429
allended with
Walker, it would necessarily be
many dangers and difficulties - our experience of floating stations even in time of peace being rry unsatisfactory - and might involve the violation of our Concessions from the French Government; in which case our subsidies and traffic from bochin China would be forfeited amounting to about £20,000 per annum. Under these circumstances the Company could only remove the Cables from Cape St James at the special request of, and upon indemnification by. Her Majesty's Government..
At the same time I would observe that the value of re- -liable telegraphic communication entirely in British hands between Great Britain and her valuable Colony of Hongkong is, in my opinion, as important both politically and com- -mercially in time of peace as in time
and considering
of war,
2
the
large
British interests involved it is a serious.
question for the Government to consider whether the present, is not the time to respond to the Colom's appeal for a direct Submarine Cable with Singapore.
Since
receiving
the letters
under reply the Company's Agent at HongKong has telegraphed that the matter is still engaging the attention of some of the leading men of the Colemy. who name £5,000 as a
as a possible yearly contribution on the part of Hongkong towards the object in vier. This amount
the
is however so far short of the estimated annual cost of the bable, namely, £30.000 that imless the Imperial Government, with possibly the assistance of Singapore, can see their way to make up Subsidy of £20,000 asked for by the Company, it will be impossible for us to move further in the matter.
I have the honor to be
Your most
Sir.
obedienty servant
John Vander
Chairman