PLENIPOTENTIARY, avd to the tariff question and the new Yreaty for, the American {Corernment, has geantéd an interview {to our representative in which the present position of the tatiif question and the proposed new Treaty negotiations was fully explained and discussed.
May L enquire the object of your mission commenced our representative, You may" cheerfully responded the General. "In the first phe T may explain that Tam here as the accredited Pivmpotentiacy of the United charged with a. mission to equi fate' the prevailing comltion of the sumereial ailairs of China, to go into the matter affecting the basis of the existing tacit which is merely tentative, ind the proposed change to be introduced in connection with its permanent settlement, and also to negotiate in conjunction with the Plonipotentinvies of the other Powers concerned for the adoption of a WEreaty with China. That tended will apply to the whole world."
The al then proceeded tu sketel the events which led to the adoption of the present Bye per cent taritt Then he Piserved: "Tt was provided in the original 2 Protocol signed by all the Powers, {there shawld be an International ntly adjust the tariff on s, in order to ensure equal treatment for all nations, ssu that one Howld hare no advantage over another.
ie British Government objected to that, contending that if it were compulsory for all the Powers to reach a unanimous Conclusion the settlement of the tariff question might be delayed indefinitely. That, provision was accordingly struck out of the Protocol; but the duties having to be paid almost entirely or at any rate a large proportion of them, by the merchants Uoing business with Shanghai, the United States determined to send Commission to ist in formulating @ tariff on a fair basis. Taere is no disp: sition on the part of the Chited States to interfere with the collec tion of the revenue by the Maritime Castoms which is at present largely in the hands of the British. but they insist upon their right to protect American interests by assisting in the framing of the new
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.