CO129-269 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1895 [12] — Page 421

[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.]

417

any

observations whichhs. Chamberlain

may have

have to offer on this correspondence.

I am.

Sor.

Your most obedient,

humble vervant,

CHINA AND JAPAN.

CONFIDENTIAL.

(No. 379.) My Lord,

947

No. 1.

[November 25.]

SECTION 4.

C. 0.

21946 BEL :

Sir N. O'Conor to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received November 25.)

Peking, October 8, 1895. I HAVE the honour to report that the negotiations for the conclusion of a Commercial Treaty between China and Japan, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Shimonoseki,, began here on Monday, the 30th ultimo, between the Japanese Minister, Mr. Hayashi, and the Grand Secretary, Li Hung-chang.

I am indebted to Mr. Beauclerk for the short précis herewith inclosed of the draft of the Treaty, which was shown to him confidentially, and to Mr. Jordan for an interesting Memorandum ou its main clauses, also herewith inclosed.

Your Lordship will observe that the draft contains no demand for the opening of the West River, and I am sorry to say that although Mr. Hayashi was good enough, at my instance, to suggest it to his Government, he has not yet received any instruc- tions on the subject, nor is he sanguine of getting such orders from Marquess Ito.

My German colleague, Baron Schenck, to whom. I have frequently spoken on the subject as almost equally interested in the question, agrees that if we are asked to consent to the Japanese proposal for a commutation of li-kin, we may have an opportunity of pressing the demand upon the Chinese Government, an opportunity which, I feel sure, will not be lost by Her Majesty's Legation.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

N. R. O'CONOR.

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Notes by Mr. Beauclerk on Draft of Commercial Treaty between China and Japan.

THE projected Treaty is very similar to the Tien-tsin Treaty of 1858, and appears mainly designed for securing to Japan the most-favoured-nation treatment in com- mercial matters.

The first seven Articles call for no particular comment, being of the usual and general naturc.

Article VIII is to the same purport as Tien-tsin Treaty, Article IX, as to the right of travelling in the interior under passport.

Article IX is the same in effect as Tien-tsin Treaty, Article XVIII.

Article XIII provides for the Tariff, copy of which is annexed.

Article XIV. All articles duly imported into China, either by Japanese subjects

while

or from Japan, and all articles manufactured in China by Japanese, shall, being transported by land or water from one foreign settlement to another, be wholly exempt from all taxes, imposts, li-kin, &c., irrespective of the nationality of the owner of the articles, or of the vessel, or other vehicle used for their conveyance.

Article XV. All articles, goods, &c., enumerated in the last preceding clause, upon payment of a commutation transit tax, equal to three-fifths of the import duty où dutiable articles, and 3 per cent. upon the value in respect of duty-free articles, shall be free from all further taxes, &c.

It is understood that this does not apply to imported opium.

Article XVI. All goods and produce purchased by Japanese in China elsewhere than at an open port, and intended for export, shall be freed from all taxes (except export duties when the goods are actually exported) on payment of a transit tax of one-half the export duty for dutiable articles, or 24 per cent. on duty-free goods.

Article XVIII, Japanese vessels may convey Chinese goods for home consumption between open ports or ports of call in China on the payment of coasting trade dues,

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