Sm,—The attention of this Chamber has been directed to sistent rumours of a posed Convention between the existing Telegraph Companies and the Chinese Authorities javing for its object the maintenance of the present telegraphic rates charged for messages to Europe, and virtually giving to these Companies the monopoly of all telegraphic communication between foreign countries and China.
Application was made in the first instance to the Doyen of the Ministerial Body at Peking, in November 1887, when the rumour first gained ground, but no satisfactory reply was received, and' the matter remained in abeyance until March, 1888, when the rumour recurred, and in accordance with the suggestion contained in the Doyen's Despatch, the Chairman of the Chamber wrote unofliciall to His Bxcellency asking as to the truth of the rumours, who replied that he was hot sufficiently informed of the point reached in the negociations between the Chinese Authorities and the amalgamated Cable Companies to be able to give reliable information on the subject.
The rumours were again repeated in October last year, when the Chamber addressed the then Doyen of the Diplomatic Body, Colonel Denby, ut Peking, on the subj ed for reply that the Chamber tion had been laid before the Ministers but that he had not been authorised by them to take any action in the matter.
The Committee of this Chamber, from reliable information, have now very good reason to believe that owing to the protests that have been made by some of the Foreign Ministers ut Peking to the Tsungli Yamen, the ratification of the Convention with the two Telegra: hic Companies has not been made by the for the present ate suspended, though itis not "hinese Government, and that the negotiations
unlikely they may be resumed, The Committee therefore deem this an opportune time to again do all in their power to prevent any such monopoly being estab: lished, as they consider it would be most detrimental to all commercial interesta connected with China. With this end in view, I am requested to lay these facts before the China Association, trusting that they will use any means that may occur to them us the most suitable, to assist the Chamber in their endeavour to'prevent the ratification by the Chinese Government of the Convention with the Telegraph Companies.
Tenclose copies of the correspondence which has passed, and Thave the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) J, G. Poxvos, Chairman,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.