:
423
Newspaper, who had been discussing with Mr. Wen, one of the
Viceroy's Secretaries, this matter of the coal seizure,
which was one that had created some interest in the Colony,
came to me to enquire if I had any objection to Mr. Fung
and Mr. Kwang going with him to Canton to meet the
Secretaries and reply to certain questions put to them
in the presence of the Consul-General. He had grounds for
believing that an arrangement might be thus come to closing
the incident which was much harassing the Viceroy. I had
no objection provided Fung and Kwang were willing to go
and provided the Bank's interests were in no way compromis-
-ed.
3.
The meeting was held on the 21st.
and on the evening of that day I received a telegram from
Mr. Scott to the effect that an agreement had been signed
by the Viceroy's three Foreign Secretaries on his behalf
and by Fung whereby the latter agreed to pay within three
months $28,000 due to Chou Tung Shang prior to the seizure
of the coal which the Viceroy undertook to restore
immediately to the Bank.
4.
I telegraphed on the following
day
the 22nd. instant
w
asking if the coal had actually
been