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Faraphrase of telegram No. 20 from Sir B. Alston,
Feking, January 16th.
Very Urgent.
Referring to telegram No. 521 from me.
I went to see Minister of Communications and personally
asked him whether the rumour I had heard that Chinese
Government had almost concluded an agreement with an American company by which high-powered wireless stations were to be erected in China by which the question of cable monopoly must eventually be raised, was correct. He begged me not to insist upon an answer to my questiona thereby proving that what I had heard was correct.
He in return asked for what reason I was interested
in the matter and I replied by referring in general terms to Marconi contract of May 24th, 1919 and to negotiations
on the part of Eriksen in London.
It was then stated by Minister that he had no know- ledge that Eriksen had been authorised to negotiate on any matters except the purchase of a gable repair ship
for Chinese Government.
He said with regard to Marconi (Chinese National Wireless Company) rights that he would go into the matter of my claim that negotiations with Americans constituted
breach of former's agreement.
I am communicating with American Legation and entering a formal protest but it seems absolutely necessary for the transfer of Eastern Company's negotiations to
Peking/
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