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COPY.
252
0.1651.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sirs
Hongkong, 27th. September, 1899.
I am directed by His Txcellency the Governor to inform you that the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce have addressed him on the subject of the present unsettled state of affairs in the West River district. Before forwarding their letter however to H.'s Minister rt Peking and to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, His Excellency is anxious to know the exect frots as regards our rights under the Inland Stoom Navigation rules.
1. Cari a foreign-owned steamship obtain a licence to ply for passengers only, or for passengers and goods cargo, to non-treaty ports on the West River?
2. If so, will such a licence permit her to trade with all non-treaty ports on the river, passing by the treaty portr
en route?
3.
4.
If not, is a steaner licensed at Canton confined to
non-treaty ports between that port and the next treaty port? Or
Can the same steamer, starting from Canton, obicin
separate licences for the other treaty ports enabling her to
crll at non-treaty ports in the district between that, and the
next port?
5. As His Excellency is anxious to obtain this infor-
mike
etion so as to enable him to invite by Saturday's mail, the
questions have been numbered; and I am directed to ask you
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul,
CANTO N.
10