C.O.
9423
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Governo
Po 22 1890s
to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
(Received Colonial Office 3.50 p.m. 22nd February '18).
Gio 8J149
264
With reference to your despatch November
9th, 1916 Confidential am informed by His Majesty's Minister at Pekin that Chinese Government wishes to add to article 5 following section to be
marked (g) "Steam launches plying between Hong Kong and various ports in Canton province not open to trade shall receive and convey gratis mail matter issued or
addressed to Chinese Post Offices. Other mail matter
shall not be conveyed by them. British vessels accord- ed the privilege of plying in inland waters (in the Canton delta) shall accept and carry all mails either originating at Chinese Post Offices or consigned to
them, and shall carry no other mails to or from places
in such waters". Effect of above addition is to pre-
clude the sending of mails not addressed to Chinese Post Office to a non-treaty port. Government of Hong Kong has no objection to proposal. I shall be obliged if the Foreign Office may be informed as above.
MAY.