COPY
Translation.
Sir.
287
C. O.
16557
Race
...
REC 27 JUN 19
Viceroy Tan to Consul Mansfield. 520
April 23, 1899.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch, incorporating one received from the Governor of Hongkong, with regard to the question of the Customs' stations in the new territory, and enclosing a memorandum.
H. E. stated that, as he had clearly expressed his views on this point, it was not necessary to again allude to it. Again, in a former note, demanding the removal of all officials and soldiers, the sentence occurs "with the exception of the Customs' officials." In the despatch under acknowledgment H. E. states that he is most anxious that there should be no dislocation of the Customs' service, and that he is affording the Commissioner of Customs every friendly assistance in his power. Therefore, after the expiration of the six months, it will still be H. E.'s duty to refrain from requiring the removal of the Customs, as this would be the only action compatible with the four statements above quoted, and with the cordial relations mentioned in your despatch.
I therefore beg that you will inform H. E. of this, so that it may be...