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James Burness & Sons
138, Leadenhall Street

London, 30th January 1918
Messrs Worms & Co. - Paris

Dear Sirs,
"Margaux". Mr. McNair of Messrs. Thos. Cooper & Co. called today with reference to the action which is now going on between you and the owners of the "Basil" to say the counsel on the other side had told them he would agree to a decision "no negligence either side" which would end the collision case and would mean you would not he liable to pay anything to the "Basil" or her cargo. Mr. McNair went on to say it does not follow of course that the French Government would accept the finding although on the other hand they might do so, but he was inclined to advise that you should take the risk of your Government not accepting the position inasmuch as the above arrangement would relieve you from the possibility of an adverse finding if the case went on.
If the case went against the "Margaux" or both steamers were held to blame it would mean your having to pay £12.000 odd and not recovering any of it from the French Government because it would then he held to be a marine and not a war risk. Mr. McNair further pointed out that your claim on the "Basil" is less than half the amount they are claiming from you.
We were able to put the foregoing to you shortly on the telephone this afternoon when you told us you would be guided by Messrs. Thos. Cooper & Co's advice and we have since passed this on to Mr. McNair at the court.
We are, Dear Sirs,
Yours truly,

James Burness & Sons

Messrs. Thos. Cooper & Co. have since rung us up to say that on seeing the counsel for the other side they were informed that upon reconsideration he had come to the conclusion that instead of agreeing a settlement in view of the loss of life which took place, the case had better go on in order to have on record the evidence from the various wirnesses.
The case did not finish this evening and the Counsel has to address the Court on your behalf at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.