66
f
(2).
decision taken by Great Britain, France, United States
and Japan.
Some of their ships had already paid
illegal dues under protest and none of them could say
what course they would adopt if the Great Powers were
not unanimous.
Japanese Chargé d'Affaires said that his instruct.
ions precluded him from acting in line with France,
America and ourselves. His government considered
proper course to be to warn Narking that, unless they
cancelled illegal dues, Japanese Consul might be
authorised to act similarly to the American, English
and French Consuls-General. I said I was quite sure
that you attached great importance to unanimity and
had strong hopes if Japanese government would present,
over tonnage dues, united front with all other Powers,
thon Nanking government would cancel illegal tonnage
dues and that we should find ourselves half way to
the solution of the more serious question of customs
Japanese Chargé d'Affaires accordingly
surtaxes.
agreed, ad referendum, to act with America, France
and curselves.
Repeated to Foreign Office, Shanghai for Commander-
in-Chief, Canton, Hongkong, Tokyo.
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