Constructive Scheme in Harmony With Washington Decisions?
Satisfaction in London at Britain Taking the Lead: Other Legations Said to be Dubious Peking, Dec. 19.
Liberal and far-reaching proposals are understood to have been submitted to a meeting of the Diplomatic Corps on Saturday morning, by Mr. O'Malley, the British Charge d'Affaires. They have reference, it is thought, to a new working arrangement with the Canton Government, but this is only surmise, as neither the British nor any other Legation will authorize the publication of any information beyond the bare report of the meeting. The British Legation say. that a statement will probably be issued in London, Unofficial circles are wondering whether this supposed plan, evolved by Mr. Miles Lampson and Mr. Eugene Chen, includes any scheme for the merging of the Canton import taxes in an arrangement for generally implementing the Washington surtaxes under the wegis of the Maritime Customs, for otherwise it is a que to how long the Northern warlords will refrain from following Canton's example of swelling its war chest out of extra import taxation.
Discussions have already take place, and as a preliminary step the Waichiaopu is considering the despatch of a request to the Powers for the resumption of the Tariff Conference.
ENDORSEMENT OF CANTONESE} they suggest international endorse-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.