Peking, Oct. 21.
The Diplomatic Corps has for! several days discussed the Canton surtaxes.
It is understood that the matter! was again referred to Home Governments yesterday.
It is believed that if unanimity is reached identical Notes will be presented, through the Consuls, to Canton.
Chinese official opposition to the surtaxes is growing, owing to the belief that the ifroceeds.will be used sooner or later for war against the North.
Unofficial foreign circles are also increasingly against the surtax fearing that if they are even ta: admitted they will soon be increased to ten or twenty per cent. thus strangling trade almost as effectual. ly as the boycott did—Reuter.
Fetter to the "Times"
London, Oct. 22.
Opposition to the revision of the so-called interim tariff in China is voiced by Mr. Edwin Stockt: n in a letter to the "Times". He declares that nobody is an increase of duties, but Canton has Practically imposed duty, apparent ly with British consent, Shantung about to do so and it is reported that each Province may ultimately follow suit, Mr. Stockton adds: "We shall thus be compelled "to recognize state of affairs to which might be given our approval without our being foreed to recognise it."
He urges the Government to recognize the desirability of clearing! up the issue, adding it would be a sign of goodwill, and although residents in China will not be anxious for further burdens they are bound to understand that those burdens to which they consent may be much less onerous than'those they may be compelled to recognize—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.