Stubbs
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C. O.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
223319
304
RECR
SECTION 1.
REC 23 JUN 041
No. 1.
Sir,
China Association to Foreign Office.(Received May 19.)
159, Cannon Street, London, May 18, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a telegram received from the Shanghae Committee of this Association about the Conservancy of the Whangpo. This was read at a meeting of the General Committee, held on the 17th instant, and its terms at once commended themselves to each member present as being the best solution yet proposed, or likely to be proposed, of this difficult and important question. The Committee, therefore, concur with the Shanghae Branch in their desire to press upon His Majesty's Government the advisability of adopting the scheme suggested in the telegram.
The proposal appears to overcome many of the difficulties and disadvantages which were inherent in any possible Board of Conservancy consisting of representatives of various nationalities. This Association anticipates no difficulty as likely to arise in the adoption of this scheme, and have confidence in saying that British interests would receive greater recognition in this way than they would under any Conservancy Board.
I have, &c. (Signed)
JOSEPH WELCH,
Hon. Secretary.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Copy of Telegram received from Shanghae Branch to China Association.
Shanghae, May 16, 1904,
ADVISE China Association from China Association -- "Provided that efficient guarantees obtained we support Chinese Viceroy, Nanking, proposal Chinese Imperial Government undertake River Conservancy through Chinese Customs. This is original suggestion, and manifestly preferable to International Board. We have addressed Shanghae authorities here.'
[1989 -1]