The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-11-26
CHINESE DELEGATE
ASKS POWERS FOR
TARIFF AUTONOMY
Deplores Foreign Control
Enforced at Gums
Muzzle."
Continued from Pogo oms.

China was forced to lease Kiaochao
to. Germany. A few weeks after
wards she was forced to lease Port
Arthur to Russia, France received
kwangchao-wan and Great Britain
took weihaiwei. all within q few
weeks. Italy made demands. but
China dared refuse them. All that
tho United States demanded. not Of
China. but of the powers who were
despoiling her. was the recognition
OF the open-door policy which Sec
rotary Hay announced in 1899. None
of these seizures of Chinese ter
ritory was the result OF the Boxer
troubles. but each was, on the con-
trary. one Of. the causes . Of this
anti-foreign movement which broke
out in 1900.
The control Of the customs duties
Is one Of the usual functions of q
sovereign state. and in practically
every country it Is recognized as the
natural method, not only of regu-
latins its foreign commerce, but Of
obtaining revenue for the central
government In the UnitedE States
the tariff is regarded as of such
vital Importance. to this country,
that 1t has been the main campaign
Issue between the two great polit-
ical parties.
Tends Toward Federation.
The political development in
China, as far as the central gov
eminent is concerned. Is gradually.
despite serious hapdicaps tending
toward a federation of the provinces.
"China's tariff is a fiat one of 5 per
cent on Injuries and necessities
alike. either going in or coming out.
Under the generally accepted inter-
probation of the most IN
clause In dealing with China. every
foreign nation with whom she has
treaty relations enjoys the benefit
of this per cent tariff without any
concessions in favor OF China.
Though there are luxuries. or
other articles. the import Of which
China wishes to tax high for reve-
nue. purposes or discourage for eco
nomic. or sanitary reasons or for
consideration of public morality
she is quite powerless to increas Sc
the import duty. Tobacco, for in
per cent in China and 355 per cent
In apan.
The import duty on spirits in
England before the war was about
$37s a gallon, while in China II
was 3 cents. In Japan in 1914 1t was
S2.50 a gallon.
Not for .Protection.,
The Chinese government does
not intend to adopt a system Of pro-
tective tariff nor to overtax trade
but simply demand the revision OF
the present tariff because it is un-
fair. unscientific, out of date and
needs.
1--WE make an appeal for tariff
autonomy: for the restitution of our
tariff rights taken from us more
than half a century ago at the guns
muzzle. and under totally dineren,
conditions. We make the appeal
not alone on grounds of justice OF
international equity, but on the
more material ground OF enliGht-
ened mutual self-interest We dc
not ask for the return uncondition-
ally, but conditioned on every rea-
sonable and practicable stipulation
necessary to safeguard the financial
obligations, which are due you by
treaty provisions.
I'VE shall abolish the vexatious
internal likin tax, which is as
detrimental to the foreigner as to
the Chinese.
The government of China Is
poor and weak. 1t should and
shall be strong. Although poor
China does not come to you a beg
gar pleading poverty as an ex-
cuse to repudiate debts. however
onerous, or even unjust in their
origin. Reputation of debts is
something foreign to the Chinese
character. We ask in the name OF
Justice and Of fair business dealing
for the right to make full use OF
the usual. practical. most efficien,
and only safe way for the Chinese
government to repay these obliga-
tons. Return to US our tariff au-
tonomy and we bind the Chinese
government, we pledge the Chinese
nation, to repay in full and on each
date due every foreign obligation
for which our customs revenue now
stands hypothecated,"