CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 390

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1154.

689/181/10.)

DENTIAL.

C.O

11484

February 24th, 1921. 29 MAR 21

388

F

143931

917:

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty

to acquaint you that they have had under their consideration your letter T 3166/2670/10 of the 26th January respecting

gable and wireless concessions in China.

2.

It appears evident that unless early and drastic action

is taken by His Majesty's Government to support the British

Companion, the Japanese will soon get a control of all tele-

graphic communications in, and to and from China.

3. In the opinion of the Admiralty such a result would be

vary much to the detrimmt of British military interests,

apart from the commercial aspect of the case. I am accordingl

to request that you will inform the secretary of state for

Foreign Affaire that Their Lordships consider it a matter of

urgent importance that early action should be taken and they

would suggest that the Imperial Communications Committee shoul

be asked to consider it at the earliest opportunity with a

view to representations being made by His Majesty's Government

to the Chinese Government at Pekin, and to carry out

Mr. Clive's proposal quoted in paragraph 23 (s) of your

letter which appears to be the best thing that can be done.

I an, etc.,

(Signed.} V.W. Baddeley,

he wider-veeretary of State,

Foreign Office.

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