Directory_and_Chronicle_1905 — Page 773

SHANGHAI

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Government that the system was, subsequently to the Treaty of Tientsin, extended to all the open ports. The Foreign Inspectorate of Customs was established in 1861, the head-quarters of which were for some years, and, according to the original regulations, ought still to be at Shanghai. In 1861 the Taipings approached Shanghai, occupied the buildings of the Jesuits at Sicawei, and threatened the city and settle- ments. The capture of Soochow on 25th May, 1860, had driven a large number of the inhabitants of that city and the surrounding districts to Shanghai for protection, so that the native population increased rapidly. It was variously estimated at from four hundred thousand to a million, but the smaller number is probably nearer the truth. By 1861 provisions had increased in price to four times what they had been some years previously. Efforts were made to keep the rebels at a distance from Shanghai ; a detachment of British Royal Marines and an Indian Regiment garrisoned the walls, while the gates on the side towards the French Settlement were guarded by French Marines. In August, 1861, the city was attacked, and the suburbs between the city walls and river were in consequence destroyed by the French, the rebels being ultimately driven back. In December the rebels to the number of one hundred thousand again threatened the Settlements. The approaches were barricaded and the Defence Creek constructed and fortified at an expense of forty-five thousand taels. Before the close of 1862 the rebels had been driven by the British Forces beyond a radius of thirty miles around Shanghai. So immensely did the price of land rise that it is stated ground which had originally cost foreigners fifty pounds per acre was sold for ten thousand pounds. At this time the old Race Course and Cricket Ground, situated within the British Settlement, was sold at such an enormous profit that after the shareholders had been repaid the original cost there was a balance of some forty-five thousand taels, which the owners generously devoted to the foundation of a fund for the use of the public, to be applied to the purposes of recreation only. Unfortunately thirty thousand taels of this amount were lent by the treasurer on his own responsibility to the Club, in which institution he was a shareholder. As the shareholders were never able to repay this loan out of the profits on the Club, the building and furniture were taken over in 1869 by the trustees on behalf of the Recreation Fund, to which the building still belongs. This fund has proved very useful in rendering assistance to some other public institutions, besides having purchased all the ground in the interior of the Race Course, which is now leased by the Municipality and, with the exception of the steeplechase course at training seasons only, set aside as a Public Recreation Ground, by which name it is known.

At the time the local native Authorities were severely pressed they availed themselves of the services of an American adventurer named Ward, who raised a band of deserters from foreign ships and rowdies of all nations who had congregated at Shanghai, with whose help he drilled a regiment of natives. After Ward was killed the force passed under the command of a low caste American of the name of Burgevine, who subsequently transferred his services to the rebels. The Imperial Authorities found it impossible to control these raw and undisciplined levies, and at their earnest request Admiral Sir James Hope consented to the appointment of Major, afterwards General, Gordon, R.E., to the command. Having by him been made amenable to discipline, this force now rendered the greatest service in the suppression of the rebellion; indeed it is generally believed that the Taipings would never have been overcome but for the assistance of "The Ever Victorious Army," as this hastily raised band was named. Amongst other services they regained possession of the important city of Soochow on 27th November, 1863, which virtually ended the rebellion. There is, however, much room for doubt as to the wisdom of foreigners aiding in its suppression, many of those best capable of judging being of opinion that the civilization of the empire would have had a much better chance of progressing had the decaying dynasty been overthrown. Certainly European nations, merely in exchange for the promise of neutrality, might have made almost any terms with the Taiping rebels. A monument in memory of the officers of this regiment who fell stands at the north end of the Bund. From 1860 to 1866 one British and two Indian Regiments and a battery of British Artillery were stationed at Shanghai.

Since that time there have been few historical events worthy of record in a brief sketch. On Christmas eve, 1870, the British Consulate was burned_down and most of the records completely lost. In May, 1874, a riot occurred in the French Settlement, owing to the intention of the Municipal Council to make a road through an old graveyard belonging to the Ningpo Guild. One or two Europeans were severely injured, and eight natives lost their lives. A considerable amount of foreign-owned property was destroyed. A riot occurred on 5th and 6th April, 1897,

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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN