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James Burness & Sons
138, Leadenhall Street

London, 4th July 1918
Messrs Worms & Co. - Paris

Dear Sirs,
Handling of coal at Port Said for account of the French Government. Your private lines of the 1st inst. in this connection reached us at noon today & they have had our careful attention and consideration.
We quite agree with the conclusion you have arrived at in the second paragraph of same & with regard to the remainder of your letter we have drawn up the following memorandum which we propose to submit to you whenever we are next able to get through to you on the telephone - which possibly may occur later in the afternoon - & which meanwhile we beg to confirm in anticipation thereof:-
"We have your letter of 1st inst. with reference to minutes of meeting of 28th ulto., but with all deference we do not think that there could be any mistake as to the construction of the word 'controlled' in paragraph 2 of the Memorandum inasmuch as same is governed by the words 'or managed' which follow it and we think it will be better to let the Memorandum stand as agreed rather than reopen the discussion.
We told Mr. Newton Dunn that we were expecting a letter from you to the effect that you do not see your way to stipulate that the contract shall be determinable at three months notice, when he reminded us of the memorandum dated 20th November 1914 incorporated in the minutes of the 27th idem that the handling arranged with British Admiralty was to be for three months certain and thereafter subject to a months notice. We would also call your attention to the minute under the head of 'Agreement' in the same minutes, in accordance with which Mr. Dunn says: 'If notice were to be given to terminate the H/U he would be bound to give the British Admiralty notice to terminate the manipulation agreement with them', and we understood him to say that a condition giving him that power is embodied in his agreement with the Admiralty."
Since writing the foregoing (2.30 p.m.) the Paris operator informs us that they have rung you up again but apparently your Office is closed for the day, presumably owing to it being a general holiday.
We are, Dear Sirs,
Yours truly,

James Burness & Sons