So far as the immediate interests of foreign nations, aside from the general principle of the integrity of the Chinese Empire, were concerned, nothing was more to be desired than a speedy evacuation of the treaty port of Niu-chwang, where the Russians had maintained a provisional government since August 5, 1900.[439] At the conclusion of the Agreement of April, 1901, M. Lessar delivered a _note verbale_ to the Chinese Government, stating that Niu-chwang would be restored as soon as the Powers terminated their administration of Tien-tsin, and that, if the latter event did not take place before October 8, then Niu-chwang would be surrendered to China in the first or second month after that date.[440] The rendition of Tien-tsin was accomplished by the Powers on August 15, but the restoration of Niu-chwang not only did not follow it, but seemed to be indefinitely delayed for the trivial reasons presented one after another by the Russian authorities: that, for instance, one or two foreign gunboats were present in the harbor;[441] that the Chinese had refused to agree to the constitution of a sanitary board;[442] and that the Chinese Tao-tai detailed to receive back the civil government of the port had not arrived from Mukden, where, it has been discovered, he had been detained by the Russians much against his will.[443] Up to the present time, the maritime customs dues at this important trade port have been paid to the Russo-Chinese Bank, and, for a large sum thus received, the Bank is said to have paid to the Chinese authorities neither the amount nor the interest.[444] ----- Footnote 429: _China, No. 2 (1904)_, No. 65, inclosure 2. Footnote 430: _Ibid._, No. 66, inclosure. Footnote 431: The _Tō-A Dōbun-kwai Hōkoku_, No. 38 (January, 1903), pp. 105–106. Footnote 432: E. g., 400 men from (probably) Shan-hai-kwan, June 24.—_China, No. 2 (1904)_, No. 58, inclosure. Also some from Liao-yang, in August.—_Ibid._, No. 61, inclosure. Footnote 433: E. g., from Kin-chou-Fu early in September.—_Ibid._, No. 62, inclosure. Footnote 434: Cf. Dr. Morrison’s articles in _The Times_, January 3 (p. 8) and 14 (p. 5), 1903. Footnote 435: _China, No. 2 (1904)_, No. 56, inclosure (Hosie to Satow). Footnote 436: _Ibid._, No. 63, inclosure (Hosie to Satow, September 9). Footnote 437: Cf. _ibid._, No. 61, inclosure (Hosie to Satow, August 21), which says: “I have the honor to report that a considerable town, to consist of some 300 cottages, of which about 100 have already been built, is in course of construction on both sides of the Russian railway to the immediate northwest of the city of Liao-yang Chou. These cottages, which when completed will occupy a large piece of land bought from the Chinese proprietors by the Railway Company, are intended for the residence of railway employees and of the artisans who will be engaged at the cleaning and repairing shops to be established at this important depot.