good one, but said they had no guarantee that their goods, once having paid the full duty would not be subjected to all kinds of inspection, and consequent delay and expense, en route; pointing out that not only were they liable to examination at barriers as formerly but that guard-boats were now empowered to stop and overhaul their cargo-boat at will.
They instanced a case which happened the other day where a merchant, having paid full Tungshuia at Nanning on a boat-load of native produce, saw his entire cargo confiscated at a barrier because the captain of the boat was found to be carrying some undeclared cargo on his own account. My informants added that goods under transit pass were, doubtless, liable to similar inspection at barriers, but they significantly remarked the officials took good care not to detain them longer than was absolutely necessary.
The immediate result of the new tariff has been that the quantity of goods sent inland and native produce exported under transit pass has increased over 50 per cent. during the last three months; and that native goods, such as Fatshan cloth and Samshui tobacco, which have hitherto come up by junk, are now being sent down to Hong Kong in order to acquire a foreign character, and return by steamer to Wuchow, whence they are forwarded into the interior under transit pass.
The present case is, I venture to think, a striking example of the difficulties which will beset the Chinese Government in the course of their efforts to simplify and co-ordinate the internal taxation of the country. Any Regulations framed to this end are likely to prove ineffective owing to the practical impossibility of securing honest administration in the lower ranks of the native Customs, and the deep-seated distrust with which the merchant classes regard any new departure under the management of their own officials.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
CHINA TRADE.
**CONFIDENTIAL.**
(No. 144).
No. 1.
462
30705
[June 30. RE 2 SEP 04]
SECTION 2.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.~(Received June 30.)
(Telegraphic.)
WHANGPOO Conservancy.
My telegram No. 140 of the 23rd instant.
Peking, June 30, 1904.
I am informed by Mr. Conger that the United States' Government will accept the Chinese Government's proposal, on condition that they are given sufficient guarantees that the work will be begun at once, and satisfactorily carried out. Mr. Conger has not yet received a reply to the note of the 27th instant, in which he communicated this decision of his Government to the Wai-wu Pu.
(Secret.)
The proposal of the Chinese Government that the annual cost should be defrayed out of Customs revenue was not mentioned by Mr. Conger in his telegram to his Government. He seems to doubt whether the Chinese Government will be able to give the guarantee now asked for.
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2
good one, but said they had no guarantee that their goods, once having paid the full duty would not be subjected to all Rinds of inspection, and consequent delay and expense, route; pointing out that not only were they liable to examination at barriers as formerly but that guard-boats were now empowered to stop and overhaul their cargo-buah
at will.
#
They instanced a case which happened the other day where a merchant, having paid full Tungshui" at Nanning on a boat-load of native produce, saw his entire cargo ren fiscated at a barrier because the captain of the boat was found to be carrying some undeclared cargo on his own account. My informants added that goods under transit pass were, doubtless, hable to similar inspection at barriers, but they significant remarked the officials took good care not to detain them longer than was absolutely
necessary.
The immediate result of the new tariff has been that the quantity of goods sent inland and native produce exported under transit pass has increased over 50
per cent. during the last three months; and that native goods, such as Fatshan cloth and Samshui tobacco, which have hitherto come up by junk, are now being sent down to Hong Kong in order to acquire a foreign character, and return by steamer to Wuchor, whence they are forwarded into the interior under transit pass.
The present case is, I venture to think, a striking example of the difficulties which will beset the Chinese Government in the course of their efforts to simplify and co-ord nate the internal taxation of the country. Any Regulations framed to this end are likely to prove ineffective owing to the practical impossibility of securing honest administra tion in the lower ranks of the native Customs, and the deep-seated distrust with which the merchant classes regard any new departure under the management of their own officials.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty: Goverquent
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(No. 144).
No. 1.
462
30705
[June 30.RE
2 SEP 04)
SECTION 2.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.~(Received June 30.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
WHANGPOO Conservancy.
My telegram No. 140 of the 23rd instant.
Peking, June 30, 1904.
I am informed by Mr. Conger that the United States' Government will accept the Chinese Government's proposal, on condition that they are given sufficient guarantees that the work will be begun at once, and satisfactorily carried out. Mr. Conger has not yet received a reply to the note of the 27th instant, in which he communicated this decision of his Government to the Wai-wu Pu.
(Secret.)
The proposal of the Chinese Government that the annual cost should be defrayed out of Customs revenue was not mentioned by Mr. Conger in his telegram to his Government. He seems to doubt whether the Chinese Government will be able to give the guarantee now asked for.
[2032 gg-2]
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