FO371-46257 — Page 145

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COPY

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MESSAGE

TOP SECRET

1508442 October

Date 17.10.45. Recd. 1045.

From M.W.T.R. South China.

I.D.C.

130

IN

Addressed B.C.S. Shanghai for M.W.T.R. (MAST 11)

M. of W. T. London (MAST 51) (Your

Info:

GUARD

MAST 10), Embassy Chungking (MAST 9).

Your NORTH MAST 8 to London.

(1) We will sail the SAMSETTE and SAMALAMU promptly for Chingwangtao. SAMSETTE to load for Shanghai and the SAMALAMU for Hong Kong. /Authorities here will endeavour to help Canton out of this supply 7. Other ships would follow on the same basis but we require information and assurances on the following points:

(A) Number of effective loading berths

(B) That there will be an agency organization to look after the ships and arrange stevedorage

(0)

despatch.

That labour and loading facilities are available to give prompt

(D)

That the coal is actually in the port and available for loading.

(E)

That funds will be available for any disbursements.

2.

I do not repeat not like the suggestion in your paragraph 3 as I feel thất any charter should be arranged direct with the Power Company or other commercial concern on behalf of consumers but this is of course for London to decide. In my own view we must endeavour to avoid a precedent whereby British ships are chartered directly to Chinese Government.

3.

SAMSETTE SAMALAMU are at present on sea transport service.

40

Agreed D.S.T.0. Hong Kong. Civil affairs please show to Price on arrival.

1508442

Note portion marked / - / is as received and check has been requested.

Sir C. Hurcomb.

Sir G. Jenkins.

Mr. F.A. Griffiths.

Mr. E.M. Nicholson. D.O.S.T.

Mr. H.G. McDavid. Mr. B.E. Bellamy.

Sir W. Currie (2) Sir C. Fisher. Mr. J.G. Simon. Mr. R.J. Sharp. Mr. M.Y. Fiennes. Gen'l R.C. Money. Mr. C.T. Whyman.

W.T.R.(6)

F.S.R. (4)

Mr. G.P. Christopher. Mr. W. Graham (2)

Mr. R.B.L. Hill. Mr. C.F. Brown. Mr. A.G. Pockett.

Mr. A.M. Rake.

P (0) (3)

Mr. D.G. Ferguson. Coal Div. (5)

Allocation Branch (6) Mr. S.W. Hill.

E/IA (6) Mr. P. Carden.

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