File No. 788/19–21.
The Acting Secretary of
State to Minister Rockhill.
Department of State,
Washington, February 8,
1907.
No. 249.]
Sir: I inclose herewith, for your information,
a copy of an instruction which was sent to the consul-general at Mukden,
in answer to his dispatches Nos. 11, 16, and 17 of December 4, 23, and
27 last, respectively, in regard to the proposal of the Chinese
authorities to impose an inland tax upon American goods under the guise
of a consumption tax, and touching upon the conditions of the opening of
Antung, Mukden, and Tatungkou.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
The Third Assistant Secretary
of State to Consul-General Straight.
Department of State,
Washington, February 7,
1907.
No. 10, Consular.]
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your interesting dispatches Nos. 11, 16, and 17, of December 4, 23,
and 27, 1906, setting forth the proposal of the Chinese authorities
to impose an inland tax upon American goods under the guise of a
consumption tax, and touching upon the conditions of the opening of
Antung, Mukden, and Tatungkou, questions which for purposes of
negotiations the Chinese would seem inclined to treat as related
ones.
The department approves of your vigorous opposition to this attempt
to revive the likin under another name.
As to the opening of cities in Manchuria under the treaties of 1903,
particularly the opening of Mukden and Antung in accordance with our
treaty, you will continue to insist upon the faithful execution of
Article 12. This Government considers that under that article the
cities in question are open in their entirety and that American
residence therein is to be free and unlimited. This point is
regarded as one of the first importance. The international
settlements contemplated by Article 12 would seem less essential and
the exercise of the right to establish such settlements might
perhaps safely be held in abeyance until the conditions might make
international settlements desirable in the interest of American
trade.
In dealing with these political questions you will, of course,
continue to keep yourself in the closest touch with the
legation.
I am, etc.,
