73
the question in an atmosphere of suspicion and recrimination,
which makes a satisfactory solution exceedingly difficult
to find now.
The Legation has, in
3. The files of this Legation do not give any very
clear account of the history of the question. The corres-
pondence is scattered and disjointed.
fact, only been called upon to play a spasmodic part in the
negotiations that have taken place from time to time, and
the various agreements that have been framed at intervals
have been drafted at Hong Kong between the representatives
of the Government of the Colony and the Chinese Customs
without reference to the Legation. It is therefore diffi-
oult for me to assess the importance in practice that is to
be attached to many of their stipulations.
Prior to my last visit to Nanking, the Commercial
Secretary drew up for me the confidential memorandum, & copy
of which is enclosed, giving an outline of the more recent
history of the question as far as he could discover it from
the correspondence in the files of the Legation, together
with copies of such of the various draft agreements as are
available here. This memorandum summarises in a succinct
form the history of the recent attempts that have been made
to settle the question, and the arguments that have been
used by the parties interested in relation to it. Mr. Maz
has recently also furnished me with a copy of an interest-
ing Compendium by Mr. Stanley Wright, Personal Secretary to
the Inspector-General, covering the relations between Hong
(11)Kong and the Chinese Customs since 1842 (Inspectorate
Series No. 7 (Confidential) 1930). I have no doubt that
Mr. Stephenson, the Commissioner in charge of the Customs
Office