ENG-1952 — Page 235

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952

mission was quite unsuccessful, partly due to the fact that his instructions were in conflict with the Chinese regulations governing the trade, and partly due to the refusal of the Chinese to treat with any foreign official on a footing of equality. Napier ran into trouble, and he was eventually forced to retire to Macao where he died. The Headquarters of the Superintendent .of Trade never were established in Canton, and remained in Macao until transferred to Hong Kong, in 1842. The failure of Napier, and the ending of the East India Company's monopoly stimulated much heart-searching and led to attempts to find a solution of the difficulties at Canton. Captain Charles Elliot, who became chief Superintendent in December 1836, and who pursued a conciliatory policy, also completely failed in an attempt to secure recognition by the Chinese of his official position.

The removal of the centre of British trade from Canton to an island off the Chinese Coast, which had often formed the subject of discussion, was now advocated more seriously. Four arguments were put forward in support of the advantages of such an island as a solution to the difficulties at Canton. Some argued that an island should be secured by negotiation, so as to remove the trade from the caprice of the officials at Canton : many argued from the analogy of Bombay and Singapore, that such an island would very soon become a great emporium of British trade: others thought of such an island in terms of strategic requirements. It was also argued that the Chinese would never make the necessary concessions in Canton unless the threat of force were applied; this of course meant naval demonstrations and the possession of a naval base would naturally have considerable utility.

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