CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 447

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The above 2,945 packages Tea have been sold by us to the Bureau des 4 Syndicats S.S.S., Berne, and the import permit bearing No.3,881 had been duly granted by the S.S.S. and cabled out to Shanghai.

We may mention that Japanese steamers are con- sidered by our Government as a "neutral tonnage", the rates of freight not being under the control of the Allies, and we venture therefore to invoke your kind assistance to make representations at the proper quarters in London to allow the transit of the above Tea to Switzerland, as it is quite out of the question to obtain an import permit for France, as suggested by your Hongkong friends, the import to our country being prohibited.

The goods being already on the way, we would thank you to use your best influence to obtain the permission asked for from your Government.

Thanking you in advance for any steps you may undertake in the matter.

We remain, etc..

etc..

(Sd) MESSRS.CHABRIERES

MOREL & Co.

P.S.