[ { "id": 217083, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 291, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "\n\nthe Civil Power an \n\nThis will save trouble, and I wish \n\nyou \n\nload \n\nimmente \n\nand Gordon \n\nwould. \n\nедо \n\nout \n\nthe first day day, and have the limits marked out; \n\n\"to prevent any insinuation, or hind; that the Barracks \n\n\"f \n\nhave been delayed by us. I need hardly repeat, \n\n\" It at houses must not be interfered with - Fround, \"though cultivated, may be appropriated, because \n\nK \n\nwe can pay a fair value for it. I intended to \n\nthis last night, brut had now \n\nhave told you \n\n\"opportunity. I hope the back here in a week, \n\n{ \n\n\" at the outside.\" \n\nMalcolm \n\nPartly owing to a bast influx of \n\nbusines, consequent on the return of Colonel malchen frune England, and frantly owing to serious indisposition, I was deliained at = macas, will the 15th of lepril, on which i ay returned here, \n\nan. I then found, that the \n\nI \n\nLimits of the Chuck - Chu. Cantonment had \n\nbeen \n\nbeer finally defined and marked off by her Gordon, the Land Officer, and Caption Edwards, \n\nthe \n\nMarch. \n\nAssistant Quarter beaster General on the 157 fmmet. \n\nThat is, within \n\na \n\nvery few days of six months \n\na.go. \n\nMy share in the matter was thus completed, and as I had plenty of busines to occupy my time, \n\nund \n\noverTM \n\nwhat had been thoughts, without going done, cefter much trouble and correspondence, I was induced, partly on that account and partly (I might declare chiefly) from a feeling of delicacy \n\nas \n\nto not interfering with Your Lordship's peculiar prosince, to reframe from feather inquiry. See the interim I may add however, that I paid a large sum of money out of the Civil Treasury, \n\nand. \n\nστι \n\nmy \n\nown sole responsibility for two cargoes of Manilla Timber, which had been selected and ÷ \n\npurchased at that place by Licut : buchtertiny, whom Your Lordship had deputed \n\nthis \n\nMilitary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 342969, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9]", "page_number": 584, "title": "CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9]", "content_text": "naturalities and\n\ny way\n\naides.\n\nX. But under\n\nwith imme\n\nte is not allowed meshe\n\ndescription, which makes and houses, population a shifting at. The social sanction, to which You refer, coupled with hurtful-\n\nlittle effect ar\n\nanly\"\n\nthe Keeper in\n\nto Cocentain\n\n580\n\nwithout incurring a\n\nX'\n\npenalty.\n\nto a not likely to\n\naltogether properlative\n\nWide me.\n\nYou\n\nwhat made up of casual restricted permanent residents, the social\n\nand it is as a check\n\nCHC\n\nHem But a legal caution\n\nis accessory.\n\nto detonal pr\n\nI do not writ\n\nthe many\n\nsanction might to suppeant, but\n\nas we are at present retuated, think bridle of\n\nthe peace,\n\nevie\n\nWhaly to acces\n\nfood\n\nmore likely\n\nlove qualities of such as, taschen, with most\n\nis no doubt. But such astul if the legal sanction well, Rat-folk artan werk\n\numored, and, if\n\nis only to open a restaurant\n\nthey diel acun\n\nindividual, and against him dam of opiniae Rat Europeans in such an condition a blipe it with was likely litigation tem\n\nHan Chinel, dam curtain the to puvelles. When to knows\n\n•\n\nX Mr. Diane said Exactly the\n\nopport\n\nSor. J.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 426480, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-368 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [8-9]", "page_number": 262, "title": "CO129-368 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [8-9]", "content_text": "Hongkong, 8th August, 1910.\n\nCOPY.\n\nSECRETARY OF STATE\n\nFOREIGN OFFICE\n\nLONDON.\n\n258\n\n33\n\nCanton Opium Monopolist runners still watch raw opium shops Swatow stopping all business unless illegal tax paid (stop) on 2nd August further twenty balls Patna seized Samshul although whole bearing Customs transit pass (stop) two chests after being passed Maritime Customs Hongkong and Talchen duty and likin paid in transit to Tsangsing and Longmoon seized in Suntong owner sent in chains to Canton released after two days on signing bond pay fine Taels 1850 Monopolist pays no regard Maritime Customs transit passes (stop) Native dealers dare not trade raw opium business entirely stopped apparently useless making further appeals Wai-Wu-Pu. Urge upon Home Government send definite instructions Charge d'Affaires insist immediate abolition illegal tax and opium monopoly Chamber of Commerce considers so long Indian Agreement exists Merchants entitled trade raw opium under terms treaties and that Home Government should enforce recognition of treaty rights.\n\nto\n\nHewett\n\nChairman.\n\nPage 258\n\n...\n\nPage 259\n\n \nhas been removed as there is no text indicating Page 259. The original text has been kept intact with minor formatting. \n\nHowever, to follow the exact instructions, here is the revised output:\n\nCOPY.\n\nSECRETARY OF STATE\n\nFOREIGN OFFICE\n\nLONDON.\n\nHongkong, 8th August, 1910.\n\n258\n\n33\n\nCanton Opium Monopolist runners still watch raw opium shops Swatow stopping all business unless illegal tax paid (stop) on 2nd August further twenty balls Patna seized Samshul although whole bearing Customs transit pass (stop) two chests after being passed Maritime Customs Hongkong and Talchen duty and likin paid in transit to Tsangsing and Longmoon seized in Suntong owner sent in chains to Canton released after two days on signing bond pay fine Taels 1850 Monopolist pays no regard Maritime Customs transit passes (stop) Native dealers dare not trade raw opium business entirely stopped apparently useless making further appeals Wai-Wu-Pu. Urge upon Home Government send definite instructions Charge d'Affaires insist immediate abolition illegal tax and opium monopoly Chamber of Commerce considers so long Indian Agreement exists Merchants entitled trade raw opium under terms treaties and that Home Government should enforce recognition of treaty rights.\n\nto\n\nHewett\n\nChairman.\n\nPage 258\n\n...\n\nPage 259\n\n \nhas been kept, but actually there is no need for the last two lines as they are not present in the original text.\n\nThe final output is:\nCOPY.\n\nSECRETARY OF STATE\n\nFOREIGN OFFICE\n\nLONDON.\n\nHongkong, 8th August, 1910.\n\n258\n\n33\n\nCanton Opium Monopolist runners still watch raw opium shops Swatow stopping all business unless illegal tax paid (stop) on 2nd August further twenty balls Patna seized Samshul although whole bearing Customs transit pass (stop) two chests after being passed Maritime Customs Hongkong and Talchen duty and likin paid in transit to Tsangsing and Longmoon seized in Suntong owner sent in chains to Canton released after two days on signing bond pay fine Taels 1850 Monopolist pays no regard Maritime Customs transit passes (stop) Native dealers dare not trade raw opium business entirely stopped apparently useless making further appeals Wai-Wu-Pu. Urge upon Home Government send definite instructions Charge d'Affaires insist immediate abolition illegal tax and opium monopoly Chamber of Commerce considers so long Indian Agreement exists Merchants entitled trade raw opium under terms treaties and that Home Government should enforce recognition of treaty rights.\n\nto\n\nHewett\n\nChairman.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-368 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429201, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 542, "title": "CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\n538\n\n25501\n\nREC August 19 AUG 10\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[28763]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nMr. Hewitt to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received August 8.)\n\nHong Kong, August 8, 1910. (Telegraphic.) En clair.\n\nCANTON opium monopolist runners still watch raw opium shops Swatow, stopping all business unless illegal tax paid. On 2nd August further twenty balls Patna seized Samshui, although bearing customs transit pass. Two whole chests, after being passed Maritime Customs Hong Kong and Taichen, duty and li-kin paid in transit to Tsang-sing and Loongmoon, seized in Suntong; owner sent in chains to Canton; released after two days on signing bond pay fine 1,855 taels; monopolist pays no regard Maritime Customs transit passes. Native dealers dare not trade raw opium; business entirely stopped; apparently useless making further appeals. Wai-wu Pu urge upon Home Government send definite instructions chargé d'affaires insist immediate abolition illegal tax and opium monopoly; Chamber Commerce considers so long Indian agreement exists merchants entitled trade raw opium under terms, treaties, and that some Government should enforce recognition of treaty rights.\n\n-11\n\n[2860 h-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 429401, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 138, "title": "CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910", "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[September 5.]\n\nSECTION 1\n\n30224\n\n(32351)\n\nNo. 1.\n\nRECP\n\nHong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to Foreign Office.~(Received September 30)\n\nSir,\n\nHong Kong, August 11, 1910.\n\nI BEG to confirm the telegram dispatched by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce on the 8th instant, reading as follows:-\n\n\"Canton opium monopolist runners still watch raw opium shops Swatow, stopping all business unless illegal tax paid. On 2nd August further twenty balls Patna seized Samshui, although bearing customs transit pass. Two whole chests, after being passed maritime customs, Hong Kong and Taichen, duty and li-kin paid, in transit to Tsangsing and Loongmoon, seized in Suntong, owner sent in chains to Canton, released after two days on signing bond pay fine 1,850 taels. Monopolist pays no regard maritime customs transit passes. Native dealers dare not trade, raw opium business entirely stopped; apparently useless making further appeals Wai-wu Pu urge upon home Government send definite instructions chargé d'affaires insist immediate abolition illegal tax and opium monopoly. Chamber Commerce considers so long Indian agreement exists merchants entitled trade raw opium under terms treaties, and that home Government should enforce recognition of treaty rights.-HEWETT, Chairman,\n\nMy despatches of the 14th June and 9th July will have already explained the situation with regard to the raw opium trade in Kwangtung, and no doubt full advices have also been sent you by His Britannic Majesty's chargé d'affaires at Peking, showing how the Canton opium monopolist has been extending his operations in various parts of the province.\n\nA branch office has been opened by the Kwong Wing Yuen firm at Swatow, and towards the end of July sixteen balls of Patna opium, on which full duty and li-kin had been paid, intended for the interior, although having Imperial Maritime Customs transit labels, were seized by the firm's runners as the illegal tax of 7 dols. 20 c. per ball had not been paid. Runners are also stationed outside the various opium shops to prevent them from carrying on business unless they first obtained their licences from the Kwong Wing Yuen and guarantee the payment of the new tax on all opium which passes through their hands.\n\nIn explanation of my telegram of the 8th instant, I would state that twenty balls of Patna opium, repacked under proper supervision of the Imperial Maritime Customs, and bearing the usual transit pass certificates, were confiscated by the representatives of the Kwong Wing Yuen at Samshui on the West River, although the opium was in transit to the interior. The opium was presumably seized because it had not been shipped under the regulations issued by the opium monopolists, and had not paid the new tax.\n\nOn the same date, two whole chests of opium (one Patna and one Benares) were seized at Suntong in the Tsangsing district (near the mouth of the East River). One of these chests was destined for Tsangsing and the other for Loongmoon. Reference to the map will show that both these towns are situated on the Loongmoon River, a tributary of the East River, and at a considerable distance from Suntong. It cannot be claimed therefore that the last-named town was the point of consumption, and that any justification could be found for seizing these chests at the li-kin station referred to.\n\nThe two chests were purchased in Hong Kong by a well-known native dealer direct from the two importing houses of Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Company and Messrs. S. J. David and Company.\n\nThey were resold by him to another native dealer, who himself accompanied the chests in the Hong Kong licensed junk \"Shun Hing.\"\n\nThe owner of the opium was arrested at Suntong, presumably on the ground that the opium had been imported in defiance of the regulations laid down by the Kwong Wing Yuen firm. He was sent under an armed escort in chains to Canton as though\n\n[2890 e-1]\n\n137", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 482863, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-459 - Individuals - 1919", "page_number": 286, "title": "CO129-459 - Individuals - 1919", "content_text": "BRAKORTÆL\n\nESCROFT, SERGNERS,\n\nFANO, Tarupnose 52\n\nTHE SEACROFT HOTELO79\n\nSKEGNESS,\n\nLINCS.\n\nIf your duties which bem o only\n\nO has not\n\ngreat service to the public, but has also considerably benefited the revenue of this Colony\n\nI am Sir,\n\nYour obedient Servant\n\nsubaed\n\n0194-1\n\nMy M. Talcher", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-459 - Individuals - 1919.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 485277, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-464 - Public Offices - 1920", "page_number": 219, "title": "CO129-464 - Public Offices - 1920", "content_text": "Kapy\n\nace: lo lotul pasimpą able\n\n♪ 3 per dollar\n\nAwith\n\nmerenss\n\nat the Gument\n\nA rate of the day without merence, whicher is higher a in respect of the sterling portion the assess\n\nMs Badclay the weaves should be paid 212 the CA. Kempnaily authoured eces to anot of total pension pozable.\n\nMiss Stilland ($2631) is an offien of the HH. Gt, not her passion a case of w.rt. Pension. She is paid at the rate A Who of 3% to the dollar by the E.A. Gost, Afterwards adjust their payments with the C.A. 7812? She write to as in March, you said that it was under consan? Should we reply to her\n\nOn We the Cams of Ms Thompson TM Toster (3346) that She is at lituly if she chooses, to po draw her Salary in dillars in Hong Kong, op to contains as heretofore to thaw her soft pin this the Cum at the pointaged me of 3/1 to the dollar, but her choice must be final, & stat in futur it will not be powwith for her to revent to the alternative method in future\n\nHu I've way wow declive.in which As regando 55313. the causof Mus repreened to the Gover Clarke oths Sullivan? sh' be put a bot scott, but in the cases of Mas Speed & Suggest. (jebars an Go! Gry 40920 Cros (58660) ► in the Tames of the least thing ladies mentioned, the lot: See's tely am evinud in CA $3440 Austu mucau on all ! W. ro. Pension outside the U. K. \" is there for payable to residents\n\nIf you consen, I will untody them points in ausuring craft (1)4(2) regard the Cleis 4 quries in this hes Clark, wo O Sullivan, wasfeed ? they slid pay the increases, subject is their being stoffer by Ita fork if the fork wither\n\n(3) 7 Yes. It and briously be unfairn * fensioner she get Cass Ket because the waly exclage 5- had vision abon (19) the limitation had better affly ablely to widows, unless fort of with shat decide otherwise. 53440\n\nThe Cr. Dear's letter to hit Takchen in the only wally clear comment a Cate", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-464 - Public Offices - 1920.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 498841, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-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": 512, "title": "CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924", "content_text": "## DRAFT\n\n59896/24.\n\nH.C.H.K.\n\n59890/247\n\nis Malchen belevigne\n\nMr.\nMr.\nMt.\n\n**MINUTE**\n\nSir C. Davis,\nBir G. Grindle. 2\nSir H. Read.\nSir J. Masterton Smith.\nLord Arnold.\nMr. Thomas.\n\nK. 6. B\n\n見込\n\nO. D.\n\nR 27 DEC\n\n10 27\n27\nW.\n\nciali\n\n**COLONIAL OFFICE**\n\nINTED FORT\n\nNO:\n155\n508\n1924.\n\nDlar belestyne,\n\nOur Foreign Office department has prepared and the Enclosed draft of a declaration to be made by you in regard to opium in Hong Kong and Malaya. Nefre... (1220) m.xs.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568651, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 36, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "51\n\n42\n\n(4) Private schools are being gradually brought under Government control. (5) Mass education of adults is also being attempted with encouraging results so far as literacy is concerned.\n\n(6) The salary of teachers is being raised to give a better inducement to persons to become teachers. In the last two years salaries have gone up by 50 per cent.\n\n(7) There has been a very great increase in primary schools, which are now said to number 3,000 in all, and also in middle and normal schools. There is a college in Urumchi which is being extended and which it is hoped will one day become a university for the province.\n\n153. Rather unexpectedly none, or practically none, of the Sinkiangese go to universities outside Sinkiang, either in China, Russia or elsewhere. I could find no trace of returned students from Russian universities. The probable reason for this is the poverty of the people and the province. Undoubtedly one of the great requirements of Sinkiang is a more highly educated population, especially in various technical spheres, if they are to carry through their own development. I think that very good service could be done to the improvement of Indian-Sinkiangese relations if some arrangement could be come to with the Indian Government to provide free university education for a limited number of selected Sinkiangese each year. I am sure that the small expense entailed would be well repaid by the closer and more friendly trade and political relations in the future. This is, moreover, the one way in which it might be possible at present to improve British relations and influence in that area. I cannot, of course, say whether the Governor would fall in with such a plan, but the proposal should, I think, be made.\n\nAgriculture.\n\n154. An attempt is being made to improve the technique of agriculture and there are a number of agricultural institutions in the province. We were entertained at the one in Tulufan and saw and talked to the director, a young Sinkiangese. The farmers, who were at first hostile and unresponsive, are now enthusiastic about the work and are urging the Government to increase it. The following measures have been taken to encourage and help agriculture:-\n\n(1) The Commercial Bank has granted rural credits of 470,000 dollars in 1939, with a special addition of 14,000 dollars for animal husbandry together with a non-interest-bearing credit of 60,000 dollars.\n\n(2) Certain special taxes have been abolished:-\n\n(a) The slaughter tax.\n\n(b) The travelling merchant's permit tax.\n\n(c) Land taxes in special districts suffering from flood or drought.\n\n(d) Surtax on grass which was attached traditionally to land tax.\n\n(e) All other special, extra or surtaxes on land.\n\n(3) Agricultural implements have been imported from Russia, such as harrows, ploughs, &c., and these are hired out to farmers at almost nominal sums. The farmers are now for the first time commencing to buy these. At present about 10,000 such implements are being used in the province.\n\n(4) Cotton seeds and silk-worms have been very widely distributed in large quantities to improve the quality of production. Experiments are being carried out in Tulufan and Shan Shan districts with American cotton. Already some small export of cotton and silk has started, which is a new feature.\n\n(5) Irrigation has been extended, especially in the Ili district, where a canal has been built extending from Bajen Tai to Wei Yuan. This is an old canal, but it had never been operated successfully until reconstructed. The underground irrigation which was first installed by General Ling at Tulufan, 100 years ago, is now also largely used at Hami. This system enables Tulufan, where there is practically no rainfall, to be one of the finest fruit-producing centres in China.\n\n(6) The tax on covered mangers for animals has been abolished, and the storage of grass for winter has been encouraged so as to obviate the very serious loss of stock which takes place each winter.\n\n1\n\n43\n\n(7) Attempts are being made to improve the local breeds of cattle, sheep and horses, very largely by local selection, though some stallions have been imported.\n\n(8) Cattle plague, which is a very serious factor in the province, has been tackled and veterinary stations have been set up in various districts.\n\n(9) An agricultural training school has been set up in Urumchi with a three-year course in animal husbandry, veterinary science and irrigation. There are at present some eighty students. In addition, a number of short courses in animal husbandry are given in various centres, lasting a month, the aim of which is to give the farmers and herdsmen some sense of the principles of this science.\n\n155. In addition to the above reforms, a reform of finance and currency has been carried through. In 1938 the Commercial Bank was reorganised as a mixed bank, under the name of the Sinkiang Commercial Bank, with a capital partly private and partly held by the Provincial Government. During the first nine months of 1939 a credit of 17,872,500 dollars was granted to the bank to meet the requirements of commercial and agricultural capitalisation. The reorganisation was financed partly by the Government and partly from the loan raised by the Government from Russia of 5 million roubles, the balance of the loan being used for road construction. The Sinkiang Commercial Bank issues its own notes, but mostly in smaller denominations. The old provincial notes and the so-called Har notes (i.e., the notes issued in the district of Harshieh), which were in circulation on the basis of the Liang, have practically all been exchanged into dollars, and as at the end of last year all such notes were declared annulled and of no value.\n\nEL\n\n156. So far as public health is concerned, some attempt has been made to deal with this by hospital construction and dispensaries. Since the April revolution, hospitals have been established in Urumchi, Ili, Kashgar, Aokashu, Hami, Aoshan, Taichen and Khotan respectively. Two dispensaries have been established, one in Woo-shu and one in Tulufan. In addition, there are two pharmacies in Urumchi and Ili. All hospital services, with the exception of the provision of medicines, are free of charge. In the Urumchi hospital there are 170 beds and in each of the others thirty only. An attempt is being made to establish further dispensaries in other districts. The total expenditure on these health services in 1939 was 415,660 dollars. Three further pharmacies are to be established this year in Aoshan, Kashgar and Aokashu. All the skilled staff are Russian, but an effort is being made to train assistants on an apprenticeship system in the hospitals and pharmacies.\n\n157. Industrial development is practically non-existent except for electric generating stations on a very small scale in one or two places and, what is perhaps more important, the development of an oil-field to the north-west of Urumchi. I was told by a prominent Chinese friend in Chungking that he had been reliably informed by the officials in Moscow last July that over 400 tons of machinery had already been sent up for the refinery. There was no evidence that it was yet in operation, but I think there is no doubt that a large refinery will be erected before long. There is undoubtedly considerable mineral wealth, but none of it is being worked with the exception of coal, which is being mined by the old-fashioned methods, and a small amount of gold by panning. Some jade is also found in the province.\n\nGold and jade may not be exported from the province at all. The former is being collected as a backing for currency, and the latter is prized as valuable and so may not be bought and taken out of the province.\n\n158. The second three-year plan is designed to continue the parallel extension of all development and to initiate the construction of some light industries in the main centres. As in the case of agricultural development, this is all to be financed from the provincial resources, as the Governor will not consent to borrowing from outside Sinkiang. The whole development is in the hands of the Government, and all industries will be Government-owned and controlled. It is the intention of the Governor to sacrifice speed of development to the certainty that there will be no exploitation from outside of the province's resources.\n\n159. To sum up my view of the situation, which is based partly upon ascertained facts and observation and partly upon impressions gained-the Governor is an independent autocrat with the most friendly relations with Russia\n\n[21258]\n\nG 2\n\n52", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568682, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "page_number": 67, "title": "CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940", "content_text": "100\n\n42\n\n(4) Private schools are being gradually brought under Government control. (5) Mass education of adults is also being attempted with encouraging results so far as literacy is concerned.\n\n(6) The salary of teachers is being raised to give a better inducement to persons to become teachers. In the last two years salaries have gone up by 50 per cent.\n\n(7) There has been a very great increase in primary schools, which are now said to number 3,000 in all, and also in middle and normal schools. There is a college in Urumchi which is being extended and which it is hoped will one day become a university for the province.\n\n153. Rather unexpectedly none, or practically none, of the Sinkiangese go to universities outside Sinkiang, either in China, Russia or elsewhere. I could find no trace of returned students from Russian universities. The probable reason for this is the poverty of the people and the province. Undoubtedly one of the great requirements of Sinkiang is a more highly educated population, especially in various technical spheres, if they are to carry through their own development. I think that very good service could be done to the improvement of Indian-Sinkiangese relations if some arrangement could be come to with the Indian Government to provide free university education for a limited number of selected Sinkiangese each year. I am sure that the small expense entailed would be well repaid by the closer and more friendly trade and political relations in the future. This is, moreover, the one way in which it might be possible at present to improve British relations and influence in that area. I cannot, of course, say whether the Governor would fall in with such a plan, but the proposal should, I think, be made.\n\nAgriculture.\n\nI\n\n154. An attempt is being made to improve the technique of agriculture and there are a number of agricultural institutions in the province. We were entertained at the one in Tulufan and saw and talked to the director, a young Sinkiangese. The farmers, who were at first hostile and unresponsive, are now enthusiastic about the work and are urging the Government to increase it. The following measures have been taken to encourage and help agriculture :-\n\n(1) The Commercial Bank has granted rural credits of 470,000 dollars in 1939, with a special addition of 14,000 dollars for animal husbandry together with a non-interest-bearing credit of 60,000 dollars.\n\n(2) Certain special taxes have been abolished: —\n\n(a) The slaughter tax.\n\n(b) The travelling merchant's permit tax.\n\n(c) Land taxes in special districts suffering from flood or drought.\n\n(d) Surtax on grass which was attached traditionally to land tax.\n\n(e) All other special, extra or surtaxes on land.\n\n(3) Agricultural implements have been imported from Russia, such as harrows, ploughs, &c., and these are hired out to farmers at almost nominal sums. The farmers are now for the first time commencing to buy these. At present about 10,000 such implements are being used in the province.\n\n(4) Cotton seeds and silk-worms have been very widely distributed in large quantities to improve the quality of production. Experiments are being carried out in Tulufan and Shan Shan districts with American cotton. Already some small export of cotton and silk has started, which is a new feature.\n\n(5) Irrigation has been extended, especially in the Ili district, where a canal has been built extending from Bajen Tai to Wei Yuan. This is an old canal, but it had never been operated successfully until reconstructed. The underground irrigation which was first installed by General Ling at Tulufan, 100 years ago, is now also largely used at Hami. This system enables Tulufan, where there is practically no rainfall, to be one of the finest fruit-producing centres in China.\n\n(6) The tax on covered mangers for animals has been abolished, and the storage of grass for winter has been encouraged so as to obviate the very serious loss of stock which takes place each winter.\n\n43\n\n(7) Attempts are being made to improve the local breeds of cattle, sheep and horses, very largely by local selection, though some stallions have been imported.\n\n(8) Cattle plague, which is a very serious factor in the province, has been tackled and veterinary stations have been set up in various districts.\n\n(9) An agricultural training school has been set up in Urumchi with a three-year course in animal husbandry, veterinary science and irrigation. There are at present some eighty students. In addition, a number of short courses in animal husbandry are given in various centres, lasting a month, the aim of which is to give the farmers and herdsmen some sense of the principles of this science.\n\n155. In addition to the above reforms, a reform of finance and currency has been carried through. In 1938 the Commercial Bank was reorganised as a mixed bank, under the name of the Sinkiang Commercial Bank, with a capital partly private and partly held by the Provincial Government. During the first nine months of 1939 a credit of 17,872,500 dollars was granted to the bank to meet the requirements of commercial and agricultural capitalisation. The reorganisation was financed partly by the Government and partly from the loan raised by the Government from Russia of 5 million roubles, the balance of the loan being used for road construction. The Sinkiang Commercial Bank issues its own notes, but mostly in smaller denominations. The old provincial notes and the so-called Har notes (i.e., the notes issued in the district of Harshieh), which were in circulation on the basis of the Liang, have practically all been exchanged into dollars, and as at the end of last year all such notes were declared annulled and of no value.\n\n156. So far as public health is concerned, some attempt has been made to deal with this by hospital construction and dispensaries. Since the April revolution, hospitals have been established in Urumchi, Ili, Kashgar, Aokashu, Hami, Aoshan, Taichen and Khotan respectively. Two dispensaries have been established, one in Woo-shu and one in Tulufan. In addition, there are two pharmacies in Urumchi and Ili. All hospital services, with the exception of the provision of medicines, are free of charge. In the Urumchi hospital there are 170 beds and in each of the others thirty only. An attempt is being made to establish further dispensaries in other districts. The total expenditure on these health services in 1939 was 415,660 dollars. Three further pharmacies are to be established this year in Aoshan, Kashgar and Aokashu. All the skilled staff are Russian, but an effort is being made to train assistants on an apprenticeship system in the hospitals and pharmacies.\n\n157. Industrial development is practically non-existent except for electric generating stations on a very small scale in one or two places and, what is perhaps more important, the development of an oil-field to the north-west of Urumchi. I was told by a prominent Chinese friend in Chungking that he had been reliably informed by the officials in Moscow last July that over 400 tons of machinery had already been sent up for the refinery. There was no evidence that it was yet in operation, but I think there is no doubt that a large refinery will be erected before long. There is undoubtedly considerable mineral wealth, but none of it is being worked with the exception of coal, which is being mined by the old-fashioned methods, and a small amount of gold by panning. Some jade is also found in the province.\n\nGold and jade may not be exported from the province at all. The former is being collected as a backing for currency, and the latter is prized as valuable and so may not be bought and taken out of the province.\n\n158. The second three-year plan is designed to continue the parallel extension of all development and to initiate the construction of some light industries in the main centres. As in the case of agricultural development, this is all to be financed from the provincial resources, as the Governor will not consent to borrowing from outside Sinkiang. The whole development is in the hands of the Government, and all industries will be Government-owned and controlled. It is the intention of the Governor to sacrifice speed of development to the certainty that there will be no exploitation from outside of the province's resources.\n\n159. To sum up my view of the situation, which is based partly upon ascertained facts and observation and partly upon impressions gained—the Governor is an independent autocrat with the most friendly relations with Russia\n\n[21258]\n\n& 2\n\n101", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-22 Visit of Sir Stafford Cripps to China 13-12-1939 - 4-7-1940.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]