CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930 — Page 224

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interests represented and was definitely rejected.

Sir C.Clementi, in his despatch of 20th November to the

Secretary of State, explained that the Chinese merchants

were fully as anxious as the British merchants to

retain the inland water privileges for Briti sh

vessels. "They point out that ships under the Chinese

flag in the inland waterways of Kwangtung and Kwangi

are liable to be commandeered without compensation

or redress by Chinese war lords, that they are subject

to attack by pirates and brigands against whom

little or no protection can be obtained from the

Chinese authorities, and that the goods carried in

them are subject to all manner of illegal and

harassing exactions.

They value very highly the

protection given by the British flag and would be

most reluctant to dispense with it".

Mr. Moss formed the impression that there

was little real hope at Hong Kong that the Agreement

would be definitely concluded as redrafted, "but

that there was general confidence that enough had

been done to show general good will, and to keep the

Chinese from breaking off negotiations by demonstrating

how much was common ground. It seemed to be felt

that the mere gaining of time was a definite advantage

inasmuch as a delayed decision would not prejudice

the negotiations for the new Commercial Treaty between

Great Britain andChina, especially as regards the

question of inland water and coastal navigation

W

moreover it would give time for the clari fication of

the political situation in China, both domestic and

international"

·

Mr. Mos8