The appointment of a higher officer to attend to the duties affecting
commerce at Whampoa I regard as desirable, but I do not admit the right of
China to put obstructions at Whampoa that prevent vessels of deep draught
from proceeding to Canton in time of peace.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 500.]
The Ministers of the Tsung-li
Yamên to Mr. Denby.
Peking, October 10,
1887.
Informal.]
Your Excellency: Last year your excellency
addressed the Yamên, requesting that steps be taken to cause the removal
of the barrier at Whampoa in the general interest of commerce.
At the time the Yamên replied that the barrier at Shalu could never be
removed, & decree having been issued by the throne, and further
discussion upon the subject would be of no use.
Later, his excellency Mr. Von Brandt, minister for Germany, at an
interview, requested that an officer be appointed at Whampoa, and that
the rule adopted at Taku be carried into effect there, which would be
convenient to commerce.
The Yamên would observe that the appointment of an officer to reside at
Whampoa in order that loss of time by delay to foreign merchants may be
avoided is certainly an admirable and satisfactory plan. Notes have
repeatedly been sent to the governor-general of the Tao Kuangs to take
under consideration the circumstances and devise a scheme that could be
enforced.
That officer has reported that, under the present regulations in force at
Whampoa, on the arrival of foreign vessels the customs tide-surveyor
issues a permit; to open hatches and discharge into cargo-boats. After
loading, the hatches of the cargo-boats are sealed by the tide-surveyor,
and on arrival at Canton the hatches are opened, cargo examined, and
duties paid.
In the case of vessels loading at Whampoa, the goods to be shipped are
first examined at the custom-house at Canton, and after the payment of
export duty a permit to ship in cargo-boats is issued. After loading,
the hatches are sealed, and on arrival at Whampoa the tide-surveyor re
examines the cargo, and if there be no mistake permission is granted to
transship to the foreign vessels. This rule is the same as the one in
force at Taku governing imports and exports.
But foreign vessels, on arrival at Taku, must first be reported by the
foreign consul to the customs before permit is issued to discharge cargo
into boats. At present, on the arrival of foreign vessels at Whampoa, if
the foreign hong (consignee) gives a bond guarantying the payment of the
duties, dues, and all other charges within, the specified time, and that
they will not overstep or evade the rules, it is only necessary then for
the vessel’s papers and tonnage-due certificates to be presented (to the
customs), and the tide-surveyor at Whampoa will at once issue permit to
open hatches
[Page 225]
and discharge
cargo into boats. Hence cargo can be discharged and be on its way to
Canton before the consul has reported the vessel to the customs.
Further, if the arrival of a vessel at Canton is telegraphed by the
tide-surveyor to the customs at Canton, shippers can at once apply for
permits to ship export cargo.
When the vessel is ready to clear, the tide-surveyor at Whampoa, after
duly examining the export cargo, and the loading of the vessel is
completed, bauds the grand chop, or clearance, with the other papers, to
the captain, and he is therefore not obliged to proceed to Canton for
them.
Thus it will be seen that the regulation in force at Whampoa governing
the importation and exportation of merchandise is much more convenient
than the one in force at Taku.
But hitherto at the Whampoa customs there has been only a tide-surveyor,
and as the rank of the chief of the tide-waiter class is comparatively
low, it is now proposed to appoint a fourth-class assistant deputy
commissioner of customs, to reside at Whampoa and take charge of the
customs, then giving due weight and importance to the office.
The Yamên would further observe that as the object and purpose of your
excellency’s communication are to benefit commerce, the plan now
proposed by the viceroy at Canton, together with a request that a deputy
commissioner of customs be appointed to reside near at hand (Whampoa) to
take the management of shipping, will meet with the wishes of the
mercantile class.
The plan adopted at Whampoa is much more convenient than the one in force
at Taku, and the ministers believe your excellency will surely be
pleased to agree to it. (Cards with compliments of ministers.)
[Inclosure 2 in No. 500.]
Mr. Denby to the
Tsung-li Yamên.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 27,
1887.
No. 15.]
Your Imperial Highness and Your
Excellencies:
I have had the honor to receive your imperial highness’ and your
excellencies’ communication of the 10th instant, wherein you inform me
that the Imperial Government intends to appoint a fourth-class assistant
deputy commissioner of customs to reside at Whampoa to take the
management of shipping. You further state your belief that I will agree
to this plan.
You also inform me that the barrier at Shalu, in the Pearl River, can
never be removed, and further discussion upon the subject would be of no
use.
I have to express my regret at the above determination of a question in
which the commerce of all nations is interested.
The obstruction of natural channels leading to ports has only occurred in
time of war. It has been done by the Dutch, the English, the Americans,
the Russians, and the Germans. But it is thoroughly settled by
international law, that when war ceases, such obstructions, when
impeding navigation in channels in which large ships are accustomed to
pass, must be removed by the territorial authorities.
Such is the rule apart from treaty.
If there were any doubt about this question, it would be settled by the
provisions of the treaties of the United States with China, which
virtually make Canton a free port, to which our merchant vessels are
entitled to have free access in time of peace.
While I do not admit the right of China, under international law, to
close the channel in question, yet the appointment of a higher officer
to take charge of the shipping duties at Whampoa seems to be
desirable.
With assurances, etc.,
