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7 2495/72/10
Sir M. Lapson,
Peking.
end to
3
sir.
June,
48
With reference to your despatch No.238
(2/75 ) of the 15th February, enclosing copy
of a Hote from the Chinese Minister for Foreign
Affaire relative to the sinking of the s. 8.
"Irene" in Bias Bay, I transmit to you, here-
with, a draft of the Note which you should hund
to Dr. Vang in reply to his communication of the
23rd January last. The draft has been pre-
pared in consultation with the admiralty and the
Colonial Office.
I authorise you to introduse into the
enclosed draft such amendments, whether addi-
tions, alterations, or omissions, as you may
consider to be desirable on general political
grounds at the time of the presentation of your
reply. You may also explain orally to Dr.kang
on that occasion, should you consider it
desirable and expedient so to do, that while it
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