Coxsext oF THE Powers:—Supposing by the Ist of January, 1904, some Power or Powers have failed to "signify their acceptance of these engagements," what is to become of our position? Are we to be left where we are at present? Surely some alternative should be provided by which the position of our goods as far as their inland circulation, is concerned should be clearly stated and defined. This can be done by restating in definite terms the provision of the Tientsin Treaty, by which British goods are imported into the Treaty Ports for 5 per cent import duty and are free to circulate within such Likin free area, which area should also be clearly defined, and are then free to pass to any part of the Chinese Empire upon the payment of a further 23 per cent without being subject to Likin, Loti or any other charge or tax of any description.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.