CO129-224 - Foreign Office - 1885 — Page 337

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PEGE 30 JUL 95

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No. 58*.

Earl Granville to Mr. O'Conor.

(No. 116) Šir,

WITH reference to my despatch No. 94 of the 7th instant, I have to observe that,

Foreign Office, May 23, 1885. whilst the stipulations of existing Treaties with China have reference only to trade by sea with certain specified ports, and give this country no rights of trade across the land fron- tiers of China, the Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858 declares, nevertheless, that "the British Government and its subjects will be allowed free and equal participation in all privileges, immunities, and advantages that may have been, or may be hereafter, granted by His Majesty the Emperor of China to the Government or subjects of any other nation."

If, therefore, the effect of the new Treaty about to be negotiated between France and China would be to admit of French goods being introduced into China by land at a lower rate of duty than the same British goods could be introduced by sea, or would confer upon French citizens or their commerce any greater privileges or advantages than those which are at present enjoyed by British subjects, Her Majesty's Government would claim most- favoured-nation treatment under the clause of the Treaty of the 26th June, 1858, quoted above.

Yamên.

You will, in case of necessity, point this out to the Ministers of the Tsung-li

am, &c.

(Signed)

GRANVILLE.