This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
22
[November 6.]
SECTION 2,
(No. 345.)
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received November 6.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
CANTON opium tax.
Peking, November 6, 1902.
My telegram No. 303 of the 15th October. His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton telegraphs as follows, No. 22 of 5th November:-
"My telegram No. 19. New opium farms at Swatow have seized a chest belonging to Bradley which, after paying duty and li-kin, was being taken to the merchant's warehouse. Customs seal, &c., on each ball were intact.
"I have protested to Viceroy, asking him to telegraph to Swatow and order the chest to be released.
According to a further telegram just received from Swatow, another chest has been seized."
The previous telegram reported that opium consigned by a Macao firm, on which Customs seals were also intact, had been seized.
The Wai-wu Pu admitted that the latter seizure was wrong when replying to my protest.
His Majesty's Consul-General reports that Viceroy is powerless to abrogate new tax, as it is supported by Palace people.
I am protesting to the Wai-wu Pu.
[2273 ƒ-2]