Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/229

 WEIHAIWEI 177

Wallace (A. R. ), Ma.ay Archipelago. London, 1869.

IPt'JWnjon (R. J.) [edited by], Papers on Malay 8ubjecti. Tarts 1—1 J. Kuala Lujnpnr, F.M.3.

Wright (A.) and Beid (T. H.), The Malay Peniniula. London 1912.

WEIHAIWEI.

Weihaiwei, in the Chinese province of Shantung, with the adjacent waters was, by a Convention with the Chinese Government, dated July 1, 1898, leased to Great Britain. The territory leased comprises, besides the port and bay, the island of Liu Kung, all the islands in the bay, and a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coast-line of the bay. The boundary has been demarcated and regulations settled for the management of frontier affairs. The area of about 285 square miles contains (1911 census) 147,177 inhabitants, including 3,000 on the island of Liu Kung. The native city of Weihaiwei is a walled town with about 2,000 inhabitants. Within the limits of the territory Great Britain has sole jurisdiction, except that within the walled city Chinese officials may exercise such jurisdiction as is not inconsistent with the defence of the territory. In addition, within a zone extending east from the meridian 121° 40' east of Greenwich, and comprising an area of 1,500 square miles, Great Britain has the right to erect fortifications or take any measures necessary for the defence of the territory, and to acquire sites neces- sary for^vater supply, communications and hospitals. There Chinese adminis- tration is not to be interfered with, but only Chinese or British troops shall be allowed. Chinese war vessels retain the right to use the waters, and within the territory such lands as may be required by Great Britain for public pur- poses shall be bought at a fair price.

Under an Order in Council of July 24, 1901, the territory is administered by a Commissioner. Legislation is by Ordinances. The seat of government is at Port Edward on the mainland. There is a High Court for both civil and criminal cases, subject to appeal to the Supreme Court at Hong Kong, and provision is made for courts of district magistrates. There are 4 European inspectors of police. There are 8 Chinese sergeants, 4 corporals and 105 constables (1918). In the numerous villages the headmen system is main- tained. At the Government Free School there were in 1918 78 pupils, and about half-a-dozen Mission schools have 172 pupils. There is also a private school (50 pupils in 1918) in which the sons of Europeans are educated. There are many Chinese schools within the territory. About 6 per cent, of the inhabitants can read and write.

Revenue is derived from (1) a land tax and a road tax ; (2) junk registra- tion, shipping dues, wine monopoly ; (3) fines and miscellaneous sources. For 1919-20 the revenue was 176,450 dollars, 1 and the expenditure was 207,141 dollars, the deficit being met from savings. For 1918-19 the amounts were 150,723 dollars and 184,600 dollars respectively. The grant in aid for 1918-19 was 4.000Z ; and for 1919-20, 7,900?.

The station is used as a Hying naval base and as a depot, exercising ground, and sanatorium for the China squadron, which assembles at Wei- haiwei during the summer. No troops are stationed in its territory, the Chinese regiment having been disbanded.

The leased territory, consisting of rocky hill ranges with fertile valleys, is most picturesque ; it is well populated, and the inhabitants are in general well-to-do. Cereals, vegetables and fruits (apples, grapes and

1 The value of the dollar (Mexican) fluctuates considerably. In September, 1915, it was equivalent to 1* Tjd, in September, 1910, to i<. lfj., in September, 1917, to 3«. 6Jd., in September, 1918, 3*. Sd., and in September 1919, 4«. TJd.