Confidential.
Shanghai Office of the Inspectorate general of Customs.
21, Hart Road,
69
Shanghai. 11th November,1930
Dear Sir Miles,
I acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letters
dated 15th and 22nd ultimo.
In regard to the Tientsin Commissionership, the fact
that I proposed Lawford for the post indicates that I share
your view that it is desirable to have an Englishman there.
But a hitch occurred; Marshal Chang did not know Lawford,
but he knew of de Luca, whose brother was Commissioner in
Harbin in his father's time. In these circumstances he
hinted that de Luca would be acceptable, and I formed the
opinion that it would be impolitic for me to contest the
point.
My mission to Hongkong was entirely satisfactory, and
Sirillian vel and I are now in complete agreement respect-
ing the terms of the proposed Convention. I am endeavouring
to secure Nanking's approval, and I have reason to believe
that they, too, ar sati: fied! The question of the form
of the Agreement has arisen, and it seems that three proposals
concerning the signatories have been examined, viz.:
To be signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs (Dr. C.T.
Wang) and British Minister; or by Britisn Minister and
Inspector General of Customs (representing Chinese Gov-
ernment); or by the Governor of Hongkong and Insector
General.
It seems that Nanking prefer not to give the Agreement the
status of a Treaty, and desire to follow the precedents of
the Tsingtao and Dairen Customs' Agreements. This being
so, they are inclined to favour the latter plan - 1.0.
Governor and Inspector General to sign.
Excellency,
· Miles W. Lampson, K.C.M.G., C.B., M.V.O.,
Yours sincerely,
(SGD)
P.W. MAZE.
tc.,
Peking.
etc.,
etc.