Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.
(Mr. Rockhill reports that, notwithstanding constant pressure, he is still unable to get the Chinese Government to fix the date of opening customs at Antung or to take any action whatsoever looking to the establishment of customs anywhere in Manchuria; states that on the preceding Monday the British chargé d’affaires, by order of his Government, informed the Chinese Government that Newchwang should be made a free port until customs are established at all other localities in Manchuria. Mr. Rockhill inquires whether he shall make a similar demand. Little disposition to take action is being shown by the Chinese Government. Japan will not allow customs at Tarien unless they are established simultaneously on the frontier of Russia. Information has been received by Mr. Rockhill that the matter has not even been broached as yet to the Russian legation by the Chinese Government.)