No. 21.

FRANCE.

DECLARATION CONCERNING THE NON-ALIENATION OF THE ISLAND OF HAI-NAN.a

15 MARCH, 1897.

THE TSUNG-LI YAMEN TO MR. GÉRARD, MINISTER OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC AT PEKING.

[Translation.]

13TH DAY, 2D MOON, 23D YEAR KUANG-HSÜ.

(15 March, 1897.)

The 1st day of the 2d moon of the 23d year Kuang-hsü (March 3, 1897), we received a despatch in which you inform us that France, considering the close friendly and neighborly relations maintained with China, attaches great importance to the island of Hai-nan never being either alienated or ceded by China to any other foreign Power, either as final or temporary cession, or as a naval station or coaling depot.

Our Yamên considers Kiung-chou (the island of Hai-nan) as belonging to the territory of China which consequently exercises over it right of sovereignty. How could it cede it to foreign nations? Furthermore, it is nowise a fact at present that it has lent it temporarily to foreign nations. As in duty bound we make to Your Excellency this official communication.

(Here follow the signatures of the President and the Members of the Tsung-li Yamên).

a Documents diplomatiques. Chine, 1894–1898, p. 33.

173

No. 22.

GREAT BRITAIN.

DECLARATION CONCERNING THE NON-ALIENATION OF THE YANGTSZE REGION, a

FEBRUARY 11, 1898.

SIR C. MACDONALD TO THE TSUNG-LI YAMÊN.

PEKING, February 9, 1898.

MM. LES MINISTRES,

Your Highnesses and your Excellencies have more than once intimated to me that the Chinese Government were aware of the great importance that has always been attached by Great Britain to the retention in Chinese possession of the Yang-tsze region, now entirely hers, as providing security for the free course and development of trade.

I shall be glad to be in a position to communicate to Her Majesty's Government a definite assurance that China will never alienate any territory in the provinces adjoining the Yang-tsze to any other Power, whether under lease, mortgage, or any other designation. Such an assurance is in full harmony with the observations made to me by Your Highnesses and Your Excellencies.

I avail, &c.
(Signed)

CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.

THE TSUNG-LI YAMEN TO SIR C. MACDONALD.

Kuang-hsü, 24th year, 1st moon, 21st day. (February 11, 1898.)

[Translation.]

The Yamên have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the British Minister's despatch of the 9th February, stating that the Yamên had more than once intimated to him that the Chinese Government were aware of the great importance that has always been attached by Great Britain to the retention in Chinese possession of the Yang"British Parliamentary Blue Book, China, No. 2, 1898.

tsze region, now entirely hers, as providing security for the free course and development of trade. The British Minister would be glad to be in a position to communicate to Her Majesty's Government a definite assurance that China would never alienate (any territory) in the provinces adjoining the Yang-tsze to any other Power, whether under lease, mortgage, or any other designation.

The Yamên have to observe that the Yang-tsze region is of the greatest importance as concerning the whole position (or interests) of China, and it is out of the question that territory (in it) should be mortgaged, leased, or ceded to another Power. Since Her Britannic Majesty's Government has expressed its interest (or anxiety) it is the duty of the Yamên to address this note to the British Minister for communication to his Government.

They avail themselves, &c.

No. 23.

GREAT BRITAIN.

DECLARATION BY CHINA THAT INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF MARITIME CUSTOMS SHALL BE A BRITISH SUBJECT WHILE BRITISH TRADE

PREPONDERATES.a

FEBRUARY 13, 1898.

THE TSUNG-LI YAMEN TO SIR C. MACDONALD.

Kuang-hsü, 24th year, 1st moon, 20th day. (February 10, 1898.)

[Translation.]

The Yamên have the honour to acknowledge the receipt on the 3rd February of a note from the British Minister, to the effect that on the 17th January, when calling at the Yamên, he had informed the Ministers present that he had received telegraphic instructions from Her Majesty's Government that in view of the immense preponderance of British trade with China over that of other countries, Her Majesty's Government regarded it as vital to the commercial interests of Great Britain that the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs should in the future, as in the past, be of British nationality. The Yamên had agreed to this, and in order that there might be no room for misunderstanding, the Minister now addressed this note to the Yamên to place the matter formally on record.

The Yamên have to observe that ever since the opening of Chinese ports to foreign trade, commerce and revenue have been steadily increasing. The duties paid by British merchants are nearly 80 per cent. of the whole amount paid by foreign countries, and, therefore, a British subject (Sir Robert Hart) has been employed as InspectorGeneral of Maritime, Customs.

The said Inspector-General is versed in commercial matters, just in his dealings, experienced and upright, faithful and sincere, a man on whom reliance can be placed, and China has in the past leant much upon him. If he were to ask for leave China must (try to) detain him, but if some cause were to necessitate his returning home, China, thoroughly investigating the trade at the various ports, (and finding that) British merchants are in the majority, will certainly direct the said

a British Parliamentary Blue Book, China, No. 1, 1899, p. 18.

Inspector-General to recommend an Englishman of equal ability with himself to take charge, and the Yamên will, after inquiry, appoint him as successor to manage Chinese Customs matters. The object being the protection of commerce at the various ports, (the Yamên) could not possibly regard this selection as a light matter, and so do injury to important public interests.

The Yamên beg to make this reply to the British Minister for his information.

They avail themselves, &c.

(Seal of Yamên.)

THE TSUNG-LI YAMEN TO SIR C. MACDONALD.

Kuang-hsü, 24th year, 1st moon, 23rd day. (February 13, 1898.)

[Translation.]

The Yamên have the honour to address the British Minister with regard to the continued employment in the future of an Englishman in succession to the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs, on which subject they addressed a reply to his Excellency a few days ago.

They have to observe that British trade with China exceeds that of all other countries, and, as the Yamên have frequently agreed and promised, it is intended that as in the past, so in the future, an Englishman shall be employed as Inspector-General.

But if at some future time the trade of some other country at the various Chinese ports should become greater than that of Great Britain, China will then of course not be bound to necessarily employ an Englishman as Inspector-General.

The Yamên write this further despatch for the information of the British Minister, to be placed on record.

They avail themselves, &c.

(Seal of Yamên.)

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