Copy of minute by Cameron
in the event of a change taking place
See also 2050
Urup 24/
With regard to the matter under consideration, it appears from a despatch from Lyons, unfortunately not yet received, that there is a difference of opinion between the ranking officer and his subordinate, the Acting Administrator of the Municipal Commission, regarding the difficulty that has arisen.
Should this be brought to the notice of the British Government, it may be anticipated that they will specially communicate with the Department for Foreign Affairs officially, as the Department persists in adhering to the terms of their reply, in which it has been taken that this port should suit a particular purpose and announce that they hold themselves free to negotiate a treaty with the Kingdom of Annam should they think fit at any future date.
Point out to the Governor that under the arrangements contemplated by the British Government, other nations trading in the China seas will actually hold a worse position than Annam were it annexed by France, in that case they could claim the right to trade on equal terms with their own nationals, whereas now a differential duty is levied against all trade introduced through Saigon.
Mr. Cameron believes that this is in the first instance an insertion which has been proposed, that one nation should by treaty forbid another to trade except under certain conditions with the rest of the world.
RM 3/3
Minute in answer to the above affairs.