+
I
.1.
add to waty at
bingy film pie
A
::
that 315
complicate the final financial adjustments; and that,
secrecy was most important in the interests of the
Chinese Goverment; that a reference to the question
had already appeared in the native press and that the
position would become extremely difficult if the negotia-
tions were prematurely disclosed, as prices would
certainly rise. Mr.Lu expressed his satisfaction and
declared that he would lay the facta before the
President on the 24th instant. In reply to his enquiry
as to a general idea of the amount of the stocks and
the sum necessary for redemption, I gave the number of
chosta as between 29,000 and 30,000 and placed the
purchase price approximately at £8,000,000, exclusive
of freight, insurance and other due charges for which
allowance would have to be unde. The stocks had boun
purchased at prices showing marked fluctuations, but I
reminded Mr.Lu that the auction prices were published
figures and that the Chinese oplum representative at
Calcutta was in a position to verify the exact figure for
each consignment. I added that I would instruct Er.
Wilton to into the question of figures with an officer
appointed