This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
C.O.
[Marel24474
160
CONFIDENTIAL.
SECTION 3.
No. 62.)
No. 1.
IPE IT JUN 03!
Mr. Townley to the Marquess of Lansdowne.-(Received March 18.)
Telegraphic.) P.
LI-KIN abuses at Tali-fu.
Your Lordship's telegram No. 30 of the 21st February.
Peking, March 18, 1903.
I am informed by His Majesty's Consul at Yunnan-fu that trade was resumed on the 28th ultimo. He has demanded 5,000 taels compensation, being half the damage done to trade, and is insisting on punishment of responsible li-kin officials.
Viceroy, Consul says, will not agree to demands, except under strong pressure, and he asks whether in event of no satisfactory answer being soon received, he should increase demands.
I saw Prince Ching yesterday and represented the case to him. His Highness promised to telegraph to Viceroy in the sense of my observations, and to call upon his Excellency to see that justice was done.
I said I would await Viceroy's reply before taking any further steps, for I could only accept Prince's promised action.
I have telegraphed to Mr. Litton in this sense.
[1880 s--3]