Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. No. 231.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Pekin, China, July 12, 1899. SIR: In continuation of dispatch No. 228, concerning settlement extension at Shanghai, I have to report that the amended land regulations fixing the boundaries of the extended international settlement sent up here by the Shanghai consular body for formal approval by the diplomatic corps have been approved by all the corps except the French and Russian ministers, who condition their approval upon the maintenance of the agreement made in 1896 for the extension of both settlements. I suppose this is in retaliation for the British opposition to the small extension now asked for by the French. I have, etc., E. H. CONGER. No. 206.] Mr. Adee to Mr. Conger. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 26, 1899. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 228, of the 5th July last, wherein, complying with the Department's instruction No. 168, of April 22, 1899, you report in relation to the arrangements for the extension of the international and French settlements at Shanghai. The arrangement you report, by which, in addition to a definite demarkation of the extension granted to the so-called foreign or international settlement, a small extension of the separate French settlement toward the south is defined and marked, appear to be open to no valid objection on our part, inasmuch as the contemplated French extension is stated by you to include no American-owned property whatever, and to be, moreover, in substantial accord, so far as France is concerned, with the agreement reached by the diplomatic corps in 1896. It seems also to be in the line of the Department's instruction to you, No. 168, of April 22 last. In your later dispatch, No. 231, of July 12, you state that the amended land regulations fixing the boundaries of the extended international settlement, which were sent up to Peking by the Shanghai consular body for formal approval by the diplomatic corps, have been approved by all the corps except the French and Russian ministers. This course meets with approval so far as your action is concerned. It appears from your dispatch No. 231 that the French and Russian ministers make their approval conditional upon the maintenance of the agreement made in 1896 for the extension of both the international and the French settlements. The Department sees no present occasion for opposing the condition asked by the French minister. The opposition lately shown by this Government to such extension rested upon the fact that the land at first claimed by the French Government included the American-owned hospital, school, and missionary property designated on the map which you send; and our objection was based upon the undesirability of admitting exclusive jurisdiction by the French over such American property. As the line of the proposed French extension has now been drawn so as to carefully exclude the property mentioned, while no other American-owned property seems to be affected, that objection disappears, and the Department is unaware of any fresh objection on the ground of injury to present or prospective American interests. It is, however, without any information respecting any claim of the Russian Government to an independent Russian settlement at Shanghai, and is unaware whether any American-owned property is, or is likely to be, affected thereby. If there be any such property included in the Russian claim, the instructions heretofore given you in respect to the French claim will hold good, and you will be authorized to make specific objection on like grounds. As was said in Mr. Hay's instruction, No. 168, of April 22, the intention of this Government is that while reserving all rights of equality of treatment for the United States in whatever solution may be eventually arranged, any steps that you may adopt toward reaching such a solution shall be taken in a spirit of mutual consideration, giving to all ascertained foreign interests in the premises the same respect as you shall ask for the interests of the United States. You will bear this in mind should you ascertain that the British objection to the French extension, the specific grounds of which you had not, at the time of writing, been able to learn, is one in which foreign interests, including those of the United States, may properly share. In the absence of knowledge on this point the Department is not able to instruct you more precisely at present, but leaves the matter to your good judgment, subject to instructions should the circumstances seem to you to require them. I am, etc., ALVEY A. ADEE, Acting Secretary. No. 132.] JAPANESE CONCESSION AT AMOY. Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Pekin, China, January 20, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to report that I have received a dispatch from Consul Johnson, of Amoy, stating that the Japanese Government are negotiating for large concessions of foreshore and other lands at Amoy, which negotiations, "if successful, will virtually put a stop to all contemplated moves on the part of our Government here," and requests instructions. He also writes that he has already reported the situation in detail to the Department of State, particularly setting forth the magnitude and importance of the trade between Amoy and Manila, and that upon the recommendation of the judge-advocate-general of Manila our Government is considering the advisability of making Amoy the base of supplies for Manila in China. In view of the fact that all negotiations are at present being carried on by the Japanese consul with the local authorities, and that the Department, through Consul Johnson, is fully informed upon the situation, I have telegraphed him to wire the Department for instructions. I shall be glad to be kept informed as to Consul Johnson's instruc tions in the matter so that I may be able to intelligently take up the matter here when so instructed, if that shall become necessary. I have, etc., E. H. CONGER. Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. No. 142.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 13, 1899. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch, No. 132, of January 20 last, stating that you have instructed our consul at Amoy to telegraph to the Department for instructions respecting the efforts of Japan to obtain concessions of foreshore and other lands at Amoy. In reply, I inclose herewith for your information a copy of the instruction sent to him on the subject. SIR: Referring to your No. 38 bis of January 12 last and to your telegram of the 2d instant, both relative to proposed concessions of foreshore holdings at Amoy to the Japanese Government, you are instructed to remonstrate against any interference with or discrimination against any legitimate American rights. A telegram to this effect has to-day been sent to you. I am, etc., No. 169.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. THOS. W. CRIDLER, Third Assistant Secretary. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SIR: On the overleaf, herewith, I have the honor to confirm my telegram of the 23d instant. This information was given me by the tsungli yamen during a visit there on the 22d instant, and I was asked if it was true. I replied that I had not yet received instructions, but as soon as I did I would inform them. They said that the negotiations with Japan for a settlement at Amoy was begun some two years ago, and at most was to be a very small one. The Japanese minister has also called upon me, and informed me that he has just received from the Japanese consul a telegram substantially as follows: United States consul told me that he, in accordance with the instructions received from the Department of State, wrote to the local authorities inquiring if the Chinese Government will concede the same privilege in securing American settlement at Amoy. He further told me that the intention of the United States Government is only to remonstrate against discrimination and interference with American interests, and that he will do his best for us. The Japanese minister also says that the settlement area which they ask for covers only about 40 acres; and that, if there is any conflict of American and Japanese interests in the matter, he is certain his Government will be glad to confer in a friendly spirit and adjust it amicably. Unless the area asked for by the Japanese comprises all the available or desirable tracts for such purpose, leaving no place for us, in case we ever should wish a settlement, does the Department wish opposition made? E. H. CONGER. I have, etc., [Inclosure.-Telegram.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. PEKIN, March 23, 1899. The viceroy of Fukien telegraphs that United States consul at Amoy has protested against granting settlement to Japan unless one is granted the United States. Is this your desire? CONGER. Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 24, 1899. Acting consul at Amoy, having asked whether to oppose Japanese concession, was telegraphed March 9 to remonstrate against discrimination or interference with legitimate American interests. This was intended to prevent possible transfer of existing American rights to Japanese administration. He has not been instructed to ask an American concession, but if China is disposed to grant separate concessions at Amoy, we should expect no less consideration than other friendly powers. Mr. Adee to Mr. Conger. HAY. No. 211.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 19, 1899. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 1st instant, reading as follows: Japanese Government granted concession at Amoy less than 40 acres. Exact limits not yet fixed. CONGER. The Department awaits your full report on the subject, showing especially whether any movement is in progress to obtain a grant of an international foreign settlement at Amoy, or to give American interests a privilege equivalent to that granted to Japan. I am, etc., ALVEY A. ADEE, No. 290.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SIR: Complying with Department's instructions No. 211 of September 19 last, I have the honor to inclose a copy of Consul Johnson's final report upon the Japanese concession at Amoy, and to say that no effort is at present being made to obtain an international foreign settlement, nor secure to American interests privileges equivalent to those granted to Japan. The few Americans there do not need such a concession, nor could they afford the expense of controlling and keeping it up. I have, etc., [Inclosure.] Mr. Johnson to Mr. Conger. E. H. CONGER. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a legation dispatch, No. 455, requesting that I report the result of the pending negotiations for a Japanese settlement at Amoy. In reply, I beg to state that preliminary negotiations regarding the concession closed 25th of October. The papers were signed by the Japanese consul, Uyeno, the taotai and acting provincial treasurer, Chew, of Fuchau. The area of the concession is about 40,000 ken (one ken equals 6 feet). The amount of land actually included in the concession measures only 28,000 ken. The Japanese may reclaim enough foreshore in front of the concession to make up the 40,000 ken. The houses owned by individuals within the concession are to be purchased by the Japanese, when wanted, at a price to be agreed upon with the Chinese commercial committee. There was no formal public ceremony in connection with the transfer, and actual possession was not marked by any overt act or notice to the public beyond the posting of a proclamation by the taotai, several days previous to the signing of the paper, setting forth the fact that such a settlement was about to be granted, explaining its nature, and urging the people to make no demonstration, as their property rights would be protected. The Chinese officials seem to think that the terms of the agreement are very satisfactory from their standpoint. The ground included in the concession is not only very limited in area, but is far from being conspicuous on account of its desirability. It has been kept within the limits suggested to me by the Japanese consul at the time I remonstrated against the granting of the large area first surveyed by the Japanese and Chinese officials, which facts have been fully reported by me. Owing to the disturbance at the time the boundaries were being marked, it was deemed advisable by Japanese to avoid all public demonstration and rest content for the present with the adjustment of the matter on paper. Further resistance on the part of the inhabitants is not anticipated. I have, etc., A. BURLINGAME JOHNSON, Consul. |