HONG KONG
Garmen stats aided
RECO REG 25 F15
financial
24 Ang Proposes to Communeck a copy of Gove
Last previous Paper.
Your 8640
Despatch of 12th. to the China Associ?
who are interested in this question
Anad 31 Cupt
(confidentially ~
Lu ako merate
Ge/386260
abzon to the communication Thina Ass = 1 Gr/35771
: To reply carry out minate an
R2648918.
Next supequent Paper
(8,103), W.81,086-18, 46,000. 12/13. A&E.W. (107,000) 31,097–61. 45,000. 11/14.
24.5.15-
In any further communication
on the subject, please quote
and address
112323/15.
The Under-Secretary of State.
Foreign Office.
FOREIGN OFFICE
REC ニウ P 25 15
August J 1915.
I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter No 35771
of the 12th instant, enclosing a copy of a despatch
from the Governor of Hongkong respecting the German
stated-sided businesses in that Colony.
Sir E. Grey would propose, if the Secretary of
State for the Colonies sees no objection, to communi-
cate a copy of this despatch confidentially to the
China Association, who are interested in this ques-
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
The Usoft
30/291340/15-
31 Aug's
I amte to achs
Mr Male 10115
Mr. Convica 30/of..
Sir G. Fiddes.
Sir H. Just.
Sir J. Anderson.
Mr. Steel-Maitland.
Mr. Bonar Law.
me receipt of
letter 1
Any (112322/157
+ to state that the
sex to obection to
Lectot. Guy's
mrporing o
Communicate
Confitentially
to the Thina Assi
For the For
Allang dated the
2 July: selative
German state-
and to rquet you to inf Feely In Lidwind Eay that
in sees no
proposal
aljon of the
(Siened) it. Ty
Foreign Office:
HONG KONG
Ke 27 AUG 15.
Consignments of Silk Goods
5 Aug. Transmits
Last previous Paper.
Tee: Gov. Cons: 7th Sept.
Copy corres. B.
18 Sylt Lev
IS. Klist
letter from Ainhold
Markery be relative to
ath what action should be taken in
Senffron
liquidator
Harriding
Map Cotties
the delineang
Stoking,
liquidation is
contracto
& dift. Thickson).
H. Kong Count
destination
delivery
declaration
michitate
firon in
t subsequent Paper
forcible ( pare.
Apparently
195) W1.1,088-18, 15,000. 12/39. A.GE.W. 7,000X ..$1,097-61. 45,000. 11/34, H
Conrular
Evidemes
troud me
ultimate
consumonfitionn
Excharted
if throng
to delivery
to ascertaine
lezing allowed
The difficulties here may
Grounds. Either (4)
Either (a) because the fort wish to be Satisfie
as tome ultimeli Destination of the food
or lay because
they regard the foods
eneig owned
owned (of the
recent opinion of tin
Case of enemy good, foods
which British
(or approved rential) Beaks
Shipments to British parts
be have authorized the Carriage of foods to
mt part (40144) but
that case we
Carson & M. Maurice Ail
to the effect that foods
owner s A.K. Hi of
Shanghai
every wood
according to Trige Law) -
If this is
the case
instinctions about alloway transhipment of foods ex eneme steamen taking rential parts refave
would not apps,
this and extends in
condition that
goods of enemy origen
Should only be came hat been paid f they
the reason
for become allied Property, this condition being
of comise that summe the enemy might profit from the Kausiken
that the
In the present case it
seems likely profit of the Traunalin would enure (a) to thi French Bank 2th) ro the creditas of the st.. branch of A.K. & Co Even therefore though ther foods might be Vechnically eneme foods according to Prize Law / Dont Lex Why we shouldnt allow the hausaction, if BO
70. Concar,"
a certificate
of siltimate destination can be Maine
But first of all we
more information
? Tel H.R.
Submitte
06. 6./9/05.
In any further conmunication on the subject, please quote
No. 108440/15.
and address
The Under Secretary of State.
Foreign Onion,
REG 27 AUG 15
FOREIGN OFFICE
August 25
I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to
transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter
from Arnhold Karberg and Company, relative to
consignments of silk goods which the firm desire
to forward to Italy ex the 8.8. "Kleist".
I am to enquire what action, if any, Mr.
Secretary Bonar Law, would desire this Department
to take in the matter.
The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Maurice de Varasen
(106440).
ARNHOLD KARBERG & 27.MILY)}
14, FENCHURCH STREET,
6th August 1915.
CARGO EX S/S KLEIST AT PADANG.
We have made enquiries of the London Chamber of Commerce
and the Board of Trade Commercial Department as to our
course of action regarding the shipment of 228 Bales Fierced
Cocoons and 100 Bales Waste Silk ex S.S. Kleist to Genoa
but are unable to obtain any definite information.
We, therefore, take the liberty of enclosing a résumé
of the matter in question with the request that you will
kindly advise us what steps are to be taken to enable us to
have the goods shipped to Genoa and whether you have any
information regarding the requirements of the Attorney Gen-
eral in Hongkong so that we may do the necessary
We should feel obliged if you could kindly let us have
an early reply.
We remain &c.
(Signed).
Under Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
Downing Street. S.W.
Arnhold Karberg & Co.
Invoice 20 July 1914.
KARBERG & COMPANY,
14, FENCHURCH STREET,
LONDON, E.C.
£ 1821/920 100 B. Waste silk fr.11757.30 )
4 m/s on 11757.30 ) buyers.
1553/820 228 B. Pierced Cocoons fr. 11600.55)
11600.55)
11600,55)
11600.55)
15776.75)
all shipped from Hongkong by Arnhold, Kerberg & Company for
a/c of La Filatura dei Cascami di Seta, Lilan. Insurance
with China Traders Insurance Company, all drafts negotiated
with Banque de l'Indo-Chine.
When war broke out the steamer Kleist took refuge
at Padang and though according to our view the risk of the
journey falls on the buyers, infortunately for us the Fila-
tura di Cascani refused to accept our Hongkong friends
The Bank in Paris who hold the Bills, after try-
ing in their turn to get buyers to accept, returned the Bills:
to their branch in Hongkong.
Meanwhile under the auspices!
of the London Chamber of Commerce a scheme had been in-
itiated enabling British cargo owners in this vessel to
secure their cargo, and with the intention to benefit from
these arrangements we informed our Italian buyers, who
however would not give definite instructions but who con-
tended themselves to say that when the goods had reached
Genoa they would be willing to accept the drafts.
At our request both the Banque de l'Indo-Chine and
Messrs H.E. Arnhold of Canton, who in their turn worked with
Messrs Dodwell & Company of Hongkong as liquidators of our
firm of Arnhold, Karberg & Company in Hongkong, all inter-
ested themselves in the recovery of the goods. But on
the 31st May Messrs H.E.Arnhold of Canton wrote us as
follows:
"Shipments per Kleist & Derfflinger. After all the
efforts you had made to get the goods off to Genoa, and the
Banque de l'Indo-Chine in Hongkong and the Hongkong liquida- tors being quite willing to do the necessary for the forward- ing of the 268 bales of Cocoons and 100 bales of Waste Silk.
we were informed that before shipping off the goods the
Attorney General had to give his consent, which is pending
until it had been ascertained that the final destination of
the goods was for Italy only. We hope that in the meantime
the British authorities at home got into contact with your
goodselves, and that you could prove from your books that the
orderers and manufacturers of the Waste Silk were the Italian ¦
concern of Filatura dei Cascami de Seta".
and again on the 15th June they wrote.
*Much to our regret it does not seen that the Attorney General in Hongkong got a satisfactory reply from London.
It might be useful, after receipt of the present, to
telegraph direct from London to Hongkong, as you have the
best proof in hand and could, through the British Authorities
get the permission for the French Bank in Hongkong to do
the necessary for the forwarding of the cargo, messrs Arn-
hold, Karberg & Company's liquidators wrote us quite recent-
ly that they had not heard anything further in the matter
therefore they have not lost the matter out of view".
However, we in London were never approached by any of
the authorities and being anxious to get the matter
straightened out at last, we wired on the 30th July to
Liessrs Dodwell and Company Hongkong.
"have you received permission attorney general for-
warding Genoa hundred bales Wastesilk and two hundred
sixty Cocoons ex Kleist wire".
to which we received a reply dated 5th August from Hongkong
as follows:
"Kleist you must obtain permission of British Govern-
Signed. Kerbergs liquidators".
We are now anxious to find out which Government Depart-
ment we must approach and what steps we have to take to
enable the French Bank to secure and forward the cargo to
As Italy has since joined in the war on the side
of the Allies, it appears to us that no difficulty can arise
out of the destination being Genoa, but our buyers would no
doubt be willing to certify if required, that the final
Unless the Banque de l'Indo-
destination is Italy only.
Chine can get their drafts on the Filatura Cascami accepted
they will of course claim on the liquidators in Hongkong
for repayment of their allowances.
Enclosed.
7 Invoices.(Copies).
ARNHOLD KARBERG & COMPANY,
HONGKONG.
Invoice of Silk bought at Canton and shipped per S/S "Kleist"
to Genoa for account and risk of Messrs Societa per la
Filatura dei Cascami di Seta, Milano.
Bills of Lading to order
Telegraphic Keyword 8062,
50 Bales at Pic. 50 ·
Best Unopened Steam Waste.
Kos, 60.48
Kilos 3024
" 120.96
Kilos.2903.04 fcs.4,05 cif. Fcs 11757.30
Insured for Fes. 12940 - w.&.
with China Traders' Insurance Co. Ltd.
E & O. E.
Hongkong, 20th July 1914.
ARNHOLD,
KARBERG & COMPÁNY,
HONGKONG,
Invoice of Silk bought at Canton and shipped per S/S "Kleist"
to Genoa for account and risk of Lesars Societa per la
Filatura dei Cascami di Seta, Milan.
Bills of Lading to order.
Telegraphic Keyword: 8063.
50 Bales at Fic. 50
B. U. 1871/920 Best Unopened Steam Waste.
Kos 60.48
2903.04 fcs. 4.05 cif Fos.11757.30
Insured for Fcs. 12940
with China. Traders' Insurance Co Ltd.
E. & U. E.
Hongkong, 20th July 1914.
ARNHOLD, KARBERG COMPANY,
HONGKONG.
Invoice of Pierced Cocoons bought at Canton and shipped per
S/S. "Kleist" to denoa for account and risk of Messrs
Societa per la Filatura dei Cascami di Seta, Lilano.
Bills of Lading to Order.
Telegraphic Keyword: 8067.
50 Bales at 75 catties - Pic 37 1/2
1653/702
Pierced Cocoons
Kos 60.48
Silk yield guaranteed 72% Soyeux.
-Kilos 1567 64 fce. 7.40 cif Fes 11600.55
Insured for Fcs. 12760 w.a.
with China Traders' Insurance Co Ltd.
E. & 0. E.
Hongkong, 20th July 1914.
ARRHOLD,
KARBERG & COMPANY,
HONGKONG.
Invoice of Pierced Cocoons bought at Canton and shipped per
S/S "Kleist" to Genoa for account and risk of Lesers.
Societa per la Filatura dei Cascani di Seta, Milano.
Bills of Lading to Order.
Telegraphic Keyword. 8065.
50 Bales at 75 catties Pic 37 1/2
Pierced Cocoons
Kos. 60.48
Silk yield guaranteed 72 Soyeux
Kos. 1567.64 fos. 7.40 cif. Fes. 11600.55
Insured for Fcs, 12760
China Traders' Insurance Co Ltd.
Hongkong.
E. & 0. E.
20th July 1914.
ARNHOLD,
KARBERG & COMPANY,
HONGKONG.
Invoice of Pierced Cocoons bought at Canton and shipped per
S/S "Kleist" to Genoa for account and risk of Messrs Societa
per la Filatura dei Cascami di Seta. Lilano.
Bills of Lading to Order.
Telegraphic Keyword: 8064.
1553/602.
50 Bales at 75 catties Fic 37 1/2
Pierced Cocoons
Kos. 60.48
- Kilos 2268
Kilos 2177.28
Silk yoeld guaranteed 72 Soyeux
Kos. 1567.64 fcs.7.40 cif Fcs.11600.55
Insured for Fcs. 12760
with China Traders' Insurance Co Ltd.
E. & G. E.
Hongkong,
20th July 1914.
ARNHOLD, KARBERG & COMPANY,
HONGKONG.
Invoice of Fierced Cocoons bought at Canton and shipped per
S/S "Kleist" to Genoa for account and risk of Messrs
Societa per la Filatura dei Cascami di Seta, Milano.
Bills of Lading to Order.
Telegraphic Keyword: 8068
50 Bales at 75 catties = Pic, 37 1/2
Pierced Cocoons.
Kos, 60.48
Silk yield guaranteed 72% Soyeux.
- Kilos 1567.64 fos. 7.40 cif Fos 11600.55
Insured for Fos. 12760
with China Traders' Insurance Co Ltd.
E. & V. E.
Hongkong,
20th July 1914.
ARNHOLD, KARBERG & COMPANY,
HONGKONG.
Invoice of Pierced Cocoons bought at Canton and shipped per
S/S "Kleist" to Genoa for account and risk of Messrs
Societa per la Filatura dei Cascami di Seta, Milano.
Bills of Lading to order,
Telegraphic Keyword: 8066.
1753/820
68 Bales at 75 catties - Pic 51.
Pierced Cocoons.
Kos 60.48
- Kilos 3084.48
Kilos.2961.10
Silk yield guaranteed 72%
Kos 2131.99 at fos. 7.40 cif. Fos 15776.75
Insured for Fes. 17360 w.a.
with China Traders' Insurance Co. Ltd.
Hongkong,
E. & 0. E.
20th July 1914.
70. 39499 42.
Sent: 557.mc
7th Sept 191.
Andy Ambold Katberg Linde
rechearemy
permission
for. Hong Kary. Framsteland to
Mr. Tennyson
Sir G. Fiddles.
Sir H. Just.
Sir J. Anderson.
Lord Islington.
Mr. Hurcouri.
100 bile
Wertgeld
wedgingly
Cokey @ Irake You
C 70.143653
2287bale, pierced
Cocoon's
skip Kleist at
I'gray Applicants Padang
Stato foods originally
Shipped from Hory kay
alejar that
2. ale draft hejo.
reenwort
-Viated with Banque
de l'tudo Chines
ne artdeef rechear refused
by consiquee showblasste inte Staff bat
Selorgray
Foreign ffice
Capplicants State
Thattanden. Waks drafts
accepted
Archim again
HONG KONG
39611 15
Green Deland Cement be
usefully be made. Suggests Last provions Paper. that W. Jamieson H. W Consul at Cantin who so at present in this bunten)
asked to call at 6.0 if further information
should be
26 Aug. No reply
you 12678
sclosgray
Assets of Karbey Hony Konjo
desirable
pellotica
from point of view
of Creditors of
Kasley Hong Kong
If sybeat or hausaction
syringegun
pascator
strauld be permitte
fan it be was Commapetite.
reason for withstoring perminin
Ausd 3 Sept 3pm.
Next subsequent Paper
M. Jamieson.
I don't thrill we had trouble
30.8.10-
(88.195) Wt.31,086—13, 46,000. 12/18. A&E,W, (107,030), . 31,997—61 45,000, 11/14. "
(38964/15)
REG 27 AUG 15
The Under Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs presents his compliments to the Under
Secretary of State for the, Colonies and, with
reference to his letter No.13567 of the 20th
instant, begs to inform him that no reply was
requested to the Colonial Office letter of April
1st last and it would appear that no reply can
usefully be made.
Sir A. Nicolson would however suggest, if
any further information is desired by the
Colonial Office on the subject of the Green
Island Cement Company's case, that Mr. Jamieson,
His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, is at
(38964/15)
present in this country on leave of absence and
could be asked to call at the Colonial Office if
desired.
Foreign Office,
August 2, 1915.
HONG KONG
Foreign Office
Registry & Cusa
Companies Shanghai
2.7 Ang Ant for early reply respecting H.K.
Last previous Papor. Contribution towards establishing a Registry
Ausd 1 Sept
Nett subsequent Paper
beli Colton.
adding that and
38647 ferae 344.
as proposed
it affears prom
despatch may shorth
we perfone
be exfected on
This subject.
to defer reply until its receipt, unters it is exfecially desired that enguing thould
Cody of 3864,
(59,395). WL.31,086—18, 45,000. 12/13. A.&B.W.
(107,089).
.. $1,957-61 4,000 11/14
to Gov. by kb. (sending
Ave 21.8.11-
In any further contnupication
De the subject, please quote
No. 116626/15.
and addres
The Luder Secretary of State,
Foreign flee.
Pressing .
28 AUG 15
FOREIGN OFFICE
August 27th, 1915.
I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to request the
favour of an early reply to the letter from this Office
dated April 27th last respecting the proposed contribution
of the Hong Kong Government towards the cost of the
establishment of a Registry of Companies in Shanghai..
As it is hoped shortly to issue the China (Companies)
Order in Council, it is essential that the amount of the
contribution of the Hong Kong Government towards the
maintenance of the Registry should be decided without delay,
in order that this Department may make the necessary
application to the Treasury for sanction to payment in the
first instance from Imperial Funds.
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
TO Hongkong
39625/15
1 Sept 19.
The U.S. Jo
am ch back. The recr
Welten D., the 244 th Ary. Tw
97265/15 and
380. Beckers Aug 31 inf. in 8. Grey that he coneurs
Rotundon 31/87
Sir G. Fiddes.
Sir H. Just.
Sir J. Anderson.
Mr. Steel-Maitland.
Mr. Bonar Law.
crews expressed in that letter
China (Companies)
Order in Commeil.
am to take this offortunity, & ack.
the rest
letter By the 27th Aug. плей я
ho. 116626 and to request you
lag before fint. Say
The acc.
from the for. Of thongs
Ear conf. 15kg 35647
from which it affears that
despatch may shortly be
The subject f
the contribution to be made
oking fast towards the cat
the establishment of a Registry of Companies in Changhai.
3 for Boman Land accordingly proposes to defor aflying one
pour this subject until the
such despatch, untest
it is especially desired that
enquing should be made
Jav. by telegram
Foreign ffice
Export of
30 MIG 15:
Tim from H.Kasongafre to Japan.
27 Ang. Transmits copy
Note from Japanese
Last previous Paper. Ambassador relative to
Anad 13 Sept
13 Sept 27
cornes RET, SA Otel cars
Next subsequent Paper
+ asks to be further informed respit.
decision
I Davis. Willing
Previous pp only just recossad.
We told to 7.0. in mr
127th May
Sif. (72/23977) that if exportation from ' Japan is prohibited heenies & exbort, tir in reasonable mantities to casan (A
[course. (2574)
sill to granted as a matter Le R.I.E. Chú agreed with us
eventually to 70. (20/29572) told
the Japanese ambassador es
(8,295)./WL.81,088-18, 45,000. 12/18. A.FE.W, ↑ (107,089) 31,997-51. 45,000, 11/24.
Japan has now placed
at A aloss.
manufactured pods on the hat of
antiles which cannot be expated in that permission they grasanter that such permission will not he gaith unles the destination of the word is wither Russia a bitch sominions
But they ask for the embargo
the exportation
If this from Space rothong the reward,
to the 70. back them up
We explained £70. at same length
in the 1st on 2397) whey the prohibition cd no the remord: router nothing has happened to alter the position. Ihe steps taken by Japan ader that they might get
taken in
: Ponitort to that the matter is
fo the R.Th. ('ter but that the position
is no stated
R 49/18-
I submil Nall
408/5/15
In may further communication
on the subject, please quolo
No. 115655/15
and address-
The Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Offeo,
FOREIGN OFFICE
August 27,1915.
With reference to your letter Number 29827 of the
2nd ultimo, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to
transmit to you the accompanying copy of a Note from the
Japanese Ambassador replying to the Note addressed to
His Excellency on June 21st last (Foreign Office letter
29572 Brautig
Trautmber
Mumber 76735 of June 11th) relative to the export of
tin from Hongkong and Singapore to Japan.
I am to suggest, for Mr. Secretary Bonar Lew's
consideration that instructions should be sent to the
Governors of Hongkong and The Straits Settlements in the
sense of the last paragraph of His Excellency's Note, and
I am to request that Sir E. Grey may be informed of Mr.
Bonar Law's decision in this matter.
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Maurice de Bunsen
(115655)
PEG 30 AM 15 JAPANESE EMBASSY,
18th August, 1915.
With reference to your note of the 21st June last
in regard to the exportation of tin from Singapore and
Hongkong to Japan, I have the honour to state that the
Imperial Government issued a notification on the 5th
instant to the effect that tin and tin manufactured goods
were added to the list of articles mentioned in the
Ordinance No. 22 issued by the Department of Agriculture
and Commerce on the 18th September last, for the exporta-
tion of which the Goverment permission is absolutely
required, and that the above notification entered into
operation on the 15th instant.
I beg to add under authorization of my Government
that they will on no account grant permission to export
any tin manufactured goods as well as tin to any destination
but to Russia and the British Overseas Dominions,
The Right Honourable
Sir Edward Grey, Bart., K. G.,
„Õítí „Jewà c‡61
Jael enri Jal adt to aton woy of sonereter ti¥
brs evoqayaida morî mit lo noitatroque ent of brager ni
ant tent steje oj zvonon add evad I‚caqst of goodgooH
djè eft no noiteoilijon & bevazi JnencrrevoÛ [airequi
aboos bertostunem nit bas nit tert toette ent of tratent
ent at benoitnem aeloitua ic tail est et bebbs Stew
erius ITSA to trentreqell et yd beresi SS.olf somnibт)
-stroque edt roi,Jael radiatqeć dt81 erit no soremmo bre
vistuloede ei noisaimmeq Jasmevoù erit doidw to molt
otni berejne noitsoliiton svode ent tent bus,beriupST
„Jasteni Nt2l eat no noitezeqo
Jerevo ym to noitsstrontus zabru bba of ged I
froçxe of notauiryaq tuera trwoods on no lliw vent tedt
noitenitesh yne of mit es. llew as abcog bewtosturam nit vos
endinimo asserevo deiti¬d edt bns alasuf of Jud
Under these circumstances,
am instructed to
request that you will have goodness to use your kind
offices in a manner that the authorities concerned of
His Majesty'a Goverment may accept as adequate the
above measure taken by the Imperial Government in regard
to the restriction of exporting the goods in question
from Japan and may remove the embargo now placed upon
the exportation of tin from Singapore and Hongkong in
favour of Japan.
I have, &c.,
(For the Japanese Ambassador)
(Signed)
K. HONDA,
elderonok tidak ÷
...,.0.X ̧‚±138,‚verð brewbl riż
of betoritani ma BOONSJEMUOTio esert TeÖNÜ
bnix toy ear of saehboo7, avad Iliw voy jadi jasuper
to benteoлoo Beitizontve edit tadt Temnem a mi asoitto
erit eterpers as Jysoos vam tremtavoð a'y‡asjeli siH
breger ni Jnemntavoð Leireqml edt go nexet ewasem ovods
noitesup ́ni aboog edt zaitroqre to noitoistner edt of
noyu beosly won ogredre erit evoner vam bns neqel wort
ni yozgnol bus eroqagato mort nit to noitstroque edt
.neqst to woVS I
1.08,evad I
(TobsBasdmä 888843) et 10%)
(bergia)
to Hacking
39853 Shaili
13 fell 1985-
I am ste. back to both of
23979 Jun letter N° 115655 y le 27.
MUSAS 70.
Mr. Danis
Mr. Collins
Sir G. Fiddes.
Sir H. Just.
Sir J. Anderson.
Mr. Steel-Maitland.
Mr. Bonar Law.
Hurter faction
well.. and to state that for
Le rasmes sch and in to letter for this Lefty
te 17 a May,
thich were accepted sli
26547 E-frey in Love better 68263 y. to ja June and the Rubler 25074 of Tim Ex futs thee, it does hat affean Limitle & caufly it to sporty te fafmen Alanada bat to Embargo to Exfolatio y tir for te. S.S. atay kay old. Le
Loneth anyo
2. No tue is allowed the disffad fren
sit to S. I. a toy heut
R&T.S. CH 13 Sept co for freige destinations,
dehan athed or
for cell on to reconneculations
of the Rubber & Tim Exfats the. The same general rule is in face in Hay hay, subed £22ruptions
which have here allowed into te
the Rubber & Lang y
y te hermes to maintain te frities
Concurrence to Large cenay
Experts (te
(0) Pur for Junnan smelled in Hay kay may be exported allived wit and unfermen to so blacks in China, of the
Sw. but it satisfaited in
willle consumed in China dick withe vex fated.
(6) Tim for Junnan is
L also allowed to 'so & Johan int and anference the the
on her candilim bal a consular lutificate as beausumption
al destination is oblained.
3. If to Rubled Tim Exfats V. Aman law
The Concur W. have as of action to infering to Sw. y Haykay hat Exception (by alive Whattlig tall tin and Kalle Leed as byer
1 Haykay in to Far Easton Trave
aften commicite #his counts
"Thue weeenay
Str G. Fiddes.
Sir H. Just.
Sir J. Anderson.
Mr. Steel-Maitland.
Mr. Bonar Law,
lequire Consular certificates as flauwmuftion in Jahan or tranfumate Swig te I. S. hat in future he may allow on his own audiuif ext moduct exports of Jako tort Jefan
It is the anticipated harma kalfang for Concessions were made in faron y Jefan it would be difficult t
refure similar concessions
+ Lance & Has.
4. Red by his emesh is
wing and the Mallet Tim Expate (al
ten dismis.
for the Under Sect
HONG KONG
Rec Meet 31 15,
Hades for Boston
Boctng Transmits informe tion from
Last previous Paper.
Jee. Gov. Sept To Humphreys 4: 2 Lept 70 70.50ct 70/us096
British Cabassy resp. meas Hartmann
Bayers Collins
I sproke
& submit difts.
00034-3 1/5/15-
Next subsequent Paper
193). wt.31,086-13. 45,000. 19/18. A.GE.W.
81,997-51 45,000. 11/14 D
Immedia's
Colonial Office
The 31 MG151
Messrs. Hartmann Bros. Inc. Boston
With the compliments of the Under-Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs.
38188/1715 of ing14.
Foreign Office,
Paraphrase of cryfchen
(Harkingtoor)
letagrowon
Foreign Office
No. thely (R)
Colonial
letsgram
from Hong Kong)
anscious for
for reply to
1028 ( of August 7th
Paraphase of telegram from Sin
telegram from Sir C. Shining Rise
(Hardington).
11. 15 ..
21ht 1915
1591 (R)
Your telegram
August 12
despatch No
Commercial
To. 411.
BRITISH EXBASSY; 31 MIG 15)
WASHINGTON,
August 12 1915.
AUG 23 1915
With reference to your telegram No.
976 of the 31st ultimo I have the honour to
transmit to you berewith copy of a report,
from His Majesty's Consul General at Boston,
on the firm of Messrs. Hartmann Brothers.
I have the honour to be
with the highest respect
your most obedient,
humble servant,
(For the Ambassador)
(sd) Colville Barclay.
The Fight Honourable
Sir Edward Grey, Bart., X.G.,
British Consulstöléntah,
Benh tat,10,1915.
AUG 23 1915
With reference to your Excelleney's telegram
of August 7th,1915, respecting the standing and trust- worthiness of the Firm of Hartuarn and Company, I have the honour to state that there is no concern answering
precisely to that description and I conclude that it is
Hartmann Brothers, Incorporated, of 10 High Street,
Boston, to which your Exoellenoy refers.
According to a prominent firm of bankers in
Boston this consern does not buy for its own account
but acts only for other houses, being in fact brokers
in foreign and domestic hides and skina. The firm
finances the purchase until the arrival of the commo-
dity in the United States. The bankers are of opinion
that any undertaking furnished should be given by the
firm or firme for whom Hartmann Brothers are acting
rather than or as well as by the brokers.
The bankere state that the firm is of good
financial standing operating on a paid în capital of
Fifty thousand dollars. The concern's entire invest-
ment is in liquid form and they carry no merchandi se
item in their financial statements owing to the fact
that they are conducting their business entirely on
a brokerage basis.
His Excellency, The Right Hon.
Bir Geoil A. Spring-Rice, G.0.7.0., X.0.M.G..
ato.. etc..
Washington.
The bankers believe that Hartmann Brothers
are "entitled to their reasonable business require-
I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
humble Servant,
(SD)F.P. Leay,
H. M.'s Consul-General.
10138/15
Gentlemen
Merr. H. G. Humfilmengs
With ref to the letter
defit of the
regarding
of hides
Mr. Discon
31st Aug.
Mr. Danes
Sir G. Fiddes.
exfrontation
Sir H. Just.
Sir J. Anderson.
Mr. Steel-Maitland.
Mr. Bunar Law.
With afft. tel
Copy 70 $5096
oof. you
Messrs. Hartmann
consignees
Frobably
furfiores
thein acct of
سوال کرتے
atch Roman
Law regrets
further forogress
matter until
he is informed
required
of the guaranteers
& Marrs. Hartmann Brys
to the disposal
furnished
froducts.
40128/15
unfeather
Sout. 5.25/m 1 Sept 75
(38188) Your tel Convivial
Boston states
tostedor
foresumably
queensware docendum
Dareis H/9/15
flea jump
ه ی او بر میگرن
With dift. letter
account Bul
flax comb
sbegray cipionides
70 45096
Con 70. 2006
Humphrey's
funttren
indwelling
informed
informed
Guarantees
magazining
progress cam
amputaris
of orbitosi
required
tosta bailey
Hartmann
Annerletty dispo
disposed disposal
furnished
ale hnight
froducts
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS, ABEONA, LED, LONDON. TELEPHONE, AVENUE 2942.
1 SEP '015
COL. OFFICE
Ciree House, W
18-20. Creechurch Lane,
ICE London: E. C. Brd September 19
[G.HUMPHREYS & C÷
AND AT HONG KONG.
We thank you for your letter Ko40128/1914, dated and inst,or
the matter of the Hides desired by our HongKong House for ship
to Boston, U..A,$ note your remarks.
Your HongKong Department advise us that the Governor of HongKong
Has been communicated with by cable to the like effect as you
have advised us, so we must leave the matter in abeyance until such
time as the necessary guarantee detalls in your hands from
the Monglong Government, or our Head office in HongKong.
Me Secretary of State for Colonies.
Bowning Street..
Te are, Dear Sir,
fours faithfully,
Mr. Robrisson
pp phere Ryglus
See on 42416
Attack."
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HONG KONG
30 day prints of further
Last previous Paper.
Das. prints to Thaits Conf 18 slept
Next subsequent Paper
Rea I SEP 15!
of further corre
for A. Filth
A Colonis
mendingly intresting
The Opusin Combine her agreed to pay the
Chenère fort $3500 to my chest sold
in Krangon, Kanizsi Keranghing They have some booo chests so the
1000 000, say Chinese stand & mallest. £2,000,000
our the busmess which
throws a lived light on the prost which to Combine will malle
Fetail pacis
(88,195). W.$1,086-13. 45,000. 12/18. A&E.W. (107,099)
.. $1,007-51. 45,000. 11/14.
one how £1000 a chest
+the table (the staff in a fair wacket
ins about £135!
2 Print & It Kong
Shanti conf
conf 28.
Confidential.
REG 1 SEP 15
A5-12.7-4.
4.6.9.15
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
presents his compliments to the Under- Secretary of State for
the Colonies, and is directed by the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs to transmit the accompanying sections of
printed confidential correspondence.
Foreign Office,
30 August, 1915.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government}
CONFIDENTIAL.
(No. 179.) Sir,
REG 1 SEP 15
[May 17.]
SECTION 1.
Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 17.)
Paris, May 15, 1915. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith, with reference to my despatch No. 378 of the 30th July last, copy of the reply of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the communication which I made to His Excellency's predecessor, as instructed by your despatch No. 64 of the 9th February, 1914, with a view to the restriction of the opium traffic in Kwangchauwan,
His Excellency informs me that an enquiry instituted into the matter by the Minister for the Colonies has failed to confirm the statements made in regard to the exportation and consumption of opium in that colony, and he indicates the measures taken by the local administration to restrict the numbers of smokers and to limit the amount of opium imported to the strict needs of local consumption. I have, &c.
FRANCIS BERTIE.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Note communicated to Sir F. Bertie by M. Delcussé.
L'AMBASSADE de Sa Majesté britannique avait bien voulu, le 14 février, 1914, saisir le Département des Affaires Étrangères de certaines propositions tendant à restreindre la contrebande de l'opium en Chine ainsi qu'aux Etats-Unis par une limitation des quantités d'opium introduites dans le territoire de Kouang-tchéou-ouan. M. le Ministre des Colonies vient de faire connaître que l'enquête ordonnée par lui à ce sujet n'a pas confirmé les renseignements communiqués par l'Ambassade de Sa Majesté britannique.
Étant donné qu'aucune déclaration d'exportation n'a été déposée dans des ports ni sur les frontières de terre de cette colonie et qu'aucun fait de contrebande n'a été signalé sur aucun point de son territoire, M. le Gouverneur général de l'Indo-Chine estime qu'il est impossible d'affirmer que notre concession, plûtot que tout autre pays limitrophe, sert d'entrepôt pour l'approvisionnement en opium de la Chine du Sud et des États-Unis d'Amérique.
D'ailleurs, le nombre des caisses d'opium brut indiqué dans la note précitée du 14 février, 1914, comme ayant été consommé à Kouang-tchéou-ouan ne correspond en aucune façon à l'importation normale des besoins locaux: le nombre des fumeurs est évalué par l'Administration coloniale à 20,000 personnes rien que dans la population sédentaire, sans parler de la population flottante, et la consommation d'opium du territoire serait supérieure à 500 caisses d'opium par année-chiffre qui correspond sensiblement à celui cité par l'Ambassade de Sa Majesté britannique et que supporterait, d'ailleurs, sans peine, la comparaison avec les chiffres de la consommation permise par rapport à ceux de la population, tant à Hong-Kong qu'à Macao.
En outre, l'Administration de la colonie, loin d'autoriser ou organiser, comme cela se fait ailleurs, les ventes et l'exportation, refuse tous les jours de livrer l'opium brut ou l'opium préparé pour l'extérieur. Le régime de la ferme qui fonctionnait depuis plus de dix ans à Kouang-tchéou-ouan, a été supprimait par arrêté du 27 février, 1914, et remplacé par une régie directe, dans le but de placer le commerce de l'opium sous le contrôle direct et permanent de l'Administration. Soucieuse de lutter pari passu avec tous les peuples qui ont entamé la guerre contre l'opium, la nouvelle régie a pour instruction de maintenir le prix de l'opium à un niveau très élevé, de manière à restreindre le nombre des fumeurs et de n'introduire sur le territoire que la quantité strictement nécessaire à la consommation locale.
Le Ministère des Affaires Étrangères ne peut quo prier Sir Francis Bertie de porter ces informations à la connaissance du Gouvernement de Sa Majesté britannique.
Paris, le 13 mai, 1915.
[2420 r-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
[June 1.]
SECTION 1.
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received June 1.)
India Office, May 31, 1915.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th April, regarding the scheme of the Chinese Acting Minister of Finance for taking over the opium stocks and the establishment
of an official opium monopoly, and to inform you in reply that he would welcome proposals by the Chinese Government for taking over the opium stocks provided that the terms offered to the merchants are fair and reasonable. The subsequent establishment of a Government monopoly in opium appears to him to be a matter
for the decision of the Government of China.
I have, &c.
T. W. HOLDERNESS.
[2433 a-1]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
[June 4.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 140.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 4.)
(Telegraphic.) R.
Peking, June 4, 1915.
MY telegram No. 113 and my despatch No. 114 of 31st May. Arrangements made at Shanghai seem to offer practical solution of opium question and to render retention of Wilton as opium commissioner no longer necessary,
propose,
if you approve, to send him to Canton as acting consul-general.
[2433 d-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CONFIDENTIAL,
[June 8.]
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 8.)
(No. 101.) Sir,
Peking, May 3, 1915. IN my telegram No. 68 of the 26th March last I had the honour to report that the Chinese Government had applied for a joint inspection of opium poppy cultivation in the province of Kansu and the New Dominion (Hsinchiang), and that as neither of these provinces imported Indian opium, and it was difficult to spare members of the consular service for inspection tours in these remote parts, I proposed that Hsinchiang be placed on the list under article 3 of the agreement of 1911, and that I should ask a member of the China Inland Mission at Lanchow to undertake the inspection in Kansu, allowing him the ordinary consular travelling expenses. These proposals were approved in your telegram No. 59 of the 8th ultimo.
Circumstances have since led to my modifying the proposed course of action, as far as the inspection of poppy cultivation in Kansu is concerned.
There has been considerable trouble in Kansu during the past two years in connection with certain taxes levied by the provincial authorities in apparent contravention of treaty provisions on purchases of wool and skins by the native agents of foreign merchants, and the six firms representing this important British interest at Tien-tsin have recently approached me regarding the steps to be taken to secure for their trade freedom from the injurious restrictions imposed upon it by the provincial authorities.
The transport of Thibetan and Mongolian wool from the north-western provinces under transit pass to the port of Tien-tsin for export to Europe and America has given rise on various occasions to cases entailing protracted and wearisome correspondence with the Chinese authorities, such as that the settlement of which was reported in my despatch No. 586 of the 26th November, 1908. The difficulty in settling these cases arises largely out of lack of knowledge, both on the part of the Central Government and of this legation, as to what is actually taking place in those remote regions, and the presence of a British official and a deputy from the Wai-chiao Pu in Kansu for the inspection of opium poppy cultivation appeared to offer a good opportunity for a thorough investigation into this question.
I have accordingly appointed Mr. Teichman, second assistant in His Majesty's consular service, to undertake the joint inspection of opium poppy cultivation in Kansu in concert with an official deputed by the Wai-chiao Pu, and have arranged with the Chinese Government that the two officials shall proceed, after the poppy inspection is completed, to an investigation into the alleged illegal taxes levied on the wool and skin trade of the north-western provinces.
The six British firms at Tien-tsin interested in this trade have agreed to bear half the travelling and subsistence expenses incurred by this officer on the journey to and from Kansu, and on any travelling undertaken during the wool trade investigation.
It will be remembered that Mr. Carvill, then vice-consul at Tien-tsin, undertook a somewhat similar mission to Kansu in the interests of the wool trade in 1902 (see Sir W. Townley's despatch No. 56, Consular, of the 15th May, 1903).
I have the honour to enclose copies of the notes exchanged with the Wai-chiao Pu regarding the closing of Hsinchiang to the import of Indian opium and the joint inspection of poppy cultivation in Kansu, and trust that my action in this matter will meet with your approval.
(Copy to India.)
[2433 h-1]
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Enclosure I in No. 1.
Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
(Translation.) Sir,
Peking, March 8, 1915. WITH reference to the joint inspection by British and Chinese officials of opium cultivation in the various provinces, your Excellency is aware that last year a number of provinces were inspected in accordance with treaty, and the import of Indian opium into these provinces prohibited.
This Ministry recently telegraphed to the various provinces the import of opium into which has not been prohibited to make preparations for the joint inspection of opium cultivation during the present year, and furthermore instructed the more distant provinces to report at an early date with regard to the clearing of their respective districts of opium cultivation, in order to enable preparations to be made for sending officials to these places, and I am now in receipt of telegraphic requests from the two provinces of Kansu and Hsinchiang for joint inspection in accordance with treaty.
I have the honour to observe that in these two provinces the poppy is in flower during approximately the fifth and sixth lunar months (13th June to the 10th August), but owing to their remoteness it is very desirable that the question of how officials for joint investigation can be provided should be taken into consideration beforehand.
As soon as the other provinces apply by telegraph for joint investigation a further communication will be addressed to your Excellency, but in the meantime I have the honour to inform you of the above, and to ask for a reply.
I avail, &c.
(Seal of the Wai-chiao Pu.)
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu.
Peking. April 28, 1915. WITH reference to your Excellency's notes of the 8th and 26th ultimo regarding the joint inspection by British and Chinese officials of opium cultivation in the provinces of Kansu and Hsinchiang, I have the honour to inform you that I propose to appoint Mr. Teichman, of this legation, as the British official to carry out the investigation of the province of Kansu, and to ask that you will be good enough to inform me of the name of the official to be appointed by the Chinese Government for this purpose, in order that the two officials may meet and decide on the date for the commencement of the joint inspection.
With regard to the province of Hsinchiang, I am prepared to agree that it should be added to the list of provinces into which the import of Indian opium is prohibited under article 3 of the agreement of 1911, such prohibition to take effect from the 1st June next.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan,
[June 10.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 124.) Sir,
Foreign Office, June 10, 1915. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 22nd March last, in regard to the scheme of the Chinese Acting Minister of Finance, for taking over the opium stocks, and the establishment of an official opium monopoly.
The India Office in a letter, copy of which is enclosed, inform me that they would welcome proposals by the Chinese Government for taking over the opium stocks provided that the terms offered to the merchants are fair and reasonable. As regards the subsequent establishment of a Government monopoly in opium, the matter would appear to be one for the decision of the Government of China.
I entirely concur in the view which you expressed to Mr. Chou, that while His Majesty's Government would not object to a legitimate scheme for disposal of the the stocks they would certainly not countenance anything which would permit of the sale of the drug in the listed provinces.
*India Office. May 31, 1915.
[2433 k-1)
I am, &c.
E. GREY.
I avail, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 223
CONFIDENTIAL.
[June 15.
SECTION 1,
(No. 115.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 15.)
Peking, May 17, 1915. I HAVE the bonour to enclose herewith copy of an extract from a Presidential mandate published in the Government "Gazette" of the 13th May last, exhorting the people against the cultivation and smoking of opium, and repeating the prohibition against traffic in the drug.
In reference to the strictures against Shensi in the mandate, my latest information from that province, dated the 18th April, is to the effect that the Military Governor has given secret permission to grow poppy again this year. Sowing takes place in April, and thousands of mou (one acre equals six mon) have already been planted.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Extract from Government " Gazette" of May 13, 1915, Presidential Mandate.
(Translaion.)
THE evil of opium is known to all men, and no less than 8,000 millions of money and 10 000,000 lives have been sacrificed during the past few decades as a result of this evil. Once a person acquires the habit of opium smoking he degenerates into a parasite and is reduced to a skeleton. Thus a rich man becomes a pauper and a healthy man a weakling. This gives rise to the prevalence of undesirable characters and persons who do not care to work, the race deteriorates, morality declines, and both the family and the nation are affected and harmed. Fortunately, however, as a result of the unprejudiced spirit of the friendly nations and the well-intentioned publicity given to the matter by Chinese and foreigners an agreement was made in the third year of Hsuan Tung with Great Britain for the prohibition of the import of foreign and the cultivation of native opium within a certain time limit. A persistent policy has been pursued with regard to the prohibition of cultivation, smoking, and trading in opium and as a result of it Fengtien and many other provinces have succeeded in completely destroying all poppy plants; and the import of opium into these provinces has been prohibited by mutual consent. The International Anti-Opium Society also decided that within a certain time limit investigations should be made into the opium trade contemporaneously with the progress of the measures adopted by the Chinese Government. If this opportunity had been seized to make a clean sweep of opium the country's weakness would soon have been turned into strength. The prohibition was repeated at the beginning of the republican régime. But owing to the lack of order and discipline and the fact that there were many desperadoes and unruly soldiers who were mostly opium smokers, the evil sprang again into being. The ignorant people, seeing that there was great profit in the opium trade, defied the law hitherto in force. This was most regrettable. Some people urge that since the opium trade affects the livelihood of many persons it is unjust to use arbitrary methods for the prohibition of poppy planting. They forget, however, that the evil of opium smoking is like a dangerous ulcer that sinks deep to the bone, for the cure of which it is better to eut away part of the bone than to patch it up with a piece of flesh taken from another part of the body. Whether the profit in this trade is large or small, the traders should be made to understand in unmistakable language that no one can live by drinking poison to quench his thirst. The local headmen should be entrusted with the task of uprooting the poppy, and the farmers supplied with cotton, grain, and other seeds for sowing instead, so that gradually what is now a rule may become an exception. The plea of present livelihood is no justification for planting the seed of endless calamity in the future. We have heard lately that in certain parts of Shensi poppy plants are still being raised, and we have made enquiries of the high provincial authorities.
[2433 p-1]
La Chien-chang and Lu Tiao-yuan report by telegraph that the majority of the districts under their jurisdiction have been cleared of poppy plants; that it is possible that in out-of-the-way places the foolish and ignorant country people may have planted opium, but that the magistrates have been ordered to take careful and energetic measures for prohibition, and investigators have been sent to search for secret plantations. The said province suffers from a lack of good communications, and the people may not realise the seriousness of the prohibition and care only for the profit that they may make. The whole thing depends upon the officials, who should earnestly and persistently urge them and compel them to plant some other useful crop. One corner of the country cannot be permitted to spoil the general movement of the whole nation. The Ministry of Interior is hereby instructed to transmit orders to the Governor of the said province to again issue a prohibition, and not to allow the cunning to utilise it as a means to enrich themselves. Yamên runners must be strictly controlled, so that they may not use this as a pretext to oppress the people by extortion, or the old evil will be done away with only to be replaced by a new one. In a word, it is my hope that the people and the officials of the whole nation should regard opium as a great disgrace and shame. Let no undestroyed seeds poison the new nation. Awake all ye people and be not careless. This is my order.
(Seal of the President.)
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
[June 15.]
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 15.)
(No. 114.) bir,
Peking, May 15, 1915. WITH reference to my telegram No. 105 of the 2nd May I have the honour to forward herewith copies of notes from the Wai-chiao Pu on the subject of the inspection of Kiangsu, together with the copy of a letter from the Wai-chiao Pu, requesting that the joint inspection of poppy cultivation in that province might be stopped this year.
In my telegram No. 73 of the 30th March I reported that the Chinese Govern- ment had requested me to depute representatives for the joint inspection of Kiangsu, and that I was deputing Messrs. Wilton and Rose for this duty, and in my despatch No. 72 of the 31st March I outlined the latest information "then available of the conditions of poppy cultivation in the province.
Mr. Wilton has reported to me that he and Mr. Rose arrived at Chinking on the 25th April, and that the Chinese metropolitan and provincial delegates followed in due course.
Mr. Wilton, who had devoted special care and attention to the collection of trustworthy information as to cultivation, was of opinion that, speaking generally, the portion of the province south of the Yang-tsze River was clear of poppy, but that cultivation still existed in the northern districts of Hsuchow and Hai-chow, although strenuous efforts were being made to clear these areas before the arrival of the inspectors. Mr. Wilton and Mr. Rose decided, therefore, to confine their respective tours to the north of the river, paying special attention to the districts mentioned, and arrangements were made for the two parties accompanied by their respective Chinese delegates, to start on the 28th April. On that day, however, they received my telegram instructing them to postpone their departure temporarily, similar orders being issued also to the native delegates by the Chinese authorities.
The telegram was sent at the urgent request of the Wai-chiao Pu, who intimated that reports had been received to the effect that poppy was still to be found in the districts of Hsuchow and Haichow, and that investigation would possibly have to be abandoned. On the 30th April a Presidential mandate was issued declaring that the Minister of the Interior and the Director of the Revenue Council had reported that there was a great quantity of smuggled native opium imported into Kiangsu, Kiangsi and Kuangtung, and appointing Ts'ai Nai Huang special opium prohibition deputy for the three provinces. The following day I received a letter from the Wai-chiao Pu requesting that, as the poppy had not been completely eradicated from the districts of Hsuchow and Haichow in Kiangau the joint inspection of the province should be stopped. I agreed to this course, which was reported in my telegrain No. 105.
Mr. Wilton, who received my telegram of recall on the 2nd May, reports that the Chinese delegates, one and all, were amazed at the turn events had taken, and the Hsu-Hai Taoyin in particular appeared completely upset and perturbed. The latter had been positive that the poppy fields in his jurisdiction had been cleared, appre- hending only that there might be danger to the inspection parties from brigands in the remoter parts of the Heuchow district. Mr. Wilton proceeded to Nanking the same day, but nothing appeared to be known there of the reasons for the abandonment of the inspection beyond the fact that action was said to have been taken at the instigation of the Revenue Council at Peking. The next day he proceeded to Shanghai and obtained from the representatives of the Opium Combine an admission that a private agreement had been made between the Combine and Ts'ai Nai Huang, a former Taotai of Shanghai, under which the Chinese Government would receive a contribution of 3,500 dollars a chest on the stocks in hand at Shanghai and Hong Kong on the 1st May, in return for freedom of circulation in Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung. A copy of the English text of the agreement was received by Mr. Wilton on the 11th May, with the request that it should be treated as confidential; but I see no special reason for regarding it as such and a copy is enclosed herewith. From the explanation given to him at Shanghai on the 4th May by the representatives of the Opium Combine, it would appear that the negotiations leading up to the signature of
[2433 p-2]
the agreement on the 1st May, were initiated from the Chinese side, and did not begin before the 27th April, but I have reason to believe that the Combine had been sounded on the subject prior to the departure of Mr. Ts'ai Nai Huang from Peking, who arrived at Shanghai on the 27th April. Mr. Ts'ai has a brother resident at Shanghai who is, I am informed, very largely interested in Indian opium. The negotiations were kept profoundly secret, and the first intimation of them was given to Mr. Wilton on the 4th May.
The agreement is a remarkable document, and it will be observed that the date of expiry synchronises with that fixed at the annual meeting of Shanghai ratepayers for the expiry of opium licences, viz., 31st March, 1917. The payment of 3,500 dollars is described as a voluntary contribution towards the suppression of illicit sales of native opium in Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung, and it is expressly declared that the payment is not in any wise a tax, duty, or imposition imposed by the Chinese Government." The "guarantee fee mentioned in article 4 refers to a private contribution of“ 600 dollars a chest paid to the Canton Government on every chest delivered to Canton dealers, Although not stated, the payment of 3,500 dollars is exclusive of the duty appears to payable to the Maritime Customs.. No mention is made as to prices, and it have been left to the discretion of the Combine to get whatever they can.
The position of the stocks on the 1st May was approximately as follows: the number of chests held by the Opium Combine at Shanghai and Hong Kong was 6,081, of which 1,100 had been sold and paid for by Chinese dealers who had not yet taken delivery. Of the remaining 4,981 chests, one-half had been contracted for by Chinese. Retail prices were advanced by 2,000 taels at Shanghai on the 1st May, and the retail prices ruling there then were about 9,000 taels, or rather more than 1,0001, a chest. The advances made by native banks to holders of Indian opium amounted to 1,250,000 taels, while the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the British Bank principally involved, was interested to double that amount.
The negotiation and signature of the agreement came as a surprise to me, but I do not doubt that the impression recorded in my telegram No. 105 was correct, and that the step taken was in connection with the scheme reported in my despatch No. 67 of the 22nd March, and that the motive of the agreement is not so much the The Chinese suppression of opium as the opening up of a fresh source of revenue, Government are hard put to it for money, and the prospect of a contribution of 2,000,000l. paid regularly in weekly instalments has evidently proved too great a temptation for them to resist. The conception of the present arrangement is due to the Finance Minister, and is probably but the prelude to a scheme for the establishment of an opium monopoly on similar lines to the Japanese monopoly in Formosa. The Finance Minister doubtless took into full consideration the overshadowing of the opium question by the recent Sino-Japanese negotiations, and he has presumably hoped that the anti-opium party in China, weakened by the loss of its most prominent members through illness and death, will not be able to offer effectual opposition. The provinces concerned, however, must either be coaxed or coerced by the Central authorities into accepting the terms of the present agreement. Kuangtung is smuggling large quan- tities of Yunnan opium, with the connivance, I am informed, of the Military Governor, whose brother is largely interested in native opium at Canton, and there is nothing to show that the Provincial authorities of Kiangsu have been consulted as to the ment. Kiangsi may, perhaps, be negligible in this instance, as the consumption of Indian opium in that province is not large, and cannot be compared with that in the other two provinces.
It cannot be denied that the present attitude of the Chinese Government in this matter marks a retrograde step in their policy of opium suppression, and is tantamount to a confession of inability to stamp out the vice in the present generation of opium- smokers.
Whatever the results of this change of policy on the part of China may be, His Majesty's Government can frankly declare that they have adhered scrupulously and honourably to the treaties, in spite of flagrant breaches by the Chinese Government, and have never wavered in their promise to assist China in her self-imposed task of eradicating opium by 1917.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
Peking, March 26, 1915. WITH reference to the joint inspection by British and Chinese officials of opium cultivation in the various provinces, I had the honour on the 8th instant to address a note to your Excellency informing you that I had received telegraphic requests from the two provinces of Kansu and Hsinchiang for joint inspection in accordance with treaty, and requesting that the matter should be taken into consideration beforehand.
To this note I have received no reply. I am
now in receipt of a telegram from the Governor of Kiangsu in which he proposes to ask for joint inspection of opium cultivation in that province during the inonth of May, that being the time of year during which the poppy is in flower, and requests me to consult with your Excellency and reply to him in due course by telegraph.
The province of Kiangsu having telegraphically asked for joint inspection in accordance with treaty, this Ministry, the Ministry of the Interior and your Excellency, should severally decide on the officials to be sent in order to enable a date to be fixed
I therefore have the honour to request your Excellency to take note of the above facts and to reply at one and the same time to both my notes.
I avail, &c.
for them to start.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
(Seal of the Wai-chiao Pu.)
Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
Peking, April 13, 1915. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's notes of the 31st March and 7th April on the subject of the joint inspection of poppy cultivation in the various provinces.
In the former you stated that, in regard to Kansu and Hsinchiang, you would communicate again with me, on receipt of a reply from His Majesty's Government, by telegraph, and that in regard to Kiangsu you were instructing deputies for the necessary duties of joint inspection during the period when the poppy is in flower. In the latter, you informed me that you had instructed Messrs. Wilton and Rose to proceed as deputies for the forthcoming inspection of poppy cultivation in Kiangsu, and that they would arrive for that purpose at Chinkiang on the 28th April.
I have the honour to inform your Excellency in reply that this Ministry has appointed acting senior clerk, Shen Ch'eng-ku, and that the Ministry of the Interior has appointed senior clerk, Hsu Te-fen, to carry out the duties of joint inspection, and that these two gentlemen are being instructed to proceed to Chinkiang by the appointed date to meet and consult with Messrs. Wilton and Rose.
I avail, &c.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
(Seal of the Wai-chiao Pu.)
Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
(Translation.) Sir,
Peking, April 20, 1915. I HAD the honour on the 13th April to address a note to your Excellency on the subject of joint inspection of poppy cultivation in the province of Kiangsu, informing. you that this Ministry had appointed acting senior clerk, Shen Ch'eng-ku, and that the Ministry of Interior had appointed senior clerk, Hsu Te-fen, to carry out the duties of joint inspection in conjunction with the officials deputed by you for this purpose. The Governor of Kiangsu was also informed of these appointments.
I now have the honour to inform your Excellency that I am in receipt of a telegram from the Governor of Kiangsu to the effect that the Provincial Government have
[2433 p-2]
appointed the Hsu Hai Taoyin, Li Ching-chang, and Ts'un Ch'i Taoyin, Wang Keng- ting, as special deputies to co-operate in the joint inspection.
I avail, &c.
Enclosure 4 in No. 1.
(Seal of the Wai-chiao Pu.)
Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.
(Translation.) Sir,
Peking, May 1, 1915. WITH reference to the joint inspection of opium cultivation in the province of Kiangsu, the officials appointed by this Ministry and the Ministry of Interior left Peking on the 20th April.
A letter has now been received from the Revenue Council to the effect that the officials appointed by them to hold secret investigations into opium cultivation in the province of Kiangsu report that no traces of opium cultivation have been seen in any of the places through which they have passed, but that in the Hsuchow and Haichow districts there are places where the poppy has not been entirely exterminated; they suggest, however, that there would appear to be no reason why the British and Chinese officials conducting the joint inspection should not delay for a short while going to these places.
This proposal, submitted for consideration by the Revenue Council, namely that the joint inspection of these two places should be postponed, is made with a view to getting at the real truth of the matter; but it is observed that the procedure for joint inspection and prohibition of import hitherto adopted has in every case referred to a single province. Since the Revenue Council states that Hsuchow and Haichow in the province of Kiangsu have been found not to be clear of poppy cultivation, the only course is to temporarily request that any steps to carry out a joint inspection of opium cultivation in the province of Kiangsu this year should be stopped, in order to manifest that we are in earnest.
The deputies from this Ministry are being informed, and I bave the honour also to inform your Excellency and to request you to issue the necessary instructions.
Compliments, &c. (For Minister for Foreign Affairs),
TS AO JU-LIN.
Enclosure 5 in No. 1.
AGREEMENT dated the 1st day of May, 1915, relating to the Suppression of the Illicit Sales of Native Opium in Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung, between the Shanghai and Hong Kong Opium Merchants Combines and the Special Envoy for the Prohibition of the Sales of Native Opium in Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung.
THIS agreement, made the 1st day of May, 1915, between the persons, firms, and companies who are members of, and constitute, the Shanghai and Hong Kong Opium Merchants Combines (hereinafter called "the Combines") of the one part, and Ts'ai Nai Huang, the special envoy appointed by the Chinese Government by Presidential mandate, dated the 30th day of April, 1915, for the prohibition of the sales of native opium in the provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung (hereinafter called "the Envoy"), of the other part;
Whereas, by the Opium Agreement of 1911, between His Britannic Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government Indian opium can be conveyed into any province of China wherein the cultivation and import of native opium have not been effectively suppressed;
And whereas in the provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuantung the cultivation and import of native opium have not been so suppressed
And whereas by the laws of China the sale of native opium in any part of China. whatsoever is illegal;
And whereas it has been found that in the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung there is a large illicit trade in native opium, which greatly interferes with the sales of Indian opium, therein thereby preventing the consumption of Indian
opium at present stocked in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and delaying the total suppression of opium in China;
And whereas the Combines are the owners of, or have under their control 6,000 chests of Bengal and of Malwa opium, or thereabouts, which are at present stocked in Shanghai and Hong Kong;
And whereas the Combines are desirous of removing the aforesaid interference with the sales of Indian opium in the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuantung, and are willing and ready of their own free will to make the hereinafter mentioned contribution to the Chinese Government towards the expenses incurred in removing the said interference on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter contained;
And whereas the Envoy has, at the request of the Combines, petitioned the Chinese Government to remove the said interference with the sales of Indian opium in the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuantung (which the Chinese Government has agreed to), on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter contained;
Now this agreement witnesseth that the Combines and the Envoy have mutually agreed as follows:-
1. That the Combines shall make to the Chinese Government a contribution of 3,500 dollars per chest of Indian opium taken delivery of from the Combines in Shanghai or Hong Kong, during the term of this agreement, towards the expenses incurred in the detection and suppression of the illicit sales of native opium in the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung, payable in such amounts and at such times and in such manner as hereinafter mentioned.
2. The Combines shall pay to the Chinese Government, through its duly authorised representative, the Envoy Ts'ai Nai Huang, on every Saturday morning during the term of this agreement, the amount of contribution hereby agreed to be made on all Indian opium taken delivery of from the Combines during the preceding week since the last payment: Provided that the first accumulated payment shall be made one month after the execution of this agreement.
3. Proper receipts for the said contribution shall be given to the Combines by the Chinese Government through its duly authorised representative, the envoy as aforesaid.
4. The Combines bereby guarantee that not less than 6,000 chests of Indian opium will be available for delivery during the term of this agreement, and that the full amount of the said contribution will be paid to the Chinese Government as aforesaid on every chest of the said opium taken delivery of
5. The Chinese Government shall be at liberty to apply the said contributions in any manner it shall think fit.
6. Forty bails of Bengal and not exceeding 105 catties (Customs scales) of Malwa opium shall respectively constitute one chest of Indian opium.
7. The said contribution is willingly made by the Combines of their own free will for the sole purpose of assisting the Chinese Government in the detection and suppression of the illicit sales of native opium in the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung, thereby enabling the Indian opium at present stocked in Shanghai and Hong Kong to be more speedily disposed of and expediting the total suppression of opium in China, and is not in any wise a tax, duty, or imposition imposed or levied by the Chinese Government.
8. In the event of any Indian opium at present stocked in Shanghai or Hong Kong being sold to Chinese dealer or dealers for conveyance into any of the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, or Kuangtung or any part thereof, the Envoy or his representative shall issue to the Combines a special Government stamp or certificate to be affixed on each ball or packet of opium so sold or any portion thereof, the said stamp or certificate to be affixed in the presence of representatives of the Envoy, and the Combines and the Envoy hereby guarantees on behalf of the Chinese Government that all opium so stamped or certificated will pass all custom or li-kin houses or stations within the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung without let or hindrance, and that the sellers and purchasers thereof within the said provinces will not in any wise be interfered with by the local authorities of the said provinces.
9. The Envoy shall, on the execution of this agreement, petition the Chinese Government to order the respective Changchuns and Civil Governors of the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuantung to take stringent and effective measures for the detectio and suppression of the illicit sales of native opium therein with a view
to its extinctio... thereby enabling the Indian opium at present stocked in Shanghai and Hong Kong to be more speedily disposed of and expediting the total suppression
of opium in China, and also to take stringent measures to stop the large quantities of native opium which is now finding its way into Kuangtung, and to suppress the smuggling of illicit foreign opium from Macao and Kuangchouwan.
10. In the event of any Indian opium so stamped or certificated as aforesaid being detained or confiscated by the Customs, Li-kin, or local authorities in any of the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung, the Envoy hereby undertakes, on behalf Op of the Chinese Government, to recover the same, and if the same cannot be recovered, to pay the Combines the then market price thereof.
11. The Envoy, on behalf of the Chinese Government, hereby guarantees that Indian opium so stamped or certificated as aforesaid will be exempt from the "Pao Cheng Chin" (guarantee fee) which is at present being levied or imposed in Kuangtung, or any other such imposition by whatever name the same may be designated or called, and also from all such impositions in the provinces of Kiangsu and Kiangsi by whatever names the same may be designated or called.
12. This agreement shall be in force, from the date hereof to the 1st April, 1917. 13. The Combines shall provide reasonable office accommodation for the use of the Envoy and his staff free of rent.
14. The Envoy, on behalf of the Chinese Government, hereby guarantees that the said provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung will not be closed before the 1st April, 1917, unless all the Indian opium at present stocked in Shanghai and Hong Kong shall have been exhausted before the said date.
15. In the event of the stamp or certificate so issued as aforesaid not being respected by the Customs, Li-kin, or local authorities in any of the said provinces or proving ineffective, or in the event of the Envoy not recovering any opium which may be detained or confiscated, or his not paying the Combines the then market price of the same if not recovered by him, or in the event of stringent measures not being taken to prevent and suppress the illicit trade in native opium in the said provinces, or the smuggling of native or illicit opium into Kuangtung, Kiangsi, or Kiangsu, on repre- sentations being made by the Combines to the Envoy that there is such illicit trade or smuggling, or in the event of any Indian opium so stamped or certificated as aforesaid not being exempted from Pao Cheng Chin orany such imposition in the said provinces, or in the event of any of the said provinces being closed before the 1st April, 1917, then in any of the above events the Combines shall be at liberty to declare this agreement null and void, and be released from their obligations hereunder, and in the event of the Combines not paying the said contributions as hereinafter provided, the Envoy shall be at liberty to declare this agreement null and void, and be released from his obligations hereunder.
16. This agreement is to be done in English and Chinese in triplicate, one to be kept by the Combines, one by the Envoy, and one by the Chinese Government for purposes of record.
17. In case of dispute as to the meaning or construction of this agreement, the English text shall prevail.
In witness whereof the said parties hereto have executed this agreement the day year first above written.
(L.S.) A. HOWARD.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above-named Combines by their duly authorised and appointed representative and attorney, Albert Howard, in the presence of:
A. S. P. WHITE-COOPER,
Solicitor, Shanghai.
TS'AI NAI HUANG.
Sigued, sealed, and delivered by the above-named Envoy, in the presence of:
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, |
CONFIDENTIAL.
India Office to Foreign Office. (Received June 23.)
[June 23.]
SECTION 1.
India Office, June 22, 1915. Sir,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th June, and to inform you in reply that Mr. Chamberlain concurs in the proposal that Mr. Wilton should not be retained at Shanghai in the appointment of opium commissioner.
I am, &c.
E. J. TURNER.
[2433 x-1]
J. O. ANDERSON,
Barrister-at-Law, Shanghai.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.1 243
CONFIDENTIAL.
[June 24.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 101.)
(Telegraphic.)
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
YOUR telegram No. 140 of 4th June.
Foreign Office, June 24, 1915.
India Office concur no longer necessary to detain Wilton as opium commissioner. Proposal to send him to Canton approved.
[2433 aa-1]
sichert.
(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government)]
CONFIDENTIAL.
[July 15.]
SECTION 1.
Question asked in the House of Commons, July 15, 1915.
Mr. George Thorne,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any information regarding the recrudescence at Kiaochow of the trade in and consumption of opium.
The answer is in the negative.
[2461 p-1]
HONG KONG
REGI SEP 15
Alleged German State-aided
31 Aug. Transmits copy of correspondence with HM. Last previous Paper. Minister at taking respecting
Not with while to send to
? Put by.
R:19/15.
Next subsequent Paper 70
(88,105). Wt.81.086–13. 45,000. 12/28. A.&E.W. (107,009) ..$1,997-61 45,000, 11/14.
In any further communica
tion or this subject, please quote
ad address-
The Under-Secretary of State
Foreign Office,
REG 1 SEP 15
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents
his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the
bolonces and, by direction of the Secretary
of State, transmits herewith copies of the under-mentioned
Foreign Office,
31, Angust
Reference to previous correspondence:
Foreign Office:
Name and Date.
Description of Inclosure.
Subject.
Minister
26, July
Similar letter sent to
Alleged German State-
firms Hongkong
REG 1 SEP 15! 232
BRITISH LEGATION.
July 26th, 1915.
With reference to your despatch No. 128 of the
15th ultimo regarding the alleged German State-aided
Financial Trust behind German firms in Hongkong, I
have the honour to transmit the following observations
made by Mr. Rose, of His Majesty's Consulate-General
at Shanghai, to whom I forwarded the papers enclosed
therein privately for his perusal.
Mr. Rose thinks that the evidence of State ald
in connection with these firms is hardly sufficient.
to prove the case and he is convinced that many of
the most successful German firms have not received any
financial assistance of this nature. The heavy com-
missions on dyes would, he considers, very probably
be used by individual firms if they were determined
to get new business in other directions and drive com-
petitors from the market; nor is the dye trade the
he Right Honourable
Sir Edward Grey, Bart., K.G., M.P.
only one in which 20 per cent commissions have been
made in recent years.
I am disposed to agree with Mr. Rose's opinion
that the evidence furnished by these dosuments is
scarcely sufficient of itself to prove the existence
of a Financial Trust of the kind described.
The matter is, I understand, engaging the atten-
tion of the Governor of Hongkong who is in a position
to investigate it in connection with the liquidation
of German firms in the Colony.
(Signed)
I have &c.,
J. N. Jordan.
HONG KONG
40394 97
Hoods at Canton
REGI SEP 15
1 Sep. Transmits report from H. M. Minister at
Last previous Paper.
teking respecting the recent
also the Acting Consul Gene Report from Cantom
I Cotta's
JK 3/9/05.
Next subsequent Paper
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In any further communica
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No:1158782915
nd address-
The Under Secretary of State
Foreign Office,
40397 235
REGE 1 SEP 15
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents
his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the
Colome's
and, by direction of the Secretary
of State, transmits herewith copies of the under-mentioned
Foreign Office,
September 1.
Reference to previous correspondence :
Foreign Office:
January 5
Description of Inclosure.
Name and Date.
Subject.
M. M. Muister
Peking No.185 July 29 дивуча
Floods at Canton
Similar letter sent to
Office of Works
5.185. (118878)
BRITISH LEGATION,
July 29th 1915.
REG 1 SEP 15
I have the honour to report that in the middle of this
month the city and district of Canton was visited by the
most disastrous flood which has occurred in that province
for a generation.
It is too early to form any estimate of the actual
damage done to life and property and at present I have
only the enclosed preliminary report from the Acting
Consul-General at Canton. Mr. Kirke has since informed
me by telegraph that the reports of the destruction of
Wuchow and Samshui were exaggerated and although extensive
damage has been caused both towns still exist and all
foreigners are safe: the British Concession (Shameen) at
Canton was reported as almost clear of water on the 19th
instant.
As was to be expected the revolutionary element was
not slow to take advantage of the disaster and on the
e Right Honourable
Sir Edward Grey Bart. K.G., M.P.,
&C.. &c., &C..
17th instant an unsuccessful attempt was made to bomb
the Military Governor, while a plot to burn the city was
also discovered. Up to date, however, the city remains
quiet and the Central Government which has already dès-
patched two separate emissaries to report in person on the
situation are not likely to be taken unawares.
The Government of Hongkong have voted a sum of
$50,000 for the relief of distress and have also handed over
the balance of last year's Relief Funds for the same purpose
and have assisted in the transport of food supplies to the
devastated districts.
The Chinese Government have expressed their thanks for
this generous assistance in the letter of which translation
is enclosed, and which I have also communicated to the
Governor of Hongkong.
In acknowledging the receipt of Mr. Kirke's report I
have taken the opportunity to express my appreciation of
the work done by himself and his staff in saving the Consular
archives under the difficult conditions created by this
sudden disaster.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
J.N.Jordan.
BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL,
July 15th 1915.
PICAL DIE
1-88 OWN
12h Bazndarvet.
FIRDA NE Orenog sidd
Chenelom wi
est edirundregge sdt,
I regret to have to report that very serious floods
have occurred in this district. At the moment of writing
communication with the officials is impossible and I am
therefore unable even to estimate the extent of the damage,
but there can, I think, be little doubt that the greater
part of the Delta is under water.
The rise in the river was noticeable a week ago when
reports were received of floods in various country districts.
But on the 11th, 18th and 13th instant the rise w29 80
rapid that Canton city was taken by surprise and the
disaster was complete.. Parts of the city proper are on
fairly high ground and may have escaped, but the surburbs
are covered to a depth of from four to eight feet of water.
The inhabitants are living on the roofs of their houses,
many of which, it is said, are collapsing. The catastrophe
has been so sudden that no relief work has been organized.
he Right Honourable
Sir J.N.Jordan, G. C. I.E., K. C.B., K. C. M.G.,
80.. &c.,
His Majesty's Minister,
The greater part of the population affected is probably
without food and with little chance of getting any for
some days. To increase the distress a great fire broke
out in the city on the evening of the 13th instant and
burned all that night and the following day.
life and property will be enormous.
The loss of
The Concessions on Shameen are under water to a
depth of some four or five feet and the ground floor of
nearly every house is completely flooded. The Consular
houses, which are among the oldest on the Concession, have
suffered to a greater extent than others. A part of the
Constable's quarters has already fallen.
The front of
the Consul-General's house has sunk and threatens to
collapse at any moment and there are serious cracks in the
Vice-Consul's house. None of these buildings are safe and
have had to be evacuated.
Thanks to the strenuous
efforts of my staff, who were working for three days up
to their waists in water, the archives and records of the
office have been placed out of reach of the water and will
be safe, provided that the office builling does not
collapse.
I shall report to His Majesty's Office of Works in
due course as to the condition of the Government buildings.
Yesterday
Yesterday, being the day of the highest spring
tide, the flood reached its height and may now be expected
to recede.
Of the condition of other parts of the Delta I am
unable to learn anything definite. The Commissioner of
Customs despatched a launch up the West River when the
flood began to rise and has since received a report that
Samehui is entirely submerged and invisible and that very
little is left of Wuchow. Of the safety of the foreigners
at these places nothing is so far known. One of the
Canton-Wuchow steamers reached Tuchow, but was quite
unable to communicate with the shore and returned without
landing any cargo. At Wuchow a few days ago there were
79 feet of water, or 6 feet higher than the point reached
by last year's floods which created such havoc; and at
Nanning the water is said to have reached the unprecedent-
ed height of 99 feet, but this is unconfirmed.
I have, &c., (Signed)
Cecil Kirke.
Acting Consul-General.
WAI CHIAO PU TO HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTER.
July 23rd 1915.
;; Zot paidáno-
via: tronik ern line wi
The lake Master M
I am in receipt of a telegram from the Military
Governor of Canton, Lung Chi-kuang, stating that Canton
merchants in Hongkong have reported to him by telegraph
that the Government of Hongkong have voted a sum of
$50,000 to relieve distress caused by the terrible disasters
in Canton Province and have also handed over the surplus
of last year's Relief Funds, amounting to $68,000 to the
gentry of Hongkong for the relief of the devastated districts;
and have further lent four steam launches to proceed to
Canton and render assistance, in the hope that transport
may thereby be facilitated.
The disasters in Canton Provinces are of a severity
such as has not been seen for many decades and it is
impossible to say how large is the number of people in
distress. My Government is most deeply grateful to the
Government of Hongkong for the contribution of Relief
Funds and for the loan of the steam launches for
transport
transport purposes, and I would request Your Excellency
to be so good as to transmit to your Government my thanks
on behalf of the Government of China.
Compliments, &c., (Signed) Lu Cheng-hsiang.
MUA KANG
Reef 2 SEP 15
Registration & protection
of British subjects of China descent
Transmits copy letter sent to HM.
Laft provious Paper. Mini'ster at Peking
The despatch & For J. Jordan unproducer
with the necessary changes the 8.8 hatter
25/1/15 (20/4127/15)
subject to his obrons tills him to miskuet Consular officers accordingle.
Ii I. st. May appeared (70/38703/15) The auxions for the cisare there
mistinchans The lance
Jhong conf LF
Copy to for Traits
JR7/9/15
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No. 120 824ers
Cand address----
The Under-Secretary of State
Foreign Office,
REC Red 2 SEPTS
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents
his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for he
Bolonica
and, by direction of the Secretary
of State, transmits herewith cop of the under-mentioned
Foreign Office,
11. Sep Imbir
Reference to previous correspondence :
Foreign Office:
12, Hebruary, 412Y
Name and Date.
Description of Inclosure.
Subject.
St. In Minister,
Peking Anc &18
1, Sens,
Registration & protection in
China of British sudjicio
of Thines: descent.
Similar letter sent to
India Office
POREIG: OFFICE
beptember
Roo Reo 2 SEP 151
70/4127/15
I duly received and have carefully considered
in consultation with the Colonial office and India
office your despatch lo. 399 of ovember 27th 1914, re
specting the registration and protection by his Laje
esty's Consulates in China of Kritish subjects of
Chinese descent.
It appears to me that, i. view of the fact that
Hongkong birth certificates are easily forged, the mere possession of a birth certificate is insufficient
for registration purposes and that further evidence,
E. the poseession of the Hongkong kritish born cert-
ficate, a British pasaport in proper order, or Bombe
thing of a similar nature should be insisted on; in
fact that the practice prevailing at the ports of
Amoy, Canten, and Dwatow and not that in use at Chang-
Loura ale
(120824/15)
MAMO AL QAE
shanghai, should be followed, The adoption of
the Canton test to the bona fide desire of appli-
cants to become ritish subjects and of their willing-
ness to abjure any attempt to profit by a dual nation-
«lity, might be recommended to all (is kajesty's
Consuls in China as a useful' practice, although 1:
would, no doubt, be desirable to allow theme officers
to waive it at their discretion in spettfic cases,
It would further be desirable that they should apply
to the colony of ori în claimed by the applicant for
verification of hie statements whenever these appear
to be open to muspicion.
As regards the question of extending British
protection to such perans, it would in my opinion,
be both ex;edient and logical to do so and I see ne
objection to this step provided that the above-mention
ed precautions are invariably taken before registra-
There now remains for consideration the case of
ich of the Hongkong "undesirables' as may have mic-
seeded in having themselves registered at shanghai
efore the abope instructions come into force.
could, i think, best be dealt with by allowing iis hajesty's Consular officers to use their discretion no suggested in the Forcin office letter to the Col-
anial office of Day 7th, quoted in your despatch un-
der reply.
All other 'undesirable:* not having the Hongkong
british born certificate and consequently not being
registered mill thus automatically lose all claim to
protection, and I am of opinion that ritish protec-
tion should in no circumstances be extended to unre-
gistered Chinese. The instructions given above
give a reasonably fair test of Lenuine .ritish natí
ality and it does not appear to me desirable, or
indeed fair to the Chinese Goverment that the
-Qud over gam sa "noidasinskay?
VALUE DAMS A
(120824/15)
Privileges and immunities accorded to iritish mubjects
should be extended to persons as to whose statua
the mritish authorities themselves are doubtful and
might rell, as in the case of the Dongkong "un-
desirables" turn out to be persons expelled from a
British Colony for their own misdeeds while residing
Jubject to my observations which you may have
to offer on this despatch, I shall be glad if you
11 issue instructions to lis kajesty's Consular
officers in China accordingly.
I am, with croat truth and regard,
Your most obedient,
humble serva,t,
HẠNG KONG
for 404 3 2 2 SEP 15
Landing Certificates for Goods
Sep Discusses the Governor's proposal to
Last, previous Paper.
Gos 8189 require
Copy Gov. 241. 15 Supe
Next subsequent Paper
& Shows impossibilit
of Consular officers being required to
suggested by Har
M Collins
give cortificates
of relayed by saber up huing mising
D. mon't had anything
with the Goo's proposal
Stut. 2 por
75pt.157
unfeather
Intel for Ithong you tom
118th Casualoess flindity
Ang landing cutificates F.0 uput
recosemos
caging brodissimo
that this cannot
to proposals
cepioniales Cancelet alnathan To the cerco
(88,105). Wt.$1,085—15. 15,000. 12/13. AŒE.W,
(107,009)
.. 81,997—61, 85,000, 11/14.
Tegistation appear to he
impracticable
atopy 170. Witte *
S.D. Lad letter note.
Mr Managhlen
M. Harris
* Peach 27
a06/5/0-
rege Langhang
In any further communication
on the subject, please quote
and address
118289/15.
Tho Under Socretary of State,
Foreign Offeç.
REG 2 CEP 15
FOREIGN OFFICE
September 1915.
I am directed by Secretary Sir E.Grey to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter No.38189 of
August 23rd. transmitting copy of telegraphic
correspondence with the Governor of Hong Kong relative
to the proposal to require landing certificates in
the case of prohibited goods exported from Hong Kong.
The form of certificate proposed by His Excellency
the Governor in his telegram of the 18th. August would
make it encumbent upon a Consular Officer to give a
personal guarantee (a) that the goods in question had
been duly landed (b) that they would be consumed in
a particular place.
With reference to point (b) I am to transmit a
copy of a circular telegram to His Majesty's
Representatives in accordance with which Consuls have
now been instructed to refuse to give any guarantee
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
(118289/15)
of neutral consumption, and to confine their action
to the purely notarial act of witnessing the
signature of any person making any declaration of
ultimate destination.
These instructions were not
issued without much
consideration of the question
and until the alternative course had been found to be
and unworkable to lead to abuses of various kinds.
E.Grey regrets therefore that it will not be possible
for him to instruct His Majesty's Consular Officers
to issue certificates which include point (b) alluded
to above.
As regards point (a) it is customary for Consuls
in peace time to issue landing certificates for which
a fee of five shillings 18 charged. These certificates
are however usually made out on the strength of a
sworn declaration by the master of the vessel,
such a declaration would seem to offer inadequate.
security against the diversion of goods en route
by fraudulent masters at the present time.
(118289/15)
There would appear to be only two ways therefore
in which the due arrival of a consignment could be
checked in a manner satisfactory to the Government of
Hong Kong. Either :-
(1) The Customs Officer at the port of arrival
could issue a certificate which could afterwards be
legalized by the Consul or
(2) The Consul himself or his representative
could superintend the actual unloading and subsequently
issue a certificate.
Sir E.Grey regrets that the second course would
be quite impossible at the present moment owing to
the press of work which has been thrown on His
Majesty's Consular Officers all over the world owing
Certificates from Customs Officers could
to the war.
on the other hand probably be obtained at most ports,
but there are many ports where the integrity of
foreign Customs Officials in this connection could
certainly not be relied upon.
Sir E.Grey is at a loss therefore to suggest any
(118289/15)
general system of landing certificates which would
be thoroughly satisfactory. It would however always
be possible for Consuls either to superintend the
discharge or watch the ultimate destination of
individual consignments to which particular importance
or suspicion attached.
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Maurice de Bunsen
PARAPHRASE OF CYPHER TELEGRAM TO;-
Sir R.Rodd (Rome)
Sir A.Hardinge (Madrid)
Sir F.Elliot (Athens)
Mr.Findlay (Christiania)
Mr.Howard (Stockholm)
Sir H.Lowther (Copenhagen)
Sir A.Johnstone (The Hague)
Mr.Carnegie (Lisbon)
Mr.Grant Duff (Berne)
CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign Office, June 8th, 1915, 7.35 p.m.
My telegram
of 27th February: Declaration
of ultimate destination.
No certificates of ultimate destination
or consumption should be issued by His Majesty's consular officers themselves, but they should confine their action to attesting signatures appearing
in such certificates when submitted to them. It
should be made clear to all concerned that such attestation is purely a notarial act and does not in any way guarantee the truth of the statements made
to ensure the locument being accepted as conclusive.
This might be done by stamping on the document a statement to this effect.
His Majesty's consular officers should
in future never decline to attest such declarations on the ground that they doubt their veracity, but they should report by telegraph, for transmission to the Foreign Office direct all cases in which they suspect the statements to be untrue, giving reasons. These instructions supersede those contained in my above-mentioned telegram of 27th February, but my telegram of 27th February as to certificates of origin still holds good.
Consuls to be instructed accordingly.
(To Rome only).
You will note that instructions, addition- al to those contained in my telegram No.615 of 28th May will be necessary in the case of His Majesty's
consul at Rhodes,
(Also to Sophia, No. 153, and Bucharest, No.264, leaving out reference).
HONG KONG
40903 Detention of
p. Transmits copy
Last previous Paper,
CARD SEE M
Cory Encl
40903 RECO
R 4 SEP 15:
Kes R. Freche
copy note from US Amber & gives particular Ko for reply
In illen
Thy of the note of the
Next subsequent
(J 8401-) Wt. 1422-13, 28,000. 7/15 D&S.
In any further communica
tion on this subject, please quote
No. /235/5/1915
and address-
The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office,
40903 253
REG! 4 SEP 15)
Reference to previous correspondence :—
Foreign Office:
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents
his compliments to
Secretary
of state
U.S. Que Bassador
Rev. R. Freshe
for the Colonies and is directed by the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs to transmit the accompanying copy of
which has been received from
concerning
at Hong Kong,
The daréation
The Secretary of State would be glad to be advised
what answer should be returned to
M.. Page.
Foreign Office,
Suptam ber 3, 1915.
(Similar letter Sent to
India office
R 4 SEP 15!
The American Ambassador presents his
compliments to His Majesty's Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, and, under instructions from
his Government, has the honour to lay before
Bir E. Grey, for such action as he may find it
advisable to take, the case of the Reverend R. Freche
who, it appears, is held as a prisoner of war by
His Majesty's authorities at Hong Kong.
According to reporte received by the
American Government, the reverend gentleman was taken
from the Dutch steamer *TJIKEMBANG" and detained,
though he carried a permit to leave India from the
Government
! 21932 + -A
of Maderia (@io. ↑ Hadura).
This document was
recognised at Hong Kong but a demand was made for &
supplementary permit from the Colonial Secretary
in London.
Mr. Page is further informed by the
Secretary of State that while Mr. Freche has not been
naturalised in the United States he has for twenty
years held a commission as missionary for the Board
of Foreign Missions of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri,
Ohio, and other states.
LONDON. August 31, 1915.
70140903/15- Stay
The US of S
Alle 219110
Mr Rohusan
I am se bach,
the receipt of your lette 1 the
(120575 7410) an
the subect of the
detention
Per R. Freche at
It have i
a cobe f
note of theus.
Autor & beave
sent to the
of that blary with
arequest fo
report on the watter.
70140902/15- Hay
Artele 218 115
Ar Rolinsar 897..
31 Ave N (endan 40903)
tor to to
thave sti
transmit to you
a note foran
As Ambar relative
of the detection of
Rev R. Freche at
Shall be
Elad y Ea well
fumesh we with an
report on the watter
HONG KONG STRAITS AUSTRALIA
RECO REGO 7 SEP 15
Office Trade in Mindanao
Last previous Paper.
Copy homo. Goes themed Conf. 15 Soft
ando reld E2 Sept 15
Transmits copy
letter from Brit. bar à. Jend. Foreign
who Evertises Fremo
For peruoals and return
Hallens my Johnson
Aropy & to meme a Sermon
in Tanas & Sulu Bof-
hale in the "Moro promice] might go
To Akong Straits
conf LF..
the more
might keep a copy of there.
JR 8/9/5. Arc
No need to send an thing Nezt raberequent Paper: Aust sends as copies of
have already been sent
(J 8401-) Wt. 14242-12. 26,000. 7/15 D25.
Jug 8/9/15 SEP
In any further communica-
tion or this subject, please quote
124979 11915
and address-
The Under-Secretary of State
Foreign Office,
RFG 7 SEP15!
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents
his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the
bolonies
and, by direction of the Secretary
of State, transmits herewith
the under-mentioned
original, for returns after perisal..
Foreign Office, 6 the September
Reference to previous corespondence :
Foreign Office:
Description of Inclosure.
Name and Date.
Subject.
Trade in Midanas
+ Suler.
(Simiker lette
Confidential.
Memorandu..
German Trade in the Moro Frovince.
Before the outbreak of the war the carrying trade and the distribution of trade in the Loro Province was entirely in the hands of the Germans. Since the war British steamers have started
a service between Singapore and Zamboange via ports. The distribution of trade however still appears to remain in the hands of the German firms at Zamboanga except for some business done by the Swiss firm of Kuensle and Streif. The German firm in particular is Behn Heyer and Co. whose Head Office is at Singapore. After the outbreak of war the business done by this firm dwindled but some two months ap they seemed to be receiving goods as usual. From enquiries made at Zamboanga and Jolo they appear to be receiving goods from Singapore (at the present time principally rice, provisions, and piece goods) consigned to Chinese or through the Chinese Comprador on the British vessels plying from Singapore, It was of course impossible to confirm this at those ports but there seemed to be little doubt that the goods were coming in and being handed over to Behi Meyer and Co. The British agencies held by this firm have been withdrawn. I was unable to learn the names of any of the Chinese at Zamboange but at Jolo I learned privately that there was one Chinaman there who had until some three months ago been in financial difficulties but that, according to information re- ceived, this Chinaman had been sent for by Behn Meyer and Co. and had gone for them to Hong Kong.
This had been towards the end of December and he had re- turned at the end of January lest and on February
15th met his liabilities to the Bank by a draft drawn
on J. Menzies and Co. Hong Kong which had been duly
honoured in Hong Kong. Besides this draft I was in-
formed that he was drawing money from Beh Keyer and
Co. at Zamboanga. The full name of this Chinese is
ONG TIAL TENG. Another resident of Zamboanga who it
is thought may have been acting for Behn Meyer and Co.
is Lax Selg a German-American. This man is in the
service of the American firm of Williamson Reading and
Co. and has, I believe, been over to Hong Kong once
or twice since the war.
(Sed.) M. Fashe Smith.
Acting British Vice Consul.
Molosure 1 in Mr Harrington'a No.90 of July 18th, 191
Memorandum on the foreign trade of Mindanao and Fulu,
Philippine Islands.
The Department of Mindanao and Sulu hes
since the American occupation of the Philippines
been under a separate Government.
Until recently
the Province had been under military Government and all finance was kept entirely separate from that of
the the rest of the Islande, In 1913, however Province had been sufficiently pacified to permit
of the establishment of civil Government.
The first
civil Governor took office in January 1914; at tho same time it was arranged that the taxes and custome receipts eto, collected in the Department should be oredited to the Government of the Philippines and that granta should be made for the expenses of the Department by the Philippine Commission, which is the responsible body for the Government of the
Department of Mindanao and Sulu-
with the advent of peace larger areas of the Department have been brought under cultivation
In the and trade has been greatly facilitated. fiscal year 1913 business was better than in any previous year and exporte from the Provinge wore
the largest on record. The following are the
figures for the fiscal years 1810–1813.
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VALUE OF EXPORTS.
Zamboanga -
$ 541,300
$942,800
$1,598,500
$1,347,800
$488,6 600
$477,700 $ 600,7
$775,400
$455,800
448,000 $ 375,800
Cotabato.
49,400 $
36,300 $186,300
Baganga -
Dapitan.
34,800 芦 48,600
31,800 g 35,900
30,300 跨 29,800
38,400 $ 35,200
$ 18,600
$ 11,200
$3,253,700
$1,704,800 $2,093,100 $8,907,800
IMPORTANT EXPORTS. ARTICLES.
$731,348-84 918,305-56 $1,368,854-81 $1,451,388–90
$273,329-45 $305,861-75 $ 500,918-59 $508,046-62 $408,884-44 $433,985-17 $ 662,988-17 $ 324,575-58
Pearl Shells $135,671-90 $116,718-37 $ 81,966-00 ♬ 314,970-80 -
10,931-75 % 75,160-97 $ 128,087-75
$11,588-91 $11,185-90
17,990-38 $
Almaoiga