In last_ week's "Herald" General ing Shih-yuan replied to Mr. Tong Shao-yi's objections to th holding of the Tariff Conference. Mr, Tong Shao-yi has sent us the following rejoinder:
Mr. Tuan, Chu eking.
Dear Mr. Tuan:—I have read in the "North China Daily News, your reply to my telegram opposing: the. tariff conference. The reply was apparently made by General Ting Shih-yuan through the Peking correspondent of this newspaper. As you have used this newspaper asa vehicle for your message, T Shall, with the editor's kind permission, do the sao.
Genorab Ting's message deals in personalities and conjoins smart Thrases to which I naed not, reply. That was prepared for ors consuniption, while sin my message making to the Chinese '2-one will be impressed designed to betes will only serve to add to the riding from which your unfortunate adr ministration is already. suffering Wo may pass over alf that and get down to facts, T shell answer your points as you have raised them. from the Powers object to my use of the pegging from the foreiga rowers," in, connexion with the Rayiff "Conference. You say that having agreed to the Washington treaties, now that they are ratified, Ching must call the conference, as agreed upon. I contend that was made originally at ston and that no free ni gated to continue to make———"rulstakes which are against her national interests You may ques-
point out to you thas China tion whether it is a mistake, but is Alveady burdened with treaty oh! gations, loan agreements, promis fand contracts which we, as a nation, seem not to be able to fulfil and there is no need to add more to their number. When we have house in order, we may invite the Powers to visit us, to see the good works we have done, and then in friendly way and under pleasant circumstances, we can tell them tundgr what conditions we shall be fable to continue to do business with them, That is gentlemanly, conduct, which is necessary in a nation as in fan individual. When we are sure of our strength, we shall not beg for 2 per cent. or shout for the unattainable autonomy, but we shall do. what we think best. Perhaps some articles may come in fr For instance, if a equntry lets our tea or silk in free, we may decide to. allow their stect_and wool in free. When we ate not beggars, we shall become choosers.
2, I calculated the amount which Chinn stands to gain, by taking the import duty for 1924, which was approximately Hk. Taels 38,000,000. As this was the result of a 5 per cent, tariff a 24 per cent. additional amount will be Hk. Taels 19,000,000. T might here add that for 1925, the amount will probably be less. because of your political activities which have resulted: in a decrease of trade, You are correct that the amount will fluctuate; but you must note that it may fluctuate downwards as well as upwards.
3. The control of the customs administration determined by agreement. As long as tha Customs Revenue serves as a guarantee for foreign loans and obligations, China will not be able to take over full administrative control of the Customs. Mr, Ting's phrase about the character of the administrators, ete.
nothing to do with the subject, which is: "Are we in a position to an agreement to take over the administration ourselves." do not believe that as long as we have usurpation in government, unconstitutional methods, militarism and oficial dishonesty that the Powers will agree to _relingulsb control of the Customs administra lon, I therefore suggest that we set our house in order before we attempt to create false hopes among the people that we can make such an agreement.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.