Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, March 6,
1903.
No. 1228.]
Sir: With reference to the question of the
establishing of customs stations at Dalny and other Manchurian ports
under Russian control, mentioned in my dispatch No. 1175, of December 17
last, which was the subject-matter of Department instruction No. 606, of
January 3, and of which I hereby acknowledge receipt, I have the honor
to report that the Chinese Government still refuses to agree to the
Russian scheme, and as yet it has not been put in force.
The Chinese are insisting upon the adoption of the plan now operating at
Ts’ing-tao, in the German-leased territory, to wit, a customs station
under the management of the Imperial Chinese customs, but operated by
German employees of the customs service. In this case the Chinese wish
the stations to be under the direction of the imperial customs, but
operated by Russians detailed from the customs service. The Russians
insist upon having the entire management and are using every argument
and pressure to make the Chinese consent, and threaten to establish the
stations whether or not the Chinese Government agrees, claiming, under
the provisions of their railroad agreement, that they can do so.
At present large amounts of cotton goods are arriving at Niuchwang,
through Port Arthur and Dalny, without paying any import duties
whatever, and considerable quantities of raw silk and other commodities
are exported through the same way. * * *
I inclose copies of two dispatches from Consul Miller upon the
subject.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Miller to
Mr. Conger.
Consulate of the United States,
Niuchwang, February 20, 1903.
No. 156.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your
dispatch, No. 1749, of February 16, 1903. In reply thereto I find
that no customs have yet been established by the Russians either at
Dalny or at any other place in Manchuria.
They have endeavored to engage the services of men here to enter the
service at Dalny, but so far none have accepted.
Mr. Protassieff is established at Dalny with a force of men ready to
begin the collection of customs duties, but is waiting for orders. I
am inclined to the opinion that the Russians will make a demand that
they have charge of the customs at Dalny and other points on the
railway in return for turning over the customs at this port.
Agents of the Chinese Eastern Railway have been at work here recently
endeavoring to secure contracts for carrying millet from here to
Japan via Dalny. By this means they would evade the native customs.
They have made some very cheap rail and steamer rates and some
shipments have been made, but I have not been able to learn how much
cargo has been engaged.
Quite a large quantity of goods are now coming into this place
through Port Arthur and Dalny, and much is going that way into the
interior without paying customs duties.
I am, etc.,
[Page 49]
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Miller to
Mr. Conger.
Consulate of the United States,
Niuchwang, February 25, 1903.
No. 158.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that during
this month something over 5,000 bales of piece goods have come to
this place through Dalny without paying any customs duties, and
2,500 bales of raw silk have been exported through Dalny without
duty; also large quantities of millet have been exported to
Japan.
The Russians have taken over some temples here and are fitting up a
school to teach Russian to the Chinese.
It is also reported that they do not propose to turn over to the
Chinese the temple grounds and buildings where their troops are
quartered, but will retain them for purposes of their own. They
acquired a large tract of land in the heart of the foreign
settlement from the Chinese at nominal cost and have constructed a
large and substantial building to be used as a consulate. This
building is now about completed.
I have, etc.,
