{
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Canton authorities threatened to seize the Customs: namely,
the interception at Hongkong by the Colonial authorities
of all cargo for Canton and the refusal of entry to all
cargo from Canton.
This would not appear to involve any
interference with vessels and goods bound for Canton outside
the territorial jurisdiction of Hongkong. If this is so,
it is probable that a good legal defence could be set up
for the action taken, but it would be quite ineffective as
a means of cutting off completely the trade of Canton.
(2) An agreement between the Powers concerned to prevent
their nationals and national ships from trading or having
any communication with Canton. Such action ought not to
involve any international legal difficulties, because no
Power would interfere with the ships or nationals of another;
and it would be encumbent upon each Power to take such steps
as might be necessary under its own law to acquire the requisite powers. It would presumably not be difficult for
His Majesty's Government to take such powers either by
legislation at Hongkong or otherwise, and in any case it is unlikely that British subjects would desire to violate any
Such an international arrangement that might be made.
arrangement would, however, have no effect as regards the
trade of such powers as did not join in the common action,
and the trade of Canton would fall into the hands of the
nationals of such Powers, notably Russia, and possibly the United States, for even if the United States Government were willing to collaborate, it is unlikely that they could arm
themselves with the necessary powers.
(3)
A pacific blockade or some similar means of coercion.
In/