611.
2343/181/10).
IDENTIAL.
251
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
July 2nd, 1921.
Siz:-
As you are aware from the printed copies of correspondence that have been forwarded to you in the regular print series, discussions have been proceeding with the Eastern Extension
Tele rash Company with regard to the prolongation of their rights
and those of the Great Northern Telegraph Company in China. Additional copies of the correspondence are enclosed for
convenience of reference.
2.
On October 22nd, 1920, the Company first raised the question in connection with certain overtures made to them by the Adviser of the Chinese Telegraph Administration. These included, amongst other items, a suggested loan to the Chinese Telegraph Administration in conaideration for which the Chinese Government were to extend the existing agreements with the Cable Companies for an additional twenty years beyond 1930, the date on which they would otherwise expire.
3.
It was soon after this that there occurred a clash between
British and American wireless interests in China. Into this matter it is unnecessary on the present occasion to go beyond noting that the Cable Companies were interested in virtue of their monopoly of all external telegraphic communication with China under their agreement of December 22nd, 1913. With a view to rendering a solution of that particular problem easier, it was
put/
Bir B. F.Aleton,K,C.K.G., C.B.,
&c.