893.51/4457
The British Chargé ( Chilton ) to the Secretary of State
Sir: With reference to my note No. 1066 of today’s date,17 in which I had the honour to communicate to you the translation of an identic telegram in French which the American, Belgian, British, Dutch, French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish representatives at Peking agreed on December 6th to send to their respective governments,18 I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty’s Government have telegraphed to their Representative at Peking stating that in their opinion the embargo on customs funds being so drastic a measure they feel strongly that it should be reserved for emergencies when important political issues or safety of foreign lives and property are involved, and they consider that to resort to such a step in order to enforce credit claims of individual powers would create a most dangerous precedent.
His Majesty’s Government have informed Sir R. Macleay19 that they are of opinion that the present issue is a purely legal one regarding the interpretation of the 1901 Protocol and, while they think that the French contention is correct, the case seems entirely suitable for submission either to the Hague Tribunal or to some agreed arbitrator.
His Majesty’s Minister at Peking has therefore been instructed to put this proposal before the Diplomatic Body in that City with a view to its communication to the Chinese Government, making it clear that His Majesty’s Government cannot agree to the suggested embargo.
I have [etc.]