CO129-464 - Public Offices - 1920 — Page 501

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PARAPHRASE OF ISLEGRAM UNKUMBAR D

DATED JULY S76, PROM MA, CLIVE (PEKING)

CONFIDENTIAL.

With reference to despatch No. 217 from you and your telegram No. 212.

I am of opinion, after making enquiries on the subject, that one may with safety take it for granted that vessels mentioned in telegram No. 116 from Peking were never sent.

If I may have authorization to approach Chinese Government on the subject of lighting reefs I think it quite likely they will undertake the work and thus the question of sovereignty:will be most easily settled. Maritime Customs would then be responsible and the undertaking could be accomplished fairly soon and with- out arousing suspicion.

I will not discuss matter even in confidence with A/Insp, General of Customs until I hear further from you.