No. 45.
Repres
172
9.0.
0803
Government Hongs.
Hongkong, 29th January, 1902.
L.
You
293
losure
January.
Sir,
With reference to Sir Henry Blake's Despatch No. 261 of the 18th July last regarding the establishment of a French Post Office at Canton, I have the honour to transmit for your information certain correspondence which shows that French postal activity is not limited to that city.
According to the statements made in the letters referred to, arrangements have been made for the opening of a French Post Office at Amoy on the 1st proximo. With regard to the action of the French in endeavouring to obtain the lease of premises on the British Concession without applying for the necessary permission of the British Consul, I have no doubt that Mr. Mansfield has already made representations to the proper quarter. I need hardly say that if this point is yielded without protest a very serious precedent may be established for the future, to the detriment of British interests.
The Postal Agent at Amoy further states that according to a report which has reached him the French Authorities intend, when their Post Office is established, to charge a reduced postage of only 9 cents on foreign letters.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&c.
&c.