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were denied, and his demands categorically refused, with the one exception of the extension of the Transit Pass system to the Provinces of Kuantung and Kuangsi. I stated in the same despatch that the Prince and Ministers had, on my recommendation, none the less consented to discuss the question further with M. von Brandt, who shortly afterwards visited them with that object.
Upon this occasion M. von Brandt's demands were practically reduced to two, viz.: 1. The publication of the lists of li-kin and other tax stations in the interior, and the Tariff of dues levied by them; and 2. The abolition of differential duties imposed on certificated foreign goods after arrival at their place of destination.
Certain promises having been made to M. von Brandt upon this occasion, he embodied the gist of his arguments and requirements in a note to the Yamên, of which I have the honour to inclose a copy. To this note the Yamên replied on the 28th instant, promising to instruct the provincial high authorities to publish the lists required, and in a separate note assuring M. von Brandt that the question of differential duties upon certificated goods should be included in the arrangements they proposed to make for effecting a reorganization of the system under which foreign trade is conducted in the interior. Translations of these documents form inclosures 2 and 3 in the present despatch.
Upon receipt of these assurances, I learn that M. von Brandt wrote to the Yamên formally announcing his adherence to the new Opium Agreement, and he subsequently addressed a note to the foreign Representatives, copy inclosed, acquainting them with the result of his negotiations, and suggesting that a meeting should be held to consider what joint action would be possible with a view to obtaining practical results from the promises made by the Yamên.
In reply to this invitation, I expressed my willingness to confer with M. von Brandt and the other foreign Representatives with a view to seeing what joint action could be taken in the direction desired. A copy of my letter is appended.
There can be no doubt that the faithful fulfilment of the undertakings given by the Yamên would be of advantage to commercial interests generally, as it will enable foreign merchants to calculate, with some certainty, the amount of taxation to which their goods would be subjected before passing into the hands of the consumer, and would tend to check the arbitrary exactions forming such a frequent source of complaint in the past. I shall consider it my duty to co-operate with M. von Brandt, and to give such support and assistance as may be in my power to his efforts to place inland taxation on a more satisfactory footing with regard to foreign imports and exports, feeling confident that in so doing I shall meet with your Lordship's approval.
I think it well to add that when Mr. Hillier called at the Yamên a few days since, in connection with other matters, he was told that the Prince and Ministers greatly appreciated the loyal manner in which Her Majesty's Government had acted in regard to the Opium Convention, and that they felt sure that M. von Brandt's consent to the Convention was mainly brought about by the influence of Her Majesty's Government with that of Germany, while they were no less appreciative of the assistance I had given them in the prosecution of the negotiations with M. von Brandt.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(Translation.) Your Highness,
Inclosure I in No. 49.
M. von Brandt to the Tsung-li Yamên.
N. R. O'CONOR.
Peking, January 23, 1886. In the conversations which I had the honour to have on the 8th instant with their Excellencies Hsü, Hsi, and Liao, and on the 19th instant with your Highness and their Excellencies Yen, Hsü, Hsi, and Liao, I took pains to explain to your Highness and their Excellencies the Ministers of the Yamên the grounds which render a reform of the inland taxation, so far as concerns foreign goods, in the interests of trade and without prejudice to the fiscal interests of the Chinese Government, both desirable and necessary.
The foreign trader and also the Chinese merchant who send foreign goods into the interior, paying the inland taxation, must be able, in order to undertake such business, to form an estimate of the cost in freight and taxes which must be added to the cost price of the goods on any given route. But in order to do this the merchant must know the taxes chargeable on the particular goods on the particular route, and without such an estimate
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were denied, and his demands categorically refused, with the one exception of the extension of the Transit Pass system to the Provinces of Kuantung and Kuangsi. I stated in the same despatch that the Prince and Ministers had, on my recommendation, none the less consented to discuss the question further with M. von Brandt, who shortly afterwards visited them with that object.
Upon this occasion M. von Brandt's demands were practically reduced to two, viz. :--- 1. The publication of the lists of li-kin and other tax stations in the interior, and the Tariff of dues levied by them; and
2. The abolition of differential duties imposed on certificated foreign goods after arrival at their place of destination.
Certain promises having been made to M. von Brandt upon this occasion, he embodied the gist of his arguments and requirements in a note to the Yamên, of which I have the honour to inclose a copy. To this note the Yamên replied on the 28th instant, promising to instruct the provincial high authorities to publish the lists required, and in a separate note assuring M. von Brandt that the question of differential duties upon certificated goods should be included in the arrangements they proposed to make for effecting a reorganization of the system under which foreign trade is conducted in the interior. Translations of these documents form inclosures 2 and 3 in the present despatch.
Upon receipt of these assurances, I learn that M. von Brandt wrote to the Yamên formally announcing his adherence to the new Opium Agreement, and he subsequently addressed a note to the foreign Representatives, copy inclosed, acquainting them with the result of his negotiations, and suggesting that a meeting should be held to consider what joint action would be possible with a view to obtaining practical results from the promises made by the Yamên.
In reply to this invitation, I expressed my willingness to confer with M. von Brandt and the other foreign Representatives with a view to seeing what joint action could be taken in the direction desired. A copy of my letter is appended.
There can be no doubt that the faithful fulfilment of the undertakings given by the Yamên would be of advantage to commercial interests generally, as it will enable foreign merchants to calculate, with some certainty, the amount of taxation to which their goods would be subjected before passing into the hands of the consumer, and would tend to check the arbitrary exactions forming such a frequent source of complaint in the past. I shall consider it my duty to co-operate with M. von Brandt, and to give such support and assistance as may be in my power to his efforts to placeinl and taxation on a more satisfactory footing with regard to foreign imports and exports, feeling confident that in so doing I shall meet with your Lordship's approval.
I think it well to add that when Mr. Hillier called at the Yamén a few days since, in connection with other matters, he was told that the Prince and Ministers greatly appreciated the loyal manner in which Her Majesty's Government had acted in regard to the Opium Convention, and that they felt sure that M. von Brandt's consent to the Convention was mainly brought about by the influence of Her Majesty's Government with that of Germany, while they were no less appreciative of the assistance I had given them in the prosecution of the negotiations with M. von Brandt.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(Translation.) Your Highness,
Inclosure I in No. 49.
M. von Brandt to the Tsung-li Yamên.
N. R. O'CONOR.
Peking, January 23, 1886. IN the conversations which I had the honour to have on the 8th instant with their Excellencies Hsü, Hsi, and Liao, and on the 19th instant with your Highness and their Excellencies Yen, Hsü, Hsi, and Liao, I took pains to explain to your Highness and their Excellencies the Ministers of the Yamên the grounds which render a reform of the inland taxation, so far as concerns foreign goods, in the interests of trade and without prejudice to the fiscal interests of the Chinese Government, both desirable and necessary.
The foreign trader and also the Chinese merchant who send foreign goods into the interior, paying the inland taxation, must be able, in order to undertake such business, to form an estimate of the cost in freight and taxes which must be added to the cost price of the But in order to do this the merchant must know the taxes goods on any given route. chargeable on the particular goods on the particular route, and without such an estimate
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