1
2 -
ཞིགས་
will object on the grounds that the money received for these ships will be used by China to further the present warlike resistance, the answer seems to be that the greater part of the money will be subject to a Trust and that, for the balance, the amount is slight.
We have the honour to remark that the four Hais are excellently built, are very cheap at the price and present a real opportunity for a British shipping Company to acquire tonnage eminently suitable for the China Coast.
In considering a possible sale of these ships by the British Boxer Indemnity Trustees to a British Shipping Company it is as well to bear in mind the fact that they were financed out of the remitted funds from the British Boxer Indemnity, that the China Merchants have for the last two or three years defaulted on their loan obligations to the British Boxer Indemnity Trustees and hat the present proposal is inspired by the desire on the part of the Trustees to protect monies entrusted to them for the ultimate cultural development of China.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servants,
(sd) Jardine Matheson & Co. Ltd.
Hon. Mr. R. A. C. North, Colonial Secretary, HONG KONG.
4 END