Inspector General Of Customs Engelhard Joint Recall Events Discussed

At the early stage of the Republic of China, the country failed into divisions, but the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, being controlled by foreigners, remained complete due to the protection of the Powers. As a result, the Customs relied heavily on the Powers' China policies. After "the May 30 Incident", especially after the Northern Expedition, the Powers changed their China policies. Facing the rise of Chinese Nationalism, they refrained from using force in China. The Customs then lost its old base. In the second half of 1926, the Canton Government took the lead to levy the Customs Surtax, which put F. Aglen, the Inspector General of the Customs, in disadvantage. The Powers reacted differently to the action of the Canton Government, but they all agreed that forces should not be used for it. Thanks for the pattern of the levy-the Canton Government set up its own organization to levy the Surtax instead of levying through the Customs-Aglen got through the crisis in spite of some damages on the Customs. However, the Beijing Government threw Aglen into greater difficulties by ordering the Customs to levy the Surtax in fear of the robbery of Surtax proceeds by local warlords. To avoid conflict with Japan and local warlords, and threatened by the Canton Government that they would take over the Customs branches on the area controlled by them if the Customs levy for Beijing Government, Aglen decided to resisted the order from Beijing Government. Due to the great interests, backup from Zhangzuolin, and the strained relation between Aglen and Beijing Government because of Aglen's domestic loan policy, Beijing Government dismissed powerful Aglen of his duty as the Inspector General of the Chinese Customs Service. Under the pressure of the Powers Beijing Government at last gave up the order that the Customs levy the Surtax, but the dismissal of Aglen was unchangeable. Aglen was dismissed mainly because of the swift development of the situation and the difficult circumstances he was trapped, while his improper policies and characteristic deficiencies speeded his downfall.