setting forth the fatal hurtfulness of Kero-'Two Kuang and the Governor of Canton Joint Memorial by The: Viceroy of the sene Oil and ig that its importation tay be prohibited. a respectfully submit a report made to us by the Tinghai Magistrate, Chang Wen-tsung, that on the 18th of the 9th moon a Kerosene lamp bursting in an upstairs room in the Yang-sheng paper shop on the Yaugho-kuang street, Swatow, the conflagration apesed to the neighbouring houses and though the local otticial Deputy-Magistrate, Shih Kan, was promptly on the spot with the soldiers under his command, they were unable to put stout till the next day, owing to the high wind prevailing at the time and the fact that Kerosene was stored in all the shops in the neighbourhood, over 400 families great and small being burnt out.
We also submit a similar report by the Taotai of the Chavcliow, Kiatong and Hin-chow Intendancy Té-tai.
We further submit a report from General Tao-ting Shéng, commanding at Yang-cheong—the Bogue—that on the night of the 1st day of the 10th moon, the river steamer "ah-young was burnt to the water's edge off Shachiao, outside the Bogue, by the explosion of kerosene lamp in the passengers' saloon, and that notwithstanding the efforts of the garrison of the forts and the sailors of the fleet to save them, by which some 70 or 80 lives were saved, the rest of the passengers and crew, numbering some 700 or 800 persons, were either burnt or drowned.
On receipt of telegraphic news of this disaster the Shan-kou office was directed at once to send an officer down to the spot to see what was to be done and to collect the corpses and see to their proper burial, Benevolent Society being instructed to provide cofiius for their reception.
The fire on this occasion was so rapid and so fierce that nothing could be done to stop it, and not only was the vessel burnt, but over 700 lives were sacrificed at the same time, Language is insufficient to describe the horror of the scene; disfigured bodies floating on the river and cumbering the banks.
On enquiring into the subject, we find that Kerosene is chiefly imported from America, and that in consequence of its cheapness it has come into general consumption. It is highly inflammable, and unless the greatest care is taken, destructive fires constantly result front its use. It appears further that in a dry climate, like that of Canton, the danger of fire is very great and that last winter scarcely a day passed without one, 9/10ths of the number being traceable to Kerosene, notably the great fire in November last, outside the South Gate in which over 1,000 ly families were burnt out and over 10,000,000 dollars' worth of properly was consumed.
We must attribute therefore the daily increasing frequency of these disasters to the increasing consumption of Kerosene, since the introduction of which incalculable injury has been done to Chinese life and property in this province, alone, to say nothing of the other coast and' riverine provinces.
It may even be said that the injury done to China by Kerosene is more grave than that done by opium, for although opium is indeed a poison, its action is slow, whereas with Kerosene, which is found everywhere, if it once catches fire, it spreads the more you try to put it out; in a moment the neighbourhood is in a blaze and life and property are constantly destroyed.
Tt is also a matter of importance, although in a less degree, that since the development of the Kerosene consumption the native industry in pea-nut, colza and Dean-oil has day by day declined.
Having this in view we last year instructed the various lekin stations to impose heavy additional duties on Kerosene, hoping by increasing its cost to diminish its consumption, which led to the American Minister addressing the Tsungli Yamen who called on us for s report, which we made confi-dentally in May last.
We would submit that by the Treaties, Foreign merchants are forbidden to deal in sulphur or saltpetre, as these concern tle military organisation, or in rice or beans as these affect the food supply of the people, and that there is precedent therefore for Articles prohibiting foreigners trading (even in) Chinese produce, they should not there-setting forth, as they do, that they are friendly States, insist, in' order to profit themselves, on harming us and introducing foreign produce shown to be so highly in-juncus tu the welfare of the people.
We would submit, also, that, as by the Supplementary Treaty with America, made in 1881, provision was made to limit Chinese emigration to that country and prevent its increase, as the competition of Chinese labour was found to be objectionable therefore, that if they can prohibit our going there because Chinese labour is injurious to their interests, we have an equal right to prohibit the importation of Kerosene when it is injurious to us. The law that nations have a right to protect their own interests and prevent injury being done their people applies to both countries, alike, if there be any justice; and when either Government acts'on this principle no objection can be raised by the other." We request therefore that the Tsung-i Yamen may be instructed, quoting the precedent of the Supplementary Treaty, and on the ground of the injury done to this pro-Vince, to arrange with the American Minister for the institution of regulations in the matter, and also that secret instructions may be given H.E. Chang Yin-huan, the Minister at Washin € on, to wake strong: representations to the Foreign Office there on the subject, to the end that in future foreign merchants may not be allowed to import Kerosene, or that they may only be allowed to do sv in limited quantities, or that, as has been done with opium, special tariff rules may be established putting Kerosene out of the category of ordinary merchandise and leaving it to China to tax" it as it pleases.
If this be dune, ina few years the import will diminish, calamities will largely decrease and native trade will greatly benefit, Having in view the importance of care for the interests of the peuple, and trusting, to prevent the recurrence of the calamity of fires, we, Chang Chih Tung, Viceroy of Canton, and Wu Ta-ching, Governor of prying that Her Majesty the Empress and Canton, humbly submit this Memorial,
iis Majesty the Emperor may be graciously pleased to cast their Sacred glance thereon,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.