238
(1)
4. On the 28th November last a copy of the first draft
of the proposed agreement was, after semi-offici al
consultation with your department, communicated to the
Chairman of the China Association and the subsequent
telegraphic correspondence between the Association and the
Chambers of Commerce in Hongkong and Shanghai form the sub-
enclosures to Enclosure No. 2 transmitted herein. It will
be observed that while the Chima Association is strongly
impressed with the necessity for concluding the agreement
without insisting on the inland water privileges claimed
for British vessels under Article V, the merchants in
Hongkong and Shanghai, with, however, the important exception
in the latter place of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire and
Dodwell and Company, Limited, fear that the deletion or
modi fi cation of Article V may operate as a dangerous precedent
for the withdrawal in future of inland water navigation and
coasting trade privileges from British vessels. The telegram
forming Enclosure No. 4 herein further shows that they think
it may be difficult for the Hongkong Government to recede from
the position which they have taken up.
(51)on
628474/29
5.
sir M. Lampson's views are contained in his despatch
No. 1488 of October 11th, copy of which was communicated to
the Colonial office in Foreign Offi ce letter F 6649/52/10
of the 10th January, in his telegram of the 9th December,
copy of which was communicated to the Colonial office in
Foreign office letter F 6445/52/10 of the 23rd December and
in his further telegram of the 2nd January forming Enclosure
No. 3 herein. Sir M. Lampson believes that it is impossible
for the Chinese Government to accept Article V as it stands.
He