It we tactly admit, therefore, that we have nothing. to say in the matter, there will" no good reason to object six months hence if the Canton—administration or its successor decides: to collect a 20 per cent. local tariff jon ordinary imports instead of two and a half. Suppose the existing regime promised the British Consul-General in Canton or the Hongkong Government that the tax would not be increased, such a _pledg would not be binding on another Canton Government six months hence. No Government is now recognized in China, so no treaty revision by any Power is possible. The Canton Government is simply the clique that holds Canton, as the Peking Government is the" clique that holds Peking, in the sight of the diplomatic world. As de facto masters of the local situation in teach place they cannot represent China in treaty amendments, but can only be reminded of their obligations and held to them.—Informal agreements made with a de facto ruler are not binding upon the man who throws him out except by virtue of a new arrangement, The amount of the tax therefore cannot be permanently established, though' the precedent of allowing a de facto Chinese chief or clique to break a treaty at his own initiative would be established not for Canton but for all China, since all the local regimes are on an equal footing—or Inck of it, not only for one treaty, but for all,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.