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THE MACAO EXT: NSION QUESTION
(Daily Press, 3th April.)
64
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
TARIFF REVISION.
of
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[May 10, 1902.
he said that, when the question of tariff revision came up for discussion by the diplomatic body at Peking, an additional 5 per cent. to China was proposed in return for a guarantee of no lekin on foreign goods; but how, he asked, can we be certain that lekin is not levied on foreign goods a boat carrying native and foreign goods and paying lekin on the former would almost certainly bave to pay on the latter as well.
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After reading the eminently sensible re- marks made at this interview betwen the Shanghai branch of the China Association and the British Minister in November last, we may be permitted to wonder that it was only by a majority of 24 votes to 21 that the Shanghai branch on the 15th ult. rejected a resolution to support Sir JAMES MACKAY's proposal for a 10 per cent. surtax ou foreign imports in return for the entire abolition by China of all internal taxation of whatever kind. It is true that the rean- lution added the clause:-" While, however, recording this opinion as to the policy of "the scheme, the Association holds that, as the experience of the past has impalled a strong disbelief in Chinese promises and Chinese honesty of iutention, it is im- perative that as a condition of the scheme becoming operative China shall be first "required to show, not merely by the "removal of the lekin and other barriers, bat by the institution of a reformed system of fiscal administration in the Provinces, that she is both able and willing to carry out "the agreement both in spirit and in letter." Yet, as the distrust felt by the members c the Association was still so strong, it is curious that no less than twenty-one of sanguine as to them felt themselves so support the British commissioner's pro-
the strength posal guarantee, however strengthened. It is un- necessary for us now to say anything more about Sir JAMES MACKAY'S scheme. We have discussed it amply alrendy and have quoted various opinions on it. The scheme is happily not likely to be revived, and the China merchant, unabashed by the rebuke emanating from Printing House Square and the Foreign Office, way congratulate him- self that he has not allowed himself to be put off once again with the old promises. A solution is still to be sought to a most | difficult question, and the solving is sure But a deferred to occupy a long time. solution is beyond doubt preferable to such a hasty and ill-considered scheme as that lately before us.
(Daily Press, 6th May.) The appendix on Tariff Revision in the In the absence of my exact details as to the claims made by Portugal for a terri- China Association's 1901-1902 report con- torial extension in the neighbourhood of tains three letters, a copy of the address Macao, it is difficult to judge what justi-presented to Sir ERNEST SATOW by the fication there is for irritation in Lisbin over Association on the 19th November, the the lack of support by Great Britain to the occasion of his visit to Shanghai, and an account of the reception of the Association's Portuguese request: Some time ago our
The Macao correspondent informed us that the Committee by Sir ERNEST Sarow. Portuguese authorities were anxious to get last two documents are the most interesting, we have had no opportunity of China's consent to an extension of the and as Macho boundaries waich would take in the publishing them in full we propose to con- Heungshan district, a proceeding which sider them briefly now, though they are by The would be somewhat similar to what happened this time rather ancient history. with regard to Kowloon when the New address commences by acknowledging the Territory was added to this Colony of Hong. British Minister's success in withstanding kong. However, a telegram dated London, au imposition of duties on a scale which, 29th April, to the Shanghai Mercury and in the absence of compensatory advantages, Times, says:—“ A telegram received here would have. been destructive of trade and to-day from Lisbon states that the Portu- have been construed by China as a sign of guese Government has instructed the Por-weakness. China, the Association naturally tuguese Minister in Peking to demand the held, is not entitled to a readjustment of cession by China to Portugal of two small import tariff as long as she maintains islands near Macao" Whichever version unredressed the abuses and illegal restric- of the claim is right, it seems that Portugal tions against foreign trade. After recall- is opposed not only by China, but also bying a previous letter to Sir ERNEST the representatives of the other Powers SATow on the more important commer- cial matters with which, the new treaty at Peking, and it may therefore be con-
on to deal, the address goes cluded that her desire for expansion is not must likely to be gratified. One of the Lisbon protest that the difficulties in the way of a successful solution are not insuperable and papers, the Seculo, it will be seen, com- ments bitterly on England's selfishness in claims as the one great difficulty the question
oldest
lekin, the abolition of which seems as far not supporting the claim of her ally." As we have said, it is difficult off as it did forty years ago. Foreign mer- there chants look with a distrust which is not to to judge what justification is for such language. We are unaware be wondered at on the scheme for sweeping whether Portugal is endeavouring to get away the whole lekin system, foreign im- from China this cession of territory as a ports in return being subjected to a large increase of duty at the port of entry. protection for the Colony, which is over-
The whole experience of foreign relations fooked by hills in the same way in which
"with China," the address says, “has taught old British Kowloon was overlooked; or
"the lesson that to the Chinese mind whether the desire for more land is in con
"treaties mean little more than sequence of the recent display of energy
"venient means of disposing of a pressing which has marked Senhor HORTA E COSTA'S
difficulty; promises without intention of second period of rule at Macao. In view
fulfilment, chicanery and evasion have of the excellent relations which have for so
been the constant experience, and it is long prevailed between Hongkong and
gravely to be doubted whether, in her Macao, British residents here would be
present necessitous condition, China has glad to see the legitimate aspirations of our
the power, even if she has the will, to Portugual neighbour gratified, especially if
out the suggested arrangement. strategic reason render it advisable for the
The reform of China's corruption present boundary to be shifted. But at the
can only, it appears to us, be affected same time it must be confessed that
through her own initiative; no foreign Portugal has selected a very bad time to
treaty is likely in the slightest degree to prefer her request. All the Powers have
influence her in the desired direction; been so strongly protesting their determi-
"rather would we suggest that the granting nation to maintain the absolute integrity of
"to her of concessions in return for mere China that it was not to be expected that a
promises is more likely to retard than to claim like that now made on behalf of
"advance the day of her awakening." Macao could meet with their approval. It
The statement which reaches us from New is much to be regretted, however, that any The only course to be pursued, therefore,
is continued insistence upou treaty York, via London, that the new shipping friction should be caused, and especially any friction between Great Britain and Portugal. rights, aided by a freer and wider inter-combination which has practically captured We trust that a way may be found of course with China and coupled with an settling the matter aancably and that any extension of the operations of the Imperial rectification of the Macao boundary which Maritime Customs, whereby the power of is demanded for the actual safety of the lekin will be broken and the way paved for the acceptance of the higher tariff which Colony may be consented to by China.
is sought by China. ·
Sir James Mackay and the Chinese Commis- sioners held the seventeenth official meeting on afternoon of the 1st inst., and according to the cin Wan Pao, the subjects brought up for dis- yussion at the meeting were the reduction of duties on native goods exported into foreign lands and the right of residence in the interior Chins by British merchants for trading The Chinese Commissioners, it is rted by the Sin Wan Pao, firmly ply with the demand of Sir James to the latter subject, because such ́s compliance would cause to China in future, as it is establish foreign consulates itry or to put the foreign lotion of the native oficials.
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THE SHIPPING COMBINATION.
(Daily Press, 7th May.)
the whole of the transatlantic steamship trade, British, German; and American, has now designs on the Orient, will be received with interest rather than with wonder. The ambition of the combining parties could not be expected to be easily satisfied, Sir ERNEST SATOw, receiving the address, seeing what capital they are known to be The original pretext expressed his opinion that no concession able to command. should be made to China except in return for the transatlantic organisation was to for countervailing concessions to trade. check ruinous competition; but it was not The representatives of other Powers, how-to be disguised, at the time of the first ever, were not of the same opinion, and he announcement of the deal, that greater could not insist on having his own way money-making ideas were involved. The He agreed entirely with all said in the point which excited most auxiety, when the address and recognised the difficulty of fact was appreciated that the gigantic arriving at an opinion on the practicability combination was an Americau concern, was of the removal of lekin barriers. A discussion | to what extent was concerned the British lien followed on other matters connected with the over the fast mercbaut "cruisers in event of commercial negotiations, at the conculsion war. Mr. BALFOUR stated in thở Hồnse of which Sir ERNEST SATOW reverted to the of Commons at the end of last month that lekin question. Speaking quite privately, Britain had still as complete a control as