ai to secure his return to the Grand Council, thus taking the place of Lu Ch'uan-lin, who died a week ago at an advanced age. There is a great divergence of opinion as to whether Yuan will accept the invitation to return, if any is proffered, and it is rumoured that he has hitherto rejected the overtures made to him. In many quarters, however, his return is regarded simply as a question of time, but obviously, in a country like China, the only course to pursue is to wait for actual events, and not to be led by mere rumours to indulge in prophesy.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER,\n\n[2893 -2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429606, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 343, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[38201]\n\nCO 34588\n\n[October 20.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nRECEIVED 11 NOV 10 No. I 342\n\n(No. 341.) Sir,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 20.)\n\nPeking, October 2, 1910.\n\nON the 29th ultimo I telegraphed to you the fact of the signature of the Anglo-German Supplementary Loan Agreement for the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, and in reply to your enquiry I reported in my telegram No. 163 of to-day that the Chinese Government had informed me that an Imperial edict had been issued sanctioning the loan.\n\nI have the honour to enclose the copy of the agreement, as also of the Wai-wu Pu's note informing me of the issue of the Imperial edict.\n\nThe loan is for 4,500,000l., of which the first series of 3,000,000l. will be floated in London and Berlin within a few days, the German portion of the loan being two-thirds.\n\nThe terms of the agreement follow closely those of the original Tientsin-Pukow Railway loan of January 1908, when 5,000,000l were borrowed to cover the first two years' expenditure on construction.\n\nArticle 15 of the agreement of January 1908 provided for the subsequent negotiation of a supplementary loan on similar terms for the completion of the line. The only modifications in the present agreement to which attention need be drawn are those contained in article 5, whereby repayments of principal will be made yearly, instead of in half-yearly, instalments as heretofore, thus removing an obvious injustice to the Chinese Government, which exists in all previous similar loans, and in article 10, whereby the counter-signature of the bonds is to be performed in London, instead of in London and Berlin.\n\nI understand from Mr. Mayers that it was the difficulty of arranging for satisfactory security that has protracted the negotiation of this loan over a period of three months. As will be seen from article 9, a second charge is established on the security of the original loan, together with a first charge on additional provincial revenues amounting to 3,600,000 taels a-year.\n\nUnder article 3 it is estimated that the line will be completed within two years from the date of the agreement, that is to say, by September 1912, but the southern (British) section, 236 miles, should be finished a year earlier. According to a report of the engineer-in-chief, the position of the southern section in August was that 220 miles of earthwork were completed and the formation ready for the rails, of which 120 miles were already laid. All important bridges in the first 200 miles were in progress, and many of them completed, and 93 miles of line, from Pukow to Lin Huai-kuan, will be opened to traffic as soon as the passenger rolling-stock, now on order, has been delivered. A further 118 miles, to Hsuchoufu, will be ready for traffic at the end of 1911, and the remaining few miles can be opened whenever the northern section is ready to effect a junction.\n\nAlthough I have not received any recent official reports from His Majesty's consul at Nanking, I gather from the above information, which has been supplied to me by Mr. Mayers, that work on the southern section is progressing smoothly and satisfactorily.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER,\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nPrince Ch'ing to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, September 28, 1910.\n\nI AM in receipt of a communication from the director-general of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway to the effect that on the 22nd instant he memorialised the Throne, * Not printed.\n\n[2958 u-1]\n\nPage 342\n\nPage 343\n\nPage 344\n\nPage 342\n\nPage 343\n\nPage 344", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429607, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 344, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "0.3 \n\ni \n\n2 \n\nstating that he proposed to draw up an agreement with the Anglo-German group (literally, company) for a supplementary foreign loan for the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, and that an edict was received sanctioning the loan.\n\nI have the honour to communicate the above for your Excellency's information, and to request that you will instruct the group in question to arrange without delay a satisfactory method of procedure according to the terms of the agreement.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nPRINCE CHING.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL,\n\n[38200]\n\nC O\n\n34588\n\n[October 20.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nRECR\n\nRrGS 11 NOV 10\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-Received October 20.)\n\n(No. 340. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nPeking, September 30, 1910. WITH reference to the last paragraph of my despatch No. 331 of the 23rd instant, I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of a confidential despatch from His Majesty's consul at Harbin, forwarding translations of press articles regarding the new regulations for the navigation of the Sungari and the impending negotiations for the revision of the Russo-Chinese Treaty of 1881. It will be observed from Mr. Sly's comments that the recent Russo-Japanese agreement does not appear to be hindering Russia from strengthening her strategic position in the Far East.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nActing Consul Sly to Mr. Max Müller,\n\n(No. 30. Confidential.) Sir,\n\nHarbin, September 24, 1910. I HAVE the honour to enclose herewith translations of three press articles having reference to the coming negotiations in connection with the revision of the Russo-Chinese Treaty of 1881 and to the new regulations for the navigation of the Sungari.*\n\nThe first of these articles, entitled \"The Revision of the Treaty with China,\" appeared in the \"Harbinski Viestnik\" of the 10th instant, and argues that the centre of Russian interests in the Far East has been removed from Mongolia to Manchuria. The writer is not satisfied with the result of the recent Sunguri negotiations, and apprehends that China will approach the discussion of the 1881 treaty in no conciliatory spirit. The second article, which is headed \"Russian Minister in China about Chinese Affairs,\" purports to give an account of an interview granted by M. Korostovetz to a reporter of the \"Utro Rossia.\" According to this report, the Russian Minister at Peking is of opinion that it would not be to Russia's advantage to oppose a request by China for a higher rate of duty on sea-borne merchandise than that charged under the existing general tariff, and also considers that China will endeavour, at the coming negotiations respecting the treaty of 1881, to curtail the privileges hitherto accorded to Russian land trade with the Celestial Empire, with which Russia's economic interests are chiefly concerned. The importance of the Mongolian market, M. Korostovetz is further alleged to have stated, had in the past been seriously neglected by Russia. The third article, under the title of \"The Failure of our Far Eastern Diplomacy,\" quotes from the \"Russkoe Slovo,\" and dwells at length on the Sungari regulations, a subject which is clearly not thoroughly understood. Once again the fear is expressed that China will endeavour to make the revision of the 1881 treaty an occasion for seeking to restrict the privileges now enjoyed by Russia in respect of her land trade with China. The three articles, in fact, breathe a spirit of pessimism which the outcome of the recent Sungari negotiations does not appear to justify. These regulations were discussed in detail in my despatch No. 27 of the 12th instant, and it is unnecessary to again refer to them at length. There is, however, one further point to which attention may be invited: it is that the stipulations in the new regulations regarding the free frontier zones do not require that the place of origin of the goods should be situated within the 50 versts limits; it is sufficient if the goods are destined for the free zones for them to be exempt from\n\n* Not printed.\n\n[2958 u-2]\n\n343", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429610, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 347, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nB\n\n34533\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nOctober 20.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nRro II NOV 10,\n\nSECTION 4.\n\n[38205]\n\n(No. 345.) Sir.\n\nNo. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received October 20.)\n\nPeking, October 4, 1910.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 382 of the 22nd September, I have the honour to report that Mr. F. F. Birchal called here on the 29th ultimo and informed me that a 7 per cent. gold loan for £450,000 had been successfully floated in London on Saturday, the 24th ultimo, through the London City and Midland Bank. This loan, Mr. Birchal explained, was part of the Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption loan sanctioned by Imperial edict in October 1908 and the bonds had been issued under the authority of the Board of Communications confirmed by the Chinese Minister in London, who had signed the contract with Mr. Birchal's firm. He added that the £91 bonds had been very favourably received on the London market and that in all probability a further issue of £400,000 would be made under similar conditions, but at a reduced rate of interest, namely 6 per cent., in a few months' time. He had not heard of any part of this loan being placed in Japan.\n\nMr. Birchal did not apprehend that any difficulties would arise in connection with the payment of interest and redemption of the bonds, but should such occur the bondholders would, of course, look to the British Government for the protection of their interests. I thought it advisable to point out to Mr. Birchal that as those bonds were bearer bonds forming part of an internal loan the issue of which had not been formally communicated to the British legation, the holders accepted them at their own risk, and I said that, in my opinion, the British Government could not under these circumstances be expected to interfere on behalf of the bondholders in the event, for instance, of the Chinese Government declining to recognise the conversion of these bonds from a silver to a gold basis.\n\nAs I have not yet seen the prospectus of the loan I do not know what has been said by the promoters with regard to the position of the Chinese Government in the matter, but two statements made by Mr. Birchal in the course of conversation point to the possibility of certain false impressions having been created in the minds of the bondholders.\n\nIn the first place, Mr. Birchal's statement that this loan is to be devoted to the redemption of the Peking-Hankow Railway can hardly be correct seeing that the line was finally repurchased from the Franco-Belgian concessionnaires on the 10th December, 1908, and handed over to the Board of Communications on the 1st January, 1909. It is generally understood that the larger portion of the loan is required for the extensive repairs to the line referred to in my former despatch, although if the Peking-Hankow line, as stated in a balance sheet recently issued, made a net profit of 3,610,000 dollars on its first year and a half's working under purely Chinese control, it is not quite clear why the Board of Communications should find it necessary to borrow money at 7 per cent. to defray the cost of repairs.\n\nIn the second place, Mr. Birchal's assertion that the Board of Communications had formally authorised the issue of these bonds in London would, to say the least of it, appear to be premature. The president designate of the board, Tong Shao-yi, has not yet reached Peking, and as you will observe from the correspondence, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, both the former president, Hsi Shih-chang, who is now a member of the Grand Council, and the acting president, Shen Yün-pei, have committed themselves in writing to the opinion that the \"board will not recognise the claim in the London prospectus for a rate of interest at 7 per cent.\"\n\nThe impression I had formed that this loan constitutes a revolt against the domination of the British and allied \"groups\" receives confirmation in a leading article which appeared in the \"Peking Daily News\" of the 29th September, extracts from which I have the honour to enclose. This paper, which, if not exactly officially\n\n* This is no doubt the one which Messrs. M. Samuel are making enquiries about.-B. A. [2958 u-4]\n\n346", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429619, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 356, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nсо\n\n34588\n\n[B]\n\nRECS\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nPro? - NOV 10\n\n[October 28.]\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nSECTION 3.\n\n[38205]\n\n(No. 372.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller.\n\nForeign Office, October 28, 1910.\n\nI HAVE received your despatch No. 345 of the 4th instant, in regard to the recent issue of the so-called Imperial Chinese Government 7 per cent. Peking-Hankow Railway redemption loan for £450,000, by the London City and Midland Bank and Messrs. Dunn, Fischer, and Co. I approve the language which you held to Mr. Birchall, and agree with the views which you express as to the character of the loan generally.\n\nI have obtained a copy of the prospectus, which I enclose,* and an analysis of it shows that the loan is not an Imperial Government loan at all in the sense in which this term has hitherto been used, but only a departmental loan without Imperial guarantee. It is sanctioned indeed by an edict, but the edict, which is two years old, has not been communicated to His Majesty's Legation, and does not authorise the emission of bonds on any foreign market.\n\nThe point is of importance to foreign subscribers on account of the edict issued in November 1891, by which the Chinese Government expressly disclaimed all responsibility for any foreign loans not specially confirmed by them. This notification was, as you are aware, repeated and emphasised in a further circular which the Wai-wu Pu addressed to the legations some two years ago.\n\nThe present contract, such as it is, is between the Board of Posts and Communications and Messrs. Dunn, Fischer, and Co. The nature of the contract has not been disclosed, but as there is no evidence of the contract having received the approval of the Imperial Government it is liable to be repudiated, presumably under the edict of 1891. Sir John Jordan, whom I have consulted, informs me that in reply to an enquiry which he made when the circular to which I have referred was issued two years ago, the Wai-wu Pu stated that it embraced not only provincial loans but loans contracted by Government departments in Peking.\n\nAs you have also observed, although the loan is called a redemption loan, it is difficult to understand the term, seeing that the railway in question was redeemed in December 1908. The prospectus is silent as to the object of the loan, the proceeds of which are to be handed over to the uncontrolled expenditure of the mandarins. There is no provision for audit or inspection of accounts, which is indeed expressly withheld.\n\nHaving been repeatedly requested to bring to the knowledge of British subjects the edict of 1891, it appears to me that, in view of the doubtful nature of the present transaction, the description of which, together with the general imitation of the prospectus of previous Imperial loans, may be described as misleading, His Majesty's Government are justified in asking whether the loan is a Government one or one of those for which the Government accepts no responsibility. In the latter case, such means as may be possible will be taken to let the public know how they stand vis-à-vis the Chinese Government in the matter.\n\nI should be glad if you will, should you see no objection, address a communication in the above sense to the Wai-wu Pu and inform me of the result by telegraph.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n* Not printed\n\n[2958 ee-\n\nee-3]\n\n355", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429642, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 379, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Name of District.\n\nHsing-he Ting Wa-yuan Ting Wu-ch'uan Ting\n\nTao-ling Ting..\n\nTing-sheng Ting\n\nChiang Chou\n\nChieh Chou\n\nNumber of Acres (Chinese) under Opium during 30th year of Kuang Hsu (1904).\n\n8\n\nNumber of Ounces of Opium produced in 30th year of Kuang Hsü, calculated at 40 oz. per acre.\n\nNumber of Acres (Chinese) under Opium in 34th year of Kuang Hsü (1908)\n\n1,550-380\n\n4.839·870\n\n4.415-950 221-424\n\n11,806-352\n\n193,594 800\n\n176,638-000 8,856.960\n\n472,294 -080\n\n15,005.600 2,348.790 115 540\n\n2,857 185\n\nTotal number of acres under opium in Shansi during 30th year of Kuang Hsu\n\nTotal number of ounces of opium produced in Shansi during 30th year of Kuang Hsi\n\n·\n\nTotal number of acres under opium in Shansi during 34th year of Kuang Hsu\n\nTotal number of ounces of opium produced in Shansi during 34th year of Kuang Hsu\n\nIn the first year of Hsuan Tung no opium grown at all.”\n\nNumber of Ounces of Opium produced in 34th year of Kuang Hsu.\n\n62,015-20 600.224.00 98,951-60 4,621 69\n\n114,287.40\n\n994,420-454 acres (Chinese).\n\n39,776,818 166 ounces \"\n\n351,008 579 acres\n\n14,052,143-160 ounces +1\n\nIt would appear, however, that the Chinese Government are not satisfied that suppression in Shansi is complete, for the following Imperial edict was issued on the 27th September -\n\n\"In the work of opium suppression it is more important to prevent the consumption of the drug than to prevent its cultivation. But the various Viceroys and governors of provinces, scheming to perform services for which rewards might be granted, have been quick to prevent the cultivation and importation of the poppy but slow to suppress the consumption of the drug. In this they have done wrong.\n\n\"Some time ago we commanded the Board of Finance to send officers to make secret enquiries. The result of their enquiries has now been memorialised to us, and they show that even in the suppression of the cultivation of opium every province has in its report been guilty of varnishing the truth. For instance, from Kirin, Heilungchiang, Honan, Shansi, Fukien, Kuangsi, Yunnan, and the New Dominion reports were sent us that the cultivation of the poppy in those provinces had entirely ceased, whereas, as a matter of fact, in no instance was this the case. It is impossible to pass over the offence of the Viceroys and governors concerned, in that they omitted to make enquiries and made mistaken reports to the Throne. We command that they one and all be handed over to the board concerned for punishment.\n\n\"As regards the recommendations for rewards already made on behalf of the provinces of Shansi, Kirin, and Yunnan, we command that they be hereby cancelled, as a warning to others. Hereafter in every province, mindful of our wishes, let discrimination be shown as to the order in which reforms are instituted, while at the same time let the strictest measures of suppression be carefully carried out. By clearing the root and making clean the source, it may be hoped that with a daily decrease in the consumption of opium, the whole chronic disease will be destroyed.\n\n\"As regards the measures to be taken to secure the fulfilment of these designs within the time prescribed, we hereby command the Board of Finance, in conjunction with the Board of the Interior and the High Commissioner of Opium Taxation, to consider and draw up a satisfactory method of procedure, and to submit it to us for our approval.\"\n\nSHENSI\n\nI crossed the Yellow River and entered Shensi on the 19th May, and five days later I came across the first patch of poppy in that province. It lay by the roadside at the hamlet of Yao-tien within the district of Ching chien Hsien. The plants were some 4 inches high; but the whole plot had been practically uprooted the day before by a deputy and his men sent by the magistrate of the district. This was on the 24th May: and on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th, I found the poppy in ever-increasing quantity\n\nwithin the districts of Yen-ch'uan Hsien, Fu-shih Hsien, Kan-ch'uan Hsien, and the department of Fu Chou. I spent a day at Ch'a-fang within the department, and in an hour's walk up a well-watered glen observed twelve fields of poppy, many of them of large size. On the 3rd June the poppy was flowering within sight of the walls of the city of Chung-pu Hsien, and on the 6th of the same month it was in full bloom outside the south gate of the department city of Yao Chou. South of Yao Chou, in the districts of San-yüan and Ching-yang, and especially on both banks of the Ching and Wei Rivers and on the plain between these rivers, poppy fields were by no means rare, and, although some steps had been taken in places to interfere with cultivation by cutting off capsules, these measures were ineffective, as there still remained on the ground sufficient to yield two-thirds of the usual harvest, and opium was actually being collected. In the Hsi-an plain, from a point some 2 miles south of the Wei River, I saw no poppy, and it was generally admitted that what used to be one of the poppy-gardens of the province was now devoted to other crops.\n\nAt Hsi-an Fu I had an interview with his Excellency En Shou, Governor of Shensi, and he assured me that poppy cultivation, which might still secretly be carried on in out-of-the-way corners of the province, might be considered as practically stopped, that, at any rate, there was a reduction of from 60 to 80 per cent. as compared with previous years, and that not a single poppy-stem would be seen in the province next year. There can be no doubt that some reduction has taken place in cultivation as compared with previous years; but, after an examination of the west of the province, and looking to the fact that cultivation was strictly prohibited during the year, I incline to the opinion that the governor's estimate of reduction so far as my observation extended (and I have no reason to think that in other parts of the province the measures taken have on the whole been much more effective) is far too high, and that one-half of his estimate would be nearer the actual facts, while the assurance given that no poppy would be grown in Shensi in 1911 can only be taken as a pious wish.\n\nMy general report of the journey, to which I have already referred, contains a daily record of the poppy seen by me from the point at which I entered the province of Shensi from Shansi as far as Hsi-an Fu, as it does for the whole of the journey, so that I need not burden this report with too minute details. It will, I think, be sufficient to name the districts traversed and the number of poppy patches, plots, and fields observed in each.\n\nFrom Hsi-an Fu I travelled westwards, following as far as possible the valley of the Wei River to the province of Kansu, and the following table gives the names of the districts and departments traversed as far as the frontier of the two provinces and the number of poppy fields (including patches and plots which nearly all blossomed into fields as Kansu was approached) observed from the road in each :--\n\n \n Name of district or department-\n Number of Poppy Fields.\n \n \n Hsien-yang Hsien\n 1\n \n \n Hsing-ping\n 12\n \n \n Wu-kung\n 52\n \n \n Fu-feng\n 85\n \n \n Chi-shan\n 46\n \n \n Feng-hsiang\n 31\n \n \n Chien-yang\n \n \n \n Lung Chou\n 53\n \n \n \n 703\n \n \n \n 988\n \n \n Total\n \n \n\nIt should be clearly understood that these fields refer only to such as were well within sight of the road and, therefore, of any passer-by. In no case was there any attempt at concealment, or, if there was, it was quite ineffective. I am desirous of giving the Governor of Shensi the benefit of the doubt; but I cannot conscientiously say that there was any secret cultivation or that this cultivation was being carried on in out-of-the-way corners of the province.\n\nWhen I re-entered Shensi after visiting Kansu the opium harvest was practically over, and I did not expect to find the poppy as a growing crop; but that I may not be accused of any bias in the matter I think it advisable to give the names of the districts and number of poppy fields observed in Shensi on the great high-road between the Kansu border and Hsi-an Fu\n\n[2980 e-8]\n\nD\n\n378", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429643, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 380, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "Chang-wa Hsien\n\nName of district or department—\n\nPin Chou..\n\nYung-shou Hsien\n\nCviven thon\n\nLi-chuan Hsien\n\nHsing-ping Hsien\n\nChang-an\n\nTotal\n\n35\n\n10\n\nNumber of\n\nPoppy Fields.\n\n9\n\n11\n\nThe summary of the telegraphic report received from the Governor of Shensi regarding poppy cultivation in that province appears in the \"Peking Daily News\" of the 10th September, and is as follows:---\n\n\"The Shensi governor in his telegram quoted a report of the Bureau for the Suppression of Opium, and it is to the effect that prior to the Imperial edict against opium there were about 530,000 mou of poppy field, but last year it amounted to some 372,695 mou.\n\nAs a result of the instruction to shorten the time limit for the extermination of the opium evil, the suppression of the cultivation of the poppy was successfully effected except in a few cases of secret farming, which have been recently discovered and severely dealt with. Farmers are furnishing bonds not to recultivate the plant. There are no regular opium shops, opium being sold in retail shops which carry on other kinds of business as well. These numbered 2,894, but in consequence of the issue of licences 2,602 still sell opium. The 404 refuges established have cured 568,055 habitués of the opium couch, and are treating 370,036 persons. Nevertheless, there are still 938,091 opium smokers. Strict measures are being taken to eradicate from the province the most pernicious vice of the Empire.\"\n\nThe only comment I have to make on this report is that poppy cultivation is openly carried on in the province of Shensi, in many districts on a very extensive scale, and that the figures given above of the number of poppy fields observed along the roads which I traversed prove that there was no secrecy whatever about it.\n\nThe annual production of opium in Shensi, whether in 1908 or 1910, is an unknown quantity. It is true that the memorandum presented to the Shanghai International Opium Commission gives the production based on Customs reports as 33,000 piculs in 1908; but these figures are purely guesswork, and were I to hazard an estimate it would simply be figures referring to those parts of the province which I visited, and not to the province as a whole. All I can say is that in nearly all the districts through which I travelled there was some evidence of steps—albeit ineffective in many cases—having been taken to curtail production. What these steps were and the cause of their failure will be found in my general report. In the west of the province, as in the department of Lung Chou, there was little or no evidence of any repressive measures whatever having been taken. I have not the least hesitation, however, in saying that, so far as my personal observation extended, the claim that there has been a diminution in cultivation of from 60 to 80 per cent. is excessive. It may be as much as 30 per cent., but is certainly much under 50 per cent.\n\nWhen I was in Hsi-an Fu I asked the Rev. A. G. Shorrock, of the English Baptist Mission Society, who has spent many years in Shensi, and who was at the time of my collecting information regarding opium from all parts of the province, if he would kindly send me a few notes on the subject as soon as his information was complete. This he kindly consented to do, and the following letter, dated the 14th June, reached me at Lanchou :-\n\n\"I have information from about twenty-three Hsien in various parts of the province, and with the exception of Wu-kung, all report a great decrease in poppy growing.\n\n\"In Tung-chou Fu district, four Hsien report that there is practically no opium at all being grown this year. In P'u-ch'eng Hsien about one-fifth of the land is still under poppy cultivation. Han-ch'eng Hsien was not reported on.\n\nIn the entire district the diminution is most marked.\n\n\"In the Shang Chou district a great change is reported this year; but, owing to much bribery, the men sent out to investigate gave false reports to the officials, and in consequence a good deal of opium has escaped detection among the hills away from the big roads.\n\n\"In Han-chung Fu Prefecture there is a most marked improvement. There is still a good deal grown, but it is mostly in hidden-away places.\n\n\"It is difficult to get reliable evidence from the districts between Hsi-an Fu and Yu-lin Fu, but there is no doubt whatever, from the reports of many natives, that there has been a similar decrease in these parts.\n\n\"From Feng-hsiang Fu I have not been able to get a report. But I hear that to the west one or two of the Hsien are very bad, notably Wu-kung, where nothing seems to have been done at all. Mei Hsien, Fu-feng, and Ch'ishan have from one-fourth to one-sixth of their land still under cultivation. But in all of these three Hsien there is improvement compared with last year.\n\nIn Hu Hsien and Chou-chih Hsien the difference is most marked. Formerly two of the worst Hsien, they may now be reckoned among the best. I cannot find that any opium has been seen in Hu Hsien; and in Chou-chih the area planted has been reduced by nine-tenths. The same may be said of Hsien-yang, Hsien-ning, Chang-an, Fan-yuan, and Fu-ping. These districts show what can be done by energetic and loyal officials.\n\n\"The price of opium, as compared with former years, indicates more than anything else the rate of production now. More than four times the price is now charged, as compared with previous years. Merchants have been collecting opium with feverish eagerness during the past five months, firmly believing that the growth in this province will soon cease. These men depend largely on the banks for the transfer of silver from Hankow, Tien-tsin, &c.; they seldom bring silver with them. Again and again I have been told lately that the banks and business houses never remember such a dearth of silver in the city, and this they attribute to the extensive purchase of opium, many saying that in a year's time there will be no opium to be had in Shensi. The tael rate has actually risen to 1,820 cash, , 1,274 big cash, the normal rate being 150 big cash below this. The price of opium has dropped a little lately, owing to the incoming of supplies from the west, and the prospect of a good harvest in Kansu. Without doubt the people generally believe that opium is doomed. To us who have been here many years the change in sentiment and in actual production of opium is marvellous.\n\n\"Such a vast change is only possible when supported by popular sentiment. No other change appeals as this has done to the conscience of the people. I have seen the farmers take their implements to the mandarin and refuse to work when a comparatively small tax has been levied; but although the people have incurred great loss by the suppression of opium growing, no such risings have yet taken place, at least to any extent.\n\nMen have been beaten, numbers have worn the cangue, crops have been destroyed everywhere, and yet the people have suffered it. And why? For three reasons—\n\n\"1. They believe the officials, high and low, are in earnest. At first the people took with great nonchalance the proclamations regarding opium, believing in them no more than in most others. But through the persistence shown during the last three years they have come to believe that the authorities mean business this time. There are some who assert that the present stringency will pass, but they are very few.\n\n\"2. The gentry and better educated people are really in sympathy with the Government, and from patriotic reasons use their influence in the right direction.\n\n\"3. The people themselves feel it is right, though they naturally resent being forced to adjust themselves so suddenly to the new conditions. They know that opium growing and consuming is bad for everybody. Whole families and communities have been ruined by opium, and they know it will be well to be rid of it.\n\n\"In conclusion, let me say that, having had a good deal of direct intercourse with officials and people, I am convinced—\n\n\"1. Of the seriousness of the efforts of most officials, and of their belief that opium is bound to go, and that before long.\n\n\"2. Of the ability of the Chinese to cope with the tremendous difficulties of opium suppression. After another year like this, there will be little left.\n\n\"3. Of the reality of popular sentiment (sometimes combined with sore feeling), that it is best for themselves and the country at large, that opium growing and consuming should be entirely stamped out.\"\n\nI have quoted this letter in full so that the Chinese authorities may have every credit, if such credit is due; but I should like to point out that I have reports from...\n\n379", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429645, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 382, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "14\n\nis 2 per cent. of last year's area. His campaign having taken place in the spring, the farmers were unable to put anything into the ground except potatoes and beans, of which there will this year no doubt be a record harvest. The old poppy fields are easily distinguished by the stray poppies showing here and there.\n\nThe Tao Chou district is too elevated for the opium poppy and is mainly inhabited by Thibetans, so that little opium has ever been grown there. I only saw one field which had not yet come into flower.\n\n\"In the Ti-tao and Ho Chou districts, the American missionary at the former town told me, the enforcement of the prohibition had been as strict as at Min Chou, very little opium being overlooked in either district. In former years these three were among the chief opium-producing districts of Kansu. In the two days crossing the Ti-tao district I saw not more than a dozen fields, though in many fields of beans and tobacco stray plants were carefully preserved.\n\n\"In Min Chou and Tao Chou the price of raw opium was from 900 to 1,000 cash an ounce. The sale was not officially licensed, but dens were supposed to have been closed. T'ai Chou being inhabited mainly by Mahommedans, the drug is not much smoked there; but in Min Chon and in the Chinese villages I was told the habit is universal, and the poorer members of the community are suffering severely from being unable to satisfy their craving.\n\n\"The remainder of my route has been traversed by Sir A. Hosie and reported on by him. He will no doubt have noticed the large quantity of poppy growing in the Kao-lan Hsien district. I saw many times as much there as all I had seen previously put together.\n\n\"In the western part of Kao-lan Hsien district which I traversed the first day, I did not see any opium poppy, and I think it had all been cut down, the harvest being completed. Crossing the Yellow River at Hsin-ch'eng I followed the Si-ning River for the next two days as far as its junction with the Ta-tung River, up which I then went as far as Yao-kai. The whole of this journey was through the P'ing-fan district, which belongs to Liang-chou prefecture. In the lower parts the opium harvest was over, and the poppies had been cut down and removed, but the large stacks of poppy stalks in almost every courtyard were evidence that the plant had been extensively cultivated. Round Yao-kai I saw many fields—quite one-sixth of the irrigated land—covered with poppy in full bloom. The poppy, requiring a rich soil, is only cultivated here in the irrigated district, and therefore the total amount grown here cannot be very great. An intelligent Chinese I talked with on the subject told me that the proportion of poppy ground to other crops was in former years four-tenths of the irrigated land. The usual proclamation had been issued in Ping-fan but not enforced, and the bolder farmers had sown poppy and allowed it to remain when ordered to pull it up. He estimated the crop in Ping-fan district at one-tenth the normal, but I think this is an exceedingly low figure, and I should say a third of the normal amount would not be too large. The opium dealers were offering this year 300 to 400 cash per tael for the new season's crops. This is about the same as last year's price, for the opium edicts had then already caused a great increase in the price of the drug. As the year advances the raw opium becomes dryer and more concentrated, so that for last season's opium the price is now 700 cash an ounce. The price of this year's opium is likely to rise to the same figure as it matures. The suppression of poppy cultivation appears to have been carried out very perfunctorily in the Ping-fan district and, I am told, throughout the Liang-chou prefecture. It is unfortunate I was not able to visit the latter city, but my previous arrangements did not allow it.\n\nThe campaign against the drug has been energetically proceeded with in the Si-ning prefecture, and cultivation almost entirely suppressed. Owing to the generally elevated and mountainous character of the country, the lowest parts being about 6,000 feet above sea level, the cultivation of the poppy is possible only in restricted districts along the river valleys, and even there was not as prevalent as in other parts of the province. The opium edicts already caused a reduction of the area under poppy in 1909, and this year the cultivation of the plant was completely stopped in the Si-ning district. In the Nien-pei and Ta-t'ung districts the prohibition was enforced with equal severity, although I saw an occasional field of poppy in the former, and I think the authorities throughout the Si-ning prefecture may be credited with carrying out the Imperial commands with exceptional thoroughness. The Kuei-te and Hsun-hua districts on the Yellow River, mainly inhabited by Thibetans, have never produced opium in considerable quantities. Dan-gar Ting is too elevated for its cultivation.\n\n\"In Si-ning the price of raw opium is now about 900 cash the ounce, that of prepared opium, 1,150 cash. Similar prices prevail at Ta-tung Hsien. An official bureau for the sale of opium and opium antidotes was opened at Si-ning some two years ago, but has since been closed, and there is now no restriction on trade in the drug, nor are there any facilities for curing the opium habit. Opium dens have never existed in the city.\n\n\"The proportion of opium smokers among the Chinese population of the prefecture is estimated at over 50 per cent. The Mahommedans, Thibetans, and Mongols are not addicted to the habit, and not more than 1 per cent. of the former are thought to be opium smokers.'\n\nAs in the case of Shensi, the annual production of opium in Kansu previous to 1908 and since that year is an unknown quantity. There have been many estimates, the latest, and probably the most unreliable, based on Customs reports, being that presented to the Shanghai International Opium Commission, and given as 23,000 piculs for 1908. It was on this estimate that the production of Kansu in 1906 was arbitrarily increased to 34,000 piculs, although it is now well known that no measures of repression were introduced until 1909, and, indeed, no effective measures up to the present time.\n\nIn his telegraphic reply to the Wai-wu Pu, quoted in the \"Peking Daily News\" of the 7th September, the Viceroy of Shensi and Kansu states \"that poppy was cultivated on a large scale in Kansu, and that there were numerous persons addicted to the opium-smoking habit. As the result of the crusade against opium last year, out of 168,500 mou of land in 1908, 77,300 were free from the poppy plant. At the beginning of this year only about 20,000 mou still remained under cultivation of the poppy. Commissioners were sent out to take concerted action with the local officials in persuading opium cultivators to turn their lands into grain fields, with the result that only about 2,000 mou of poppy fields have not as yet been totally converted. In the provincial capital there used to be six opium shops, but they have now been closed. In the 139 refuges, out of 234,600 opium smokers, 130,000 have been cured of the habit. This can have only one meaning, namely, that there were only 2,000 mou of land in Kansu under poppy in 1910, and all I can say is that in districts like Fo-chiang, Chin Hsien, or Ping-liang Hsien I passed in one day along the high-road hundreds of poppy fields, amounting in the aggregate to many thousands of mou. That the mou, fixed by treaty at 7334 square yards, varies in extent with the provinces, but no variation, however great, can justify the statement that the land under poppy cultivation in Kansu in 1910 amounted to only 2,000 mou, which, taking the Governor of Shansi's estimate of 40 Chinese ounces as the yield of opium per mou, would give the production of opium in Kansu for 1910 as 50 piculs!\n\nIt is true\n\nAlong the roads which I followed I observed few if any signs of interference with the poppy fields; in the Fochiang district there was an immense increase as compared with 1909, the Chin Hsien district was full of it, and the poppy was actually in full bloom within the walls of the city of Ping-liang Fu.\n\nI am very much inclined to doubt any statements regarding poppy cultivation in China unless they are based on personal observation and investigation; but it is only fair that I should quote some notes on the subject which have been kindly furnished at my request by three missionaries in Kansu.\n\nMr. E. J. Mann, of the China Inland Mission, writing to me from Fo-chiang Hsien on the 5th July, says\n\nOn the afternoon you left this city (the 28th June) we had a terrible hailstorm, I hope you were not caught in it. I think it was more or less local. It seemed heaviest on the south hills where I told you so much opium was being grown. Quite a lot was badly injured. One plot of 40 shang (100 mou) was sold for 600 taels and was almost entirely destroyed. What was not destroyed is still a huge crop.\n\nI don't know if\n\nyou were able to get a view of the poppy being grown on the north of the river. My man reported that from the hill it looked one white flower-garden. And by all accounts there is a large crop being grown there. To the east of the city—15 li away—the ploughing craze did not affect the crop, and in one village there is reported to be only four plots of grain.\n\n\"There are still no merchants here and the price of raw opium is falling. At present it is 220 to 330 for different qualities. Small buyers are losing money fast, for all expected a quick rise in prices and many small merchants have invested their money in standing opium. I met the Roman Catholic priest recently and enquired of him as to opium in south of the province. He informed me that Huei Hsien and Cheng Hsien have very heavy crops, much more than other years. At Li Hsien, a city next south of us, the opium is more or less cleared from the plain around the city, but he says there is much being grown in the hills.\n\n15\n\n[2980 c-8]\n\nF\n\n381", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429655, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 392, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nThe financial representatives are of opinion that the Yuchuanpu have exaggerated the danger of local trouble, with the view of obtaining easier terms, though, short of lending the money without any restrictions whatever, it would, they maintain, be difficult to frame terms less onerous than the Tien-tsin-Pukow terms. Observations, they say, have led them to the impression that the opposition of Chinese public opinion to foreign loans in general has of late considerably weakened.\n\nHow far the opinions of the bankers are justified it is difficult to judge. The action of the central Government, which formed the subject of our identic notes of protest of the 12th February and the 22nd April, has doubtless encouraged provincial opposition; and I am further informed that Tong Shao-yi, who is due in Peking to-morrow to take up his post as president of the Board of Communications, is at present strongly opposed to the employment of foreign capital for the construction of railways. It is probable that the central Government could, with some slight concessions on our part, put through the scheme, if they really wished to, without the risk of serious disturbances; but there would always be the danger of subsequent opposition in the provinces in the practical work of construction. It will probably require strong and united pressure on the part of the four Governments concerned to induce the Chinese Government to take such a step, and though the informal conversation of my French colleague has shown me that we are in complete accord, I am not so sure that we can reckon on the loyal and whole-hearted support of the American and German Legations. I have no reason to believe that the American Minister has changed his attitude since I wrote my despatch No. 226 of the 14th July, and it is even hinted that the American group may vent their spite for our refusal to support the Chinchow-Aigun Railway project by adopting a very lukewarm attitude in regard to the Tukuang Railway loan. The German Legation—probably in view of the approaching visit of the Crown Prince—refuse at present to join in any action that might in the slightest degree hurt the susceptibilities of the Chinese, and are following a policy of conciliation at all costs.\n\nThe German Minister is returning to Peking in a few days, and we shall then have a meeting to discuss what action we should take, subject to the approval of our Governments. My private opinion, in which M. de Margerie and the four financial representatives concur, is that we should not allow the binding effect of the initialled agreement to be called in question, but that, subject to that proviso, we might invite the Chinese Government to state to us the modifications which they have in view, in order that we, with the approval of our respective Governments, may decide to what extent these may be entertained, and may then recommend them for adoption to the financial groups. The representatives of the groups would thereby be protected from being forced into a discussion of inacceptable terms, and might then proceed to negotiate with the Yuchuanpu upon an approved basis of compromise.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. Max Müller.\n\nEnclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nNotes of an Interview with Yuchuanpu, October 3, 1910, at 4 P.M. Present: Shen Yun-pei, Acting President; Shông Kung-pao, Vice-President; and Messrs. Hillier, Menocal, Homberg and Cordes, Representatives of the four Groups.\n\nHis Excellency Shen explained that the board had received strong protests from the provincial gentry, principally of Hupei and Hunan, against the conclusion of the loan agreement negotiated with Grand Secretary Chang, on the ground that it affected sovereign rights and was based on Tien-tsin-Pukow terms. Their reason for the latter objection was that Tien-tsin-Pukow terms were the outcome of negotiations based upon a preliminary agreement which had been previously concluded, while, in the present instance, the line (or one of them) which formed the subject of negotiation had been redeemed from the previous concessionnaires and therefore the field was open for negotiations upon an entirely new basis which they expected would be better than Tien-tsin-Pukow terms. We pointed out that the present agreement was an adaptation of Tien-tsin-Pukow terms from beginning to end, by the special request of the late Grand Secretary Chang, who had insisted throughout upon strict adherence to them.\n\n3\n\nThe presidents replied that in this the Grand Secretary Chang had acted wrongly and against the wishes of the people. The present object was to so modify the terms of the agreement as to satisfy the objections of the gentry.\n\nWe pointed out that His Excellency Chang was Imperial Commissioner, appointed by special edict with full powers to negotiate the loan. Tien-tsin-Pukow terms had been proposed by him, not by the foreign banks. The terms were concluded after months of negotiation in a final agreement, the text of which was initialled by the contracting parties as binding and only awaiting the formality of ratification.\n\nThe presidents objected that the text could not be considered final since it admittedly had to await ratification both by the Board of Finance and by the Throne, as was shown by a note added to the Chinese text at the time of initialling. They also objected that His Excellency Chang had not signed the text himself, but had deputed signature to the two deputy negotiators.\n\nWe pointed out that these deputies signed at the request and in the presence of His Excellency Chang himself, a procedure frequently followed where the Imperial Commissioner is of high rank. The instance was cited of the 1905 Anglo-German loan for £1,000,000, the final agreement for which was signed not by the negotiator, the president of the Board of Finance, but by his deputy in his presence. The delay in ratification of the loan agreement initialled on the 6th June, 1909, had been due solely to the formulating of an American claim for participation for which, at the request of the Wai-wu-Pu, provision had to be made, and later to the death of His Excellency Chang himself.\n\nThe presidents interposed by stating that the delay in ratification was due also to another cause, namely, that His Excellency Chang, influenced by representations from the provinces, had abandoned his intention to apply for ratification of the agreement negotiated.\n\nWe said that, with our knowledge of the circumstances and of the attitude of the late Grand Secretary Chang, we could not accept that statement. In the opinions of ourselves and of our Governments the initialled text of the 6th June, 1909, was final and binding, and the process of ratification was a mere formality. A case had never been known in our experiences, or in that of the presidents themselves, where an agreement so initialled by plenipotentiaries had been subjected to alteration. They (the presidents) were now asking us to change the whole basis of the agreement, which was Tien-tsin-Pukow terms, and to negotiate something fresh in order to satisfy the objections of the provincial gentry. We could not discuss such a proposal without applying to our respective legations for new instructions.\n\nThe presidents recognised the propriety of this course and expressed the hope that a compromise could be arrived at which would remove both the difficulties of the board and the objections of the gentry, and thus smooth the way for future and more lucrative business for the groups.\n\nWe said that, so soon as we had received instructions from our legations, we would ask for another interview. The presidents replied that they would always be at our disposal whenever required.\n\nPeking, October 3, 1910.\n\nC. Homberg,\n\nH. Cordes,\n\nE. G. Hillier,\n\n(For W. Straight),\n\nD. Menocal,\n\nRepresentatives of British, French, German,\n\nand American Groups.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nCopy of a Note added to the Chinese Text of the Hukuang Railways Loan Agreement at the time of the initialling by the Contracting Parties.\n\nAs regards the terms of this agreement and the supplementary letter, deputies have now been appointed to arrange the loan and to bring matters to a conclusion with the representatives of the banks. They have accordingly reported to the director-general and obtained his approval whereby they have been appointed to sign the agreement provisionally.\n\n391", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429656, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 393, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "When the director-general has memorialised and obtained the Imperial edict handing the matter over to the Board of Finance for approval, the final agreement can be signed. If the Board of Finance should have any emendations to make, then another arrangement should be discussed. This is clearly understood.\n\nSigned by the deputies appointed by his Excellency the Grand Secretary Chang Chih-tung, director-general of the Canton-Hankow Railway and of the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway, duly authorised by Imperial decree.\n\nKAO LING-WEI, Commissioner of Education, Hupei. TSENG KUANG-JUNG, Taotai of Shik Ho, Hupei.\n\nE. G. HILLIER, Manager of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank.\n\nCASENAVE, Manager of Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\n\nH. CORDES, Manager of Deutsch Asiatische Bank.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[November 5.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[39302]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie.*\n\n(No. 391.) (Telegraphic.) R. CHINA loans.\n\nForeign Office, November 5, 1910.\n\nA meeting is to be held here on the 8th instant between the four groups, for the purpose of coming to a general agreement in regard to all future Chinese business. We are given to understand that French (German) financiers will not be permitted to sign this unless American group undertake to insist vis-à-vis the Chinese that the final contract for the loan of 10,000,000l. now under discussion (see recent telegraphic sections) shall be signed by all four groups.\n\nWe think it would be a mistake not to sign general agreement, as, though we are entirely in favour of signature of 10,000,000l. loan by all groups, we think we should be in a stronger position to press this if the general agreement were first concluded, as the latter stipulates that all parties should use their utmost endeavours to secure joint signature, &c.\n\nPlease urge these considerations on French (German) Government.\n\nMatter is somewhat urgent, as it is reported that final contract for American loan may be signed in next few days.\n\nA similar telegram is being sent to His Majesty's representative at Berlin (Paris). Draft of general agreement to be discussed on 8th November goes to-night.\n\n* Also to Sir E. Goschen (No. 115).\n\n[2982 -]\n\nPage 392\n\n \n-1\n\n392", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429676, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 413, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nleur adhésion à l'entente générale pour les affaires d'emprunts en Chine à la participation, sur le pied de parfaite égalité, des quatre groupes anglais, français, allemand, et américain, à l'emprunt de 10,000,000l. récemment négocié à Pékin par le groupe américain seul.\n\nLa question ne paraît pas, à la connaissance du Gouvernement français, se présenter exactement dans les termes où la pose la note du Gouvernement britannique. Il y a lieu de distinguer l'entente générale et l'emprunt sino-américain,\n\nL'objection du groupe français à la signature de l'entente générale tient aux conditions particulières réclamées par les Américains, savoir, la faculté de renoncer au placement sur leur marché de la tranche qui leur reviendrait sur les emprunts futurs, tout en conservant, en vertu de l'article 6 du projet d'entente générale, le droit de négocier seuls et d'accepter, sans en référer à leur coparticipants, des conditions sur lesquelles ceux-ci jugent prudent d'être consultés. Le groupe français demande donc la modification de l'article 6.\n\nQuant à l'emprunt sino-américain, les financiers français, d'accord avec mon département, n'estiment pouvoir y prendre part qu'aux conditions de l'entente générale, c'est-à-dire, en signant un contrat dans des conditions d'égalité complète et en participant à tous les avantages éventuels attachés à cette signature.\n\nParis, le 7 novembre, 1910.\n\n[B]\n\n412\n\nThis Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[41080]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[November 11.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nMemorandum regarding Chinese Currency Loan.-(Communicated by Mr. Addis, November 11, 1910.)\n\nIN September, 1910, the Chinese Government, acting through certain high officials in Peking, requested the American Minister through the State Department to invite the American group to undertake a loan of 50,000,000 taels, such loan to be devoted by China to currency reform. In extending this invitation on behalf of the Chinese Government, the Department of State expressly informed the American group that China had stipulated that this loan must be negotiated and the agreement signed solely by the American group. While objecting to the inclusion of other parties either in the negotiations for, or as signatories to, the loan agreements, the Chinese stated that they would have no objection to the American group issuing, if necessary, in Europe. This invitation was at once accepted by the American group. Later, at the request of the Chinese Government, negotiations which had been in progress for some time for a 20,000,000 tael Manchurian loan were abandoned. This sum was added to the amount which China originally desired to secure for currency reform, and the American group was invited to undertake a loan of 50,000,000 gold dollars. Emphasis was again laid by China on her desire to negotiate solely with the American group, and to have that group alone signatory to the agreement. The American group agreed to take up the business on this basis.\n\nOn the 27th October, 1910, Mr. D. A. Menocal, acting for the American group at Peking, signed with the Chinese representatives a preliminary agreement for a loan of 50,000,000 dollars United States currency. This agreement was ratified by Imperial Edict on the following day, and the American Minister at Peking formally advised of this ratification. This preliminary agreement provides that the Chinese Government shall issue Imperial Chinese Government Sinking Fund Gold Bonds in aggregate, principal amount not exceeding 50,000,000 dollars United States currency.\n\nThe proceeds of this loan are to be utilised in the reform of Chinese and Manchurian currency, and for certain industrial enterprises in Manchuria. The agreement provides that the American group shall take the bonds at 95 flat, and that these bonds shall bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum. The proceeds of the loan to be deposited with the group, subject to withdrawal for the actual requirements of operations contemplated under the loan.\n\nThe loan is to be secured by a first charge upon certain provincial revenues, sufficient in amount and suitable in character for the purpose. The term of the loan, the conditions governing the deposit and withdrawal of loan funds, the creation of sinking fund, &c., are to be settled in the final agreement.\n\nNovember 9, 1910.\n\n[#982 --1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429693, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 430, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[40043]\n\nNovember 3.\n\nCO\n\nSECTION 2,\n\n36747\n\nNo. Pic?\n\n(No. 363.) Sir,\n\nREGS DEC IOL\n\n(Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey---Received November 3.)\n\nPeking, October 15, 1910.\n\nAS I had the honour to report in my telegram No. 166 of the 3rd instant, the Tzu-Cheng Yuan, or Senate, was inaugurated on that date. The construction of the Senate House not being yet completed, the inaugural ceremony took place at the Law College, in the West City of Peking. It was attended by the Prince Regent, Prince Ching, Prince P'u Lun (the President of the Senate), the grand councillors, the presidents of the various boards, and nearly all the members; but no foreigners, whatever their rank or position, were permitted to attend the function.\n\nThe reading by Prince Ching of the Imperial Edict addressed to the members of the Senate was followed by a Speech from the Throne, delivered personally by the Prince Regent. The purport of both these addresses, translations of which I have the honour to enclose herewith,* is closely similar, and is characterised by an absence of any mention of duties devolving on the members save those of voicing public opinion in discussion. No actual business was transacted on this occasion, and the first session proper of the Senate did not take place until the 6th instant. Cards of admission to this latter sitting were sent to a limited number of foreign officials and representatives of the press, and at my request Mr. Phillips, the acting Chinese secretary, accompanied by Mr. Teichman of this legation, attended to witness the proceedings.\n\nThe Senate is the outcome of the recommendations put forward on their return to China by the five Imperial commissioners, who were sent abroad early in 1906 to make a special study of the constitutions of the various Great Powers; its establishment approved by an Imperial Edict dated the 29th October, 1906, is an important factor in the scheme for the gradual introduction, extending over a period of nine years, of a constitutional government, though it is in fact as well as in name only a provisional parliament, intended to serve as a training school for the Parliament proper, which is, according to present arrangements, to be assembled in the year 1917. The total number of members is 262, of whom 98 are the nominees of the Emperor, 98 are the delegates of the provincial assemblies, selected by the Viceroys and Governors of the various provinces from a list of 200 names chosen by the provincial assemblies from among their own members, while the remainder are deputies appointed by the Grand Council and the various boards. Properly speaking, the Senate cannot be named an elected body at all. In addition to a certain proportion of travelling expenses on a sliding scale in proportion to the distance of their homes from the capital, the members receive the modest stipend of 600 dollars (say, £50) per annum. It is expected that a session of the Senate will occupy only three months of the year. The duties of the Senate are confined to discussion on questions relating to finance, changes in legal enactments (from which are expressly excluded laws relating to the constitution or to the Imperial Household), and disputes between the various provincial assemblies, or between the provincial assemblies and the provincial authorities, as well as petitions submitted direct by the people. Questions regarding affairs in the various provinces may be addressed to the provincial assemblies by the Senate, which has also the right to refer to the Emperor arbitrary and illegal acts on the part of high officials.\n\nThe legislative power of the Senate is, however, materially hampered by the proviso requiring reconsideration of any of its resolutions with which a Grand Councillor or a Secretary of State disagrees, and ultimate reference of all differences incapable of settlement to the Throne, which has contrived to retain an absolute right of veto on all questions discussed in the Senate. It remains, of course, to be seen how far the Prince Regent will venture to run counter to decisions on important questions backed up by a majority of votes in this new advisory Chamber, but signs are not wanting already that the members of the Senate are likely to take their duties more seriously than the Imperial Decree or the Prince Regent's speech would lead one to suppose, and that they will not confine their activity to the mere giving of advice, but\n\n* Not printed.\n\n[2982 c-2]\n\n429", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429694, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 431, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\nwill be able to ensure that their advice will be followed. It is perhaps not too much to hope that the formation of a body composed of influential representatives from all parts of the Empire may achieve something towards strengthening the political power in Peking vis-à-vis the hitherto largely wielded by the Central Government independent units of authority in the provinces, though, on the other hand, it must not be forgotten that the provincial delegates will be in correspondence with their provincial assemblies, and will represent to a great extent their tendencies and wishes. The opening of the Senate is another illustration of the world-wide movement towards parliamentary institutions of the growing determination of the peoples of the world not to submit to \"taxation without representation.\" Certainly, these first steps towards the introduction of a more democratic form of government into China are being adopted with great caution, and the Throne gives no hint of giving up its absolute power or that of the mandarinate or Chinese officialdom; so far, it only condescends to bear the wishes of the so-called representatives of the people. It is open to question whether democratic institutions are ever compatible with Oriental life and ideas, and certainly in China public life has not yet risen to that stage of advancement where individual and local interests are subordinated to those of the nation as a whole.\n\nIt would, however, be unwise to judge of the work of the Senate without giving sufficient time for trial, but at present everything appears to indicate an expansion of its powers far beyond the point contemplated in the edict that brought it into being, while one result of its assembling will be a renewal of the agitation in favour of a curtailment of the period for the opening of the real national Parliament.\n\nAlready the \"Shun Tien Shih Pao,\" a prominent local Chinese newspaper, the contents of which show strong traces of Japanese inspiration, has in a lengthy leading article urged on the Senate the necessity of paying careful attention to this question. The majority of the native papers have, however, confined themselves to eulogising the Prince Regent for allowing the establishment of the present provisional parliament and for attending in person the ceremony of its inauguration; they congratulate the nation on the accomplishment of this important step towards the fulfilment of its desire for a constitutional government, and exhort the members of the Senate to strenuous and honest endeavours in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their new appointment.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER.\n\nC O\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\n36747\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[September 5,]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nRECS\n\nRead 1 OFC 10\n\nNo. 1.\n\n[32267]\n\nEnclosure in Mr. Max Müller's No. 232 of July 16.--(Received September 5, 1910.)\n\nNote on the West River.\n\nGOODS from Hong Kong and Canton proceed in steamer by independent routes to the treaty port of Wuchou. Thence they are carried in motor-boats, steam launches, lighters, and junks to Nanning. In the high-water season (June-October) the motor boats tow lighters laden with cargo. During the remainder of the year they are unable, owing to the low-water rapids, to do any towing. The steam-launches do not generally run above the Ta t'an rapid, about 130 miles below Nanning. Beyond Nanning cargo is conveyed to Pose, the limit of junk navigation on the West River.\n\nA motor boat made her first trip in November 1909 to Pose without mishap, and it was expected that she would be able to continue until the end of December. Motor-boats will probably in future run regularly between Nanning and Pose from April until December. Messrs. Banker and Co., of Wuchou, are having two of these craft constructed at Hong Kong specially for the Nanning-Pose run.\n\nAt Pose the goods separate according as they are bound for south-east Yünnan or for Kueichou and east Yünnan. The former are taken up to Pongai, the extreme limit of boat navigation on the West River, in small boats of a capacity of about 16 cwt. The latter proceed overland via Hsing I hsien (Huang ts'au pa), crossing the Red Water River (Fung shui chiang), a northern branch of the West River below Po chio, a li-kin station notorious for its defiance of transit passes. At Huang tsao pa those destined for Kueichou consumption are distributed by a variety of routes, the principal being that via Anshun. Those for East Yünnan cross the Red Water River again at Chiang ti, and take the Lo ping chou route.\n\nLi-kin\n\nOn arrival at Pongai, the goods, which are principally cotton yarn, cotton piece goods, woollen blankets, kerosene oil, Chinese tobacco and sugar, are carried on pack-animals to Kaihua, Kuang nan, and Tung hai. The Yünnan commodities exchanged for these are anise-seed oil, star aniseed, medicinal roots, oil-seeds, gallnuts, furniture rattans, gums, white wax, hides and antimony. Opium, formerly the staple export, being now declared contraband, it is feared that the yarn trade will be diminished by 700 bales yearly. It is, however, too early to be able to confirm these fears. Along this route is light. The first barrier after Nanning is Pingma. There is another barrier between Pingma and Pose, and li-kin is levied at Pose and Pongai. Between Pongai and Kuang nan there is one barrier, but the li-kin at Kuang nan itself is heavy. The same remark applies to Kaihua. From Pongai to Tung hai by the route south of Kuang nan there are two barriers with light dues. The civil officer at Pongai told me that the li-kin office there would probably raise its dues 40 per cent. in 1910, in order to make up for the loss of opium li-kin. If this increase be made the result will be a great blow to the trade which, although small and struggling, is promising.\n\nNavigation.-Navigation on the West River as far as Wuchou is easy. Beyond to Nanning the river is broken by rapids, but is not exceptionally difficult for navigation by launches or motor-boats, except in two places. The first of these from Pose is the Pan t'an and the other is the Ta t'an or Fu po t'an. The latter is by far the more dangerous of the two. It is in reality a stretch of rapids 34 miles long. To give some idea of the Ta-t'an I will quote from the diary of my journey in a motor-boat from Wuchou to Nanning in January 1907. \"At 6:30 we got under weigh. Subdued excitement on board and whispers that we would pass over the dreaded Fu po t'an this afternoon. There was no doubt that this rapid inspired respect and some fear in our crew. The little motor-boat in her former (trial) trip had struck a rock in this rapid, and, had it not been for the skill and coolness of the pilot in beaching her, she must have become a total wreck. At about 3 I was warned that we were approaching the rapid. Ahead of us the river seemed choked with rocks and\n\n[2893 -2]\n\n430", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429757, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 494, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "2\n\nTheir flotation, of which class there are now several representatives in Peking. Some of these financial schemes have come to nothing, while others have already materialised. I need mention only a few of the smaller schemes to the exclusion of such loans as the supplementary loan for the construction of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway, the Hukuang Railway Loan, and the Chinchow-Aigun Railway Loan.\n\nAt the end of last year the province of Hupei issued a loan for 2,400,000 taels; during the summer the province of Anhui issued bonds for 1,200,000 taels, and for some time Messrs. Samuel Macgregor were in negotiation to take up 1,000,000 dollars' worth of these bonds, but the negotiations, as far as I know, fell through. At the present moment the province of Kuangsi is reported to be seeking to raise a loan of 10,000,000 dollars for the development of industries, while the Viceroys at Canton and Nanking have each asked the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank for a loan of 3,000,000 taels to relieve the financial stringency in their respective provinces. I understand that an edict sanctioning these two last loans has been issued, but that the bank's directorate in Hong Kong, contrary to the advice of their agent in Peking, insist on an Imperial guarantee, on the ground of the arrangement to that effect come to with the allied financial groups.\n\nFor a similar reason Mr. Hillier had to break off negotiations with the Viceroy of Manchuria in regard to a loan of 10,000,000 taels for the industrial development of Manchuria. The English, French, and German banks felt that it was impossible to dispense with the Imperial guarantee, since it had been granted for all previous large loans, and the withholding of it might be regarded as an attempt to introduce an inferior class of bond which would seriously prejudice the public credit of China, though the banks expressed themselves as being entirely satisfied with the security offered by the Viceroy. In regard to this loan, I understand that it has already been brought to your notice that the American group advanced a prior claim to this loan on the strength of an agreement come to in August 1908 between Mr. Straight, the American consul-general in Mukden, and Tang Shao-yi, then Governor of Mukden. Personally I doubt whether this agreement was of any value, and in any case it was nullified by the terms of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank agreement, signed by the Viceroy of Manchuria and sanctioned by Imperial Edict on the 9th November, 1908, which gave a prior claim for any future loans to the bank. As a matter of fact, the question was never raised officially, and each side declared its willingness to admit the other to participation in the loan if obtained.\n\nAn agreement for this Manchurian loan has, as I have before stated, now been signed by Mr. Cloud, who represents another American group, the Hawley-Macey group, and is therefore not bound by the arrangement come to between the original American group and the three European banks, \"that they do not care to entertain a proposition for any Chinese provincial loan unless bearing an unconditional Imperial guarantee, and believe that it would be prejudicial to the interests of all concerned to have other groups entertain provincial loans unless so secured.\" It is, I hope, a mere coincidence that the moving spirit in this Hawley-Macey group is a Mr. Fearon, the vice-president of the international bank, and that the international bank here is the bank of the Kuhn-Loeb-Morgan group, and represents that group during the absence of Mr. Straight.\n\nMy despatch No. 300 of the 6th September informed you of the advance of 3,500,000 taels made by the combined foreign banks in Shanghai to enable the native banks involved in the financial crisis to tide over their difficulties and to restore confidence. As a matter of fact this result was not attained, and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank has already been approached in regard to a fresh loan of 2,000,000 taels, and it now appears as if still further loans would be necessary to help the Shanghai market.\n\nI have dealt at some length with the so-called \"Birchal\" loan for 450,000l. in my despatches No. 332 of the 22nd September and No. 345 of the 4th October, and I stated in them that the Board of Communications were at the same time borrowing 2,500,000 dollars from the Yokohama Specie Bank on similar terms. I now hear that the question of the \"Birchal\" loan, especially the manner in which it was obtained, is likely to come up for discussion in the Senate.\n\nMr. Hillier informs me that the Board of Communications have recently approached him for an immediate temporary advance of 1,000,000 dollars, but that he had to refer them elsewhere.\n\nI have no doubt that I could still further increase my list of loans and requests for loans, but I have cited enough to prove how urgent the demand for money is both on the part of the Imperial Government and of the provinces. Duke Tsai Tse,\n\n3\n\nin introducing the budget in the Senate, said: \"Money is needed to carry out the various branches of reforms, such as the organisation of the army, the promotion of commerce and education, and the development of industries. All this cannot be pushed forward without money.\"\n\nHe might have mentioned many more purposes for which money is urgently needed and is not forthcoming from the revenues of the country, and he omitted to give any hint of the source from which the necessary funds could be procured.\n\nThe negotiations with the American Legation are the first sign that the Imperial Government are alive to the advisability of abandoning the present system of living from hand to mouth, borrowing a little here and a little there on the easiest terms obtainable without any due thought to the real credit of the Empire in the money markets of the world.\n\nThe amount mentioned, 10,000,000, is obviously insufficient for all the reforms that China has in hand, and rumour talks of the necessity of far larger loans to follow. In financial questions I feel that I must speak with considerable diffidence, but I know that it is the hope of serious financiers interested in China that the floating of any large loans may afford a suitable opportunity of establishing some form of foreign financial control over the revenues of the Chinese Empire and over the expenditure of the proceeds of the loans, and may lead to the substitution for the arrangement between the three European and the American groups in regard to provincial loans of an agreement between the four Governments as to the attitude they will adopt towards loans floated by their nationals for the Chinese Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. MAX MÜLLER,\n\n493", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429766, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 503, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[42784]\n\n[November 24.]\n\nCO 37666\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nRice\n\n1\n\nNo. of 9 FC 10\n\n(No. 400.) Sir,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received November 24,)\n\nPeking, November 5, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that an Imperial edict was issued on the 4th October, approving a memorial presented by the Board of Posts and Communications, containing certain recommendations for the reorganisation of the Chinese postal service. The first step which it is proposed to take is to withdraw the postal administration from the control of the Inspector-General of Customs and Posts, under the Revenue Council, and to place it under the Board of Posts and Communications, where a new postal department will be created. This step is to be followed by others, the details of which are shown in the accompanying notes translated from the memorial.\n\nAs you are aware, the present Chinese postal service was the creation of Sir Robert Hart, and was originally a private undertaking, established solely for the convenience of the Customs. In its initial stages it met with great opposition from Chinese officials, and had to contend with the competition, not only of the foreign post offices, but also of an extensive but irresponsible mail system carried on by hongs or native firms of letter carriers. These difficulties have been successfully overcome; branches have been opened in every important town throughout China; and the supervision exercised by the foreign employés at all the principal centres ensures an honest and efficient administration. The accompanying copy of the Customs report on the working of the Imperial Post Office for the year 1909 gives a striking picture of the rapid growth and present extent of the service instituted by Sir Robert Hart.\n\nIt is not yet known how the postal department under the Board of Communications will be constituted, but there is naturally some apprehension lest Chinese administrative methods be imported into a branch of the Government which has hitherto given general satisfaction. The Chinese Government have not so far consulted the acting inspector-general in regard to this scheme, but some observations which Mr. Aglen made in conversation with a member of the legation may be of interest.\n\nHe said that in view of the Imperial edict which had been issued the change was bound to come; that it had been threatened for some years, and had only been staved off by the resistance of the Customs. The Chinese regarded it as an anomaly that the postal service should remain an integral part of the Customs under the Revenue Council, instead of being placed under the Board of Posts and Communications, where it was obviously intended to be when that board was created. The difficulty would be to find means for making the transfer without causing confusion and dislocating the present excellent postal arrangements. Mr. Aglen had suggested that the Inspector-General of Customs should continue to be responsible for the postal service, but should be under the Board of Posts and Communications for postal matters. He did not, however, think that the Chinese would be likely to adopt this suggestion. In their present mood they would regard with disfavour the idea of creating another Government department, partially controlled, like the Imperial Maritime Customs, by the foreign element, and he feared the intention was to divorce the Posts completely from the Customs.\n\nAs regards the concrete recommendations in the memorial, he said that they had probably been framed on a Japanese model. Consequently, whilst some had already been adopted and were in working order, others were not practical in present circumstances. He pointed out that the proposal was to make arrangements this year for the transfer, but not necessarily to make the actual transfer this year.\n\nChina already had postal arrangements with various countries, and her desire to join the International Postal Union and to see the foreign post offices abolished was a natural corollary of her determination to fit herself for a position of absolute equality with other sovereign States and free her administration from foreign control. Chinese would probably have no objection to the foreign Powers retaining their post offices at places like Shanghai and Tien-tsin, which form the terminal ports of call for\n\n[2982 aa~2]\n\n502", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429776, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 513, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "that the prayers of Ministers and people presented through the medium of the Senate now formed fully adequate grounds for a further appeal to the Throne for the opening of the Parliament without delay. Full advantage was also taken of the references in the decree to the increasingly critical conditions of the times, while one more moderate member, who quoted the precedents afforded by Japan, was shouted down by indignant voices from all parts of the House. It was only after some difficulty that the president, Prince P'u-Lun, was able to restore order and suggest an early reference of the burning question to the Government Council, a proposal which was greeted with rounds of applause.\n\nAccording to varying accounts in the native press the decree has been enthusiastically welcomed in all parts of the Empire, though some of the provinces at any rate have already telegraphed fresh urgent representations for an earlier date.\n\nAmongst the numerous counter-signatures appended to the decree appears that of Prince Tsai Hsün, who at the time of the issue of the decree had not yet reached Peking on his return from his naval mission to foreign countries. He has since been received in audience by his brother, the Prince Regent, and it is stated in the native press, though on what authority I do not know, that the counsels of the latter in regard to this question may be modified by the strong views of Prince Tsai Hsün, that the sovereign remedy for the difficulties which awakening China has to face at the present time lies in the opening of her National Parliament at the earliest possible date.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. G. Max Müller.\n\nPage 512\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government:]\n\n38371\n\nNovember 4, DEC 10\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[43633]\n\n(No. 154.)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nForeign Office, November 30, 1910.\n\n(Telegraphic.) R.\n\nA LETTER appeared in the \"Times\" of 29th November from the President of the Chinese Board of Posts and Communications in reply to that from \"Ex-Consul\" of 22nd October, stating that the 450,000l. bonds of Imperial Chinese Government 7 per cent. Peking-Hankow Railway redemption loan, recently purchased by Dunn, Fischer, and Co., are the direct obligation of the Imperial Chinese Government, and further that the said Government have undertaken to pay principal and interest in sterling.\n\nPlease report—\n\n1. Whether the loan is, as stated, a direct obligation of Chinese Government to the foreign bondholders;\n\n2. Whether the payment of principal and interest is guaranteed in sterling by Chinese Government; and\n\n3. Whether the edict has been communicated to His Majesty's Legation.\n\n[2982 gg-1]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429804, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 541, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[44487]\n\nC O 39115\n\n[December 8.]\n\nSECTION 2.\n\nTECP leaf 23 FC 10\n\nNo. I.\n\n(No. 419.) Sir,\n\nMr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 8.)\n\nPeking, November 17, 1910.\n\nIN my despatch No. 365 of the 17th ultimo on the subject of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, I reported that the Grand Secretary Na Tung had promised to discuss the question with the new President of the Board of Communications, Tang Shao-yi, on his arrival in Peking, and that Mr. Mayers agreed with me that we should wait and see whether Tang Shao-yi was willing or able to assist us.\n\nMr. Mayers reported to me about a fortnight ago that he had had an interview with his Excellency, and had discussed with him the prospects of recovering control of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, but that the new President appeared to be very despondent, had said that conditions were now so altered in China that the time was passed for settling such questions by the issue of an Imperial edict in the manner suggested by me, and had ended by again bringing up the proposal, mooted in the early part of this year, but subsequently allowed to lapse into oblivion, for transferring the loan funds to the construction on similar terms of the Kaifeng-Hsuchow line (see Sir John Jordan's despatch No. 19 of the 12th January, and subsequent correspondence). Though this proposal is not at present officially under discussion, I understand from Mr. Mayers that he has been in communication with his directors as to the possibility of entertaining such a solution. I have already placed on record my objections to accepting this scheme, except at the very last resort.\n\nIt is evident, however, that Tang Shao-yi is fully alive to the immense importance of the Kaifeng-Haichow line, which is destined eventually to form a portion of the great trunk line from the port of Haichow to Sianfu and Lanchow, and even beyond, as Lord ffrench informs me that Tang Shao-yi had talked to him about the necessity of building this line, and had enquired whether his firm would be willing to tender for the construction of the harbour at Haichow, hinting at the same time that there was a possibility of the whole railway line from there to Kaifeng being built by contract. I realise that all this information is very vague, but I have thought it worth while to report it to you in view of the probable future importance of the line in question, and the likelihood of the scheme meeting with opposition from the Germans, who would look on Haichow as a possible rival to Tsingtau, and would prefer to see the line from Kaifeng diverted at Hsuchow in a northerly direction through Ichow to the port of Tsingtau.\n\nAs Tang Shao-yi had intimated that he would like to talk to me about the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway question and other matters, I had intended to call on him last Monday for that purpose, when I learnt that two days previously he had had the misfortune to lose his wife, and had applied for leave and gone to Tien-tsin.\n\nAt an interview, however, that I had with the Presidents of the Wai-wu Pu on the 14th instant I brought up the question of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, and I reminded the Grand Secretary Na Tung that he had promised me six weeks previously to take an early opportunity of discussing it with Tang Shao-yi, but from what I heard from Mr. Mayers of his conversations with the new President, we appeared to be no nearer a solution than we had been at the beginning of the year. I mentioned a report that had reached my ears that representatives of the Kiangsu Railway Company were actually in Peking trying to arrange with the Board of Communications for the repurchase of their section of the railway, but that the difficulty was that, while they were asking an exorbitant amount, Liang Shih-yi would only offer 70 per cent. of the actual expenditure incurred by them, not of their share capital.\n\nHis Excellency Na Tung admitted that the representatives of the Kiangsu Railway Company were in Peking, and that negotiations were proceeding for the repurchase of that section of the line. He said that the commercial deal might take some time, but he felt that the bargaining as to the price should be left entirely to the Board of Communications.\n\nAs far as I could ascertain he had not in any way pressed the matter on Tang Shao-yi.\n\n[1810 h-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430268, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910", "page_number": 460, "title": "CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910", "content_text": "worked as a \n\n3. \n\nThe railway has been undertaken originally, as I am told, on the clear understanding that the two sections would be linked. This, I think Spears mentioned in March, was part of the preliminary Agreement concluded in 1899 between H. E. Shang (see Eastim 85, to which I have referred). It reappears in Article 18 of the Loan Agreement in the following words:\n\n\"the subsequent joint working of the two Sections shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hongkong.\"\n\nThis agreement came to be regarded as a mere instrument between a financial corporation and a Chinese province. Our authority, seeing that it was the outcome of a concession granted by China, as well as a breach of faith indemnity for a breach that it was negotiated under the direct auspices of H. E. his Minister, and that the Chinese parties to it were acting under authority of \"the Wai-wu-pu Edict\" at the time of its negotiation, China, through H. E. Chang this Tung, offered favourable terms to the Colony for the Loan, in return for heavy obligations, including £1,100,000, and his pledges made on behalf of the Chinese Government.\n\nExtremely beneficial to China, the purpose, namely, sharing of profits on equitable terms, was indeed initiated by herself, as Agramunt made clear between the three Provinces concerned.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 430746, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 299, "title": "CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2]", "content_text": "## ARTICLE XIII\n\n(c) Goods leaving Kowloon or any intermediate Station in British Territory by train stopping at such intermediate Stations may pay Import Duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier Station of Shumchun.\n\n(d) Goods leaving Shumchun for intermediate Stations in British Territory not covered by Customs Documents shall pay Export Duty at Shumchun.\n\n(e) Goods carried from any Station on the British Section of the railway to any station in China and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Imperial Maritime Customs in Hongkong, shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof and such payment of import duty and transit due (if any) shall free the goods to place of destination.\n\n(f) Goods carried from any station in China on the Railway to any station on the British section of the Railway and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the Treaty export Tariff of 1858 or future revisions thereof and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway.\n\n## ARTICLE XIV\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such Ordinances, Edicts, or Regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE XV\n\nThis Convention shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party 6 months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give 6 months notice of its desire to terminate it. It is also agreed that during the duration of this Convention the Commis-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 431299, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-376 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [3-4]", "page_number": 481, "title": "CO129-376 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [3-4]", "content_text": "# Enclosure 1\n## C O 17131\n### Extract from the \"China Mail\" of 29th March, 1911.\n\n**A TERRIBLE OUTRAGE.**\n\n(Mail.)\n\n**BRIGANDS DISMEMBER A CHILD FOR LACK OF RANSOM, 27.5.\"**\n\nReports to hand tell of a terrible outrage perpetrated not long since at the village of Ch'un in the Nan Hoi district. A family named Ho was robbed by brigands, and after the usual ransacking of the houses the robbers carried off seven children and held them for ransom. A few days ago, one was found, cut in pieces, and deposited at Sheung Pak railway station. According to the story, the robbers demanded ten thousand dollars for each of the children ere they would release them. It happened that only one of the little prisoners was the child of a really rich man; the others were sons of middle-class families. The brigands, in order to intimidate the rest, took the child of the poorest of the lot and slaughtered it in the way described. This has led to great consternation among the remaining parents. The rage of the robbers was further intensified because the rich parent brought the matter to the notice of the officials and so complicated matters. At present it is said that the robbers are willing to accept fifty thousand dollars for the lives of the remaining six. They threaten, however, if the ransom is not paid at once that their fate will be the same as that of the first little victim.\n\nIt is said that the robbers are hiding somewhere in Macao; at any rate, the letters demanding money are sent from Macau. The parents of the children have managed to get together ten thousand dollars, but this sum has been rejected. The officials have been stirred up on account of the affair, and one or two are in the country at present trying to get on the track of the robbers. Indeed, one man named Loi has been arrested, who boldly confesses that he took part in the robbery but will disclose nothing further. The officials have not finished with him yet. It is likely, ere his examination is over, that some more information will be extracted from him, for notwithstanding all edicts to the contrary when there is a case like this to be investigated any means are thought expedient. Meanwhile, the case is complicated because all parties are fearing that any sudden step may precipitate what all parties, even the robbers themselves, are anxious to avoid, namely, the murder of the children.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-376 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 433028, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 13, "title": "CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10]", "content_text": "## Imperial Edict, or such other guarantee as you may consider necessary to render it absolutely binding on the Chinese Government. I have myself signed the six Agreements herein in anticipation.\n\n5.\n\nI desire to draw your attention to one or two special matters in connection with this Working Agreement, and to ask your kind assistance and co-operation in regard to them.\n\nClause 1 which embodies the Loan Agreement between the Chinese Government and the British and Chinese Corporation and incorporates it as an integral part of this Agreement has been inserted at my personal instance and I consider it of special importance since it secures that a British Engineer-in-Chief and a British Chief Accountant shall be maintained on the Chinese Section. This pledge thereby becomes one between the two Governments irrespective of the Loan Agreement made between China and a Financial Corporation which may be of a temporary nature. Mr. Chao at first demurred to its inclusion, but looking to the fact that His Excellency Liang Shi Yi in his conversations with me in Peking based his opposition to my proposals largely on the fact that they were (as he alleged) incompatible with the Loan Agreement, I trust that you will have no difficulty in respect of this clause which has been agreed to by the Chinese Negotiator after reference to his Government. In fact Mr. Chao received on the 9th instant a telegram from the Director-General of Railways stating that \"the Board agrees to append the Loan Agreement to the present Agreement, although it is unnecessary to do so\".\n\nClause 37-A (now 38) is as I have said reserved, since Mr. Chao stated that it was beyond his competence to agree to it. Your Excellency will see at once how very advantageous it would be to obtain the consent of the Chinese to its insertion. I have so drafted it as to avoid the appearance of any unrequited concession on their part and as merely the natural corollary of the present Agreement. His Excellency Liang", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 433053, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 38, "title": "CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10]", "content_text": "18 \n\nshall be given in writing by the Viceroy to the Representative of the Corporation, declaring the number of additional Bonds so required to be redeemed, whereupon the Representative of the Corporation shall immediately proceed to make such arrangements as may be necessary and usual for the redemption of the number of Bonds specified, which, when duly redeemed after payment by the Imperial Chinese Government of the proper amount due thereon, shall be cancelled and delivered to the Viceroy.\n\nAll Bonds thus redeemed, in excess of the amount specified in the amortisation schedule hereto attached, before the expiry of 25 years from the date of the Loan, shall be paid for with a premium of 24% over their face value, (i.e., £102.10 will be required to pay for £100), but after 25 years Bonds may be redeemed over and above the amounts specified in the schedule without premium upon notice being given in the manner above specified.\n\nAs soon as the Loan has been completely redeemed, this Agreement shall become null and void and the mortgage shall be cancelled.\n\n## Article 17\n\nIf, during construction, any proceeds of the sale of the Bonds are lying unused and bearing interest on their deposit whilst the construction of the Railway is going on, such interest is to be credited to the general account of the Railway in order that the Railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof.\n\nIt is also agreed that, if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the Bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6% per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.\n\n## Article 18\n\nThe junction of the sections of the Railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control, and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively, and the subsequent joint working of the two sections, shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hongkong.\n\n## Article 19\n\nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the seventh day of February, 1907, which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu-pu.\n\n## Article 20\n\nThis Agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai-wu-pu, one by the Board of Communications, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this twenty-third day of the first month of the thirty-third year of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, being the seventh day of March nineteen hundred and seven.\n\nSeal and Signature of His Excellency T'ANG SHAO YI, representing the **WAI-WU-PU**.\n\nWitnessed by \nFor the **BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION LTD.**\n\nWitnessed by (Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\n\n**JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.** \n**The HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION**, \nJoint Agents, \nH.I. GARDNER, \nActing Agent.\n\n**The BRITISH & CHINESE CORPORATION LIMITED**.\n\nPage 36", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 433072, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 57, "title": "CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10]", "content_text": "55 \n\n18 \n\nshall be given in writing by the Viceroy to the Representative of the Corporation, declaring the number of additional Bonds so required to be redeemed, whereupon the Representative of the Corporation shall immediately proceed to make such arrangements as may be necessary and usual for the redemption of the number of Bonds specified, which, when duly redeemed after payment by the Imperial Chinese Government of the proper amount due thereon, shall be cancelled and delivered to the Viceroy.\n\nAll Bonds thus redeemed, in excess of the amount specified in the amortisation schedule hereto attached, before the expiry of 25 years from the date of the Loan, shall be paid for with a premium of 24% over their face value, (£102.10 will be required to pay for £100), but after 25 years Bonds may be redeemed over and above the amounts specified in the schedule without premium upon notice being given in the manner above specified.\n\nAs soon as the Loan has been completely redeemed, this Agreement shall become null and void and the mortgage shall be cancelled.\n\n## Article 17\n\nIf, during construction, any proceeds of the sale of the Bonds are lying unused and bearing interest on their deposit whilst the construction of the Railway is going on, such interest is to be credited to the general account of the Railway in order that the Railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof.\n\nIt is also agreed that, if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the Bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6% per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.\n\n## Article 18\n\nThe junction of the sections of the Railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control, and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively, and the subsequent joint working of the two sections, shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hongkong.\n\n## Article 19\n\nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the seventh day of February, 1907, which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu-pu.\n\n## Article 20\n\nThis Agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai-wu-pu, one by the Board of Communications, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this twenty-third day of the first month of the thirty-third year of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, being the seventh day of March nineteen hundred and seven.\n\nSeal and Signature of His Excellency \n**TANG SHAO YI**, representing the **WAI-WU-PU**.\n\nWitnessed by \nFor the **BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION LTD.**\n\nWitnessed by \n(Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\n**JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.**\n**The HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION**, \nJoint Agents, \nH. GARDNER, \nActing Agent.\n**The BRITISH & CHINESE CORPORATION LIMITED**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 433300, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 285, "title": "CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10]", "content_text": "# \nnow existing between the two great nations of China and England. The presence of His Excellency Li Ching Feng, the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, and of His Honour Chen Wang Chung, the Taotai of Industry, both of whom are representing His Excellency the Viceroy, and the presence of the Honourable Mr. Warren Barnes, the Colonial Secretary of Hongkong, who is representing His Excellency the Governor, amongst us affords tangible proof of the unwavering interests of the two Governments both in this railway and in the friendship of the two nations. Therefore, in the name of the Directorate General of the Imperial Chinese Railways, I now formally convey a most hearty and sincere welcome to the officials, gentry, and guests here present. I may say that though this railway cannot be ranked among the long lines, still it has a strong bearing on the means of communication. Between Canton and Hongkong, you can now have a round journey in one day. In bygone days, whenever there was a typhoon, people hesitated travelling for fear of the blow. Now such hesitation is removed, as you can now travel to and fro whenever you wish. Asia and Europe will also be linked together, as when the Canton-Hankow line is completed and this railway connected with it, journeys from Hongkong to Europe will be greatly facilitated. I have no doubt you have thought of those advantages. On my part, I must say that though I am entrusted with my present important office, I am not well versed in matters regarding the construction of railways. It is therefore my desire to remember at this time the services of my predecessor in office, who showed great ability in dealing with and settling intricate matters, and it is also my desire to remember the valuable and sound directions of the High Authorities at Peking and in Canton, the assistance of the local authorities, the services rendered by the Chinese and Foreign Staffs of this railway, and especially the kindness I had from the Hongkong Government while negotiating the working agreement for the connection of these two sections, which agreement has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion through the liberality shown by that Government: all of which so largely contributed to the success which we are now enabled to record. Thanks are also due to our Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. Frank Grove, for the service he has rendered to the railway—services which are worthy of high praise. In conclusion, I sincerely hope that this railway will prosper and communications expand, and that the discrimination of nationalities will be non-existent. (Applause.)\n\n## \n\nMr. E. S. LINDSEY, General Manager of the British Section of the line, said: Your Excellency and Gentlemen,--After the two eminent speakers who have preceded me, there seems to be nothing left, except to express the thanks of the British Section of the Canton-Kowloon Railway to your Excellency for the kind way you have proposed the toast, and to you, gentlemen, for the manner in which you have honoured the toast, \"Success to the Canton-Kowloon Railway.\" Mr. Barnes and Mr. Chuo have dealt with the general and economic aspects, and I would like to add a few words in the belief that, though \"repetitions,\" they are not necessarily \"tiresome ones,\" leaving it to my friend, Mr. Grove, to give the figures usual on such occasions, which go to show that the Railway has been constructed so economically that an early return on capital is not a difficult matter. It is just a year ago since the British Section of this Railway opened for traffic, and the fact that the result of the past year has greatly exceeded expectations may be taken as a happy augury for success in the future. If a line 22 miles in length, running from Kowloon to Lowu—nowhere in particular—and passing through a thickly populated district of the New Territory, can earn enough to almost pay its fair working expenses during the first year's operation, what possibilities must there lie before a line five times as long, connecting two such centres as Hongkong and Canton, and passing through a portion of a province whose average population exceeds 450 to the square mile? But the success of the Railway cannot depend alone on the possibilities of local traffic, and there are other sources of success, the most important of which is undoubtedly the connection of this Railway with Hankow. When I was in Peking last year, His Excellency Liang Shi Yi, then Director of Railways, who himself had just returned to the Capital from a tour through this very line, stated that the Canton-Kowloon railway could not be expected to pay until the connection with Hankow had been accomplished. The events of the past six months go to show how thorough was his conviction in this respect, and how great the importance which the Board of Post and Communications attaches to the connection. We may therefore rest assured that everything is now being done by the Imperial Post to bring about the happy result. The physical difficulties in the way of construction are great, however, and notably in that portion of the Yueh Han Railway which runs in the Kwong Tung Province, so that he would be a bold man who ventured to assert the possibility of travelling by rail from Kowloon to Calais in the very near future. Consequently, if the success of this Railway is to depend on the interchange of traffic, it will be as well to lose no time in connecting with the already built portion of the Yueh Han Railway, in order to initiate and establish the long hauls which are necessary to success in the carrying of goods traffic. I understand that the survey of this connecting link has been completed, and the land is now being acquired, so that I may take it for granted that before long, another sixty miles of open line will be added to the length of this Railway from Kowloon, and in the direction of Hankow. Another element of success, consideration for the public, lies in the hands of the Administrations of the Railway themselves. As you are aware, a working agreement has been concluded between the two Sections of the Railway, and now awaits the Imperial Edict. In this Agreement, a great deal has been left to the discretion of those on the spot, and both Governments have wisely recognised that if the two Sections are to be worked as separate undertakings, such a procedure is the only means of ensuring successful operation. The public may feel assured that although, on opening a new line, it is wise policy to restrict ambition in the matter of time-tables and fast running, it will not be very long before improvement takes place, and renders it possible to go from Canton to Hongkong in four hours, allowing the passenger time enough to transact business and return home on the same day. We also hope that before long, passengers by slow train will no longer be required to change carriages at Samchun. I can assure you, gentlemen, that the Administrations of the Railway fully recognise that, if the railway is to be a success, the convenience of the public must be their first consideration. And such being the case, I trust they will prove deserving of the kind wishes and sentiments which the toast has called forth, and for which, on behalf of the British Section, I again have the honour to thank you. (Applause.)\n\n## \n\nMr. FRANK GROVE, Engineer-in-Chief of the Chinese section, said: Your Excellencies, and Gentlemen,--There are probably few present... \n\n280", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 433633, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12]", "page_number": 214, "title": "CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12]", "content_text": "## Enclosure 3\n### Memorandum of an interview between Mr. Chang Hing Chi, ex-Viceroy of Kwangtung, and H. E. Sir F. D. Lugard, Governor of Hongkong at Government House 11th. November, 1911.\n\nThe ex-Viceroy of the Kwangtung province took refuge at the British Consulate on the night of November 8th, and by arrangement of the Consul-General he left Canton at 8 a.m. on H.M.S. \"Handy\" for Hongkong on the 9th. Captain Taylor A.D.C. called on him on the \"Handy\" shortly after his arrival. He came ashore in the evening and took up his residence in a house placed at his disposal by the Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, declining an invitation to dinner at Government House on the grounds of extreme fatigue.\n\nNext day, the 10th instant, he lunched at Government House. Hon. Mr. Brewin, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, C.M.G., and Mr. Harris, Commissioner of Imperial Maritime Customs being present. After lunch, the ex-Viceroy asked for a private interview with the Governor, saying he would like to place before him the causes which had led him to leave Canton, and the position of affairs there. At this interview, Mr. Harris, who acted as interpreter, and Mr. Wei Hen's son were the only other persons present.\n\nHe began by saying that if a Government was bad, it was justifiable for a people to change it, and he thought that the present revolution was justified up to the time, 30th October, when the Throne issued an Edict admitting its fault, and promising reform and a Constitution. After that Edict, the movement was no longer justified, and the reformers should have given their assistance to the Throne to work out a Constitution, which is not the work of a day. By continuing the revolution, the leaders of the movement were plunging the country into chaos. Constitutional governments may be said to be of two kinds, one like Great Britain where the King did not actually govern; the other like Germany where the Kaiser actively interfered in the Government. The Edict of the Throne had accepted the British form,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434146, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 147, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## No. 1\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[44487]\n621\n\n### Mr. Mar Müller to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received December 8.)\n\n**(No. 419.)**\n\nPeking, November 17, 1910.\n\nIN my despatch No. 365 of the 17th ultimo on the subject of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, I reported that the Grand Secretary Na Tung had promised to discuss the question with the new President of the Board of Communications, Tang Shao-yi, on his arrival in Peking, and that Mr. Mayers agreed with me that we should wait and see whether Tang Shao-yi was willing or able to assist us.\n\nMr. Mayers reported to me about a fortnight ago that he had had an interview with his Excellency, and had discussed with him the prospects of recovering control of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, but that the new President appeared to be very despondent, had said that conditions were now so altered in China that the time was passed for settling such questions by the issue of an Imperial edict in the manner suggested by me, and had ended by again bringing up the proposal, mooted in the early part of this year, but subsequently allowed to lapse into oblivion, for transferring the loan funds to the construction on similar terms of the Kaifeng-Hsuchow line (see Sir John Jordan's despatch No. 19 of the 12th January, and subsequent correspondence). Though this proposal is not at present officially under discussion, I understand from Mr. Mayers that he has been in communication with his directors as to the possibility of entertaining such a solution. I have already placed on record my objections to accepting this scheme, except at the very last resort.\n\nIt is evident, however, that Tang Shao-yi is fully alive to the immense importance of the Kaifeng-Haichow line, which is destined eventually to form a portion of the great trunk line from the port of Haichow to Sianfu and Lanchow, and even beyond, as Lord ffrench informs me that Tang Shao-yi had talked to him about the necessity of building this line, and had enquired whether his firm would be willing to tender for the construction of the harbour at Haichow, hinting at the same time that there was a possibility of the whole railway line from there to Kaifeng being built by contract. I realise that all this information is very vague, but I have thought it worth while to report it to you in view of the probable future importance of the line in question, and the likelihood of the scheme meeting with opposition from the Germans, who would look on Haichow as a possible rival to Tsingtau, and would prefer to see the line from Kaifeng diverted at Hsuchow in a northerly direction through Iehow to the port of Tsingtau.\n\nAs Tang Shao-yi had intimated that he would like to talk to me about the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway question and other matters, I had intended to call on him last Monday for that purpose, when I learnt that two days previously he had had the misfortune to lose his wife, and had applied for leave and gone to Tien-tsin.\n\nAt an interview, however, that I had with the Presidents of the Wai-wu Pu on the 14th instant, I brought up the question of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, and I reminded the Grand Secretary Na Tung that he had promised me six weeks previously to take an early opportunity of discussing it with Tang Shao-yi, but from what I heard from Mr. Mayers of his conversations with the new President, we appeared to be no nearer a solution than we had been at the beginning of the year. I mentioned a report that had reached my ears that representatives of the Kiangsu Railway Company were actually in Peking trying to arrange with the Board of Communications for the repurchase of their section of the railway, but that the difficulty was that, while they were asking an exorbitant amount, Liang Shih-yi would only offer 70 per cent. of the actual expenditure incurred by them, not of their share capital.\n\nHis Excellency Na Tung admitted that the representatives of the Kiangsu Railway Company were in Peking, and that negotiations were proceeding for the repurchase of that section of the line. He said that the commercial deal might take some time, but he felt that the bargaining as to the price should be left entirely to the Board of Communications.\n\nAs far as I could ascertain, he had not in any way pressed the matter on Tang Shao-yi.\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n**Mr. Max Müller to Prince Ching.**\n\nNovember 17, 1910.\n\nON the 9th July, 1908, Sir John Jordan had the honour, in reply to a note from your Highness on the subject of the proposal of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) to negotiate a final agreement for the construction of the Pukou-Sinyang Railway, to request that your Highness's Board should bear in mind that the preliminary agreement for this line was the result of a definite understanding between the British and Chinese Governments, which cannot be set aside without mutual agreement. Sir John Jordan accordingly requested that your Highness's Board would appoint a representative to discuss with the representative of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited) the question of this railway.\n\nTo this note no reply was returned, but on the 11th August, during an interview at your Highness's Board, Sir John Jordan was informed that nothing could be done in this matter until the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway was finished.\n\nNow, however, that the supplementary loan for the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway has been concluded, while the work of constructing the southern section is in an advanced state, and the line from Pukou to Linhaikuan is almost ready for traffic, the time appears to have arrived for the reconsideration of this question.\n\nI have, therefore, the honour to invite your Highness's Board to induce either the Board of Posts and Communications or the Directors-General of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway to enter into negotiations for a final agreement for the Pukou-Sinyang Railway with Mr. S. F. Mayers, the representative of the Chinese Central Railways (Limited).\n\nAwaiting the favour of a reply, I avail, &c.\n\n**W. G. MAX MÜLLER.**\n\n## 2\n\nCommunications or the Directors-General of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway to take this matter up in consultation with myself.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**S. F. MAYERS.**\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[44487]\n\n621\n\n**No. 1. JAN || [December 8.] SECTION 1. 145**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434172, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 173, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CO 1168 \n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nQre 13 JAN 11 \n\n### [October 30.] \n#### SECTION 1, \n**CONFIDENTIAL** \n\n[39444] \n\nNo. 1. \n**Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.**~(Received October 30.) \n\nPeking, October 30, 1910. \n\n(No. 180.) **(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nI am informed that preliminary agreement for loan by American group of 50,000,000 dollars gold was sanctioned by edict yesterday. 10,000,000 dollars of this is said to be destined for industrial enterprises in Manchuria, the balance to be employed chiefly for the reform of the currency. The terms are given as, duration 45 years, price 95, and interest 5 per cent. The security is not yet agreed upon.\n\nAs far as I have been able to find out, the loan would seem to be offered without any conditions as to the control of the security or of the proceeds, and if that is the case, I do not consider that under the conditions at present obtaining in China it is to her best interests to conclude a purely financial loan agreement for so large an amount.\n\n[2958 gg-1] \n171", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434173, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 174, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# [B] \n**[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]** 172 \n1.168 \n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA, \n**CONFIDENTIAL.** \n\n[November 11.] \n\nRef 13 JAN II SECTION 2. \n\n**[AMENDED COPY.]** \n\n### No. 1. \n(41073) \n\n**Memorandum by Mr. W. D. Straight regarding Chinchou-Aigun Railroad.**~(Communicated by Mr. Addis, November 11, 1910.) \n\nTHE preliminary agreement for the Chinchou-Aigun Railway was signed by their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, on behalf of the Manchurian Administration, Mr. W. D. Straight, on behalf of the American group, and Lord ffrench, for Pauling and Co. (Limited), on the 2nd October, 1909. This agreement was ratified by Imperial edict on the 20th January, 1910, and the American Legation in Peking was formally notified of the fact and informed that the Viceroy of Manchuria had been instructed to negotiate a detailed agreement with the representative of the American group. The legation was requested to advise the representative of the American group that he should enter upon the negotiations for such an agreement.\n\nOn the 26th April, 1910, their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien transmitted to Mr. W. D. Straight, acting on behalf of the American group, the English and Chinese texts of the loan agreement for the Chinchou-Aigun Railway, stating that such agreement constituted \"the final draft entered into and definitely fixed between the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien on the one part and the American group on the other part,\" and that \"as soon as ever we, the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, shall have memorialised the throne and obtained the Imperial assent thereto, the signatures shall thereupon be fixed and the agreement be made operative.\"\n\nThe loan agreement, transmitted as above stated, provided for a loan of not exceeding 40,000,000 dollars, United States currency, for the construction of a railway between Chinchou and Aigun and necessary branches, such loan to be issued in two series, the first of which shall be for 20,000,000 dollars.\n\nThe term of the loan is fixed at thirty years, and the bonds to bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum.\n\nThe loan constituted an obligation of the Imperial Chinese Government, and is secured by a first mortgage on the railroad and upon Manchurian salt taxes amounting to 4,000,000 taels per annum.\n\nThe other provisions of the loan agreement for the service and amortisation of the loan, &c., resemble former agreements concluded with China.\n\nArticle 19 of the loan agreement, as it at present stands, provides that the American group may, with the consent of the Imperial Chinese Government, admit to participation in this loan financial groups of other nations, such participation, however, not to exceed 40 per cent. of the whole.\n\nIn case the other parties to the interbank agreement, concluded the 10th November, 1910, desire to participate in this loan, the American group anticipates no difficulty in arranging with the Chinese Government that they shall share this loan equally with the American group, and that the final loan agreement may be amended in this sense.\n\nOn the 26th April, 1910, the Viceroy also transmitted to Mr. Straight a letter which provided that the price at which the American group should purchase the bonds, i.e., 95, must be confirmed upon the signature of the final loan agreement.\n\nIn a third letter the Manchurian administration requested the American group to recommend an American who should, during the currency of the loan, act as traffic manager of the railway, in order to ensure the efficient operation of the line. This letter provided also that the foreign employees of the railway should be exclusively selected from persons of American or British nationality. It is hoped that this restriction as to employees could be removed, making it possible for the Chinese to employ French and Germans as well.\n\nIn a letter dated the 30th April, 1910, the Manchurian administration agreed to... \n\n[2982 1-2]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434187, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 188, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Enclosure in No. 1.\n\nMessrs. Samuel and MacGregor to Mr. Max Müller.\n\n5, Canton Road, Shanghai, November 24, 1910.\n\nDear Sir,\n\nWE beg to thank you for your favour of the 17th instant, and have now to inform you that the purchase by us of the 11,000 Anhui provincial government bonds was completed on the 17th instant.\n\nA bond was sent by His Britannic Majesty's consul-general to the Shanghai taotai, who expressed his opinion that same was genuine, and another bond was sent to His Britannic Majesty's vice-consul at Wuhu, who reported it to be in order.\n\nWe enclose one of the bonds for your inspection and will be glad if you will kindly return same to us.\n\nYou will observe that the loan is repayable in six years by six yearly instalments, and that the provision for the repayment of the principal and interest is stated on the bonds to be as follows:-\n\n| Clause | Revenue Source | Annual Amount (taels) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 14 | Anhui Treasury: Miscellaneous revenues | 140,000 |\n| 14 | Li-kin collectorate: Li-kin on exported rice | up to 150,000 |\n\nClause 15.-The above annual total of 290,000 taels is especially allotted for the repayment of this loan, and this fund cannot be touched for any other purpose, no matter how urgent.\n\nYou will doubtless recollect that this was confirmed by the Wai-wu Pu in their letter to you of the 31st May, 1910, and we consider it advisable to draw your attention to this, as our London friends, Messrs. M. Samuel and Co., addressed a letter on the 4th instant to his Excellency the Chinese Minister in London pointing out that in the prospectus of the Imperial Chinese Government 5 per cent. Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway supplementary loan recently issued, copy of which we enclose, it is stated that among other things the loan is secured upon the li-kin and internal revenues of the province of Anhui to the amount of 700,000 Haikuan taels a-year, and further, that with the exception of the first charge created by the loan agreement of the 3rd January, 1908, the whole of the provincial revenues enumerated are declared to be free from all other loans, charges, and mortgages.\n\nMessrs. M. Samuel and Co. also requested his Excellency to cable to Peking for information as to the exact position, and up to the present we have no further news on the subject.\n\nWe are, &c.\n\nDOUGLAS MACGREGOR.\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA, CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[46317]\n\n1168\n\n`ECP REGS 13 JAN 11`\n\n[December 23.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n### No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 23.)\n\n(No. 438.)\n\nPeking, December 6, 1910.\n\nSir,\n\nON the receipt of your despatch No. 372 of the 28th October relative to the so-called Imperial Chinese Government 7 per Cent. Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption Loan, Mr. Max Müller addressed a note to the Wai-wu Pu, pointing out that, according to the terms of the prospectus, the loan was not an Imperial Government loan in the sense in which that term had hitherto been used, and requesting to be informed whether the Chinese Government accepted responsibility for it or not. The copy of Mr. Max Müller's note is enclosed herewith.\n\nOn the 1st December I had the honour to receive your telegram No. 154 of the previous day, in which you were good enough to inform me of the substance of a letter which had been published in the \"Times\" from the President of the Chinese Board of Posts and Communications, and desired me to report whether (1) the loan was, as stated, a direct obligation of the Chinese Government to the foreign bond-holders; (2) whether payment of principal and interest was guaranteed in sterling by the Chinese Government; and (3) whether an Imperial edict sanctioning the loan had been communicated to His Majesty's Legation.\n\nNo reply had then been received to the note of the 18th November, but shortly after I had dispatched my telegram No. 191 of the 1st December, informing you that I was in consequence addressing a further communication to the Chinese Government, I received the note, of which I have the honour to inclose the translation. As I have pointed out in my note to Prince Ch'ing of the 3rd December, the statement of the Board of Communications, forwarded to me by the Wai-wu Pu, is not an answer to the enquiry addressed to His Highness on the 18th November, for no decree has been communicated to His Majesty's Legation, and no notification has been received from the Chinese Government of the terms and conditions of the loan for which they have entered into a contract with the London City and Midland Bank and Messrs. Dunn, Fischer, and Co. I have drawn Prince Ch'ing's attention to the fact that the circumstances attending the issue of the loan differ fundamentally from the formalities and practice hitherto adopted in the case of Imperial Chinese Government loans, and have requested His Highness to favour me with an answer to the enquiry as to the responsibility of the Central Government.\n\nThe matter formed the subject of some conversation yesterday at an interview with his Excellency Na Tung, who explained that the transaction had been entered into by the Board of Communications without the knowledge of the Wai-wu Pu, but added that he hoped in the course of a few days to be able to return an affirmative answer to the questions put by His Majesty's Government.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Max Müller to Prince Ching.\n\nPeking, November 18, 1910.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform your Highness that I have been instructed by His Majesty's Government to invite your Highness's attention to the question of a loan recently issued in London by the London, City, and Midland Bank and Messrs. Dunn, Fiselier, and Co., under the name of \"The Imperial Chinese Government 7 per Cent. Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption Loan.\"\n\nAn analysis of the prospectus shows that the loan is not an Imperial Government loan at all in the sense in which this term has hitherto been used, but only a departmental loan without Imperial guarantee. It is sanctioned indeed by an edict, but the edict, which is two years old, has not been communicated to His...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434188, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 189, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## 187 \n\n2 \n\nMajesty's Legation, and does not authorise the emission of funds on any foreign market.\n\nThe point is of importance to foreign subscribers on account of the edict, issued in November 1891, by which the Chinese Government expressly disclaimed all responsibility for any foreign loans not specially confirmed by them. The above edict was communicated in a note from the Tsung-li Yamên to Sir John Walsham, dated the 4th December, 1891. This notification was, as your Highness is doubtless aware, repeated and emphasized in a further note which the Wai-Wu Pu addressed to the various legations on the 15th May, 1908. Moreover, at the time this latter note was issued, your Highness's Board stated, in reply to an enquiry addressed to them by this legation, that it embraced not only provincial loans, but loans contracted by Government departments in Peking.\n\nHis Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has therefore instructed me to state that, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government have been repeatedly requested to bring to the knowledge of British subjects the edict of 1891, they are justified in asking whether this loan is a Government one, or one of those for which the Chinese Government accept no responsibility.\n\nI have the honour to request that your Highness will give your early attention to this important question, and favour me with a reply for transmission by telegraph to His Majesty's Government with as little delay as possible.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nPrince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nW. G. Max Müller.\n\nPeking, December 1, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Max Müller's note of the 18th November on the question of a loan recently issued in London under the name of \"The Imperial Chinese Government 7 per Cent. Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption Loan.” Mr. Max Müller stated that an analysis of the prospectus showed that this loan is not guaranteed by the Imperial Government, and he asked that attention should be given to this important question and a reply sent to him.\n\nMy Board accordingly communicated with the Board of Communications, and have now received a reply as follows :-\n\n| Original Text | \n| --- | \n\"With reference to the statement made by the British Minister, we have the honour to observe that on the 8th October, 1908, our Board memorialised, and received an Imperial decree sanctioning an issue of public bonds for the redemption of the Peking-Hankow Railway. The bonds, which are issued directly by the Board of Communications and handed over to the Chiao Tung Bank for sale, are by their nature quite different from an ordinary loan contract, and any person is permitted to purchase public bonds of this character. Moreover, as stated clearly in our original memorial, the payment of interest and capital is guaranteed by the Board of Communications.\n\n\"In view of the fact, therefore, that we memorialised and received an Imperial decree on the subject, this loan naturally cannot be regarded as one which has not been guaranteed by the Government.' \n\nI have the honour to transmit the above reply for your Excellency's information.\n\n3 \n\nI would venture to point out to your Highness that the statement from the Board of Communications does not in any way constitute an answer to the enquiries made by Mr. Max Müller in his note of the 18th November, nor help to solve the perplexity which this loan transaction has caused to His Majesty's Government.\n\nOn two separate occasions--in December 1891 and in May 1908--your Highness's Board have formally notified His Majesty's Government that the Imperial Government of China would not accept responsibility for any loan which had not been sanctioned by Imperial decree. It was prescribed that a copy of the decree should either be communicated officially by the Wai-wu Pu to the legation concerned beforehand, or that the foreign financier should ascertain through his legation from the Wai-wu Pu that this condition had been duly fulfilled.\n\nSuch is the procedure that governed loan transactions in the past, and the Wai-wu Pu have explicitly assured me that it applied equally to loans contracted by metropolitan authorities. In practice, too, this has been the case. For instance, on the 30th June, 1908, your Highness officially notified me of a loan contracted by the Board of Communications with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, and requested me to inform the bank of the Imperial sanction.\n\nIn the case of \"The Imperial Chinese Government 7 per Cent. Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption Loan,\" which was also a loan made by the Board of Communications, none of the foregoing conditions were observed. No decree was communicated to this legation beforehand, and no notification was received from the Wai-wu Pu on the subject.\n\nIn these circumstances, I have received instructions from His Majesty's Government, by telegraph, to report whether the loan in question is a direct obligation of the Chinese Government to the foreign bondholders, and whether the payment of the principal and interest of the loan is guaranteed in sterling by the Imperial Government.\n\nI shall feel much obliged if your Highness will be good enough to furnish me with an answer to these two questions for transmission to His Majesty's Government.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nJ. N. Jordan.\n\n## Inclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nPrince Ching.\n\nYour Highness,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Prince Ching.\n\nPeking, December 3, 1910.\n\nIN the note which your Highness did me the honour to address to me on the 1st instant, you forwarded to me a copy of a statement made by the Board of Communications relative to the recent issue of a loan in London under the name `The Imperial Chinese Government 7 per Cent. Peking-Hankow Railway Redemption Loan.'", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434190, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 191, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2\n\nManchuria; (2) to their sudden and entire reversal of policy regarding the Russian railway settlement at Harbin, which reversal was adopted without in any way consulting the British Legation at Peking, with whom they had been previously co-operating; (3) to their action in the matter of the Hupuang loan negotiations; and (4) to their inconsiderate determination without consultation with His Majesty's Government to convene an opium conference at The Hague.\n\nIn my fifteen years' experience of the Far East I have found the Americans quite ready to change their policy if it suited them without in any way considering others. They are also past masters in the policy of extracting the chestnuts, or attempting to do so, by means of others. Cases of this kind occurred when I was in charge of the legation at Peking, and since I have been in Tokyo I can recall to mind three notable instances of this, and of change of policy to suit their own purposes quite regardless of those with whom they had been working:\n\n1. In 1901, at the time of the struggle with the Japanese over the perpetual lease question, it will be remembered that the Japanese Foreign Office declined to submit the matter to arbitration. In this they were strongly supported by the American Legation, who stated that the house tax was a reasonable one and a proper tax. Had it not been for the support received from the French and German Legations, and the fact that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was on the tapis, the Japanese Government, owing to strong American support, would have maintained their contention and the case would probably never have gone to arbitration. As soon as the Japanese consented to arbitration the American Legation put in a statement to the effect that though they did not approve of the arbitration in principle, yet their subjects would, of course, benefit by any advantage which it might bring. This they have done in full measure, for American perpetual leaseholders are only second to us in number.\n\n2. At the time of the negotiations for the regulation of emigration into Canada the American Embassy tried to obtain our support so as to acquire any advantages which we might get from the Japanese by virtue of our somewhat special position as allies. This, however, did not succeed.\n\n3. In the matter of the trade-marks convention, we were working on parallel lines when the American Government, without in any way consulting or informing us, suddenly gave up to the Japanese jurisdiction in the matter of trade-mark cases in Corea, thereby letting go, to suit their own ends elsewhere, one of the sheet-anchors of the \"Trade-marks\" ship, which, to continue the metaphor, has not yet, so far as we are concerned, been brought into port.\n\nOther instances could be produced in my own experience, both here and in China, of this selfish policy on the part of the United States Government, but sufficient instances have, I think, been named to amply bear out your contention that America shows a \"disregard of us which cannot be ignored when we find ourselves accused of similar offences.\"\n\nI have, &c.\n**CLAUDE M. MACDONALD**\n\n## [B] \n1169 \n**AFFAIRS OF CHINA.** \n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nESS REGE 13 JAN II\n\n[December 29.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n[46931]\n\n#### No. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey**-(Received December 29.) (No. 446.)\n\nPeking, December 13, 1910.\n\nWITH reference to Mr. Max Müller's despatch No. 97 of the 7th April last, I have the honour to transmit herewith translations of two Imperial decrees issued on the 4th instant, embodying the results of the labours of the Constitutional Government Committee in co-operation with Prince Tsai Hsün's commission for the reform of the navy, and with the general staff and the Army Board for the reform of that department.\n\nThe chief point of interest attaching to these decrees is that it is the first time responsible Ministers have been appointed in such a marked way, and the step perhaps foreshadows a change which is likely to come in the form of the constitution of a responsible Cabinet composed of the Ministers of the various departments of State.\n\nWith regard to naval administration, the decree approves the recommendations of Prince Tsai Hsün and Admiral Sa Chen-ping, based on their estimate of China's naval requirements and on the investigations made into the naval strength of foreign Powers. The Admiralty Council is accordingly converted into the Board of Admiralty, or Navy Board, and the appointment of a Minister and Vice-Minister is announced.\n\nThe proposals of the Constitutional Government Committee and the Army Board for the establishment of a graduated scheme fixing temporarily the spheres of the officials of the Army Board are adopted. The various posts of president, vice-presidents, and secretaries are abolished, and in their places the offices of Minister and Vice-Minister of War created.\n\nSeparate Imperial edicts of the same date command Prince Tsai Hsin to fill the post of Minister and Tan Hsuch-beng that of Vice-Minister of Marine, Yin Chang that of Minister, and Shou Hsün that of Vice-Minister of War, and Admiral of the Fleet Sa Chen-ping is appointed Commander-in-chief of Naval Forces on the High Seas and the River Yang-tsze.\n\nIn addition to the two cruiser training-ships ordered from England (see Mr. Max Muller's despatches Nos. 97 and 271 of the 7th April and 8th August), I may mention that Admiral Sa, who leaves Peking in a fortnight to resume command of the Chinese navy, and scarcely concealed his chagrin at the transfer, gave me the following confidential information regarding the ships ordered by China from foreign countries:\n\n| Country | Ships Ordered |\n| --- | --- |\n| Germany | One torpedo-boat and two light-draught vessels, of about 800 tons, for service on the Tung Ting Lake. |\n| Italy | One torpedo-boat. |\n| Austria | One torpedo-boat. |\n| Japan | Two gun-boats. |\n\nI understand that orders are likely to be placed in America for one or more vessels.\n\nThe above orders are in the nature of \"complimentary\" orders to the various Powers visited by the Naval Commissioners, and have been given at the urgent solicitation of those Powers, and it would seem that France showed no special desire to obtain orders.\n\nIn connection with naval reorganisation, I may mention that a project is said to be under consideration, which would appear to be the outcome of Prince Tsai Hsun's mission to the United States, for obtaining a loan of 25,000,000 dollars (gold) for the development of China's naval resources.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**J. N. JORDAN**\n\n\n[1810 -1] \n189", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434191, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 192, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n## (Translation.)\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n#### Imperial Decrees issued on December 4, 1910.\n\n**(1.)**\n\nIN the establishment of a State, the importance of the navy and of the army are equally weighty. Formerly, as part of the measures for the regulation of official spheres, an Imperial decree was promulgated by the late reign that, prior to the establishment of the Navy Board, the management of naval affairs should devolve temporarily on the Army Board. A subsequent decree appointed Tsai Hsun and Sa Chen-ping to serve as High Commissioners for the organisation of the affairs of the navy. Again, a commission, headed by Tsai Hsün, was appointed to proceed to various countries to investigate minutely their organisations. Step by step, a scheme has been evolved.\n\nA memorial has now been submitted for our perusal, drawn up by Tsai Hsün's commission, in collaboration with the Prince and High Commissioners of the Constitutional Government Committee, suggesting the adoption of a graduated scheme fixing temporarily the spheres of the officials of the Navy Board. This we have perused with especial care and found it completely satisfactory. A special board should therefore be established to give due weight to the responsibilities involved. We command that the council for the organisation of the navy be converted into the Navy Board, and we institute the offices of High Commissioner and Assistant High Commissioner of the Navy. The holders of these offices must earnestly and energetically plan and act to fulfil the sincere desire of the Throne for the reform of the machinery of war.\n\nWith regard to the affairs of the Sub-Department of the Navy, we command that these be managed temporarily by the Navy Board in addition to its proper functions. We command that the other recommendations be carried into effect.\n\n**(2.)**\n\nThe Constitutional Government Committee, the general staff, and the Army Board have handed in a joint memorial for regulating a graduated scheme fixing temporarily the spheres of the officials of the Army Board. The special province of the Army Board is the supreme control of the duties of military administration. All the proposals suggested we have found entirely satisfactory.\n\nWe command that the various posts of president, vice-presidents, and secretaries shall forthwith be abolished, and we substitute in their places the offices of High Commissioner and Assistant High Commissioner of the Army. At the present juncture, when the machinery of war is being reformed, the holders of these offices must not swerve from the duties laid on them, but strive after honest reform and genuine progress. We command that the other recommendations be carried into effect.\n\n## CHINA\n\n### RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n`[41073]`\n\n### 1168\n\n#### [November 11.]\n\n#### SECTION 1.\n\n#### [AMENDED COPY.]\n\n#### No. 1.\n\nMemorandum by Mr. W. D. Straight regarding Chinchou-Aigun Railroad.\n\n(Communicated by Mr. Addis, November 11, 1910.)\n\nTHE preliminary agreement for the Chinchou-Aigun Railway was signed by their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, on behalf of the Manchurian Administration, Mr. W. D. Straight, on behalf of the American group, and Lord ffrench, for Pauling and Co. (Limited), on the 2nd October, 1909. This agreement was ratified by Imperial edict on the 20th January, 1910, and the American Legation in Peking was formally notified of the fact and informed that the Viceroy of Manchuria had been instructed to negotiate a detailed agreement with the representative of the American group. The legation was requested to advise the representative of the American group that he should enter upon the negotiations for such an agreement.\n\nOn the 26th April, 1910, their Excellencies the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien transmitted to Mr. W. D. Straight, acting on behalf of the American group, the English and Chinese texts of the loan agreement for the Chinchou-Aigun Railway, stating that such agreement constituted \"the final draft entered into and definitely fixed between the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien on the one part and the American group on the other part,\" and that \"as soon as ever we, the Viceroy of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien, shall have memorialised the throne and obtained the Imperial assent thereto, the signatures shall thereupon be fixed and the agreement be made operative.\"\n\nThe loan agreement, transmitted as above stated, provided for a loan of not exceeding 40,000,000 dollars, United States currency, for the construction of a railway between Chinchou and Aigun and necessary branches, such loan to be issued in two series, the first of which shall be for 20,000,000 dollars. The term of the loan is fixed at thirty years, and the bonds to bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum.\n\nThe loan constituted an obligation of the Imperial Chinese Government, and is secured by a first mortgage on the railroad and upon Manchurian salt taxes amounting to 4,000,000 taels per annum. The other provisions of the loan agreement for the service and amortisation of the loan, &c., resemble former agreements concluded with China.\n\nArticle 19 of the loan agreement, as it at present stands, provides that the American group may, with the consent of the Imperial Chinese Government, admit to participation in this loan financial groups of other nations, such participation, however, not to exceed 40 per cent. of the whole. In case the other parties to the interbank agreement, concluded the 10th November, 1910, desire to participate in this loan, the American group anticipates no difficulty in arranging with the Chinese Government that they shall share this loan equally with the American group, and that the final loan agreement may be amended in this sense.\n\nOn the 26th April, 1910, the Viceroy also transmitted to Mr. Straight a letter which provided that the price at which the American group should purchase the bonds, ..., 95, must be confirmed upon the signature of the final loan agreement.\n\nIn a third letter, the Manchurian administration requested the American group to recommend an American who should, during the currency of the loan, act as traffic manager of the railway, in order to ensure the efficient operation of the line. This letter provided also that the foreign employees of the railway should be exclusively selected from persons of American or British nationality. It is hoped that this restriction as to employees could be removed, making it possible for the Chinese to employ French and Germans as well.\n\nIn a letter dated the 30th April, 1910, the Manchurian administration agreed to ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434272, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 273, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## occupied space in the native press, probably grateful for some topic of actual news, out of all proportion to other subjects. The debates are attended by reporters from all the leading papers in Peking, and the speeches of members are chronicled at great length, though not in extenso. The best accounts of these debates appear in the \"Northern Times,\" which is the organ of Mr. Lei Fen, a provincial delegate from Kiangsu, who has already made himself a great reputation as the leading orator in the Senate.\n\nThe struggle, which was inevitable, but of which the first active expression was the incident on the 9th November, as mentioned in Mr. Max Müller's despatch No. 413 above referred to, after simmering for some two weeks in the columns of the press, which duly reported that a certain grand councillor had stated à propos of the incident of the 9th, that he would rather meet a \"Boxer\" than the members of the Senate, broke out again into active expression in the Senate on the 22nd instant. On the previous day, edicts had been issued which embodied views in variance with the previous findings of the Senate on the subjects in question. The Senate moved that the grand councillors be impeached for disloyalty to the Throne, since they failed to advise for the good of the nation. The grand councillors are reported to have replied to the censure of the Senate that their signatures on decrees were derived from an ancient custom dating back to the times of the Emperor Ch'ien Lung (1735-1795), and that they were not responsible for the contents of these edicts. They are stated to have adopted an attitude of contemptuous indignation towards the threatened impeachment, declaring that were such impeachment made, either it would be treated with silent contempt or the Senate would be dissolved. Although a native paper has stated that the impeachment, which was undoubtedly drawn up, was presented on the 1st December, it is more probable that it was shelved, on reconsideration, by the Senate, and nothing has at any rate eventuated. The native papers have dropped the subject, and the Grand Council, though possibly more amenable, as evidenced by later decrees, continues its non-attendance of debates.\n\nIn connection with the Senate, it is worthy of note that a statement has appeared in a native paper to the effect that foreigners are most anxious to obtain introductions to provincial members of the Senate. Also, that a further article has appeared praising the capacity of this class of member in comparison with that of the special representatives of the various Government offices that attend the sittings on behalf of the Government. The sympathy of the press in the struggle with the Government has undoubtedly been with the Senate.\n\n## Opium\n\nThe anti-opium agitation as directed against the import of Indian opium by the Chinese National Anti-Opium Society has been accorded the fullest hospitality in the columns of the \"Peking Daily News.\" Long columns of correspondence on the subject have appeared in its pages, and the doings of the society have been recorded at some length. The paper, however, has refrained from comment on the question. Among the vernacular papers, the \"Chung Kuo Pao\"—which, as noted in previous press summaries, is not a very reputable paper of anti-foreign and anti-official tendencies—has been the main supporter of the society. It has published a laudatory article on the work of Mr. Thwing, the American secretary of the society, and ever since its formation was recorded in its columns of the 15th November, the paper has paid considerable attention to the society's doings. The telegrams sent to papers and societies in England and America have been invariably duly noted, not only in the \"Chung Kuo Pao,\" but in other native papers.\n\nThe only other extracts of interest under this heading are:\n\n| Extracts |\n| --- |\n| 1. A statement that the Chibli Provincial Assembly has passed a resolution forbidding the import of opium into the province after 1912; and |\n| 2. That the resolutions in regard to opium suppression which were passed by the Senate at its sitting of the 2nd December would appear to have their origin in three resolutions recorded by the native press as laid before that body by the United Provincial Assemblies Society at the beginning of November. |\n\nThese resolutions, after showing in the preamble the fallacy of the much-used argument that if China ceases to produce before the termination of ten years it will only mean gain to foreign countries at her expense, advocate the immediate suppression of opium within China's boundaries. They point out that the anti-opium movement is one that concerns morals and good health, and that any temporary financial gain to foreigners should be a negligible factor. It is to be regretted that the senators, at the sitting of the 2nd December, preferred, like Rehoboam, to be led by the counsels of the young Anti-Opium Society rather than by the common sense advice of these sages.\n\n## K'aiping Mines\n\nMuch interest has been shown by the vernacular press in this question. The history of the case up to date has been set forth on various occasions without bias, and the developments of the struggle between Chang Yen-mou (Chang-Yi) and the Chilli Viceroy are duly noted.\n\nEarly in the month, it was announced that Chang Yi had been denounced to the Throne by the Chihli Viceroy for blocking the redemption project. Later, a statement appeared to the effect that the Chihli gentry, disgusted for the same reason, were presenting a memorial in the same sense. It was then reported that the question of the redemption of these mines had been referred to a special committee of the Senate. This committee reported adversely on Chang Yi's memorial, and in consequence, delegates were sent by his Excellency Tang Shao-yi to Tien-tsin to confer with the Chihli Viceroy on this important question. Meanwhile, Chang Yi is said to have presented a further memorial advocating the non-redemption of the mines.\n\n## Peking Syndicate\n\nOn the 5th November, a native paper contained a telegram stating that delegates had been elected by the Provincial Assembly of Honan to proceed to Peking to oppose the syndicate in regard to working iron mines in Honan. According to a paper of the 22nd, the whole province was bitterly opposed to such working. The gentry were fanning the opposition throughout the province, and were reported to have asserted that if the Wai-wu Pu and the provincial authorities were powerless to induce the syndicate to acknowledge the cancellation of the agreement (of 1898) violence would have to be employed. At all costs, working must be prevented.\n\n## Railways\n\nThe Chekiang and Kiangsu Railways questions have again this last month been under notice in the native press. As regards the latter, it was stated that the Board of Communications, on being approached by the railway company in regard to taking over the railway, replied that in view of the loss at present incurred in the working of the line, it was unable to do so except at 70 per cent. of the figure it had originally offered the company. The offer was refused.\n\nAs regards the Chekiang railways, further delegates are reported to have made their appearance in Peking. Their visit was expressly welcomed by the vice-president of the Board of Communications, Shen Yün-p'ei, but although their interview lasted some four hours, it appears to have been quite abortive. An explanation for the dismissal of Tang Shou-ch'ien was refused, and a discussion on the rights of the British and Chinese Corporation was productive of no results.\n\nSzechuan Thibet Railway.-This project is still cherished by the native press. It was argued in a Shanghai paper that proper communication between Szechuan and Thibet was essential, since unrest in the latter now means unrest in the former. It was stated that a foreign loan for this purpose was in contemplation.\n\nHankow-Szechuan Railway-The agitation against Chiao Shu-nau, the director of this railway, reported in the \"Summary for October,\" still sporadically continues. No further developments, however, appear to have occurred, except that Chiao has circulated a printed pamphlet all over Peking denying the accusations made against him.\n\nRailways in Shantung.-According to the native papers, the Germans would seem to be actively engaged in railway projects in Shantung, destined to secure the unquestioned supremacy of Kiaochow among the ports of Shantung.\n\nAccording to a recent paper, German diplomacy has gained its point in regard to the place where the line from Ichou (in South-East Shantung-Ichou Kiaochow line) shall join the Chinan-Kiaochow railway. They advocated Kao Mi Hsien as the junction instead of Wei-hsien, as supported by the Chinese, no doubt in view of the contingent line from Wei-hsien to Chefoo.\n\nA further article accuses the German consul at Chinan, who is travelling in Honan, with scheming to ruin the Kaifeng-Hsuchow-Haichow railway. They state that the object of his journey is \"to spy out the nakedness\" of the Chinese project.\n\nPage 271", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434277, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 278, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[574]\n\n276\n\n[January 6.]\n\n3417\n\n### SECTION 3\n\n#### No. 1\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 6, 1911.)\n\n**(No. 458. Confidential)**\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, December 20, 1910.\n\nTHE decrees, copies of which I have the honour to enclose in translation,* mark the further progress of the conflict which has been going on for some months past between the Senate and the Grand Council, and which has now reached a somewhat acute stage.\n\nFollowing up their recent impeachment of the Grand Council, the Senate submitted a memorial in which they complained of the inadequate assistance they received from the Council, and suggested that its duties should be more clearly defined with a view to improving its efficiency.\n\nThe Grand Council retorted by immediately placing their resignation in the hands of the Prince Regent—a very unusual step, for which there is no precedent in recent Chinese history.\n\nThe Prince Regent was therefore called upon to decide the issue between a Grand Council, which has for nearly two centuries performed all the functions of a Cabinet, and a popular Assembly called into active existence only a few months ago. The decision, as conveyed in the two decrees issued in his name, virtually asserts the supremacy of the Grand Council, and relegates the Senate to its advisory duties. His Highness administers a severe rebuke to the new Assembly, and warns them that they cannot presume to dictate in matters which form the exclusive prerogative of the Throne.\n\nIt has been apparent for some days past that the Government were prepared to try conclusions with the Senate. Prince Ching and Na Tung, both of them grand councillors, commented strongly in conversation with me upon the extravagant pretensions of these inexperienced representatives of the people, and indicated the probability of the Government being obliged to dissolve the present Senate and convene a new body under a different set of regulations. Prince Ching hinted that Yuan Shih Kai might be summoned to Peking to form a new administration, but said that Yuan himself was very reluctant to re-enter public life. The Government, he said, were determined not to allow the Senate to prejudice their relations with foreign Powers. Na Tung attributed the Senate's excesses largely to the weakness of its Prince President, P'u Lun, who would either have to be replaced or have his hands strengthened by the appointment of a competent vice-president.\n\nThe two edicts formed the subject of a prolonged and animated debate in the Senate yesterday afternoon. The accompanying memorandum by Mr. Phillips, the acting Chinese secretary, shows that the proceedings were, on the whole, conducted with a dignity and self-restraint worthy of the occasion. Although the edicts emanated from the Prince Regent himself and bore his signature only, no word of criticism was directed against His Highness, and no direct attempt was made to challenge the prerogatives of the Throne. But it was decided by a large majority to submit a further memorial impeaching the Grand Council, not collectively as before, but individually by name, and a committee of six was appointed to prepare the draft. The task of the committee should present no serious difficulty, for seldom even in the worst days of the history of the Manchu Court has the Council, which practically governs the Empire, been composed of more venal or less capable men. Prince Ching's age and failing health debar him from active work, and his name stands for corruption. Na Tung is a supple and plausible Manchu, whose doings would not bear a close investigation. Prince Yü Lang is believed to be an honest, well-meaning man of only moderate capacity and very limited experience. Hsu Shih-ch'ang, the only Chinese member of the Council, has held high provincial offices and is a man...\n\n*Not printed.\n\n`[1850f-3]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434285, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 286, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nC 3447\nJanuary 13.\n\n### SECTION 3.\n\nNo. 1.\n(No. 461.)\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received January 13, 1911.)\n\nIN his despatch No. 386 of the 28th October on the subject of Chinese loans, Peking, December 22, 1910. Mr. Max Müller mentioned that the Viceroys at Canton and Nanking had each asked the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank for a loan of 3,000,000 taels to relieve the financial stringency in their respective provinces.\n\nNegotiations for the first-named loan are still pending, but an agreement for the second was signed at Nanking on the 11th instant by the Financial Commissioner, on behalf of the Viceroy of the Liang Kiang and representatives of the three banks participating in the loan, namely, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine.\n\nI have the honour to enclose copy of this agreement together with copy of previous correspondence between the legation and the Wai-wu Pu with regard to the guarantee of this loan by the Chinese Government.\n\nThe banks, in conformity with the agreement come to as a result of an exchange of views in June and July last, namely, that \"they would decline to entertain proposals for the issue of a Chinese provincial loan except on the condition that the redemption of the loan is unconditionally guaranteed by the Imperial Chinese Government\" (`Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank to Foreign Office, the 13th July, 1910`), decided on this occasion to ask for something more than the communication to the legations concerned of an Imperial Edict authorising the loan, as provided for in the Wai-wu Pu's despatch of the 15th May, 1908 (translation of which was sent to you in my despatch No. 235 of the 25th May, 1908), and they accordingly asked the Viceroy to insert a clause in the loan agreement stating that the Imperial Government guaranteed the due payment of interest and repayment of principal. A clause to this effect was inserted in the draft agreement, article 8, but it was so worded as to leave room for some doubt as to its exact meaning. Accordingly, at the bank's request, I, in conjunction with my French and German colleagues, addressed a note to the Wai-wu Pu on the 17th November (Enclosure No. 2), enquiring if the authorisation conveyed in a previous note from the Wai-wu Pu under date of the 10th November covered the stipulations contained in article 8, and on the 8th December, I received a note from Prince Ch'ing stating that this 3,000,000 taels loan had been \"sanctioned by Imperial Decree, that is to say, the Viceroy is authorised to guarantee on behalf of the Government that payment of interest and repayment of principal of this loan shall be duly made\" (Enclosure 3).\n\nThis \"confirmation of the authorisation by Imperial edict of the terms and conditions of the loan,\" as it was described by the Peking agent of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, was evidently deemed satisfactory by the banks, who forthwith signed the loan agreement.\n\nSubsequently, however, some doubts seem to have arisen as to whether the wording of article 8 could be construed into an unconditional Imperial guarantee, and I was asked by Mr. Hillier, on behalf of the banks, for an authoritative interpretation of the meaning of the article. This I did not feel justified in giving, as it seemed to me that the Viceroy's guarantee on behalf of the Imperial Government might possibly be interpreted to mean no more than a pledge of the revenues of the provinces over which the Viceroy rules, and does not necessarily commit the Chinese Government to meeting payment of interest and principal from the general revenues of the Empire. I expressed, however, my readiness to put any query on this point which the banks desired to the Chinese Government.\n\nThis system of desultory provincial loans, the expenditure of which is probably very loosely controlled by the central Government, is, in my opinion, doubtful finance in the present condition of China, and I have suggested to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank that future loans of this kind should be consolidated into one Imperial loan. Mr. Hillier seems to share these views.\n\nThese provincial loans, which are now being asked for by Canton, Hupei, ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434286, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 287, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Shantung, and other provinces, are encountering strong opposition from the Senate, and not without some reason. Kiangsu, for instance, does not see why it should have been saddled with the loan of 3,500,000 taels made, it is alleged, to the Shanghai taotai in August last largely to cover up gambling debts of Chekiang (Ningpo) people in connection with rubber transactions, and the representatives of the province are making their views felt in Peking.\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n### Agreement made between his Excellency Fan Tseng Hsiang, Financial Commissioner of Nanking, and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and Banque de l'Indo-Chine for a Loan of 3,000,000 taels Shanghai Sycee\n\nTHIS agreement made between his Excellency Fan Tseng Hsiang, financial commissioner, of Nanking, of the one part, and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and Banque de l'Indo-Chine, hereinafter called the \"banks,\" of the other part;\n\nWhereas the Viceroy of the Liang Kiang provinces, his Excellency Chang Jen Chun, has for the purpose and with the object of relieving the present state of the Kiangnan market memorialised the throne for and received an Imperial edict (communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to the British, German, and French Ministers in Peking) authorising him to raise a foreign loan of 3,000,000 taels, and has specially vested the financial commissioner, his Excellency Fan Tseng Hsiang, with powers to negotiate for the said loan and to seal the loan bonds hereinafter referred to,\n\nWitnesseth as follows:\n\n1. The banks hereby agree to lend to the Viceroy of the Liang Kiang provinces and the Viceroy hereby agrees to borrow from the banks the sum of 3,000,000 taels, the payment and repayment of which said sum and of interest thereon are to be made in Shanghai in taels of Shanghai sycee.\n\n2. The banks shall, on the execution of this agreement, pay in full to the financial commissioner the sum of 3,000,000 taels Shanghai sycee.\n\n3. The interest for the said sum of 3,000,000 taels shall be 7 per cent. per annum, to be computed from the date of this agreement and payable by the financial commissioner or his successors in office on the 11th day of June and the 11th day of December yearly until repayment of the loan has been completed. The principal shall be repaid in six yearly instalments as follows:\n| Year | Instalment Date | Amount (taels Shanghai sycee) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1911 | December 11 | 500,000 |\n| 1912 | December 11 | 500,000 |\n| 1913 | December 11 | 500,000 |\n| 1914 | December 11 | 500,000 |\n| 1915 | December 11 | 500,000 |\n| 1916 | December 11 | 500,000 |\n\n4. In the event of there being a surplus from the three revenues hereinafter mentioned after duly paying the yearly instalment of the principal and interest, the financial commissioner shall be at liberty, on giving three months' previous notice to the banks, to pay off the next instalment of principal or the whole sum for the time being remaining owing.\n\n5. This loan is secured by a first mortgage on the following revenues of Kiangnan, namely:\n- (a) The \"Shou Hwui-fu Chia Pa Cheng\" salt li-kin of the four salt districts of Hunan, Hupeh, Kiangsi, and Anhui (\"Siangping\"), 300,000 taels.\n- (b) The additional Kiangnan Yao Cheng salt duties (\"Siangping\"), 320,000 taels.\n- (c) The \"Hai Fun Shih Wu Cheng\" salt li-kin of Liang Hui (\"Siangping\"), 120,000 taels.\n\nThe aforesaid three revenues amount to 740,000 (\"Siangping\") taels in the 3rd year of Hsuan Tung, but will increase to 840,000 (\"Siangping\") taels from the 4th year of Hsuan Tung.\n\nThe financial commissioner hereby guarantees that no mortgage or charge exists on the aforesaid revenues. The Viceroy of the Liang Kiang provinces further guarantees on behalf of himself and his successors in office that no other or further pledge of such revenues, whether by way of loan on, or mortgage of, the said security shall be made without an explicit declaration of the relative priority of the present loan over each and any other or further pledge of such security.\n\n6. The financial commissioner shall, within three months of the execution of this agreement, hand to the banks bonds in Shanghai taels, Shanghai sycee, for the total amount of this loan, namely, 3,000,000 taels, sealed with the official seal of the financial commissioner as evidence that he and his successors in office are bound thereby. The form and amount of the bonds shall be settled by the banks in consultation with the financial commissioner. Bonds for the amount repaid shall be immediately returned to the financial commissioner for cancellation. After each instalment of the principal is paid, interest at the rate aforesaid shall only be charged on the residue of the principal for the time being remaining owing.\n\n7. The financial commissioner for himself and his successors in office hereby unconditionally guarantees and declares himself and themselves responsible for the due repayment of the principal of 3,000,000 taels, Shanghai sycee, and the payment of interest thereon.\n\n8. As officially communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to the British, German, and French Ministers in Peking, the Viceroy of the Liang Kiang provinces is authorised to guarantee on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government, and he does hereby guarantee under his official seal, that payment of interest and repayment of the principal of this loan shall be duly made.\n\n9. Ten copies of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese; one copy to be retained by the Viceroy of Liang Kiang provinces, one by the Board of Finance, one by the Wai-wu Pu, one by the Financial Commissioner of Nanking, one by the British Legation, one by the German Legation, one by the French Legation, and three by the banks.\n\nIn the event of any question or dispute arising as to the meaning of this agreement, the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Nanking by the contracting parties this 10th day of the 11th moon in the 2nd year of Hsuan Tung, being the 11th day of December, 1910 (Western calendar).\n\n(Seal of Financial Commissioner.)\n(Seal of Viceroy.)\n\n(For the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation),\nH. HUNTER, Manager.\n\n(For the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank),\nR. TIMMERSCHEIDT. KOELM.\n\n(For the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, Agence de Shanghai),\nLe Caissier, L. GAUTHERIN.\nLe Directeur, G. MAYER.\n\nIn the presence of:\nJ. O. ANDERSON.\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n### Mr. Max Müller to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nPeking, November 17, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Highness' note of the 10th November, in which you inform me that a telegraphic memorial was recently received from the southern superintendent of trade to the effect that, in view of the critical state of the Shanghai money market, the general chamber of commerce and representatives of the various trades had besought him to take remedial measures, \n\nPage 285", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434297, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 298, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "296 \n\n2 \n\nonce and for all, that he and his colleagues looked to the Wai-wu Pu, and to the Wai-wu Pu only, for the decision of the Chinese Government.\n\nThe Grand Secretary pleaded that he could only press the Board of Communications to complete the agreement. He could not, as the German Minister had suggested, order the Board of Communications to do this, and he did not know in whom the power to issue such orders was vested. The agreement was not a final one, Chang Chih-tung was dead, and the situation was exceptional.\n\nIt was pointed out to his Excellency that as a member of the Grand Council he had merely to apply to the Throne for the issue of an edict instructing the Board of Communications to conclude a settlement on the basis of the preliminary agreement which had been negotiated under special authority conferred on Chang Chih-tung by the late Empress-Dowager. It was not conceivable that the Prince-Regent would hesitate to confirm the act of his illustrious predecessor.\n\nAfter a protracted discussion, during which I was authorised by my colleagues to say that our respective Governments desired that the contract should be consummated without further delay, the Grand Secretary finally declared that no alteration was contemplated in the essential principles of the preliminary agreement, but that the details would require some emendation.\n\nThe Ministers signified their willingness to allow the representatives of the banks to resume negotiations with the Board of Communications, on the understanding that they were merely empowered to consider the formalities necessary for giving effect to the preliminary agreement.\n\nAfter the meeting was over, the American Minister, Mr. Calhoun, who had taken no part in the discussion, informed his colleagues that Liang Shih-yi, the Director-General of Railways, had furnished Mr. Straight with a memorandum of the alterations which the Board of Communications wished to introduce into the preliminary agreement. I have not yet seen this document, but its contents were communicated on the following day to the representatives of the other three banks, and I gather from Mr. Hillier that it embodies some proposals of a fundamental nature. For instance, it is proposed that the party with which the agreement is made should be a Chinese railway company of the type of the similar company with which we are familiar in Chekiang; that no date should be named for commencing or completing the construction of the railways; that all mention of the Imperial Maritime Customs should be deleted from the agreement, and that in case of default the provincial authorities should be required to pay to the banks the amount necessary to meet principal and interest; and that a Chinese engineer should be appointed to supervise the construction of the two lines, with divisional engineers of the four nationalities under him.\n\nThis last stipulation is evidently intended as a bait to gain the support of the American and French groups to these absurd proposals, but it is not likely to effect its object.\n\nThe meeting between the acting president of the Board of Communications and the representatives of the banks was held yesterday afternoon, and I have the honour to transmit herewith an account of the proceedings. It will be seen that the Board of Communications was not prepared to enter into a discussion of the question, and that the announcement of the meeting was probably only intended to forestall the demands which Na-trung anticipated would be made at our interview. It is evident, however, that our attitude made the Chinese realise that Liang Shih-yi's proposals stood no chance of acceptance, and it is something to have obtained confirmation of the assurance that there is no intention of changing the general basis of the agreement, and that the alterations will be merely of a verbal character. It would, however, be too much to expect that this assurance will be literally construed, and the mere fact that Liang Shih-yi is associated with the negotiations is a guarantee that they will be hampered by every conceivable form of obstruction.\n\nBut if the representatives of the four banks hold firmly together, and are prepared to exercise the necessary pressure, there should be a fair prospect of a successful issue.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n3\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1\n\n### Joint Memorandum\n\nOn the 22nd October the Ministers of the four Powers informed the Imperial Government in identic notes that, in consequence of the surprising attitude of the presidents of the Yu-chuan Pu, the meeting of the representatives of the banks with the Board of Communications which had at last been convened by that board on the 3rd October had led to no result. The Ministers of the four Powers therefore called upon the Imperial Government to instruct the Board of Communications to act in accordance with the engagements represented by the initialled agreement of the 6th June, 1909, and to co-operate with the representatives of the banks in the steps necessary for its early completion and ratification.\n\nAs no reply was forthcoming for more than a month, the Ministers of the four Powers, on the 26th November, again addressed the Imperial Government in identic notes, repeating their request and pressing for a reply.\n\nSince then another month has elapsed, and neither a reply to the request made nor an explanation of the delay has been received by the legations.\n\nThe silence, almost amounting to discourtesy, with which the Wai-wu Pu persist in treating formal official correspondence affecting important interests of the Imperial Government, as well as of the four foreign countries concerned, not only defeats the efforts of the Ministers to arrive at a friendly settlement of the matter, but is calculated to draw the attention of the home Governments to the manner in which negotiations are conducted in China.\n\nThe Ministers therefore feel that no course is now left to them but to make this joint personal representation to the Wai-wu Pu, and to insist upon receiving without further delay a definite reply as to the intentions of the Imperial Government with regard to the settlement of this matter.\n\nPeking, December 27, 1910.\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n### Notes of Interview at Yu-chuan Pu, December 29, 1910\n\nPresent: Shen Yuu Pei, acting president; Messrs. Hillier, Cordes, Straight, and Casenave.\n\nThe President recapitulated the difficulties they experienced in dealing with the provincial gentry. He referred to the recent interview of the four Ministers with the Wai-wu Pu, and said that the statements that he made to us at our last meeting of the 3rd October appeared to have been misunderstood. There was no intention to change the \"Tsung-chih\" or general basis of the agreement; what was proposed was merely to make a few changes in the \"tzu chu\" or wording.\n\nThe objections of the gentry were particularly directed against the Tien-tsin-Pukow terms, which had been incorporated in the present agreement.\n\nWe again explained that the whole of the present agreement was based upon the Tien-tsin-Pukow Agreement by the special request of the late Grand Secretary Chang Chih-tung.\n\nThe president said that in this respect his Excellency Chang had made a mistake; the two railways were separate, and the basis of negotiations should have been kept quite distinct.\n\nThen followed a repetition of the discussion which took place at the last interview with regard to the validity of the present agreement and the powers of his Excellency Chang to bind the Imperial Government.\n\nThe president was verbose and inconclusive, and, as it was impossible to keep him to the point, it was suggested that he should state, for the information of the representatives, what were the verbal alterations to which he had referred. He said that he would furnish us with a memorandum of them in the course of a day or two. It was suggested that, since we were all present, it was a good opportunity to discuss the more important of them at once. The president repeated that the proposed alterations were unimportant, and he was obviously anxious to postpone the discussion. He was...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434349, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 350, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## 2\n\nhas no alternative to submitting to the inconvenience of a depreciated subsidiary currency.\n\nIf the new policy of the Chinese Government is successful, the Hong Kong coins will probably fall almost immediately to slightly below bullion value, and then rapidly disappear from circulation, both on the mainland and in the colony, until the problem is reduced to manageable dimensions.\n\nIf, on the other hand, it is unsuccessful, the measures to be taken will be dependent upon the course of events in China, and cannot with advantage be determined until this becomes apparent.\n\nIn the meantime, my Lords do not think that any useful purpose would be served by offering advice to the Chinese Government as to the administration of their scheme of currency reform, nor, indeed, are they in agreement with Sir F. May's view that the restoration to face value of the existing Chinese subsidiary currency must be effected before the new coins can be successfully brought into circulation.\n\nThe law that base coin drives out good would of course operate in the manner he suggests, if by law or usage the two varieties of subsidiary coin were to be admitted to concurrent circulation at the same rating. As, however, the scheme provides for the reduction of the rating of the old currency from face value in the first instance to present exchange value, and ultimately to bare bullion value, it is clear that (unless the operation of the edict is defeated by popular sentiment) Gresham's law will operate in the opposite direction—i.e., to encourage the substitution of the new (overvalued) coins for the old coins, which will be rated at their intrinsic value only.\n\nIndeed, in their Lordships' opinion, the scheme is a sound one and well calculated, if firmly administered by the central Government, to achieve success.\n\nNor do my Lords think it desirable that representations should be made to the Chinese Government with respect to the coins, whether standard or subsidiary, issued by the colony which are now circulating in China.\n\nThe Wai-wu Pu have informed His Majesty's chargé d'affaires at Peking that such coins will, when the new coinage is in circulation, be \"treated in accordance with the established practice of all nations.\"\n\nMy Lords understand this statement to mean that the circulation of such coins will be prohibited, and inasmuch as the adoption of a national system of currency discharges a treaty obligation which His Majesty's Government have pressed upon the Chinese Government, they see no ground on which representations could be urged for the exceptional treatment of Hong Kong coins in the Empire.\n\nThe displacement of foreign coins circulating within its territories is, in their Lordships' opinion, an operation which any Government is entitled to undertake, only such regard being paid to the convenience of the issuing Government as circumstances will permit.\n\nIt appears to this Board that the Government of Hong Kong could not reasonably ask more than that the displacement should be spread over a series of years, and, as such a concession would, in the circumstances, be at best of doubtful advantage, my Lords are satisfied that the better policy will be to leave the Government of China to take its own course.\n\nMuch, however, will necessarily depend on the degree of success attending the efforts of the Chinese Government to carry out the provisions of the edict, and my Lords will therefore be glad if Mr. Secretary Harcourt will cause them to be informed from time to time of the progress of events, both in the colony and on the mainland.\n\nI am, &c.\n**G. H. MURRAY.**\n\n## 3\n\nof the Treasury,* from which you will gather the views of His Majesty's Government on the matter, and the reasons which led to the decision, conveyed to you in my telegram of the 10th instant, that I could not approve the scheme which you proposed.\n\n3. You will no doubt report further on the situation from time to time, in accordance with the desire of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.\n\n4. As regards the question of the acceptance of worn coins, dealt with in your despatch of the 14th January, 1910, you will notice that it is not alluded to in the Treasury letter of the 21st December. I am asking their Lordships for an expression of their views on the matter.\n\n&c.\n\nI am,\n**L. HARCOURT.**\n\n## 348\n\n**(Confidential.)** Sir,\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Mr. Harcourt to Governor Sir F. Lugard.**\n\nDowning Street, January 13, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch of the 20th January last, dealing with the question of the Hong Kong subsidiary coinage. I regret that it has not been possible to answer your despatch at an earlier date.\n\n2. I now transmit to you a copy of correspondence with the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury,* from which you will gather...\n\n* `Colonial Office to Treasury, April 8, ditto, September 13; Treasury to Colonial Office, December 21, 1910`.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434420, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 421, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## \nfrom restrictions there have resulted in a great rise in price which in Urumchi ranges 240 to 280 taels per 100 Chinese ounces. The price in north-west Kansu is from 40 to 50 taels, and a successful smuggler is therefore able to make 100 per cent. profit or more. It is not surprising that most westward travellers attempt to smuggle some of the forbidden drug. A personal incident à propos of this may be of interest. My own servants when at Su Chou were approached by two persons--one of whom was a small official, the other the cart-owner--with proposals to smuggle opium for them in my cart, for which they promised a part of the profits. At Anhsi Chou a similar proposition was made to them, but when they referred the matter to me I strictly forbade them to have anything to do with opium. The would-be smugglers no doubt relied on my cart not being searched by the Customs officials, and in this they were not mistaken. I heard no more about the matter, and supposed we had carried no opium, but some days after our arrival in Urumchi it transpired that the carter had himself smuggled 100 ounces for his master. The upshot was curious. Having refused one offer of 240 taels, the man had with some difficulty found another purchaser, who offered a better price. (The price in Su Chou was 45 taels.) But the latter insisted on having the packet opened, when, to the surprise of the carter, it was found to consist of a layer of opium over a mass of stuff expressed from poppy seeds. Naturally the sale fell through, but the intending purchaser offered to take the packet away and extract the opium, for which he would pay a reasonable price. To this the carter assented. Needless to say, the man did not return, and when the carter found him after much trouble he denied that there was any opium. Though he knew the man was lying, the unfortunate carter had no remedy, as the traffic in opium is illegal, and both would have been punished if the transaction had been discovered by the police. Not only did he lose the handsome profit expected, but he had to return to his master without even the 45 taels which had been spent on the opium in Su Chou.\n\nThe visit of Sir A. Hosie to Lanchou has already had effect in stimulating the provincial Government to more energetic efforts to suppress the cultivation of the poppy. Throughout the three districts here dealt with I found proclamations emanating from the Opium Suppression Office at Lanchou had been posted during September in the villages, stating that this form of agriculture was to be stopped once and for all. The local officials were directed to take bonds from the village headmen that no opium would be grown, and every ten families were to be made mutually responsible for infractions of the prohibition. Local authorities of every grade will also be liable to punishment if opium is found growing in their districts. These instructions had already been acted on in Su Chou. I also found another recent proclamation, directing returns to be made of the area under poppy in 1910, and of the amount that had been ploughed up.\n\nThe issue of proclamations does not always guarantee that they will be enforced, and next spring must determine how far the provincial Government is in earnest in its campaign against the poppy. In Lanchou a fixed determination to carry it through was professed, and Taotai Peng Ying-chia, the superintendent of the Opium Office, declared to me that he would not have one plant of poppy growing in the province in 1911.\n\nThough I have commented severely on the state of affairs in Kanchou, it is only fair to the present officials to state that they were both new arrivals at the time of my visit.\n\nThe loss of the opium trade will inflict a severe blow on the prosperity of north-western Kansu. This district is so isolated from the rest of China that, save for the rice of Kanchou, the export of cereals is unprofitable. Besides medicines such as liquorice and rhubarb, it produces no commodity both portable and of high value, and opium was therefore the staple article on which the people relied to pay for the piece goods, silk goods, and the countless necessaries and luxuries of Chinese life imported from other parts of the Empire.\n\nThe Shanshi bankers in Kanchou-fu and Su Chou anticipated a very difficult financial situation in the coming year, owing to the drain of money to the East.\n\n## Hsin Chiang\nIn dealing with the opium question in the new dominion, it has to be borne in mind that this province is inhabited by a mixed population of several races whose attitude to the drug is different. Though, politically, one province, the Chinese habitually speak as if it were divided into a northern and a southern section. The northern section, comprising the valley of the Ili, Tarbagartai, and the series of oases from Manass and Urumchi to Barkul, is called the \"Tien Shan Pei Lu,\" or shortly, the \"Pei Lu.\" The population is preponderatingly Dungan (Mahommedans who are Chinese in all save origin and religion) with an admixture of Turkis and Chinese, the former being more numerous in the west and the latter in the east. The \"Tien Shan Nan Lu,\" or shortly, \"Nan Lu,\" comprises Chinese Turkestan as far as Karashar, and, with Turfan and Hami is inhabited almost exclusively by Mahommedan Turkis (or Ch'an-T'ou's). Of these three races the Turkis do not cultivate or use opium, the Dunguns cultivate but do not use it, and the Chinese both cultivate and use it. It follows, therefore, that very little opium has been grown in Chinese Turkestan, and the only places where I heard of its cultivation were Hami, where there are numerous Chinese and Dungans, and Karashar, where there are Dungans, while in Bugar and Kucha it had been grown by a few Chinese tenant farmers, and in Osh Turfan by Dungans and settled Kirghiz.\n\nOn the Pei Lu poppy cultivation was more extensive and carried on in every district, but principally at Kuch'eng (officially Ch'it'ai hsien), Manass (Snilai hsien), and in the valley of the Ili. In the Kuch'eng district it is probable that the Chinese form the majority of the population. They are nearly all recent immigrants, mainly from Shensi and Kansu, and they usually have no wish to make the new dominion their permanent home, but rather intend to make money as quickly as possible and return to their native places. Shensi and Kansu, being two of the principal opium provinces of China, it is not surprising that immigrants from those parts should turn their attention to this crop, which yields large and quick returns. In consequence there has developed a class of tenant farmers who are known as the \"Hua K'o,\" or \"poppy strangers.\" (In this province the poppy is colloquially called \"Hua-hua-tan,\" literally \"Flowers,\" not \"Ying-su\" as elsewhere.) Their practice is to sow the fields in the autumn, and, being encumbered with wives and families, to spend the long winter in the towns or in their native place, returning in the spring to tend and harvest their crops. They are turbulent people, and a constant menace to peace and good order.\n\nIn the western part of the Pei Lu both Dungans and Chinese engage in cultivating the poppy.\n\nThe output of opium in this province seems to have been insufficient even for the needs of the small Chinese population, and was supplemented by imports from other provinces and from Russian Asia. For many years no opium has entered the province from India.\n\nUp to the end of 1909 the opium edicts were but languidly enforced in the Hsin Chiang, although the central Government was led to believe that energetic action was being taken. The fault does not seem to rest with the governor so much as with his subordinates, who persistently misinformed him. The first measures to stop the cultivation of the poppy in pursuance of the Imperial decrees were taken in 1907, when the governor instructed the local officials that it was to cease. At the same time an \"opium-suppression office\" was established under the superintendence of the provincial judge (who is also Taotai of Urumchi). As the governor, however, admits in a later proclamation the subordinate officials having a period of ten years before them in which to carry out his orders did not attack the matter with much zeal, and little was done to restrict cultivation. But in the winter of 1908-9 an Imperial edict was received directing that the opium regulations were to be enforced in their entirety in the new dominion within one year. The governor asked for an extension to three years, but was told by the opium commissioners in Peking that as the Hsin Chiang was one of the minor opium-producing provinces, cultivation of the poppy was to be entirely stopped by the latter part of 1909 so as to further the prevention of the traffic in and consumption of the drug. He was also directed to issue the strictest injunctions in this sense to his subordinates and to report to the throne when they had been effectively executed.\n\nIn 1909 the governor seems to have gone still further, for orders were issued that both the sale and consumption of opium was also to be stopped within the year.\n\nIn January of the same year the opium office in Urumchi commenced to distribute free an opium remedy, prepared according to a prescription of Lin Tse-hsu, the famous High Commissioner at Canton in the days of the first English war, and also provided a free consulting doctor. About the same time it was directed that smokers were to be registered, and permits to buy opium in decreasing quantities issued to them. June and December were fixed as the dates by which those below and above 60 years of age were to have broken off the habit, but in the former case the limit was subsequently extended to September. In July, in order to enforce the prohibitions more effectively, the local authorities, in places where the habit was prevalent, were directed to make a census of the population and to affix door-plates on each house, recording the names, number, and occupation of the inhabitants, and details of those who had been or were still smokers of opium. The census, I found, had been made.\n\nPage 419", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434421, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 422, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "5 \n\nin Urumchi and elsewhere. Proclamations were also issued forbidding the sale of opium accessories and smuggling into the capital.\n\nunder \n\nUnfortunately, this report was not supported by facts.\n\npoppy \n\nThese measures looked well on paper, and at the end of 1909 the governor was able, as he thought, to report to the throne that opium was no longer grown in the province.\n\nAs in Kansu, the area had been reduced near the towns and main roads, but the plant had been sown as usual in the remoter districts. In the spring of 1910 the central Government, not content with the governor's assurances, directed the Tu Chih Pu (Board of Finance) to telegraph to its representative at Urumchi, Mr. Liang Yu-shu, who is in charge of the Ts'ai Chêng Chü (Finance Office), to enquire into and report on the manner in which the opium campaign had really progressed. Mr. Liang, whose own deputies in different parts of the province informed him of the true state of affairs, being unwilling to involve the governor in trouble, showed him the telegram and said he would not report for three months, but that then he must report the truth. The governor, stimulated into energetic action, dispatched a number of deputies throughout the province to investigate and insist on the opium regulations being strictly enforced. Such an excellent opportunity for squeezing the local officials was not lost, and some of the deputies did not scruple to demand large sums of money for sending up favourable reports. Thus, I learnt on good authority, 20,000 taels were demanded of the Manass magistrate, who, being unable to pay, was reported for lack of zeal and cashiered.\n\nIn the Kuch'eng neighbourhood, a serious riot involving loss of life occurred in consequence of the Government's belated action. Poppy cultivation had been stopped in the more populous districts, but in the valleys, and at the foot of the Bogdo Ula, the eastern extension of the Tien shan, the plant had been sown as usual by the \"Hua Ko,\" and was now almost in flower. When the magistrate went out to direct personally the destruction of the forbidden plant, the attitude of the Kansu men became so threatening that the Prefect of Urumchi was sent down to assist him with soldiers. The agitation culminated in a riot in which the prefect was attacked, and some villages burnt by the malcontents, infuriated by seeing their crops destroyed. A pitched battle with the soldiers ensued, in which over 100 persons were killed. Order was, however, soon restored, and the ringleaders captured and put to death. To compensate those whose crops had been destroyed, the Government distributed a sum of money among them, and also provided means for them to return to their homes in Kansu and Shensi. Many of them, however, remained in the province and joined in the riot of August, in which part of the provincial capital was burnt.\n\nIn consequence of the riot at Kuch'eng, the Financial Secretary Liang was unable to delay his report to the Board, which was to the effect that the cultivation of the poppy had not been completely stopped as the Governor had stated in his memorial. The latter's conduct was subsequently censured in an edict of September 1910, and referred to the Board of Civil Office for the determination of an adequate punishment. Later on in August, a serious riot occurred in Urumchi, which resulted in part of the city being burnt, and the Governor, in consequence of his supineness in dealing with it, has now been ordered to return to Peking. The riot had no connection with the opium question and is therefore outside the scope of these notes. For lack of zeal in enforcing the opium regulations, the magistrates of Kuch'eng and Manass have also been cashiered.\n\nFor the better prevention of opium growing, the provincial Government has latterly adopted regulations similar to those now being enforced in Kansu. In those places where the poppy was formerly cultivated, every ten families are to be mutually responsible for infractions of the regulations, which will also render the village headmen and local officials liable to punishment. The super-tax hitherto levied on poppy land is now naturally abolished.\n\nAs has been mentioned above, the opium produced in the Hsin Chiang was insufficient for local consumption, and supplies had to be drawn from elsewhere, chiefly from Kansu, where the drug is abundant and cheap. The trade has now been prohibited, and the onus of preventing it falls chiefly on the magistrate of Hami, in whose district the most important trade routes across the desert from Kansu converge. At the time of my journey, the preventive officials were very active, almost daily captures of opium being made. Travellers' baggage and merchandise were being searched at each resting-place in the desert, and I was told that in this way 3,000 ounces of opium had been captured within the fortnight before I arrived. Persons found in possession of opium are not only liable to punishment, but their goods, animals, and vehicles are also confiscated. The profits of a successful venture are, however, so great that every kind of device is resorted to in order to elude the vigilance of the preventive officers. Even officials do not disdain to engage in the traffic, and there is a deputy now awaiting punishment in Urumchi for this offence. He was bringing to the Hsin Chiang part of the annual subsidy from the interior and thought to make his journey more profitable by smuggling opium. His official status did not prevent his cart from being searched, and he has now to pay the penalty of his cupidity. Abuses among the preventive officers no doubt exist; a usual way in which they nullify the regulations is by understating the amount of opium smuggled when reporting a capture, reserving for their own profit the remainder.\n\nThe vigilance of the officials in preventing smuggling, as well as the reduction of cultivation, has been so far successful as to raise the price of opium to almost prohibitive heights. The trade being now illicit, all transactions are on a cash basis, the cash being paid before delivery, so that there can be no market rate, and each sale is a matter of bargain between buyer and seller. My own enquiries showed that the price for 100 Chinese ounces was 150 taels to 200 taels at Hami, 240 taels to 280 taels at Urumchi, 180 taels at Karashar, 160 taels at Kucha, 130 taels at Aksu, and 160 taels at Kashgar.* I regret that, as I did not pass through Ili, where there is a large Chinese population, I was unable to learn the price there. The lower price at Aksu and Kucha may be due to the importation of opium from the Russian province of Semirechensk. I heard complaints from some Chinese officials that opium is smuggled across this frontier. There are numerous Dungans in this Russian province, some of whom chose to remain there after the retrocession of Ili, while others have since emigrated, and they also find it profitable to grow opium. The Chinese officials allege that no effective measures are taken on the Russian side to restrict cultivation or to prevent smuggling into Chinese territory. On the Chinese side, they tell me the trade routes are watched, and Dungans of Russian nationality found smuggling opium are handed over to their own authorities for punishment. I have no means of knowing how far the Chinese allegations are true.\n\nOpium-smoking has been prohibited in the new dominion since the end of 1909, and compared with Kansu, where the habit is not suppressed, I saw very little of it. It is probable, however, that, while the high price of the drug may place it beyond the reach of the humbler classes, the vice is practised in secret by those who can afford to pay. It is certain that one, at least, of the highest officials in the capital at the time of my visit was an opium-smoker, and the habit is still practised by many of the yamên underlings. Wherever we have had dealings with this latter class, my remaining servant has been asked if he had brought opium and ridiculed as a fool for not taking advantage of the opportunity to smuggle afforded by his travelling with a foreigner. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that opium-smoking is now in public opinion bad form, and public opinion will do more than any regulations to prevent the spread of the habit.\n\nI have already mentioned that opium-smoking is not practised by the Turki population of the Nan Lu. An analogous habit, however, prevails in the use of hashish, a drug which is prepared from the hemp plant. It is largely produced in Chinese Turkestan and is a staple export to India. In the access of zeal, which the first opium decrees produced, the governor, to whose notice this other vice was brought, issued orders that the manufacture of hashish was to be stopped. An attempt was also made to prohibit its export to India. The local officials at the time made a show of carrying out the governor's orders, but the matter has latterly been tacitly dropped, and the manufacture and export of the drug now proceed without hindrance.\n\nIn the progress made in the suppression of the opium evil, the Hsin Chiang compares favourably with the neighbouring province of Kansu. This happy result, however, must, I think, be attributed to the strong attitude of the central Government and the honesty of one of its officials. The cashiered governor, whose reputation for integrity and good intentions is high, has hardly proved strong enough to control the territorial officials of this remote province, and his retiring disposition has continually prevented him from learning the true condition of affairs. The advent of a new governor, who is believed to be able and energetic, seemed to me to be received in the provincial capital with satisfaction even by the officials. The pressing need of this province is a man at the head of affairs at Urumchi, who will hold the ...\n\n*The Hsin Chiang tael exchanges for approximately 38. at Kashgar, but at the rates current in Shanghai in May 1910 would be there worth not more than 28. 8d.\n\nPage 420", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434450, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 451, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n\n### (No. 45.)\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 20.)\n\nPeking, January 31, 1911.\n\nIN my despatch No. 458, Confidential, of the 20th December, 1910, reporting on the progress of the struggle between the Senate and the Grand Council, I expressed the opinion that doubtless some compromise would be found to tide over the few weeks which then remained of the Assembly's session. This forecast has proved to be in the main correct; but that the compromise should have approached so nearly in effect to a moral defeat of the representative body was, I think, unexpected by all observers of the contest.\n\nAlthough the Senate in its session of the 19th December decided, by a large majority, to submit a further memorial impeaching the individual members of the Grand Council by name, and thus again to challenge the Council's position of supremacy as asserted in the edict of the previous day, it was only at its session of the 30th December that the body finally approved the memorial of impeachment, a translation of which I have the honour to enclose.* This memorial was merely shelved, and its text has never been officially published; the version, of which the enclosed is a translation, appearing in the columns of a native paper. There is reason, however, to believe that the version is correct, and it will be noted that it differs entirely in form from that resolved upon by the Senate in its session of the 19th ultimo.\n\nIt is interesting to trace the manner in which the memorial in such a modified form came to be drafted, since it generally illustrates the concluding phases in the first great struggle in modern Chinese history between the Central Government and a body which, at any rate, claims to represent the nation and the forces of public opinion.\n\nFollowing up its edict of the 18th December, defining the position of the Senate, vis-à-vis the Grand Council, the Throne further asserted itself in decrees of the 24th and 25th December, the former definitely refusing any further consideration of the question of shortening the period when Parliament should be opened, and the latter ordering that regulations governing the responsible Cabinet be speedily and carefully drafted. The issue of the first of these decrees further terrorised the Senate, who had been preparing to support the Fengtien delegates; and the second, this body at any rate affected to consider, made a second impeachment of the Grand Council no longer necessary. Although at its session of the 19th December the Senate had resolved to impeach the Grand Council a second time, at its next meeting on the 21st, vacillation and divided councils were very noticeable among the members in view of the firm attitude of the Throne. A certain number of the members were not prepared to take the extreme step of risking dissolution; and although on the 24th the memorial of impeachment, as prepared by the committee of six appointed for that purpose, was read and approved, at the Assembly's next meeting of the 26th it was decided by a majority that the impeachment should be dropped. On the following day the Senate was severely criticised for this action in the native press; and, at its next meeting on the 28th, members declared that there was no intention of dropping the impeachment, but they had merely proposed that it should take another form. A resolution was passed to this effect, and on the 30th the memorial, as finally presented and shelved, was read and approved by the Senate. On the 3rd January the question of what further action was advisable, in view of the shelving of the memorial, was raised. It was decided that to present a further impeachment was useless, but that a memorial should be drawn up describing the position of the Senate and the circumstances leading to the impeachment. There is, however, no official evidence that such action was taken, and at any rate nothing has eventuated therefrom.\n\nSo ended the first struggle between the Senate and the Grand Council. The Senate concluded its session, which was extended ten days at its own request, on the 11th January, and the Imperial decree of prorogation, of which a translation is enclosed,† appeared on the same date. It bears as usual the signatures of the Grand Councillors.\n\n* `Impeachment of Grand Conseil. Memorial of Senate.`\n† `Prorogation of Senate. Decree of January 11, 1911.`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434501, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 502, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## III.\n\nEn Mongolie et dans la Chine occidentale, les sujets russes ont le droit de résider et de faire, en franchise de droits, le commerce de toute espèce de produits, de quelque provenance qu'ils soient (article 12 du traité de 1881); ce commerce ne doit pas être entravé par des monopoles.\n\n## IV.\n\nLe Gouvernement russe ayant le droit de nommer ses consuls à Kobdo, à Hami, et à Goutchan (article 10 du traité de 1881), le Gouvernement chinois ne doit pas refuser son consentement à leur nomination lorsqu'un nombre considérable de litiges entre les sujets russes et les sujets chinois dans les districts de ces villes indiquera que la présence d'un représentant consulaire russe y est devenue nécessaire.\n\n## V.\n\nLes autorités locales chinoises du district consulaire d'un consul de Russie doivent le reconnaître en sa qualité officielle et n'ont pas le droit de refuser de régler conjointement avec lui les litiges entre les sujets russes et les sujets chinois.\n\n## VI.\n\nDans les villes où le Gouvernement russe a le droit de nommer ses consuls, les sujets russes peuvent acquérir des terrains et y bâtir des maisons (article 13 du traité de 1881).\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Official Messenger\" of February 17.\n\nTHE Russian Minister at Peking has been instructed to hand to the Chinese Government the following note:----\n\nThe result of the conversations which have been held of late have convinced the Imperial Government of the unwillingness of the Chinese Government to take into consideration the clauses of the treaty of 1881; some of these clauses are ignored by the Chinese Government and their local agents, while others are interpreted in a sense which by no means corresponds with either the spirit or the letter of the treaty. The Imperial Government have come to the conclusion that a continuation of the long-existing friendly ties between Russia and China is impossible if the Chinese Government maintain such an attitude towards the treaty of 1881. As they are desirous of maintaining and strengthening those ties, they consider it necessary to make this statement and to request the Chinese Government to consent without delay to observe the following points which are drawn up in strict accordance with the provisions of the treaty of 1881, and with the principles which form the basis of the treaty relations between Russia and China.\n\n(Then follow the six points enumerated in M. Sazonow's memorandum.)\n\nThe Imperial Government consider it necessary to warn the Chinese Government that they will regard a refusal to consent to the obligations set forth in the above six points, or in any one of the points, as proof of an unwillingness to maintain good and neighbourly treaty relations with Russia. In such an event the Imperial Government reserves to itself the right to take such measures as it may deem necessary for the restoration of the treaty rights of the Russian Government and of Russian subjects, rights which are being trampled on by the Chinese Government.\n\n## Enclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum.\n\nIN view of the statements in the Russian press that the Chinese Government are refusing to allow the establishment of a Russian consulate at Shara Sume, in the Altaishan, and, \"in addition to their other conditions, the Russian Government will insist on establishing a consulate at Shara Sume,\" it may be of use to your Excellency if I put on record some information respecting this place, which is not marked on any map, which is a source of grievance on the part of the Russian Government against the Chinese Government, and which is likely to be alluded to again fairly frequently in the course of the next few years.\n\nFor some years previous to 1908 the Russian Government had made complaints to His Majesty's Government that the Chinese Government were trying to alter the status of Mongolia, to bring it more directly under the control of Peking, &c., and I offered to go and see what foundation there was for this Russian complaint.\n\nI left Peking in April 1908. My route was by Kalgan, the cities of Northern Shansi, Kweihuacheng, the Ordos tribes, Ninghsiafu, Alashan, across the Gobi to Urga, Uliassutai, Kobdo, Shara Sume, Chuguchak, and Kuldja.\n\nThough I found many traces en route of the endeavours of the Chinese to bind Mongolia more closely to them, it was not until Shara Sume was reached that the inward meaning of the Russian complaint became evident.\n\nAbout 1906 a Manchu official, a henchman of Yuan Shih Kai and Natung-tan, arrived in the Altais with a force of 1,000 men, with orders to found a new colony similar to Kobdo, Uliassutai, &c. The site chosen was Shara Sume (schera = yellow, in Mongol, and sume = temple), where there were the ruins of a Mongol temple lying about a mile from the Kilingho (the Kran in some Russian maps), a tributary of the Irtish, among the folds of the lower slopes of the Altaishan. A twelve days' march by a bridle path over the Ermektu Daba (daba = pass) connects the settlement with Kobdo.\n\nHere the expedition set to work to build with great activity, and soon a small village, the houses of mud and wood, was ready for occupation. Tien-tsin and Peking merchants and Turki merchants from Guchen were encouraged to open branches of their home shops, and everything was done to foster trade.\n\nI stayed there five days, and had long and frequent conversations with the enlightened governor and his officials (one of the latter spoke English). The governor was most friendly; he was evidently weary with the cares of constructing his colony, and before I left he had even invited me to stay and help him in his task.\n\nHe said that the colony was really eventually to be built 15 miles or so to the south-west, out of the mountains, on the plains, still by the banks of the Kilingho. I passed the future site some days later. The governor said that even when the latter colony was built the present one would still have its uses. He was trying to induce his Government to allow him to lay a telegraph line to Guchen (twenty-one days to the south). At present he had to send his telegrams by mounted messenger to Chuguchak (ten days to the south-west) to be despatched. The Chinese Government expected everything reported now-a-days, and all this was a waste of time. One official told me that the object of the new colony was to settle and open up the country, to bring order where chaos had hitherto reigned, to educate the Mongols and Turkis, to examine the mineral wealth of the mountains, to make surveys, paths, &c.\n\nThe officials said that the governor was a keen supporter of the forward movement in Mongolia, but that his Excellency realised the necessity of moving carefully. \"We must go slow, otherwise if there is any trouble, we shall have the Russians over the frontier and shall never get them out again.\" The Russian consul at Uliassutai was very eloquent on the subject of the new colony. He had visited it and had had a sharp passage of arms with the governor. The consul at Chuguchak was equally angry about Shara Sume, and both the consuls were working for its downfall.\n\nThe chief grievance of the Russian Government is doubtless that the colony is provided with six new German guns. They arrived in sections while I was there, and were to be put together by a young Chinese captain. The transport of the guns over the mountains from Kobdo, where the hundreds of cases (ammunition, &c.) had littered the courtyard of my temple, had, indeed, considerably impeded my own movements.\n\nThe general attitude of the governor leaves no doubt that the Chinese Government are in complete earnest with regard to the new policy to be followed with respect to Mongolia.\n\nThere were some disturbances among the natives at first, but this was quelled by the soldiers. It might break out again, as the governor's edicts comprise such things as education of children and decent burial of Mongol dead; these edicts strike a blow at cherished customs.\n\nThe governor's sway extends to Buluntogoi, into which district he hopes to bring some discipline.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434532, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 533, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# No. 96.\n\n(10123)\n\n6\n\nPEKING,\n\n1 10242\n531\n\n30 MAY 1!\n\nMarch 1st, 1911.\n\nSir:\n\nI have the honour to transmit herewith copies of correspondence with the Governor of Hongkong, together with the translation of the Imperial Edict referred to, by which all officially managed telegraphs throughout the Provinces have been placed under the control of the Board of Communications.\n\nIt will be observed that the line from Canton to Hongkong is amongst those which have been thus transferred to the Board.\n\n(Signed)\nI have, &c.,\nJ. N. Jordan,\n\nThe Right Honourable\nSir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P.,\n&c.,\n&c.,\n&c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434533, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 534, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Confidential.\n\n**No. 1435/03.**\n\nSir,\n\nHONGKONG, February 4th, 1911.\n\nAccording to a statement published in the \"China Mail\" of the 14th ultimo, based on information from Peking dated the 3rd ultimo, an Imperial Edict has been issued sanctioning the request of the Board of Communications that all the telegraph stations in the Empire be under the control of the Board.\n\n2. I shall be glad if Your Excellency will be good enough to verify this statement; and, if it is correct, I have the honour to request that I may be supplied with a copy of the Edict in question and, if possible, with an authenticated translation into English. I shall also be glad to know whether, as the result of the Edict, the telegraph line from Canton to this Colony has been taken over by the Chinese Government; and, if so, from what date.\n\n(Signed) \nF. D. Lugard. \nGovernor, etc.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister. \n532", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434534, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 535, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# 533 \n## PEKING, February 27th, 1911.\n\nSir: - \n\nIn reply to Your Excellency's letter of the 4th instant, I have the honour to state that an Imperial Edict was issued on January 2nd last sanctioning the request of the Board of Communications that all officially managed Telegraphs throughout the Provinces be under the control of the Board. I have the honour to enclose a copy and an authenticated translation of the Edict in question.\n\nWith reference to your query whether as the result of the Edict the telegraph line from Canton to Hongkong has been taken over by the Chinese Government, I am informed by the local Superintendent of the Imperial Chinese Telegraphs that the line from Canton is among the lines taken over by the Board of Communications and that the date when the transfer to the Imperial Government came into force was January 30th, 1911, being China New Year's day.\n\nI have, &c., \n**(Signed)** \nJ. N. Jordan.\n\nHis Excellency \nSir F. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., \n&c., &c., &c., \nHongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434535, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 536, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# Translation of Imperial Edict of January 2nd, 1911.\n\nThe Board of Communications has memorialised requesting sanction to a scheme by which all officially managed Telegraphs throughout the Provinces should be placed under the control of the Board.\n\nLet it be as requested.\n\nTranslated by \n**(Signed)** \nH. Phillips. \nAssistant Chinese Secretary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434558, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 559, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[9425]\n\nNo. 1.\nC 10672\n[March 14]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nPapers communicated to Foreign Office by Mr. Addis, March 14.\n\n### (1)\n\nTelegram received from Messrs. Morgan, Grenfell, and Co., London, March 13, 1911.\n\nFOLLOWING telegram signed by Straight, Hillier, Cordes, and Casenave: \"As result conference with China of the 9th March, we believe Board of Finance prepared accept following terms final agreement: Imperial Chinese Government 5 per Cent. Sinking Fund Gold Loan 10,000,000l. for currency reform and Manchurian industries. Secured by first charge Manchurian tobacco and spirits taxes, 3,000,000 taels; Manchurian production tax, 700,000 taels; Manchurian consumption tax, 800,000 taels; additional surtax on salt, eighteen provinces, 2,500,000 taels; totalling 5,000,000 taels per annum. Foregoing free from prior charges if insufficient; Chinese Government will supply balance, first from Manchuria then from other sources. In case of default above revenues to be administered by maritime customs.\n\n\"Immediately upon signature agreement Board of Finance to hand banks currency reform programme approved by Imperial edict of May 1910, together with statement proposed expenditures thereunder, and proposed expenditures for Manchuria. Banks to be given six months within which examine above. If found to be satisfactory banks to notify Board of Finance and issue loan to public as soon as possible after such notification. Price bonds to Chinese Government 95.\n\n\"In the event of funds being urgently required for Manchurian expenditures, banks agreed, after execution of loan agreement, to advance up to 1,000,000l. on receipt of statement satisfactory to them regarding nature and amount of expenditures proposed. When currency reform programme with statement of expenditures thereunder and statement of Manchurian expenditures has been accepted, and prior to issue of loan banks agreed, if necessary, make further advances up to 1,000,000l. for preliminary expenses currency reform. All above advances with accrued interest 6 per cent. per annum to be deducted from first proceeds of loan.\n\n\"Proceeds of loan after deduction advances to be deposited with banks in currency reform and Manchurian development accounts in proportions fixed respectively by statement of expenditures above referred to. Payments to these accounts to be made in instalments and on dates conforming to conditions allowed subscribers to loan. Transfer of loan funds to China to be made through banks conformably to requirements specified in statement expenditures, but in amounts not exceeding maximum of blank in any one week.\n\n[Note.—China desire fix maximum 1,000,000l.; we have suggested 200,000. Requirements governing transfer will in any case be fixed by statement of expenditures which must be accepted by you before loan issued. Please instruct as to maximum weekly transfer.]\n\n\"Transfer to Shanghai will be made in equal amounts from four banks, and will be withdrawn in equal amounts from banks in Shanghai by Chinese Government orders. Such orders to be accompanied by certificates, form of which shall be stipulated respectively in the statement of expenditures for currency reform and statement of expenditures for Manchurian industries. Funds withdrawn to be deposited with Chinese bank designated by Board of Finance.\n\n[1918 --1] \n557", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434575, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 576, "title": "CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Indian Opium and Prohibition of its Import\n\nIndian opium and the prohibition of its import into particular provinces are embodied together in one short sub-section (c) of article 2.\n\nArticle 4 embodies the principle of equality of treatment enunciated in article 1, and, being a direct denial of the safeguards claimed by us, practically amounts to an abrogation of all treaty rights accorded to the trade in opium.\n\nArticle 6 deals with the increase of the consolidated duty on Indian opium in a manner very different from that contemplated in the draft additional clause put forward by Mr. Max Müller on the 14th November last, which formed Enclosure 3 to my despatch No. 441 above referred to.\n\nArticle 7 reserves the right of both countries to benefit by any future policy which the Powers may adopt with regard to opium; it is evidently drafted with The Hague Conference in view and reasons of international courtesy alone should have been sufficient to prevent its inclusion.\n\nSuch was the estimate I formed of the Chinese position from a consideration of this memorandum, and I realise that a great deal of misconception of our attitude in resuming negotiations for an agreement would have to be removed before a settlement could be reached. The whole of the second meeting, which took place on the 14th instant, was, in fact, devoted to demonstrating to Dr. Yen the difficulty of reconciling the views of the Chinese Government as embodied in this memorandum with the statements contained in the Wai-wu Pu's note of the 29th December, 1910, according to which they undertook to resume negotiations on the basis of the proposals put forward in Mr. Max Müller's memorandum of the 1st November without unreasonable modifications, and of two definite further proposals, on which statements my instructions from His Majesty's Government had of course been framed.\n\nI first drew Dr. Yen's attention to the omission from his memorandum of the essential clauses in Mr. Max Müller's proposals regarding the safeguarding of Indian opium against irregular taxation and restriction after import, and informed him that in view of the fact that I had only authority to negotiate on the basis as set forth above, I must first know the attitude of the Chinese Government towards these points.\n\nDr. Yen explained that his Government regarded this agreement as a continuation of the 1907 arrangement; the latter had contained no reference to the taxation or restrictions imposed on Indian opium, and so they held it undesirable to include any such reference in the present agreement. They also felt that the Central Government might be able to enforce observance by the provincial authorities of any such clauses, and that in any case the omission of the clauses would redound to the credit of Great Britain.\n\nI replied that the attitude of the provincial authorities had changed since the 1907 arrangement was made, whereas prior to that date there had been practically no cases of interference with Indian opium, they had since made that arrangement a pretext for continual breaches of treaty. The omission of these clauses was tantamount to an abrogation of the existing treaties which had never been contemplated by either Government, and, although I was prepared to recommend an amalgamation and rewording of these clauses as originally drafted, it was essential that the gist of them should be included in the agreement.\n\nThe various articles of the Chinese memorandum were then discussed, and the terms to which we took exception were pointed out. I said at once that articles 4 and 7 were entirely unacceptable, the first because it specifically denied the safeguards for which I had just been contending, and the second because it was contrary to the spirit of these negotiations from their commencement. Government had never agreed to any interference by any other Power in their arrangements with China, which arrangements had already been expressly excluded from consideration at The Hague Conference.\n\nAs regarded article 6, Dr. Yen explained that the main object of his Government in desiring an increase in the consolidated duty was to render the price of the drug prohibitive, and it was proposed to levy an ad valorem duty based on the average market price of the opium, such average to be fixed every six months on the basis of the preceding half-year.\n\nI pointed out that this course seemed to me likely to lead to endless difficulties, that a specific duty would be preferable, and that in any case it was essential that we should have definite information as to the taxation of the native drug, which at present we did not possess.\n\nHaving reviewed the several articles of his memorandum, I again informed Dr. Yen that the liberal offer made by His Majesty's Government to agree to the shortening of the period for the import of Indian opium and to the prohibition of import into particular provinces was dependent on the acceptance by the Chinese Government of the terms of our memorandum of the 1st November.\n\n## Further Discussions\n\nI had the honour to make a summary report on this meeting in my telegram No. 41 of the 14th instant, and I also added that the question of providing adequate safeguards against illegal taxation seemed likely to present serious difficulties. The third meeting took place on the 17th instant, and as I had in the meantime received your telegram No. 24 of the 14th instant instructing me to press for the suspension of the new regulations introduced by the Viceroy at Canton, I was able to inform Dr. Yen, when he urged further objections to the inclusion of any taxation clauses, that I should be unable to sign any agreement which did not provide adequate safeguards against a repetition of the breaches of treaty now being committed by the Canton authorities.\n\nDr. Yen assured me in reply that an agreement had now been reached between the Wai-wu Pu and the Board of Finance on the subject of this Canton taxation, and the latter now recognised that the revenue must be raised by some other means than taxing foreign opium. The matter had, moreover, been brought to the notice of the Prince Regent, and the levy would certainly be put a stop to.\n\nEven after I had read to Dr. Yen the letter addressed to you by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce on the 2nd instant protesting against the Canton regulations, he still persisted in his objection to the inclusion of any safeguards against taxation or restriction in the agreement itself. The Chinese Government would, he said, be prepared to give assurances on these points in a separate despatch. He also complained of the vagueness of the wording of clause 1(d) in our memorandum, and asked what was actually implied by the word \"restrictions,\" and suggested that the word \"taxation\" covered everything to which we objected in the action of the provincial authorities, which action he further alleged to be merely a natural outcome of the anti-opium movement.\n\nI pointed out that the real ground of our objection was that the provincial authorities considered themselves entitled to take independent action far in excess of and contrary to the spirit of the arrangement entered into between His Majesty's Government and the Central Chinese Government. His Majesty's Government had never protested against action taken by the central Government in support of the anti-opium movement, and we had also already declared that any natural restriction of the wholesale trade directly due to extinction of the retail trade in any particular locality would not form the subject for protest. It was, however, clear from what had happened at Canton that \"taxation\" did not include every form of restriction against which we did feel bound to protest, such as the limitation of the time for boiling and of the amount allowed to be transported into a particular province.\n\nDr. Yen then made a final suggestion that on confirmation of this agreement we should, in lieu of inclusion of these clauses, accept a formal despatch from the Wai-wu Pu giving satisfaction to our many unanswered protests against illegal taxation and restrictions. I replied that it would be impossible for me to accept anything less than the inclusion of an anti-restriction clause in the agreement itself, though I would be willing to recommend the addition of some such words as \"such as have been imposed at Canton\" to explain what was meant by \"restrictions,\" and the amalgamation of our four separate clauses into one.\n\nI dwelt again on the liberal nature of the concessions offered by His Majesty's Government to China, but even on this point Dr. Yen was prepared to cavil, for he argued that prohibition of the import of foreign opium into a particular province ought to precede the total extinction of cultivation in that province.\n\nDr. Yen then referred to article 4 of his memorandum providing for the application of all anti-opium regulations to native and foreign opium alike; this article, he said, had only been inserted after careful consideration as being necessary to the success of the anti-opium movement, and it was hoped that we might be generous enough to accept it on the ground that Chinese opium merchants were suffering a loss fully equal to that entailed on the foreign dealers.\n\nI objected that the effect of this article would really be to cancel the whole agreement, and if it had any other meaning it was unnecessary, for the restriction of the wholesale trade was fully provided for by the agreement, and with the retail trade we were not concerned.\n\nDr. Yen then wished to discuss the question of increasing the import duty, but I pointed out that we had not yet arrived at a stage when this could usefully be done. The first essential preliminary was the imposition, preferably by Imperial edict, of an effective...\n\nPage 574", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434604, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 19, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# Enclosure 5 in No. 2\n\n## Consul-General Jamieson to Acting Governor-General of the Liang Kuang\n\nCanton, November 30, 1909.\n\nI HAVE the honour to refer to certain red notes which have recently been exchanged between us, having for their subject the refusal of your Excellency to countersign certain passports issued by this office in respect of British subjects, whose ancestors were Chinese.\n\nYou say that, according to certain Chinese laws of nationality, promulgated this year, the basis of nationality is the blood of the parents, and that, should such be Chinese, the offspring, even if born on British soil, cannot divest themselves of their ancestors' nationality. It is sought, apparently, thereby to lay down a principle which, in so far as international law is concerned, is to me at least novel, and is not one which, I venture to think, will be endorsed by the treaty Powers interested. Your Excellency must be aware that no internal legislation can override the provisions of a treaty, and China, having bound herself in several treaties to allow the subjects of the Powers concerned to travel to all parts of the interior under passports issued by their consuls and countersigned by the local authorities, she is bound to conform with the obligation thereunder imposed. It is for the Power on whose territory children are born to say on what terms they shall be considered as nationals; the ipse dixit of the Chinese Government cannot deprive it of this undoubted and well-recognised right. And even were this not the case, surely any new legislation of the kind should have been communicated to the parties interested—Government and people—and made the subject of international negotiation. So far as I am aware China has not approached, through the proper channels, any of the British colonies which may be affected by these novel proposals, and they cannot therefore be expected to recognise them.\n\nMoreover, for years past in every part of China such passports have been countersigned without question, and this consulate-general certainly has received no notification of any intended change of procedure, your Excellency's predecessor continuing throughout the year to countersign as before. It may be competent for China to enact that, henceforward, all those of her subjects, having left their country of origin, and desirous of changing their nationality abroad, must give prior notice to the local authorities, but under no circumstances can it be admitted that notice of this kind shall have a retrospective effect, or that it applies to those born in foreign countries.\n\nIn the case of the three British subjects whose passports I had the honour to transmit for counter-signature, I have made careful inquiry into the antecedents of the parties, and I find that:\n\n| Name | Details |\n| --- | --- |\n| Yuan Chin-hua (Un Kam-wa) | was born in Hong Kong of parents of Chinese origin, who were themselves British subjects, having been likewise both born in that colony. |\n| Yu Tao-sheng (Yu To-sang) | is a British subject, born in Hong Kong of Chinese parents, subjects of the Emperor of China, who has complied with all colonial regulations as to assumption of British nationality by registration. |\n| Li Keng (Li Kang) | is a Chinese, who has been naturalised as a British subject for some eighteen years; but, as the British Government are not prepared to extend protection to naturalised British subjects of Chinese descent on return to their country of origin, his passport has been cancelled. |\n\nThe two former passports I accordingly return, with yet another request that they be countersigned in accordance with the terms of the existing treaty between Great Britain and China.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n## Enclosure 6 in No. 2\n\n### Acting Governor-General of the Liang Kuang to Consul-General Jamieson\n\nCanton, December 16, 1909 (Hsüan T'ung, 1st year, 11th moon, 4th day).\n\n(Translation.)\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, returning two travelling passports for sealing, belonging to Yuan Chin-hua and Yu Tao-sheng, both of whom you say were born in Hong Kong. I subsequently also received your two notes forwarding passports in favour of Li Jui-Kuang and Ku Yen-ch'en, which you asked might be sealed.\n\nThe Naturalisation Regulations have been promulgated by Imperial edict, and all Chinese, irrespective of birth-place, who may wish to change their nationality, must, in obedience to these regulations, report to their local authority, who will obtain the consent of the Board of the Interior before such change of nationality can become effective.\n\nThere is no record of such a report having been made by Yuan Chin-hua and the others, and I am therefore unable to take action in their case which would be contrary to the regulations.\n\nTo put the matter succinctly, the issuing of regulations is a prerogative of the Chinese Government, and I have no option but to obey them without making the smallest alteration. This kind of limited authority is a matter with which you must be fully acquainted.\n\nI have accordingly the honour to return herewith the four passports in question.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n(Seal of Governor-General.)\n\n## Enclosure 7 in No. 2\n\n### Mr. Wilkinson to Sir J. Jordan\n\nShanghai, February 18, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 11th January asking for my opinion as to the legality of the action of Viceroy Yuan of Canton in refusing to countersign passports granted to British subjects of Chinese descent, under circumstances detailed in Consul-General Jamieson's despatch of the 17th December last, and the enclosures thereto.\n\nHis Excellency Yuan's contention is that a person of Chinese race cannot, under any circumstances, be or become a foreign subject save by the permission of the local authorities of the real or supposed ancestral home of the person in question.\n\nThe new naturalisation laws referred to in the despatches under consideration have not been forwarded to me, and I have no knowledge of their contents, beyond the statement in Viceroy Yuan's despatch to Mr. Jamieson on the 2nd November, 1909, that \"by the custom of China, the nationality of an individual is determined by that of his blood relations, and a son or grandson cannot change the nationality enjoyed by his father or his ancestors.”\n\nConsul-General Jamieson says that the contention of the Chinese Government, as stated by Viceroy Yuan, is that \"Chinese blood\" imposes on those in whose veins it flows Chinese nationality in perpetuity.\n\nBy Roman law \"status was determined by descent (jus sanguinis). The question whether a man was or was not a free man and a citizen of Rome, depended on the condition of his parents; Roman law, however, even under the Empire, would not have claimed, or allowed, as citizens the descendants of a civis Romanus, who had voluntarily joined and become incorporated with a Barbarian horde.\n\nAccording to the feudal rule, once universal in Europe, nationality depended in all cases upon the place of birth (jus soli).\n\nThe common law of England held all persons born under the allegiance and none others, with the apparent exception of children of Ambassadors, to be British subjects.\n\nThe strict English rule has, however, by statute, been modified and brought into agreement with the principle that the nationality, while depending primarily upon the place of birth, can on certain statutory requirements and formalities being observed, be acquired or lost, changed or resumed, at will.\n\nAs to the nationality of children born of the subjects of one Power within the territory of another, the Code Napoleon provided that a child should follow the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434671, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 85, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# 84 \n## 4 \n\nHsi Liang, who was Viceroy when the Imperial edict of the 20th September, 1906, was issued, was afterwards transferred to Yüunan and Kueichow, and is now Viceroy of Manchuria.\n\nI am indebted to Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, His Majesty's Consul-General at Chêngtu, and to Mr. W. S. Toller, His Majesty's Acting Consul at Chungking, for allowing me access to replies on the subject of opium received by them from missionaries in various parts of the province. These replies all bear out the conclusion at which I have arrived.\n\nChêngtu, Szechuan, March 4, 1911.\n\nALEX. HOSIE.\n\n## 0 \n\n| Date | Last previous Paper | Points to |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 19 April | 13346 | Hongkong |\n\n## Affairs of China \n### Railways\n\n| Date | Paper | \n| --- | --- |\n| 25 PR | 13346 |\n\n| Points of further | \n| --- |\n| 7. Stable |\n\nNot my interesting \n\n| corr | sent |\n| --- | --- |\n| \"Pints to It kong\" | 27 |\n| 3R | 25 |\n\n(23.413), Wt.28.032-50. 40,000 11/10. A.&E.W. \n\nsubsequent Paper", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434695, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 109, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## 1 \n\n! \n\n## 2 \n\nwould bring to bear on the task, and having no strong support from his own legation, he will probably either seek to obtain it from some other legation or become a mere puppet in the hands of the Chinese.\n\nIt is evident even at this early stage of the negotiations, that the Chinese are trying to minimise the importance of the adviser question.\n\nThe term of his service, according to Mr. Calhoun, is to be made as short as possible, although the loan runs for a period of forty-five years.\n\nHis appointment should presumably precede the preparation of the currency programme, the execution of which is to be his chief duty, but Mr. Calhoun appeared to think that the signature of the agreement might take place at once and the appointment of the adviser could be arranged later.\n\nMr. Hillier informs me that the draft agreement is open to many objections from a banker's point of view, and will require considerable revision. He therefore asks that it may be considered strictly confidential so as to avoid possible complications and misunderstanding.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## 3 \n\nArt. 6. This agreement is executed in duplicate in English and Chinese, one set to be retained by the Government and the other set by the American group. In case there be any misunderstanding arising from a difference between the English and Chinese texts, the matter shall be settled by a mutually satisfactory arrangement. In the event of it being impossible to come to a mutual understanding regarding the points not already settled, then this preliminary agreement will be cancelled.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this 25th day of the 9th moon of the second year of Hsuan Tung, corresponding to the 27th day of October, 1910 (Western calendar).\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Preliminary Agreement made between the Imperial Government of China and the American Group, covering a Loan of 50,000,000 gold dollars**\n\nPRELIMINARY AGREEMENT made between the Board of Finance acting on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government, hereinafter called \"the Government,\" of the first part, 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 City, constitute the American group, hereinafter called \"the group,\" of the second part.\n\nWHEREAS the Government, desiring to facilitate certain changes in the administration of Imperial and Manchurian finance, and to undertake certain industrial enterprises in Manchuria, proposes to create and issue Imperial Chinese Government Sinking Fund Gold Bonds, hereinafter known as \"the bonds,\" in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding 50,000,000 dollars United States gold coin, and to negotiate a loan in the manner and form to be hereafter approved. It is agreed as follows:-\n\n| Article | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Article 1 | The Government agree to issue and the group agree to offer on behalf of the Government a gold loan, hereinafter referred to as \"the loan,\" for an amount not exceeding 50,000,000 dollars United States gold coin, on the terms and subject to the conditions to be stated in a final agreement to be negotiated as hereinafter provided. |\n| Art. 2 | The loan shall constitute a direct liability and obligation of the Imperial Government of China, which hereby pledges its good faith and credit for the punctual payment of the principal and interest of the loan. |\n| Art. 3 | The rate of interest on the loan shall be 5 per cent. per annum; the group shall take the bonds at 95 flat. The net proceeds of the loan shall be deposited with the group or its duly authorised representatives in New York or elsewhere, subject to withdrawal for the requirements of the operations contemplated under the loan, and the conditions governing such deposit and withdrawal, the term of the loan, the manner and form of payment of the interest and amortisation charges, also the date from when interest upon the bonds is to commence and to cease, the creation of a sinking fund and other provisions necessarily incident to the service and redemption of the loan shall be settled in a mutually satisfactory manner, and stated in the final agreement. |\n| Art. 4 | Interest and amortisation payments and other expenses incident to the service of the loan shall be made the first charge upon such revenues as shall be suitable and sufficient for the purpose to be hereafter agreed upon and stated in the final agreement. |\n| Art. 5 | This preliminary agreement is subject to ratification by Imperial edict, which Imperial edict when issued shall be officially communicated to the American Legation at Peking by the Wai-wu Pu with the request that the group enter at once upon negotiations of the final agreement with the board or the high official to be designated by the Imperial Government of China. |\n\n### Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Draft Agreement respecting 50,000,000 dollars Chinese Currency Loan, dated February 25, 1911.**\n\n(Draft of February 12, 1911, as amended in conference with his Excellency Sheng Kung Pao, February 19, 1911.)\n\nAGREEMENT made between the Imperial Chinese Government, represented by the Board of Revenue acting under Imperial edict on its behalf, hereinafter called \"the Government,\" of the one part, and the American group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, hereinafter called \"the banks,\" of the other part, witnesseth, as follows:-\n\nWHEREAS the Government, desiring to establish a uniform currency in accordance with a plan to be prepared, and to undertake certain industrial enterprises in Manchuria, proposes to negotiate a loan for such purposes and to evidence the same by the issue of Imperial Chinese Government Sinking Fund Gold Bonds, hereinafter known as \"the bonds,\" in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding 10,000,000l, in manner and form as hereinafter set forth; and\n\nWhereas a preliminary agreement providing for the negotiation of this final agreement for the loan for the purposes above-mentioned was duly signed by the Government with the American group at Peking on the 25th day of the 9th moon of the second year of Hsuan Tung, being the 27th day of October (Western calendar), and was subsequently ratified by Imperial edict; and\n\nWhereas the American group being now associated with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, the Government has consented that these banks shall, with the American group, act as joint agents for the issue of the loan hereunder;\n\nTherefore it is agreed as follows:-\n\n| Article | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Article 1 | The preliminary agreement hereinbefore mentioned shall be considered binding only as interpreted by this agreement. |\n| Art. 2 | The Government authorises the banks to issue a 5 per cent. sinking fund gold loan for an amount of 10,000,000l. The loan shall be of the date on which the bonds are issued to the public. Its term shall be for forty-five years from such date, and it shall be called the Imperial Chinese Government 5 per cent. Currency Reform Sinking Fund Loan of 1911. |\n| Art. 3 | The proceeds of the loan shall be used and applied for the following purposes: 1. For the establishment of a uniform national currency system in accordance with a programme for that purpose, approximately 60,000,000 taels. 2. And for the promotion of industrial enterprises in Manchuria, approximately 20,000,000 taels, to be expended in the manner to be determined as provided in article 8, paragraph 1, hereunder. |\n| Art. 4 | The loan shall constitute a direct liability and obligation of the Imperial Government of China, which hereby pledges its good faith and credit for the punctual payment of the principal and interest of the loan and for the performance of all the undertakings on its part herein assumed. |\n| Art. 5 | 1. The principal and interest of the bonds, and the instalments of the sinking fund, hereinafter provided for, and all other amounts required for, or incident to... |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434697, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 111, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Art. 9.\n\n\"Currency Reform Loan Account\" with the Bank. When the transfer of any sums exceeding 20,000l. is desired, certificate as above described shall be handed to the banks ten days previous to the presentation of the order for the transfer of such funds.\n\n6. The Bank, above named, shall keep a separate and distinct \"Currency Reform Loan Account\" in the form stipulated in the plan for currency reform and (or) the statement of proposed expenditures provided for in article 8, C paragraph 1, above, of the disbursements of funds for operations contemplated under this agreement; and as the Government desires to assure the banks, in the interests of the bondholders, that the loan funds are being expended in accordance with the purposes of this agreement, such accounts shall, until such time as the proceeds of the loan shall have been expended as stipulated, in the plan for currency reform and (or) the statement of proposed expenditures provided for in article 8, paragraph 1, above, be open to the joint inspection of the banks or their duly designated representatives.\n\n7. If any requisition on loan funds is not made as provided in paragraph 5, above, or if, on joint inspection, the \"Currency Reform Loan Account\" with the Bank should not be found to conform with the stipulations of paragraph 6, above, the banks shall be entitled to delay the transfer of loan funds pending the presentation of a certificate prepared, and (or) the rectification of the \"Currency Reform Loan Account\" with the Bank, as provided respectively in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this article.\n\n8. As soon as a certificate properly prepared, as provided in paragraph 5 above, has been presented, and (or) when the Currency Reform Loan Account with the Bank has been duly rectified, the transfer desired shall at once be made and the funds deposited with the Bank as provided above. The banks shall not intentionally delay or obstruct matters to the detriment of the operations contemplated hereunder, and it shall be imperative upon the banks to facilitate such operations in every way, and in all respects to act in conformity with the letter and spirit of this agreement, which they must neither infringe nor pervert.\n\n## Art. 10.\n\n1. The 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 from the date on which the loan is issued to the public, and according to the amounts specified in the schedule attached to this agreement.\n\n2. The term of the loan and the bonds evidencing the same shall be forty-five years. Repayment of principal shall commence ten years after the date of the loan, and shall be by yearly amortisation in half-yearly instalments according to the amounts specified in the schedule attached to this agreement.\n\n3. The Government or the high official in charge of the loan funds shall hand to the American group, Hong Kong, and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine in Shanghai equal amounts in the national currency, or sycee, the aggregate of which shall be sufficient to meet such half-yearly payments in gold to be in America or Europe fourteen days before the due dates.\n\n4. The rate of exchange for such transactions shall be settled with the banks aforementioned by the high official in charge of the loan funds or, in his absence, by his duly authorised representative, on the day on which such payments in the new currency or sycee are made. The Government or its duly authorised representative, however, shall have the option of settling exchange with the banks at any date or dates within six months previous to any due date for the payment of interest or the repayments of principal, provided notice be given by the Government or its duly authorised representative to the banks ten days previous to the date of such settlement.\n\n5. Payments, however, may be made in gold to the banks in the United States of America or Europe if the Government should happen to have gold funds bona fide at its disposal in the United States of America or in Europe, not remitted from China for the purpose, and desire so to use them.\n\n6. The banks shall act as agents for the service of the loan. In reimbursement of expenses connected with the payment of interest and the repayment of principal of this loan the banks shall receive a commission of one-quarter of 1 per cent. on the annual loan service.\n\n## Art. 11.\n\nIf at any time after the lapse of fifteen years from the date of the loan the Government should desire to redeem the whole outstanding amount of the loan or any part of it not yet due for repayment in accordance with the schedule of repayments hereto attached, it may do so up to the end of the twenty-fifth year by the payment of a premium of 2½ per cent. on the face value of the bonds (that is to say, by the payment of 102l. 10s for each 100l. bond), and after the lapse of twenty-five years without premium, but in each and every case of such extra redemption the Government will give six months' previous notice in writing to the banks, and such redemption shall be effected by additional drawings of bonds to take place on the date of an ordinary drawing as provided in the prospectus of the loan.\n\n## Art. 12.\n\nIn the event of any bond or bonds issued for this loan being lost, stolen, or destroyed, the group and (or) bank or banks concerned may notify the Government and the Chinese Minister in Washington, London, Berlin, or Paris, as the case may be, who shall authorise the group and (or) bank or banks concerned to insert an advertisement in the public newspapers stating that payment of such bond or bonds has been stopped; and to take such other steps as may appear advisable or necessary according to the laws or customs of the country concerned. Should any bond or bonds be destroyed, or should such lost or stolen bond or bonds not be recovered after a lapse of time to be fixed by the banks, the Government or the Chinese Minister in Washington, London, Paris, or Berlin, as the case may be, shall seal and execute duplicate bond or bonds for a like amount, and deliver them to the group and (or) bank or banks representing the owner or owners of such lost, stolen, or destroyed bond or bonds, which group and (or) bank or banks shall pay all expenses in connection with such delivery and execution of such duplicate bond or bonds for the account of the owner or owners of such bond or bonds.\n\n## Art. 13.\n\nAll bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with the service of this loan shall be exempt from all Chinese taxes and imposts of any and every description during the currency of the loan.\n\n## Art. 14.\n\nIf the Government should desire to secure from other than Chinese sources, funds in addition to the proceeds derived from this loan, to continue or complete the operations contemplated under this agreement, the banks shall be invited first to undertake and on equal terms shall be given preference for the flotation of such loans as may be required to secure the amounts desired, and should foreign capitalists be invited to participate with Chinese interests in the business contemplated under this loan, or to be undertaken in connection therewith, the banks shall first be invited to so participate.\n\n## Art. 15.\n\nIf, before the publication of the prospectus for the issue of this loan any political or financial crisis shall occur affecting the general markets and the prices of Chinese Government securities in such manner or in such a degree as, in the opinion of the banks, will render impossible the successful issue and flotation of the loan on the terms herein named, the banks shall be granted a further extension of time for the performance of this contract. Such extension of time, however, shall not exceed ... months from the date on which the currency reform programme and statement of proposed expenditures shall have been discussed with and agreed upon by the banks, as provided in article 8, paragraph 1, above. If within this time limit the loan shall not have been issued, then this contract shall become null and void. The Government shall reimburse the banks for all expenses incurred in connection with the engraving of the bonds, but shall be liable for no other compensation whatsoever.\n\n## Art. 16.\n\nThe Government hereby authorises the banks to deduct from the proceeds of the loan a commission of 1 per cent. on the total amount thereof as a partial reimbursement for their expenses for engraving the bonds, printing the prospectus, stamp duties, legal fees, telegraph charges, advertising, commission and brokerage, underwriting and other expenses incident to the issuance and flotation of the loan.\n\n## Art. 17.\n\nThe American group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine shall take the loan in equal shares and without responsibility for each other.\n\n## Art. 18.\n\nThe American group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine may, subject to all their obligations under this agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions thereunder to any American, English, German, or French company, directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and subdelegation; such transfer, subtransfer, delegation or subdelegation to be subject to the approval of the Government or the high official in charge of the loan funds.\n\n## Art. 19.\n\nThis agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial edict dated ... month of the ... corresponding year of ... (Western calendar), which has been officially communicated to the ... day of the ... day of ... Vay", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434706, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 120, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\nMarch 20\n\n(No. 80.)\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received March 20.)\n\nPeking, February 23, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith translation of an Imperial rescript sanctioning a recommendation made by Sheng Hsuan-huai, the President of the Board of Communications, that Liang Shih-yi should be relieved of his duties as Director-General of the Imperial Railway Administration and Assistant Director of the Chiao-tung Bank.\n\nLiang Shih-yi's name will be familiar to you in connection with railway negotiations, in which he has played a prominent part during the last four or five years. He was the author of the arrangement with the Kiangsu and Chekiang Railway Boards, which practically cancelled our Shanghai-Ningpo Railway Agreement of the 6th March, 1908, and since then he has consistently opposed every proposal designed to give foreign capital any participation on fair terms in railway development in China. His connection with the recent \"Birchall loan,\" for which he was largely responsible, exposed him to severe public criticism, and was probably the immediate cause of his downfall. My personal relations with Liang Shih-yi have always been friendly, but I have never hesitated to tell him and the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu that his policy has been short-sighted and far from beneficial to the interests of his country.\n\nWhether his withdrawal from the railway directorate will accelerate the consummation of the Hukuang and other railway questions remains to be seen, but it is hardly conceivable that any successor can be found who will combine to the same degree as Liang Shih-yi all the qualities which go to make a successful obstructionist in China.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\n## (Translation.)\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n#### Imperial Edict of February 22, 1911.\n\nWE approve of Sheng Hsuan-huai's recommendation that Liang Shih-yi be relieved of his duties as director-general of the Imperial Railway Administration and assistant manager of the General Bank of Communications.\n\nPage 120\nPage 121", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434738, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 152, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[March 20,]\n\n### SECTION 6.\n[10118]\n\n**(No. 91.) Sir,**\n\nNo. 1.\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 20.)**\n\nTHE Pienma incident has formed the subject of frequent notices in the vernacular Peking press for some months past, but the majority of the comments have shown little knowledge of the question, and have given but slight indication of the attitude of the Chinese Government.\n\nThe two articles which I have the honour to enclose herewith in translation are better informed than the usual run of newspaper criticism. The first, which appeared on the 15th instant, shows a tolerably fair acquaintance with the situation, and confirms the general impression that the Chinese Government are in no mood to resort to forcible measures.\n\nThe second is the text of an appeal which the Viceroy of Yunnan issued on the 26th January last to the Viceroys and Governors of the different provinces in the Empire. This statement, which is apparently intended to explain the Viceroy's position, and to serve as a sort of apologia for his enforced inaction, is especially interesting, as clearly showing that he had been commanded by Imperial edict to avoid the use of force. He adds, pathetically, that it is a matter of common knowledge that the slender forces at his command render the adoption of this course a necessity, but this frank admission does not prevent him from holding that it would be nothing short of a national disgrace not to make the withdrawal of the British troops a condition precedent to the discussion of the boundary question.\n\nIt is perhaps noteworthy that his appeal for advice is especially addressed to the Viceroy of Szechuan, whose province stands in close relationship to Yunnan in this matter.\n\nA copy of this despatch is being forwarded to the Viceroy of India.\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n**(Translation.)**\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\nNewspaper Extract.\n\nPIENMA. The \"Chung Wai Jih Pao\" of the 15th gives a short description of the situation in Yünnan. It states as follows:-\n\nOn the British troops setting out to occupy Pienma, the Viceroy of Yunnan instructed two battalions of the brigade quartered at Tali Fu to proceed towards the frontier to oppose them. We now hear from Peking that the British troops have already reached Pienma, having arrived by two different routes from Mi Chih No (Myitkyina). There are 2,000 men, 2,500 horses, besides engineers and transport. The military commander is Colonel \"Fo Meng,\" but the magistrate, Mr. \"Lang Tz'u,\" is in supreme command. They say that all the country west of Kao Li Kung Shan belongs to them, and they have compelled the three villages of P'ai Lai, Tzu Chu, and Pienma to submit to them. They are already erecting fortifications at Pienma, as though they intend to make a long stay there. The provincial troops left Tali Fu about the middle of last month, and the march ought to take about twenty days, but there has been no news of any fighting yet.\n\nThe greater portion of the Burmah-Yunnan frontier has not yet been delimited. As to the portion at present in question, China regards the En Nai Ch'ia River (Nmai Kha) as the boundary, while Great Britain affirms that it should be the Kao Li Kung Shan. In the additional Burmah-Yunnan Frontier Treaty it was laid down that latitude 25° 35′ north should be regarded as the southern boundary of Yeh Jen Shan (the same place as the British call Kao Li Kung Shan), and by the treaty the frontier was to run north from this point, and was not to veer round to the east. Now when... \n\nPage 150", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434739, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 153, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## BRITISH AGGRESSION IN YÜNNAN\n\nthey say that the country west of the Yeh Jen Shan belongs to them, they make the frontier veer round to the east. Some years ago British troops occupied Myitkyina for a time, and from there they wandered over the neighbouring country, but they did not dare to cross the Hsiao Chiang, which is in Chinese territory. I mention the Hsiao Chiang, because it was formerly decided on with the British Minister as a temporary boundary. At present China has some very strong arguments in favour of her claims: (1) The natives on the boundary of Yunnan have long been in the habit of bringing tribute to China and obeying her orders, while British subjects in hiring land in that district have paid the customary dues and given compensation. This custom is of such long standing as to constitute a recognition of China's sovereign rights over the district. Then how can it be said to belong to England? (2) The heads of the native clans in the villages in the jurisdiction of Piena and the district of Tso and Yang have certain evidence of Chinese sovereignty in a despatch addressed to them by the Board of War in the reign of Ch'ien Lung, and so the British troops have absolutely no right to administer that portion of the country. But Great Britain regards the Kao Li Kung Shan as a key to Thibet, and so for some time has been casting longing eyes in that direction. Her ambitious designs do not stop at Yunnan, they extend to Szechuan and Thibet. We hear that the Viceroy of Yunnan has asked the Wai-wu Pu to decide whether there is to be peace or war, but the board are extremely anxious not to take the lead in any forcible measures, and so the case has been referred to the Chinese Minister resident in England for negotiation with the British Government. The essential point is that the British troops should be withdrawn before negotiations are allowed to proceed, but this may not be found practicable.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\nExtract from the “Peking Daily News,” February 24, 1911.\n\n## BRITISH AGGRESSION IN YÜNNAN\n\nIT is understood the Viceroy of Yunnan has sent a circular telegram to the Viceroys and Governors of the different provinces, imploring them to adopt a mutual protection policy for the sake of maintaining the territorial integrity of the Chinese frontiers. The telegram has particular reference to the occupation of Pienma by the British troops. The following is a free translation of the telegram as published in yesterday's \"Peking Jih Pao\" and \"Shuntien Shih Pao\":---\n\nThe boundary between Yünnan and Burmah is, indeed, the boundary between the Chinese and the British Empires. The ambition of the British Indian Government has been to maintain communications between India, Burmah, and Thibet. The effect would, therefore, not only have to do with the Yünnan frontier, but with the territorial possessions of the Empire as well.\n\nPreviously, the Yunnan-Burmah Boundary Delimitation Committee only went as far as Teng Yueh and Yung Chang, and the business of the commission was interrupted owing to disagreement between the commissioners of the two Governments. The Britishers contended that the boundary should be the purple line, from the Kao Li Kung Shan, along the Hsueh Shan to as far as Thibet. They have been so persistent in their pretension that the question has not been settled for the last several years.\n\nOn account of the ill-feeling that has been harboured by the Britishers over the question of the Tengyueh-Burmah line, the Viceroy of Yunnan was able last autumn to discover that the British Indian Government had the intention of occupying Pienma, so as to hold a commanding position over Li-Wei and so as to settle the boundary dispute by armed forces. The Viceroy had therefore telegraphed to the Wai-wu Pu this intelligence, requesting the Ministry to negotiate with the British Minister. The Wai-wu Pu consequently sent a note to the British representative with regard to this matter, but owing to clever misrepresentation of the latter the question was more than shelved.\n\nIt has always been the intention of the Viceroy of Yunnan to dispatch troops to occupy Pienma, but as he has been bound by treaty not to send any soldiers across the other side of the mountain, and as Pienma, a territory subject for generations to the jurisdiction of China, is, however, on the other side of the mountain, he had not carried out his original intention for fear that he might involve the country in serious international difficulty. He was only left with the alternative of telegraphing the Foreign Office to stop the Indian Government from sending troops on the one hand, and to send delegates for the delimitation of the boundary on the other. The British Government again ignored our representation.\n\nIn the middle part of last month the Indian Government sent soldiers to occupy Pienma, and to construct forts there. They also expelled the Chinese teachers, and levied requisition upon the inhabitants. The vanguard of the British troops consisted of some 2,000 men. They also occupied the regions in and about Lang-Su, an act unequalled in its arbitrariness. The Yunnan Viceroy repeatedly asked Imperial sanction to send soldiers for the maintenance of our frontier defence, and had also requested the Foreign Office to remonstrate against the British occupation of our territory, and to demand the withdrawal of these troops before negotiations should be commenced for the settlement of this boundary question. Imperial edicts have been received commanding not to resort to force, and the Wai-wu Pu had also informed him that Minister Lew had been instructed to directly negotiate with the British Government in order to secure the settlement of the fundamental principles before boundary commissioners should be sent to settle the boundary line on the spot.\n\nRecently the Wai-wu Pu sent a note to the British Minister in Peking on the same subject, but the note was once more ignored by him. To remonstrate after the British soldiers had occupied our territory had been too late, and not to demand the withdrawal of the British soldiers now before we discuss the boundary question would be a disgrace to the national dignity, and would not, it is feared, tend to any satisfactory result.\n\nThe Yunnan Viceroy has once more, on the 25th January, memorialised the Throne, recommending frontier defence should be thoroughly organised as a last resort for the protection of the national territory, but he has received no reply. The country is generally weak, matters are very critical, and war, if it broke out, would not be confined to Yünnan. The Viceroy will therefore take the greatest care for the preservation of peace, but is also of opinion that we must also be prepared to meet any unforeseen contingency, and that he alone cannot take the responsibility of deciding. The duty of rulers of provinces being to guard the territory under their respective jurisdiction zealously, it would never do for them to acquiesce in the cession of his jurisdiction territory lightly, nor would it be expedient for them to countenance the encroachment of any foreign Power therein unresistingly. Especially where and when foreign ambitions are so extravagant, the interests of the whole country would be jeopardised by any yielding on the part of the Yunnan Viceroy, and it would certainly not be within his power to submit to any loss of his territory on his own responsibility.\n\nIt is the duty of the Government to consider the general interest of the whole country with a view to preserving its integrity; so it is the duty of a provincial governor to defend his territory until death should take him from his task. That his forces would not be strong enough for the said purpose is generally known to the world, and he is dependent upon the reinforcements to be supplied him by the Throne and the Ministries and Provinces. The Yunnan Viceroy is familiar with the patriotism of the Viceroys and Governors of the other provinces and with their enthusiasm in helping their colleagues who are in difficulty; he is hopeful that they will give him sound advice and render him assistance. \"The loss of the lip maketh the teeth cold.” And as Szechuan province stands to Yunnan in the same relationship, experienced advice from the Szechuan Viceroy is especially earnestly expected. -LI CHING-ISI, \n\n## Page 151\n## Page 2\n## Page 11", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434758, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 172, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Enclosure in No 1.\n\nDraft of Final Agreement, dated March 16, 1911.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n**AGREEMENT** made between the Board of Finance, acting under Imperial Edict on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government, of the one part, and the American Group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, hereinafter called the banks of the other part, witnesseth as follows:---\n\nWhereas the Imperial Chinese Government, desiring to reform and render uniform its currency system in accordance with a programme which has been prepared, and to undertake certain industrial enterprises in Manchuria, proposes to negotiate a loan for these purposes, and to evidence the same by the issue of Imperial Chinese Government Sinking Fund Gold Bonds, hereinafter called the bonds, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding 10,000,000l. in manner and form as hereinafter set forth; and\n\nWhereas the preliminary agreement providing for the negotiation of this final agreement for the loan for the purposes above-mentioned was duly signed by the Board of Finance with the American Group at Peking on the 25th day of the ninth moon of the second year of Hsuan Tung, being the 27th day of October, 1910, western calendar, and was subsequently ratified by Imperial Edict; and\n\nWhereas the American Group, being now associated with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, the Imperial Chinese Government has consented that these banks shall, with the American Group, participate in the issue of the loan hereunder; therefore it is agreed as follows:-\n\n### Article 1.\nThe preliminary agreement herein before mentioned shall be considered binding only as interpreted by this agreement.\n\n### Art. 2.\nThe Imperial Chinese Government authorises the banks to issue a 5 per cent. sinking fund gold loan for an aggregate amount of 10,000,000l. 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. Currency Reform Sinking Fund Gold Loan of 1911**.\"\n\n### Art. 3.\nThe proceeds of the loan shall be used and applied as hereinafter determined, for the following purposes:\n\n(a) To provide funds for the reform of and to render uniform the Imperial Chinese currency system.\n\n(b) To provide funds for the promotion and extension of industrial enterprises in the three Manchurian provinces.\n\n### Art. 4.\nThis loan shall constitute a direct liability and obligation of the Imperial Government of China, which hereby pledges its good faith and credit for the punctual payment of the principal and interest of the loan, and for the performance of all the undertakings on its part herein assumed.\n\n### Art. 5.\nThe payments of interest and the repayments of principal of this loan, and all other amounts required for or incident to the service of the loan, shall be and hereby are made a first charge on the following revenues:\n\n| Revenue Source | Annual Amount (Kuping Taels) |\n| --- | --- |\n| Duties on tobacco and spirits in the three Manchurian provinces | 1,000,000 |\n| Production tax in the three Manchurian provinces | 700,000 |\n| Consumption tax in the three Manchurian provinces | 800,000 |\n| Newly added surtax upon salt of all the provinces of China | 2,500,000 |\n\nThe revenues above pledged amount to 5,000,000 Kuping taels per annum.\n\n2. The above provincial revenues are hereby declared to be free from all other loans, liens, charges, or mortgages.\n\n3. Should the above-mentioned revenues be insufficient to meet the payments of interest and repayments of principal and all other charges on due dates, the Government will, first from Manchurian and then, if necessary, from other sources, supply the balance required to meet such payments.\n\n4. So long as the principal and interest of the loan and all other charges are regularly paid there shall be no interference with the revenues herein pledged; but if principal and/or interest be in default at due date, then, after a reasonable period of grace, the revenues above pledged, or such part thereof as may be sufficient to provide and pay the amounts stated, shall forthwith be transferred to and shall be administered by the Imperial Maritime Customs for the account and in the interest of the bond-holders.\n\n5. So long as this loan shall remain unredeemed it shall have priority, both as regards principal and interest, by way of a lien or charge upon the above revenues, over all future loans, charges, or mortgages which may be charged on the aforesaid revenues. No loan, mortgage, or other charge shall be raised or created which shall take precedence of, or be on an equality with this loan, or which shall in any manner lessen or impair its security charged on the said provincial revenues, shall be made subject to this loan, and it shall be so expressed in every agreement for every such future loan, charge, or mortgage.\n\n6. In the event of the Chinese Imperial Government, during the currency of this loan, entering upon definite arrangements for the revision of the customs tariff, accompanied by stipulations for the decrease or abolition of the li-kin, it is hereby agreed, on the one hand, that such revision shall not be barred by the fact that this loan is secured by the above-named revenues, and on the other hand, that the revenues required to provide the security of this loan shall neither be abolished nor decreased, except by previous arrangement with the banks, and then only in so far as an equivalent satisfactory to the banks, is substituted therefor in the shape of a first lien or charge upon other revenues consequent upon such revision.\n\n### Art. 6.\nThe banks are authorised to issue to the subscribers to the loan, gold bonds for the total amount of the loan for such amounts as shall be determined by the banks. The form and language of the bonds shall be settled by the banks in consultation with the Board of Finance or the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Paris, or Berlin.\n\n2. The bonds shall be engraved and/or printed, and shall bear the facsimile of the signature of the president of the Imperial Chinese Board of Finance and of his seal of office, in order to dispense with the necessity of his signing them all in person, and the Imperial Chinese Minister in Washington, London, Paris, or Berlin, as the case may be, shall, previous to the issue of the bonds, put his seal upon each bond, with a facsimile of his signature as a proof that the issue and sale of the bonds are duly authorised by, and binding upon the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\n3. The representatives of the banks in New York, London, Berlin, and Paris, as the case may be, shall countersign the bonds as agents for the issue of the loan.\n\n### Art. 7.\nAll details necessary for the prospectus of the loan and connected with the payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan, and the withdrawing of bonds for redemption, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the banks in consultation with the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Paris, and Berlin.\n\n2. The banks are hereby authorised to issue the prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the fulfilment of the conditions in article 8 hereunder made precedent to the issue of the loan, and the Government will instruct the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, and Paris to co-operate with the banks in any matters requiring conjoint action, and to sign the prospectus of the loan.\n\n### Art. 8.\nUpon the execution of this agreement the Board of Finance shall hand to the banks---\n\n(a) The programme of currency reform already prepared.\n\n(b) A statement specifying the procedure by which said programme shall be carried out.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434760, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 174, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Article 6 \nAmerica or in Europe, not remitted from China for the purpose, and desire so to use them.\n\n6. In reimbursement of expenses connected with the payment of interest and the repayment of principal of this loan the banks shall receive a commission of † of 1 cent. on the annual loan service.\n\n## Art. 11 \nIf at any time after the lapse of fifteen years from the date of the loan the Government should desire to redeem the whole outstanding amount of the loan or any part of it not yet due for repayment in accordance with the schedule of repayments hereto attached, it may do so up to the end of the year by payment of a premium of 2 per cent. on the face value of the bonds (that is to say, by payment of 102l. 10s for each 100l. bond), and after the lapse of years without premium, but in each and every case of such extra redemption the Government will give six months' previous notice in writing to the banks, and such redemption shall be effected by additional drawings of bonds to take place on the date of an ordinary drawing as provided in the prospectus of the loan.\n\n## Art. 12 \nIn the event of any bond or bonds issued for this loan being lost, stolen, or destroyed, the group and/or bank or banks concerned may notify the Board of Finance and the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, or Paris, as the case may be, who shall authorise the group and/or bank or banks concerned to insert an advertisement in the public newspapers stating that payments of such bond or bonds have been stopped; and to take such other steps as may appear advisable or necessary according to the laws or customs of the country concerned. Should any bond or bonds be destroyed, or should such lost or stolen bond or bonds not be recovered after a lapse of time to be fixed by the banks, the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Paris, or Berlin, as the case may be, shall seal and execute duplicate bond or bonds for a like amount and deliver them to the group and/or bank or banks representing the owner or owners of such lost, stolen, or destroyed bond or bonds, which group and/or bank or banks shall pay all expenses in connection with such delivery and execution of such duplicate bond or bonds for the account of the owner or owners of such bond or bonds.\n\n## Art. 13 \nAll bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with the service of this loan shall be exempt from all Chinese taxes and imposts of any and every description during the currency of this loan.\n\n## Art. 14 \nIf the Imperial Chinese Government should desire to obtain from other than Chinese sources, funds in addition to the proceeds derived from this loan, to continue or complete the operations contemplated under this agreement, the Imperial Chinese Government shall first invite the banks to undertake a loan to provide the funds required, but should the Imperial Chinese Government fail to agree with the banks as to the terms of such supplementary loan, then other financial groups may be invited to undertake the same; and should the Imperial Chinese Government decide to invite foreign capitalists to participate with Chinese interests in Manchurian business contemplated under this loan, or to be undertaken in connection therewith, the banks shall first be invited to so participate.\n\n## Art. 15 \nIf, before the publication of the prospectus for the issue of this loan any political or financial crisis should occur affecting the American, British, German and/or French markets and the prices of Chinese Government securities in such manner or to such a degree as in the opinion of the banks will render impossible the successful flotation and issue of this loan within the period of six months, named in article 8, paragraph 2, above, then the banks shall be entitled to ask the Imperial Chinese Government for a reasonable extension of time within which to carry out this contract. If the Imperial Chinese Government should refuse to grant the extension of time requested, or, if at the conclusion of the six months period allowed for their examination as provided in article 8, paragraph 2, above, the banks should notify the Board of Finance that they do not find the programme of currency reform and the two statements of expenditure to be a reliable basis for the issue of bonds hereunder, then in either of these two cases, this contract shall become null and void, and the Imperial Chinese Government shall thereupon repay to the banks, with accrued interest, all advances made under the provisions of paragraphs 4 and 5, article 8, above, and shall further reimburse the banks for all expenses which may have been incurred by them in connection with the engraving and/or printing of the bonds, but shall be liable for no other compensation whatsoever.\n\n## Art. 16 \nThe Government hereby authorises the banks to deduct from the proceeds of this loan a commission of 1 per cent. on the total amount thereof as a partial reimbursement for their expenses for engraving and/or printing the bonds, printing the prospectus, stamp duties, legal fees, telegraph charges, advertising, commission and brokerage underwriting and other expenses incident to the flotation and issuance of the loan.\n\n## Art. 17 \nThe American Group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, shall take the loan in equal shares and without responsibility for each other.\n\n## Art. 18 \nThe American Group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the Bank l'Indo-Chine may, subject to all their obligations under this agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers and discretions thereunder to any American, British, German or French Company, Directors, or Agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\n## Art. 19 \nThis agreement is signed by the Board of Finance under the authority of an Imperial edict dated the ... day of the ... month of the third year of His Imperial Majesty Hsuan Tung, corresponding to the ... day of 1911, Western Calendar, which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 20 \nEight sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, four sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and one set by each group and/or bank.\n\nIn the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of this contract the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Peking, &c.\n\n171", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434764, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 178, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[35570]\n\n### No. 1\n\n#### October 2\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n### (No. 163.)\n\n**Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 2.)**\n\n**(Telegraphic,) R.**\n\nPeking, October 2, 1910.\n\nYOUR telegram No. 129: Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway loan. Chinese Government informed me on 28th September that an Imperial edict had been issued sanctioning the loan.\n\n[2948 6-1]\n\nPage 175", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434813, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 227, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n( [12007] )\n### No. 1.\n#### [April 1.]\n##### SECTION 10 \n14858 \n\nDear Mr. Alston,\n\nMr. Addis to Foreign Office.(Received April 1.)\n\n2 MY B \n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation,\n31, Lombard Street, London, April 1, 1911.\n\nI send you herewith half-a-dozen copies of the official minutes of the Brussels Conference. They are unnecessarily verbose, but that is the American way.\n\nI had a telegram early this morning from Hillier, to say that the American Currency Loan Meeting with the Chinese was to be held at Peking to-day, and that he expected to be able to send me an important wire later on in the day. I am sorry to say, however, that a subsequent telegram from Straight states that the result of the meeting was unsatisfactory, and that they are now not wiring until Monday.\n\nO. S. ADDIS,\nYours, &c.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n#### Minutes of Meeting of American, British, German, and French Groups, held at the Hotel de Flandres, Brussels, on March 18, 1911.\n\nPresent:\n\n| Representative | Group/Bank |\n| --- | --- |\n| Mr. C. F. Whigham, Mr. W. Llewellyn, and Dr. Carl Melchior | American Group |\n| Mr. C. S. Addis | British Bank |\n| M. E. Rehders and M. Franz Urbig | German Bank |\n| M. St. Simon and M. E. Ullmann | French Bank |\n\nMr. Whigham in the Chair.\n\nThe following telegrams signed by Messrs. Straight, Hillier, Cordes and Casenave were considered:\n\n#### Cable by Messrs. Straight, Hillier, Cordes and Casenave to Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co.--(Received London March 11, 1911.)\n\n144. As result conference with China 9th March we believe Board of Finance prepared accept following terms final agreement,\n\nImperial Chinese Government 5 per cent. Sinking Fund Gold Loan 10,000,000l. sterling for currency reform and Manchurian industries. Secured by first charge Manchurian tobacco and spirit taxes, 1,000,000 taels; Manchurian production tax, 700,000 taels; Manchurian consumption tax, 800,000 taels; additional surtax on salt eighteen provinces, 2,500,000 taels; totalling 5,000,000 taels per annum. Foregoing free from prior charges; if insufficient Chinese Government will supply balance, first from Manchuria, then from other sources. In case default, above revenues to be administered by maritime customs.\n\nImmediately upon signature agreement Board of Finance to hand banks' currency reform programme approved by Imperial edict, May 1910, together with statement proposed expenditures thereunder and statement proposed expenditures for Manchuria. If found to be satisfactory, banks to notify Board of Finance and issue loan to public as soon as possible after such notification.\n\nPrice bonds to Chinese Government, 95.\n\nIn the event of funds being urgently required for Manchurian expenditure, banks agreed after execution of loan agreement to advance up to 1,000,000l. on receipt of ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434863, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 277, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### [12871]\n#### No. 1\n##### [April 7]\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nMr Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received April 7.)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, 31, Lombard Street, London, April 6, 1911.\n\nI ENCLOSE copy of a joint telegram from the representatives of the four groups at Peking.\n\nThe gist of it is that the Chinese refuse to make the lenders' approval of the currency scheme a condition precedent to paying over the proceeds of the loan. If, as is suggested, this is largely a matter of \"face,\" it should be possible to overcome this objection by some alteration in the wording of the agreement which would secure the substance of control while sacrificing the shadow.\n\nA further complication is introduced by Sheng's attempt to apply part of the loan proceeds to a payment in gold of the Boxer indemnity. This again does not appear to me to present any insuperable difficulty, provided, as proposed, the equivalent amount in silver is paid over to the banks in Shanghai.\n\nAs soon as the views of the other groups have been ascertained I shall communicate with you the nature of the reply they propose to make to this joint telegram.\n\nThe French having given their consent, the four groups are now agreed provisionally to nominate Dr. Vissering, the president of the Java Bank, for the post of financial adviser in connection with the currency loan. The United States Government has, I understand, already made certain suggestions to the Chinese Government with regard to the emoluments of the office. As soon as they have been settled, the American group will then proceed to enquire if Dr. Vissering is willing to act.\n\nYours truly,\n**C. S. ADDIS**\n\n## Enclosure in No. 1\n\nCopy of Telegram from Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., New York, to Messrs. Morgan, Grenfell and Co., London, April 6, 1911.\n\nCHINA. Following just received from Straight, Hillier, Casenave, Cordes -\n\n\"Referring to our telegram of the 1st, Sheng informed us Regent had instructed him to state ratification by Imperial edict could not be given agreement containing provision that if banks did not find currency reform programme and statement reliable basis for bonds issue agreement would be null and void. Sheng further stated Regent will not agree to two-and-a-half months antedating. It has developed that first objection largely a matter of face. We have therefore proposed as follows:—\n\n\"Omit from article No. 15 draft of the 16th March provision for cancellation agreement in case banks refuse to accept currency reform programme statement.\n\n\"Add to article No. 8, section 5, provision that advances shall be repaid in any case within 18 months from signature of agreement unless otherwise mutually arranged between board of finance and banks.' \n\n\"From language of section 2, article No. 8, providing for issue loan on notification board of finance that banks have found currency reform programme and statement reliable basis for bonds issue, it follows that no bonds issue will be made unless you accept currency reform programme and statement; and this is fully understood by Chinese, while addition to section 5 secures repayment advances in any case.\n\n\"In addition to transfer 300,000l. in any one week, Sheng desires banks in Europe and America under instructions board of finance to pay out up to one-half proceeds of", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434875, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 289, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### C O \n15371 \n[April 10.]\n\n## SECTION 3.\n### No. 1.\n[13244]\n\n**(No. 122.)** Sir, \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 10.) \nPeking, March 17, 1911.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch No. 33 of the 25th January last, I have the honour to report on the progress of the Hukuang loan negotiations.\n\nIt will be remembered that at the beginning of the year the representatives of the four groups received an assurance that a complete memorandum, embodying all the alterations which the Board of Communications wished to introduce into the agreement, would be furnished to them within ten days. The New Year's holidays and various other pretexts were put forward as an excuse for the delay in complying with this request, and it was only by the exercise of repeated personal pressure with the Board of Communications that I eventually succeeded in extracting from them the promised memorandum, which was forwarded to Mr. Hillier on the 25th February last.\n\nThis document, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, contained many minor modifications of the initialled agreement, and one vital change, which in itself seemed sufficient to make its rejection a foregone conclusion. The so-called branch line from Ching Men-chou through Shasi to Hanyang was entirely omitted from the revised draft.\n\nThe representatives of the four groups had an interview with his Excellency Sheng Kung-pao, president of the Board of Communications, and Lord Li, the vice-president, on the 7th March, at which the question was fully discussed. Mr. Hillier, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, expressed their surprise to find that, in spite of the assurances received by the Ministers of the four Powers from the Wai-wu Pu and by the representatives of the banks from the Board of Communications, changes of a fundamental character had been made in the revised draft. Mr. Hillier cited as an instance the elimination of the Ch'ing Men-chou-Hanyang line, and said that the representatives would be glad to learn from the president how he reconciled this change with the assurance that the alterations would be merely of a verbal nature, and would not affect the essential provisions of the initialled agreement.\n\nSheng Kung-pao stated that the Wai-wu Pu had spoken without sufficient appreciation of the difficulties with which the Board of Communications was confronted. By an Imperial edict issued prior to the negotiations of Chang Chih-tung with the banks, the right of railway construction had been granted to provincial companies, and as soon as the terms of the initialled agreement became known, the provinces protested against the infringement of their rights. Their protest assumed the form of a violent agitation, and Hsü Shih-ch'ang, the late president of the board, felt himself compelled to conciliate them by the issue of a permit authorising them to collect funds for railway construction. Sheng Kung-pao was unable to ignore this permission, but he had succeeded in persuading the gentry to accept a principle, which he had himself laid down many years ago, namely, that all main lines should be constructed by the Government, and branch lines by provincial companies. This explained why the Ch'ing Men-chou-Hanyang line had been omitted.\n\nMr. Hillier stated that the instructions, which he and his colleagues had received from their Ministers, precluded them from discussing so radical a change in the agreement, to which Sheng-kung-pao replied that he was equally precluded from proceeding with the negotiations unless the omission was made.\n\nThe representatives of the four groups reported the result of this interview to their respective Ministers, and then held a meeting to consider the situation created by the attitude of Sheng and his colleagues. Their deliberations appear to have been greatly influenced by the prospect of formidable competition. It was reported that a powerful international group had been formed, consisting of the Russo-Asiatic Bank, Banque d'Outremer, the London City and Midland Bank, Lloyd's Bank, the Bank of Scotland, and the Eastern Bank, for the purpose of undertaking Chinese loans. It was understood that the transactions of this group were to be limited by the policy of the Russian Government, which was to leave the four existing groups a free hand as...\n\nPage 285", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434882, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 296, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n15371\nApril 22.\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nDear Sir Arthur,\n\nNo. 1.\nLord ffrench to Sir A. Nicolson.-(Received April 22.)\n26, Victoria Street, Westminster, April 21, 1911.\n\nI ENCLOSE a copy of a memorandum which I am sending to the Russian Foreign Office in connection with the proposed alteration of route of the Chenchow-Aigun Railway. I shall, of course, keep the embassy in St. Petersburgh informed of any developments which may take place.\n\nYours sincerely,\n**FFRENCH.**\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n**Memorandum with regard to the proposed Chinese Railways in Chili and Mongolia.**\n\nIN October 1909 Messrs. Pauling and Co., British railway contractors, entered into an agreement with the Viceroy of Manchuria, by which they undertook to construct, for the Chinese Government, a railway from Chenchow to Aigun. This agreement was subsequently ratified by Imperial edict.\n\nIn the early part of 1910 the Russian Government addressed a despatch to the Chinese Foreign Office, emphasising the various objections which His Imperial Majesty's Government entertained towards the Chenchow-Aigun project, at the same time suggesting that, as an alternative scheme, the Chinese Government might construct a railway from Kalgan to Urga, and thence to Kiachta.\n\nThe Chinese Government were unwilling to accept this alternative proposition, because they held that, by agreeing to it, they would admit their inability, in the future, to construct railways to the eastward of the Kalgan-Kiachta line. Furthermore, they maintained that the route suggested served an entirely different tract of country, and would not assist them in developing the rich and more eastern portions of Mongolia.\n\nThe British contracting firm concerned felt that the Russian Government was absolutely sincere in its declaration that its objections to the Chenchow-Aigun route were in no way inspired by a desire to prevent China developing the resources of her own territory, and, therefore, that perhaps, with some alterations of route, the objections of the Russian Government might be removed.\n\nLord ffrench, therefore, representing Messrs. Pauling & Co., proceeded to St. Petersburgh, and, as a result of his visit and the conversations which he held with various members of the Ministry, he derived the belief that there would be no objection on the part of the Russian Government to a line going northward from Peking, and thence to Taonanfu, and from there to Tsitsihar; and that, further, the Russian Government would not object to a new line from Tsitsihar to Mergun, or Aigun, provided that line was constructed of the same gauge as the Chinese eastern railways.\n\nThe British contractors, therefore, now venture to suggest that the Russian Government should either notify them, or the British Ambassador in St. Petersburgh, that there is no objection on their part to this proposed line or lines, in order that Messrs. Pauling and Co., may be enabled to commence negotiations with the Chinese Government to induce them to agree to these alterations of route.\n\nFrom the knowledge Messrs. Pauling and Co. have acquired of the country thus to be traversed, and of the very favourable agricultural conditions therein, they are certain that this proposed new route, or routes, should be of the greatest possible advantage to the traffic returns of the Chinese eastern railways.\n\nAgain, the building of the Peking-Harbin line would probably be commenced from Harbin and Peking simultaneously, and, therefore, a large proportion of the... \n\nPage 292", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434894, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 308, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## No. 1. MY \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 1.)\n\n**(No. 146.) Sir,**\n\nThese regulations leave nothing to be desired in the way of thoroughness. For instance, the task of discovering and recording the smokers is laid first upon the village elders, who are checked by the village police, who are checked by the local committees, who are checked by the local magistrates. All these are held responsible for the accuracy of the lists, which may be further overhauled by the central bureau. Paoting-fu and Tien-tsin are to be under special conditions under their foreign system of police. Peking is not mentioned.\n\nNo exceptions are to be allowed in the treatment of smokers on the ground of sex, or sickness. \nAll private stores of opium are to be surrendered in the 7th period, under heavy penalties. Informers are to be rewarded.\n\nWith regard to the second set of regulations, all dealers buying opium for Chihli in other provinces, those buying for other provinces in Chihli, and those passing through Chihli with opium bought in other provinces for other provinces, must be provided with proper permits. These permits are issued in Chihli. In the case of the dealers from other provinces, such permits are only given on production of proper authority from said provinces.\n\nIn the light of previous measures taken in Chihli, it may be assumed that the central bureau is thoroughly in earnest, and will do its best to carry these regulations into effective practice.\n\nI have, &c.\nH. E. FULFORD,\n\nPeking, April 7, 1911.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch `No. 56` of the 7th February relative to the consignments of Indian opium seized at Santong and Samshui on the 2nd August last year, I have the honour to enclose the copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Canton on the subject. It will be seen that the further enquiries made by Mr. Jamieson have elicited from the Acting Governor-General the information that the Santong opium has been sold and the proceeds have been sent to the owner.\n\nAs regards the Samshui case, there would appear, according to the Chinese version of the incident, to have been a breach of the regulations and a deliberate attempt to smuggle. The disappearance of the owners points to the assumption that they knew themselves to be in the wrong, and makes it difficult for me to take any further steps in the matter.\n\nI have forwarded copies of Mr. Jamieson's despatch and enclosures to Sir F. Lugard with an expression of the above views.\n\n### Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n**Memorial by Governor of Kueichow respecting Measures taken for Suppression of Opium.**\n\nTHE memorialist has received several edicts from the Throne, ordering him to make every effort to suppress opium in the province. Now Kueichow has always been considered a centre of cultivation for the drug, and so it will be harder to suppress there than in the other provinces. Last year memorialist presented a petition that the collection of the li-kin tax might be suspended, in order to impress on the people the fact that if the Government was prepared to sacrifice this large sum, they (the people) had no excuse for inaction.\n\nNow on investigation it was found that in every district there was still a large amount of opium in store, and it was absolutely necessary to lay down a definite period for its export. But as soon as li-kin collection was stopped the price of opium at once rose, and if the merchants were allowed to export it at will, no taxes would be collected on it, and the merchants would make enormous profits. So orders were given that for a definite period the tax would be restored at twice the previous rate in order to strengthen the provincial exchequer. This period expired at the end of the 11th moon, and now all traffic in opium is at an end, neither export nor import being permitted. In all more than thirty officers have been sent throughout every jurisdiction and have taken the most stringent measures. Where opium cultivation had already been suppressed, the farmers were ordered to sow other crops; where cultivation still continued, it was ordered to cease.\n\nThe industrial Taotai, Wang Yu-lin, too, was instructed to go about and investigate, giving punishment or reward as found necessary. In every district the majority of the inhabitants were found amenable, but there are many Miaotzu districts, buried away in the mountains and difficult of access, whose inhabitants will not listen to exhortation, and where an exhaustive search for opium is impossible. But as the thing must be done, we have given strict injunctions to all the officials, substantive and otherwise, to exert themselves to the utmost. The districts along the line between Kueichow and Yunnan are being administered jointly by officials of both provinces, in order to prevent the local officials from throwing off their responsibility and the people from having grounds for excuse.\n\nAll smokers have been given tickets to facilitate inspection. Opium dealers have been instructed to take up some other trade as soon as their present stocks are sold out, while purchasers have to reduce their daily consumption by gradual stages until total extinction.\n\n### Memorial presented by Li Ching-hsi, Viceroy of Yun-Kuei.\n\n**(No. 9.)**\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n**Consul-General Jamieson to Sir J. Jordan.**\n\nSir,\n\nCanton, March 23, 1911.\n\nWITH reference to your despatch `No. 4` of the 31st January last, I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a communication I have received from the Acting Governor-General relative to the seizure of opium at Sautong, and also copy of a note from the Opium Prohibition Bureau relative to the seizure of opium at Samshui.\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. W. JAMIESON.\n\n### Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n**Acting Governor-General Chang to Consul-General Jamieson.**\n\nIsian Tung, 2nd year, 2nd moon, 22nd day (March 22, 1911).\n\n**(Translation.) Sir,**\n\nI HAD the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 16th day of the 1st moon relative to the seizure at Hsin Tang (Santong) of two chests of foreign opium, in which you referred to my reply stating that the opium would be sent to a prepared-opium shop possessing a trading licence at Shih Lung for sale on behalf of the owner, and requested that, if the opium had already been disposed of, the proceeds should be refunded to the owner. I subsequently had the honour to inform you that I had called on the head office of the Opium Prohibition Bureau to investigate the matter and report to me. I am now in receipt of a reply from the Opium Prohibition Bureau stating that, according to a report of an officer of the Opium Investigation Department deputed, at their instance, to investigate the case, the opium has already been sold in toto and the proceeds of the sale refunded to the owner in full, and requesting you be informed of this. I accordingly now have the honour to inform you to the above purport.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n**(Seal of Acting Governor-General.)**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434916, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 330, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## ARTICLE 5\n\n(d.) On the return voyage from such ports, launches with their passengers and cargo must proceed to the Imperial Maritime Customs sub-office agreed upon by the Hong Kong Government for examination and payment of the necessary dues, if any, to such sub-office.\n\n(e.) Evasion or failure to report at the specified customs station on the inward and outward voyage will entail confiscation of launch and cargo.\n\n## ARTICLE 6\n\nJunks and lighters registered by the Imperial Maritime Customs may be towed between Hong Kong and non-open ports in the Liang Kuang provinces by steam launches duly registered by the Imperial Maritime Customs under the Inland Waters Steam Navigation Regulations and in that case such junks, lighters, and launches will be treated as junks under sail, and be required to conform with the rules governing junk traffic, and the procedure prescribed in article 5 of this convention.\n\n## ARTICLE 7\n\nLighters towed by launches to treaty ports in the Liang Kuang provinces may have their hatches sealed by the Imperial Maritime Customs prior to departure, and such vessels may then proceed direct to their destination. The Imperial Maritime Customs reserve the right, however, to require the launch to call in at the customs station en route for search. Launches and lighters found guilty of revenue offences will be subject to heavy customs penalties.\n\n## ARTICLE 8\n\nForeign goods carried by junks or launches registered as in article 5 clearing from Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, for non-open ports in the Liang Kuang provinces may acquit themselves of import and transit duties before departure and be granted transit passes. Report for customs purposes must be made at the Imperial Maritime Customs sub-office agreed upon by the Hong Kong Government. Junks and launches carrying transit-pass cargo will be subject to the usual rules re call at the customs stations specified on the pass.\n\n## ARTICLE 9\n\nGoods from treaty ports in China under customs documents in transit through the colony may be placed under customs supervision, i.e., landed pending transmission by sea or by railway within a specified time into prescribed go-downs (to be agreed upon) open to the Imperial Maritime Customs, and may maintain their original status and receive the benefit of their original customs documents at final port of arrival.\n\n## ARTICLE 10\n\nFor the better prevention of smuggling across the land frontier of the colony the Government of Hong Kong will select, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Imperial Maritime Customs certain ports of entry for merchandise, including livestock.\n\nCattle or goods found in transit across the frontier of the colony from Chinese territory which are not in possession of the proper customs documents will be detained pending their production, or sent back to China.\n\n## ARTICLE 11\n\nThe Imperial Maritime Customs will take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into the colony from China of liquor, opium, compounds of opium, and morphine, and will co-operate with the Hong Kong Government in controlling such traffic by sea and by land.\n\n## ARTICLE 12\n\nFor the promotion of accurate knowledge and in the interests of Chinese revenue the Government of Hong Kong will, so far as the conditions of the free port admit of it, collect and publish statistics of imports and exports.\n\n## ARTICLE 13\n\nOffice and go-down accommodation for the examination and storage of goods carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway and for payment of duties thereon will be provided at reasonable rates by the Hong Kong Government. Such duties will be collected by the Imperial Maritime Customs under regulations to be mutually agreed upon under the following conditions:\n\n| Condition | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate station in British territory shall pay customs import duty prior to departure. |\n| (b) | Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by customs documents shall pay customs export duty prior to release. |\n| (c) | Goods leaving Kowloon or any intermediate station in British territory by train stopping at such intermediate stations may pay import duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier station of Shumchun. |\n| (d) | Goods leaving Shumchun for intermediate stations in British territory not covered by customs documents shall pay export duty at Shumchun. |\n| (e) | Goods carried from any station on the British section of the railway to any station in China, and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Imperial Maritime Customs in Hong Kong, shall pay according to the revised import tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof, and such payment of import duty and transit due (if any) shall free the goods to place of destination. |\n| (f) | Goods carried from any station in China on the railway to any station on the British section of the railway, and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the treaty export tariff of 1858 or future revisions thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway. |\n\n## ARTICLE 14\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE 15\n\nThis convention shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the high contracting parties, and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. It is also agreed that during the duration of this convention the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall continue to be British.\n\n## ARTICLE 16\n\nThe English and Chinese texts of this convention have been carefully prepared; but in the event of there being any difference of meaning between them the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense. This convention shall come into force on the ... day of ... It shall be ratified by the Governments of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged as soon as possible. In witness whereof the undersigned duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments have signed the present convention.\n\nDone at ... in ... (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) the ... day of the ... moon of Hsung Tung ...\n\nPage 330\nPage 331", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434919, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 333, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Article 2\nbe paid within six months after the date of the payment of the above stated 300,000l. The said payments shall be made to a bank designated by the Yuchuanpu.\n\n## Art. 4\nThe advance of money together with all interest in respect thereof shall be satisfied and extinguished by the payment by the Yuchuanpu to the companies of a series of equal half-yearly instalments of 21,018l. each. The first of these half-yearly instalments shall be paid on the 30th June, 1912, corresponding with the 16th day of the 5th moon of the 4th year of Hsuan Tung and the last of the half-yearly instalments shall be paid on or before the 31st December, 1930. All payments shall be made in sterling or its equivalent through a bank designated by the companies either in London or at Shanghai. Should from any unforeseen circumstances, of whatsoever nature, the Yuchuanpu find itself unable to make the stipulated payment on the date agreed upon, the companies shall be paid interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum on the amount of the outstanding account from the date on which payment was due and until the actual date of payment. It being understood that in case of non-payment or short payment the companies may deduct any amount due under this agreement from money due from the companies to the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration under the existing agreements or contracts between the said administration and the companies or either of them.\n\n## Art. 5\nThe Imperial Government of China hereby guarantees the repayment of the 500,000l. and the payment of interest thereon in accordance with the stipulations contained in article 4, and as security for the money advanced hereby grants to the companies a preferential lien on China's revenue from \"through traffic\" and \"limitroph traffic,\" subject always to the lien held by the companies under any agreement or agreements in force for the time being between the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration and the companies. The above revenues are declared free from all other loans, mortgages, or charges.\n\nBy the aforesaid \"through traffic\" is understood traffic as defined in the sixth recital of the agreement dated the 26th July, 1904, between the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration and the companies and by the aforesaid \"limitroph traffic\" is understood traffic as defined by article 1 of the Telegraph Convention dated the 13th May, 1897, between the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration and the Great Northern Telegraph Company (Limited), of Denmark, with the additional traffic as mentioned in article 7 of the agreement dated the 22nd October, 1902, between the same parties.\n\n## Art. 6\nNo loan or mortgage shall be charged upon the security named above until this present advance of money by the companies is redeemed, and neither the Yuchuanpu nor the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration shall make any arrangements or agreement or take any other step during the term of this present agreement that would in any way diminish China's share of the revenue from the aforenamed \"through traffic and limitroph traffic.\"\n\n## Art. 7\nThis agreement is signed under authority of an Imperial edict dated the 8th day of the 3rd moon of the 3rd year of Hsuan Tung, which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain, Russia, and Denmark in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nIn witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised to this effect, have signed the present agreement.\n\nDone in Peking in the English language and in the Chinese language. Six expeditions duly compared and found to be in agreement, of which one shall be retained by the Yuchuanpu, one by the Wai-wu Pu, one by the British Minister, one by the Russian and Danish Minister, and one by each of the companies have been signed in each of these languages on the 10th day of April, 1911, corresponding with the 12th day of the 3rd moon of the 3rd year of the reign of Hsuan Tung.\n\nFor the Imperial Chinese Board of Communications:\n\nCHOW WAN PANG, appointed with Imperial approval Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration, and being an expectant Taotai with the brevet rank of the Second Class.\n\nFor the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited):\n\nA. B. SKOTTOWE, Acting Manager in China.\n\nFor the Great Northern Telegraph Company (Limited), of Denmark:\n\nJ. J. BAHNSON\n\nFor the Great Northern Telegraph Company of Japan:\n\nAKITO MAI, Manager in China\n\n(Seal of the Board of Communications.)\n\nPage 329\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n### Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nSir,\n\nPeking, April 9, 1911.\n\nTHE Board of Communications have addressed a despatch to my board to the effect that they had jointly memorialised the throne respecting a proposal to conclude an agreement under which the Eastern and the Great Northern Telegraph Companies advanced certain telegraph revenues, and that on the 6th April the Imperial decree had been received in the following terms:--\"Let it be as proposed.\"\n\nI have the honour to address this note for your Excellency's information, and I beg that you will notify the company accordingly.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nPrince CHING.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434927, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 341, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## the central Government is shown by the fact that Shêng had to be summoned from his retirement to carry on these railway and currency negotiations. Shêng, who is now 70 and in frail health, is the last survivor of the Li Hung Chang school of statesmanship and intellectually is quite the equal of his great prototype. Shrewd, clever, and utterly unscrupulous, he has come into contact during his long and chequered career with foreigners of all classes and has established a reputation for successful business capacity of which the telegraph administration and the Hanyang Ironworks are the two chief monuments.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**J. N. JORDAN**\n\n### Minutes of an Interview at Prince Ch'ing's Residence on April 5, 1911, respecting the Hukuang Railway Loan.\n\nPresent: **Sir John Jordan**, **M. de Margeric**, **Mr. Calhoun**, **Count Luxburg**, accompanied by **Messrs. Barton**, **Blanchet**, **Tenney**, and **Krebs**. \n**Prince Ching**, **Na Chung-tang**, **Hau Chung-tang**, **Sheng Kung Pao**, accompanied by **Chou Tzu-Chi** and **En Hon**.\n\nSir John Jordan recalled briefly to Prince Ching the course of the negotiations on the subject of the loan agreement since the interview between the four Ministers and the Wai-wu Pu on the 27th December, 1910. On the assurance given by Na Chung-tang at that interview that the alterations considered necessary by the Chinese Government in the initialled agreement were not alterations of principle but only of detail, the Ministers had instructed the banks to resume negotiations with the Yuchuan Pu on this basis. Sheng Kung Pao had then promised to draw up a memorandum containing the desired alterations, which, owing to various delays, did not reach the banks till the end of February. A consideration of this memorandum disclosed the fact that a most important alteration of principle was contemplated, namely, the omission of the branch line from Ching-men-chou to Hanyang, and as at a subsequent interview Shêng had informed the banks that the acceptance of this omission was an essential preliminary to the conclusion of any agreement, the Ministers felt compelled to bring to the notice of His Highness the grave situation created by this departure from the agreed basis of the initialled agreement.\n\nPrince Ching replied that he was aware of what had taken place. In view of the fact that on the death of Chang Chih-tung the settlement of this question had been entrusted by edict to the Yuchuan Pu, the best course would be for the banks to continue to discuss the matter with the board direct.\n\nM. de Margerie pointed out that it was because discussion between the banks and the Yuchuan Pu had resulted in the present deadlock that the Ministers desired an explanation of the attitude of the Chinese Government in insisting on this unexpected alteration of principle.\n\nSheng then explained the reasons which rendered this alteration necessary; the provincial opposition to this loan existed even prior to Chang's death, and had been excited recently by the publication in the press of statements regarding the approaching completion of the agreement; this opposition could not be ignored by the central Government, and could only be obviated by his plan for entrusting the construction of branch lines to the local companies while the main lines were constructed by the Government. If this branch line were omitted, he was prepared to memorialise the Throne to enforce the agreement in spite of any local opposition on other points, but if the branch line were insisted on, local opposition to the main line would be increased, and he could not accept the responsibility of recommending the completion of the agreement.\n\nSir J. Jordan observed that he had been in Peking since the commencement of the negotiations, and was certain that there had been no mention of alterations to meet provincial opposition during Chang's lifetime. In asking for the omission of this line, the Chinese Government were asking for a very important concession, and the Ministers would like to know what it was proposed to offer in exchange.\n\nSheng said he could not promise anything in exchange, but it was possible that the proposed amount of the loan £6,000,000 would not prove sufficient to construct even the reduced mileage and he had thought of calling for a revised estimate of the cost of the main line; besides the Government had many other main lines to construct in the future, and the concession made by the banks in this instance would not be forgotten.\n\nM. de Margerie asked whether it was proposed to insist on the other alterations contained in the memorandum also.\n\nShêng replied that the original list of alterations proposed by the railway bureau was much larger than the one handed to the banks, although not as highly important as the omission of the branch line, the other alterations contained in the memorandum were all essential and must be insisted on.\n\nSir J. Jordan said it was hardly reasonable, considering the assurances given by the Wai-wu Pu in the past, to expect the banks to accept the alteration en bloc; the Ministers felt that the proposed omission of the branch line was a matter of such importance that they should refer it to their Governments; but in order to render the proposal at all acceptable, they would like to be in a position to say at the same time that the Chinese Government was willing to adopt a reasonable attitude towards the remaining alterations; they would be prepared therefore to instruct the banks to first discuss the latter with the Yuchuan Pu and if a satisfactory settlement were arrived at, the Ministers would refer the question of omitting the branch line to their Governments.\n\nSheng replied that he foresaw no hope of a settlement if this course were adopted, it would only delay matters, and delay would give an opportunity for increased opposition and further imperil the successful enforcement of any agreement.\n\nMr. Calhoun pointed out that it would not advance matters if an agreement were come to on the branch line question only to find further progress blocked by difficulties raised over the other alterations, and for this reason it was preferable that a clear understanding should first be reached on the latter.\n\nSheng maintained his objection to this proposal and finally stated that he was not prepared to make any concession in regard to any of the alterations.\n\nSir J. Jordan then appealed to Na Ch'ing-tang and reminded him of the assurances he had given to the Ministers on the 27th December, and urged him to assist in solving the deadlock which a departure from those assurances had brought about.\n\nNa replied by giving his recollection of the interview in question which tended to minimise the strength of the assurances given and referring to the knowledge possessed by the Ministers of the difficulties which confronted China in dealing with this matter—he urged that these difficulties should not be increased by the delay which would be entailed by insisting on points which the Yuchuan Pu could not concede.\n\nM. de Margerie pointed out that delay—which both parties wished to avoid—could best be obviated by mutual concessions; if the Yuchuan Pu would waive the remaining alterations, the Ministers on their part could recommend the omission of the branch line.\n\nSheng replied that he could not consent to do this, and added that the remaining alterations were of a technical nature, with which only the banks were conversant.\n\nPrince Ch'ing declared that in view of the fact that those present were not versed in the details of these alterations, it was not possible to agree to their withdrawal in exchange for the omission of the branch line. He repeated Sheng's promise that any concessions made by the banks in this instance would not be forgotten in the future, and again urged that they should be instructed to resume negotiations with the Yuchuan Pu.\n\nSheng assured the Ministers that he meant business and had no intention of going back on what he had said in the presence of the Prince that day. The agreement could only be concluded on the lines of his memorandum; its enforcement would be a matter of great difficulty for him in any case, and in undertaking to enforce it, he was making a concession to the banks fully equal to anything they were being asked to grant.\n\nSir J. Jordan said the Ministers desired to know what instructions they should give the banks, for if the latter were merely told to discuss alterations on which Sheng was not prepared to yield, the result could only be another deadlock necessitating a further reference to the Prince. Shêng said the banks must be prepared to discuss the alterations with a view to making concessions; up to the present the omission of the branch line had been the only point touched on in their discussions; until he knew whether this would be agreed to, he could not say what prospect there was of an agreement on the remaining alterations.\n\nPage 337", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 434965, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 379, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "374 \n\n2 \n\nbe paid within six months after the date of the payment of the above stated £300,000. The said payments shall be made to a bank designated by the Yuchuanpu.\n\nArt. 4. The advance of money together with all interest in respect thereof shall be satisfied and extinguished by the payment by the Yuchuanpu to the companies of a series of equal half-yearly instalments of £21,018 each. The first of these half-yearly instalments shall be paid on the 30th June, 1912, corresponding with the 16th day of the 5th moon of the 4th year of Hsuan Tung and the last of the half-yearly instalments shall be paid on or before the 31st December, 1930. All payments shall be made in sterling or its equivalent through a bank designated by the companies either in London or at Shanghai. Should from any unforeseen circumstances, of whatsoever nature, the Yuchuanpu find itself unable to make the stipulated payment on the date agreed upon, the companies shall be paid interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum on the amount of the outstanding account from the date on which payment was due and until the actual date of payment. It being understood that in case of non-payment or short payment the companies may deduct any amount due under this agreement from money due from the companies to the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration under the existing agreements or contracts between the said administration and the companies or either of them.\n\nArt. 5. The Imperial Government of China hereby guarantees the repayment of the £500,000 and the payment of interest thereon in accordance with the stipulations contained in article 1, and as security for the money advanced hereby grants to the companies a preferential lien on China's revenue from \"through traffic\" and \"limitroph traffic,\" subject always to the lien held by the companies under any agreement or agreements in force for the time being between the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration and the companies. The above revenues are declared free from all other loans, mortgages, or charges.\n\nBy the aforesaid \"through traffic\" is understood traffic as defined in the sixth recital of the agreement dated the 26th July, 1904, between the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration and the companies and by the aforesaid \"limitroph traffic\" is understood traffic as defined by article 1 of the Telegraph Convention dated the 13th May, 1897, between the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration and the Great Northern Telegraph Company (Limited), of Denmark, with the additional traffic as mentioned in article 7 of the agreement dated the 22nd October, 1902, between the same parties.\n\nArt. 6. No loan or mortgage shall be charged upon the security named above until this present advance of money by the companies is redeemed, and neither the Yuchuanpu nor the Imperial Chinese Telegraph administration shall make any arrangements or agreement or take any other step during the term of this present agreement that would in any way diminish China's share of the revenue from the aforenamed \"through traffic\" and \"limitroph traffic.\"\n\nArt. 7. This agreement is signed under authority of an Imperial edict dated the 8th day of the 3rd moon of the 3rd year of Hsuan Tung, which has been officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain, Russia, and Denmark in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\nIn witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised to this effect, have signed the present agreement.\n\nDone in Peking in the English language and in the Chinese language.\n\nSix expeditions duly compared and found to be in agreement, of which one shall be retained by the Yuchuanpu, one by the Wai-wu Pu, one by the British Minister, one by the Russian and Danish Minister, and one by each of the companies have been signed in each of these languages on the 10th day of April, 1911, corresponding with the 12th day of the 3rd moon of the 3rd year of the reign of Hsuan Tung.\n\nFor the Imperial Chinese Board of Communications:\n\nCHOW WAN PANG, appointed with Imperial approval Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration, and being an expectant Tuotai with the brevet rank of the Second Class.\n\nFor the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited):\n\nA. B. SKOTTOWE, Acting Manager in China.\n\nFor the Great Northern Telegraph Company (Limited), of Denmark:\n\nJ. J. BAHNSON, General Manager in China and Japan.\n\n(Seal of the Board of Communications.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n### Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nPeking, April 9, 1911.\n\nSir,\n\nThe Board of Communications have addressed a despatch to my board to the effect that they had jointly memorialised the throne respecting a proposal to conclude an agreement under which the Eastern and the Great Northern Telegraph Companies advanced certain telegraph revenues, and that on the 6th April the Imperial decree had been received in the following terms: \"Let it be as proposed.\"\n\nI have the honour to address this note for your Excellency's information, and I beg that you will notify the company accordingly.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nPrince CHING.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435043, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 457, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**AFFAIRS OF CHINA**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[16174]\n13097 REC?\n& \nREN 16 JUN 11\n\n[May 1.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\n**(No. 155.)**\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey-(Received May 1.)\n\nPeking, April 12, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward the following information, which has been courteously supplied to me by the Japanese chargé d'affaires, in regard to the loan of 10,000,000 yen for which the contract, as reported to you by Sir C. MacDonald, was signed between the Yokohama Specie Bank and the Board of Communications in Peking on the 24th March.\n\nThe price paid is 95, and the loan bears interest at 5 per cent, and is redeemable in twenty-five years. The security is the tribute rice money of the province of Kiangsu, yielding an average annual revenue of about $1,000,000 taels. There is no supervision of expenditure, but it is understood that the proceeds are to enable the Board of Posts and Communications to repay funds which they have borrowed from naval sources for the purposes of the Peking-Hankow Railway.\n\nThe Japanese Legation had no hand in the negotiations, which were conducted entirely between Mr. Odagiri, the representative in China of the Yokohama Specie Bank, and Sheng Kung-pao, the president of the Board of Communications.\n\nAs far as I can ascertain, the Board of Finance was not associated with the Board of Communications in the memorial presented to the Throne, but the president, Duke Tsai Tse, whose department controls the tribute rice money, gave categorical assurances that the Kiangsu provincial revenue from that source should be employed for the service of the loan.\n\nIt is expected that the loan will be floated in Tokyo and Osaka in about a week's time.\n\nThe Wai-wu Pu communicated to the Japanese Legation the Imperial edict authorising the loan as soon as the contract had been signed.\n\nI am forwarding a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo.\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n[2023 α-2]\n452", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435047, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 461, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "2 \n\nshall be paid to the bondholders half-yearly through the bank. The interest shall run from the date on which amounts of the proceeds of the loan shall have been placed to the credit account of the board with and in the bank, and the same notified to the board, and shall be paid by the Imperial Government of China in the first place out of the revenue of the Peking-Hankow Railway (after deducting the amounts required for payment of the principal and interest of the Chinese Imperial 5 per cent. gold loan of 1908 and of the Peking-Hankow Railway redemption loan of the same year), but should it be found that the above revenue is not sufficient to meet the amount required, then out of such revenue as the Imperial Government of China may deem fit to use for the purpose. The said payment shall be made to the bank in half-yearly instalments according to the amounts specified in the schedule attached to this agreement, and ten days before their due dates.\n\nThe terms mentioned herein and elsewhere in this agreement shall be calculated according to the solar calendar.\n\n## Art. 4. \nThe term of the loan shall be twenty-five years. Repayment of the principal shall commence, by annual drawings, after the expiry of ten years from the date of the loan, and shall be made by yearly amortisation to the bank by the Imperial Government of China in the first place out of the revenue of the Peking-Hankow Railway (after deducting the amounts required for payment of the principal and interest of the Chinese Imperial 5 per cent. gold loan of 1908 and of the Peking-Hankow Railway redemption loan of the same year), but should it be found that the above revenue is not sufficient to meet the amount required, then out of such revenue as the Imperial Government of China may deem fit to use for the purpose, according to the amounts specified in the schedule attached to this agreement, and ten days before their due dates.\n\n## Art. 5. \nIf at any time after the lapse of ten years from the date of the issue of this loan the Imperial Government of China should desire to redeem the whole outstanding amount of the loan, or any part thereof, not yet due for repayment according to the schedule of repayment hereto attached, they may do so until the end of the twentieth year by payment of a premium of 2.4 per cent. on the face value of the bonds, that is to say, by payment of 102.4 yen for each 100-yen bond and after the twentieth year at par, but in each and every case of such extra redemption the Imperial Government of China through the board shall give six months prior notice to the bank, and each redemption shall be effected by additional drawings of bonds to take place on the date of an ordinary drawing.\n\n## Art. 6. \nThe bank having been appointed agent for the service of the loan, the payments due for amortisation and interest referred to in articles 3 and 4 shall be made in accordance with the amounts of the schedule attached to this agreement as fixed by articles 3 and 4 to the bank by the board, who shall hand to the said bank in Shanghai or in Tien-tsin funds in Shanghai or in Tien-tsin sycee or in new national currency after its circulation sufficient to meet such payments in gold in Japan, exchange for which shall be settled with the said bank on the basis of exchange rate of the same day, the board having, however, the option of settling exchange with the bank at any date or dates within six months previous to any due date for the payment of interest and the repayment of principal. These payments may, however, be made in gold, if the Imperial Government of China should happen to have gold funds bona fide at their disposal in Japan, Europe, or America, not remitted from China for the purpose, and desire so to use them.\n\nIn reimbursement of the expenses connected with the payment of interest and the repayment of principal of the loan, the bank will receive a commission of 2 yen per every 1,000 yen, or 2 per mille on the annual loan service.\n\n## Art. 7. \nThe Imperial Government of China hereby engages that the interest and principal of this loan shall duly be paid in full, and should the revenue of the Peking-Hankow Railway not be sufficient to provide for the due and full payment of interest and repayment of principal, the board shall memorialise the Throne, and the Imperial Government of China will thereupon make arrangement to ensure that the amount of deficiency shall be met from other sources and handed over to the bank on the date upon which funds are required, to complete full payment of interest and repayment of principal.\n\n## Art. 8. \nThis loan is secured by the first charge, free from all encumbrances, upon the revenue of the Board of Finance (Tuchi Pu), under the item of the \"Tribute-Grain Conversion Tax\" of the Province of Kiangsu in the Empire of China, to the amount of 1,000,000 Kuping taels.\n\nIn the event of default of payment of instalment of the principal and/or interest of this loan on due date, the Imperial Government of China will instruct the proper authorities in control of the said revenue to hand it over to the bank in the interest of bondholders.\n\nIt is agreed that so long as this loan or any part thereof shall remain unredeemed, the same shall have priority, both as regards principal and interest, over all future loans, charges, and/or mortgages charged on the above-mentioned revenue, and it is further agreed that any and all future loans, charges, and/or mortgages on the said revenue shall be made subject to this loan, and it shall be so expressed in every agreement for such future loan, charge, and mortgage, and that previous to conclusion of any such agreement express notice thereof shall be given to the bank.\n\n3 \n\n## Art. 9. \nThe bank is hereby authorised to issue to the subscribers to the loan bonds for the total amount of the loan. The form of the bonds shall be settled by the bank, in consultation with the Chinese Minister in Tokyo. The bonds shall be engraved in Japanese and Chinese, or in Chinese, Japanese, and English, according as found convenient; they shall, besides bearing fac-simile of the signature of the president of the board and of his seal of office, also bear fac-simile of the signature of the Chinese Minister in Tokyo and of his seal of office, latter particularly as a proof that the issue and sale of the bonds are duly authorised by and binding upon the Imperial Government of China, and the representatives of the bank in Japan shall countersign the bonds as agents for the issue of the loan.\n\nIn the event of bonds issued for this loan being lost, stolen, or destroyed, the bank shall thereupon immediately notify the board and the Chinese Minister in Tokyo, who shall authorise the bank to insert advertisement in the public newspapers notifying that payment of the same has been stopped, and to take such other steps as may appear advisable or necessary according to the laws and customs of the country concerned.\n\nAll expenses to be incurred under this article shall be borne by the bank.\n\n## Art. 10. \nAll bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with the service of this loan shall be exempt from all Chinese taxes and imposts during the currency of this loan.\n\n## Art. 11. \nAll details necessary for the prospectus, or connected with payment of the interest and repayment of the principal of the loan, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the bank in consultation with the Chinese Minister in Tokyo.\n\nThe bank is hereby authorised to issue the prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the signature of this agreement, and the Imperial Government of China will instruct the Chinese Minister in Tokyo to sign the prospectus of the loan if deemed necessary, and to co-operate with the bank in any matters requiring conjoint action.\n\n## Art. 12. \nThe loan shall be issued by the bank to the public in one series as soon as possible after the signature of this agreement, and after issue of the loan, amounts of the proceeds of the loan received shall be notified to the board, and shall be placed to the credit account of the board with and in the bank to the disposal of the board.\n\nThe above funds may be transferred, at the request of the board from time to time, either to China or any other country or countries, or may be deposited temporarily in Japan to earn interest, such transactions being always effected through the bank.\n\n## Art. 13. \nThe bank agrees to advance to the board, within one month after and from the date of signing this agreement, a sum not exceeding 2,000,000 yen, for the service of which interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum shall be paid, commencing from the date of such advance, and it is further agreed and understood that repayment of the sum so advanced, with the interest accrued thereon, shall be made in full and at once out of the proceeds of the first instalment of subscriptions to this loan.\n\nAll transactions connected with transferring, depositing, or disposal of these funds shall be done according to the second clause of article 12 of this agreement.\n\n## Art. 14. \nThis agreement is signed by the president of the Board of Posts and Communications, under the authority of an Imperial edict, dated the day of the month of the third year of Hsuan Tung, corresponding to the day of the month of the forty-fourth year of Meiji (1911), which will be officially communicated by the Wai-wu Pu to the Minister for Japan in Peking.\n\n## Art. 15. \nFive sets of this agreement are executed in English, Chinese, and Japanese, three sets to be retained by the Imperial Government of China and two by the bank.\n\n456", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435048, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 462, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\nthe bank. In the event of any doubt arising as to the interpretation of the contract, the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this 24th day of the second month of the third year of Hsuan Tung, corresponding to the forty-fourth year of Meiji (24th March, 1911).\n\nK. ODAJIRU. SHENG HSÜAN-HUAI.\n\n### SCHEDULE of Payments of Interest and Repayments of Principal.\n\n| Year | Principal still Outstanding | Interest | Principal Repaid | Total Interest and Principal |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | 10,000,000 Yen | 500,000 Yen | | 500,000 Yen |\n| 2 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 3 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 4 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 5 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 6 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 7 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 8 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 9 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 10 | 10,000,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |\n| 11 | 9,340,000 | 500,000 | 660,000 | 1,160,000 |\n| 12 | 8,680,000 | 467,000 | 660,000 | 1,127,000 (sic) 1,134,000 |\n| 13 | 8,020,000 | 434,000 | 660,000 | 1,094,000 |\n| 14 | 7,360,000 | 401,000 | 660,000 | 1,061,000 |\n| 15 | 6,700,000 | 368,000 | 660,000 | 1,028,000 |\n| 16 | 6,040,000 | 335,000 | 660,000 | 995,000 |\n| 17 | 5,380,000 | 302,000 | 660,000 | 962,000 |\n| 18 | 4,720,000 | 269,000 | 660,000 | 929,000 |\n| 19 | 4,060,000 | 236,000 | 660,000 | 896,000 |\n| 20 | 3,400,000 | 203,000 | 660,000 | 863,000 |\n| 21 | 2,740,000 | 170,000 | 660,000 | 830,000 |\n| 22 | 2,080,000 | 137,000 | 660,000 | 797,000 |\n| 23 | 1,420,000 | 104,000 | 660,000 | 764,000 |\n| 24 | 760,000 | 71,000 | 660,000 | 731,000 |\n| 25 | 38,000 (sic) | 38,000 | ... | 38,000 |\n| Total | | 9,035,000 | 10,000,000 (sic) 13,033,000... | 19,085,000 |\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,--(Received May 8.)\n\nPeking, April 17, 1911.\n\nIN continuation of my despatch `No. 125` of the 21st ultimo, and in confirmation of my telegram `No. 100` of the 15th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of the **Currency Reform and Industrial Development Loan Agreement**, which was signed on the 15th instant by Duke Tsai-tsê, the President of the Board of Finance, and the representatives of the four financial groups.\n\nI have also the honour to enclose in translation memorials by the Board of Finance which constitute the programme of currency reform referred to in this agreement.\n\nThe two statements specifying the nature of the proposed enterprises in Manchuria and the portions of the loan to be allotted to them have not yet reached me, but will be forwarded as soon as copies are procurable.\n\nThe wording of certain parts of the agreement caused considerable discussion amongst the Ministers of the four Powers, whose advice was sought by the representatives of the financial groups. The greatest difficulty was experienced in regard to clause 2 of article 8, which stipulates that the banks shall be given a period of six months for the consideration of the currency reform programme and the two statements relating to Manchurian expenditure. The English text, as it now stands, is a literal translation of the Chinese version, and was only arrived at after a lengthy meeting of the bankers and the four Ministers which was held at the American Legation the day before the agreement was signed. The Chinese negotiator, his Excellency Shêng, was anxious that as little prominence as possible should be given to the fact that the currency programme and the two statements had to be submitted for the consideration and approval of the lending banks as a condition precedent to the issue of the loan, and this was precisely the factor in the whole transaction to which the agents of the four groups attached the most importance. The passage \"for the consideration and planning of all matters involved\" was translated in the preliminary agreement which had been initialled by Mr. Straight by the words \"for making all their necessary arrangements.\"\n\nMy colleagues and myself felt that this latter expression, taken in conjunction with what follows, would be liable to serious misconception as conveying the impression that the period of six months was to be devoted not specially to the consideration of the programme and the two statements, but generally to the arrangements necessary for the issue of the loan. The necessary correction was made at the last moment, and Duke Tsê assured the bankers on the completion of the signature that the Chinese Government was determined that nothing should be left undone on its part to make the reform of the currency really effective.\n\nIn a note dated the 16th April, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, the Wai-wu Pu have communicated to me, in accordance with article 20 of the agreement, a copy of the Imperial decree authorising the conclusion of the loan.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Currency Reform and Industrial Development Loan Agreement.**\n\nAGREEMENT made between the Board of Finance, acting under Imperial edict on behalf of the Imperial Chinese Government, of the one part, and Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co.; Messrs. Kuhn, Loeb, and Co.; the First National Bank; and the ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435049, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 463, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# \nNational City Bank, all of New York, constituting the American group; the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation; the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank; the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, hereinafter called \"the banks,\" of the other part, witnesseth as follows:-\n\nWhereas the Imperial Chinese Government, desiring to reform and to render uniform its currency system in accordance with a programme which has been prepared, and to undertake certain industrial enterprises in Manchuria, proposes to negotiate a loan for these purposes and to evidence the same by the issue of Imperial Chinese Government sinking fund gold bonds, hereinafter called \"the bonds,\" in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding 10,000,000l., in manner and form as hereinafter set forth; and\n\nWhereas the preliminary agreement providing for the negotiation of this final agreement for the loan for the purposes above mentioned was duly signed by the Board of Finance with the American group at Peking on the 25th day of the 9th moon of the 2nd year of Hsuan Tung, being the 27th day of October, 1910, Western calendar, and was subsequently ratified by Imperial edict; and\n\nWhereas the American group being now associated with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, the Imperial Chinese Government has consented that these banks shall, with the American group, participate in the issue of the loan hereunder;\n\nTherefore it is agreed as follows :----\n\n## Article 1\nThe preliminary agreement hereinbefore mentioned shall be considered binding only as interpreted by this agreement.\n\n## Art. 2\nThe Imperial Chinese Government authorises the banks to issue a 5 per cent. sinking fund gold loan for an aggregate amount of 10,000,000l. 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. currency reform and industrial development sinking fund gold loan of 1911.”\n\n## Art. 3\nThe proceeds of the loan shall be used and applied as hereinafter determined, for the following purposes.\n\n(a) To provide funds for the reform of, and to render uniform, the Imperial Chinese currency system.\n\n(b) To provide funds for the promotion and extension of industrial enterprises in the three Manchurian provinces.\n\n## Art. 4\nThis loan shall constitute a direct liability and obligation of the Imperial Chinese Government, which hereby pledges its good faith and credit for the punctual payment of the principal and interest of the loan and for the performance of all the undertakings on its part herein assumed.\n\n## Art. 5\nAll advances made under the terms of sections 4, 5, and 6 of article 8 hereunder, and the payments of interest and the repayments of principal of this loan, and all other amounts required for, or incident to, the service of the loan, shall be, and hereby are, made a first charge on the following revenues:--\n\n| Revenue Source | Amount (Kuping taels per annum) |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) Duties on tobacco and spirits in the three Manchurian provinces | 1,000,000 |\n| (b) Production tax in the three Manchurian provinces | 700,000 |\n| (c) Consumption tax in the three Manchurian provinces | 800,000 |\n| (d) Newly added surtax upon salt of all the provinces of China | 2,500,000 |\n\nThe revenues above pledged amount to 5,000,000 Kuping taels per annum.\n\n2. The above provincial revenues are hereby declared to be free from all other loans, liens, charges, or mortgages.\n\n3. Should the above-mentioned revenues be insufficient to meet the payments of interest and repayments of principal and all other charges on due dates, the Imperial Chinese Government will, first from Manchurian and then, if necessary, from other sources, supply the balance required to meet such payments.\n\n4. So long as the principal and interest of this loan and all other charges are regularly paid there shall be no interference with the revenues herein pledged, but if principal and [or] interest be in default at due date, then, after a reasonable period of grace, the revenues above pledged, or such part thereof as may be sufficient to provide and pay the amounts stated, shall forthwith be transferred to, and shall be administered by, the Imperial Maritime Customs for the account and in the interest of the bondholders.\n\n5. So long as this loan shall remain unredeemed it shall have priority, both as regards principal and interest, by way of a lien or charge upon the above revenues over all future loans, charges or mortgages which may be charged on the aforesaid revenues. No loan, mortgage or other charge shall be raised or created which shall take precedence of, or be on an equality with, this loan, or which shall in any manner lessen or impair its security charged upon the aforesaid revenues; and any future loan, charge or mortgage charged on the said provincial revenues, shall be made subject to this loan, and it shall be so expressed in every agreement for every such future loan, charge or mortgage.\n\n6. In the event of the Imperial Chinese Government, during the currency of this loan, entering upon definite arrangements for the revision of the customs tariff, accompanied by stipulations for the decrease or abolition of li-kin, it is hereby agreed on the one hand that such revision shall not be barred by the fact that this loan is secured by the above-named revenues, and on the other hand that the revenues required to provide the security of this loan shall neither be abolished nor decreased, except by previous arrangement with the banks and then only in so far as an equivalent satisfactory to the banks is substituted therefor in the shape of a first lien or charge upon other revenues consequent upon such revision.\n\n## Art. 6\nThe banks are authorised to issue to the subscribers to the loan, gold bonds for the total amount of the loan for such amounts as shall be determined by the banks. The form and language of the bonds shall be settled by the banks in consultation with the Board of Finance or the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, or Paris.\n\n2. The bonds shall be printed and [or] engraved and shall bear the facsimile of the signature of the president of the Imperial Chinese Board of Finance, and of his seal of office, in order to dispense with the necessity of his signing them all in person, and the Imperial Chinese Minister in Washington and [or] London and [or] Berlin, and [or] Paris at the option of the banks, shall, previous to the issue of the bonds, put his seal upon each bond, with a facsimile of his signature as a proof that the issue and sale of the bonds are duly authorised by, and binding upon the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\n3. The representatives of the banks in New York, London, Berlin, and Paris, as the case may be, shall countersign the bonds as agents for the issue of the loan.\n\n## Art. 7\nAll details necessary for the prospectus of the loan and connected with the payment of interest and repayment of principal of the loan, and with the withdrawing of bonds for redemption, not herein explicitly provided for, shall be left to the arrangement of the banks in consultation with the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, and Paris.\n\n2. The banks are hereby authorised to issue the prospectus of the loan as soon as possible after the fulfilment of the conditions in article 8 hereunder made precedent to the issue of the loan, and the Imperial Chinese Government will instruct the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, and Paris to co-operate with the banks in any matters requiring conjoint action, and to sign the prospectus of the loan.\n\n## Art. 8\nOn the date of the signature of this agreement the Board of Finance shall hand to the banks :-\n\n(a) \"The regulations for the unification of the currency on a silver basis,\" authorised by Imperial edict, hereinafter called \"The Programme of Currency Reform.\"\n\n(b) A statement showing in what amounts the proceeds of the loan are to be applied to the various expenditures incident to the operation of the said programme.\n\n(c) A statement specifying the nature of the proposed enterprises in Manchuria and showing in what amounts the allotted portion of the proceeds of this loan is to be applied thereto.\n\n2. The programme and the two statements above referred to shall be handed to the banks on the date of the signature of this agreement. The banks shall be given a period not exceeding six months from the said date for the consideration and planning... \n\nPage 2\nPage 3\n458", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435051, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 465, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# Article 12\n\n6. of the loan, and shall be made by yearly amortisation in half-yearly payments, according to the amounts specified in the schedule attached to this agreement.\n\n3. The Board of Finance shall, twelve days before their due dates, hand to the bank or banks designated from time to time by the American group, the International Banking Corporation being now so designated, and to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine in Shanghai, in equal shares, funds in Shanghai sycee and/or coin of the national currency (so soon as the said currency shall have been effectively established) sufficient to meet each such half-yearly payment of principal and/or interest in gold, in America or Europe.\n\n4. The rate of exchange for such transactions shall be settled simultaneously with the banks aforementioned by the Board of Finance either on the day on which such payments in Shanghai sycee and/or coin of the national currency are to be made or, at the option of the Board of Finance, on any date or dates within six months previous to any due date for the payment of interest or the repayment of principal.\n\n5. Payments may be made in gold twelve days before their due dates to the banks in the United States of America or Europe if the Imperial Chinese Government should happen to have gold funds bona fide at its disposal in the United States of America or in Europe, not remitted from China for the purpose, and desire so to use them.\n\n6. In reimbursement of expenses connected with the payment of interest and the repayment of principal of this loan the banks shall receive a commission of 1/4 of 1 per cent. on the annual loan service.\n\n## Article 13\n\nIf at any time after the lapse of fifteen years from the date of the loan the Government should desire to redeem the whole outstanding amount of the loan or any part of it not yet due for repayment in accordance with the schedule of repayments hereto attached, it may do so up to the end of the twenty-fifth year by payment of a premium of 2 per cent. on the face value of the bonds (that is to say, by the payment of 102l. 10s. for each 100l. bond), and after the lapse of twenty-five years without premium, but in each and every case of such extra redemption the Government will give six months' previous notice in writing to the banks and such redemption shall be effected by additional drawings of bonds to take place on the date of an ordinary drawing as provided in the prospectus of the loan.\n\n## Article 14\n\nIn the event of any bond or bonds issued for this loan being lost, stolen, or destroyed, the group and/or bank or banks concerned may notify the Board of Finance and the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, or Paris, as the case may be, who shall authorise the group and/or bank or banks concerned to insert an advertisement in the public newspapers stating that payment of such bond or bonds has been stopped; and to take such other steps as may appear advisable or necessary according to the laws or customs of the country concerned. Should any bond or bonds be destroyed, or should such lost or stolen bond or bonds not be recovered after a lapse of time to be fixed by the banks the Imperial Chinese Ministers in Washington, London, Berlin, or Paris, as the case may be, shall seal and execute a duplicate bond or duplicate bonds for a like amount and deliver the same to the group and/or bank or banks representing the owner or owners of such lost, stolen, or destroyed bond or bonds, which group and/or bank or banks shall pay all expenses in connection with such delivery and execution of such duplicate bond or bonds for the account of the owner or owners of such bond or bonds.\n\n## Article 15\n\nAll bonds and coupons and payments made and received in connection with the service of this loan shall be exempt from all Chinese taxes and imposts of any and every description during the currency of this loan.\n\n## Article 16\n\nIf the Imperial Chinese Government should desire to obtain from other than Chinese sources funds in addition to the proceeds derived from this loan to continue or complete the operations contemplated under this agreement, the Imperial Chinese Government shall first invite the banks to undertake a loan to provide the funds required, but should the Imperial Chinese Government fail to agree with the banks as to the terms of such supplementary loan then other financial groups may be invited to undertake the same; and should the Imperial Chinese Government decide to invite foreign capitalists to participate with Chinese interests in Manchurian business contemplated under this loan, or to be undertaken in connection therewith, the banks shall first be invited to so participate.\n\n## Article 17\n\nIf, before the publication of the prospectus for the issue of this loan any political or financial crisis should occur affecting the American, British, German, and/or French markets and the prices of Chinese Government securities in such manner or to such a degree as in the opinion of the banks will render impossible the successful flotation and issue of this loan on the terms herein named, the banks shall be granted a period of six months from the date on which they shall have handed to the Board of Finance the notification referred to in section 2, article 8, above, within which to issue the loan to the public. If, at the expiration of this period, the markets are still unfavourable then the banks shall be entitled to ask the Imperial Chinese Government for a reasonable extension of time within which to carry out this contract. If the Imperial Chinese Government should refuse to grant the extension of time requested, this contract shall become null and void, subject always to the repayment of advances as provided in section 6, article 8, above, and the Imperial Chinese Government shall be liable for no other claims whatsoever.\n\n## Article 18\n\nThe American Group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine shall take the loan in equal shares and without responsibility for each other.\n\n## Article 19\n\nThe American Group, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine may, subject to all their obligations under this agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions thereunder to any American, British, German, or French company, directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the Imperial Chinese Government.\n\n## Article 20\n\nThis agreement is signed by the Board of Finance under the authority of an Imperial edict dated the 17th day of the 3rd moon of the 3rd year of His Imperial Majesty Hsuan Tung, corresponding to the 15th day of April, 1911 (Western calendar), which will be officially communicated to the Ministers of the United States of America, Great Britain, Germany, and France in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Article 21\n\nEight sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, four sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government, and one set by each group and/or bank. In the event of any doubt arising regarding the interpretation of this contract the English text shall rule.\n\nSigned at Peking this 17th day of the 3rd moon of the 3rd year of His Imperial Majesty Hsuan Tung, being the 15th day of April, 1911 (Western calendar).\n\n**Signature of the President of the Board of Finance,**\n\nDuke TSAI TSE.\n\n(Seal of Board of Finance.)\n\nFor J. P. Morgan and Co., Kuhn, Loeb and Co., The First National Bank, The National City Bank, all of New York, constituting the American Group:\n\nWILLARD STRAIGHT, Representative.\n\nFor the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation:\n\nE. G. HILLIER, Agent.\n\nFor the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank:\n\nH. CORDES.\n\nBanque de l'Indo-Chine:\n\nCASENAVE. HENRY MAZOT.\n\nPage 460", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435117, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 531, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n# CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[May 5.]\n\nC.O. 19807\n\n## SECTION 1\n\nDear Sir Francis,\n\nMr. Addis to Foreign Office, -(Received May 5)\n\nHong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, \n31, Lombard Street, London, May 4, 1911.\n\nI enclose copy of a telegram just received from Hillier. As Sheng can hardly hope to make his proposal retrospective, I assume that what he intends is to constitute all future trunk railways Imperial lines, instead of leaving each section to be owned and operated by the authorities of the provinces through which it passes.\n\nTo that, so far as I can see, there can be no objection on the part of the groups, and, unless, therefore, His Majesty's Government desire to intervene, I do not propose to place any difficulty in the way of Sheng's obtaining the edict he is applying for.\n\nYours truly,\n\n**C. S. ADDIS**\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1\n\nCopy of Telegram received from Peking Office, May 4, 1911.\n\nCOMMUNICATE the following to four groups: In order to silence obstruction Hunan by placing all provinces on equal footing, Sheng is urging issue of Imperial edict transferring all main railway line to control Board of Communications. Sheng promises signature Hukuang Agreement immediately aforesaid edict issued, probably within ten days.", "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": 435179, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 593, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n(No. 205.) Sir,\n\n## Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 26.)\n\nPeking, May 11, 1911. IN continuation of my despatch No. 199 of the 8th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, in translation, copy of an Imperial decree which was issued on the 9th instant giving effect to the new Opium Agreement.\n\nAfter stating that a period of ten years was originally fixed for the eradication of such a long-standing and deep-seated evil, the decree points out that under the agreement now concluded with Great Britain the import of foreign opium will cease at any time within the unexpired limit of seven years in the event of the complete extinction of the native cultivation, and it urges that every effort should be made to fulfil this condition and bring about total abolition at the earliest possible moment.\n\nThe arrangement with regard to total extinction and prohibition by provinces is pronounced to be entirely satisfactory.\n\nThe decree explicitly orders that all the restrictions and taxation imposed by the provinces on the wholesale trade in foreign opium shall be immediately withdrawn, and the anticipation expressed in my previous despatch on this subject has thus been fully realised.\n\nThe new rates of enhanced taxation are explained to be merely a temporary expedient to meet the financial exigencies of the moment, but the Throne expressly disclaims all intention of relying upon this taxation as a permanent source of revenue. Renewed orders are given for the more effective regulation of the production, the smoking and the transport of opium, and the decree concludes with an acknowledgment of the kind assistance of a friendly Power.\n\nIt was agreed between myself and the Wai-wu Pu that the equivalent excise duty upon native opium provided for in article 6 of the agreement should be fixed at 230 taels per 100 catties, and that this tax should be enforced simultaneously with the collection of the new duty on foreign opium, by an Imperial rescript, copy of which was to be furnished to me.\n\nI have now the honour to enclose a copy of this rescript, together with a copy of the memorial which the Ministry of Finance submitted to the Throne on the subject.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### (Translation.)\n\n#### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Gazette\" of May 9, 1911.\n\n## OPIUM AGREEMENT.\n\nON the 9th instant the Cabinet received the following edict by the Prince Regent:\n\nThe Wai-wu Pu has submitted to us a copy of the new agreement relating to the prohibition of opium.\n\nWith a view to the prohibition of the use of opium a period of ten years was originally fixed for gradual reduction, as, owing to the evil being of long standing and deep seated, it was necessary to allow a lengthy time-limit in order to make sure that the root should be killed and the source dried up. But with a view to protecting the people from harm, every effort should at the same time be made to bring about abolition as speedily as possible in order to obtain success at the earliest moment and remove the deadly ill once and for all.\n\nAccording to the report submitted this day by the Wai-wu Pu, the first period of three years in the scheme of prohibition being completed, a new agreement has been concluded with the British Minister at Peking providing that, in the event of the complete extinction of the native drug at any time within the unexpired period of seven years, the import of foreign opium will cease.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435180, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 594, "title": "CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## 588 \n\n2 \n\nFor seven years, the import of foreign opium shall also be prohibited, and this prohibition shall take effect progressively in any province from time to time.\n\nThe prohibition of the import of foreign opium depends on the prohibition of the cultivation of native opium, and so it has been decided to proceed province by province. The earlier native opium is suppressed, the earlier will the import of foreign opium come to an end.\n\nThe arrangement proposed is entirely satisfactory.\n\nThe increase of the duty on foreign opium simultaneously with the raising of the tax on native opium is part of the same object of forwarding prohibition by means of taxation, and orders should accordingly be given for this to be put into execution immediately. At the same time, all the restrictions and taxation imposed by the provinces on the wholesale trade in foreign opium are to be immediately withdrawn in order to avoid confusion.\n\nThe new rates of increased taxation are, however, merely in the nature of a temporary expedient for the supply of deficiencies; the Throne is most anxious for the reform of the people, and although the country's resources are inadequate, we have not the slightest desire to rely on such a source for revenue. As soon as the prohibition of the import of opium has become effective in all the provinces, some other source of revenue must be devised to make good deficiencies.\n\nIn the meantime, orders for prohibition must be strictly enforced in order that the root of the evil may be speedily destroyed. Let the Ministers of the Interior and of Finance, and the Viceroys and governors of all provinces at once redouble their efforts to effectively carry out the prohibition of the production, the smoking, and the transport of opium and give such orders to their subordinates in this regard as will ensure a uniform progress towards complete abolition.\n\nThus will the wishes of our own people be met, and justice be done to the kind assistance of a friendly Power.\n\nSuch is our earnest desire.\n\nLet this edict be made known to all.\n\n(Signed by Prince Ch'ing, Na T'ung, Hsu Shih-ch'ang, and Tsou Chia-lai.)\n\n3 \n\nThis course having been sanctioned by rescript, telegraphic notifications were sent to the Viceroys and governors accordingly. Up to the present, however, no report has been received by the Ministry of the steps taken to carry into effect the abolition of the native opium tax bureaux, but in the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already concluded an agreement with the British Minister providing for an increase in the consolidated import duty on foreign opium up to 350 taels per 100 catties, on the understanding that the tax on all native opium be increased to an equivalent amount simultaneously.\n\nThe amount of the tax should be in proportion to the respective values, and the value of native opium is approximately two-thirds of the value of foreign opium. In the suppression of opium, a beginning must first be made in our own country, and regarding the taxation of native opium as a means towards its suppression, there can be no objection to making that taxation heavy; it is proposed, therefore, to take two-thirds of the duty on foreign opium, and reckoning in round numbers, to impose a tax on native opium of 230 taels per 100 catties.\n\nIn the event of the proposal being approved, it will be necessary for this Ministry to send telegraphic instructions to the Commissioner of the Native Opium Tax and to the Viceroys and governors that from the date of the decree, all native opium, the transport of which has not been prohibited, together with all native opium intended for local consumption, shall pay duty at the new rate. On the receipt of the reports from the Viceroys and governors on the measures to be adopted when total extinction has been achieved, this Ministry will make further arrangements and request the Commissioner of the Native Opium Tax to deal with the whole question of the revenue from this source.\n\nThe increase of the duty on foreign opium having been dealt with by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a separate memorial, this Ministry has accordingly submitted as above the reasons for requesting an equivalent increase in the tax on all native opium.\n\nMay 8, 1911.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n## Rescript of May 9, 1911.\n\n## Taxation of Native Opium.\n\nWITH reference to the memorial presented by the Ministry of Finance requesting that a tax of 230 taels per 100 catties should be levied on the opium produced in every province in order to correspond to the proposed increased duty on foreign opium, let action be taken as requested.\n\n(Signed by Prince Ch'ing, Na T'ung, Hsü Shih-ch'ang, and Tsai Tsê.)\n\n## Enclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n## Memorial by Ministry of Finance regarding Taxation of Native Opium.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n**DUKE TSAI TSÉ, &c., Minister of Finance**, submits a memorial requesting the imposition of a tax on all native opium equivalent to the increased rate of duty agreed upon for foreign opium.\n\nOn the 20th March, my Ministry submitted a memorial recommending the abolition of the native opium tax bureaux in view of the proposed prohibition of cultivation in the present year with a view to total extinction of the trade, but it was pointed out at the same time that there was a considerable amount of opium in stock, and that there was no intention of foregoing the collection of duty on this; accordingly, with a view to arriving at a suitable plan, Imperial instructions were asked for to all Viceroys and governors to examine the circumstances of each locality and report to the Throne thereon.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435278, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 58, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**OPIUM.**\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\nCO \n[June 19.] \n23538 SECTION 1. \n[23897]\n\n**(No. 231.)** Sir, \n” \n1218 JUL 11 \nNo. 1. \n**Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey**-(Received June 19.)\n\nPeking, May 31, 1911.\n\nI have the honour to enclose copies of correspondence with the Wai-wu Pu and the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the Opium Agreement.\n\nI do not consider it necessary to trouble you with the copy of Sir F. Lugard's despatch of the 15th May to the Government of India, which merely concerns matters of detail requiring adjustment in connection with the issue of certificates for Malwa opium.\n\nThe points to which I venture to draw your attention may be briefly summarised. The opium merchants contend that uncertificated opium in transit on the 8th May, the date of signature of the agreement, between Hong Kong and the treaty ports entitled to admission at the lower rate of duty in common with the same class of opium in transit on that date between one treaty port and another. I regard this contention as not unreasonable, but the number of chests affected being rather large—namely, 341—the Chinese Government insist on a strict interpretation of the agreement and refuse to regard Hong Kong on the same level as a treaty port for this purpose. My representations have failed to move them, but I have warned the Wai-wu Pu that I shall bear these chests in mind when the moment arrives for determining the rebate in the certified opium exported in 1912, 1913, and 1914 (see final clause of the annex to the agreement).\n\nThe fact that over 4,600 chests of certified opium had, through leakage of information, escaped the new rate of duty caused great disappointment to the Wai-wu Pu, and influenced their decision of this question.\n\nThe other point refers to the withdrawal of the provincial taxes in return for the increased duty. In this the Chinese authorities have shown themselves more accommodating, and have agreed that the withdrawal shall apply to all foreign opium imported prior to the 8th of May.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**Your Highness,**\n\n**Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.**\n\nPeking, May 19, 1911.\n\nTHE 7th article of the Opium Agreement, signed on the 8th instant, provides for the immediate withdrawal of provincial taxation and restrictions on the wholesale trade in Indian opium concurrently with the collection of the new rate of consolidated import duty.\n\nIt appears that the Imperial edict confirming this withdrawal as from the 10th instant was duly proclaimed in Canton, but at the same time the provincial treasurer notified the opium farmers that the old provincial tax must continue to be levied on all opium which arrived in Canton before the 8th instant.\n\nAs this is not, in my opinion, in keeping with the spirit of the agreement, and is certain to cause confusion, I have the honour to ask your Highness to issue instructions to the Viceroy at Canton which will ensure the adoption of a uniform mode of procedure for all opium from the date of the agreement.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n[2066 --1] \n57", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435279, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 59, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n### Prince Ching to Sir J. Jordan\nMay 25, 1911\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 19th instant (précis of note quoted).\n\nMy board at once requested the Canton Viceroy by telegraph to take the necessary steps, and the latter now replies that orders have already been given for the withdrawal of taxation on all foreign opium imported prior to the 8th instant.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\n(Seal of Wai-wn Pa.)\n\n## Enclosure 5 in No. 1\n### Opium Merchants to Commissioner of Customs\nMay 12, 1911\n\nWe beg to inform you that last week the Ying Fat Yuen hong cleared from us four chests uncertificated Malwa opium. The opium arrived in Amoy on the 8th instant, and the customs officials there insist on the payment of duty and li-kin on this lot at 350 taels per picul, unless he can produce the necessary permit from you.\n\nAs we can guarantee that these four chests were uncertificated opium, and can prove this from our books, we shall be much obliged if you will be good enough to issue the necessary permit.\n\nYours, &c.\n\nE. D. SASSOON AND CO.\n\nP.S.-These four chests arrived by the \"Delta,\" the 17th February, 1910.\n\n## Governor Sir F. Lugard to Sir J. Jordan\nHong Kong, May 15, 1911\n\nI HAVE the honour to forward, for your Excellency's information, copy of a despatch which I have addressed to the Governor-General of India on the subject of the new Opium Agreement with China.*\n\n2. I take this opportunity of enclosing also a copy of a joint letter by four local opium merchants pointing out that certain chests of uncertificated opium in transit between Hong Kong, Shanghai, and coasts ports on the 8th May, 1911, had to pay the enhanced duty levied on opium, and I shall be glad if your Excellency will take steps to obtain a refund to the merchants concerned.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nF. D. LUGARD.\n\n## Enclosure 6 in No. 1\n### Commissioner of Customs to Opium Merchants\nMay 13, 1911\n\nWITH reference to your application concerning four chests uncertificated Malwa opium which arrived in Amoy on the 8th instant, and for which you request Kowloon passes, I beg to say that my instructions were to issue such passes for opium in stock in Hong Kong and checked by me on the 8th May. I regret that I cannot accede to your request.\n\nYours, &c.\n\nA. H. HARRIS.\n\n## Enclosure 4 in No. 1\n### Opium Merchants to Governor Sir F. Lugard\nMay 13, 1911\n\nWE beg to inform you that on the 6th instant Mr. E. Pabaney shipped to Shanghai, per steam-ship \"Chinhua,\" 100 chests Bengal opium, of which 37 chests were uncertificated, and 63 chests were certificated. As the opium arrived in Shanghai after the new agreement came into force on the 8th instant, the customs authorities in Shanghai refuse to pass the uncertified opium under the old tariff.\n\nConsidering that all the stocks of uncertified opium in Hong Kong and the treaty ports on the 8th instant have been passed for 110 taels duty, it is unreasonable that such opium in transit between Hong Kong, Shanghai, and coast ports on that date should have to pay the enhanced duty.\n\nAnother instance of a similar nature has arisen with regard to four chests uncertificated Malwa shipped to Amoy by a local dealer, Ying Fat Yuen. We beg to enclose copies of correspondence between Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co., and the Commissioner of Customs on the subject, from which you will gather the necessary particulars.\n\nWe shall be much obliged if you will kindly bring the matter to the notice of His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking.\n\nWe have, &c.\n\nDAVID SASSOON AND Co. (Limited). \nE. SHELLIM, Manager, \nE. D. SASSOON AND CO. \nE. PABANEY. \nA. J. RAYMOND, \n(per pro S. J. David and Co).\n\n## Enclosure 7 in No. 1\n### Sir J. Jordan to Governor Sir F. Lugard\nPeking, May 31, 1911\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 15th instant, in which you were good enough to enclose copy of a communication which you had addressed to the Viceroy of India on the subject of the new Opium Agreement with China.\n\nYour Excellency also forwarded to me copy of a joint letter from four local opium merchants regarding the levy of the enhanced duty on certain chests of uncertificated opium which were in transit between Hong Kong and the treaty ports of China on the 8th May, 1911, the date of the signature of the agreement.\n\nIn reply, I have the honour to inform you that this question had already been brought to my notice by the opium merchants both at Shanghai and Hong Kong through the medium of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. It was held here that the proper construction of the agreement of the 8th May was that opium in transit on that day between the treaty ports in China was liable to the old duty of 110 taels, but that exemption from the new duty of 350 taels could not be claimed for uncertificated opium which was passing between Hong Kong and a treaty port in China on the 8th May.\n\nTo begin with, the Chinese Government had been extremely reluctant to give opium stored in Hong Kong the benefits of the new arrangement, and in construing the agreement they refused to consider Hong Kong as on the same level with the treaty ports in China. Had the amount been small, they might have been prepared to stretch a point, but when they found that it was 341 chests, they definitely refused to consider it, and pointed to the fact that over 4,600 chests of certified opium had been cleared at Shanghai at the old rate of duty just before the 8th May. This had, from their point of view, deprived them of a revenue of considerably over 1,000,000 taels, and they absolutely declined to undergo any further pecuniary sacrifice.\n\nThe opium merchants also represented to me that, although the Imperial edict proclaimed in Canton abolished all illegal taxation from the 10th May, the provincial authorities were still levying ... \nPage 58", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435342, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 122, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## predict the result. The provinces will doubtless indulge in noisy remonstrance, but they will soon realise the necessity of yielding to firmness.\n\nA rescript which appears in the same \"Gazette,\" and of which a copy is enclosed, foreshadows the early signature of the Hukuang Agreement as the first step in the inauguration of the new policy of railway development on Imperial lines.\n\nYour Highness.\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nI have, &c.\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Joint Note communicated to Prince Ch'ing.\n\nPeking, May 2, 1911. In writing to your Highness on the 27th instant, asking for an interview on the following day, we have already expressed our surprise at the delay in the signature of the Hukuang Railways Loan Agreement, and we are entirely at a loss to understand the reason for this continued failure to complete the contract.\n\nAt the express wish of your Highness we agreed to consent to the omission of the branch line, provided an immediate understanding on all other points could be reached between the Board of Communications and the four banks concerned. These points have now all been satisfactorily arranged, and the Chinese Government is now bound to give effect to the formal promise which your Highness made to the Ministers of the four Powers.\n\nIt therefore becomes our duty to request your Highness to inform us without further delay of the date fixed for the signature of the agreement.\n\nWe avail, &c.\n\n## made between trunk and branch lines, and the capacity (or otherwise) of the people to build was not taken into account. It was sufficient for anyone to petition, and a permit for private construction followed as a matter of course.\n\nNevertheless, though many years have passed, we find to-day that Canton has raised half its share capital, but has not constructed many miles of railway; Szechuan has lost much of its funds which impeachment and prosecution have failed to recover; Hunan and Hupei have had a railway bureau for many years, but have nothing to show for their squandered funds. Thus have the resources of myriads of people been lost through squandering and embezzlement. The longer this continues the greater will be the people's loss; high and low will suffer harm, and evils unthinkable will result.\n\nTherefore, be it specially and clearly proclaimed for the information of all that all trunk lines belong to the State by a formal ordinance of the Government. All trunk lines for the private construction of which provincial companies have been founded before the present year and which have all been delayed are to be taken back by the State and immediately completed.\n\nBranch lines may still be constructed by merchants and people according to their capacity, but with the exception of these the permits formerly issued for the construction of trunk lines are to be cancelled. Let the Ministries of Finance and of Posts and Communications decide on the detailed method of taking back the lines in question—in obedience to this command—and submit the same for our approval as soon as possible.\n\nThe Ministers of State concerned should not hesitate and repeat the mistake previously made.\n\nShould there be any who, without regard to the public interest, deliberately interfere with this railway policy or stir up strife and resistance, let them be treated as rebels.\n\nLet this be noticed by all.\n\n(Signed by Prince Ch'ing, Na Tung, Hsu Shih-ch'ang, and Shêng Hsüan-huai.)\n\n## (Translation.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n**Imperial Decree of May 5, 1911.**\n\nThe supervising censor Shih Chang-hsin has memorialised, stating that it is essential that the system for constructing trunk and branch railway lines should be clearly decided. The said censor's memorial is a sensible one, and the Board of Communications is hereby commanded to make satisfactory preparations on the lines suggested in the censor's memorial, and to report to the Throne in a memorial.\n\n## Enclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\n**Rescript.**\n\n**HUKUANG LOAN.**\n\nWith reference to the memorial of the Ministry of Posts and Communications reporting that the signing of the final agreement for the Canton-Hankow and [Hupei section of the] Szechuan-Hankow Railway loan cannot well be further delayed, and requesting that the sanction previously accorded by the said Ministry (for the construction of these lines by the provinces) be cancelled, let it be as proposed.\n\n(Signed by Prince Ching, Na Tung, Hsu Shih-ch'ang, and Shêng Hsüan-huai.)\n\n## Enclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\n**Extract from the \"Gazette\" of May 9, 1911.**\n\nOn the 9th instant the Cabinet received the following Edict :-\n\nThe Ministry of Posts and Communications report that they have acted on the suggestion recently submitted to the Throne by the censor Shih Chang-hsin that a distinctive method should be adopted of dealing with trunk lines and branch lines of railway. This suggestion was a very satisfactory one, in view of the extended nature of China's frontiers, which stretch for many thousands of miles in all directions, enclosing an area which would require many months of travel to compass.\n\nThe Throne is full of solicitude for the defence of our frontiers, seeking day and night to exercise proper control, and we find that the speedy construction of railways is the only means to attain the end. Moreover, conferences on matters of government, the conduct of military operations, and the transport of produce are all dependent on facility of communication, which is thus a first essential in our desire for progress.\n\nAs a result of earnest consideration, we find that the country must have trunk lines throughout the length and breadth of the land, in order to enable the Government to be carried on and a firm grip to be kept on our territories.\n\nFormerly the matter was not properly thought out, and there was no definite method, so that throughout the country lines were built at random, no difference was made between trunk and branch lines... \n\nPage 120", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435344, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 124, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n23539\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS,\n\nRece ROSIS JI I\n\n[June 7.]\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(19348)\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 96.)\n\n**(Telegraphic.) P.**\n\nForeign Office, June 7, 1911.\n\nHUKUANG loan: Your telegram No. 131 of 20th May. On what date did you receive official communication of the edict sanctioning the loan?\n\n[2076 g-1]\n\nPage 122", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435345, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 125, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# CHINA RAILWAYS.\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[June 9.]\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 219.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 9.)\n\nPeking, May 22, 1911.\n\nTHE Imperial decree, copy of which was transmitted to you in my despatch No. 204 of the 10th May, caused considerable commotion in the provinces, and on the 14th May a mass meeting was held at Changsha to protest against the railway policy of the Government. Foreign loans were denounced in violent terms, and anti-foreign placards and handbills were posted and scattered broadcast. Mr. Giles having telegraphed to me that he considered the presence of a British gun-boat desirable, I communicated this request by telegraph to the Admiral, and His Majesty's ship \"Woodlark\" proceeded from Hankow to Changsha on the morning of the 17th May. In the meantime, the governor of the province, in a telegram to the Board of Communications, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, had declared his inability to maintain order, and had disclaimed responsibility for the consequences which the adoption of the Government's policy was likely to produce.\n\nThe Government, however, maintained a firm front, and on the following day dispatched a circular telegram (copy enclosed) to the Governor of Hunan and the Viceroys of Canton and Szechuan, in which these high authorities were ordered to make the necessary arrangements for the recovery of control over the trunk lines, and for giving effect generally to the terms of the Imperial edict preparatory to the appointment of a director-general who would deal with the whole question in consultation with the provincial Viceroys and governors. The edict, of which a copy is enclosed, was issued later on the same day, appointing his Excellency Tuan Fang to be director-general of the Canton-Hankow and Hankow-Szechuan Railways, and ordering him to take measures in concert with the provincial authorities concerned for the enforcement of the railway decree.\n\nThe policy enunciated in the various edicts which I have briefly outlined in this and my previous despatch is of such a momentous nature, that one hardly ventures to predict its ultimate consequences. But there can be no doubt that the Government fully realise that railway communication is necessary to avert the disruption of the Empire, and that they consider it better to deal at once with provincial opposition to railways than to be unprepared to meet revolutionary attempts such as that which recently occurred at Canton.\n\nHis Excellency Tuan Fang, who came to talk over the whole question with me yesterday, said he felt convinced that the course which the Government had taken was the only one open to them in the circumstances, and with the moral support of the four Powers, more especially of England and America, he looked forward with hope to the successful completion of the difficult task which had been imposed upon him.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nTelegram from Yang Wen-ting, Governor of Hunan, to Shêng Hsuan-huai.-\n\n(Communicated by Mr. Mayers.)\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\n### HUNAN RAILWAYS.\n\nTHE issue of the decree handing over the railways to the Government has occasioned great indignation among the masses, and the whole body of the people are raising a clamour. Every day meetings are being held to discuss the situation, at which most violent speeches have been made. It is impossible to reason with the", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435346, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 126, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## \n\n124 people or to prohibit their meetings by force. I have done my best to admonish the people, and have agreed to memorialise on their behalf, praying for the Imperial clemency, and have warned them against rioting. At the present moment the people have temporarily dispersed, but it will be difficult to appease them finally. The people of this district are of an excitable nature, and in last year's riots bad characters recklessly stirred up trouble in a moment. Again, there has just been trouble at Canton, where the strictest precautions had been taken, and I very much fear lest advantage should be taken of this to meditate trouble here. If crowds collect and utter threats they will drag with them the lower classes, and pretexts will be seized to create a disturbance, which will certainly cause a great calamity.\n\nI, Wen Ting, am charged with the duty of preserving the province, and I am really unable to face such a responsibility. When the various representatives have presented their petition I shall proceed to state the real facts to the Throne in a clear memorial.\n\nI propose now to ask your board to telegraph as a first step instructions to the railway companies couched somewhat on the following lines:- \n\n\"Substantial sums have been collected by your companies, thus showing how enthusiastic the merchants are over the matter. It is necessary, then, that everything should go on as before, and no special officials or engineers will be appointed. As regards the future, it is necessary to wait for the director-general to advance or stop the work as he sees fit in order to secure uniformity of gauge.\"\n\nIn this way we shall pacify people's minds, for no matter whether these railways are managed by the officials or the merchants they are all State-owned.\n\nAt the present time the people are in a very angry state, and the only thing to do is to try to arrange a compromise and to accomplish one's aim gradually. If any matters are very critical, hasty action is taken a serious calamity will at once ensue. And I therefore send you this secret word in advance for you to prepare some arrangement. I earnestly beg you to send me an immediate reply. For the rest I am reporting in detail by letter.\n\nAnd we intend to await your despatch respecting the examination of the accounts. As regards the actual receipts and expenditure of the companies, it may be that our boards will devise a means of payment and leave the merchants to manage on their own account the branch lines or any reliable mining enterprise. Or there may be a time when there may be no branch lines or mining enterprises to operate, and the merchants would wish to take Government bonds and share certificates at a guaranteed annual rate of interest, the capital being repaid by instalments. This can be left for them to accept or not as they please.\n\nWe further beg your Excellencies to examine into the conditions and respectively reply by telegraph, so that we may rely on your counsel.\n\nAs regards the work at present proceeding, please order the managers, assistant managers, and engineers to carry on the work. When the director-general, who will be appointed by Imperial decree, arrives at the scene of operations, he will proceed on the old lines, and, in co-operation with the Viceroys and governor, will hurry on the work. It is possible that the question may be considered of changing the title of managers and assistant managers to that of \"pang-pang,\" i.e., assistant, in order to rely on having experienced men.\n\nWe beg that you will issue instructions in this sense.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Enclosure 3 in No. 1\n\n**Imperial Decree of May 18, 1911**\n\nTUAN FANG is hereby appointed an expectant vice-president of a board and should take up the appointment of director-general of the Canton-Hankow and Chuan-Han, i.e., Szechuan-Hankow Railways. He should proceed at once, and, in co-operation with the Hu-Kuang, Liang Kuang, and Szechuan Viceroys and the Governor of Hunan should comply strictly with the previous edict by making satisfactory arrangements to carry out the undertaking.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n**Extract from the \"Official Gazette\" of May 18, 1911**\n\nTelegram sent by the Board of Finance and the Board of Communications to the Hukuang, Liang Kuang, and Szechuan Viceroys and to the Governor of Hunan.\n\n| Board/Department | Action Required |\n| --- | --- |\n| Board of Finance and Board of Communications | Prepare a detailed scheme for recovering trunk lines |\n\nTHE Imperial decree has recently been received ordering that all trunk lines should belong to the State as a settled principle of administrative policy, and that all trunk lines operated by merchants before the third year of Hsuan Tung were to be given up (literally cancelled). Further, the Board of Finance and the Board of Communications were at once to prepare a detailed scheme for recovering these lines and should request a decree for carrying out the same.\n\nThe above decree has been copied in full, and both telegraphed and sent by despatch to you all, while the various railway companies have been notified accordingly. We beg to observe that it will take some time to discuss jointly in obedience to the decree a detailed scheme for the recovery of the trunk lines, the Szechuan-Hankow and the Canton-Hankow, and we must therefore request your Excellencies to notify the railway companies that it is not necessary to stop work. In this way we shall avoid the dispersal of the coolies. Further, the officials originally employed shall remain on as before. We also request that you will immediately select a high official to make an investigation from the railway companies as to how much of the lines worked by the merchants has been completed and how much rests uncompleted. Also, he should ascertain the amount of capital already used and the amount of materials and cash in hand. Please let us have a reply at once by telegraph, and at the same time forward statistics by despatch on which we may base a request for a decree dealing with the matter.\n\nAgain, the recovery of the trunk lines for the State is with the object of planning for the welfare of the people and at the same time preparing a definite and uniform plan of operations. For the future we can jointly discuss the details of the scheme,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435351, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 131, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Art. 16\nIf before the publication of the prospectus for the issue of the loan any political or financial crisis should take place by which the markets and the prices of existing Chinese Government stocks are so affected as to render, in the opinion of the banks, the successful issue of this loan impossible on the terms herein named, the banks shall be granted a reasonable extension of time for the performance of their contract. If within this time limit, to be arranged, the loan shall not have been issued, then this contract shall become null and void, and any advances made by the banks under the provisions of article 3 of this agreement shall be repaid by the Chinese Government with accrued interest, but without any other compensation or remuneration whatsoever.\n\n## Art. 17\nThe construction and control of the railway lines shall be entirely and exclusively vested in the Imperial Chinese Government. For the work of construction the Imperial Chinese Government will select for appointment a fully qualified British engineer-in-chief for the Hupei-Hunan section of the Canton-Hankow Railway line from Wuchang to Yichang-hsien, and a fully-qualified German engineer-in-chief for the Kuangshui-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 Kueichou-fu, at the same time informing the banks of the selection made. If the banks have objections to offer against the engineers-in-chief thus selected for appointment, they shall, in stating their objections, give definite reasons therefor. The said engineers-in-chief shall be under the orders of the director-general and the managing directors of the respective lines or, in their absence, of their duly authorised representatives, and will carry out all the wishes of the Ministry of Posts and Communications with regard to the plan and construction of the lines. In their general conduct they shall pay all due respect to the Ministry of Posts and Communications, the director-general, and the managing directors. The terms of their respective agreements will be arranged by the Ministry of Posts and Communications.\n\nWhenever appointments are to be made or functions defined of the technical members of the railway staff, as well as in the case of their dismissal, the director-general, the managing director, or, in his absence, his duly authorised representative will act in consultation with the engineer-in-chief concerned, and in the case of disagreement the matter will be referred to the Ministry of Posts and Communications, whose decision shall be final.\n\nAfter completion of construction, and during the currency of this loan, the Imperial Chinese Government will continue to employ Europeans and Americans as engineers-in-chief of the said railway lines, these appointments being made without reference to the banks.\n\n## Art. 18\nFor the Hupei-Hunan section of the Canton-Hankow Railway line and the Hupei section of the Szechuan-Hankow Railway line respectively (a) the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and (b) the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank will act as agents of the railway administration during construction for the purchase of all materials, plant, and goods required to be imported from abroad. From this category rails and their accessories are excepted, for the purchase of which the Ministry of Posts and Communications has memorialised the Throne recommending that they should be manufactured and supplied by the Hanyang Ironworks. Their price will be settled by the Ministry of Posts and Communications with the Hanyang Ironworks, after comparison with the current quotations for rails purchased by other lines from Europe or America. No delay will be allowed, and it is understood that if the Hanyang Ironworks are unable to supply the requirements of the lines in question in such manner as to ensure uninterrupted construction the purchasing agents will be instructed to procure from abroad the additional supplies required. For all important purchases of materials tenders shall be called for by the director-general or the managing director concerned; in the case of all tenders, indents, and orders for the importation of goods and materials from abroad, the said agents shall purchase the materials required on the terms most advantageous to the railways, and shall charge the original net cost of the same, plus a commission of 5 per cent. It is understood that no orders for materials shall be executed or any expenditure incurred without due authorisation by the managing director concerned.\n\nIn return for payment of commission as above stated, the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited), and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank as agents for the respective railway lines, shall be prepared to superintend the purchase of all foreign materials required for their construction and equipment, which shall be purchased in the open market at the lowest rate obtainable, it being understood that all such materials shall be of good and satisfactory quality, and that the aforesaid agents will avail themselves of the services of engineering experts to be selected by the Ministry of Posts and Communications for the inspection of such materials. The fees of these inspectors shall be borne in equal shares by the Ministry of Posts and Communications and the purchasing agents. At equal rates and qualities goods of British, French, German, and American manufacture shall be given impartial preference over other goods of foreign origin. The railway administration of the Ministry of Posts and Communications reserves the right, while paying the above stipulated commission to the said agents in respect of all purchases of foreign materials, to avail itself of the services of other agents in China, or abroad, should it see fit to do so.\n\nThe most favourable shipping and insurance rates are to be secured, and statements thereof, together with original invoices and inspectors' certificates, are to be submitted to the director-general and the managing director concerned; all return commissions and rebates of every description shall be credited to the railways, and all purchases made by the agents on behalf of the railways shall be supported by manufacturers' original invoices and inspectors' certificates. No commission shall be paid to the agents except as above provided; but it is understood that the railway administration shall provide out of railway funds for the remuneration of consulting engineers whenever their services are engaged.\n\nWith a view to the encouragement of Chinese industries, preference will be given, at equal prices and qualities, over British, French, German, American, or other foreign goods to Chinese materials and goods manufactured in China, such cases being left to the decision, in consultation with the engineers-in-chief, of an inspector appointed by the Ministry of Posts and Communications. No commission will be paid on purchases of such Chinese materials and goods.\n\nIt is understood and agreed that, after the construction of the lines is completed, the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) and the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank will be given the preference for agency business for the respective lines, during the currency of the loan, for the supply of foreign materials which the railway administration may require, on terms to be hereafter mutually agreed upon.\n\n## Art. 19\nShould the Imperial Chinese Government itself hereafter consider it desirable to construct extensions in connection with the railway lines named in article 2 of this agreement in order that the interests of the country may be better served, such extensions shall be built by the Imperial Chinese Government with funds at its disposal from Chinese sources, but if foreign capital is required, and the terms offered by the banks are as favourable as those offered by others, preference will be given to the banks.\n\n## Art. 20\nAfter payment of interest and repayment of principal of this loan for any current year, the railway administration will deposit with the banks in Shanghai or Hankow any surplus of the net revenue of the railway lines for that year up to the amount required to pay the following year's instalments of interest on the loan, the rate of interest on the deposit being arranged with the banks from time to time with due regard to the conditions of the market.\n\n## Art. 21\nAll expenses in connection with the flotation and issue of this loan, such as underwriting, commission and brokerage, telegraph charges, advertising, postage, engraving and printing of prospectus and bonds, stamp and legal fees, shall be borne by the banks.\n\n## Art. 22\nThe Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, and the American group shall take the loan in equal shares and without responsibility for each other.\n\n## Art. 23\nThe Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Banque de l'Indo-Chine, and the American group may, subject to all their obligations under this agreement, transfer or delegate all or any of their rights, powers, and discretions hereunder to any German, British, French, or American company, directors, or agents, with power of further transfer and sub-delegation; such transfer, sub-transfer, delegation, or sub-delegation to be subject to the approval of the Ministry of Posts and Communications.\n\n## Art. 24\nThis agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial edict dated 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, which will be officially communicated to the Ministers of Great Britain, France, Germany, and the United States of America in Peking by the Wai-wu Pu.\n\n## Art. 25\nEight sets of this agreement are executed in English and Chinese, four sets to be retained by the Imperial Chinese Government and four sets by the banks.\n\n129", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435357, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 137, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## SECTION 1\n\n### No. 1\n\n(No. 238.) \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 24.) \nPeking, June 5, 1911.\n\nTHE policy of the State ownership of railways, to which the Government are now definitely committed, has formed the subject of three recent edicts, copies of which are enclosed herewith.\n\nThe first deals with the province of Szechuan, and orders the abolition of the system under which the farmers are obliged to make contributions towards railway construction based upon the assessed value of their holdings. The money, it is stated, has been extorted from the people by fraud, and years have passed without anything having been done in the way of railway construction. The collection of these so-called rent shares is to cease, and the new director-general of railways is instructed to ascertain the amount already collected, and submit a report to the Throne for such action as the circumstances may appear to justify.\n\nThe second decree refers to Hunan, and is based upon a memorial in which a metropolitan official, acting doubtless under orders, had advocated that the levy of special taxes for railway construction in that province should cease. After expressing its sympathy with the sufferings of the people in terms suited to the popular ear, the Throne orders the abolition of all these unauthorised levies, and instructs Tuan Fang to have the whole question fully investigated.\n\nThe third and last decree administers a sharp rebuke to the Governor of Hunan, who had ventured to submit a petition from the provincial Assembly, asking permission to construct their own railways without the aid of foreign capital. The attitude of the provincial Assembly is construed as in the nature of a menace, and the governor is taken severely to task for having encouraged it.\n\nHis Excellency Tuan Fang, who leaves Peking in a few days, will take up his residence at Wuchang, whence he will direct the railway operations in Hunan and Hupei. He counts upon the active support of his kinsman, Jui Cheng, the viceroy of the two provinces, who also resides in Wuchang, and speaks with confidence of having through railway communication with Hong Kong established in three years.\n\nI have, &c. \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1\n\nExtract from the \"Gazette\" of May 22, 1911.\n\n**IMPERIAL EDICT**\n\nSOME time ago we issued an edict, commanding that all trunk lines of railway should revert to Government control, and appointing Tuan Fang director-general of the Canton-Hankow and Szechuan-Hankow Railways, with the rank of expectant vice-president of a board. We ordered him to proceed to his post with all speed, and carry out his duties circumspectly. The object of this resolute action on the part of the Throne was to centralise the control of the railways, and thereby relieve to some extent the financial embarrassment of the people. When the Szechuan Railway was commenced the officials and gentry of the province decided to enforce subscription to shares in proportion to the rent value of property held. Though it was nominally a commercial enterprise, the money has actually been collected from the people by fraud, and, in spite of the lapse of several years, the railway has not yet been completed. Besides, this last year there was a very large deficiency in the funds, so that the malpractices on that line are very numerous. Under these circumstances it is clear that the public have been put to much trouble without any considerable benefit to the railway. Subsequently Hunan province adopted the same system of taking up rent shares, though its financial condition is worse even than that of Szechuan. At the", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435358, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 138, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## Imperial Decree of May 30, 1911\n\nAt the present time various measures of reform are being introduced, and we would show our sympathy for the heavy burden of the people by speedily doing away with a practice which is detrimental to the welfare of the public, for otherwise how are they to bear the insatiable demands on the small annual income from their fields? As we have already placed the railways under official control, it is hereby ordered that, from the date of the issue of this decree, the collection of rent shares both in Szechuan and Hunan provinces shall cease entirely, and that the Yu Chuan Pu and the director-general of railways co-operate with the viceroy and governor of the said provinces in making a strict enquiry as to the amount collected for that purpose before the 4th moon of the 3rd year of Hsuan Tung, and report their finding to us in order that the people may not be the losers, and may retain their confidence in the Government. If local officials conceal the truth or make false reports, they shall on discovery be denounced with the utmost severity. Any other sums of money collected for the purposes of railway construction must be examined strictly, and reported to us for our decision.\n\nThe said viceroy and governor are further ordered to have this edict printed on yellow, and distributed at once to the people, that they may know our earnest desire to show them sympathy.\n\n## Imperial Decree of May 30, 1911 (Continued)\n\nThe acting sub-director of the High Court of Justice, Wang Shih-ch'i, and others, have presented a memorial requesting that additional taxes for the construction of railways in Hunan be entirely stopped.\n\nThe main railway lines having become State-owned, we issued a decree stopping the collection of capital by means of rent shares, and ordering an investigation to be made into the extra amount collected under various names for railway construction, and that sanction be asked for the issue of a decree which would deal with the matter. As the people are becoming poorer every day, and the control of railways has been taken over by the officials, all railway measures that would cause inconvenience to the general public should be abolished, so that the people's burdens may be lightened.\n\nNow, according to the joint memorial of the Hunan metropolitan officials, it is stated that, in addition to the \"rent shares,\" there are various taxes on rice, salt, and houses. This endless taxation causes trouble to the rich and poor alike, and if these practices are not wholly abandoned, we cannot show our sympathy with the people. Upon perusing the above memorial, we find that it shows sympathy with the gracious intention of the Throne in investigating into the suffering and distress of its subjects.\n\nWe hereby order that the duties levied on rice, salt, and houses in Hunan, as well as the system of \"rent shares,\" be wholly discontinued. The director-general of railways and the Governor of Hunan are commanded to adhere strictly to the former decree by making an investigation into the amounts already collected, and to report to us as to how the matter should be dealt with, so that the people may not suffer the slightest loss.\n\nThe governor is ordered to print yellow copies of this decree, so that it may be again published for general information. There must be no concealment or delay.\n\nThe practice in vogue in Szechuan and Hunan has been entirely stopped by our order, and instructions have been given for satisfactory arrangements to be made with regard to shares which have already been collected. All this has been done because the operation of main lines by merchants had merely served to increase the sufferings of the people, and because our object was to lighten the burdens of our poor subjects. In changing the Government policy, we cannot allow any loss to fall on them, and they should have been filled with rejoicing on this account. How is it then that there is this opposition?\n\nThe Provincial Assembly misunderstood the situation, and many of the statements in their petition are quite inaccurate, while their attitude is tantamount to a threat.\n\nYang Wen-ting, as a local official, is charged with the responsibility of suppressing trouble and pacifying the people. If, after the former clear edicts had been issued, he had shown his sympathy with the Throne's love for the people by earnestly explaining to them the real state of affairs, all suspicions would have been dispelled. But, instead of this, he recklessly memorialised us on behalf of the Assembly just after we had definitely fixed the Government policy. Such conduct is indeed improper. We hereby order that he be severely reprimanded.\n\nYesterday we again issued a decree commanding the cessation of all taxation levied on rice, salt, and houses for the construction of railways in Hunan. The Throne has thus spared no effort to show sympathy with the hardships of the people. The said governor is hereby ordered to adhere strictly to the frequent decrees issued on this subject, and at the same time to give earnest advice to the people, and, in concert with them, to devise a satisfactory procedure. Should bad characters secretly incite the people to create trouble, the former must be severely punished. If he again fails to adopt proper measures, and serious trouble occur, he, the governor, will be the one held responsible.\n\n## Imperial Decree of May 31, 1911\n\nYANG WEN-TING memorialises that the Provincial Assembly of Hunan has petitioned, stating that the Hunan people were quite able to construct their own railways, and did not wish to contract any loan. He has therefore memorialised in accordance with their wishes.\n\nThe Government policy has already been definitely announced under which the main railway lines become State-owned. Moreover, the system of \"rent shares\" ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435370, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 150, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n[25810]\n\n(No. 253.)\nSir,\n\n### Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.(Received July 3.)\n\nPeking, June 19, 1911. WITH reference to my telegram No. 147 of the 16th instant, I have the honour to transmit herewith translation from the \"Peking Gazette\" of the Imperial edict of that date granting Sir Robert Hart, Inspector-General of the Customs, one year's extension of leave, and continuing Mr. Aglen's appointment as Acting Inspector-General.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n**(Translation.)**\n\nExtract from the \"Peking Gazette\" of June 16, 1911.\n\n**EDICT OF JUNE 16.**\n\nWITH reference to the Revenue Council's memorial to the effect that Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector-General of Customs, has asked for an extension of leave as he has not yet recovered from his illness, and has requested that Mr. Aglen be appointed Acting Inspector-General of Customs;\n\nWe hereby grant Sir Robert Hart an extension of leave for one year. For the rest, let it be as requested.\n\n[2103 e-3]\n\nPage 150\nPage 151\n\n## \n4 \"rear\"—having been absorbed into the 23rd division of regulars. Brigandage is said to be rampant in the region, but the fear of Russian or Japanese assistance (or interference) has led the local authorities of late to take more energetic steps for its suppression here than in some other parts of Manchuria.\n\n4. Last September, when I was at Vladivostock, signs of Russian activity in the matter of strengthening the place were evident. The garrison had been increased, and the military colonisation of the Primorsk was proceeding methodically.\n\n5. The impression left on my mind was the unreality of any real Russo-Japanese rapprochement. It is evident that distrust and jealousy of each other are the predominant sentiments, however much the exigencies of policy and diplomacy may demand the concealment of them.\n\nJune 3, 1911.\n\nM. E. WILLOUGHBY,\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]\n\n23921 \n[July 3.]\nSECTION 3.\n22 | \nNo. 1.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435376, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 156, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## CHINA RAILWAYS\n\n### SECTION 1\n\n[June 30]\n\n(No. 245.) Sir,\n\nT-No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey = (Received June 30.)\n\nPeking, June 13, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith an interesting despatch from His Majesty's consul at Changsha, describing the resentment caused in the province of Hunan by the news that trunk railways are to be brought under the control of the Central Government.\n\nThe agitation was fanned by the usual fabrications, and the signature of the Hukuang Railway Loan Agreement was utilised to revive the belief that the partition of China among foreign nations was imminent. The governor, who at first showed signs of weakness in face of the alarming attitude of the Hunanese gentry and students, was sharply reminded of his responsibilities by the issue of an Imperial edict, and the agitation has now calmed down. The commander-in-chief has detailed His Majesty's ship \"Nightingale\" to remain at Changsha for the present at my request.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\nConsul Giles to Sir J. Jordan.\n\n(No. 22.) Sir,\n\nChangsha, June 2, 1911. IN extension of my telegrams Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 10, of the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 20th May respectively, I have the honour to submit a report on the recent agitation in Changsha directed against the railway policy of the Central Government, as expressed in the Imperial edicts recently issued.\n\nOn the 12th May the \"Changsha Jih Pao\" published the Imperial decree of the 9th May, withdrawing the Hankow-Canton trunk line among others from private control, at the same time directing that the work should be carried on while arrangements were being made for handing over the railway to the Central Government. The following day, the 13th May, a number of the gentry and the students held a private conclave, at which the attendance amounted to a couple of hundred, to decide upon a line of action.\n\nThe most prominent individuals at the meeting were Yü Chao-k'ang, director-general of the Hunan Railway Company; Li Ta-chang, one of the joint presidents of the Hunan Railway Co-operative Association; Lung-chang, Chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce; and Chou Kuang-hsün, a member of the Provincial Assembly.\n\nIt was stated at this meeting that the governor, having been approached, had consented to memorialise the Throne on their behalf, requesting that the control of the line be restored to the province; while the question of pushing on the construction of the line with the utmost possible speed was decided on. A circular was also issued in the joint names of the Provincial Assembly, the General Chamber of Commerce, the Educational Association, the Hankow-Canton Railway Company, and the Hunan Railway Co-operative Association, besides a number of local Changsha bodies. This circular, which was printed in the form of a hand-bill and distributed broadcast, asserted that by the contraction of a foreign loan for the construction of the railway, the lives and the property of the entire population of Hunan had been handed over to the foreigner, and that untold disaster would result unless the agreement were properly rescinded. The people were therefore summoned to a mass meeting to be held in the Educational Hall on the 14th May, to register an emphatic protest against the policy of the Government, and to assert their intention of recovering control of the line.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435377, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 157, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "## 2\n\nThe meeting opened at 8 o'clock in the morning, presided over by the four gentlemen named above. The attendance from the first numbered a couple of thousand, which gradually swelled as time went on to five or six thousand—some say as many as ten thousand—comprising chiefly representatives from the army, the students, and the gentry. From the account of the second writer, who attended this and the previous meeting to take notes, there appears to have been no order or coherence whatever. Speaker after speaker ascended the platform merely to indulge in hysterical denunciation of the evil designs of foreign Powers and to exhaust himself in violent abuse of the president of the Board of Communications, one perfervid orator going so far as to bite his fingers repeatedly until the blood ran. The din and hubbub were indescribable, and the audience were worked up to a pitch of frantic excitement. During the progress of the meeting a leaflet was handed round, of which, as it purports to give the plan of campaign organised by the gentry and the students, I enclose copy and translation. The language of this leaflet, like that used at the meeting, is wildly extravagant, and out of all proportion to the interests at stake. It was, of course, designed to stir up the people and to frighten the provincial authorities—an aim which would certainly appear to have been successfully accomplished.\n\nOn Monday morning, 15th May, the **\"Changsha Jih Pao\"** published verbatim a letter addressed by the governor to the director-general of the railway, expressing the utmost sympathy with the Hunanese in losing control of the line, and undertaking to exert himself to the utmost to assist them in recovering it. His Excellency promised to memorialise the Throne on their behalf; and further expressed himself willing to receive for transmission to Peking any representations they might wish to make on the subject. He concluded by deprecating violence and excitement in dealing with the question.\n\nA notification issued by the educational commissioner also appeared in the newspaper, warning the students that they were not allowed to interfere in politics, and threatening to deal severely with any who attempted to stir up trouble or spoke of closing the schools.\n\nNo real attempt was made, however, to suppress the agitation; and anti-foreign hand-bills, couched in simple language to enable them to reach the great mass of the people, were distributed freely throughout the city. They were all very similar to the leaflet handed round at the meeting, but were still more violent and inflammatory; the familiar cry of the imminent partition of China was once more raised, Hunan among other provinces being assigned to the United Kingdom. No effort was spared to stir up feeling among the people, and the shopkeepers were urged to be ready to join in a general strike by closing up their shops.\n\nIn the morning I telegraphed to you briefly the state of affairs, suggesting that the dispatch of a gun-boat to Changsha was advisable. At the same time, I addressed a despatch to the governor, forwarding a copy of one of the anti-foreign leaflets, and complaining of the inaction of the authorities.\n\nNo measures, however, were taken, and the situation developed rapidly. The same evening it was announced that, unless the reply of the Central Government to the governor's telegraphic memorial was favourable, a general strike would be proclaimed at once; and Thursday, the 18th May, was fixed as the latest date for waiting. The most reassuring factor in the situation was the confidence reposed in the troops, especially in the Hunan mixed brigade under General Yang. Some members of the foreign community were inclined to cast doubts on their loyalty; but, apart from the fact that their trustworthiness was amply vindicated at the time of the riot last year, my enquiries satisfied me that they were to be depended upon.\n\nOn Tuesday morning, 16th May, the excitement reached its height. The anti-foreign propaganda was proceeding unchecked; the anti-foreign leaflets were still being freely distributed; anti-foreign placards had made their appearance on the walls, and the students were openly threatening the governor's life if the reply of the Central Government was not satisfactory. I wrote again to the governor complaining that no precautionary or repressive measures whatever had been taken by the officials, and requested categorically to know whether he could guarantee protection to the foreign community. In reply to a question put to me on the subject, I said that it would be as well if no foreign women or children spent the night in the city. Some of them went down river to Hankow. Others slept on board the steamers in port; while others again moved over to the island opposite the city where the Customs residences stand. The men, however, with one or two exceptions, remained. At this point, however, the accounts of the two consulate writers who were busily engaged throughout in collecting information indicate that the gentry suddenly decided to range themselves on the side of law and order. In the light of subsequent events I am inclined to believe that they had not contemplated going to extremes, but had merely desired to frighten the Government into compliance with their wishes. The movement had, however, got quite out of hand; the students were altogether beyond control; and the gentry, faced with an imminent riot, decided that they must cry a halt. They urged on the students the importance of confining themselves to pacific measures; but the latter were not inclined to listen. The governor, however, heartened doubtless by the support of the gentry, at last rose to the occasion. I received a reply from him the same evening, stating that he would protect foreigners; and he also sent the Customs taotai to reassure me as to the situation. Guards of soldiers were placed outside all the foreign establishments in the city, and a proclamation was issued by the governor pointing out that, if the people really imagined they had a grievance, they could elect representatives to lay the matter before him, when he would memorialise the Throne on their behalf; but that everything must be done in a peaceable manner. I understood, however, that inflammatory leaflets were being freely distributed, which were causing great excitement, and that it was openly stated that there would be no hesitation in bringing about international complications.\n\nHe went on to say that, if a disturbance resulted, the law-abiding classes would be the first to suffer; and he further stated that the railway question was being used as a pretext by bad characters who were anxious to stir up trouble. But being responsible for the safety of the people, it was impossible for him to show the least leniency towards such manifestations; and he had therefore given orders to all civil and military officials to suppress the least sign of disorder and to punish all in any way attempting to make trouble.\n\nThe following day, the 17th May, the situation had improved considerably, as reported in my telegram of that date. The distribution of hand-bills had completely ceased; the anti-foreign placards had been torn down and replaced by copies of the governor's proclamation; the streets were patrolled by soldiers, who allowed no crowds to form and kept the people moving; while any found spreading alarming rumours were immediately arrested. The students had by no means cooled down, and still openly intimated their intention of bringing about a general strike in case the railway was not restored to Hunanese control. The gentry, however, were doing their best to check the excitement, for which they themselves were largely responsible; and I felt assured that any disturbance that might arise would be quickly suppressed with the aid of the military.\n\nThe opening of the extraordinary session of the Provincial Assembly on the 18th May was looked forward to eagerly, as it was anticipated that the regular business of the meeting would be set aside in favour of the railway question. Large numbers of notables and students attended what was expected to be a fierce debate. They were disappointed, however. Not a word was spoken on the subject of the railway, and the Assembly busied itself exclusively with the estimates for the 2nd year of Hsuan-t'ung. I attribute this largely to the influence of Yüan Shu-hsün, the ex-Governor-General of Liang Kuang, who had been specially invited down from Siangtan to assist the officials and the gentry with his advice; it unquestionably did much to allay the general excitement, and strengthened the hands of the authorities in dealing with the situation. With the arrival of His Majesty's ship `Woodlark` the same afternoon I considered that any immediate need for anxiety had disappeared. It was not, however, until the 20th May, when the appointment of Tuan-fang as High Commissioner for the superintendence of the Hankow-Canton and the Hankow-Chêngtu Railways was received with equanimity, and when the gentry made it perfectly clear that they would countenance none but peaceable methods of opposition that I felt justified in telegraphing that there was little danger of trouble arising.\n\nNevertheless, it is impossible to predict what complications may arise when the question of the actual taking over of the railway comes to be dealt with and the gentry realise that the Central Government fully intends to assume control, as indicated by the recent Imperial edicts, in which all local levies on behalf of the line are ordered to be stopped at once, and the governor is directed to issue a special yellow proclamation to announce the news to the people. The gentry still hope to resume control of the line, and it is difficult to say to what lengths they may be prepared to proceed to accomplish their ends. Yesterday I obtained a copy of the petition which they are presenting to the governor for transmission to the Throne, in which they base their opposition to a foreign loan on three pleas:\n\n[2076 99-1]\n\n## 3 \n\n## B 2\n\n155", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435455, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 235, "title": "CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "# This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n232\n\n[July 10.] 24603\n\n**CHINA RAILWAYS, CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n[26865]\n\nNo. J.\n\nSECTION RES\n\nR£27 JU I\n\n## Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 10.)\n\n**(No. 255.)**\n\nPeking, June 20, 1911.\n\nTHE question of the nationalisation of the trunk lines of railway, which has recently been engaging the attention of the Chinese Government, was the subject of an Imperial edict issued on the 17th instant, copy of which I have the honour to transmit herewith.\n\nThe remarkable progress which the Central Government has made with this question has not been effected without serious opposition in the provinces, and at Canton especially there have been indications of possible resistance which have caused the Government some anxiety. With their usual astuteness the Cantonese discovered a practical way of bringing pressure to bear upon Peking. They engineered a run upon the Ta Ch'ing and Yu Chuan Banks, and as these institutions rest upon an immense system of paper credit the situation became so serious that an appeal had to be made to the foreign banks to come to their assistance. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation alone remitted a sum of 2,000,000 taels (say £269,270) to Canton to meet the emergency, and for the moment the Government seems to have come through the crisis successfully, but Sheng Kung Pao, against whom the provincial agitation is specially directed, views the future with some uneasiness. There is, however, no question of receding from the policy to which the Government are irrevocably committed.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n### Imperial Edict of June 17, 1911.\n\n**Nationalisation of the Trunk Lines of Railway.**\n\nThe Tu Chih Pu has presented memorials setting forth detailed particulars for resuming the ownership of the Szechuan-Canton-Hankow trunk lines. The nationalisation of railways has the double object of protecting the railway administration and showing sympathy for the distress of the people. Some time ago we issued decrees putting an end to the collection of subscriptions for railway shares in Szechuan, Hunan, and other provinces, and have repeatedly ordered that satisfactory measures be devised to deal with the amounts already collected. Now, according to the memorials, it is suggested that the shares in railway companies subscribed by the four provinces, Kwangtung, Szechuan, Hunan, and Hupei, be all examined and taken over by the Government in exchange for special Government railway bonds, which shall be issued by the Tu Chih Pu and the Yu Chuan Pu, and bear interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. In the future all surplus profits will be divided among the bondholders according to the number of shares they have. Bondholders who wish to recoup their capital may do so after the lapse of five years by fifteen yearly instalments, but before the instalments are due the bondholders may at any time borrow money from the Ta Ch'ing Government Bank or the Bank of Communications on the security of the bonds, in accordance with the banking regulations. Those who are not willing to surrender their shares in exchange for Government railway bonds are allowed to settle the matter in a different manner so as to show equity. The Kwangtung Railway shares have been subscribed entirely by the mercantile community, and there has been great extravagance of expenditure occasioned by delay in construction. Consequently the shares are at a discount of more than 50 per cent. But now it is proposed to make a generous repayment of 60 per cent. of their original value in the first instance, and, in order to show special consideration, Government bonds bearing no interest will be... \n\nPage 232\nPage 21", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435851, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 61, "title": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "CO\n\n60\n\n34482\n\nEnclosure in Sir John Jordan's No.385 of October\n\nRecd 26 OCT 11\n\n23.OCT 1911\n\nCopy of Despatch No. 3 in 2552707 from the Governor of Hong Kong to His Majesty's Minister, Peking, September 13, 1911. (Without enclosures)\n\nSir,\n\nWorking Agreement\n\nIn continuation of my Despatch of August 31, 1911, I have the honour to enclose one copy of the Working Agreement enfaced with a statement signed by the negotiators appointed by the two Governments that they have jointly agreed to all its clauses and schedules on behalf of and in communication with their respective Governments, with the exception of those marked 37 A and B.\n\n2. I enclose also 6 copies of a reprint of the Agreement in which these reserved clauses appear as Articles 38 and 39 in ordinary type. Mr. Chao Ching Hua has submitted a Chinese version of the Agreement which is in process of being checked, and thus when this has been done I shall transmit printed copies to you.\n\n3. In forwarding to you this semi-final copy of the Working Agreement I desire to express my very cordial appreciation of the courtesy (no less than the ability and astuteness) of Mr. Chao. This Government is under an obligation to its own representatives Messrs. E. S. Lindsey and C. Clementi who have shown unwearying patience and resource in these very difficult and protracted negotiations.\n\n4. I have the honour to request that you will obtain the signature of the President of the Board of Communications to the Agreement (when finally concluded) covered by an Imperial Edict, or such other guarantee as you may consider necessary to render it absolutely binding on the Chinese Government. I have myself signed the six Agreements herein in anticipation.\n\n5.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435858, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 68, "title": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "67\n\nArticles 37 B in A and 39 in \"B\" are identical, and provide for the policing of the line. A further difference between \"A\" and \"B\" occurs in Article 37, concerning the collection of Customs duties, the words \"when agreed upon between the Hongkong Government and the Imperial Chinese Government\", which appear in the Article as agreed to by Mr. Chao Ching Hua, being deleted from the reprint in B.\n\nYour Excellency has signed in anticipation the six reprints \"B\", and you request me to obtain thereon the signature of the President of the Board of Communications, covered by an Imperial Edict or other binding guarantee. I fear that it will not prove feasible to obtain the signature exactly in this way. Apart from the question of the raised requisite formalities and authorities at my interview with the Board of Communications today, as described below, the three clauses to which the negotiators for the Hongkong Government have failed to obtain the assent of the Chinese negotiators are, I fear, not likely to be accepted as they stand by the Board.\n\nThe", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 435862, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911", "page_number": 72, "title": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911", "content_text": "71\n\nmight be quitted as unnecessary. I requested that the two reserved Articles 37A and 371) and the proposal to delete the twelve words in Article 37 should be submitted to Sheng Kunz Esq. President of the Board, and that if His Excellency declined to accept them as they stood, an interview should be arranged at which I would give further explanations. I made it quite clear to Lord Li that I regarded the incorporation of some provision for connection with the Hankow line as absolutely essential at this stage, and I refused to entertain his plea that it would be time enough to arrange for that when the Canton-Hankow Railway was completed.\n\nAs regards the form in which the Agreement should be signed, I stated my opinion that it should be signed by the Board under the authority of an Imperial Edict. Lord Li replied that in that case it should be an Agreement between the two Powers and not between China and the Government of Hongkong and should be signed on our side by me or by some high officer duly authorised by His Majesty's Government.\n\nI concurred in this view, and also in the opinion", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 437066, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-388 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1912 [1-2]", "page_number": 119, "title": "CO129-388 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1912 [1-2]", "content_text": "www.am \n\n18 \n\n117 \n\n-shall be given in writing by the Viceroy to the Representative of the Corporation, declaring the number of additional Bonds so required to be redeemed, whereupon the Representative of the Corporation shall immediately proceed to make such arrangements as may be necessary and usual for the redemption of the number of Bonds specified, which, when duly redeemed after payment by the Imperial Chinese Government of the proper amount due thereon, shall be cancelled and delivered to the Viceroy. \n\nAll Bonds thus redeemed, in excess of the amount specified in the amortisation schedule hereto attached, before the expiry of 25 years from the date of the Loan, shall be paid for with a premium of 24% over their face value, (i.e., £102.10 will be required to pay for £100), but after 25 years Bonds may be redeemed over and above the amounts specified in the schedule without premium upon notice being given in the manner above specified. \n\nAs soon as the Loan has been completely redeemed, this Agreement shall become null and void and the mortgage shall be cancelled. \n\nArticle 17. \n\nIf, during construction, any proceeds of the sale of the Bonds are lying unused and bearing interest on their deposit whilst the construction of the Railway is going on, such interest is to be credited to the general account of the Railway in order that the Railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof. \n\nIt is also agreed that, if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the Bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6% per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds. \n\nArticle 18. \n\nThe junction of the sections of the Railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control, and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively, and the subsequent joint working of the two sections, shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hongkong. \n\nArticle 19. \n\nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the seventh day of February, 1907, which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu-pu. \n\nArticle 20. \n\nThis Agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai-wu-pu, one by the Board of Communications, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard. \n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this twenty-third day of the first month of the thirty-third year of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, being the seventh day of March nineteen hundred and seven. \n\nSeal and Signature of His Excellency \n\nT'ANG SHAO YI, representing the \n\nWAI-WU-PU. \n\nWitnessed by \n\nFor the BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION LTD. \n\nWitnessed by \n\n(Signed) J. O. P. BLAND. \n\nJARDINE, MATHESON & Co. \n\nThe HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, \n\nJoint Agents, \n\nH. GARDNER, \n\nActing Agent. \n\nThe BRITISH & CHINESE CORPORATION LIMITED.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-388 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1912 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 439878, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]", "page_number": 370, "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nLBJ\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA,\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[51662]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n362\n\n[December 27.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n(No. 490.) Sir,\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received December 27.)\n\nPeking, December 8, 1911.\n\nWITH reference to my telegram No. 323 of the 5th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of two communications which my Japanese colleague handed to me on that day. In furnishing me with these documents Mr. Ijuin explained that his Government had come to the conclusion that the time had arrived when foreign intervention was imperatively required to restore order in China, and he invited an expression of my views on the situation. After a necessarily cursory perusal of the papers, I said that in the main I agreed with the statement marked (A), which seemed to me to convey an accurate description of the situation. The only point on which I might be inclined to differ from the Japanese view was with regard to the action of Yuan Shih-kai, who appeared to me to have accomplished more than the paper gave him credit for.\n\nAs regards (B), I fully shared the Japanese view that a constitutional Government under the nominal sovereignty of the Manchus offered far the best solution of the crisis, and I felt sure that this opinion would be endorsed by the majority of our colleagues. But we had to reckon with the fact that all the provinces south of the Yang-tsze had declared for a republican form of Government, and that Yuan Shih-kai himself seemed to have little hope of gaining the adhesion of all parties to the continuance of the present régime, and had been working for some time past to secure the abdication of the Regent, with the view of convincing the country that Manchu rule would for the future exist only in name. An armistice had been arranged at Hankow, and steps were being taken to bring the parties together to give them an opportunity of composing their differences. The object of the Japanese proposal was, therefore, to a certain extent, being realised, and it seemed advisable to await the result of this conference before resorting to the measures suggested by the Japanese Government. The prospect of a settlement was admittedly slight, but such as it was, it seemed better to utilise it than incur all the risks and complications which foreign intervention necessarily entailed.\n\nMr. Ijuin fully agreed, and explained that he did not interpret the Japanese statement as contemplating immediate action. The attitude of his Government he thought was rather one of preparation for eventual contingencies in the not unlikely event of the Chinese failing to come to any decision themselves.\n\nI asked Mr. Ijuin if he had any knowledge of the steps which the Imperial Government contemplated in the last resort, and he replied in the negative. But he assumed that armed interference would be the necessary sequel of failure to effect a peaceful solution.\n\nI remarked that the prospect of employing coercion to force upon so many millions of people a form of Government to which they objected raised such a grave issue that I hardly ventured to contemplate it. Great Britain, especially, would probably find such a task one of great delicacy, in view of the fact that the bulk of the Chinese population at Singapore and Hong Kong openly sympathised with the revolutionary cause. It therefore seemed all the more incumbent upon us to do all in our power to avert such a contingency by facilitating direct negotiations between the two parties to the struggle.\n\nThe day after my interview with my Japanese colleague, the edict, copy of which is enclosed, was issued by the Empress-Dowager, announcing the formal abdication of the Regent and appointing two high officials, one Manchu and one Chinese, to be guardians of the Emperor. The conduct of the Government is to be carried on by the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Cabinet, while the Empress-Dowager and the Emperor will preside at audiences and ceremonial functions.\n\n[2289 dd-1]\n\nB", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 439879, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]", "page_number": 371, "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]", "content_text": "It remains to be seen whether this step will reconcile the country to the acceptance of constitutional Government under an attenuated Manchu sovereignty, or whether the extreme party in the south, regarding it as a further sign of weakness, will insist upon the removal of the Manchus and the establishment of a republican form of Government. The prospect of an amicable settlement seems still somewhat remote, and an indefinite prolongation of the existing confusion is the fate which most people predict for China at the present moment.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. N. JORDAN,\n\nP.S.-Since writing the above I have received a note from the Wai-wu Pu, enclosing copy of the edict, and requesting that it may be communicated to His Majesty's Government.\n\nEnclosure I in No. 1.\n\nMemoranda communicated to Sir J. Jordan, December 5, 1911.\n\nJ. N. J.\n\nPage 363\n\nbut it may ultimately breed the anti-foreign tendency, and there is no guarantee that repetition of the Boxer rising may not be witnessed. Particularly, as the rigour of winter season sets in and that following after and coupled with the effects of the flood and bad crop, activity of brigands and disorderly actions of the new recruits have to be expected throughout all localities, and against this apprehension, it admits of no doubt that the ambition of the revolutionary armies to maintain order by force in the localities occupied is but a castle in the air. The present situation in China being such as set forth above, the Japanese Government have come to the conclusion that the time has arrived when the Powers having the principal interests in China can no longer keep aloof and remain mere observers, that it is of supreme importance that they should at once take appropriate measures to safeguard their interests.\n\nIn view of the above, the Imperial Government earnestly desire at this juncture to be apprised first of the views of His Britannic Majesty's Government regarding the situation in China as well as of the steps considered adequate, in the latter's opinion, for saving the situation. It is the wish of the Imperial Government to open consultations with the other Powers principally interested in China only after a full and candid exchange of views and arrival at a common understanding thereby between the two Governments. As to the manner of negotiations and the extent of consultations, &c., it is intended the two Governments should enter into further consultation.\n\n(A.)\n\n(Strictly Confidential.)\n\nThe Imperial Government had long since perceived the gravest nature of the present trouble in China, but have remained up to now only watching the developments of the situation, taking no particular steps in connection therewith, considering it best to devise appropriate measures based upon due observation of the development of the situation. Since the situation has grown worse daily, prestige of the Manchu Court has nearly fallen to the ground, while the Government authorities lack in resource as well as in integrity to meet the situation. Thus, the rebellion and disturbances gradually extended to various regions, and at this moment there remain only a few provinces in the north over which the Central Government still hold their authority. Yuan Shih-kai, in whom hope of saving the situation was placed, has shown almost nothing to justify such expectation since his entry into Peking; the situation even in the capital itself is proving very trying, so that the Powers have been compelled at last to see the necessity of augmenting their guards. Recent recovery of Hanyang had doubtlessly the effect of temporarily dismaying and discouraging the revolutionary army, but it should not be hastily concluded that this fact alters the entire situation. Supposing that the Government army had fortunately succeeded in regaining and subduing the whole district about Hankow and Wuchang in the future, the revolutionaries withdrawing from the region will not fail to create disturbances in the country at large, as seen in the case of Szechuan, and it seems to be no hasty conclusion to state that it is well nigh hopeless for the Chinese Government to restore order solely by their own power and resource.\n\nWhile the situation is such as set forth when viewed from and in connection with the Government side, on the other hand, the provinces, vying, as it were, with one another in the race for declaring independence, are destitute of real capacity for autonomy, and the course adopted seems, after all, to be nothing more than a mere temporary expediency as a means of self-protection for avoiding conflicts with the revolutionaries. Turning to the revolutionary armies, it is to be noticed that they occupy different localities, each by itself; not only that there is no unity whatever among them, but it is even seen that in some localities the leaders nominated have fled, while in other places dissensions among the leaders are constantly arising. Withal, throughout all localities gradually difficulty is being felt in meeting the military as well as administrative expenditures, as the result of which in some of the places attempts at compulsory requisition are being resorted to. As regards the troops, majority of them are made up of new recruits, among whom even brigands and malcontents are included, which fact makes it a most difficult task to keep discipline and control over them. When time arrives that pay of soldiers is defaulted on account of the financial hardship, it is, in the light of past experiences in China, but clear that the soldiers will desert and join the rings of brigands. One or two cases of the foreigners subjected to outrage have already been reported, and if the disturbances are left to continue long, it is not likely to end only in jeopardising trade and commerce, which is of course a foregone conclusion.\n\n(Strictly Confidential.)\n\n(B.)\n\nThe subject of main discussions taking place in China at this moment is a question of expediency between the monarchical and the republican institutions. Nevertheless, the realisation of the republican institution is fundamentally in itself a matter of greatest difficulty for China, considering the peculiar condition of the country, nor could it be perceived from the actual state of affairs that she has had the necessary preparations for establishing such institution. Particularly, so long as the actual condition of the revolutionary armies remains such as has already been described, it has to be admitted that there is no hope whatever of such realisation. It is also an undisputable fact that the prestige of the Manchu Court had fallen beyond all hope of ever recovering its power and reuniting the country under the old régime. The actual circumstances of the case being such, it suggests itself to the Imperial Government that China can adopt no better course than to have the empty argument, far from actuality, abandoned on one hand, and, on the other, the evils of arbitrariness associated with the Manchu Court abolished, taking henceforth great care in respecting the rights of the Chinese; in effect, to carry on administration really by the Chinese, while preserving the unification nominally under the Manchu dynasty. Fortunately, the fundamental principles of constitution had been adopted, and on the 26th November the Prince Regent himself, representing the Emperor, had taken oath thereon before the Ancestral Temple, thereby declaring to the world the same as constituting the settled policy of the country.\n\nUnder the present circumstances, it is deemed necessary to devise means to carry on the administration of the country, generally conforming to the policy thus outlined.\n\nIn view of the above, the Imperial Government deem it best to adopt the following course of action: That the Manchu Court should be convinced of the advisability to secure the dynasty for ever by recognising the principle above set forth, while the revolutionary armies should be made to realise the presence of danger that their contention for republic may ultimately end in nothing better and more substantial than mere empty words, and thereby bring about the calamitous fate of imperilling the very existence of the State, resulting in the hardship and misery to the Chinese to no purpose. Upon such conviction and realisation both parties should be prevailed upon to meet each other half way and reach a compromise, and in the first place to lay down the arms. As regards the guarantee for the future, existence of the Manchu dynasty and respect due to the position of the Chinese should be secured by a concert of the Powers principally interested in China.\n\nIn case His Britannic Majesty's Government concur with the Imperial Government in the principle set forth, the time and manner of approaching the Powers having principal interests in China on the subject, as well as of proposing it to the Chinese Government and the revolutionary armies, shall have to be further consulted upon between the two Governments. But, if it happens that either the Powers do not agree to the principle determined upon by the two Governments in common, or the Chinese\n\nPage 363\n\nPage 363", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 439880, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]", "page_number": 372, "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]", "content_text": "Government and the revolutionary armies decline to consider the proposal, the Imperial Government shall, of course, have to enter into further consultation with His Britannic Majesty's Government about the steps to be taken thereafter.\n\n(Translation.)\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nExtract from the \"Gazette\" of December 6, 1911.\n\nIMPERIAL EDICT.\n\nTHE Prince Regent has received the following verbal instructions from the Empress-Dowager :-\n\nThe Prince Regent has presented a verbal memorial to the effect that during the three years of his regency his employment of officials and his administration of the Government have met with public disfavour. The establishment of a constitution was no more than empty talk, and corruption and malpractices were being carried on to such an extent that the minds of the people had gradually been alienated and the Empire dismembered. Through the mismanagement of one man the whole nation had been thrown into the most grievous distress. It was too late for him to show his repentance by pangs of heart and aches of head, for if he clung to his high office and did not resign he would cease to have the confidence of the people, and though he continued to administer the Government, his commands would be of no effect. What improvement was to be expected under such circumstances? He therefore humbly prayed to be allowed to resign the Regency and to have no further part in the affairs of the State. His statement is most earnest and sincere.\n\nWe have been living in retreat in our Palace and have been ignorant of the Government's policy. But the thought of the rising in Wuchang followed by that in other provinces, the dire effects of the warfare which meet our eyes on every side, and its disastrous result on the commerce of friendly nations—the thought of all this keeps us awake at night and robs us of our appetite. It is therefore most important that all the circumstances should be at once investigated and a scheme adopted for pacifying the Empire.\n\nWe\n\nThe Prince Regent is of a liberal, honest, and conscientious disposition, but, though most earnest in administration, he lacks the ability to cope with the present situation; he has allowed himself to be befooled, and the whole nation has suffered as the result. His prayer to be allowed to resign should therefore be granted. We hereby command that his seal of regency be given up and destroyed, and that he retire to his own Palace as Prince Ch'un and take no other part in the Government. We further command that he be awarded an annual pension of 50,000 taels, to be paid out of the Civil List. In future, the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Cabinet shall be responsible for the employment of officials and the whole administration of the Government. All orders shall before promulgation be sealed with the Imperial seal, and we shall perform the ceremonial of audiences, together with the Emperor. As the Emperor is still of tender age some persons should be responsible for his personal safety.\n\nWe therefore appoint Shih Hsu and Hsu Shih-Ch'ang grand guardians, and charge them with the duty of carefully guarding the Emperor.\n\nIn view of the calamities which have occurred in every quarter, and the dangers which beset the Empire, the princes, dukes, and others, who are intimately related to us, and who share our fortunes, should each and all endeavour to cope with the present crisis, observing strictly the regulations of our clan, and not overstepping the bounds.\n\nThe Ministers of State, being entrusted with heavy responsibilities, should show themselves all the more loyal and devoted; they should purify their hearts and endeavour to put a stop to corrupt practices, so as to promote the welfare of the country and the prosperity of the people.\n\nAll our subjects should understand that we are not keeping the sovereign power for ourselves, but are making a genuine reform in the interests of the people, who must on their part maintain good order and peacefully pursue their occupations, so that the evils arising from conflict and partition of territory may be avoided, and that a glorious and harmonious Government may be instituted. This is our sincere hope.\n\nSir,\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nWai-wu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.\n\nDecember 8, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that on the 6th instant the Cabinet received the following Decree [here follows Decree regarding the abdication of the Regent] and to ask that you will communicate the same to His Majesty's Government.\n\nI avail, &c.\n\nWAI-WU PU.\n\nPage 364", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12].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": 440916, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 252, "title": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "# THE OPIUM EVIL.\n\nBy article 14 the contracting powers pledge themselves to apply their laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation, sale, and exportation of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts to medicinal opium and to all preparations of opium containing not more than 0.2 per cent of morphine or more than 0.1 per cent of cocaine and heroin, and also to any new derivative of morphine and cocaine, or any other alkaloid of opium which might be shown by general scientific research to occasion similar abuses and result in like noxious effects. Article 14 again represents a compromise. The American and several other delegations pressed to have the exceptions in this article as to percentages of morphine, cocaine, and heroin deleted, but failed to accomplish their purpose.\n\nChapter IV is composed of articles governing the opium traffic as it has obtained in the past between China and the nationals of several Governments represented. The interest of the United States in this chapter may be said to be important, because it contains principles for which the Chinese Government and people long contended, principles which were supported by the United States in its first treaty (1844) with China, and by Article II of the treaty of 1880 with China, which directly prohibit American citizens from entering into the Chinese foreign or coastwise traffic in opium. Chapter IV bears somewhat on the great concession made to China by Great Britain by the so-called 10-year agreement of 1907 and the modification of that agreement, signed at Peking May 8, 1911.\n\nTo make this clear a digression may now be made, for one of the purposes of this Government in initiating the international movement for consideration of the opium traffic in the Far East was to have the interested powers determine if the Indo-Chinese opium traffic and the collateral opium traffic to the Philippines could not be mitigated or abolished. Coincident with this purpose, the great leaders of the British Government, more particularly Sir Edward Grey, Lord Morley, Earl Crewe, and Lord Minto as Governor General of India, determined upon an agreement with China by which the Indo-Chinese opium traffic should be abolished pari passu with the suppression of the production of opium in China. During 1907 an important agreement was arrived at by the British and Chinese Governments whereby the then annual exportation of Indian opium, 67,000 chests of about 140 pounds each, was to be reduced by 10 per cent per annum of the then Chinese import of the drug—51,000 chests—on condition that China suppressed her internal production of opium—about 300,000 chests per annum—at the same rate; that is, the total export of opium from India to all countries was to be reduced by 5,100 chests a year, and the Chinese production by about 30,000 chests, the object being the obliteration of the Indo-Chinese opium traffic and the internal production of opium in China in 10 years, beginning January 1, 1908. This agreement was entered into by both parties with sincerity and determination, and Lord Morley later intimated that should China outrun her part, the British Government would modify the agreement in her favor. There was a great and widespread doubt as to China's ability to live up to the agreement of 1907. But by April, 1911, the Chinese Government was able to demonstrate to a British official appointed for that purpose that they had more than carried out their part of the agreement by completely suppressing the production of opium in certain of the Chinese provinces, and reducing the production in other provinces from 30 to 75 per cent.\n\n## THE OPIUM EVIL.\n\nIt is worthy of note that the British official just referred to, Sir Alexander Hosie, a representative of the British Government at the International Opium Commission, reported that in the great Province of Szechuan, which, before the Anglo-Chinese Agreement of 1907, was producing more than 200,000 piculs (picul = 133.4 pounds) of opium, had completely suppressed its production at the time he reported, and that in the great Province of Yunnan, where there has been a production of 60,000 piculs, such production has been reduced 75 per cent. This had been accomplished by a loosely organized empire as the result of imperial edicts which, running through the land, received the moral support of a great majority of the Chinese people, their viceroys and governors of provinces, magistrates, and other officials. Thereupon on May 8, 1911, the British Government agreed with China that there should be a modification of the agreement of 1907. The chief points of the new agreement are as follows:\n\n| Point | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | The British Government recognizing the sincerity of the Chinese Government and their pronounced success in diminishing the production of opium in China during the three years from January 1, 1908, expressed their willingness to continue the arrangement for the unexpired period of seven years on the following conditions: |\n| 2 | From the 1st of January, 1911, China shall diminish annually for seven years the production of opium in China in the same proportion as the annual export from India is diminished until total extinction of the Chinese production in 1917. |\n| 3 | The Chinese Government having adopted a most rigorous policy for prohibiting the production and the transport of native opium produced in China, the British Government expressed their agreement with this policy and their willingness to give every assistance. With a view to facilitating the continuance of this work, His Majesty's Government agree that the export of opium from India to China shall cease in less than seven years if clear proof is given of the complete suppression of the production of native opium in China. |\n| 4 | His Majesty's Government also agreed that Indian opium shall not be conveyed into any Province in China which can establish by clear evidence that it has effectively suppressed the cultivation and import of native opium produced in China. |\n| 5 | During the period of the new agreement China shall permit His Majesty's Government to obtain continuous evidence of the diminution of production of native opium by local inquiries and investigation conducted by one or more British officials, accompanied—if the Chinese Government so desire—by a Chinese official. The decision of these inspectors as to the extent of the production of native opium in China is to be accepted by both parties to the agreement. |\n| 6 | By the arrangement of 1907, the British Government agreed to permit China to dispatch an official to India to watch the opium sales, on condition that such official would have no power of interference. His Majesty's Government now agree that the official so dispatched may be present at the packing, as well as at the sale of opium on the same conditions. |\n| 7 | The Chinese Government undertakes to levy a uniform tax on all opium produced in the Chinese Empire, while the British Government consents to the increase in the present import duty on Indian opium to 350 taels per chest of 100 catties—such increase to take effect as soon as the Chinese Government levy an equivalent excise tax on all native opium. |\n| 8 | With a view to assisting China in the suppression of opium, the British Government undertakes that from 1911, the Government of India will issue an export permit, with a consecutive number for each chest of Indian opium declared for shipment to or for consumption in China. During the year 1911 the number of permits so issued is not to exceed 30,000, and shall be progressively reduced annually by 5,100 during the remaining six years ending 1917. His Majesty's Government undertakes that each chest of opium for which such permit has been granted shall be sealed by an official deputed by the Indian Government, in the presence of the Chinese official, if so requested. |\n| 9 | Both parties agree that should it appear on subsequent experience desirable at any time during the unexpired portion of seven years to modify the agreement or any part thereof, it may be revised by mutual consent. |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 441085, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912", "page_number": 421, "title": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912", "content_text": "## Enclosure 2 in No. 1\n\n**Memorandum communicated to Wai-chiao Pu**\n\nTHE attention of His Majesty's Minister has been drawn to the Presidential order of the 28th October, published in the \"Official Gazette,\" on the subject of opium, and he has observed that this order deals with the necessity of prohibiting the production, the transport, and the smoking of native opium, a policy in which His Majesty's Government have repeatedly expressed their agreement.\n\nAs the Wai-chiao Pu is aware, His Majesty's Government have always held the view that the two questions of suppressing the cultivation of native opium and prohibiting the import of Indian opium are closely connected with each other, and that the steps taken for reducing the one should proceed simultaneously with those taken for diminishing the other. It was in this spirit that the opium agreement of May 1911 was concluded, and the provisions of this agreement were subsequently explained to the viceroys and governors of the provinces by a circular telegram from the Wai-wu Pu on the 15th June, 1911, and by an edict of the 25th July, 1911. Since the change of Government, however, it has become abundantly evident that many of the provincial authorities are ignorant of the proper interpretation of this agreement, with the result that misunderstandings frequently arise, and even serious infringements of treaty provisions are committed.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister would suggest that now that a Presidential order has been issued defining the policy of the Government in regard to native opium, the occasion is a good one for supplementing this by a similar definition of policy in regard to Indian opium. He therefore requests that with a view to avoiding a constant cause of friction, a Presidential order may be issued reaffirming the provisions of the opium agreement in the sense of the Wai-wu Pu's telegram of June 1911.\n\nHis Majesty's Minister also begs to be favoured with an early reply to this communication.\n\nPeking, November 4, 1912.\n\n2\n\nother crops adapted to the nature of the soil, and not to waste their labour in planting this deadly drug,\n\nOffenders will, on detection, be punished according to law and without the slightest mercy, while any official neglecting his duties in regard to the suppression of opium will likewise be punished as provided by law in accordance with the degree of his negligence. Our aim, in short, is to eradicate thoroughly this deeply rooted vice, and to multiply the means of livelihood of the people, that they may truly enjoy the blessings of a republic.\n\n1\n\n417\n\nPage 417", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 441977, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2]", "page_number": 104, "title": "CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2]", "content_text": "# 103\n\n## No. 13.\n\n20.\n\nIn the hope of obtaining a clearer and more unanimous expression of opinion on certain points, I addressed a number of questions to the Committee. These with their replies are printed in the volume referred to. They did not advance matters appreciably.\n\n5. Meanwhile representations had been made to His Majesty's Minister at Peking who had continued to urge upon the Wai Wu Pu the necessity of controlling the issues of the Provincial Mints and the Wai Wu Pu in turn had sent instructions to the Viceroy at Canton. He had in 1907 consented to put a stop to the issue of Subsidiary Coins from the Canton Mint for a period of 3 months, and so far as I am aware he fulfilled his promise, but at the end of that time a larger quantity than ever was issued. The Consul-General at my request made repeated representations to His Excellency, but was always met with the reply that the coinage was needed for the two Kwang Provinces under his Administration, that there was no indication that it was in excess of requirements, and that no complaints of any kind had reached him. He regretted that it should prove an inconvenience to Hongkong, but could not subordinate the needs of his own Province to suit our convenience.\n\n6. There appeared at this time to be some prospect of an amelioration of the evils of which we complained. His Excellency Tong Shao-yi, who was reputed to be one of the ablest of Chinese Statesmen, was understood to have proceeded to Europe and America primarily in order to study this question, and that it was believed on his return he would submit a scheme of financial reform. China at the same time was pressing for the sanction of the Powers to an increase in her Import Duties and Great Britain and the United States of America had made their assent conditional on a currency reform. It appeared to me that the ever-increasing indebtedness of China to gold-using countries, together with the decrease in her revenue due to the suppression of Opium, must force her to adopt financial reforms which should satisfy the Powers whose assent was necessary to the increase in the Import Duties. The pressure of this necessity appeared to be so great and imminent as to be sufficient to overcome even the inertia and procrastination of China. Finally, the death of the Emperor and Dowager Empress, the ascendancy of His Excellency Yuan Shi-kai, the patron and friend of Tong Shao-yi, and the reputation for zeal in reform which the young Regent bore, appeared to add to the possibilities of effective action.\n\n7. In these circumstances, I was myself averse to any drastic step pending the return of Tong Shao-yi, and the settlement of the proposal made by the United States of America that a Commission should sit in Peking to discuss the conditions under which the request of China to an increase in the Import Duties might be assented to, the prominent conditions being abolition of Likin and Currency Reform. The feasibility of deferring any action regarding the redundant coin in Hongkong was increased by the fact that the discount on these subsidiary coins fell considerably in the latter half of 1908 and the earlier part of 1909, and the local complaints in consequence temporarily subsided.\n\n8. The fall of Yuan Shi-kai, the abortive result of Tong Shao-yi's mission, the ignoring of the Imperial Edicts relative to currency reform which had given ground for hope, the reactionary tendency of the policy in Peking, and the absence of any directing brain and of any central authority, all now tend to destroy the hopes hitherto entertained of any effective action on the part of China in the near future. To these unfavourable conditions on the horizon, two local conditions added force. In the latter half of 1909, the discount on Subsidiary Coins again went up, and the new Viceroy of Canton has proved himself much less amenable and friendly than his predecessor, so that any hope of action on his part unless by peremptory orders from Peking (where there exists no authority capable of issuing them) seems hopeless.\n\n9. It was therefore not unnatural that the \"Subsidiary Coin Question\" which had lain dormant for a year or so, should be revived at this juncture, and the occasion of the debate on the Annual Estimates furnished the desired opportunity. I attach for easy reference the speeches made on this occasion which refer to this subject*. The Assistant Colonial Secretary, Mr. C. Clementi, on the 9th October, 1909, submitted a proposal for my consideration. I attach it together with my comments upon it. I also attach a Memorandum by myself, dated the 22nd November, 1909.†\n\n*Bansard 1909, pp. 132-135 and 147-194.\n\n21\n\n10. I discussed the proposals contained in this latter Memorandum with Mr. J. R. M. Smith, Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, confidentially and I found him fully in support of them except as regards the measure of prohibition which is foreshadowed and which does not form a part of the scheme which would be immediately put into operation. Its advisability can be discussed later when the time arrives. My Memorandum was circulated to the Executive Council and on the 5th of January, 1910, the Council unanimously advised the adoption of the measures in so far as rehabilitation by means of purchasing Hongkong Subsidiary Coins in the open market, in the manner suggested, is concerned, and at a cost not exceeding $1,000,000. I have therefore the honour to request Your Lordship's sanction to take immediate steps to this end.\n\n11. The course therefore for which I ask Your Lordship's sanction is to purchase with a view to demonetization whatever subsidiary coin is obtainable up to an agreed date at the highest discount obtainable, and to meet the loss incurred, which it is hoped would not exceed 9% of the face value of the coins, up to a sum of say $300,000 from the Reserve Funds of the Colony. Since the operation must obviously be kept secret, it will be necessary to legalise the expenditure later (when the transaction is completed) by vote of the Legislative Council. The Treasurer recommends that the money required should be obtained by an overdraft on the Crown Agents, on the Railway Account. I anticipate that the expenditure of this sum will temporarily, at any rate, rehabilitate the Subsidiary Silver Coinage of the Colony and if it should be necessary thereafter to spend a larger sum than can be met from current Revenue, in order to maintain the local currency at par value, e.g., by undertaking further operations of the same nature when the discount had become so heavy as to minimise the loss to be incurred (as at the present moment), I will again submit proposals for meeting the cost either from further accumulations of the Reserve, or possibly by a small gold loan. I shall be glad if possible to have Your Lordship's concurrence by telegram in order to avail myself of the present very high rate of discount, and set at rest as soon as may be the present inconvenience.\n\n12. I attach copy of correspondence with His Majesty's Minister at Peking and His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton on the subject of the operations of the Canton Mint Nos. 1 to 12, 14, and 16 and I would urge that representations may continue to be made to the Chinese Government with a view to the discontinuance of the issue of Subsidiary coinage by that mint till that coinage is restored to par.\n\nThe Right Honourable,\n\nTHE EARL OF CREWE,\n\n&c. &c. &c.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\n**F. D. LUGARD, Governor, &c.**\n\n## No. 24.\n\nCopy of despatch from Secretary of State for Colonies to the Treasury. No. 5116/1910.\n\nDOWNING STREET,\n\n8th April, 1910.\n\nSIR,-I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, the accompanying copy of a despatch with enclosures from the Governor of Hongkong in which proposals are made for the rehabilitation of the Colonial subsidiary silver coinage.\n\n2. Lord Crewe would be glad to receive the observations of the Lords Commissioners upon the proposals put forward in the eleventh paragraph of Sir F. Lugard's despatch, which his Lordship is disposed to think cannot be approved.\n\n3. It appears very doubtful whether it is possible to prevent the circulation in Hongkong of Chinese subsidiary coins; and, even if it were possible, the dislocation of the trade with the Chinese provinces which would follow renders it undesirable to make the attempt.\n\n† Not printed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 441979, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2]", "page_number": 106, "title": "CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2]", "content_text": "# 105 \n\n## 24 \n\nMy Lords are of opinion, therefore, that for the present at any rate the Colony has no alternative to submitting to the inconvenience of a depreciated subsidiary currency.\n\nIf the new policy of the Chinese Government is successful the Hongkong coins will probably fall almost immediately to slightly below bullion value and then rapidly disappear from circulation both on the mainland and in the Colony, until the problem is reduced to manageable dimensions.\n\nIf on the other hand it is unsuccessful, the measures to be taken will be dependent upon the course of events in China and cannot with advantage be determined until this becomes apparent.\n\nIn the meantime, my Lords do not think that any useful purpose would be served by offering advice to the Chinese Government as to the administration of their scheme of currency reform nor indeed are they in agreement with Sir F. May's view that the restoration to face value of the existing Chinese subsidiary currency must be effected before the new coins can be successfully brought into circulation.\n\nThe law that base coin drives out good would of course operate in the manner he suggests if by law or usage the two varieties of subsidiary coin were to be admitted to concurrent circulation at the same rating. As however the scheme provides for the reduction of the rating of the old currency from face value in the first instance to present exchange value, and ultimately to bare bullion value, it is clear that (unless the operation of the edict is defeated by popular sentiment) Gresham's law will operate in the opposite direction, i.e., to encourage the substitution of the new (overvalued) coins for the old coins which will be rated at their intrinsic value only.\n\nIndeed in their Lordships' opinion the scheme is a sound one and well calculated, if firmly administered by the Central Government, to achieve success.\n\nNor do Lords think it desirable that representations should be made to the Chinese Government with respect to the coins, whether standard or subsidiary, issued by the Colony which are now circulating in China.\n\nThe Wai Wu Pu have informed His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Pekin that such coins will, when the new coinage is in circulation, be treated in accordance with the established practice of all nations.\n\nMy Lords understand this statement to mean that the circulation of such coins will be prohibited, and inasmuch as the adoption of a national system of currency discharges a treaty obligation which His Majesty's Government have pressed upon the Chinese Government they see no ground on which representations could be urged for the exceptional treatment of Hongkong coins in the Empire.\n\nThe displacement of foreign coins circulating within its territories is in their Lordships' opinion an operation which any Government is entitled to undertake, only such regard being paid to the convenience of the issuing Government as circumstances will permit.\n\nIt appears to this Board that the Government of Hongkong could not reasonably ask more than that the displacement should be spread over a series of years, and, as such a concession would in the circumstances be at best of doubtful advantage, My Lords are satisfied that the better policy will be to leave the Government of China to take its own course.\n\nMuch, however, will necessarily depend on the degree of success attending the efforts of the Chinese Government to carry out the provisions of the Edict and my Lords will therefore be glad if Mr. Secretary Harcourt will cause them to be informed from time to time of the progress of events both in the Colony and on the mainland.\n\nI am, &c., \nG. H. MURRAY.\n\n## No. 21.\n\n----23 \n\n## No. 27.\n\nCopy of despatch from Governor of Hongkong to Secretary of State for Colonies.\n\n**GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 11th January, 1911.**\n\nSIR,\n\nI have the honour to forward for your approval the enclosed Financial Minute No. 108 in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services, Redemption of Subsidiary Coins, which was recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by Legislative Council on the 29th ultimo. In explanation I enclose the `Hansard` report of my speech to the Legislative Council recommending this vote.*\n\nThe Right Honourable \nLEWIS HARCOURT, M.P., \n&c., \n&c.\n\nI have, &c., \nF. D. LUGARD, Governor, &c.\n\n### ENCLOSURE IN No. 27.\n\n#### Financial Minute.-No. 108.\n\nThe Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and fourteen thousand Dollars ($114,000) in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services, Redemption of Subsidiary Coins.\n\nGovernment House, Hongkong, 3rd December, 1910.\n\n## No. 28.\n\nCopy of despatch from Secretary of State for Colonies to Governor of Hongkong.\n\n**HONGKONG. Confidential.**\n\nDOWNING STREET, \n13th January, 1911.\n\nSTR-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch of the 20th of January last dealing with the question of the Hongkong Subsidiary Coinage. I regret that it has not been possible to answer your despatch at an earlier date.\n\nand 26.\n\n2. I now transmit to you a copy of correspondence with the Lords Commissioners of Nos. 24, 25 the Treasury, from which you will gather the views of His Majesty's Government on the matter and the reasons which led to the decision conveyed to you in my telegram of the 10th instant that I could not approve the scheme which you proposed.\n\n3. You will no doubt report further on the situation from time to time in accordance with the desire of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.\n\nTHE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE, \nCOLONIAL OFFICE.\n\n* `Hansard 1910, pages 131-132`. \n† Not printed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 445144, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 218, "title": "CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913", "content_text": "## Enclosure 3 in No. 1\n\nShanghai General Chamber of Commerce to Senior Consul.\n\nShanghai, December 12, 1912.\n\nI HAVE the honour to enclose copy of a letter addressed to the Chamber by Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co. and Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co. on the subject of the violation of the treaty existing between the British and Chinese Governments with regard to opium traffic.\n\nIt would seem from this communication that notwithstanding the treaty and the existence of a later very definite understanding between the British and Chinese Governments as to the restriction of the supply of Indian opium, the President of the new republic has deliberately ignored the agreement and has issued an edict entirely prohibiting the use of opium under very severe penalties.\n\nI have, therefore, the honour to invite your assistance in impressing on the Chinese Government through the diplomatic body in Peking the necessity of strict adherence to its treaty obligations.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**EDWARD MACKAY**, Chairman.\n\n## Enclosure 4 in No. 1\n\n### Letter from Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co. and Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co.\n\nIn order to avoid any misunderstanding in the interpretation of the agreement, the Wai-wu Pu wired in June of last year to all the provinces an explanatory telegram in which it was clearly stated: \"But if in any province the cultivation has not entirely ceased and there is still a large number of smokers, no forcible repressive measures must be taken in that province in respect of the trade in and movement of foreign and native opium.\"\n\nIn February of this year the Chekiang authorities, contrary to the terms of the above-mentioned agreement, prohibited the importation of and trade in Indian opium and enforced the closing of all the existing shops throughout the province, notwithstanding the generally known fact that the cultivation of the native drug in the province, instead of ceasing, had actually increased. Protests and representations made both to the local and central Governments have so far proved ineffective, and although the Chekiang authorities have admitted the illegality of their action, the prohibition still remains in full force.\n\nThe success of the province of Chekiang in defiantly disregarding the treaties has encouraged other provinces to follow its example, and one after another Kwangtung, Hunan, Kiangsi, and Kiangsu have closed their doors to Indian opium. The transit passes, which are issued by the Maritime Customs on payment of the consolidated duties and which are meant to entitle the opium to be transported to any part of China, with the exception of those provinces which have been closed by treaty, are now valueless, and on several recent occasions opium accompanied by such passes has either been seized, destroyed, or returned to Shanghai.\n\nThe Central Government has been advancing the plea that it had no control over the provinces who were acting contrary to its wishes. But it has recently been discovered that the Penal Code, issued in May last by the Board of Justice and approved by the President, contains clauses making the importation, purchase, sale, and smoking of opium a criminal offence punishable by penal servitude. This clearly proves that the provinces have been acting with the authority and under the instructions of the Central Government.\n\nWith the exception of the foreign settlements of Shanghai, practically all the outlets for Indian opium are now closed, and the Chamber will be able to realise the gravity of the situation when we point out that the stocks of Indian opium in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and on the way from India at present amount to about 29,000 chests, representing an approximate value of £10,000,000, and we feel that, unless an immediate and satisfactory solution of the present impasse is arrived at, a financial crisis of the gravest consequence is inevitable.\n\nWe trust, therefore, that your committee will appreciate the fact that the situation demands the Chamber's immediate attention, and we hope that strong representations will be made to the diplomatic body in Peking to forcibly impress upon the Chinese Government the necessity of fulfilling the treaty obligations.\n\nWe remain, &c.\n\n**DAVID SASSOON AND CO. (Ltd.)** \n**E. D. SASSOON AND CO.**\n\n### Messrs. D. and Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co. to Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce\n\nShanghai, December 11, 1912.\n\nWE beg to draw the attention of the Chamber of Commerce to the critical situation of the opium trade occasioned by the unlawful action of the Chinese authorities.\n\nIn order that your committee may fully understand the situation, it is necessary to give a brief résumé of the principal incidents affecting the trade since 1907. In deference to the wishes of the Chinese Government, the British Government agreed in that year to reduce annually the number of chests exported from India to China by one-tenth with a view to bringing the trade to an end in 1917, provided China would on her part reduce the cultivation of the native drug.\n\nIn 1910 the Canton authorities, in violation of the additional article to the Chefoo convention, imposed a tax of about 300 dollars per chest over and above the consolidated duty and li-kin and also harassed the trade by other illegal restrictions. After prolonged negotiations between the British and Chinese Governments, a new agreement was made, in which, in return for the increase of the consolidated duties from 110 taels to 350 taels per picul, China undertook to cause to be withdrawn all taxations and restrictions so long as the additional articles to the Chefoo convention remained in force.\n\nIn that agreement China was given the right to regulate the retail trade, but...", "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": 451439, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914", "page_number": 366, "title": "CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914", "content_text": "## \n\n3769). \n\n**COWARD, NAWKSLEY, SONS AND CHANCE**, \n\n30, MINCING LANE, \n\nE.C. \n\nC \n\n48206 \n\n360 \n\nNovember 20th 1914. \n\n`(REC REG 4 DEC14)` \n\nWe have for many years past acted as Solicitors for \nMessrs. Arnhold Karberg and Company who have carried on \nbusiness in London under that style since the year 1871. \nThey have for a still longer period had a house of business \nin Hong Kong and have also houses of business in various \nports in China, a house in New York, and, more recently, a \nhouse in Berlin. \n\nIt is right to say that at the Chinese ports they have \nbeen registered as a German firm. \n\nThe house in London has recently heard that pursuant \nto some edict of the Government German firms have been pre-\ncluded from continuing in business and Messrs. Arnhold Kar-\nberg and Company are told that their business has by order \nof the Government been transferred to Messrs. Jardine \n\n**Under Secretary of State, \nForeign Office, \nMatheson**", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 456889, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 205, "title": "CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915", "content_text": "2\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Pearce to Consul-General Sir E. Fraser.\n\nMy dear Sir Everard Fraser,\n\nShanghai, July 25, 1914.\n\nIn reply to your letter of the 17th July, I have only to say that the position of the Council as regards the retail sale of opium in the settlement was fully described in the chairman's letter to the senior consul of the 28th November, 1910, which is set out on p. 270 of the report for that year.\n\nWe feel that as long as China and the Powers allow opium to be brought into the settlement its retail sale must be supervised under license. To reduce the number of licences issued would have no effect upon the amount sold nor upon the amount consumed; the only result which I apprehend would be to confine the retail trade in the hands of fewer favoured dealers.\n\nThe stocks of foreign opium in Hong Kong and Shanghai are timed to exhaust themselves in rather less than two years, the calculation being based on the average consumption during recent months. If success attends the Chinese Government's suppression measures during this period the question will settle itself; but you have only to turn to the Kiangsu section of the Minister's despatch of the 26th May, 1913, to see how improbable it is that this will be the case. Let me quote one or two sentences to illustrate what I mean:\n\n\"The recrudescence of cultivation on a very considerable scale is indicated by nearly all the reports received from this province\"; \"Within a radius of 60 miles from Shanghai two districts were found to be full of poppy\"; \"In the unfrequented districts round Nanking many miles of poppy fields were to be seen, and in one prefecture the area under cultivation was estimated at 30 square miles.\"\n\nWith these reliable statements before us, and with the evidence of our own eyes that the poppy is being grown without check on the very borders of the settlement, we are justly sceptical as to any immediate prospect of abolition.\n\nCritics of the Council's action should grasp the fact that the blame for the failure of the abolition movement rests with the utterly untrustworthy local Chinese officials, and with the Chinese Central Government, for its failure to enforce its own conventions and decrees.\n\nYours very truly,\n\nE. C. PEARCE.\n\n3\n\nwithout, would be entirely at variance with the land regulations, and would likewise be repugnant to the tradition of fifty years.\n\nMy letter of the 4th January to the Consular Body, which is published on p. 276 of the annual report for 1909, has perhaps provided the native authorities with an indication of the view which the Council would be disposed to take of any attempt in this direction. I trust you will again be good enough to make it clear to them.\n\nNevertheless, I believe that the native authorities are aware that the Council will never shrink from proceeding with anti-opium measures, in the manner so far followed, that is to say, gradual limitation and final entire removal of all opportunity of smoking in the settlement.\n\nDuring the past three years, in addition to closing all opium divans, the licence fee for opium shops has been increased from 10 dollars as maximum and 150 dollars as minimum to 40 taels as maximum and 10 taels as minimum, at which latter rates there are at present 310 licensed shops. The Council is very willing to close these altogether, but so long as opium is imported into the settlement some cognisance must be taken of its retail sale, and it must receive its proper measure of supervision under municipal licence.\n\nThe question of importation is, I do not doubt, receiving the most skilled and careful attention which China and the foreign Governments concerned can provide, it is not a question for the Council's consideration. But I enclose a table of figures showing the net importations from 1995 to the end of the June quarter of this year, which is thought by the Council to be highly instructive, for it shows 1908 and 1909 as years of larger net importation than those preceding, while that during the December quarter of last year is the largest during five years.\n\nIn conclusion, I have the honour again to assure you of the Council's wish to take all reasonable and proper measures towards abolishing the use of opium in the settlement. To this end the Council is prepared to apply to opium shops the same procedure as was applied to divans, namely, annual reduction of the number of licences by a proportion to be agreed upon, and simultaneous increase in the licence fee to an almost prohibitive height, whereby in a definite number of years the sale of opium in the settlement may become extinct.\n\nAny other suggestion which the Consular Body consider suitable will receive the Council's attention, and provided it is in accordance with the provisions and principles of the land regulations, and is made applicable also in the French settlement, the Consular Body may rest entirely confident of its ready adoption.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nDAVID LANDALE, Chairman.\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nSir,\n\nMr. Landale to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.\n\nShanghai, November 28, 1910.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th November, transmitting a despatch from the Taotai on the subject of the application of anti-opium measures to individuals resident in the settlement.\n\nIn reply I have the honour to point out for the Taotai's information that, although the Council has recorded its intention to co-operate in the present laudable national efforts to eradicate opium smoking in China, the measures which the Council can adopt must of necessity be limited to such as are not in contravention of its principles as a foreign administration. The native procedure of personal coercion and restriction of individual freedom, involved by articles 2 and 3 of the code devised in compliance with the Imperial Edict of the 20th November, 1906, may perhaps be a practical method for the interior, and is perhaps intended to involve proper safeguard of individual rights from abuse; but I am led to the assumption that it is not, for the petition of chairman of the City Self-Government Office shows that in the city these articles have not really been enforced in their most essential point. Certain it is that the procedure indicated in these articles would prove impracticable in the foreign settlement, and, even under municipal auspices, might lead in native hands to irregularities of illimitable extent, and of a kind from which the settlement has fortunately hitherto been free.\n\nIndeed, no powers at present exist for issue of a licence to an individual smoker in the settlement; for the Council is empowered only to licence those who \"open a place for the sale of opium\" or who \"sell or vend\" the drug; while the introduction of a Chinese Government agency within settlement limits, or a system of license from\n\n(No. 78.) Sir,\n\nEnclosure 4 in No. 1.\n\nSir J. Jordan to Consul-General Sir E. Fraser.\n\nPeking, August 17, 1914.\n\nI HAVE received your despatch No. 94 of the 27th July, and I regret to observe that the chairman of the International Municipal Council does not at present see his way to assist the suggestion of a reduction of the number of opium-selling licences within the settlement.\n\nI cannot fail to note that the increased facilities of public access to retailed opium, granted by the increase of the number of licences issued by the Municipal Council, appear to be in direct contradiction to the expressed desires and intentions of the Council itself. The Council's letter to the senior consul of the 28th November, 1910, stated clearly the Council's desire to co-operate in a policy by suppression, following a scheme of gradual limitation and annual reduction of licences, and intimated that the Council was prepared to apply to opium shops the same procedure as was applied to divans.\n\nand annual reduc-\n\nThese protestations and intentions of \"gradual limitation tion\" have scarcely been justified by the Council's action, the monthly average of opium-selling licences granted by the Council within the settlement was, in 1910, 317; in 1911, 329; in 1912, 374; and in 1913, 465.\n\nI do not think that the Chinese Government's measures of suppression, or the question of their effectiveness, on which there may be room for difference of opinion,\n\n201", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 462785, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-434 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [7-8]", "page_number": 574, "title": "CO129-434 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [7-8]", "content_text": "## Article XIII \n(h) For purposes of payment of dues on goods carried by the Kowloon-Canton railway, the rate of exchange between the Haikwan Tael and local currency shall be that prevailing on the date when payment becomes due.\n\n## Article XIV \nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## Article XV \nThis agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party 6 months before date of expiry, it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give 6 months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this agreement, the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\n## Article XVI \nThe English and Chinese texts of this agreement have been carefully prepared; but in the event of there being any difference of meaning between them, the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n## Article XVII \nThis agreement shall come into force on the ... day of ... Moon of the ............ Done at ............. in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) the .......... being the ..........\n\n569 \nMaritime Customs if the seizure had taken place in China.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-434 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 463042, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-435 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1916 [9-11]", "page_number": 134, "title": "CO129-435 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1916 [9-11]", "content_text": "132 \n\n+ \n\n— \n\n# ARTICLE X.\n\nFor the better prevention of smuggling across the land frontier of the Colony, the Government of Hongkong will select, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Chinese Maritime Customs, certain ports of entry for merchandise including livestock.\n\nWhenever it is found that any merchandise or livestock has been brought across the land frontier of the Colony from China unaccompanied by proper Customs document, the Government of Hongkong will detain such goods or livestock as security for the payment of such dues and penalties as may be mutually agreed upon.\n\n## ARTICLE XI.\n\n(a) The Chinese Maritime Customs will take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into the Colony from China of intoxicating liquor, opium, compound of opium, morphine, and tobacco, and will co-operate with the Government of Hongkong in controlling the traffic in these articles by sea and by land.\n\n(b) The Hongkong Government will continue to take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into China of arms and munitions of war, and will co-operate with the Chinese Government in controlling the traffic in such articles by sea and by land.\n\n## ARTICLE XII.\n\nFor the promotion of accurate knowledge and in the interests of the Chinese revenue, the Government of Hongkong will, so far as the conditions of the free port admit of it, collect and publish statistics of imports and exports.\n\n## ARTICLE XIII.\n\nOffice and warehouse accommodation for the examination and storage of goods carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway and for the payment of duties thereon will be provided at reasonable rates by the Government of Hongkong. Such duties will be collected by the Chinese Maritime Customs under regulations to be mutually agreed upon, under the following general conditions:\n\n| Condition | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate station in British territory shall pay Customs import duty prior to departure. |\n| (b) | Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by Customs documents shall pay customs export duty prior to release. |\n| (c) | Goods leaving Kowloon by train that stops at intermediate stations in British territory and goods placed on the train at stations in British territory other than the Kowloon Station may pay duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier station at Shumchun. |\n| (d) | Goods not covered by Customs documents, which leave Shumchun for stations in British territory other than the Kowloon station, shall pay duty at Shunchun. |\n| (e) | Goods carried from any station on the British section of the railway to any station in China and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof, and such payment of import duty and transit dues (if any) shall free the goods to place of destination. |\n| (f) | Goods carried from any station in China on the railway to any station on the British section of the railway and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the Treaty Export Tariff of 1858 or future revisions thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway. |\n| (g) | It is agreed that for purposes of payment of duty on rail-borne goods to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong, the rate of exchange between the Haikuan tael and Hongkong currency shall not be at a less favourable rate than the rate in force at the Canton Custom House. |\n\n## ARTICLE XIV.\n\nIf in any application to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong a false declaration is made regarding quantity, quality, nature, or value of any dutiable goods or articles carried or intended to be carried by rail, launch, junk, or other means, the Government of Hongkong shall, upon request being made by the Chinese Maritime Customs, seize the goods or articles in respect of which such false declaration has been made and shall hold them as security for the payment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such dues and penalties as would be payable under the regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the seizure had taken place in China.\n\n## ARTICLE XV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE XVI.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties, and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry, it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement, the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\n## ARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts, the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n## ARTICLE XVIII.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ... day of ... \n\nDone at ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) the ... day of ... moon of the ... year.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-435 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1916 [9-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 465123, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 683, "title": "CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916", "content_text": "# ARTICLE X.\n\nFor the better prevention of smuggling across the land frontier of the Colony, the Government of Hongkong will select, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Chinese Maritime Customs, certain ports of entry for merchandise, including livestock.\n\nWhenever it is found that any merchandise or livestock has been brought across the land frontier of the Colony from China unaccompanied by proper Customs documents, the Government of Hongkong will detain such goods or livestock as security for the payment of such dues and penalties as may be mutually agreed upon.\n\n## ARTICLE XI.\n\n(a) The Chinese Maritime Customs will take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into the Colony from China of intoxicating liquor, opium, compound of opium, morphine, and tobacco, and will co-operate with the Government of Hongkong in controlling the traffic in these articles by sea and by land.\n\n(b) The Hongkong Government will continue to take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into China of arms and munitions of war, and will co-operate with the Chinese Government in controlling the traffic in such articles by sea and by land.\n\n## ARTICLE XII.\n\nFor the promotion of accurate knowledge and in the interests of the Chinese revenue, the Government of Hongkong will, so far as the conditions of the free port admit of it, collect and publish statistics of imports and exports.\n\n## ARTICLE XIII.\n\nOffice and warehouse accommodation for the examination and storage of goods carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway and for the payment of duties thereon will be provided at reasonable rates by the Government of Hongkong. Such duties will be collected by the Chinese Maritime Customs under regulations to be mutually agreed upon, under the following general conditions:\n\n| Condition | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate station in British territory shall pay Customs import duty prior to departure. |\n| (b) | Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by Customs documents shall pay customs export duty prior to release. |\n| (c) | Goods leaving Kowloon by train that stops at intermediate stations in British territory and goods placed on the train at stations in British territory other than the Kowloon Station may pay duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier station at Shumchun. |\n| (d) | Goods not covered by Customs documents, which leave Shumchun for stations in British territory other than the Kowloon station, shall pay duty at Shumchun. |\n| (e) | Goods carried from any station on the British section of the railway to any station in China and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof, and such payment of import duty and transit dues (if any) shall free the goods to place of destination. |\n| (f) | Goods carried from any station in China on the railway to any station on the British section of the railway and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the Treaty Export Tariff of 1858 or future revisions thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway. |\n| (g) | It is agreed that for purposes of payment of duty on rail-borne goods to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong, the rate of exchange between the Haikuan tael and Hongkong currency shall not be at a less favourable rate than the rate in force at the Canton Custom House. |\n\n## ARTICLE XIV.\n\nIf in any application to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong a false declaration is made regarding quantity, quality, nature, or value of any dutiable goods or articles carried or intended to be carried by rail, launch, junk, or other means, the Government of Hongkong shall, upon request being made by the Chinese Maritime Customs, seize the goods or articles in respect of which such false declaration has been made and shall hold them as security for the payment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such dues and penalties as would be payable under the regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the seizure had taken place in China.\n\n## ARTICLE XV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE XVI.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties, and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry, it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement, the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\n## ARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts, the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n## ARTICLE XVIII.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ...day of... Done at ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese), the ...being the...moon of the.........year.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 467624, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3]", "page_number": 394, "title": "CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3]", "content_text": "388\n\nARTICLE X.\n\nFor the better prevention of smuggling across the land frontier of the Colony, the Government of Hongkong will select, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Chinese Maritime Customs, certain ports of entry for merchandise, including livestock.\n\nWhenever it is found that any merchandise or livestock has been brought across the land frontier of the Colony from China unaccompanied by proper Customs forms, the Government of Hongkong will detain such goods or livestock as security for the payment of such dues and penalties as may be mutually agreed upon.\n\nARTICLE XI.\n\n(a) The Chinese Maritime Customs will take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into the Colony from China of intoxicating liquor, opium, compound of opium, morphine, and tobacco, and will co-operate with the Government of Hongkong in controlling the traffic in these articles by sea and by land.\n\n(b) The Hongkong Government will continue to take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into China of arms and munitions of war, and will co-operate with the Chinese Government in controlling the traffic in such articles by sea and by land.\n\nARTICLE XII.\n\nFor the promotion of accurate knowledge and in the interests of the Chinese revenue, the Government of Hongkong will, so far as the conditions of the free port admit of it, collect and publish statistics of imports and exports.\n\nARTICLE XIII.\n\nOffice and warehouse accommodation for the examination and storage of goods carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway and for the payment of duties thereon will be provided at reasonable rates by the Government of Hongkong. Such duties will be collected by the Chinese Maritime Customs under regulations to be mutually agreed upon, under the following general conditions:\n\n(a) Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate station in British territory shall pay Customs import duty prior to departure.\n\n(b) Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by Customs documents shall pay customs export duty prior to release.\n\n(c) Goods leaving Kowloon by train that stops at intermediate stations in British territory and goods placed on the train at stations in British territory other than the Kowloon Station may pay duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier station at Shumchun.\n\n(d) Goods not covered by Customs documents, which leave Shumchun for stations in British territory other than the Kowloon Station, shall pay duty at Shumchun.\n\n(e) Goods carried from any station on the British section of the railway to any station in China and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof, and such payment of import duty and transit dues (if any) shall free the goods to place of destination.\n\n(f) Goods carried from any station in China on the railway to any station on the British section of the railway and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the Treaty Export Tariff of 1858 or future revisions thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway.\n\n(g) It is agreed that for purposes of payment of duty on rail-borne goods to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong, the rate of exchange between the Haikuan tael and Hongkong currency shall not be at a less favourable rate than the rate in force at the Canton Custom House.\n\n5\n\nT\n\nARTICLE XIV.\n\nIf in any application to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong a false declaration is made regarding quantity, quality, nature, or value of any dutiable goods or articles carried or intended to be carried by rail, launch, junk, or other means, the Government of Hongkong shall, upon request being made by the Chinese Maritime Customs, seize the goods or articles in respect of which such false declaration has been made and shall hold them as security for the payment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such dues and penalties as would be payable under the regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the seizure had taken place in China.\n\nARTICLE XV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XVI.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties, and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry, it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement, the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\nARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts, the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\nARTICLE XVIII.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ...\n\nDone at ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) the ... being the ... moon of the ... day of ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 467907, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6]", "page_number": 210, "title": "CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6]", "content_text": "April 27th, 1917.]\n\nThy will: through Jesus Christ Our Lord,\n\nSt George also stands for faith in God. Our forefathers in the 13th century selected a patron saint whose guiding principle was faith in God. It was because he believed in God that he tore down unjust edicts and attacked dragons. He bore upon his banner the Cross of Christ and in every representation of him we see that.\n\nEngland in the past has had many faults, but she has at any rate at least outwardly honoured God's name. Her greatest soldiers and sailors have been men who believed in God and were not ashamed to say so. To-day I trust as a nation we are not wanting in the virtues of our Patron Saint—courage, chivalry and self-sacrifice, but I must honestly say there is not as much sign of our faith in God as there should be. I know men shrink from appearing to parade their religion. I do not ask that we should be like the Kaiser, perpetually using the name of the Deity as a sort of National God. But I do say that we cannot afford to leave God out of our national, our colonial, or our individual lives. Faith in God should be the mainspring of all our actions. If this address has a text it is Daniel xi., 32. It is the people who know their God, that is, who believe Him, who serve Him and are loyal to Him, that \"shall be strong and do exploits.\" Let us seek Him with all our hearts. Let us confess our past neglect and boldly take up His banner before the whole world.\n\nThe Bishop, in conclusion, pointed out that there were dragons to be slain besides German materialism and ambition. There were the hideous dragons of intemperance and impurity.\n\nThere was a large congregation, and the collection amounted to $328.\n\nHONGKONG SCHOOLS.\n\nLACK OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR FAMILIES OF MODERATE MEANS.\n\nA resident of Hongkong (says the N.-C. Daily News), who is on a visit to Shanghai, where he was formerly stationed, when asked how he liked the Crown Colony said that the outstanding drawback was the lack of educational facilities for the children of the man of moderate means who did not wish to send them home until they were 15 or 16 years of age. Because of this shortcoming many fathers have to live apart from their families much earlier than is the case in Shanghai. There are, we believe, three schools to which European children may be sent in Hongkong, namely, the Victoria, Kowloon and Peak schools. The first two have been in existence for a considerable time, but the Peak School was started a few years ago as a private venture by residents of the Peak who wished to keep their children in Hongkong until they were older. Government assistance was obtained for this school. All three are mixed schools. Considerable criticism has been heard of the curricula of the Victoria and Kowloon institutions, and, generally speaking, those parents who can afford to do so send their children to England to receive their education as they pass from the kindergarten to the lower forms. For the Chinese, there is a large number of schools at which a sound education is given, while students may pass on to the University. The view that Hongkong is no place for foreign children is not generally held to-day, and the time seems to have arrived for proper provision for their education.\n\nCHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.\n\nST. GEORGE.\n\nWhen Edward struck for England\n\nIn glorious days of yore,\n\nWhen men made much of honour\n\nForth fared each noble warrior\n\nTo win renown,\n\nWon on the field of war,\n\nKeen-set to break a lance\n\nFor the honour of his lady\n\nWith the chivalry of France.\n\nLoud rang above the battle\n\nFrom every gallant knight :--\n\n\"St. George for Merrie England,\n\nAnd God defend the right!\"\n\nAnd with his son full many\n\nRode out to their devoir,\n\nAmong the Spanish passes\n\nOr 'twixt Bordeaux and Loire.\n\nSt. Ives for bold du Guesclin\n\nSt. James for gallant Spain!\n\nNor were the victors honoured\n\nAbove the knightly slain.\n\nBut over other war-cries\n\nRang clear from England's might:-\n\n\"St. George for Merrie England,\n\nAnd God defend the Right.\n\nIn later days of peril,\n\nBeneath St. George's sign,\n\nAgainst the proud Armada\n\nWe set our battle-line,\n\nFrom Plymouth to the Foreland\n\nIt proudly waved o'erhead,\n\nUntil, in dire confusion,\n\nThe lofty galleons fled.\n\nArgent, a cross gules waving\n\nAbove our naval might:-\n\n\"St. George for Merrie England,\n\nAnd God defend the Right.\"\n\nAnd so was formed our Empire,\n\nFour-square on honour set,\n\nBy those whose deeds we cherish,\n\nBy those whom we forget;\n\nFor one that we remember\n\nA thousand died unknown,\n\nThe Lion Race has grown.\n\nSelf was to them as nothing\n\nIf Britain's star shone bright:-\n\n\"St. George for Merrie England,\n\nAnd God defend the right!\"\n\nMen spoke of base disunion\n\nBy envy nursed or greed.\n\nWho strikes against old England\n\nMust reckon with her breed!\n\nClass-troubles, disaffection,\n\nThat seemed so passing sore,\n\nTo loyalty stood transmuted\n\nBy the alchemy of war.\n\nAnd though the words be diff'rent,\n\nThe spirit still flames white:-\n\n\"St. George for Merrie England,\n\nAnd God defend the right!\"\n\nTo-day the battle ranges\n\nAgainst a baser foe,\n\nWhose arms are fouled with murder,\n\nWho naught of honour know.\n\nAnd many give their life-blood,\n\nWhile some may give but gold,\n\nTo keep our honour stainless\n\nAs in the days of old.\n\nStill, still shall be our war-cry\n\nIn this, our sternest fight:-\n\n\"St. George for Merrie England,\n\nAnd God defend the right!\"\n\nApril 23rd.\n\nE. W. H.\n\n208\n\n347\n\nSINO-JAPANESE AMITY.\n\nCOUNT TERAUCHI ON CHINA'S NEED OF RAILWAYS.\n\nMr. Wang Fu-wei and suite were entertained to dinner at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, recently.\n\nCount Terauchi, the Japanese Premier, in a speech, said:\" From personal observation, I am convinced that the future development of China largely depends on the services rendered by the railways.\n\nChina, with her population of 400 millions, is endowed with inexhaustible sources of wealth. The efficient utilization of such a huge supply of labour and natural resources can only be realized by the extension of the railways in China. By solving several questions, political and economic, the through service of railways will benefit not only China but also Japan, because Japan will be able to obtain a supply of cheap raw materials and extend the markets of her manufacturers. The close relations between China and Japan are traceable not only to the inhabitants of the two countries being of the same race and using the same written characters, but also to the fact that Japan in the past owed a great deal to China in the development of her literature, religion, fine arts, etc.\n\nThe two countries have now relations in which the one supplies the other's wants with what itself has in abundance, but those who should be most friendly often disagree and dispute on account of their being too intimate. It is regrettable that China and Japan shared this experience, but recently well-educated people of both countries had come to understand well their common interests: We hear on all sides a demand for increasing amity between Japan and China. This phenomenon is a matter for congratulation, for the peace of the Orient and the welfare of the two countries. Amity between China and Japan only in words and letters is of no value unless put into execution. The desire to promote and maintain friendly relations must be translated into actions. Past experience shows that when mutual relations become closer disputes may arise. Intelligent observers in both countries must try to solve them in sincerity, kindness, and friendship, that nothing be left to rankle on either side.\n\nAmicability should not be limited to the relations between China and Japan. The same must be maintained towards the United States and Canada, which would be connected with them by the through traffic. When the Japan-China through traffic was extended to the Steamship Companies on the Pacific the railways of America would be connected indirectly with the railways of China and Japan by means of the Steamship Companies. The decision passed at the present Conference was expected to bring about such an extensive result. Japan is situated in the centre of such extended traffic, and the heavier burden will fall on our shoulders, but we will consider it a great honour to be the intermediary in through traffic over such an expanded area.'\n\nBaron Goto drank the health of Mr. Wang and the guests, and Mr. Wang and the Chinese Minister, Mr. Chang, replied in appropriate terms.\n\nThe meeting was marked with cordiality, which prevailed throughout.\n\nPage 210\n\nPage 211", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 478181, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918", "page_number": 418, "title": "CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918", "content_text": "# CHLENG KAQ No. 34. Feb. 15th.\nTwo regular issues Nos. month, namely 150,000 of be Section, The list of articles includes the following:-\n- President Wilson on Amo Chinese labour in France\n- Chancellor Hertling's reply\n- Lloyd George's speech to London\n- Strikes in Austria, Threatened rupture of Russo\n- The Soul of France, Memoirs of Sir Charles Dilke\n- Bribes offered to German officials, War policy\n\n## CHLENG PAQ No. 34. Feb. 29th.\n- Kussis betrayed by Bermar\n- Chart showing results of President Wilson's reply\n- Otta Kahn on the duty of German troops in China\n- Fruitless Labour strikes in Ireland\n- Reply to objection \"England the freedom of small nations, Ireland\"\n- British Parliament discusses Versailles War Council, Ireland\n- Conscription of skilled artisans\n- Prohibition of alcohol\n- Story of escaped Belgian from u Austrian massacre of Serviens\n- General Allenby enters Jerusalem, British troops' ears for holy place\n\nThe Chinese translation of the second rock edict was distributed. THEN HUA.\n\n5000 copies of this English monthly were printed. Pamphlets sent from London were distributed, along with other pamphlets received from London.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 485929, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-465 - Public Offices & Others - 1920", "page_number": 283, "title": "CO129-465 - Public Offices & Others - 1920", "content_text": "# Laying Prostitution to Rest\nAndy believes that by the 4th of April 1897, there was a single city in China that would be free from the abhorrent practice of prostitution.\n\n## Prostitution in Hong Kong\nIn the connection with the Collection of Women & Girls, it is provided that any person who takes part in this ancient practice in selling, pledging, betting, letting out to hire, purchasing, taking in pledge, catching, or disposing of any orphan or child for the purpose of prostitution, either within or without the Colony, is guilty of a misdemeanor and liable on conviction to imprisonment up to 2 years.\n\n## Legislative Attempts\nThere have been attempts, either in the north or in the south, to deal with the question of prostitution by legislation, and it is reported that the universal practice in the matter remains unchanged throughout China.\n\n### Report from \"Random Reflections\"\nThe following quotation from \"Random Reflections\" in the *Hong Kong Weekly Press* of April 4 is of interest: \"The Chinese Chronicle states that when famine occurs, it is probably generally assumed, as in China, that selling children is an excellent expedient. Further, in the telegram from our correspondent, it is stated that 'parents were selling them and children were being sold'.\"\n\n### Edict in China\nA comment is supplied by the *Houghing Weekly Press* of 18 September on the edict in China, quoting from the *Chili, Bowen & Shantung* newspaper, saying \"parents were selling their children\".\n\n## The Trade of Child Dealers\nThe intervention is an accessory formality in marriage. There is a recognized profession for dealing in children. Professional child dealers exist, but they work underground only and are carefully watched for by the law and the community.\n\n## Conclusion\nIt is true that such practices still exist.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-465 - Public Offices & Others - 1920.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 485942, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-465 - Public Offices & Others - 1920", "page_number": 296, "title": "CO129-465 - Public Offices & Others - 1920", "content_text": "## E \n295 \n\nA mandate is issued at Peking declaring some old established practice to be illegal, it becomes \"dropped\" throughout the country. I would like to know if there is a single city in China in which that reported edict of the Republican Government has had any effect whatever on this ancient practice in China. That city would take some finding, I fancy. One never hears of that law, or order, being invoked in China. It is probably generally forgotten, like many other excellent laws and edicts in China.\n\nThe intervention of a go-between is a necessary formality in all Chinese marriage. There is no recognised profession for dealing in children. Professional child dealers do exist, but they work underground only, and are carefully watched for by the Government and the whole community.\n\nParagraph 5. True.\n\nParagraph 6. Untrue. Mr. Long promised to make enquiries. We have no evidence that he promised to \"abolish the practice\".\n\nParagraphs 7 and 8. The lady in question is Mrs. Hulsewood, who was writing letters to the local newspapers alleging the widespread existence of slavery and ill-treatment of child slaves in terms which were causing such annoyance to the Chinese Community. The Governor considered that \"if no notice was taken of this conduct on the part of an Officer's wife, there was considerable risk that the Chinese would acquire the impression that the Government regarded with favour these exaggerated and offensive attacks on their community, and that a state of ill-feeling towards the British Government would be created which would be highly undesirable, especially at the present time of unrest in ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-465 - Public Offices & Others - 1920.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 486618, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-466 - Individuals - 1920", "page_number": 297, "title": "CO129-466 - Individuals - 1920", "content_text": "# MINDER, VIC, LONDON.\n\nLORIA 9700.\n\n(3)\n\n**MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, \nST. JAMES'S PARK, \nLONDON, S.W.1.**\n\n295\n\nI understand that the custom referred to, though once common throughout China, is now forbidden by the Chinese Republic and is an offence punishable by death, and it is alleged that in consequence of this edict Hongkong is now used as a market for the whole coast of China, and that young girls are shipped by brokers from this port for distribution to the various ports in China and that such shipments are registered by British officials. I have never been in China but have had experience of other Eastern races, and can make great allowance for the mentality of people so greatly different from ourselves, but if there is anything in these allegations it seems a serious matter that Chinese British subjects should be bought and sold as slaves at this late period of our civilisation; and I shall be very grateful if you could have the matter enquired into.\n\nYours sincerely,\n\n(Over)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-466 - Individuals - 1920.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 487913, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]", "page_number": 266, "title": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]", "content_text": "## \n2 \n\nso, the work will generally be less arduous than in her parent's home and will at least earn board, lodging, and clothing, and the chance of kindly treatment will be no less than in a home where she is only a very troublesome superfluity. As she grows up, the custom is clear that the employer is supposed to assist in finding a suitable husband. When married, the girl joins her husband's family in the usual custom with no stigma of slavery upon her.\n\nThe responsibility of the employers is by no means a dead letter, though the view taken of it ranges from including proper attention to a mui tsai's education to just her fair treatment as a domestic servant, and neighbours are always ready to take more careful notice of the treatment of a mui tsai than of an own child. The custom gives obvious openings for abuse, and it is not surprising that advantage is taken of them; but the efforts to suppress malpractices and the prominence given to cases that are brought to light can very easily strain the perspective by obscuring the wide background where the system is only beneficial.\n\n## \n\nThe statement is often seen that the mui tsai custom is forbidden by law in China. The status of the real slave—no puk—was abolished during the Empire. The widening of \"no puk\" to include \"mui tsai\" appears to be a confusion of ideas amongst Europeans. The status of either is very distinct and different from that of the other in the Chinese mind, and it would be interesting to know the grounds on which the European statement rests. There may be some forgotten edict dealing with the question—if so, it has no effect on the custom, and the only practical executive effort towards the suppression of the system (as apart from its abuses), that of Chan King Wa, referred to later, claimed no legislative authority. It would be matter for surprise to learn that Chan had omitted such strong support for his case if it had been available.\n\nWith this general preliminary explanation of the position of the \"mui tsai,\" it must be borne in mind that the system, in some form or other, is common to all parts of China, and is, in fact, an almost necessary result of the conditions that obtain there. Though it may be a rich country, the vast majority of the population lives in circumstances of grinding poverty, and, even in the stage above, where a reasonable hand-to-mouth existence should be normally possible, the ever-recurring trouble of flood, drought, civil war, piracy, and robbery make the matter of a single extra mouth in the family one of life and death.\n\nThe religion of China—ancestor worship, with the duty of observing it in the hands of the male succession exclusively—at once marks the female mouths as those to be most easily dispensed with. Girls belong even to prosperous families only to the time of their marriage, when they are absorbed into the husband's families, and, among the poor, it is not a long step to anticipate the realisation of a girl's money value (including the payment which is a regular part of the marriage settlement) when circumstances make it necessary to part with her before she has reached marriageable age.\n\nAnd action of this nature by no means necessarily connotes any lack of parental affection. The life of poverty is a terrible one. An extra mouth—and extra mouths arrive in direct proportion to increased poverty—means so much less for the others, and it may be, and often is, the best that even fond parents can do for those who can be best spared to part with them by \"deed of gift\" into better circumstances, and by the same transaction to ameliorate their own condition for the time being.\n\nParents take, as a rule, such precautions as may be possible to secure proper treatment of the girls they have parted with. The question of protection for boys does not arise in the same degree. The proper custom is to keep in some kind of touch with the girls and to have a voice, or at least an interest, in their ultimate marriage, for which the new family becomes partly responsible; but the circumstances—distances, difficulties of travel, inability to write, want of postal facilities—have all combined to thin down the custom to vanishing point. In the widespread disasters and troubles of the last few years, parents would commonly send their children—even boys—away in the hope of better things. In the absence of someone from the district to take them and dispose of them, it was not difficult to find an outsider. In either case, there was little possibility of keeping in touch. The children had to be taken far away to districts which were rich enough to take them and support them; but even this was preferable to the certain death that awaited them at home. The trend of the migration, after the adjacent big cities and richer districts have been supplied, is South, to the nearer countries where emigrant Chinese have done so well, and on this journey, Hong Kong is almost bound to come into the picture as a port of call, if not as the home of many prosperous and charitable Chinese.\n\nThe charitable view of the whole question is of importance, and should not be forgotten. The actual payment of money in the transaction of the deed of gift does not shock the conscience of Chinese, as the reasons that have led to the sale of a child are always borne in mind. Abuses of the whole system and ill-treatment of mui-tsai are as much abominated by the better Chinese as by the better Europeans; but the payment of a sum of money for the deed of gift has at least a flavour of charity for its ultimate reason, and in itself and apart from its abuses is not viewed as in any way immoral or wrong. The custom covers all the best Chinese—the most Europeanised and the most thoughtful—in Hong Kong as elsewhere, and the system, generally speaking, is viewed as working for the good of the mui-tsai themselves. Their total numbers would reach a very large figure.\n\n(3/60)\n\n## \n263", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 487918, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]", "page_number": 271, "title": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]", "content_text": "## 268\n\nreal slave the widening of \"no puk\" to include \"mui tsai\" appears to be a confusion of ideas amongst Europeans. The status of either is very distinct and different from that of the other in the Chinese mind; and it would be interesting to know the grounds on which the European statement rests. There may be some forgotten edict dealing with the question if so, it has no effect on the custom: and the only practical executive effort towards the suppression of the system (as apart from its abuses) that of Chan King Wa referred to later claimed no legislative authority. It would be matter for surprise to learn that Chan had omitted such strong support for his case if it had been available. \n\n\"no puk\" was abolished during the Empire:", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489926, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 417, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**OPIUM.**\n**CONFIDENTIAL.**\n\n`F 3442/330/10`\n\n## No. 1.\n\n416\n\n[September 14.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n**Sir B. Alston to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.-(Received September 16.)**\n\nPeking, July 29, 1921.\n\n**(No. 429.) My Lord,**\n\nI HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copies of a report upon opium cultivation and traffic in Northern Manchuria, which the Inspector-General of Customs has been good enough to communicate to me. Mr. Myers's report, which appears to be based upon reliable and accurate information, indicates a state of affairs in Manchuria which is comparable to that in the worst of the opium-growing provinces.\n\nMr. Myers himself has, it will be observed, been brought to the conclusion—which is held by an increasingly large number of responsible observers in this country, and is shared, as I have reason to know, by Sir Francis Aglen himself—that the substitution of legalisation and Government control for the present ineffective prohibition offers the only immediate remedy for the condition into which China has lapsed in regard to the opium question.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n**B. ALSTON.**\n\n### Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n**The Cultivation of Opium in North Manchuria.**\n\nI BEG to submit the following report on opium cultivation in North Manchuria. The particulars which I am able to supply are very reliable, having been obtained through the medium of a keen Russian botanist who has made scientific visits to the various places, and whose information has been obtained at first hand. The report is drawn up with a special view to show the deleterious effect the cultivation and traffic have on the Customs Administration, and at the conclusion certain suggestions are made which may be worthy of some consideration.\n\n#### General Remarks\n\nThe cultivation of the poppy plant in North Manchuria dates back to the eighteenth century, long before the Chinese immigration from the south and the advent of the Russians, Japanese, and Koreans from the west and east. Twenty years ago, 10 per cent. of the total arable land—and the richest soil at that—was under poppy. The cultivation was free and was very profitable, bringing in to the farmer a revenue two or three times greater than that which he would realise if he had the same area under wheat or any other cereal. After the edict of 1908, the cultivation of the poppy ceased in many of the North Manchuria districts, and prices went up to between twenty and thirty times their original figures; the fields which still existed were scattered about in the hilly districts. The next natural step was that the cultivation of the poppy was transferred from Chinese to Russian territory by local Chinese and Koreans, the fields being cultivated right up to the frontier. Smuggling into Manchuria was a comparatively easy matter, but the favourite means of conveyance was by the railway. These conditions prevailed up to 1915, after which the cultivation of the poppy in North Manchuria again came into prominence. From 1918 up to the present, the cultivation of poppy has been carried on to an unprecedented extent.\n\n#### Centres of Poppy Cultivation\n\nThe principal poppy districts in North Manchuria are along the eastern section of the railway from Suifenho to Maoerbahan station. Round about Harbin, the soil is unfavourable for the growth of poppy. Round about Ashibo, cultivation is only carried on in the hill districts, and the same conditions occur at Macerhshan, where the poppy-fields are at a considerable distance from the station of that name. From Macerhshan to Imienpo and from Imienpo to the valley of the Mutanchiang, the poppy is cultivated on a considerable scale on the hill-sides. Poppy cultivation extends all down the Mutanchiang on the slopes of the flanking hills. The largest and richest poppy-fields are to be found round the Mutanchiong, Kho, Hsisosuifen, and Silinho, which extends to Suifenho and over the frontier to the Ussuri.\n\n`[6896 q-1]`", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489927, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 418, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## The Cultivation of Opium in North Manchuria\n\ndistrict. At Eho the poppy-fields are seen at a distance of 300 feet from the railway, but the cultivation is not confined to the sectors near the railway, as it is carried on all the surrounding hills.\n\nArea under Poppy Cultivation - As far as it is possible to estimate, the area under poppy in North Manchuria can be put down at about 30,000 acres, but this estimate must be taken as a conservative one, and probably does not include the area under cultivation on the Sungari round Fukochin, &c.\n\nThe Cultivation of the Poppy. - Near the railway, some attempts are made to conceal the growing of the poppy from inquisitive eyes, and the fields are ringed in with hemp or maize, or the plants are interspersed in the fields of maize. On the hill-sides and in river valleys, the cultivation is carried on more openly, and places protected from strong winds are selected. In the higher hills, the north-western slopes are favoured or the deep valleys. The best and most fertile soil in the district is given over to poppy cultivation, and whenever possible, virgin soil is selected, which is subsequently used for the planting of beans, &c., but the custom is to plant the poppy for some four years in succession, at the end of which period the fertility of the soil has become so diminished that the cereals which follow are of inferior sort. Occasionally, rotation is practised, the general order being beans, poppy, maize, and so on, but this is the exception. The ground for poppy is prepared in the spring or in the autumn. In autumn, as soon as the summer crop has been gathered, the land is ploughed, the roots and weeds are burnt, and the ashes are scattered over the ground; the sowing takes place about the middle of October. The spring sowing takes place in the middle of March or early in April, but on occasion, it may be deferred until the middle of May. The more hardy plants spring from the earlier sowings. The seeds are sown mostly by hand and are trodden into the prepared furrows. The autumn sowing shows signs of life in the early days of spring. The spring sowings make their appearance in May or June. When the plants are a few inches high, the rows are thinned; each plant bears from one to four blooms, the flowering period being from the end of June to the end of July. The height attained by the plant is from 60 to 150 cm., and the capsules are from 4 to 6 cm. in breadth and 3 to 4.5 cm. in length. In North Manchuria, 2-7 acres produce from 20 to 50 lb. of dry opium; in the Ussuri district, the same area produces between 30 and 120 lb.\n\nThe Harvest. As soon as the petals fall and capsules have grown to full size, the extraction of the juice takes place. The operation, which usually occupies the whole of one day, consists of four to ten incisions made two-thirds round the capsule or in a spiral manner. The juice is collected a few minutes after the incision is made, and is gathered into small oblong tins or into pots made from cow-horn, when it is dried in the sun after being placed on special waterproof paper. The raw article is then ready for the market. The capsules, after the juice has been extracted, ripen about the beginning of August, and from the seeds is extracted an oil which is used both for cooking and as a medicine.\n\nNarcotic Properties. - According to an analysis which has been made, it has been established that the opium of North Manchuria district contains 14 to 15 per cent. of morphia.\n\nOpium Adulteration. It is a common practice in North Manchuria to adulterate the opium by mixing it with bread or oil. In such cases, the percentage of morphia is reduced by one-half.\n\nEffect of Poppy Cultivation. - Putting aside the question of the effect the drug of poppy produces on the population, there is an important point which is apt to be overlooked, and that is the detrimental effect the cultivation of the poppy has on agriculture in general. It has already been pointed out above that the fertility of the ground is seriously compromised by the planting of poppy, but there are two other serious factors: the utilisation of the best agricultural country and the withdrawal of labour which could be better employed in the production of foodstuffs. The cultivation of the poppy is increasing at an alarming extent from an agricultural point of view, and the thousands of men who make their way yearly along the eastern section of the railway come there for no legitimate purpose. Great damage also is done to the bee industry which is carried on to a very large extent in the country where the poppy now grows thickest.\n\nIt is natural to ask why, with all existing laws, the cultivation of the poppy is still so extensively carried on. The answer is that the greater part of the plantations are under the direct protection of the military which is stationed along the whole length of the Chinese Eastern Railway. Every farmer who has a poppy-field has it registered by the soldiers, and in return, his field is defended from depredations by robbers. For this, the farmer pays a regular contribution which, in proportion to the marketable value of the drug to be obtained from his field, is not a very heavy tax. During the cutting season, thousands of coolies come from the south to the poppy districts, large numbers of the workmen on the railway leave their work, and desertions from the ranks are numerous. The cutting of the poppy is a lucrative occupation, and, in a land where no opium laws appear to exist, can be carried on in safety under adequate armed protection.\n\nDuring 1920, the customs officers in the North Manchurian district seized 45.00 piculs of opium raw. Accepting the estimate of 30,000 acres as the actual area under cultivation, and allowing an average of 60 lb. for every 2-7 acres, the total production of opium during one given year can be put down at a little over 5,000 piculs. This means that a very bare 1 per cent. comes into our hands as it passes through the district. To get this infinitesimal quantity, we have officers, foreign and Chinese, whose duty it is to search trains and steamers, goods and passengers' baggage for the drug. To put a blunt question, what are they doing? They are doing nothing to safeguard the revenue; the 1 per cent. of opium they seize is not going to help to any great extent towards the suppression of the opium evil, and they are wasting a great deal of Customs time which might be better employed. Further, every man who is put on opium preventive duty undergoes a period of constant temptation.\n\nAn opium dealer will go to extreme lengths if he sees an opportunity to get his opium through without confiscation, and however much one may theorise on the point that every man is paid well for his work and that he should be above receiving bribes, it is no use shutting one's eyes to plain facts of practice that there are many men of the ordinary walks of life who, honest as can be in nature, one day, in a weak moment, will succumb to temptation. I am far from accusing our officers of dishonesty: I believe that very many come through their ordeal unscathed; but I am afraid there are some who fall. The question is, What benefit does the Customs Administration derive from the placing of these men in positions of temptation? For the sake of seizing 1 per cent. or let it be even 5 per cent. of the opium produced in the district, the moral integrity of our men is being daily deliberately jeopardised. If a man falls and is found out, he is dismissed without further ado, and rightly so. But is the man entirely to blame, and is it fair to assume that because he succumbed to temptation after, very possibly, many severe trials, that he is wholly bad, and that it is he and he alone that is at fault, not the system? In all justice, it must be admitted that the system is as much to blame as any man. The evils of the opium traffic are many, but this is one side of it which affects us very nearly, and a side which opium prohibitionists are very apt to be ignorant of or to ignore. That our officers should be alert and prevent the importation of foreign opium into China, yes; but that they should act as preventive officers within the country over a traffic which they see is carried on openly and actually under military protection seems, from the point of view of an impartial observer, to be nothing more nor less than putting men on to useless work, and work which, sooner or later, tends to strain the integrity of the best. Results are barely worth considering, and a fine body of men is being systematically demoralised.\n\nIn the 1908 edict, some ten years was given for the total suppression of the opium traffic; exactly ten years after the promulgation of this edict, the production of opium in North Manchuria was greater than it had ever been before - sufficiently conclusive evidence that the methods in force were not adapted for the end desired.\n\nThe object is to stamp out opium in China, and towards this end, the Government has been paying out large sums yearly as rewards for opium seized, the amount paid out in 1920 in the Harbin district amounting to 11,600.00 Haekwan taels. So far, the results do not justify even this outlay, and it is suggested that there is a by far more effective method of dealing with the problem which, while it lasts, will be remunerative and will at the same time have a lasting result. It almost amounts to an axiom that if man is forbidden to do something, there will always be a class who will go out of its way to defy that law, especially if there is money to be made out of it, but hit that class in the pocket, and in no gentle way, and it may be safely assumed that the game will soon begin to pall, and activities will be diverted to other objects. Taking this as a fundamental principle, it may be fairly argued that to issue laws prohibiting the cultivation of poppy or the cutting down of poppy-fields is not going to prevent opium being produced. In one case, the law is defied, in the other, the law-enforcers are very apt themselves to become law-breakers by allowing themselves to be turned from the proper object of their business. Therefore, do not prohibit poppy cultivation and ...\n\nPage 3\nPage 417", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489929, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 420, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# It is not a very long time to look back to the days when anti-opium agitation was a favourite pastime with a certain section of our countrymen, and Englishmen indulged to the full the national penchant for self-depreciation. Trafficking in opium was stigmatised as an \"immoral trade.\" The helpless and innocent Chinese were said to have \"opium forced upon them.\" It was a blot on Britain's escutcheon, and a great deal of talk to the same purpose. The Chinese press, naturally, took us at our own valuation, and even went one better than our own mentors. The trade in opium was said to be a nefarious scheme to keep China poor and to rob her people of their national stamina, so that they would never be able to take the place in the community of nations that was theirs by right, and so on ad nauseam.\n\nIn May 1906 the Parliament of Great Britain passed a resolution stigmatising the opium traffic as being \"morally indefensible,\" and in September of the same year the Court in Peking issued an edict ordering the abolition of opium-smoking within ten years. In 1909 the International Opium Commission met in Shanghai and decided to give all needed assistance to China to enable her to rid herself of the incubus of opium. In 1911 an agreement was come to between the Governments of China and Great Britain, whereby the importation of opium into any of the provinces of China which could prove that they were themselves clean from the planting of the poppy was forbidden. By the end of March 1917 China declared that opium was no longer grown within her borders and the importation of Indian opium ceased. Reformers the world over held this to be, as indeed it was, a great moral achievement, and for a brief period China was in the limelight, and her action compared to that of America, in freeing the slaves or of Russia in abolishing the sale of vodka. Enthusiasts asked whether it were not possible that the most ancient of the nations was about to set a new standard of national morality.\n\n## \"3 \n\nBut, alas! how soon are the mighty fallen! It is easy to glow with high enthusiasm for a brief moment, but it is hard to have the 2 o'clock courage that sticks to its purpose when the enthusiasm has all ebbed away. The Chinese describe themselves as five-minute enthusiasts. They can make good resolutions, but have not the tenacity to see them through. They are not unlike the rest of the world in this respect. Russia abolished vodka, but the Russian peasant may bemuse himself to his heart's content to-day and nobody will... Bay \n\nAmerica freed her slaves, but, nay, though she acknowledges the negro to be a man, she will not call him a brother.\n\nWe went into the war to end war, to replace secret treaties by fair and open contracts, to make Britain a land for heroes to dwell in, and to do a dozen equally impossible things which it irks us too much even to write of. And so we rise on the crest of one wave only to sink in the trough of the next. We are enthusiasts in our youth when we see how much may be done and pessimists in our old age when we are conscious that so little has been accomplished. Happy are we if, like Galileo, we have faith to believe, in spite of all appearances to the contrary, that \"it\" moves. We must have a like faith in China's future. She is now passing through a period of reaction from the bound forward which she made at the time of the revolution, and the recrudescence of opium-smoking is only one of the symptoms of that general ataxy with which the body politic is afflicted. It would be a thousand pities if the country were allowed to slip back into the degrading habit of opium-smoking, which made China a byword amongst the nations before the purge of 1917. But one thing is worthy of note. China needed a spur to stimulate her to the exertion needed to rid the land of opium. That spur was found in the promise made by Great Britain that when China was clear of opium the importation of the drug from India should cease. Now our Government has intimated that in no circumstances will the export of opium from India to China be resumed; the spur has been removed, and the planting and smoking of opium have been very generally resumed.\n\nThere is a parallel here to which we would call attention. China is anxious that the extra-territorial rights of the Treaty Powers should be rescinded. She has been promised that when her judiciary and penal systems have been reformed, the treaties in which these rights are stipulated will be open to reconsideration. This is a powerful spur urging China forward; were those rights abrogated without the reforms which are now demanded as a preliminary to the discussion, should we not see the present reforms falter and fall as we have seen the movement for opium suppression fail before final and complete success has been attained?\n\n## 7 \n\n### (2.) The Great Wealth of Shensi\n\nRecord Harvests: Opium Fortunes: Famine Relief now spells Pauperisation.\n\nThe harvest of the Sian-fu plain this year promises to be a record one, possibly the best for thirty years. Usually a good crop yields about 8 tons to the mow, a very good one, 1 tan (10 tons), but this year, at least, south of the Wa River, farmers are assured that the mow will yield anything from 12 to 15 tons, and in very good land more than that.\n\nUnfortunately, not all the land is sown with grains, for much has been given up to opium cultivation; some districts are a veritable devil's garden, as the poppy is now in full bloom, and I have noted that, where the scarcity has been greatest, there opium is most in evidence. I am informed that one hsien alone has yielded $800,000 in opium taxes, and this is a low estimate. It must be so, as it is an open secret that only friends of the powers that be are given the coveted office of opium inspectors, as their fortunes are assured in a few days, they being bribed to declare only a fraction of the amount actually grown. Recently, thirteen carts laden with opium, gold, and silver passed from one city a little to the west to another city well known to me; this, with six women, was a present to an official in the latter.\n\n### (3.) Dust in Shanghai\n\nHas there ever been so much dust blowing about Shanghai as recently? Possibly, observant residents of long standing may be in a position to express an opinion, but, should it happen that the dust has been greater recently, it may be found to have an intimate relation to the famine conditions prevailing in the north. This, however, must not be taken as an attempt to express any scientific view; it may be nothing more than giving the imagination a little play. The view, it may be explained, originates from a paper read by Mr. Geary Gardner recently at Manchester, wherein he pointed to the cause of the famine. Deforestation in North China has led to a change in climate and consequently in soil, and he instances (as did Colonel Bruce in his book) the great stretches of loess which are encountered in the north and west, blown about by every storm which occurs, and sweeping down over once fertile regions tends to reduce them to the state of a desert. Bearing that view in mind, it is surely not an excessive effort of the imagination to suggest that Shanghai may now be suffering unduly for the same reason as the northern provinces. But, whether or not, it is safe to agree with Mr. Gardner that until afforestation on an adequate scale is put into operation the menace to China through famine will continue unabated.\n\nPage 419\nPage 420\nPage 421", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489931, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 422, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n## Enclosure 1 in No. 1.\n\n### Consul Toure to Sir B. Alston.\n\n**(No. 41.) Sir,**\n\nAmoy, July 16, 1921. I note from the Peking Government Gazette of the 7th July that the President of China has appointed one Wang Ta-chen as inspector of opium poppy cultivation for the province of Fukien.\n\nI do not know how much is known of this Wang family in Peking; but I have the honour to mention that the family is a Fukien family, hailing from Ch'uanchow, on the coast between Amoy and Foochow. Two brothers, Wang Ta-chen and Wang Ta-heng, went to Peking some few years ago to open a banking business. I am informed that Wang Ta-chen obtained a post in the Board of Revenue, and that Wang Ta-heng is the president of the Fukien Guild in Peking.\n\nAbout three months ago Wang Ta-heng arrived in Fukien, having been appointed from Peking to make an inspection of opium poppy cultivation in the province. I have seen no record of any report by Wang Ta-heng; my despatch `No. 20` of the 21st March, 1921, gave you the local position of opium cultivation. If the common talk regarding Wang Ta-heng's procedure is not wholly untrue, it would be interesting to see whatever report was rendered by Wang Ta-heng to his superiors at Peking. It is said that he made much personal profit out of his official tour; his system being to mulct the cultivators in \"hush money,\" and then to bribe the local civil and military authorities; the handsome balance then falls into the pocket of the inspector, and everybody is pleased.\n\nAn inspection of Wang Ta-heng's report, if any exists, would throw light on the truth or falsity of the current reports concerning him; but in any case the present selection of his brother as his successor in the inspection would seem particularly unsuitable.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n## OPIUM.\n\n### CONFIDENTIAL.\n\n`F 3442/330/10`\n\n## No. 1.\n\n[September 18.]\n\n### SECTION 1.\n\n#### Sir B. Alston to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.—(Received September 16.)\n\n**(No. 429.) My Lord,**\n\nPeking, July 29, 1921. I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of a report upon opium cultivation and traffic in Northern Manchuria, which the Inspector-General of Customs has been good enough to communicate to me. Mr. Myers's report, which appears to be based upon reliable and accurate information, indicates a state of affairs in Manchuria which is comparable to that in the worst of the opium-growing provinces.\n\nMr. Myers himself has, it will be observed, been brought to the conclusion—which is held by an increasingly large number of responsible observers in this country, and is shared, as I have reason to know, by Sir Francis Aglen himself—that the substitution of legalisation and Government control for the present ineffective prohibition offers the only immediate remedy for the condition into which China has lapsed in regard to the opium question.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nB. ALSTON.\n\n### (Translation.)\n\n#### Chinese Students Anti-Opium Association to Sir B. Alston.\n\nJuly 22, 1921. China's slackness in prohibiting opium has reached the extreme point, and we are all moved to shame on this account.\n\nWe have read the note sent by you to the Wai-chiao Pu the other day on the subject of trade in and cultivation of opium, giving full details; the facts are clear and cannot be denied. Our Government's one idea is to make a pretence at dealing with the matter. Owing to Wellington Koo's telegram and consequent fear that the League of Nations Committee would delegate persons to investigate with the result that present conditions would be known to the world, the Government decided itself to appoint commissioners to investigate. But there are fifteen provinces and territories in which there is opium, and they have only appointed commissioners for five of these. Their object is that if it be said \"delegates should be appointed,\" they can say \"we have appointed delegates;\" if it be said \"investigation should be carried out,\" they can say \"investigation is being carried out.\"\n\nThe five commissioners who have been appointed should have gone to their respective provinces before the opium harvest. But delay succeeds on delay, until it looks as though the investigation would only be carried out after the harvest had been completed. The citizens of China are utterly ashamed of the attitude so disclosed, and we hope that you will press home your warnings, so that perhaps the Government may yet repent.\n\nAs regards provinces other than the five for which commissioners have been appointed there is much traffic in and cultivation of opium, and they should also be closely inspected. We hope that you will not be persuaded to allow the matter to be dropped or slurred over.\n\n### Enclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n#### The Cultivation of Opium in North Manchuria.\n\nI beg to submit the following report on opium cultivation in North Manchuria. The particulars which I am able to supply are very reliable, having been obtained through the medium of a keen Russian botanist who has made scientific visits to the various places, and whose information has been obtained at first hand. The report is drawn up with a special view to show the deleterious effect the cultivation and traffic have on the Customs Administration, and at the conclusion certain suggestions are made which may be worthy of some consideration.\n\n### General Remarks.\n\nThe cultivation of the poppy plant in North Manchuria dates back to the eighteenth century, long before the Chinese immigration from the south and the advent of the Russians, Japanese, and Koreans from the west and east. Twenty years ago 10 per cent. of the total arable land—and the richest soil at that—was under poppy. The cultivation was free and was very profitable, bringing in to the farmer a revenue two or three times greater than that which he would realise if he had the same area under wheat or any other cereal. After the edict of 1908 the cultivation of the poppy ceased in many of the North Manchuria districts, and prices went up to between twenty and thirty times their original figures; the fields which still existed were scattered about in the hilly districts. The next natural step was that the cultivation of the poppy was transferred from Chinese to Russian territory by local Chinese and Koreans, the fields being cultivated right up to the frontier. Smuggling into Manchuria was a comparatively easy matter, but the favourite means of conveyance was by the railway. These conditions prevailed up to 1915, after which the cultivation of the poppy in North Manchuria again came into prominence. From 1918 up to the present the cultivation of poppy has been carried on to an unprecedented extent.\n\n### Centres of Poppy Cultivation.\n\nThe principal poppy districts in North Manchuria are along the eastern section of the railway from Suifenho to Maoerhshan station. Round about Harbin the soil is unfavourable for the growth of poppy. Round about Ashiho cultivation is only carried on in the hill districts, and the same conditions occur at Maoerhshan, where the poppy-fields are at a considerable distance from the station. From Maoerhshan to Imienpo and from Imienpo to the valley of the Mutanchiang the poppy is cultivated on a considerable scale on the hill-sides. Poppy cultivation extends all down the Mutanchiang on the slopes of the flanking hills. The largest and richest poppy-fields are to be found round the Mutanchiang, Hulin, Haiso, Suifen, and Silin-ho, which extends to Suifenho and over the frontier to the Ussuri.\n\nPage 421", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489932, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 423, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "## Opium Cultivation in North Manchuria\n\ndistrict. At Eho the poppy-fields are seen at a distance of 300 feet from the railway, but the cultivation is not confined to the sectors near the railway, as it is carried on in all the surrounding hills.\n\nArea under Poppy Cultivation - As far as it is possible to estimate, the area under poppy in North Manchuria can be put down at about 30,000 acres, but this estimate must be taken as a conservative one, and probably does not include the area under cultivation on the Sungari round Fukochin, &c.\n\nThe Cultivation of the Poppy - Near the railway, some attempts are made to conceal the growing of the poppy from inquisitive eyes, and the fields are ringed in with hemp or maize, or the plants are interspersed in the fields of maize.\n\nOn the hill-sides and in river valleys, the cultivation is carried on more openly, and places protected from strong winds are selected. In the higher hills, the north-western slopes are favoured or the deep valleys. The best and most fertile soil in the district is given over to poppy cultivation, and whenever possible, virgin soil is selected, which is subsequently used for the planting of beans, &c., but the custom is to plant the poppy for some four years in succession, at the end of which period the fertility of the soil has become so diminished that the cereals which follow are of inferior sort. Occasionally rotation is practised, the general order being beans, poppy, maize, and so on, but this is the exception. The ground for poppy is prepared in the spring or in the autumn. In autumn, as soon as the summer crop has been gathered, the land is ploughed, the roots and weeds are burnt, and the ashes are scattered over the ground; the sowing takes place about the middle of October. The spring sowing takes place in the middle of March or early in April, but on occasion, it may be deferred until the middle of May. The more hardy plants spring from the earlier sowings. The seeds are sown mostly by hand and are trodden into the prepared furrows. The autumn sowing shows signs of life in the early days of spring. The spring sowings make their appearance in May or June.\n\nWhen the plants are a few inches high, the rows are thinned; each plant bears from one to four blooms, the flowering period being from the end of June to the end of July. The height attained by the plant is from 60 to 150 cm., and the capsules are from 4 to 6 cm. in breadth and 3 to 4.5 cm. in length. In North Manchuria, 27 acres produce from 20 to 60 lb. of dry opium; in the Ussuri district, the same area produces between 30 and 120 lb.\n\nThe Harvest - As soon as the petals fall and capsules have grown to full size, the extraction of the juice takes place. The operation, which usually occupies the whole of one day, consists of four to ten incisions made two-thirds round the capsule or in a spiral manner. The juice is collected a few minutes after the incision is made, and is gathered into small oblong tins or into pots made from cow-horn, when it is dried in the sun after being placed on special waterproof paper.\n\nThe raw article is then ready for the market. The capsules, after the juice has been extracted, ripen about the beginning of August, and from the seeds is extracted an oil which is used both for cooking and as a medicine.\n\nNarcotic Properties - According to an analysis which has been made, it has been established that the opium of North Manchuria district contains 14 to 15 per cent. of morphia.\n\nOpium Adulteration - It is a common practice in North Manchuria to adulterate the opium by mixing it with bread or oil. In such cases, the percentage of morphia is reduced by one-half.\n\nEffect of Poppy Cultivation - Putting aside the question of the effect the drug of poppy produces on the population, there is an important point which is apt to be overlooked, and that is the detrimental effect the cultivation of the poppy has on agriculture in general. It has already been pointed out above that the fertility of the ground is seriously compromised by the planting of poppy, but there are two other serious factors: the utilisation of the best agricultural country and the withdrawal of labour which could be better employed in the production of foodstuffs. The cultivation of the poppy is increasing at an alarming extent from an agricultural point of view, and the thousands of men who make their way yearly along the eastern section of the railway come there for no legitimate purpose. Great damage also is done to the bee industry which is carried on to a very large extent in the country where the poppy now grows thickest.\n\nIt is natural to ask why, with all existing laws, the cultivation of the poppy is still so extensively carried on. The answer is that the greater part of the plantations are under the direct protection of the military which is stationed along the whole length of the Chinese Eastern Railway. Every farmer who has a poppy-field has it registered by the soldiers, and in return, his field is defended from depredations by robbers. The farmer pays a regular contribution which, in proportion to the marketable value of the drug to be obtained from his field, is not a very heavy tax. During the cutting season, thousands of coolies come from the south to the poppy districts, large numbers of the workmen on the railway leave their work, and desertions from the ranks are numerous. The cutting of the poppy is a lucrative occupation, and, in a land where no opium laws appear to exist, can be carried on in safety under adequate armed protection.\n\nDuring 1920, the customs officers in the North Manchurian district seized 45.00 piculs of opium raw. Accepting the estimate of 30,000 acres as the actual area under cultivation, and allowing an average of 60 lb. for every 27 acres, the total production of opium during one given year can be put down at a little over 5,000 piculs. This means that a very bare 1 per cent. comes into our hands as it passes through the district. To get this infinitesimal quantity, we have officers, foreign and Chinese, whose duty it is to search trains and steamers, goods and passengers' baggage for the drug. To put a blunt question, what are they doing? They are doing nothing to safeguard the revenue; the 1 per cent. of opium they seize is not going to help to any great extent towards the suppression of the opium evil, and they are wasting a great deal of Customs time which might be better employed. Further, every man who is put on opium preventive duty undergoes a period of constant temptation.\n\nAn opium dealer will go to extreme lengths if he sees an opportunity to get his opium through without confiscation, and however much one may theorise on the point that every man is paid well for his work and that he should be above receiving bribes, it is no use shutting one's eyes to plain facts of practice that there are many men of the ordinary walks of life who, honest as can be in nature, one day, in a weak moment, will succumb to temptation. I am far from accusing our officers of dishonesty; I believe that very many come through their ordeal unscathed; but I am afraid there are some who fall. The question is, What benefit does the Customs Administration derive from the placing of these men in positions of temptation?\n\nFor the sake of seizing 1 per cent. or let it be even 5 per cent. of the opium produced in the district, the moral integrity of our men is being daily deliberately jeopardised. If a man falls and is found out, he is dismissed without further ado, and rightly so. But is the man entirely to blame, and is it fair to assume that because he succumbed to temptation after, very possibly, many severe trials, that he is wholly bad, and that it is he and he alone that is at fault, not the system? In all justice, it must be admitted that the system is as much to blame as any man. The evils of the opium traffic are many, but this is one side of it which affects us very nearly, and a side which opium prohibitionists are very apt to be ignorant of or to ignore. That our officers should be alert and prevent the importation of foreign opium into China, yes; but that they should act as preventive officers within the country over a traffic which they see is carried on openly and actually under military protection seems, from the point of view of an impartial observer, to be nothing more nor less than putting men on to useless work, and work which, sooner or later, tends to strain the integrity of the best. The results are barely worth considering, and a fine body of men is being systematically demoralised.\n\nIn the 1908 edict, some ten years was given for the total suppression of the opium traffic; exactly ten years after the promulgation of this edict, the production of opium in North Manchuria was greater than it had ever been before - sufficiently conclusive evidence that the methods in force were not adapted for the end desired. The object is to stamp out opium in China, and towards this end, the Government has been paying out large sums yearly as rewards for opium seized, the amount paid out in 1920 in the Harbin district amounting to 11,600.00 Haekwan taels. So far, the results do not justify even this outlay, and it is suggested that there is a by far more effective method of dealing with the problem which, while it lasts, will be remunerative and will at the same time have lasting result. It almost amounts to an axiom that if it is forbidden to do something, there will always be a class who will go out of its way to defy that law, especially if there is money to be made out of it, but hit that same class in the pocket, and in no gentle way, and it may be safely assumed that the game will soon begin to pall, and activities will be diverted to other objects. Taking this as a fundamental principle, it may be fairly argued that to issue laws prohibiting the cultivation of poppy or the cutting down of poppy-fields is not going to prevent opium being produced. In one case, the law is defied, in the other, the law-enforcers are very apt themselves to become law-breakers by allowing themselves to be turned from the proper object of their business. Therefore, do not prohibit poppy cultivation and ...\n\nPage 3\nPage 422", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 489934, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 425, "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921", "content_text": "# \nIt is not a very long time to look back to the days when anti-opium agitation was a favourite pastime with a certain section of our countrymen, and Englishmen indulged to the full the national penchant for self-depreciation. Trafficking in opium was stigmatised as an \"immoral trade.\" The helpless and innocent Chinese were said to have opium forced upon them. It was a blot on Britain's escutcheon, and a great deal of talk to the same purpose. The Chinese press, naturally, took us at our own valuation, and even went one better than our own mentors. The trade in opium was said to be a nefarious scheme to keep China poor and to rob her people of their national stamina, so that they would never be able to take the place in the community of nations that was theirs by right, and so on ad nauseam. In May 1906 the Parliament of Great Britain passed a resolution stigmatising the opium traffic as being morally indefensible, and in September of the same year the Court in Peking issued an edict ordering the abolition of opium-smoking within ten years. In 1909 the International Opium Commission met in Shanghai and decided to give all needed assistance to China to enable her to rid herself of the incubus of opium.\n\nIn 1911 an agreement was come to between the Governments of China and Great Britain, whereby the importation of opium into any of the provinces of China which could prove that they were themselves clean from the planting of the poppy was forbidden. By the end of March 1917 China declared that opium was no longer grown within her borders and the importation of Indian opium ceased. Reformers the world over held this to be, as indeed it was, a great moral achievement, and for a brief period China was in the limelight, and her action compared to that of America in freeing the slaves or of Russia in abolishing the sale of vodka. Enthusiasts asked whether it were not possible that the most ancient of the nations was about to set a new standard of national morality.\n\nBut, alas, how soon are the mighty fallen! It is easy to glow with high enthusiasm for a brief moment, but it is hard to have the 2 o'clock courage that sticks to its purpose when the enthusiasm has all ebbed away. The Chinese describe themselves as five-minute enthusiasts. They can make good resolutions, but have not the tenacity to see them through. They are not unlike the rest of the world in this respect. Russia abolished vodka, but the Russian peasant may bemuse himself to his heart's content to-day and nobody will say him nay. America freed her slaves, but, though she acknowledges the negro to be a man, she will not call him a brother, went into the war to end war, to replace secret treaties by fair and open contracts, to make Britain a land for heroes to dwell in, and to do a dozen equally impossible things which it irks us too much even to write of. And so we rise on the crest of one wave only to sink in the trough of the next. We are enthusiasts in our youth when we see how much may be done and pessimists in our old age when we are conscious that so little has been accomplished. Happy are we if, like Galileo, we have faith to believe, in spite of all appearances to the contrary, that \"it\" moves. We must have a like faith in China's future. She is now passing through a bound forward which she made at the time of the revolution, and the recrudescence of period of reaction from the opium-smoking is only one of the symptoms of that general ataxy with which the body politic is afflicted. It would be a thousand pities if the country were allowed to slip back into the degrading habit of opium-smoking, which made China a byword amongst the nations before the purge of 1917. But one thing is worthy of note. China needed a spur to stimulate her to the exertion needed to rid the land of opium. That spur was found in the promise made by Great Britain that when China was clear of opium the importation of the drug from India should cease. Now our Government has intimated that in no circumstances will the export of opium from India to China be resumed; the spur has been removed, and the planting and smoking of opium have been very generally resumed.\n\nThere is a parallel here to which we would call attention. China is anxious that the extra-territorial rights of the Treaty Powers should be rescinded. She has been promised that when her judiciary and penal systems have been reformed, the treaties in which these rights are stipulated will be open to reconsideration. This is a powerful spur urging China forward; were those rights abrogated without the reforms which are now demanded as a preliminary to the discussion, should we not see the present reform falter and fall as we have seen the movement for opium suppression fail before final and complete success has been attained?\n\n## (2.) \n### The Great Wealth of Shensi\n#### Record Harvests: Opium Fortunes: Famine Relief now spells Pauperisation\n\nThe harvest of the Sian-fu plain this year promises to be a record one, possibly the best for thirty years. Usually a good crop yields about 8 tons to the mow, a very good one, 1 tan (10 ton), but this year, at least, south of the Wa River, farmers are assured that the mow will yield anything from 12 to 15 tons, and in very good land more than that.\n\nUnfortunately, not all the land is sown with grains, for much has been given up to opium cultivation; some districts are a veritable devil's garden, as the poppy is now in full bloom, and I have noted that, where the scarcity has been greatest, there opium is most in evidence. I am informed that one hsien alone has yielded 800,000 dollars in opium taxes, and this is a low estimate. It must be so, as it is an open secret that only friends of the powers that be are given the coveted office of opium inspectors, as their fortunes are assured in a few days, they being bribed to declare only a fraction of the amount actually grown. Recently, thirteen carts laden with opium, gold, and silver passed from one city a little to the west to another city well known to me; this, with six women, was a present to an official in the latter.\n\n## (3.) \n### Dust in Shanghai\n\nHas there ever been so much dust blowing about Shanghai as recently? Possibly, observant residents of longstanding may be in a position to express an opinion, but, should it happen that the dust has been greater recently, it may be found to have an intimate relation to the famine conditions prevailing in the north. This, however, must not be taken as an attempt to express any scientific view; it may be nothing more than giving the imagination a little play.\n\nThe view, it may be explained, originates from a paper read by Mr. Geary Gardner recently at Manchester, wherein he pointed to the cause of the famine. Deforestation in North China has led to a change in climate and consequently in soil, and he instances (as did Colonel Bruce in his book) the great stretches of loess which are encountered in the north and west, blown about by every storm which occurs, and sweeping down over once fertile regions tends to reduce them to the state of a desert. Bearing that view in mind, it is surely not an excessive effort of the imagination to suggest that Shanghai may now be suffering unduly for the same reason as the northern provinces. But, whether or not, it is safe to agree with Mr. Gardner that until afforestation on an adequate scale is put into operation the menace to China through famine will continue unabated.\n\nPage 424", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 491208, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921", "page_number": 201, "title": "CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921", "content_text": "801\n\n3\n\nBut olla Teðiguan Ti9..... ... BCINIjesh and I və Iorjuus\n\ntand tusz z 1. TOW u. Jua al mojavɔ *.it bne) aBbú...\n\nvilut bra viim mol vi sia (eftly gnomu pomaOD JON\n\nC\n\n.bedcube\n\nDua Blud 'Bacon aʼzoysiqno YUM NI\n\nค\n\nJ! LO 1. no buoJJE NAAT\n\nwa e duk : over yan sila\n\n8.\n\n10:\n\nEm v. 9.J\n\nรว\n\nat need aroun\n\nLL\n\n$\n\nmui, kladou nás galgbo I\n\n9. III. JaeT\n\n31 3794T\n\nA\n\nTe QianTun M ALLY ATO: SAJ 08\n\nLIIW\n\n980. A'JAYTAC Ied\n\nوفي\n\n·\n\n3\n\n199\n\nreal slave no puk\n\nthe widening of \"no puk\" to include \"mui tsai\" appears\n\nwas abolished during the Empire:\n\nto be a confusion of ideas amongst Europeans. The status of either is very distinct and different from\n\nthat of the other in the Chinese mind; and it would be\n\ninteresting to know the grounds on which the European statement rests. There may be some forgotten edict dealing with the question if so, it has no effect on\n\nthe custom: and the only practical executive effort towards the suppression of the system (as apart from its abuses) that of Chan King Wa referred to later\n\nclaimed no legislative authority. It would be matter\n\nfor surprise to learn that Chan had omitted such strong\n\nsupport for his case if it had been available.\n\n3. FARd Trejo ai moJALO\n\nhaltet forty theo nhà Bad, lie a ghibuit ui Jalans Vana pʼbien, Tod antol Inig Movano IRUVO PAS\n\nJus nequ vieva...z to agita oh it‡IĦ\n\nal siswi\n\n* mý zo goLLIGIBSON, 897 8:12\n\n309: '1\n\nT\n\nBold, udda hequr gaduumi mori\n\nW CHUTWA ZIJ 1.1 T3i jak ud Holtkaube AT VI Brnodigin: bur ; Jnavrea\n\nJuneda (15 and 15 voljor Inteza\n\n1. ayolnego uelvas (JVIA ESJTUɔ 3.1\n\n.biks mwO ALB\n\n14\n\nJud\n\n•\n\nma..\" to nauj\n\nKUVAM BOIBnimese alij has\n\nA judaan sit stede hudo pyloru shis sit\n\n1 br 32 32 3\n\nBut to audi ja mit\n\nLavt\n\nJ", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 491224, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921", "page_number": 217, "title": "CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921", "content_text": "In her employer's house the girl is set to ordinary domestic duties: she has to do no more than attend on one of the daughters of the house, or may have a full share of the work; but at least she will earn board, lodging, and clothing. And the chances of kindly treatment will be no less than in her parent's home, and the work will generally be less arduous.\n\nAs she grows up, the custom is clear that the employer is supposed to assist in finding a suitable husband: when married, the girl joins her husband's family in the usual custom, with no stigma of slavery upon her.\n\nIt is not surprising that advantage is taken of the system, but the efforts to offer malpractices and the prominence given to cases that are brought to light very easily strain the perspective by obscuring the wide background where the system is often beneficial.\n\nThe statement is often seen that the \"mui Tsai\" custom is forbidden by law in China - no edict was the real slave abolished during the Empire. The widening of \"no slave\" to include \"mui Tsai\" appears to be a confusion amongst European ideas, different from that of the Chinese.\n\nThe status of a \"mui Tsai\" is very distinct in the Chinese mind; and it would be interesting to know the grounds on which the European statement rests. There may be some edict dealing with the question; if so, it has no effect on this custom: and the only practical Executive effort towards...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 491276, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921", "page_number": 269, "title": "CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921", "content_text": "In her employer's house the girl is set to ordinary domestic duties. She may have to do no more than attend on one of the daughters of the house, or she may have a full share of the housework; but, even so, the work will generally be less arduous than in her parents' home, and will at least earn board, lodging, and clothing, and the chances of kindly treatment will be no less than in a home where she is only a very troublesome superfluity. As she grows up, the custom is clear that the employer is supposed to assist in finding a suitable husband. When married, the girl joins her husband's family in the usual custom, with no stigma of slavery upon her.\n\nThe responsibility of the employers is by no means a dead letter, though the view taken of it ranges from including proper attention to a mui tsai's education to just her fair treatment as a domestic servant, and neighbours are always ready to take more careful notice of the treatment of a mui tsai than of an own child. The custom gives obvious openings for abuse, and it is not surprising that advantage is taken of them; but the efforts to suppress malpractices and the prominence given to cases that are brought to light can very easily strain the perspective by obscuring the wide background where the system is only beneficial.\n\nThe statement is often seen that the mui tsai custom is forbidden by law in China. The status of the real slave—no puk—was abolished during the Empire. The widening of \"no puk tsai\" appears to be a confusion of ideas amongst Europeans. The status of either is very distinct and different from that of the other in the Chinese mind, and it would be interesting to know the grounds on which the European statement rests. There may be some forgotten edict dealing with the question—if so, it has no effect on the custom, and the only practical executive effort towards the suppression of the system (as apart from its abuses)—that of Chan King Wa, referred to later, claimed no legislative authority. It would be matter for surprise to learn that Chan had omitted such strong support for his case if it had been available.\n\nWith this general preliminary explanation of the position of the mui tsai, it must be borne in mind that the system, in some form or other, is common to all parts of China, and is, in fact, an almost necessary result of the conditions that obtain there. Though it may be a rich country, the vast majority of the population lives in circumstances of grinding poverty, and, even in the stage above, where a reasonable hand-to-mouth existence should be normally possible, the ever-recurring troubles of flood, drought, civil war, piracy, and robbery make the matter of a single extra mouth in the family one of life and death.\n\nThe religion of China—ancestor worship, with the duty of observing it in the hands of the male succession exclusively—at once marks the female mouths as those to be most easily dispensed with. Girls belong even to prosperous families only to the time of their marriage, when they are absorbed into the husbands' families, and, among the poor, it is not a long step to anticipate the realisation of a girl's money value (including the payment which is a regular part of the marriage settlement) when circumstances make it necessary to part with her before she has reached marriageable age.\n\nAnd action of this nature by no means necessarily connotes any lack of parental affection. The life of poverty is a terrible one. An extra mouth (and extra mouths arrive in direct proportion to increased poverty) means so much less for the others, and it may be, and often is, the best that even fond parents can do for those who can be best spared to part with them by \"deed of gift\" into better circumstances, and by the same transaction to ameliorate their own condition for the time being.\n\nParents take, as a rule, such precautions as may be possible to secure proper treatment of the girls they have parted with. The question of protection for boys does not arise in the same degree. The proper custom is to keep in some kind of touch with the girls and to have a voice, or at least an interest, in their ultimate marriage, for which the new family becomes partly responsible; but the circumstances—distances, difficulties of travel, inability to write, want of postal facilities—have all combined to thin down the custom to vanishing point. In the widespread disasters and troubles of the last few years, parents would commonly send their children—even boys—away in the hope of better things. In the absence of someone from the district to take them and dispose of them, it was not difficult to find an outsider. In either case, there was little possibility of keeping in touch. The children had to be taken far away to districts which were rich enough to take them and support them; but even this was preferable to the certain death that awaited them at home. The trend of the migration, after the adjacent big cities and richer districts have been supplied, is South, to the nearer countries where emigrant Chinese have done so well, and on this journey Hong Kong is almost bound to come into the picture as a port of call, if not as the home of many prosperous and charitable Chinese.\n\nThe charitable view of the whole question is of importance, and should not be forgotten. The actual payment of money in the transaction of the deed of gift does not shock the conscience of Chinese, as the reasons that have led to the sale of a child are always borne in mind. Abuses of the whole system and ill-treatment of mui-tsai are as much abominated by the better Chinese as by the better Europeans; but the payment of a sum of money for the deed of gift has at least a flavour of charity for its ultimate reason, and in itself and apart from its abuses is not viewed as in any way immoral or wrong. The custom covers all the best Chinese—the most Europeanised and the most thoughtful—in Hong Kong as elsewhere, and the system, generally speaking, is viewed as working for the good of the mui-tsai themselves. Their total numbers would reach a very large figure, much too big for any charitable institution or even for the\n\n266", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 492455, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]", "page_number": 385, "title": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]", "content_text": "338\n\nat far less cost from Kwang-si than from Hongkong. (The Government of Canton has, I may add, decreed the abolition of the mui-tsai system but, having regard to the results of the anti-gambling, anti-opium and anti-prostitution edicts issued by the same administration it may I think be doubted whether the number of mui-tsai employed in Kwangtung is likely to be materially diminished in consequence),\n\n+\n\nThere may be some cases of 're-sale' but I do not consider that they are likely to be numerous and I am afraid that we cannot do anything effective to prevent them.\n\nAt the worst, the girls affected will be in no worse position than they are at this moment, except for the greater protection against ill-treatment afforded by British law and, as I have repeatedly observed, cases of ill-treatment are really rare.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient humble servant,\n\n7.2. Stubbs\n\nGovernor, &c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493697, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 88, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "History of Haiphong\n\n is not found in the text, the correct header should be related to the content. Let's assume it is \"# History of Opium\" or a more specific title related to the content.\n\n# History of Opium\n\n1.75\n\n16\n\ngave increased powers in the matter of dealing with persons suspected of unlawfully trafficking in opium and as regards arresting and searching for the drug. Finally, with effect from the 1st April 1921, the Government of Burma have prohibited the sale of prepared opium. By the end of 1911-12 the numbers of Burmans registered as opium addicts (likely \"amokers\" is a typo) had fallen to 14,049, and is now 5,405. With the extinction of these there will be absolute prohibition of opium to Burmans, except for medical purposes, in the whole of Burma.\n\n## CHAPTER V\n\n## THE EXPORT OF OPIUM FROM INDIA\n\nIndia now exports no opium to China, but the old trade to China cannot be passed over in silence. Great interest attaches to its origin and growth, to the agreement for the progressive reduction of Indian exports side by side with the suppression of cultivation in China, and to the dramatic stoppage of exports by the Government of India in 1913, an action that involved Indian revenues in an annual loss of 4,000,000 sterling, and that has unfortunately entirely failed to benefit China.\n\nThe first reference to the manufacture of opium in China occurs in the 15th century, the knowledge of the drug having no doubt been introduced to the Chinese, as to the Indians, by the Arabs. When, at the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese first entered the China Seas, they found opium an important article of the trade carried on by Indian and Arab merchants.\n\nDuring the 17th century, Dutch, French, English and Danish merchants purchased Bengal opium from the Mughal Government for export, and when in the early part of the 18th century the Mughal monopoly fell into disuse, the Europeans drew their supplies from the ring of native merchants at Patna.\n\nThe establishment of a monopoly in Bengal opium by the East India Company has already been referred to. In 1775 it was decided that the monopoly should be a revenue measure for the benefit of India, and that all opium delivered at Calcutta, apart from a fixed number of chests disposed of to the Dutch, French and Danish companies, should be sold at auction for export only.\n\nImport duties on opium are entered in the Chinese trade books of the years 1589, 1615 and 1687, and in the Hoppo book of 1753. According to the historical note compiled by Dr. Edkins, of the Chinese Customs Service, in 1889, a Chinese author1 writes that \"In the Ming dynasty, 1360-1644, the pill called golden elixir came into use, and was found to be very deleterious if much was taken.\" But it was not until the practice of smoking opium began to spread throughout China that Indian opium began to be imported in large quantities. Tobacco was imported into China from the Philippines in 1620, and early in the 18th century the Chinese had progressed from the Javan and Formosan habit of smoking opium impregnated tobacco to smoking opium itself. The habit spread from China to the Shan States of Burma, and cultivation in China itself began to increase rapidly in the West.\n\nIn 1729 a severe Imperial edict was issued against opium smoking, and from that time onwards raw opium from India was often seized as contraband, though it was free to be imported as foreign medicine. More usually it was passed by the Canton mandarins on payment of a bribe, and as the same procedure continued when the Emperor in 1796 began to prohibit import, it is not surprising that the foreign merchants failed to be impressed by the reforming intentions of the Chinese Government, and indulged in smuggling on such a scale as to precipitate the conflict that was bound to occur sooner or later in view of the intense dislike of the Chinese for foreigners.\n\nBy 1790 opium smoking had reached Peking, and the demand had become so great that foreign merchants had hit on the device of paying for their purchases in opium, a ready substitute for coinage. As the demand went on increasing, the balance of trade turned against China, and silver began to flow out of the country. The Imperial Government viewed this state of affairs with alarm, and an edict was issued in 1796 prohibiting the import of opium, and referring to the drain of silver as the reason. The East India Company at once forbade any opium to be carried on their ships, though they imposed no conditions regarding the cargoes of private traders, to whom they gave licences for the China trade.\n\nThe trade in opium continued to increase, and in 1816 the Select Committee of the East India Company stated \"that the officers of Government (the Chinese Government) are never sincere in their declared intentions of suppressing illicit traffic, more particularly the trade in opium, as it is considered one of the principal advantages of their situations. While it remains notorious that the Imperial edicts for the prevention of this trade are annually issued by China with one hand while large bribes are received by the other, it can never be imagined that any new regulations are framed with a view to the injury of such a trade, or that they for one moment consider the moral habits and welfare of the people.\" The close of the East India Company's monopoly of the China trade in 1834 gave a great impulse to the trade in opium as well as in other goods. In the period 1830-35 the total...\n\n1 A compilation of tariffs, of which an interesting account is given by Dr. Edkins in his Historical Note (see Bibliography). \n\nPlease let me know if you need further assistance.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493698, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 89, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "18\n\naverage combined exports of Bengal and Malwa opium (to China and other countries) amounted to something between 20,000 and 25,000 chests a year, and the period 1835-36 to 1843-44 showed an average annual export from India of about 34,000 chests. In 1847-48 the figure had risen to 46,000 chests, two-thirds of which was Bengal, and for the three years 1852-55 the average figure was 73,000 chests. After this date there was little change for 38 years; Chinese-produced opium having begun to catch up with the demand and beginning to compete with Malwa, though not with Government Bengal opium. From 1895 onwards China produced so much opium that the Indian export figure fell steadily, until it reached the figure of 50,000 chests.\n\nIt is interesting to note that in 1830 and 1833 a Select Committee of the House of Commons examined the subject of the East India Company's China trade, affirming in 1830 that the prohibition edicts were disregarded by the Chinese people, and in 1833 approving the Indian revenue from the export of opium.\n\nIn 1836 a memorial to the Emperor from the Vice President of the Chinese Sacrificial Court begged that the trade might be legalised on a foundation of barter, as notwithstanding the fact that opium smokers were liable to be punished with transportation and death, the practice had spread through the whole Empire, and the rise in the value of silver owing to its export led to acute economic disorganisation. The memorial was concurred in by other higher officials, who also suggested that the foreign opium should be combated by relaxation of the prohibition of cultivation in China. They were clearly more concerned for silver than for morals. In fact, as Captain Elliot (the British representative) pointed out, the Chinese were far more anxious about the coast missions and the dissemination of tracts than about opium as such.\n\nA Chinese statesman had stated that Yunnan alone produced annually several thousand chests of opium, but that passed unheeded. The silver crisis had become acute, and the Chinese regarded the arrogance of the foreigners, now free traders, not under the influence of the East India Company, as intolerable. The strangers demanded diplomatic relations, contrary to \"custom\"; they were outside the law, except as regards homicide; their missionaries claimed to protect converts, and were an offence; they brought foreign women to Canton, employed native servants, and rode in sedan chairs. Conflict was inevitable, and as opium formed three-fifths of the imports, it was bound to occur over opium. A strong prohibition edict was issued in 1837, and in 1839 a strong Viceroy was sent to Canton. He seized the British representative and the Canton merchants, confiscated and burnt 20,283 chests of opium which Captain Elliot had collected and surrendered in order to save the lives of the Europeans, and in spite of Elliot's proposals for a complete abandonment of the opium trade, let loose war junks on British vessels. China had decided to teach the foreigner his place. Britain declared war in 1840.\n\n19\n\nThe history given above should prove that the war was not undertaken to force opium on China, and a few sentences from Lord Palmerston's instructions to the British representatives at the peace negotiations of 1841 show that the result of the war was not to compel China to take Indian opium: \"You will state that the admission of opium into China as an article of legal trade is not one of the demands which you have been instructed to make... It is evident that no exertions of the Chinese authorities can put down the trade... It is equally clear that it is wholly out of the power of the British Government to prevent opium from being carried to China; because even if none were grown in any part of the British territories plenty of it would be produced in other countries.\" It was, therefore, suggested that the trade should be legalised. In fact, opium was not mentioned in the Nankin Treaty, which closed the war, and remained a prohibited and flourishing business.\n\nThe war of 1857 had no connection with opium, but when at the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 (finally ratified in 1860) a new tariff was drawn up, the Chinese voluntarily legalised the trade by entering opium in the tariff at an import duty of 30 taels per picul or chest, double that on other articles, and subject to local transit duty in addition. The following extracts make the responsibility for the legalisation quite clear. Mr. Long, the Chinese Secretary to Lord Elgin's Mission, wrote to the Times on the 22nd October 1880: \"When I came to opium, I enquired what course they proposed to take in respect to it. The answer was: We have resolved to put it into the tariff as foreign medicine. I urged a moderate duty in view of the cost of collection, which was agreed to. This represents, with strict economy, the amount of extortion resorted to. The Chinese Government admitted opium as a legal article of import, not under constraint, but of their own free will deliberately. Mr. Long's statement was confirmed by Mr. Laurence Oliphant, Secretary to Elgin's Mission, in a letter to the Times on the 25th of the same month. The latter further stated: \"When we came to the article 'opium,' I informed the Commissioner that I had received instructions from Lord Elgin not to insist on the insertion of the drug in the tariff, should the Chinese Government wish to omit it.\"\n\n44\n\nIn 1885 an additional Article to the Chefoo Convention consolidated the import and transit duties into a lump sum of 100 taels per chest, payable before the opium went out of bond, with the further stipulation that foreign opium should not be subject to any taxation that was not levied on native opium.\n\nIn the negotiations preceding the Chefoo Convention, it had become clear that the Chinese Government had ceased to wish to prohibit import of opium, and had discovered the...\n\n86\n\n3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493920, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 311, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "3\n\nIn her employer's house the girl is set to ordinary domestic duties. She may have to do no more than attend on one of the daughters of the house, or she may have a full share of the housework; but, generally, the work will be less arduous than in her parents' home, and she will at least earn board, lodging, and clothing, and the chance of kindly treatment will be no less than in a home where she is not a very troublesome superfluity. As she grows up, the custom is clear that the employer is supposed to assist in finding a suitable husband. When married, the girl joins her husband's family in the usual way, with no stigma of slavery upon her.\n\nAnd action of this nature by no means necessarily connotes any lack of parental affection. The life of poverty is a terrible one, and every mouth (and extra mouths arrive in direct proportion to increased poverty) means so much less for the others, and it may be, and often is, the best that even fond parents can do for those who remain, as well as to ameliorate their own condition for the time being.\n\nThe responsibility of the employers is by no means a dead letter, and many are careful to part with them by deed of gift into better circumstances, though the view taken of it ranges from including proper attention to a mui tsai's education to just her fair treatment as a domestic servant, and neighbours are always ready to take more careful notice of the treatment of a mui tsai than of an own child. The custom gives obvious openings for abuse, and it is not surprising that advantage is taken of them; but the efforts to suppress malpractices and the prominence given to cases that are brought to light can very easily strain the perspective by obscuring the wide background where the system is only beneficial.\n\n13\n\nThe statement is often seen that the mui tsai custom is forbidden by law in China. The status of the real slave—no puk—was abolished during the Empire. The widening of \"no puk\" to include \"mui tsai\" appears to be a confusion of ideas amongst Europeans. The status of either is very distinct and different from that of the other in the Chinese mind, and it would be interesting to know the grounds on which the European statement rests. There may be some forgotten edict dealing with the question; if so, it has no effect on the custom.\n\nParents take, as a rule, such precautions as may be possible to ensure proper treatment of the girls they have parted with. The question of protection for boys does not arise in the same degree, as they have a voice, or at least an interest, in their ultimate marriage, for which the new family becomes partly responsible; but the circumstances—distances, difficulties of travel, inability to write, want of postal facilities—have all combined to thin down the custom to a vanishing point. In the widespread disasters and troubles of the last few years, parents would commonly send their children—even boys—to relatives or friends in other districts in the hope of better things. In the absence of someone from the district to take them and dispose of them, it was not difficult for an outsider to step in. In either case, there was little possibility of keeping in touch. The children had to be taken far away to districts which were rich enough to take them and support them; but even this was preferable to the certain death that awaited them at home.\n\nThe only practical executive effort towards the suppression of the system (as apart from its abuses)—that of Chan King Wa, referred to later, claimed no legislative authority. It would be a matter for surprise to learn that Chan had omitted such strong support for his case if it had been available.\n\nLL\n\nWith this general preliminary explanation of the position of the \"mui tsai,\" it must be borne in mind that the system, in some form or other, is common to all parts of China, and is, in fact, an almost necessary result of the conditions that obtain there. Though it may be a rich country, the vast majority of the population lives in circumstances of grinding poverty, and, even in the stage above, where a reasonable hand-to-mouth existence should be normally possible, the ever-recurring troubles of flood, drought, civil war, piracy, and robbery make the matter of a single extra mouth in the family one of life and death.\n\nThe religion of China—ancestor worship, with the duty of observing it in the hands of the male succession exclusively—at once marks the female mouths as those to be most easily dispensed with. Girls belong, even to prosperous families, only to the time of their marriage, and of the migration after marriage to the husband's family. The emigration to foreign countries has also led to the transfer of girls to richer districts or to countries where emigrant Chinese have done well, and on this journey, Hong Kong is almost bound to come into the picture as a port of call, if not as the home of any prosperous and charitable Chinese.\n\nThe charitable view of the whole question is of importance, and should not be forgotten. The actual payment of money in the transaction of the deed of gift does not shock the conscience of Chinese, as the reasons that have led to the sale of a child are always borne in mind. Abuses of the whole system and ill-treatment of mui-tsai are as much abominated by the better Chinese as by the better Europeans; but the payment of a sum of money for the deed of gift has at least a flavour of charity for its ultimate reason, and in itself, apart from its abuses, is not viewed as in any way immoral or wrong. The custom covers all the best Chinese—the most Europeanised and the most thoughtful—in Hong Kong as elsewhere, and the system, generally speaking, is viewed as working for the good of the mui-tsai themselves. Their total numbers would reach a very large figure, much too big for any charitable institution or even for those with more resources.\n\n307", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493944, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 335, "title": "CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922", "content_text": "5\n\ncollected and paid to the banks, and their retransfer to the purpose for which they were assigned is only a matter of a book entry. These revenues will, moreover, probably be increased precisely in 1922 by the raising of the customs dues to make them yield an effective 5 per cent. (at present they yield less).\n\nAs regards the other Powers, their financial difficulties may make them less inclined to be unnecessarily generous than they would have been in 1919, when the impoverishment caused by the war was still largely obscured by inflation. There are reasons which cannot be quoted here for thinking that the Japanese Government are not anxious to forgo their share of the indemnity, and are afraid of being forced into doing so by concessions to China on the part of His Majesty's Government. The attitude of the United States Government, whose share is, in any case, comparatively small, may be more largely swayed by sentimental and idealistic considerations than that of the other Powers, who may therefore decide upon a common attitude, irrespective of whether they are joined in it by the United States Government.\n\nA telegram from His Majesty's Minister at Peking of the 4th August, 1921, suggests that the remission of the indemnity might be considered for educational purposes under proper guarantees, but Sir B. Alston is of opinion that if the matter is raised at the Washington Conference we should be prepared to make it clear to the Chinese delegation at the outset that the question of remitting the indemnity can only be usefully discussed with representatives of a united and stable Government which is ready to accept the degree of foreign assistance which recent events have proved to be essential. The existing Chinese Government have shown themselves too utterly incompetent and insincere in dealing with the financial situation, opium and the question of the disbandment of troops to be allowed any increased power without proper control. It appears, therefore, that Sir B. Alston is opposed to the remission of the indemnity as a gift, but thinks it might be considered as part of a bargain in which we should secure the education of Chinese on British lines and a greater degree of efficiency in Chinese administration.\n\nForeign Office, October 10, 1921.\n\nF 1408/179/10\n\nAPPENDIX I.\n\nMemorandum on the Control of Chinese Maritime Customs Funds by the Diplomatic Body at Peking and Payment of the Boxer Indemnity Service.\n\nSINCE 1912 the revenue derived by China from her Maritime Customs has been under the control of the foreign Powers, acting through their representatives at Peking. The reasons for this apparently anomalous state of affairs will be shown later, but, before going further, some account of the origin of the Chinese Maritime Customs may be useful, and some explanation of the circumstances in which that service came to be administered by foreign nationals serving under the Chinese Government.\n\nOrigin of the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\n2. British trade with China may be said to date from 1670, when the British East India Company established a footing at Amoy and in Formosa. In 1685 an Imperial edict was issued, opening all the ports of China to foreign trade, but this was rescinded in 1757, when another Imperial edict appeared, confining all foreign trade to Canton.\n\n3. In 1702 a Chinese official, known as the \"Hoppo,\" was appointed to act as the sole channel through whom the foreign merchants must conduct their trade. Under him was established, a few years later, an institution known as the \"Co-hong,\" composed of a body of thirteen Chinese merchants enjoying a monopoly of all trade with foreign firms.\n\n4. The foreigners at Canton were confined to so-called \"factories\" (thirteen in number), and all their dealings with China had to pass through the \"Co-hong.\" They were subject to a system of irritating regulations and restrictions; for instance, any arms of any kind must be brought to the factories, foreign traders must not engage Chinese servants, they must not row for pleasure on the river, &c.\n\n5. There ensued continual friction between the foreign community and the local Chinese officials, and eventually conditions reached breaking-point. With the appointment as Imperial High Commissioner at Canton of the high-handed Lin Tse-su, in December 1839, matters came to a head. The ostensible cause of dispute was the opium trade, in which Lin, after only eight days in office, prohibited all foreigners from indulging under severe penalties. But the real cause of the war that broke out was not the opium question, but the intolerable position of foreign merchants under the existing régime.\n\n6. The war ended in the Treaty of Nanking (1842), which opened Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo and Shanghai to foreign trade and residence, abolished the monopoly of the \"Co-hong\" and did away with other irritating restrictions; it also stipulated for a published customs tariff. This was the first step toward the formation of a recognised Chinese Maritime Customs service.\n\nIntroduction of Foreigners into Maritime Customs Service.\n\n7. During the Taiping rebellion the city of Shanghai fell into the hands of the rebels, and though the neutrality of the foreign settlement was declared and maintained, the Chinese Government, having lost control, were unable themselves to enforce collection of the customs duties to which they were now entitled by treaty. There had, moreover, been the inevitable difficulties inseparable from any attempt by native customs officials to enforce tariff regulations upon foreign traders unaccustomed to comply with Chinese official requirements. The upshot of all these difficulties was a proposal by the consuls of the countries concerned of a modus vivendi in 1854, under which the foreign element was first introduced into the Chinese Maritime Customs. On the nomination of the Consuls—British, French and American—three foreign inspectors of customs were appointed at Shanghai by the Tao-tai. They were M. Arthur Smith (French), Mr. Lewis Carr (American) and Mr. (later Sir Thomas) Wade (British). Each inspector received a salary from the Chinese Government of 6,000 dollars.\n\n8. The success of the new institution was immediate, in spite of a certain friction that arose from time to time with the foreign merchants, and the desire was soon general to extend the system to the other treaty ports.\n\nPage 330", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 498791, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924", "page_number": 462, "title": "CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924", "content_text": "## LU 459\n\nGovernment were committed to the policy of the Opium Convention and it was impossible now to re-open the question of the desirability or otherwise of opium smoking. As to the possibility of further measures for the suppression of opium smoking, this was a matter on which the Government desired to have the advice of experts. Mr. Fletcher represented one expert view. What had Sir James Jamieson to say?\n\nNo one\n\nSir James Jamieson said that he was an advocate of absolute prohibition. His 38 years' experience of China had convinced him that it was possible. The Chinese Government had, by edict, much to his surprise, been successful in totally suppressing opium smoking, and it was only the present disturbed state of the country which had brought about the recent recrudescence. He could maintain that the present deplorable state of China was but temporary, and when ordered Government returned, it was to be expected that opium smoking would discontinue.\n\nThe younger generation of Chinese looked upon opium smoking in the same way as the abuse of alcohol was viewed in this country. He would point out that the life of the Chinaman now was not what it used to be. There were several alternative methods of recreation open to him. His nights were now not, as heretofore, spent in the dark; he had electric light, and by this, could play games, gamble, or read. He had innumerable picture palaces to go to. The British should go into this matter with clean hands. It was impossible to face Macao or Indo-China whilst they permitted, and what was more, received revenue from, opium smoking. He did not believe that Chinese opinion would be hostile to prohibition of opium smoking in Hong Kong.\n\nSir Malcolm Delevingne enquired what, in fact, was the value to the Hong Kong Government of the Hong Kong system. The Hong Kong Government admitted that it did not stop smuggling, that as much smuggled opium was being smoked in Hong Kong at the present time as Government opium, and that the revenue derived from it was not...\n\n## Page 92", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 501830, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 76, "title": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "28\n\n29\n\nProvincial Officials are to be held responsible that the officer guilty of the illegal action shall be severely punished and removed from his post.\n\nIf the complaint turns out to be without foundation complainant shall be held responsible for the expenses of the investigation.\n\nHis Britannic Majesty's Minister will have the right to demand investigation where from the evidence before him he is satisfied that illegal exactions or obstructions have occurred,\n\nChangsha, Wanhsien, Ngunking, Waichow, and Kongmoon to be Opened to Trade.\n\nSec. 12. The Chinese Government agree to open to foreign trade, on the same footing as the places opened to foreign trade by the Treaties of Nanking and Tien-tsin, the following places, namely:-\n\nChangsha in Hunan; Wanhsien in Szechuen: Nganking in Anhui;\n\nWaichow (Hui-chow) in Kuangtung; and Kongmoon (Chiang-mên) in Kuangtung.\n\nForeigners residing in these Open Ports are to observe the Municipal and Police Regulations on the same footing as Chinese residents, and they are not to be entitled to establish Municipalities and Police of their own within the limits of these Treaty Ports except with the consent of the Chinese authorities.\n\nIf this Article does not come into operation the right to demand under it the opening of these ports, with the exception of Kongmoon, which is provided for in Article 10, shall lapse.\n\nConditions and Date on which this Arrangement is to come into force. Sec. 13-Subject to the provisions of Section 14, the arrangements provided for in this Article are to come into force on the 1st January, 1904.\n\nBy that date all li-kin barriers should be removed and officials employed in the collection of taxes and dues prohibited by this Article shall be removed from their posts.\n\nSec. 14 The condition on which the Chinese Government enter into the present engagement is that all Powers entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in China enter into the same engagements as Great Britain with regard to the payment of surtaxes and other obligations imposed by this Article on His Britannic Majesty's Government and subjects.\n\nThe conditions on which His Britannic Majesty's Government enter into the present engagement are:-\n\n(1.) That all Powers who are now or who may hereafter become entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in China enter into the same engagements;\n\n(2.) And that their assent is neither directly nor indirectly made dependent on the granting by China of any political concession, or of any exclusive commercial concession.\n\nSec. 15. Should the Powers entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment by China have failed to agree to enter into the engagements undertaken by Great Britain under this Article by the 1st January, 1904. then the provisions of the Article shall only come into force when all the Powers have signified their acceptance of these engagements.\n\nImperial Edict announcing Abolition of Li-kin.\n\nSec. 16. When the abolition of li-kin and other forms of internal taxation on goods as provided for in this Article has been decided upon and sanctioned, an Imperial Edict shall be published in due form on yellow paper and circulated, setting forth the abolition of all li-kin taxation, li-kin barriers and all descriptions of internal taxation on goods, except as provided for in this Article.\n\nThe Edict shall state that the Provincial High Officials are responsible that any official disregarding the letter or spirit of its injunction shall be severely punished and removed from his post.\n\nTreaty between Japan and China of October 8, 1903.\n\nARTICLE 1.\n\nSurtax in lieu of Li-kin,\n\nWhereas China, with the object of reforming its fiscal system, proposes to levy a surtax in excess of the tariff rates on all goods passing through the custom-houses, whether maritime or inland and frontier, in order to compensate in a measure for the loss incurred by the complete abolition of li-kin, Japan consents to pay the same surtax as is agreed upon between China and all the Treaty Powers.\n\nProduction Tax, Consumption Tax, and Excise. Native Opium and Salt. With regard to the production tax, consumption tax and excise, and the taxes on native opium and salt, leviable by China, Japan also consents to accept the same arrangements as are agreed upon between all the Treaty Powers and China.\n\nReservation,\n\nIt is understood, however, that the commerce, rights and privileges of Japan shall not, on account of the above, be placed at any disadvantage as compared with the commerce, rights and privileges of other Powers.\n\nTreaty between the United States and Ching of October 8, 1903.\n\nARTICLE 4.\n\nAbolition of Li-kin.\n\nThe Chinese Government, recognising that the existing system of levying dues on goods in transit, and especially the system of taxation known as li-kin, impedes the free circulation of commodities to the general injury of trade, hereby undertakes to abandon the levy of li-kin and all other transit dues throughout the Empire, and to abolish the offices, stations, and barriers maintained for their collection, and not to establish other offices for levying dues on goods in transit. It is clearly understood that, after the offices, stations, and barriers for taxing goods in transit have been abolished, no attempt shall be made to re-establish them in any form or under any pretext whatsoever.\n\nSurtax in lieu of Li-kin.\n\nThe Government of the United States, in return, consents to allow a surtax, in excess of the Tariff rates for the time being in force, to be imposed on foreign goods imported by citizens of the United States, and in Chinese produce destined for export abroad or coastwise. It is clearly understood that in no case shall the surtax on foreign imports exceed one and one-half times the import duty leviable in terms of the Final Protocol signed by China and the Powers on the 7th day of September, A.D. 1901; that the payment of the import duty and surtax shall secure for foreign imports, whether in the hands of Chinese or foreigners, in original packages or otherwise, complete immunity from all other taxation, examination, or delay; that the total amount of taxation, inclusive of the Tariff export duty, leviable on native produce for export abroad shall, under no circumstances, exceed 7 per cent. ad valorem.\n\nRight of China to Levy Taxes.\n\nNothing in this Article is intended to interfere with the inherent right of China to levy such other taxes as are not in conflict with its provisions.\n\nKeeping these fundamental principles in view, the High Contracting Parties have agreed upon the following method of procedure :-\n\nLi-kin Barriers. Native Customs Offices.\n\nThe Chinese Government undertake that all offices, stations, and barriers of whatsoever kind for collecting li-kin duties, or such like dues on goods in transit, shall be permanently abolished on all roads, railways, and waterways in the nineteen\n\n74", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 501831, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 77, "title": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925", "content_text": "30\n\nprovinces of China and the three Eastern Provinces. This provision does not apply to the Native Customs offices at present in existence on the seaboard, at open ports where there are offices of the Imperial Maritime Customs, and on the land frontiers of China embracing the nineteen provinces and the three Eastern Provinces.\n\nWherever there are offices of the Imperial Maritime Customs, or wherever such may be hereafter placed, Native Customs offices may also be established, as well as at any point on the seaboard or land frontiers.\n\nSpecial Surtax on Foreign Imported Goods.\n\nThe Government of the United States agrees that foreign goods on importation, in addition to the effective 5 per cent. import duty as provided for in the Protocol of 1901, shall pay a special surtax of one and one-half times the amount of the said duty to compensate for the abolition of li-kin, of other transit dues besides li-kin, and of all other taxation on foreign goods, and in consideration of the other reforms provided for in this article.\n\nExport Tariff. Surtax.\n\nThe Chinese Government may recast the foreign export Tariff with specific duties, as far as practicable, on a scale not exceeding 5 per cent. ad valorem; but existing export duties shall not be raised until at least six months' notice has been given. In cases where existing export duties are above 5 per cent., they shall be reduced to not more than that rate. An additional special surtax of one-half the export duty payable for the time being, in lieu of internal taxation of all kinds, may be levied at the place of original shipment or at the time of export on goods exported either to foreign countries or coastwise.\n\nCertificate for Foreign Goods similar to Native.\n\nForeign goods which bear a similarity to native goods shall be furnished by the customs officers, if required by the owner, with a protective certificate for each package, on the payment of import duty and surtax, to prevent the risk of any dispute in the interior.\n\nTrade in Junks.\n\nNative goods brought by junks to open ports, if intended for local consumption, irrespective of the nationality of the owner of the goods, shall be reported at the Native Customs offices only, to be dealt with according to the fiscal Regulations of the Chinese Government.\n\nMachine-made Products of Foreign Type.\n\nMachine-made cotton yarn and cloth manufactured in China, whether by foreigners at the open ports or by Chinese anywhere in China, shall, as regards taxation, be on a footing of perfect equality. Such goods, upon payment of the taxes thereon, shall be granted a rebate of the import duty, and of two-thirds of the import surtax paid on the cotton used in their manufacture, if it has been imported from abroad, and of all duties paid thereon if it be Chinese-grown cotton. They shall also be free of export duty, coast-trade duty, and export surtax. The same principle and procedure shall be applied to all other products of foreign type turned out by machinery in China.\n\nSupervision of Native Customs by Members of the Maritime Customs Foreign Staff. A member or members of the Imperial Maritime Customs foreign staff shall be selected by the Governors-General and Governors of each of the various provinces of the Empire for their respective provinces, and appointed, in consultation with the Inspector-General of Imperial Maritime Customs, for duty in connection with Native Customs affairs to have a general supervision of their working.\n\nComplaints.\n\nCases where illegal action is complained of by citizens of the United States shall be promptly investigated by an officer of the Chinese Government of sufficiently high rank, in conjunction with an officer of the United States Government, and an officer\n\n31\n\nof the Imperial Maritime Customs, each of sufficient standing; and, in the event of it being found by the investigating officers that the complaint is well founded and loss has been incurred, due compensation shall be paid through the Imperial Maritime Customs. The high provincial officials shall be held responsible that the officer guilty of the illegal action shall be severely punished and removed from his post. If the complaint is shown to be frivolous or malicious, the complainant shall be held responsible for the expenses of the investigation.\n\nDate of Coming into Effect of this Article.\n\nWhen the ratifications of this Treaty shall have been exchanged by the High Contracting Parties hereto, and the provisions of this Article shall have been accepted by the Powers having Treaties with China, then a date shall be agreed upon when the provisions of this Article shall take effect, and an Imperial Edict shall be published in due form on yellow paper and circulated throughout the Empire of China setting forth the abolition of all li-kin taxation, duties on goods in transit, offices, stations, and barriers for collecting the same, and of all descriptions of internal taxation on foreign goods, and the imposition of the surtax on the import of foreign goods and on the export of native goods, and the other fiscal changes and reforms provided for in this Article, all of which shall take effect from the said date. The Edict shall state that the provincial high officials are responsible that any official disregarding the letter or the spirit of its injunction shall be severely punished and removed from his post.\n\nANNEX (D.)\n\n(Conditions for Abolition of Li-kin.)\n\nExtract from Minutes of 18th Meeting of Pacific and Far Eastern Committee.\n\nM. SARRAUT said that he would ask to be enlightened with respect to the first article, especially with respect to the phrase \"and other Powers which adhere to this convention, to prepare the way for the speedy abolition of li-kin and for the fulfilment of the other conditions laid down in article 8 of the treaty of the 5th September, 1902, between Great Britain and China, in articles 4 and 5 of the treaty of the 8th October, 1903, between the United States and China, and in article 1 of the supplementary treaty of the 8th October, 1903, between Japan and China, with a view to levying the surtaxes provided in those articles.\"\n\nM. Sarraut said he believed that there had been certain changes from the first text prepared by M. Kammerer, in that special reference had been made to articles 4 and 5 of the treaty between the United States and China, and to article 1 of the supplementary treaty between Japan and China. These precisions had not been made in the original text. Referring to the text of these treaties, M. Sarraut said he would like to ask the following question: \"Was it the intention of the articles, as drafted, to oblige all nations to bind themselves by the terms of the most-favoured-nation clause, or was this done by error?\" If an automatic application of the most-favoured-nation clause was intended, he must make a reservation, as his own Government might not agree. He believed that it would be better to omit the clauses referring to the most-favoured-nation clause, or to say that it was not desired to apply them automatically.\n\nMR. ROOT said the treaties referred to in article I were the same treaties which were referred to in the original report of the committee on Chinese revenue. The only difference was that this draft specified the particular articles of those treaties which were supposed to be relevant to the subject matter of this instrument. It was rather to limit than to enlarge the reference in the original report, and the conditions which were referred to in article 1 were the conditions upon which the Powers entering into these treaties with China undertook to consent to the increase of duties. te, they agreed to consent to an increase of duties on condition that China did thus and so. No conditions were imposed upon any other Power, so that he would say that no obligation whatsoever could be found in this article upon any of the Powers\n\n75\n\n2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 505495, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 217, "title": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926", "content_text": "214\n\nJan\n\n:: -\n\nI\n\nite ..\n\n10 void of miss alert\n\n29. A ci su çiimas858:1\n\n.wra\n\neit se polad dmt ster fol\n\ntestan f\n\n**\n\n1.\n\nan ddinyal art\n\nS.\n\nsade\n\n** 84:\n\nrelis er luns a\n\nAftroles lo\n\ncil og ret modulie Japone optel a losscien\n\nTOAJ\n\n+\n\nszardnaelo od zi dheneverqui\n\neldarot tempo ɔa c3 blsa ai ytic\n\nMA TAURORA SAS DE LO..c cicatas need\n\n19:20 me wol to Josqser en KTOR\n\nwa metreû to JIS and mi rave)\n\n.(eonaVILLOC Snowyer? Tu ers\n\nu ylevoirodo, er dyrene #22\n\nUW 129 but on jamaika siid neisew of trese *19.95£iq 21 øvej minah Jane sea of tíuottik at di betheus Innllorans as niutei a od víʻmierq 1 lume valg oð við mavi ed Eiwow quisyıtmavo ulcim sad\n\nIn al sterit won nevā\n\nitar inestas bns yoɛziganes Yo y‡ifidiumdq pilotezwa prav en Ila svad sfaio2110 digiḍ\n\n4.\n\nIn any European country it is inconceivable that a huge strike involving scores of thousands of workers could continue indefinitely. But the Chinese are notorious for the dogged persistence with which they wage this kind of warfare. The great majority of the labourers have gone to their homes and have either found fresh employment or will be maintained by the family circle until such time as their return is permitted by the strikers' Committee.\n\nIf the statement of this Committee is to be relied on, the number of labourers involved in the strike is over 200,000, of whom a fifth are maintained out of the Committee's strike funds. Many are trained and drilled for special work as strike pickets. Heavy toll is demanded from Chinese who attempt to circumvent the edicts of the Strike Committee, and a careful watch is maintained both on water and land. Europeans from Shameen may go into the City without much danger, but they are required to provide themselves with passes issued from strike headquarters and are liable to be searched and interrogated by the strike pickets.\n\nApparently the boycott is well financed. The Canton Government is suspected of contributing towards expenses, but there are several external sources of revenue.\n\nLarge sums have been subscribed by Chinese overseas; foreign vessels which come to Canton to load or unload cargo have to pay heavily for the privilege; also merchandise has to submit to the payment to the Strike Committee of dues of unknown and varying amounts over and above the fixed import and export duties determined by treaties and collected by the Maritime Customs officials. This policy of penalising non-British shipping is exceedingly short-sighted, but the desire to ruin the commercial importance...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 507243, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-499-5 Canton situation- governor's despatches 11-3-1927 - 11-3-1927", "page_number": 96, "title": "CO129-499-5 Canton situation- governor's despatches 11-3-1927 - 11-3-1927", "content_text": "# ENCLOSURE No. 5\nExtract from Hong Kong Telegraph, 3/5/27.\n\n## 96\n### NANKING EDICT.\n#### A PROCLAMATION BY \n#### CHIANG KAI-SHEK.\n#### \"WAR ON IMPERIALISM.\"\n\nThe following is the text of a proclamation by General Chiang Kai-shek's new government at Nanking:-\n\nAt the present time when the revolution of the people is taking a rapid development, and when the people are hoping eagerly for the complete realization of the aims of the revolution, the Nationalist Government; in accordance with the wish of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and with the opinion of the majority of members of the Kuomintang, and also based on the resolution of the Central Execution Committee, was formally moved from Wuchang to Nanking on April 18, 1927. The reasons for this measure are obvious. From the points of view of the general welfare of the Party, of political expediency, of military strategy, and of geographical convenience, Nanking occupies a much more important position than Wuchang.\n\n### Foreign Troops Pilloried.\n\nIn the midst of the wave of revived imperialism, made still more dangerous to the Nationalist movement of China through such instrumentalities as foreign troops, compradores, etc., coupled with the destructive machinations of the Communist Party which have proved disastrous to the revolutionary cause the responsibility of the Nationalist Government has become more extensive and heavy. But at this critical moment there is, as has always been, one course of action open to the Government, and that is continually to follow the principles laid down by Dr. Sun and to execute the policies of the Party.\n\n### Way to the New World.\n\nOn the one hand, while the Government is bringing all the nation's revolutionary elements under the Party's Three People's Principle, so as to make concerted action possible, on the other hand, it aims at the up-rooting of all foreign imperialism, militarism, and other anti-revolutionary movements. The convening of a People's Congress, the abrogation of unequal treaties, and the execution of the Three People's Principle and the other matters which the Government is striving to bring about within the shortest possible period. In order to enable China to become an independent nation, and the Chinese to become a free people possessing a government, for the people, of the people and by the people, the Three People's Principle will necessarily have to be carried out in full. It is not only China's sole means of salvation, but also the way to a new world.\n\n### The Anti-Revolutionaries.\n\nThe Government, therefore, seeks the thorough execution of this principle and cannot but regard those opposed to it as well as those opposed to the Nationalist Movement with the purpose of creating class distinctions, as anti-revolutionary. The Government has faithfully pledged itself to the principles laid down by Dr. Sun, to the preservation of the Party, and to the salvation of China, and has assumed the full responsibility of putting an end to all obstacles to the complete realization of its policies.\n\nSuch revolutionary principles are: first, a close co-operation between the people and the army; secondly, the establishment of an honest and clean Government; thirdly, the promoting and protecting of China's industries, and fourthly, the consolidating of organized agriculture and labour and assistance in its extension. These are the declared policies of the Nationalist Government which will be carried out accordingly.\n\n### Destroy \"Imperialism\" from Abroad.\n\nThe Government, therefore, calls upon its military commanders, leaders, and the whole nation to purge the territory now under its jurisdiction of all anti-revolutionists in order to solidify its organization, to unify law and to maintain order, to unite in one with the express purpose of carrying out the Three People's Principle under the direction of the Party. Those opposed to the principle must be extinguished and the misguided elements set right, so that the malevolents have no excuse for being anti-revolutionary and the misguided may be brought to their proper places.\n\nLet the Three People's Principle be the guiding principle of the Government for a new world. Let it pave the way. Make this Government the real government of the people. May the strength of the Revolutionary army destroy imperialism from abroad and do away with militarism and anti-revolutionists at home. May the Nationalist Government in the shortest possible time accomplish this mighty task.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-499-5 Canton situation- governor's despatches 11-3-1927 - 11-3-1927.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 509117, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927", "page_number": 43, "title": "CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927", "content_text": "## 2. Russian policy in the Far East is clearly to concentrate attack in the first instance on Great Britain alone and if successful to attack thereafter other \"Imperialist\" Powers. Bolshevism is a militant adamant doctrine and is spreading in Southern China with consequential labour disorganisation. Until red Russians are eliminated from South, normal and friendly relations between ourselves and nationalist Government cannot be restored. This elimination should be the principal aim of British policy in China and it is imperative that if coercive measures are used against South Russian steamships should be excluded from West River and Yangtze and be prevented from supplying South with munitions of war.\n\n## 3. As regards Japanese attitude see A. Peking telegram to Foreign Office No.47 of January 7th reporting that Japanese Minister was sure that we should all be driven to using force sooner or later and hankered after joint action by ourselves, Japan, France, and America. At this interview, the questions of blockade of Yangtze and Canton was touched upon. B. Shanghai telegram to Peking No.22 of January 17th repeated to the Foreign Office concerning discussion between Barton and the Japanese Consul at Shanghai as to the use of force. C. Peking telegram to the Foreign Office 112 of January 18th reporting further discussion with the Japanese Minister as to the use of force.\n\nAn entente with Japan would be invaluable.\n\n## 4. In Boxer year, authorities of Kwangtung, Kuangsi, Anhui, Chekiang, Kiangsu, Hunan, Hupei, and Shantung deliberately disobeyed imperial edict from Peking ordering extermination of foreigners. Thus, middle and South China stood aloof from war in the North. Under the present circumstances, Northern militarists who are actually at war with the South would...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 509604, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-502-8 China- general situation 27-4-1927 - 15-9-1927", "page_number": 107, "title": "CO129-502-8 China- general situation 27-4-1927 - 15-9-1927", "content_text": "-7. \n\nContrary lesson is taught by recent history. \n\nIn the Boxer Year, 1900, the authorities of \nthe Kuang-tung, Kuang-si, An-hui, Che-kiang, \nKiang-su, Hunan, Hupeh, and Shantung provinces deliberately disobeyed an imperial edict from Peking ordering the extermination of foreigners. \nThus, middle and South China stood aloof from the \nwar in the north. Under present circumstances, \nthe Northern militarists, who are actually at \nwar with the South, would probably welcome tacitly (if not openly) a blockade by us of \ntheir enemies. They have themselves often \nthreatened such a blockade. It is significant \nalso that, as recently as last month, the Nanking \nGovernment should have welcomed any sanctions the Powers might decide to apply at Hankow. It is \nunlikely, therefore, that blockade or other \ncoercive measures taken by us against the South would unite the North and South against us. Patriotism as understood in Europe does not yet \nexist in China, and the lack of cohesion between \nthe North and the South is amply illustrated in Chinese history.\n\n(5) \"Assuming a state of war \n... Mukden railway\". \n\nThere is at present no question of blockading \nChina as a whole, and we do not doubt that a \nregional blockade, such as that of Canton, can be", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-502-8 China- general situation 27-4-1927 - 15-9-1927.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 512630, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-507-2 China- protection of Anglo-Chinese 11-11-1927 - 23-11-1928", "page_number": 105, "title": "CO129-507-2 China- protection of Anglo-Chinese 11-11-1927 - 23-11-1928", "content_text": "113\n\n16\n\nTo Colonial Office,\n\nSeptember 16, 1911. (Confidential Print 11426, No. 11.)\n\nColonial Office, September 30, 1911. (Confidential Print 11426, No. 12.)\n\nremained exactly as it had always been, with the exception that provincial officials contesting the claims of foreign consuls were able to appeal to an authoritative statement of the law of China as set out in the terms of an Imperial Edict (see Appendix I, case No. 17). The immediate effect was that His Majesty's Government reverted to the view abandoned in 1903 that an agreement would have to be negotiated with the Chinese Government. Instructions were accordingly sent to Sir John Jordan in October 1911 to suggest to the Chinese Government, whenever a favourable opportunity should arise, the appointment of a joint commission by Great Britain and China to examine the whole question and draw up recommendations for the consideration of the two Governments. But, as in the period 26, 1911. (Conf. 1886-1903, an opportune moment for opening negotiations with the Chinese Government has not yet arrived.\n\nTo Sir John Jordan, October\n\ndential Print 11426, No. 13.)\n\nSir J. Jordan to Sir F. Campbell, February 19, 1911. (Confidential Print 11426, No. 5.)\n\nSir A. Johnstone, April 19, 1911.\n\nAugust 30, 1911. Sir J. Jordan, August 24, 1911. (Confidential Print 11426, Nos. 7, 9 and 10.)\n\nSir B. Alston,\n\nCC\n\n25. The Netherlands Government, who were faced with a similar problem to our own, found little difficulty in negotiating a modus vivendi with the Chinese Government, which is said to have worked smoothly ever since. Early in 1911 Sir J. Jordan reported that the Chinese were extremely anxious to obtain the right of establishing consulates in the Dutch Possessions, and the Netherlands Government promised to entertain the request on the condition that an understanding was reached with regard to the treatment in China of Dutch subjects of Chinese descent. Sir John Jordan suggested that we might watch the result of the Dutch negotiations before entering into negotiations ourselves. The Consular Convention between Holland and China was duly concluded on the 8th May, 1911. An exchange of notes appended to the Convention provided that any doubts which might arise with regard to the words \"Chinese subjects\" and \"Netherlands subjects\" in the text should be settled in accordance with the laws obtaining in those possessions or colonies. Nothing more was reported, however, as to the negotiations in regard to Dutch Chinese in China, and it was only 11 years later that the Foreign Office learned that the Consular Convention had been followed by the negotiation of a modus vivendi on the 20th June, 1911. A copy of this document will be found in Appendix III. Under this arrangement,\" reported the Minister in 1922 lists of Dutch subjects of Chinese origin residing in China are regularly furnished by the Dutch consuls to the Chinese authorities. I am informed by my Netherlands colleague that this arrangement has on the whole worked satisfactorily ever since. In the event of a Dutch subject of Chinese origin arriving in China and failing to register within the prescribed period of three months, he is, it appears, simply disowned by the Dutch authorities. But if he is registered and his name then duly communicated to the Chinese authorities, the latter apparently recognise him as a foreign national.\" As regards the qualifications which entitled a person of Chinese origin to Dutch nationality under this arrangement, the apposite clause of a law, dated the 10th February, 1910, regulating the status as Netherlands subjects of the population of the Dutch East Indies, provided that persons born in the Dutch East Indies of parents settled there were Netherlands subjects. The law further provided that the status of Netherlands subject was lost, in the event of sojourn in a foreign country, by omitting to give notice to a Netherlands consular officer in that country within three months after arriving, and in case of continued sojourn by omitting to repeat that notice within the first three months of every calendar year. The status of Netherlands subject thus lost could only be reacquired by settling in Netherlands-India.\n\n1922.\n\nNo. 374, June 27, [T9093/593/10.]\n\n26. The British position, unfortunately, owing to a fresh series of misconceptions, went from bad to worse. In 1914, when the Governor of Hong Kong desired to expel \"undesirables\" from the Colony, he was prevented from doing so by the fact that many of them had been registered as British subjects in China, though, of course, they had not been provided with the certificates prescribed in the 1904 instructions. How this arose is explained in paragraph 21 (5). When the question was examined, however, the circumstances in which these instructions had been issued were No. 174, June 17, apparently entirely forgotten. The Order in Council laid down that British subjects arriving in China must register themselves at a British\n\nTo Sir J. Jordan,\n\n1914.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-507-2 China- protection of Anglo-Chinese 11-11-1927 - 23-11-1928.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 517694, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929", "page_number": 95, "title": "CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929", "content_text": "## GIRL SLAVES FREED. HONG KONG EDICT.\n\nHONG KONG, Thursday.\n\nThe Hong Kong Government has notified the Muitsai or girl slaves in the Crown Colony that they are free to return to their parents, and their employers have been warned not to hinder their departure.-Central News.\n\nThe Muitsai question has been raised internationally on many occasions, and some months ago the British Government made an order prohibiting Muitsai. Just before the House of Commons was prorogued the Government was asked when it proposed to enforce the order. In China there are millions of children working under terrible conditions. The law recognises the right of a parent to sell his offspring into slavery. The kidnapping of children for sale as slaves is still carried on.\n\nat East Depe CR 627580 Attach to Musical mani file Daily Telegraph. 95 24/5729 27 \n\n... \nStron... \nA... \nI think... \nnonsinor is for... \ntum. But it might be... \nwrath while as th. D. J. in astray... \ncuffate of the fort. for M. \"Paint to girls bouch with... \nKak all these cabres... \n\nappearing in the Daily Telegraph 244 15-... \nIt is depressing to have... \nSuch... \nпоиника... \nin... \nгиван...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 517783, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929", "page_number": 184, "title": "CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929", "content_text": "186 \n\nbeen defrayed through the generosity of Dr. Ma Luk, to whom our hearty thanks are due.\n\nNot in Vain.\n\nThis advertising of our cause and appeal to the public has not been in vain, and has carried its weight wonderfully. From time to time we have received reports from complainants calling for our help, and in response we have never failed to come to their assistance. Among these we may mention those who have been freed and returned to the custody of their parents without being required to give a refund to their masters or mistresses. These are the daughter of Poon Fung Lin, the daughter of Mrs. Kan, and Lau Choi-ying. There have been some cases in which the mistresses tried to demand big sums of money as redemption from the mui tsai's parents, and through the Society's influence they promised to give up their demands, when some institution intervened with arbitration, making the parents pay half the redemption; these being the cases of So Cheuk-Kiu, Li Hung, and Tse Sham-koo. This was, of course, much against our will and purpose, which always aims at complete emancipation by acting on the Government's instructions without paying any redemption, or any part of it, by the parents.\n\nVery often reports of cruelty had been found true and confirmed by inquiries made by the Society, but the detectives sent by the authorities to make the necessary enquiry would return with contrary reports and entirely different stories. With a view to overcoming this difficulty, however, the committee of the society has approached the Government to get permission to allow our English secretary to go together with the detectives to make enquiry into any case dealt with by the Society, so that the real state of affairs may be investigated and a true and reliable report be made. But whether this step of procedure will be approved still remains to be seen.\n\nSupport Needed.\n\nMeanwhile, should any case of cruelty occur, our committee would have no right to interfere and investigate unless the case should also come to the notice of the police authorities. At a meeting of the committee last month, a resolution was unanimously passed that the Government be approached again in order to enforce the registration of mui tsai, so that present ones might be given safe protection, while the sale of innocent daughters as slave girls might also discontinue. This is what we have done so far in furthering our cause, and we now enlist your support and assistance.\n\nAs to the financial standing of the society, it is by no means sound as its income depends largely on subscriptions from its members. Some time ago we started to collect the subscription for this year, but the results were poor and rather disheartening. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ma Luk and Mrs. Fung Heung-chuen, our efforts were rewarded, for they each donated $50 to the Society's funds. The expenditure of the Society is rather small, since we have only to pay for advertisements, printing, and some stationery. However, the work of the Society is decidedly burdensome, and it is up to you to see it through; therefore whether we can achieve our object of getting rid of this inveterate social evil depends on how you will respond to the appeal voiced by us now.\n\nThe Discussion.\n\nThe chairman invited discussion on the proposals he had outlined in his opening address in regard to the registration of both mui-tsai and adopted daughters.\n\nA member said that they should enforce registration through a penalty clause and he pointed out that such had been overlooked in the proposals. He suggested that failure to register within the prescribed period of six months be penalised by a heavy fine, to be followed by the giving of complete freedom to the girls without such consideration as compensation to the owner.\n\nAnother member said that much effective work could be accomplished by personal investigation as in the case of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He discovered a similarity in the work of the two Societies with the exception that theirs had the greater claim to official backing, in the fact that it was a human being whose life's burden they were seeking to lighten. The authorities had displayed a praiseworthy attitude when they co-operated with members of the S.P.C.A. in these personal investigations. He recalled that quite recently, lady members of that Society went round to the various bird-shops in the town to look into cases of cruelty and that they were on that occasion accompanied by a police officer. If the same procedure was adopted in their own case, and members of the Anti-Mui-tsai Society were allowed to accompany a police officer in order to investigate fully a report of cruelty, much of the objectionable features to which reference was made by the Chairman in his speech would cease.\n\nElection of Committee.\n\nAfter further discussion it was agreed to incorporate this suggestion as well as the one for a penalty clause, in the main body of proposals. In their revised form, the proposals were then put to the meeting and passed, the meeting giving full powers to the Executive Committee to present them at the proper time before the authorities.\n\nThe revised Articles of Constitution of the Society, which had been in the hands of members for some time, were also passed.\n\nThe election of members of the Executive Committee was then proceeded with, and some 30 members were appointed. The Chairman proposed the appointment of Mr. J.D. Bush as Hon. English Secretary. The post was a responsible one, and Mr. A.G. Anderson, who recently resigned from it owing to pressure of business, deserved the thanks of the Society for the able manner in which he had filled it. Mr. J.D. Bush was unanimously appointed Hon. English Secretary, and Mr. Ngan, Hon. Chinese Secretary.\n\nBefore the meeting terminated, the Chairman said it was their unanimous hope that the aims of the Society would soon be realised, and he urged the newly-elected members of the Committee to do their best to bring this about. The mui-tsai system had existed in their midst as an evil. It was always condemned and put out of the law by the Chinese Nationalist Government in a recent edict and he hoped that the Government of this colony, which had been responsible for many beneficial reforms, would not be long in falling into line and dealing with a practice which admittedly had many evils.\n\n28", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-514-2 Mui Tsai system- suggested regulations and possible abolition 9-1-1929 - 16-5-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 519283, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929", "page_number": 75, "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929", "content_text": "## ARTICLE XI\n\n(a) The Chinese Maritime Customs will take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into the Colony from China of intoxicating liquor, opium, compound of opium, morphine, and tobacco and will co-operate with the Government of Hongkong in controlling the traffic in these articles by sea and by land.\n\n(b) The Hongkong Government will continue to take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into China of arms and munitions of war, and will co-operate with the Chinese Government in controlling the traffic in such articles by sea and by land.\n\n## ARTICLE XII\n\nFor the promotion of accurate knowledge and in the interests of the Chinese revenue the Government of Hongkong will, so far as the conditions of the free port admit of it, collect and publish statistics of imports and exports.\n\n## ARTICLE XIII\n\nOffice and warehouse accommodation for the examination and storage of goods carried by the Kowloon-Canton Railway and for the payment of duties thereon will be provided at reasonable rates by the Government of Hongkong. Such duties will be collected by the Chinese Maritime Customs under regulations to be mutually agreed upon, under the following general conditions:\n\n| Condition | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate station in British territory shall pay Customs import duty prior to departure. |\n| (b) | Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by Customs documents shall pay Customs export duty prior to release. |\n| (c) | Goods leaving Kowloon by train that stops at intermediate stations in British territory and goods placed on the train at stations in British territory other than the Kowloon Station may pay duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier station at Shumchun. |\n| (d) | Goods not covered by Customs documents, which leave Shumchun for stations in British territory other than the Kowloon Station, shall pay duty at Shumchun. |\n| (e) | Goods carried from any station on the British section of the railway to any station in China and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof, and such payment of import duty and transit dues (if any) shall free the goods to place of destination. |\n| (f) | Goods carried from any station in China on the railway to any station on the British section of the railway and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the Treaty Export Tariff of 1858, or future revisions thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway. |\n| (g) | It is agreed that for purposes of payment of duty on rail-borne goods to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong the rate of exchange between the Haikuan tael and Hongkong currency shall not be at a less favourable rate than the rate in force at the Canton Custom House. |\n\n## ARTICLE XIV\n\nIf in any application to the Chinese Maritime Customs in Hongkong a false declaration is made regarding quantity, quality, nature, or value of any dutiable goods or articles carried or intended to be carried by rail, launch, junk, or other means, the Government of Hongkong shall, upon request being made by the Chinese Maritime Customs, seize the goods or articles in respect of which such false declaration has been made and shall hold them as security for the payment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such dues and penalties as would be payable under the regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the seizure had taken place in China.\n\n## ARTICLE XV\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE XVI\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\n## ARTICLE XVII\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n76", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 519343, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929", "page_number": 135, "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929", "content_text": "# ARTICLE XVI.\n\nThe costs of any legal proceedings instituted by the Hong Kong Government for the purposes of this agreement, if not recovered from the defendant or by sale of the vessel or goods in question, shall be paid to the Hong Kong Government by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\n## ARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE XVII.\n\nAll costs of seizures of goods, livestock, or vessels, actually incurred by the Hong Kong Government under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be paid to the Hong Kong Government by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\n## ARTICLE XVIII.\n\nAll goods, livestock, or vessels, seized by the Hong Kong Government under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall forthwith be transferred to the Chinese Maritime Customs for safe custody, to be held by the Chinese Maritime Customs at the disposal of the Hong Kong Government pending the decision of the case.\n\nAs between the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese Maritime Customs, the cost of any loss or damage incurred during such period of safe custody shall be borne by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\n## ARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall continue to be British, and shall be a person acceptable to the Hong Kong Government.\n\n## ARTICLE XXIII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n## ARTICLE XIX.\n\nNothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right of the Hong Kong Government to make on its own account and behalf any seizure authorised by the law of the Colony and to detain and deal with any goods, livestock or vessels so seized as may be required or authorised by such law.\n\n## ARTICLE XXIV.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ...\n\n## ARTICLE XX.\n\nThe salaries of revenue officers specially engaged by the Hong Kong Government for whole time duty with the Chinese Maritime Customs, for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within Hong Kong territory on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong Kong Government. Such revenue officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted. Services performed by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nDone at ... in Chinese) the ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies being the ... day of ... moon of the ... \n\n142 \nPage 142", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 519517, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929", "page_number": 44, "title": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929", "content_text": "# ARTICLE XVIII.\n\nAll seizures by the Hong Kong Government under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs shall forthwith be transferred to the Chinese Maritime Customs for safe custody, to be held by the Chinese Maritime Customs at the disposal of the Hong Kong Government pending the decision of the case. As between the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese Maritime Customs, the cost of any loss, damage or expense incurred during such period of safe custody shall be borne by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\n# ARTICLE XIX.\n\nNothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right of the Hong Kong Government to make on its own account and behalf seizures of any description authorised by the law of the Colony and to detain and deal with any thing so seized as may be required or authorised by such law.\n\n# ARTICLE XX.\n\nThe cost to the Hong Kong Government of maintaining a service of revenue officers for whole time duty with the Chinese Maritime Customs for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within the Colony on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, including the cost of leave, passages, pensions and compensation for injury, shall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong Kong Government. Such revenue officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted. Services performed by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\n# ARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n# ARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall continue to be British, and shall be a person acceptable to the Hong Kong Government.\n\n# ARTICLE XXIII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n# ARTICLE XXIV.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ...\n\n## SCHEDULE.\n\nDone at ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) the ... day of ... moon of the ...\n\n48", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 519530, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929", "page_number": 57, "title": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929", "content_text": "## ARTICLE XXI\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n## ARTICLE XXII\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall continue to be British, and shall be a person acceptable to the Hong Kong Government.\n\n## ARTICLE XX\nThe cost to the Hong Kong Government of maintaining a service of revenue officers for whole time duty with the Chinese Maritime Customs for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within the Colony on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, including the cost of leave, passages, pensions and compensation for injury, shall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong Kong Government. Such revenue officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted. Services performed by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\n## ARTICLE XXIII\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n## ARTICLE XXIV\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ... day of ... moon of the ...\n\nDone at ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) the ...\n\n## SCHEDULE", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 519750, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-518-1 Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong 28-6-1929 - 3-1-1930", "page_number": 20, "title": "CO129-518-1 Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong 28-6-1929 - 3-1-1930", "content_text": "20 \n\nwould be bound to react unfavourably upon the interests of \nthe British Company in China. \n\nThe solution he suggested, which might, under pressure, \nbe accepted by the Chinese Government was that the terminal \nstation should be removed to the frontier and that the line \nfrom there to Kowloon should be worked by the Eastern \nExtension Company but that nothing should be done to \ninterfere with the office in Hong Kong. \n\nIn the meantime negotiations had been opened for the \nconstruction of a new line of telegraphs by the Chinese to \nfollow the route of the new Canton-Kowloon Railway and the \nmatter was again dropped pending consideration of the new \nproposals. \n\n**Imperial Edict** of January 2, 1911, the whole of the \nofficially managed telegraph system was taken over by the \nChinese Government and placed under the control of the **Chinese \nBoard of Communications**. It may be mentioned in this \nconnection that the Telegraph Companies further tied themselves \nto the Chinese Government by an agreement under which they \nprovided a gold loan of £500,000 for the purpose of reorganising \nand improving the telegraph services. An additional article \nto the agreement, virtually granting to the companies a \nmonopoly of telegraph enterprises in China till 1930 was \nwitnessed by His Majesty's Minister at Peking on behalf of \nHis Majesty's Government. \n\nThe **Imperial Edict** was the signal for a renewed protest \nfrom the Hong Kong Government and it was urged that immediate \nsteps should be taken on the lines previously proposed. \n\nBriefly.\n\nPage 20\nPage 21", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-518-1 Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong 28-6-1929 - 3-1-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 520068, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "page_number": 41, "title": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "content_text": "# \nI regret to say that we have not succeeded in influencing the Government to put through the registration of mui-tsai with the proper authorities, and consequently this cursed system has not yet been wiped out from the community. Reports of cruelty and ill-treatment to mui-tsai are no less often heard than before. As our attempt failed at the eradication of this evil, we have now directed our efforts to cope with it by way of diminishing the individual cases of cruelty. We have advertised in two vernacular papers to the effect that all suppressed mui-tsai who have been badly treated by their masters or mistresses may appeal to this Society and make the complaint to the Chairman, who would then bring their grievances before the Government and have them redressed. The complainants may state their names and addresses, which the Society will undertake to keep confidential. At this juncture, I have the pleasure to mention that the expenses involved in such advertising for the whole year have been defrayed through the generosity of Dr. Ma Luk, to whom our hearty thanks are due.\n\nNot in Vain.\n\nThis advertising of our cause and appeal to the public has not been in vain, and has carried its weight wonderfully. From time to time we have received reports from complainants calling for our help, and in response we have never failed to come to their assistance. Among these we may mention those who have been freed and returned to the custody of their parents without being required to give a refund to their masters or mistresses. These are the daughter of Poon Fung Lin, the daughter of Mrs. Kan, and Lau Choi-ying. There have been some cases in which the mistresses tried to demand big sums of money as redemption from the mui-tsai's parents, and through the Society's influence they promised to give up their demands, when some institution intervened with arbitration, making the parents pay half the redemption; these being the cases of So Cheuk-Kiu, Li Hung, and Tae Sham-koo. This was, of course, much against our will and purpose, which always aims at complete emancipation by acting on the Government's instructions without paying any redemption, or any part of it, by the parents.\n\nVery often reports of cruelty had been found true and confirmed by inquiries made by the Society, but the detectives sent by the authorities to make the necessary enquiry would return with contrary reports and entirely different stories. With a view to overcoming this difficulty, however, the committee of the Society has approached the Government to get permission to allow our English secretary to go together with the detectives to make enquiry into any case dealt with by the Society, so that the real state of affairs may be investigated and a true and reliable report be made. But whether this step of procedure will be approved still remains to be seen.\n\nSupport Needed.\n\nMeanwhile, should any case of cruelty occur, our committee would have no right to interfere and investigate unless the case should also come to the notice of the police authorities. At a meeting of the committee last month, a resolution was unanimously passed that the Government be approached again in order to enforce the registration of mui-tsai, so that present ones might be given safe protection, while the sale of innocent daughters as slave girls might also discontinue. This is what we have done so far in furthering our cause, and we now enlist your support and assistance.\n\nThe financial standing of the Society is by no means sound as its income depends largely on subscriptions from its members. Some time ago we started to collect the subscription for this year, but the results were poor and rather disheartening. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ma Luk and Mrs. Fung Heung-chuen, our efforts were rewarded for they each donated $50 to the Society's funds. The expenditure of the Society is rather small, since we have only to pay for advertisements, printing, and some stationery. However, the work of the Society is decidedly burdensome, and it is up to you to see it through; therefore whether we can achieve our object of getting rid of this inveterate social evil depends on how you will respond to the appeal voiced by us now.\n\n## The Discussion.\n\nThe chairman invited discussion on the proposals he had outlined in his opening address in regard to the registration of both mui-tsai and adopted daughters.\n\nA member said that they should enforce registration through a penalty clause and he pointed out that such had been overlooked in the proposals. He suggested that failure to register within the prescribed period of six months be penalised by a heavy fine, to be followed by the giving of complete freedom to the girls without such consideration as compensation to the owner.\n\nAnother member said that much effective work could be accomplished by personal investigation as in the case of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He discovered a similarity in the work of the two Societies with the exception that theirs had the greater claim to official backing, in the fact that it was a human being whose life's burden they were seeking to lighten.\n\nThe authorities had displayed a praiseworthy attitude when they co-operated with members of the S.P.C.A. in these personal investigations. He recalled that quite recently, lady members of that Society went round to the various bird shops in the town to look into cases of cruelty and that they were on that occasion accompanied by a police officer. If the same procedure was adopted in their own case, and members of the Anti-Mui-tsai Society were allowed to accompany a police officer in order to investigate fully a report of cruelty, much of the objectionable features to which reference was made by the Chairman in his speech would cease.\n\n### Election of Committee.\n\nAfter further discussion it was agreed to incorporate this suggestion as well as the one for a penalty clause, in the main body of proposals. In their revised form, the proposals were then put to the meeting and passed, the meeting giving full powers to the Executive Committee to present them at the proper time before the authorities. The revised Articles of Constitution of the Society, which had been in the hands of members for some time, were also passed.\n\nThe election of members of the Executive Committee was then proceeded with, and some 30 members were appointed. The Chairman proposed the appointment of Mr. J. D. Bush as Hon. English Secretary. The post was a responsible one, and Mr. C. G. Anderson, who recently resigned from it owing to pressure of business, deserved the thanks of the Society for the able manner in which he had filled it.\n\nMr. J. D. Bush was unanimously appointed Hon. English Secretary, and Mr. Ngan, Hon. Chinese Secretary.\n\nBefore the meeting terminated, the Chairman said it was their unanimous hope that the aims of the Society would soon be realised, and he urged the newly-elected members of the Committee to do their best to bring this about. The mui-tsai system had existed in their midst as an evil. It was always condemned and put out of the law by the Chinese Nationalist Government in a recent edict and he hoped that the Government of this Colony which had been responsible for many beneficial reforms would not be long in falling into line and dealing with a practice which admittedly had many evils.\n\n## Enclosure 4 in No. 18.\n\n**Report on the working of the Female Domestic Servants Ordinance, 1923.**\n\nThe objects of this Ordinance were mainly two: the first to make it quite clear that the payment of money to the parent or guardian or employer of a female child confers no rights in the child and to strengthen the existing powers given to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs under `Ordinance 4 of 1897`; and the second to reinforce the law dealing with cruelty to children. So far there is nothing in the Ordinance which was not provided for in existing legislation. What is new is the prohibition under Section 4 of the taking into employment of mui-tsai as defined in the Ordinance.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 520141, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "page_number": 112, "title": "CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929", "content_text": "# 5363-42\n\nAnother member said that much effective work could be accomplished by personal investigation as in the case of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He discovered a similarity in the work of the two Societies, with the exception that theirs had the greater claim to official backing, in the fact that it was a human being whose life's burden they were seeking to lighten.\n\nThe authorities had displayed a praiseworthy attitude when they co-operated with members of the S.P.C.A. in these personal investigations. He recalled that quite recently, lady members of that Society went round to the various bird shops in the town to look into cases of cruelty and that they were on that occasion accompanied by a police officer. If the same procedure was adopted in their own case, and members of the Anti-Mui-tsai Society were allowed to accompany a police officer in order to investigate fully a report of cruelty, much of the objectionable features to which reference was made by the Chairman in his speech would cease.\n\n## Election of Committee\n\nAfter further discussion, it was agreed to incorporate this suggestion as well as the one for a penalty clause, in the main body of proposals. In their revised form, the proposals were then put to the meeting and passed, the meeting giving full powers to the Executive Committee to present them at the proper time before the authorities. The revised Articles of Constitution of the Society, which had been in the hands of members for some time, were also passed.\n\nThe election of members of the Executive Committee was then proceeded with, and some 30 members were appointed. The Chairman proposed the appointment of Mr. J. D. Bush as Hon. English Secretary. The post was a responsible one, and Mr. C. G. Anderson, who recently resigned from it owing to pressure of business, deserved the thanks of the Society for the able manner in which he had filled it.\n\nMr. J. D. Bush was unanimously appointed Hon. English Secretary, and Mr. Ngan, Hon. Chinese Secretary.\n\nBefore the meeting terminated, the Chairman said it was their unanimous hope that the aims of the Society would soon be realised, and he urged the newly-elected members of the Committee to do their best to bring this about. The mui-tsai system had existed in their midst as an evil. It was always condemned and put out of the law by the Chinese Nationalist Government in a recent edict, and he hoped that the Government of this colony, which had been responsible for many beneficial reforms, would not be long in falling into line and dealing with a practice which admittedly had many evils.\n\n## Enclosure 4 in No.\n\n### Report on the working of the Female Domestic Servants Ordinance, 1923\n\nThe objects of this Ordinance were mainly two: the first to make it quite clear that the payment of money to the parent or guardian or employer of a female child confers no rights in the child, and to strengthen the existing powers given to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs under Ordinance 4 of 1897; and the second to reinforce the law dealing with cruelty to children. So far, there is nothing in the Ordinance which was not provided for in existing legislation. What is new is the prohibition under Section 4 of the taking into employment of mui-tsai as defined in the Ordinance.\n\n2. It may be said at once that the payment of money is not and never has been recognised as conferring any rights on the person making the payment; and that from the beginning, the officers of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs have in every case which has been brought to their notice dealt with the matter solely from the point of view of the interests of the child. It is believed that by now this principle is well understood: certainly, no one attempts to dispute it, and the claim to the services of a female domestic servant is always based on the argument that the girl is happy and does not wish to leave her employment.\n\n3. One prosecution was brought under Section 6 of the Ordinance in 1928. There were none in previous years. Even if prosecutions for ill-treatment of children brought under the Offences against the Person Ordinance of 1865 are included, the total is insignificant. As a rule, Chinese are particularly kind to children, and the disgrace of being hailed to court to answer a charge of cruelty to a child is one which all dread.\n\n4. No prosecutions have been brought under Sections 4 and 5 of the Ordinance, and no information is available as to the number of mui-tsai who may have been taken into employment in the Colony since the Ordinance was passed, though Chinese opinion in general considers that the number of mui-tsai employed has tended to decrease, especially in upper-class households. It would in practice be all but impossible to prove in any particular case that the payment of money, which alone differentiates a mui-tsai from any other domestic servant, had in fact been made.\n\n5. On the general question, it might be possible to meet criticism by maintaining, as is done in China to-day, that as such payments confer no right to the services of the mui-tsai, the distinction between mui-tsai and domestic servants or between mui-tsai and adopted daughters has in fact ceased to exist, and that there are now no mui-tsai in South China. It would, in short, be a simple matter to abolish mui-tsai by abolishing the name, and by substituting the title \"adopted daughter\" to direct public attention to another and less invidious aspect of the system. It would, however, serve no useful purpose to deny that there are still mui-tsai in Hong Kong as well as in China. This has been made inevitable by the history of the past five years, which have witnessed a state of disorder and distress in Kuangtung and elsewhere unsurpassed since the Taiping Rebellion. Those who have had experience of famine relief work will realise that it is seldom the desire for money which induces parents in China to part with their children, and that the alternative may quite well be starvation. Until some measure of prosperity has returned to the countryside, it will prove very difficult to put a stop to the practice of transferring children from...\n\nPage 148", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-518-9 The Mui-Tsai question- printed papers relating to the system 20-9-1929 - 1-11-1929.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 521979, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 140, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "139\n\n52.\n\nhave their hatches sealed by Chinese Customs.\n\nArt. 8. Foreign goods carried to non-open ports in Kwangtung as under Arts. 5 and 6 may pay import and transit duties to Customs before departure and must report at Customs sub-office agreed upon under Art. 4.\n\nArt. 9.\n\nGoods transiting the Colony from one treaty port to another under custom documents shall maintain their original status, provided Customs have right of supervision while in transit without landing or transhipment in the waters of the Colony, and that goods landed pending transmission by sea or railway and goods brought by railway for transmission by sea to be placed in bonded warehouses agreed upon between the Government and the Chinese Customs.\n\nArt. 10. Ports of entry for merchandise, including livestock, to be selected in consultation with Customs, to prevent smuggling.\n\nArt. 11. Co-operation in controlling traffic in intoxicating liquor, opium, opium compounds, morphine, tobacco, arms and munitions of war.\n\nArt. 12.\n\nGovernment of Hongkong to collect, as far as conditions of a free port admit, statistics of import and export.\n\nArt. 13.\n\nOffice and warehouse accommodation for examination and storage of goods carried by Canton-Kowloon Railway and for the payment of duties thereon to be provided at reasonable rates by Government of Hongkong. Duties to be collected by the Chinese Customs under certain general conditions specified in this article.\n\nArt. 14\n\nGoods the subject of false declarations to be seized on behalf of the Chinese Customs.\n\nBoth Governments will issue necessary ordinances or edicts to enforce the agreement.\n\nArt. 15.\n\nArt. 16.\n\nAgreement to be in force five years, subject to revision by mutual consent at any time. Six months notice of termination to be given, failing which to be continued from year to year. During duration of the Agreement, Commissioner of Customs to be British.\n\nArt. 17.\n\n54.\n\nEnglish text to rule.\n\nAt the outset of the clause-by-clause discussion of the above draft at the conference with Mr. Kase at Hongkong in July 1929, the Governor drew attention to four points. First,\n\n/that\n\nPage 140\n\nPage 141", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522008, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 169, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "81\n\npayment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such\n\ndues and penalties as would be payable under the\n\nregulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the\n\nseizure had taken place in China.\n\nARTICLE XV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary\n\nsteps to enforce the foregoing articles by such\n\nordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be\n\nappropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XVI.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a\n\nperiod of five years. It is subject to revision\n\nat any time mutual agreement between the High\n\nContracting Parties and unless denounced by either\n\nparty six months before date of expiry it shall\n\ncontinue in force from year to year, until either\n\nparty shall give six months notice of its desire\n\nto terminate it. During the duration of this\n\nAgreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in\n\nHongkong shall continue to be British.\n\nARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English\n\nand in Chinese. In the event of there being any\n\ndifference of meaning between the English and the\n\nChinese texts the sense expressed in the English\n\ntext shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\nARTICLE XVIII.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the\n\n/Done\n\n168", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522025, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 186, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "98\n\n185\n\nChinese Maritime Customs, for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within Hong Kong territory on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong Kong Government. Such revenue officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nServices performed, by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522101, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 262, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "52.\n\n261\n\nhave their hatches sealed by Chinese Customs.\n\nArt. 8. Foreign goods carried to non-open ports in Kwangtung as under Arts. 5 and 6 may pay import and transit duties to Customs before departure and must report at Customs sub-office agreed upon under Art. 4.\n\nArt. 9. Goods transiting the Colony from one treaty port to another under Customs documents shall maintain their original status, provided Customs have right of supervision while in transit without landing or transhipment in the waters of the Colony, and that goods landed pending transmission by sea or railway and goods brought by railway for transmission by sea to be placed in bonded warehouses agreed upon between the Government and the Chinese Customs.\n\nArt. 10. Ports of entry for merchandise, including livestock, to be selected in consultation with Customs, to prevent smuggling.\n\nArt. 11. Co-operation in controlling traffic in intoxicating liquor, opium, opium compounds, morphine, tobacco, arms, and munitions of war.\n\nArt. 12. Government of Hongkong to collect, as far as conditions of a free port admit, statistics of import and export.\n\nArt. 13. Office and warehouse accommodation for examination and storage of goods carried by Canton-Kowloon Railway and for the payment of duties thereon to be provided at reasonable rates by Government of Hongkong. Duties to be collected by the Chinese Customs under certain general conditions specified in this article.\n\nArt. 14. Goods the subject of false declarations to be seized on behalf of the Chinese Customs.\n\nBoth Governments will issue necessary ordinances or edicts to enforce the agreement.\n\nArt. 15.\n\nArt. 16. Agreement to be in force five years, subject to revision by mutual consent at any time. Six months' notice of termination to be given, failing which to be continued from year to year. During the duration of the Agreement, Commissioner of Customs to be British.\n\nArt. 17.\n\n54.\n\nEnglish text to rule.\n\nAt the outset of the clause-by-clause discussion of the above draft at the conference with Mr. Mase at Hongkong in July 1929, the Governor drew attention to four points.\n\nFirst,\n\n/that", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522130, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 291, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "81\n\npayment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such\n\ndues and penalties as would be payable under the\n\nregulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the\n\nseizure had taken place in China.\n\nARTICLE XV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary\n\nsteps to enforce the foregoing articles by such\n\nordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be\n\nappropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XVI.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a\n\nperiod of five years. It is subject to revision\n\nat any time by mutual agreement between the High\n\nContracting Parties and unless denounced by either\n\nparty six months before date of expiry it shall\n\ncontinue in force from year to year, until the\n\nother party shall give six months' notice of its desire\n\nto terminate it. During the duration of this\n\nAgreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in\n\nHongkong shall continue to be British.\n\nARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English\n\nand in Chinese. In the event of there being any\n\ndifference of meaning between the English and the\n\nChinese texts the sense expressed in the English\n\ntext shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\nARTICLE XVIII.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the\n\n/Done", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522147, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 308, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "98\n\n305\n\nChinese Maritime Customs, for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within Hong Kong territory on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong Kong Government. Such reverse officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nServices performed, by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522163, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 324, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "114.\n\n321\n\nwith the Chinese Maritime Customs for the purpose of\n\nlegalizing seizures made within the Colony on behalf of\n\nthe Chinese Maritime Customs, including the cost of\n\nleave, passages, pensions and compensation for injury,\n\nshall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to\n\nthe Hong Kong Government. Such revenue officers shall\n\nbe entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the\n\nChinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making\n\nof which they have assisted. Services performed by\n\npreventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on\n\nbehalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by\n\nthe Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually\n\nhereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled\n\nto share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong\n\nGovernment for seizures in the making of which they\n\nhave assisted.\n\nARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps\n\nto enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances,\n\nedicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give\n\nthem the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period\n\nof ten years. It is subject to revision at any time\n\nby mutual agreement between the High Contracting parties\n\nand unless denounced by either party six months before\n\ndate of expiry it shall continue in force from year to\n\nyear, until either party shall give six months notice", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522264, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 425, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "RELATIONS BETWEEN HONGKONG AND THE\n\nCHINESE CUSTOMS.\n\n427\n\n§1. War of 1839-1842. Treaty of Chuenpi, 1841. Proposed collection of Chinese Customs dues and duties in Hongkong. § 2. Palmerston's attitude to this proposal. § 3. Arrangements made by Sir Henry Pottinger to safeguard China's revenue rights. Treaty of Hoomun Chai, 1843. § 4. Failure of Treaty of Hoomun Chai. Growth of coasting trade under foreign flags. § 5. Treaty of Tientsin, 1858. Prevalence of smuggling at Hongkong. Establishment by Canton authorities of Customs stations round Hongkong and of preventive service of revenue cruisers. § 6. Alcock's Convention, 1869. Proposal to allow a Chinese Consul to function in Hongkong. §7. Opposition of Hongkong to Customs blockade and to discriminatory trade taxation. Commission of inquiry called for by Chefoo Convention of 1876. § 8. Hongkong Opium Agreement, 1886. Control of Customs stations round Hongkong and of revenue cruisers handed over to Chinese Maritime Customs Service. Removal of discriminatory trade taxation. § 9. Extension of Kowloon Territory, 1898. Sir Robert Hart's proposals for Chinese Customs control. § 10. Establishment of Customs stations on new frontier. Greatly increased difficulties of Chinese Customs control. § 11. Mackay Treaty, 1902. Article equalising duties on goods whether carried by junk or by steamer. Imperial Edict of September 1906 ordering gradual cessation of opium trade. Hongkong Government requests and obtains help of Chinese Customs in organising system of bonding of alcohol and spirits. § 12. Proposed Customs agreement with Hongkong: 1911 draft. Chinese Customs permitted to function in Hongkong territory at Kowloon railway terminus. § 13. Revival of proposed agreement: 1918 draft. Negotiations at Hongkong and Peking. § 14. Hongkong Government withdraws its consent on account of salt clause. § 15. Boycott of Hongkong in 1925. Levy of Washington surtaxes at Chinese treaty ports, 1926. Introduction of China's first National Import Tariff, 1929. Consequent growth of smuggling. § 16. Renewal of negotiations in July 1929 on proposed Customs agreement. Visit of Inspector General to Hongkong. § 17. Comparison of 1918 and 1929 drafts of agreement. § 18. Objection of Chinese Government to article granting inland waters steam navigation privileges to Hongkong vessels. § 19. Present position of negotiations. China obliged to renew blockade if agreement fails.\n\n§ 1. IN the late summer of 1840, during the war between Great Britain and China War of 1839-1842, (1839-1842), the Chinese Government appointed Kishen ([[1]]), then Viceroy of the metropolitan province of Chihli, to proceed to Canton in the capacity of Imperial Commissioner and Acting Viceroy of the Liang Kwang, and there to continue negotiations with the British for the cessation of hostilities and the resumption of trade. The result of these negotiations, precipitated by the British silencing of the batteries at Chuenpi (), was the issue on 20th January 1841 by Captain Charles Elliot, at that time Plenipotentiary for Great Britain in China and Chief Superintendent of Trade, of a notification informing all British subjects that preliminary arrangements for a treaty had been come to between himself and the Imperial Commissioner. One of the principal articles of this projected Treaty of Chuenpi provided Treaty of Chuen-pi, 1841. for the cession of the island and harbour of Hongkong to the British Crown, but at the same\n\n[[1]] *Chinese Repository, Vol. IX, 1840, pp. 412, 413, 423. + Ibid., Vol. X, 1841, p. 63 (vide Appendix A).\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522270, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 431, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "439\n\nEstablishment of Custom stations on new frontier.\n\n(12)\n\nexported from the Colony into China. The attitude of the merchants, both in Hongkong and in London, was uncompromising, and might fairly be summed up as a strong desire to see the Chinese Customs cleared bag and baggage out of the Colony and of Colonial waters.†\n\n§ 10. The Inspector General's proposals were not accepted. The New Territory was handed over to the Hongkong Government in April 1899 by virtue of the Convention for the Extension of Hongkong, signed at Peking on 9th June 1898, and the Chinese Customs stations were closed on the 4th October that year. New duty-collecting stations were established at Taishan (A) and Liutin (B), in the estuary of the Canton River, to replace Capsuimoon, and at Shaichung (C) and Samun (D), to the east of Mirs Bay, to replace Fotochow. Shumchun(E) was opened as a collecting station on 1st March 1900, and on 19th February of the following year Shatowkok (F) was raised from the position of a frontier post to that of a collecting station. In addition, frontier guard posts, some of which have on occasion served also as collecting stations, had to be established along the land boundary. The number of these frontier posts has varied from time to time, but it includes, or has included, the following: Chekwan (G), Kwaimiao (H), Shatau (I), Lungtsunhu (龜津虂), Lofong (羅坊), Lowu (飔門), Lintong (華場), Shatowkok (沙头角), Yimtin (J), Kaichung (K), Tipfuk (L), Hasha (M), and Namo (N). This elongation of the land frontier was a great advantage to smugglers. Prior to 1899 the frontier was only about 2 miles in length and was protected by a stout bamboo fence, some 8 feet high, along the entire line. This fence was pierced by six gates, and an armed patrol both by night and by day saw to it that only legitimate trade passed through these gates. After 1899 the frontier ran for some 60 miles through rough and hilly country from Chekwan on the west to Mirs Greatly increased Point on the east. To add to the difficulty of controlling this greatly extended line the waters of the Shumchun River were declared to be British, while the boundary along the shores of Deep Bay and Mirs Bay was delimited at the high-water mark. This enabled smugglers to lie protected in British waters within a yard or so of Chinese territory and as it was manifestly impossible for the Chinese Government to provide preventive officers to guard every junk to slip their goods ashore practically when and where they pleased. The Chinese Customs office, however, in the city of Victoria, for the convenience of the trading public, was allowed to remain where it was, but on the old status of sufferance only. Revenue cruisers and cruising launches continued to patrol Chinese waters and to make use of Hongkong harbour as ships of war, but the sea-line now to be patrolled was perforce extended from a little over 20 to some 80 miles, a fact which also rejoiced the hearts of the smuggling fraternity.\n\nDifficulties of control.\n\n§ 11. Relations between the Colony and the Chinese Customs remained practically in this position for the next 10 years, but the decade was marked by a characteristic incident. In 1902 negotiations were proceeding between Great Britain and China for a new commercial treaty. This treaty, inter alia, was to provide for a revision of the import tariff to bring the rates up to an effective 5 per cent. duty—the first actual revision of China's import tariff for over 40 years—and to arrange for other tariff changes, especially in regard to the levy of likin. The Colony became apprehensive that its growing trade might be adversely affected by such changes. In the years preceding the Opium Agreement of 1886, as we have seen, Hongkong merchants and officials were indignant that the Chinese authorities levied higher duties on junk-borne cargoes to and from Hongkong—a foreign place—than they did on such cargoes to and from Macao, at that time Chinese territory.* China, although within her rights in making such levies, had removed the grievance by granting the wished-for concession in the Agreement of 1886, and Hongkong trade had benefited accordingly. Now, however, the Hongkong merchants, having reaped the advantage of the lowered junk rates, were fearful lest these lower rates should affect adversely the carrying trade in foreign steamers between Hongkong and the treaty ports in the province of Canton, when a higher import tariff on foreign goods going into China, and possible alterations in the likin procedure, were about to be put into force. Accordingly, an article was inserted in the so-called Mackay Treaty, signed at Shanghai on 5th September 1902, to the effect that \"duties and likin combined levied on goods carried by junks from Hongkong to the Treaty Ports in the Canton Province and vice versa, shall together not be less than the duties charged by the Imperial Maritime Customs on similar goods carried by steamer.\" This article, although designed for a specific purpose, was in effect a recognition of the principle that the amount of taxation to be levied on goods should not vary with the mode of conveyance, a principle which, in these days of greatly increased Maritime Customs tariff rates, has a wider significance than probably was intended by the framers of the article. Another event happening in this decade, which was destined to affect vitally the relations between the Colony and the Chinese Customs, was the Imperial Edict of 20th September 1906 ordering gradual cessation of opium trade.† This led to domestic coercive measures on the part of the Chinese Government for the suppression of the production and use of the home-grown article and to an agreement with the British Government for the gradual reduction and eventual extinction of the import of the drug from India. Such an arrangement could not but have an adverse reaction on the Colony's revenue. Happily, thanks largely to the genial personality of Mr. W. R. McD. Parr, who was Commissioner of Customs for the Kowloon district from November 1904 to September 1908, the relations between the Chinese Customs and the Hongkong Government had lost much of their former official stiffness, so that when the Colonial Government decided to tax alcohol and spirits§ in order, if possible, to make good the revenue that was being forfeited by the cessation of the opium trade it was felt to be natural that the Colony should seek China's assistance in the matter. Hongkong's necessity, in fact, became\n\n(13)\n\n1902.\n\nDuties on goods carried by steamer.\n\nMackay Treaty.\n\nImperial Edict of September 1906.\n\n...\n\n* British Parliamentary Papers: China No. 1 (1899), p. 297.\n† Vide \"Hongkong Daily Press,\" 9th, 10th, and 15th September 1898; also Customs publications: Office Series, No. 62. \"Kowloon Customs\" (Shanghai, 1899).\n‡ Hertalet, op. cit., Vol. I, pp. 120, 121.\n§ Vide Map, facing p. 1.\n* Macao was never officially recognised by China as Portuguese territory till the signing of the Protocol of Lisbon of 1887, the articles of which were confirmed by the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Portugal and China, signed 1st December 1887 (vide Chinese Customs publications: \"Treaties, Conventions, etc., between China and Foreign States,\" Second Edition (2 vols., Shanghai, 1917), Vol. II, pp. 273, 275).\n† British Parliamentary Papers: China No. 1 (1908), p. 1.\n‡ Ibid., pp. 14, 17, 21, 29, 45, 47, 48. MacMurray, J. V. A.: \"Treaties and Agreements with and concerning China\" (2 vols., New York, 1921), Vol. I, 861-866.\n$ Hongkong Ordinances No. 27 of 1909 and No. 9 of 1911.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522293, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 454, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "78\n\n( 52 )\n\nrates by the Hongkong Government. Such duties will be collected by the Imperial Maritime Customs under regulations to be mutually agreed upon, under the following general conditions:-\n\n(a) Goods leaving Kowloon for China by train stopping at no intermediate station in British Territory shall pay Customs import duty prior to departure.\n\n(b) Goods arriving at Kowloon from China uncovered by Customs documents shall pay Customs export duty prior to release.\n\n(c) Goods leaving Kowloon, or any intermediate station in British territory, by train stopping at such intermediate stations may pay import duty either at Kowloon or at the Chinese frontier station of Shumchun.\n\n(d) Goods leaving Shumchun for intermediate stations in British territory not covered by Customs documents shall pay export duty at Shumchun.\n\n(e) Goods carried from any station on the British section of the railway to any station in China, and goods taking out transit documents from the office of the Imperial Maritime Customs in Hongkong shall pay according to the Revised Import Tariff of China of 1902, or future revisions thereof, and such payment of import duty and transit dues, if any, shall free the goods to place of destination.\n\n(f) Goods carried from any station in China on the railway to any station on the British section of the railway, and goods taking out transit documents for export from China shall pay according to the Treaty Export Tariff of 1858 or future revisions thereof, and such payment shall free the goods to place of destination on the railway.\n\nARTICLE XIV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing Articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XV.\n\nThis Convention shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties, and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. It is also agreed that during the duration of this Convention the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\nARTICLE XVI.\n\nThe English and Chinese texts of this Convention have been carefully prepared, but in the event of there being any difference of meaning between them, the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\n( 53 )\n\nARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Convention shall come into force on ... It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged as soon as possible. In witness thereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agreement.\n\nDone at ... of Our Lord ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese) in the year ... being the ... year of Hsuan Tung, the ... day of the ... month of the ...\n\n479", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522297, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 458, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "186\n\n( 60 )\n\nor intended to be carried by rail, launch, junk, or other means, the Government of Hongkong shall, upon request being made by the Chinese Maritime Customs, seize the goods or articles in respect of which such false declaration has been made and shall hold them as security for the payment to the Chinese Maritime Customs of such dues and penalties as would be payable under the regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs if the seizure had taken place in China.\n\nARTICLE XV.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing Articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XVI.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hongkong shall continue to be British.\n\nARTICLE XVII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\nARTICLE XVIII.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the\n\nDone at\n\nthe\n\nbeing the\n\nin quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese)\n\nday of moon of the\n\n( 61 )\n\nAPPENDIX J.\n\n1929 DRAFT OF THE ANGLO-CHINESE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT\n\nOF HONG KONG.\n\nThe Government of the Republic of China and the Government of the Colony of Hong Kong being mutually desirous of safeguarding the revenue of the Chinese Maritime Customs and of securing reciprocal benefits of trade and commerce have authorised the undersigned to conclude the following Agreement.\n\nARTICLE I\n\nJunk means any sea-going sailing vessel of Chinese or other Asiatic build, construction, and rig.\n\nFor the better regulation of junks in the waters of Hong Kong the Government of that Colony undertakes that:-\n\n(a) All junks shall be licensed either as trading or as fishing junks, and no junk shall be granted a licence in both classes at the same time. A fishing junk shall not be employed for any purpose other than fishing,\n\n(b) The proper Hong Kong authorities shall supply every junk with a certificate of registration in the form of a licence book.\n\n(c) Trading junks may not leave any port in the Colony between the hours of 6 P.M. and 6 A.M. from October to March (inclusive) or 7 P.M. to 5 A.M. from April to September.\n\n(d) Junks shall have their certificate number suitably marked on their hulls in such a manner as the proper Hong Kong authorities may direct. Supervision shall be exercised by the proper British authority over stores carried.\n\n(e) All trading junks on arrival at or departure from the Colony shall enter and clear at one of the following anchorages:-\n\nVictoria, Yaumati, Shaukiwan, Sai Kung, Tai O, Cheung Chau, Aberdeen, Tai Po, Stanley, and Tsun Wan.\n\nProvided that the above list may be varied by mutual consent at any time.\n\n(f) Every trading junk on entering and on clearing at an anchorage in the Colony of Hong Kong shall have its licence book and also its Chinese Maritime Customs pass book endorsed and dated by the proper Hong Kong authorities. The proper Hong Kong authorities shall satisfy themselves, on each occasion when a trading junk enters an anchorage in the Colony, that such junk has reported at the proper Chinese Maritime Customs station both on its voyage to the Colony and on its last voyage from the Colony.\n\n487", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522302, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "page_number": 463, "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930", "content_text": "494\n\n(68)\n\nARTICLE XVI.\n\nThe costs of any legal proceedings instituted by the Hong Kong Government for the purposes of this Agreement, if not recovered from the defendant or by sale of the vessel or goods in question, shall be paid to the Hong Kong Government by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\nARTICLE XVII.\n\nAll costs of seizures of goods, livestock, or vessels, actually incurred by the Hong Kong Government under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be paid to the Hong Kong Government by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\nARTICLE XVIII.\n\nAll goods, livestock, or vessels, seized by the Hong Kong Government under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall forthwith be transferred to the Chinese Maritime Customs for safe custody, to be held by the Chinese Maritime Customs at the disposal of the Hong Kong Government pending the decision of the case. As between the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese Maritime Customs, the cost of any loss or damage incurred during such period of safe custody shall be borne by the Chinese Maritime Customs.\n\nARTICLE XIX.\n\nNothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right of the Hong Kong Government to make on its own account and behalf any seizure authorised by the law of the Colony and to detain and deal with any goods, livestock or vessels so seized as may be required or authorised by such law.\n\nARTICLE XX.\n\nThe salaries of revenue officers specially engaged by the Hong Kong Government for whole time duty with the Chinese Maritime Customs, for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within Hong Kong territory on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be refunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong Kong Government. Such revenue officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted. Services performed by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter. Such preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing Articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\n1:(69)\n\nARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties and unless denounced by either party six months before date of expiry it shall continue in force from year to year, until either party shall give six months' notice of its desire to terminate it. During the duration of this Agreement the Commissioner of Chinese Customs in Hong Kong shall continue to be British, and shall be a person acceptable to the Hong Kong Government.\n\nARTICLE XXIII.\n\nThis Agreement has been prepared in English and in Chinese. In the event of there being any difference of meaning between the English and the Chinese texts the sense as expressed in the English text shall be held to be the correct sense.\n\nARTICLE XXIV.\n\nThis Agreement shall come into force on the ... day of ... moon of the ...\n\nDone at ... in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four copies in Chinese) being the ...\n\nN.B. Since the above text was agreed upon, the Hongkong Executive Council has proposed the following amendments and has incorporated them in its Chinese version of the Agreement:-\n\n(1) The preamble to Article V to read: \"Steam or motor vessels, provided that they are registered for the purpose with the Chinese Maritime Customs, may trade between Hong Kong and non-open ports, subject to the following conditions...\n\n(2) The beginning of Article VI to read: \"Junks and lighters, registered with the Chinese Maritime Customs, may be towed by steam or motor vessels registered with the Chinese Maritime Customs under Article V, and in that case...\n\n(3) Article XI, clause (a) to read: \"The Chinese Maritime Customs will take active steps to prevent the illicit entry into the Colony from China of opium, compounds of opium, extracts of opium, and other dangerous drugs, and of intoxicating liquors and tobacco, and of any other article which on importation into the Colony is subject to restriction or liable to import duty, and will co-operate...\n\nBesides the above changes the Hongkong Postal Authorities have proposed that clause (g) of Article V be deleted, or that, failing deletion, the clause be worded thus: \"(g) Steam and motor vessels plying between Hong Kong and non-open ports under this Article shall carry mail matter to and from any Chinese Post Office at any port at which they call under the usual terms of remuneration paid for such services. This shall include those British vessels which are accorded under this Agreement the privilege of plying in inland waters in the Canton Delta.\"\n\n495", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522428, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931", "page_number": 91, "title": "CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931", "content_text": "84\n\nanything\n\ngoods, livestock\n\nCrescots 30 seized as may be required\n\nor authorised by such law.\n\nARTICLE XX.\n\nThe cost to the Hong Kong Government of maintaining a service of revenue officers for whole time duty with the Chinese Maritime Customs for the purpose of legalizing seizures made within the Colony on behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, including the cost of leave, passages, pensions and compensation for injury,\n\nSuch revenue officers shall be entitled\n\nto share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, for seizures in the making of which they have assisted. Services performed by preventive officers of the Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong Government shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government as shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter.\n\nSuch preventive officers shall be entitled to share in the rewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures in the making of which they have assisted.\n\nARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary steps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances, edicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give them the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. It is subject to revision at any time by mutual agreement between the High Contracting Parties.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 522429, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931", "page_number": 92, "title": "CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931", "content_text": "84\n\nanything\n\ngoods, livestock or vessels so seized as may be required\n\nor authorised by such law.\n\n+\n\nARTICLE XX.\n\nThe salaries of revenue officers specially\n\nengaged by the Hong Kong Government for whole time duty\n\nwith the Chinese Maritime Customs, for the purpose of\n\nlegalizing seizures made within Hong Kong territory\n\non behalf of the Chinese Maritime Customs, shall be\n\nrefunded by the Chinese Maritime Customs to the Hong\n\nKong Government. Such revenue officers shall be entitled\n\nto share in the rewards, issued by the Chinese Maritime\n\nCustoms, for seizures in the making of which they have\n\nassisted. Services performed by preventive officers of\n\nthe Chinese Maritime Customs on behalf of the Hong Kong\n\nGovernment shall be paid for by the Hong Kong Government\n\nas shall be agreed upon mutually hereafter.\n\nPreventive officers shall be entitled to share in the\n\nrewards issued by the Hong Kong Government for seizures\n\nin the making of which they have assisted.\n\n \n\nARTICLE XXI.\n\nBoth Governments agree to take the necessary\n\nsteps to enforce the foregoing articles by such ordinances,\n\nedicts, or regulations as may be appropriate to give\n\nthem the force of law.\n\nARTICLE XXII.\n\nThis Agreement shall remain in force for a\n\nperiod of ten years. It is subject to revision at any\n\ntime by mutual agreement between the High Contracting\n\nParties", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 527795, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-530-4 Development of Canton to Kowloon railway 1-12-1930 - 1-12-1930", "page_number": 58, "title": "CO129-530-4 Development of Canton to Kowloon railway 1-12-1930 - 1-12-1930", "content_text": "## Article 18 \n\nshall be given in writing by the Viceroy to the Representative of the Corporation, declaring the number of additional Bonds so required to be redeemed, whereupon the Representative of the Corporation shall immediately proceed to make such arrangements as may be necessary and usual for the redemption of the number of Bonds specified, which, when duly redeemed after payment by the Imperial Chinese Government of the proper amount due thereon, shall be cancelled and delivered to the Viceroy.\n\nAll Bonds thus redeemed, in excess of the amount specified in the amortisation schedule hereto attached, before the expiry of 25 years from the date of the Loan, shall be paid for with a premium of 2% over their face value, (i.e., £102.10 will be required to pay for £100), but after 25 years Bonds may be redeemed over and above the amounts specified in the schedule without premium upon notice being given in the manner above specified.\n\nAs soon as the Loan has been completely redeemed, this Agreement shall become null and void and the mortgage shall be cancelled.\n\n## Article 17\n\nIf, during construction, any proceeds of the sale of the Bonds are lying unused and bearing interest on their deposit whilst the construction of the Railway is going on, such interest is to be credited to the general account of the Railway in order that the Railway may enjoy the full advantage thereof.\n\nIt is also agreed that, if the Corporation shall think it expedient before the sale of any of the Bonds to advance any money for the work, such advances, together with the interest thereon not exceeding a charge of 6% per annum, shall be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.\n\n## Article 18\n\nThe junction of the sections of the Railway from Canton to the boundary of the Kowloon leased territory under British control, and from the said boundary to the port of Kowloon respectively, and the subsequent joint working of the two sections, shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hongkong.\n\n## Article 19\n\nThis Agreement is signed under the authority of an Imperial Edict dated the seventh day of February, 1907, which has been officially communicated to the British Minister in Peking by the Wai-wu-pu.\n\n## Article 20\n\nThis Agreement is executed in quintuplicate in English and Chinese, one copy to be retained by the Viceroy, one by the Wai-wu-pu, one by the Board of Communications, one by the British Minister, and one by the Corporation, and should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of the Agreement the English text shall be accepted as the standard.\n\nSigned at Peking by the contracting parties this twenty-third day of the first month of the thirty-third year of the Emperor Kwang Hsu, being the seventh day of March nineteen hundred and seven.\n\nSeal and Signature of His Excellency T'ANG SHAO YI, representing the WAI-WU-PU.\n\nWitnessed by \nFor the BRITISH AND CHINESE CORPORATION LTD.\n\nWitnessed by \n(Signed) J. O. P. BLAND.\nJARDINE, MATHESON & Co.\nThe HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, \nH. GARDNER, \nJoint Agents, \nActing Agent.\nThe BRITISH & CHINESE CORPORATION LIMITED.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-530-4 Development of Canton to Kowloon railway 1-12-1930 - 1-12-1930.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 528953, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-532-3 Mui Tsai system 4-12-1930 - 9-11-1931", "page_number": 70, "title": "CO129-532-3 Mui Tsai system 4-12-1930 - 9-11-1931", "content_text": "# Supply: Committee-- HOUSE OF COMMONS\n\nSir DONALD MACLEAN: The hon. Lady says what troubled her most was the complacency of the reports. What troubles me most is the complacency of the Under-Secretary. My right hon. Friend's speech was a perfect model of moderation, clarity and accuracy. I have been a long time in the House and I have never heard a better chance given by anyone who spoke on a subject of this kind to a Minister to give an answer of the kind that the majority of the Committee expected him to give. I never saw a more complete failure.\n\nI am sorry to speak as strongly as this, but I feel strongly. I had not the slightest intention of taking any part in the Debate when I came into the House, but those who listened to my right hon. Friend's speech, to whatever party they belonged, were moved by his recital of those terrible facts, all the more forcible because they concealed things which he did not mention. They must have felt in their hearts that, whatever may be the moral convictions of the Chinese, whatever may be the difficulties of the Governor, whatever may be the feelings of those who know how difficult it is for Governors to act under exceptionally difficult conditions, the feeling of the Committee—I am sure I speak it—is that this thing must stop.\n\nComplacent statements by Under-Secretaries will not stop the rising tide of public opinion in this country which has been deeply moved, as I believe the Committee has been to-night, and is determined that mere official answers, such as we have received, will in no way prevent proper, definite, swift action.\n\nWhat is happening in Hong Kong to-day? We know that there are thousands of these children living in conditions of slavery. I do not mind if the Under-Secretary gives dozens of official reports from Governors. The real answer is contained in those daily papers. I will read again what the *\"Hong Kong Daily Press\"* says. The date is 23rd March, 1931, not more than six weeks ago. It says:\n\n\"It is a curious thing that some English people who know a lot about Hong Kong should have sympathy with this form of slavery. There is no disguising the fact that the mui-tsai is a slave. She is transferred from her natural parents to another family on payment of money, and becomes the property of her purchaser, subject to the ordinary law of the land, and certain conventions about her marriage on reaching a certain age.\n\nUnder British law the transaction is null and void.\"\n\nAs the Under-Secretary of State knows, slavery in a Crown colony is null and void, and there is nothing legal about it. It says further:\n\n\"A girl so disposed of can return to her parents, and her parents can claim her any time they like,\" and so on.\n\nThat is the law. I may have wearied the Committee by repeating the quotation, but it is the essence of the whole case.\n\n\"That is the law, but law and social custom do not coincide.\"\n\nFrom what is happening in Hong Kong to-day, there is slavery.\n\nMr. SANDHAM: There is slavery here, and plenty of it.\n\nSir D. MACLEAN: It says further:\n\n\"The real—as apart from the canting defence of the system—is that you can get the services of a young girl (and absolute power over her person) at a dirt cheap rate. It is a good business proposition.\"\n\nThat is the fact. We all know it to be the case. Another newspaper practically confirms that view in so many words. I was informed through *The Times* the other day that the Central Government of China made a very fine attempt to abolish the whole of the system in China itself. I know that it is nothing more than a gesture, but it is a very fine one, and shows what is happening in China. What is happening in China may be the first feeble step towards freedom for millions of those slaves, and it will be mutually assisted if the real voice of the Committee and of this House is heard in Hong Kong. I repeat that it is the determination of this Committee, right through the House of Commons, and, I believe, right through the country, that in this Crown colony, which is Britain abroad, the scandal of this form of slavery ought to be stopped.\n\nMr. SANDHAM: What about the Black and Tans!\n\nAn HON. MEMBER: Shut up!\n\nMr. SANDHAM: Like you.\n\nThe DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN: I must ask the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Sandham) to curb his remarks.\n\n## Colonial Office\n\nMr. CAMPBELL: We ought to be very grateful to the right hon. and learned Member for Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon) for having raised this matter to-night, so that we may have an opportunity of discussing it fully, instead of only by way of question and answer. The facts which the right hon. Gentleman has given to the House, and which have not been contradicted in the main by the Under-Secretary, are very enlightening and very disturbing. Those of us who know China and the Chinese will realise that the Chinese, whether rightly or wrongly, are a very conservative race, and that the Governor who, it has been suggested, demurred to the instructions given to him, was doing so from his knowledge of the fact that such an edict was very difficult to bring into force in Chinese territory. He is, as we know, a man who knows the Chinese and the language of the Chinese, and I am sorry that the hon. Lady who made a speech earlier in the Debate rather laughed at the fact of a Governor taking the trouble to go and visit houses where such things take place. It is the custom of the Governor in any Colony or State to pay a visit and see things for himself. That is so with most Colonies and with most Governors. These Governors generally make a practice of learning the language of the country in which they reside, and so their visits are of great effect, and are looked upon sympathetically.\n\nMr. McSHANE: The point of the hon. Lady's speech was not against the Governor making inspections per se, but that they should be regarded as in some way sufficient inspections.\n\nMr. CAMPBELL: I am within the recollection of the Committee, and I am only suggesting that the hon. Lady was not correct in thinking that such a visit was not appreciated and was of no use, for though the Governor must have his official inspectors, he wants to know for himself exactly what is going on—the more especially as hon. Members like the right hon. Gentleman and others, including myself, have asked questions in the House. The Governor, having issued his instructions, wishes to see that they are properly carried out. I want to emphasise that this is not a political question at all, and the less we talk about politics in a matter of this sort the better. We want to give Hong Kong the united opinion not only of this Parliament, but of this country, and we want Hong Kong to know that we look upon mui-tsai as a scandal which has to be stopped. The Government have, according to the Under-Secretary, taken strong steps to see that their instructions are carried out by the Governor and the authorities in Hong Kong. I am perfectly sure our duty to-day is to strengthen the hands of the Government by saying, speaking for the country, that we intend to see this scandal, as we call it, wiped out, and the sooner the better. A Debate of this description will be passed on to Hong Kong, and they will see that there has not been one Member in this House who has taken exception to the remarks of the right hon. Gentleman, and they will realise that, while we have sympathy for the difficulties of the authorities in Hong Kong, we hold ourselves up as being a people who are against all forms of slavery.\n\nOnly this afternoon we had a Debate about another place where there is so-called slavery. It would not be right that while we condemn other parts of the world for slave labour, we should allow such a system to be carried on in one of our own Colonies. I have been very disturbed over the whole affair and have felt that the Government have not been strong enough in their action. The speech of the Under-Secretary had been prepared before he had heard the speech of my right hon. and learned Friend, otherwise it would doubtless have been couched in other terms. We must, however, realise that the Government are as much alive to the difficulty of the position and the necessity of effecting a cure, as any of us. If that is the case, and if the Under-Secretary tells us that the Colonial Secretary is determined that the instructions which he has issued will be carried out in every detail by the authorities in Hong Kong, we can look forward to the not far distant future when the system which we all deplore will come to an end. We are grateful to the right hon. Member for Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon) for the interest that he has taken in this matter and for arousing the interest of the House. Before the dinner hour the House was almost empty, and we now see it occupied by many hon. Members who are deeply interested in ...\n\nPage 70\nPage 71", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-532-3 Mui Tsai system 4-12-1930 - 9-11-1931.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 529624, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-533-11 Protection of Anglo-Chinese in China 21-2-1931 - 22-9-1931", "page_number": 29, "title": "CO129-533-11 Protection of Anglo-Chinese in China 21-2-1931 - 22-9-1931", "content_text": "## 35 \n\n16 \n\nTo Colonial Office, September 16, 1911. (**Confidential Print 11426, No. 11.**) \n\nColonial Office, September 30, 1911. (**Confidential Print 11426, No. 12.**) \nTo Sir John Jordan, October 26, 1911. (**Confi. dential Print 11426, No. 13.**) \nSir J. Jordan to Sir F. Campbell, February 19, 1911. (**Confidential Print 11426, No. 5.**) \nSir A. Johnstone, April 19, 1911. \nSir A. Johnstone, August 30, 1911. \nSir J. Jordan, August 24, 1911. (**Confidential Print 11426, Nos. 7, 9 and 10.**) \nSir B. Alston, 1922. \nNo. 374, June 27, [T 9093/593/10.] \nTo Sir J. Jordan, No. 174, June 17, 1914.\n\nThe situation remained exactly as it had always been, with the exception that provincial officials contesting the claims of foreign consuls were able to appeal to an authoritative statement of the law of China as set out in the terms of an Imperial Edict (see Appendix I, case No. 17). The immediate effect was that His Majesty's Government reverted to the view abandoned in 1903 that an agreement would have to be negotiated with the Chinese Government. Instructions were accordingly sent to Sir John Jordan in October 1911 to suggest to the Chinese Government, whenever a favourable opportunity should arise, the appointment of a joint commission by Great Britain and China to examine the whole question and draw up recommendations for the consideration of the two Governments. But, as in the period 1886-1903, an opportune moment for opening negotiations with the Chinese Government has not yet arrived.\n\n25. The Netherlands Government, who were faced with a similar problem to our own, found little difficulty in negotiating a modus vivendi with the Chinese Government, which is said to have worked smoothly ever since. Early in 1911 Sir J. Jordan reported that the Chinese were extremely anxious to obtain the right of establishing consulates in the Dutch possessions, and the Netherlands Government promised to entertain the request on the condition that an understanding was reached with regard to the treatment in China of Dutch subjects of \"Chinese descent.\" Sir John Jordan suggested that we might watch the result of the Dutch negotiations before entering into negotiations ourselves. The Consular Convention between Holland and China was duly concluded on the 8th May, 1911. An exchange of notes appended to the Convention provided that any doubts which might arise with regard to the words \"Chinese subjects\" and \"Netherlands subjects\" in the text should be settled in accordance with the laws obtaining in those possessions or colonies. Nothing more was reported, however, as to the negotiations in regard to Dutch Chinese in China, and it was only 11 years later that the Foreign Office learned that the Consular Convention had been followed by the negotiation of a modus vivendi on the 20th June, 1911. A copy of this document will be found in Appendix III. Under this arrangement, reported the Minister in 1922, \"lists of Dutch subjects of Chinese origin residing in China are regularly furnished by the Dutch consuls to the Chinese authorities. I am informed by my Netherlands colleague that this arrangement has on the whole worked satisfactorily ever since.\" In the event of a Dutch subject of Chinese origin arriving in China and failing to register within the prescribed period of three months, he is, it appears, simply disowned by the Dutch authorities. But if he is registered and his name then duly communicated to the Chinese authorities, the latter apparently recognise him as a foreign national. As regards the qualifications which entitled a person of Chinese origin to Dutch nationality under this arrangement, the apposite clause of a law, dated the 10th February, 1910, regulating the status as Netherlands subjects of the population of the Dutch East Indies, provided that persons born in the Dutch East Indies of parents settled there were Netherlands subjects. The law further provided that the status of Netherlands subject was lost, in the event of sojourn in a foreign country, by omitting to give notice to a Netherlands consular officer in that country within three months after arriving, and in case of continued sojourn by omitting to repeat that notice within the first three months of every calendar year. The status of Netherlands subject thus lost could only be reacquired by settling in Netherlands-India.\n\n26. The British position, unfortunately, owing to a fresh series of misconceptions, went from bad to worse. In 1914, when the Governor of Hong Kong desired to expel \"undesirables\" from the Colony, he was prevented from doing so by the fact that many of them had been registered as British subjects in China, though, of course, they had not been provided with the certificates prescribed in the 1904 instructions. How this arose is explained in paragraph 21 (5). When the question was examined, however, the circumstances in which these instructions had been issued were apparently entirely forgotten. The Order in Council laid down that British subjects arriving in China must register themselves at a British Consulate.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-533-11 Protection of Anglo-Chinese in China 21-2-1931 - 22-9-1931.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534049, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "page_number": 67, "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "content_text": "above, but also because the mere existence of such a Commission could enlighten world public opinion as to the position in regard to slavery in the world and would foster the growth of a movement of opinion which must be expected to produce favourable results for the disappearance of slavery in all its forms. Paragraphs 74 to 77 of the present report set forth the suggestions concerning the constitution, character, operation, programme of work and methods of this Commission,\n\nAs to the last question namely, what measures the Committee could suggest to induce States which have not yet done so to ratify the Convention of 1926 or accede thereto the Committee has no suggestions to make except that, during the meetings of the Assembly, attention should be drawn to the existence of that Convention and to the desirability for all Members of the League, even though slavery does not exist in the territories under their authority, to ratify or accede to this Convention, thereby lending their moral support to the campaign against slavery started so long ago.\n\n# CHAPTER I.\n\n## II.\n\n## REPORT TO THE COUNCIL.\n\n## STATUS AND LEGAL STATUS OF SLAVES.\n\n## A. Survey of the Situation.\n\n(Signed) GOHR.\n\nI. The Report of the Temporary Slavery Commission contained a summary enumeration of the States in which slavery in the strict sense of the term no longer existed legally and of those in which it was still an institution sanctioned by law.\n\nAccording to this report, in the year 1924 all Christian countries except Abyssinia had abolished the legality of the status of slavery in their colonies and territories under their control. On the other hand, though the great States of the Far East--in particular, China--had taken similar action, the status of slavery was still recognised by law in some Asiatic States, such as Thibet, Nepal and most of the Moslem States of the East.\n\nThe 1925 report, however, proved to be not entirely accurate, since a judgment in 1927 by a Sierra Leone court gave a rather unexpected interpretation of the local ordinances--viz., that a master was not acting illegally when he resorted to a reasonable degree of force in order to re-capture an escaped slave. This judgment, however, was immediately followed by an ordinance of the Sierra Leone Government expressly abolishing the legal status of slavery in that British dependency. Other British colonial Governments have followed the example of Freetown, with a view to obviating the possibility of any doubt as to the interpretation of the law. The Governments referred to are those of Gambia, the Gold Coast, Ashanti, Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and Somaliland.\n\n2. The present Committee notes with great satisfaction the appreciable progress to which the documents received by it bear testimony. Apart from Afghanistan and Iraq, which abolished the legal status of slavery in 1923 and 1924 respectively, the Maharajah of Nepal in 1926, Kelat in November 1926, Transjordan in 1929, and Persia in February 1929 abolished slavery as a legal institution. In China, the abolition of the status of slavery was again confirmed as regards the province of Canton by an edict promulgated on March 1st, 1927, by the Cantonese Government. According to the documents placed at the Committee's disposal, an edict to the same effect seems also to have been published by the Government of Nanking, but, as in many other cases, the Committee was unable to ascertain the exact scope of this edict. Afghanistan also confirmed the abolition of the status of slavery by a law dated October 30th, 1931. Lastly, in the Bahrein Archipelago, the Government courts refuse to recognise the status of slavery.\n\nIn short, unless slavery is still a legal institution in Tibet and in Central Asia, countries regarding which the documentary material at the disposal of the Committee has no confirmation, slavery is now recognised only in the Hejaz and Nejd, in the Sultanates of Hadhramuth, in Oman, and in the Sultanate of Koweit.\n\nYemen, in Undoubtedly slavery also exists in Abyssinia, but, as will be seen later in this report, the Government of that country has taken measures to prevent any further enslavement, to reduce gradually the number of slaves and to prepare for the abolition of the status within the more or less near future.\n\n3. The abolition of the legal status of slavery differs from compulsory emancipation. It means that in the eye of the law no slaves exist. Thus no court or administrative authority can allow a claim to exercise over a human being any of the rights that may be held over a thing; but the abolition of the legal status does not prevent the former slave from remaining with his master if that is the desire of both of them.\n\nMost Governments have only abolished the legal status. They have not proceeded immediately to compulsory manumission. The reasons for this attitude are as follows: Why impose freedom on a person who accepts his or her condition of servitude? Is there not some danger that the action of the authorities may be prejudicial to the persons compulsorily liberated, exposed as they will henceforth be to deprivation, against their will, of the benefits they received from their former masters? Moreover, would not immediate and wholesale liberation bring about a sudden change in the social structure, which it would admittedly be desirable to accomplish by evolution as rapidly as possible, but which, in the interest of all, should not be allowed to assume a revolutionary character.\n\n4. In point of fact, this evolution is proceeding rapidly as a result of the refusal of the public authorities to recognise masters' rights over slaves and also as a result of the influence of evangelisation and of education and, in some States or certain colonies, the grant of land to the slaves.\n\nA powerful factor of emancipation is also the possibility for slaves to find means of subsistence or even of improving their lot by engaging themselves as wage-earners in industrial or commercial undertakings.\n\nWhen they have this possibility, slaves no longer have any inducement to remain with their old masters. The ideas of liberty which prevail in the environment in which they are now placed and also the payment of wages into the slaves' own hands very soon have the effect of finally breaking the bonds which existed between the slave and his former master.\n\nCompulsory or voluntary military service and police service are also an important factor of emancipation. Among primitive peoples, a man who has to some extent participated in the exercise of governmental authority, and especially the soldier or policeman, acquires a feeling of superiority, or at any rate of independence, with regard to those to whom he was traditionally subject.\n\nFor wage-earners, as for the soldier, the ties which bound them to their former masters become extremely slight. When they persist, they hardly amount to more than a feeling of traditional deference towards his master by the former slave, or than the belief that the latter retains at least a moral right to receive either part of the former slave's earnings in his new situation or some compensation for the loss of his services as a slave.\n\nNeedless to say, the progressive disappearance of women slaves proceeds much more slowly. As regards China, although the state of slavery has been abolished it seems that the Chinese Government has experienced some difficulty in putting it into effect, for a regulation issued on March 1st, 1927, by the Government of the province of Canton instructs the authorities to make a thorough enquiry regarding slavery within their administrative areas, and orders the liberation of peasant slaves, whatever appellation may have been given to them. On the other hand, the Chinese delegate to the 1931 Assembly protested against the assertion in the course of the Sixth Committee's work 1 that slavery still existed in China in any form whatever.\n\n5. In some cases, however, the policy of relying on evolution to achieve the disappearance of slavery may not everywhere meet the requirements of the case; at all events, certain Governments have adopted a more positive attitude.\n\nSome Governments, after abolishing the legal status of slavery, prohibit its existence de facto--in other words, they make it an offence to possess a slave or to treat a human being as if he were a chattel.\n\nCertain other Governments have even found it necessary to take administrative action for the liberation of all slaves by separating them individually from their masters. In some cases, the State compensates the former owner; in others, it does not. For instance, the Maharajah of Nepal paid £275,250 as the price of liberating 52,000 slaves, whom he freed in or about the year 1926. The Governments of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and of Burma have both freed considerable numbers of slaves in fact as well as in law, and that at the cost, not only of heavy expenditure, but also of the lives of some of their officials, who were killed owing to the resistance offered by slave-owners to these measures. All honour is due to these Governments for the sacrifices they have made in freeing slaves, and to their officers who gave up their lives in the performance of their duty. In the case of Nepal, Burma and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, it does not seem that this compulsory liberation has caused any permanent trouble either from the political or the economic point of view. These Governments have had no reason to regret their action, contrary to what has been the case in the British West Indies and in some French colonies.\n\n6.\n\n7. A number of colonial countries have entrusted judicial power to courts consisting solely of natives. Contrary to what might be feared, this system has not hindered the abolition of slavery, of the legal status of slavery, or even of the de facto status, by reducing it to a purely theoretical prohibition in possessions or protectorates in which slavery was upheld by custom. In point of fact, the Power in control ensures respect for the principle of abolition of the status of slavery, either by withdrawing slavery questions at least provisionally from the jurisdiction of the native courts, or by granting European courts a right to have cases transferred to another court or a right of revision for all matters subject to the native courts.\n\n8.\n\nAs regards Abyssinia, the present legislation, as far as can be judged from the various texts known to us, though it does not immediately abolish the status of slavery, at all events prohibits further enslavement and is gradually bringing about a reduction in the number of such slaves as may still remain. For instance, an edict dated September 15th, 1923, punishes with death\n\n1 See Minutes of the Sixth Committee of the twelfth Assembly, 1931, page 19.\n\nPage 82", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534050, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "page_number": 68, "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "content_text": "83\n\n- 8.\n\npersons who, except in warfare, capture an individual to make a slave of him. Moreover, the edict of March 31st, 1924, contains a series of provisions which are in the main very judicious. Some are intended to ensure the proper treatment of persons in a state of slavery, whereas the object of others is to free a large number of slaves progressively. This edict also prohibits the transfer of slaves, with or without payment, and grants to any persons so transferred the right to freedom. The road to enfranchisement was still further widened by an edict of July 15th, 1931, which further inflicts the same penalties on any person who hands over a slave, with or without payment—as on slave-raiders.\n\nIf we may judge from the documents supplied by the Abyssinian Government, judicial decisions between 1924 and 1930 have resulted in the liberation of hundreds of slaves by the application of the 1924 Edict. Moreover, a very large number of persons have been sentenced for offences against the law prohibiting the purchase and sale of slaves. These sentences and orders for the liberation of slaves have, however, been mainly pronounced by the Addis Ababa court; the provisions of the edicts are less frequently applied in the rest of the Empire, although the number of slaves liberated and sentences imposed is fairly large.\n\n9. It would be unfair to the Abyssinian Government to take exception to the fact that it has not yet abolished the status of slavery.\n\nIn dealing with Abyssinia, it must never be forgotten that that country was for two centuries cut off from the outside world, that its evolution has been retarded, and that all matters concerning it cannot be judged by the principles governing European nations. Moreover, although Abyssinia signed the 1926 Convention, she has not ratified it. Even if she had done so, she would only have been bound, under the actual terms of the Convention, to abolish slavery gradually. All that the contracting parties can demand of her is to make every effort to abolish slavery as soon as possible.\n\nEvery measure for the liberation of slaves, however, is opposed in Abyssinia by a barrier of ancient traditions. Very many officers of the Empire, including powerful chiefs, are against the abolition of slavery, either simply because they espouse the feelings of the people under their jurisdiction or because they themselves derive benefit from the present situation.\n\nThere is surely no need to point to the dangers to which the maintenance of the Government's authority would be exposed, or at all events the political disturbances with which it might be faced, if, contrary to the general feeling and despite the interests which it might harm, it proceeded to abolish the status of slavery too rapidly.\n\nEven supposing that, after abolishing the status of slavery, the Abyssinian Government were able to counteract these dangers in the political sphere, a measure which suddenly transferred vast numbers of persons from the condition of slavery to one of full freedom (as regards the number of the slaves, the Committee has no accurate information) might produce disastrous results in the social and economic fields. Doubtless this consideration played some part in the decision of the Abyssinian Government to refrain from abolishing slavery by a stroke of the pen. It gave as one of the reasons for its Edict of 1924 that, by adopting such a measure, the number of thieves, bandits and criminals would be greatly increased.\n\nIt must also be admitted that the mass liberation of slaves would have a considerable effect on the finances of Abyssinia, in that the Government might find itself bound to compensate the former owners, or take steps to ensure that freed slaves were in a position to gain a living, or, lastly, to support those who, owing to age or infirmity, were permanently incapable of earning their own livelihood, for which their master had usually provided until their death.\n\nIn short, conditions in Abyssinia make it impossible for the Government, however desirous it may be of abolishing slavery, to do otherwise than advance gradually along this path. If the Government ignored this policy of prudence, it might stir up political, social, economic and financial difficulties which would completely nullify the success already achieved.\n\nTrue, other States, previously referred to, have abolished slavery overnight—in fact as well as in law. But, without in any way underestimating the gravity of the dangers they have incurred and the sacrifices they have made, it is doubtful whether the application of this generous reform was beset with difficulties as great as are encountered in Abyssinia.\n\nIn this connection, the French expert stresses the fact that, in his opinion, it would be neither fair nor in accordance with the actual facts to describe as slaves all persons under servitude reported to exist in Abyssinia. Such servitude constitutes a special social status—serfdom—the characteristics of which, as understood by him, the French expert describes in Chapter VI.\n\nIO. The abolition of the status of slavery in the Moslem States and Sultanates referred to in paragraph 2 of the present report meets with the difficulty that its legality is upheld, not only by long-standing tradition, but also by religion—though these obstacles to abolition are not insurmountable.\n\nThe higher authorities of these countries cannot be said to be really hostile to the campaign against the institution of slavery, but they have in any case to reckon with public opinion, and often their power is not sufficient to allow them to initiate reform. For that reason, the United Kingdom's efforts to obtain from the King of the Hejaz and from the small States of Arabia, through the political agents she has placed there, an undertaking to abolish slavery have not yet brought about the desired results.\n\nII. In the absence of precise information, the Committee cannot express any opinion as to the manner in which slaves are treated in countries in which slavery still exists either in law or in fact. The general impression is that, on the whole, their lot is not an unhappy one from the material point of view. In any case, in the countries administered by Powers with western ideas acts affecting their rights are no longer tolerated; in particular, such abominable practices as human sacrifice, to which one or other class of slaves was sometimes victim in certain of these territories, are now no more than a memory.\n\nIn Abyssinia, according to information obtained by the Committee, slaves are generally well treated.\n\nAs regards the Moslem States, the information furnished to the Committee is divergent.\n\n12. The Committee has received a considerable number of documents regarding the situation of women and children in certain countries, a situation which is described as slavery in these documents. After all due consideration, the Committee arrived at the conclusion that, apart from questions which have a real bearing on slavery in the true sense of the word and which the Committee has taken into account in its report and suggestions, these documents refer to conditions which are not slavery in the technical sense of the term. They relate to abuses in the exercise of authority by husbands, fathers or employers, similar to those which may occur in a civilised state, or, at any rate, in one which has abolished the institution of slavery in fact as well as in law. On the other hand, they contain information on the subject of \"Mui Tsai\", will be dealt with later.\n\nB. Suggestions.\n\n13. Clearly the abolition, not only of the legal status of slavery, but also actual liberation are the essential objects at which Governments should aim in the territories in which slavery still exists. Not only can we not admit that human beings should be regarded as chattels, but, unless the practice of possessing slaves disappears, an end will never be put to the often abominable acts by which slaves are procured—in particular, slave-raids and the slave trade.\n\nWe realise the reasons which may have led certain Governments to decide not to separate the slaves from their so-called owners, but to wait until evolution brings about the liberation of slaves in practice. Nevertheless, this evolution should be hastened as far as possible. It would therefore be advisable to make it an offence for a person who is aware of the abolition of the legal status of slavery to avail himself of the fact that another person is ignorant of such abolition, in order to enforce a right of ownership or any analogous right over the latter person. All Governments should even consider the desirability of taking steps to spread among the populations they govern a knowledge of the fact that their freedom is guaranteed by law.\n\n14. The foregoing statement regarding the special situation in Abyssinia shows that it is at present impossible for the Abyssinian Government to abolish slavery by a stroke of the pen and that it is necessary that the Government should only advance by stages. The Committee's suggestions as regards this country will therefore be restricted to the steps which might be taken to carry out this policy.\n\n(a) The first step which may be suggested would be to aid the Abyssinian Government in combating slavery, should the latter make a definite request to this effect—in particular, in the form of financial assistance which would not interfere in any way with the independence of the country.\n\n(3) The main objective, however, should be to make the Abyssinians themselves realise fully the reprehensible character of slavery and the merit of spontaneous acts of liberation. Though laws may help to transform customs, the laws themselves are only fully applied if, in their conception, they reflect the sentiments of the general mass. It would appear that great progress has been made in this direction.\n\nThe Government will doubtless succeed in creating the necessary atmosphere if it obtains the assistance of the Abyssinian clergy. If it is true that the Abyssinian clergy themselves possess slaves, they should take the lead in applying the first of the suggestions put forward in the 1925 report of the Temporary Commission for the abolition of slavery in Abyssinia—namely, that they should set the example by freeing their own slaves.\n\nOther steps might be taken to stimulate the awakening in Abyssinian public opinion of a spirit favourable to the suppression of slavery. The Government might, for instance, bestow rewards on those who voluntarily free their slaves.\n\nFurthermore, it is certain that, if public opinion in all countries paid constant attention to the slavery question, the Abyssinian people would realise that no country can be regarded as fully civilised while it continues to tolerate slavery. This is the idea which has partly inspired the suggestion, made in paragraph 74 of the present report, for the establishment of a Permanent Commission.\n\n(c) As an interim measure to supplement the provisions of the 1924 Edict, the Temporary Commission recommended that all owners of slaves should be obliged to register their slaves within a given time limit, and that any slaves who on the expiry of the time limit had not been so registered should be freed. The present Committee cannot but endorse this proposal, but would point out that liberation should not be restricted to slaves who have not been registered after a certain time limit. Those slaves whose master when applying for their registration is unable to prove that he acquired them by legally authorised means should also be liberated. Severe penalties should be imposed on persons owning slaves who have not been registered,\n\n(d) The Temporary Commission recommended as another transitory method the abolition of the status of slavery, with the reservation that former slaves thus legally freed would be obliged,\n\n84", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534051, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "page_number": 69, "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "content_text": "865\n\n- 10 -\n\nfor a specified period, to continue to serve their former masters under the same conditions as if a contract of service existed between the parties.\n\nThe Abyssinian Government may foresee some difficulty in adopting this suggestion. If, however, it feels unable to go to the length of the immediate abolition of the legal status of slavery, could it not at any rate grant slaves the right to obtain manumission at their request, provided compensation were paid to the owner, or provided the slaves undertook, on pain of penalties to be defined by law, to continue to work for their master under the same conditions as an ordinary hired worker, except that the master would not be bound to pay them wages during the specified period? The law would lay down the maximum compensation or period of service which the owner could claim as a condition of liberation, according to the age and sex of the slave.\n\nShould higher compensation or a longer period of service have been stipulated, this would ipso facto be reduced to the maximum laid down by the law.\n\nThe wives of slaves and children born even before the promulgation of the 1924 Edict, which ensures freedom to all persons enslaved after that date, would be included in the liberation acquired by adult slaves through redemption by such means.\n\nIt is fully understood that all further enslavement will continue to be absolutely prohibited.\n\n(e) Another possibly effective measure would be to increase from year to year the obligations attached by law or by custom to the ownership of slaves, either in the form of taxation—which might even be imposed on a progressive scale—or in the form of conditions as to the housing and feeding of slaves. As regards the latter suggestion, the labour legislation of some colonial States might provide a useful basis for the Abyssinian Government.\n\n(f) In any case, it would be useful that the Abyssinian Government should, if it has not yet done so, revise its Edict of 1923 and prohibit the enslavement of all persons even in the course of warlike operations.\n\nTo be in a\n\n(g) The Committee does not at present feel able to make any other suggestions. position to do so effectively, it would have to possess a detailed knowledge of the special circumstances of the country, a knowledge which can only be possessed by persons directly acquainted with the present state of the country.\n\nTowards the close of its proceedings, the Committee received through Lord Lugard a note regarding the Emperor's intentions, which throws light on the future. According to the information contained in the note, which is attached to the present report (Appendix C), the Emperor proposes to take measures which forestall some of the recommendations of the Committee.\n\n15. How can those Moslem States or Sultanates, which have up to the present maintained the system of slavery, be induced to abolish this institution?\n\nIn the first place as was suggested in the Temporary Commission's 1925 report their admission to the League of Nations should, if they desire to enter the League, be made conditional upon the abolition of slavery in law and in fact, by degrees or at one stroke.\n\nEvery Power with which these States or Sultanates seek or agree to conclude treaties should likewise endeavour to obtain the insertion of a clause in the treaties to be concluded to abolish slavery.\n\nThe influence exerted by the Powers with a view to the abolition of the status of slavery would be strengthened if the Governments of these States or Sultanates further felt that the League of Nations was constantly watching them through the setting up of the Permanent Slavery Commission suggested in paragraph 74 of the present report.\n\nIt is stated that already, under the influence of world public opinion, slaves are no longer sold openly but in secret in the Sultanates of Arabia.\n\nThe assistance of the Moslem religious authorities could improve the present position. These authorities might remind the population of the principles of their religion which, although it admits slavery, enjoins its adherents to treat slaves kindly and is even favourable to their liberation.\n\nCHAPTER II.\n\nSLAVE-RAIDING AND SIMILAR ACTS.\n\n(a) Raids properly so-called.\n\nA. Survey of the Situation.\n\n16. According to the 1925 report, slave-raids had practically disappeared except on the borders of the Sahara Desert, where raids were occasionally organised by nomad robbers. The report observed, however, that slave-raids organised by Abyssinians were said to have occurred both in and outside Abyssinian territory.\n\n17. The slave-raids on the borders of the Sahara are, it would seem, likely to become fewer and fewer. According to the information supplied to the Committee, most of the regions in which the captors used to operate or those in which they used to sell their captives, such as South Morocco, South Tripolitania, and certain oases in the Libyan Desert, such as those of Kufra and Fezzan, have now passed under the effective administration and jurisdiction of the colonising Powers.\n\nII -\n\nThe same information would tend to show that the supervision exercised by the police, organised by France and by Italy for the desert zones under their respective influence, continues to be both vigilant and active. It may be hoped that, with continuous progress in the rapid transmission of news, nomads moving from well to well will find it increasingly difficult to escape all permanent control.\n\nAccording to the Spanish Government, the number of Spanish Guards along the frontier of the Rio de Oro Colony was increased some years ago, close contact being maintained between them. This will make it more difficult for slave-raiders to operate in this area and take refuge in Spanish territory when pursued by French méharistes (camel corps).\n\n18. Documents published by the British Government with regard to raids carried out by Abyssinians outside Abyssinia affirm that the British Government has on several occasions made representations to the Abyssinian Government concerning slave raids in Kenya, Uganda and the Sudan, but sometimes in connection with hunting or cattle-raiding, and, to prevent the repetition of such raids, the Governments of these territories have been forced, at great expense to themselves, to instal and maintain military posts near the Abyssinian border, or to give instructions for frequent armed patrols on the frontier.\n\nA raid of this kind occurred on March 21st and 22nd, 1932. According to the Abyssinian Government, some groups living in Abyssinia wished to make reprisals for certain acts of violence committed against another group by inhabitants of the Sudan. According to the British documents, these reprisals were not justified, as the Sudan authorities had undertaken to punish the inhabitants of that country of whose conduct the Abyssinians had had to complain.\n\n19. On the other hand, trustworthy persons report that even in recent times slave-raids have occurred within Abyssinia itself. The western districts of the country in particular have, it is said, been desolated by raids. The Committee, however, possesses no proof of the accuracy of these assertions. Documents supplied to the Committee do, it is true, show that judicial enquiries conducted by the Anglo-Egyptian Government would seem to have proved that, in 1927, Arab subjects of Abyssinia sold in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan a fairly large number of Berta slaves, natives of Abyssinia. The Committee, however, does not know whether these slaves were obtained during recent raids or whether they had long been in a state of slavery.\n\n(b) Inter-tribal Wars and Other Raids.\n\n20. As stated in the 1925 report, the occupation and pacification by the colonial Powers of the territories whose guardianship they have assumed, have put an end to tribal warfare and have thus dried up what was, next to slave-raids, the principal source of slavery, though a far less important one. Wherever necessary these results have, it is said, since been enhanced by the steady growth and expansion and the increased efficacy of the administrative and judicial services of the colonising Powers, and likewise, though to a less degree, by the influence of other civilising factors.\n\n(c) The Capture of Individuals.\n\n21. The occasional capture—with or without violence, by ruse or threats—of any individual to reduce him to slavery was of more or less frequent occurrence in Africa even when the European nations began to gain a hold on the continent.\n\nThe abolition of the status of slavery by these nations in the countries under their control rendered this practice ineffective. Moreover, under the laws of most of these Powers, the capture of individuals is now an offence. Such occurrences are to-day very rare, even in territories where justice is administered by native courts; this is a result of the measures of supervision which are referred to in paragraph 7 of the present report and which were adopted in order that the judgments of these tribunals should not sanction customs favouring slavery.\n\n22. In Abyssinia, as has already been stated in paragraph 8 of the present report, the Edict of September 15th, 1923, made it an offence punishable with death to capture persons in order to enslave them except in the case of warfare. The Edict of March 31st, 1924, inflicts severe penalties on any person who re-enslaves a freed slave by ruse or by holding out promises. The Committee, however, has no information concerning the extent to which these provisions are applied.\n\nB. Suggestions.\n\n23. The Committee desires to make the following suggestions:\n\n(a) That, in countries which have not yet adopted such measures, the Governments concerned should consider the possibility of prohibiting the possession of firearms without special permission, the restriction of the importation of firearms and especially of rifled barrels and arms of precision and the gift or sale of these arms being rightly contemplated by the signatory Powers of the General Act of the Brussels Conference as one of the most appropriate means of preventing slave-raiding;\n\n(b) That the Governments concerned should even consider the possibility of compelling the inhabitants to hand over temporarily any arms whatever to the authorities, whenever such disarmament is considered desirable to prevent inter-tribal wars or the formation of armed bands;\n\n86", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534052, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "page_number": 70, "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "content_text": "47\n\n12\n\nI3\n\n(c) That the formation of armed bands should in all cases be made a criminal offence; (d) That, if the local authorities tolerate the formation of such bands, they should be severely punished, particularly if these bands by their actions have occasioned the death of any person or the capture of slaves;\n\n(e) That, in all countries concerned, the law should be supplemented, if necessary, by provisions for the infliction of severe penalties on persons who enter a foreign territory with arms;\n\n(f) That orders should be given by the States concerned to their officers on the spot to report immediately and by the speediest means available to the nearest foreign local authorities the entry or the probable return into the territory under the latter's authority of armed bands and the frontier region which is likely to be crossed;\n\n(g) That agreements as already recommended by the Temporary Commission should be reached between these States authorising their officers, when in pursuit of the captors of slaves, to enter the territory of the other Power to which the captors have returned or in which they have taken refuge, and to arrest such persons if the authorities of the other Power have not available on the spot sufficient forces to proceed immediately to do so themselves, with the proviso that the culprits would be handed over to the latter authorities either for judgment or until the necessary extradition formalities have been completed. An arrangement of this nature has been concluded between French Equatorial Africa and Darfur.\n\n24. It would seem that these proposals, or at any rate those set out in (f) and (g) above, could be readily accepted by the Abyssinian Government, since, in its letter of April 12th, 1924, it expressed the desire to reach an agreement with the neighbouring countries with a view to joint action in the campaign against slavery, an intention which was reiterated by the Abyssinian delegation in the Sixth Committee of the eleventh League Assembly. One result of the measures proposed would certainly be to prevent incidents which are bound to disturb the relations of good neighbourliness between the States concerned and to have a harmful effect from the international standpoint as well.\n\nIt cannot, however, be expected that the officers of the Abyssinian Government will be able to assist foreign States in preventing or suppressing slave-raids in the territory of the latter, or that slave-raids and individual captures by Abyssinians will be put down in Abyssinia itself, until the central authority is sufficiently powerful to enforce obedience to its orders by its officers to the utmost limits of the Empire. The abolition of the status of slavery by the Abyssinian Government would again be of immense assistance in the suppression of these practices.\n\nCHAPTER III. SLAVE TRADE.\n\nA. Survey of the Situation.\n\n25. The Temporary Commission's report includes under this heading only transactions for the purchase or sale of slaves on a commercial basis. According to the report, traffic in this sense persisted only in the States of Arabia or the coast of the Persian Gulf, and to a certain extent in Abyssinia.\n\n26. The abolition since then of the status of slavery in Iraq, Persia, Kelat, Afghanistan and the Bahrein Archipelago has dealt a severe blow at the traffic in these countries.\n\n27. The Abyssinian Government, which, by its Edict of March 31st, 1924, amended by that of July 15th, 1931, made the transfer of slaves, whether with or without payment, an offence entailing very severe penalties, will doubtless continue to meet, in the suppression of this practice, with difficulties of the kind mentioned in the part of the present report which deals with the status of slavery—viz., resistance from a considerable portion of the population and even from some of the authorities. The propinquity of Arabia complicates the Abyssinian Government's task, because whatever measures (hereafter referred to) may have been taken to prevent the importation of slaves into Arabia, it may still be that, in the Yemen, Hejaz and Nejd, and the Sultanates situated along the south-east coasts of the Arabian peninsula, traders may still find it possible to sell slaves at a good price. True, in its Edict of September 15th, 1923, the Abyssinian Government prohibited its officers from allowing slaves to leave their area, but, even supposing all these officers were desirous of complying with the edict, the extent of the frontier would make it difficult to organise effective supervision.\n\n28. As regards transit across the British, French and Italian colonies bordering on the Red Sea and the embarkation of slaves from Abyssinia at any point on the west coast of that sea, the authorities of those colonies are making the most commendable efforts to prevent it, inter alia, by vigilant inspection of the passengers and crews of all vessels leaving their colonies, and the French expert points out that France frequently sends méharistes along the coast of its Somaliland colony with a view to the prevention of clandestine departures.\n\nFurther, British, French and Italian warships more or less frequently cruise in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, along the Arabian coast and in the Persian Gulf, to prevent the importation of slaves into the Arabian peninsula, but the commanders of these warships find it much more difficult now to take effective action against the transport of slaves in these waters owing to the fact that the General Act of the Brussels Conference has been abrogated by their Governments, and that, so far, none of the general or special Conventions provided for in Article 3 of the Slavery Convention of 1926 has been concluded.\n\n29. However that may be, the Hejaz, in a treaty concluded on May 20th, 1927, with the British Government, has undertaken to co-operate with the United Kingdom in the campaign against the slave trade. The same undertaking has been given by the Sultanates of Muscat, Oman and the Bahrein Archipelago, the Trucial Sheikhdoms and most of the Sultanates of the Hadramouth coast.\n\nThe right to continue in territorial waters the pursuit of vessels suspected of being engaged in the transport of slaves has been granted to British warships by the greater part of these States and Sultanates.\n\n30. Are slaves from Africa imported in considerable numbers into the slavery-tolerating States or Sultanates of Arabia or the Persian Gulf? The Committee is unable to give a definite reply to this question. According to certain documents from private sources, such importation still exists on a considerable scale. On the other hand, the opinion of British officials who, according to the British Government in the United Kingdom, are in a very good position to judge, is that the traffic is now on a very small scale. This view is confirmed by the Italian expert on the Committee.\n\nIn any case, it is alleged that the importation of slaves into the Sultanates of Muscat and Koweit has virtually ceased, the only additions to the number of slaves in these countries being children born of marriages or concubinage with slaves. Slaves, if sold at all, are only sold, it is maintained, in secret.\n\n31. It is far from improbable, however, that a certain number of free persons forming part of the crews of vessels bound for Arabia or represented as such, or members of the family of passengers for Arabia, are sold in Arabia as slaves. Pilgrimages to the holy places of Arabia are said to provide the principal opportunity for this traffic.\n\nThis danger has been forestalled by the Netherlands Government in the Far East. Pilgrims only leave for Arabia at certain seasons of the year, and exclusively on vessels of certain large steamship companies which have a de facto monopoly of their transport by sea. The companies are required to give every guarantee that the transport conditions are satisfactory, hygienic and sure. They have to deposit a surety for the return of the pilgrims. The persons organising these pilgrimages on the outward and return trips earn large profits. Only persons of unquestionable respectability are permitted to assemble and embark pilgrims. Pilgrims may not embark unless they possess individual passports in which they are carefully identified. Copies of these passports are kept by the Consul of the Netherlands at Jeddah, and registers are kept in the place where the passports are issued. By these means, the pilgrims are effectively protected. It is due no doubt in part to this strict supervision that no case of enslavement in Arabia of pilgrims from the Netherlands colonies in the Far East has been reported for a long time past.\n\nThe Governments of the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements have also established a passport control organisation. The Committee has no information as to the working of this system, but it understands that a public official of the Straits Settlements accompanies the pilgrims to the holy places in Arabia.\n\nThe French Government also takes steps to protect pilgrims proceeding from the African territories under French control. The pilgrims are assembled in certain towns, provided with individual passports and conducted to the holy places of Arabia under the supervision of officer-interpreters who hold collective passports. To prevent the supply of contingent of slaves to the Hejaz from the population of the Chad region, an Order of August 16th, 1930, promulgated by the Governor-General of Equatorial Africa makes it compulsory for natives proceeding abroad from this colony in all cases to be in possession of a passport.\n\nIt is not impossible, however, that pilgrims belonging to territories administered by France sometimes leave these territories individually and without passports for Arabia. The same applies to pilgrims belonging to the Italian colonies, despite the regulations to which pilgrimage is subject there.\n\nLastly, other Governments of Africa have not taken the measures and precautions described above, probably on account of the special conditions of the territories administered by them.\n\nPilgrims coming from the African continent therefore still run the risk of being sold in Arabia as slaves.\n\n32. The United Kingdom, France and Italy, like the Netherlands, have each an agent at Jeddah. Every person who takes refuge with these agents is, in fact, assured of his freedom.\n\nAs regards the British Legation at Jeddah, its right of manumission has been recognised by treaty with the King of the Hejaz, and extends to slaves who do not belong to British territories. In cases of manumission, the Legation repatriates the slave or, if he wishes to remain in Hejaz-Nejd, takes the necessary steps to obtain for him an official certificate of manumission, with the consent of his former owner. British political agents in the Sultanates of Muscat and Bahrein, and on the Hadramouth coast also have the power of manumitting slaves, and this power is well known along the whole of the coast of the Persian Gulf.\n\n33. The committee regrets that it possesses no information regarding the co-operation of Egypt in the campaign against the slave trade, except that contained in paragraph 35 of the Temporary Commission's report.\n\n88\n\nPage 70\n\nPage 71", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534053, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "page_number": 71, "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "content_text": "89\n\n14\n\nB. Suggestions.\n\n34. The abolition of the status of slavery in law and in fact in the countries to which slaves are at present sent, as recommended in Chapter I of this report, would in itself, by putting an end to the demand, ensure the disappearance of the slave trade.\n\n35. Until this end is achieved, it is to be hoped that the Powers exercising rights of sovereignty over African territories along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean will persist in their efforts to prevent the importation of slaves or the sale of free persons as slaves in Africa.\n\nIn this connection, the Committee can only express the hope that the happy collaboration which formerly prevailed between these Powers, including Egypt, will be maintained and, if necessary, strengthened. It is of the utmost importance that there should be no link lacking in the chain of supervision with which Arabia was formerly surrounded by agreement of the Powers to prevent the traffic in slaves to or in this part of the world.\n\n36. All these Powers should, in particular, consider the possibility of inducing natives not to leave the territory to which they belong, unless they are provided by the authority of the country in question with a personal passport containing a precise description of their identity. A system of checking their passports so as to verify the return of their holders seems also desirable.\n\n37. These Powers should, at all events, if they have not already done so, provide for severe penalties against the captains or other masters of vessels who are found attempting to leave or who have left any point on the coast other than one of the places specified, without having received a permit to leave. Similar penalties should be inflicted on the captains or other masters of vessels who take on board any person not provided with a passport issued by, or stamped with the visa of, the authority of the port of embarkation, after satisfying themselves that the person in question is really a pilgrim.\n\n38. As regards supervision over vessels at sea or off the coast of Arabia or the Persian Gulf, it should be noted that Article 3 of the 1926 Convention provides for the conclusion, between all the signatory States, or between certain of them, of Conventions designed to promote the disappearance of the slave trade. It is highly desirable that such Conventions should be concluded with as little delay as possible, and particularly that the special agreements provided for in that article should be concluded as soon as possible between the United Kingdom, Egypt, France and Italy, with a view to co-ordinating their efforts for the suppression of this evil.\n\nThe Committee has been concerned to ascertain whether warships could search vessels suspected of transporting slaves which sail under no flag or under a flag not recognised by the Powers concerned, and seize them if necessary. It is in the case of these vessels above all that the slave traffic by sea is to be feared, and it is against them therefore that severe action should be taken.\n\nThe Committee is not competent to discuss this delicate question, but expresses the earnest hope that it will be studied, and that the Powers will agree to put an end once for all to abuses which constitute so grave a violation of the rights of humanity.\n\nIn any case, it would seem that the Powers should undertake to proclaim severe penalties of a uniform character against the offence of maritime slave-trading when the vessel concerned carries their own flag.\n\nThe Powers might further accord to each other the right to pursue vessels suspected of maritime slave-trading into each other's territorial waters in the region of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf off the coast of Arabia, provided always that the guilty persons are handed over for trial to the authorities of the country in whose waters the vessels are seized.\n\n39. All Powers whose inhabitants contribute contingents to the pilgrimages to the holy places should further consider the possibility of adopting the measures taken by some Governments in the Far East or by France, as mentioned in paragraph 31 above.\n\n40. In every case, it is essential that, when a slave who is destined for sale or who has been sold in Arabia is freed, an exhaustive enquiry should be instituted and the results communicated if necessary to the Government of the slave's country of origin, in order to discover the person responsible for the act of slave-trading and the ways and means employed by them. Apart from the punishment of the culprits, such investigations are calculated to furnish useful information for the prevention by the administration of further acts of this nature.\n\n41. The 1925 report suggested the establishment on the western coast of the Red Sea, under the supervision of a local government, of a central depot, public or private, to which freed slaves would be sent in the first place, and from there forwarded to their country of origin.\n\nThe expediency of such a measure was contested in the Committee on the ground that the number of freed slaves sent back to Africa by the diplomatic or consular agents at Jeddah would be very small, while it would rarely happen that the nationality of the slaves could not be determined by the authorities of the port of disembarkation in African territory. The responsibility for sheltering those who, to the knowledge of the authorities of the port of disembarkation, are nationals of another Power would, moreover, be of short duration, as communications between the British, Egyptian, French, Netherlands and Italian authorities are frequent.\n\nHowever, owing to their inability to give any information, freed slaves often remain for weeks in the ports, and the authorities have the greatest difficulty in disposing of them at all.\n\nFailing statistics concerning the number of slaves freed at Jeddah and sent back to the African continent, the Committee is unable to express an opinion as to the expediency of the measures suggested by the Temporary Commission. It appears, however, from the documents that, since the Convention of 1926, 159 slaves were freed by the British Legation at Jeddah and sent to Port Sudan, where arrangements were made to give them satisfactory temporary shelter. It would perhaps be sufficient if the Powers in control of territories from which the slaves who have been freed originate would undertake to refund to whatever Power has sheltered and repatriated the individuals in question the costs of their upkeep and of sending them back to their country of origin, in order that they might be assured of the same benefits as would result from the establishment of a central depot. In the case of slaves who are natives of Abyssinia, the Abyssinian Government should in addition undertake to guarantee their freedom.\n\nIn the case of freed slaves whose country of origin cannot be determined, the authorities of the territory in which they have been disembarked will probably not refuse to assist them in settling for good in that territory. The same would apply to any slaves who do not wish to return to their country of origin.\n\n42. In any case, the Committee shares the opinion of the 1924 Temporary Commission that it is desirable that any information which can be obtained regarding the origin of freed slaves and their transport by sea or land should be centralised as proposed in paragraphs 72 and 75 of the present report.\n\nCHAPTER IV.\n\n- Slave-Dealing (INCLUDING TRANSFER BY EXCHANGE, Sale, Gift, Inheritance, OR OCCASIONAL SALE OF PERSONS PREVIOUSLY FREE).\n\nA. Survey of the Situation.\n\n43. The 1925 report of the Temporary Commission noted that these practices had practically disappeared in countries which had abolished the status of slavery. Since then, the situation has improved still further, as may be seen from paragraphs 2 to 6 of the report. Moreover, the civilising influence of the Governments on peoples among whom slavery still existed has made marked progress during the last few years.\n\n44. While Abyssinia, as mentioned above, has not abolished the status of slavery, she has, by an Edict of March 31st, 1924, prohibited, on pain of judicial penalties, the transfer of slaves with or without payment, and accorded the right to be set free to any persons so transferred.\n\nAmong the many contingencies in which this edict gives slaves the right to manumission is the case of the death of their master. The 1924 Edict provided, however, that they should be bound to serve the heirs of the deceased for seven years as from the day of death. The Edict of July 15th, 1931, has done away with this latter obligation; and the 1924 Edict itself accorded the right to freedom on the day of the owner's death in the case of slaves captured before that edict. The Committee has no information regarding the application of these provisions.\n\n45. While in Africa, by reason partly of the fact of the cessation of famines and partly of the improvement in the economic situation of the native peoples, parents no longer need to have recourse to the sale of their children in order to provide them with the means of subsistence, is it the same in China?\n\nOn this point, the material supplied or forwarded to the Committee has not enabled the latter to ascertain the exact situation. While it is certain that a large number of children, especially females - who, if they are not really adopted, are known as Mui Tsai - are placed by their parents with other persons, generally in return for a money payment to the parents and the obligation to support the child, the nature of the contract and the rights which it confers on the person with whom the children are placed are not very clear. Some regard it as a real sale of the child. The lot of such children, they add, is particularly wretched, since apart from being neglected and overworked, which alone entails the cruellest bodily suffering, they are often, it would appear, victims of the depraved instincts of their employers, or of persons with whom the latter bring them into contact, and sometimes also of acts of revolting cruelty.\n\nAlthough the information to hand is to the effect that there is no ill-treatment of the numerous \"Mui Tsai\" at Hong-Kong at any rate as a general practice on the part of the well-to-do Chinese population of Hong-Kong in whose service they are, the Government of Hong-Kong in February 1929 enacted an ordinance which prohibits the engagement of female servants for the use of whose services payment has been made to another person and likewise the employment as a paid servant of any person of the female sex under ten years of age. As regards contracts concluded previously, the order, inter alia, accords \"Mui Tsai\" the right to return, should they wish, to their parents, without the latter being obliged to refund the sum paid by the person to whom the \"Mui Tsai\" was entrusted. There are other provisions designed to ensure the good treatment of \"Mui Tsai\" during their period of service.\n\nAs regards China, these assertions, to the effect that a \"Mui Tsai\" is a female child who has been sold and who is as a rule ill-treated, were contested by the Chinese delegate in the Sixth Committee of the League Assembly in September 1931. This distinguished authority stated:\n\n\"Traffic in children does not exist in China, and indeed could not exist there in view of the Chinese traditions of filial piety and the well-known readiness of Chinese mothers to adopt other children in cases of disaster\".\n\nC\n\n15\n\nL", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534054, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "page_number": 72, "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932", "content_text": "91\n\n16\n\n-\n\n17\n\nThe documents supplied or transmitted by the British Government tend to confirm this statement. There are said to be no sales of children, but children are placed in service, on payment, it is true, of a sum of money to the parents, though the main object is to ensure the child the means of subsistence, which the parents cannot give it. The child is regarded rather as a member of the family in which she is placed; in any case, though obliged to give her services, she occupies in the house a position superior to that of the paid servants. According to the same authority, Mui Tsai are rarely ill-treated, as the Chinese love children. Further, the Chinese courts, it is stated, inflict severe penalties on persons guilty of ill-treating children, and such persons lose all standing in public opinion.\n\nWhatever the explanation of this very marked divergence of opinion, the Canton Provincial Government issued on March 1st, 1927, regulations which, inter alia, prohibit the purchase, sale or pledging of young girls as \"Mui Tsai\". The regulations declare all such contracts null and void. Girls purchased before the publication of the edict are to be known as adopted daughters. Adopted daughters must be well treated, and sent to school from the age of 12 to 16, and married before the age of 23, if they so desire. Penalties are provided for breaches of the regulations. The documents refer to similar regulations in the Province of Fukien, but these appear to authorise adoption by purchase. It appears also that the Nanking authorities have issued provisions similar to those of the Canton Government; but the Committee has not been able to ascertain the purpose of either the Fukien or the Canton regulations. Draft regulations of a stricter character than those of March 1st, 1927, are under consideration at Canton. The Committee is not aware whether they have acquired the force of law.\n\nSuch are the data supplied by the existing material, The Committee feels that it should confine itself to describing the contents without endorsing one or other of the opinions summarised above as to the legitimacy or reprehensibility of the \"Mui Tsai\" system. It would stress the point that, apart from the Chinese delegate to the Assembly of September 1931, these divergent opinions number among their supporters persons who are equally impartial and reliable and who would appear to be equally competent in the matter.\n\nOne is led to wonder whether this difference of opinion is not due to a misunderstanding. May it not be the case that, side by side with the Mui Tsai\" system, there is a clandestine traffic in young girls in China, as in other countries, for purposes of prostitution? May not the explanation be found in the fact that the parents who live at a distance from the centres of population believe, when they hand over their daughters-with or without payment to persons who present themselves saying that they are in a position to place the children in circumstances which are for their advantage, that they are providing them with honourable means of livelihood? It is possible and the information supplied by one expert confirms this opinion that these intermediaries abuse the confidence placed in them and hand over the young girls to disorderly houses in return for money. As a general rule, the go-betweens justify the possession of young girls by representing them to be adopted daughters.\n\nB. Suggestions.\n\n46. In view of the progress recorded above, except perhaps as regards China, the Committee has no suggestions to submit beyond those already set forth in the 1925 report-namely, that the Powers desirous of abolishing slavery should re-examine their laws and, if necessary, supplement them, in the light of the data supplied by experience, in such a way as actually to get at all the facts in regard to slave-dealing, including transfer by exchange, sale, gift or occasional sale of persons previously free.\n\nThe position in regard to the transfer of slaves by inheritance is a delicate one. While it is evident that, even in this case, it is impossible to recognise any right of ownership of the heir or legatee in the slaves forming part of his inheritance, it is desirable not to make regulations which will compel him to part from them against their own will, since that would be to run the risk of depriving them of their only means of livelihood, which the heir is traditionally bound to provide for them. Such a course would be inadmissible and even cruel in the case of aged or infirm slaves.\n\n47. As regards China, assuming that the \"Mui Tsai\" system is open to the serious criticism directed against it, legislation such as the Canton Government's Edict of 1927 will certainly not put an end to it, for the edict simply prohibits the sale, purchase and pledging of children. It is, however, far from certain that, under Chinese law, a Mui Tsai\" is a child who has been bought in the strict sense of the term. The persons concerned can, as a rule, claim that the purpose of the contract is not to transfer the right of ownership over the child, and that, in consequence, they are not liable to the penalties laid down in the edict, but that the purpose is rather to transfer the rights of paternal authority over the child and to enable the person receiving the child to make use of such services as the latter can render. Legislation embodying the provisions of the Hong-Kong Order would undoubtedly be far more efficacious. Again, one can hardly anticipate the complete disappearance of the \"Mui Tsai\" system, unless economic conditions in China become such that parents are not obliged to hand over their children to others in order to ensure them the means of livelihood. It is necessary also to reckon with Chinese public opinion, which sees nothing reprehensible in the \"Mui Tsai\" system that has been practised for centuries.\n\nAs regards procuration properly so-called, the Committee leaves this important question for study by competent organisations.\n\n4\n\nCHAPTER V. PRACTICES RESTRICTIVE ON THE LIBERTY OF THE PERSON.\n\nUnder this head, the present report, like that of 1925, deals with practices or customs the legal scope of which is not well known.\n\nA. Survey of the Situation.\n\n(a) Acquisition of Girls by Purchase disguised as Payment of Dowry.\n\n48. The Temporary Commission of 1925 was of opinion that, generally speaking, neither native customary laws nor Moslem law regarding marriage, properly so-called, involved, from the native point of view, the purchase of the wife or any act of enslaving. The custom of concubinage, according to Moslem law and some local customs, is, on the other hand, much more likely to lead to traffic in slaves, since the acquisition of a concubine is usually accompanied by the payment of a certain sum which in that case constitutes a real sale, whatever the word (\"gift\" or \"dowry\") used to designate the payment.\n\nThe present Committee is also of opinion that there is a great deal of misunderstanding in regard to the \"lobolo\" system-i.e., the sum paid to the girl's family by the fiancé. The most competent authorities regard this, not as a purchase price, but rather as a guarantee of proper treatment and an actual certificate of legal marriage. However, there is no doubt that this system has given rise to abuses, especially on the part of natives who no longer belong to any tribe and who carry on a regular trade in wives.\n\nThe Committee has here again to record progress, for, when the handing over of a dowry is in fact a disguised purchase that is, when it confers on the person providing the dowry rights analogous to those of an owner of a chattel-this practice comes within the category of slave-dealing; it has accordingly lost all legal validity and may even be punishable in countries which, in 1925, still tolerated slavery, but have since abolished it. These countries are enumerated in paragraphs 2 to 6 of the present report.\n\n49. While, in Abyssinia, the 1924 Statute only prohibits the purchase or sale of slaves, it is obviously within the intention of the edict to prohibit the purchase of free persons, especially women, for the purpose of enslaving them. At any event, even if the woman has been purchased before the 1924 Edict, she is entitled to emancipation, not only in the cases for which provision is made in regard to other slaves, but also if she becomes a mother by her master or by a son of the latter.\n\n50. As regards polygamy, which sometimes has the effect in certain countries of reducing the less-favoured wives to a condition hardly distinguishable from slavery, the changed economic conditions are contributing to its disappearance.\n\nFurther, the practice adopted by certain colonial Governments of imposing on polygamists a tax in respect of each wife except one is also tending to the abolition of this practice.\n\n(b) Enslavement of Children disguised as Adoption.\n\n51. Adoption is a current practice in the Far East and Oceania, but appears to be less common in Africa. Apart from the objects of adoption, as practised in western countries, it sometimes has religious objects as well. Sometimes also, it is an expression of politeness between families or a tribute to the adopting family by the family of the adopted child. Under these adoption contracts, the treatment accorded to the adopted child differs but little or not at all from that accorded to the children of the person adopting the child.\n\nA French report points out, however, that recourse is sometimes had in Annam to adoption in cancellation of a debt to the parents of the adopted child.\n\n52. It is alleged that, in China, adoption is frequently deprived of its true character in such a way as to amount to real enslavement, involving the conditions of existence to which paragraph 45 of this report refers for the adopted children. The Committee is not in a position either to contest or to confirm these assertions. It may be that these allegations confuse the practice of adoption and the system of \"Mui Tsai\" and the traffic in children described in paragraph 45 of this report, in which the accusations brought against the system of \"Mui Tsai\" and the denials with which they are met are set forth.\n\n(c) Pledging of Third Persons; (d) Pledging of the Debtor himself.\n\n53. This practice has its origin in the absence among the majority of primitive peoples of movable and immovable property which a creditor can seize for the payment of his debt. Among such peoples, it constitutes an essential rule of their customary law.\n\nDoes it, however, amount to a regular pledging-i.e., does it confer on the creditor the right to sell the person who has been pledged, or to become the owner of that person if the debt is not paid? Is it not a kind of keeping a person as a hostage until the day of payment? Or, when the person concerned is able to render service, should not this practice be regarded as a means accorded to the debtor of paying in the form of labour the amount of the debt?", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 534582, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-540-2 Importation of American motor vehicles 1-4-1932 - 21-5-1932", "page_number": 3, "title": "CO129-540-2 Importation of American motor vehicles 1-4-1932 - 21-5-1932", "content_text": "3\n\nBut the present proposal is somewhat different. The proposal suggests to call for tenders for the operation of motor buses - one tender for the mainland & one for the island - & to stipulate in each case that only British vehicles shall be considered.\n\nI see no objection to this proposed stipulation.\n\n? Telegraph no objection to the proposed stipulation. And send copy of (1) a reply Conf 7 BOT Surameron 12.5·32.\n\nTel. 94 11 532 DESTROYED UNDER STATUTORY RULES early May to No. 1.\n\nIn view of the representations referred to in 72857/30 and 62769/29, I am doubtful whether it would be politic to call for tenders specifying British vehicles as this would amount to much the same as the police edict, that only British buses should be licensed, to which the G.O.C. took exception in para 10 on 62769/29 H.K.\n\nMy own view is that it would be better to proceed by way of a preferential tariff, but to do so would mean a reversal of La Penfield's ruling 1/26/11/29 on 62769/29.\n\nIn the circumstances, I think this should be referred to the S. of S. for decision before replying to (2).\n\nAlade ~72-5-32", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-540-2 Importation of American motor vehicles 1-4-1932 - 21-5-1932.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 543757, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-546-1 Loans for public works 6-1-1934 - 14-8-1934", "page_number": 14, "title": "CO129-546-1 Loans for public works 6-1-1934 - 14-8-1934", "content_text": "To note later.\n\nI have found an **edict** (or memorandum) `72` `Mw` by Goldbug (CA) `Temus`