Peking, June 22.
Mr. T. V. Soong, Minister of Finance, "in a statement made today said that despite all protests and the fact that it isa violation treaty arrangements, the Japanese and Manchukuo " authorities have now actually seized the accumulated "customs revenues at Nevwehwang and Antung.
Mr, Soong, in his statement, gave excerpts from telegrams sent by the Commissioners of Customs at fas defective control, any interference on the part of individuals represent ing themselves as acting for "Mat Jebukuo', will be interpreted by the Chinese' government as contrary the conditions of agreements under which Japan remains in the eontinafed occupation of the Lisatung leased Jn"this connection it should not be forgotten that it is provided in the original' lease convention, by which Japan is bound, that although the administration " practically devolves upon tke Japenese authori. tis, this act of lease however, in no way, violates. the sovereign rights the Chinese government to this territory.
"There is, of course, no question of the right of the Chinese government to levy and collect customs at the Dairen effec. Article 6 of the 'Agreement of July 6, 1898, which weame binding upon' Japan after 1905, provides that 'China may levy and collect duties at the boundaries, on all goods going from the leased' territory to" the interior, or from the Interior to the territory, and also that "the Jeastoms shall, be" under the sole! control of the Peking government'. the Liaotung leased territory now leated from the so-called 'Manchoukuo', which as a political entity not even attained existence de Scpntory haa tad cantes 8 ime Shcehmen ching Saya eay alls "he Sed "belly ati on tween a cal cis rupee Dairen office.
"the nw-bserance of thee Agreinen i ested mately be regarded by the Chinese riy interference by the Japanese authorities or any third party: with the administration "of the Dairen Customs office, under the terms of the existing agreements between Japan and China, will naturally constitute the impairment of the Chinese Customs in which other foreign states are concerned.
"The Dairen Customs revenues constitute no small part of the total Fevenues upon which the numerous financial obligations of China to the various foreign states are secured. Moreover, the interference with the established Customs service at Dairen will' constitute 'a serious menace to the very integrity of the service itself, an institution in which fo foreign states have long had. a deep interest, "The particular interest and con-learn of the foreign states, other than Japan, in the Dairen Customs Office, was adequately demonstrated 'Japanese, should be the instrument Bring' "abort such a rapture tolerable and against, my censeer hope therefore" thet the Inupector: [General will realise the imponibility of faking sich a responsibility eon With the approval of Mr. T.V. Song, Mr Pu ukumoto has' been Se issed for tion, and, the Inspector-General adds that his defiance of legitimate orders forms an incident which is unprecedented in the history of the Maritime Customs Service,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.