CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903 — Page 338

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

I am also to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the China Association, reporting the revival by the new Chinese Viceroy at Canton of the tax.*

On receipt of this communication, Mr. Townley was requested to report whether anything fresh had occurred since the incidents reported in the despatches of the 4th June.

A further despatch has been received from Mr. Scott, of which a copy is also inclosed,† reporting the establishment by the provincial authorities of the Province of Kiangsi of a new opium li-kin station at Kan-chou-fu, in Kiangsi, for the collection of a new tax on opium passing into that province from Canton.

This tax appears to be a deliberate violation of the Treaty engagements between this country and China, and Mr. Townley was authorized to press for its immediate abolition, unless he was aware of any objection to such a course.

Mr. Townley has replied to the telegraphic inquiry addressed to him by a telegram of which copy is inclosed, stating that he has addressed repeated remonstrances to the Wai-wu Pu on the subject of both these taxes, but that he is of opinion that no argument will be effective except a warning to the Central Government that the "Additional Article" to the Chefoo Convention will be abrogated if such taxation is persisted in.

In these circumstances, I am to inquire whether the Secretary of State for India still adheres to the view expressed in the letter from your Department of the 19th November last, that it would be undesirable to address a warning to the Chinese Government of the nature suggested by Mr. Townley.

I am, &c.

* China Association, July 29, 1903.

(Signed)

T. H. SANDERSON,

† Mr. Scott, No. 20, June 27, 1903. Mr. Townley, No. 195, Telegraphic, August 1, 1903.

Page 334

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I am also to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the China Association, reporting the revival by the new Chinese Viceroy at Canton of the tax.* On receipt of this communication, Mr. Townley was requested to report whether anything fresh had occurred since the incidents reported in the despatches of the 4th June. A further despatch has been received from Mr. Scott, of which a copy is also inclosed,† reporting the establishment by the provincial authorities of the Province of Kiangsi of a new opium li-kin station at Kan-chou-fu, in Kiangsi, for the collection of a new tax on opium passing into that province from Canton. This tax appears to be a deliberate violation of the Treaty engagements between this country and China, and Mr. Townley was authorized to press for its immediate abolition, unless he was aware of any objection to such a course. Mr. Townley has replied to the telegraphic inquiry addressed to him by a telegram of which copy is inclosed, stating that he has addressed repeated remonstrances to the Wai-wu Pu on the subject of both these taxes, but that he is of opinion that no argument will be effective except a warning to the Central Government that the "Additional Article" to the Chefoo Convention will be abrogated if such taxation is persisted in. In these circumstances, I am to inquire whether the Secretary of State for India still adheres to the view expressed in the letter from your Department of the 19th November last, that it would be undesirable to address a warning to the Chinese Government of the nature suggested by Mr. Townley. I am, &c. * China Association, July 29, 1903. (Signed) T. H. SANDERSON, † Mr. Scott, No. 20, June 27, 1903. Mr. Townley, No. 195, Telegraphic, August 1, 1903. Page 334 Page 334 Page 334

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2 I am also to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the China Association, reporting the revival by the new Chinese Viceroy at Canton of the tax.* On receipt of this communication, Mr. Townley was requested to report whether anything fresh had occurred since the incidents reported in the despatches of the 4th June. A further despatch has been received from Mr. Scott, of which a copy is also inclosed,† reporting the establishment by the provincial authorities of the Province of Kiangsi of a new opium li-kin station at Kan-chou-fu, in Kiangsi, for the collection of a new tax on opium, passing into that province from Canton, This tax appears to be a deliberate violation of the Treaty engagements between this country and China, and Mr. Townley was authorized to press for its immediate abolition, unless he was aware of any objection to such a course. Mr. Townley has replied to the telegraphic inquiry addressed to him by a telegram of which copy is inclosed, stating that he has addressed repeated remonstrances to the Wai-wu Pu on the subject of both these taxes, but that he is of opinion that no argument will be effective except a warning to the Central Government that the "Additional Article" to the Chefoo Convention will be abrogated if such taxation is persisted in. In these circumstances, I am to inquire whether the Secretary of State for India still adheres to the view expressed in the letter from your Department of the 19th November last, that it would be undesirable to address a warning to the Chinese Govern- ment of the nature suggested by Mr. Townley. I am, &c. * China Association, July 29, 1903. (Signed) T. H. SANDERSON, † Mr. Scott, No. 20, June 27, 1903. Mr. Towuley, No. 195, Telegraphic, August 1, 1908. 334

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