To the Editor of the "Nonrm-Cuixa Datty News."
Sir,—Several months ago I call-Jed attention, in your columns, to the refusal by the Chinese Maritime Customs to allow 1 local firm to im= port some gun-metal valves, on the ground that, because these valves were made of gun-metal, they were munitions of war." You Sim,—We have heard a good deal in recent months of the desire of many missionaries, more particular= ly American, to divest themselves of extraterritorial privileges. It may, therefore, be of interest to re= foord' that in' Foochow yesterday. there was some desultory fighting and rifles firing and that within a few minutes most American mission compounds were plastered with JAmerican flags, red crosses, pro Jelamations in 'Chinese, ete.' Come ment is needless! might be interested to learn that immediately my letter was published the Customs authorities removed the embargo on those valves. Now I shall be glad if you will allow me to call attention to quother ludicrous situation that has arisen, A Jocal firm ordered some Holmes. lights and ship signals, which are used by ships in distress. On the arrival of these signals the Customs put an embargo on their importa. tion, on the ground that they are munitions of war, After a lot of discussion the Customs have grant ed a "Pesmit to Transfer Explosives," and every sale made by the importers must be signed by the Customs. Would it not be more {to the point if the Customs authorities stopped the importation of real munitions of war, which is taking place every day under various disguises which are obvious to the ordinary man in the street?
Tam, ete, Shanghai, Dee, 9, 1926.
Tam, ote, Foochow, Dee. 1, 1926,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.