To this letter, the Chinese Minister replied as follows:—
"Dear Lord President, have to thank you for your letter of August 9, informing me of your Federation'#' mission to Man-Ghurla, and ite "visit of courtesy fand- goodwitt to Japan." I note also your hope that Mr. Piggott, a member of this mission who will be Topresenting the {ron and steel industry, may be able to visit China with 'a view to discussing certain questions connected with his me that the mis-not found possible to plan to China, for Tam sure you will agree, with me the goodwill and market of China, even temporarily without Manchuria, cannot but be of paramount interest and value to British industrialists and manufacturers in the Far East, Speaking purely from the standpoint of trade, and not touching the clear legal and mot {sgues involved in the present alle tion of "Manchoukuo' from Chin exist ind pote deserves. attention and deference from your Federation.
"The news of your mission to Manchoukuo and Japan has already been received with misgivings by the Chinese press. I had my own misgivings conveyed to the British Foreign Office immediately upon receipt of your letter, and they have been unfortunately confirmed by the press news from China. Moreover, Quite aside from unfavourable re: actions in China, it may be pointed ut that, in regions where Japanese! Influence "predominates, there is really little opportunity in trade for! other nationals except the Japanese. During the last two years, various foreign business firms, including, British, have been forced to close down in Manchuria, and such prominent British companies os the Kalan Mining Administration have gulfered greatly from Japanese, interference The special correspondent Times; from Dairen, published last Saturday, August li, amply illus trates why and how this is made inevitable by the Japanese, documenting the thesis that, in Man choukuo the "open doot™ policy is politically fundamental, in practice mere negation."
"As Chinese Minister in London, is, of course, part of my duty guard and promote good under standing between Chinese nationals fand English business men, quite much as between my Government and the Government to which I fam accredited, Therefore, I have felt bound in' candour to' express my concern, that, in the long view, this Mission will hardly achieve the results desired.
phe trade of the Far East has to be achieved and apportioned by genuine ce-operation, which Recessarily a matter of many fac ors, and I'do not doubt that we fare at one in regarding (he great Chinese market as not only the Keystone of the arch of Asiatic trade but most of the arch itself. Realistic understanding and collaboration in that great reciprocal task, with its Benedelat resus for Bogs, shipping, os well as rade, Present, I know you will agree, what the business men and popula Mions of: both England and China must strive for. There, surely, is the centre of Asiatic trade and of Asialle polities so far as politics a1 affected by, oF affect, trade."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.