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Office, dated the 1st November).
32. Mr. Brenan telegraphed that, as all Powers
except Great Britain objected to the new taxes, the
Foreign Office proposal could only mean that he should
suggest to the Canton Government that these taxes shoul
be collected by the Customs from British subjects only.
This, however, would not save the Customs from the
danger of the rival organization, as the latter would
have to exist to collect taxes from other nationalities
unless only British subjects were to pay, Moreover,
the proposal would be difficult to carry out for tech-
nical reasons and would involve British subjects in
endless disputes with local tax officials after paying double tax through the Customs. British import cargo in Chinese hands especially would meet with obstruction (Canton telegram to Foreign Office No.53 of the 3rd
November),
33. Finally at a meeting of the diplomatic body. in Peking on the 3rd November the following protest was unanimously approved:- "In view of the levying by the Canton authorities of certain taxes on foreign trade, the diplomatic representatives at Peking of the Powers concerned declare that they cannot recognize the legality of this measure, which is in direct violation
of treaties". It was understood by all the Ministers that it would be open to the Powers to make in addition such individual protests as they pleased. In its final form the protest was addressed on the 3rd November by the senior Minister at Peking to the Wai-chiao-pu and
simultaneously
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