This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[April 29.]
SECTION 1.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Monson,
(No. 223.) Sir,
Foreign Office, April 29, 1904.
I asked the French Ambassador to-day whether he could give me any information as to the progress of the French negotiations for a Commercial Treaty with China. I reminded him that we had, after a long and difficult negotiation, concluded a Treaty with the Chinese under which we had agreed to accept enhanced import duties in consideration of the suppression of li-kin. We had always hoped that the other Powers would conclude Treaties upon a similar basis, and at the present moment the friendly co-operation of France in China would be most appropriate as well as useful. His Excellency promised to make inquiries and to inform me of their result.
I am, &c.
LANSDOWNE.
(Signed)
[1932-1]