This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
# CHINA TRADE
## CONFIDENTIAL
157
[February
O.
21474
No. 1.
SECTION 2.
(F260 11 JUN 03
(No. 45.)
Mr. Townley to the Marquess of Lansdowne.—(Received February 21.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
Peking, February 21, 1903. MR. LITTON'S telegram to your Lordship of end of January. Li-kin interference with Burmah import trade.
Following further particulars telegraphed from Tali Fu by Mr. Litton :----- "Foreign goods in transit through city are forcibly detained by li-kin authorities. Surrender of transit passes and payment of li-kin demanded. 5,000 cases of merchandise delayed for five weeks.”
The evident object of the li-kin authorities is to stop the use of transit passes by terrorizing the merchants, and I think the only means of preventing this is to demand compensation and punishment.
The effect on the growing Burmah trade must be serious, if they succeed in their object.
With my approval Mr. Litton has gone to Yunnan-fu, to present claim for compensation and demand punishment of officials.
[1840 -2]