10 -
52
Tu
endeavour to misuse it for the purpose of destroying British
treaty-rights. They may usurp tariff autonomy and then call upon the Foreign Inspectorate to assist them in enforcing the collection of illegal customs duties by a fiscal blockade of Hong Kong similar to that instituted by the
Hoppo between 1868 and 1887. This threat has in fact been made already in the manner described in my secret despatch of the 9th August. I earnestly hope that, if an attempt is made
to put this threat into execution, His Majesty's Government
will at once take forcible steps to prevent such an outrage.
But, if this is not done, it will be necessary for this
Government immediately to suspend all activities of the
Chinese Maritime Customs at the Kowloon terminus of the
Kowloon-Canton Railway and to require the complete removal
from Hong Kong of the staff of the Foreign Inspectorate, now
stationed here, as well as the closure of its Hong Kong
office. Obviously the officials engaged in directing a fiscal
blockade of the Colony could not be allowed to have their
headquarters in Hong Kong itself.
15.
I need hardly say how much I should deplore
being driven to take this action. The proper course beyond all question is for His Lajesty's Government to defend
British treaty-rights in respect of the tariff and to prevent
the disintegration of the Chinese Maritime Customs, in which
case the dangers to Hong Kong which I have indicated would
be obviated. The wish nearest my heart is to re-establish
relations between Hong Kong and Canton on the old friendly
footing. But it has been difficult - almost impossible
to make any progress towards such a reconciliation, because
His Majesty's Government will not yet accept the fact that
China
Chiness.
ILicensils.
-