My Lord:-
C. O.
1 12015163
BRITISH LEGATION, PEKING,
d C APR 04!
2nd February, 1904.
I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I have received a letter from the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, urging the opening of the port of Nanning to foreign trade.
I do not gather that any considerable commercial development is to be expected from such a step but that it is recommended rather in view of French activity in South China, which it is thought renders the appointment of a British Consular Officer to reside at Nanning desirable.
I beg to state that even should Your Lordship approve such an appointment, there is at present no member of the Consular Service available for the post.
(Signed)
Ernest Satow.
The Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
&c., &c., &c.,
I have, &c.,