CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903 — Page 155

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

151

there was no way to avoid it, but that, after China had established her Government postal service, there would really have been no difficulty in the delivery of the mail, if the various Powers had withdrawn their offices entirely. However, they have not only not withdrawn but, according to the statement of the said foreign merchants of the "T'ai Ho" firm, they are on the contrary causing a greater amount than ever of smuggling in precious jewels, thus causing injury both to the postal service and the customs of China.

As in duty bound, I send this despatch to Your Excellency, the Dean, that you may transmit to the Ministers of the various Powers residing in Peking, that they may forward the same to their Governments that they may severally issue instructions for the immediate withdrawal of their post offices from China, and that until they are withdrawn, whenever any goods are sent through the mails, notice shall at once be sent to the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs that they may send an officer to the post office concerned to jointly open and inspect the parcel, and to collect

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151 there was no way to avoid it, but that, after China had established her Government postal service, there would really have been no difficulty in the delivery of the mail, if the various Powers had withdrawn their offices entirely. However, they have not only not withdrawn but, according to the statement of the said foreign merchants of the "T'ai Ho" firm, they are on the contrary causing a greater amount than ever of smuggling in precious jewels, thus causing injury both to the postal service and the customs of China. As in duty bound, I send this despatch to Your Excellency, the Dean, that you may transmit to the Ministers of the various Powers residing in Peking, that they may forward the same to their Governments that they may severally issue instructions for the immediate withdrawal of their post offices from China, and that until they are withdrawn, whenever any goods are sent through the mails, notice shall at once be sent to the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs that they may send an officer to the post office concerned to jointly open and inspect the parcel, and to collect

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151 there was no way to avoid it, but that, after China had established her Government postal service, there would really have been no difficulty in the delivery of the mail, if the various Powers had withdrawn their offices entirely. However, they have not only not withdrawn but, according to the statement of the said foreign merchants of the "T'ai Ho* firm, they are on the contrary causing a greater amount than ever of smuggling in precious jewels, thus causing injury both to the postal service and the customs of China. As in duty bound, I send this despatch to Your Excellency, the Dean, that you may transmit to the Ministers of the various Fowers residing in Peking, that they may forward the same to their Governments that they may severally issue instructions for the immediate withdrawal of their post offices from China, and that until they are withdrawn, whenever any goods are sent through the mails, notice shall at once be sent to the Chinese Imperial Maritune Customs that they may send an officer to the post office concerned to jointly open and inspect the parcel, and to col- lect

2026-06-01 12:39:11 · Baseline

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151

there was no way to avoid it, but that, after China

had established her Government postal service, there

would really have been no difficulty in the delivery

of the mail, if the various Powers had withdrawn their

offices entirely. However, they have not only not

withdrawn but, according to the statement of the said

foreign merchants of the "T'ai Ho* firm, they are on

the contrary causing a greater amount than ever of

smuggling in precious jewels, thus causing injury

both to the postal service and the customs of China.

As in duty bound, I send this despatch to Your

Excellency, the Dean, that you may transmit to the

Ministers of the various Fowers residing in Peking,

that they may forward the same to their Governments

that they may severally issue instructions for the

immediate withdrawal of their post offices from China,

and that until they are withdrawn, whenever any goods

are sent through the mails, notice shall at once be

sent to the Chinese Imperial Maritune Customs that

they may send an officer to the post office concerned

to jointly open and inspect the parcel, and to col-

lect

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