File No. 1571.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, February 23,
1906.
No. 233.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 122 of October 12,
1905,1 I have the honor
to inclose a copy of a joint note of the representatives of the powers,
signatories of the final protocol of September 7, 1901, protesting
against the alleged action of the viceroy of Nanking in appointing a
resident administrator of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board, in
contravention of Article I of the revised agreement of September 27,
1905.1
I have also the honor to report that in conformity with Article II of the
revised agreement referred to, Mr. Jan de Rijke, an experienced Dutch
engineer, has been selected and appointed by China to undertake the work
of the conservancy.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1—Translation.]
The Foreign
Representative to Prince
Ch’ing.
Peking, February 19,
1906.
Your Highness: In the issue of the Shen Pao
of January 2 there appeared the text of a document which purports to
be a copy of a dispatch from the acting governor general of Nanking
to the Shanghai tao-t’ai, containing instructions in regard to the
establishment of a chief office of works for the conservancy of the
Huangpu. We have the honor to inclose a copy of this dispatch and to
request your highness to inform us whether it is authentic.
We would at the same time remind your highness that according to
Article I of the revised agreement of September 27, 1905—
the works in connection with the improvement
of the channel of the Huangpu River, and of the condition of
the inner and outer bars at Wusung, together with the
maintenance
[Page 71]
of such
improvements, shall all be placed under the management of
the Shanghai customs tao-t’ai and the commissioner of
customs.
and in Article X it is laid down that—
the total sum annually provided for carrying
out works and maintaining works already completed is to be
paid in equal monthly installments by the provincial
authorities concerned to the Shanghai customs tao-t’ai and
the commissioner of customs.
We notice, however, that in the dispatch above referred to a resident
administrator is appointed to transact all the business of the chief
office of works, and to superintend its revenue and expenditures;
that all such matters as applications to hasten remittances of
money, the raising of loans, and all questions concerning funds for
use in the conservancy work shall be in his charge; that he shall
control the correspondence and books; and that as occasion arises he
shall instruct the customs tao-t’ai and the commissioner of customs
to consult and take action. It is perfectly clear, therefore, that
if this dispatch is authentic the management of the Huangpu
conservancy, both works and finance, is to be entirely in the hands
of the resident administrator, and not, as stipulated in the two
articles of the revised agreement above mentioned, in those of the
customs tao-t’ai and the commissioner of customs.
We are very desirous of furthering the objects of the revised
agreement of September 27, 1905, which was intended to secure the
carrying out of the Huangpu conservancy works with diligence, care,
and economy, but we are wholly unable to admit that the instructions
of the acting governor general to the Shanghai tao-t’ai, as stated
in the inclosed document, are in accordance with the terms of the
revised agreement.
The favor of an early reply is requested.
We avail, etc.,
- A. V. Mumm.
- A. Rosthorn.
- EdM. de Prelle,
- M. de Carcer.
- W. W. Rockhill.
- M. Dubail.
- E. Satow.
- C. Baroli.
- Y. Uchida.
- W. J. Oudendijk.
- D. Pokotilow.
[Inclosure
2—Translation.]
The Viceroy of
Nanking to the Shanghai
Taotai.
Whereas it has been decided that the improvement of the channel of
the Huangpu shall be taken over by China herself, and the board of
foreign affairs have substituted a different arrangement which they
have signed with the foreign representatives at Peking and which has
received the imperial sanction and has been communicated to me for
execution, it becomes my duty, in compliance therewith, to establish
a chief office of works for the conservancy of the Huangpu. All the
matters which that office shall have to carry out must be under the
management of the Shanghai tao-t’ai and commissioner of customs. But
in view of the importance of this undertaking—and putting aside for
the moment the engagement of an engineer, which will be done under
contract when a candidate has been definitely selected, and the
appointment of an inspector of works, which will be made when the
date of commencement of work is fixed—it is now necessary at the
first foundation of this office to appoint in addition a resident
administrator (tso pan) to reside at the office and transact
business.
I find that Ku T’ang-sheng, who has the rank of a second-class
secretary of a metropolitan board, appears to be a suitable person
to be appointed resident administrator (tso pan) to transact all the
business of the office and to superintend its revenue and
expenditure. All such matters as making application for the prompt
remittance of funds from various sources or raising loans from
capitalists, and all questions respecting funds for use in
conservancy work, when they are due, how much should be obtained,
and whether or not they are excessive, shall be in his charge. He
shall also control the correspondence and books of the office, and
as occasion arises he shall instruct the customs tao-t’ai and
commissioner of customs to consult and take action. His
responsibility being heavy, he shall be granted a salary at the rate
of Shanghai taels 800 per mensem.
Further, in view of the magnitude of the works to be undertaken by
that office and of the length of the time they will occupy during
which questions will
[Page 72]
arise
requiring advice and consultation, it is necessary that there should
be an official of repute and experience to give advice on any
matter, so that by the aid of his counsel the works may be carried
out with expedition and economy, and in order that friction between
Chinese and foreigners may be avoided. Now, I find that the former
American consul general, Mr. Goodnow, is a reasonable and honorable
gentleman, respected by Chinese and foreigners alike, who appears
suitable to be appointed advisor, to examine into affairs in
conjunction with the various officials of the conservancy office,
for the purpose of assisting the management of the office and
supplementing any deficiencies in the superintendence of the works
of inspection. He will not, however, have independent authority. His
monthly salary will be Shanghai taels 600.
Again, at the beginning, when work is being started, the resident
administrator (tso pan) will not be able to cope single handed with
the multifarious duties of the office, such as investigating
foreshore questions, surveys, the preparation of maps and memoranda,
as well as supervising the books and correpondence of the office. I
find that the expectant tao-t’ai, Ho Wei, is an official of wide
experience who would be suitable for the appointment of assistant
administrator of this office, to help in discharging various
functions. His monthly salary will be taels 200 for this
purpose.
The several officials above mentioned are appointed by myself for the
transaction of business. The authority for their retention or
retirement should be vested in the high commissioner for southern
ports, and when the engineer has arrived at the office the office
shall proceed to draw up rules defining the duties of each person,
which will be submitted to me for transmission to the Throne for
approval and to the board of foreign affairs for purposes of
record.
Besides sending these instructions I am informing the persons
concerned of their appointments. The tao-t’ai, on receiving the
present instructions, should comply with them without delay and
consult with (his colleague) with a view to taking action (as
directed).
