Reuter learns from reliable sources that it is most unlikely that the Japanese contemplate any further action calculated to disrupt the Chinese Customs administration.
In this connection, it is recalled that the Shanghai fleet of preventive vessels belonging to the Chinese Maritime Customs and the large dredger belonging to the Whangpoo Conservancy Board were recently seized by tie Japanese authorities in Shanghai.
In view of the international character of the Chinese Maritime Customs and the fact that the Customs revenue serves as security for widely-distributed loans. as well as for payment of the Boxer Indemnity. this action is viewed with some apprehension in many quarters. But it is thought that the action of the Japanese authorities in Shanghai in taking over the vessels is purely temporary measure. and that it is most unlikely that any further steps will be taken to disrupt this important service, or to divert the revenue which it collects from the service of the loans to which it is pledged.
The Whangpoo Conservancy Board, whose dredger has been seized. is an Organization governed fy international agreements signed in 1905 and 1912. The duties of the Board include maintenance of the navigability of the Whangpoo River. a matter which is of great interest to all maritime nations.
Japan was a party to the inter-rational agreements of 1905 and 1912.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.