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British Postal Agencies unless they were assured before- hand that the control of the Chinese Postal service would
be left in the hands of its foreign chief in a manner
similar to that of the Maritime Customs.
By a despatch dated May 3rd 1917 Mr. Alston was authorized to make a communication to the Chinese Govern-
ment in the sense he had suggested and to support his French colleague in any representations he might make on
the subject.
I am to add that Monsieur Picard Destelan has
been appointed to the substantive post of Co-Director of the Chinese Postal Service, in succession to Monsieur
Piry on the latter's retirement from the service, and that
since Monsieur Picard Destelan's appointment an agreement
has been come to whereby the foreign control of the
Chinese Postal Department is established on clearly
defined lines.
I am,
sir.
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
WRanchy
!