CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 495

COPY.

Ly No.327

ennett jy 3,1918.

sir,

150171

AM C 1918

48511

REC2

REG 9 OCT 18

491

July 11th., 1916.

In Uctober last the Governor of on kong addressed me in regard to a proposal by a number of British inter- ests, including the .ongkong and Shanghai Bank and Fearre Jardine katheson and Company, to endeavour to obtain some control over the coal deposits of the Canton Province in the interests of hongkong. I have received no information as to the progress of the scheme, and in the present disturbed state of the Province it has probably been difficult to conclude any agreement.

The enclosed letter has now been received from Kr. Foore-Sermatt, „irector of the nglo-Chinese ngi- nsers Association, outlining a somewhat similar scheme for the development of the iron and coal deposits in the basin of the North River and along the coast line

of the Canton Province.

I have been unable to ascertain from r. koore-

Bennett whether he is authorized to mitance any concrete proposal on behalf of fears Bewick Foreing and Coupany

Right honourable A.J. Balfour, U.), „F.P.,

and

eto..

etc.. Foreign office.

etc..