Arendt to The undersigned has the honor to inform His Imperial Highness the Prince Kung and their Excellencies the, February 15, 1882
Memorandum of a conversation had by Mr. Arendt with His Excellency Wang, the only minister present at the Tsungli Yamên, on February 15, 1882.
I. What do the characters tsze hsiang “this class” of uncertificated produce mean?
Wang. The words “this class” have no special meaning; they might as well be omitted; uncertificated produce, generally speaking, is meant.
I. But as you write “this class,” this might seem to imply that there is also “that class.”
Wang. * * * We Chinese do not make such nice distinctions. You might, I repeat it, as well omit the words “this class,” without modifying the meaning.
I. Then all uncertificated produce is meant?
Wang. (Looking at the letter after a short interval.) Yes; the uncertificated produce spoken of in the preceding sentences.
I. (Looking at the letter and reading from it.) Ah! I see; the uncertificated produce which has been subjected to a manufacturing process.
Wang. That does not necessarily follow; the uncertificated produce remaining in its original state is meant as well as that which is subjected to a manufacturing process. You must not make such nice distinctions.
I. Very well; I understand now, and believe I have caught your meaning.
The undersigned has the honor to inform His Imperial Highness the Prince Kung and their Excellencies the Ministers of the Tsungli Yamên that he has laid before his colleagues the Yamên’s note dated 29th September, 1881, as well as the other communications exchanged since that date, either verbally or in writing, between the German Legation and the Yamên on the subject of native produce. He has been authorized to state by his colleagues that they cannot but regard the declarations of the Yamên as very unsatisfactory and contrary, as well to the spirit as to the text of the treaties and that while they would be willing to discuss with the Yamên any fair proposal for the treatment of goods not intended for exportation, manufactured at a port from Chinese produce bought there or brought there not under transit pass, they do not feel at liberty to entertain the sweeping propositions of the Zamên, which, if accepted, would place foreign merchants in China in a worse position than Chinese merchants find themselves in any of the countries with which China entertains treaty relations.
The undersigned seizes.