The
February). On the 5th February Sir F. Aglen returned to Peking and met Sir M. Lampson and the diplomatic body. After a full explanation from him of the im- possibility of his carrying out the order of the Pelting Government to collect surtaxes with Customs' machinery unless all the Treaty Powers agreed, the Ministers decided that this was a matter of grave international concern and that the Diplomatic Corps must take in- mediate action along the line of having the order to collect surtaxes by Customs' machinery rescinded and, as logically flowing from that, the mandate relieving the Inspector General of his post withdrawn.
United States' Minister at first said that, though
sympathetic he must refer to his Government before making such a demand (Peking telegram to Foreign Office
No.242 of 4th February). But next morning on consider.
ation he felt that he could concur in a revised form
of demand without the prior consent of his Government. (Peking telegram to Foreign Office No.248 of 5th Feb- ruary), and on the 7th February a deputation represent- ing the whole Diplomatic Corps and composed of the senior (i.e. Dutch) Minister, and the British, French,
Japanese, American and Italian Ministers went to the
Wai-chiao-pu, where they presented the following memo-
randum to Dr. Wellington Koo: -
Te
"The diplomatic representatives of the Governments
concerned, having taken note of the presidential
mandate of January 31st relieving Sir F. Aglen of
his office of Inspector General of Customs, feel
impelled to make a statement.
'First
167
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