HERTIAL.
167
FORZIGN UPFIJE S.V.I.
January
*1921.
Sir,
I am directed by sarl Curzon of Kedleston to transmit for the consideration of the Postmaster General copy of a letter which has been received from Sir John Denison Pender relative to certain proposals made by the Chinese Telegraph Administration, through their adviser, Mr. Fricksen, to the Eastern xtension Telegraph Company, with the object of increasing cable facilities alon; the Chinese coast.
2. The essential feature of these nronosals is that the astern tension and Great Northern Companies shall - furnish the Chinese Goverment, with a further loan of at least £1,500,000 at 5%, in consideration for which the Jompanies' agreements with the Chinese Telegraph Administra- tion would be extended and the existing monopoly in China would be continued for another 20 years beyond the present term, 1930. Linked with this there are two projects which are under the consideration of the companies and the Administration (1) the laying of a triplicate cable between Hongkong and Shanghai which would, in addition to connecting the treaty ports of Amoy and roochow en route, also land at Swatow, where there has long been a demand for
and (2) the cable communication with the outer world; laying of a duplicate cable between Shanghai and Chafoo, in which the companies have been asked to assist, the cable itself having been contracted for in Japan.
ecretary
3......
o the Post Office.