[
    {
        "id": 415772,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908",
        "page_number": 467,
        "title": "CO129-350 - Public Offices - 1908",
        "content_text": "## The following despatches are returned herewith:-\n\nForeign Office, No. 175; Peking, No. 274; China Association, June 25; Foreign Office to Board of Trade, July 10; Board of Trade to Foreign Office, August 13; Foreign Office to Board of Trade, August 28, 1907.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) **HAROLD G. PARLETT**,\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\n(Translation.)\n\n### TABLE of Freight Charges for whole Cars.\n\n| Station | From and to Dairen |  |  | From and to Yinkow |  |  |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  | 1st Class, Yen per ton | 2nd Class, Yen per ton | 3rd Class, Yen per ton | 1st Class, Yen per ton | 2nd Class, Yen per ton | 3rd Class, Yen per ton |\n| Talien Choushuitzn | 6.30 | 4.50 | 3.28 | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 |\n| Nankwanling | 6.13 | 4.38 | 3.14 | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 |\n| Tafangshen | 5.95 | 4.25 | 3.05 | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 |\n| Chinchou | 5.78 | 4.13 | 2.96 | ... | ... | ... |\n| Saushilipu | ... | ... | ... | 0.88 | 0.63 | 0.45 |\n| Puliantien | 5.60 | 4.00 | 2.87 | 1.23 | 0.88 | 0.63 |\n| Wafangtien.. | 5.08 | 3.63 | 2.60 | 1.75 | 1.25 | 0.90 |\n| Teliszu | 4.73 | 3.38 | 2.42 | 2.28 | 1.68 | 1.17 |\n| Wanchialing | 4.03 | 2.88 | 2.06 | 2.80 | 2.00 | 1.44 |\n| Hsiung Yueching | 3.68 | 2.63 | 1.88 | 3.33 | 2.38 | 1.71 |\n| Kaiping | 3.15 | 2.25 | 1.61 | 4.03 | 2.98 | 2.07 |\n| Tashichiao.. | 2.45 | 1.75 | 1.25 | 4.55 | 3.25 | 2.34 |\n| Haicheng | 1.75 | 1.25 | 0.89 | 5.25 | 3.75 | 2.70 |\n| Tangkangtzu | 1.40 | 1.00 | 0.70 | 5.95 | 4.25 | 3.06 |\n| Aachangchang | 2.45 | 1.75 | 1.23 | 6.48 | 4.63 | 3.33 |\n| Liaoyang | 3.50 | 2.50 | 1.75 | 6.65 | 4.75 | 3.42 |\n| Changtaitzu.. | 3.85 | 2.75 | 1.93 | 7.35 | 5.25 | 3.78 |\n| Yentai | 5.25 | 3.75 | 2.63 | 7.53 | 5.38 | 3.87 |\n| Suchiatan | 5.60 | 4.00 | 2.80 | 7.88 | 5.63 | 4.05 |\n| Fengtien (Mukden) | 6.30 | 4.50 | 3.15 | 8.40 | 6.00 | 4.32 |\n| Hushitai | 7.30 | 5.20 | 3.65 | 8.75 | 6.25 | 4.50 |\n| Hsintaitzu | 7.90 | 5.60 | 3.95 | 9.10 | 6.50 | 4.68 |\n| Tiebling | 8.50 | 6.00 | 4.25 | 9.63 | 6.88 | 4.95 |\n| Kaiyuan | 9.40 | 6.60 | 4.70 | 10.60 | 7.40 | 5.30 |\n| Changtu | 10.60 | 7.40 | 5.30 | 11.45 | 7.98 | 5.73 |\n| Shuangmiaotzu | 11.45 | 7.96 | 5.73 | 12.22 | 8.46 | 6.11 |\n| Szupingchieh | 12.22 | 8.46 | 6.11 | 12.65 | 8.74 | 6.33 |\n| Kuociaten | 12.65 | 8.74 | 6.32 | 13.03 | 8.98 | 6.52 |\n| Kangohuling | 13.03 | 8.98 | 6.51 | 13.60 | 9.35 | 6.80 |\n| Fanchiatung | 13.60 | 9.35 | 6.80 | 13.86 | 9.52 | 6.93 |\n| Mengchiatung | 13.86 | 9.51 | 6.93 | 14.30 | 9.80 | 7.15 |\n| Changchung | 14.30 | 9.80 | 7.16 | 14.44 | 9.88 | 7.22 |\n| Kwangchengtzu | 14.44 | 9.88 | 7.22 | 14.49 | 9.91 | 7.24 |\n| Yingchengtzu | 14.49 | 9.91 | 7.24 | 14.52 | 9.93 | 7.25 |\n| Lushun (Port Arthur) | 14.52 | 9.93 | 7.25 | 0.88 | 0.63 | 0.45 |\n| Yinkow | 0.70 | 0.50 | 0.36 | 6.48 | 4.73 | 3.32 |\n| Hsienchi Chai | 7.00 | 5.10 | 3.59 | 9.63 | 6.88 | 4.95 |\n| Fushun | 9.63 | 6.88 | 4.95 | 9.40 | 6.60 | 4.70 |\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n**CHINA TRADE, CONFIDENTIAL, [1043]**\n\n## No. 1.\n\n### Foreign Office to Board of Trade, [January 15.]\n\n## SECTION 2.\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, January 15, 1908.\n\nWITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 25th November, 1907, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, to be laid before the Board of Trade, a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking on the subject of the proposed Chinese Regulations for the registration of trade-marks.\n\nThis matter is not being pursued at present, pending the conclusion of an Arrangement with Japan for the mutual protection of British and Japanese trade-marks in China.\n\nAs you are aware, a draft Convention has been put forward by the Japanese Government in this latter connection, but, pending the receipt of the Board's observations thereon in reply to the letter from this Department of the 6th ultimo, no answer has been returned to the Japanese Government.\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed) **F. A. CAMPBELL**.\n\n*Sir J. Jordan, No. 551, November 26, 1907.* \n\nPage 464",
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    {
        "id": 416099,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908",
        "page_number": 264,
        "title": "CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908",
        "content_text": "261\n\nwork is done. The Fushun line, having originally only been laid down for temporary use, required absolute relaying.\n\nThe work of making embankments, bridges, and earthworks generally commenced in the middle of August, the line for this purpose being divided into three sections.\n\nWith the receipt of the 5 m. 14 ch. south of Kwangchengtzu the work of converting the existing track to narrow gauge was taken in hand at once. A temporary station of Changchun (Hsi-Kwancheugtzu) was established at the same time at a point on the line 437 m. 17 ch. distant from Dairen, while a branch line was laid to the town of Changchun proper from a point on the line distant 435 m. 2 ch. from Dairen. The earthworks, &c., on this particular part are finished, and part of the new track has been laid.\n\nIn the meanwhile, at Dairen itself arrangements were being made for laying down broad-gauge trucks for the reception of the newly-arriving locomotives and cars. In addition, sheds were erected for their storage not only at Dairen, but also at Liaoyang and Tichling. Work in connection with the installation of new signal boxes, &c., was also started at all stations, and alterations made in the latter according to their relative importance.\n\nMulden-Antung Line.--Alterations were made in nine stations and temporary platforms were in places lengthened.\n\nLocomotives and Cars.\n\nThe following are the details of the locomotives and cars put together during the period under review :—\n\n  \n    Classification.\n    Broad Gauge,\n    Narrow Gauge,\n    Total\n  \n  \n    Locomotives\n    \n    8\n    8\n  \n  \n    Gondola cars..\n    181\n    \n    181\n  \n  \n    Flat cars\n    21\n    \n    21\n  \n  \n    Caboose cars\n    5\n    \n    5\n  \n  \n    Total\n    218\n    10\n    \n  \n  \n    Special passenger cars\n    \n    6\n    6\n  \n  \n    2nd class cars\n    \n    A\n    \n  \n  \n    3rd class cars\n    \n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Goods cars\n    \n    25\n    25\n  \n  \n    Grand total\n    \n    \n    248\n  \n  \n    \n    5\n    \n    \n  \n\nHarbours, Bays, &c.\n\nThe survey of the harbour of Dairen was started on the 29th June, 1907, the total area under consideration being 8,200 yards by 1,500 yards.\n\nOf this 6,600 yards by 1,500 yards are completed.\n\nFor purposes of examination of the sea bottom, the area between the wharf inside the breakwater and the Chinese town was divided into 100 sections approximately. Work was started in July, and on forty sections has been concluded.\n\nWharves, &c.\n\nRepairs have been made in the sea wall of the Dairen wharf, fenders placed for the protection of ships, and the rail tracks for the transportation of merchandize increased. When the Company came into possession nine sheds were taken over, three new ones, covering an area of 1,064 \"tsubo,\" have been built, and still five are in course of construction.\n\nWorkshops.\n\nWorkshops have been established at Dairen, Liaoyang, Kunshuling, and at Antung. The one at Dairen attends to shipping repairs, and takes outside orders in addition to the regular railway work.\n\nUnder this heading the most noteworthy features are the erection of a new shop at Dairen, and the enlargement of that at Liaoyang by 273 \"tsubo.\" A new carpenter's shop has also been built at the latter place, while at Kunshuling there is a new forge covering 123 \"tsubo.\"\n\nHotels.\n\nAt Dairen the most suitable building for the purpose among those in our possession was converted into an hotel, and opened to business on the 1st August. Besides this, hotels are either in course of erection or under consideration at Port Arthur, Changchun, and Mukden.\n\nBuildings.\n\nAbout 5,000 buildings, covering an area of 220,000 \"tsubo,\" came into possession of the Company with the railway. Repairs and additions for office purposes, and for quarters for the employés of the railway, were everywhere necessary.\n\nThe following are the chief items of repairs or alterations :--\n\n  \n    Offices repaired\n    53\n  \n  \n    enlarged\n    8 (150 \"tsubo\")\n  \n  \n    Quarters repaired\n    441\n  \n  \n    Annexes enlarged\n    56 (264 \"tsubo\")\n  \n\nElectric Enterprises.\n\nThe number of poles for communication purposes taken over by the Company on the main line was 5,974, on the branch lines 1,020, with 2,181 miles of wires laid and 283 installations in existence.\n\nIn Dairen the Company also took over an electric light plant with its accessories. The following shows the principal items of work done under this heading during the period under review :-\n\n1. Repairing of telephone call offices.\n\n2. 1,814 poles were erected between Suchiatun and Hsienchinchai (34 m. 10 ch.).\n\n3. The work of laying new wires between Tiehling and Szupingchieh (72 m. 72 ch.) and Szupingchieh and Menchiatun (66 m. 18 ch.) was taken in hand, 1,398 poles being erected. In addition, 482 miles of wire were laid along the main line in various localities and installations placed at sixty-three localities. Surveys were also completed over 183 miles.\n\nFinally, arrangements have been made for the supply of electric light in Dairen.\n\nRepairs have also been made at the main office at Dairen, as well as at stations along the line as far as Tashichiao.\n\nLocal Enterprises.\n\nIn addition to the changes referred to in the Settlers' Assemblies, mentioned in the opening remarks of the President of the Company, surveys have been made at Changchun, Kunshuling, Tiehling, Liaoyang, Tashichiao, Wanchienling, Wafangtien, and Dairen.\n\nAt the latter place repairs to roads, drains, &c., have been executed.\n\nAn hospital has been opened at Dairen, with a branch at Hsienchinchai and agencies at Wafangtien, Tashichiao, Liaoyang, Mukden, Tiehling, Kunshuling, Antung, and Tsaohokou. There are also nursing stations at Shichiaotzu and Chikwauchan. Suitable precautions have been likewise taken in matters relating to sanitation.\n\nSchools.\n\nSuitable assistance has been rendered to the Settlers' Assemblies at Wafangtien and Liaoyang, with the result that elementary schools have been opened at those two places. Further developments in this direction may be expected.\n\n[2880 g-1]\n\n0\n\nnaye མ\"\n\n1",
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    {
        "id": 423705,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909",
        "page_number": 309,
        "title": "CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909",
        "content_text": "# AFFAIRS OF CHINA\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n\n[41853]  \nNo. 1.  \n[November  \nC.O 40792  \nSECTION 3.  \nRECS  \nRec 17 FC 00  \n\n**(No. 389.)** Sir,  \nSir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 15.)  \nPeking, October 25, 1909.\n\nWITH reference to my despatch No. 249 of the 10th July last, in which I discussed the commercial rivalry between Newchwang and Dalny, I have the honour to enclose herewith an extract from a report by His Majesty's consul at Newchwang on the subject of the new tariff of the South Manchurian Railway. Mr. Wilkinson points out that the effect of the tariff is to discriminate unfairly in favour of Dalny as a shipping port and to handicap seriously the trade of Newchwang.\n\nI have, &c.  \nJ. N. JORDAN.\n\n## Inclosure in No. 1.\n### Extract from Report by Consul Wilkinson\n\nTHE new tariff of the South Manchurian Railway came into force on the 1st October. The traffic rates from Newchwang to Mukden and stations south of Mukden remain much the same as under the old tariff, but there is a small reduction to stations north of Mukden. The rates on the other hand, from Dalny to Mukden, are considerably lower than formerly, but to stations beyond Mukden, as far north as Kungchulin, the reduction is slightly less than from Newchwang. There is, therefore, a small difference now in the rates to these latter stations in favour of Newchwang. To Changchun (Kuanchengtzu) the rates, though also a trifle reduced, remain the same from both places.\n\nThe following table shows the changes that have been made in the car-load rates per ton (2,000 lbs.) from Newchwang and Dalny respectively in the case of goods of the third class, in which the main staples of Manchuria are included:\n\n| Destination | Newchwang Old | Newchwang New | Dalny Old | Dalny New | Difference (in favour of Newchwang) |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Mukden | 3.35 | 2.36 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.64 |\n| Tiehling | 5.40 | 4.68 | 5.40 | 5.00 | 0.32 |\n| Kaiyuan | 6.00 | 5.31 | 6.00 | 5.70 | 0.39 |\n| Changtu | 6.65 | 5.38 | 6.65 | 6.40 | 0.52 |\n| Shuangmiaotzu | 7.80 | 6.36 | 7.30 | 6.90 | 0.54 |\n| Szpingchieh | 7.30 | 6.87 | 7.30 | 7.30 | 0.48 |\n| Kuochatien | 8.00 | 7.38 | 8.00 | 7.80 | 0.32 |\n| Kungchulin | 8.00 | 7.86 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 0.14 |\n| Fanchiatun | 8.50 | 8.20 | 8.50 | 8.20 | ... |\n| Changchun | 8.50 | 8.80 | 8.50 | 8.80 | ... |\n\nHow unfair these rates are to Newchwang and the extent to which the trade of the port is handicapped by them the following figures will show.\n\nThe chief inland centres of trade in South Manchuria are Mukden, Tiehling, and Changchun. From Dalny to Mukden by the South Manchurian Railway is 247 miles. From Newchwang to Mukden by the same line is 110 miles. The distance, therefore, from Newchwang to Mukden is considerably less than one-half that from Dalny to Mukden. Yet the rate per ton from Dalny is only 4 gold yen, while that from Newchwang is 3.36 gold yen, a paltry difference in favour of Newchwang of 64 sen for a saving in distance of 136 miles. From Dalny again to Tiehling is 290 miles. From Newchwang to Tiehling is 153 miles. The rates are 5 gold yen and 4.68 gold yen...  \nPage 308  \n[2495 p-3]",
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    },
    {
        "id": 428101,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910",
        "page_number": 26,
        "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910",
        "content_text": ":|\n\n2\n\n7. Alterations in the special freight rates, and their adaptation to goods to and from Port Arthur station. The following table shows the advantages gained by Newchwang at the principal points along the line for third-class goods, i.e., cereals, bean cake, &c.:--\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nAFFAIRS OF CHINA.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[December 21.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nDairen.\n\n  \n    \n      To and from---\n      Old Rates.\n      New Rates.\n      Old Rates.\n      New Rates.\n    \n  \n  \n    \n      \n      Yen per ton.\n      Yen per ton.\n      Yen per ton.\n      Yen per ton.\n    \n    \n      Mukden..\n      4.90\n      4.50\n      3.95\n      3.36\n    \n    \n      Tielling..\n      5.40\n      5.00\n      5.40\n      4.68\n    \n    \n      Kaiyuan\n      6.00\n      6.70\n      6.00\n      5.31\n    \n    \n      Changtu\n      6.65\n      6.40\n      6.65\n      5.88\n    \n    \n      Szupingchieh\n      7.80\n      7.30\n      7.30\n      6.87\n    \n    \n      Kungchuling\n      8.00\n      8.00\n      8.00\n      7.86\n    \n    \n      Fanchiatun\n      8.50\n      8.20\n      8.50\n      8.20\n    \n    \n      Changchun\n      8.50\n      8.30\n      8.50\n      8.30\n    \n  \n\n8. A special discount is made on gunny bags sent from Dairen or Newchwang. When the weight exceeds 3,000 kin, the charge will be 20 sen per 100 kin, irrespective of distance. This has been done to encourage the use of new bags and to reduce expenses as much as possible in the trade in the staple products of Manchuria.\n\nE. G.\n\nDairen, November 23, 1909.\n\n[46372]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n(No. 213.) Sir,\n\nSir Edward Grey to Sir C. MacDonald.\n\nForeign Office, December 21, 1909.\n\nI took an opportunity on the 17th instant of giving the Japanese Ambassador a summary of all that had passed respecting Macao, including a statement of our position in the matter, as described in the telegram which I was sending to Sir John Jordan, on hearing that the Chinese had refused arbitration.\n\nI explained to the Ambassador that I was not making an official communication to him or asking that any action should be taken, but that, in view of our alliance, I thought it was as well to keep him informed of the situation.\n\n[2548-1]\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n25",
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    {
        "id": 428534,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910",
        "page_number": 459,
        "title": "CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910",
        "content_text": "456\n\n9850\n\n2\n\nget is that it is open to them to remove their establishment to Dairen, a course which is obviously impossible, in view of the large amount of capital which they have sunk in Newchwang. The agent therefore asks the assistance of the chamber of commerce at making representations in the proper quarter in order that pressure may be brought upon the railway company so as to induce them to place their rates from Dairen and Newchwang on a mutually fairer basis than is at present the case.\n\nThe chamber have accordingly brought the matter in their turn to the notice of the consular body, by which it has been decided that each consul shall address his Minister separately on the question, my Japanese colleague objecting to a joint despatch to the doyen at Peking.\n\nThe Asiatic Petroleum Company's agent puts his case so clearly that comment on it on my part is scarcely necessary. As it may, however, be argued that, as long as the railway freight from Dairen to the interior is not lower than from Newchwang, the latter port is not at any actual disadvantage, even though deprived of the benefit which its closer proximity to the trade centres of Manchuria should give it, I venture to point out that sea freights to Newchwang are higher than to Dairen, and that for large steamers expenses here are considerably greater than they are at Dairen, so that the discrimination in the railway rates is without question a very severe handicap to the trade of this port. The importance of the question to the Asiatic Petroleum Company has been accentuated too by the fact that, tempted by the favourable freights offered and by the promises of the railway administration, the Standard Oil Company, their chief rivals, propose to make Dairen their head-quarters, and to erect there, instead of at Newchwang, the tanks they have in contemplation.\n\nI also enclose a copy of the letter addressed by the chamber of commerce to the senior consul, transmitting the Asiatic Petroleum Company's complaint.\n\nSir,\n\nI have, &c.\n\nEnclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nF. E. WILKINSON.\n\nNewchwang Chamber of Commerce to Mr. Beltchenko.\n\nNewchwang, January 29, 1910.\n\nI BEG to bring to the notice of your honourable body the disadvantage at which Newchwang is placed vis-à-vis Dairen, in the matter of freight rates on certain commodities by the South Manchurian Railway.\n\nIn their latest freight tariff dated the 3rd November, 1909, equal rates are charged from both ports to the principal trade centres of Manchuria, although the distance from Dairen is 137 miles greater than from Newchwang.\n\nAs an illustration of the way in which this discrimination on the part of the South Manchurian Railway Company is affecting an important branch of Newchwang trade, I beg to lay before your honourable body the enclosed copy of a communication, dated the 28th instant, which this chamber has received from the Newchwang agent of the Asiatic Petroleum Company (Limited), London, in which it is pointed out as an instance that on its oil dispatched from Newchwang to Mukden the Company is most inequitably compelled to pay more than twice the freight per mile than is paid on oil from Dairen.\n\nThis chamber considers most unsatisfactory the verbal reply made by the South Manchurian Railway to the Asiatic Petroleum Company's representations, amounting as it virtually does to an admission that the rate basis has been fixed with the object of diverting trade from Newchwang to Dairen, and this chamber would ask your honourable body to take up this question with the object of securing, by fair and proportionate adjustment of mileage rates, that equality of treatment which the trade of Newchwang has the right to enjoy.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nW. F. HARLEY, Chairman.\n\n3\n\nEnclosure 3 in No. 1.\n\nAsiatic Petroleum Company to Newchwang Chamber of Commerce.\n\nREP Real 4 APR 10\n\nSir,\n\nNewchwang, January 28, 1910. WE should like to draw your attention to the baggage and freight tariff of the South Manchurian Railway Company, published on the 3rd November, 1909, in which, on p. 33, under the heading \"Specific Freight Rates,\" there appears the following:-\n\nThe car-load rate on kerosene oil\n\n\"(V) Freight Rates on Kerosene Oil. from Dairen and Yingkou only shall be as follows :-\"\n\nFollowing this the rates are given per ton to Liaoyang, Mukden, Tiehling, Kaiyuan, Changtu, Ssupingchieh, Kungehuling, Changchun, and Kwanchengtau.\n\nThe list comprises all the important towns in Manchuria, and the distance from Dairen to any of these places is 137 miles greater than the distance from Newchwang (Yingkou), In making the freight rates the same from Dairen as from Newchwang the railway company are undertaking the haulage over this distance of 137 miles for nothing. To Mukden, for instance, the largest distributing centre in Manchuria, the distance from Dairen is 248.7 miles, while from Newchwang it is only 111 miles, so that on kerosene oil sent from here we are paying more than twice the rate of freight per mile than is paid on oil from Dairen.\n\nSuch discrimination is greatly to the detriment of the trade of this port, and entirely obviates the advantage which its closer proximity to the trade centres of Manchuria should give it; and at the same time it gives to companies establishing themselves at Dairen an unfair advantage over companies established at Newchwang.\n\nWe have gone to the expense of erecting an oil-tank installation at Newchwang and have made this port our head-quarters for Manchuria, relying on the principle of \"equal opportunity\" which Japan has so many times expressed a willingness and desire to maintain in this country. We are of opinion that the present schedule of rates is in contravention of that principle, and we have approached the South Manchurian Railway Company and put this view before them, but we are met only with the reply that it is quite open to us to establish our head-quarters in Dairen instead of in Newchwang. It is, however, obviously impossible, when capital has been sunk on tanks and buildings, &c., in one port, to transfer such tanks and buildings to another port without great loss; and we are thus hampered in every way in our endeavours to work the trade of Manchuria through Newchwang.\n\nIt is because we consider that the rates as published, not only on kerosene oil but on all goods, are calculated seriously to hamper the trade of Newchwang and to give a great and unfair advantage to the trade of Dairen that we wish to lodge this protest with you, and to ask the assistance of the chamber of commerce in making representations in the proper quarter, in order that some influence may be brought to bear upon the railway company so as to induce them to place their rates from the two ports on a mutually fairer basis than is at present the case.\n\nWe beg, &c. For the Asiatic Petroleum Company (Limited),\n\nG. S. HAWKINS.",
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