ز
British Legation,
Peking.
302
December 26th, 1917.
Sir:-
With reference to previous correspondence on the sub- ject of the Anglo-Chinese Customs Agreement ending with Your Excellency's private letter to Mr. Alston of 24th April last, I have the honour to state that enquiries have been addressed to the Chinese Government from time to time re- garding the position of the negotiations here.
In kay last Mr. Alston was informed that the Cabinet had referred the matter for further consideration to the Ministry of Finance and the Revenue Council, but the political unrest prevailing during last spring and summer no doubt prevented any progress being made.
The receipt on October 22nd last of an official request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the addition of a section to Article V regarding the carriage of mail matter by steam launches plying between Hongkong and non-open ports
in China, afforded me an opportunity of enquiring formally
of the Chinese Government whether they were prepared to accept the remainder of the Agreement.
I accordingly addressed an enquiry in this sense to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 14 and am nOW in receipt of a reply dated the 12th instant stating that, if the desired addition to Article V can be arranged, the Chinese Government are prepared to accept the remainder of the Agreement without further alteration.
• Excellency,
Sir Henry May, K.C.N.G.,
Hongkong.
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