CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 195

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ENCLOSURE

C. O.

188

23503

With reference to the Mission of Lord Chartis

Beresford.

to China, this Chamber, haoni - considered the situation, political and commer

cial, wish to record the folowing opinions and

recommendations: –

1 . _ In the interests of Commerce it is vitally necessary

that

the position of the Colency of Hing thing as the natural creblet and focus for the trade of the Seve Kevery provinces should never be lost sight of an considering

sedering any claims to "Epheres of "That may

be put forward. influence that.

the

he future.

either.

or now orin.

2 . - Henghing, through aline of railway, conructing first with leanton and eventualley with Nanthow and her onster relies Wichang and Har

a position to directly tap the very heart of commercial China

Magang,

is in a

estima

3. The trade of Hongthing, now roughlye estiraled at some

گر

may, when the river opened and the railway

fifty millions sterling per annum. "ways of Boush China are

ghaze Valley becomes be expected to expand immensely.

4-

The

it does half-way

An

to the

accomplished fact, reasonably

geographient situation of Hongthing, lying half way between India and Japan, on the very borders of one of the most populons promnices of Chima

and at the mouth of one of the greatest systems of iritand Navigation in Asia, is of supreme miportance to British

Frade

any scheme or policy that loves ever partial sight of it unique advantages ought not to commend Etself to the attention of the British Government

and

5 . _ That ; Mowever important the trade of the United Mirigdoms