893.6359 Antimony/12: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—7:26 a.m.]
31. Reference Department’s 14, January 21, 2 p.m., Foreign Office has not yet replied to the Legation’s note of December 12. Peck reported January 19 that Foreign Office states it expects to reply very soon.
By despatch dated January 11 Peck has forwarded a communication from the Department of European and American Affairs of the Foreign Office enclosing a letter from the Ministry of Industries quoting a report from the provincial government to the effect that (1) the Hunan Antimony Syndicate is organized in accordance with the provincial regulation providing that “all antimony produced within the territory of Hunan Province must be handled by the syndicate otherwise it may not be exported” and (2) the antimony syndicate is not negotiating with a British firm in Hankow regarding the sale of antimony as reported.
Recent information from the Consulate General at Hankow is to the effect that (1) the operations of the syndicate have increased the price of antimony, (2) these operations have thus far been financed with the assistance of Chinese banks, but the syndicate very probably feels the need of reaching some more satisfactory arrangement for long-term financing, and (3) a German firm in Hankow was approached by the syndicate with a proposition for the financing of antimony sales after the suspension of negotiations with the British firm of Arnhold and Company.