I think we must write to the Foreign Office.
In continuation of our letter No. 6466 of the 3rd and our letter of the 22nd, we again repeat the impossibility of what is proposed, at the same time reaffirming that we are taking what we consider the best steps to carry out our pledge, viz., by offering to collect duties on opium, which has always been the great subject of smuggling. By intending to carefully patrolling the lands and waters of the leased territory, with a view to preventing, as far as we can, frauds on the Chinese revenue.
We should at the same time send a copy of Sir H. Blake's No. 7340 to the Foreign Office and talk to Lord Salisbury. I doubt whether Lord Salisbury sees any necessity for telling the Governor to hold his hand.
We might also ask the Foreign Office to enquire at Berlin what customs arrangements the Germans have made with the Chinese (See p. 70 of the Parliamentary paper).
C.P.L.
So proved on 25 March.
Customs duties on articles cannot have been therein. British Celery cannot have been kind to the Chinese Treaties.
On 25 March, complaints were made about Cornflakes and muffin ports like China.
To proceed. I am suspicious that the demand in suffering is not fully clear.
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