This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
64
[December 25.
SECTION 1.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 393.) Sir,
Foreign Office, December 25, 1903. I transmit to you herewith a copy of a despatch,* received from His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburgh, reporting the impressions of the United States' Consul in Formosa, who has recently returned from a visit to Manchuria, as to the present situation there from the commercial point of view.
Mr. Davidson is of opinion that the question of differential Tariffs in favour of Russian merchandise at the Manchurian ports, is not more important to foreign trade than discrimination against foreign goods in the matter of railway freights.
I request that you will give instructions to His Majesty's Consul at Newchwang to maintain a careful watch on the rates charged on the railway, and to report at once should there be any discrimination against British goods.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
* Sir C. Scott, No. 428, December 10, 1903.
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