borginal repo
on 83018/2/3!
(- Eastern Catetships - Transfers between
Eastern bolonés)
3
EXTRACT FROM LETTER FROM SIR WILLIAM PEEL TO MR. ELLIS
DATED 1st DECEMBER, 1930
93
So far as I can make out, the
It is very disappointing, after all the trouble
that one had taken to arrive at a satisfactory agreement,
that the Customs Agreement has been turned down for a
time at all events by the Central Executive Council.
As I had come to an agreement with Maze, with the concurrence
of T.V. Soong, I never anticipated that it would fail to go
through. Of course, it is entirely a matter of "ramp" in
connection with the smuggling graft that exists among
officials in Canton, and also in connection with the pro-
posed free port of Chungshan.
latter is an entire fraud and is simply being exploited for
thepockets of certain people. However, I hear that Maze
expects that they will have to confirm the agreement some
day, and that is my own opinion. In the meantime, in a
sense it has put us in a very strong position. We have
shown out willingness to meet them, and to make provision
for checking such smuggling as may take place through
this Colony. We put up a scheme which was accepted by
their most important advisers concerned, and it is
entirely their fault if they fail to take advantage of
it. As things stand, we can just wait until they have
a better appreciation of the position.