Directory_and_Chronicle_1911 — Page 889

SHANGHAI

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had congregated at Shanghai, with whose help he drilled a regiment of natives. This force, notwithstanding its unpromising commencement, attained under Ward a considerable amount of efficiency, and did good and useful service. This was acknow- ledged in a manner unusual, where foreigners are concerned, with the Chinese authorities, who after his death reared in the city of Sungkiangfu a temple to his memory, where services are still maintained. After Ward was killed the force passed under the command of another American of the name of Burgevine, who proved unfaithful to his flag and subsequently transferred his services to the Taiping rebels. 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 nionument in memory of the fallen officers of this regiment stood for many years at the north end of the Bund and was afterwards. transferred to the Public Gardens. 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. An extensive fire in the French Concession in August, 1879, destroyed 221 houses; the loss was estimated at Tls. 1,500,000. The foreign Settlements celebrated their Jubilee on 17th and 18th November, 1893, when, it is estimated, 500,000 strangers visited Shanghai. A medal was struck as a memorial of the occasion. In 1894 a fire outside the native city along the river bank having cleared away a great and noisome collection of huts and hovels, advantage was taken of this clearing by the native Authorities to make a broad Bund on the model of the Foreign Settlement roads. This Bund extends from the south corner of the French Bund, along the river some three and a half miles, to the Arsenal at Kao Chang Miao.

It was formally declared open by the Taotai in October, 1897. A Council was formed to supervise this Bund and attend to other native municipal matters; its offices are situated in the Bureau for Foreign Affairs, in the Bubbling Well Road. It controls a special force of police composed of Sikhs and Chinese. A riot occurred on 5th and 6th April, 1897, in consequence of an increase in the wheelbarrow tax. It was suppressed by the Volunteers and sailors from the men-of-war in port, without loss of life. The Consuls and Municipal Council having submitted to the dictation of the Wheelbarrow Guild, an indignation public meeting was held on the 7th April, the largest meeting ever held in the Settlements up to that date. At this meeting the action of the Authorities was so strongly condemned that the Council resigned. A new Council was elected and the tax enforced, the French Municipal Council increasing their tax in like proportion. Another riot took place on 16th and 17th July, 1898, owing to the Authorities of the French Settlement having decided to remove the "Ningpo Joss House." The French Volunteers were called out and a force landed from men-of-war, which measures speedily suppressed the riot, fifteen natives being reported killed and many wounded. In 1900, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Japan landed troops at Shanghai for the protection of the Settlements, the presence of the troops being deemed necessary owing to the threatening aspect of the natives at the time operations were being conducted in the north. They remained as a garrison until December, 1902, when they were withdrawn. In December, 1905, differences arose between the local Chinese and British Officials regarding the jurisdiction of the British Assessor of the Mixed Court, leading to a situation that called for the intervention of an armed foreign force. Inflammatory placards were posted throughout the native city and in the Settlement itself urging a general strike for the purpose of asserting so-called

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