This Noon
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[April 17.]
SECTION 2.
85
(No. 102.) Sir,
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Mr. Townley.
Foreign Office, April 17, 1903.
I HAVE received your despatch No. 78 of the 26th February last, inclosing a Report by the Acting British Consul at Nanking upon the imposition, within that city, of a new tax, called "Jen Chuan Shui," on goods unprovided with transit passes.
His Majesty's Government have never admitted the Chinese contention that the li-kin-free area at an open port is confined to the foreign Concessions or Settlements. You should, therefore, instruct Mr. Wilkinson to continue, if complaints are made to him, his opposition to the levy, under any name whatever, of taxation at Nanking on foreign goods, or on goods destined for export abroad, other than the duties sanctioned by Treaty.
[1984 r--2]
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.