of Revenue Tientsin, June 16, The Shansi faction which has often attempted to take over char: lof the Tientsin Customs sent to the Custom House a Chinese, Commissioner and tis staff this morning at 10 am, and requested permission to take' charge of the Customs administration by onder of Gen. Hsi-shan. The request of the Shanner of greatly by surprise, and he ely requested the Consular Body to take necessary steps 20 [cope with the situation. Under the circumstances, Customs officers wers prevented from attending their dai tasks, while merchants were greatly hampered in passing their goods through the Custom House. The Consular Body held an emergency meeting to take the necessary me: sures for the situation and at the same time wired to the foreign legations concerned and the home News was received in Shanghai that the Maritime Customs in: Tientsin had been closed and all clearances -from the port, suspended. Inquiries showed that the Customs had been closed for a short period, but had subsequently" been, reopened and conditions restored to normal. The reason for the closing and reopening could not learned locally.
The" incident is believed to have Some connection with the dispute which' has been going on for some time between the representatives of Gon. Yen Hsi-shan and the Commissioner of Customs in Tientsin, Col, Hayley Bell, over the disposition of the revenue. The Northerners have been objecting against revenue collected in " port under their control being remitted to Shanghai, and have threatened to seize all money over and above that actually ear marked for meeting foreign loan obligations.
An order for the detention of this of the Tientsin Customs, Tientsin and Actin mander of Tientsi taction made the following notifica tion dated June 16 ax regards the control of the Tientsin Customs Mr. Lenox Simpson who was telegraphically appointed Customs Commissioner by the Commander-in-Chief of the Military, Navy and it forces of China on June 12 took over charge of the Tientsin Customs.
As regards the Customs revenue which has been car-marked for the, service of foreign loans that will be' deposited in the custody bank as hitherto fore and the surplus revenue will also be utilized for fixed Purposes in accordance with the Fast programme. Although prevent stof' of the—Tientsin Customs who obey orders of the money was issued by Gen, Yen on May" 1, but was never' obeyed. Attempls to compromise on the matter failed, and the money was remitted to Shanghai in the ordinary way. A Novthern suggestion that it should be detained in the Hongkong & Shanghai fin Tientsin under the super committee' of Chinese and foreign bankers pending the result of the civil war was telegraphed to the Inspector-General and refused consideration, according th the official spokesman of the northern coalition.
It was then threatened that in the event of continued non-compliance with Gen, Yen's order for the detention of the revenue, the Commis-ioner of Customs would be dismiss and the Custom House moved into Chinese territory, duty being ook lected at Tongku, if necessary. in the meantime, for the simul-advance of the other route ies to start the general offend
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.