Archives

London, 14th December, 1915
MM. Worms & Co - Paris

Dear Sirs,
Port Said H/U. We confirm the conversation which we had with you over the telephone this morning when you said - subject to our M. George's approval - you would very much like us to see M. Sillitoe of MM. Hull, Blyth & C°, and to prepare him for the offer which you authorised us to make him yesterday so that he may enter the Meeting with a satisfied air, as you thought he might be relied upon not to allow M. Moxey to get wind of it beforehand but of course the Meeting would have to be made 'au courant' of the arrangement if it became a 'fait accompli'. We thought we had better take M. Newton Dunn with us in the matter so we took him into our confidence and subsequently had a further interview with M. Sillitoe of MM. Hull, Blyth & C° who received your proposal favourably but said he would have to consult his partners upon the subject before he could say anything further of a definite character with regard to it; late this afternoon he has telephoned us to say that they have been so much occupied with other matters that he has been unable to get the views of all his partners upon the subject in the meantime but that generally your suggestions have been received sympathetically and he will let us know something more definite by 9,30 tomorrow morning when we shall probably be able to repeat what he has to say to you on the telephone.
We felt constrained to tell you that we were a little afraid that M. Moxey with his usual rapacity might want to know what was going to be done for him when he found that you were prepared to go so far in order to placate MM. Hull, Blyth & C°, but you explained that you considered they were not in the same position as MM. Hull, Blyth & C° and that you could not be expected, neither could you afford, to give away something to everybody or you would have nothing left for yourselves, so we must just hope to get over the difficulty somehow or another if it should unfortunately arise at tomorrow's discussion.
Société minière du Tonkin. Referring to your letters of the 30th ulto. and 2nd inst. we should be glad if you could kindly furnish us with the initial of the Chairman & Managing Director of this concern as some years ago we remember having come across a M. R. Pierron Junior & our recollection of him was not a satisfactory one.
We are, Dear Sirs,
Yours truly,

James Burness & Sons