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using chinese non-treaty ports, whether on the inland waters
or on the sea coast, without being under any obligation to
extend those privileges to the vessels of any foreign power.
Indeed, it is presumably the fact that if she did extend
such privileges to any British vessels, she would thereby
put herself in the position of having to extend the same
privileges to flags of other foreign powers entitled under
existing treaties with China to most-favoured-nation treat-
ment for their shipping.
The Board further note that Sir Cecil Clementi, in his
despatch of the 1st August, paragraph 10, promises a further
communication in regard to the draft agreement as soon as he
has been able to consult his Executive Council and local
mercantile opinion, and the Board are therefore disposed to
reserve their final observations in the matter until they
have had an opportunity of considering this further informa-
tion and also the Governor's reply to the Colonial Offi ce
telegram of the 25th October respecting the modification of
Article 5 dealt with above.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
l'ani