CUSTOMS, Peking, 18th May.
With regard to the question of the Customs appointments the]! Foreign Muisters will hold" conference at the Italian (the doyen's) legation to-morrow. Special service.
London vid Bombay, 18th May.
Sir Edward Grey states that the Chinese Government maintain that the appointment of an Administra-for-General of the Customs is a matter of internal government and that they are within their rights in giving him control of the Customs. They disclaim any intention disregard the loan agreements 1896 and 1898, which provide that the administration of the Customs shall be unchanged during their Peking, 19th May.
The British Charge d'A (the Hon, M.L. D. Carnegie) is communicating with the Minister of the United States and Japan in regard to the appointments to the Customs, in respect of which Russia nnd Germany are also reported to be concerting action.—Special ser vice.
20th May.
At the conference of the Diplomatic Body yesterday it was decided that China's answer to the protests made by Great Britain and America was unsatisfactory. However, as Great Britain has made another protest, the Conference dissolved, having decided that no further step shall be taken until China's further reply ial se view,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.