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[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
23992
Rece & [July 400
SECTION 1.
No. 1.
Congress of Chambers of Commerce to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received July 11.)
Botolph House, Eastcheap, London, July 9, 1900.
My Lord,
I AM directed by the above Congress to transmit to your Lordship the following Resolution on the matter of British interests in regard to the Inland Waters Navi- gation Regulations, moved by Sir Thomas Jackson on behalf of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce :--
"That the manner in which the Inland Waters Navigation Regulations have been interpreted by the officials of the Chinese Government being such as to render the right to run steamers on the West River and other inland waters an almost valueless concession, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs be asked to open special negotiations with the Chinese Government in order to obtain a construction of these Regulations more in accordance with the terms of the original Agreement.”
If the disabilities caused by the present reading of the Regulations could be removed, the Congress was of opinion that the West River Regulations, while remaining in force for steamers running to and from Hong Kong, might with advan- tage be abolished for steamers confined to Chinese inland waters; while, with some slight modification, the Inland Waters Regulations could, perhaps, be adapted to the whole trade.
In view of the recent trend of events in the Far East, it would appear that the matter is one which will, immediately on conclusion of the present troubles, receive every consideration at your Lordship's hands.
I am, &c. (Signed) KENRIC B. MURRAY, Secretary.
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