CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 259

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C. C. 10039

CHINA ASSOCIATION, 3 PR 02

159, CANNON STREET,

E. C.

March 26th 1902.

257

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt

of your letter of the 15th instant, asking for the opinion of this Association with regard to the ques- tion of the extension of British Postal Agencies in China, and enclosing a despatch from Sir E. Satow, giving his views on the subject.

The matter has been brought before the General Committee of this Association and the opinion is

held that the establishment of Post Offices in China

should be regarded as the prerogative of the Chinese Government and not as a right to be exercised by Foreign Powers having relations with that country. In the early days of intercourse Post Offices under Foreign control at the open ports were neces- sary, and they have been continued, but the estab-

lishment

ty's Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Affairs,

Foreign Office.

But