CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 469

bud

(2)

485

This would reduce necessity for separate

organization to a mere counter for receiving monoy

and excuse for Inspection corps would disappear so

far as revenue is concerned though I doubt whethur

corps itself would be abolished.

As this co-operation does not involve actual

collection of extra taxes by customs it could

presumably be accorded by Inspector-General on his

own authority without consent of Powers and His

Majesty's Government might persuade him to agree.

It would be convenient to trade and co-operatio).

would I think be less dangerous to customs than open

rivalry. On the other hand it would mean practical

recognition of taxes without limiting Canton's power

to increase them at will or otherwise safeguarding

treaty principles.

I will endeavour to reply to your telegram No, 27

Just received but Minister for Foreign Affairs and

the principal members of the Government are leaving

for the North in a few days to re-organize the civil

administration of the conquered territories. They

expect to be away for six weeks and it will be

impossible to give effect to your suggestions in

their absence.

Addressed to Foreign Office No. 56, repeated

to Peking, No. 104.