CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 423

at Shanghai July 11th 1896. The Hongkong Chamber of

Commerce protested to this Office against the raising

of telegraphic rates which ensued, and their protest

was referred to the General Post Office. The Foreign

Office reply (December 14th 1896) was communicated to

Peking and to the China Association.

A Declaration between the Chinese Administration

and the Companies was signed on May 13th 1897. The

India Office and General Post Office were informed.

In 1899 the Companies were contemplating the

addition of an appendix to the Joint Purse Agreement

of 1896. This Office consulted the General Post

Office who suggested that in view of the wide scope

which it might be desirable to give to these negotia-

tions, the Colonial Office should be consulted.

was done (September 7th)..

This do

34088-94

bonara

The Colonial Office suggested conditions for His

Majesty's Government's support, and (February 23rd 1900) 19344

complained that the Foreign Office had not referred

4.0.

Cam4

to these suggestions in their correspondence with the

Eastern Extension Company.

The Foreign Office reply to the Company explaining

upon what terms their request for support could be com-

plied

420

Fo

7903

Canada.

Freas. 20731

complied with was dated March 3rd, 1900 and copies

were sent on March 12th to Treasury, Colonial Office

and General Post Office.

On August 4th and October 27th of the same year Agreements were concluded between the Companies and the Chinese Administration; they are quoted in an

Agreement for the provision of a cable between Chefoo

and Wei-hai-wel which His Majesty's Government made with

the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company on April ́23rd

1901, and of which the Colonial Office were possibly

notified by the Treasury, who signed it on behalf of

His Majesty's Government.

In 1902 there was considerable private correspon-

dence between the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company

and the Foreign Office respecting new Agreements. Two

were signed October 22nd and October 23rd. The General

Post Office was informed.

The Foreign Office correspondence does not show

whether the Colonial Office had cognizance of these

Agreements.

Owing to the operations of other Telegraph Compan-

ies, the working of the Agreement of 1896 became im- practicable