273
First to see
What could
be
Arranged
for a fair and regular Tariff for Junks trading with Hongkong.
In reply I beg to observe three courses only appear to be available for obtaining this desirable result; one by Convention irrespective of the Treaty; another by arrangement with the Provincial Authorities; and the third by Revision of the present Treaty, the first and third being a subject for diplomatic action, and the second it is just possible I might be able to accomplish; at all events it would, I think, be desirable to communicate with the Provincial Government before applying to Peking, for they know very little of such matters there and leave them to the Local Authorities, particularly in a case like this which involves no treaty question.
In all this matter, as at present constituted one point is to be borne in mind, and that is we have no status. By Treaty certain ports in China are opened to foreign trade, and we can ask or demand no more so long as that Treaty exists. How the Junk...
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