;
596
what difference would be allowed, would the territorial rate
in accordance with the Washington Convention be waived for
closed mails? what date could partial union commence? Replied
to No. 372, dated 28th May territorial rate could be waived for
closed mails though this was the first time the subject had
been broached. Partial union could commence in 4 months from
signature. Penny postage only applied to British Empire.
Despatch No. 91 from Peking dated 17th June closes with
concession waiving territorial rate on closed mails admits
penny postage confined to British Empire: Accepts conditions
asks that system come into operation on 1st January 1900, re-
quests signature and ratification of arrangement sent in des-
patch No. 46 dated 9th February 1899, (containing the Shanghai
rate and ignoring the British Postal Agencies) and then asks
under Article 4, Section 3, 200 b/. that reductions be made for
distances under 1500 miles ("by the same line of packets
the Article requires). By ignoring the British Postal Agencies China
would be enabled to focus her mail matter at Shanghai or Hong Kong
##as the ports of origin thus evading the saving clause the same
line of packets and then claim reductions to Japan and Tonquin
respectively.
The