James Burrill Angell to Walker Blaine, May 21, 1881
No. 162. Mr. Angell to Mr. Blaine.
No. 159.]
Sir: In my No. 42 I described the state of the negotiations between the diplomatic body and the Tsung-li Yamên concerning the propositions for dredging the Woosung bar below Shanghai. In the inclosures was an absurd paper from the foreign office, setting forth imaginary evils to flow from the deepening of the river. Sir Thomas Wade, chairman of the committee on the subject, was requested by his colleagues to reply to that paper. This he did in a communication, a copy of which I inclose. I have delayed forwarding this in the hope that the negotiations might be advanced a stage before I should report upon them. But I see no signs of any further movement at present by the Chinese authorities, and so to complete the record I send you the paper of the British minister. It is very trying that the commerce of the world should be subjected to such delays and expense, when all that is asked of the Chinese Government is permission to improve the navigation without any charge to them. The real cause of their hesitation is doubtless fear of foreign iron-clads in case of war.
I have, &c.,