Confidential.
Sir,
698
Foreign Office, December 8, 1899.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copies of a note (as marked in the margin), respecting the exclusion from the scope of the proposed declaration by the Powers concerned as to the maintenance of the open door in their respective spheres of influence in China.
Nov 15,
The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
I am, Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant, Francis Bertie