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Mr. G. G. O'Brien,
European Manager,
623
New York, July 13th 1917.
28, Charles Street,
Haymarket, S.W.1.
GOLD SHIPMENTS GEN. # 261
Some time ago we received a letter from Foreign Agent Ellis advising that in the past he had had several very nice ship- ments of gold coin from local Chinese residents in San Francisco to certain Chinese firms in Hong Kong.
The exchange conditions were favorable for the movement of gold and by consolidating a number of small shipments Mr. Ellis was able to secure rates under the steamship company's graduated scale which made it possible to secure a very satisfactory profit on the traffic.
Some months ago, however, he received advice from Hong Kong that the British Authorities were oppsed to the movement of this gold coin and our Agent at Hong Kong, Mr. Webb, does not there- fore wish to handle any more of it. We understand that the banks have been similarly notified.
re-
The shipments ranged from small lots of American gold coin of $500.00 up to as much as $5000.00 or $10000.00. They present the collective saving of a great many of the Chinese residents on the Pacific Coast and they are consigned to one Chinese or a firm in Hong Kong who is charged with a distribution of the money to the various relatives of the senders.
An interesting part of the traffic and one which indicates very clearly its nature is a fact that only the old style gold coin of United States issue are shipped. TheChinese in San Francisco bring in bank notes, silver, new gold coin, etc. and secure in exchange the old style twenties, tens and fives, because the people to whom the money is destined are familiar with the old coinage but do not know the new
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I have solicitated from Mr. Ellis a report as to his operation in connection with this business a copy of whibh I attach hereto. Will you please take this matter up with the Authorities of the War Trade Department in London or such other Department as may be in control and either secure a license for the continuance of the traffic or advise us where we can secure such a license. We are quite anxious to continue the traffic as it is a personal convenience to many of our Chinese clients on the Pacific Coast. At the same time we are unwilling to do anything which should bring us into conflict with the British Authorities at Hong Kong. We believe that by presenting the case about as we have given it that the Authorities will view it as small matter of non-commercial nature and we hope you can secure the necessary authority.
(Signed) BATES WYMAN
Gen. For. Traffic Agent.
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