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We could wish that Mr. Maze had not accepted this

form of words. The magnificent record of the Customs service in the interests of China should have been a good enough weapon to ward off such an indignity. We do not sup- pose that Mr. Maze will ever be. condemned, through no fault of his own, to prolonged strangulation or any other choice Chinese style of execution, but it is always desir- able to observe a principle in these matters of ceremony which are international in effect. &principle was stoutly insisted upon by Lord Macartney .during his famous mission to Peking in 1792. As an Englishman he refused to prostrate himself before the Emperor in Chineie fashion, and events.proVed that his mission suffered not " at all. * * * *

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