80717.)
No. 409.
opy to India,
Sir,
CO
53001
Race
Rraf 1 NOV 18
BRITISH LEGATION,
PEKING.
September 2nd, 1918.
511
I have the honour to enclose copy of two despatches from His Majesty's Consul-Ceneral at Yunnanfu, informing me that a party of American engineers under the leadership of Mr. Finch of the "New York Orient Mines Company" is visit- ing Western Yunn an.
I understand that Mr. Finch is the representative of strong financial interests in America, including the houses of W.B. Thompson and D.C. Jackling, both of whom control ex- tensive copper interests,
The value of the copper, silver and coal deposits in the Tengyueh Consular District is known to the Government of India. In view of their proximity to the Burma frontier, and the possibility that the opening of mines might create trouble at any time in the tribal country, it appears desirable that any mining development in this area should be conducted by British enterprise either independently or in cooperation with American interests.
In addition to the study of mining conditions it would appear that the party is interested in the construction of motor roads or railways in Western Yunnan.
I have the honour, etc.,
(Signed.) J.N. Jordan.
Right Honourable,
A.J. Balfour, Q.M.,M.P.,
etc.,
etc., etc.,
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