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Consul General at Shanghai.
The question is one of considerable difficulty owing to the fact that Steamers trading between Treaty Ports are for purposes of taxation dealt with by the Imperial Maritime Customs, whilst vessels licensed for inland navigation come under the provincial customs, and that in the opinion of the Inspector General of Maritime Customs it is necessary for revenue reasons that the two branches of traffic should be kept distinct.
Mr. Bax-Ironside expressed the opinion that sufficient time had not elapsed to afford a true test of the working of the Regulations, and in this view Lord Salisbury, after consultation with Sir Claude MacDonald, Her Majesty's Minister at Peking who was then at home on leave of absence concurred.
In the opinion of the British Naval Commander in Chief on the China Station no increase in the number of vessels engaged in the patrol of the West River will be effective to eradicate piracy without proper cooperation on the part of the Chinese authorities on shore, but it appears from a further despatch of Mr. Bax-Ironside, a copy of which is also enclosed, that some steps in this direction are at last being taken.
The printed enclosures in your letter are herewith returned as requested.
I am,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Francis Bertie