CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2] — Page 458

44

45

conditions this non-acceptance of codo messages is a great hindrance to the revival of trade.

It would appear that if code addresses were first registered by local firms at the Consulate-General and transmitted by you to the Government, and then all telegrams to be despatched visèd by your Office this course could not prejudice Imperial interests. If considered necessary firms might be bound under a substantial security or even a cash guarantee.

My committee feel assured that with these safeguards code telegraphy might be again allowed, and in asking your good offices in representing this matter to His Majesty's Minister they feel that its importance is such as to warrant their approaching you once more.

Sir E. D. H. Fraser, K.C.M.G.,

I have, &c, (Signed) H. A. J. MACRAY,

H.M. Consul-General, Shanghai.

Vice-Chairman.

SIR,

Sir E. D. H. Fraser to China Association, Shanghai.

H.B.M. Consulate-General,

Shanghai, October 31st, 1914,

With reference to your letter of the 29th October on the subject of the non- acceptance of code messages, I am in receipt, this morning, of a telegram from the Foreign Office to the effect that the prohibition against the use of codes will be relaxed for the following codes:—

A.B.C. 5th Edition;

Scotts Vickers, 10th edition; Western Union Code; Lieber's Code;

This relaxation will take effect from November 1st. In all cases the code used must be indicated.

It should be noted that messages in private codes or in any other codes than those mentioned above will be stopped.

DEAR SIR,

China Association, Shanghai, to General Committee.

China Association,

Shanghai, 16th November, 1914.

From the copies of letter enclosed and those forwarded last week you will see that this Branch, in conjunction with Tientsin, has been trying to obtain some relaxation of the restrictions imposed by Government with regard to code telegraphy.

As pointed out in the correspondence, with certain safeguards, there would appear no reason why British commercial communities should be debarred from using private code telegrams, and my Committee cannot see that Imperial interests would be prejudiced in any way.

It is hoped that the London Committee will take the question up with the Foreign Office, as its importance is such as to warrant all efforts being made to bring about the desired end.

I am, &c.,

H. C. Wilcox, Esq.,

L. E. CANNING,

Secretary, China Association, London.

Secretary.

I am, &c.,

H. A. J. Macray, Esq., Vice-Chairman,

China Association, Shanghai,

(Signed) E. D. H. FRASER,

Consul-General,

SIB,

China Association, Shanghai, to H.B.M. Acting Consul-General.

China Association, Shanghai, 10th November, 1914.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of Sir Everard Fraser's letter of the 31st October, on the subject of code telegrams, and my Committee, while greatly appreciating the relaxation shown with regard to the four codes mentioned therein, beg to point out that they are still of opinion that with the suggested safeguards mentioned in the Association's former letter there would be no question of prejudicing Imperial interests.

Perhaps it might be pointed out that this Port is the main distributing centre of the Trade of China, which also has its full bearing on Shipping and Insurance Companies, and it consequently may not be considered out of place to emphasise that the codes now allowed are mostly unsuited for the various interests involved, and it

455