No Decision Likely Yet: Surtax Suggested Meanwhile: The Old Difficalty\of Likin Peking, July 20.
China's request for revision of tariff, in accordance with the provisions of the Tariff Agreement reached at Shanghai in 1919, is still under the consideration of the Powers. The question involves many considerations and it is not likely that it will be settled finally for some time.
The suggestion has been made that as a temporary measure a surtax might be employed, instead of increased dues to bring the tariff to an effective five per cent. is pointed out, however, that in 1919, when the agreement was reached it was anticipated that two years after the war trade would have resumed normal conditions, whereas present conditions are still abnormal. is thought probable that Japan will press for compliance on the part of China with the provisions of the Additional Treaty of Trade and Commerce of 1903, negotiated by Mr. Odagiri, then Consul-General at Shanghai. This treaty provides for the abolition of likin dues, for the promulgation of proper Trade Mark and Copyright Laws, to protect the interests of Japanese nationals, and for the establishment of uniform currency and weights and measures in China. None of these measures have been carried out, and, while the Japanese Government will join with the other Powers in agreeing to the increased tariff a condition regarding the above measures may made, With regard to the abolition of likin dues and the consequent raising of China's import tariff to twelve and a half per cent., it is the general belief that in the present conditions the Central Government could not enforce abolition in many of the provinces, and that, therefore, the time is not ripe for that measure.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.