Sir:-
FOREIGN OFFICE,
September 21st, 1906.
With reference to the letter from this Office of the 3rd instant on the subject of the prevention of piracy on the waterways in the neighbourhood of Canton, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that a copy of your letter of July 28th has been forwarded to His Majesty's Representative at Peking who has been authorized, should he see no objection, to suggest to the Chinese Government, as proposed by the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, that the policing of the waterways above-mentioned should be entrusted to European officers. On the receipt of Sir J. Jordan's reply, a further communication will be addressed to you on this point.
I am at the same time to inform you that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to whom the suggestions for the protection of the riverine trade,
The Chairman,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong.