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concentrate without loss of time was to induce the
Cantor Government to agree to collection of the new
takes by the Customs; and, that being so, the Foreign
Office thought it would be better to safeguard our troaty-rite by a statement rather than a protest. Accordingly on the 24th October the Foreign Office telegraphed to Sir R. Macleay the following draft
statement for consideration by the diplomatic body at
Peking:- "The diplomatic representatives of the
Powers concerned have had under consideration the
action of the local authorities at Canton in levying
certain taxes styled production and consumption taxes
at a foreign trade port. Such taxes cannot legally be imposed except with the consent of the Powers and
should only be collected through the machinery of the
Maritime Customs administration. The diplomatic
representatives have, however, taken into consideration
the fact that tariff increases were promised to China fire years ago, and that circumstances have prevented
the fulfilment of these promises. In view of this
fact and of the abnormal conditions at present pre-
vailing in China, the representatives are prepared to
acquiexce in the levy of these taxes. This acquies-
cence, however, is not to be construed as signifying
any diminution of the treaty-rights conferred or the obligations imposed by the treaties now in force. The
Pomors have acquiesced from a desire to assist China
through the difficulties of a period of transition and in the expectation that the Chinese authorities
will respond to the freindly feeling thus show and
find
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