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20905
PEKING. 9th June 03. 9th April, 1903.
147
My Lord:-
I have the honour to enclose a translation of a despatch received from the Board of Foreign Affairs by the United States Minister, the doyen of the Diplomatic Body, and circulated by him to his colleagues, inviting the Foreign Representatives to move their Governments to close the foreign Post Offices now established in China, and meanwhile to give facilities for the Customs examination of parcels received through these foreign offices.
At the Doyen's suggestion, each Legation is sending a separate answer to this request, and in my own reply I have confined myself to an intimation that I will transmit the despatch to Your Lordship and acquaint the Board with such instructions as I may receive. I believe that the other Legations concerned are answering in the same sense.
I have, &c., (signed) Walter Townley.
The Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G., &c., &c., &c.